NEW YORK — Don Schlitz, the acclaimed country music songwriter whose work helped define a generation of hits, died Thursday April 16, 202 at a hospital in Nashville. He was 73. Officials said his death followed a sudden illness, though no further details were immediately released. A two-time Grammy Award winner, Schlitz earned widespread recognition for writing enduring songs such as

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to introduce incentives for Non-Resident Indian (NRI) deposits in its upcoming April monetary policy review to help stabilize the Indian Rupee. Experts suggest that the RBI may revive the foreign currency non-resident (FCNR B) deposit scheme to attract foreign deposits and address the rupee's volatility. Currently, the UAE accounts for over 40% of FCNR (B) deposits, showing a heavy reliance on the Gulf region. NRI deposit inflows have seen

Gold prices have recently fallen below the Rs 1.5 lakh mark, sparking interest among investors wondering whether this is the right time to buy or if it’s better to wait. As geopolitical tensions rise, particularly in the Middle East, and the US dollar strengthens, precious metals have come under pressure, prompting many to reconsider their investment strategies. Gold, which was trading at Rs 1,49,513 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), faced a dip of Rs 167, while silver droppe

The Indian rupee slipped past the 95 mark against the US dollar on March 30, 2026, hitting an all-time low of 95.20 per dollar, a decline of 0.3% for the day. This drop occurred despite the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) recent intervention aimed at curbing currency volatility. The currency has been under pressure from a mix of global factors, sustained foreign outflows, and rising oil prices. The RBI had introduced measures to support the rupee by tightening limits on banks' foreign exchange positions. As of late Friday, the central bank directed banks to cap their net open rupee positions in the foreign exchange market at $100 million by the end of each business day, with compliance required by April 10. While this move offered temporary relief, the impact was limited as analysts pointed out that underlying factors, such as persistent foreign outflows and high crude oil prices, continued to weigh on the rupee. Foreign portfolio outflows have been one of the major contributors to the rupee's weakness. These outflows, coupled with high global oil prices, have put pressure on India’s current account deficit, thus exerting more pressure on the currency. The rising oil prices are linked to geopolitical tensions, such as the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has exacerbated market volatility. Additionally, the wider spread between the onshore and non-deliverable forward (NDF) markets, due to increasing volatility, has contributed to the rupee’s decline. Despite the RBI’s directive, the rupee continued its downward spiral, reflecting broader economic challenges. The currency has fallen over 4% in March alone, marking its worst monthly performance in over seven years. The Nifty 50 index also reflected the market's overall weakness, dropping by about 2% on Monday, with a looming risk of its worst monthly decline since March 2020. In this uncertain climate, analysts predict that unless there is a significant drop in oil prices or a reversal in foreign fund flows, the pressure on the rupee is likely to persist. The continued outflows from emerging markets and heightened global uncertainty have created a negative sentiment surrounding India’s economic outlook, which, in turn, has kept the rupee under significant pressure.

The Indian rupee has slipped to a new record low, falling to 94.1575 per US dollar, surpassing its previous all-time low of 93.98 set earlier this week. The continued decline is being attributed to growing concerns over the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has placed significant pressure on global markets, including the Indian currency. Since the war broke out late last month, the rupee has weakened by about 3.5%, reflecting the heightened uncertainty in international mark

Gold and silver have witnessed significant price jumps recently, attracting attention from investors as global market conditions remain uncertain. After two consecutive days of price declines, both metals have made a strong rebound, with gold prices soaring by Rs 5,300 (3.82%) to reach Rs 1,44,212 on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). Silver saw an even larger increase, rising by Rs 13,060 (5.82%), reaching Rs 2,36,980. This sharp uptick in precious metal prices is largely driven by weakenin

In a stunning turn of events, the global precious metals market witnessed a staggering $2 trillion wipeout, a rare occurrence that has rattled financial markets. This unprecedented crash occurred in just hours, disrupting the long-held belief that metals like gold and silver serve as ultimate safe-havens, especially during times of crisis. What makes this even more perplexing is that the meltdown happened amid an escalating war, with oil prices still elevated and investors seeking refuge in c

The Indian Rupee rebounded from its all-time low on Tuesday morning, rising by 7 paise to 92.14 against the US Dollar in early trade. This recovery follows a sharp fall in global oil prices, spurred by comments from US President Donald Trump regarding the potential end of the ongoing conflict with Iran. Additionally, a weaker US Dollar and a strong opening in the domestic equity markets further supported the local currency, although Foreign Institutional Investors (FII) outflows limited signi

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda recently extended a formal wedding invitation to Union Home Minister Amit Shah ahead of their much-anticipated wedding in Udaipur. The meeting took place in New Delhi, just days before the couple's wedding at ITC Momentos on February 26, 2026. The celebrity duo, known for their strong presence in the Indian film industry, handed over a silver Ganesh idol inside a beautifully crafted box to Amit Shah, along with a formal wedding invitation card. Their wa

Amid continuing global economic uncertainty and renewed debate over the stability of major reserve currencies, Chinese President Xi Jinping has reiterated China’s ambition to build a “strong currency” and gradually elevate the yuan’s status in the global financial system. Xi said China aims to expand the use of the yuan in international trade, investment, and foreign exchange markets, underscoring a long-standing policy goal to strengthen the country’s financial influence worldwide. Xi’s remarks were outlined in a speech delivered in 2024 to senior provincial and ministerial officials and later published on Saturday in Qiushi, the Communist Party’s leading theoretical journal. The publication of excerpts from the address comes at a time of heightened volatility in global markets and growing scrutiny of the dominance of the US dollar, adding significance to Beijing’s renewed emphasis on currency strength and financial resilience. In the speech, Xi set out what he described as the essential characteristics of a global financial powerhouse. These included a solid economic foundation, world-leading technological and industrial capabilities, and a widely accepted and credible currency. He argued that currency strength was inseparable from broader national competitiveness and institutional capacity, noting that financial influence must be supported by real economic and technological power rather than short-term market movements. Xi also stressed the importance of a capable and independent central bank able to implement effective monetary policy and macroprudential management. He said globally competitive financial institutions, along with influential international financial centres, were necessary to attract global capital and exert pricing power in international markets. According to Xi, these elements must be matched with strong regulation, a reliable legal framework, and a deep pool of skilled financial professionals to ensure long-term stability and credibility. While acknowledging China’s scale in global finance, Xi noted that the country still faced structural limitations. He said China ranked among the world’s largest economies in terms of banking assets, foreign exchange reserves, and capital market size, but remained “big but not strong” overall. Transforming China into a true global financial powerhouse, he added, would be a gradual and long-term undertaking rather than an immediate achievement. Beijing has promoted the internationalisation of the yuan for more than a decade, with measurable progress in its use for cross-border trade settlement. The currency’s role in global markets, however, remains limited when compared with established reserve currencies. China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System currently clears an average of about 700 billion yuan, or roughly 100 billion US dollars, in transactions each day. This figure remains well below the nearly 2 trillion US dollars cleared daily through the dollar-based Clearing House Interbank Payments System. Yuan-denominated debt issuance in international markets also accounts for a small share of global activity, representing less than one percent of total issuance. These figures highlight the gap between China’s ambitions and the yuan’s current global footprint, despite steady domestic financial expansion. In recent months, the yuan has generally held firm against the US dollar, even amid trade tensions and uneven global growth. This stability contrasts with the sharper depreciation seen during former US President Donald Trump’s first term, when market observers speculated that Chinese authorities tolerated a weaker currency to offset the impact of tariffs. International investment banks continue to argue that the yuan remains below its long-term fair value, reflecting both policy controls and cautious foreign investor sentiment. The republication of Xi’s speech signals continuity in China’s financial strategy rather than a sudden shift. As global markets navigate uncertainty and reassess existing monetary structures, Beijing appears intent on steadily advancing its vision of a stronger yuan and a more influential role in the international financial system over the long term.

Gold and silver prices fell sharply on Friday as markets reacted to growing expectations that Kevin Warsh will be nominated as the next chair of the Federal Reserve, a development that appeared to ease concerns about the central bank’s long-term independence. The sell-off marked a sudden reversal for precious metals, which have enjoyed a powerful rally over the past year amid global uncertainty and a weaker U.S. dollar. By early afternoon in U.S. trading, silver prices had dropped

The Indian rupee weakened to a fresh all-time low of 91.99 against the US dollar on January 29, extending its recent slide amid persistent pressure from global and domestic factors. The currency has now fallen 2 percent so far this year and nearly 5 percent since the United States imposed higher tariffs on Indian merchandise exports. The sharp decline reflects continued weakness in foreign capital inflows and a surge in corporate demand for dollar hedging, which have outweighed the positive i

The U.S. dollar has continued its recent decline, extending a trend that presents both opportunities and challenges for the American economy. President Donald Trump described the currency as “doing great,” reflecting his view that a moderately weaker dollar can provide strategic benefits in international trade. Despite this optimism, economists warn that the weakening greenback represents a “double-edged sword,” offering advantages to exporters while introducing risks related to inflatio

Global financial markets moved sharply lower Tuesday as renewed political tensions between the United States and Europe triggered a broad sell America trade, prompting investors to reduce exposure to U.S. assets. The shift came after President Donald Trump escalated rhetoric surrounding Greenland and proposed new tariffs targeting several European countries, reviving fears of a widening trade conflict and long-term economic fallout. U.S. bond prices fell steeply, pushing Treasury yi

A once-unadorned parking garage wall in downtown Dallas has been transformed into a striking five-story mural, marking a significant addition to the city’s growing public art landscape. The new artwork now spans the west-facing exterior of The Adolphus Hotel’s parking structure, introducing a vivid and imaginative presence along Commerce Street. The mural, titled “The Time Keeper,” was officially unveiled this week as part of the Downtown Dallas Mural Initiative, an effort a

Elon Musk has once again redefined corporate ambition. At Tesla’s annual shareholder meeting in Austin, the company’s investors voted to approve an unprecedented $1 trillion compensation plan for its CEO. The package, designed to stretch over a decade, is tied to a series of extraordinary performance goals that could transform Tesla into one of the most valuable and diversified technology companies in the world. Unlike conventional executive pay structures, Musk’s plan contain

US President Donald Trump has reignited debate over the influence of the BRICS bloc, claiming that the group represents “an attack on the dollar” and warning that countries joining it could face tariffs from the United States. Trump made the remarks during a bilateral lunch with Argentine President Javier Milei at the White House, reiterating his stance on protecting the dominance of the US dollar in global trade. Speaking to reporters, Trump asserted that the United States woul

Former Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has stirred a major political storm with his admission that India refrained from retaliating against Pakistan after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks due to intense foreign pressure, particularly from the United States. Chidambaram revealed in an interview that then US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice flew to India just days after the attacks to urge the government not to react militarily.

Gold, the most closely watched safe-haven asset, slipped from its record peak this week, sparking fresh debate among investors and traders. The decline in 22-carat and 24-carat gold prices has been tied to three key factors: the strengthening US dollar, cautious Federal Reserve signals, and anticipation around upcoming economic data. Despite the retreat, gold remains under the spotlight as global uncertainty keeps demand resilient.

A state commission in New Jersey has recommended a significant change in how schools manage technology use during the academic day. The Commission on the Effects of Social Media Usage on Adolescents has suggested that school districts across the state should adopt bell-to-bell cellphone bans, preventing students from using phones from the beginning of the school day until the final bell. The recommendation comes after growing concerns about the impact of smartphones and social media on the me