India and the United States are preparing to open formal discussions this week on a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement, taking advantage of a 90-day pause in escalating tariffs. The two nations, long-standing economic and strategic partners, are moving to resolve trade tensions and explore deeper commercial engagement at a time when global trade is under pressure from protectionist trends and economic uncertainty. The initial discussions will be conducted virtually, with officials from both

India’s annual retail inflation rate eased to 3.34% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline and falls below the 3.61% recorded in February, offering significant relief to policymakers and consumers alike. The main factor contributing to this moderation is the continued softening of food prices, which make up a large portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation dr

Ray Dalio, billionaire founder of Bridgewater Associates and one of the world’s most closely followed investors, has issued a stark warning that the United States could be on the verge of something far more severe than a typical recession. His concerns are rooted not in speculation, but in a detailed analysis of macroeconomic trends, fiscal policy decisions, and geopolitical tensions that he believes are combining to create an economic environment that could result in significant long-term

 China has indicated a willingness to address India’s rising concerns over a ballooning trade deficit that is projected to touch a record $100 billion in the financial year 2024–25. This development comes as China seeks to offset its economic challenges amid intensifying trade friction with the United States. People familiar with the situation have said that Beijing has informally conveyed its openness to increasing imports from India by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers,

The City of Dallas has revealed that a miscalculation in commercial remodel permit fees has resulted in a significant financial shortfall, costing the city approximately $8.6 million. The error was disclosed during a recent Economic Development Committee meeting and has prompted urgent calls for reform to prevent further losses. The issue stems from an internal mistake following the adoption of a new permit fee structure introduced in spring 2024. According to the Planning and Development Dep

In a significant policy development, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra announced that the Reserve Bank of India will soon release comprehensive regulations governing prudential norms and conduct-related aspects of gold loans. This move follows growing concerns over irregular practices among certain regulated entities (REs) and the recent surge in gold-backed lending across the country. The upcoming regulations aim to harmonize gold loan guidelines across various categories of lenders, including ba

India’s banking sector is projected to witness a year-on-year credit expansion of ₹19 lakh crore to ₹20.5 lakh crore in FY2025-26, amounting to a growth of approximately 10.8%, according to a report by ICRA, a leading credit rating agency. This expansion is expected to be driven by recent monetary easing measures implemented by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), though structural challenges in deposit mobilisation and rising credit-deposit ratios may temper growth momentum. According to

  India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, has expressed confidence that the recent tariff hikes announced by U.S. President Donald Trump could present an opportunity for India to strengthen its position in global trade. In response to the sudden shift in the U.S. trade stance, Goyal stated that India is well-positioned to benefit economically from the new environment created by America's protectionist approach. Trump recently declared a s

In 2025, residents of North Texas are witnessing a noticeable increase in gas prices, with the average price for a gallon of regular gas now at $3.04. This marks a significant jump from the previous week's price of $2.81. While many have been speculating about the reasons behind this rise, particularly in relation to ongoing economic discussions and the threat of tariffs, experts are weighing in to clarify the situation. Currently, Texas gas prices are still below the natio

Timely pension payments are not merely a procedural matter—they are a lifeline for countless retired central and state government employees. These pensions, disbursed through authorised banks, are governed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)'s "Master Circular - Disbursement of Government Pension by Agency Banks". The RBI recently updated the circular, issuing a series of clarifications that aim to make the pension system more transparent, accountable, and senior citizen-fr

Artificial intelligence (AI) is on track to become one of the most transformative technologies of the 21st century, with its market value expected to surge to $4.8 trillion by 2033, nearly the size of Germany’s economy. This staggering growth, as outlined by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), is set to drive productivity gains and contribute significantly to digital transformation across industries. However, this anticipated boom raises serious concerns, pa

  In the early months of 2025, U.S. consumer spending on air travel, hotels, and restaurants saw a notable decline, signaling a shift in spending habits amid economic uncertainty. According to data from Bloomberg Second Measure, U.S. consumer spending on air travel dropped by 10% in February 2025, while spending on hotels decreased by 6%, compared to the same time last year. In addition, restaurant spending saw a 3.5% decrease, further highlighting

Dallas County’s health department is currently grappling with significant financial challenges after losing two federal grants that totaled $70 million. These federal grants, which were frozen as part of the broader effort under the Trump administration to cut government spending, played a crucial role in funding key public health initiatives, including immunizations and research. The decision to rescind these grants has left Dallas County’s Health and Human Services scrambling to fi

As the new financial year begins on April 1, 2025, taxpayers, investors, and banking customers in India must prepare for several important changes in financial regulations. These reforms, previously announced by the government and regulatory bodies, are aimed at improving compliance, digital security, and financial transparency. Here’s a simple breakdown of the key changes that come into effect starting April 1.   1. Higher Income Tax Exemption Limit

Bank of America has issued essential guidelines for customers to help them avoid their accounts being labeled as abandoned property. Accounts that show signs of inactivity for extended periods, often more than three years, are at risk of being classified as abandoned and subsequently turned over to the state. This process is called escheatment, and it can result in the loss of access to your funds if not managed properly. However, the bank provides several proactive steps for customers to kee

Imagine racing to make an urgent fund transfer on March 31, only to find that your bank is open, but critical transactions aren’t going through. That could be a reality for many this year, as March 31, 2025, marks the last day of the financial year—and it comes with banking limitations that could impact individuals and businesses alike. While banks across India will remain operational on March 31, customers should be aware that many essential financial services may not function as

Many users have faced difficulties in removing old or inactive mobile numbers linked to their UPI ID, leading to security risks and potential fraud. However, a new directive from the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) will simplify this process. By March 31, 2025, all banks and Payment Service Providers (PSPs) offering UPI services must update their databases to automatically remove inactive or recycled mobile numbers. The new rule is aimed at reducing errors and fraud that may ari

  The global automotive industry is facing yet another wave of trade uncertainty following the reintroduction of tariffs by former U.S. President Donald Trump. His latest move to impose a 25% tariff on imported cars has sent shockwaves across international markets, particularly affecting European carmakers. While some automakers have successfully maneuvered through these trade barriers, others are grappling with the economic repercussions.

The first-ever White House crypto summit left some investors disappointed as Bitcoin prices dipped. While the event marked a shift in U.S. policy toward digital assets, the lack of strong commitments led to uncertainty. Crypto Industry Hopes for Stronger Support The White House hosted its first-ever cryptocurrency summit, bringing together top executive

A common question among newlyweds and couples planning their future is whether marriage has any effect on their credit score. The simple answer is no—getting married does not directly impact your credit score. Credit bureaus like CIBIL, Experian, and Equifax do not track or record marital status when calculating individual credit scores.However, while marriage itself doesn’t influence credit scores, the financial decisions you make as a couple can have a significant impact. When y