The City of Houston spent $180 million from its general fund on purchasing goods and services during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, according to newly released public financial records. Overseeing that massive flow of public funds was the Strategic Procurement Division of the Finance Department, which itself cost about $9.5 million to operate last year. City officials emphasize that purchasing within a government body like Houston is far different from everyday consumer spending. Unlik

A trip to Chicago ended with far more than sightseeing and selfies for one lucky tourist who now returns home $3.1 million richer. The unexpected windfall came courtesy of the Illinois Lottery’s FastPlay Ultimate Diamond Jackpot game, with the winning ticket purchased at Komal Wine and Liquors near O’Hare International Airport. The winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, snagged a $3,188,104 jackpot while enjoying a visit to one of America’s most iconic cities.

RPG Group Chairman Harsh Goenka, known for his witty and thought-provoking social media posts, has once again struck a chord with netizens. This time, he took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a humorous yet insightful comparison between material purchases and long-term investments particularly gold. Using real-life anecdotes involving his wife, Mr Goenka cleverly highlighted how investing in gold has proven to be far more valuable over the years than spending on depreciating assets like cars,

If you're wondering whether to invest in gold or mutual funds this year, you're not alone. With rising market uncertainty, inflation concerns, and global geopolitical tensions, investors are reevaluating traditional assets. Gold and mutual funds have long stood as two prominent options for Indian investors. While both offer potential returns, they cater to different investment styles, goals, and risk appetites. Financial experts suggest that a well-balanced investment portfolio, tailo

  India's organic food exports have witnessed a significant surge, registering a 35% increase to reach $665.96 million (approximately ₹5,700 crore) in the financial year ending March 31, 2025. This growth underscores the rising global demand for Indian organic products and the country's expanding footprint in the organic food sector. In terms of volume, exports grew by 41%, totaling 0.37 million tonnes in 2024-25, up from 0.26 million tonnes in the previous fiscal year. The

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has formally filed a chargesheet against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with its ongoing money laundering investigation into the National Herald case. This marks the first time that both leaders have been officially charged in this high-profile case, which has been under scrutiny for several years. The chargesheet, submitted to a special court in Delhi on April 9, 2025, also names five other individuals, including Indian Overs

After months out of the spotlight, former President Joe Biden returned to the national stage with a blistering critique of the current administration’s handling of Social Security and the deepening divide in American politics. Addressing a crowd of policy advocates and community leaders, Biden warned of sweeping staff reductions at the Social Security Administration (SSA) and accused the White House of undermining a foundational institution that millions of Americans rely on. Biden&rs

In a ruling that could significantly influence the tax liabilities of Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) investing in Indian mutual funds, the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT), Mumbai bench, has determined that capital gains earned by NRIs on the redemption of mutual fund units are not taxable in India. This decision was delivered in a case involving a Singapore-based NRI who had declared short-term capital gains from mutual fund investments but claimed exemption under the Double Taxation Avoidance

In yet another setback to India’s rapidly growing digital economy, UPI (Unified Payments Interface) services across the country suffered a major disruption on Saturday morning. This marks the third significant outage in less than a month, severely impacting users and businesses who rely on the platform for quick and seamless financial transactions. Saturday’s outage left countless users stranded, unable to send or receive money through popular UPI-enabled apps such

Punjab BJP President Sunil Kumar Jakhar has ignited a political firestorm after penning a strongly worded letter to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, alleging a “grave constitutional breach” and “institutional abuse” by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. In his letter, Jakhar raised serious concerns about the misuse of the state’s intelligence machinery for political espionage, calling for a judicial or independent inquiry into the matter. Jakhar’s charges stem from

In a high-stakes logistics maneuver that has grabbed the attention of global tech and trade watchers, Apple has reportedly shipped a significant consignment of iPhones from India to the United States in a matter of days, ahead of a new import tariff deadline imposed under President Donald Trump’s trade policy. According to multiple sources close to the operation, the tech giant arranged for as many as five aircraft to carry the devices across continents, with the aim of bypassing a

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

Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh — The Central Government has disbursed over ₹4,200 crore to Andhra Pradesh for the development of its capital, Amaravati. This follows the release of USD 205 million (approx. ₹1,705 crore) by the World Bank under a major international funding initiative aimed at completing the first phase of the state’s capital development project. A senior government official confirmed that the ₹4,285 crore, transferred on April 1, is part of a comprehensive ₹15,

In a move that offers much-needed relief to Public Provident Fund (PPF) account holders across India, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has officially announced that individuals will no longer have to pay any fees to add, update, or remove nominee details in their PPF accounts. The announcement was made via a post on social media platform X and follows a recent government notification that amends the applicable savings rules. Through Gazette Notification 02/4/25, changes have been introduce

In a move that has stirred significant concern among global policymakers, US President Donald Trump took aim at India’s high tariffs on American goods during a recent press conference. Speaking on the matter, Trump expressed frustration over the tariffs imposed on US agricultural products, specifically highlighting the fact that India has a 100% tariff on American agricultural goods. This, according to the President, makes it “virtually impossible” for American products to b

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has officially released the payment schedule for April 2025, providing valuable information to millions of beneficiaries across the United States. After a unique February that featured an early double-payment for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients, April returns to the regular cadence of benefit distribution. With the SSA’s clear structure, Americans receiving Social Security or SSI can now better plan their monthly finances. However,

This month, the announcement of sweeping 25% tariffs on cars “not made in the U.S.” has sent ripples through the global automotive industry, especially affecting Asian car manufacturers. U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision has put significant pressure on automakers ahead of the implementation of the new duties, which are set to take effect later this week. The move has particularly shaken Japanese and South Korean carmakers, many of whom rely heavily on the U.S. market. S

The stock market suffered a sharp sell-off on Friday as fears over inflation, declining consumer confidence, and doubts about artificial intelligence investments combined to push major indexes lower. The S&P 500 dropped 2%, making it the second-worst trading day of 2025 for the broad-based index, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 2.7%, breaching its lowest point for the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also slumped, losing 1.7% as investors reacted to concerning economic signals.

Health insurance is meant to be a safety net—helping individuals manage healthcare costs without financial stress. However, for many, that reassurance is shattered during claim time when their applications are denied. These rejections can leave policyholders not only frustrated but also suspicious about their insurer’s intentions. While some rejections are justified, many arise from avoidable mistakes that occur during policy purchase or while filing a claim. Understanding these e

In a significant move aimed at reshaping the American education system, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the Department of Education. This bold move aligns with long-standing Republican ambitions to transfer educational authority to individual states and reduce federal involvement in schools. The signing ceremony took place in the East Room of the White House, where Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren, proudly displayed the signed order.