Legendary musician Billy Joel has canceled all his upcoming concerts following a diagnosis of normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a brain disorder that has caused him significant issues with hearing, vision, and balance. The 76-year-old singer announced on Friday that recent performances had exacerbated his symptoms, leading to medical advice to halt all touring and focus on physical therapy and recovery. Joel expressed gratitude for the care he is receiving and apologized to fans for the ca

 In a major policy development, the Indian government has initiated high-level talks to overhaul the Goods and Services Tax (GST) framework. According to a report by The Economic Times, the discussions aim to streamline the current slab structure, reduce business complexities, and prepare Indian industries for greater global competitiveness. The GST overhaul talks come amid broader tax reform efforts, including the introduction of an income tax simplification bill earl

Despite mounting global challenges, tech magnate and philanthropist Bill Gates is confident humanity is on track to build a better world over the next two decades. In a recent interview and an accompanying blog post, the Microsoft co-founder shared his bold vision of a more equitable future and committed to donating a staggering $200 billion through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation over the next 20 years. Gates’ announcement comes at a critical juncture. As geopolitical

In a rare and potentially historic clash between two of India's highest constitutional offices, President Droupadi Murmu has openly questioned a recent Supreme Court ruling that mandates timelines for approving bills passed by legislatures. This bold move marks the first time in independent India’s history that a sitting President has directly contested a decision made by the apex court, highlighting a deepening constitutional debate over the separation of powers. The Supr

House Republicans have unveiled a sweeping new tax proposal dubbed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” aligning with President Donald Trump’s 2024 campaign promises. The bill includes major tax breaks for workers, significant penalties for elite educational institutions, and the introduction of a 5% tax on money transfers sent abroad, a move likely to impact immigrant families across the country. The proposed legislation eliminates federal income taxes on tips and o

A new congressional proposal to reduce Medicaid funding for Washington D.C. is causing concern among officials and health experts, who warn that such cuts would have wide-reaching consequences beyond the program’s low-income beneficiaries. Medicaid is deeply integrated into the region’s health care infrastructure, and any funding reduction could disrupt care for patients across the income spectrum, affecting hospitals, clinics, and community health providers. House Rep

The economic disparity among US states has been sharply illustrated by new data showing that more than half of the nation’s billionaires reside in just four states, while three states do not have a single billionaire. Out of a total of 902 billionaires across the country, 528 live in California, New York, Florida, and Texas. This geographic clustering of immense wealth reveals growing inequality in wealth distribution across the United States. California tops the list with 1

Millions of borrowers with defaulted federal student loans will soon face renewed consequences as the U.S. government resumes collections. The Department of Education has confirmed that, beginning May 5, it will refer defaulted loans to the Treasury Department’s offset program. This program allows the government to garnish wages, withhold tax refunds, and seize portions of Social Security checks to collect unpaid student debt. These measures officially end the collections pause introduced

The Income Tax Department has officially released the Income Tax Return (ITR) forms 1 and 4 for the assessment year 2025–26, enabling individual taxpayers, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), and firms (excluding LLPs) with total income up to ₹50 lakh to begin filing their income tax returns. This marks the beginning of the tax season for income earned during the financial year April 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025. Taxpayers must submit their returns by the due date of July 31, 2025, to avoid l

In an eye-opening revelation that underscores the worsening cost-of-living crisis in California, new data shows that individuals earning over $100,000 annually in four Bay Area counties are now classified as "low income." According to a recent report from the California Department of Housing and Community Development, single residents in Marin, San Mateo, San Francisco, and Santa Clara counties fall into this category despite salaries that would be considered high in most parts of the

The Alameda County Fairgrounds, located in Pleasanton, California, is home to hundreds of low-income residents who face the prospect of displacement within the next month. This comes as a result of a significant decision that will alter the landscape of horse racing in Northern California. The California Authority of Racing Fairs (CARF) has announced the cancellation of all horse racing events for 2025 in the region, a move that directly affects the future of the Alameda County Fair.

 Maryland’s latest budget cycle has ended, but its financial aftershocks are just beginning to ripple through the state's residents and businesses. One of the most significant changes coming into effect is a new 3% tax on information technology and data services, a move intended to help fill a substantial budget deficit left behind by mounting fiscal obligations. Set to begin in July, this new levy is expected to have wide-ranging impacts on both service providers a

In a dramatic escalation of political tensions between the federal government and academic institutions, U.S. President Donald Trump has called on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to revoke Harvard University’s tax-exempt status. The move follows ongoing criticism from Trump regarding the Ivy League school’s handling of antisemitism and diversity-related issues, as reported by The Washington Post. Though no final decision has yet been announced, reports suggest that an

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

As global markets reeled under the pressure of a sudden trade war triggered by sweeping new tariffs from U.S. President Donald Trump, investor Warren Buffett not only emerged unscathed—but significantly richer. According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Buffett was the only one among the world’s 10 richest individuals to post gains as others saw billions wiped from their fortunes. The tariff announcement, targeting 184 countries, sent global stocks plummeting, resulting in a $

India’s wealthiest individuals faced a massive financial hit in Monday’s stock market crash, which saw billions of dollars wiped off global markets. Along with retail investors and institutional players, some of the country’s most prominent business leaders—Mukesh Ambani, Gautam Adani, Savitri Jindal & family, and Shiv Nadar—collectively lost over $10 billion in personal wealth. The losses were reported based on Forbes’ real-time billionaire tracker, which

For Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), securing health and term insurance for themselves and their families back in India is more than just a financial obligation—it is a critical step toward safeguarding their loved ones and managing long-term security. As global citizens, NRIs often weigh the pros and cons of buying insurance in their country of residence versus opting for policies in India. What tips the scale in favor of Indian insurance are three strong reasons: affordability, extensive

  Purchasing a home has become more financially demanding for potential buyers, with a new study highlighting the necessity for a household income over $100,000 in several states. According to Bankrate’s 2025 Housing Affordability Study, 30 states and Washington, D.C. now require at least this much in annual household income to afford a typical home in the area. The data further sheds light on the stark contrast between high-income regions, li

In a noteworthy development signaling the economic progress of Andhra Pradesh, the state has recorded its highest monthly Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in nearly a year. The GST revenue generated in the state for the month of March 2025 has reached an impressive ₹3116 crore, breaking past the ₹3000 crore milestone for the first time in the last 11 months. This also marks an 8.35 percent year-on-year growth compared to March of the previous year, indicating an upward trend in tax

As the new financial year commences on April 1, 2025, several significant income tax changes have officially come into effect, directly impacting salaried individuals, senior citizens, investors, and taxpayers across the country. Announced during Budget 2025, these updates aim to simplify compliance, improve transparency, and provide substantial relief to the middle class. From revised tax slabs to increased deduction limits and changes in TDS thresholds, here’s a complete breakdown of