UPI charges from October 15 2026 will mainly affect eligible merchant payments above Rs 2,000. Person-to-person UPI transfers remain free, while fuel, rail, insurance and utility payments get special MDR rates.   UPI charges from October 15 2026 will introduce a revised fee structure for certain merchant payments, while most everyday users will continue to make personal UPI transfers without charges. Under the n

If gold or jewelry is stolen in Texas, filing a police report quickly, preserving evidence and documenting each missing item can improve recovery and insurance efforts. Texas law also allows theft victims with an offense report to seek pawnshop assistance in locating stolen property. Gold jewelry theft can involve far more than financial loss, particularly when wedding jewelry, inherited ornaments or family heirlooms are taken. If gold or jewelry is stolen

Homeowners insurance can cover gold and Indian jewelry, but standard policy limits may leave expensive collections underinsured. Appraisals, detailed records and scheduled personal property coverage can provide broader protection for wedding, inherited and high-value gold jewelry. Homeowners insurance can provide coverage for gold and jewelry, including Indian wedding jewelry and inherited pieces, but that

Safely storing gold jewelry in the U.S. requires more than hiding valuables at home. A secure safe, bank safe-deposit box, detailed inventory, current appraisals, home security and appropriate insurance can help Indian families reduce theft, loss and financial risk. Gold jewelry can carry substantial financial and sentimental value, particularly for Indian families who may own wedding jewelry, inherited pieces or high-purity 22-karat ornaments. Safely stor

An Abu Dhabi court dismissed a Dh100,000 Golden Visa compensation claim after an employee failed to prove that his employer promised a replacement contract. The court also found insufficient evidence tying the company to lost ILOE benefits or a Saudi job opportunity. An Abu Dhabi court has dismissed an employee’s Dh100,000 compensation claim against his employer, finding that he did not prove a promised replacement contr

Last Updated: July 18, 2026 If an international student causes a fatal car crash in the United States, responsibility depends on the investigation, insurance coverage and state law. This guide explains liability insur

Last Updated: July 18, 2026 When an Indian student dies in a U.S. car crash, several legal and administrative steps follow before the remains can be returned to India. This guide explains the police investigation, family notificat

A newly announced policy introducing tariffs on certain imported pharmaceuticals could gradually increase prescription drug costs for patients across the United States. The measure applies primarily to brand-name medications that remain under patent, along with some of their active ingredients, with tariff rates potentially reaching up to 100 percent depending on compliance with pricing or domestic production conditions. While generic medications and biosimilars are currently exclud

A new report from Policybazaar highlights a significant rise in term insurance purchases by non-resident Indians (NRIs), with overall demand doubling over the past two years and younger buyers playing an increasingly central role in the trend. According to the findings, individuals between the ages of 25 and 35 now account for 54% of total demand, up from 44% in 2024. This shift underscor

India’s financial sector has been grappling with the persistent issue of mis-selling, especially in the realm of banking and insurance products. In a recent statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the ongoing concern, declaring that banks cannot treat mis-selling as a routine part of their business. She went as far as to say that mis-selling is an "offence," sending a clear message to financial institutions that such practices will not be tolerated. Her remarks came at a pr

India has ushered in a new phase of insurance regulation with Parliament clearing the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025, a move that comes at a time when trust between insurers and policyholders is increasingly strained. For millions of Indians, insurance is ultimately judged not by policy documents or premium receipts but by the ease and fairness of claim settlement. Delays, repeated document requests, late-stage exclusions, and opaque rejections have long plag

Illinois is set to enter 2026 with sweeping changes to state policy as more than 200 new laws take effect at the start of the year, touching nearly every aspect of daily life. The legislation approved by lawmakers spans healthcare access, workplace protections, public safety, education standards, insurance coverage and the growing role of artificial intelligence, marking one of the most expansive legislative updates in recent years. Several of the most consequential measures focus o

India is preparing for one of its busiest wedding seasons, with nearly 46 lakh weddings expected in 2025 and spending projected at around Rs 6.5 lakh crore. As celebrations grow grander, Indian weddings often resemble Bollywood productions with choreographed sangeets, elaborate décor and multi-day festivities. But with budgets crossing Rs 30–35 lakh for most weddings, and luxury ceremonies easily exceeding Rs 1 crore, families are pouring unprecedented amounts into these events. With such

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has approved a major overhaul of India's GST system, effective September 22, 2025. This comprehensive revamp introduces significant changes, impacting everything from household essentials and food items to vehicles and healthcare products. The council has streamlined the tax slabs by reducing the existing four-tier system to just two primary slabs 5% and 18% and introduced a 40% slab for select luxury and harmful it

In a troubling case that highlights the challenges of navigating health insurance in the United States, a Massachusetts woman is facing over $20,000 in medical bills after an unexpected encounter with a bat led to costly rabies treatment. Erica Kahn, 33, was on vacation at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona when the bizarre incident occurred last August. While photographing the night sky, she noticed bats flying nearby but did not expect any danger. Suddenly, one bat flew directl

Homeowners in a Texas neighborhood are grappling with the aftermath of multiple power surges that caused thousands of dollars in damage to home appliances and electrical systems. The surges, which occurred in June, affected several houses in a subdivision where residents reported unusual electrical activity—ranging from flickering lights to malfunctioning appliances and repeated circuit breaker trips. As the damage mounted, so did the frustration and confusion over who would be held respon

California is taking a significant step toward establishing the country’s first official insurance standard for smoke damage, aiming to address a persistent and often overlooked issue affecting wildfire survivors. Every year, wildfires leave behind more than scorched land—they also blanket homes in soot and smoke that can carry toxic substances, even when structures remain standing. Currently, there are no statewide or national guidelines requiring insurers to cover the cost of testi

A Fremont-based Farmers Insurance franchise owner has raised serious allegations claiming the company has been canceling insurance policies by falsely stating the cancellations were requested by the insured clients. Jeffrey Carvalho, a 37-year veteran in the insurance industry, says this troubling practice has affected hundreds of his clients, especially senior citizens aged 65 and older across the Bay Area. Carvalho is demanding transparency and an end to these questionable cancellations.

Indian-origin psychiatrist and former CEO of Sovereign Health Group, Tonmoy Sharma, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport in connection with a staggering $149 million healthcare fraud. Sharma, 61, originally from Guwahati, Assam, was taken into custody on May 29 following an eight-count federal grand jury indictment that includes charges of wire fraud, conspiracy, and illegal kickbacks. According to federal prosecutors, Sharma’s company, Sovereign Health, engaged in a system

A former California police officer has been charged with defrauding the workers’ compensation system by falsely claiming a disability while leading an active lifestyle that included skiing, running, and attending music festivals. Nicole Brown allegedly collected more than $600,000 in tax-free workers’ compensation benefits after reporting an injury sustained while on duty in March 2022. Despite claiming she was unable to work due to a traumatic brain injury, Brown was seen engaging i