The Supreme Court of India has issued a landmark ruling on February 17, 2025, stating that an employee’s gratuity can be forfeited on the grounds of moral turpitude, even in the absence of a criminal conviction. This ruling expands the interpretation of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, allowing employers to withhold gratuity from employees dismissed for unethical or fraudulent actions.Previously, in a 2018 Supreme Court ruling in the Union of India vs. Ajay Babu case, the court had st

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) has launched the Smart Pension Plan, designed to provide financial security for retirees through structured annuity payouts. The plan offers a range of annuity options, ensuring flexibility and stability for policyholders looking for a steady income after retirement. With multiple features tailored to meet the needs of individuals at different life stages, the Smart Pension Plan provides long-term financial support.The

Dallas interim police chief Michael Igo has reassured the public that the Dallas Police Department (DPD) does not engage in immigration enforcement. Speaking at a recent press conference, Igo emphasized that officers will not stop individuals solely to inquire about their immigration status. This reaffirmation aligns with the department’s long-standing policy of maintaining trust with the community, ensuring that residents feel safe interacting with law enfo

Trump's decision to halt New York City's congestion pricing program has led to a major legal dispute, as the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The congestion pricing plan, which went into effect on January 5, 2025, imposed a $9 toll on vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street. The policy aimed to curb traffic congestion while generating much-needed funding for the city's public transpor

The Andhra Pradesh Excise Department recently implemented a marginal increase in the prices of certain liquor products, prompting immediate reactions from political leaders. YSR Congress Party (YCP) leaders accused the AP government of committing a major mistake by raising liquor prices. However, Excise Minister Kollu Ravindra swiftly countered these claims.   Minister Ravindra clarified that the price hike only affects hard liquor, and even then, it is a modest ₹10 in

Rahul Gandhi's Attack on Arvind Kejriwal Rahul Gandhi, in his rally at Delhi's Patparganj, strongly criticized Arvind Kejriwal, labeling him as the "architect of the liquor scam." This criticism came amid the ongoing Delhi election campaign, where Gandhi targeted Kejriwal's promises of clean politics and transformation. He also pointed out that Kejriwal had failed to live up to his promises during crucial times, including during the Delhi riots of

Coromandel International Ltd. has won an appeal to quash an order to recover Rs 589.2 crore, including penalty and interest, from the company. The original order, filed by the additional commissioner of central tax from the Visakhapatnam Central GST Commissionerate, was contested successfully by the company. The Office of the Commissioner (Appeals), Central Tax and Customs, Guntur, ruled in Coromandel's favor on January 20, 2025. In a related matter, the fertilizer manufacturer

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, known for his iconic films like Satya, has been sentenced to three months of imprisonment by the Andheri Magistrate Court in Mumbai. The sentence is related to a cheque bounce case that has been ongoing for the last seven years. The case involves a sum of Rs 2 lakh 38 thousand, stemming from a transaction with Varma’s ex-employee. The court, after hearing the case for several years, issued a non-bailable warrant against the director on Tuesd

A British woman in Birmingham was left contemplating suicide after being deceived by a close friend of twenty years, Sumaiya Khurram, who catfished her online and drained her life savings of £92,300 (Rs 98.5 lakh). Khurram, 33, posed as a "pretty boy" on WhatsApp, claiming to be in love with the victim and asked for money to pay for cancer treatment at a private clinic. The fraud occurred between 2015 and 2017 when Khurram introduced the victim to someone named Etesh

The U.S. decision to withdraw from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) global tax deal, led by President Trump in his second term, could lead to significant shifts in the global tax landscape. However, according to tax expert Rakesh Nangia, India's tax policy will not be heavily impacted by this move. India had taken a more cautious approach toward implementing the Global Anti-Base Erosion (GloBE) rules and had not introduced substantial changes to it

Trump’s National Energy Emergency Declaration President-elect Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order declaring a national energy emergency to promote affordable and reliable energy in the U.S. Aiming to lower costs and boost domestic production, the measure would focus on removing regulations and promoting energy independence. Focus on Alaska’s Natural Resources Trump will also sign an executive order targeting Alas

Following the Indian cricket team’s defeat in the Test series against Australia, the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) has introduced a new  guidelines aimed at promoting discipline, team cohesion, and reducing the influence of 'star culture' within the team. These rules come after consultation with head coach Gautam Gambhir and are designed to ensure a more unif

On Friday, a Pakistani court convicted former Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in a landmark corruption case related to their welfare foundation, the Al-Qadir Trust. Khan received a sentence of 14 years in prison, while his wife was handed a 7-year sentence. This verdict marks another chapter in Khan's ongoing legal and political battles since his ousting from office in 2022. T

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has made a remarkable achievement by registering over 1 crore members, a first in the party's history. The ongoing membership drive, which has seen a surge in registrations, has reached an impressive milestone of 1,00,20,065 members, with notable participation from both Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The drive gained momentum under the leadership of Nara Lokesh, who introduced an insurance policy offering a Rs 5 lakh coverage, adding significant value for

The ongoing battle between the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Arvind Kejriwal, the chief of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), took a significant turn today with the Ministry of Home Affairs giving its nod for the prosecution of Kejriwal. This decision is connected to the ongoing money laundering case linked to the controversial Delhi excise policy. Earlier, Delhi's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, had already granted permission for the prosecution of the former Delhi Chief Minister. T

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the controversial comments made by President-elect Donald Trump regarding the potential US acquisition of Greenland, stating that such an action is not realistic and urging the world not to waste time discussing it. Speaking in Paris during his farewell tour, Blinken stressed that the Biden administration's foreign policy focuses on maintaining strong alliances, with the belief that the US is more effective when working alongside its allies.

The Supreme Court of India on Friday emphasized the need for an effective mechanism to combat caste-based discrimination in educational institutions across the country. The bench, consisting of Justices Surya Kant and Ujjal Bhuyan, addressed the sensitive issue and directed the University Grants Commission (UGC) to notify draft regulations to ensure that caste-based discrimination is prevented in central, state, private, and deemed universities. The Court specifically asked the UGC

India's government is investigating rising steel imports, particularly in two categories of flat-rolled steel products (HS 7208 and 7210), which account for over 75% of the surge in imports. Instead of implementing global safeguards, experts suggest that India should focus on Free Trade Agreement (FTA)-specific safeguards and measures targeting China. Many imports come duty-free under FTAs with coun

The year 2024 was dramatic for the US, with President Joe Biden abandoning his reelection bid after a poor performance in a debate against Donald Trump. Trump, who had been absent from the White House for four years, made a triumphant return after defeating Kamala Harris in the presidential race. His comeback marks the first time since Grover Cleveland that a president has been evicted from the White House and returned four years later. While the Biden administration exits, the Indi

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently responded to a discussion about foreign-born tech workers in the U.S., defending their contribution to the industry. The conversation began when Amjad Masad, CEO of Replit, questioned whether foreign workers were truly displacing qualified Americans in the tech sector. Masad pointed out the large number of unfilled tech jobs, expressing skepticism about claims that foreign workers were taking opportunities from native-born Americans. Musk, who is origina