If you’ve filed your income tax return and are still waiting for your refund, you’re not alone. Many taxpayers in India experience refund delays even months after filing. The good news is that under Section 244A of the Income Tax Act, 1961, the government must pay interest on delayed refunds provided the delay isn’t caused by the taxpayer. The interest rate is fixed at 0.5% per month or 6% per annum, calculated as simple interest on the refundable amount. Interest begins from

Open enrollment for Covered California began Monday with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joining state and local officials in encouraging residents to enroll early in health coverage. The new enrollment period opens against a backdrop of financial uncertainty, as ongoing federal funding debates threaten to reshape the affordability of health insurance for millions across the state. This year’s enrollment marks a critical moment for the state’s health care marketplace. Covered Calif

As India moves into 2026, investors face a familiar yet complex choice: gold or real estate. Both assets have historically served as trusted vehicles for preserving and growing wealth. Yet, their performance and purpose vary significantly depending on economic conditions, investor goals, and market trends. Over the past year, both gold and property values have surged. Gold’s recent rally has been driven by global inflation, economic instability, and rising central bank purchases.

Edmonton: An Indian-origin businessman, 55-year-old Arvi Singh Sagoo, died after being brutally attacked in Edmonton, Canada, in what police have described as an unprovoked assault. The incident has sent shockwaves through the Indian diaspora and reignited concerns over the rising number of racially motivated attacks across the country. According to the Edmonton Police Service, the assault occurred in the early hours of October 19, when Sagoo confronted a man who was urinating on hi

New Delhi: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has clarified that the American sanctions imposed on Iran will not affect the Chabahar Port project, a critical component of India’s regional connectivity and trade strategy. The confirmation underscores New Delhi’s commitment to maintaining strategic investments in the port, even as it continues its dialogue with the United States on broader trade and diplomatic issues. The Chabahar Port, located on Iran’s southeastern c

In 2025, as the Indian Navy launches Exercise Trishul off the coast of Gujarat, history echoes across the Arabian Sea. The large-scale tri-services drill, featuring warships, fighter jets, tanks, and helicopters, is designed to test India’s combat readiness along its south-western frontier. This very coastline holds immense historical significance — it was here, sixty years ago, that the Pakistan Navy attempted a bold attack on the temple town of Dwarka during the Indo-Pak War of 1965, an

India is working closely with Thailand to repatriate around 500 Indian nationals detained after escaping a Chinese mafia-run cybercrime hub in Myanmar’s KK Park, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The operation follows a Myanmar junta raid on the compound last week, which forced hundreds of trafficked workers including Indians to cross into Thailand’s Mae Sot region, where they are currently under detention. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that India plans to send

Pakistan has offered Bangladesh the use of its Karachi port for exporting jute and other goods, marking a significant geopolitical move amid deteriorating India-Bangladesh relations. The offer comes shortly after India banned the import of jute products through land routes, a major blow to Bangladesh’s export sector. The development was formalized during the Pakistan-Bangladesh Joint Economic Commission (JEC) meeting in Dhaka, held after a gap of nearly 20 years, signaling a thaw in relatio

A tragic murder case has shocked the Indian community in Canada after the body of 27-year-old Amanpreet Saini was found with traumatic injuries in a park in Lincoln, Ontario. The Niagara Regional Police have identified 27-year-old Manpreet Singh, also of Indian origin and a resident of Brampton, as the main suspect in her murder. Authorities have confirmed that the killing appeared to be targeted and posed no ongoing threat to public safety. According to police reports, Manpree

Many Indians who migrate abroad continue to maintain strong financial ties with their home country through various savings and investment instruments, including the Public Provident Fund (PPF). However, once an individual’s residential status changes under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), different rules come into play. The guidelines determine whether Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) can hold or operate PPF accounts and how the proceeds are managed upon maturity. Under exis

Satellite imagery from US-based intelligence firms and open-source analysts has revealed a major new Chinese air-defence complex near the India border in Tibet’s Gar County. The facility, located roughly 65 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and facing India’s Nyoma airfield, includes command buildings, vehicle sheds, radar positions, and hardened munition storage. The most notable feature is a cluster of covered missile launch positions believed to be equipped with retractable roof

In a major geopolitical development, Taliban-ruled Afghanistan has decided to restrict Pakistan’s access to cross-border river water by constructing a dam on the Kunar River. The directive came from Supreme Leader Mawlawi Hibatullah Akhundzada, who ordered the Ministry of Water and Energy to begin construction “as fast as possible.” This move comes just weeks after deadly border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan that claimed hundreds of lives and amid heightened tensions followin

India is once again at the center of global diplomatic attention after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had agreed to halt Russian oil imports. The Indian government swiftly denied the statement, emphasizing that its energy decisions are made independently and based solely on national interest. This move highlights New Delhi’s determination to maintain strategic autonomy amid increasing international pressure. Over the past two years

India is on the verge of achieving another milestone in its growing sports journey, as the Executive Board of Commonwealth Sport has recommended Ahmedabad to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, marking the centenary edition of the event. This recommendation is not a coincidence but the result of India’s steady and strategic efforts over the past decade to become a global sporting hub. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has significantly strengthened its posi

Hours after United States President Donald Trump asserted that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally assured him that New Delhi would soon halt the purchase of oil from Russia, the Indian government issued a carefully worded statement reiterating its independent energy policy. The clarification underscored India’s commitment to protecting its national interests and consumers amid global price volatility, without directly confirming or denying Trump’s remarks. In a s

MARION, Ohio — Whirlpool Corporation announced Wednesday a $300 million investment across two of its key Ohio manufacturing facilities, marking one of the company’s largest expansions in recent years. The investment aims to strengthen Whirlpool’s production capacity for its next generation of washers and dryers, while also creating hundreds of new jobs and supporting thousands more indirectly across the state. According to the Michigan-based appliance manufacturer, the capital

At least 20 people lost their lives and several others were injured after a private bus travelling from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur caught fire on Tuesday afternoon in Rajasthan. The tragic incident occurred on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway when the vehicle, carrying 57 passengers, was engulfed in flames shortly after smoke was seen emerging from its rear section. According to local authorities, the bus had departed Jaisalmer around 3 p.m. and was en route to Jodhpur when the driver noti

India has announced the reopening of its diplomatic mission in Afghanistan, marking a significant step in restoring engagement with the Taliban-led government. The decision, revealed during a bilateral meeting between India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi on October 10, represents the first high-level diplomatic dialogue between the two nations since the Taliban took power in August 2021. India had shut

Paul Kapur, a noted American academic and expert on South Asian security, has been appointed as the new Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia in the United States government. Known for his hardline stance against Pakistan’s military establishment, Kapur’s appointment marks a significant shift in Washington’s regional approach, especially amid renewed tensions in South Asia. His selection comes as the US seeks to redefine its engagement with both India and Pakistan whil

It has been more than two weeks since the rollout of GST 2.0 on September 22, but a nationwide consumer survey indicates that the expected benefits of lower taxes are not being fully passed on to buyers. The reform, which aimed to make a wide range of goods and services more affordable, appears to have produced uneven results across product categories, with automobiles emerging as the only sector showing substantial price reductions. According to a large-scale survey conducted acros