Country Financial News

global trade tensions and sparking uncertainty in markets worldwide. These tariffs, designed to counter what Trump calls unfair trade practices, are expected to reshape global commerce in a significant way.

Parliament approved the the Immigration and Foreigners Bill as the Rajya Sabha gave its nod on Wednesday. The bill was passed in the Lok Sabha on March 28, with Home Minister Amit Shah asserting that while India welcomes individuals coming for business, education, and investment, those posing a threat to national security will face stringent action. During the debate in Lok Sabha, Shah had emphasised the bill is crucial for enhancing national security, boosting the economy, and promoting India's global standing in education. He noted that it will also help universities gain international recognition and strengthen the manufacturing and trade sectors. Shah explained that the legislation aims to ensure the country has up-to-date information on every foreigner visiting India, stating, «immigration is not an isolated subject; it is directly linked to various other issues. This bill will ensure close monitoring of everyone who visits India-why they visit and how long they stay.»

cost of living varies significantly between India and the United States, and this difference is best understood through Purchasing Power Parity (PPP). According to financial expert and CA Nitin Kaushik, an annual salary of Rs 23 lakh in India is equivalent to Rs 79 lakh in the US when considering lifestyle expenses. This staggering gap underscores the impact of PPP on real income and affordability.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. New Delhi: As India braces for a hotter-than-normal summer, the railway ministry is set to increase the availability of rail rakes for coal transportation in FY26. The average number of rakes deployed is expected to rise to 470 daily from last year’s440 rakes, said two people in the know of the matter.

Fawad Khan is all set to make a comeback to Hindi cinema after nine years. The Pakistani actor, whose last Bollywood release was 2016’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, will star opposite Vaani Kapoor in Abir Gulaal. The movie is set to hit theatres on May 9 this year. Ahead of Abir Gulaal’s release, there has been some controversy regarding Fawad Khan and allowing Pakistani artists to work in Indian films despite tensions between the two countries. The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has said that it will oppose the release of the film. Ameya Khopkar, the president of the MNS' cinema wing, said that the party will not let Abir Gulaal release in Maharashtra, PTI reported. While the controversy around Abir Gulaal continues, there are some films Fawad Khan fans can watch on OTT before the movie releases.

ITA Airways has officially received approval to start the integration process into Star Alliance following a verdict by the Star Alliance Chief Executive Board (CEB). Building on its induction into the Lufthansa Group earlier this year, this decision paves the way for its entry into the world’s largest airline alliance. “In early 2026, ITA Airways is expected to officially join the Star Alliance network as a full member. The decision by our Chief Executive Board underscores the strong confidence our members have in ITA Airways. As a gateway for Italy, its addition strengthens our global network, offering seamless and connected journeys to more travellers worldwide," said Star Alliance Chief Executive Officer Theo Panagiotoulias . Joerg Eberhart, CEO and General Manager of ITA Airways, said, “We are excited to join the Star Alliance network and to bring the excellence of Made in Italy into the alliance, further enhancing its global reach. This is a significant milestone in ITA Airways’ growth, and we look forward to offering our customers the future privileges of the world’s largest airline network."

IDFC FIRST Bank on Wednesday said it has been authorised by Central Pension Accounting Office (CPAO) to disburse pensions on its behalf. This allows the bank to disburse pensions to central government pensioners including, All India Service Officers, former Members of Parliament, retired Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court, former Presidents and Vice Presidents of India, and officials of Civil Ministries and Departments (other than Railways, Posts, Telecom and Defence), the lender said in a release. «Pensioners can now receive their pension directly in their IDFC FIRST Bank savings account,» it said. From a technical point of view, the integration between the CPAO, GoI and IDFC FIRST Bank is complete and is ready for such pension disbursements, IDFC FIRST Bank said.

Poonam Gupta of NCAER was appointed as Reserve Bank of India's Deputy Governor, in place of Michael Patra. Poonam Gupta is a Lead Economist for India at the World Bank.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. A POLITICIAN promised to open his poor country for foreign investment and wean it off aid, while Tony Blair nodded sagely. Standard fare for Davos—except that two months earlier the politician, Asaad al-Shaibani (pictured), was a member of a jihadist group blacklisted by the UN.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. SÃO PAULO—In the unfolding global trade war, Brazil is betting it has some distinct advantages. Chinese buyers are already stockpiling Brazilian soybeans as Beijing retaliates against President Trump’s tariffs with levies on U.S.

To help you navigate this complex decision, we've developed a step-by-step approach—Mapping Your Journey: A Step-by-Step Approach—designed to guide you through collating your academic credentials, setting your priorities, and categorizing your university options. This framework will walk you through every step of the decision-making process, from understanding your priorities and evaluating academic quality to considering financial aspects and cultural fit. Get ready to dive into a journey that will empower you to make an informed, confident decision and set you on the path to global success.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday strongly defended the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, in the Lok Sabha, and said that the legislation was necessary to ensure the proper use of Waqf properties for the benefit of the poor and disadvantaged sections of the Muslim community. Rijiju, who tabled the Bill in the Lower House, took aim at the opposition, accusing them of misleading Muslims for the last 70 years for «vote bank politics.» «How long do you want to mislead them?» Rijiju asked MPs of the Opposition bloc, particularly those affiliated with the Congress. “The Muslims are strongly supporting this Bill. They have been asking to pass it quickly,” he said.

«Widespread price hikes and inefficiencies» could be the result of a global trade war and retaliatory tariff spiral, according to a report from economists Jun Du and Oleksandr Shepotylo at Aston University.  The report found that the 2018 US tariffs cost consumers $1.4bn per month in welfare losses; in the event that all countries targeted by Trump's levies retaliate with the same level of tariffs after ‘Independence Day' (2 April), leading to a potential $1.4trn global welfare loss.  Wall Street giants hike recession risk expectations amid impending Trump tariffs In particular, US...

The Problem with India’s Onion Export Policies India’s approach to controlling onion exports has been inconsistent, resulting in price volatility and disruptions in the supply chain. The government has imposed a ban on onion exports three times in the past five years, accompanied by MEP and high export duties (refer to table 1). This erratic policy-making benefits neither consumers nor farmers.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. India is currently on a decisive path to establishing itself as a global manufacturing powerhouse. Moving beyond cost competitiveness, the country is evolving into an innovation-driven industrial hub.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. President Trump’s pursuit of breakneck diplomacy to end the war in Ukraine is colliding with Moscow and Kyiv’s go-slow approach. Russia is putting sticks in the wheels of Trump’s cease-fire drive, playing for time as it presses its gains on the battlefield and pushes for maximum concessions in negotiations.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. When big changes happen slowly, we don’t notice them. Climate change is a glaring example.

Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. Mumbai: Weikfield Foods, known for its custard, jelly mixes and baking powder, will produce more ready-to-eat products for the convenience-seeking younger generation of customers, look for acquisitions to boost growth, and come out with an IPO to fund its expansion plans, CEO and managing director Ashwini Malhotra told Mint in an interview. The company’s ready-to-eat custard, launched a few years ago, is gathering momentum and is one of its first game-changing products, he said.

Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday tabled the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Bill for discussion and passage in the Lok Sabha amid strong backlash and protests from the Opposition, who believe that the proposed law is unconstitutional. The bill was tabled after today's Question Hour for consideration and passing. Following the tabling, an 8-hour discussion will be held, which is also subject to an increase. Read more: Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 to be taken for passage in Lok Sabha on Wednesday; here's all you should know «Today is a historic day...this bill is being introduced in the interest of the country. Not only crores of Muslims but the whole country will support it. Those who are opposing it are doing so for political reasons. I will present the facts in the House. And I also want that if someone opposes, they should oppose on the basis of logic and we will also answer them,» Union Minister Kiren Rijiju had said earlier.

Mayuresh Joshi, Head Equity, Marketsmith India, says Trump’s announcements are on everybody's mind, but if this lingers on with the absolute stance that president Trump has reiterated and that continues in a rhetorical fashion for the next few weeks without any negotiations on the table across a lot of different economies, we are going to see a lot more volatility in the equity markets. Joshi says Trump will bring a lot of countries on the negotiating table over the next few weeks and a few sectors like pharmaceuticals might not get the brunt as the markets are fearing. So, pharma, which has got beaten down as far as US exports are concerned, might have a respite in terms of Indian exports and should show a smart bounce. What is the overriding thought in the Indian markets right now about Liberation Day and what could really be brought in the worst fears that market men are contending with right now? Mayuresh Joshi: Two things, there is huge uncertainty of what will come through and therefore how the rhetoric in terms of the Trump tariff plan gets implemented, which sectors are probably going to get affected, and how are countries going to get taxed is going to be the foremost important facet that the markets will probably look at.

Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" is here, a day where he seeks to alter the global trade structures by imposing reciprocal tariffs on countries that, according to him, treated the US unfairly. This will have widespread implications for the world including India. Even though experts predict the impact will be minimal and transient, the domestic stock market doesn't seem to think so. Benchmark Sensex plummeted 1400 points on Tuesday, highlighting the deep fears pervading among investors. In this context, here is a study on how investors should approach the next two days of trading.