When it comes to travelling carefree from one country to another, not all passports are equal. Some passports let their holders visit many countries without a visa and enjoy shorter lines at border control. A recent report by the Henley Passport Index shows which countries currently have the strongest passports.
Governor Abbott's order to freeze new H-1B visa applications in Texas has caused controversy and anti-India sentiment. At a recent city council meeting, concerns were raised about an "Indian takeover" and visa fraud, but others spoke in support of diversity and inclusion. The meeting also highlighted the growing Indian population in Frisco.
Ravi Kapoor, a former IRS officer, left his job in 2023 and found that true happiness and success come from within. He now mentors UPSC aspirants and believes in the importance of four key chemicals - dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and endorphins - in our pursuit of happiness and success.
The Big Three in tennis, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, may be past their prime, but their influence remains unmatched. Similarly, the Volkswagen Tayron R-Line, a powerful and stylish seven-seater SUV, is ready to make its mark in India. It offers a spacious cabin, impressive handling, and advanced safety features, but faces tough competition from Skoda Kodiaq and Toyota Fortuner.
The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has received approval for its IPO through an offer for sale (OFS) worth $2.5 billion. Existing shareholders, including Temasek Holdings and Life Insurance Corporation of India, are expected to sell 4-4.5% of their stake. The exchange's current market capitalization in the unlisted market is Rs 5.26 lakh crore.
Multi-asset funds offer a dynamic investment option for uncertain times, allocating funds in equities, debt, and gold for higher risk-adjusted returns. These funds have shown resilience and outperformed large-cap funds in challenging market phases. However, careful evaluation of asset allocation, rebalancing, and costs is necessary as not all funds manage allocations effectively.
The Union Budget 2026 proposes to disallow the deduction of interest on borrowings used for leveraged investments, including shares and mutual fund units. This change brings dividends and mutual fund income under the tax net, but interest on borrowings for business or on-lending activities will still be deductible.
Chaitali Dutta is considering taking a sabbatical to pursue an MBA and is wondering if she can get an education loan of `20 lakh for three years. Gopal Kishore confirms that she can, but may require a co-borrower. Vivek Sharma asks about pledging mutual fund units or taking a personal loan, while Arun Handa wants to repay his home loan without penalty.
The budget offers a six-month window for voluntary disclosure of foreign income and assets, with a 30% tax rate for up to Rs 1 crore and a one-time fee of Rs 1 lakh for up to Rs 5 crore. This scheme is particularly beneficial for those with ESOPs from foreign employers and provides immunity from further tax, penalty, and prosecution.
India U-19 cricket team becomes world champions by defeating England by 100 runs in the final. Although ICC does not offer prize money for this tournament, BCCI has a tradition of rewarding the winning team. The last India U-19 team received Rs 40 lakh per player and Rs 25 lakh per support staff. Expectations for similar rewards for the current team are high and an announcement is expected soon.
The projected capital expenditure by CPSEs for FY27 is estimated at Rs 4.8 lakh crore, a 12% increase from FY26. The energy sector, led by Power Grid Corporation, will have the highest share in the capex cycle. Despite a flat investment forecast, CPSEs under the petroleum ministry will have the largest share in total CPSE capex.
The India Energy Stack, a common digital framework, aims to improve data flow and coordination among utilities, system operators, market participants, and consumers in India's evolving electricity sector. It is being developed in phases to support a more reliable and flexible electricity system, addressing fragmentation and promoting consumer participation.
Air India's CEO and managing director, Campbell Wilson, says the airline's transformation is almost complete and now focuses on execution and refinement. The airline has revamped its fleet of 190 aircraft and plans to deliver or refit 20 more this year. However, it continues to face challenges such as airspace closures and policy changes in overseas markets.
InCred Holdings, a NBFC fully owned by InCred Financial Services, has received SEBI's approval for its IPO. The company plans to launch the IPO after obtaining necessary approvals and considering market conditions. With a strong track record of disbursing loans worth Rs 25,000 crore to over 4 lakh customers,
Sebi has issued new norms for reporting AIFs' unit value to depositories, with immediate effect. Category I and II AIFs must calculate investment value every six months, extendable to one year with investor approval. Category III AIFs' NAV will be disclosed to investors quarterly or monthly. AIFs must upload latest NAV before May 1 or within 30 days of portfolio valuation.
The T20 World Cup 2026, hosted by India and Sri Lanka, starts on Saturday with India vs USA at Wankhede Stadium. Defending champs, without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, have a solid batting lineup with Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan back. The pitch favors batsmen, with good weather and no rain. Strong squads from both teams promise an exciting match.
India's aviation market is expanding, but small airlines are struggling against dominant players controlling 90% of domestic flights. They seek government aid in fair slot allocation, lower taxes, and domestic financing. Without this, new airlines may fail as in the past. They also want priority at airports and government bank guarantees for non-controllable costs.
Indian Railways will operate 1,410 Holi special trains in March, with the potential to increase to 1,500. This is a significant increase from 2025. Zones have announced plans to meet regional demand, including extra ticket counters and passenger areas at major stations to handle crowds. Dedicated holding areas have been set up.
A young boy was seriously injured when a mobile phone battery he was biting exploded in a mobile shop. The CCTV footage, shared on social media, shows the boy biting the battery in front of witnesses who failed to stop him. The battery, made of corrosive chemicals, caused severe burns to the boy's mouth and face. Experts warn against such dangerous actions for the sake of 'fun' or 'viral videos'.
National Stock Exchange (NSE) reported a 37% YoY profit decline in Q3 FY26, with consolidated PAT at Rs 2,408 crore. Revenue from operations also decreased by 9% YoY. However, the company saw a 15% increase in profit on a quarterly basis. NSE's operating EBITDA declined by 16% YoY but showed a 92% QoQ growth. The company's total expenditure decreased by 48% QoQ
"Vadh 2, the spiritual sequel to the 2022 hit, is a gripping crime thriller that exposes the flaws of the criminal justice system. Directed by Jaspal Singh Sandhu, the film follows a widower prison guard and a wrongly imprisoned woman. Despite a slow narrative, the stellar performances of Sanjay Mishra and Neena Gupta shine. The final twist compensates for any shortcomings."
Power Finance Corporation and Rural Electrification Corporation are merging following the government's decision to restructure public sector NBFCs. PFC has acquired the government's stake in REC and the two companies will now operate as holding and subsidiary companies. The merger was proposed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to improve efficiency and scale up operations.
Indian women’s cricket star Smriti Mandhana lives in a spacious 5000 sq ft apartment in Sangli, Maharashtra, a home that reflects her deep-rooted connection to her hometown. Here’s an inside look at Smriti Mandhana’s Sangli home and the personal space where the vice-captain unwinds off the field.
Despite being a strong team in the league stage, the Delhi Capitals women's team has a history of losing finals. Led by Meg Lanning and Jemimah Rodrigues, they have faced four consecutive losses in the WPL finals between 2023 and 2026. The team struggles with pressure and has faced heartbreaking defeats. The question for next season is whether they can break this curse and finally win the title.
Three young sisters died in Ghaziabad after playing a game where they thought they were Korean princesses. This highlights the dangers of excessive gaming on children's mental health. Experts warn that gaming addiction can be a coping mechanism for anxiety and loneliness, causing children to struggle with real-life issues.
The Indian Railways has an Emergency Quota (EQ) for urgent travel needs, primarily reserved for High Official Requisition (HQR) holders like Central Government ministers, judges, and Members of Parliament. Allocation is based on seniority, but urgent requests for family bereavement or official duty may also be considered. The quota is not open to the general public.
India has removed a proposed benefit for small car manufacturers in their new fuel-efficiency rules, in response to concerns from automakers. The updated plan aims to create a fair competition between light and heavy fleet producers and encourage the adoption of electric and hybrid vehicles. Companies will now be rewarded for selling more EVs and plug-in hybrids
14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, India's "wonder boy," smashed the fastest century for India in U19 World Cup history against England in the 2026 final. He reached the milestone in just 55 balls, surpassing modern greats like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. This is also the highest individual score in a U19 World Cup final, breaking records set by Raj Angad Bawa and Unmukt Chand.
Rose Day marks the beginning of Valentine’s Week, and roses have long been used to express emotions without words. From red roses symbolising deep love to yellow roses representing friendship and joy, each colour carries a distinct meaning rooted in history and tradition. Here’s a complete guide to what different rose colours mean and how to choose the right one.
Fractal Analytics, a top Data, Analytics, and AI company, will enter the IPO market on February 9 with a goal of raising Rs 2,833.90 crores. The IPO price range is Rs 857-900 per share, and the allotment and listing dates are February 12 and February 16. The company has a solid presence and customer base.
US government to strip citizenship of Indian taxi-cab driver Gurmeet Singh for concealing and misrepresenting facts in naturalization application. Singh had previously kidnapped and sexually assaulted a passenger in 2011, and lied about it during his naturalization interview. He was found guilty and sentenced to 20 years in prison, and his citizenship will now be revoked.
Delhi Police dismisses rumors of rising missing girls in the capital, attributing it to paid promotion. Strict action will be taken against those promoting false information for monetary gain. Police data shows no significant increase in missing persons, with majority being in the 12-18 age group. No proof of organized gangs behind these cases.
Manoj Bajpayee, who plays a corrupt police officer nicknamed 'Pandat' in Netflix's Ghooskhor Pandat, has addressed the controversy surrounding the film's title. The controversy began after complaints and legal trouble were raised against the title, which some found defamatory and offensive to the Brahmin community.
Rani Mukherji's latest film Mardaani 3, produced by Yash Raj Films, has earned Rs 26.33 crore in its first week at the box office. It is her 10th highest earner and has performed well in comparison to the first film in the franchise. However, it falls behind Mardaani 2 by Rs 2 crore.
An Amazon insider exposes that the recent job cuts were financially motivated, causing controversy among employees who question the fairness. Managers were told to make it appear as a performance issue, while hiring and leadership roles were unaffected. Affected employees are advised not to blame themselves, as this is a common practice in the tech industry.
A 21-year-old student was injured in a late-night explosion inside a residential lift in Mumbai's Goregaon (West) caused by hydrogen gas-filled balloons. The student and a delivery man suffered burns and were sent for treatment. The incident was captured on CCTV and the police have registered a negligence case against the balloon owner. The reason behind the explosion is still under investigation.
Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju was arrested by Thiruvananthapuram Police for a hit-and-run accident on February 5, 2026. Two men were injured and Raju claimed the motorcycle was speeding and hit his car during a slow turn. He left the scene due to health issues and personal circumstances. Legal charges have been pressed against him and the police are investigating.
Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya has urged the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister to establish a new Fare Fixation Committee and halt the recent fare hike by BMRCL. Surya highlighted errors in fare calculations and overcharging of passengers, making Bengaluru Metro the costliest in India. Despite repeated concerns, BMRCL has not addressed the issue.
A man in Los Angeles was arrested for sending a fake ransom note demanding millions in Bitcoin from the family of a missing 84-year-old woman. He used a fake phone number and has been charged with transmitting a demand for ransom. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information on the case.
Air India has been identified as the Indian carrier with the most recurring technical defects. The airline plans to launch a retrofit program to address concerns. Other airlines, including IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, have also been flagged for technical deficiencies. The government is taking steps to ensure safety by increasing technical posts and conducting inspections and audits.
'President Trump launched TrumpRx.gov, a direct-to-consumer platform to lower prescription drug costs. The website offers discounted drugs from five companies, including Pfizer. It comes ahead of the midterm elections and is seen as a major achievement. Trump aims to avoid the issues faced by Healthcare.gov, which was launched 12 years ago.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei predicts significant job loss due to AI development, supported by recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Companies are investing in AI instead of hiring, leading to a record number of layoffs in January. Amodei's essay and interview raise concerns about the future impact of AI on the job market.
The 16th Finance Commission has identified the poor financial performance of State Public Sector Enterprises (SPSEs) as a pressing issue. With over half of the 1,107 SPSEs reporting losses or no profit, the Commission suggests implementing a State-level policy, modeled after the Union government's New PSE Policy, to improve the situation and alleviate the burden on the states.
Telecom operators are urging for a raise in international incoming call termination charges due to concerns of fraud, spam, and revenue loss. They claim that the current rate is not in line with global standards and puts Indian telcos at a disadvantage. Higher charges are also necessary to prevent malicious traffic and address currency risks. The government is being called upon to take action.
Addverb, an industrial robotics and automation company, has unveiled Elixis-W, its first Made-in-India wheeled humanoid robot. This development marks a significant step towards integrating Physical AI into industrial shop floors through autonomous operation, adaptive mobility, and safe human-robot collaboration.
The Metropolitan Stock Exchange has implemented a liquidity enhancement scheme and upgraded systems in its equity segment to compete with the NSE-BSE duopoly in the cash market. With over Rs 1000 crore raised from investors and the launch of the scheme, analysts predict a strong presence for the exchange with the support of big brokers.
Nasscom, India's tech industry body, reassures that the country's technology services sector will not be bypassed by the rise of AI tools. They state that AI will instead reshape and expand the role of service providers, requiring coordination, domain expertise, and a strong understanding of enterprise workflows.
The report emphasizes the advantages of using non-animal methods (NAMs) in drug development, such as significant cost reduction and more ethical and accurate predictions of human outcomes. India, the US, and the UK have approved the use of NAMs, and companies like Dr Reddy's, Sun Pharma, and Biocon are actively adopting them.
The recent passenger fare hikes implemented by the railways minister will not significantly reduce the subsidy burden on the national transporter. The revisions are not enough to cover the subsidies, and only major train services were affected to maintain affordability for lower and middle-income families. The railways is expecting a 9.1% jump in passenger fares.
Tata Motors will launch the updated Punch EV on February 20 to regain its 46% market share in the electric vehicle segment. CEO Shailesh Chandra acknowledges intense competition and plans to offer a wide price range of ₹8-30 lakh to maintain volume and resilience. New launches are driving majority of the market growth.
USCIS announced the opening of the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2027 H-1B cap on March 4, 2026. However, due to the current visa backlog, some applications from 2025 are still pending. Immigration attorney Dobrina M Ustun shared the shocking news of extreme wait times for H-1B approvals, with one recent approval taking 9 months.