STANDARD OF LIVING

From fee to different documents required: The ultimate guide to Dubai visa for Indians
Indians need a visa to visit Dubai, with options including a tourist e-visa (96-hour, 30-day, 90-day), Transit Visa, and the prestigious Golden Visa. The e-visa process involves submitting documents and paying a fee, with processing times ranging from 3-4 days to 36 hours for express visas. Dubai also offers long-term residency through the Golden Visa for select individuals.

Fund Manager Talk | FY26 earnings will grow by 12-13% after 5-6% downgrade: Srinivas Rao Ravuri
Srinivas Rao Ravuri, Chief Investment Officer at Bajaj Allianz Life Insurance, shares insights on equity markets, advising a long-term investment horizon amid global uncertainties. He highlights India's growing demographics and sectors like banking, consumption, and domestic manufacturing as promising for investors. Despite global volatility, he remains optimistic about India's economic growth and equity market potential in the coming years.

US to freeze scholarships funding; thousands of Indian students in limbo
Research scholars, social science students and mid-career professionals hoping for academic exposure in the US are now left scrambling for alternatives. "Students seeking such scholarships are top of the lot," said Neelabh Prabhat, cofounder of Alum-n-i. "This will especially impact non-standard applicants, those in non-STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), non-MBA fields."

Bengaluru techie gets a life lesson from Rs 5,000 crore man after he says Rs 18 lakh LPA is not enough in India's Silicon Valley
Billionaire Dr. A Velumani highlights the importance of frugality, sharing a story of a Bengaluru engineer struggling financially despite earning over Rs 1.5 lakh per month. Netizens discuss that true success isn't just income, but financial wisdom and stability. Rising living costs in metro cities contribute to financial pressures, with many professionals feeling vulnerable despite high salaries.

Four words: Bullish, selective, cautious, quality. 6 mid-cap stocks from different sectors with upside potential of up to 42%
As the stock market starts to witness a recovery, it seems logical to stay bullish. Why fight a trend? But, while staying bullish, add an element of caution to your buy/sell decisions. When we say “caution”, we mean stay with quality stocks, especially if you are increasing exposure to mid-caps. There is enough evidence to show that owning quality stocks pays both in bullish and bearish markets. In a bullish market, they tend to rise faster, and they lose less weight in a bearish phase. They also recover faster after a bearish phase. So stay bullish, but be selective.

Partial withdrawal from Mahila Samman Savings Certificate: India Post starts withdrawal facility; check details
Women investors can withdraw up to 40% of their balance after one year. The scheme, active since April 2023, offers a two-year tenure for deposits between Rs 1,000 and Rs 2 lakh.
- Go To Page 1
The impact of Stablecoin regulation on global financial stability
Stablecoins, with a market cap exceeding $200 billion in 2025, are under global regulatory scrutiny to manage risks to financial stability. Key jurisdictions like the EU, US, and Asia are implementing rules on liquidity, reserves, and transparency. The regulations aim to ensure consumer protection while fostering growth and innovation in the stablecoin sector.
Are you truly middle-class in America? Here’s what you need to earn in different US states to stay in the middle
Earning a six-figure salary no longer guarantees financial comfort as middle-class thresholds have significantly risen across U.S. states, especially in Massachusetts. With soaring living costs, even traditionally high incomes may struggle to keep up. Depending on location, being middle class now means meeting higher income ranges, highlighting the shifting economic landscape and increased financial strain.
Rise of the white-collar NRI gives India hard power
PM Modi highlighted the significant contributions of the Indian diaspora in the US. An RBI analysis shows India's remittances have surged, with advanced economies like the US and UK surpassing Gulf economies. Indian migrants in white-collar jobs are now a major source of remittances, boosting India's financial stability. NRIs are increasingly investing back in India, driven by economic growth.
Elon Musk and Donald Trump manipulating policies to benefit the wealthy, claims report
Ever since Donald Trump’s return to power as the president of the US, he, along with Elon Musk, has been reshaping government policies. A new report now suggests that these actions have been taken to favor the rich while slashing essential public programs. Through DOGE, the duo prioritizes corporate gains over social welfare, cutting school meals, Social Security, and disability benefits.
Lower tax on higher income in new tax regime from April 1: How your salary structure will decide if you get a big tax savings
The new tax regime will have new income tax slabs from FY 2025-26. Many salaried employees hesitated to switch to the new tax regime as they could save taxes on the investments and expenses made during the financial year. However, unlike the old tax regime, where the 30% tax rate starts at incomes above Rs 10 lakh, the 30% tax rate in the new tax regime will start from incomes above Rs 24 lakh.
World Happiness Report 2025: Here's where the US, UK, and Canada rank and global position
World Happiness report 2025 ranked the U.S. at 24th place, its lowest ever. This drop reflects growing dissatisfaction, especially among young Americans who feel disconnected and less optimistic about their future. Financial struggles, social isolation, and weakened community ties have contributed to this decline. Meanwhile, Finland retained the top position, followed by Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. For the first time, none of the large industrial powers made it to the top 20, indicating a broader trend of declining happiness among developed nations.
Tech firms fight to stem deepfake deluge
Used on social networks to hijack the notoriety of celebrities or other high-profile figures, sometimes for disinformation, deepfakes are also being exploited by criminal gangs. Hong Kong police earlier this year revealed that a multinational firm employee was tricked into wiring HK$200 million (around US$26 million) to crooks who staged a videoconference with AI avatars of his colleagues.
These mid-cap stocks with ‘strong buy’ & ‘buy’ recos can rally over 32%, according to analysts
In the short term, sentiment impacts stock prices, which, in turn, is impacted by events and the narratives built around them. The big event around the corner is the reciprocal tariffs that are to kick off on April 2. Remember, however, that stock prices and the absolute value of stocks depend on sectoral fundamentals and valuations. While valuations have corrected in some stocks, they are still high in others, despite the correction of the past few months. If the Nifty and market breadth stay positive in the coming trading sessions, it is likely we will see mid-caps gaining strength. Of course, you will have to keep April 2 in mind.
Ocean views, fish, therapy, zero drama
Senior African penguins at the New England Aquarium enjoy a unique retirement on a private island, away from younger penguins. They receive special care including room service with water-infused fish for kidney health, physical therapy, cataract care, and acupuncture for arthritis, along with ocean views and personal chefs.
ET MSME Awards 2024: Meet the nominees competing with their ‘innovative’ prowess
The Economictimes.com is back with ET MSME Awards 2024. The awards will honour the exceptional MSMEs in the country who are at the top of their game.
ET MSME Awards 2024: Meet the nominees vying for India’s Top Exporter of the Year Award
This category is aimed at recognising and honouring exporters in the manufacturing, services, and trading sectors.
AI influencers are turning social media into profit, earning up to $60,000
Since ChatGPT's 2022 release, AI-focused creators have surged on social media, sharing insights and content on tools, models, and AI developments. Many have turned this into profitable ventures, earning through newsletters, masterclasses, and brand collaborations. Platforms like X and LinkedIn offer good opportunities, especially for niche, professional audiences.
India’s macro challenges need solutions, but political urgency is missing
In India, macroeconomic policy faces significant challenges due to structural weaknesses, including high dependence on agriculture and a low share of manufacturing in GDP. Fiscal policy struggles with revenue shortfalls and constrained spending, while monetary policy lacks coherence and credibility. An urgent, coherent economic strategy is needed.
Salary without any overtime benefits! How much NASA is paying Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore for their nine-month stay at ISS
NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will return to Earth after an extended stay at the ISS. They were delayed because of issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. They are set to arrive on Tuesday, March 18, in a SpaceX Crew Dragon craft. Their total mission earnings will include additional incidental pay.
Sunita Williams' homecoming: SpaceX Crew Dragon opens hatch with ISS to reach stranded astronauts
After nine months stranded on the ISS, astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are closer to returning home as a replacement crew docked with the station. They were aboard the ISS for an extended mission due to propulsion issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft. The Crew-10 team, including NASA, Russian, and Japanese members, has now joined the ISS.
Congress hits out at govt over air quality report putting India as 5th most polluted country
India has been ranked as the fifth most polluted country globally by the 2024 World Air Quality Report. Congress demands the rollback of all anti-environmental amendments and calls for increased funding to tackle pollution effectively.
The US has turned its back on its past. Now what?
Global trust in the US, under Trump's leadership, is irrecoverably damaged due to his erratic actions and unreliable words. Notable global figures like Lech Walesa criticize America's stance on Ukraine. Trump’s alignment with controversial leaders and nations disrupts geostrategic stability, shaking international confidence in America's moral standing.
Is Warren Buffett selling his real estate empire? His latest move is a clear warning that the property market is in serious trouble; here's what you need to know
Warren Buffett’s potential sale of HomeServices of America has raised concerns about the real estate market’s future. With mortgage rates soaring, home sales plummeting, and a $250 million lawsuit settlement hitting the firm, Buffett’s exit may signal deeper trouble ahead. Experts warn of declining affordability, rising vacancies, and tightening lending conditions. If the world’s top investor is pulling back, should others follow? This move could be a clear sign of what’s coming next in the U.S. housing sector.
UK economy unexpectedly shrinks in January, in blow to Treasury chief ahead of key statement
The British economy shrank by 0.1% in January, raising pressure on Treasury chief Rachel Reeves. The decline was mainly due to bad weather impacting manufacturing and construction, though services showed strong performance. Prime Minister Keir Starmer prioritizes growth, while Reeves faces criticism ahead of a budget statement expected to include spending cuts.
Parliamentary panel flags brain drain from health dept, delay in filling vacancies in research posts
A parliamentary committee has raised concerns about unoccupied posts of scientists in the Department of Health Research and recommended stopping contractual appointments to prevent brain drain. The panel emphasized enhancing higher education and research infrastructure, improving standards of living, and offering competitive pay to retain Indian professionals.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s fans express jealousy, saying she’s living the ultimate American dream while they watch from afar
Karoline Leavitt, the youngest White House press secretary, brought her baby son to work, earning praise for balancing motherhood and a high-level career. While attending the inaugural MAHA Commission Meeting, she shared her experience on social media, highlighting her commitment to making America healthier alongside Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Fans admired her representation of the 'American dream.'
Is the UK still a rich country? Report reveals some regions are poorer than Slovenia and Malta
A recent NIESR report reveals that parts of the UK are now poorer than the least affluent areas of Slovenia and Malta, due to stagnating real incomes and insufficient welfare provision. Weak wages, poor housing affordability, and stagnant productivity have led to declining living standards.
Nvidia GTC 2025: Date, venue, place, and how to watch keynote speech of CEO Jensen Huang; will there be big bang announcements?
The awaited Nvidia GTC 2025 is round the corner and it is now time to watch the keynote address of CEO Jensen Huang that promises to bring in further announcements about the world of AI. Will DeepSeek have an impact on his speech at all?
Load More