According to The Economist’s presidential forecast, US Vice President Kamala Harris is leading the presidential race with a slight edge over Donald Trump. The latest analysis indicates that Harris has “about a 3 in 5 chance” of securing victory in the electoral college, while Trump holds “about a 2 in 5 chance.” The forecast projects Harris to win 281 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for election, while Trump may receive 257 electoral votes. Updated on September 30, the forecast reflects current trends in the electoral landscape. The national polling averages also indicate Harris at 49.9% and Trump at 46.2%.…
Author: NathanKatz
In 2020, the Asian Indian population in the United States claimed the title of the largest Asian-only group, marking an astounding growth of over 50 percent since 2010, reaching a total of 4,397,737 individuals. Despite this, Chinese Americans remained the top group in the broader Asian demographic category. When considering individuals who identify as either a single race or multiracial, Chinese Americans (excluding Taiwanese) continued to hold the leading position as the most populous Asian identification, comprising a total of 5.2 million people. Following closely behind were the next four largest Asian groups, either alone or in any combination, and…
On September 18, 2023, the Ministry of Finance gave its approval to a set of welfare measures aimed at benefiting both Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) agents and employees. These measures encompass modifications to the Enhancement of Gratuity Limit, the Uniform Rate of Family Pension, and the LIC (Agents) Regulations, 2017, among others. Specifically, these welfare measures for LIC agents and employees include: 1. Increasing the gratuity limit for LIC agents from INR 3 lakh (equivalent to USD 3,600.28) to INR 5 lakh (USD 6,000.47). This substantial raise in the gratuity limit enhances the working conditions and benefits for…
Based on the provisional data for Direct Tax Collections in Fiscal Year 2024, as of September 16, 2023, there has been a significant increase in net collections compared to the same period in the previous Fiscal Year 2023. The net collections have reached Rs. 8,65,117 crore (equivalent to US$ 103.82 billion), marking a notable rise of 23.51% from Rs. 7,00,416 crore (US$ 84.05 billion) in FY23. As of September 16, 2023, a breakdown of the Net Direct Tax revenues reveals that Rs. 4,16,217 crore (US$ 49.95 billion) (net of refund) is attributed to Corporation Tax, while Rs. 4,47,291 crore (US$…
The Ministry of Coal (MoC) is dedicated to achieving its ambitious coal production goal of over 1 billion tonnes this year through a commitment to transparency, prompt decision-making, and efficient planning. As of September 14, 2023, procurement through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) has been a remarkable success, totaling an impressive Rs. 23,798 crore (US$ 2.86 billion). This achievement has already exceeded the MoC’s annual target of Rs. 21,325 crore (US$ 2.56 billion) for FY24 within the first two months. The initial goal set for FY23 for the Ministry of Coal, including its Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs), for procuring goods…
In a recent survey conducted among likely 2024 GOP primary voters in South Carolina, Nikki Haley, an Indian-American Republican presidential candidate, has emerged as a frontrunner, surpassing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in popularity. However, she still lags significantly behind her former boss, Donald Trump, by a substantial 28-point margin. The Monmouth University-Washington Post poll, which was made public on September 14, revealed that a mere 18 percent of South Carolina’s likely GOP primary voters are inclined to support their former governor, Nikki Haley, while a significant 46 percent expressed a preference for Donald Trump. Haley’s fortunes in the polls saw…
India’s G20 presidency has achieved significant strides in tackling various challenges, including debt vulnerabilities in low and middle-income nations, according to Nirmala Sitharaman, the Union finance minister. Sitharaman highlighted that they have bolstered the lending capabilities of multilateral development banks (MDBs) and crafted a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies amidst growing complexities in the global economy. Sitharaman virtually addressed an event of the G20 FinanceTrack, asserting that the core mandate of international cooperation within the G20 has not been overshadowed by geopolitical differences under their leadership. On July 18, the G20, comprising 20 nations, endorsed a roadmap aimed at enhancing MDBs’…
The annual Perseid meteor shower, one of the most dazzling celestial events, is poised to reach its zenith on August 13 and 14. During this pinnacle, observers can potentially witness up to 100 meteors per hour streaking across the night sky. Let’s delve into the mechanics of this cosmic spectacle and learn how to observe it. Although the Perseid meteor shower commenced on July 17 and will persist until August 24, its climax is imminent this week, specifically on Sunday and Monday, as reported by Time and Date. Remarkably, no specialized equipment, such as telescopes, or exceptional skills are required…
A report titled “eCommerce in the New Bharat and Its Future,” released by Shiprocket, forecasts that consumer spending in India is anticipated to surpass US$ 4 trillion by 2030. The study attributes this growth to rising domestic consumer expenditure and the expanding consumption market, projecting a nearly 10% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in India’s consumer spending. Notably, consumer spending on various categories, such as food, housing, clothing, personal care, transportation, and communication, is expected to nearly double by 2030. Among various payment methods, the report highlights that UPI is the preferred choice for prepaid transactions, chosen by 57% of…
Imagine yourself living somewhere amidst the culturally diverse yet closely knit tri-county of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach, in the sunshine state — where outdoor sports can be played all year round. Imagine again, that you live not too far from the one and only internationally acclaimed cricket stadium in the continental USA. Imagine listening to the drum rolls, riding the Mexican waves in a frenzied crowd of thousands, and feeling the euphoria when two of the most populous cricketing nations of the world display their superlative talents on a lush green carpet that is laid out at our own…
