Personal Finance

The new middle class trap: Unsecured loans and social pressure fuel debt in India, Hong Kong and elsewhere

Once seen as engines of economic growth, the middle classes across countries including India and Hong Kong are now struggling to stay afloat as mounting personal debt, stagnant incomes and unchecked lending practices push them to the brink

India's soft power surge at Rising Bharat Summit: Youth, challenges with startups and Make in India

At the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, industry stalwarts explored how India's youth are reshaping the nation’s global identity through innovation, cultural influence and entrepreneurial grit. From fintech breakthroughs to challenges in the startup ecosystem, the panel discussed India's poised rise as a soft power superpower rooted in dignity and creativity

Mastering your money: A go-to guide for every milestone

Regardless of your age or stage in life, it’s never too late—or too early—to seize control of your finances

Jesus to return in 2025? The crypto market is placing its bets

A prediction market on Polymarket is offering a three per cent probability that Jesus Christ will return by December 31, 2025, with over $44,760 in trading volume. The bet’s outcome will be determined by a 'consensus of credible sources', though defining credibility in such a case remains unclear. The wager is based on niche religious interpretations, while mainstream theology rejects date-setting

How did Indonesia’s richest woman lose $3.6 billion in just three days?

Marina Budiman, co-founder and president commissioner of DCI Indonesia, lost $3.6 billion in just three days as her company’s stock plunged by over 50 per cent. DCI’s valuation had surged amid speculation before collapsing due to a tightly held ownership structure, thin trading volume and broader market instability tied to fiscal concerns and Prabowo Subianto’s economic policies

Is the US going 'penniless'? Why Trump wants to halt production of the coins

Donald Trump has ordered the US Treasury to stop minting new pennies, citing that each one-cent coin costs 3.69 cents to produce — leading to an $85.3 million loss in 2024 alone. The move follows a push by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency and mirrors similar decisions in Canada and Europe. However, opponents argue eliminating the penny could drive up costs for consumers

RBI slashes repo rate by 25 bps, first cut in nearly five years; loan EMIs likely to come down

The central bank’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) reduced the repo rate by 25 basis points to 6.25 per cent, after having kept it unchanged for eleven straight meetings

How Union Budget 2025 has seen the biggest tax break in 20 years

The Union Budget 2025-26 has delivered the largest tax exemption hike in two decades, allowing individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually to pay zero income tax under the new regime. This move aims to boost disposable income, drive spending, and fuel economic growth

India’s tax laws set for a revamp: What is the new Income Tax Bill? How will it affect you?

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to introduce a new Income Tax Bill aimed at simplifying the six-decade-old tax system in the coming week. The bill promises to reduce litigation, streamline compliance, and make tax laws easier to understand. With major changes expected in tax slabs, exemptions, and residential status, how will this reform impact taxpayers?

Budget 2025: Taxpayers with income of up to Rs 13.25 lakh, not Rs 12 lakh, can pay nil taxes. Here’s how

By claiming two deductions, an individual with a gross salary of Rs 13,25,000 can bring their net taxable income down to Rs 12 lakh, making them eligible for the full tax rebate under Section 87A