POLITICAL FUNDING
Murshidabad’s forgotten crisis: Beedi workers struggle amid charged political debates, SIR deletions
In Murshidabad's beedi belt, children work alongside mothers to meet daily targets. Families earn meager wages for rolling beedis. Contractors control work and political influence. Many workers suffer from health issues. Political parties discuss other issues, ignoring the plight of these workers. Survival depends on contractors, not votes.
ED summons I-PAC's Rishi Raj Singh on Monday in PMLA case
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned Rishi Raj Singh, a director at political consultancy firm I-PAC. This action is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged hawala transactions and money laundering. The agency previously arrested another I-PAC director, Vinesh Chandel, in connection with the case.
West Bengal polls: PM misusing govt machinery for political campaigns, says Mamata Banerjee
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of misusing government machinery for political campaigns. She stated that Modi's address regarding the women's quota bill constituted an illegal campaign for the BJP. Banerjee plans to file a complaint with the Election Commission. She questioned the delay in implementing the women's reservation bill passed in September 2023.
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Trump telegraphs end to Iran war as focus turns to economy
President Donald Trump indicates a desire to conclude the US conflict with Iran. Talks have reportedly outlined an agreement, with Trump stating Iran will not close the Strait of Hormuz again. This development comes as midterm elections approach, with domestic economic concerns potentially influencing the President's decisions. Negotiations are ongoing, with a potential deal nearing finalization.
Social Security 2027 crisis update: $190B cuts, $50K benefit cap proposal—are wealthy retirees about to face payment limits now?
The Social Security proposal 2026 could reshape retirement payouts fast. New data shows up to $190 billion may be cut in ten years. The plan caps benefits at $50,000 for individuals and $100,000 for couples. It directly targets high-income retirees first. But the long-term impact goes wider. Fixed caps may pull middle earners into limits over time. Experts say this Social Security reform could close half the funding gap. Still, concerns remain about fairness, trust, and future retirement income stability across generations.
Saudis now want sports to make money, clouding LIV Golf’s future
Saudi Arabia is reportedly scaling back its ambitious sports investments, including LIV Golf, shifting focus from cultural influence to financial returns. The Public Investment Fund, having spent over $5 billion on LIV, now seeks profitability, impacting other sports ventures like women's tennis and ATP events. This strategic pivot follows a successful bid for the 2034 World Cup.
Housing dreams falter in West Bengal amid corruption, land crunch
Eligible families in Paschim Medinipur, West Bengal, are denied housing benefits. Decades of occupancy on railway land disqualify them from the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Allegations of political nepotism and renaming of the scheme by the ruling TMC persist. Residents fear repercussions for speaking out. This situation highlights a gap between policy promises and grassroots execution.
A $100 billion question sits at the heart of US-Iran deal talks
Billions of dollars earned by Iran from oil sales remain frozen in foreign banks due to US sanctions. These funds are now a key issue in high-stakes US-Iran talks. Iran wants access to at least six billion dollars. The US has denied any agreement to unfreeze these assets. This standoff gives both nations leverage in potential deals.
West Bengal Assembly Elections: Congress releases 'people's chargesheet' against TMC, BJP-led Centre
West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee released a “people’s chargesheet” accusing both the Trinamool Congress government and the BJP-led Centre of failing Bengal on governance, jobs, corruption and cultural issues. The party alleged “misgovernance” by the state, citing scams, recruitment irregularities, rising debt and law-and-order concerns, while also blaming the Centre for fund delays and promoting “anti-Bengal sentiment”. Congress said both parties have let the state down, accusing them of blame-shifting and deepening social and political divisions.
Inside ‘Lala Pad’: How ₹20 notes and WhatsApp kept Bengal’s coal mafia running
The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached assets worth ₹159.51 crore in a West Bengal illegal coal mining and pilferage racket, bringing the total to ₹482.22 crore. The syndicate, allegedly led by Anup Majee, operated with fake transport documents, a WhatsApp clearance system, and a hawala network to move illicit funds and conceal proceeds from cash purchases by select companies.
Who was Mark Mobius and why was the $40 billion India bull famous as ‘Indiana Jones of emerging markets’
Mark Mobius, a renowned investor, passed away at 89. He was a global champion for emerging markets, especially India. Mobius saw opportunity where others saw risk. He traveled extensively, visiting factories and meeting business leaders. His conviction helped attract billions to markets previously considered too volatile. Mobius believed in understanding markets through their people.
Marc Andreessen, Ben Horowitz boost AI Super PAC to over $50 million
Venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz have injected $25 million into a pro-AI super PAC, bolstering its war chest to over $51 million. Leading the Future’s cash pile allows the industry to boost political candidates in both parties it sees as friendly to their cause and oppose potential antagonists.
All eyes on the Fed: April meeting date and rate decision predictions
Fed interest rate decision April 2026: As the Federal Reserve's April 28-29 meeting looms, interest rates are expected to hold steady for a third consecutive time. Officials are navigating inflation risks from the Iran war against economic uncertainty. Added scrutiny surrounds Chair Jerome Powell's potential exit and the political hurdles facing his successor.
Mark Mobius, pioneer of emerging markets investing, dies at 89
Mark Mobius, a pioneer of emerging markets investing, has died at 89. Known for decades at Franklin Templeton Investments, he championed opportunities across developing economies, delivering strong returns and shaping global investment strategies worldwide.
India can't buy Iranian or Russian oil without Trump's permission, alleges Rahul Gandhi
Gandhi also claimed that the names of PM Modi, several BJP leaders and ministers have been found in the Epstein files. “The key (chabi) of the Epstein files is in Trump’s hands and he controls Modi,” Gandhi alleged.
ED summons I-PAC Bengal chief's relatives to appear before it
The Enforcement Directorate has summoned relatives of I-PAC's Bengal chief for questioning. This follows the arrest of Vinesh Chandel, a director and co-founder of the political consultancy firm. The ED is investigating alleged financial irregularities and money laundering amounting to approximately Rs 50 crore. Chandel has been remanded to ED custody.
Kevin Warsh net worth, Fed Chair race & confirmation delay: Why he’s making headlines
Kevin Warsh is in news as a top choice for Federal Reserve Chair. He is very rich and has worked in banking and government before. His selection is facing delay due to political issues and an ongoing investigation. The situation also involves criticism of current Fed Chair and interest rate decisions, making it an important financial and political story.
Meet Samrat Choudhary, Bihar's new 'king' who started his political career under Rabri Devi
Samrat Choudhary will take oath as Bihar's new Chief Minister on Wednesday. He is the first BJP leader to hold this position in the state. Choudhary comes from a political family and began his career in 1990. He has served as an MLA and held ministerial portfolios. His recent appointment as BJP state president and then Deputy Chief Minister marked his rise.
Rahul Gandhi accuses PM Modi of 'compromised' foreign deals at Bengal rally
Rahul Gandhi, addressing a public rally in Raniganj, made strong allegations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP, and the RSS, claiming that India’s foreign and economic policies were being influenced through a “compromised” arrangement with the United States and alleging adverse impacts on farmers; he further accused the ruling party of promoting a “hate-driven ideology” that he said was weakening the Constitution and democracy, reiterated claims about links between PM Modi, BJP leaders, and the “Epstein files,” and alleged a nexus between Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani in political funding and governance, while also criticising the Trinamool Congress over corruption and multiple scams in West Bengal, asserting that both BJP and TMC were responsible for exploiting the people.
I-PAC director Vinesh Chandel sent to 10 days in ED custody
A special court in Delhi has remanded Vinesh Chandel, co-founder of I-PAC, to 10 days of ED custody after his arrest in a money laundering case linked to an alleged coal scam in West Bengal, just ahead of the state assembly polls. The Enforcement Directorate’s action follows earlier raids at multiple locations connected to the case, while the probe stems from a 2020 FIR by the Central Bureau of Investigation alleging a multi-crore coal pilferage racket involving Eastern Coalfields Limited. The arrest has sparked political reactions, with Abhishek Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress questioning its timing, as the ED claims funds were routed through hawala channels to I-PAC’s company and investigations continue.
TMC supports 'tukde-tukde' gang that threatened to snap Siliguri Corridor because of appeasement: PM Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged that the "tukde-tukde" gang threatened to sever the Siliguri Corridor, aiming to isolate the Northeast. He accused the TMC of supporting this group through appeasement politics, from the streets to Parliament. Modi also claimed the TMC has hindered central schemes and neglected north Bengal's development.
How can Tamil Nadu get funds if state always confronts Centre, asks AIADMK chief Palaniswami
AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami criticised the DMK government, alleging that its confrontational approach towards the Centre has hindered fund flow to Tamil Nadu. Speaking at a joint campaign with T. T. V. Dhinakaran, he said the state could have secured more funds by maintaining cordial relations with the central government.
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