US 30-year mortgage rates climbs to 6.46%, highest in nearly 7 months; homebuyers face fresh cost pressure

The average long-term US mortgage rate has climbed for the fifth consecutive week, reaching its highest level in nearly seven months and adding to affordability challenges for homebuyers during the crucial spring housing season, according to AP.The benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate rose to 6.46% from 6.38% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said. A…

Read More

RBI allows Rupee exchange at airport departure counters beyond immigration

The Reserve Bank of India has allowed both residents and non-residents to exchange Indian rupee notes at foreign exchange counters located in departure halls of international airports beyond immigration or customs checkpoints, according to PTI. Earlier, such counters were permitted only to buy Indian rupees from non-residents and sell foreign currency to them. “On a…

Read More

US stock markets today (April 2, 2026): Wall Street slides as oil tops $110 after Trump vows escalation; Dow falls 545 points, S&P 500 down 1.1%

US stock markets declined sharply on Thursday, while oil prices surged, after President Donald Trump vowed to continue military action against Iran and did not provide a clear timeline for de-escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, according to AP.The S&P 500 fell 1.1%, with nearly three out of every four stocks in the…

Read More

Are you a ‘worker’ under India’s labour codes? How it differs from white‑collar employment

The labour codes aim to simplify and consolidate India’s complex labour law framework. India’s new labour codes have introduced a structured distinction between the terms “employee” and “worker”. While all workers are employees, not all employees are workers. This distinction is more than just terminology – it determines the applicability of several statutory benefits and…

Read More

Govt directs refineries to divert feedstock to petrochemical units; move to ease industry shortages

The government has asked oil refineries to divert part of the feedstock used for cooking gas (LPG) towards petrochemical units, as industries grapple with acute raw material shortages triggered by supply disruptions amid the West Asia conflict, according to PTI.The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on April 1 directed refiners to allocate a portion…

Read More