Connect with us

Business

$100k fees imposed to obtain H1-B visa: Indian tech stocks take hit in US – The Times of India

Published

on

0k fees imposed to obtain H1-B visa: Indian tech stocks take hit in US – The Times of India


Indian IT firm’s US-listed shares fell overnight following American President Donald Trump’s executive order slapping an additional fee on H-1B visa holders. Infosys ADRs dropped 4%, while Wipro slipped 2% on Friday.Nasdaq-listed Cognizant declined 4.7% on Friday, reflecting investor concerns over stricter immigration policies. Experts warn of an immediate impact on profit margins. “The immediate impact might be on margin. If the existing H-1Bs have to be renewed next year under the new rule, it will have a major impact. Otherwise, companies can manage margins,” said Pareekh Jain, CEO and lead analyst at Pareekh Consulting. Amid uncertainty and prospects of legal challenges, he cautioned that if the rule applies to existing visa holders, it could shave 1% to 2% off sector-wide EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortisation) margins.Jain added that most subcontractors and local hires in the US — including Indian students entering the workforce via the H-1B route — will be affected, raising delivery costs for IT service providers. According to Venkatraman Narayanan, MD and CFO of Happiest Minds, Indian IT companies now face higher costs.However, he added that “with 94% of our business driven offshore and a global delivery model built over 14 years, we do not foresee significant disruption, though some operational adjustments are inevitable in the short term”.





Source link

Business

Stats overhaul: New inflation and GDP base year series slated for February; IIP to follow in May – The Times of India

Published

on

Stats overhaul: New inflation and GDP base year series slated for February; IIP to follow in May – The Times of India


India’s key macroeconomic indicators are set for a base-year reset early next year, with the government announcing timelines for releasing new series of retail inflation, national accounts and industrial production data, PTI reported.The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said on Monday that a new series of Consumer Price Index (CPI) data, reflecting a revised base year, will be released in February 2026, alongside updated national accounts data, while the revised Index of Industrial Production (IIP) series will be rolled out in May.According to an official statement, a new CPI series with base year 2024=100 is scheduled for release on February 12, 2026. The revised National Accounts data, with 2022-23 as the base year, will follow on February 27, 2026. The new IIP series, also using 2022-23 as the base year, is slated for release on May 28.Ahead of the data rollout, the ministry has convened a pre-release consultative workshop on the base revision of GDP, CPI and IIP on Tuesday. This follows an earlier workshop held in Mumbai on November 26.The primary objective of the consultation is to share proposed methodological and structural changes in the revised data series and seek feedback from stakeholders, the statement said.The workshop will bring together economists, subject matter experts, representatives from financial institutions and the banking sector, users of official statistics, and senior officials from central and state governments. The ministry said participation from a wide range of stakeholders is expected to enrich discussions and help users better understand the changes in the revised series.The event will be attended by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman K Bery as chief guest, along with Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran, MoSPI Secretary Saurabh Garg and Director General (Central Statistics) N K Santoshi.



Source link

Continue Reading

Business

Dense Fog Disturbs You Too? Check Must Follow Tips For Safe Driving To Avoid Accidents

Published

on

Dense Fog Disturbs You Too? Check Must Follow Tips For Safe Driving To Avoid Accidents


Dense fog during winter mornings and late nights often disrupts road travel, reducing visibility and increasing the risk of accidents. With several regions witnessing thick fog conditions, traffic police and road safety experts are urging drivers to take extra precautions to ensure safe journeys.

Fog significantly reduces visibility, sometimes to just a few metres. This makes it difficult to judge the distance of vehicles, road signs, pedestrians, and turns. Accidents during fog usually occur due to overspeeding, sudden braking, or drivers following other vehicles too closely without proper visibility.

Recently, on December 20, 2025, two youths were killed and another sustained critical injuries after a speeding truck hit their motorcycle amid dense fog on the Bareilly–Pilibhit highway.

Add Zee News as a Preferred Source


Slow Down and Maintain Distance

Experts advise drivers to slow down while driving in foggy conditions, as it allows more time to react to sudden obstacles. Maintaining a safe distance from the vehicle ahead is equally important, as sudden braking can lead to rear-end collisions in low visibility.

Use Fog Lights Correctly

Using the right lights is crucial during fog. Drivers should switch on fog lights or low-beam headlights instead of high beams. High-beam lights reflect off fog particles and further reduce visibility. Fog lamps are designed to illuminate the road surface and edges, helping drivers see lane markings clearly.

Follow Road Markings and Signals

When visibility is poor, road markings become an important guide. Drivers should follow lane lines and reflective markers instead of relying solely on the vehicle ahead. Ignoring traffic signals or signs due to poor visibility can lead to serious accidents.

Sudden lane changes, sharp turns, or abrupt braking should be avoided in foggy conditions. Smooth steering and gradual braking help maintain control of the vehicle and reduce the chances of skidding or collisions.

(Also Read: How To Convert A Manual Car To Automatic? Check Total Cost And Details)

Stay Alert and Avoid Distractions

Drivers are advised to stay fully alert and avoid distractions such as mobile phones or loud music. Keeping windows slightly open can help drivers hear horns or approaching vehicles better.

When to Stop Driving?

If fog becomes extremely dense and visibility drops dangerously low, experts suggest parking vehicles at a safe spot away from traffic. Hazard lights should be used only when the vehicle is parked.

With foggy conditions likely to continue in many areas, following these simple driving tips can help reduce risks and ensure safer travel on the roads.



Source link

Continue Reading

Business

Video: Uber Clears Violent Felons to Drive

Published

on

Video: Uber Clears Violent Felons to Drive


new video loaded: Uber Clears Violent Felons to Drive

Our reporter, Emily Steel, found that in many states, Uber’s guidelines allow people with serious criminal convictions to drive, as long as those convictions are more than seven years old. Some of those drivers have gone on to sexually assault or harass passengers.

By Emily Steel, Christina Shaman, Zach Caldwell, David Jouppi and Thomas Trudeau

December 22, 2025



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending