Explore

Mind Body Practices Reflect Cultural and Social Influences

Mind Body Practices Reflect Cultural and Social Influences

Mind-body interventions, including yoga, tai chi, and Pilates, have become integral to contemporary health and wellness practices. These interventi...

Texas Immigration Court Interpreter Detained by ICE Faces Uncertain Future

Texas Immigration Court Interpreter Detained by ICE Faces Uncertain Future

Meenu Batra, a Texas-based court interpreter, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) despite living in the U.S. for over 35 years. Batra, the only licensed Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu interpreter in Texas, was stopped by immigration agents at Harlingen International Airport and transferred to the El Valle detention facility. She has been held without clear explanation, raising concerns about her potential deportation to a country she has never visited. Batra was previously granted 'withholding of removal' due to the risk of persecution in India, her country of origin. Her attorney, Deepak Ahluwalia, suspects the government may plan to send her to a third country, as the U.S. has agreements with several nations to accept deportees.

Factbox-Oil tankers transiting Strait of Hormuz since start of Iran war

Factbox-Oil tankers transiting Strait of Hormuz since start of Iran war

By Ruth Chai and Florence Tan April 15 (Reuters) - The U.S. blockade on vessels entering or leaving Iranian ports adds to uncertainty over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been all-but-shut since the start of the Iran war.

U.S.-Sanctioned Russian LNG Cargo Heads to India Amid Energy Market Shifts

U.S.-Sanctioned Russian LNG Cargo Heads to India Amid Energy Market Shifts

A cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia's Portovaya plant, which is under U.S. sanctions, is en route to India. This marks a significant development as it would be the first delivery to India since President Trump stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him India would cease purchasing Russian energy. Despite this, India has not publicly confirmed such a pledge, emphasizing that its energy purchasing decisions are driven by price, supply security, and consumer interests. The Portovaya plant, operational since September 2022, has faced interruptions due to sanctions imposed over the Ukraine conflict. These sanctions aim to disrupt Russia's LNG production and export capabilities. Prior to these sanctions, Portovaya shipped two cargoes monthly during winter, but since March 2025, it has been sending one cargo per month to Kaliningrad.

Global Seaborne Crude Oil Shipments Decline by 16% Amid Iran Conflict, Impacting Global Supply

Global Seaborne Crude Oil Shipments Decline by 16% Amid Iran Conflict, Impacting Global Supply

Global seaborne crude oil shipments have decreased by 16% since the onset of the Iran war, according to data from Signal Ocean. This reduction equates to a loss of 7.6 million barrels per day, significantly impacting the global oil supply chain. The conflict has led to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for oil transportation, causing tanker transits to drop sharply. Despite efforts by countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to increase shipments from alternative ports, the overall supply from the Persian Gulf has fallen by 12.7 million barrels per day. Meanwhile, countries such as Venezuela and Russia have increased their shipments, with India being a primary destination for these supplies.

India and U.S. Officials Discuss Progress in Bilateral Trade Agreement

India and U.S. Officials Discuss Progress in Bilateral Trade Agreement

India's Ambassador to the United States, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, recently hosted senior U.S. officials, including Jamieson Greer and former National Security Adviser Robert O'Brien, to discuss ongoing negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement. The meeting, held in Washington, signals progress in the trade talks between the two nations. Kwatra expressed optimism about the discussions, highlighting opportunities for bilateral cooperation. Earlier this year, both countries announced the finalization of a framework for the first phase of the agreement, which includes a reduction in U.S. tariffs on Indian goods to 18 percent. An Indian delegation is expected to visit the U.S. soon for further discussions.

U.S. Stock Market Rises Amid Optimism Over Iran Peace Talks

U.S. Stock Market Rises Amid Optimism Over Iran Peace Talks

The U.S. stock market has experienced back-to-back gains, driven by optimism surrounding potential peace talks between the U.S. and Iran. The S&P 500 is nearing all-time highs, buoyed by investor confidence in diplomatic solutions to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The U.S. Central Command has announced a full blockade of Iranian ports, significantly impacting Iran's economy. Meanwhile, the White House is signaling plans for another round of peace talks with Iran, which has contributed to the positive market sentiment. The announcement of the blockade comes as the world's finance ministers and central bank governors gather in Washington, D.C. for the IMF/World Bank spring meetings, where the impact of the Iran conflict is a key topic.

Silver faces sixth year of deficit with stock drawdown raising squeeze risks, research shows

Silver faces sixth year of deficit with stock drawdown raising squeeze risks, research shows

LONDON, April 15 (Reuters) - The silver market is heading for a sixth year of structural deficit, with 762 million troy ounces drawn from stocks since 2021, raising the risk of a renewed liquidity squeeze despite weaker demand expectations, the Silver Institute and consultancy Metals Focus said on

Bessent supports IMF quota revamp, wants World Bank financing for critical minerals

Bessent supports IMF quota revamp, wants World Bank financing for critical minerals

By David Lawder WASHINGTON, April 15 (Reuters) - U.S.

Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan's biggest arms opening since WW2

Rattled by Trump, US allies eye Japan's biggest arms opening since WW2

By John Geddie and Tim Kelly TOKYO, April 15 (Reuters) - Japan's imminent easing of arms export rules has sparked strong interest from Warsaw to Manila, Reuters reporting found, as President Donald Trump wavers on security commitments to allies and the wars in Iran and Ukraine strain U.S. weapons

India's Urea Prices Surge Due to Iran Conflict Impact on Supply

India's Urea Prices Surge Due to Iran Conflict Impact on Supply

India's Urea Prices Surge Due to Iran Conflict Impact on Supply

U.S. Treasury Sanctions Iranian Oil Smuggling Network Impacting Global Trade

U.S. Treasury Sanctions Iranian Oil Smuggling Network Impacting Global Trade

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has intensified its efforts against Iran's illicit oil smuggling operations by sanctioning over two dozen individuals, companies, and vessels linked to the network of Iranian oil magnate Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani. This action is part of a broader strategy to disrupt the financial networks supporting Iran's regime and its proxies, such as Hizballah. The sanctions target entities involved in a complex scheme that includes the sale of Iranian oil in exchange for Venezuelan gold, benefiting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and Hizballah. The network uses front companies to evade sanctions and finance the Iranian regime, with operations spanning multiple countries, including the UAE and India.