Canada offers fast-track for H-1B workers: CA $1.7bn funding to recruit researchers; strategy targets high-demand sectors

Canada has announced a new accelerated immigration pathway for H-1B visa holders as part of the 2025 Federal Budget, aiming to attract skilled workers and strengthen the country’s innovation and research sectors. The initiative targets professionals affected by the recent US H-1B visa fee increases and seeks to fill labour shortages in healthcare, advanced technology,…

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India’s fuel exports fall 21% in October: Domestic demand surges; HPCL and Nayara hit by disruptions

India’s fuel exports drop India’s fuel exports dropped 21% month-on-month in October as refiners prioritised domestic demand during the festive season and redirected supplies to cover gaps caused by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd’s (HPCL) refinery outage. Exports remained constrained for Nayara Energy due to sanctions.Fuel shipments fell to 1.25 million barrels per day (bpd) in…

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Setback for expatriates? Delhi HC upholds mandatory EPFO membership; what this means for foreign staff

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday ruled that expatriates working in Indian companies must become members of the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) and contribute to the fund regardless of their income levels.The court upheld amendments to the Employees’ Provident Funds and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, 1952, as well as the Centre’s 2008 and 2010 notifications…

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India mulls CNH trade at GIFT City: Amid easing ties with China, banks push for Yuan transactions; high-level review under way

AI image used for representative purposes Following improved India-China relations, the authorities, including the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA), are evaluating a banking sector proposal to enable International Banking Units at Gujarat International Finance Tec City (GIFT City) to conduct transactions in offshore renminbi (CNH).GIFT City operates as a global financial services hub, serving…

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Trump sanctions bite! Oil heading to India, China falls steeply; but can the world permanently ignore Russian crude?

While Russian exporters continue loading crude onto vessels, refineries show reduced willingness to transfer the cargo to their storage facilities. (AI image) Donald Trump’s latest sanctions on Russian crude oil firms appears to have had the intended impact – at least as of now. Refiners are reportedly unwilling to pick up Russian crude oil from…

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‘Going on very well’: Piyush Goyal gives update on India-US trade deal talks; cites ‘many sensitive, serious issues’

Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Wednesday gave an update on the ongoing India-US trade talks amid persisting tensions, as India deals with 50% tariffs. The union minister indicated that while discussions on the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) are “going on very well,” there remain “many sensitive and serious issues” that will require additional…

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‘Benchmark for countries’: FATF hails India’s asset recovery efforts; notes ED’s role in returning defrauded funds

Watchdog FATF hails ED’s asset recovery efforts NEW DELHI: The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) acknowledged India’s efforts in recovering public assets lost to financial crimes, highlighting a money laundering case where land confiscated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was identified for the construction of a new airport that would serve the public.The acknowledgment comes…

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India to cut Russian oil imports in a big way? Major refiners may halt direct trade from late November; alternate sources being explored

India plans to reduce direct imports of Russian crude from late November following the introduction of new US sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil, which come into effect on November 21. Analysts expect Indian refiners—responsible for over half of the country’s Russian crude used in petrol and diesel production—to comply with the sanctions.According to maritime intelligence…

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