Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; PM Narendra Modi

NEW DELHI: Asked to comment on the rupee breaching the 90 mark against the US dollar for the first time, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2013 jibe at his predecessor, then–PM Manmohan Singh, and told reporters that the question should be directed to the prime minister, not her.Also Read | ‘Who is mute & maun now?’: Opposition hits out at PM Modi as rupee breaches Rs 90 mark against dollar“What did they use to say when Dr Manmohan Singh was prime minister? What is their response today? Ask them. Why are you asking me?” she said at Parliament complex.

On August 24, 2013, Modi — then the Gujarat chief minister — had attacked the then–PM over the falling rupee, saying both Singh and the domestic currency had become “mute.”“There was a time when the Indian rupee was making a lot of noise. But today it has lost its voice. And similarly, we are unable to hear the voice of our prime minister. Both have turned mute,” he had said at the time.“Today, our currency is on its deathbed. It is in the terminal stage and urgently needs the attention of a doctor,” he had remarked.On Wednesday, as the rupee breached the 90 level against the dollar, the opposition reminded PM Modi of his past remarks targeting Singh over the currency’s slide.Meanwhile, in early trade on Thursday, the rupee slid another 28 paise to a fresh all-time low of 90.43 against the US dollar.‘Govt not losing sleep’: CEA NageswaranChief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran on Wednesday said the government is “not losing sleep” over the rupee’s decline.“The falling rupee is not affecting inflation or exports,” Nageswaran told reporters on the sidelines of a business event in the capital, according to news agency PTI.However, he expressed hope that the situation would improve next year.

Over 40 US lawmakers have written to secretary of state Marco Rubio expressing concern of the “transnational repression and worsening human rights crisis in Pakistan under the military-backed government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir.“In a letter dated December 3, the lawmakers voiced concerns over “threats, intimidation, and harassment” of even US citizens and their families in Pakistan who spoke against the regime.

“We write to express urgent concern over the escalating campaign of transnational repression and worsening human rights crisis in Pakistan under the military-backed government of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir,” the letter said.“In recent years, US citizens and residents who have spoken out against authoritarian abuses in Pakistan have faced threats, intimidation, and harassment—often extending to their families in Pakistan.1 These tactics include arbitrary detentions, coercion, and retaliatory violence, targeting diaspora individuals and their relatives,” it further said.The statement cited Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and said that Pakistan’s actions infringed upon the “right to freedom of expression” guaranteed under the same.

‘Foreign interference on US soil’

The lawmakers also apprehended “foreign interference on US soil” and sought “targeted measures, including visa bans and asset freezes, against officials responsible for transnational repression, widespread human rights violations, and systematic repression in Pakistan.”It also demanded a probe into the 2024 Pakistan elections questioning the integrity of the electoral process.“Pakistan is facing an escalating crisis of authoritarianism, where democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms are being systematically dismantled. The 2024 elections—widely condemned for irregularities and documented in the Pattan Report, an independent Pakistani civil society study monitoring election irregularities—installed a pliant civilian façade.10 The U.S. State Department echoed these concerns, publicly expressing alarm over reported irregularities and called for a full investigation into the electoral process,” the letter said.

TIKTOK users in the UK will find a new tab in the app filled with videos and content posted around their area.

The Nearby Feed allows people to discover content and creators locally.

It will appear along the top of the TikTok home screen, named as the location you’re near.

TikTok works out an approximate location based on your device or network information, such as your SIM card and IP address. 

But Brits will soon get the added option to provide more accurate information about their location to improve the results that appear.

TikTok says when the latter becomes available and is enabled, the app may use a device’s GPS-based location services to provide more accurate, location-based recommendations, which is only used when the app is in use.

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However, this option won’t be available to accounts belonging to under 18 year-olds.

For adults, it’s off by default and they can choose to switch it off again at anytime.

Posts in the Nearby Feed are shown to people based on location, the topic of the content, and when the content was posted.

“For example, people can see local content related to travel, events, food & drink and other services based on their interests and engagement,” TikTok says.

There’s also the ability to explore a different location, to help with planning trips.

However, some content is banned from appearing in the Nearby Feed, including content:

• Posted by users under the age of 18
• From private accounts
• Set to Friends or Only You
• Posted more than 90 days ago

Viewing the Nearby Feed is restricted to 18s and over too.

The feature is rolling out to the UK, as well as France, Germany and Italy.

Since April 2, following Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement, the currency has depreciated by 5.5%. (AI image)

The rupee continued its downward journey against the US dollar on Thursday, slumping to a record low of 90.43 in early trade. The Indian rupee crossed the significant 90-level barrier against the US dollar on Wednesday, reaching an intra-day low of 90.29 before closing at 90.19. This continued depreciation raises concerns about its impact on the broader economy.According to an SBI research team analysis, this represents the fastest Rs 5 decline against the dollar, with the Indian currency falling from 85 to 90 in under a year, despite the RBI’s interventions to stabilise the currency. The rupee’s value continues to be influenced by external factors, unlike the stock market index. Ongoing Foreign Portfolio Investment withdrawals, substantial trade deficits from high-cost imports of oil, metals and electronics, alongside a strong dollar maintain pressure on the currency.

Since April 2, following Trump’s reciprocal tariff announcement, the currency has depreciated by 5.5%. Foreign portfolio investors have withdrawn more than $17 billion this year, whilst private equity firms have cashed out their investments through substantial IPOs from prominent startups, contributing to capital outflows from India. The situation has worsened in recent months due to increased gold and silver prices, resulting in unprecedented imports and trade deficit in October.But the government is not worried. V Anantha Nageswaran, the chief economic adviser, said that the government ‘is not losing sleep’ over rupee’s decline. Nevertheless, he anticipated improvement in the currency’s value next year. Regarding foreign direct investment, Nageswaran expressed optimism, stating, “We may cross $100bn this year.”The depreciation of currency increases import costs across sectors from petroleum to consumer electronics, leading to inflationary pressures and higher expenses for international education, healthcare, and tourism. However, it proves beneficial for overseas remittances and export revenues during a period when the economy faces challenges from substantial 50% US tariffs.Experts indicate that whilst currency depreciation risks importing inflation, a regulated decline addresses multiple challenges for the central bank. The benefits include enhanced share values in dollar terms, management of current account deficit and preservation of central bank reserves.