After spending more than 15 years building careers and raising a family in the United States, Indian entrepreneur Astha Chaturvedi and her husband made a decision that would have seemed unlikely years earlier: they left the country and relocated to Bengaluru, concluding that the uncertainty surrounding their immigration status no longer aligned with their personal and professional goals.

Chaturvedi, 38, founder of Mouri Living, said the move followed years of waiting for employment-based permanent residency in the United States. Despite establishing successful careers and long-term roots in the country, the couple faced an immigration process that offered little certainty about when they might receive green cards.

Speaking about the decision, Chaturvedi said she and her husband had spent approximately 15 years building their lives in the United States. However, the lack of a predictable timeline for permanent residency increasingly influenced their future planning. According to her account, her husband’s place in the green card queue dated back to 2015, while her own application timeline began in 2020.

The experience reflects a challenge faced by many highly skilled foreign workers from India employed in the United States. Long waiting periods for employment-based green cards have become a defining feature of the immigration system for many applicants, particularly those working in technology and professional services sectors.

Before launching her own company, Chaturvedi built a career across some of the most prominent names in technology and consulting. She spent more than a decade working in Big Tech and at consulting firm McKinsey before joining Ripple in San Francisco.While pursuing her corporate career, she also nurtured ambitions of becoming a founder.

That goal, however, was complicated by visa restrictions. Chaturvedi said she initially held an H-1B visa, a status commonly used by skilled foreign professionals working in the United States. Because the visa tied her work authorization to a sponsoring employer, she was unable to independently launch a startup while maintaining that status.

Seeking greater flexibility, she transitioned to an H-4 dependent visa through her husband. After becoming eligible for an H-4 Employment Authorization Document, she gained the legal ability to work independently and pursue entrepreneurial opportunities.

A turning point came during a visit to India in 2024. Chaturvedi traveled there to recruit a chief technology officer for her startup. During the trip, a conversation with a family member prompted a broader reassessment of where the business should be based. A cousin suggested establishing an office in India, pointing to the country’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem and growing pool of technology talent.

The idea led the couple to explore the possibility of relocating permanently. What began as a business discussion gradually evolved into a broader evaluation of career prospects, family priorities and long-term stability.According to Chaturvedi, the prospect of building a company in India became increasingly attractive as the country’s startup environment matured.

Bengaluru, often referred to as India’s technology capital, emerged as a natural destination because of its concentration of entrepreneurs, engineers, investors and technology companies.The move also offered something that years of waiting in the United States had not provided: certainty.

Rather than continuing to plan around an immigration process with no defined endpoint, the family chose to establish themselves in a country where residency and business ownership presented fewer structural obstacles.

Their decision comes at a time when immigration pathways for highly skilled workers remain a significant topic within the global technology industry. Many foreign professionals working in the United States contribute to sectors such as software development, consulting, finance and artificial intelligence while navigating visa systems that can affect career choices, entrepreneurial ambitions and family planning.

For Chaturvedi, the relocation was not framed as a rejection of the United States. Instead, it reflected a reassessment of where she could most effectively pursue personal and professional goals.

After years spent advancing through major corporations and waiting for permanent residency, she concluded that India offered a clearer path toward building the company and life she envisioned.The decision ultimately combined business opportunity with personal certainty.

After more than a decade and a half in the United States, the couple relocated to Bengaluru, where they began the next phase of their careers without the constraints of an unresolved immigration timeline.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Trade has invited Saudi companies to participate in the 2026 editions of Halal Indonesia International Industry Expo (Halal Indo) and Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI), both scheduled to take place in Jakarta.

The push comes as non-oil trade between Indonesia and Saudi Arabia continues to grow, reaching more than $3.9 billion in 2025, up 12% from 2021.

“We invite all members of the Riyadh Chamber to participate and link up with Indonesian businesses,” Zulvri Yenni, trade attache at the Indonesian Embassy in Riyadh, said in a statement, describing the events as platforms for expanding business networks between the two countries.

Indonesia has identified Saudi Arabia as a key export market, particularly for sectors such as halal products, consumer goods and modest fashion, while seeking to capitalize on opportunities generated by the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy.

Riyadh Chamber official Mansour Al-Ajmi said Saudi businesses were prepared to support and promote Indonesian trade events to encourage greater participation by potential buyers.

Trade Expo Indonesia generated nearly $23 billion in business transactions in 2025 and attracted more than 34,000 visitors, including over 8,000 buyers from 131 countries, according to Indonesian trade officials.

A recent survey by the Center of Economic and Law Studies found that more than 58% of respondents favored stronger economic engagement with Middle Eastern countries, with Saudi Arabia viewed as Indonesia’s most promising trade and investment partner in the region.

Here are ten essential do’s and don’ts that Indian professionals should keep in mind when moving to Taiwan.

Taiwan has recently opened its doors to skilled Indian professionals, granting them residence permits and opportunities to contribute to its economy. While this is an exciting opportunity, it is crucial that Indian expatriates integrate smoothly into Taiwanese society.

Cultural misunderstandings can lead to resentment, and a lack of awareness about local norms can create friction. To ensure a positive experience, here are ten essential do’s and don’ts that Indian professionals should keep in mind when moving to Taiwan.

1. Go in with Humility

Moving to Taiwan is a privilege, and it’s important to recognize that Taiwan is significantly ahead of India in many aspects, including infrastructure, technology, and quality of life. Approach the experience with humility, understanding that you are entering a well-developed society that has worked hard to reach its current status. Respect their achievements and be open to learning.

2. Respect Taiwanese Identity

Do not look at Taiwanese people through the same lens as you might view Nepalis. Taiwan is a global leader in multiple high-tech industries. Just one Taiwanese company, TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), has a market capitalization of over $1 trillion, underscoring Taiwan’s critical role in the global economy. Recognize and respect their contributions to the world.

3. Maintain a Low Volume in Public Spaces

Indians are often perceived as loud in public spaces. When in your office lunchroom or any shared space, keep your voice low. Taiwanese people appreciate a calm and quiet environment, and maintaining decorum will help you earn their respect.

4. Avoid Historical Boasting

While India has a rich and impressive history, constantly arguing about ancient India’s contributions—such as leading global GDP, inventing the zero, and pioneering plastic surgery—will not impress Taiwanese people. They are forward-looking and focus on innovation and progress. Keep historical discussions minimal and relevant.

5. Respect Chinese Customs and Traditions

While Taiwanese people have political differences with China, they remain ethnically Chinese and take pride in their customs and traditions. Avoid making derogatory remarks about Chinese culture, as it can come across as offensive.

6. Follow Airline Regulations

Indian travelers are often known for carrying excess baggage and arguing at airports. Do not attempt to bypass airline weight restrictions by claiming a child’s bag does not count when the child is already carrying excessive luggage. Follow the rules to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

7. Be Courteous to Airline Staff

Airline stewardesses work hard to ensure passengers have a comfortable journey. Avoid treating them as personal waiters. Indian passengers have a reputation for being demanding—don’t reinforce this stereotype. A polite and respectful attitude will go a long way.

8. Tip Generously

Indian travelers are often considered poor tippers. If you receive good service at a restaurant, leave a generous tip. A $20 tip after a family meal will not make a significant dent in your wallet, but it will help create a positive impression of Indians in Taiwan.

9. Be Considerate in Shared Spaces

If you live in an apartment complex, do not block other cars or create inconveniences for your neighbors. Respect community rules and be mindful of how your actions impact others.

10. Obey Traffic Laws and Avoid Bribery

Traffic violations are taken seriously in Taiwan. Do not speed, and if caught, do not attempt to bribe the police. Taiwan has strict anti-corruption policies, and attempting to bribe an official can lead to serious consequences.

Universal Guidelines for Global Living

These ten rules are not exclusive to Taiwan—they apply to most developed nations. Adapting to local customs and being respectful of societal norms will make your transition smoother and help Indians build a positive reputation abroad. Embrace the opportunity with an open mind and a respectful attitude, and Taiwan will welcome you with open arms.

Solange Mougin from France24 takes a closer look at the economic benefits of Israel and Lebanon’s maritime border agreement. The deal is not only a political and diplomatic milestone between the two nations, which are technically at war.

It also has the potential to bring in hundreds of millions of dollars to both nations as they tap into offshore gas fields.

Kyiv (France24) – The Covid-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have reversed three decades of progress in reducing poverty, according to the World Bank, which is warning that the global goal of eradicating extreme poverty by 2030 is now out of reach.

In its latest report, the Washington-based lender estimates that 70 million more people were forced into extreme poverty in 2020, the largest increase since monitoring began in 1990.

Solange Mougin speaks to Mari Pangestu, Managing Director of Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank and a former Indonesian trade minister.

Amid a push in France to index salaries to inflation, we take a look at the potential risks and benefits of such measures, which exist in a number of European countries.

Also, with Adidas dropping Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, over hate speech and repeated scandals, both the sportswear giant and the artist are expected to weather financial losses. Finally, deep fakes, or digital simulations of celebrities, are on the rise in the advertising world. 

Washington (AFP) — US tech giant Meta said Tuesday it had fixed a global outage affecting its messaging service WhatsApp after users around the world complained that they were unable to send or receive messages.

Washington (France24) — US Consumer Price data for the month of September will be released later this Thursday, and is expected to stay high. Core prices, which exclude food and energy, are expected to have increased 6.5 percent annually last month, a rate not seen in 40 years. The data will be crucial for the US Federal Reserve ahead of its next meeting in early November, as it decides whether or not to continue with its aggressive rate-hiking policy.

But semiconductors only came to dominate the headlines in early 2021.

“Exporters are avoiding dealing with Iran since payments are getting delayed for months,” said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading house.

Iran’s rupee reserves in India’s UCO and IDBI Bank, the two lenders authorised to facilitate rupee trade, have depleted significantly and exporters are not sure whether they would be paid on time for new shipments, the dealer said.

Under U.S. sanctions, Tehran is unable to use U.S. dollars to transact oil sales.

Iran previously had a deal to sell oil to India in exchange for rupees, which it used to import critical goods, including agricultural commodities, but New Delhi stopped buying Tehran’s oil in May 2019 after a U.S. sanctions waiver expired.

Tehran continued using its rupees to buy goods from India, but after 22 months of no crude sales, Iran’s rupee reserves have fallen, said the sources, who asked not to be named, citing business privacy.

Iran’s reserves have reduced significantly and “will be over soon probably because trade has stopped,” said a senior official with IDBI Bank.

The Islamic Republic was buying mainly basmati rice, tea, sugar, soymeal and medicines from India.

“Rice exporters are concerned about the current payment mechanism,” said Vijay Setia, a rice exporter and former president of the All India Rice Exporters’ Association (AIREA).

“There was too much of delay in payments from last year’s shipments. Exporters received payments six months after shipments,” Setia said.

In the first quarter of 2020 Iran imported nearly 700,000 tonnes of basmati rice from India, but in the same period this year shipments would be “very negligible,” Setia said.

Last year, Iran was the biggest buyer of India’s basmati rice and sugar. Iran fulfils more than one-third of its sugar and rice demand through imports, traders estimate.

Iran’s trade ministry and Central Bank of Iran declined to comment on the matter.

Payments hit by Sanctions

“We are in talks with Indian government and Indian traders to resolve these payment issues and I believe it will be resolved soon,” said a senior Iranian official, who asked not to be named due to the sensitivity of the matter.

“The delay in payments are due to U.S. sanctions on Iran’s financial system that has made such payments very difficult,” he said.

As rupee reserves have depleted and dollar trade is not allowed, sugar exporters are exploring options to conduct trade in euros, Rahil Shaikh, managing director of MEIR Commodities India, said.

Sugar exporters are focusing on other destinations like Indonesia and Sri Lanka, as Iran is unlikely to buy significant quantities this year, said Shaikh.

India’s overall exports to Tehran fell 42% in 2020 from a year ago to $2.2 billion, the lowest in over a decade, said an official with India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

The fall is continuing in 2021 and in January this year exports more than halved from a year ago to $100.20 million, the official said.

India’s ministry of commerce and industry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trading houses and exporters were hoping new U.S. President Joe Biden could reverse sanctions imposed by his predecessor Donald Trump on the oil-rich country.

“Exports would rebound even if Biden administration provides a few concessions to Iran like allowing oil trade in rupees,” said a Mumbai-based dealer with a global trading firm.