#State Bank of India Account

[paisainvests-1]

State Bank of India Balance Checking Number

Checking your bank balance is crucial for managing your finances effectively. The State Bank of India (SBI) offers multiple convenient methods for customers to check their account balance. This article will guide you through these various options, focusing on the SBI balance check number and other helpful services.

State Bank of India Balance Checking Number

Why Knowing Your Balance is Important

Understanding your bank balance helps you keep track of your spending, avoid overdrafts, and ensure that your financial health is in check. It’s essential for budgeting, planning expenses, and avoiding unexpected fees.

Methods to Check SBI Account Balance

1. SBI Balance Check Number

How to Use the SBI Balance Check Number

To check your SBI account balance, dial the SBI balance check number: 09223766666 from your registered mobile number. Within seconds, you’ll receive an SMS with your account balance details.

Benefits of Using the SBI Balance Check Number

This method is quick, easy, and doesn’t require internet access. It’s especially useful for those who need their balance information instantly and for customers who aren’t tech-savvy.

2. SBI Missed Call Service

How to Use the Missed Call Service

Simply give a missed call to 09223766666 from your registered mobile number. You’ll receive an SMS with your account balance shortly after.

Advantages of Missed Call Service

The missed call service is free and convenient, making it accessible to all customers, including those with basic mobile phones.

3. SMS Banking

Steps to Use SMS Banking

Send an SMS in the format BAL to 09223766666 from your registered mobile number. You will get an SMS response with your account balance details.

Pros of SMS Banking

SMS banking is useful for those who prefer texting over calling. It provides a written record of your balance, which can be handy for future reference.

4. Internet Banking

Checking Balance Online

Log in to your SBI Internet banking account using your credentials. Navigate to the ‘Account Summary’ section to view your balance and recent transactions.

Security Tips for Internet Banking

Ensure you use strong passwords, log out after each session, and avoid accessing your account from public Wi-Fi networks to maintain security.

5. SBI YONO App

Using the YONO App to Check Balance

Download the SBI YONO app from the App Store or Google Play. After registering, you can easily check your balance and perform other banking operations through the app.

Features of the SBI YONO App

The YONO app offers a comprehensive range of features, including fund transfers, bill payments, loan applications, and investment services, making it a one-stop solution for all your banking needs.

How to Register for SBI Balance Services

Registering Your Mobile Number

Visit your nearest SBI branch or ATM��to link your mobile number with your account. This is essential for using SMS banking and missed call services.

Activating Internet Banking

You can activate internet banking by visiting the official SBI website (State Bank of India (onlinesbi.sbi)) and following the registration process. Alternatively, you can request assistance at your local branch.

Downloading and Setting Up the SBI YONO App

Download the app, complete the registration process by entering your account details and OTP, and set up your login credentials to start using the YONO app.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Missed Call Service Issues

If you’re not receiving balance updates via missed calls, ensure your mobile number is registered with the bank and check for network issues.

SMS Banking Errors

Double-check the SMS format and ensure your mobile number is correctly registered. If issues persist, contact SBI customer service for assistance.

Internet Banking Login Problems

If you’re facing login issues, try resetting your password or contact SBI customer support for help. Ensure your browser is updated and clear your cache regularly.

Conclusion

SBI offers multiple convenient ways to check your account balance, making banking easy and accessible for everyone. Whether you prefer calling, texting, or using the internet, SBI has got you covered. Keeping track of your balance has never been simpler!

By Paisainvests.com

[paisainvests-12]

State Bank of India Balance Checking Number

Checking your bank balance is crucial for managing your finances effectively. The State Bank of India (SBI) offers multiple convenient methods for customers to check their account balance. This article will guide you through these various options, focusing on the SBI balance check number and other helpful services.

State Bank of India Balance Checking Number

https://paisainvests.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/sdsfdsfdsf.webp

Why Knowing Your Balance is Important

Understanding your bank balance helps you keep track of your spending, avoid overdrafts, and ensure that your financial health is in check. It’s essential for budgeting, planning expenses, and avoiding unexpected fees.

Methods to Check SBI Account Balance

1. SBI Balance Check Number

How to Use the SBI Balance Check Number

To check your SBI account balance, dial the SBI balance check number: 09223766666 from your registered mobile number. Within seconds, you’ll receive an SMS with your account balance details.

Benefits of Using the SBI Balance Check Number

This method is quick, easy, and doesn’t require internet access. It’s especially useful for those who need their balance information instantly and for customers who aren’t tech-savvy.

2. SBI Missed Call Service

How to Use the Missed Call Service

Simply give a missed call to 09223766666 from your registered mobile number. You’ll receive an SMS with your account balance shortly after.

Advantages of Missed Call Service

The missed call service is free and convenient, making it accessible to all customers, including those with basic mobile phones.

3. SMS Banking

Steps to Use SMS Banking

Send an SMS in the format BAL to 09223766666 from your registered mobile number. You will get an SMS response with your account balance details.

Pros of SMS Banking

SMS banking is useful for those who prefer texting over calling. It provides a written record of your balance, which can be handy for future reference.

4. Internet Banking

Checking Balance Online

Log in to your SBI Internet banking account using your credentials. Navigate to the ‘Account Summary’ section to view your balance and recent transactions.

Security Tips for Internet Banking

Ensure you use strong passwords, log out after each session, and avoid accessing your account from public Wi-Fi networks to maintain security.

5. SBI YONO App

Using the YONO App to Check Balance

Download the SBI YONO app from the App Store or Google Play. After registering, you can easily check your balance and perform other banking operations through the app.

Features of the SBI YONO App

The YONO app offers a comprehensive range of features, including fund transfers, bill payments, loan applications, and investment services, making it a one-stop solution for all your banking needs.

How to Register for SBI Balance Services

Registering Your Mobile Number

Visit your nearest SBI branch or ATM to link your mobile number with your account. This is essential for using SMS banking and missed call services.

Activating Internet Banking

You can activate internet banking by visiting the official SBI website (State Bank of India (onlinesbi.sbi)) and following the registration process. Alternatively, you can request assistance at your local branch.

Downloading and Setting Up the SBI YONO App

Download the app, complete the registration process by entering your account details and OTP, and set up your login credentials to start using the YONO app.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Missed Call Service Issues

If you’re not receiving balance updates via missed calls, ensure your mobile number is registered with the bank and check for network issues.

SMS Banking Errors

Double-check the SMS format and ensure your mobile number is correctly registered. If issues persist, contact SBI customer service for assistance.

Internet Banking Login Problems

If you’re facing login issues, try resetting your password or contact SBI customer support for help. Ensure your browser is updated and clear your cache regularly.

Conclusion

SBI offers multiple convenient ways to check your account balance, making banking easy and accessible for everyone. Whether you prefer calling, texting, or using the internet, SBI has got you covered. Keeping track of your balance has never been simpler!

By Paisainvests.com

[pear-boy]

To anybody wondering what exactly happened to twitter on Brazil here's the full version of the story coming from a brazilian:

-Elon closes the branch offices in Brazil as some sort of protest.

-Supreme court sends an email to the legal representative to ask for the removal of about 14 far right/nazi accounts.

-Twitter doesn't respond, a daily fine of 20.000 reais and an arrest warrent for the national administrator (15 days to 6 months + fine).

-Elon takes away the coutry's legal representative. Foreign companies need an office and/or a legal rep to be allowed to operate in Brazil.

-The official twitter account posts about being censored in Brazil, mentioning by name the judge who had sent the intimation and arguing that it wasn't made public. The judge in question then commented under the post, leaving the whole document for anyone to read as they like. Twitter has 24 hours to appoint a new rep and pay their more then 150 million reais in accumulated fines or it'll be blocked in Brazil.

-Elon says he will not comply with the Supreme court's decisions and instead resorts t posting corny AI generated images on his account.

-24 hours pass with no other negotiations from Twitter and as such the process of blocking the site as well as shutting down related Starlink accounts and freezing both of their bank assets starts. (https://noticias-stf-wp-prd.s3.sa-east-1.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/wpallimport/uploads/2024/08/30171714/PET-12404-Assinada.pdf)

-At this point the brazilian army sends a message to the supreme court stating that they were using Starlink for their own communications.

Elon had no problems with blocking accounts in other countries like in India but he had long been attacking the brazilian government since the 2022 election where former far-right president Jair Bolsonaro lost. Elon had been eyeing up brazilian lithium, Starlink was primarily sold to illegal miners in the Amazon and the military had been using it to coordinate about mineral deposits. Anyone can clearly see Elon's true intentions were to spread misinformation and destabilize the country for his own gain, we already know what his position with South America is when Bolivia nationalized it's lithium. Please spread the truth and don't believe this coward's lies, Brazil is a free, democratic sovereign country and he will stop at nothing until it's back at where it was in the 60's if it meas he'll have to spend slightly less money to make his stupid cars.

[beguines]

The Indian state has already begun to evict indigenous communities from their homes. In late 2020, tribal communities received notice that labeled their homes as illegally occupying forest land. Their homes were demolished. This bears an eerie resemblance to Israel's targeting of Bedouin communities of Naqab, where Israel gave the lands of these communities to Jewish settlers and the military. The logic of Bedouin dispossession was premised on the fact that as nomads, they had no right to the land.

In Kashmir, these communities were living on lands that the Indian state wanted to use for the development of tourist infrastructure. Part of the plan is to transfer agricultural land to Indian state and private corporations. Kashmir has already lost 78,700 hectares of agricultural land to non-agricultural purposes between 2015–19. This decline in agricultural land—which a majority of Kashmiris still rely upon as the foundation of their economy—will disempower farmers, result in a loss of essential crops, make Kashmir less agriculturally self-sufficient, and create grounds for economic collapse in the near future. It is of course, only when Kashmiris are economically devastated that India's job in securing their land will be made even easier.

Alongside the destruction of agricultural land, the Indian government has also been charged with "ecocide" in Kashmir, which, "masked under the development rhetoric . . . destroys the environment without care, extracting resources and expanding illegal infrastructure as a way of contesting the indigenous peoples' right of belonging and using the territory for their own gain." During the lockdown in late 2019, the valley saw unprecedented forest clearances. In June 2020, the Jammu & Kashmir Forest Department became a government-owned corporation, allowing it to sell public forest land to private entities, including to Indian corporations. The rush to secure and extract Kashmir's resources has typically come at an immense cost to the region's vulnerable ecology, prompting local activists' fears that a lack of accountability will almost certainly exacerbate the climate crisis in South Asia. Just as Israel has secured control over Palestinian resources, India's stranglehold of Kashmir's natural resources and interference with the environment will ultimately make Kashmiris dependent on the Indian state for their livelihoods.

All of these shifts in land use reflect the "Srinagar Master Plan 2035," which "proposes creating formal and informal housing colonies through town planning schemes as well as in Special Investment Corridors," primarily for the use of Indian settlers and outside investors. Indeed, the Indian government has signed a series of MOU's with outside investors to alter the nature of the state by building multiplexes, educational institutions, film production centers, tourist infrastructure, Hindu religious sites, and medical industries. Kashmiri investors are no competition for massive Indian and external corporations and have a fundamental disadvantage in investing in land banks that the government has apportioned toward these purposes. Back to back lockdowns have resulted in massive economic losses for Kashmir's industries, including tourism, handicrafts, horticulture, IT, and e-commerce. Furthermore, "as with other colonial powers, Indian officials are participating in international investment summits parroting Kashmir as a 'Land of Opportunity', setting off a scramble for Kashmir's resources, which will cause further environmental destruction." India has always kept a close eye on Kashmir's water resources and its capabilities to generate electricity, while intentionally depriving Kashmir of the electricity it produces.

As more economic and employment opportunities are opened up to Indian domiciles, Kashmiris will also be deprived of what little job security they had. In sum, "neoliberal policies come together with settler colonial ambitions under continued reference to private players, industrialization and development, with the 'steady flow of wealth outwards.'"

Azad Essa, Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel

[zvaigzdelasas]

China’s exports rose year-on-year by 10.3% in RMB, driven by 20% to 40% jumps in exports to India, Brazil, Indonesia, Vietnam, South Africa and other countries of the Global South. This more than compensated for sharp declines in shipments to developed markets including the US (-7%), the European Union (-6.8%), and Japan (-2.5%).

The biggest gains were registered in BRICS members India (+16%), Brazil (+37.1%), and South Africa (14.8%), as well as Vietnam (+28.4%) and Indonesia (+22.2%).

China’s exports to the Global South surpassed exports to all developed markets during late 2022 and 2023[...]

The Chinese shipped semi-finished goods and components to third countries for final assembly and re-export to the United States. As the BIS wrote:

>Firms from other jurisdictions have interposed themselves in the supply chains from China to the United States. The identity of the firms that have interposed themselves in this way can be gleaned from the fact that firms from the Asia-Pacific region account for a greater portion of suppliers to US customers than in December 2021, as well as accounting for a greater portion of the customers of Chinese suppliers.

The World Bank economists put it this way:

>US imports from China are being replaced with imports from large developing countries with revealed comparative advantage in a product. Countries replacing China tend to be deeply integrated into China’s supply chains and are experiencing faster import growth from China, especially in strategic industries. Put differently, to displace China on the export side, countries must embrace China’s supply chains.

12 Mar 24

[dhaaruni]

I totally agree that a lot of immigrants are just as conservative if not more so than many normie white Republicans.

If you’ve immigrated to the U.S. from a non-English speaking country and now you make money in dollars as opposed to, like, INR, then you’ve worked your ass off to be where you are and you want to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Manifest destiny. What you don’t want is other people coming over and doing the same thing because it could, irrationally, mean that you will make less, and rationally, if more people are achieving what you achieved, your accomplishment is less impressive. These are examples of emotional logic that I’ve personally witnessed.

But the most compelling thing I’ve seen is this: When you come to the U.S. and start making money in dollars, there’s this expectation and frankly a demand that you will support your family members back home. Some people find it to be more unreasonable and annoying than others. But sure, they might bring gifts when they visit, they might wire some money over occasionally, whatever. But the last thing they want is their demanding family members coming over so they can demand money IN PERSON. I think this applies to a lot of immigrants. Source: My own family lol.

Plus there’s the other conservative viewpoints of not wanting to give up money as taxes, of having a strong police presence and owning a gun to keep the property value of suburbs high, of being generally anti-drug so there will be fewer slackers (I’m not saying that people who are addicts are lazy, just that that’s the perception), of being pro-life because abortion is wrong for cultural/religious reasons. Just being a POC is not enough to vote liberally, contrary to white Twitter leftist expectations.

Yeah that's in line with my experiences too although without much of the supporting family stuff lol. To be fair, we never really had much interaction with my extended family since my parents had a love marriage and my mom's brother didn't talk to her for 17 years, and we lived in America far away, but my dad did help his family out a fair amount.

I think what a lot of white liberals/leftists struggle to understand is that marginalization isn't virtue. The way I think about is that people with the most socially regressive views, whether in Iran or India or Alabama, deserve food and clean water, but they do NOT deserve to have their views endorsed, regardless of the color of their skin or amount of money in their bank account.

Moreover, just because people are "non-white" in America doesn't mean that they're not the majority in their home countries and they internalize that privilege even in the United States. Chimamanda Ngozi Adhichie pointed this out too, that in America, she was a "person of color" but in Nigeria, she was part of the majority group. My family is a bit different in that we had very little engagement with India after we moved here, but that's also why we, or rather my parents, are so much more liberal than the average immigrant family.

My parents are staunchly pro-choice, pro-LGBT, and pretty supportive of immigration (even if they think that the border has to be orderly), and center-left on economics. They sent me to public school (although I went to Cornell for college) because my dad was like, we're paying taxes for school anyways we might as well take full advantage of it.

But yeah, does that all make sense?

[ultramaga]

Lately, the government and the top banks of Australia have been pushing for the eradication of payments by cash, leaving phone apps alone, and possibly a medical implant as well.

I have fought against it as best I can, buy there's not much I can do.

It's illegal to have large amounts of cash, and self defense is a crime, so storing at home is not really an option. Besides, I am a disabled pensioner, and the government decided long ago that going through the bank is mandatory.

Covid was the best opportunity they ever had to eliminate personal freedom - I mean, to force everyone to use insecure apps on insecure phones that had insecure operating systems on insecure hardware.

There were scandal when apps were exposed data harvesting, accessing information they didn't have the rights to, and even hacking the microphone and camera of the phone.

https://www.consumerreports.org/electronics-computers/privacy/how-to-protect-yourself-from-camera-and-microphone-hacking-a1010757171/

But the push to do the thing was relentless. You can't stop progress! Nobody else is complaining, the bank told me.

Except people do complain, helpless and hopeless. I worked in tech support, and would hear all day long the agony of those whose assets were cleaned out, and that was in the days of internet banking, when the scammer call centers of India were just a sparkle in Satan's Eye.

You see, the reason banks existed was that they took money in exchange for the service of PROTECTION.

Now, they take your money, and if you get robbed, that's a YOU problem.

And the government is backing them up. Remember the GFC, when most governments expressed their hatred of capitalism by backing banks no matter how badly they embezzled customers?

The Bank and the State had merged.

Mussolini's vision had succeeded.

Fascism took a century, but it in the end, it won. But I am not sure even the 1930s fascists could see this coming.

[whencyclopedia]

Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories

"Smoke and Ashes: Opium’s Hidden Histories" is a sweeping and jarring work of how opium became an insidious capitalistic tool to generate wealth for the British Empire and other Western powers at the expense of an epidemic of addiction in China and the impoverishment of millions of farmers in India. The legacy of this “criminal enterprise,” as the author puts it, left lasting influences that reverberate across cultures and societies even today.

Written in engaging language, Smoke and Ashes is a scholarly follow-up to the author’s famous Ibis trilogy, a collection of fiction that uses the opium trade as its backdrop. In Smoke and Ashes, the author draws on his years-long research into opium supplemented by his family history, personal travels, cross-cultural experience, and expertise in works of historical verisimilitude. Composed over 18 chapters, the author delves into a diverse set of primary and secondary data, including Chinese sources. He also brings a multidimensional angle to the study by highlighting the opium trade's legacy in diverse areas such as art, architecture, horticulture, printmaking, and calligraphy. 23 pictorial illustrations serve as powerful eyewitness accounts to the discourse.

This book should interest students and scholars seeking historical analysis based on facts on the ground instead of colonial narratives. Readers will also find answers to how opium continues to play an outsize role in modern-day conflicts, addictions, corporate behavior, and globalism.

Amitav Ghosh’s research convincingly points out that while opium had always been used for recreational purposes across cultures, it was the Western powers such as the British, Portuguese, the Spaniards, and the Dutch that discovered its significant potential as a trading vehicle. Ghosh adds that colonial rulers, especially the British, often rationalized their actions by arguing that the Asian population was naturally predisposed to narcotics. However, it was British India that bested others in virtually monopolizing the market for the highly addictive Indian opium in China. Used as a currency to redress the East India Company (EIC)’s trade deficit with China, the opium trade by the 1890s generated about five million sterling a year for Britain. Meanwhile, as many as 40 million Chinese became addicted to opium.

Eastern India became the epicenter of British opium production. Workers in opium factories in Patna and Benares toiled under severe conditions, often earning less than the cost of production while their British managers lived in luxury. Ghosh asserts that opium farming permanently impoverished a region that was an economic powerhouse before the British arrived. Ghosh’s work echoes developmental economists such as Jonathan Lehne, who has documented opium-growing communities' lower literacy and economic progress compared to their neighbors.

Ghosh states that after Britain, “the country that benefited most from the opium trade” with China, was the United States. American traders skirted the British opium monopoly by sourcing from Turkey and Malwa in Western India. By 1818, American traders were smuggling about one-third of all the opium consumed in China. Many powerful families like the Astors, Coolidges, Forbes, Irvings, and Roosevelts built their fortunes from the opium trade. Much of this opium money, Ghosh shows, also financed banking, railroads, and Ivy League institutions. While Ghosh mentions that many of these families developed a huge collection of Chinese art, he could have also discussed that some of their holdings were most probably part of millions of Chinese cultural icons plundered by colonialists.

Ghosh ends the book by discussing how the EIC's predatory behaviors have been replicated by modern corporations, like Purdue Pharma, that are responsible for the opium-derived OxyContin addiction. He adds that fossil fuel companies such as BP have also reaped enormous profits at the expense of consumer health or environmental damage.

Perhaps one omission in this book is that the author does not hold Indian opium traders from Malwa, such as the Marwaris, Parsis, and Jews, under the same ethical scrutiny as he does to the British and the Americans. While various other works have covered the British Empire's involvement in the opium trade, most readers would find Ghosh's narrative of American involvement to be eye-opening. Likewise, his linkage of present-day eastern India's economic backwardness to opium is both revealing and insightful.

Winner of India's highest literary award Jnanpith and nominated author for the Man Booker Prize, Amitav Ghosh's works concern colonialism, identity, migration, environmentalism, and climate change. In this book, he provides an invaluable lesson for political and business leaders that abdication of ethics and social responsibility have lasting consequences impacting us all.

Continue reading...

[mariacallous]

As AI tools become increasingly sophisticated and accessible, so too has one of its worst applications: non-consensual deepfake pornography. While much of this content is hosted on dedicated sites, more and more it’s finding its way onto social platforms. Today, the Meta Oversight Board announced that it was taking on cases that could force the company to reckon with how it deals with deepfake porn.

The board, which is an independent body that can issue both binding decisions and recommendations to Meta, will focus on two deepfake porn cases, both regarding celebrities who had their images altered to create explicit content. In one case about an unnamed American celebrity, deepfake porn depicting the celebrity was removed from Facebook after it had already been flagged elsewhere on the platform. The post was also added to Meta’s Media Matching Service Bank, an automated system that finds and removes images that have already been flagged as violating Meta’s policies, to keep it off the platform.

In the other case, a deepfake image of an unnamed Indian celebrity remained up on Instagram, even after users reported it for violating Meta’s policies on pornography. The deepfake of the Indian celebrity was removed once the board took up the case, according to the announcement.

In both cases, the images were removed for violating Meta’s policies on bullying and harassment, and did not fall under Meta’s policies on porn. Meta, however, prohibits “content that depicts, threatens or promotes sexual violence, sexual assault or sexual exploitation” and does not allow porn or sexually explicit ads on its platforms. In a blog post released in tandem with the announcement of the cases, Meta said it removed the posts for violating the “derogatory sexualized photoshops or drawings” portion of its bullying and harassment policy, and that it also “determined that it violated [Meta's] adult nudity and sexual activity policy.”

The board hopes to use these cases to examine Meta’s policies and systems to detect and remove nonconsensual deepfake pornography, according to Julie Owono, an Oversight Board member. “I can tentatively already say that the main problem is probably detection,” she says. “Detection is not as perfect or at least is not as efficient as we would wish.”

Meta has also long faced criticism for its approach to moderating content outside the US and Western Europe. For this case, the board already voiced concerns that the American celebrity and Indian celebrity received different treatment in response to their deepfakes appearing on the platform.

“We know that Meta is quicker and more effective at moderating content in some markets and languages than others. By taking one case from the United States and one from India, we want to see if Meta is protecting all women globally in a fair way,” says Oversight Board cochair Helle Thorning-Schmidt. “It’s critical that this matter is addressed, and the board looks forward to exploring whether Meta’s policies and enforcement practices are effective at addressing this problem.”

The board declined to name the Indian and American celebrities whose images spurred the complaints, but pornographic deepfakes of celebrities have become rampant. A recent Channel 4 investigation found deepfakes of more than 4,000 celebrities. In January, a nonconsensual deepfake of Taylor Swift went viral on Facebook, Instagram, and especially X, where one post garnered more than 45 million views. X resorted to restricting the singer’s name from its search function, but posts continued to circulate. And while platforms struggled to remove that content, it was Swift’s fans who reportedly took to reporting and blocking the accounts that shared the image. In March, NBC News reported that ads for a deepfake app that ran on Facebook and Instagram featured the images of an undressed, underaged Jenna Ortega. In India, deepfakes have targeted major Bollywood actresses including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, and Rashmika Mandann.

Ever since deepfakes emerged half a decade ago, research has found that nonconsensual deepfake pornography overwhelmingly targets women—and it has continued to explode. Last year, reporting from WIRED found that 244,625 videos had been uploaded to the top 35 deepfake porn hosting sites—more than any previous year. And it doesn’t take much to make a deepfake. In 2019, VICE found that just 15 seconds of an Instagram story is enough to create a reliable deepfake, and the technology has only gotten more accessible. Last month, a school in Beverly Hills expelled five students who had made nonconsensual deepfakes of 16 of their classmates.

“Deepfake pornography is a growing cause of gender-based harassment online and is increasingly used to target, silence, and intimidate women on- and offline,” says Thorning-Schmidt. “Multiple studies show that deepfake pornography overwhelmingly targets women. This content can be extremely harmful for victims, and the tools used for creating it are becoming more sophisticated and accessible.”

In January, legislators introduced the Disrupt Explicit Forged Images and Non-Consensual Edits, or DEFIANCE Act, that would allow people whose images were used in deepfake porn to sue if they could show that it was made without their consent. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who sponsored the bill, was herself the target of deepfake pornography earlier this year.

“Victims of nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes have waited too long for federal legislation to hold perpetrators accountable,” Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement at the time. “As deepfakes become easier to access and create—96 percent of deepfake videos circulating online are nonconsensual pornography—Congress needs to act to show victims that they won’t be left behind.”

[probablyasocialecologist]

The purchasing power parity (PPP) exchange rates that undergird the WBPL [World Bank’s poverty line] are calculated on the basis of prices across the entire economy – including commercial airfares, sports cars, and meals at high-end restaurants – rather than the prices of goods that people need in order to meet basic needs, such as food and shelter. When it comes to measuring poverty, what matters is not income as such but rather what that income can buy in terms of access to essential goods; in other words, what matters is the welfare purchasing power of income. Allen (2017) analyses commodity prices around the world in 2011 and finds that the cost of meeting basic needs, measured in PPP terms, changes depending upon the price of food and shelter relative to prices across the rest of the economy. In Zimbabwe a person’s subsistence needs can be met with $1.74, PPP. But purchasing a similar basket would cost $3.19 in Egypt, and $4.02 in France. Because the WBPL does not account for the variable cost of meeting basic needs in different countries, it cannot be used to establish meaningful estimates of poverty.

The problems with the WBPL become particularly acute when comparing socialist states like pre-reform China to capitalist states such as India or Brazil. Socialist states tend to invest in public provisioning systems to provide people with access to essential goods . In such cases, the cost of meeting basic needs is generally quite low. In capitalist states, with high levels of commodification or privatisation, the same goods may be significantly more expensive. Therefore, a dollar of income (in broad-gauge PPPs) is likely to have a stronger welfare purchasing power in socialist states than in capitalist states.

Capitalist reforms and extreme poverty in China: unprecedented progress or income deflation?

[dreaminginthedeepsouth]

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

January 4, 2024

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

JAN 5, 2024

The Democrats on the House Oversight Committee today released a 156-page report showing that when he was in the presidency, Trump received at least $7.8 million from 20 different governments, including those of China, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, and Malaysia, through businesses he owned. 

The Democrats brought receipts. 

According to the report—and the documents from Trump’s former accounting firm Mazars that are attached to it—the People’s Republic of China and companies substantially controlled by the PRC government paid at least $5,572,548 to Trump-owned properties while Trump was in office; Saudi Arabia paid at least $615,422; Qatar paid at least $465,744; Kuwait paid at least $300,000; India paid at least $282,764; Malaysia paid at least $248,962; Afghanistan paid at least $154,750; the Philippines paid at least $74,810; the United Arab Emirates paid at least $65,225. The list went on and on. 

The committee Democrats explained that these payments were likely only a fraction of the actual money exchanged, since they cover only four of more than 500 entities Trump owned at the time. When the Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in January 2023, Oversight Committee chair James Comer (R-KY) stopped the investigation before Mazars had produced the documents the committee had asked for when Democrats were in charge of it. Those records included documents relating to Russia, South Korea, South Africa, and Brazil. 

Trump fought hard against the production of these documents, dragging out the court fight until September 2022. The committee worked on them for just four months before voters put Republicans in charge of the House and the investigation stopped. 

These are the first hard numbers that show how foreign governments funneled money to the president while policies involving their countries were in front of him. The report notes, for example, that Trump refused to impose sanctions on Chinese banks that were helping the North Korean government; one of those banks was paying him close to $2 million in rent annually for commercial office space in Trump Tower. 

The first article of the U.S. Constitution reads: “[N]o Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under [the United States], shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument [that is, salary, fee, or profit], Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State.” 

The report also contrasted powerfully with the attempt of Republicans on the Oversight Committee, led by Comer, to argue that Democratic Joe Biden has corruptly profited from the presidency. 

In the Washington Post on December 26, 2023, Philip Bump noted that just after voters elected a Republican majority, Comer told the Washington Post that as soon as he was in charge of the Oversight Committee, he would use his power to “determine if this president and this White House are compromised because of the millions of dollars that his family has received from our adversaries in China, Russia and Ukraine.”

For the past year, while he and the committee have made a number of highly misleading statements to make it sound as if there are Biden family businesses involving the president (there are not) and the president was involved in them (he was not), their claims were never backed by any evidence. Bump noted in a piece on December 14, 2023, for example, that Comer told Fox News Channel personality Maria Bartiromo that “the Bidens” have “taken in” more than $24 million. In fact, Bump explained, Biden’s son Hunter and his business partners did receive such payments, but most of the money went to the business partners. About $7.5 million of it went to Hunter Biden. There is no evidence that any of it went to Joe Biden. 

All of the committee’s claims have similar reality checks. Jonathan Yerushalmy of The Guardian wrote that after nearly 40,000 pages of bank records and dozens of hours of testimony, “no evidence has emerged that Biden acted corruptly or accepted bribes in his current or previous role.”

Still, the constant hyping of their claims on right-wing media led then–House speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) to authorize an impeachment inquiry in mid-September, and in mid-December, Republicans in the House formalized the inquiry. 

There is more behind the attack on Biden than simply trying to even the score between him and Trump—who remains angry at his impeachments and has demanded Republicans retaliate—or to smear Biden through an “investigation,” which has been a standard technique of the Republicans since the mid-1990s.

Claiming that Biden is as corrupt as Trump undermines faith in our democracy. After all, if everyone is a crook, why does it matter which one is in office? And what makes American democracy any different from the authoritarian systems of Russia or Hungary or Venezuela, where leaders grab what they can for themselves and their followers?

Democracies are different from authoritarian governments because they have laws to prevent the corruption in which it appears Trump engaged. The fact that Republicans refuse to hold their own party members accountable to those laws while smearing their opponents says far more about them than it does about the nature of democracy.

It does, though, highlight that our democracy is in danger.

LETTERS FROM AN AMERICAN

HEATHER COX RICHARDSON

[scbhagat]

GST Registration Services in Delhi by SC Bhagat & Co.

Navigating the complex web of taxation in India can be daunting, especially for businesses looking to remain compliant and grow in a competitive market. SC Bhagat & Co., a trusted name in tax consultancy, offers top-notch GST registration services in Delhi to make the process seamless for businesses of all sizes. Whether you are a startup, SME, or a large corporation, GST registration is a crucial step in ensuring your business stays compliant with India's tax laws.

Why GST Registration is Important? The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a value-added tax levied on the supply of goods and services. GST has simplified the tax structure by replacing numerous indirect taxes like VAT, Service Tax, and Excise Duty. Here are a few reasons why registering for GST is essential:

Legal Compliance: Businesses with an annual turnover of more than ₹40 lakhs (₹20 lakhs for special category states) are legally required to register for GST. Failure to comply can result in heavy penalties. Improved Credibility: GST registration increases your business’s credibility in the eyes of customers, suppliers, and investors. It shows that your business adheres to the laws and operates transparently. Input Tax Credit: Businesses registered under GST can claim input tax credit on purchases, reducing the overall tax burden and increasing profitability. Expansion Opportunities: With GST, businesses can easily expand to other states in India, as the unified tax system eliminates the hassle of complying with multiple state taxes. Why Choose SC Bhagat & Co. for GST Registration Services? As one of Delhi's leading tax consultancy firms, SC Bhagat & Co. is well-versed in the intricacies of GST laws and regulations. Here's why partnering with us for GST registration is the best choice for your business:

Expert Guidance Our team of experienced tax consultants ensures that you understand every step of the GST registration process. From assessing your eligibility to filing the necessary documents, we guide you through it all.

Hassle-Free Process We make GST registration easy by handling all the paperwork and documentation required for the process. You no longer need to worry about missing deadlines or submitting incorrect information.

Quick Turnaround Time is money, and we understand that delays can cost your business. At SC Bhagat & Co., we ensure a quick and smooth registration process, minimizing any disruptions to your business operations.

Post-Registration Support Our services don’t end with registration. We offer ongoing GST compliance support, helping you with return filings, audits, and other GST-related queries to keep your business on the right side of the law.

Affordable Pricing Our GST registration services in Delhi are competitively priced, ensuring you get the best value for your investment. We believe in offering quality services without breaking the bank.

The GST Registration Process Here’s a brief overview of the GST registration process that our team will handle for you:

Determine GST Applicability: Based on your business turnover and nature, we assess whether you are liable to register for GST. Collect Necessary Documents: We help you gather all the required documents like PAN, Aadhaar, business address proof, bank account details, and other necessary information. Submit Application: We submit your GST registration application online and ensure all details are accurate. Obtain GSTIN: After verification, your business will receive a unique GST Identification Number (GSTIN), which will be used for all future GST filings and transactions. Post-Registration Services: Once registered, we continue to support your business with GST return filing, audits, and compliance updates. Documents Required for GST Registration To make the process even smoother, here’s a list of documents you’ll need to register for GST:

PAN Card of the business or owner Aadhaar Card of the authorized signatory Proof of business address (rental agreement, property papers, utility bills) Bank account details (cancelled cheque, bank statement) Business incorporation certificate or partnership deed Digital Signature Certificate (if applicable) Why Delhi Businesses Need GST Registration Delhi is a bustling hub of commerce, and businesses here often engage in inter-state and international trade. GST registration not only simplifies tax compliance but also streamlines business operations by reducing the burden of dealing with multiple state-level taxes. With the right tax consultants, you can easily manage your GST obligations while focusing on growing your business.

Contact SC Bhagat & Co. for Professional GST Services If you’re looking for reliable GST registration services in Delhi, SC Bhagat & Co. is your trusted partner. With years of experience in tax consultancy, we offer tailor-made solutions for businesses across sectors. Let us handle your GST registration and compliance needs so you can focus on what matters most—growing your business.

[suhaliyaqureshi]

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies (SPACs) and Their Relevance to Indian Firms

Special Purpose Acquisition Companies, or SPACs, have become a buzzword in global financial markets. As an innovative way to take companies public, SPACs offer a faster and more flexible alternative to traditional Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). While the model has gained significant traction in the United States, it presents a unique opportunity for Indian firms looking to expand and raise capital abroad. However, challenges related to regulatory frameworks and market risks still persist. This blog explores what SPACs are, their advantages, and how they might fit into the Indian corporate landscape.

What is a SPAC?

A SPAC is essentially a “blank-check” company with no commercial operations. Its sole purpose is to raise funds through an IPO to merge with a private company, allowing the target company to become publicly listed without going through the traditional IPO process. Investors buy into a SPAC based on the expertise of its sponsors, trusting them to identify and acquire a promising target. If no acquisition takes place within a set timeframe (usually 24 months), the SPAC must return the money to investors.

Key Characteristics of SPACs:

Speed and efficiency: Companies can become publicly listed faster than via a standard IPO.

• Lower regulatory scrutiny: SPAC mergers avoid much of the red tape associated with IPOs.

• Pre-negotiated valuations: Target companies can negotiate valuations with the SPAC sponsors rather than relying on fluctuating market conditions.

The Global Rise of SPACs

SPACs became especially popular in 2020 and 2021, accounting for nearly half of all IPOs in the United States during that period. Successful companies like Virgin Galactic and DraftKings used SPACs to go public, paving the way for others to explore this model. Investment banks, venture capitalists, and private equity firms have embraced SPACs as a quick, lucrative way to introduce companies to public markets.

Why SPACs gained momentum:

1. Volatile markets: During periods of market uncertainty, SPACs offer companies more predictability in terms of valuation and timeline.

2. Demand for faster capital access: Startups and high-growth firms, particularly in sectors like technology and healthcare, found SPACs an attractive way to secure investments.

The Relevance of SPACs for Indian Firms

Indian firms, especially those in technology, fintech, renewable energy, and pharmaceuticals, are increasingly eyeing global markets. SPACs offer a convenient way for these firms to list abroad, particularly on exchanges such as the NASDAQ or the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).

Advantages of SPACs for Indian Firms:

1. Global Market Access: Companies looking to expand internationally can benefit from SPACs by gaining a listing on prestigious foreign exchanges.

2. Flexible Valuation Models: Indian startups and unicorns often find it challenging to secure favorable valuations through traditional IPOs. SPACs offer them the opportunity to negotiate more favorable terms.

3. Capital for Growth: Indian firms in growth-intensive sectors can leverage SPAC mergers to secure quick funding for global expansion.

Challenges Indian Firms May Face

While SPACs hold immense potential, Indian companies encounter several regulatory and market barriers in leveraging this route effectively:

1. Regulatory Uncertainty: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has yet to create clear guidelines on SPAC transactions, adding a layer of uncertainty for companies and investors.

2. Foreign Exchange and FEMA Regulations: Indian firms must navigate the complexities of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) regulations to raise capital abroad.

3. Speculative Nature of SPACs: Not all SPACs find suitable acquisition targets, leading to market skepticism and reputational risks.

Examples of Indian Companies Exploring SPACs

Some Indian firms have already started testing the SPAC model. For instance, ReNew Power, a leading renewable energy company, merged with a U.S.-based SPAC to get listed on the NASDAQ. This case shows that Indian firms, especially in industries aligned with global trends like sustainability, can find success through SPAC mergers.

In addition, startups in the tech and digital economy sectors are increasingly considering SPACs to bypass the lengthy regulatory processes involved in listing on Indian exchanges. However, SEBI’s reluctance to recognize SPACs domestically means these companies currently need to explore foreign exchanges for listings

What Lies Ahead: Will SPACs Become a Mainstay in India?

As Indian companies continue to expand globally, SPACs offer an alternative path to raise capital and build international credibility. If SEBI introduces SPAC-friendly regulations, India could see a surge in SPAC-based listings—both domestically and internationally. Additionally, financial hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong are emerging as attractive venues for SPAC deals, offering Indian firms new avenues for public listings.

Conclusion

SPACs present a promising yet challenging opportunity for Indian firms looking to expand and raise capital in global markets. With advantages such as flexible valuations, quicker listings, and access to foreign capital, this model can benefit high-growth Indian companies in technology, healthcare, and renewable energy. However, regulatory uncertainties and market risks need to be addressed for Indian firms to fully capitalize on this trend.

As the world watches the evolution of SPACs, Indian firms and regulators must adapt to these changing dynamics. With the right policies in place, SPACs could become a pivotal part of India’s global corporate strategy.

By understanding and engaging with this evolving financial mechanism, Indian firms can position themselves for success in global markets. As you build your corporate law portfolio, tracking these trends will showcase your knowledge of innovative legal and financial strategies—an essential skill for future corporate lawyers.

[metamatar]

As an Indian living in India, though not from a bjp ruled state, is it safe to send esim via my mail to those who are organizing for gaza?

Well, buying a SIM connection for another person's use isn't really permitted. India has some of the world's toughest regulations when it comes to buying prepaid sims, and they've been tightened recently to require identity verification before you buy a SIM.

Now, I don't really expect you to be prosecuted if you buy a few sims unless you're muslim or already labelled as anti national. But it might be smarter to route that purchase through someone who doesn't live in India or atleast through a bank account that isn't on Indian soil. Your email isn't really the dangerous vector here, just get an anonymous protonmail account you use on a VPN. The money is.

There is a crackdown on pro Palestine expression in general in India, though I assume you know that if you're asking me.

[lavanyamuj00058]

History of Finance in India

The Evolution of Financial Management in India and Its Impact on the Economy

India’s financial management history is a fascinating journey that has significantly shaped its economy. Let’s explore this evolution in simple terms.

Early Beginnings

Financial management in India has ancient roots. Historically, India was known for its rich in nature trade and commerce. Ancient texts like the Arthashastra, written by Chanakya, provide insights into early financial practices, including taxation and statecraft.

Colonial Era

The British colonial period brought significant changes. The establishment of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in Kolkata 1935 marked a pivotal moment. The RBI became the sole central authority for regulating the country’s currency and credit systems. However, the financial system was primarily designed to serve colonial interests, focusing on trade and revenue and tax collection.

Post-Independence Reforms

After gaining independence in 1947, India faced the challenge of building a robust financial system. The government nationalized 13 major banks in 1969 to ensure financial inclusion and support economic development. This move aimed to extend banking services to rural areas and promote savings and investments.

Liberalization in the 1990s

The 1991 marked a turning point with economic liberalization. The government introduced reforms to open up the economy, reduce state control, and encourage private sector participation. The Multi National Companies across the globe were invited, encouraged to set up their businesses in India for cheap labour. To initiate this government also provided tax benefits to these companies.

These reforms led to significant growth in the financial sector. The stock market expanded, and new financial instruments like mutual funds and insurance products became popular. The liberalization era also saw the establishment of regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to oversee the capital markets.

Digital Revolution

In recent years, digital technology has revolutionized financial management in India. Initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana aimed to provide banking services to every household. The introduction of UPI or Unified Interface payments made transaction so quick and safe that today India is the largest country with the most number of online P2P and P2M transactions.

Impact on the Economy

The evolution of financial management has had a profound impact on the Indian economy:

Economic Growth: Financial reforms have fueled economic growth by attracting investments and promoting entrepreneurship. 

Financial Inclusion: Nationalization of banks and digital initiatives have improved financial inclusion. The number of users of credit cards, online payments, loans and Bank account holders has increased significantly.

Stability and Regulation: The establishment of regulatory bodies like the RBI and SEBI has ensured stability and transparency in the financial system. 

Innovation: The digital revolution has spurred innovation in financial services. Mobile Banking, Digital loans and Online Serices has made the work easier and efficient.

 Conclusion

The history of financial management in India is a story of transformation and resilience. From ancient practices to modern digital innovations, each phase has contributed to shaping the economy. As India continues to evolve, its financial system will play a crucial role in driving sustainable growth and development.

[hi-ma-ni]

BPO Companies: How to Choose the Best BPO Company in India?

Today, business process outsourcing has become a growing trend. With so much data and consumers to manage, corporate confidence in Best BPO Company has grown over the years. India's IT and BPO services sector has grown rapidly since its inception in the mid-1990s and today has a turnover of US$37.6 billion. The Indian BPO market has grown due to economies of scale, reduced business risk, cost advantages, improved utilization, and superior experience. Among competitors such as Australia, China, the Philippines, and Ireland, India is now the world's leading hub for the consumption of BPO services. India's immense popularity as a global outsourcing destination is due to the country's low labor costs and a large pool of skilled and skilled workers gave an opportunity to companies like Ascent BPO to provide better services at reasonable prices.

But since many organizations in India offer quality data entry services, companies only need to choose the best ones after they have done their homework. Look on our website to learn how to choose the Best BPO Company like us.

What is business process deploying or outsourcing (BPO)?

Before we get started, we want to give our audience an overview of what a BPO is. Business process outsourcing companies provide services that allow companies to focus on their core business. Let us consider this problem in detail. You may not have the time or resources for a separate organization that you can trust to handle other aspects of your business. These other aspects can be anything from call center operations, marketing, SEO, finance to human resource activities. The sky is the limit. Now that business process outsourcing has sparked some interest, let's explain what to look for in the Best BPO company.

Some Best BPO company are given below:

Tata Consulting Services:

Tata Consulting Services (TCS) is the second-best outsourcing firm in India. TCS is an organization based in Mumbai in Bangalore. TCS provides trading services, platform solutions, analytics, information services, and more. TCS has more than 400,000 employees in India and thousands of employees in other parts of the world. Tata Advisory Services will generate revenue of approximately $23 billion in 2020.

Wipro:

Wipro is a leading multinational company providing IT services, consulting, and business operations. They serve their clients by applying their expertise in cognitive computing, hyper-automation, robotics, cloud, analytics, and emerging technologies.

Ascent BPO

Ascent BPO manages multiple streams such as data entry services, data entry projects, data entry processing, web research, financial accounting, and call center services. Get the best outsourcing service at the lowest possible price here. Wide access to major Indian metropolitan areas such as Delhi and Mumbai, as well as other major cities in India such as Bangalore, Chennai, and Kolkata.

First source solution:

Firstsource Solution is a leading provider of customized Business Process Management (BPM) services to the banking and financial, customer service, telecom, media, and health industries. It is headquartered in Mumbai, and also has operations in the United States, United Kingdom, and the Philippines. In addition, Firstsource Solutions recently won Gold and Silver Awards at the UK Complaint Management Awards 2020.

UrbanTimer:

UrbanTimer is a VA company based in Kolkata. Believing that your experience will be "the best in your business," the company offers administrative support, customer service, content creation, graphic design, project management, QuickBooks services, startups, and more.

Professional BPO Qualifications: What To Look For?

Companies considering working with a BPO company should know what to look for in potential partners. If you're wondering how to find the most qualified BPO company like Ascent BPO, a few key qualifications are good indicators that you're doing business with experienced professionals:

1.    Proven experience:

Your business processes should not be executed by ordinary people. One of the most important qualifications for Best BPO company is proven experience in the industry. Excellent customer testimonials show that your business has been treated similarly.

2.    Specialized Services:

We offer a variety of functions and processes, and specialized services demonstrate expertise. If you're wondering how to find the most qualified BPO company, it's a good sign to find a company that specializes in a field similar to yours.

3.    Reliability and Security:

Because Ascent BPO handles confidential and proprietary company information, you want to ensure that your BPO company's data security measures are in place. If you can tell that a BPO company values ??reliability and security, you know your data is safe.

4.    Focus on Metrics:

Being data-driven is one of the most important skills a BPO company should look for. A metrics-driven BPO company tests and shows clients how it is performing.

5.    Transparency:

Transparency is an important factor if you want to know how to find the most qualified BPO company. If a BPO company doesn't seem honest or transparent, you won't be satisfied with their work.

You should browse through the above-given details about BPO companies to find the most qualified BPO company. These elements will help you determine which BPO company is the best fit for your business.

Resource:https://www.ascentbpo.com/bpo-companies

Useful Links: