Amrutha Gayathri

Gayathri writes about geopolitics and business for International Business Times. She began her career at the Times of India as news coordinator, before moving on to IBTimes in 2011. Her interests include blogs, books, movies, Internet humor, and Aditya Bal’s cooking shows. She holds a master's degree in Mass Communication from University of Hyderabad and a bachelor’s in English Literature from Presidency College, University of Madras.

Thai Baht Plunges To Near 4-Year-Low As Protesters Seek To Disrupt Election

Investors are not buying the baht, which suffered also from the Fed’s decision to wind down its bond-buying program in January.

Bangladesh Tazreen Factory Fire: Owners, Managers Charged With Culpable Homicide Over Death Of More Than 100 Workers

Workers were allegedly misled into believing that the fire alarm went off as part of a routine fire drill.

India Rejected US Concerns Over Mumbai Consulate's Security Over A Major Political Rally, Which Followed An Attack On A Domino’s Pizza Outlet

Protesters ransacked a Domino’s Pizza outlet in a Mumbai suburb on Friday demanding a ban on U.S. goods.

Morgan Stanley To Sell Global Oil Trading Business To Russia’s State-Run Oil Giant Rosneft

The investment bank announced the sale of oil trading business to Russia’s state-run Rosneft.

Google, Apple Buses Targeted By Anti-Gentrification Protesters In San Francisco

Protesters say that high-paid tech industry workers are displacing low-income residents in the city.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky, Former Russian Oil Magnate, Released From Prison After 10 Years, After Putin’s Pardon

The former oil tycoon and Putin’s foe, who was convicted on charges of tax evasion and embezzlement, received a presidential pardon.

UK Third Quarter Annual GDP Growth Revised Up, While Current Account Deficit Surges

Analysts say economic growth could worsen existing imbalances in the economy as CAD increased three-fold over the previous number.

EU Leaders Back Euro Zone Bold Banking Reform Deal To Manage Insolvent Banks Without Taxpayer-Funded Bailouts

The deal involves the creation of a $75 billion common European fund to tackle ailing banks while avoiding expensive, taxpayer-funded bailouts.

EBay Founder Pierre Omidyar’s $250M News Venture With Glenn Greenwald Receives First Tranche Of Funding And Is Actively Recruiting

Omidyar pledges $50 million for a media company that will have a digital arm and a journalism arm.

White House Panel Proposes Reforms To Curb NSA’s Spying

“The message is very clear. NSA, you’ve gone too far,” Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy said after the report’s release.

Devyani Khobragade Row: Secretary Of State John Kerry Expresses ‘Regret,’ While US Prosecutor Defends The Arrest

The U.S. attorney in Manhattan criticized India for focusing solely on the official’s arrest and not on the underpaid victim's plight.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Close To Selling Stake In Joint Diabetes Venture To Partner, AstraZeneca, In $3B Deal: Report

A report about an imminent deal shows that the two partners are betting differently on the market for diabetes drugs.

Lokpal Bill: India's Parliament Approves Landmark Anti-Corruption Measure

The move, which was delayed for almost five decades, comes soon after the ruling Congress party suffered a major blow in state elections.

UK Jobless Rate Falls More Than Expected, But Low Interest Rates May No Longer Depend On Unemployment Rate, MPC Minutes Suggests

The Bank of England said short-term interest rates in the U.K., U.S. and euro zone have diverged more than earlier in the year.

Devyani Khobragade: US-India Row Escalates After Diplomat Complains About Strip-Search After Arrest On Visa Fraud

India withdrew special privileges to U.S. diplomatic officials in India, while politicians snubbed visiting U.S. delegations.

Singapore To Deport 53 Foreign Workers, Almost All Of Them Indians, Over Dec. 8 Riots

The men, all of them Indians barring one Bangladeshi national, are implicated in the worst riot in the city-state in 40 years.

UN Appeals For $6.5B In Aid For Syria In UN's Biggest Ever Fundraising Effort For A Single Humanitarian Emergency

The amount represents half of all global humanitarian aid the U.N. and its partners will require in 2014.

Germany’s ZEW Economic Sentiment Index In December Climbs To Highest Mark Since 2006; Slight Upturn In Euro Zone’s Annual Inflation In November Confirmed

ZEW analysts expect economic development in Germany and the euro zone to improve further in 2014, while others urge caution.

Antibacterial Soap, Body Wash Under FDA Scrutiny Over Effectiveness, Health Risks

The FDA has said risks associated with antibacterial soaps may outweigh their benefits and have unexpected hormonal side effects.

President Barack Obama To Meet With Top Executives Of Technology Companies At White House To Discuss Healthcare.gov, NSA Leaks, Economy

The session will focus on the economic impact of files leaked by Snowden on tech firms and address issues dogging the Obamacare website.

Indian State Adopts Bill Against Superstition, Black Magic For The First Time After Anti-Superstition Activist’s Killing

The measure marks changing attitudes in India toward religious practitioners and so-called holy men who draw a large number of followers.

Euro Zone Manufacturing Hits Highest Level Since April 2011; But Service Sector Refuses To Pick Up Momentum

Factory activity was fueled by rising exports, while low demand within the euro zone suppressed growth in the service sector.

Veterans To Have Easier Access To Health Care For Illnesses Related To Traumatic Brain Injury

Access to benefits for diseases including Parkinsonism, dementia and depression have been made easier under the new rules.

Yemen’s Parliament Approves Non-Binding Ban On Drone Strikes

The non-binding motion is seen as a government recommendation and a sign of increasing opposition to the U.S. drone program.

Visa, MasterCard $5.7B Settlement With Merchants Over Swipe Fees Wins Judge’s Approval

Visa and MasterCard win an approval to resolve complaints over high swipe fees.

Indian Government Reacts Strongly To Diplomat’s Arrest In New York Over Visa Fraud Charges, Summons Ambassador Nancy Powell

Complaint by a former domestic spurs arrest of Devyani Khobragade.

Thai Protesters Cut Power, Water To Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s Office; Military Chiefs To Meet With Protest Leader On Weekend

Heads of the nation's armed forces have agreed to meet with the protest leader who is insisting on an unelected government.