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mercosur

EU, Latin America bloc Mercosur set to sign historic trade deal, despite French-led opposition

January 11, 2026 12:29 IST

According to the European Commission, the FTA, 25 years in the making, is its largest ever in terms of tariff reductions, and will remove over €4 billion ($4.7 billion) in duties on EU exports.

credit card

Trump’s 10% credit card rate cap proposal raises hopes, and questions for India

January 11, 2026 12:30 IST

Several Indian cardholders, who face interest rates up to 42% per annum on outstanding balances, have welcomed this proposal. The broader question: could India consider a similar move to rein in credit card interest rates?

NATO

GDP: Why US is capable of bullying NATOSubscriber Only

January 10, 2026 09:46 IST

Most analysts believe that a forcible US takeover of Greenland would essentially lead to the breakdown of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) because both Denmark and the US are NATO members.

oil tanker

US seizure of oil tankers: The shadow fleet that transports sanctioned oil, and how it operatesSubscriber Only

January 11, 2026 21:31 IST

Shadow fleet vessels have been the backbone of the transportation of oil and petroleum products from countries like Iran, Venezuela, and Russia, which are under various degrees of sanctions imposed by the Western powers

Trump tariffs

Why Trump’s Russia sanctions Bill could effectively end India’s exports to USSubscriber Only

January 10, 2026 07:37 IST

The successful passage of the bill could hurt India’s interests the most, as it is yet to sign a trade deal with the US. India is already facing steep 50% US tariffs that are already threatening India's exports of labour-intensive sectors, such as textiles.

Venezuela

As Trump looks to crowd in US investments, why Venezuela oil may be a hard sellSubscriber Only

January 8, 2026 06:16 IST

Trump Venezuela oil plan: While Venezuela holds the world’s largest oil reserves, it accounts for less than 1% of global production. There are multiple hurdles in the Trump administration’s plans to expand the country’s vast but struggling oil sector.

Maduro capture bet opinion trading

How an anonymous gambler made nearly half-a-million dollars via Maduro capture bet

January 6, 2026 14:46 IST

Platforms like Polymarket and Kalshi operate in a sector called prediction markets, or opinion trading, which allow users to wager on the outcome of future events. Here is what to know

According to experts, if Trump’s intentions for Venezuela’s oil industry turn into a concrete plan that is implemented, Venezuela could emerge as a significantly larger oil supplier than it is now.

Trump announces US takeover of Venezuela’s oil sector: What it could mean for global energy markets, and IndiaSubscriber Only

January 10, 2026 09:45 IST

Although it accounts for less than 1% of global oil production, Venezuela has the largest oil reserves globally, estimated at over 300 billion barrels or a fifth of the proven oil reserves all over the world.

Mamdani

GDP: Zohran Mamdani’s ‘big government’ bet may run into New York City’s budget deficit challengeSubscriber Only

January 3, 2026 06:49 IST

The main worry about any set of government finances is whether the budget is balanced or not. In other words, does the government have the money it intends to spend? If not, it means a budget deficit and forces such a government to borrow. If there is a surplus, such governments are well-positioned to handle a crisis

Praveen Chakravarty and Vijay

Beyond fiscal math, why Congress data head’s post on Tamil Nadu debt has touched a political nerveSubscriber Only

January 5, 2026 07:38 IST

Praveen Chakravarty's remarks come at a time when the Congress is beginning its alliance negotiations with the DMK, and as it quietly reassesses its long-term relevance in the state. Also in the mix is the Vijay factor.

Bulgaria joins eurozone 2026:

Bulgaria joins eurozone: Why it’s swapping the lev for the euro despite Russia tensionsSubscriber Only

January 3, 2026 06:55 IST

Bulgaria Euro Adoption 2026 Explained: Bulgaria’s is the 21st nation out of 27 EU members to join the eurozone. The remaining six use their own currencies instead.

Greg Abel (right) and Warren Buffett in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2018. (AP)

After Warren Buffett, Greg Abel: Meet the new Berkshire Hathaway CEO

January 2, 2026 14:52 IST

Greg Abel Berkshire Hathaway CEO Explained: Warren Buffett’s imprint on Berkshire Hathaway, especially a legendary knack for making the right investments at the right time, could make for an unfair comparison. But, markets will be interested in how he plans to steer the company, and what he might change.

India coal CBAM

India’s metal exports face 22% price cut threat as world’s first carbon tax goes live today

January 1, 2026 19:39 IST

CBAM would apply a carbon-related charge to the import of goods from the power sector and energy-intensive industrial sectors from countries with lower environmental ambitions and regulations than the EU

While experts say that providing exit to PE and venture capital investors shows the strength, maturity and evolution of the Indian equity markets, they raise concerns over the high volume of promoter stake dilution.

As primary market booms, exits by promoters and investors are accelerating. This may be good for markets — not for companiesSubscriber Only

January 4, 2026 08:13 IST

Some experts say an increase in offers-for-sale — where promoters or early investors sell existing shares — is a sign of a maturing market. Others raise issues such as dilution of promoter stake and less fresh capital for expansion.

SILVER

Why silver surfed a 160% wave in 2025Subscriber Only

January 8, 2026 16:38 IST

Buyers and their reasons to purchase silver are different from that of gold, with the former a key component in the manufacturing of items like batteries.

copper

Behind copper’s record rally in 2025, Trump’s tariffs, supply disruptions, AI demand

December 29, 2025 20:05 IST

The surge in copper prices comes when global economic growth is steady but far from strong. What is pushing copper prices to record levels this year?

A perforated tube to monitor water levels in a rice field in Telangana.

Making money from methane emission reductions in paddy fields

December 29, 2025 13:29 IST

Earning carbon credits can be a new revenue source of India’s rice farmers, while being water-saving and climate-smart as well.

India Tariff impact US: Global tariff shocks will likely continue to influence the economic outlook for the next year.

Indian Economy Yearender 2025 | As the year ends with solid economic indicators, govt faces challenges of reviving consumption, triggering pvt investmentSubscriber Only

January 1, 2026 21:32 IST

India Tariff impact US: India has ended the year with a fairly strong set of macroeconomic numbers, including tepid inflation and low interest rates, but external uncertainties such as tariffs and AI will continue into 2026.

According to Crisil Intelligence, the number of mutual fund investor accounts went from 98 million at the end of March 2021 to 235 million at the end of March 2025.

GDP | 2025: The year when it paid for Indians to invest in the biggest companiesSubscriber Only

December 31, 2025 18:09 IST

By itself, 2025 was a rather underwhelming year for equity investors, driven by events such as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Indices, like the Nifty 50, provide a good sense of which category of companies was a good bet.

sony acquired peanuts featuring snoopy last week

With Peanuts in its kitty, Sony takes another step towards entertainment dominationSubscriber Only

December 27, 2025 12:03 IST

Ever since the comic's Japanese-language debut 1969, Snoopy and his friends have been beloved. What does Sony's acquisition mean, and how does it advance its vision of becoming a global entertainment giant?

India has been a difficult market for airlines, particularly smaller regional carriers, due to factors like high price sensitivity and low profit margins.

India may soon get 4 new regional airlines, but here’s why their success isn’t guaranteedSubscriber Only

December 26, 2025 06:01 IST

While the entry of new regional airlines may be encouraging, experts don’t see them denting the market shares of the likes of IndiGo and Air India, in the unforgiving Indian aviation market.

NREGA

How VB – G RAM G Act, which replaces MGNREGA, affects states’ financesSubscriber Only

December 25, 2025 10:55 IST

The 60-40 cost sharing ratio between the Centre and states, combined with fixed annual normative allocations, places a significantly larger fiscal burden on states compared to MGNREGA

US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in Washington earlier this year. AP Photo

Despite Trump tariffs, US economy has grown at its fastest pace in two years. It may not sustainSubscriber Only

December 25, 2025 16:40 IST

Going forward, the sluggish labour market and stagnant real incomes could dent consumer spending in the US, especially as inflation surges

income tax refunds

Why income tax refunds are stuck for so many, and why taxpayers are worried about new December 31 deadlineSubscriber Only

December 25, 2025 10:20 IST

Income Tax Refund Status, Risk Management for AY 2025-26 Explained: The messages and e-mails from the Income Tax Department, asking people to file revised returns by December 31, have invited ire. What is happening, why, and what can taxpayers do? All your questions answered.

ECONOMY | GDP is growing rapidly. Why isn’t private capex?

GDP is growing rapidly. Why is private investment still limited?Subscriber Only

December 22, 2025 10:42 IST

With existing capacities far from exhausted, Indian companies have chosen to reduce debt, sit on cash and make financial investments.

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