President-elect Donald J. Trump intensified his rhetoric this week, threatening to reclaim control of the Panama Canal. Trump accused Panama of permitting Chinese military presence at the canal and overcharging U.S. ships, though these claims lack evidence. He has demanded lower fees for U.S. vessels and insisted that the canal be returned to American control "quickly and without question" once he takes office next month. In a fiery statement on Wednesday, Trump announce

Ahead of the Union Budget 2025-26, the government is expected to introduce measures to aid small businesses, farmers, and the export sector. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently held her fourth pre-budget consultation, where she discussed key economic policies and priorities with stakeholders. Sources suggest that the government may announce tax relief for middle-class citizens to help revitalize the slowing economy, along with support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Beijing: China has greenlit the construction of what is set to become the world’s largest hydropower dam, marking the beginning of a monumental project on the eastern edge of the Tibetan plateau. This development has the potential to impact millions of people downstream in India and Bangladesh. The dam, planned for the lower stretches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, is projected to generate an estimated 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, a

In 2025, the Indian pharmaceutical industry is set for a profound transformation driven by innovation, research excellence, and expanded global access. With the industry projected to reach USD 130 billion by 2030, India aims to become a global hub for high-quality, affordable pharmaceuticals, focusing on areas like CAR-T cell therapy, mRNA vaccines, and biosimilars. Technological advancements like AI, machine learning, and precision medicine are expected to revolutionize drug discovery, manuf

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to visit the United States from December 24 to 29, 2024. During this trip, he plans to engage with officials from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration to discuss key bilateral, regional, and global issues. While specific details of his meetings have not been disclosed, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has confirmed that Mr. Jaishankar will chair a conference of Indian Consul Generals i

As we transition from 2024 to 2025, several global trends and findings have emerged, shedding light on the current state of the world and offering insights into the year ahead Global Happiness Rankings The World Happiness Report 2024 reveals that Finland continues to lead as the world's happiest country, followed closely by Denmark and Iceland. Notably, the United States has dropped out of the top 20 for the first time, ranking 23rd. This decline un

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was honored with Kuwait's highest accolade, the 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer,' on Sunday. The award was presented by Kuwait's Amir, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. This marks the 20th international honor bestowed upon PM Modi by various nations. The 'Order of Mubarak Al Kabeer' is a prestigious Kuwaiti knighthood conferred upon Heads of State, foreign sovereigns, and members of royal families as a sym

Billionaire Jeff Bezos has refuted reports claiming that his upcoming wedding to fiancée Lauren Sánchez will cost $600 million. Addressing the rumors on social media platform X, Bezos labeled the claims as "completely false" and cautioned the public against believing such misinformation.  Investor Bill Ackman also expressed skepticism, suggesting that such a sum would be implausible "unless you are buying each of your guests a house." Bezos con

 Elon Musk, the world's wealthiest individual, is increasingly becoming involved in global politics, extending his influence far beyond the business world. In recent developments, Musk has met with Nigel Farage, the leader of the Reform UK party, to discuss possible financial support, with Musk considering a $100 million donation to help the party. Farage has expressed admiration for Musk's political strategies, especially his cash incentives to encourage voter turnout, a tactic

The Bharat Mobility Global Expo, scheduled for January 17-22, 2025, is poised to become the world's largest event in the automotive sector, with over 1,500 exhibitors and an expanded exhibition space of 200,000 square meters. This second edition of the expo will bring together leading global vehicle manufacturers, showcasing electric, hybrid, and fuel-efficient vehicles, as well as advanced automotive technologies. The event will include the unveiling of new models and electric vehicles f

Finance Minister’s View on GDP Growth: In a recent statement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed the lower-than-expected growth in India’s GDP for the September quarter, calling it a "temporary blip." She emphasized her confidence that India’s economy will regain strong growth in the upcoming quarters. Despite the slowdown in the second quarter, she highligh

The Indian rupee ended the trading session stronger after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to keep the benchmark interest rates unchanged, while unveiling measures aimed at improving liquidity in the banking system. The domestic currency gained 3 paise, closing at 84.70 against the US dollar, compared to 84.73 in the previous session. As part of the monetary policy changes, the RBI raised the interest rate ceiling on one-year Foreign Currency Non-Resident (FCNR) deposits by 200 basis p

Sri Lanka has committed to completing its foreign debt restructuring by the end of December 2023, aiming to address its $46 billion external debt. After defaulting on debt in April 2022, the country has been working on rebuilding its finances with help from an IMF bailout. Deputy Minister Anil Jayantha Fernando confirmed that debt restructuring, which has been delayed for over two years, is critical for the country's economic recovery. The restructuring includes international sovereign bo

Bharti Airtel Ltd. has emerged as the leader in India’s telecom sector, gaining market share over the past 12 months following tariff hikes implemented earlier. According to the latest data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the country’s mobile sector saw a 14% year-on-year revenue growth, totaling Rs 2.69 lakh crore. During this period, Bharti Airtel reported the highest revenue growth of 19%, while Vodafone Idea Ltd. and Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd.

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to maintain the status quo on the benchmark repo rate at 6.5% in its upcoming meeting from December 4 to 6. Despite India's GDP growth slowing to 5.4% in the July-September quarter, economists suggest that inflation concerns will likely take precedence, making a rate cut unlikely in December. Retail inflation rose to 6.2% in October, exceeding the RBI’s target range of 2-6%. Though a repo rate cu

Hero MotoCorp, one of the largest two-wheeler manufacturers in India, has announced plans to enter the electric motorcycle market, making it the second legacy brand to do so. The company, known for its popular Splendor model, has already established a presence in the electric two-wheeler space with its Vida electric scooter and is now focusing on expanding its EV portfolio. This announcement comes shortly after Royal Enfield's parent company, Eicher Motors, revealed its new EV brand '

A groundbreaking study using data from NASA and German satellites has revealed a concerning and persistent decline in Earth's freshwater reserves since May 2014. The findings, published in Surveys in Geophysics, highlight a significant reduction in the amount of freshwater stored on land, including in lakes, rivers, and underground aquifers. This shift, tracked by the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission, suggests a transition towards drier conditions across co

The cost of real estate construction in India has risen by 11% over the past year, according to a recent report by Colliers India. This increase is largely attributed to a significant rise in labour costs, which have surged by 25% annually. Labour expenses now account for over 25% of total construction costs, placing additional strain on budgets and operational expenditures. A growing demand for skilled workers, along with costs associated with training, safety, and compliance, has further dr

Donald Trump's victory in the 2024 US presidential election has sent shockwaves through global markets, with countries around the world feeling the effects of his win. The dynamics between nations are shifting, and conflicts are being impacted in new ways, highlighting the significant role Trump plays on the world stage. One country that stands to benefit from Trump's policies is India. With China currently dominating the market as the largest exporter of iPhones, India is

Gold prices have been on a downward trend since the US presidential election, with December future contracts opening lower on MCX. The price of gold fell by 0.37% to Rs 76,369 per 10 grams, while silver prices also dropped by 0.24% to Rs 90,601 per kg. In the last two days, gold prices have plummeted by Rs 2,100 per 10 grams and silver prices by Rs 4,050 per kg. According to the India Bullion and Jewellers Association Ltd (IBJA), the current prices for different carats of gold are a