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The US Federal Reserve, led by chair Jerome Powell, kept benchmark rate unchanged in 4.25-4.5% target range at the FOMCmeet on Wednesday. “The Committee seeks to achieve maximum employment and inflation at the rate of 2 percent over the longer run. Uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further.The Committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen,” the FOMC statement read.“Although swings in net exports have affected the data, recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace. The unemployment rate has stabilized at a low level in recent months, and labor market conditions remain solid. Inflation remains somewhat elevated,” the release read.“In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 4-1/4 to 4-1/2 percent. In considering the extent and timing of additional adjustments to the target range for the federal funds rate, the Committee will carefully assess incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks. The Committee will continue reducing its holdings of Treasury securities and agency debt and agency mortgage‑backed securities.The Committee is strongly committed to supporting maximum employment and returning inflation to its 2 percent objective,” the central bank added.The Federal Reserve was confronted with a challenging decision regarding its response to President Donald Trump‘s tariff implementation: Should it maintain high interest rates to address inflation, remain inactive, or reduce rates to boost growth and employment?Market observers and financial experts had largely anticipated that the Fed will maintain current rates, adopting a wait-and-see approach to evaluate the economic impact of the new tariffs before implementing any changes.The US central bank operates independently under a Congressional mandate to ensure price stability and optimal employment levels, primarily through adjustments to its key short-term lending rate.“It’s an unfavorable mix for the Federal Reserve,” Nationwide chief economist Kathy Bostjancic had told AFP.“They’re going to see upward price pressures at the same time when economic growth is slowing,” she said. “And then they’ll have to put a weight on what do they believe?”Last month, Trump implemented substantial tariffs on Chinese imports and reduced “baseline” duties of 10 percent on products from most nations, leading to several weeks of market volatility.The administration imposed increased duties on numerous trading associates, subsequently halting them until July to allow the United States sufficient time to revise current trade agreements.Recent economic indicators suggest a decline in the first quarter, with both consumers and companies increasing their import purchases before the implementation of new regulations.Simultaneously, employment figures remained near record-low levels, whilst inflation rates moved towards, but stayed marginally higher than, the Federal Reserve’s established two percent objective.
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Modi’s Asia Double Play: Japan Now, China Next — What India Wants (and Risks)
ndia has kicked off a tightly choreographed Asia tour at a delicate moment. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in Tokyo first, meeting Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, before flying to Tianjin for the SCO summit hosted by China. The sequencing matters: Japan is a steadfast strategic and economic partner; China is a rival with whom India still needs a functional modus vivendi. The backdrop? Up to 50% US tariffs on Indian exports, which raise the premium on diversified trade and investment ties. ReutersAP NewsThe Times of IndiaThe Guardian Why Japan first Tokyo and New Delhi are doubling down on a “special strategic and global partnership” built over two decades. Expect deliverables in economic security (critical minerals, supply chains), high-tech collaboration, and infrastructure. Reports suggest the leaders are setting a decade-long joint vision and pushing private-sector investment goals alongside people-to-people exchanges […]
Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
China exports: Global shipments rose 4.8% in May; inflow to US falls nearly 35% amid trade talks
[ad_1] China’s export growth lost momentum in May, rising 4.8% year-on-year, a sharp slowdown from the 8.1% surge recorded in April, as per the customs data released on Monday.The deceleration came amid a sharp drop in shipments to the United States, down 35% year-on-year, as tensions between the two economic giants continued to cloud trade prospects.The figures were released just hours ahead of another round of US-China trade negotiations scheduled for later in the day, in London. These talks come after a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping last week. Zichun Huang of Capital Economics anticipated exports growth to revive in June, thanks to a 90-day suspension on most of the tariffs the two countries have imposed on each other.China’s imports also fell in May, down 3.4% year-on-year, leaving the country with a trade […]
Tata Motors future plans: Rs 33,000-35,000 crore investment to boost passenger vehicles; hoping to lead in EV segment
[ad_1] Automaking giant Tata Motors is planning massive investment plans for the future, earmarking Rs 33,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore for FY 26-30 on product actions. The Mumbai-headquartered company is targeting 30 product actions, including the launch of seven new models, as it looks to sharpen its competitive edge in India’s fast-evolving passenger vehicle (PV) market.As part of its long-term strategy, the automaker aims to secure a 16% market share, including electric vehicles (EVs), by FY27, rising to 18–20% over the next few years. Tata Motors expects the domestic PV industry to hit annual sales of 60 lakh units by 2030 and is positioning itself to ride that wave with a refreshed and expansive portfolio.“Looking ahead, we will strengthen our portfolio by FY30...7 new nameplates and 23 product refreshes will holistically enhance the portfolio,” the company told analysts in […]
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US Tariffs vs. India’s Trade Diplomacy: How New Alliances Are Shaping
India’s global trade playbook has shifted abruptly in 2025. The US recently imposed tariffs as high as 50% on Indian exports, citing New Delhi’s continued oil imports from Russia. The immediate fallout was brutal: the rupee sank to a record low, and Indian markets felt the shock. For a country that built its post-1991 trajectory on closer US ties, this tariff punch could have been destabilising. Instead, India is doubling down on multi-alignment diplomacy — diversifying trade and diplomatic engagement with Japan, China, Russia, and the SCO bloc. Why tariffs hit hard The US remains a top destination for Indian goods — from IT services to textiles. Tariffs of this magnitude erode competitiveness and raise uncertainty for exporters. Analysts warn of job impacts in labour-intensive sectors. The rupee’s plunge to historic lows only underscored the vulnerability. India’s counter-strategy Japan: Securing […]
Reliance AGM 2025: Jio IPO Timeline, New AI Subsidiary, and What It Means
Reliance Industries’ AGM has again doubled as India’s tech-policy bellwether. The biggest headline: Jio will file for an IPO in the first half of 2026, a move that could be among the largest listings on Dalal Street and a pivotal unlock of value for Reliance shareholders. In parallel, the company announced a dedicated AI subsidiary aimed at building domestic AI infrastructure and services. Reutersmint+1NDTV Profit Jio IPO: Why the timing matters Analysts have long argued that Jio’s value is partially buried within the conglomerate structure. A separate listing could surface value for a digital-and-telecom pure play with 500M+ users, deep fiber, and growing home broadband. International coverage pegs potential valuations in the eleven-digit-USD range if growth and ARPU trends hold through 2026. The listing window — H1 2026 — provides time to polish metrics, expand revenue lines (enterprise, broadband, OTT), […]
E20 Petrol in India: Green Revolution or Hidden Scam?
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Luxury skincare expansion: L’Oreal acquires majority stake in Medik8; announces 1 billion Euro deal
[ad_1] Cosmetics maker L’Oreal agreed to acquire a majority stake in British skincare brand Medik8, in a strategic move to strengthen its presence in the booming skincare market. The French beauty giant announced the deal on Monday, though financial terms were not disclosed.The transaction, which sees UK-based private equity firm Inflexion selling its majority holding, reportedly values Medik8 at around 1 billion Euro, according to a source familiar with the matter. Inflexion will retain a minority share, while L’Oreal has secured the option to eventually buy out all remaining shareholders, Reuters reported.“We are delighted to welcome Medik8 to the L’Oréal family. As a premium skincare range, with high levels of proven efficacy at an accessible price point, Medik8 perfectly complements our existing skincare portfolio,” Cyril Chaupuy, president of L’oreal Luxe said.“This acquisition further strengthens L’Oreal’s luxe portfolio, adding a premium […]
270 million pulled out of poverty! How Modi government achieved a remarkable dip in extreme poverty & what’s the road ahead? Explained
[ad_1] India’s GDP has more than doubled in the last decade, and experts believe that this has trickled down to the poorest. (AI image) Marking a big achievement over the last decade, extreme poverty in India has dropped substantially from 27.1% in 2011-12 to 5.3% in 2022-23, according to the latest World Bank data. The remarkable progress under the Narendra Modi government has come despite the World Bank raising its poverty threshold to $3 per person per day from $2.15 per person per day earlier.Incidentally, India’s huge reduction in extreme poverty comes at a time when globally there has been an increase in the number of people below the poverty line. According to a government fact sheet, India has emerged a statistical outlier in the positive direction.The latest data is being seen as a boost in the government’s economic growth […]
Ayodhya land prices: Circle rates revised first time in 8 years; soar up to 200%
[ad_1] For the first time in eight years, Ayodhya has seen a sharp revision in its circle rates, with property prices rising between 30% and 200% across various parts of the district, officials told PTI.The prices are particularly steep within a 10-kilometre radius of the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple, an area witnessing a real estate boom fuelled by religious tourism and rapid infrastructure growth. Here, circle rates have jumped over 150%, pushing land values in the prime zone to Rs 26,600–27,900 per square metre, compared to Rs 6,650–6,975 earlier.Shanti Bhushan Chaubey, sub-registrar of Sadar (Faizabad) tehsil, said the hike followed a proposal submitted last September. “After addressing objections, the new circle rates were approved by District Magistrate Tikaram Funde and have now been enforced,” he said.According to Chaubey, the sharpest hikes were recorded in areas with the most land activity. “Localities […]
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