In its latest World Economic Outlook report for April 2026, IMF has actually raised the growth forecast for India. (AI image) India’s high growth and low inflation period has been dealt an oil shock. Since the start of the Middle East conflict and US-Iran war, crude oil prices have crossed $100 per barrel, in effect […]
US stock markets today (April 15, 2026): S&P 500 nears record high after two-week rally; hopes hinge on US-Iran talks
Wall Street edged higher on Wednesday, with benchmark indices approaching record levels after a strong two-week rally driven by optimism that the global economy may avoid a worst-case fallout from the US-Iran conflict.The S&P 500 rose 0.2% in early trade and was on track to surpass its January record, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average […]
Donald Trump targets Fed chief Jerome Powell again, threatens to fire him if he is ‘not leaving on time’
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday renewed his attack on Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, saying he would fire him if he continues in the role beyond the end of his mandate.Powell’s term as Fed chair ends in mid-May, and Trump has repeatedly criticised him for not cutting interest rates more aggressively, AFP reported. Watch […]
FASTag verification drive: NHAI orders vehicle registration numbers validation by banks; mismatches may face blacklisting
The government on Wednesday has directed FASTag issuer banks to immediately verify vehicle registration numbers (VRNs) linked to tags to improve data accuracy in the tolling system.“In order to enhance the accuracy and reliability of data in the Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) system, National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has issued directions to all FASTag […]
India exports fall 7.44% in March to $38.92 bn amid Middle East disruption, trade deficit at $20.67 bn
India’s merchandise exports declined 7.44% year-on-year to $38.92 billion in March as disruptions in key trade routes amid the Middle East conflict weighed on outbound shipments.Imports also fell 6.51% to $59.59 billion from $63.75 billion in the year-ago period, reflecting the impact of tensions affecting routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, according to government […]
First time in 7 years! India gets 4 million barrels of crude oil from Iran just ahead of Trump waiver expiry
India, which relies heavily on imported energy and is sensitive to price fluctuations, has felt the impact of disruptions in global oil flows. (AI image) In the middle of the ongoing Middle East conflict, India has received around 4 million barrels of crude from Iran. This is the first time in around seven years that […]
US-Iran war hits wholesale prices: WPI inflation rises to 3.88% in March as crude prices skyrocket
Data showed that inflation in the fuel and power category turned positive at 1.05 per cent in March. (AI image) WPI inflation: India’s wholesale price index (WPI) inflation for the month of March rose to 3.88 per cent, according to government data released on Wednesday. The increase was largely driven by a sharp rise in […]
Fuel Prices Pakistan: Iran war impact: Will Pakistan be forced into rationing fuel if conflict drags on?
Pakistan could be forced to consider fuel rationing at petrol pumps if the ongoing US-Iran conflict continues for a prolonged period, finance minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has said.Speaking at the World Bank–IMF Spring Meetings 2026 in Washington, DC, Aurangzeb indicated that while Islamabad has so far avoided rationing, the situation remains fluid and dependent on how […]
India-US trade deal back in focus: Indian delegation to visit Washington next week for talks
In February, the two countries had announced that they had finalised the framework for the first phase of their bilateral trade pact. (AI image) India-US trade deal update: Months after India and the US announced an interim trade agreement that reduces tariffs on India to 18%, an official Indian delegation is set to travel to […]
Atmanirbhar Bharat 2.0 push: Amid Middle East conflict, India working on self-reliance in energy, nuclear power
PM Modi has asked ministries and government departments to review the evolving situation and draw up both immediate and long-term plans. (AI image) Atmanirbhar 2.0: The Middle East conflict has led India to re-work its self-reliance strategy to shield key supply chains and strengthen energy security in response to the global economic disruption triggered by […]