Banking & Finance

Amazon expands India AI, cloud investment to $48 billion with additional $13 billion through 2030

Investment will expand AI and cloud infrastructure across Mumbai and Hyderabad

EU approves tariff cuts on U.S. goods under Trump trade deal agreement

The move fulfills the EU’s obligations under a trade deal and helps avoid renewed tariff tensions 

European Parliament advances digital euro plan as EU moves closer to central bank digital currency

Proposed central bank digital currency would complement cash and strengthen payment sovereignty

Europe’s climate damage costs hit $941.7 billion as fiscal risks grow

A new report highlights the rising economic burden of extreme weather across the EU 

China targets U.S. rare earth companies with new export restrictions

The move follows Washington's latest sanctions on several Chinese companies

Japan initiates biggest budgetary reform since 1945 to eliminate structural reliance on supplementary spending packages

The reform directly addresses opposition and investor criticism regarding overly loose fiscal policies 

India approves $1 billion support to cap aviation fuel prices amid global energy pressures

Government caps aviation turbine fuel price at INR75.6 per litre for domestic flights

World Bank and Japan launch $20 million initiative, finalize new framework to secure supply chains, critical minerals

New platforms extend existing partnerships of Japan with the World Bank Group on critical minerals

Trump adjusts tariffs on steel, aluminum, and copper derivatives up to 25 percent until end of 2027

Foreign companies can qualify for a lower 10 percent tariff to incentivize local domestic production

U.S. government takes equity stakes in nine quantum computing firms under $2 billion grant package

IBM emerges as top beneficiary securing $1 billion of the total funding package

U.S. Treasury yields return to 5 percent for the first time since 2007

Investors sell off government debt as Middle East conflict fuels inflation concerns

Canada to launch first sovereign wealth fund with $18.32 billion seed capital

Canada Strong Fund will invest in major national projects with private sector partners

Reserve Bank of Australia lifts interest rates to 10-month high on rising inflation risks

The central bank lifted its benchmark rate to 4.1 percent, marking its second hike this year following a similar move in February

U.S. hits South Korea with 25 percent tariff hike over trade deal delays

New levies target South Korean automobiles and pharmaceuticals

Foreign investors pump $212 billion into U.S. economy as long-term securities demand surges

Net purchases of long-term U.S. securities by foreign residents reached $221.8 billion 

U.S. budget deficit hits $145 billion in December, up 67 percent due to record outlays and calendar shifts

Customs revenue reached $27.9 billion while the Supreme Court reviews emergency tariff sanction laws

Nepal’s economic recovery to continue at a slower pace amid global uncertainty in 2026, says IMF

As the country moves forward, policymakers face the challenge of striking a careful balance between political stability and prudent economic and financial reforms

China’s central bank extends gold buying streak to 14 months as reserves surpass $319 billion

Holdings now represent 5-6 percent of China’s foreign exchange reserves 

China maintains benchmark lending rates for seventh consecutive month

Economic indicators suggest ongoing struggles, with the property sector and consumer spending driving concerns 

Bank of Japan raises interest rates to 30-year high

The central bank's first rate increase since January came amid expectations that the momentum for wage hikes will continue into next year

Ukraine reaches agreement with IMF for new 48-month funding arrangement providing up to $8.1 billion

Total financing gap for Ukraine is projected at around $136.5 billion through 2026-29 

South Korea’s card payments market to reach $1.1 trillion by 2029 amid government efforts to promote cashless transactions

The market is expected to reach KRW1,510.2 trillion ($1.1 trillion) by 2029, supported by the country’s exceptionally high card penetration, robust payments infrastructure, and continued government efforts to promote cashless transactions

Singapore’s card payments market set for 6.2 percent growth in 2025

Card payments market is driven by contactless adoption and strong banking access