Author: Editorial Desk

Rupee Trade: As geopolitical winds shift, India and Russia have taken a significant stride in their trade relationship. Since the onset of 2023, the two nations have been settling a portion of their non-oil trade in Indian rupees, as reported by a top official at UCO Bank, the Indian state-run lender involved in the transactions. In a bid to internationalize the rupee’s usage, the Reserve Bank of India last year announced a mechanism for settling foreign trade in its national currency. This move aligns with Russia’s interest in diversifying trade currencies to decrease reliance on the U.S. dollar, a strategy…

Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) are emerging as a potential game-changer in the global financial system, providing a digital alternative to traditional fiat currency issued and regulated by a country’s central bank. With a growing number of nations, from China to the Bahamas, piloting or researching their own digital currencies, the traditional landscape of cross-border payments may be on the brink of a massive transformation. CBDCs hold the promise of revolutionizing the global payments landscape by offering a faster, more affordable, and transparent method of transferring money across borders. The current process, often slow and costly, involves multiple intermediaries each…

In a landmark move towards a green energy future, the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia have inked a historic pact to cooperate on renewable energy and clean hydrogen. The announcement was made by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Thursday. The agreement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed between Micky Adriaansens, the Dutch Minister of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy, and Saudi Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud. The signing took place during the World Hydrogen Summit held in Rotterdam on May 10th and 11th. This MoU establishes a robust framework for cooperation across several energy sectors,…

Amid suspicions of hoarding and supply manipulation of critical pulses like tur (pigeon pea) and urad (black matpe) in Myanmar, India has issued a stern warning to the exporters. If the current scarcity persists, India may bypass private trade, opting instead for government-to-government (G2G) transactions. This development comes in response to the price surge in recent months, caused by exporters allegedly capitalizing on India’s scarcity. The situation was confirmed by trade insiders present at a virtual meeting held by Consumer Affairs Secretary Rohit Kumar Singh on Wednesday. Bimal Kothari, President of India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), disclosed, “The government…

India Canada Trade Ties: India’s Commerce and Industry Minister, Piyush Goyal, is set to co-chair the sixth India-Canada Ministerial Dialogue on Trade and Investment (MDTI) in Ottawa on Monday, alongside Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Mary Ng. The visit is aimed at strengthening the bilateral trade relationship between the two countries, as well as promoting investment and cooperation in green transition initiatives. Since the last MDTI meeting in March 2022, both ministers have launched the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) negotiations with a possibility for an interim agreement or Early Progress Trade Agreement.…

In light of the recent spate of US bank failures, billionaire investor Warren Buffett has urged for executives who led the US banking system into crisis to face “punishment”. The Berkshire Hathaway owner believes that bank directors “should suffer” when their banks run into trouble, attributing the crisis to “messed-up incentives” in the industry. Buffett, also known as the “Oracle of Omaha,” made these comments following the collapse of First Republic Bank, the largest US bank to fail since the 2008 financial crisis. He expressed dissatisfaction with the handling of the failures by politicians, regulators, and the press, stating that…

Days ago, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) launched its first large autonomous underwater vehicle (First AI Underwater Spy), the BlueWhale, and it has already garnered praise from defense experts of various countries. These experts underline that the state-of-the-art unmanned submarine, capable of gathering intelligence and detecting enemy threats, is a powerful yet sophisticated asset. Developed as a commercialized version of the Cicerone Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, the BlueWhale has completed thousands of hours of underwater and autonomous operations. The submarine uses radar and electro-optical systems to detect sea and coastal targets and is equipped with sonar capabilities to gather intelligence, detect manned…

The Australian fashion industry, grappling with social, environmental, and economic challenges, is looking to transform itself through the National Clothing Product Stewardship Scheme. Launched by the Australian Fashion Council, academics, and sustainability organizations, this initiative aims to achieve circularity within the industry by 2030, with initiatives commencing in July 2024. The scheme will concentrate on four key aspects: design for circularity, circular business models, closing the material loop, and citizen behavior change. Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek emphasized that to build a circular economy, the industry must take responsibility alongside government efforts. Participating brands in the scheme will receive rebates…

Berkshire Hathaway Inc, the multinational conglomerate led by Warren Buffett, has reported a staggering $35.5 billion in profit for the first quarter of 2023. The impressive financial performance can be attributed to gains from common stocks, such as Apple Inc, and higher income from investments, which significantly bolstered operating profit. The company’s net income surged to $24,377 per Class A share, a substantial increase from the $5.58 billion or $3,784 per share reported a year earlier. Quarterly operating profit also experienced a 13% growth, rising to $8.07 billion or approximately $5,561 per Class A share from $7.16 billion. During the…

The bull and bear terminology is still used to describe the state of the stock market today. However, the origins of these terms remain uncertain. One theory suggests that the terms were originally used to describe the way these animals attack, with a bull market representing an upward attack and a bear market representing a downward attack. Another theory is that the terms are related to the way these animals behave, with a bull market representing a strong and growing market, while a bear market represents a cautious and declining market. Regardless of their origins, the bull and bear terminology…