RBI cuts key repo rate for first time in nearly five years
RBI cuts repo rate to 6.25% for the first time in nearly five years to support growth amid cooling inflation. Markets react mildly as economists foresee further easing ahead.
Global markets plunged on Monday as Trump’s tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China rattled investors, fueling fears of a trade war. A last-minute pause on Mexico’s tariffs helped limit losses, while gold hit a record high and U.S. factory activity returned to growth.
Wall Street drop: The S&P 500 fell 0.38%, while the Dow Jones recovered slightly, closing 0.01% higher.
Tech sector hit: The Nasdaq Composite lost 0.72%, reflecting broader weakness in technology stocks.
Europe’s worst session of 2025: The STOXX 600 plunged 0.87%, while the FTSEurofirst 300 dropped 0.81%.
Asia tumbles: Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 2.66%, while the MSCI Asia-Pacific index slid 2.04%.
Gold soared to an all-time high of $2,819.50 per ounce, as investors sought safe-haven assets.
Dollar’s mixed performance: After an initial rise, the dollar index fell 0.51%, while the Mexican peso strengthened 1.14% following the tariff pause.
Euro slides: The euro dropped 0.73% to $1.0286, while the Canadian dollar weakened 0.22% against the U.S. dollar.
Crude oil gains: After initial losses, Brent crude rose 0.38% to $75.96 per barrel, while U.S. crude climbed 0.87% to $73.16 per barrel.
₿ Crypto declines: Bitcoin fell 0.91% to $101,215, while Ethereum plunged 17.13% to $2,749.05, extending a broader sell-off in digital assets.
📈 Manufacturing returns to growth: U.S. factory activity expanded for the first time since October 2022, signaling stronger industrial demand.
🔍 Federal Reserve impact: Analysts warn the data may delay rate cuts, as a stronger economy could fuel inflation concerns.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
USAID has long promoted itself as a supporter of press freedom, but reports suggest its media funding may have influenced domestic narratives in Europe and post-Soviet states. With the Trump administration freezing its grants, the agency’s role in shaping global information is under scrutiny.
A Delta Air Lines regional jet flipped upside down upon landing at Toronto Pearson Airport on Monday, injuring 18 people. Officials are investigating whether strong winds and snow played a role in the incident.
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) has cut its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 4.1%, marking its first reduction since November 2020. The move follows a prolonged tightening cycle that saw rates rise from 0.1% to 4.35% between May 2020 and November 2023.
The State Oil Fund of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ) has invested €34.5 million in Italy’s leading high-speed railway operator, Italo – Nuovo Trasporto Viaggiatori S.p.A. (Italo) by entering into agreement with the Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), affiliated with US-based BlackRock.
A lawyer for an Indian unit of German carmaker Volkswagen, said on Monday the country's $1.4 billion tax demand could become a matter of survival for its business in the country, as it continues to contest the order.
The UK’s unemployment rate edged up to 4.4% in December 2024, reflecting a continued upward trend since mid-2022, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Beijing, Feb 17 (Reuters) — Chinese President Xi Jinping met with some of the country’s most prominent technology leaders on Monday, urging them to embrace innovation and reaffirming Beijing’s support for private enterprise.
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