Vera

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 18:34 IST

Kremlin Says US and Russia Are Discussing Sanctions Relief for State Investment Fund

Kremlin foreign-policy aide Yuri Ushakov said discussions are underway with the United States about lifting sanctions on the Russian Direct Investment Fund, Reuters reported on 29 October 2026. He said Russian presidential envoy and RDIF head Kirill Dmitriev was engaged in contacts, but the outcome remains uncertain. The talks follow other US adjustments to Russia-related fuel restrictions. No decision to remove RDIF sanctions has been confirmed.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 18:29 IST

Reuters Investigation Finds Iran Military Procurement Network Evading US Blockade

A Reuters investigation published on 29 October 2026 identified a network of more than 5,000 Iranian military-linked agencies used to procure goods despite Western sanctions and a US naval blockade. Drawing on trade, corporate and banking records, Reuters reported that the network imported at least $2 billion of equipment, explosives and heavy-duty trucks since January 2025. Some goods had recorded origins in China, Russia and Germany. The reporting describes historical procurement and does not establish that every shipment was illicit or that every named supplier knowingly breached sanctions.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 18:20 IST

Australia Export Prices Rise 1.4% in Q3 as Import Prices Fall 1.1%

Australia’s Export Price Index rose 1.4% in the September 2026 quarter and 6.3% over the year, the Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on 29 October. The Import Price Index declined 1.1% for the quarter but remained 5.5% higher than a year earlier. The contrasting quarterly moves in export and import prices are relevant to Australia’s terms of trade, without by themselves establishing changes in export volumes or the Australian dollar.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 18:14 IST

New Zealand Business Confidence Rises to 52.5 Despite Softer Activity Outlook

New Zealand business confidence increased to a net 52.5 in October 2026 from 51.9 in September, ANZ’s Business Outlook survey showed on 29 October. Expected own activity eased to 46.2 from 47.9, while reported past activity improved. The survey found firms remained broadly optimistic despite oil-price volatility and ongoing cost pressures. The figures represent survey net balances, not GDP growth rates.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 18:01 IST

ECB President Christine Lagarde to Step Down on 7 February 2027

The European Central Bank confirmed on 29 October 2026 that President Christine Lagarde will step down on 7 February 2027, before her eight-year term was due to conclude in October 2027. Lagarde informed the ECB Governing Council and European Council President António Costa. Costa said the appointment process for her successor would begin immediately under European Union rules. No successor was announced in the official statements. The departure is a leadership development, not an ECB interest-rate decision.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 17:45 IST

Bank of Canada Raises Policy Rate to 2.50% as Inflation Risks Persist

The Bank of Canada increased its overnight policy rate by 25 basis points to 2.50% on 28 October 2026, with the Bank Rate at 2.75% and deposit rate at 2.45%. The central bank said more persistent price pressures and higher energy costs warranted tightening. It forecast inflation averaging 3% in 2027 before returning to 2% around mid-2028.

NewsOct 29, 2026 · 17:27 IST

Federal Reserve Holds Rates at 3.75%–4.00% as Two Officials Seek a Hike

The Federal Open Market Committee left its target range unchanged at 3.75%–4.00% on 28 October 2026 by a 10–2 vote. Reuters reported that policymakers described economic growth as strong, while inflation remained elevated. Lisa Cook and Beth Hammack dissented in favour of a 25-basis-point increase. The decision and accompanying remarks left markets reassessing the likelihood of a December rate rise.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 17:38 IST

EU Ministers Seek China Import Deals to Address Growing Trade Imbalance

European Union trade ministers said on 23 October 2026 that the bloc should seek agreements with China to limit import pressure in sectors including chemicals, machinery and pharmaceuticals. Reuters reported an EU goods-trade deficit of more than €370 billion in 2025, with a larger gap projected for 2026. Officials described the competitive pressure on European producers as China Shock 2.0. The ministers favoured dialogue with Beijing, but no new sector-specific agreement or import restriction was announced at the meeting.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 17:26 IST

Smith & Nephew–J&J Orthopaedics Merger Talks Collapse Over Leadership Dispute, FT Reports

Advanced discussions to merge Smith & Nephew with Johnson & Johnson’s orthopaedics division broke down over leadership of the proposed combined business, the Financial Times reported on 23 October, according to Reuters. The parties were said to have agreed on the principal financial terms and transaction structure, but Smith & Nephew sought to retain CEO Deepak Nath while J&J favoured Namal Nawana. Reuters reported the J&J hip-and-knee unit could have been valued at as much as $22 billion in the contemplated transaction. Smith & Nephew declined comment, and J&J had not provided confirmation in the report. No merger agreement had been signed or officially terminated.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 17:20 IST

Malaysia and Thailand Join Singapore’s BLOOM Cross-Border Digital Settlement Initiative

The Monetary Authority of Singapore announced on 23 October 2026 that Bank Negara Malaysia and the Bank of Thailand had joined the BLOOM initiative as policymaker members. The three authorities will work with banks, payments networks and technology companies on interoperability, cross-border acceptance and settlement involving digital money, including tokenised deposits and regulated stablecoins. New industry participants include Mastercard, Ripple and Visa, alongside the World Bank Group. The announcement concerns policy collaboration and implementation frameworks, not a completed cross-border settlement deployment or a new retail central bank digital currency launch.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 15:07 IST

Eurozone Growth Slows to Four-Month Low as October Composite PMI Falls to 51.9

The flash eurozone composite PMI eased to 51.9 in October from 53.1 in September, the slowest expansion in four months. France returned to contraction while energy and transportation costs increased pressure on businesses. Employment gains slowed, and company confidence weakened.

NewsOct 23, 2026 · 15:02 IST

German Private-Sector Growth Slows as October Composite PMI Falls to 52.8

Germany’s flash composite PMI eased to 52.8 in October from 53.8 in September, remaining in expansion territory. Manufacturing PMI advanced to 54.2, while services PMI eased to 51.7 from 52.9. The release suggests weaker overall growth even as factory activity remained relatively resilient.