Japan’s central bank on Thursday began its final policy meeting of the year, with markets widely expecting a further increase in benchmark interest rates as officials continue the gradual shift away from years of ultra-loose monetary policy. The decision, scheduled to be announced on Friday, could mark the highest borrowing costs Japan has seen in three decades, underscoring the Bank of Japan’s determination to normalize policy amid persistent inflation pressures. Market pricing

India’s economy recorded a faster pace of expansion in the July–September quarter, with official data showing that gross domestic product rose 8.2% year-on-year. The acceleration reflects a combination of stronger consumer demand, a revival in manufacturing activity, and accelerated production schedules ahead of India’s major festive season. Economists had widely expected the quarter to deliver robust growth, but the latest figure surpassed the projected 7.3% expansion for the period, e

A growing number of Texas families are finding it increasingly difficult to put food on the table as financial pressures continue to mount. Rising grocery prices, inflation, employment disruptions and reported delays in SNAP benefits have created an environment where many households are struggling to cover even basic needs. Nonprofits across North Texas have been working to bridge the gap, relying heavily on community support to meet the surge in demand for food assistance. Among th

The United States has officially ended production of the one-cent coin, closing the chapter on more than two centuries of penny circulation. The decision marks the first time since 1793 that the US Mint will no longer manufacture the nation’s lowest-value currency, and it comes after years of financial losses tied to the cost of producing each coin. The final penny was struck on November 12 at the Philadelphia Mint by US Treasurer Brandon Beach, symbolically concluding 232 years of continuo

The longest government shutdown in United States history has finally come to an end, but the deep wounds it has inflicted across the economy and federal systems will not heal anytime soon. Though President Donald Trump signed a funding bill to reopen the government after a record 43 days, the aftershocks continue to ripple through essential sectors. With another possible shutdown looming on January 30, the reprieve may be only temporary, leaving the nation bracing for renewed political and econo

The cryptocurrency market witnessed another downturn over the past 24 hours, mirroring the broader risk-averse sentiment in global markets. The overall market capitalization fell by 1.06%, led by weakness in major tokens as investors reassessed their exposure amid rising U.S. inflation expectations, ETF outflows, and growing uncertainty in digital asset trading. Bitcoin, the largest cryptocurrency by market value, dropped 0.64% in the last day and was trading around $121,186 at the

The Union Cabinet has approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners, with the revised rate taking effect from July 1, 2025. This move, announced after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, is expected to benefit nearly one crore individuals, including both serving employees and retired staff. Dearness Allowance is a cost-of-living adjustment paid by the government to offset

Bitcoin reached an unprecedented milestone on Thursday, crossing the $124,000 mark for the first time in history before settling slightly lower at $123,868. This remarkable surge has been driven by a combination of robust institutional demand, improving macroeconomic conditions, and a growing belief among investors that the United States is on the verge of implementing an interest rate cut later this year. Ethereum followed suit, rallying significantly and tradi

Central government employees and pensioners are eagerly awaiting the official announcement of a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), which is expected to be implemented from July 2025. While the DA rates are revised twice a year effective from January 1 and July 1 the official announcements usually come months later, typically around the festive season in September or October. Expected

Retiring at 40 has become an exciting goal for many young professionals seeking freedom from traditional work life. While the idea of stopping work just when others are reaching their career peaks sounds appealing, achieving this early retirement requires disciplined saving, careful investing, and thorough planning. Experts say that to comfortably retire by 40, you must save between 35 to 79 times your annual expenses depending on your current age and lifestyl

Global financial markets came under pressure on Friday as Iran launched hundreds of missiles toward Israel in retaliation for earlier airstrikes on its nuclear and military facilities. The geopolitical escalation sparked fears of a wider Middle East conflict, leading to a steep sell-off on Wall Street and sharp gains in oil and gold. The S&P 500 fell 1.1%, while crude oil futures jumped 7.5%, their largest single-day gain in over two years. The VIX fear g

As summer heats up and Americans continue searching for affordable entertainment, AMC Theaters is stepping up with a massive midweek offer. Beginning July 9, the theater chain is rolling out “50% Off Wednesdays,” slashing movie ticket prices in half every Wednesday for members of its AMC Stubs rewards program. Already known for its popular “Discount Tuesdays,” AMC is now doubling down on value-driven moviegoing to increase weekday attendance. This bold new pr

If you're wondering whether to invest in gold or mutual funds this year, you're not alone. With rising market uncertainty, inflation concerns, and global geopolitical tensions, investors are reevaluating traditional assets. Gold and mutual funds have long stood as two prominent options for Indian investors. While both offer potential returns, they cater to different investment styles, goals, and risk appetites. Financial experts suggest that a well-balanced investment portfolio, tailo

India’s annual retail inflation rate eased to 3.34% in March 2025, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This marks the fifth consecutive month of decline and falls below the 3.61% recorded in February, offering significant relief to policymakers and consumers alike. The main factor contributing to this moderation is the continued softening of food prices, which make up a large portion of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Food inflation dr

Poonam Gupta, a prominent economist with global expertise, has been appointed as the new Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Her appointment marks a historic milestone, as she becomes the first woman in over a decade to assume this high-ranking position at India’s central bank. She succeeds Michael Patra, who retired in January 2024. Gupta brings with her nearly two decades of international experience, having worked with the World Bank, International Monet

The stock market suffered a sharp sell-off on Friday as fears over inflation, declining consumer confidence, and doubts about artificial intelligence investments combined to push major indexes lower. The S&P 500 dropped 2%, making it the second-worst trading day of 2025 for the broad-based index, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 2.7%, breaching its lowest point for the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also slumped, losing 1.7% as investors reacted to concerning economic signals.

Bitcoin saw a strong rebound on Wednesday, reaching $98,800, up by 2% after the US Labour Department released the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data for December. The CPI showed a 2.9% increase, which was in line with expectations. The Core CPI, excluding volatile items like food and energy, came in slightly under expectations at 3.2%. This data eased fears of severe inflation, bolstering investor confidence and supporting the bullish outlook for Bitcoin. Crypto prices, including Ether

Snack prices are feeling the impact of rising palm oil and potato costs, pushing many packaged food products to become more expensive. While domestic supply issues have caused potato prices to spike, global disruptions and increased import duties have made palm oil—a key ingredient in many snacks—costlier. As of recent reports, palm oil prices have hit their highest in over two years, with an all-India average price of Rs 130.5 per kg. Snack manufacturers, including Bika

India's inflation rate, based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI), moderated to 5.48% in November, down from 6.21% in October, according to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. This easing, however, is still above the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) target of 4%, with food prices continuing to drive inflationary pressure. The food inflation rate surged by 9.04%, continuing its trend of high costs. Economists had forecast a median inflation estimate of 5.5% fo

In November, the median perception of current inflation among households increased to 8.4%, up by 30 basis points from the previous survey round in September, according to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Households’ Inflation Expectations Survey. Meanwhile, expectations for inflation over the next three months moderated slightly by 10 basis points, reaching 9.1%. However, households' expectations for inflation a year ahead inched up by 10 basis points to 10.1%. The survey