Trade
Weak US Bond Demand Fuels Alarm as Treasury Yields Reach Multi-Decade Highs
Weak demand for long-term US government bonds is pushing Treasury yields to multi-decade highs. Buyers have not disappeared, but investors are demanding greater returns as inflation, rising interest costs and Washington’s $40 trillion debt intensify concerns.
G7 Approves 100 Million-Barrel Fuel Reserve Release as Diesel Crisis Deepens
G7 countries will release up to 100 million barrels of diesel and crude oil from strategic reserves as disrupted shipping, refinery outages and the Middle East conflict drive fuel prices higher and place renewed pressure on households, transport and industry.
Germany Faces Weak Labour Market as Energy Costs Drive Inflation Higher
Germany’s unemployment and inflation are rising as the economy struggles with expensive energy. The loss of Russian pipeline gas has weakened the industrial advantage once enjoyed by its manufacturers and intensified pressure on jobs, investment and growth.
Rebeca Grynspan Emerges as Frontrunner to Lead the United Nations
Costa Rica’s Rebeca Grynspan has emerged as the frontrunner to become the next UN secretary-general after leading a fourth Security Council straw poll. However, opposition from any permanent member could still block her path to the organisation’s top post.
India’s Industrial Output Jumps 8% as Manufacturing Accelerates
India’s industrial production grew 8% in August, beating expectations and accelerating from July. Manufacturing and electricity led the expansion, while capital-goods output surged 16.9%. Mining, however, contracted sharply and consumer non-durables remained weak.
Global Bond Sell-Off Deepens as US Yield Hits 19-Year High
A global bond sell-off has pushed the benchmark US 10-year Treasury yield above 5.27%, its highest level in 19 years. Rising oil prices, persistent inflation and concerns over mounting government debt have driven borrowing costs higher across major economies.
Escaping the Thucydides Trap? US and China Take a Cautious Step
The US and China have agreed to cut tariffs on $30 billion of goods each way and to open a formal AI dialogue with an incident hotline, the key outcomes of Xi Jinping's Washington visit. The deal buys time for bigger trade talks, but disputes over Iran, chips and rare earths remain unresolved.
Xi Snubs Donald Trump: China Refuses to Enforce US Sanctions on Iran
China has told Iran it will not comply with Washington's new sanctions, rejecting US pressure just days after the Trump-Xi summit. As Iran's biggest oil buyer, taking over 80% of its exports, Beijing's refusal could decide whether the US campaign to economically isolate Tehran succeeds or fails.
Too Dangerous to Operate: ArcelorMittal Shuts Ukraine's Biggest Steel Plant
ArcelorMittal has halted Ukraine's largest steel plant after four missile strikes in five weeks killed five workers, and will book a $1 billion impairment. With 12,500 jobs at stake in Zelenskyy's hometown, one of Ukraine's biggest foreign investors is stepping back from the war zone.
Global agencies raise India's FY27 growth forecasts to 6.9–7.1%
S&P, Fitch, the ADB and the OECD have raised India's FY27 growth forecasts to between 6.9% and 7.1% after a stronger-than-expected 7.8% June quarter, despite the West Asia conflict. But the upgrades come with a warning: oil-driven inflation may force the RBI to raise interest rates this year.
Trump and Xi Prepare for High-Stakes Washington Talks
Donald Trump and Xi Jinping are preparing for high-level talks in Washington focused on trade, rare-earth supplies, artificial intelligence, Taiwan and Iran. The summit follows an agreement to extend a tariff truce, but expectations of a major breakthrough remain limited.
Modi Could Visit Canada as India and Canada Race to Finalise Trade Deal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi could visit Canada as New Delhi and Ottawa work to conclude a comprehensive trade agreement by the end of 2026. The proposed trip has not been formally scheduled, but it could provide the setting for signing the pact if negotiations are completed in time.