India’s budget slashes aid to Bangladesh by 50%

India’s budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 presented in parliament today (1 February) slashed developmental aid to Bangladesh by 50%, amid a sharp downturn in bilateral ties post-Sheikh Hasina’s ouster from power. This marks the steepest reduction in regional aid, triggered by a diplomatic freeze, allegations of attacks on minorities, and Dhaka’s tilt toward Pakistan. […]

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India’s new budget bets on AI, data centers to sustain growth

NEW DELHI: India’s latest budget has emerged as one of its most technology-focused, with new measures to utilize artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, and expand digital infrastructure aimed at offsetting the impact of global tariff wars. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the 2026-27 budget in parliament on Sunday, saying it would “accelerate and sustain economic growth […]

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IMF chief says global inflation to fall to 3.8% this year and to 3.4% in 2027

Global inflation is expected to fall to 3.8% this year and to 3.4% in 2027, helped by softer demand and lower energy prices, the IMF chief said on Monday. Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in a speech in the Annual Arab Fiscal Forum in Dubai that global growth has held up ‘remarkably well’ amid profound […]

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EBRD Bets Big on Central Asia, Mongolia With $2B Push

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has sharply expanded its footprint in Central Asia and Mongolia, committing nearly $2 billion in investment in 2025. In an article posted by Anton Usov, the scale of the funding is presented as a clear signal of the EBRD’s growing confidence in the region’s economic potential, as well […]

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Pakistan, Saudi Arabia reaffirm push for joint energy and mining projects

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Saudi Arabia have agreed to enhance cooperation in energy and mineral sectors, the Pakistani information ministry said on Friday, as the two sides seek to deepen economic ties and promote joint investment. The development comes weeks after Pakistan’s Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik met Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources […]

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Filipinos worry about future as Manila posts worst economic growth in 15 years

MANILA: Over ten years ago, when Fatima Macud brought home roughly 30,000 pesos ($509) a month, the money was enough to cover her expenses and still leave room for savings. Though she now earns 45,000 pesos, Macud finds herself unable to save any money as she struggles with rising prices to cover daily spending. “Yes, […]

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North Korea’s Kim Jong-un set to signal stronger nuclear deterrence posture at congress

By Park Chan-kyong North Korea is set to use its coming Workers’ Party congress to signal an escalation towards carrying out large-scale nuclear retaliation in the event of a conflict with the US, with analysts expecting Pyongyang to unveil plans centred on intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) capable of striking American cities. The move was foreshadowed […]

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Uzbekistan, China Boost Oil and Gas Drilling Cooperation

Abdugani Sanginov, Chairman of the Management Board of Uzbekneftegaz company, has held talks with Li Xicheng, Deputy General Director of SIBU, as part of efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation in the oil and gas sector. During the meeting, the sides reviewed current areas of collaboration and discussed the potential use of SIBU’s modern drilling facilities […]

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Why does Elon Musk want to put AI data centres in space?

A proposed merger between Elon Musk’s SpaceX and xAI, reported exclusively by Reuters on Thursday (29 January), could give fresh momentum to Musk’s plan to launch satellite data centres into orbit as he battles for supremacy in the rapidly escalating AI race against tech giants like Alphabet’s Google, Meta and OpenAI. Here is what we […]

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Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

By Biman Mukherji Remarks by a prominent economist about India’s air quality have raised a debate on whether New Delhi should prioritise tackling pollution over tariff talks, as the country continues to transition towards a green economy. Former International Monetary Fund chief economist Gita Gopinath made the comments at the recent World Economic Forum in […]

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