Energy shock from Middle East war may lift US inflation to 4.2% this year; OECD warns of weaker global growth

The escalation of the Middle East conflict could push US inflation to 4.2% this year–the highest among G7 economies– while also slowing global growth, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) has said, underlining the widening economic costs of the US-Israel war with Iran, the Financial Times reported.In its interim economic outlook, the Paris-based…

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US mortgage rates hit over six-month high at 6.38% as borrowing costs rise in peak homebuying season

Borrowing costs for homebuyers in the US rose further this week, with the average long-term mortgage rate reaching its highest level in more than six months and adding pressure during the peak spring housing season.Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate increased to 6.38% from 6.22% a week earlier. The rate…

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WTO reform push: India flags dysfunctional dispute system at MC14, seeks review of e-commerce duty moratorium

India on Thursday urged members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to restore a fully functional dispute settlement system, saying the current mechanism has deprived countries of effective redressal, PTI reported.Speaking on the opening day of the WTO’s 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal stressed the need to…

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US-Iran war impact: India’s crude imports from Russia near all time highs; will such high numbers continue?

Historically, India’s highest monthly purchases of Russian crude have been around 2.0-2.1 Mbd since the Russia-Ukraine war began in 2022. (AI image) Russian crude has emerged as a major player amid the US-Iran war – global crude oil supply is badly affected via the Strait of Hormuz, Middle East countries are finding it difficult to…

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US stock markets today (March 26, 2026): Wall Street opens lower as oil jumps above $100; Middle East tensions weigh on sentiment

Wall Street’s key indices opened lower on Thursday after gains in the previous session, as investors turned cautious over evolving developments in the Middle East and weighed the prospects of any de-escalation in the conflict.At the opening bell, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 84.8 points, or 0.18%, to 46,344.64. The S&P 500 declined 36…

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US unemployment data: Jobless claims edge up to 210,000; labour market still shows resilience

Applications for unemployment benefits in the United States rose slightly last week, signalling continued labour market resilience even as hiring momentum has slowed over the past year.New filings for jobless aid increased by 5,000 to 210,000 for the week ended March 21, up from 205,000 in the previous week, the US Labour Department said on…

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Government assures strong fuel security: No LPG shortage, crude reserves secured, PNG transition underway

The government, on Thursday, moved to reassure citizens that the country’s fuel supply situation remains fully stable. The ministry of petroleum and natural gas said India’s petroleum and LPG systems are secure and under firm control, with no shortage of petrol, diesel or LPG anywhere in the country. It also warned against what it called…

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