The United States has crossed a fiscal landmark that would have seemed extraordinary less than a decade ago. Federal debt has moved above $40 trillion, reaching about $40.05 trillion in August 2026, according to Treasury data. The figure is more… Read More ›
Economy & Finance
China’s Humanoid Robots Move From Hype to Useful Work
China’s humanoid robotics industry is entering a more consequential stage as manufacturers try to prove that machines built to resemble people can perform useful work outside exhibition halls. At the World Robot Conference in Beijing, companies demonstrated robots sorting parcels,… Read More ›
India’s New Closing Auction Faces Its First Manipulation Test
India’s newly introduced Closing Auction Session is facing its first major regulatory test after the securities regulator moved against two market participants accused of using the new mechanism to influence stock prices on a derivatives expiry day. The action involving… Read More ›
India’s Trading Reforms Target Foreign Investor Frictions
India’s securities regulator is considering a broad set of trading reforms as foreign investors continue to reduce their exposure to Indian equities, according to people familiar with the discussions. The proposed changes are aimed at making the country’s cash and… Read More ›
Geopolitical Risk Shrinks Microsoft’s China Footprint as AI Sustains Access
Microsoft’s retreat from parts of its China business reflects a deeper problem facing American technology companies operating between two increasingly separate technology systems. The company has closed at least 15 offices and joint ventures over the past five years and… Read More ›
Iran War Tests Whether Global Oil Reserves Can Sustain Supply
Global oil reserves are facing an unprecedented test as the United States-Iran war continues to disrupt production, exports and shipping routes across the Gulf. The immediate question is not whether the world has enough oil underground, but whether enough usable… Read More ›
Indian Carmakers Flag Fuel Contamination as Forced E20 Rollout Faces Scrutiny
India’s leading automobile manufacturers privately raised concerns about contaminated petrol reaching vehicles even as the industry publicly supported the government’s nationwide transition to E20 fuel, according to internal communications and testing data reviewed in recent reporting. The findings are significant… Read More ›
AI Investment Starts Lifting Britain’s Economic Growth
Britain’s artificial intelligence boom is beginning to show up in economic data, but the early gains reveal a more complicated story than a simple technology-led recovery. Recent figures show strong growth in computer programming and related services, a sharp increase… Read More ›
Extreme Heat Raises Europe’s Inflation Risks for Investors
Europe’s increasingly severe summer heat is becoming an economic variable that financial markets can no longer treat as a temporary weather disturbance. Record temperatures, drought and wildfires are disrupting river transport, agricultural production and parts of the energy system, creating… Read More ›
July Weak Hiring Complicates the US Fed’s Inflation Fight Despite Rate Hike Calls
The sharp deterioration in the United States jobs market has complicated the Federal Reserve’s emerging case for higher interest rates, forcing investors to reconsider expectations for a September increase even as inflation remains well above the central bank’s target. The… Read More ›