Author: NNI Editor

The escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China have significantly disrupted global shipping operations with freight rates expected to surge by 30%, say analysts. “The imposition of steep tariffs—145% by the U.S. on Chinese imports and 125% by China in retaliation—has led to a substantial slowdown in cargo movement,” said Rohit Chaturvedi, Partner, Transport & Logistics, Forvis Mazars, an international professional firm with presence in more than 100 countries.“Major Chinese ports like Shanghai and Guangdong are experiencing severe congestion, with containers piling up due to cancelled orders and rerouted shipments,” he said.He said this bottleneck has resulted in a notable…

The World Trade Organisation said it expected trade in goods to fall by 0.2% this year, down from its expectation in October of 3.0% expansion. File | Photo Credit: Reuters The World Trade Organization sharply cut its forecast for global merchandise trade from solid growth to a decline on Wednesday (April 16, 2025), saying further U.S. tariffs and spillover effects could lead to the heaviest slump since the height of the COVID pandemic.The WTO said it expected trade in goods to fall by 0.2% this year, down from its expectation in October of 3.0% expansion. It said its new estimate…

Wipro on Wednesday (April 14, 2025) reported a 25.9% year-on-year rise in consolidated net profit for the March quarter to ₹3,569.6 crore, but warned of a weak quarter ahead with up to 3.5% expected drop in IT services revenue for Q1FY26, amid global uncertainties.CEO and Managing Director Srini Pallia said clients remain cautious in the face of macroeconomic uncertainty. He assured that Wipro is focused on partnering closely with them, while keeping its gaze on consistent and profitable growth.Over the past weeks, U.S.’ on-now, off-now tariff moves have roiled global markets and many IT analysts fear that a bitter trade…

The Rupee had closed on April 15, 2025 with a gain of 30 paise at 85.80 against the dollar. File | Photo Credit: The Hindu The Rupee sustained its rally for the third straight session and settled with a gain of 12 paise at 85.68 (provisional) against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday (April 16, 2025), boosted by the renewed inflow of foreign funds and a weak American currency.“Positive domestic macroeconomic numbers amid the 90-day pause on U.S. reciprocal tariffs triggered a buying rush in equities, strengthening the local currency,” according to forex traders. “Also, lower crude prices in international markets…

Late in the 1990s, luxury hotels in Chennai realised that there was a slight inflection in the tides. Although exotic and understandably enticing, au gratins and paneer butter masala bowls were no longer making the cut. Tourists who were visiting the city wanted to taste authentic South Indian fare — the parotta and salna kind. When Dakshin began at Sheraton Park Hotel in 1989, serving elevated versions of home-style kozhambus and poriyals at premium rates, other hotels realised that it was time to shine the light on nalli or bone marrow in a mutton stew. The likes of Ente Keralam,…

On the global front, spot gold rose to touch a record high of $3,318 per ounce. Later, it pared some gains to trade at $3,299.99 per ounce. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Gold prices soared by ₹1,650 to hit an all-time high of ₹98,100 per 10 gm in the national capital on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) amid a global rush for safe-haven buying triggered by an escalated trade war between the U.S. and China. According to the All India Sarafa Association, the precious metal of 99.9% purity had finished at ₹96,450 per 10 gm on Tuesday (April 15, 2025.) Gold…

Sensex and Nifty closed higher for the third straight day on Wednesday (April 16, 2025). | Photo Credit: PTI Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed higher for the third straight day on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) following buying in blue-chip banking stocks and fresh foreign fund inflows as retail inflation slipping to near six-year lows raised hopes of further rate cuts.Defying a weak global market trend, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 309.40 points or 0.40% to settle at a two-week high of 77,044.29 in a volatile session. During the day, it hit a high of 77,110.23 and a low…

Yes Bank on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) said it has received a demand notice of ₹244.20 crore for assessment year 2016-17. “The reassessment order considered the income reported in the return of income instead of assessed income, for computing the reassessed income and tax thereon,” Yes Bank said in a regulatory filing. “Towards this, on April 15, 2025, the Jurisdictional Assessing Officer (JAO), passed the rectification order rectifying the mistake and recomputed the tax demand,” it said. “The said rectification order read with Computation Sheet and Notice of Demand has however resulted into additional tax demand of ₹244.20 crore…has been…

A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend.. (Representational image) | Photo Credit: Reuters The Supreme Court on Wednesday (April 16, 2025) refused to examine a plea seeking a regulatory framework on cryptocurrencies and said it couldn’t “lay down the law”.A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency secured by cryptography, which makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. Editorial | Double-edged sword: On Supreme Court’s cryptocurrency rulingThey exist on decentralised networks using blockchain technology — a distributed ledger enforced by a disparate network of computers. The plea…

The workshop will be held in the Darbar Hall, Hotel Southern Star in Mysuru between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on April 19, 2025. | Photo Credit: SRIRAM MA TiE Mysuru will be hosting a workshop on creating compelling narratives titled ‘Powerful Storytelling: Key to Audience Engagement’ at Darbar Hall, Hotel Southern Star in Mysuru between 4.30 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on April 19.The workshop will focus on ‘helping entrepreneurs and business professionals master the art of storytelling to drive impact, inspire action and build lasting connections’. Sachin Bhandary, founder of The Story Co. and Story Club, a business storytelling…