Editorial Comment

Mercury rising: Fossil-fuel dependence is powering heatwaves in Europe

Europe's deadly heatwaves expose the dangers of fossil-fuel dependence, underscoring the urgent need to accelerate the transition to renewable energy worldwide

Emerging challenges: India needs to do more to attract stable capital flows

Falling oil prices offer India short-term relief, but the RBI warns that geopolitical tensions and shifting global capital flows continue to pose financial stability risks

AI's financial frontier: India must be prepared for potential macro risks

The BIS warns that the AI boom is becoming a macrofinancial risk, with concentrated investment and rising debt posing potential threats to global financial stability

A robust platform: Mospi's latest initiative will strengthen governance

Mospi's proposed AI-powered Common Data Platform could unify official statistics, improve policymaking and lay the foundation for an India-specific statistical LLM

AI's hidden footprint: Ambitions must be matched by resource planning

The challenge is that many of the states attracting these investments are already grappling with water stress and rising electricity demand

Rational regulation: India's battery-recycling norms must evolve with tech

The concern of the auto sector is that the current rules require manufacturers to begin collecting 70 per cent of batteries after eight years of use

AI's missing inclusivity: The tech revolution is amplifying gender bias

A major reason for this neglect is that women themselves are largely missing in the AI ecosystem

Rethinking quality control: The new order will not solve the problem

The original purpose of QCOs was to ensure quality standards to protect consumers, improve product quality, and keep substandard imports out of the Indian market. Over time, however, the policy expand

Monsoon readiness: Focus must be on both immediate and long-term solutions

Reports of setbacks to the sowing of pulses such as tur, moong and urad in parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra underline the vulnerability of rainfed farming

Listing Tata Sons: RBI's directions could strengthen group's governance

Tata Sons was designated an upper-layer NBFC by the RBI in September 2022, mandating its listing within three years

UK's 'Bregret' syndrome: Decade on, Brexit objectives prove unworkable

A decade after the Brexit vote, slower growth, higher trade costs and persistent immigration challenges have fuelled rising public regret over leaving the EU

Currency questions: Higher costs of incentives for NRIs must be debated

RBI's push to attract FCNR deposits may ease external pressures, but improving conditions raise questions over the costs, risks and necessity of the incentives

The Greenspan era: "Great moderation" can lead to great disruption

Alan Greenspan's legacy spans economic stability, financial deregulation and debate over the 2008 crisis, while his views on India underscored the need for deeper reforms

Building buffers: Forex inflows should be used to build up reserves

Falling crude prices and US-Iran talks have eased pressure on the rupee, but RBI may continue building forex buffers amid global and domestic uncertainties

US, Iran want a deal but uncertainty persists over Israeli intentions

Early progress in US-Iran talks offers hope for a deal, but tensions involving Israel, Lebanon and the Strait of Hormuz could still derail negotiations

Terms of trade: Negotiations with US must adapt to new realities

India should secure a trade deal with the US that preserves its export competitiveness amid uncertainty over Washington's evolving tariff regime

Shifting composition: Dependence on services exports is increasing

Services exports are driving India's trade growth and resilience, but stronger manufacturing output remains essential for broad-based job creation and sustainable growth

Primary drivers: Mega IPOs could boost interest in Indian markets

Jio Platforms and NSE are set to launch record-breaking IPOs, offering investors exposure to two vastly different but dominant growth stories

A new US Fed: Central bank aims to reform functioning as Marsh takes charge

Aside from the shifts, one of the biggest takeaways from the Fed statement and Mr Warsh's first press conference as its chairman was the firm commitment to price stability and the 2% inflation target

Bridges over Evian waters: G7 meet saw more convergence than controversy

By all accounts, Mr Modi led the discussions at the working session, endorsing the G7's call for partnerships rather than aid but also underlining support for developing countries