Fed’s policymakers flag rate cuts as job market cools: Federal Reserve policymakers on Thursday lined up in support of U.S. interest-rate cuts starting next month now that inflation is well down from its highs and the U.S. labor market is cooling, though one signaled he is in no rush to ease policy. (Image: Reuters)

Japan core CPI rises in July, but underlying inflation is weak: Japan’s key prices rose at a faster pace in July in the latest indication of the rising cost of living, as Bank of Japan Governor Kazuo Ueda prepares to talk about policy developments in parliament following recent market turmoil. Consumer prices excluding fresh food climbed 2.7% from a year earlier, accelerating from 2.6% in June, according to the ministry of internal affairs Friday. (Image: Reuters)

Uber inks pact with GM’s Cruise to put self-driving vehicles on the platform: Cruise will offer its autonomous vehicles on ride-hailing platform Uber starting next year, the companies said on Thursday, as the General Motors-backed robotaxi firm attempts a comeback. The multi-year partnership will allow Uber riders to choose a trip using a Cruise autonomous vehicle, they said. Shares of GM rose 1.3% in extended trading, while Uber fell 1.5%. (Image: Reuters)

AstraZeneca warns on shifting UK production to US: AstraZeneca has warned it could relocate its vaccine manufacturing site from the UK to the U.S. amid a deadlock with the new Labour government over plans to cut state aid, the Financial Times reported on Thursday. British finance minister Rachel Reeves wants to reduce state provisions to the vaccine centre, which will cut the pledge made by the previous administration from about 90 million pounds to 40 million pounds, the report said, citing sources. (Image: Reuters)

Mpox spreads to Asia, Thailand confirms case; FDA nod for updated Pfizer, Moderna Covid vax: Thailand became the first country in Asia to detect the new mutated strain of the mpox virus, as the pathogen spreads to more geographies after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak in Africa a new global health emergency. Asian countries from China to India and Pakistan — many of which are densely populated — have beefed up surveillance lately. Travelers from affected countries were being asked to self-report symptoms and hospitals were on alert for suspected cases.

Stocks end firm but ranged: Benchmark BSE Sensex rose by 147 points to settle above 81,000 level while Nifty closed above 24,800 following buying in commodity, telecom and consumer stocks amid a firm trend in global markets.Rising for the third straight day, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 147.89 points or 0.18 per cent to close at 81,053.19, registering gains for the third day in a row. During the day, it climbed 331.15 points to hit an intra-day high of 81,236.45.

No consensus in GST Council to revise slabs, insurance rate review only post studying data: The Group of Ministers (GoM) meeting on Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate rationalisation ended in New Delhi on Thursday, with the consensus emerging that the existing slabs will remain unchanged for the time being. The GoM, tasked with reviewing the current GST structure, deliberated on various proposals, including potential rate changes in insurance, restaurants, beverages, and online gaming sectors.

RBI’s MPC is divided on growth, external members see softening: In a panel discussion on CNBC TV18, the minutes of the Reserve Bank of India’s (RBI) Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting held on August 8 were dissected, revealing notable differences in opinions among its members regarding the current monetary policy stance.

The end of sovereign bonds? Govt sources term it an “expensive” option to raise resources: The government may not sell any more sovereign gold bond because it’s an ‘expensive and complex’ instrument, , government sources told CNBC-TV18. Sovereign gold bonds (basically, gold investments on paper) were brought in 2015 to curb the surging imports of the precious metal at the time.

Block Deal Rush: Ambuja Cement, Nykaa expected to see large deals today: After a slew of block deals on Thursday, another one is likely to take place in Nykaa on Friday where Harindarpal Singh and Associates are likely to sell up to 1.4% stake. Floor price has been fixed as ₹198 per share. Harindarpal Singh held a 6.4% stake in the company as on June 30. There will also be a lock in period for 45 days for further sale of shares.

PM to visit Ukraine, hold talks with Zelensky: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday left for a historic visit to Ukraine after concluding his two-day “productive” trip to Poland during which he held wide-ranging talks with the Polish leadership. (Image: PTI)

Defence Minister on US visit, likely to push for faster GE engine deliveries to HAL: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is on a four-day visit to the US beginning Friday to further boost the comprehensive global strategic partnership between the two countries. In Washington, Singh will hold talks with Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan among others. (Image: PTI)