Crypto deal: Pakistan, Binance sign MoU on tokenising sovereign assets; plan covers up to $2 bn

Pakistan on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with global crypto exchange Binance to explore tokenisation of sovereign and real-world assets of up to $2 billion, marking one of the country’s most significant steps toward adopting blockchain-based financial infrastructure, PTI reported.The MoU was signed at the Finance Division by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and…

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Stock market holidays 2026: NSE releases holiday calendar; check key dates, weekend closures, Muhurat session & outlook

Leading bourse NSE has published its official trading holiday calendar for 2026, offering traders and investors an early roadmap for days when equity and derivatives markets will remain shut. The circular, as reported ET, issued under exchange bye-laws and F&O regulations, lists 15 full trading holidays—one more than in 2025—and also details festivals falling on…

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Diamond market outlook: Russia’s miner ALROSA CEO says India will adapt to US tariffs; natural stones to stay resilient as synthetic prices plunge

Russia’s diamond miner ALROSA CEO-Chairman Pavel Maryinchev said diamond companies will need time to adjust to the US tariff hike but the long-term impact is unlikely to be severe, adding that India’s cutting and polishing sector should be able to “adapt and minimise the effect”.“According to GJEPC data, the amount of diamonds purchased by Indian…

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FDI reform push: Cabinet clears bill to raise foreign investment in insurance to 100%; key guardrails, LIC changes included

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved a bill to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) cap in the insurance sector to 100 per cent, a major change aimed at deepening insurance penetration and accelerating sectoral growth, PTI reported citing sources.The proposed legislation — the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 — is among 13 bills listed…

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US markets today: Wall Street holds firm, Lululemon jumps on CEO exit; AI stocks slip with Broadcom

Most US stocks rose on Friday even as artificial-intelligence names came under renewed pressure, keeping Wall Street’s benchmark indices near record highs, AP reported.The S&P 500 dipped 0.1% in early trade, retreating slightly from its all-time high, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 103 points, or 0.2%. The Nasdaq composite fell 0.4% as selling…

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Coal policy reform: Cabinet okays CoalSETU window for auction-based linkages; new route to allow industrial use and export

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Friday approved a new policy framework called the CoalSETU window, creating an additional auction route for long-term coal linkages for any industrial use and exports, according to an official release.The decision modifies the existing Non-Regulated Sector (NRS) Linkage Auction Policy of 2016, which restricts linkages to specified end-use…

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US rental aid update: Section 8 landlord payments resume after shutdown delay; $1,500 checks begin rolling out

Americans are being advised to monitor their bank accounts as landlord subsidy payments of up to $1,500 under the Section 8 rental assistance programme begin to roll out, following delays triggered by the recent federal government shutdown, according to an ET report. The payments, formally known as Housing Assistance Payments, support low-income households, seniors and…

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SIA-India bats for higher space budget, hybrid manufacturing incentives & more

BENGALURU: The Satcom Industry Association-India (SIA-India) has called for a threefold increase in the national space budget, creation of specialised manufacturing incentives and long-term funding frameworks for connectivity, navigation and earth observation as part of its recommendations submitted to the finance ministry, Department of Space (DoS) and the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre…

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