Restrictions on FDI in single-brand retail lifted
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI - India formally eliminated restrictions on foreign investment in its single-brand retail sector on Tuesday, opening the door to the likes of Swedish furniture giant IKEA to open stores in Asia's third-largest economy.
World stocks gain on Alcoa outlook; euro rises
NEW YORK - Global stocks rallied on Tuesday on a wave of optimism over the economy after a bullish outlook from U.S. aluminum maker Alcoa and a surge in China's copper imports, and the euro rose for a second day.
Indian spy unit under hacking probe by U.S.
U.S. authorities are investigating allegations that an Indian government spy unit hacked into emails of an official U.S. commission that monitors economic and security relations between the United States and China, including cyber-security issues. Full Article
Indian Muslims demand ban on Rushdie entry
Muslim leaders demand Salman Rushdie be banned from entering the country to attend the Jaipur literary fest, re-igniting a decades-old row about the Booker prize-winning author's works. Full Article
Fitch doesn't expect French downgrade in 2012
Fitch Ratings does not expect to cut France's triple-A credit rating this year, while countries under review such as Italy or Spain could be downgraded by one or two notches. Full Article
Samsung confident of outselling Nokia in 2012
Samsung, the world's biggest technology firm by revenue and the world's No.2 handset maker, is confident of its handset shipments overtaking that of Nokia this year, its chief executive said. Full Article
Bayern beat India 4-0 in Bhutia's farewell
Thomas Muller's brace powered Bayern Munich to a 4-0 victory over India, who ensured they were defeated but not disgraced in former captain Baichung Bhutia's farewell match. Full Article | Slideshow
Honesty - Juhi's mantra to 'Bigg Boss' win
"People think you have to play politics to win Bigg Boss but I did exactly the opposite," Juhi Parmar told Reuters in an interview. Full Article
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Economic Pulse
'CRR cut unlikely in RBI review'
Pratip Chaudhuri, chairman of State Bank of India, says the RBI is unlikely to cut banks' cash reserve ratio at its January 24 policy review. Full Article
Iran Oil Embargo
Iran oil sanctions, a gamble
Sanctions on Iran's oil exports are simply the most recent and visible element of a complex conflict that also includes covert operations, sabotage, the arrest of agents and the abduction of scientists, engineers, agents and policymakers on both sides. Full Article
"Tax less, spend less" policy could help China
Beijing takes too big a share of the economic pie for the country’s own good. Fiscal revenue grew by a quarter in 2011, almost three times as fast as GDP. Giving some back to its people should help spur consumption. The govt may have to cut spending on things like infra, but that’s not so bad. Full Article
REUTERS BREAKINGVIEWS
Euro crisis could make IMF bigger and softer
Europe's travails are an opportunity for the International Monetary Fund. With a kitty approaching $1 trillion, the fund will need to get even heftier in 2012 if the euro zone crisis takes a turn for the worse. And the long-inflexible "conditionality" attached to its loans may have to soften if big countries like Italy or Spain are forced to borrow. Full Article
Hildebrand's real folly
Hildebrand stepped down, effective immediately, on Monday, saying he could not prove he hadn't known about a currency trade made by his wife which became hugely profitable when he moved to establish a cap on the value of the Swiss franc against the euro. There is a very good chance that Hildebrand will be remembered not for the scandal which forced him from office but for the folly of his policy. Full Article