Credible budget may ease investors' worries on deficit
Indian bond yields may not spike if the government opts to increase spending when it unveils its annual budget in late February, so long as the deficit target is widened to no more than around 4 percent and fiscal consolidation steps are taken. Full Article
World Bank cuts global economic outlook despite oil price drop
WASHINGTON - The World Bank on Tuesday lowered its global growth forecast for 2015 and next year due to disappointing economic prospects in the euro zone, Japan and some major emerging economies that offset the benefit of lower oil prices.
Bootleg liquor kills 28 in Uttar Pradesh
A batch of bootleg liquor has killed at least 28 people in Uttar Pradesh. Fifteen people died on Tuesday and about 90 remained in hospital, taking the total death toll since Monday to 28. Police have arrested two men who they suspect made the brew with methanol. Angry family members burned down the rustic distillery where the liquor was produced and sold, police said. Full Article
Kerry urges Pakistan to fight terror groups
Pakistan must fight militant groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and U.S. interests, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said on Tuesday as he offered sympathy for the victims of last month's massacre of children at a Pakistani school. Visiting Pakistan after going to India over the weekend, Kerry said all militant groups should be targeted to bring security to the region. Full Article | Video
After U.S. deal, Zomato tries to raise $100 mln
Restaurant search services provider Zomato acquired U.S.-based rival Urbanspoon for about $50 million in one of the biggest overseas deals by an Indian startup and a company executive said it was in talks to raise about $100 million in fresh funding. The acquisition of Urbanspoon will result in its presence in 22 countries, covering more than one million restaurants, Zomato said. Full Article
Goa slams plan to make LGBT youths "normal"
The chief minister of Goa on Tuesday slammed plans by his youth affairs minister to set up treatment centres for young lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people(LGBT), a move that had enraged activists. CM Laxmikant Parsekar said Ramesh Tawadkar's plan to set up centres providing treatment, training and medication "to make them (LGBT youths) normal" was announced in ignorance. Full Article
Charlie Hebdo to publish Mohammad cartoon
Charlie Hebdo will publish a front page showing a caricature of the Prophet holding a sign saying "Je suis Charlie" in its first edition since Islamist gunmen attacked the newspaper. Article | Slideshow
Pope calls for pursuit of truth in Sri Lanka
Pope Francis called on Sri Lanka to uncover the truth about its long civil conflict and bring religious communities closer together, as he began a visit to the island nation whose wartime leaders were voted out of power only days ago. Full Article | Video
Latest Headlines
Stock Market Listings
Staffing firms Ikya, TeamLease pursuing IPOs - sources
Indian staffing firms Ikya Human Capital Solutions and TeamLease Services are looking to raise as much as $350 million in two separate stock market listings in the first half of 2015, sources told Reuters. Full Article
Oil kings: The House of Saud’s uncertain future
Concerns about King Abdullah's health leave many questions unanswered about succession in the royal family. The 79-year-old Salman, a half brother of the king and his designated successor, has taken on a larger public role in recent months. But Salman himself is in poor health. The Saud dynasty faces a larger challenge over succession within its system of hereditary rule. Commentary
Paris Attacks
‘Charlie Hebdo’: High-impact, low-tech tactics add chilling dimension to attacks
A series of recent attacks have shown, notably in Mumbai, in 2008, and Wednesday in Paris, a handful of committed volunteers can send shockwaves around the world with tools no more sophisticated than an assault rifle. Column
Breakingviews
New tech battlegrounds pitch East against West
Tech’s next battlegrounds are taking shape. Internet companies that have conquered their home markets are eyeing new ones like India and southeast Asia, where customers haven’t yet fixed their loyalties. Tie-ups between Japan’s SoftBank and e-commerce groups in India and Indonesia may be a blueprint for alliances that work in these new markets. Full Article
Predictions 2015
Oil prices will stay below $100, and much more
The oil price will stay well below $100 despite the geopolitical tensions in oil-producing parts of the world, but that may itself provoke other kinds of trouble. The U.S. economy will lead growth in the developed world, supporting a strong dollar which could cause pain elsewhere. Full Article
Germans disappointed after Neuer misses out on Ballon D'Or
Germans, who had hoped for a clean sweep at the FIFA Ballon D'Or, expressed disappointment on Tuesday after their World Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came third in the vote for the 2014 world player of the year. Full Article