Buffett nears $10 billion deal to buy OxyChem

Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway is nearing a deal to acquire Occidental Petroleum’s petrochemical business for about $10 billion, a person familiar with the matter said. It would be Berkshire’s largest deal since its acquisition of Alleghany in 2022 for $13.7 billion. Representatives for Occidental and Berkshire didn’t reply to messages seeking comment. Wall Street Journal…

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In major reforms, RBI expands credit for companies; limits on loans against shares hiked 5x to Rs 1cr

MUMBAI: Reserve Bank of India unveiled on Wednesday its most comprehensive reforms in over a decade, aimed at countering US-driven headwinds and expanding credit to companies, while deepening capital market activity. Banks can now finance mergers and acquisitions, and IPOs more freely, while limits on loans against shares and listed debt securities have been raised.Central…

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Trade treaty kicks in, Swiss govt seeks investment pact

Piyush Goyal (File photo) NEW DELHI: As companies from the EFTA Bloc — Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein — promised investment into India as part of the $100 billion commitment under the trade deal, Swiss state secretary for economic affairs Helene Budliger Artieda called for the need for a bilateral investment treaty(BIT), while Liechtenstein sought…

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Mission for Aatmanirbharta in pulses: Cabinet approves Rs 11,440 crore programme; target 350 lakh tonnes by 2030-31

The Union Cabinet has approved the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, a six-year programme aimed at boosting domestic pulse production and achieving self-sufficiency by 2030-31, according to a government statement. The Mission will be implemented from 2025-26 to 2030-31 with a financial outlay of Rs 11,440 crore.India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of…

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ICRIER leadership change: IMF economist Shekhar Aiyar named director and CEO; to join in November

IMF economist Shekhar Aiyar has been appointed as the new Director and Chief Executive of the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), the think tank announced on Wednesday. He is set to take charge in November, news agency PTI reported.Aiyar currently serves as Assistant Director in the Research Department of the International…

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Oberoi Group unveils integrated wellness experience

NEW DELHI: The Oberoi Group Wednesday announced the launch of “Asmi by Oberoi” —wellness offering that “reflects the brand’s commitment to creating experiences.” Derived from timeless Indian wisdom and supported by contemporary practice, the group says ASMI is a “lifestyle framework designed to strengthen alignment and vitality across five pillars: movement, nutrition, bodywork, breath work,…

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Federal board row: SC blocks Donald Trump from firing Lisa Cook; hearing scheduled for Jan 2026

Donald Trump and Lisa Cook (Images/Agencies) The US Supreme Court on Wednesday barred President Donald Trump from immediately removing Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook, ensuring she will remain in her post until the court hears arguments on the case in January 2026.In a brief order, the court said they had “deferred” the administration’s request, leaving…

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US job data: Private sector sheds 32,000 jobs in September; ADP report shows slowdown despite wage growth

The US private sector lost 32,000 jobs in September, according to payroll processor ADP, defying analysts’ expectations of employment growth. The biggest losses came in leisure and hospitality, professional services, and financial activities, AFP reported.Hiring also contracted in trade, transportation and utilities, along with manufacturing, the report showed.“Despite the strong economic growth we saw in…

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Aging population : CEA Nageswaran urges long-term savings for India’s elderly; warns of demographic shift

Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran has emphasised the need for long-term savings to ensure financial security as India’s elderly population expands in the coming decades. Speaking at the ‘NPS Diwas Conference on Inclusive Pensions, Innovative Solutions: Strengthening Retirement Security in India,’ he said as quoted ANI, “We have enormous responsibility towards the population at…

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US manufacturing data: Sector contracts for 7th month in a row; ISM index shows slight improvement

The US manufacturing sector contracted for the seventh consecutive month in September, although the pace of decline eased slightly as production and demand showed marginal improvement.The Institute for Supply Management’s (ISM) manufacturing index rose to 49.1 in September from 48.7 in August. The figure remained below the 50-point mark that separates expansion from contraction, AFP…

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