📊 Global Economy & Markets

🌐 Experts forecast 2026 global economic outlook — Economists expect continued growth but rising risks from geopolitics and monetary policy pressures, especially around U.S. Federal Reserve independence and trade barriers. The Times
📈 India surpasses Japan as 4th-largest economy — India is now officially ahead of Japan in nominal GDP, with projections to overtake Germany next in size. The Times of India
📊 Russia’s services sector expands — Russia’s services PMI shows fastest growth in months, although manufacturing stagnates. Reuters
📉 Global markets start 2026 mixed — Major U.S. indexes closed mostly higher on the first trading day of the year. Reuters

💼 Business & Corporate Trends

🏦 Private equity selling to itself at record rate — PE firms increasingly use “continuation vehicles” to retain assets as buyers become scarce — raising conflict-of-interest concerns. Financial Times
🧠 Israel tech talent seeking abroad — A report shows rising numbers of tech workers asking to leave Israel due to security concerns, potentially impacting innovation capacity. Business Insider

🧭 Other Major Business & Economic Developments

📈 World trade & growth slowdown concerns — Reports indicate global growth slowing due to trade tensions, financial volatility and geopolitical issues, with some forecasts cutting GDP outlooks for 2025-26. The Financial Express
🏦 Central banks’ policy moves — Bank of Japan raised interest rates to decades-high levels; European Central Bank held rates but signaled economic resilience amid trade shocks. The Financial Express
🌍 OECD: world economy resilient but fragile — OECD says global activity is staying stronger than expected thanks to AI investment and demand, but warns future risks persist. The Daily Star
📊 South Korea exports hit record high — Driven by AI and chip demand, South Korean exports topped $700 bn in 2025. The Economic Times
📉 Bangladesh economic indicator shows slower growth — November PMI data suggests Bangladesh’s economy expanded more slowly than before. The Daily Star