Sunday, August 23
A key overnight liquidity facility operated by the US Federal Reserve saw a notable pickup in usage at the start of the week, highlighting renewed demand for short-term funding as markets approach a quarter-end period.Data released by the New York Federal Reserve showed that the central bank lent $25.95 billion on Monday through its standing repo operations. This marked the third-highest level of utilisation since the facility was introduced in 2021 to provide rapid, collateral-backed funding to eligible financial institutions. The loans are secured against US Treasuries or mortgage-backed securities and are extended on an overnight basis.The borrowing was conducted at an interest rate of 3.75%, which sits at the upper end of the Federal Reserve’s current policy rate target range of 3.50
The rupee rose 3 paise to 89.95 against US dollar in early trade on Tuesday buoyed by a weaker greenback and strong IIP numbers. However, FII outflows, marginally higher crude oil prices, and a weaker opening in the domestic equity markets capped sharp gains in the local unit, forex traders said. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 89.98 against the US dollar before rising to 89.95, up 3 paise from its previous close. The rupee depreciated 8 paise to close at 89.98 against the US dollar on Monday. "The RBI (on Monday) protected the top end of the curve while FPIs who sold equities also were dollar buyers, keeping bids on for the full day and taking it almost to 90 levels," Anil Kumar Bhansali, Head of Treasury and Executive Director, Finrex Treasury Advisors LLP, said. B
New Delhi, Indian Railways expanded into some of its toughest terrains in 2025, with landmark projects such as the country's first vertical-lift in Pamban, Tamil Nadu and the world's highest rail bridge on the Chenab river, providing an all-weather rail link to Kashmir.This year also saw rail connectivity reach Mizoram through the commissioning of the Birabi-Sairang line, completing the long-pending links to remote and strategically significant regions in the Northeast. These projects marked a major push towards integrating difficult geographies with the national rail network.In 2025, the Ministry of Railways launched 42 projects in the country, collectively valued at more than Rs 25,000 crore.The railways also operated a record number of special trains, and rapidly expanded Vande Bharat s
