New Delhi, Dec. 27 -- Dear reader, as 2025, a year of global tumult and volatility, rolls by, Mint's reporters and columnists look around the corner on what is coming in 2026-to help you know what to expect and prepare for it. Tell us what you think at feedback@livemint.com.

New Delhi: From the boardrooms of Mumbai to the policy corridors of Delhi, executives began huddling early this year over a little-known but indispensable component found in virtually every vehicle on the road: rare-earth magnets.

When China imposed a ban on these materials in April 2025, not many were aware of the critical role these magnets played. For nearly a month, automakers paused key decisions assuming Beijing's move was only temporary. However, China's refu...