Every Friday, Plain Facts publishes a compilation of data-based insights, complete with easy-to-read charts, to help you delve deeper into the stories reported by Mint in the week gone by. Merchandise exports contracted for the first time in nearly two years in October, while inflation cooled off on the back of a favourable base. Meanwhile, the world population hit 8 billion. Trade Headwinds India’s merchandise exports contracted on a year-on-year basis for the first time in nearly two years in October because of global headwinds. The fall in exports was 16.7%, the biggest decline since the peak lockdown month of...