Business

Unrest in Iran poses a serious concern for India’s economic, strategic, and diplomatic interests. Key regional engagements, such as the Chabahar port project and access to Central Asia, could be jeopardized. A sudden change in leadership may produce unpredictable outcomes, directly affecting India’s regional position. Iran: More Than Just a Regional StoryWhile global attention focuses on protests and instability, for India, Iran’s turmoil is far from a distant problem. According to The Times of India, the real issue is not merely whether Iran’s leadership can withstand domestic unrest, but whether the country can continue to function as a stable and reliable state. Losing Iran as a trusted partner would be a major setback for New Delhi, especially in an already volatile neighborhood. ...

Silver and gold continue their meteoric rise in the Indian market, driven by robust domestic demand and global economic uncertainty. In New Delhi, silver surged ₹3,000 on Thursday to touch a record ₹2,89,000 per kilogram. Gold also climbed to a new peak of ₹1,47,300 per 10 grams, fueled by persistent buying from stockists, jewellers, and retail investors. Silver’s Spectacular Five-Day RallySilver has gained nearly ₹45,500 in just five trading sessions. After starting at ₹2,43,500 per kilogram on 8 January, it jumped to ₹2,50,000 on Friday, ₹2,65,000 on Monday, ₹2,71,000 on Tuesday, ₹2,86,000 on Wednesday, and finally ₹2,89,000 on Thursday—marking an approximate 16% increase in less than a week. Gold has mirrored this bullish trend, rising ₹800 on Thursday to reach ₹1,47,300 per 10 gr...

Gold and silver prices have broken records on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), reflecting growing global uncertainty and increased demand for safe-haven assets. In 2026 alone, gold has delivered over 5% returns, while silver has surged more than 15%, signaling strong prospects for both metals. Record-Breaking RallyThis week, gold reached an all-time high of ₹1,43,590 per 10 grams on MCX, while silver soared to ₹2,91,406 per kilogram. In the domestic market, gold rose 0.67% to ₹1,43,201 per 10 grams, and silver jumped nearly 5% to ₹2,89,000 per kilogram. Global markets mirrored this trend. Spot gold briefly touched a record $4,642.72 per ounce before settling at $4,594.66, while US gold futures fell 0.8% to $4,599.50. Silver, after touching $93.57 per ounce, declined 5.3% to $87.88...

India and the United States are on the verge of finalizing a bilateral trade agreement, officials have confirmed. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Aggarwal stated that the deal will be officially announced once both countries are ready, with negotiators currently addressing the remaining issues. The agreement is expected to strengthen economic ties and benefit both businesses and consumers in India and the US. Final Stages of NegotiationSpeaking to reporters on Thursday, Secretary Aggarwal said, “The agreement is very close to completion. However, I cannot provide a fixed timeline. The announcement will be made when both sides feel it is the right moment.” He emphasized that trade discussions between India and the US have never stopped, and the two nations have maintained continuous contact th...

Following government intervention, quick commerce companies have withdrawn their promise of 10-minute deliveries, a move aimed at addressing safety concerns for gig workers. While the change eases pressure on workers’ personal safety, its impact on earnings remains uncertain. Mixed Reactions Among Gig Workers Some gig workers welcome the change, noting that it reduces the rush and potential risks on the road. However, many point out that their income largely depends on completing a high volume of deliveries. Until companies implement minimum wages, insurance, and other safety measures, workers’ financial pressures are unlikely to ease. During Christmas and New Year’s Eve, gig workers staged strikes, citing the lack of guaranteed pay and low per-delivery rates. Many rely heavily on...

The rally in precious metals has continued into the new year, with gold and silver prices reaching record levels on Wednesday. On the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX), gold surged to ₹1,43,590 per 10 grams, while silver soared to ₹2,91,406 per kilogram. Since the beginning of 2026, gold has gained around 5%, and silver has surged over 15%. Over the past year, gold has delivered an 80% return, while silver has astonishingly returned 192%. Experts attribute the sustained rise in precious metals to geopolitical tensions and US tariff policies under President Donald Trump, which have driven investors toward safe-haven assets like gold and silver. Central banks around the world have also ramped up their gold purchases, further supporting prices. Meanwhile, silver’s rising industrial d...

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated sharply, with reports suggesting that an American strike on Iran could occur within hours. In a significant military move, the US has redirected its USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group from the South China Sea toward the Middle East. Several countries, including India, have advised their citizens to leave Iran immediately amid the growing crisis. The strike group, led by the USS Abraham Lincoln, comprises multiple destroyers, submarines, and support vessels. The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), one of the world’s largest and most powerful warships, was built in the 1980s at a cost of approximately $2.24 billion. Adjusted for today’s value, this amounts to around $6.8 billion, excluding decades of maintenance and upgrades. I...

The stock market remained closed today in Maharashtra due to municipal elections, sparking a heated discussion online after Zerodha CEO Nitin Kamath questioned the rationale behind the holiday. Kamath, in a social media post, expressed concern over the closure, noting that the Indian markets still have a long way to go in gaining global investor confidence. Initially, January 15 was designated as a settlement holiday, but last week, the exchanges issued a revised circular confirming that trading would remain completely suspended across all segments. In his post on X (formerly Twitter), Kamath asked why a local body election warranted a market-wide shutdown. He argued that markets are interconnected globally, and closing them for a municipal election reflected poor planning. Quotin...

New Delhi: Ever wondered how Indian Railways sets train fares? The answer, according to the railways, is a closely guarded trade secret. The railways recently cited this reasoning while responding to a Right to Information (RTI) request, which sought detailed information about fare calculations for different classes of passenger trains. The Central Information Commission (CIC) upheld the railways’ position and dismissed the petition. The applicant had requested information on how base fares are calculated, the factors influencing dynamic pricing, and how timing or seasonal changes affect ticket costs. This online petition had been filed on January 25, 2024. Railway’s StandThe railways clarified that fares vary across classes based on the facilities provided. According to the Central ...

New Delhi: Voting began today for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) elections, India’s richest municipal body. With 1,700 candidates contesting, the city saw several prominent personalities—including Akshay Kumar, Saina Malhotra, and Sachin Tendulkar—casting their votes. While BMC elections always attract national attention, the municipality’s budget remains the biggest reason for the spotlight. For the 2025-26 financial year, BMC presented a record budget of ₹74,427 crore, which is not only the largest for a municipal corporation in India but also exceeds the entire budgets of several states. To put this in perspective: Goa: ₹28,162 crore Arunachal Pradesh: ₹39,842 crore Himachal Pradesh: ₹58,514 crore Sikkim: ₹16,196 crore Tripura: ₹31,412 crore Among ot...