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Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday said in the Lok Sabha that the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has been a main and very crucial factor in improving the health

As conflict escalates in West Asia, a hidden risk is emerging beneath the sea. The world’s internet cables, carrying over 95% of global data, are under threat.

India will restrict the use of Chinese-origin CCTV cameras starting April 1, targeting companies such as Hikvision and Dahua Technology over national security concerns.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday spoke with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel as the two leaders exchanged views on the West Asia conflict besides discussing ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation.
Jaishankar shared the update in a post on X.
"A good conversation this evening with Portuguese Foreign Minister  @PauloRangel_pt Exchanged views on the West Asia conflict. Also spoke about further strengthening bilateral cooperation," he said.
Jaishankar has spoken to many of his counterparts from different countries since the conflict began a month ago.
The MEA on Monday reiterated that it continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region.
"We continue to call for restraint and de-escalation, and at the same time emphasise on dialogue and diplomacy, as a means to an early end to the conflict," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation here a day ago.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar during his virtual address at a conference titled “India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda”

Press Trust of India

A Russian tanker docked Tuesday at the Cuban port of Matanzas laden with 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first time in three months that an oil tanker reached the island.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump had allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed despite an ongoing US energy blockade.
Cubans including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy cheered the ship's arrival. A shortage of petroleum has exacerbated a deep economic crisis that has left the population mired in long blackouts and facing a severe shortage of food and medicine.
"Our gratitude to the Government and People of Russia for all the support we are receiving. A valuable shipment that arrives amid the complex energy situation we are facing," de la O Levy wrote on X.
Cuba produces barely 40 per cent of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cuba's daily demand for ni

Russian oil tanker, oil import, vessel

To strengthen the grievance redressal mechanism, a dedicated 24x7 LPG control room has been set up at the Mini Secretariat

LPG, LPG cylinders, cylinder, cylinders, LPG Crisis

Iran has approved a plan to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia war, raising concerns over global oil supply as Brent crude trades near $111 a barrel

Israel, Dimona, Iran strikes

Business Standard

At least eight women were killed in a stampede at a temple in Bihar's Nalanda district on Tuesday, Police said.
The incident took place due to a heavy rush of devotees at the Shitala Mata temple on Tuesday morning, a senior officer said.
Bihar Sharif Assistant Superintendent of Police Noorul Haque said, "At least eight women died in the stampede at Shitala Mata temple on Tuesday morning. Police personnel and officials of the district administration have reached the spot, and the rescue work is on."
The exact cause of the stampede is not known, but there was a huge rush of devotees, said Haque, who was also present at the spot.

Bengaluru RCB stampede

Agencies

By late March, gold
had given up all its year-to-date (2026) gains, falling back to Dec 2025 levels - roughly $4,100-4,300/oz - a
drop of about 20-25% from the peak of Jan 2026

Gold prices

Payrolls haven't increased in consecutive months since May of last year, illustrating a labour market that lacks any notable hiring momentum but also few signs of a concerning deterioration

US jobs, US market

Bloomberg

According to Chairman Anil Agarwal, the combined market capitalisation of the five companies would be much higher than the conglomerate's current $27 billion

Vedanta

Reuters

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un observed a test of a high-thrust, solid-fuel engine test and hailed it as a development to boost the country's strategic military capability, state media reported Sunday.
The test likely indicates Kim is intent on enlarging and modernising an arsenal of missiles capable of reaching the United States mainland.
The report on Sunday from Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) came days after Kim delivered a speech at North Korea's Parliament pledging to irreversibly cement his country's status as a nuclear power and accusing the US of global "state terrorism and aggression," in an apparent reference to the war in the Middle East.
Kim watched the ground jet test of the newly upgraded engine using a composite carbon fibre material, according to the KCNA, which reported the engine's maximum trust is 2,500 kilotons, up from about 1,971 kilotons reported in a similar solid fuel engine test in September.
A push to increase the engine power is likely associated wit

North Korea conducts the first test firing of the weapons system of the new Choe Hyon-class warship in the presence of leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter Kim Ju Ae in April.

The going was good until war in West Asia started. The inflation rate was low with growth staying robust

The April policy meet will be the first under the new series for gdp and inflation

The April policy meet will be the first under the new series for GDP and inflation

The government has stepped up measures to secure fuel and gas supplies amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, while urging citizens to avoid panic buying as sporadic rushes were reported at fuel stations.
In a statement, giving an update on developments following the war in West Asia, the oil ministry said refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and stocks of petrol and diesel remain sufficient nationwide. Retail outlets are functioning normally, even as rumours triggered temporary spikes in demand in some states.
"There were certain rumours, which led to panic buying at some retail outlets in a few states, resulting in unusually high sales and heavy crowding at retail outlets. However, it is informed that there are adequate stocks of petrol and diesel available at all petrol pumps in the country," it said.
To boost domestic availability, the government has cut excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 per litre and imposed export levies of Rs .

Strait of Hormuz, crude oil (Photo: PTI)

India's growing economy and massive infrastructure needs align perfectly with American expertise in energy, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure and both sides are well-positioned for a 'win-win' expansion of their strategic economic pillar, US Ambassador Sergio Gor has said.
The envoy said the two countries are prioritising building resilient supply chains for semiconductors and critical minerals, and welcomed New Delhi joining the US-led 'Pax Silica' initiative, which aims to secure these networks amid intense competition from China.
In an interview to Span magazine, a US embassy publication, the ambassador said Washington is uniquely positioned to serve as the "main facilitator" of economic growth across South and Central Asia and that its proposed trade deal with India will create a "powerful anchor" for regional economic integration.
Elaborating on the US' defence and security cooperation with India, he said it represents the "most strategically significant" area o

US Ambassador Sergio Gor is seen during a press conference, in New Delhi, in this file photo dated Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. (PTI Photo/Atul Yadav)

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Jaishankar discusses West Asia crisis with Portuguese counterpart Rangel

Russian tanker docks in Cuba after US allows passage despite blockade

'No LPG shortage in Gurugram, 24x7 control room set up to tackle issues'

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West Asia war updates: Iran moves to charge Hormuz transit; Brent at $111

Bihar CM announces ₹6 lakh aid after 8 women killed in stampede in Nalanda

Gold's 25% fall after record highs: What 2025-26 cycle means for investors