Seamec shares jump 7% on ₹410 crore vessel O&M order from ONGC

Seamec shares jumped up to 7.3% after winning a ₹410.74 cr ONGC contract (O&M of MSV Samudra Sevak) for 738 days in 2026–28 with Supreme Hydro. Stock near highs, volume 2.4x; YTD +27% vs Nifty +11.4%. M-cap ₹3,540 cr. Q3 FY25-26 profit ₹99.6 cr vs loss; revenue ₹317 cr, +112% YoY.

India’s DPIIT, via Press Note 2 (2026), eases FDI from land‑border nations: non‑controlling stakes up to 10% allowed under the automatic route with reporting and sector caps. Govt nod still needed for transfers creating LBC beneficial owners (per PMLA). Updates PN3 (2020); effective post FEMA.

Voltas shares fell up to 3.7% after a GST inspection at its Mumbai office on Mar 12 under Section 67. The company is cooperating and sees no material impact. The stock lags Nifty YTD. Q3 FY26 profit dropped 35% to ₹84.5 cr on slightly lower revenue, though the RAC segment remained a key driver.

Bitcoin jumped to $74.4k as traders weighed West Asia tensions, outperforming gold. Ether, Solana and XRP also rose. Spot ETF inflows hit $763m last week, $1.3b in March, led by BlackRock’s IBIT (78%). Analysts see a break above $75k likely, with $100k or $60k scenarios tied to the conflict’s course

With Hormuz disrupted, Saudi Aramco offers April oil via Red Sea port Yanbu, but volumes are limited by pipeline/export capacity. Buyers can risk Gulf liftings or take partial Yanbu Arab Light on delivered terms. Asia faces shortages—Sinopec cuts runs, Japan taps reserves; some Europe gets less.

The UK, Japan and Australia have declined US President Donald Trump’s call to send naval escorts to the Strait of Hormuz to protect shipping after Iran targeted vessels in the key energy route. The waterway between Iran and Oman is critical for global oil and gas trade.

Escalating West Asia conflict is jolting India: $447b m-cap erased, oil surges and rupee strains. Services and logistics face LPG shortages, port snarls; gems and farm exports slump; flights reroute. Import bill may spike, growth forecasts trimmed, capex uncertain.

Google is beta-rolling out Gemini “screen automation” to Samsung Galaxy S26 via update. It auto-completes steps in delivery/rideshare apps (Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub, Starbucks) in the background, then pauses for user approval. US/South Korea only; Pixel 10 support coming.

Emirates temporarily suspended all flights to and from Dubai after a drone incident near Dubai International Airport (DXB) triggered a fire in a fuel tank. Authorities said the blaze has been contained with no injuries reported, while some flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport.

Trump warned NATO of a “very bad” future if allies don’t help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, urged nations including China to send ships and minesweepers, and threatened strikes on Iran’s oil hub. He may delay a Xi summit pending Beijing’s stance, and criticized the UK’s initial reluctance.

At least 10 patients died after a 2:30–3 am ICU fire, likely from a short circuit, at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha. Eleven staff were injured rescuing patients. CM Majhi ordered a judicial probe and ₹25 lakh ex-gratia per victim; national leaders offered condolences.

Trump says Cuba seeks a deal but Iran is his priority, as Havana confirms talks amid a severe economic crisis, fuel shortages, and unrest. He also threatens to delay a Xi summit unless China helps secure the Strait of Hormuz, urging allies to send warships and minesweepers.

India’s Congress slammed the Modi government for not issuing a Brics+ statement on the West Asia crisis, accusing PM Modi of appeasing Trump and Netanyahu and staying silent on US-Israel strikes on Iran. It demanded a Parliament debate, calling Jaishankar’s remarks “vapid."

Galaxy S26 Ultra centers on a new Privacy Display that narrows viewing angles to curb shoulder‑surfing, at the cost of brightness/contrast. Adds AI tools (Audio Eraser, Photo Assist), call screening, camera refinements with Horizon Lock, faster 60W charging. Incremental upgrade? Starts at Rs 139,999

Spotify’s new Taste Profile lets listeners view and adjust how Spotify models their tastes across music, podcasts, and audiobooks. Users can correct genres/artists and request more or less of content to refine recommendations. It’s in beta, launching to Premium users in New Zealand first.

Meta will end end-to-end encrypted DMs on Instagram after May 8, 2026. Affected users will get in-app notices to download chats and media (may need an app update). Citing low adoption, Meta recommends WhatsApp for E2EE. Only those in opted-in encrypted chats are impacted.

InterGlobe (IndiGo) shares rose ~2% as the airline nears normal operations in West Asia, planning 252 weekly flights (Mar 16–28, 2026) while suspending Doha, Kuwait City, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah until Mar 28. IndiGo added a fuel surcharge

Hours after announcing West Bengal’s assembly poll schedule, the Election Commission removed Chief Secretary Nandini Chakravorty and Home Secretary J P Meena, appointing Dushyant Nariala and Sanghamitra Ghosh. The shake-up takes immediate effect. Voting: Apr 23 & 29; counting May 4.

Trump’s Iran war began with historically low U.S. support and a muddled rationale tied to regime change and Israel, fueling cross-party backlash. Polls show majorities opposed. Oil shocks squeeze voters, civilian tolls rise, and Republicans hope for a quick exit before the midterms.

Experts debunk myths about tattoos: no proven cancer causation; inks variably regulated; brief blood-donation wait; infections uncommon with hygiene; color allergy risk varies; MRIs usually safe; creams don’t work; laser has side effects. Choose reputable studios and good aftercare.

Nearly 500 UAE Golden Visa holders and other residents returned after flight disruptions linked to the Iran–US–Israel conflict. Authorities coordinated reentry, introduced temporary visa leniency and waived overstay fines. Dubai airport briefly halted flights amid drone-related safety fears.

China’s Hua Hong Group’s foundry Huali is readying a 7nm process in Shanghai, making it China’s second at this node after SMIC. Targeting AI chips, and linked to Huawei and local suppliers, it aims for initial output of thousands of wafers/month, with Biren taping out amid ongoing U.S. curbs.

Nomura cut its Dec-2026 Nifty target 15% to 24,900 (18.5x PE), citing West Asia tensions and possible oil >$100 on Strait of Hormuz risks. Sees 7–15% FY27 EPS hit; Nifty range 21,000–29,100. Warns near-term downside, especially in small/mid-caps. Says AI fears overdone; >5% dips are buys.

Apple’s $499-for-students MacBook Neo is the most repairable Apple laptop since 2012, iFixit says. Screwed-in battery/keyboard and swappable camera/Touch ID help, but it scores 6/10 vs Lenovo’s 9–10. Soldered 8GB RAM blocks upgrades, which may hinder on-device AI. Aimed at education. 

Around 23 per cent of Indian households bought induction cooktops in March amid fears of LPG supply disruptions linked to the West Asia conflict, as delays in cylinder deliveries triggered precautionary purchases.

Iran FM Abbas Araghchi condemned Israeli strikes on Tehran fuel depots as illegal “ecocide,” warning decades-long health and environmental harm and demanding accountability. Israel said it hit 200+ military sites with F‑35Is; violence spread to Lebanon, and Iran’s IRGC struck four US bases.

Bajel Projects shares jumped ~13% after a >₹700 crore EPC win from MSETCL to build a 400/220 kV AIS substation and lines at Saswad, Pune, on a 23-month turnkey basis. The order supports its RAASTA 2030 strategy; Antique projects ~22% revenue CAGR with margin expansion post demerger.

US and China opened economic talks in Paris, led by Treasury Sec Scott Bessent and Vice Premier He Lifeng, ahead of Trump’s planned Mar 31–Apr 2 Beijing visit, unconfirmed by China. Focus: trade frictions after a new US probe, plus possible Iran/Hormuz security amid oil risks.

US DOE says planned 172 mn‑barrel SPR release will be an exchange (loan), starting with 86 mn barrels next week, to be repaid with interest, enabling a 200 mn‑barrel refill within a year. Part of IEA’s 400 mn barrel action amid Mideast supply shocks; analysts warn complex logistics may deter buyers

India gold eased ₹10: 24k at ₹1,59,650/10g (₹1,61,010 Chennai; ₹1,59,800 Delhi); 22k at ₹1,46,340 (₹1,47,590 Chennai; ₹1,46,490 Delhi). Silver down ₹100 to ₹2,74,900/kg (₹2,79,900 Chennai). Globally, spot gold flat near $5,017/oz as softer dollar offsets fewer rate-cut hopes

As the US-Israeli war with Iran enters week three, Trump’s shifting aims unsettle allies and stall a coalition to secure the Strait of Hormuz. Iran keeps attacking, oil tops $100, public support wavers, and backchannels grow, but gaps over terms persist and escalation risks remain.

Blizzards, wildfires and severe storms are slamming the US: heavy snow and 60-mph winds from the Dakotas to Michigan spur emergencies, knock power to 290,000+ and cancel 2,100+ flights, with tornado risks to the Mid-Atlantic. Out West, record heat builds; Hawaii battles flooding and outages.

Novo’s semaglutide patent expires in India Mar 20, prompting Mankind, Sun, Dr. Reddy’s and others to launch ~50% cheaper generics (~₹5,000/week). Hospitals (Apollo, Fortis) and telehealth expand obesity programs; ads are curbed by regulators. GLP‑1 market may grow from ₹10 bn to ₹50 bn by 2030.

Antique Stock Broking turns positive on upstream oil and OMCs, negative on CGDs amid margin pressure/APM phase-out. Upgrades GAIL to Buy (TP ₹172). Sees crude ~$80, upstream undervalued; OMC losses short-lived via policy support. LNG risks hit GAIL/CGDs, but valuations seen attractive.

Gold hovered near $5,000 as the US-Israel conflict with Iran disrupts oil flows and a softer dollar offers support. With Hormuz traffic snarled and rate cuts unlikely amid weak US data, bullion tracks the dollar short term, while war and stagflation fears bolster longer-term demand; silver rose.

Aluminum prices jumped as Alba, one of the world’s biggest smelters, began a phased shutdown of 19% of capacity amid Strait of Hormuz disruptions linked to the Iran war. With West Asia supplying ~9% of global output, supply fears grew; Alba halted sales and Qatar cut output.

Honda’s late, costly EV push led to a ¥2.5T impairment and likely first annual loss, exposing an aging lineup and weak US/China sales. Lagging in hybrids, it scrapped key EVs, put R&D back in charge, and is resetting after years of volume-chasing. Motorcycles buoy results; overhaul due in May.

China started the year stronger than expected: Jan–Feb industrial output +6.3% y/y, fixed-asset investment +1.8%, retail sales +2.8%. Risks persist from the Iran war, rising geopolitics, 5.3% jobless rate, and property −11.1%. Beijing targets 4.5%–5% growth with cautious stimulus; exports uncertain.

Amid Mideast conflict choking Hormuz, India faces LPG and oil shocks. Modi intensifies Iran outreach, securing safe passage for two LPG tankers while balancing US ties. Brics stance is tricky. Delhi unveils a $6.2b stabilisation fund as growth forecasts dip and Gulf trade/remittances risk rising.

Two weeks into a US-Israel war with Iran launched by Trump, Washington weighs pressing on or pulling back. Iran’s leadership hit but regime and asymmetric threats endure; Hormuz is choked, oil spikes, casualties mount, allies strain. Next choices: securing the strait, Kharg, and Iran’s nuclear fuel.

India turns warmer with scattered rain. IMD warns of thunderstorms, gusty winds (30–60 km/h) and hail in parts of UP, Bihar, WB, Jharkhand, Odisha, Uttarakhand. Heavy rain in NE; rain/snow over western Himalayas Mar 16–21; new disturbance Mar 17 night. Delhi 31–33°C, breezy; brief NW temp dip.

Trump says Iran’s military is decimated by US strikes, claiming air power and defenses destroyed, leaders killed, and Kharg Island hit, but won’t declare victory; says Tehran seeks talks. Iran denies, vowing to fight on. Trump accuses Iran/media of AI disinfo and slams outlets over “false” reports.

Asian markets mixed as Gulf tensions keep oil high, stoking inflation and likely central-bank pauses, with a possible RBA hike. Talk of a Hormuz escort coalition eases dollar. Yields rise; Fed to hold. Nvidia’s GTC in focus. Nikkei dips, Korea up; Brent ~$103, WTI ~$98; gold steady.

Strikes hit Tehran’s Javadieh police station, injuring residents; a drone attack destroyed an Italian UAV at Kuwait’s Ali Al Salem base. Northern Israel faces missiles as troops mass; Israel says interceptors suffice. Egypt seeks de-escalation. Iran rejects US talks, open to Hormuz transit.

IEA says Asia-Oceania members will release emergency oil stocks immediately, with Europe and the Americas following by end-March. Nearly 412 million barrels (72% crude) will be made available—the largest-ever coordinated release—to help curb prices, coordinated by the Paris-based agency.

With the Haji Omeran border reopened, dozens of Iranians streamed into Iraqi Kurdistan for cheaper food, internet, contact with relatives and work. Amid airstrikes, inflation and outages, the region is a lifeline as security sites lie in ruins and many, fearing reprisals, struggle to survive.

Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi told CBS Iran hasn’t sought a ceasefire or talks and will keep targeting US military assets in the Gulf until Washington ends what he calls an illegal war. He rejected Trump’s claim Tehran wants a deal; Trump told NBC Iran seeks talks but terms aren’t good.

At least 12 Palestinians, including children, a pregnant woman and eight police officers, were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, hospitals said. Despite a cease-fire, Israeli fire continues. Israel will reopen the Rafah crossing Wednesday for limited passenger traffic; cargo remains barred.

Israel’s Air Force says it hit 200+ targets in western/central Iran, striking ballistic missile, air-defense sites and HQs, using F-35I jets. An Israeli strike in south Lebanon killed five. Iran’s IRGC claims coordinated missile/drone attacks on four U.S. airbases, alleging heavy damage.