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India starts countervailing duty probe against Chinese PVC resins

India has initiated a countervailing duty investigation against imports of Chinese PVC resins, used in multiple sectors including pipes, bottles, and cables, following complaints by domestic players. The investigation the DGTR follows an application filed by Chemplast Cuddalore Vinyls, DCM Shriram and DCW Ltd. The applicants have alleged that China is subsidising its PVC Suspension Resin makers and those companies are dumping the goods into Indian markets at cheaper prices, which is impacting domestic manufacturers. The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) is an arm of the commerce ministry. "On the basis of the duly substantiated application by the domestic industry, and having satisfied itself, on the basis of the prima facie evidence submitted by the applicants substantiating the existence of subsidization and consequent injury to the domestic industry, the authority hereby initiates an anti-subsidy investigation," the DGTR has said in a notification. The directorate wi

German firm Nemetschek appoints Alok Sharma as MD, VP of India biz

Germany-based Nemetschek Group, which provides software solutions for the construction sector, has appointed Alok Sharma as Managing Director and Vice President, India. The company provides software solutions for architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AEC/O) and media industries. In a statement, Nemetschek Group said Alok will anchor the company's India growth roadmap. Pete Nicholson, Senior Vice President, Nemetschek Group, said, "India represents one of the most dynamic construction markets globally. As infrastructure investments scale and digital mandates gather pace, strengthening local leadership is central to our long-term growth strategy." Founded in 1963, the Nemetschek Group, which has been listed in key German stock indices MDAX and TecDAX since 1999, achieved a revenue of EUR 1,191.2 million and an EBITDA of EUR 371.1 million in 2025, according to preliminary, unaudited figures.

Marketing That Works: A book on how 'unify, magnify, amplify' builds brands

After laying the foundation to the UMA model in the first half of the book, Mr Das Gupta offers 28 nuggets, each looking at one aspect of the Indian consumer that has changed

France to temporarily deploy nuclear aircraft to allies, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France will increase its number of nuclear warheads from the current level of below 300, but did not give a figure for the increase. It will be the first time France increases its nuclear arsenal since at least 1992. "I have decided to increase the numbers of warheads of our arsenal," Macron said at a military base at L'Ile Longue in northwestern France that hosts the country's ballistic missile submarines. Macron's speech was aimed at spelling out how French nuclear weapons fit into Europe's security amid concerns raised on the continent by recurring tensions with US President Donald Trump.

US Treasury to terminate all use of Anthropic products, says Bessent

The US Treasury Department is terminating all use of Anthropic products, including use of its platform, Secretary Scott Bessent said a social media post on Monday.

'Ready to do all we can': Putin offers to use Iran links to ease conflict

In a series of calls with the leaders of the UAE, Bahrain and Qatar, Putin criticised the U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, which the Kremlin described as "unprovoked aggression"

The 'big wave' is yet to come in the war with Iran, says Donald Trump

Reuters reported on Sunday that many senior US officials remain skeptical the military operation against the Islamic Republic will lead to a regime change in the near term

Strikes rock West Asia for third day; energy, airspace face major impact

As the conflict entered its third day, energy infrastructure, digital systems and maritime routes came under strain, while diplomatic channels struggled to keep pace with military escalation

Trump administration holds press conference as Iran conflict intensifies

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday spoke to widening concerns that the US-Israeli strikes in Iran could spiral into a protracted regional conflict by declaring, "This is not Iraq. This is not endless." Hegseth, along with Air Force Gen Dan Caine, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held the Trump administration's first news briefing since Saturday's strikes. President Donald Trump, while he's conducted a few phone interviews with individual reporters, has not taken questions on camera and only released two videos since the operation began. Hegseth said the operation had a "clear, devastating, decisive mission" to "destroy the missile threat" from Iran, destroy its navy and "no nukes." "This is not a so-called regime change war, but the regime sure did change and the world is better off for it," Hegseth said. The briefing comes as the conflict has intensified into a wider war in the region. Iran and its allied armed groups have launched missiles at Israel, Arab states and

Delhi govt to roll out 'Pink Saheli' cards from 50 centres on Tuesday

The Delhi government has set up around 50 centres across the city to facilitate the issuance of the "Pink Saheli" cards and the distribution process will commence from Tuesday. The Pink National Common Mobility card, launched by President Droupadi Murmu on Monday, will provide women and transgender individuals free bus travel and seamless access to multiple public transport systems through a single smart card, in line with the "one nation, one card" initiative. Around 50 centres, including offices of district magistrates and sub-divisional magistrates, along with select Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) locations, have been established for card issuance, according to a statement. "The distribution at the 50 centres will take place from March 3 between 9 am and 5 pm on all days," the DTC said in the statement. Each pink card will be linked to the beneficiary's mobile number and Aadhaar to verify age, gender and Delhi residency, the statement said. The pink card will allow eligible

China refutes reports of selling CM-302 supersonic missiles to Iran

China on Monday denied reports of finalising a deal with Iran to sell CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles before the joint US-Israeli airstrikes on the country. If delivered, the missiles would be among the most advanced military hardware to be transferred to Iran by China in recent years, according to media reports. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said that the report of the deal is part of a disinformation campaign. "The report is not true. As a responsible major country, China always abides by its international obligations. China opposes ill-intentioned association and the spread of disinformation, and hopes relevant sides will choose the course of action conducive to de-escalating the tense situation," she said. The report is significant as the US has assembled a flotilla of naval groups, including aircraft carriers, close to Iranian waters to carry out the current military campaign against Iran. Chinese official media on Monday reported that the US planes cras

India's CAD widens to ₹13.2 billion in Q3 on higher trade deficit: RBI

The current account deficit stood at $11.3 billion, or 1.1 per cent of GDP, in the corresponding quarter of 2024-25

West Asia crisis: Apparel exporters urge govt to waive cargo penalties

Apparel exporters' body AEPC on Monday said it has written to the civil aviation ministry seeking waiver of demurrage charges on export cargo on account of flight disruptions emanating from the ongoing West Asia crisis. Under the existing tariff structure of Cargo Terminal Operators (CTOs), demurrage charges become applicable when cargo remains in terminal facilities beyond the stipulated free period. However, AEPC argued that the present circumstances constitute an exceptional and unavoidable disruption in the global air logistics chain. "Imposition of demurrage in such cases would place an undue financial burden on exporters who are already facing shipment delays, contractual uncertainties, and market-related challenges," Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) Chairman A Sakthivel stated. Sakthivel also suggested that DGCA consider issuing suitable instruction to CTOs to grant waiver of demurrage charges on export consignments that could not be lifted due to flight disruptions,

Kuwait 'mistakenly shot down' 3 American F-15E aircraft: US military

The US military said on Monday that Kuwait "mistakenly shot down" three American F-15E Strike Eagles during a combat mission as Iran attacked the country. The US military's Central Command said the combat included attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles and drones -- the first time Iran's ageing combat fleet has been engaged in the war. "The US Air Force fighter jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences," it said. "All six aircrew ejected safely, have been safely recovered, and are in stable condition. Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defence forces and their support in this ongoing operation.

Oil tanker attacked by drone in Gulf of Oman; one Indian mariner killed

A bomb-carrying drone boat struck a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman on Monday, killing one mariner on board, Oman said. The state-run Oman News Agency reported the attack in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Muscat, the sultanate's capital. It identified the vessel as the MKD VYOM. It said the dead crew member was from India. Iran has been threatening vessels approaching the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, and is believed to have launched multiple attacks as the war in the Mideast continues after Israel and the United States started a major airstrike campaign targeting the Islamic Republic.

Exporters seek demurrage waiver as West Asia disruptions delay cargo

Apparel exporters on Monday urged the government to waive demurrage charges on export cargo at airports, as flight disruptions arising from ongoing West Asian crisis may impact movement of consignments. In a communication to the civil aviation ministry, Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) said the prevailing situation has significantly disrupted international flight operations, resulting in route restrictions, airspace closures, flight diversions, schedule irregularities, and operational constraints at certain overseas airports. Airport demurrage charges are fees on cargo or baggage at an airport terminal being kept beyond the allowed free period. These charges encourage swift clearance. It varies by airport, cargo type and duration. These unforeseen developments have directly impacted the timely movement of export cargo from Indian airports to various international destinations,AEPC Chairman A Sakthivel said. As a consequence, he said export consignments are currently strande

US-Israeli airstrikes targeted Natanz facility: Iran's envoy to IAEA

Iran's ambassador to the UN nuclear agency alleged on Monday that US-Israeli airstrikes have targeted Iran's Natanz nuclear enrichment site. Israel and the US have not acknowledged strikes at the site, which America bombed back in the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June. Iran's Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, told journalists he condemned what he called the "unlawful, criminal and brutal" attacks by the U.S. and Israel against Iran. "Again they attacked Iran's peaceful safeguarded nuclear facilities yesterday," he said. "Their justification that Iran wants to develop nuclear weapons is simply a big lie." When asked which site he was referring to, Najafi responded: "Natanz.

Starry and Restless profiles 3 women journalists who defied writing norms

A vibrant triple biography traces how Martha Gellhorn, Rebecca West and Emily Hahn defied convention, blurred fact and fiction, and reshaped war reporting and literary journalism

Oil, gas tankers avoid Strait of Hormuz as West Asia tensions intensify

The US earlier issued a warning to shipping in the Middle East that vessels in the region should stay 30 nautical miles away from its military assets

Haryana govt employee arrested in ₹590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case

The State Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau in Haryana on Saturday arrested a state government employee in connection with the Rs 590 crore IDFC First Bank fraud case. Official sources said the employee's role is under the scanner in the fraud case, which rocked the state on Sunday after the private lender disclosed a Rs 590 crore fraud committed by certain employees and others at one of its branches in Chandigarh, targeting state government accounts. The accused employed with the panchayats department was produced before a court in Panchkula, which sent him to six-day police remand, the sources said. On Tuesday, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) arrested four people, including the alleged masterminds behind the fraud, with a private firm owned by the wife of a former employee emerging at the centre of the financial irregularities. Two of those arrested are former employees of the IDFC First Bank, while the other two are private individuals who ran a partnership firm that alleged