A US fighter jet crashed in Kuwait, sparking speculation that it was shot down by Iran. However, videos showed the pilot safely ejecting. The US Embassy issued a security alert for Americans, and officials have yet to confirm details of the crash. Tensions between the US and Iran continue to escalate.
PhonePe, owned by Walmart, has postponed its IPO due to the conflict in West Asia and market instability. CEO Sameer Nigam hopes for a peaceful resolution and is still determined to list the company in India. The IPO will involve the sale of Rs 10,115 crore worth of stakes by Walmart, Tiger Global, and Microsoft Global Finance.
India and Iran are collaborating to secure the safe passage of ships transporting crude oil and LPG through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy shipping route. Amid escalating tensions in the Gulf, India is heavily dependent on the Strait for its energy imports.
OXMIQ Labs and AM Intelligence Labs have joined forces to offer advisory services for AM Group's upcoming 2 GW AI compute capability, with the first 1 GW hub to be constructed in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This state-of-the-art facility will include carbon-free power, advanced data center infrastructure, high-performance accelerators, and flexible consumption options.
The rise in oil prices due to shipping disruptions and war in West Asia has caused Indian benchmark indices to drop. Major brokerage firms have revised their year-end projections for Nifty 50, citing concerns over oil prices and market instability.
Dubai International Airport has halted all foreign flights due to security concerns in the Middle East, after a drone incident caused a fuel tank to ignite near the airport. Passengers are advised not to travel unless contacted by their airline. Air India will operate non-scheduled flights to and from UAE and Saudi Arabia, but regular flights to these countries have been suspended.
The unemployment rate for young people in India increased to 14.8% in February, with rural areas having the highest rate for women at 14.6%. However, there was a slight decrease in overall unemployment due to more hiring in urban services and an increase in female labor force participation. The labor force participation rate remained steady at 55.9.
IDBI Bank's shares fell by 16.5% as the government's attempt to sell a majority stake failed due to low bids. The reserve price of Rs 92-98 per share was not met, with the highest bid at Rs 80-82. Fairfax, the only serious bidder, offered less due to employee resistance and regulatory issues. This has created uncertainty for the bank's future and affected its overall performance.
Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport is focused on becoming a major transfer hub as airlines increase long-haul capacity and global traffic patterns change. COO Girish Nair shares their hub strategy, plans for cargo and airport development, and efforts to attract more international routes, particularly in East Asia. They aim to achieve 20-22% transfer traffic in the coming years.
PSBs closing valuation gap with private lenders as they report stronger balance sheets and sustained profitability. P/E ratio gap between Nifty PSU Bank Index and Nifty Private Bank Index narrowed to 9.41 in March. Private bank P/E ratio declined while PSBs remained steady.
Redington, a key iPhone distributor in India, has limited operations in its subsidiary Redington Gulf FZE due to political tensions in the Gulf region. This is to protect working capital and address longer transit times and higher costs. The company is closely monitoring the situation and will update stock exchanges. Despite this, the company has reported strong revenue growth.
The upcoming CAFE-III norms may tighten emission targets for small cars without any regulatory relief, unlike other major automobile markets. The BEE presented this to the PMO, but the proposed roadmap does not include any flattening mechanisms like other countries.
MakeMyTrip plans to launch an IPO for its India business to fuel growth and improve its position in the Indian travel market. The company has restructured internally and acquired a majority stake in Flamingo Transworld, along with investing in Atlys. The IPO could provide capital and listed equity for future expansion efforts.
SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey expressed concerns over the decline in registered investment advisors (RIAs) and the increasing influence of finfluencers on social media. He emphasized the need for more regulated advisors to fill the gap and promote responsible investing.
RIL partners with Samsung in $3 billion deal to supply green ammonia for 15 years, marking a major move in the green fuels market. Supplies to begin in FY29 as part of RIL's new energy platform, which aims for net-zero through integration of renewable power, energy storage, green hydrogen, and clean-energy technologies.
Foreign portfolio investors are cautious about India due to geopolitical tensions and volatile crude prices. However, they still hold over $820 billion in Indian equities and have not witnessed significant outflows. Policy clarity and currency stability are key factors that will bring FPIs back.
The Indian government is helping exporters to West Asia amid the ongoing conflict. They are addressing logistical issues and collaborating with neighboring countries to ensure smooth movement of goods. Due to the conflict, shipping companies are avoiding the region, causing delays and longer journeys for exports.
Ola Electric, the EV arm of Ola, plans to raise Rs 2,000 crore by selling a stake in its battery arm, Ola Cell Technologies. Investment banks Avendus Capital and Motilal Oswal Financial Services have been appointed to manage the process.
India's wholesale price inflation reached an 11-month high in February due to a rise in food prices and basic metal manufacturing. The impact of the West Asia conflict on oil prices is expected to reflect in March's numbers, leading to a significant increase in wholesale inflation.
SEBI has deferred the allotment of shares for Rajputana Stainless IPO to March 17 after "unsolicited emails" were shared by the company. Investors can withdraw their bids till March 16 through the Designated Intermediary. The IPO was supposed to be finalised on March 12, with shares listing on March 19. The company raised Rs 254.98 crore.
The Wzatco Yuva Infinity is a smart home projector that runs Google TV, making it an all-in-one solution for home entertainment. With 1200 ANSI Lumens brightness and Full HD resolution, it can project a 100-120 inch screen, perfect for movies at night.
Infinix's Note Edge 5G is a mid-range phone with a curved AMOLED display and large battery, perfect for heavy users. It has three memory options, Active Halo Lighting, and AI-powered tools. With a 6500mAh battery and reliable processor, it can handle daily tasks and gaming without constant charging. Priced under 25k, it's a great choice for budget-conscious buyers.
LeapFrog Investments and co-investors have invested $95 million in ReNew Green Energy Solutions, a partnership that will support India's decarbonization journey and provide renewable power to leading businesses.
Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, dismissed conspiracy theories about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's death. He confirmed that Netanyahu is alive and the recent video of him at a cafe in Jerusalem is not AI-generated. Azar's statement put an end to the speculation and even the cafe posted pictures to support Netanyahu's side.
CMPDI is launching its IPO on March 20 to raise Rs 1,842.12 crores through an offer for sale of 10.71 crore shares. The issue price band is Rs 163-172 per share, with allotment on March 25 and listing on March 30. IDBI Capital Markets Services and Kfin Technologies are the book runners and registrar. CMPDI offers consultancy services.
An outbreak of a rare form of invasive meningitis at the University of Kent in the UK has resulted in two deaths and 11 serious illnesses. The UK Health Security Agency is providing antibiotics to affected students and warns that the disease is most common in young individuals. Symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, and a non-fading rash.
Camillia Nwokedi, 28, made a bold career shift in 2025, leaving a stable tech job to become a full-time content creator. Speaking to Business Insider, Nwokedi shared how she started with just $6,000 in savings and a small TikTok following, and how her journey, though lonely and emotional, has been the best decision she’s ever made.
Infosys is back in focus after domestic brokerage JM Financial reiterated its Buy rating, citing stable demand trends and a strong $4.8 billion large-deal pipeline. The brokerage said spending is showing early recovery in key verticals like Financial Services and Energy, even as global macro uncertainty persists. Read more details
The Indian IT sector has so far faced a tough year in 2026 due to concerns about AI and H1-B visa rules. However, Anand Rathi believes the sector is entering a new phase as the AI cycle shifts towards services. The top five hyperscalers are expected to increase capital expenditure, creating demand for services. Anand Rathi is bullish on five companies.
The UAE has ordered the arrest of 35 people, including 19 Indians, for posting misleading and AI-generated clips related to the ongoing war with Iran. The suspects have been classified into three categories based on their alleged violations. The UAE attorney general has warned against sharing unverified information online, with those charged facing imprisonment and hefty fines.
Nomura initiates coverage on select NBFCs with 'Buy' rating - Piramal Finance, L&T Finance, and Tata Capital, while giving a 'Neutral' call for HDB Financial Services. The brokerage house sees potential for 26% upside in select stocks, driven by factors like loan growth, profit expansion, and structural transformations. NBFCs are expected to outpace bank growth.
ACME Solar Holdings, a renewable energy company, is poised to meet the increasing electricity demand as temperatures rise. With a strong power generation capacity and promising earnings, it has caught the eye of Motilal Oswal who maintains a 'Buy' rating with a target price of Rs 341, representing a 34% potential increase. The company is also expanding rapidly.
The 98th Academy Awards had all the usual glamour, surprises, and big wins, but one brief moment stole the headlines for reasons no one expected. Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Javier Bardem were on stage to present the Best International Feature Film award, which went to Norway’s Sentimental Value.
Stray Kids dominated the Japan Gold Disc Awards, but they weren't the only K-pop group to win big. The prestigious event, which focuses on album sales, also honored artists like TWS, ILLIT, PLAVE, KATSEYE, and Stray Kids. Other notable winners included Snow Man, Lady Gaga, and Yonezu Kenshi. The event also recognized music videos, singles, and albums from both Japanese and Western artists.
The Nifty IT Index has dropped by 23% in 2026 due to fears of AI replacing jobs. Some brokerages suggest buying large-cap tech stocks, but concerns remain. Valuations are appealing and rupee depreciation is a positive factor, but experts have mixed opinions on investing in IT stocks. Consider select large-cap stocks, but the overall outlook is uncertain.
Mohammad Nazeer Paktyawal, a 41-year-old Afghan who fought alongside Us forces for 10 years, died this week shortly after being taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody in Texas, Reuters reported. His family said he had been legally evacuated to the United States after the fall of Kabul and had been living and working in the Dallas area.
Israeli PM Netanyahu responds to death rumors with a video of himself getting coffee and joking with his team. Some doubt its authenticity, but cafe photos and Reuters verification prove it to be real.
The US Senate's failed vote to reopen the Department of Homeland Security has caused chaos and a second month of funding lock. Over 300 TSA officers have quit due to the budget battle, while the Trump administration blames Democrats. TSA employees are struggling without pay, leading to long lines and missed flights at airports across the US. Other areas have also been affected by the shutdown.
Indian stock market expected to open positively on March 16 as investors monitor global developments, including tension in West Asia and crude oil prices. Ongoing conflict causing uncertainty in markets, and any updates could impact investor sentiment. Traders to also follow global cues, currency and commodity prices.
A young man from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh has died in a tragic incident in Canada. Gurkeerat Singh Manocha, who had gone abroad for higher studies, lost his life in Fort St. John in the province of British Columbia, IANS reported. His family believes he was killed after a dispute and is now asking authorities to take strict action against the people responsible.
India has a vast number of tech-savvy professionals, with 900,000 computing graduates joining the workforce each year. However, as automation and AI become more prevalent, companies are seeking experienced individuals for complex tasks. While the demand for AI skills is increasing, there is a shortage of qualified AI talent in India.
The role of accountants is evolving with the rise of GenAI technology, according to CPA Australia's Global President. AI should be embraced as a learning tool, not a replacement for human judgement. With India already utilizing GenAI, young accountants must focus on developing high-value skills to remain competitive in the changing financial landscape.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder has seen unprecedented success in the car industry, with 100% growth without any changes or new models. This is due to the rise of hybrid technology and the strong reputation of the Toyota brand. Experts and academics are studying its success as a case study in product planning. Toyota credits its success to its deep understanding of customer needs.
Ashoka University has opened the Vachani School of Advanced Computing with a generous donation from Sunil Vachani, making it the seventh school at the university. The VSAC strives to unite the humanities and sciences and train ethical engineers to compete in the global AI market and address local demands.
India's reliance on coal-based thermal power for electricity production may increase due to a decline in gas and hydro supplies. Brokerages predict a rise in thermal coal-based power generation and warn of potential risks in the first half of FY27. The government may intervene to maintain output during shortages. Companies like Adani Power, JSW Energy, Tata Power, and Torrent may be affected.
India may take advantage of disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and a US waiver for Russian oil to absorb a large amount of stranded Russian oil. Despite pressure from the US, India's imports of Russian oil are expected to increase due to the availability of these stranded cargoes.
The conflict in West Asia has caused disruptions in global shipping, leading to reduced capacity and extended journey times. With stranded ships and tankers, exporters are facing challenges and taking measures such as using smaller ships and redirecting goods. The government is also assisting by waiving ground handling charges.
An Indian-flagged tanker was attacked at a UAE oil terminal, but safely reached India with its cargo. This highlights the growing risks to global energy shipping routes, amid escalating tensions in West Asia. Despite this, India's energy supply chain remains stable and authorities assure adequate stocks of petroleum products, urging citizens not to panic buy.
McLaren's disastrous day in Shanghai saw both their drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, fail to start the Chinese Grand Prix due to terminal electrical issues. This marked Piastri's second consecutive DNS and made him the first driver in 57 years to record such a streak. McLaren has launched an investigation with Mercedes to prevent future incidents.
Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, at just 19 years old, made history by winning the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix and becoming the first Italian to win a Formula One race in 20 years. He led a dominant Mercedes 1-2 finish, validating the hype surrounding his karting career. Despite intense pressure, Antonelli executed a flawless race to end Italy's drought.
India's fertiliser production and supplies may be affected by the ongoing West Asia war, raising concerns for the peak demand period in mid-May. However, the government assures sufficient stocks of urea, DAP, and NPK, with more imports arriving in March. Sales are being monitored to prevent panic buying, and efforts are being made to secure feedstock for urea production.