News for 'The Illustrated Weekly of India'

Swadeshi Jagran Manch Urges End to Moratorium on Digital Product Tariffs

Swadeshi Jagran Manch Urges End to Moratorium on Digital Product Tariffs

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

The Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM) is advocating for the termination of the moratorium on customs duties for electronically transmitted digital products, arguing that it hinders self-reliance, causes revenue losses, and restricts India's ability to tax emerging technologies like AI.

Rising Crude Prices Threaten Profit Margins of Indian OMCs -- IOC, BPCL, HPCL

Rising Crude Prices Threaten Profit Margins of Indian OMCs -- IOC, BPCL, HPCL

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

S&P Global Ratings warns that Indian oil marketing companies like IOC, BPCL, and HPCL may face reduced profit margins due to rising crude oil prices and government pressure to maintain stable retail prices.

Rupee Hits All-Time Low as Oil Prices Surge and Dollar Strengthens

Rupee Hits All-Time Low as Oil Prices Surge and Dollar Strengthens

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

The Indian rupee crashed to a record closing low against the US dollar due to rising global crude oil prices, a strengthening dollar, and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

LPG Crisis Threatens Closure of Mumbai Hotels: What's Behind the Shortage?

LPG Crisis Threatens Closure of Mumbai Hotels: What's Behind the Shortage?

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

Mumbai hotels and restaurants are facing potential closures due to a critical shortage of commercial LPG cylinders, with similar disruptions reported across India. The crisis stems from revised government priorities for domestically produced natural gas, impacting the hospitality sector and potentially affecting tourism.

AI Summit: RIL, Adani, Tata, Google, Lightspeed pledged $240 bn investment

AI Summit: RIL, Adani, Tata, Google, Lightspeed pledged $240 bn investment

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 saw investment pledges of USD 240 billion from major players like Reliance, Adani, Google, Lightspeed Ventures, and Tata, signalling a significant boost to India's AI infrastructure and development.

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The United States, which entered this war in expectation of a short, sharp win along the Venezuela model, is now preparing for deeper involvement in a conflict it does not fully control, without the allies it typically relies on, against an adversary that is not behaving as expected, in a global environment that is already absorbing economic shock. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Claude AI Experiences Another Outage

Claude AI Experiences Another Outage

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Anthropic's Claude AI chatbot experienced a second outage within 24 hours, impacting users in various regions. The disruption follows a previous outage and comes amid scrutiny over the AI's capabilities and potential uses.

Investors Should Consider Buying If Markets Correct Further

Investors Should Consider Buying If Markets Correct Further

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

A fall in the Nifty 50 to around 19,000 is not impossible, but that would likely require nuclear options to be exercised.

Will Trump's 5 Day Pause End The War On Friday?

Will Trump's 5 Day Pause End The War On Friday?

Rediff.com24 Mar 2026

'Was the five-day pause ever meant to hold, or was it simply another instrument of signaling, of positioning, of buying time in a war where even the pauses are tactical?' asks Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

India Faces Russian Oil Squeeze After US Deal

India Faces Russian Oil Squeeze After US Deal

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Replacing over a third of India's oil imports at competitive rates is going to be a challenge, said traders from State refiners, even though some progress was made in the last two months.

Gulf War: Hormuz Is Becoming The Central Battlefield

Gulf War: Hormuz Is Becoming The Central Battlefield

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

The question is no longer whether the war will expand. It has. The next few days will tell us whether the war stabilises around Hormuz or whether the Strait itself becomes the trigger for a far larger rupture. What to watch for over the next 48 hours is simple: Any move by the US toward direct naval control of the Strait; any credible Iranian attempt to disrupt or mine shipping lanes and, critically, whether energy infrastructure in the Gulf continues to be targeted.If those lines are crossed in tandem, the war will no longer be containable within the region.

US Fed decision, FIIs trading activity to drive markets this week

US Fed decision, FIIs trading activity to drive markets this week

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

The US Fed's interest rate decision will be the major factor dictating trends in the domestic equity market this week, with global movements and foreign investor activity also influencing sentiment, according to analysts. Stock markets ended the last week on a subdued note, with benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closing flat.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com23 Nov 2025

Macroeconomic data, global market trends and trading activity of foreign investors will be the key drivers for dictating market sentiment this week, analysts said. "This week, volatility may increase ahead of the November derivatives expiry. Domestically, markets will track several high-impact macro releases, including Q2 GDP data and industrial production.

Never required permission to buy Russian oil: Officials

Never required permission to buy Russian oil: Officials

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

A senior government official asserts India's independence in purchasing Russian oil, stating that US sanctions waivers merely remove friction but do not dictate India's energy policy. The official highlights India's commitment to energy security and affordability for its citizens.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

In an event-heavy week ahead, stock markets' movement would highly depend on macroeconomic data announcements, global trends, RBI's interest rate decision and trading activity of foreign investors, analysts said. India's industrial production data for October 2025 will be released on December 1, an official statement said on Friday.

AI Skills Enter Employee Performance Reviews

AI Skills Enter Employee Performance Reviews

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

The message is becoming clearer: Employees who fail to meaningfully integrate AI into their work risk falling behind in performance assessments.

Iran-Israel Conflict Halts Dubai Weddings

Iran-Israel Conflict Halts Dubai Weddings

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

With Gulf countries emerging as popular destinations for Indian weddings and pre-wedding shoots, the March-April season had seen a flurry of bookings.

FPIs withdraw Rs 21,000 cr in last four trading sessions amid West Asia conflict

FPIs withdraw Rs 21,000 cr in last four trading sessions amid West Asia conflict

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

Foreign investors pulled out Rs 21,000 crore (around $2.3 billion) from Indian equities over the last four trading sessions amid deteriorating global risk sentiment triggered by the West Asia crisis.

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Hugh And Colleen Gantzer Showed India To The World

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

'The culture of mankind has been spread by the travel gene which pushes one in five people to have the curiosity to move to unknown destinations.'

Trump's Pause Gives Iran NOTHING!

Trump's Pause Gives Iran NOTHING!

Rediff.com25 Mar 2026

The pause gives the US time to breathe, to regroup, to move its expeditionary force into position without risk of interception along the way. It gives Iran nothing -- on the ground, attacks against its infrastructure continue apace. Prem Panicker in his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Orissa High Court: Indiscriminate Bank Account Freezes Hurt Businesses

Orissa High Court: Indiscriminate Bank Account Freezes Hurt Businesses

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

'Statutory power must be exercised in a manner that is fair, proportionate, and not excessive.' 'The authority must demonstrate a rational nexus between the property frozen and the alleged offence.'

Petrol Prices Stay Put For Now

Petrol Prices Stay Put For Now

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

If the conflict continues for a prolonged period, State-run oil companies may have to review retail fuel prices accordingly.

India, US to Sign Trade Agreement by Mid-March

India, US to Sign Trade Agreement by Mid-March

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India and the US are expected to sign the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement by mid-March, which will result in the US lowering import duties on Indian goods. India will then begin reducing import duties on certain US goods.

India, US to Sign Trade Agreement by Mid-March

India, US to Sign Trade Agreement by Mid-March

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

India and the US are expected to sign the first phase of a bilateral trade agreement by mid-March, which will result in the US lowering import duties on Indian goods. India will then begin reducing import duties on certain US goods.

Forex reserves jump by $8 bn to all-time high of $709 bn

Forex reserves jump by $8 bn to all-time high of $709 bn

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

India's forex reserves jumped by $8 billion to an all-time high of $709 billion during the week ended January 23, the RBI said on Friday.

FPIs withdraw Rs 11,820 cr in first week of Dec

FPIs withdraw Rs 11,820 cr in first week of Dec

Rediff.com7 Dec 2025

Foreign investors have pulled out Rs 11,820 crore ($1.3 billion) from Indian equities in the first week of this month, primarily driven by the sharp depreciation of the rupee. This sharp withdrawal follows a net outflow of Rs 3,765 crore in November, further pressuring markets.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com9 Nov 2025

Inflation data, quarterly earnings and global trends will be the major driving factors for stock markets this week, analysts said. Moreover, the trading activity of foreign investors would also influence the equity market trends.

'My Wife Didn't Want To Have Kids. I Respected Her Choice'

'My Wife Didn't Want To Have Kids. I Respected Her Choice'

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

Pune-based Atharva* tells us how he learned to accept and let go, choosing love over his desire to have children.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

Domestic PMI data, US Federal Reserve meeting minutes and the progress on India-US trade deal negotiations are likely to influence movement in the equity market in the week ahead, according to analysts. Moreover, the trading activity of foreign investors would also influence the equity market trends.

Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Economy

Hormuz Crisis Threatens Global Economy

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

When missiles fly in this region, they are never just aimed at military targets.

Forex reserves rise by $14 bn to $700 bn

Forex reserves rise by $14 bn to $700 bn

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

India's foreign exchange reserves jumped by $14 billion to $701 billion during the week ended January 16, the Reserve Bank said on Friday. The overall reserves had increased by $392 million to $687 billion in the preceding week.

Investor Concerns About IT Stocks Are 'Overblown': HCLTech CEO

Investor Concerns About IT Stocks Are 'Overblown': HCLTech CEO

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'When it comes to enterprise context, there is a big lag between how fast technology is evolving and how it is getting deployed at the end of the day. That is where the challenge is going to be.'

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com2 Nov 2025

Quarterly earnings, macroeconomic data announcements and global trends will drive the Indian stock markets in a holiday-shortened week, analysts said. Stock markets would remain closed on Wednesday for the Guru Nanak Gurpurab holiday.

Rupee ends flat at 90.66 against US dollar

Rupee ends flat at 90.66 against US dollar

Rediff.com9 Feb 2026

The rupee witnessed a volatile trading session and settled for the day on a slightly lower note, down 1 paisa at 90.66 against the US dollar on Monday, as traders assessed the details of the India-US interim trade framework.

Should Investors Consider Money Market Funds?

Should Investors Consider Money Market Funds?

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Investors with a 6 to 12 month horizon may consider them. They should align their holding period with the fund's maturity profile and prefer schemes with a lower expense ratio.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

In an event-heavy week, stock investors will track ongoing quarterly earnings, the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, and macroeconomic data for market direction, analysts said. Moreover, progress in India-US trade negotiations will remain a key focus for investors, an expert said.

Forex reserves drop by $9.80 bn to $686.80 bn

Forex reserves drop by $9.80 bn to $686.80 bn

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

India's forex reserves dropped by $9.8 billion to $686.81 billion in the week to January 2, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said on Friday.

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

From British child to India's trusted voice: Mark Tully

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Mark Tully, the renowned journalist, author, and Indophile, has passed away at the age of 90. He spent a lifetime in India as a journalist, mingling with its people and telling their stories.

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Gold likely to hold ground; silver braces for volatility

Rediff.com8 Feb 2026

Gold prices are likely to trade firm next week as traders await key economic data, including US inflation numbers, for fresh cues on interest rate outlook, while silver may remain volatile amid shifting risk sentiment and speculative activity, analysts said.

India's forex reserves drop below $700 bn

India's forex reserves drop below $700 bn

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

India's forex reserves fell by $276 million to $699.96 billion during the week ended October 3, according to RBI data. In the previous reporting week, India's forex reserves had dropped by $2.33 billion to $700.24 billion.