Business
Skilled worker shortage poses challenge to government’s major PNG expansion drive
As the Middle East conflict continues to strain global energy supplies, the government is pushing for faster expansion of piped natural gas (PNG) connections across the country. But the plan is facing a major hurdle. A shortage of certified gas plumbers has slowed the rollout, with city gas distribution (CGD) companies currently adding only 8,000-10,000…
Petrol, prices and pressure: How the Iran war is hitting American households
What happens in the Strait of Hormuz does not stay in the Strait of Hormuz. The US-Iran war may be centred in the Middle East, but its economic tremors are now rattling wallets across America. As tensions escalated and the crucial oil route came under pressure, fuel prices began their wild ride, pushing inflation higher,…
‘Potential to diversify’: US state secretary Rubio pushes for US energy supplies to India in meeting with PM Modi
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised Washington’s intent to prevent geopolitical disruptions from distorting global energy markets, as tensions linked to the Iran conflict continue to affect oil supply routes and pricing dynamics.During discussions on energy security, Rubio’s office, quoted by Reuters, stressed that the US sees energy exports as a key instrument in…
The big AI shock: Have Indian IT sector stocks lost their lustre?
IT stocks crash (AI image) Globally technology sector stocks are leading stock market rallies. In India, the picture is the opposite. The Nifty IT index has dropped around 23% since the start of the year, sharply underperforming the broader market decline of around 10%. In fact, IT has been the worst-performing major sector in the…
RBI steps up dollar sales to $53 billion to defend rupee in FY26
MUMBAI: RBI stepped up dollar sales in FY26 to manage exchange rate volatility. The central bank recorded a total net sale of $53.1 billion over the course of the fiscal year an increase of $12 billion compared to net sales of $41.1 billion in FY25. Despite temporary periods of dollar accumulation, the central bank maintained…
Iran war squeezes NRI deposits, overseas Indians pull out nearly $2 billion in March
The Iran war is affecting money flows from overseas Indians, with NRIs withdrawing nearly $2 billion more than they deposited in Indian bank accounts in March, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. The total value of NRI deposits with Indian banks fell to $165.65 billion at the end of March from $167.58 billion…
FDI inflows rise 17% to record $95 billion
NEW DELHI: Gross foreign direct investment (FDI) grew 16.7%, its fastest pace of expansion in six years, to a record $94.5 billion in 2025-26, helping reverse the four-year falling trend of net FDI.Net FDI was estimated at $7.7 billion during the last financial year, compared with under $1 billion in the previous year. After excluding…
Honda plans to line up 10 new car models by 2030
NEW DELHI: Honda Cars India is preparing an aggressive product expansion in the country, with plans to introduce more than 10 new models by 2030 as the Japanese automaker revs up to take on competition in one of its most important global growth markets.The company on Friday unveiled the updated hybrid version of the City…
Shareholders’ no to Swiggy’s board changes
BENGALURU: Swiggy shareholders have voted against proposed changes to the company’s Articles of Association, preventing the planned appointments of CFO Rahul Bothra and cofounder Phani Kishan Addepalli to the board. The special resolution received 72.4% shareholder support, falling short of the 75% threshold required for approval, according to an exchange filing on Thursday.Swiggy said the…
Warsh takes the Fed’s helm as inflation climbs
Will lead a central bank oriented toward reform, says new chair WASHINGTON: Kevin Warsh was sworn in as chair of the US Federal Reserve on Friday at a pivotal moment for an American economy where surging gasoline prices due to the Iran war are pushing up inflation and eroding consumer sentiment, potent ingredients for a…