Qatar expels Iranian military, security attachés and staff after strikes on key energy facilities

QatarEnergy says Iranian missiles hit Ras Laffan Industrial City, causing “extensive damage” Qatar on Wednesday expelled key Iranian military and security officials along with their staff from its territory, escalating tensions after missile strikes hit key energy infrastructure in the Gulf. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said on Thursday it had declared the military and security … Read more

Why retail credit is galloping in India

MUMBAI: The surge in retail credit in India rests on a quiet infrastructural shift-the growing ability of lenders to judge creditworthiness of borrowers quickly and cheaply. What has made this possible is a dramatic fall in the cost of obtaining credit reports, aided by digital scale and the proliferation of fintech platforms that allow consumers … Read more

FOMC policy meeting: Jerome Powell-led US Federal Reserve keeps interest rates unchanged; flags ‘uncertainty’ related to impact of Iran war

Jerome Powell (AP file photo) US Federal Reserve policy: Jerome Powell-led Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) on Wednesday kept interest rates unchanged within the 3.50%-3.75% band. “In support of its goals, the Committee decided to maintain the target range for the federal funds rate at 3‑1/2 to 3‑3/4 percent. In considering the extent and timing … Read more

US eases Venezuela oil sanctions amid Iran war; Trump administration moves to boost global supply

The United States has eased sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil sector, allowing American companies to resume limited business with Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), as the Donald Trump administration seeks to expand global oil supplies during the ongoing Iran conflict, AP reported.The US Treasury Department on Wednesday issued a broad licence permitting PDVSA to sell … Read more

Govt sends additional warships to Strait of Hormuz to ensure safe passage of Indian vessels: Report

NEW DELHI: India is deploying additional warships in the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman to ensure safe passage for its fuel and LPG carrying vessels as tensions escalate around the Strait of Hormuz, Bloomberg reported citing sources.The Indian Navy has positioned more than half a dozen warships, including logistics vessels, as a precautionary … Read more

Stock market today (March 18, 2026): Which are the top gainers and losers in Nifty50 & BSE Sensex? Check list

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty closed nearly 1 per cent higher on Wednesday, extending their recovery for a third straight session amid a slight easing in crude oil prices and supportive global cues.The 30-share BSE Sensex rose 633.29 points, or 0.83 per cent, to settle at 76,704.13. During the session, it surged as much … Read more

Cabinet approves Rs 6,969 crore four-lane highway project in Uttar Pradesh to improve Barabanki–Bahraich connectivity

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the construction of a four-lane access-controlled National Highway-927 from Barabanki to Bahraich in Uttar Pradesh at an estimated cost of Rs 6,969.04 crore, aimed at improving connectivity across key economic and logistics centres in the state, according to an official statement.The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) cleared the … Read more

Gold price today (March 18, 2026): How much 24K, 22K gold costs in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai & more – check rates

Gold prices moved lower across major Indian cities on Wednesday as retail bullion rates tracked weakness in domestic futures amid cautious sentiment ahead of the US Federal Reserve’s monetary policy decision.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold for April delivery fell by Rs 256, or 0.16 per cent, to Rs 1,55,729 per 10 grams in … Read more