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Hindustan Copper shares rose on Friday as global copper prices gained on a weaker US dollar, while technical indicators pointed to improving momentum. However, rising LME inventories and narrowing cash-to-three-month copper spreads suggest easing supply tightness. Analysts remain positive on the stock, citing a breakout above the Rs 550 resistance zone.

Gold loan stocks Muthoot Finance, Manappuram Finance and IIFL Finance gained up to 7% in two sessions as gold prices crossed Rs 1.6 lakh per 10 grams on the MCX. A weaker dollar and the US Treasury’s bond-buyback move supported gold prices, boosting sentiment around gold-backed lending companies.

Jefferies has initiated coverage on Anthem Biosciences with a Buy rating and Rs 1,050 target, implying around 20% upside. The brokerage is bullish on the company’s integrated CRDMO model, strong return ratios and growth prospects, forecasting 18% revenue CAGR through FY29. Key triggers include new commercial molecules and biosimilar launches, while customer concentration and high capex remain key risks.

RailTel Corporation of India shares gained nearly 4% after the company secured a Rs 164.79 crore work order from Western Coalfields Limited, taking its August order wins to five worth around Rs 551.44 crore. The latest contract involves setting up an MPLS VPN network on a rental basis for 60 months, adding to the company’s growing order pipeline across key public-sector and infrastructure segments.

Hindustan Zinc shares rose 4% as silver prices climbed for a third straight session, taking the stock’s two-day gain to 7%. The company, one of the world’s leading silver producers, continues to benefit from strong fundamentals and a favourable outlook for the metal. Its Q1 FY27 net profit surged 145% YoY to Rs 5,469 crore, while margins improved.

Goodluck India shares appeared to plunge 66% after adjusting for the company’s 2:1 bonus issue, but the stock was down only around 4% on an adjusted basis. Here’s how the bonus issue affects the share price, eligibility, dividend and investor holdings.

In a notable surge, four leading Indian corporations experienced an impressive rise in market valuations, totaling Rs 1.43 lakh crore. The State Bank of India led the charge, boosting its valuation by Rs 63,922 crore. Other notable gainers included Reliance Industries, TCS, and Larsen & Toubro, while LIC, Bajaj Finance, and HDFC Bank suffered significant losses in their valuations.

In early August, Foreign Portfolio Investors poured Rs 12,921 crore into Indian equities, building on their notable investments from July. This surge indicates improved investor sentiment and favorable macroeconomic conditions. Furthermore, foreign investors have displayed interest in India's debt market, resulting in additional inflows. However, it’s worth noting that despite these recent inflows, they have been net sellers in the Indian equity market throughout the year.

India's new forex inflow programs may attract approximately one hundred billion dollars. These special drives have already mobilized over forty billion dollars in foreign exchange. Experts predict these initiatives could significantly exceed initial mobilization estimates. The Reserve Bank of India introduced these facilities to support the balance of payments. These programs aim to cushion the rupee and contain imported inflation.

India and Canada are working to finalize their economic partnership agreement. Negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are progressing well. Both nations aim to conclude these important talks by the end of 2026. This agreement seeks to liberalize trade and strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries. Prime Minister Modi plans a visit later this year to boost bilateral ties.

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has undergone a significant structural overhaul. Senior bureaucrats were replaced and new leadership appointed to spearhead its flagship missions. The ministry was split into two specialized departments, focusing on capital development and urban development. This administrative revamp aims to streamline service delivery and accelerate infrastructure projects. Personnel shifts occurred rapidly after the government's decision to divide the ministry.

US President Donald Trump announced a deal for Hamas disarmament and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. This agreement involves carefully structured phases for winding down the conflict. Israeli forces will withdraw as disarmament is completed by Hamas. A new Palestinian police force will work with an international stabilization force. Reconstruction of Gaza is envisioned after the war concludes.

Oak Ridge, Tennessee, was a secret city of 75,000 people during World War II. This hidden community was established for the Manhattan Project's atomic bomb development. Residents worked on crucial tasks without knowing the overall purpose of their efforts. The city remained invisible to the public until the atomic bombs were deployed. Today, Oak Ridge is a mapped city and a historical park.

Humans cyclops connection: Scientists claim our eyes and even a hormone-regulating gland in our brain trace back to a bizarre, one-eyed sea creature that lived 600 million years ago.

Gulf of Hormuz underwater army: Nearly fifteen hundred ships stuck in the Persian Gulf after fighting closed the Strait of Hormuz. These idle vessels are now becoming breeding grounds for marine invasive species, whose build-up of organisms on ship hulls increases fuel consumption significantly. Scientists urge stricter rules to prevent a major bioinvasion event.

FIFA World Cup Final Rematch Petition: An online petition urges FIFA to replay the 2026 World Cup Final after Argentine fans' concerns. Supporters allege irregularities during the match, but Change.org petitions hold no official power. FIFA regulations do not permit replays based on fan dissatisfaction or online signatures. This follows a similar French petition after their semifinal loss to Spain. Despite the petition, many Argentine fans celebrated their team's journey to the final.

How Potato became a biological trap: A routine kitchen shortcut involving foil-wrapped baked potatoes led to paralysis. This common practice can incubate dangerous botulism-causing bacteria overnight. Reheating leftovers in a microwave does not neutralize the potent botulinum toxin. Nerve damage from this poisoning requires extensive and uncertain recovery periods. Prompt refrigeration of potatoes after baking prevents this severe medical emergency.

Investors must hold shares in their demat accounts on the respective record dates to be eligible. Here is the complete day-wise list of key corporate actions to track.

Dalal Street ended the week on a strong note, with the Sensex and Nifty gaining over 1% on Friday. Investors will track six key market triggers this week, including the peak of the Q1 earnings season, the escalating Iran-US conflict, surging crude oil prices, the global tech selloff, rupee movement and FII flows. Analysts remain cautiously optimistic on market sentiment.

The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement has officially come into force. Zero-duty consignments of Indian jewellery and coffee have now landed in the United Kingdom. This landmark pact is expected to significantly boost bilateral trade between the two nations. Businesses anticipate substantial growth and increased market competitiveness following the agreement. The pact aims to strengthen supply chains and support job creation across both countries.

India's trade is changing due to West Asia conflict. Oman is now a major import partner, especially for energy. Russia and the US are also key import sources. Singapore has become India's third-largest export destination. Tanzania and South Africa are seeing increased Indian exports. These shifts highlight new trade routes and partnerships.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that the Global South should not bear the brunt of global imbalances and conflicts. Representing India at a summit, she emphasized the need for coordinated global action and stronger multilateral cooperation to build resilient economies and ensure inclusive growth for all.

Himanshu Srivastava, Principal - Manager Research at Morningstar Investment Research India, said the latest outflow trend reflected persistent uncertainty surrounding global growth, elevated geopolitical tensions across key regions and volatility in crude oil prices, which continued to weigh on risk appetite towards emerging markets, including India.

Oil prices have surged past $100 per barrel amid escalating Iran–Israel tensions and fears of a prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy chokepoint. Analysts warn crude could climb to $150 if disruptions persist, raising inflation risks and pressuring Indian equities, which have already seen sharp declines amid foreign outflows, rupee weakness and energy supply concerns.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the seat-sharing deal for the upcoming assembly elections is complete. The NDA alliance, including BJP, AGP, UPPL, and BPF, has finalized its contest plan. The state leadership will present the candidate list to Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon. Elections for the 126-member assembly are anticipated in March-April, following a recent delimitation exercise.

The Election Commission's 'Special Intensive Revision' of Bihar's electoral rolls has ignited political debate, differing from past revisions. While intensive revisions aren't new, the timing of Bihar's SIR, months before assembly elections, is unusual. Unlike previous 'de novo' exercises, it builds upon the 2002-03 roll, incorporating new enumeration forms and document submission.

BJP has accused Arvind Kejriwal of orchestrating hoax calls to mislead voters, alleging that the AAP is claiming votes are being cut by the BJP to support AAP. They also allege distribution of money in slum areas and raised concerns about voter data confidentiality, demanding an investigation.

Lok Sabha election 2024: ​​The BJP-Shiv Sena won 41 of the 48 seats in the 2019 polls, but the Sena has split since and a vast majority of the Bal Thackeray-founded party is now allied with the BJP. The Nationalist Congress Party also split as well with Ajit Pawar joining the ruling alliance in the state, led by Eknath Shinde. In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP emerged the top party with 23 seats, followed by the undivided Sena with 18.

Gujarat's upcoming Lok Sabha elections are influenced by PM Narendra Modi's charisma, anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education, healthcare challenges, and BJP's endeavor to secure all 26 seats. ​​Lok Sabha polls in Gujarat will be held in a single phase on May 7. Counting of votes will be held on June 4. Anti-incumbency, unemployment, inflation, education and healthcare facilities are some of the other important issues in the election, where the ruling BJP in Gujarat will attempt to retain all the 26 Lok Sabha seats it won in 2019.

The BJP, riding high on its growing voter base in Telangana, is now aiming to win over 12 out of the total 17 seats and 35 per cent vote share, in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. The party doubled its vote share to nearly 14 per cent resulting in eight seats in the assembly elections held on November 30, last year. BRS, which ruled the state for about a decade since its emergence, is low on morale following the defeat, even as its founder and former Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter K Kavitha was arrested on the eve of poll dates announcement, adding insult to the injury.

Anita Nariani Schulze is part of the Sindhi minority. Her complaint alleges that her senior and direct managers, both male, consistently excluded her from meetings while inviting her male counterparts, criticised her, micromanaged her work and deprived her of bonuses, despite positive performance evaluations and significant team contributions.

But two senior envoys who attended said there was no direct response from the ministers gathered in Brussels when Blinken said: "We must push back on China together and show strength in unity."

This comes as the San-Francisco based firm is at the receiving end of the Indian government over an issue of blocking and unblocking certain handles tweeting about farmer protests.

Foreign companies looking for incentives under the scheme may have to invest Rs 500 crore over four years, while the threshold for domestic firms is likely to be around Rs 20 crore for five years, the source who did not wish to be named said.

Growth More than in MetrosAccording to companies like Aisle and Truly Madly, which have millions of users and position themselves as “serious” dating apps, and bespoke high-end dating services like Sirf Coffee, a lot more users from such places are not only keen on using these apps, but also willing to pay for it.

“Indian companies need to re-skill, train, and acquire more relevant talent, if they are to successfully integrate AI technologies. Most importantly, they should be willing to make the continued investment. It is an uphill race in which there will be winners and losers,” said Deloitte India CEO N Venkatram.

Ambassador Joao Cravinho, head of the EU delegation, led Ambassadors of various European countries to a quiet lunch with Modi at the capital last year.

"It is the collective wisdom of the marketplace that there is action and we will move with speed. That improves the confidence level of industry."

Directives from the Centre have to be executed at the state level. So, there are many things that are not in Modi’s hands, says Raamdeo Agrawal.

"The fact that we are the world’s largest democracy and we are all aware that power and a role in global affairs for a nation comes from economic strength."

"Now there is a stage three and stage four of digitisation, we will take a call on this only after taking all things into account."

"There is a leadership vacuum in the company, because they made the wrong choice of CEO three years ago and that is playing out right now."

Rupee#CAD#Economic crisis#Food Bill

The team behind The Artist will have spent the first day of the rest of their lives conforming to the grandest, and most lucrative, of Hollywood traditions.

It's the World Book fair, which comes around once every two years sprawling across the giant halls of Pragati Maidan. This is the fair's 20th edition.

An elephant figurine gifted by the then HM LK Advani to US Secretary of State Colin Powell in 2002, has made its way to the State Department hall.

Statistical models used by IMD will still be used for monsoon forecast, but the ministry of earth sciences is putting more emphasis on dynamic models.

Newly discovered documents have revealed the first telegraph messages and joy when England was linked for the first time with India on 23 June, 1870.

Hundreds of worried fans of ailing Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan today performed a yagna here to pray for his speedy recovery.

Alfa Laval (India) today said its parent firm has raised the delisting offer price to Rs 2,850 a share.