Oil prices today: Crude climbs to $112 as Middle East energy hubs come under attack amid Iran war

Global oil prices surged and equity markets weakened on Thursday after fresh strikes on energy infrastructure in Iran and in retaliation Islamic Republic escalating threats to key facilities across the Gulf raised concerns over supply disruptions.Natural gas prices increased by more than 5%, while Brent crude rose to $111.19 in early trading and extended its…

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War forces rethink on travel insurance cover and limits

MUMBAI: The conflict in West Asia is prompting both underwriters and policyholders to reassess the efficacy of travel insurance in addressing geopolitical risks, one of the more persistent uncertainties in recent years.Early signals are visible in claims behaviour. “We have received travel inconvenience claims i.e. flight cancellation, trip cancellation/ interruption, accommodation extension etc. We have…

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After 2 attempts, govt fails to divest IDBI Bank

NEW DELHI: Ten years later and after two attempts, govt has failed to privatise IDBI Bank, the perpetual problem child, leaving potential bidders fatigued and raising questions over the process as well as future disinvestment plans.It wasn’t the first time that the Centre tried to exit IDBI Bank, with the plan first announced by former…

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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…

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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…

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Market rebound or relief rally: Sensex gains nearly 3,000 points in three days; should investors stay cautious?

Indian equity benchmarks continued their upward move for a third straight session on Wednesday, with the BSE Sensex adding nearly 3,000 points over the past three trading days, prompting debate on Dalal Street over whether the recent recovery marks a sustainable bottom or just a short-term bounce, according to an ET report.The NSE Nifty ended…

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