Middle East tensions ripple through Pakistan’s fragile economy: Fuel cost soars, household bills pile up and more

The Middle East crisis is sending shockwaves far beyond the region, unsettling everything from oil markets to stocks and currencies. At a time when markets around the world are already volatile, Pakistan, which is already grappling with a fragile economy, is finding itself on the brink of an economic crisis. Concerns are rising around inflation,…

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Amid US-Iran war, Nayara plans 35-day shutdown for maintenance; 8% of India’s refining capacity may take a hit

The company had postponed maintenance work at its 20 million tonnes-per-year Vadinar refinery in Gujarat. (AI image) Russia’s Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy is planning to halt operations for around 35 days starting early April, a move that could temporarily take nearly 8% of India’s refining capacity offline and tighten domestic fuel availability, according to people familiar…

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$20 billion bet: ONGC eyes its oil exploration programme with deep-water drilling rigs; eye on energy security

ONGC floated a tender for these rigs as it looks to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration under the government’s Samudra Manthan mission. (AI image) Oil and Natural Gas Corporation or ONGC is expected to spend about $18–20 billion on hiring deep-water drilling rigs for what could become its largest-ever oil exploration programme, according to people familiar with…

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US stock markets today (March 24, 2026): Dow, S&P 500 & Nasdaq slip as Brent crude climbs amid Middle East tensions

US stocks slipped on Tuesday while oil prices resumed their climb, as continuing airstrikes on Iran and fresh missile attacks across the Middle East dampened the optimism that had lifted markets a day earlier.The S&P 500 fell 0.6%, giving back nearly half of its previous session’s gain. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 363 points,…

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After Trump’s sanction waiver, Reliance Industries procures 5 million barrels of Iran crude oil: Report

Last Friday, the Donald Trump administration granted a 30-day waiver on sanctions for Iranian oil already in transit. (AI image) With the US waiving sanctions on Iran oil, Reliance Industries has reportedly bought 5 million barrels of Iranian crude. Reliance runs the world’s largest refining complex. The effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has…

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Gold import quota licences under India-UAE pact get extended till June 30

The Centre has extended the validity of tariff rate quota (TRQ) licences issued for gold imports under the India-UAE free trade agreement, offering relief to importers facing supply disruptions amid the ongoing geopolitical crisis, reported PTI.India allows quota-based duty concessions on gold imports under the TRQ mechanism as part of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement…

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