Opinion News

All that glitters is silver this year: How the metal outshone gold with 135% returns in 2025

Silver has outperformed gold in 2025, delivering exceptional returns driven by robust industrial demand and a structural supply deficit. Geopolitical tensions and potential US interest rate cuts further bolster its appeal, suggesting its strong performance may continue into 2026.

Jeff Bezos idea of other people becoming rich is more revealing of the rich than of being wealthy

Jeff Bezos remark about creating wealth for other people refers mainly to shareholders who took risks in the stock market and invested at the right time. The article links this view to economist Milton Friedmans belief that a companys primary duty is to its shareholders, not broader philanthropy.

Turkmenistan: From marble excess to fiery desert, the country's surreal, utterly over the top

Visiting the reclusive nation of Turkmenistan is akin to stepping into a rabbit hole. A driver and guide are mandatory, interactions with locals are avoided. And the obligatory story at each stop is a cautiously rehearsed performance. Capital Ashgabat is constructed almost exclusively of white marble, and on its elegant roads only white cars are permitted.

This New Year, forget resolutions & try to find what you really, really want instead

As the new year approaches, people often make resolutions without first examining their deepest desires, such as wanting to look good or feel better. The article suggests that truly meaningful resolutions should align with ones core wishes, which are often hidden or unclear.

Being funny is seriously a very serious business

Humor is a serious art. Context is key to landing a joke. Trying to be funny can lead to misunderstandings. Yet, humor can reveal truths about the world. A good comic writer understands grief. New Year's parties offer chances to get it right. Choose your words wisely. There are many senses of humor. Have a seriously comic new year.

Nature doesn't exist in a zoo, it's also in you

The nature market offers escapes, but this disconnect from urban life is a capitalist cycle. People rely on markets for excitement and inner life. True care for nature means local engagement, not just exotic travel. This exotification separates us from the environment. Nature is not an escape; it is part of us.

Electric ain't the only silver bullet

India's clean mobility push needs strategic breadth beyond just electric vehicles. Relying solely on EVs creates new dependencies and ignores cleaner alternatives like biofuels and flex-fuel vehicles. A diversified approach, integrating these options, offers a more sovereign and efficient path to reducing emissions and achieving energy security for the nation.

Securities Markets Code 2025: Overhaul of India's capital market regulation

India's Securities Markets Code 2025 is a major overhaul of capital market rules. It combines three key laws into one framework. The code aims to fix issues hindering market growth. A key provision ensures settlement finality for clearing corporations. This protects against insolvency claims.

India's new trade strategy: From shallow agreements to deep value chain integration

India's regional trade agreement strategy shifted significantly post-2020, moving from broad, shallow deals with developing nations to strategic, deep agreements with developed economies. This pivot aims to enhance export competitiveness and integrate into global value chains, addressing past inefficiencies and market access limitations.

Two policies can catalyse Indias shift from welfare to livelihood creation

India is shifting its development approach. New policies aim to create livelihoods and promote financial well-being. This marks a move from poverty eradication to empowering citizens. The goal is to foster sustainable growth and help India become a developed nation. These changes are set to redefine the government's role as a catalyst for progress.

Why India should relax about Trump tariffs and speak the language of strategy without embarrassment

India should not fear Trump's tariffs or overtures to Pakistan, as the US strategic realignment toward India is driven by deeper geopolitical factors. While trade tensions exist, they are not existential, and India's growing industrial capacity makes it a crucial partner for the US seeking to diversify supply chains away from China.

Social security, reimagined: How the new labour code reshapes PF and worker rights

New labour codes, particularly the Code on Social Security, aim to transform Provident Fund into a social insurance system, aligning with UN SDGs. The code expands coverage to more establishments and workers, clarifies wage definitions, and introduces safeguards for low-wage earners. This aims to reduce litigation and compliance costs, fostering a worker-centric framework.

Only trains don't kill gentle giants

Train-elephant collisions continue to claim jumbo lives across India. A recent tragedy in Assam saw eight elephants killed. Experts point to a lack of coordination between government departments as the root cause. Despite mitigation efforts, institutional silos hinder effective solutions. Improved collaboration is crucial for elephant conservation and preventing future accidents.

2025 reforms form the base for a superstructure to emerge in late 2020s-early 2030s

India's economic policymakers navigated a challenging year, achieving robust GDP growth while addressing concerns like investment wariness and global economic headwinds. The government pushed forward with reforms, focusing on simplifying processes and optimizing the manufacturing environment, particularly in green energy, electronics, and defense sectors.

Can India's renewable energy surge deliver reliable power or will the grid collapse?

India's renewable energy growth is impressive, but a reliable power supply remains a challenge. The nation must upgrade its grid infrastructure and scale up storage solutions. Nuclear power will provide stable baseload energy. AI will optimize grid operations. These steps are crucial for energy security and climate goals.

India not only needs to craft a power storage policy, but also has to make its scale of RE durable

As India accelerates its transition towards renewable energy, theres an evident gap in maximizing its potential. Without a comprehensive strategy, the nation remains tethered to thermal power, primarily due to the unreliable nature of renewables. A strategic framework for energy storage is essential, prompting consideration of methods like pumped storage and hydrogen production.

2026 is poised to become a definitive turning point in Indias odyssey toward space

As 2025 concludes, ISRO gears up for a transformative 2026 with seven missions, including crucial Gaganyaan tests. India's human spaceflight dream hinges on qualifying the LVM3, validating the Crew Escape System, and perfecting re-entry trials. Success will position India among the elite spacefaring nations, showcasing technological prowess and driving innovation.

In Trumps transactional world, Japannot the Gulfmay be Indias smartest capital partner

Middle Eastern utility Masdar's failed ReNew Power deal was followed by significant Japanese investments in India's financial sector. Japanese megabanks are increasingly channeling billions into India, driven by geopolitical shifts and a desire to diversify from China. Meanwhile, Middle Eastern sovereign wealth funds are becoming selective in their Indian investments, influenced by US foreign policy.

Oman, Indias Gulf 'n' West Asia Gateway

India and Oman have forged a new chapter in their trade journey by signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. This agreement not only reinforces their historical ties but also sets the stage for a thriving economic future. It opens doors for India to explore diverse export markets, particularly in the Gulf.