The Times of India

Noida International Airport in Jewar has secured its aerodrome licence from the DGCA. This crucial step brings the airport closer to commencing flight operations. All necessary infrastructure is in place. The airport is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Commercial flights will begin after final security programme approval.

The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, serves as a major hub for refining and exporting gold to buyers across Asia. It also acts as a transit point for shipments arriving from Switzerland, the United Kingdom and several African countries.

German media conglomerate Axel Springer has announced its intention to acquire the UK's Telegraph Media Group for 575 million, a deal subject to regulatory approval. Axel Springer, owner of POLITICO, aims to enhance the right-leaning publication's reach and intellectual influence globally. The company emphasized shared values with The Telegraph, while UK authorities confirmed they will assess the proposed transaction.

Shipping data compiled by Bloomberg shows that roughly 15 million barrels of Russian oil are currently held on tankers in the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. In addition, vessels carrying about 7 million barrels are anchored near Singapore.

Australia has doubled the Temporary Graduate Visa fee to AU$4,600, impacting international students seeking post-study work. This hike, alongside rising student visa costs and living expenses, makes Australia's offerings significantly more expensive than competitors like Canada and the UK. Experts warn this could deter prospective students weighing their investment.

The Indian Rupee saw a slight gain against the US Dollar. This happened after the United States granted a 30-day waiver. Indian refiners can now buy Russian oil. This decision aims to ease global energy supply pressures. The move comes amid ongoing West Asia conflict. Domestic equity markets faced pressure. Foreign funds also withdrew from Indian markets.

China now leads the world with 1,110 billionaires, surpassing the United States, according to the Hurun Global Rich List. The nation added 287 new billionaires, largely driven by AI, semiconductors, and healthcare, showcasing rapid wealth creation and a significant shift in global economic power.

Around two-thirds of Indias LPG demand is met through imports, with the Middle East accounting for roughly 85 to 90 per cent of those supplies. Oil refiners have been told to maximise LPG output by ensuring that the propane and butane available with them are fully utilised for cooking gas production, the report said.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are volatile with any dips allowing investors to buy, says Jateen Trivedi, VP Research Analyst - Commodity and Currency, LKP Securities.

Around 90% of Indias crude oil is imported - and around 40-50% of Indias crude oil imports come from the Middle East, particularly after it substantially reduced purchases of Russian crude oil.

West Asia conflict has grounded thousands of flights across the Middle East, stranding passengers and forcing airlines to reroute or cancel services. Major carriers like Air France, British Airways, and Cathay Pacific have suspended routes. While some Gulf airlines are resuming limited operations, Indian carriers are adding flights to manage demand and repatriation efforts.

President Trump downplayed concerns over rising gasoline prices due to the Iran conflict, prioritizing military action. While oil markets reacted sharply, he asserted prices would drop post-conflict. White House officials are exploring measures to counter price hikes, though the President ruled out tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve for now.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, is now a vulnerable point for undersea internet cables due to escalating West Asian tensions. Disruptions have halted crucial repair operations, impacting internet traffic and India's data center ambitions. This geopolitical flashpoint challenges previous perceptions of the route's safety.

Stock market today: After a relief rally on Thursday, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex opened in red on Friday on weak global cues amid escalating Middle East tensions. While Nifty50 went below 24,650, BSE Sensex was down over 500 points.

Jefferies downgraded L&T's target price due to West Asia exposure, while BoFA Securities maintained a buy on AB Capital, citing strong growth in lending and housing finance. Goldman Sachs issued a sell on Sun Pharmaceuticals, highlighting innovative medicines as a key driver, and Kotak Institutional Equities kept an add rating on Bajaj Finance, emphasizing its structural transformation.

Stock market recommendations: Bharti Airtel, and Tata Power Company are the top stock recommendations by Bajaj Broking Research on March 6, 2026. The target prices are expected to be hit in a span of around 6 months - the brokerage shares a detailed outlook on both stocks and also on Nifty and Bank Nifty:

Bank of Baroda has successfully raised ten thousand crore rupees through its Series I green infrastructure bonds. This marks a significant milestone as the first bank in India to issue domestic green bonds. The seven-year bond attracted substantial investor interest, exceeding expectations. These funds will now support India's infrastructure development and its transition to a greener future.

The rupee strengthened by 55 paise to close at Rs 91.6 per dollar on Thursday, recovering from a record low. The Reserve Bank of India intervened through state-run banks in both non-deliverable forward and spot markets to support the domestic unit. Sentiment improved marginally on reports of Iran's conditional willingness to abandon its nuclear program.

Automobile retail sales surged to a record 19.1 lakh units in February 2026. Most vehicle segments, including two-wheelers and passenger vehicles, achieved their highest ever February sales. This strong performance signals sustained demand across the market. Dealers anticipate continued growth in March due to festivals and financial year-end purchases.

A stark reality for women entrepreneurs in India's startup scene: for every Rs 100 raised, only Rs 4 reaches women-led ventures. This significant funding gap, highlighted by Kalaari Capital's CXXO initiative, points to a structural market inefficiency, not a lack of female founders.

Public sector banks have significantly expanded their market share in key secured lending segments like auto and home loans over the past year. This growth comes as private banks and NBFCs continue to dominate unsecured consumer credit, with PSBs increasing their presence in previously private-dominated areas.

FMCG volume growth in India slowed to 2.6% in the December quarter, down from 6.2% a year prior, due to disruptions at kirana stores caused by the GST transition. While value growth also declined, analysts anticipate a consumption recovery from the March quarter as the impact of tax cuts becomes more apparent.

GAIL India faces potential supply disruptions from Petronet LNG due to QatarEnergy's force majeure, impacting nearly a fifth of global supplies. India is exploring alternative gas sources from Australia and Canada, while prioritizing critical sectors like fertilizers amidst the crisis.

Escalation Of Conflict Risks Inflating Key Input Costs For Cos That May Have To Pass On Hikes

Gains 1.1% On US Shipping Safety Guarantee, Iran's Talk Proposal

Beyond oil, its important to note that West Asia plays an important role in supplying India with essential commodities. In 2025, Indias imports from the region of approximately $98.7 billion included critical resources such as energy, fertilisers and industrial inputs.

Despite the rising tensions in West Asia, India remains confident in its energy supply, undertaking daily assessments and maintaining a strong inventory. By diversifying sourcing to include Australia and Canada, India enhances its energy security. In addition, strategic reserves and ongoing dialogues with global energy organizations and the United States reinforce India's readiness against any supply disruptions.

Tensions in the Middle East are raising concerns over disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy shipping route. Goldman Sachs reports early signs of stress, with tanker traffic showing disruptions and financial markets factoring in geopolitical risk. A prolonged closure could significantly impact global oil and LNG supplies, affecting major Asian economies.

India currently offers two parallel tax systems for individuals - Old Personal Tax Regime and New Personal Tax Regime. While the new regime is now the default option, the choice remains with the taxpayer.