Gold market trends: Prices drop for third week as dollar stays firm; Fed tone and China move weigh on sentiment

Gold prices extended their decline for the third straight week, pressured by a stronger US dollar and cautious remarks from Federal Reserve officials that curbed investor appetite for safe-haven assets, analysts said.The sustained firmness in the greenback and the US central bank’s wait-and-watch stance have kept bullion trading in a narrow range through the holiday-shortened…

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Pharma takeover: Pfizer set to acquire Metsera in $10 bn deal; wins board backing after Novo Nordisk exits bidding war

Pfizer is poised to acquire US-based biotechnology firm Metsera in a $10 billion deal, after winning a heated bidding battle against Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk, which has now withdrawn from the race, AFP reported.Metsera, which specialises in obesity treatments, said in a statement that Pfizer’s improved offer of $86.25 per share had been unanimously approved…

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Marine reform: Centre notifies new deep-sea fishing rules; bans foreign vessels, empowers cooperatives – what changes for Indian fishers?

In a major policy shift aimed at unlocking India’s vast marine wealth, the Centre has notified new rules for deep-sea fishing in the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) — prioritising fishermen cooperatives, small-scale fishers, and digital transparency, while banning foreign vessels from Indian waters.The rules, notified on November 4, fulfil the government’s Budget 2025-26 promise…

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Sustainability push: Tea Board urges strict food safety compliance; new code promotes eco-friendly pest control and worker welfare

The Tea Board has called on the industry to adopt food safety standards more effectively, saying compliance will be critical for long-term sustainability and competitiveness in both domestic and global markets.Releasing its new Plant Protection Code (PPC), the Board said adherence to food safety norms would not only protect the plantation ecosystem but also ensure…

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India connect: Singapore, Canada startups eye expansion in India; global founders cite policy push and market depth

Several startups from Singapore and Canada have expressed interest in expanding into India, drawn by its vast consumer base, rapid economic growth, and increasingly supportive startup ecosystem.The companies shared their plans during interactions with PTI on the sidelines of EPIC 2025, a global pitch competition organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation…

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Ghost job ads surge: Firms use fake listings for market data, branding; experts flag 25% annual rise

The number of ghost job postings — advertisements for roles that do not actually exist — has risen sharply, growing by about 25% year-on-year, according to recruitment industry experts. These listings, increasingly visible across social and professional platforms, are often put up by companies that have no immediate hiring intent, using them instead for market…

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Rural demand surge: Countryside drives India’s consumption rebound; urban growth seen picking up in Q3 FY26

Rural India continues to drive the country’s consumption rebound, outpacing urban markets despite recent policy measures aimed at stimulating city-based spending, according to Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd. (MOFSL).According to MOFSL’s latest ECOSCOPE report titled “Rural Rules, Urban Follows,” rural consumption rose 7.7 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of FY26 — the highest…

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Data centre boom: India’s capacity to hit 8GW by 2030; $30 billion investment seen driving AI, cloud growth

Representative image (Picture credit: ANI) India’s data centre industry is on track for a major expansion, with total capacity projected to jump five times to 8GW by 2030, according to a sectoral report by Jefferies. The growth is expected to be driven by the surge in data consumption, rapid cloud adoption, regulatory data localisation rules,…

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COP30: India calls equitable, concessional finance the cornerstone; urges developed nations to deliver on climate commitments

India has reiterated that equitable, predictable, and concessional climate finance remains central to achieving global climate goals, underscoring the principle of fairness and shared responsibility at the Leaders’ Summit of COP30 in Belem, Brazil.Delivering India’s National Statement, Ambassador Dinesh Bhatia said the country’s climate action continues to be guided by equity, national circumstances, and the…

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