Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and renewed global trade uncertainty following US President Donald Trump’s tariff decisions are expected to keep gold and silver prices on an upward trajectory next week, analysts said.Investors have increasingly moved towards safe-haven assets amid volatility triggered by fresh tariff measures and escalating global risks, with market participants now closely watching upcoming economic indicators for further cues.Key data points include the US Producer Price Index (PPI), consumer confidence readings, weekly initial jobless claims and the People’s Bank of China’s lending rate decision, analysts noted.“Markets are awaiting the US producer price index (PPI), housing data, consumer confidence, regional Fed indicators, and the People’s Bank of China’s prime rate decision,” Choice Broking said, as quoted news agency PTI.The brokerage firm said escalating geopolitical risks and Trump’s decision to raise global tariffs after the US Supreme Court’s ruling have revived trade uncertainties and strengthened demand for bullion as a defensive asset.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), silver futures climbed Rs 8,584, or 3.5 per cent, over the past week, while gold advanced Rs 981, or nearly 1 per cent.“Gold prices traded in a narrow range during the week ended February 20, as MCX gold fluctuated between Rs 1.5-1.6 lakh per 10 grams. Softer US data and rising geopolitical risks pushed prices higher, with investors priced in the possibility of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve,” said Prathamesh Mallya, DVP – Research, Non-Agri Commodities and Currencies, Angel One.Mallya added that renewed tensions in the Middle East, the Russia-Ukraine conflict and broader market volatility have driven investors towards gold as a hedge against uncertainty.“Overall, the risk-off sentiment remained in precious metals in this week. We expect gold prices might move higher towards Rs 1.61 lakh per 10 grams,” he said.Choice Broking noted that increased post-Lunar New Year liquidity and firm industrial demand from solar and aluminium sectors also supported silver’s performance.In international markets, Comex silver futures rose USD 4.38, or 5.62 per cent, to USD 82.34 per ounce during the week, while gold gained USD 34.6, or nearly 1 per cent, to close at USD 5,080.9.“Gold ended the week on a strong note, breaking above USD 5,080 per ounce after a landmark Supreme Court of the United States ruling against global tariffs reignited volatility and safe-haven demand. The ruling, combined with mounting US-Iran tensions, has reintroduced a geopolitical risk premium that spurred silver’s rebound,” Choice Broking said.The brokerage added that although the dollar initially weakened to 97.8, it rebounded after Trump announced a 10 per cent global tariff through executive order and later raised tariffs to 15 per cent, keeping investors wary and bullion supported.“Additional support came from heightened tensions in the Middle East, including a significant US military deployment near Iran, which further lifted bullion’s appeal,” it added.

Ishan Kishan warms up before an ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 cricket match between India and South Africa, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad. (PTI Photo)

Opener Ishan Kishan lost his wicket in the first over of India’s innings and was out for a duck in the Super 8 clash against South Africa in Ahmedabad on Sunday. Markram floated a slower off-break that drifted away. Kishan went for a big slog across the line, misread the turn and sent it high toward cover. Ryan Rickelton completed a clean catch. Previously, in the group stage of the T20 World Cup, Kishan’s opening partner Abhishek Sharma had been dismissed for ducks in all three matches he played — against the USA, Pakistan and the Netherlands. Against South Africa, he scored 15 runs, while Kishan was out for zero.Earlier, David Miller rolled back the years with exhilarating strokes but Jasprit Bumrah‘s superb initial and end act restricted South Africa to a par score of 187 for seven in the Super Eights game of the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad.Miller, standing on the cusp of 37, struck 63 off 35 balls and got fine support from young Dewald Brevis (45 off 29 balls) after Bumrah (3/15 in 4 overs) and Arshdeep Singh (2/28 in 4 overs) had reduced the Proteas to 20 for 3 inside the first four overs.Bumrah, who got two wickets in his first two overs for just seven runs, took one more wicket giving away just 8 more runs across the 17th and 19th over that he sent down.In all he bowled 12 dot balls, amounting to two maiden overs.The Proteas did find themselves down in the dumps but veteran Miller and young Brevis launched a counter-attack that was both swift and brutal.They added 97 in just 8.2 overs and the hallmark of their batting was the technique against spinner Varun Chakravarthy (1/47 in 4 overs), who was made to look pedestrian on the day.Between the duo, they clobbered half a dozen of maximums (three apiece) but just when the black-soil strip at the Motera started helping the stroke players, the duo got out.It was Tristan Stubbs (44 not out off 24 balls), who took South Africa past the 185-run mark with a couple of huge sixes off the final two deliveries of the innings bowled by Hardik Pandya.

Axar Patel (right) sits out IND vs SA T20 World Cup Super 8 match (ANI Photos)

India captain Suryakumar Yadav revealed that the team went with the same playing XI for the Super 8 game against South Africa on Sunday, which meant vice-captain Axar Patel was left out again, with Washington Sundar keeping his spot. After losing the toss, Surya admitted he wanted to bat first but accepted the toss result, calling Axar’s omission a tough call.

“I was actually looking to bat first, but it’s okay, and we’re happy to bowl first. It’s very harsh on Axar Patel, but we’re going with the same team – just a tactical decision, so no changes from the last game,” he said at the toss. The decision sparked strong reactions on social media, with many fans questioning Axar’s exclusion.“Can someone tell me, why Axar Patel is dropped with his OG T2OI performances?” One fan wrote on X.“I have another question, can somebody tell me why Washington Sundar is not bowling to David Miller, if he was selected over Axar with lefties excuse?Does anything make sense under Gambhir?”Similar sentiments among fans over the Axar Patel omission call followed.In the match, South Africa had a shaky start after opting to bat. Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh struck early, reducing them to 20/3 in just four overs. However, David Miller and Dewald Brevis staged a strong comeback, attacking India’s bowlers and shifting the momentum.Miller took on Varun Chakravarthy and Arshdeep Singh with powerful boundaries, while Brevis joined in with aggressive shots against Washington Sundar and others. The pair added quick runs and pushed the scoring rate up, helping South Africa recover to 84/3 at the halfway stage. Nevertheless, South Africa posted a strong total of 187/7 in their 20 overs after choosing to bat against India. After losing early wickets, Miller (63 off 35) and Brevis (45 off 29) led a crucial recovery, while Stubbs (44* off 24) provided a late surge. Bumrah was the standout bowler with 3/15, supported by Arshdeep’s 2/28, but India still face a challenging chase.

Former Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan has embarked on a beautiful new chapter, marrying his long-time partner Sophie Shine in an intimate ceremony in Delhi NCR on Saturday, February 21, 2026. As pictures of the couple’s dreamy wedding take social media by storm, here’s everything you need to know about the Irish beauty who captured the heart of the man fondly called ‘Gabbar’.

Lesser know facts about Sophie Shine

Sophie Shine is an Irish finance and product management professional who came into the public spotlight following her engagement and subsequent marriage to Shikhar Dhawan . Unlike many partners of cricketers who come from entertainment or modelling backgrounds, Sophie is a distinguished corporate leader with an impressive international career.

Born in June 1990 in Limerick, Ireland, Sophie is currently 35 years old . She holds Irish nationality and has built a formidable reputation in global finance and consulting .

Education: Strong academic foundation 

Sophie completed her schooling at Castletroy College in Limerick, a well-known educational institution in the region  She pursued higher education at the Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT), now part of the Technological University of the Shannon, where she earned a degree in Marketing and Management.

Her academic background in business and marketing laid a strong foundation for her subsequent success in the corporate world.

Professional Career

Sophie has built an enviable career spanning continents and sectors. She began her professional journey in Ireland’s financial services sector as a Client Service Representative at Northern Trust Corporation in March 2018 .

Key professional roles:

Sophie served as Second Vice President – Product Consultant at Northern Trust Corporation in Abu Dhabi, one of the world’s leading financial services institutions. In this role, she handled product management, client strategy, and financial services consulting for major clients.

In March 2025, Sophie transitioned to the sports and philanthropy sector, taking on the role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Da One Sports, Dhawan’s conglomerate. This move brought her closer to Dhawan’s business ventures and philanthropic initiatives.

Sophie also currently heads the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, the non-profit philanthropic arm of the Da One Group, playing a key role in initiatives impacting education, health and community development.

Relationship with Shikhar Dhawan: A modern love story

Sophie and Shikhar first crossed paths at a restaurant in Dubai, where their friendship gradually blossomed into a romantic relationship. In a candid revelation, Sophie shared that it was Dhawan’s “mischievous eyes” that attracted her to him.

Relationship timeline

2023: The couple reportedly began dating after their initial meeting in Dubai.

2024: Sophie was first spotted cheering for Dhawan during Punjab Kings’ IPL matches, sparking speculation.

2025: Both were seen together at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, further fuelling rumours.

Sophie officially confirmed their relationship on Instagram with a heartfelt post captioned “My love.”

January 12, 2026: The couple announced their engagement through a dreamy Instagram post. Their engagement announcement read: “From shared smiles to shared dreams. Grateful for the love, the blessings, and every good wish for our engagement as we choose togetherness forever.”

February 21, 2026: Shikhar and Sophie tied the knot in a private ceremony.

Also READ: Shikhar Dhawan marries Irish girlfriend Sophie Shine in dreamy ceremony; viral pics take internet by storm

Life in India and social media presence

Sophie has embraced life in India, frequently traveling between Abu Dhabi, where she maintains her corporate base, and Delhi NCR, where she now has a significant presence . She has built a substantial social media following, with approximately 380,000 followers on Instagram.

Over the past months, Sophie has regularly shared glimpses of her life with Shikhar, including fun reels and pictures that showcase their chemistry and shared sense of humour.

Also READ: Shikhar Dhawan and Sophie Shine enjoy a serene holiday in Ireland

US investors are increasingly moving money out of domestic equities and into overseas markets, signalling a shift away from the long-dominant “buy America” trade as returns from Big Tech moderate and global markets outperform.Data from LSEG/Lipper shows US-domiciled investors have withdrawn about $75 billion from US equity products over the past six months, including $52 billion since the start of 2026 — the largest outflow in the first eight weeks of a year since at least 2010, news agency Reuters reported.The trend reflects growing diversification by American investors, even as a weaker dollar makes overseas investments more expensive. Analysts say the shift mirrors earlier moves by global investors who had already begun reducing exposure to US assets.Since the global financial crisis in 2009, strong economic growth and technology-sector dominance helped US equities deliver outsized gains, reinforcing the “buy America” investment strategy. More recently, the artificial intelligence boom pushed the S&P 500 to record highs last year, cushioning markets despite policy uncertainty linked to President Donald Trump’s trade and diplomatic approach.

Investors look beyond US tech dominance

Rising concerns over AI-related risks and elevated valuations of megacap technology stocks have prompted investors to reassess opportunities abroad. Bank of America’s February fund manager survey showed investors rotating from US equities into emerging markets at the fastest pace in five years.“I’ve had lots of conversations with our wealth business in the U.S. this year,” said Gerry Fowler, UBS’s head of European equity strategy and global derivatives strategy. “They’re all talking about investing more offshore because at the end of the year, they looked at the performance of foreign markets in dollars and they’re like, wow, I’m missing out.”So far this year, US investors have invested about $26 billion into emerging-market equities, with South Korea attracting $2.8 billion and Brazil $1.2 billion, according to LSEG/Lipper data.The dollar has declined roughly 10% against a basket of currencies since last January, partly reflecting policy developments under the Trump administration. While this raises the cost of overseas investments, stronger foreign market performance can enhance dollar-denominated returns.Over the past 12 months, the S&P 500 has gained around 14%, compared with a 43% rise in Tokyo’s Nikkei index, a 26% jump in Europe’s STOXX 600, a 23% return from Shanghai’s CSI 300 and a doubling in South Korea’s KOSPI index.

Valuation gap drives global rotation

Investors are increasingly rotating away from high-growth technology stocks towards industrial and defensive sectors, which are more prominent in markets such as Germany, the UK, Switzerland and Japan.Laura Cooper, global investment strategist at Nuveen, told Reuters that the shift reflects a broader reassessment of valuations. “Increasingly we are seeing U.S. investors look at the global landscape from a valuation perspective,” she said, highlighting cyclical growth momentum in Europe and Japan.European banking stocks surged 67% last year and have risen another 4% so far in 2026, illustrating renewed interest in cyclical sectors.US equities continue to trade at higher valuations, with the S&P 500 valued at roughly 21.8 times expected earnings, compared with about 15 times in Europe, 17 times in Japan and 13.5 times in China.Kevin Thozet, portfolio adviser at Carmignac, said flows of US capital into Europe have accelerated since mid-2025. Since Trump’s inauguration last January, US investors have channelled nearly $7 billion into European equity funds, reversing earlier outflows recorded during his first term.“If I’m taking a very long-term view, it’s, maybe, this idea of a great global rotation,” Thozet said.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Benjamin Netanyahu and PM Modi (File photo)

NEW DELHI: “Global power that is India,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday as he spoke ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit, scheduled for next week, praising India’s growing stature on the world stage.Highlighting the special bond between New Delhi and Tel Aviv, Netanyahu posted on X from the official account of his office, saying, “This week, expression will be given to the special relationship that has been forged over recent years between Israel and the global power that is India, and between myself and its leader, Prime Minister Modi.”

He added, “We are personal friends; we speak frequently on the phone and visit one another. I have visited India, and Modi has visited here. We waded together in the waters of the Mediterranean, and much water has flowed since then in the Mediterranean, the Ganges, and the Jordan, though less in the Jordan.”This will be PM Modi’s second visit to Israel, following his landmark 2017 trip, when he became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country.Israeli PM Netanyahu earlier in the day said that both sides would seek to further strengthen economic, diplomatic and security cooperation during the visit.“On Wednesday, the Prime Minister of India will arrive. He will deliver a speech at the Knesset (Israeli Parliament), and I am sure you will all be there. We will also hold an innovation event in Jerusalem and visit Yad Vashem together,” Netanyahu said at the start of a meeting of government officials.Israeli PM Netanyahu said the relationship between India and Israel has grown stronger over the years and that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit would help deepen it further.“The fabric of this relationship has grown tighter, and he is coming here so we can tighten it further through a series of decisions related to strengthening cooperation between our governments and countries. This includes economic, diplomatic and security cooperation,” Netanyahu said.On the diplomatic front, he outlined a broader regional vision. “In the vision I see before me, we will create an entire system, essentially a ‘hexagon’ of alliances around or within the Middle East. This includes India, Arab nations, African nations, Mediterranean nations (Greece and Cyprus), and nations in Asia that I won’t detail at the moment. I will present this in an organized manner,” he said.“The intention here is to create an axis of nations that see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges, and goals against the radical axes, both the radical Shia axis, which we have struck very hard, and the emerging radical Sunni axis. All of these nations share a different perception, and our cooperation can yield great results and, of course, ensure our resilience and our future,” Netanyahu added.During PM Modi’s visit, Netanyahu said Israel would “promote cooperation in high-tech, AI, and quantum computing.”“I say AI and quantum not because they are the future, but because they are the present. We, of course, want to be among the world’s leading nations in these fields,” he said.PM Modi’s upcoming visit comes against the backdrop of the Board of Peace meeting held on February 19. The Board of Peace initiative originated from US President Donald Trump’s 20-point Gaza ceasefire plan endorsed by the UN Security Council, but has since expanded beyond its initial scope. Administration officials said around 35 nations had committed to join, while 60 received invitations. Trump has suggested the new body could take on roles currently performed by the United Nations.At the recent AI Impact Summit 2026 held in New Delhi, Ilan Fluss, former Ambassador and Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) Policy Coordinator at Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, highlighted Israel’s commitment to innovation, responsible development and expanded bilateral cooperation in emerging technologies.Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Fluss described artificial intelligence as a transformational moment comparable to major historical global shifts.An Israeli delegation visited India for the AI Summit and held bilateral meetings with Indian government representatives aimed at strengthening technological collaboration.Meanwhile, the global network israel.com on Sunday announced the launch of a new news portal, israelnews.in, targeted at Indian readers.