A year after US President Donald Trump introduced a fresh round of tariffs, the economic fallout has proven uneven, with employment taking a clearer hit than prices. At the time, economists warned that the measures would drive up inflation and push unemployment higher. Data from 2025 suggests those concerns were only partly true. While the cost of some imported goods, including beef, coffee and tomatoes, rose sharply, overall price increases remained broadly steady. The labour market, however, weakened noticeably, CNN reported. Average monthly job growth in 2025 was the lowest seen in decades outside recessionary periods. The December jobs report, released on Friday, showed the unemployment rate rising by 0.4 percentage points over the year to 4.4%. Hiring had already begun to slow before 2025, but Trump’s wide-ranging tariffs, and the repeated changes to them, added to the pressure. Faced with uncertainty over future trade policy, many companies froze recruitment plans, while some moved to reduce their workforce. “There’s no compelling reason to be out there hiring en masse,” said University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith. “That is a rational response when you’re dealing with this kind of uncertainty.” Tariffs have also reshaped business decisions around investment and profitability. “Companies are seeing higher prices, depressing profitability; and in terms of new investment, they’re hesitant because tariffs make a lot of investments that have been profitable unprofitable,” Dean Baker, senior economist at the Center for Economic and Policy Research told CNN. Demand has softened as well, with customers delaying purchases amid shifting tariff levels. The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond noted in its latest Beige Book that several manufacturing contacts “said that their customers reduced new orders due to uncertainty about tariffs.” Confusion has not been limited to consumers. Trump’s unpredictable trade moves have left many firms unsure how to respond. So far, many have chosen to absorb higher tariff costs rather than pass them on, helping to prevent a broader rise in inflation, CNN reported. That balance could shift depending on the outcome of a major Supreme Court case that may overturn Trump’s most significant tariffs. If the levies are struck down, companies could be entitled to substantial refunds for duties already paid, though resolving such claims could take considerable time.

Will NDA’s house of cards hold in Tamil Nadu?

Late-night meetings in Delhi rarely make for calm politics, and the one that unfolded late evening last week between Union home minister Amit Shah and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, or EPS, was no exception. In optics, it was another routine round of koottani (alliance) discussions ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. In substance, it revealed how the push for kattuppadu (control) was unsettling the alliance, exposing the deepest fault lines yet in the National Democratic Alliance’s (NDA) attempt to present a credible, unified challenge to the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government led by chief minister MK Stalin.At the heart of the tension lies a demand that goes beyond the usual arithmetic of seat-sharing. The BJP reportedly wants a formal power-sharing assurance from the AIADMK, including at least three cabinet berths if an AIADMK-led NDA were to form the next government.

Union home minister and BJP leader Amit Shah with AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami during a press conference, in Chennai. AIADMK and BJP announced alliance for Tamil Nadu’s 2026 polls. (PTI photo)

For Tamil Nadu’s political culture, shaped by decades of Dravidian assertion and a strong emphasis on regional autonomy, such an explicit pre-election claim has few precedents. The reaction within the AIADMK has been wary, if not outright resistant, as the BJP’s clout in the South remains lean.The pre-poll power-sharing deal, however, is only one strand in a much larger and more byzantine political development. With just months to go before the 2026 polls, Tamil Nadu’s political field is unusually crowded and unsettled. The NDA is trying to stitch together a fragmented anti-DMK vote; the DMK is defending its record amid murmurs of alliance unease with the Congress, while actor-turned-politician Vijay has injected a new variable through his fledgling but closely watched Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The result is a state on the cusp of a multi-cornered contest, where perception may matter as much as numbers.The BJP’s calculusFor the BJP, Tamil Nadu remains the most challenging large state on the electoral map. Despite steady organisational work over the past decade and a growing vote share, the party has not yet translated presence into power. Its alliance with the AIADMK has therefore always been more than tactical and is seen in Delhi as the primary vehicle for relevance in the southern state. However, the current BJP strategy, curated mainly by Amit Shah, reflects this urgency.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah waves to the gathering during the Namma Ooru Modi Pongal festival, in Tiruchirappalli on January 5. (ANI photo)

BJP has consistently maintained that merely contesting a limited number of seats as a junior partner no longer serves the long-term interests of the party. The proposal that the BJP and its own allies together contest around 56 of the state’s 234 assembly seats is part of this thinking.More striking, however, is the reported insistence on cabinet representation, a move intended to signal to cadres and voters alike that the BJP is not just supporting an AIADMK government but would be a stakeholder in governance.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai and L Murugan during a roadshow at a public meeting for the culmination of the BJP’s ‘En Mann Ek Makkal’ padyatra, near Palladam in Tirupur in 2024. (PTI)

This push has coincided with a renewed effort by Shah and the central leadership to rebuild a broader NDA in the state. Former allies and breakaway factions are being courted again, including leaders who left the alliance last year. The BJP believes that consolidating these forces is essential to prevent vote-splitting that could once again hand the DMK an advantage.Yet, this centralised approach has also revived old anxieties. In Tamil Nadu, where electoral narratives are often framed around resistance to “Delhi control”, any perception that the BJP is dictating terms risks becoming a political liability rather than an asset for the AIADMK.Alliance arithmetic vs identity politicsFor the AIADMK, the alliance question is as much about survival as it is about strategy. Since the death of J Jayalalithaa, or Amma as she was popularly known, the party has struggled to regain the dominance it once enjoyed. In the 2016 elections, the AIADMK under Jayalalithaa had emerged victorious with 136 seats.The AIADMK-led alliance, in the 2021 state polls, which were fought in the absence of Amma, won 75 seats, of which the AIADMK itself secured 66, while the DMK-led front swept to power with 159 seats. The verdict underlined both the AIADMK’s residual strength and the scale of the challenge ahead.

An All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) party cadre greets himself at the feet of his party supremo Jayalalithaa Jayaram after party’s victory in the assembly polls, at her residence in Chennai on May 19, 2016. This is the first time since 1987 that an incumbent government has been re-elected in Tamil Nadu after the enormous success of AIADMK founder, MG Ramachandran. (Photo: Times Content)

After the 2021 assembly defeat, EPS moved decisively to consolidate control over the AIADMK, marginalising rivals and asserting himself as the party’s sole authority. This process effectively pushed out O Panneerselvam (OPS), once a key face of the party and a former chief minister. The EPS–OPS split was not just a leadership clash but a symptom of the AIADMK’s post-Jayalalithaa identity crisis.Palaniswami argued that a single centre of authority was essential for electoral recovery, while Panneerselvam continued to claim legitimacy through loyalty to Jayalalithaa’s legacy and sympathy among sections of the cadre. EPS emerged stronger within the party, but the split narrowed the AIADMK’s social and political reach at a time when it could least afford division.EPS vs OPS dilemma for BJPFor the BJP, this internal fracture has been an enduring source of discomfort. The party has viewed Panneerselvam as more approachable and politically expendable, someone who could be accommodated without threatening the alliance’s structure. Palaniswami, by contrast, has been guarded and transactional, keen to keep both the BJP and expelled leaders at arm’s length to protect his authority and the party’s regional identity. This has left the BJP caught between competing compulsions: it cannot ignore EPS without risking the alliance, but it also hesitates to shut the door on OPS, whose limited yet specific influence could matter in a tight contest. The result has been an uneasy balancing act, one that reflects the BJP’s broader struggle to manage Tamil Nadu politics without appearing overbearing.

The EPS–OPS split was not just a leadership clash but a symptom of the AIADMK’s post-Jayalalithaa identity crisis.

Against this backdrop, Palaniswami’s reluctance to commit publicly to power-sharing with the BJP is rooted in political instinct. The AIADMK is also cautious about re-inducting expelled leaders and rival factions like the Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK). The AMMK did not win seats but polled enough votes in several regions to dent the AIADMK’s prospects, particularly in the southern and delta districts. This residual vote base, drawn mainly from sections of the Thevar community and AIADMK loyalists disillusioned with the current leadership, makes the AMMK less a kingmaker and more a potential spoiler. For the BJP, bringing Dhinakaran back into the NDA is about preventing further fragmentation of the anti-DMK vote rather than expecting direct seat gains.While the BJP sees figures like O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran’s AMMK as assets who can consolidate specific caste and regional vote banks, Palaniswami views their return as a threat to internal cohesion and his own authority.

TTV Dhinakaran and O Panneerselvam are linked by political compulsion rather than conviction, brought together mainly by their shared opposition to EPS.

PMK a boon or bane?The re-entry of the Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) into the NDA has given the alliance a symbolic boost, but not without complications. Anbumani Ramadoss’s decision to align with the AIADMK-BJP front was meant to strengthen the NDA’s presence in northern Tamil Nadu, where the PMK traditionally draws support from the Vanniyar community. Though this adds social breadth to the coalition at a time when consolidation is critical, the PMK is far from united.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder S. Ramadoss during a public meeting ahead of Lok Sabha elections, in Salem, Tamil Nadu. (PTI photo from 2024)

The sharp and public rift between Anbumani and his father, party founder S Ramadoss, has fractured the cadre and weakened the party’s ability to transfer votes as a bloc. Rival claims over leadership and legitimacy have created confusion at the grassroots, blunting what was once the PMK’s core electoral strength.For the NDA, the PMK’s return improves optics but not certainty. Without internal cohesion, the party risks becoming an unreliable ally rather than a decisive force against the DMK in 2026.DMK’s quest to quell anti-incumbencyFor the DMK, the turbulence within the NDA offers both opportunity and warning. The party’s sweeping victory in 2021, when it returned to power after a decade in opposition, was built on a broad coalition that included the Congress and several regional players.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin during the 10th NITI Aayog Governing Council Meeting on ‘Viksit Rajya for Viksit Bharat@2047’, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi in 2025. (ANI Photo)

Since then, the government has focused on welfare schemes, social justice narratives, Tamil identity and language. However, incumbency carries its own risks. There are murmurs of unease within the DMK-led alliance, particularly the Congress seeking greater seat shares or a more visible role post the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.While these strains are far from a rupture, they are being closely watched by rivals eager to exploit any cracks. The DMK leadership, which is slowly transitioning from MK Stalin to Udhayanidhi Stalin, is also conscious that a fragmented opposition could paradoxically complicate its task.

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin kisses his son, Tamil Nadu deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on his birthday, in Chennai.

A three- or four-cornered contest may lower the winning threshold in individual constituencies, but it also introduces unpredictability. The party’s messaging has therefore doubled down on stability, contrasting its governance record with what it portrays as an unstable and opportunistic opposition camp.The Vijay factor: A promise or perception?Perhaps the most intriguing element in the current churn is the emergence of Vijay as a political actor. His TVK has yet to contest a major election, but its entry has already altered calculations across the spectrum.Vijay’s appeal cuts across age groups, with particular resonance among younger voters and sections disillusioned with established parties.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief and actor Vijay waves as he meets with villagers of Ekanapuram who have been opposing the proposal to establish a greenfield airport at Parandur, in Kanchipuram district. (PTI)

His carefully calibrated stance, critical of both the BJP and the DMK, positions the TVK as an alternative rather than an adjunct. This has attracted exploratory overtures from leaders sidelined within traditional formations, adding to the sense of flux.At the same time, the TVK’s strengths remain largely potential rather than proven. Organisational depth, booth-level machinery, and the ability to translate popular enthusiasm into votes are tests that only an election can provide. For now, Vijay’s presence serves as a wildcard, expectedly capable of influencing outcomes even if it falls short of forming a government.Between the numbersTamil Nadu’s recent electoral history offers important context. In 2016, the AIADMK won 136 seats with around 41 per cent of the vote, while the DMK secured 98 seats with just under 40 per cent. The narrow margin reflected how small shifts in alliances and turnout can have outsized effects.Five years later, in 2021, the pendulum swung decisively. The DMK-led alliance polled close to 46 per cent and won 159 seats, while the AIADMK alliance’s vote share dipped to around 39 per cent, translating into 75 seats. The BJP, contesting as an ally, won four seats and improved its vote share, but remained dependent on the larger Dravidian partner. These figures highlight two enduring truths. First, alliances matter enormously in Tamil Nadu’s first-past-the-post system. Second, no single party, outside of peak DMK or AIADMK waves, can easily dominate without a broad coalition.The evolving battleAs the state heads towards the 2026 elections, the political picture remains fluid. The BJP is betting that a reconstituted NDA, bolstered by returning allies and clearer power-sharing signals, can present itself as a viable alternative. The AIADMK is trying to balance that partnership with its need to project independence and reassure its core electorate. The DMK is defending its turf while watching for signs of opposition consolidation. And Vijay’s TVK is carving out space in a crowded field, its final impact yet to be measured.What is clear is that Tamil Nadu’s politics is entering a phase where old certainties no longer apply automatically. The familiar binary of DMK versus AIADMK is giving way to a more layered contest, shaped by national ambitions, regional identities, and the aspirations of a new generation of voters.Whether the NDA’s current troubles are a prelude to a stronger, more coherent front, or a symptom of deeper contradictions, will become evident only as alliances crystallise and campaigns take shape. For now, the state watches as negotiations continue behind closed doors, aware that in Tamil Nadu, the path to power is rarely straightforward and often decided as much by perception as by pact.

Contrary to what tech leaders like Jensen Huang and Eric Schmidt, some Chinese tech leaders are now saying China is unlikely to eclipse the US in the AI race. According to a report by Bloomberg, Justin Lin, head of Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.’s Qwen series of open-source models has said that currently there are less than 20% chances of any Chinese company surpassing US companies like OpenAI and Anthropic. Speaking at a panel at the AGI-Next summit in Beijing, lin said “A massive amount of OpenAI’s compute is dedicated to next-generation research, whereas we are stretched thin — just meeting delivery demands consumes most of our resources.” “It’s an age-old question: does innovation happen in the hands of the rich, or the poor?,” he stated.Lin’s concern was shared by leaders at Tencent Holdings Ltd. and Zhipu AI who were also present at the event. The report quotes Tang Jie, Zhipu’s founder and chief AI scientist, and Yao Shunyu, who recently joined Tencent from OpenAI to lead the AI push for China’s most valuable company. “We just released some open-source models, and some might feel excited, thinking Chinese models have surpassed the US. But the real answer is that the gap may actually be widening,” Tang said as quoted in the Bloomberg report. Core restrictionsChinese leaders cited limited resources and US export controls on chips and lithography equipment as major restrictions that could limit China’s AI growth. Tencent’s Yao Shunyu urged his industry peers to focus on the bottlenecks of next-generation models — such as long-term memory and self-learning. Yang, on the other hand, referred to artificial general intelligence (AGI) stating: “We should represent China to push AGI further for the world”, adding “Meaningless internal competition serves no purpose”. During the summit, the tech leaders also explained where they plan to focus their efforts in the coming year. Yao said he is helping Tencent use AI to create more value for its large user base, such as by connecting the company’s Yuanbao assistant with users’ WeChat chat history.Lin, on the other hand, highlighted Alibaba’s bet on multimodality and real-world agents.

Amazon launches Creators Foundry to help UAE influencers sell worldwide

Dubai has once again positioned itself at the forefront of the global creator economy, with a major new initiative designed to help digital creators turn their influence into entrepreneurial success. On the sidelines of the fourth 1 Billion Followers Summit in Dubai, Creators HQ (the first dedicated content creators’ hub in the UAE and the Middle East) announced the launch of Amazon Creators Foundry, in partnership with Amazon Ads. It is a strategic programme aimed at enabling UAE-based content creators to build, launch and scale their own products on Amazon.ae and beyond.The Foundry announcement signals a milestone in the evolution of content creation, from traditional monetisation through ads and sponsorships to creator-led commerce, where digital personalities become product entrepreneurs and global sellers.

What is Amazon Creators Foundry?

The Amazon Creators Foundry is a comprehensive support ecosystem for creators who are already part of the Creators HQ network. It offers eligible participants:

The programme also extends into areas such as gaming and entertainment commerce, acknowledging the diverse ways creators engage their communities online.

A turning point for the creator economy

The announcement comes during the 1 Billion Followers Summit, a flagship UAE Government Media Office event that has rapidly become the world’s largest creator economy conference, attracting more than 15,000 creators and influencers with a combined audience of over 3.5 billion followers globally.This context matters as the global creator economy has matured swiftly in recent years, with influencers shifting from content monetisation models to full-fledged commerce pathways, launching products, building brands and establishing direct revenue streams tied to their personal audience influence. Amazon Creators Foundry represents a major corporate bet on this shift that essentially bridges the gap between creative influence and retail opportunity.Rayan Karaky, Managing Director of Amazon Ads for EMEA and Southeast Asia, underscored this shift, saying that the programme is designed to bridge “unique creator insights” and commercial success by leveraging Amazon’s infrastructure to help creators build scalable businesses.

Creators as entrepreneurs: A new model

What sets Amazon Creators Foundry apart is its entrepreneurial focus –

This marks a key trend in the digital ecosystem: influence is no longer the end goal; it is the foundation for building commerce businesses.

Economic and strategic implications for the UAE

The collaboration also aligns with the UAE’s broader strategic vision to establish itself as a global hub for the creator economy. By facilitating creator commerce and enabling digital entrepreneurs to build retail brands that serve both the local market and international customers, the initiative supports economic diversification and digital innovation, core priorities of the UAE’s knowledge-based growth plans.Alia Al Hammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit, said that initiatives like Amazon Creators Foundry demonstrate how vision is translated into tangible opportunities for digital entrepreneurs. She emphasised that empowering creators to build sustainable online businesses will contribute to shaping the future of commerce while expanding the UAE’s digital economy.The programme is also expected to reinforce Dubai and the UAE’s positioning as a destination of choice for startups, tech innovators and digital talent, further enhancing the emirate’s attractiveness to global investors and young entrepreneurs alike.For UAE-based creators, the programme presents a gold-standard opportunity:

Amazon Creators Foundry arrives at a moment when content and commerce are converging rapidly. Traditional ecommerce models focus on product discovery through search and paid advertising; creator-led commerce leverages trust, community and personality-driven influence, turning fans into buyers at higher conversion rates.This fusion is already visible in trends where creator partnerships significantly elevate brand visibility and sales performance and with the Foundry, creators can own the products, not just promote them. By empowering creators as brand owners and retail operators, the initiative could serve as a template for global expansion of creator economy infrastructure, not just in the UAE but in other markets where talent and digital influence intersect with ecommerce potential.

Bottom line: A new chapter in content entrepreneurship

The launch of Amazon Creators Foundry is more than a programme. It is a symbolic shift in how modern digital economies view creators. No longer just content producers, creators are being recognised as founders, product innovators and commerce leaders.For UAE creators, this initiative offers a bridge from digital influence to business ownership with global reach. For Amazon, it represents a strategic investment in the creator economy as a next frontier of retail growth and for the broader ecosystem, it signals that the future of ecommerce lies at the intersection of creativity, community and commerce.

Photo: Mary Kom / Instagram

Legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom is making headlines these days, however, it is for a sad reason – her recent divorce with former husband Onler Kom after almost 20 years of marriage and having four children together! That’s a split that no one saw coming, and so the news has stunned many. In a new bombshell interview with Rajat Sharma on Aap Ki Adalat, the six-time world boxing champ and Olympic bronze medalist, Mary Kom didn’t hold back as the host grilled her about divorce drama, financial betrayal, and steamy affair allegations with business manager Hitesh Choudhary. From “he drank all day” to “my bank account was…”, Mary’s raw emotion shocked people. Here’s what she revealed while sharing her side of the story:“He never earned a penny!” – Mary Kom’s marriage shockerAfter roughly 20 years of marriage, and four kids (three sons including twins, one daughter who is the youngest), and Mary Kom said that she discovered her ex-husband, Onler Kom was living off her glory. When Sharma asked, “Is Mary Kom selfish? That’s what people are saying– that after becoming successful and rich, you ditched your husband…” To which Mary Kom replied, “I did not ditch him. He cheated and ditched me. For the last two years (since her divorce with Onler) I kept this a secret.”“My hard-earned money – he didn’t contribute ONE rupee!” she claimed. “He has no successful career. He plays street football, and so do many people; that doesn’t make you Bhaichung Bhutia or Sunil Chhetri!”The breaking point in her marriage came when she was bedridden post-injury, before the 2022 Commonwealth Games. “God gave me this injury for the better,” she said. Mary Kom further revealed that she caught her ex-husband red-handed: Onler withdrew INR 10 lakhs from her account, switched off his phone, and later lied about “just taking INR 30,000,” from a bank account which he was closing. These betrayals happened repeatedly, which took a toll on their marriage. She also spoke up about the election fiasco, wherein she shelled out INR 5-6 crores for Onler’s MLA dreams. “I don’t even like politics!” she said. Meanwhile, Onler took loans in her name, and drank daily – which slowly crumbled their marriage.

“I sacrificed my life to earn money, I sacrificed seeing my kids grow up… and he betrayed me! So, how can I be happy with such a man?,” Mary said.Revealing that her four children are with her, and she is the one taking care of them she said that her kids chose her post-divorce. “They’re with me – I handle ALL expenses,” she clarified. Onler’s “great dad” PR? “Maids cared for them – he just slept,” she said.Is Mary Kom dating again? The affair allegation that broke the internetRajat Sharma went on to ask, “There are allegations that you’re having an affair with your business manager Hitesh Choudhary (that broke your marriage)…” To which Mary replied, “He came into my life after I divorced Onler; later, this allegation of having an affair was made against me. But the truth is that for the last two years, after we got a divorced we have been living quite amicably!”But it was the church shaming that stung the deepest, Mary shared. Christian by faith, Mary’s Kumbh Mela, Shirdi trips and a visit to a sufi shrine created a lot of furore, “Even our PM Modi celebrates Christmas!” she fired back.While social media empathised with Onler, Mary said she was shown as a villain. Talking about how it impacted her, Mary said, “All I have to tell people is that– it doesn’t matter if you support me or not. You will get to know the truth one day or the other. I’m a fighter, I will fight.”Which side are you on– Team Mary or sympathising for Onler? Tell us in the comment section below.

Gold futures rallied sharply on Monday, touching fresh record highs in domestic and international markets as investors flocked to safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions and renewed focus on developments around the US Federal Reserve.On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for February delivery jumped by Rs 2,431, or 1.8%, to hit a record high of Rs 1,41,250 per 10 grams. The yellow metal has gained Rs 3,058, or 2.25%, over the past week, reflecting sustained buying interest.In overseas markets, Comex gold for February delivery climbed $111.8, or 2.5%, to hit a fresh peak of $4,612.7 per ounce, while silver for March delivery rose $4.56, or 5.8%, to touch a historic high of $83.90 per ounce.Here is how much gold costs in your city today:

Gold price in Delhi today

In Delhi, 22K gold was quoted at Rs 13,045 per gram, higher by Rs 155, while 24K gold stood at Rs 14,230 per gram, up Rs 169.

Gold price in Ahmedabad today

In Ahmedabad, 22K gold was priced at Rs 13,035 per gram after a Rs 155 rise, while 24K gold came in at Rs 14,220 per gram, higher by Rs 169.

Gold price in Chennai today

Chennai saw higher rates, with 22K gold at Rs 13,120 per gram, up Rs 220, while 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,313 per gram, higher by Rs 348.

Gold price in Mumbai today

In Mumbai, 22K gold was listed at Rs 13,030 per gram, higher by Rs 155, while 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,215 per gram, up Rs 169.

Gold price in Hyderabad today

Hyderabad reported 22K gold at Rs 13,030 per gram after a Rs 155 increase, while 24K gold stood at Rs 14,215 per gram, higher by Rs 169.

Gold price in Bhubaneswar today

In Bhubaneswar, 22K gold was quoted at Rs 13,030 per gram, up Rs 155, while 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,215 per gram, higher by Rs 169.

Gold price in Kolkata today

Kolkata markets showed 22K gold at Rs 13,030 per gram, higher by Rs 155, while 24K gold was quoted at Rs 14,215 per gram, up Rs 169.

Gold price in Lucknow today

In Lucknow, 22K gold stood at Rs 13,045 per gram after rising Rs 155, while 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,230 per gram, higher by Rs 169.

Gold price in Jaipur today

In Jaipur, 22K gold was quoted at Rs 13,045 per gram, higher by Rs 155, while 24K gold stood at Rs 14,230 per gram, up Rs 169.

Gold price in Bangalore today

In Bangalore, 22K gold was listed at Rs 13,030 per gram, up Rs 155, while 24K gold was priced at Rs 14,215 per gram, higher by Rs 169.

Gold price in Patna today

In Patna, 22K gold was quoted at Rs 13,035 per gram, higher by Rs 155, while 24K gold stood at Rs 14,220 per gram, up Rs 169.

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Monday said that disciplinary actions will be taken against TMC MP Kirti Azad fore allegedly smoking an E-cigarette inside the Parliament.Birla urged the parliamentarians to maintain decorum inside the House and it will not be possible for any one to spoil the dignity of the Parliament.“The process of investigation is in the direction of being completed. As soon as the investigation process is completed, the action plan will be made and will go to the committee, and the process will be completed. It will not be possible for anyone to spoil the dignity of the House,” Birla said.“It is a responsibility. You will have to maintain decorum inside the House and the one who does not maintain decorum will be punished under the rules and procedures of the Parliament. Action will be taken. Action will be taken as per the rules,” he added.During the winter session of the Parliament, Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur filed a complaint against Kirti Azad, claiming that he was vaping in the Lower House during the ongoing session.In the letter, Thakur stated, “A Member of Parliament belonging to the All India Trinamool Congress was seen openly using an electronic cigarette while seated in the House during the sittings.” He added that the act was “clearly visible” to several members present in the House.Thakur termed the alleged act a serious violation of parliamentary conduct, calling it a grave breach of rules and statutory provisions. He also noted that he had brought the issue to the Chair’s attention during the session.In his complaint, the BJP MP also reminded the Speaker that the manufacture, production, import, export, transport, sale, including online sale, distribution, storage and advertisement of electronic cigarettes are completely prohibited across the country under the Prohibition of Electronic Cigarettes (Production, Manufacture, Import, Export, Transport, Sale, Distribution, Storage and Advertisement) Act, 2019.BJP leader Amit Malviya also shared a 35-second video that according to him, showed Trinamool MP Kirti Azad vaping in the House. The video showed Azad sitting inside the Lok Sabha and purportedly making smoking gesture. Azad was seen bringing his cupped right hand towards his mouth and holding it for five seconds.

PM Modi on Monday hailed the growing strength of India-Germany ties, highlighting that bilateral trade between the two countries had crossed the 50 billion dollar mark. “Our bilateral trade has reached its highest level ever, surpassing the 50 billion dollar mark. More than 2,000 German companies have a long-standing presence in India. This reflects their unwavering confidence in India and the immense opportunities available here. This was vividly demonstrated this morning at the India-Germany CEO Forum,” he said. The remarks came as PM Modi met German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Ahmedabad during high-level engagements aimed at strengthening economic and strategic cooperation. The meeting coincided with the India-Germany CEOs Forum, which brought together chief executives from both countries amid expanding trade and investment ties. Highlighting cooperation beyond trade, the Prime Minister pointed to steady progress in technology and clean energy collaboration. “Technology cooperation between India and Germany has strengthened year after year, and its impact is clearly visible on the ground today. India and Germany share common priorities in the field of renewable energy. To further enhance this cooperation, we have decided to establish the India-Germany Centre of Excellence. This will serve as a shared platform for knowledge, technology, and innovation,” he said. During the event, both countries signed several Memorandums of Understanding, highlighting efforts to expand institutional and sectoral cooperation. Chancellor Merz’s visit, his first official trip to India, included delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Modi earlier in the day. These discussions reviewed existing collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, technology, education, skilling and mobility, while also examining opportunities in defence, security, science, innovation, research and sustainable development. Recent figures underline the scale of the partnership. Bilateral trade in goods and services reached $51.23 billion in 2024–25, with Germany continuing as India’s largest trading partner within the European Union. Germany accounts for around one-fourth of India’s total trade with the EU, reinforcing its leading position. Trade in services between the two countries rose by 12.5% in FY 2024–25, touching a record $16.65 billion. Investment ties have also remained significant. Germany ranks as the ninth-largest foreign direct investor in India, with cumulative inflows of $15.40 billion from April 2000 to June 2025. During FY 2024–25 alone, German investments in India amounted to $469 million.

NEW DELHI: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Monday successfully flight tested third generation Fire & Forget Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM), which has a top attack capability against a moving target.A video released from a desert test range shows a successful missile firing during a weapons trial conducted in the KK Ranges at Ahilya Nagar in Maharashtra.The footage opened with a side-rear camera view of a two-member crew positioned behind a tripod-mounted launcher, which was already elevated and locked onto the target.Moments later, the missile was fired with a bright orange-white plume and a sharp muzzle flash as the rocket motor ignited. It exited the launcher rapidly and climbed steeply, indicating a top-attack flight profile rather than a direct, flat trajectory. In the mid-flight phase, tracking footage showed the missile arcing high across the desert sky, leaving behind a thin smoke trail.In the terminal phase, captured by a separate impact camera, the missile descended almost vertically onto a designated target, believed to be an armoured vehicle or tank mock-up placed on the range. The impact triggered a bright explosion, followed by a fireball, thick black smoke, and flying debris, demonstrating a precise strike on the target’s upper surface and a successful warhead detonation.MPATGM, a shoulder-launched, portable missile system, is specifically designed to counter enemy tanks and armoured vehicles. Weighing approximately 14.5 kg, with an additional 14.25 kg for the command launch unit (CLU), the missile is a lightweight, cylindrical weapon featuring two sets of four radial fins. Its high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) shaped charge warhead, combined with an operational range of 200 to 4,000 metres, makes it a formidable asset on the battlefield. The indigenously developed MPATGM consists of state-of-the-art indigenous technologies like Imaging Infrared (IIR) Homing Seeker, all electric Control Actuation System, Fire Control System, Tandem Warhead, propulsion system and high performance sighting system, which are developed by DRDO’s sister laboratories.