IndiGo will increase ticket prices by introducing a fuel surcharge on all domestic and international flights starting March 14. The airline said the decision follows a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States. According to the airline, jet fuel prices in the region have risen by more than 85 percent, significantly raising operating costs. The surcharge will range from ₹425 for domestic flights to ₹2,300 for routes to Europe. IndiGo said the move is meant to partly offset rising costs while limiting the financial burden on passengers. (PC: NDTV)

Global oil prices edged slightly lower after the United States issued a 30-day waiver allowing countries to purchase Russia crude oil already stranded at sea. The move aims to ease supply concerns by allowing oil shipments already in transit to reach buyers. Benchmark prices slipped modestly, with Brent crude trading just under $100 per barrel and West Texas Intermediate near $95. However, market sentiment remains tense due to escalating conflict in West Asia and the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that carries about 20% of global oil supply. Energy markets remain volatile as geopolitical risks continue to threaten production and shipping.

Domestic stock markets ended sharply lower on Wednesday as heavy selling in banking, auto and IT stocks dragged indices down. The BSE Sensex closed 1,342 points lower, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the 23,900 mark. Financial stocks led the losses. Shares of Bajaj Finance fell about 5 percent. HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank and Axis Bank also ended in the red. Auto stocks such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Auto and Maruti Suzuki declined. IT majors Tata Consultancy Services and Infosys also traded lower. Rahul Singh of Tata Asset Management said, “Recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East have led to an increase in the risk premium for Indian equities.” He added that concerns over crude prices and foreign fund outflows continue to affect market sentiment. (PC: India Today)

Indian stock markets fell to their lowest levels in nearly a year on Monday as the Iran war pushed crude oil prices sharply higher. The 30-share Sensex dropped 1.71% to 77,566.16, an eleven-month low. The Nifty 50 fell 1.73% to 24,028.05, its lowest level in ten months. Oil prices have jumped nearly 30% to their highest since mid-2022. India imports about 85% of its energy needs, raising concerns over inflation and growth. “The sustained rise in crude prices is likely to complicate the RBI’s policy outlook by keeping inflation elevated,” said Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments. Foreign investors also sold ₹6,030 crore of Indian shares, adding pressure on markets. (PC: HT)

The escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has triggered a massive surge in global gold prices, pushing the value of all above-ground Gold to an estimated $30–$35 trillion. International gold benchmarks climbed above $5,400 per ounce and briefly approached $5,600 as investors rushed to the traditional safe-haven asset amid geopolitical uncertainty. The rally has been driven by war fears, inflation concerns and strong central-bank buying. Analysts say the metal’s notional value now exceeds the combined GDP of India and the United Kingdom, though some warn prices could ease if geopolitical tensions de-escalate. (PC: NDTV)

Rising tensions in the Middle East have erased about ₹31 lakh crore from Indian stock markets since the latest Iran war escalation on February 28. Data from the Bombay Stock Exchange shows the total market value of listed companies fell sharply during this period. On Monday alone, investor wealth worth about ₹12.78 trillion was wiped out. The BSE Sensex dropped 2,299 points to around 76,619. The NSE Nifty 50 fell more than 700 points to about 23,736. The sell-off comes as global crude oil prices surged above $110 per barrel. India imports about 85% of its oil. Analysts warn higher oil prices could raise inflation and pressure the economy. (PC: X)

Indian benchmark indices plunged sharply on Monday as rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions triggered heavy selling. The BSE Sensex fell more than 2,100 points while the Nifty 50 dropped nearly 3%, testing the 23,800 level in early trade. The sell-off came after global crude prices surged past $115 per barrel amid intensifying conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Banking and financial stocks led the decline, with the Nifty PSU Bank Index falling over 4%. Broader markets also weakened, as midcap and smallcap indices dropped more than 2%. (PC: India Today)

Iran’s announcement on closing the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about India’s energy supply and economy. The narrow waterway carries about a quarter of global oil trade and large volumes of liquefied natural gas. India imports more than 85% of its crude oil needs. Around 50–55% of these supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption could affect fuel supply and prices. Axis Mutual Fund said even a short disruption may affect “energy security, inflation trajectory and external balances”. Analysts warn that shipping risks could push oil prices higher. If the disruption continues, India may face pressure on fuel supply and energy companies. (PC: India Today)

The Indian rupee fell to a record low of Rs 92.17 against the US dollar on Wednesday as global tensions shook financial markets. Rising conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran increased uncertainty among investors. Crude oil prices also jumped on fears of supply disruptions in the Middle East. India imports about 85% of its crude oil, so higher prices put pressure on the economy and the rupee. A stronger US dollar added to the fall as investors moved money to safer assets. Stock markets across Asia also declined. Experts say the rupee’s movement will depend on oil prices and developments in the Middle East.

Amazon has confirmed drone strikes damaged three of its facilities across the UAE and Bahrain amid the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict, forcing temporary operational shutdowns. No injuries were reported, but the attacks disrupted logistics and data centre operations across the Gulf region. Amazon activated contingency plans, rerouting shipments and shifting workloads to alternate facilities to maintain customer service continuity. The company did not directly attribute responsibility for the strikes. The incident exposes growing vulnerabilities of multinational commercial and tech infrastructure operating within conflict-affected zones. Amazon has significantly expanded its Gulf presence since acquiring Souq.com in 2017, making the region a critical node in its global logistics and cloud infrastructure network. (PC: X)