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Gold and silver prices surged to record highs on Monday, with gold surpassing $4,400 an ounce for the first time, reaching $4,420, while silver was quoted at $69.20 an ounce. Platinum also approached its record high of $2,200, trading at $2,111, and palladium hit a 3.5-year peak at $1,815. Analysts attribute this rally to increased haven buying amid fears of potential US Federal Reserve rate cuts, with central banks reportedly buying gold at unprecedented levels. The gold-silver ratio has dropped to 67, indicating a significant shift in market dynamics, as silver has gained 138% this year compared to gold's 68%. Mining executive David Jensen noted a scarcity of physical silver, contributing to its rising prices. Experts predict that gold could reach $4,500 and silver may exceed $70, as investors seek safer assets amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. 
Published: Dec 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inThe Indian Jute Mills Association (IJMA) has raised alarms over potential job losses and disruptions in the jute value chain, urging government intervention to stabilize raw jute supplies and prices. Following a surge in raw jute prices to ₹1,10,000 per tonne, West Bengal's jute mills have significantly reduced production, with many operating at only 10-15 shifts per week due to a lack of available raw materials. The situation has been exacerbated by Bangladesh's recent ban on raw jute exports, which has led to a sharp increase in domestic prices and left mills struggling to meet long-term supply commitments. In a letter to Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, IJMA Chairman Raghavendra Gupta highlighted the financial risks posed to mills and called for a ban on the export of high-yielding jute seeds to Bangladesh to restore balance in trade and protect local farmers.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 9 pmeznews.inDanish shipping giant Maersk is contemplating a gradual return to the trans-Suez corridor for its East-West network, contingent on ongoing security assessments. Currently, the company reroutes its vessels around the Cape of Good Hope due to safety concerns. This consideration follows the successful transit of the Singapore-flagged Maersk Sebarok through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and Red Sea on December 18-19, where stringent safety measures were implemented. While Maersk has informed customers about the vessel's journey, it emphasized that this does not immediately signal a broader shift back to the Suez route. The company stated that if security conditions remain stable, it may initiate a limited number of additional trans-Suez sailings. This comes after a pause in December 2023 due to attacks on vessels by Houthi rebels, which had previously caused significant delays in shipping between Asia and Europe.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIndia's economy has demonstrated robust growth, driven by strong domestic demand, according to the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) latest monthly bulletin. The report highlights that while external challenges persist, coordinated fiscal, monetary, and regulatory policies have bolstered resilience. In Q2 2025-26, real GDP growth reached 8.2%, the highest since Q4 2023-24, fueled by private consumption and fixed investment, particularly in rural areas. Despite a slight uptick in headline CPI inflation to 0.71% in November, it remains below the lower tolerance threshold. High-frequency indicators show a mixed economic landscape, with services expanding while manufacturing shows signs of slowing. GST revenue collections were affected by rate rationalization, but other indicators, such as e-way bills and digital payments, indicate a positive trend. Additionally, India's current account deficit improved, supported by a lower merchandise trade deficit and strong remittance inflows.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inIn November, India's eight key infrastructure sectors recorded a growth of 1.8%, rebounding from a decline in September, although this figure remains significantly lower than the 5.8% growth seen in the same month last year. Official data highlighted a notable surge in cement production, which rose to 14.5% from 5.2%, alongside increases in coal (2.1%), fertilizers (5.6%), and steel (6.1%). However, declines were noted in crude oil (3.2%), natural gas (2.5%), and petroleum refinery production (0.9%). Aditi Nayar, Chief Economist at ICRA, remarked that while the growth in the core sector improved post-festive season, it remained modest. She suggested that a more accurate assessment would consider the average growth for October and November, which stands at just 0.8%, lower than the 3% average recorded in the first half of FY2026. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) data is expected to be released on December 29.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian government has announced a revision of the base year for retail inflation, shifting it from 2012 to 2024, with the first set of data based on this new Consumer Price Index (CPI) to be released on February 12, 2024. Additionally, the base year for the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) will change from 2011-12 to 2022-23, with the new dataset expected on May 28. This update follows concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund regarding the outdated base year affecting India's GDP data credibility. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized that the 'C' grade assigned to national income data was due to the old base year, not the data quality itself. The revised CPI will include a broader range of urban and rural markets and will now account for prices from e-commerce platforms, reflecting contemporary consumption patterns. The new IIP will also update its product basket to include modern goods and services.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Holistic Rural Development Programme (HRDP), backed by HDFC Bank Parivartan and executed by Arpan Seva Sansthan, has made notable strides in enhancing the livelihoods of women farmers in Sehore district, Madhya Pradesh. Running from January 2022 to December 2024 across 20 villages, the initiative emphasizes sustainable agriculture, crop diversification, and women-led economic empowerment. A case in point is Sangeeta Bai from Semli Khurd village, who previously earned a meager ₹20,000-25,000 annually from wheat and soybean cultivation on one acre. Through HRDP, she received 100 Taiwan Pink guava saplings and various vegetable seeds, along with training in multi-tier cropping systems. This support enabled her to achieve a gross income of ₹6,13,500 and a net income of ₹5,78,500, significantly improving her financial stability and promoting sustainable farming practices through better water management.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 8 pmeznews.inThe Indian Navy has received _Anjadip_, the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), marking a significant step in India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative aimed at self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Delivered by Kolkata's Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) in Chennai, _Anjadip_ boasts nearly 88% indigenous content and is equipped with advanced capabilities, including lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, and shallow-water sonar, enhancing the Navy's coastal surveillance and mine-laying operations. The vessel, measuring approximately 77 meters, is the largest Indian naval warship propelled by waterjets and features an indigenous 30 mm Naval Surface Gun. Named after Anjadip Island off Karnataka's coast, the ship underscores India's commitment to maritime security. Its delivery follows the commissioning of four other warships, reinforcing the nation's growing domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem and reducing reliance on imports.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inIndia and New Zealand have successfully concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) in just nine months, paving the way for zero-duty access for Indian goods in New Zealand. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the deal, highlighting its potential to strengthen bilateral ties. However, New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters criticized the agreement as a "bad deal," indicating opposition from his coalition party. The FTA, expected to take effect in 2026, aims to facilitate $20 billion in foreign direct investment from New Zealand over 15 years and increase work visas for Indian service providers. Key sectors such as textiles, engineering, and pharmaceuticals are anticipated to benefit significantly. While sensitive agricultural products remain protected, New Zealand will enjoy reduced tariffs on various goods, including sheep meat and wine. The agreement also includes provisions for student mobility and skilled work visas.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 7 pmeznews.inKarnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on December 22, 2025, that Bengaluru's metro network will expand to 175 km by December 2027, following a meeting with BMRCL officials. Currently, 96 km of the metro is operational, including the recently launched 24-km Yellow line, which has reduced traffic by 30% along its route. Shivakumar revealed plans to operationalize an additional 41 km in 2026 and 38 km, including an airport line, by the end of 2027. The government will also initiate tenders next month for 100 km under Phase 3, with a projected cost of ₹25,311 crore, financed partly through JICA. Key openings in 2026 include six stations from Kalena Agrahara to Tavarekere and a 13.76 km underground section. The airport line is set to open in June 2027, further enhancing the city's transport infrastructure.
Published: Dec 22 2025, 7 pm
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