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Gold’s abrupt retreat has emerged as one of the more striking anomalies in a period otherwise defined by geopolitical escalation and market anxiety, challenging long-held assumptions about the metal’s role as a sanctuary during crises. A decline of roughly 20 percent from levels above $5,000 an ounce reached in January marks not just a technical correction but a deeper shift in how investors are responding to overlapping shocks, from military confrontation involving Iran to persistent uncertainties in global growth. The contrast with oil markets, which have reacted sharply to even tentative signals surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, underscores how gold’s behaviour has diverged from its traditional script.

Serious allegations have emerged suggesting the presence of a covert foreign intelligence operation targeting Bangladesh’s former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to information obtained from multiple sources, a Bangladeshi national currently residing in India is suspected of working under the direction of National Intelligence Organization, Turkey’s powerful intelligence service commonly known as MİT. The allegations, if substantiated, could have significant implications for regional security, diplomatic relations, and the safety of political figures living abroad.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s Social Democrats and the other left wing allies in her ruling coalition emerged as the single largest group in the national elections in Denmark held on March 24. Out of the total 179 seats in Parliament, the ruling block got 84 seats as against the right leaning parties 77 seats. Foreign Minister Lars Rasmussen’s party, the centre right Moderates got 14 seats thereby giving the Minister big leverage in the coalition talks.

NEW YORK: The most revealing feature of the current confrontation is not the fury of its rhetoric, but the narrowing of its coalition. In the political language of war, the loudest voices often conceal the deepest fragility. That is precisely what is now unfolding in Europe, where Spain’s refusal to be drawn into the U.S.–Israeli campaign against Iran has exposed a wider truth: the Western alliance is no longer a single strategic instinct, but a field of competing calculations, liabilities, and red lines.

It is a history of twists and turns in India-China economic relations for decades. The same is being repeated now as India after taking special measures to make Chinese direct investment easier and agreeing to start border trade from three points in this country from June this year, is faced with the prospect of fighting China at the World Trade Organisation (WTO)’s 14th ministerial meeting at Cameroon on March 26 to March 29 this year on China backed proposal for setting up Investment Facilitation Development (IFD) framework.

The United States of America President, Donald Trump, has now extended the deadline regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. This decision appears to have been taken on the advice of his senior military leadership, as well as under pressure from European nations and countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). These countries fear that, in retaliation for US bombing of critical infrastructure, Iran could target desalination and water treatment plants, leaving millions in the region facing severe water scarcity.

NEW YORK: When Narendra Modi flew to Jerusalem on February 26 to address the Knesset — becoming the first Indian prime minister to do so — the timing carried an unmistakable strategic signal. Two days later, U.S. and Israeli forces launched their campaign against Iran. Whatever New Delhi knew, or chose not to know, about what was coming, the Iran war arrived on India’s doorstep with extraordinary speed. And it is not leaving quietly.

With the US-Israel military conflict against Iran continuing through the fourth week, severely disrupting global supply of oil and gas, petro-fuel prices may shoot up to record highs this year threatening economic stability across the world. India’s economy, which is 90 percent import dependent on oil, may be among the worst hit. Systematic attacks by the warring militaries on energy infrastructure and shipping in the region have created a massive supply shock. Market analysts see the potential for prices of oil to hit $150 or even $200 per barrel if the conflict continues to escalate. Investment banker Goldman Sachs has warned that if disruptions to oil flows from the Strait of Hormuz persist, Brent crude could surpass its 2008 all-time high of near $145–$150 per barrel.

The final results of the municipal polls in France held on Sunday, March 22 reveal that the far right National Rally (RN) has failed to make any breakthrough in winning mayoral positions but its own votes are surging defying all the combinations. For 2027 Presidential elections, RN led by Marine Le Pen is emerging as the formidable contender as against the Macron centrists or Left.

The decision last week by the United States to temporarily ease sanctions on Iranian oil shipments already at sea sparked immediate reactions on social media. Apparently, the hasty American move is viewed by experts at cooling surging global energy prices amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. However, in the current scenario India stands to benefit from this move and it may ease the pressure a bit on the Indian demand side.