editor - The Purbottar

17 Feb

Commodity Rally Loses Steam as Analysts Warn of Further Price Pressure

editorBusiness

The recent surge in global commodity prices appears to have run its course, with analysts suggesting that most commodities may now trade sideways or remain under pressure in the coming months.Prices across a broad spectrum — from base metals such as copper, zinc and lead to precious metals like gold and silver — have declined sharply, slipping up to 21 per cent from their 52-week highs reached in late January 2026. Natural gas has been the worst hit, plunging nearly 62 per cent from $7.83 per MMBtu in late January to around $2.99. Brent crude has also fallen about 13…

16 Feb

IRS 2026: Navigating Tax Law Changes Under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill”

editorBusiness

The 2026 tax filing season is officially underway, with the IRS now accepting 2025 federal income tax returns as of January 26. To ensure a smooth experience, taxpayers are encouraged to file electronically and choose direct deposit, as the agency continues its transition toward a paperless system under the "Modernizing Payments" executive order. For most Americans, the deadline to file and pay any taxes owed is Wednesday, April 15, 2026. This year brings several significant updates from the "One, Big, Beautiful Bill," including adjusted standard deductions of $15,750 for single filers and $31,500 for married couples filing jointly. Additionally, taxpayers…

14 Feb

Hawk-Eye Over Meerut: Operation Sindoor Drives India’s First Dedicated Drone Runway

editorIndia

In a major leap toward technology-driven warfare, India is set to build its first dedicated drone runway and aviation base in Meerut, following key lessons from Operation Sindoor that underscored the rising importance of unmanned systems in modern combat.Planned by the Indian Army and executed by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) under the Ministry of Defense, the Rs 406-crore project will span over 900 acres. The facility will feature a 2,110-metre-long and 45-metre-wide runway tailored for High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), along with C-295 and C-130 class transport aircraft.Designed with ICAO CAT-II compliant lighting and advanced…

13 Feb

Kathak Takes Centre Stage at Mandala Theatre for Three-Day Festival

editorNepal

The 9th edition of Nritya Shrinkhala, titled ‘End of the Beginning’, is set to captivate audiences with three days of Kathak performances at Mandala Theatre. Hosted by Aesthetic Dance Studio, the event continues its mission of preserving and promoting the classical dance form through storytelling.Directed by artists Namrata Kc, Roj Maharjan, Anami Bohara and Dipika Khatiwada, this year’s edition blends tradition with contemporary themes. The performances aim to explore individuality, culture and environmental awareness through expressive movement and narrative.The opening day highlights the theme of embracing individuality, encouraging audiences to celebrate personal identity. One of the featured acts will also…

12 Feb

RBI Clears ICICI AMC to Raise Stake in HDFC Bank Up to 9.95%

editorFinance

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has granted approval to ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company (ICICI AMC) and other ICICI Group entities to increase their stake in HDFC Bank up to 9.95%, according to a regulatory filing by HDFC Bank on Wednesday.As of February 6, ICICI Group entities collectively held a 4.07% stake in HDFC Bank, India’s largest bank by market capitalization, currently valued at around $157 billion. The approval follows an application submitted by ICICI AMC and will remain valid for a period of one year.Under the RBI’s conditions, ICICI and its group entities must ensure that their combined…

11 Feb

EC Orders Parties, Candidates to Publish Manifestos by February 15

editorNepal

The Election Commission (EC) has directed political parties and candidates contesting the upcoming House of Representatives election to publish and submit their election manifestos by Falgun 3 (February 15).The decision applies to all parties participating in the Falgun 21 election, as well as candidates contesting under the first past-the-post (FPTP) system. The Commission stated that manifestos must be prepared and submitted in accordance with Section 37 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082.Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said political parties are required to submit their published manifestos to the Election Commission, while individual candidates must file theirs with…

11 Feb

Not All Sugar Swaps Are Healthy: What a Nutritionist Recommends

editorHealth

As more people try to cut down on refined sugar, alternatives like jaggery, brown sugar and monk fruit are gaining popularity. But are they truly healthier? A nutritionist says the answer isn’t as simple as it seems.Excess sugar intake has been linked to serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver, weight gain and reduced insulin sensitivity. While replacing white sugar may seem like a smart move, not all substitutes offer real benefits.Palm jaggery, a traditional favorite in Indian households, is often considered natural and nutritious. Though it contains small amounts of minerals like iron, experts say…

10 Feb

Indian Space Programmed Built on Cooperation, Not Competition: ISRO Chief

editorEconomy

India’s space programmed was founded as a people-centric and application-driven initiative rooted in international cooperation rather than rivalry, ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan said on Tuesday (February 10, 2026).Reflecting on six decades of India’s space journey, Mr. Narayanan noted that the programmed began with modest resources but a clear vision to serve societal needs. Over the years, it has grown into a globally respected ecosystem supporting communication, navigation, disaster management, climate studies and scientific research.He stressed that collaboration with international partners has remained a core philosophy, enabling India to contribute meaningfully to global space efforts while keeping humanity at the Centre…

09 Feb

India’s Largest Refiner Buys Non-Russian Crude as Trade Talks Loom

editorBusiness

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has purchased around six million barrels of crude oil from West Africa and the Middle East through spot tenders issued last week, traders said.The deals are for April delivery and reflect a shift away from Russian crude as India recalibrates its energy sourcing amid ongoing trade discussions with the United States. In addition to the six million barrels, IOC also bought two million barrels of Upper Zakum crude from trading firm Mercuria. Upper Zakum is produced in the United Arab Emirates.Indian refiners and trading firms typically do not comment on spot market purchases due to confidentiality…

07 Feb

Kotak Mahindra Bank Denies Submitting Financial Bid for IDBI Bank Stake

editorFinance

Kotak Mahindra Bank on Saturday clarified that it has not submitted any financial bid in the ongoing strategic disinvestment process of IDBI Bank Ltd, responding to recent media reports that led to a sharp movement in its share price.In a regulatory filing, the private sector lender said the clarification was issued under Regulation 30(11) of the SEBI Listing Regulations, 2015, following news reports published on February 6, 2026. The bank noted that the disclosure was made after observing material movement in its stock price on the same day.Kotak Mahindra Bank has not submitted a financial bid as part of the…