The Indian and Sri Lankan armies are starting their 10th joint exercise, "Mitra Shakti," to enhance cooperation and interoperability. This year's focus is on joint operations in semi-urban areas, in line with the UN Charter. The exercise will improve their abilities to handle modern security challenges and strengthen defence ties.
A group of Republican lawmakers is asking the White House to shut down the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program, IANS reported. Lawmakers claim this long-standing program, which lets foreign students work in the US after finishing their studies, was never approved by Congress and has become ācostly and unregulated.ā
Mir Yar Baloch condemns the misrepresentation of Balochistan and India's relationship in Dhurandhar, which prioritizes gangsters over patriotic Baloch people. He is disappointed with the film's portrayal of Baloch freedom fighters and calls for a new movie that accurately depicts the true friendship and loyalty of Baloch people in their struggle against Pakistan.
The Lok Sabha will discuss election reforms, including the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls by the ECI. The Congress has criticized the process, with Rahul Gandhi leading the opposition's criticism. The government defends the routine maintenance of voter rolls. The agenda also includes committee reports on defence and water resources.
Nuvama Institutional Equities has upgraded four stocks in the renewable energy, IT, logistics, and biotechnology sectors. These companies are at different stages of growth, but Nuvama believes they have clear triggers that could lead to significant growth in the next few years. The brokerage has upgraded Suzlon Energy, Coforge, JSW Infrastructure, and Biocon.
Starting next year, skipping a Real ID at the airport could hit your wallet. TheĀ US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) just announced a new $45 fee for travellers who donāt have one.
Over 200 IndiGo flights have been cancelled at major airports, including Bengaluru, Chennai, Kerala, and Hyderabad, amid the ongoing crisis that is expected to be normal after December 10. In view of the fiasco, a meeting was held between MoCA and DGCA, where officials were instructed to conduct on-ground inspections at airports to monitor airline operations and passenger services.
Captain CS Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots (FIP), has alleged that theĀ IndiGoĀ crisis was āpre-plannedā, accusing the airlineās senior management of intentionally triggering the crisis. He further demanded that the top leadership be fined and criminally prosecuted for allegedly pressuring the government to roll back newly introducedĀ Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms.
The United States has cancelled 85,000 visas this year across different categories, according to IANS, citing a senior State Department official. The official explained that this is part of a stronger push to keep American communities safe and make sure only people who meet all rules are allowed to enter the US.
A strong earthquake of 7.5 magnitude struck northern Japan late on Monday night, sending powerful tremors across several regions. The intensity also triggered tsunami waves along parts of the Pacific coast.
India's mutual fund AUM is projected to hit Rs 315 lakh crore by FY2035 due to rising household involvement, regulatory backing, and investor confidence. Digital adoption will fuel growth in metro and Tier-1 cities, while Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities will need a 'phygital' approach.
A US-based tech co-founder has sparked a huge debate online after he said he would happily pay $100,000 per day if thatās what it took to hire the best global talent. Shahriar Tajbakhsh, the co-founder and CTO of Metaview AI,Ā made the comment while responding to a post on X that suggested the H-1B visa fee should be raised to $100,000 per year instead of being a one-time payment.
Paramount has launched a strong all-cash offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD). The move was announced on Monday and came right after Netflix won the previous bidding round with a $27.75 per share cash-and-stock deal. Paramountās bid offers WBD shareholders $30 per share, which is significantly higher than Netflix's, but how was that possible?
Brand value of Indian Premier League (IPL) has fallen by 20% to $9.6 billion in 2025 due to geopolitical factors and team reshuffles. Top franchises like Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders saw a decline in brand value. However, IPL achieved a strong online broadcasting record and top teams have potential for growth.
The US government has approved the export of Nvidia's AI chips to China with a 25% fee per chip. This decision comes after a debate on national security concerns. President Trump announced the move on Truth Social and informed President Xi Jinping, who responded positively.
US President Donald Trumpās recent comment suggests that he may bring in new tariffs on some agricultural imports,Ā especially Indian rice and Canadian fertiliser. His remarks come at a time when the US is still stuck in long, difficult trade talks with both countries.
The Civil Aviation Minister has promised to take strict action against IndiGo for causing nationwide flight disruptions due to internal rostering and operational lapses. He clarified that the new FDTL guidelines were not the cause and assured that the government is promoting new airlines while prioritizing safety and passenger rights.
PhysicsWallah, an edtech major, reported a 70% increase in net profit for Q2 FY26, reaching Rs 69.7 crore. Revenue from operations also grew by 26% to Rs 1,051.2 crore, with improved margins and profit. This marks the company's first quarterly results since its listing on NSE and BSE.
Air India is complying with the Ministry of Civil Aviation's order to cap economy ticket prices after IndiGo's operational crisis. Air India Express has fully implemented the new pricing, while Air India is doing it gradually due to system dependencies. IndiGo's cancellation of 850 flights caused a surge in demand and fares, prompting government intervention and a refund of Rs 610 crore.
Parliament passed the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill, 2025, which will impose a new levy on pan masala manufacturing units to fund national security and public health. The cess will be calculated on production capacity and will not affect GST revenues.
Air India has a greater number of pilots compared to IndiGo, despite having a smaller fleet, due to the types of aircraft they operate. Long-haul flights require more pilots, leading to concerns about the number of unemployed CPL holders. The government has made efforts to improve training facilities, but modernization is still needed.
A study by iFOREST found that official monitoring systems are missing over 90% of large farm fires in Punjab and Haryana, leading to an underestimation of stubble burning's impact on Delhi's air pollution. The report also discusses the shortcomings of current monitoring methods and the effectiveness of government initiatives to reduce stubble burning, despite a decrease in burnt areas.
Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli has left Puma to join Agilitas Sports as an investor and co-creator for his brand One8. In the deal, Kohli acquired a 1.94% stake in Agilitas for ?40 crore and Agilitas acquired One8. The brand will undergo a complete redesign and expand globally to compete with top brands.
Zepto, the first quick commerce app to offer fee-free orders above Rs 99, experienced a 44% decrease in new app downloads in November. This decline was more significant than its competitors, indicating that fee waivers may not be effective in a saturated market.
The government plans to introduce new Income Tax Return (ITR) forms under the updated Income Tax Act in April 2026. The new legislation aims to simplify tax provisions and improve user-friendliness. The Central Board of Direct Taxes is working with experts to redesign the forms, which will be notified before the start of the 2027-28 financial year.
Trai holds firm on spectrum fees for satcom providers, rejecting DoT's suggestion of a 5% annual charge with a 1% discount for subscribers in remote areas. NGSO operators to be subject to non-discriminatory pricing, with no preferential treatment for BSNL. Regulator clarifies frequency bands and encourages block-based assignments.
RBI introduces liquidity measures, bond purchases, and forex swaps to aid banking system. Economists foresee sufficient support for the month, but urge for additional Rs 1.5 lakh crore in Q4 for effective rate cut transmission. Anitha Rangan and others recommend more liquidity infusion to counter FX intervention impact.
UGRO Capital has acquired Profectus Capital, adding Rs 3,468 crore to its AUM and resulting in a 29% increase. The acquisition is expected to bring an annual profit of Rs 150 crore and operating synergies of Rs 115 crore. The merger process will soon begin, subject to approvals, and is expected to open a new Rs 2,000.
Sanjay Malhotra, the new RBI governor, has successfully tackled the challenge of boosting growth by implementing four rate cuts, resulting in a 125 basis point reduction. This has led to a positive response from the economy, with a growth rate of 8.25% in the second quarter of FY26.
DGCA has requested IndiGo to revise its winter schedule as the airline did not follow the approved plan and did not disclose internal operational problems. The airline must show compliance with safety regulations, crew and aircraft availability, and airport slot and capacity norms.
The IMF has given India a C-grade for its national accounts statistics, raising concerns about data accuracy and credibility. This can impact global investor confidence and hinder evidence-based policymaking. The government is taking measures to improve data quality, which can boost economic performance and growth.
JioStar's withdrawal from the ICC bidding process has sparked worries about the future of cricket in India. Experts warn that the country's cricket scene needs a wake-up call as youth interest declines. With JioStar's IPL 2025 revenue impacted, the broadcaster may have to lower deal prices, potentially triggering a reset in the industry.
In the first nine months of Trump's second term, ICE arrested over 75,000 undocumented immigrants with no criminal records, making up one-third of total arrests. 200,000 people were deported, including those detained by CBP and Coast Guard. Despite the administration's goal of 3,000 arrests per day, only 824 were made on average.
In a surprising move, American right-wing commentator Tucker Carlson announced plans to buy property in Qatar, sparking controversy and speculation about a potential relocation. During a high-profile interview with Qatari PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Carlson praised the country's beauty and addressed critics accusing him of being a "tool of Qatar."
Broader market indices, including the BSE Midcap and Smallcap, suffered heavy losses on Monday due to volatility ahead of the US Federal Reserve's rate decision, profit-booking, and selling by foreign institutional investors. The Nifty 50 and Sensex outperformed their peers, while the Nifty Next 50 also saw a significant drop.
IndiGo, India's largest airline, has requested a 13-day extension from DGCA to investigate the reasons behind 3,000 flight cancellations in December 2025. The airline attributed technical issues and weather conditions as contributing factors. DGCA issued show-cause notices to CEO and COO, while the Civil Aviation Minister holds IndiGo accountable for not adhering to FDTL norms.
Tomato prices have surged by 26% due to early winter and October rains, causing a decrease in supplies. Commission agent Ashok Kaushik forecasts continued high prices due to strong demand in the winter. Premium tomatoes are now priced at Rs 60-70/kg. The department has identified lean production months, and tomato production is expected to decline in the future.
Authorities have seized over Rs 4,000 crore in crypto-linked proceeds of crime and uncovered undisclosed VDAs income of Rs 888.82 crore. 29 arrests have been made, 22 prosecution complaints filed, and one fugitive declared. The CBDT is also cracking down on crypto transactions, detecting undisclosed income of Rs 888.82 crore.
SEBI has released guidelines for the transition of current AIF schemes to accredited investor-only or large value funds. LVFs will receive exemptions for AI, making business easier. The move is contingent upon investors' approval and meeting specific requirements. New schemes must include 'AI only fund' or 'LVF' in their titles, and LVFs are not required to comply with certain regulations.
EU and Indian officials are in talks to finalize a Free Trade Agreement before the year-end deadline. The negotiations cover 23 policy areas, with 11 chapters already closed. Key points of discussion include duty cuts on automobiles and medical devices for the EU, and duty-free access for labor-intensive goods for India. The FTA is important as the EU is India's biggest trading partner.
CDSCO plans to tighten regulations to prevent drugs with different active ingredients from being marketed under the same brand name. This aims to protect consumers from confusion and false advertising. Public consultations will be held and amendments to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules are being considered to prohibit misleading brand extensions.
US Congress is experiencing a significant number of retirements, with 52 lawmakers announcing their departure before 2026 midterms. Both Republican and Democratic parties are facing a wave of exits, with 23 House members and 5 senators from Republican party citing internal conflicts under Trump's second term, while 17 House and 7 Senate Democrats cite threats, incivility, as reasons for retiring.
Natarajan Srinivasan's book "The Great Revival" chronicles the impressive turnaround of CG Power & Industrial Solutions, despite facing obstacles like NPAs, investigations, and Covid.
The US government has approved a $5,000 charge for illegal migrants aged 14 and above who are caught after crossing into the country without permission. This fee, part of Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, applies to all states and does not guarantee legal status or release. Failure to pay may lead to future immigration restrictions.
Paramount Skydance has launched a hostile bid worth $108.4 billion for Warner Bros Discovery, in an attempt to outbid Netflix and create a media powerhouse. However, Netflix has already secured a $72 billion equity deal for Warner Bros Discovery's assets.
SpaceX's Starlink has announced a monthly subscription price of ā¹8,600 for its satellite internet service in India, with a one-time hardware kit cost of ā¹34,000. The plan includes unlimited data, high uptime, and a 30-day free trial. However, the expensive pricing may limit its adoption in a market driven by mass-market volumes.
In 2025, Indian cinema saw the rise of regional films that captivated audiences not just in their home states but also across the country and internationally. Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, and Malayalam industries delivered some of the biggest blockbusters, proving that regional storytelling has become the heart of Indian film.
Oxford's 2025 Word of the Year, 'rage bait', exposes the negative impact of this online trend on mental health. Dr Mark Hyman warns that it spikes cortisol levels and reshapes the brain, leading to 'brain rot'. This word is linked to last year's, revealing how outrage fuels engagement and mental exhaustion.
A delegation from the US Trade Representative's office, led by Deputy USTR Rick Switzer and Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch, will visit India to discuss trade-related issues and negotiate a comprehensive bilateral trade agreement. The talks will focus on reducing the 50% additional tariffs imposed by the US on Indian imports, which have led to a decline in exports.
Tamil Nadu government has released the official holiday calendar for 2026, including 24 holidays for public and private institutes. The list includes New Year's Day, Pongal, Republic Day, and other important dates. The calendar is applicable to all state government offices, commercial banks, and co-operative banks in cities like Chennai, Coimbatore, and Madurai.
ICICI Prudential AMC, India's second-largest mutual fund house by assets, is set to go public with an initial public offering (IPO) worth Rs 10,600 crore. The offer, which will open for subscription from December 12 to 16, will see ICICI Bank and Prudential Corporation Holdings selling their stake in the company.