The Bihar Assembly election, held in two phases on November 6 and 11, has all 243 constituencies up for grabs. Political excitement is high as the NDA and INDIA blocs compete for votes. Nitish Kumar's NDA relies on its strong alliance and dual-engine government, while Tejashwi Yadav's INDIA bloc prioritizes social justice.
The Indian rupee has reached a new low of 90.73/$ due to weak sentiment and outflows. It has depreciated by 6% this year, the highest in three years. Traders are pushing the rupee down, while RBI intervention has been minimal. Structural reforms and a trade deal with the US are needed to increase capital inflows.
The proposed law to replace MG-NREGA seeks to overhaul the programme by shifting focus to strategic infrastructure creation and a predetermined funding pattern. The new law will no longer be demand-driven and states will share its costs in a 6:4 ratio. The aim is to create a cleaner, more accountable and infrastructure-driven rural employment system in line with the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
India's merchandise exports in November reached a three-month high of $38.13 billion, with a 19.37% year-on-year growth, driven by increased exports to the US and China. The decline in imports, particularly of gold and crude oil, led to a five-month low trade deficit.
India's marine products exports increased by 16% to $5.75 billion in April-November 2025-26, despite being hit by US tariffs. This was due to a surge in shipments to new markets such as China, Vietnam, Belgium, Japan, Russia, Canada, and the UK.
Top FMCG CEOs at the CII FMCG Summit discussed the potential for growth in the industry, citing the impact of GST and increased disposable income. They also highlighted the importance of targeting rural and small town markets and the need for R&D and innovation tailored for India's unique market.
India and Mexico are discussing a Preferential Trade Agreement to address the steep tariff increase on non-FTA partners. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal believes this is the best solution and a WTO-compatible one. A virtual meeting has been held and technical discussions on the PTA have begun.
India and the US are close to finalizing a framework agreement to lift reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports. The Commerce Secretary expects the pact to be completed soon, while a delegation from the US and EU visited India to discuss trade agreements. The issue of carbon tax on certain commodities is also being addressed.
Western Digital, a data storage firm, highlights the continued relevance of HDDs as they store 80% of data in data centres despite the growing adoption of flash storage. The company sees India as a key market, with its surveillance storage business driving revenue. They also expect a strong year for enterprise storage due to data centre investments and increased surveillance spending in India.
Retail loan performance remains stable, with balance-level delinquencies improving for home, personal, credit card, and gold loans. The Credit Market Indicator increased by 5 points, but micro-LAP and small-ticket housing loans showed signs of stress.
360 ONE Asset's real assets platform has raised a staggering Rs 2,300 crore in just four months, with majority of the committed capital already invested in infrastructure and commercial properties.
PIA denies reports of missing crew members in Canada, calling them "fake news" spread by "anti-Pakistan quarters". The airline reassures passengers and the public that all operations are running normally and crew members are safe. However, there have been past cases of missing PIA crew members in Canada, with investigations launched and potential consequences for those who illegally disappear.
Gold loans are gaining popularity over personal loans due to the surge in gold prices. Bank credit for gold loans has risen by 128.5%, while personal loans have slowed down. SBI chairman C S Setty notes that salaried customers are choosing gold loans for their larger amounts and lower rates.
GCPL CEO Sudhir Sitapati is optimistic about the current FMCG market, citing GST 2.0 price cuts, rural demand, and urban recovery. The company is prioritizing premiumisation, acquisitions, and strengthening their India business. They are strategically balancing premiumisation with mass-market growth and have made profitable acquisitions.
SEBI to introduce distribution framework for fixed income products to regulate mis-selling and aggressive advertising. Two categories of distributors - regulated entities and certified individuals. They will work for online bond platform providers and comply with strict advertising norms. This will protect retail investors from unregistered platforms and help them make informed decisions.
The IPL 2026 auction will have a rule called the "maximum fee rule" limiting overseas players' bids to Rs 18 crore. An overseas player's maximum fee at a mini auction is capped at the lower value between the highest retention slab (Rs 18 crore) and the highest price at the previous mega auction (Rs 27 crore for Rishabh Pant), capping the salary slab to Rs 18 crore for the 2026 auction.
Indigo's flight cancellations caused inconvenience to many travelers, who faced problems such as missed connections and hotel stays. According to DGCA rules, airlines must offer refunds or alternate flights and compensate for long delays, but not for non-refundable expenses.
CEO Jennifer Goldsack's cancer diagnosis led her to implement new rules, such as 'Take 5' breaks, to prioritize her health and inspire her team. She ignored early signs of exhaustion and stomach pain due to work stress, but now prioritizes health appointments and encourages self-care.
Aggressive hybrid funds offer a balanced allocation between equity and debt, making them a suitable choice for moderate risk and smoother returns. Despite their conservative structure, they have generated 15% returns over five years and have a competitive long-term track record.
San Francisco is facing a severe housing crisis and a start-up, Brownstone Shared Living, is offering affordable sleeping pods in public spaces for $700 a month. The company aims to increase productivity and reduce fatigue while also planning to expand and solve the housing crisis on a larger scale. Other US cities are also struggling with this issue.
Indian TV stars have seen a rise in their income, with some earning as much as Bollywood stars. The richest TV star, Kapil Sharma, has a net worth of Rs 300 crores and earns Rs 5 crore per episode for his show on Netflix. Rupali Ganguly, Karan Kundra, Harshad Chopra, and Tejasswi Prakash are also among the highest paid actors on Indian television, with impressive net worths and salaries.
Trevel, an electric mobility startup, has launched in Gurugram as an alternative to app-based cab aggregators. It owns all vehicles and employs drivers as full-time staff, ensuring high service standards. Currently offering city rides, airport transfers, and hourly rentals, it plans to expand to outstation services.
SITA, a global aviation technology provider, is discussing the implementation of baggage biometric technology with major Indian airlines and airports. This technology, which uses AI and image recognition, aims to reduce mishandled baggage caused by lost or damaged tags.
Lionel Messi's India tour included a visit to Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium where he met the Delhi Chief Minister and ICC President, received a ticket for the India vs USA T20 World Cup match, and played with young players. He will not meet PM Modi as initial media reports suggested but will meet other dignitaries at Purana Qila. Earlier, his Kolkata visit was disrupted by chaos and violence.
Noida International Airport will feature advanced biometric systems, self-service bag drop and boarding facilities, and a ground transportation complex. It will have 13 security lanes, CT scanners, and X-ray machines for baggage screening. The flexible gate system and multi-level terminal design will improve operational efficiency.
CIDCO plans to build a third runway at NMIA to meet the growing demand for air travel in Mumbai. A feasibility study has been requested to evaluate the technical and commercial aspects of the project, which will inform future infrastructure planning. NMIA is expected to become a major aviation hub, handling 90 million passengers and 3.2 million tonnes of cargo per year.
Benjamin Erickson, a person of interest in the Brown University shooting, has been released without charges due to lack of evidence. The police chief and attorney general have conflicting views on his involvement. The university has cancelled classes and exams for the semester, adding to the growing number of school shootings and gun violence in the US this year.
Galaxy Health Insurance, the youngest standalone health insurer in the country, predicts a 5-6% decrease in profits due to the GST rate cut. However, the government's decision to exempt individual health policies from GST will aid long-term growth.
Maruti Suzuki India is focusing on localizing battery production and other crucial components to boost the electric vehicle industry in India. Although they do not qualify for government incentives, they plan to introduce Battery as a Service and subscription models for their first EV.
Mammootty's latest action crime thriller Kalamkaval has been a massive success at the Box Office, earning over Rs 70 crore worldwide in just 10 days. With positive reviews, strong word-of-mouth, and Mammootty's star power, the film has surpassed expectations and outperformed Bollywood movies.
Tim Seifert's explosive 102 off 56 balls led Melbourne Renegades to a strong total of 212/5 against Brisbane Heat in their BBL 2025-26 faceoff. Seifert's performance comes ahead of the IPL 2026 Auction where he has registered at a base price of ₹1.50 crore. Jack Wildermuth was the top bowler for Heat.
The famous 'Home Alone' house in Illinois is undergoing a restoration to bring back its nostalgic charm from the beloved Christmas movie. Led by project manager Scott Price, the new owners are determined to revive the house's vibrant patterns, lively colors, and warm family atmosphere.
Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, a weekly injection for blood sugar management, is now available in India. While it can aid in weight loss and improve heart and kidney health, doctors caution against its misuse, which can cause nutritional deficiencies and muscle loss. Priced at Rs 2,200 per week, it can be beneficial for those with severe obesity, but should not be used as a shortcut for weight loss.
Indian equity benchmarks, Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex, closed lower on Monday, while Nifty Bank outperformed. Mid-cap stocks closed higher, with BSE Midcap and Smallcap indices recording gains. Persistent foreign fund outflows and weak rupee have kept markets in a narrow range. Expectations of an earnings recovery in H2FY26 and monetary and fiscal growth drivers are stabilizing sentiment.
ICICI Group makes a comeback in the market after 7.5 years with the IPO of ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company. This is the fifth company from the group to go public, following the successful IPOs of ICICI Bank, ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, ICICI Lombard General Insurance, and ICICI Securities. The current IPO aims to raise Rs 10,602 crore and has received 1.38 times more bids.
TV actor Anuj Sachdeva was attacked by a resident in his housing complex for raising concerns about his car. The assailant could be seen hurling abuses and attacking him with a rod in a video shared by Sachdeva on social media. The actor sustained injuries and his dog was also attacked. The incident has sparked calls for the attacker to be held accountable.
The IPL 2026 auction, taking place on December 16, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, will determine the squads of the 10 teams for the upcoming T20 season. With 77 slots up for grabs from a pool of 350 players, including Indian and international talent, this auction will have a major impact on the teams and players. Fans can watch the live action on Star Sports in India and other broadcasters worldwide.
Dr Eric Berg, weight loss specialist and bestselling author, warns against the harmful effects of trans fats found in processed and deep-fried foods. These fats increase bad cholesterol and decrease good cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart problems.
Rob Reiner, famous for directing beloved films like The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally..., was tragically found murdered with his wife, Michelle, in their California home. Reports indicate their son, Nick, may have been involved. The couple leaves behind four children, including Nick.
The United States has announced major changes to how it screens visa applicants and travellers. These updates affect people applying for work visas, student visas, immigrant visas, and even travellers who usually do not need a visa to enter the US.
India's wholesale prices saw a year-on-year decline of 0.32% in November, attributed to lower prices in food articles, mineral oils, and electricity. Deflation was seen in vegetables, pulses, potato, and onion. Manufactured products saw a decrease in inflation, while fuel and power showed deflation. Retail inflation also rose to 0.71% in November.
IndiGo has cancelled 109 flights due to adverse weather conditions, causing significant disruptions at major airports. The airline advises passengers to check their flight status and leave for the airports early due to low visibility affecting road traffic. Delhi has recorded near-zero visibility and severe air quality, with an AQI of 500. Other major cities also have varying levels of pollution.
Two young men from Punjab were shot dead in a late-night shooting in southeast Edmonton, Canada on Friday. The victims were Gurdeep Singh, 27 and Ranveer Singh, 18. The Edmonton Police Service said it received calls about gunshots at around 2 am on December 12.
Central Railway has introduced two new stations, Targhar and Gavan, on the Belapur/Nerul-Uran section, along with five more pairs of suburban trains. The move aims to enhance travel experience for passengers by increasing daily services to 50 and improving operating hours and peak hour frequency. These stations will also provide convenient access to the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport.
Darshan Thoogudeepa's The Devil, a dual role action film, had a successful opening day at the Box Office, earning Rs 10 crores. Despite the lead actor's legal issues, the film saw a 66% drop on Day 2 but picked up slightly on Day 4 with an earning of Rs 4.25 crores. The film has an overall occupancy of 53.38% and continues to have a strong presence.
A powerful snowstorm caused major trouble at airports across New York City and a large part of the Northeast on Sunday. The storm dumped heavy snow across the region, leading to long flight delays and ground stops that affected travellers not just locally but across the country.
Goldman Sachs has raised L&T's rating to 'Buy' with a target price of Rs 5,000, implying a 25% potential gain. This is due to improved earnings visibility, a robust order book, and growth prospects in defence, green hydrogen, and nuclear power. The brokerage predicts a rise in earnings in the near future, supported by a strong order backlog and return on equity.
Delhi's air quality has hit hazardous levels with AQI reaching 500, prompting Congress MP Jairam Ramesh to call for updated and strictly enforced NAAQS and a revamp of NCAP. Another Congress MP has called it the "second dirtiest December day on record", adding that he has moved an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha.
Wakefit Innovations' shares debut at Rs 195 on NSE and Rs 194.10 on BSE, matching the issue price of Rs 195 per share. The IPO raised Rs 1,288.89 crores through a mix of new shares and offer for sale. Allotment finalized on Dec 11 with minimum lot size of 76 shares for retail applicants. Wakefit Innovations is a D2C home brand.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a visit to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman to strengthen bilateral relations. He will meet with top leaders, including Jordanian King Abdullah II and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, and address the Joint Session of Parliament in Ethiopia. In Oman, he will discuss strengthening the Strategic Partnership and address the Indian diaspora.
As 2025 nears its end, India sees record highs in benchmark indices and GDP, but FIIs remain net sellers. In an exclusive interview, Kotak Mahindra's managing director explains the three main reasons for this trend: profitability, narrowing valuation gap, and expectation of double-digit earnings growth in 2026. Despite concerns, India's future looks promising.