Rupee rebounds on RBI support 

Indian rupee rebounds from all-time low with support from RBI, but weak sentiment remains due to US-India trade deal delay. Rupee rose 17 paise on Monday, but still down 4.42% in FY26.

Air India Group CEO and MD Campbell Wilson anticipates 2026 as a crucial year for the airline's transformation, with a focus on upgrading its wide-body fleet. While capacity will remain the same in 2026, a significant increase is expected in 2027-28 due to the induction of new aircraft and retirement of older ones.

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra proposes a repo rate reduction, considering favorable economic indicators. The upcoming Monetary Policy Committee meeting will decide on this. With inflation at a record low of 0.25%, there is scope for more rate cuts. The governor stresses on maintaining price stability and promoting growth as RBI's main goals.

Thanksgiving travel across the US is expected to be disrupted by heavy rain, thunderstorms, and wintry weather. Major cities like Chicago, New York, and Washington DC may experience delays and cancellations. The Great Lakes region and northern states will also be affected by snow and wind, while the NYC parade may see showers. Travellers are advised to stay updated on weather conditions.

Trade unions are worried about the ambiguity in the Code on Social Security, 2020, which lacks specific timelines and benefits for workers. The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, also neglects women's safety.

RITES, the engineering and consulting arm of Indian Railways, aims to boost revenue growth by increasing project execution. Despite a strong order book, revenue has been low in the past two years. To achieve an order book of Rs 10,000 crore by Q1FY27, RITES plans to reduce project timelines and improve quality control.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) has seen an increase in the average time for resolving cases, leading to a decline in asset values. Despite government efforts, the process remains slow. However, the latest report from IBBI shows that resolution plans are yielding higher returns, with a 93.8% recovery rate.

The 2025 holiday season will see a decrease in spending during Black Friday to Cyber Monday, as revealed by a Deloitte survey. This is due to financial concerns, with rising costs of living and economic caution driving the shift. All income groups are cutting back, with younger consumers utilizing buy now, pay later options.

The recent introduction of new labour codes by the Indian government has caused concern among textile and apparel exporters. The codes may increase wage bills and compliance costs, while also treating migrant workers the same as local workers.

The government launched the first-ever auction for limestone mineral blocks in Jammu & Kashmir, covering 314 hectares and expected to generate significant industrial interest. This move, conducted under the MMDR Act, marks a major step in unlocking the mineral wealth of the region and boosting the local economy.

President Trump is heavily involved in the upcoming midterm elections, focusing on economic messaging and urging Republican candidates to run for re-election. He aims to offset voter frustration over rising costs by promoting affordability and tax cuts. His unprecedented involvement is driven by his desire to maintain Republican control of Congress and protect himself from impeachment.

S&P Global Ratings forecasts India's economy to grow at 6.5% in FY26 and 6.7% in FY27, with balanced risks. Tax relief and monetary policy easing are expected to drive consumption-based growth. RBI projects 6.8% growth for FY26, but US tariffs are affecting export-oriented manufacturing. A trade agreement with the US could boost business confidence, but their new trade policy is causing concern.

In a conversation with Ayanti Bera, Sindhu Gangadharan, MD of SAP Labs India and chairperson of Nasscom, discusses the impact of new labour codes on IT hiring and wages, Indian enterprises' proactive approach towards data privacy and AI governance, and the sectors leading the AI adoption race. She also talks about SAP's hiring strategy and the company's focus on business AI and related domains.

Benchmark equity indices slump in final hour of trade on Monday due to profit-booking ahead of monthly F&O expiry and mixed global cues. Sensex opens positively but later succumbs to selling pressure, settling at 84,900.71, down 331.21 points. Nifty also declines sharply, falling below 26,000 mark.

Karnataka government to build second airport for Bengaluru to ease air traffic, tenders for viability study of three sites near city to be floated soon. Construction to begin by 2030, operational as soon as possible. Urgency due to Tamil Nadu's plan for airport at Hosur, current airport cannot be expanded until 2033.

India's new labour codes strive to establish a contemporary labour system that balances employer flexibility and worker safeguarding. They aim to simplify compliance, formalize employment, and foster a conducive environment for growth. The codes also introduce productivity enhancements by streamlining working hours.

The rupee's depreciation will affect firms with high unhedged foreign currency debt, but RBI data shows that India Inc has been reducing its exposure. More companies are now hedging due to the rupee's volatility, but experts caution that without a trade deal with the US, the rupee will remain under pressure. Recent fluctuations have made companies cautious about not hedging.

India and Canada have resumed talks on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to double bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. The agreement covers goods, services, investment, agriculture, digital trade, and sustainable development. Both countries also reaffirmed their civil nuclear cooperation and discussed expanding collaboration, including in critical minerals and clean energy.

Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan stressed the importance of a balanced import policy for agricultural products to benefit farmers and consumers. The government is implementing measures like import duties and export bans to regulate prices of essential items like pulses and oilseeds.

Dharmendra, a beloved Indian actor, died at 89 after a successful career spanning decades. He holds the record for most hit films in Hindi cinema and is known for his iconic roles and dialogues. His family includes two marriages, six children, and thirteen grandchildren, many of whom are also in the film industry.

A video of an American traveller's meltdown at the Denver International Airport has gained attention online as she berated airline staff and passengers. Witnesses say she was denied boarding and caused a 30-minute ordeal before being escorted away by security. The woman's demand for a breathalyser, desire to have the employee fired, and threat to sue were captured in the viral TikTok video.

India and Canada's relationship was strained when former Canadian PM Trudeau accused India of involvement in the killing of Khalistani separatist Nijjar. However, current PM Carney's efforts have improved ties. India's High Commissioner to Canada, Patnaik, highlighted their stance and provided evidence on anti-Indian activities, but it is often dismissed.

A federal court has stopped the IRS from sharing taxpayer information with ICE, protecting undocumented taxpayers' safety. This blocks the Trump administration's plan to use IRS data for immigration enforcement and builds on a previous order for notification before sharing. Advocates applaud the ruling as a vital defence of privacy rights for millions, including vulnerable immigrants.

Ershad Kunakkadan, an Indian-origin techie, rose from dropping out of a no-name college in Kerala to becoming the CEO of a $100M+ company in New York. He recently took over as the CEO of Gumroad, showcasing his strong work ethic and reliability. His journey is an inspirational one, proving that hard work and determination can lead to success in the tech industry.

JM Financial has identified three high-conviction stocks with potential for significant upside across diverse sectors. The firm reiterated 'Buy' ratings on Eternal (Zomato) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories, while maintaining 'Add' rating on M& M. JM Financial believes that Dr Reddy's Labs will see growth from various factors such as NRT business, biosimilar launches, and strong India growth.

OMCs are projected to have a 50% increase in operating profits due to high marketing margins and stable fuel prices. GRM is expected to stay at $4-6 per barrel and marketing margins at $14 per barrel. Geopolitical uncertainties may impact profits, but OMCs will still have higher earnings, reduced debt, and more capital expenditure opportunities.

Dharmendra's death at 89 has left a void in Bollywood. With a career spanning six decades and over 300 films, the beloved actor's legacy will be remembered forever. His last film, Ikkis, was set to release in 2025. Fans, friends, and industry colleagues are grieving and paying tribute to the legendary actor, with even PM Modi and Manoj Bajpayee expressing their sorrow.

Legendary Bollywood actor Dharmendra has passed away at the age of 89, leaving behind a rich legacy of iconic movies and dialogues that will keep him alive forever in everyone's hearts. He portrayed all his roles with aplomb, be it in Seeta Geeta, Sholay, Chupke Chupke, or Haqeeqat. His unique style and dialogue delivery made him a timeless actor, loved by all generations.

Axis Securities recommends investing in Nestle India, Britannia Industries, and DOMS Industries, as they are the top three high conviction stocks in the FMCG sector with potential upside of up to 24%. These companies have a dominant market position, focus on innovation, strong distribution networks, and cost efficiency. However, volatile commodity prices may be a challenge in the near term.

Verizon employee shares emotional confession on anonymous platform after being laid off along with 13,000 others. Layoffs were part of company's cost-cutting efforts, but promises to support affected employees. Employee was devastated as she had been planning to go on a maternity leave.

A fatal bus accident in Tamil Nadu's Tenkasi district resulted in 6 deaths and 50 hospitalizations, including a child. Survivors suffered severe injuries to their arms, legs, and head. The incident occurred when two buses collided, with 55 passengers on board. This comes after a similar accident in Karnataka, where 3 people, including a child, lost their lives. More updates to follow.

Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari has urged people to take BLOs hostage if they come to cut names from voter rolls and Aadhaar cards. He alleges that the exercise is meant to delete names and that the same happened in Bihar, where 65 lakh names were removed. The ECI has faced backlash over the short deadline for the SIR, with multiple BLO deaths reported.

India's shrimp industry has faced challenges due to US tariffs, resulting in slow growth in exports to the US. To mitigate this, India has expanded its exports to other countries. However, a report forecasts a significant drop in shrimp exports in the coming months, and the industry's overall performance is expected to decrease by 10-12% due to US tariff pressures.

Jefferies has reiterated its Buy rating on Bharti Airtel, calling it the preferred pick in India’s telecom sector, with a Rs 2,635 target price implying a 22% upside from current levels. The brokerage said Airtel’s stable market structure, continued ARPU gains, and improving free cash flow visibility make it the strongest play in telecom.

"Wicked: For Good" sequel to hit Broadway musical starring Ariana Grande breaks Box Office records with its dark take on "The Wizard of Oz." With critical and audience acclaim, the film is expected to earn over $1 billion during the holidays. Grande and Cynthia Erivo lead the story of estranged witches facing political corruption and personal dilemmas.

A 38-year-old doctor from Andhra Pradesh’s Guntur district, identified as Rohini, was found dead in her Hyderabad apartment on Saturday, PTI reported. According to police, the incident is being treated as an alleged suicide, with reports suggesting she was depressed after her US visa was denied.

Dussehra release Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, failed to make a mark at the box office despite high expectations. On the other hand, Rishab Shetty's Kantara Chapter 1 emerged as the biggest hit of the year, beating Diwali releases.

"Mumbai Metro introduces 25% fare concession for differently-abled passengers on Line 3 (Aqua Line) to promote public transport. The discounted tickets and trip passes can be booked on the MetroConnect-3 app. The fully operational line spans 33.5 km, connecting South Mumbai to the suburbs, including major hubs like BKC.

Hindustan Aeronautics shares declined over 4% after its fighter jet Tejas crashed during the Dubai Air Show. This is the second crash in 20 months involving an HAL-manufactured aircraft. The company posted a 10.5% increase in net profit and 11% increase in revenue for Q2 FY26. However, its stock price has fallen in the last five trading sessions and in the past month.

An Indian man, Jagjit Singh, was arrested in Canada and is facing deportation for criminally harassing high school girls. He arrived in Canada on a temporary visa to meet his grandchild, but was accused of initiating inappropriate conversations and even groping one of the students. Singh has been banned from ever re-entering Canada.

Indian woman harassed at Shanghai airport over Indian passport listing Arunachal Pradesh as birthplace. Officials mocked and refused to recognize passport, claiming region as part of China. Woman faced 18-hr ordeal, financial losses, and lack of proper facilities. Writes to PM Modi for action and compensation. Urges Centre to raise issue with Beijing.

Goldman Sachs reaffirms Neutral on Tata Group’s Trent with a Rs 4,920 target, citing 12% upside driven by automation, new brands, and long-term brand strategy.

ACME Solar Holdings has secured a tariff of Rs 4.35 per unit to supply 130 MW of renewable power to Indian Railways. The project will be completed within 30 months and the company will enter into a direct PPA with Indian Railways, ensuring a minimum annual availability of 75% in the first three years and 85% thereafter.

Comedian and TV host Conan O’Brien is in India for the very first time, and he’s clearly enjoying every minute of it. On Monday, he shared a photo from Bengaluru with a simple but heartfelt caption, “You’ve changed me for the better, India.”

Farhan Akhtar's war film 120 Bahadur, based on a true story, initially had a lukewarm response at the box office but has seen a significant increase in earnings over the weekend. The film's authentic narrative and strong performances have impressed audiences, surpassing the success of Vivek Oberoi's Mastiii 4 and Ajay Devgn's De De Pyaar De 2.

Motilal Oswal upgrades four IT companies, including Infosys, Mphasis, Zensar Technologies and Wipro, due to the expected shift towards AI software and services. The brokerage also highlights top picks for the next AI wave, including Hexaware, Coforge, HCL Technologies and Tech Mahindra.

Most US retailers and grocery stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day 2025, but will reopen the next day for Black Friday. Shoppers should prepare for the holiday season by checking store hours and making last-minute lists. Target, Walmart, and Costco will all be closed on Thanksgiving but will open early on Black Friday. Other stores will have varying hours.

Fifteen people were arrested by the Delhi Police for using chilli spray and blocking a road during a protest against pollution at the India Gate. The protesters were demanding clean air but at the same time, they were blocking roads for others. When they were moved to Kartavya Path, police claim some of them used pepper spray against cops. The protestors claim they were detained brutally.

India’s solar push hides a wafer trap made in China. Analyst warn valuations could crack before FY27 as wafer imports dominate supply, leaving domestic manufacturers exposed despite strong policy support.

Australian influencer Wen Johnson, aka 'Pyjama Man,' caused outrage for aggressively grabbing Ariana Grande at the Wicked: For Good premiere in Singapore. He has been deported and banned from re-entering the country. He has a history of stage-crashing and has disrupted events for celebrities like The Weeknd and Virat Kohli. His actions have been described as "attention seeking" and "premeditated."