‘Close to ending Ukraine war’: Trump sends envoy to Moscow

Donald Trump has sent his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Moscow to meet with Vladimir Putin and finalise the details of a potential peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.

The White House on Tuesday strongly denied a report claiming that President Donald Trump was thinking about removing FBI Director Kash Patel. The rumour began after a website reported that Trump was considering replacing Patel with FBI co-deputy director Andrew Bailey.

KKR, a private equity firm, has invested in Lighthouse Learning, with Canadian pension fund PSP Investments also joining as a new investor. KKR plans to use the capital to expand K-12 schools and preschools in key cities. Lighthouse Learning has a workforce of 22,000 and a revenue of Rs 881 crore.

Asian Paints has joined hands with BCCI to be the official 'colour partner' for Indian cricket for the next three years, with a deal worth Rs 45 crore. The partnership will cover all forms of cricket, and the brand believes it aligns with their brand positioning. They will also launch on-ground and digital initiatives, such as a fan camera and 'colour countdown' during matches.

Auto tech funding in Delhi-NCR has seen a significant increase of 517% in the first nine months of 2025, reaching $1.3 billion. The overall tech funding in the region grew by 12%, with late-stage deals dominating the scene. The largest investment was $1 billion in Erisha E Mobility. Delhi accounted for 57% of the funding, with 11 IPOs and 25 acquisitions recorded in the region.

Salesforce India, a top CRM services provider, saw a 47% increase in revenue in FY25 thanks to the popularity of its Agentforce suite. The company's filings show India as a rapidly growing market, thanks to the high demand for AI agents and strong partnerships. Arundhati Bhattacharya, president and CEO, leads the company's success.

Tata Motors has revived the iconic Sierra as a modern mid-size SUV starting at Rs 11.49 lakh. The company anticipates strong demand for the diesel model, as rivals prioritize petrol or hybrid options. The Sierra EV will launch in 2021 and be exported to countries like South Africa.

Blinkit is the leading quick-commerce platform with 31% of users choosing it over other apps like Swiggy Instamart and Flipkart Minutes. While grocery remains the top use case, quick-commerce is expanding into beauty and kids' products.

CPPIB and IndoSpace have acquired six industrial and logistics parks in India for 471 million Canadian dollars, making IndoSpace Core the country's largest operator in this sector. With CPPIB owning a 93% stake, the portfolio will now cover 22 million square feet and 948 acres, serving over 120 companies in six major hubs.

The Trump administration has halted the processing of 235,000 green card applications for refugees admitted during Biden's term, citing national security concerns. This has sparked criticism from refugee advocates, who call it cruel. USCIS will review eligibility criteria, causing delays and uncertainty for affected refugees.

Volcano eruption in Ethiopia causes cancellations and delays of flights in Indian airspace. Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air announce diversions and cancellations. Government monitoring and coordinating with agencies. Volcano erupted on Sunday, with forecasted ash influence over multiple Indian states.

India's data centre industry is predicted to experience a 20-22% revenue growth annually by FY28, thanks to the rise in enterprise cloud usage, AI workloads, and digital consumption. The capacity is expected to double by March 2028, with a rise in capital spending.

India's merchandise exports have bounced back in November despite US tariffs, with growth in seafood and services. However, trade deficit has increased due to imports of gold and fertilizer. The government is focusing on trade agreements with Canada, Israel, and the Southern African Customs Union, and plans to introduce a new export.

Jubilant FoodWorks leads the domestic food service industry with its impressive same-store sales growth (SSG), unlike its struggling competitors. This is due to its extensive store network, emphasis on delivery, and continuous menu innovation. The company's aggressive approach to speed and value has contributed to its success, with plans for further expansion.

The July-September quarter saw a notable rise in employment within the unincorporated non-agricultural sector, with over 128.5 million people employed. The number of establishments also increased, although at a slower rate. Digitization and internet use in this sector is on the rise, and women make up 28.7% of the workforce.

The University of Minnesota's Culture and Family Lab has faced backlash for calling 'Whiteness' a "pandemic" and urging White parents to "re-educate" their children. This initiative aims to promote diversity and inclusion by providing teachers with materials on topics like Black Lives Matter and defunding the police.

Private ARCs are increasingly investing in real estate, with a quarter of their new acquisitions coming from this sector. This is driven by the increasing value of properties, as well as banks and NBFCs selling off stressed projects. The market for distressed assets below Rs 500 crore is particularly attractive, with mid-sized projects being the most sought after.

Bharti Airtel's promoter entity, ICIL, plans to sell 34.3 million equity shares, representing a 0.56% stake, for Rs 7,195 crore in a block deal on Wednesday. This move aims to diversify the telco's shareholder base. The sale, handled by Goldman Sachs, will reduce ICIL's stake to below 1% and the residual stake will be under a 90-day lock-up period. The sale is part of

A major winter storm is set to hit four states, disrupting Thanksgiving travel plans for millions of Americans. Heavy snowfall of up to 30 inches is expected in North Dakota, Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Air travel may also be impacted, with delays and cancellations at major airports. The National Weather Service urges residents and travelers to stay informed.

SBI Research predicts that the new labour codes in India will increase social security coverage to 85% in the next 2-3 years, benefiting 100 million workers. This will also lead to a 15.1% increase in formalisation rate, boosting consumption and reducing unemployment by 0.3% to 1.3%.

India's antitrust regulator, CCI, has ordered a probe against BFI for allegedly abusing its dominant position by refusing to authorize or recognize third-party events without justification. EPBPL approached BFI in 2022 to launch a professional basketball league, but faced extortionate demands and warnings against participating in unauthorised events.

Despite facing challenges from high tariffs in the US, India's marine exports saw a 16% increase to $4.87 billion in April-October 2025-26. This was due to a rise in shipments to new markets like China, Vietnam, and the UK, with shrimp and prawn exports leading the surge. The EU's approval of 102 additional fishery units has also contributed to the growth.

Adani Enterprises, part of Gautam Adani's conglomerate, announced a rights issue worth Rs 24,930.30 crore to fund infrastructure projects and repay debt. The issue, closing on December 10, offers shares at a discounted price of Rs 1,800 each and will be subscribed by promoters, valuing the company at nearly Rs 2 lakh crore. It also allows for future payment calls.

Mutual fund houses have urged Sebi to reconsider the entry rules for Specialized Investment Funds (SIF) to enable smaller players to participate. The current regulations favor big players, creating barriers for smaller ones. The industry has also talked about potential changes in expense ratio and brokerage fees.

The Union Cabinet is set to approve a ₹7,300-crore incentive scheme to promote rare earth permanent magnets manufacturing in India. This will reduce the country's reliance on China and establish a self-sufficient ecosystem with a production capacity of 6,000 tonnes.

A recent SBI report suggests that India's new labour codes have the potential to significantly boost employment and formalisation in the labour market. The reforms could lead to a 1.3% decrease in unemployment and a 15% increase in formalisation. Additionally, the codes are expected to increase social security coverage and result in a consumption boost of Rs 75,000 crore.

The finance ministry is streamlining compliance forms for charitable institutions under the new Income Tax Act starting April 1, 2026. Debjyoti Das, principal chief commissioner of income tax, recognizes the complexity of current tax laws and is working to simplify procedures and align corpus donations with regular donations.

The UK is seeing a rise in the departure of billionaires, including Lakshmi Mittal, due to potential new taxes on the wealthy. The Labour government is considering an "exit tax" and wealth tax to address a £20 billion budget deficit. This could affect London's appeal to the super-rich and its status as a business and cultural hub. While some see it as a solution, others have concerns.

Siddhanth Kapoor was summoned for questioning by the Anti-Narcotics Cell in connection to a Rs ₹252-crore narcotics case. Social media personality Orhan Awatramani alias 'Orry' has also been asked to record his statement. The investigation, which began with a drug bust in March 2024, has revealed links to high-profile parties attended by celebrities like Siddhanth, Nora Fatehi, and Abbas-Mustan.

NFRA chairman Nitin Gupta urged Corporate India to improve reporting template for audit committees to better protect investors, creditors, and the public. He suggested creating a separate risk management committee to address emerging risks like AI, ESG, and cybersecurity.

India's Chief Economic Advisor stressed the need to align energy transition and climate action with national development priorities. He emphasized the importance of economic growth for the country's global standing, but also highlighted the need for affordable energy access, lowering energy intensity, and driving innovation and startups.

Tata Motors is reviving the Sierra as a mid-size SUV, offering a luxurious cabin, unique design, and a mix of modern and nostalgic elements. With a goal to secure 20-25% of the SUV market, the company is targeting customers seeking something fresh and appreciating iconic styling and a premium interior.

Kpler's report shows that US sanctions on top Russian oil producers have widened discounts on Russian Urals, causing Indian demand to remain strong. However, the recent sanctions have made transactions, shipping, and insurance more complicated, resulting in deeper discounts.

Thanksgiving is an American holiday celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. It started as a harvest festival and has become a national holiday focused on gratitude, unity, and family. The date of Thanksgiving has shifted, with President Abraham Lincoln declaring it to be the last Thursday of November in 1863.

Mahindra has launched its Charge_IN ultra-fast EV charging network, with 1,000 points planned by 2027. The first two stations in Hoskote and Murthal have 180 kW chargers and can charge four EVs at once. The network will expand along highways, making long-distance EV travel hassle-free. It is open to all brands and can be accessed through the app and aggregator.

NPCI's subsidiary NBSL will introduce new financial services on BHIM, starting with credit cards. Lalitha Nataraj, MD and CEO of NBSL, announced this and also launched a new feature for UPI payments. Nataraj said they will distribute credit cards with partner banks and expand to other financial products in the future.

The long-awaited final season of Stranger Things will be released tomorrow, with the first four episodes featuring the Hawkins heroes battling their toughest foe, Vecna. The series has been praised for its unique storyline, characters, and special effects since its debut in 2016. The season will be split into three parts, with the last episode premiering in both theatres and streaming platforms.

Sudeep Pharma's IPO received a whopping 93.72 times subscription on its last day of bidding, with a total of 99,00,99,900 bids for 1,05,64,926 shares. The Qualified Institutional Buyers category saw the highest subscription at 213.08 times, while the Retail Individual Investors category saw the weakest response at 15.65 times. The IPO has a price band of Rs 563-593 per equity share

The Indian government has launched a new Export Promotion Mission (EPM) to assist exporters and enhance export quality and technical compliance. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has urged exporters to share information on non-tariff measures (NTMs) they encounter in international markets.

Prema Wangjom Thongdok, an Indian woman, faced harassment at Shanghai airport due to her passport being declared invalid by Chinese officials. China denies the claim and asserts their sovereignty over Arunachal Pradesh, which India strongly protests. China's renaming of locations in the region is seen as propaganda by India.

Tata Motors revives the Sierra after 20 years, offering a modern mid-size SUV with new petrol and diesel engines. The Sierra EV will also launch next year, competing with popular SUVs like Hyundai Creta and Kia Seltos. Its unique design, advanced features, and safety technology set it apart in the competitive market. Deliveries start on January 15.

Tata Motors has reintroduced the iconic Sierra SUV after 20 years with a starting price of Rs 11.49 lakh. The new Sierra boasts advanced technology and luxurious features, positioning it as a unique and desirable choice in the competitive mid-size SUV market. Tata Motors hopes this will boost their SUV market share.

Moody's Ratings reveals India's weak revenue growth due to tax cuts, limiting fiscal policy support. Only 43.3% of tax collection targets were met this fiscal year. Government efforts to boost consumption, like GST rate cuts and I-T rebate hikes, have been implemented. Domestic consumption and infrastructure spending drive the economy, but US tariffs may hinder future investments.

The government is exploring alternatives to the current tobacco product compensation cess, such as moving taxation outside of the GST system and implementing a new cess. Talks are ongoing between the Finance Ministry and Prime Minister's office, with no final decision made.

Crisil Ratings forecasts a promising outlook for data centre operators in India, projecting a significant revenue of Rs 20,000 crore by 2028. With major companies like Tata, Reliance Industries, and Adani Group investing heavily in hyperscaler data centres, the industry is set to thrive. The surge is fueled by the rise in public cloud usage, AI investments, and the widespread adoption of 5G.

A 65-year-old Thai woman, presumed dead and set for cremation, was found alive in her coffin. She had been bedridden for two years and her family and officials believed she had passed away based on local paperwork. However, while discussing a death certificate, staff heard knocking from the coffin. She was rushed to the hospital for urgent care and the temple offered support.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has called for air passengers to dress respectfully and avoid casual attire due to a rise in unruly behavior on flights. The pandemic has also caused a surge in incidents, with reports of fights and arguments with airline staff. While no formal dress code has been enforced, individuals are urged to take personal responsibility.

Google's Nano Banana tool sparked controversy when a customer used it to trick Swiggy Instamart customer care into giving them a full refund. Although the customer received one cracked egg, they used the AI-generated image of 20+ cracked eggs to fool the customer care, leading to a larger refund than expected.

Cricketer Smriti Mandhana has deleted all pre-wedding photos and videos from her Instagram following her father's hospitalisation on what was supposed to be her wedding day. Her fiancé, Palash Muchhal, was also briefly hospitalised. Amidst speculation of cheating, Palash's sister clarified that the wedding has been put on hold due to her father's health.

The government plans to introduce the Jan Vishwas Bill-3 to decriminalize minor business offenses and promote ease of living and business. The first edition of the law was implemented in 2023 and the government is now looking to implement the Jan Vishwas Bill 2025. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged traders to suggest more provisions for decriminalization.