As India and New Zealand finalised a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), not everyone in New Zealand supported the move. Winston Peters, New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister, openly opposed the deal, calling it “neither free nor fair.”
President Trump announces plans for new "Trump class" battleships, signaling increased scrutiny of defense contractors. The ships will be larger, faster, and more powerful than any previous ones, with the first being named USS Defiant. Trump will personally be involved in the designs and is pushing for faster production and lower costs.
According to the public records cited by The Dallas Express, FedEx dramatically increased its use of foreign workers through the H-1B visa programme, while cutting hundreds of jobs held by American workers in different parts of the country.
Vince Zampella, the video game developer best known for co-creating the globally popular Call of Duty series, tragically passed away in a car crash in Los Angeles. Zampella was 55. According to the reports, the crash happened on Sunday on the Angeles Crest Highway in Southern California.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Monday that undocumented immigrants can receive $3,000 if they agree to leave the United States voluntarily by the end of the year. To get the money, they must agree to self-deportation using the CBP Home app.
India and New Zealand have reached a free trade agreement after nine months of talks, resulting in $20 billion in investments and duty-free access to the New Zealand market for Indian goods. The FTA is set to begin next year and aims to increase trade to $5 billion. India also gained commitments in 118 service sectors and sub-sectors, including student mobility.
The Sensex and Nifty saw a 1% increase on Monday, driven by global cues and a stable Indian rupee. Ajit Misra from Religare Broking notes that foreign selling paused due to positive sentiment and currency stability. The market also saw increased participation, with midcap and smallcap indices rising. However, foreign investors were still selling.
Emcure Pharmaceuticals has launched Poviztra, a second brand of Novo Nordisk's semaglutide injection for weight management in India. It will be priced at Rs 8,790 per month, 15-20% lower than Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Emcure will exclusively distribute and commercialise Poviztra, with plans to roll it out in Tier I, II, and III cities. The drug is indicated for chronic weight management in adults
Ambuja Cements, part of the Adani Group, will merge ACC Limited and Orient Cement Limited to create a nationwide cement platform. This will lead to a simplified corporate structure and improve margins by Rs 100 per tonne. The merger is expected to be completed by next year and will support the company's goal of reaching a cement capacity of 155 MTPA by FY28.
DK Metcalf reportedly involved in altercation with Detroit Lions fan over racial slur and insults towards his mother. NFL reviewing incident for potential discipline but couldn't disqualify Metcalf. Fan breaks silence.
The government is taking measures to decrease the tax revenue shortfall, which is below the budget target. The Central Board of Direct Taxes has requested additional actions to recover tax demands, while officials admit a significant shortfall. Taxpayers may face notices for insufficient payments and refunds could be delayed.
NRI deposits saw a significant decline of 30% to $8.3 billion in the first seven months of the fiscal, driven by a sharp fall in FCNR(B) deposits. However, there was a slight increase of 1.3% in October. NRO and NR(E)RA deposits showed growth, while banks and NBFCs are seeing stress in the commercial vehicle space. Shriram Finance's Revankar clarifies they have no plans to become a universal bank
"Indian economy shows resilience in the face of external sector challenges, thanks to coordinated policies. Demand conditions remain strong, with urban demand picking up during the festival season. GDP growth at 8.2% in Q2FY26, driven by private consumption and fixed investment.
India and New Zealand have signed a free trade agreement that includes a quota of 5,000 visas for skilled professionals and 1,000 working holiday visas for young Indians. The deal also removes caps on post-study work visas, making it an attractive destination for education. This move is expected to create job opportunities and address concerns about visa uncertainty for Indian students.
The infrastructure sectors' growth improved to 1.8% year-on-year in November, with four of the eight core industries recording positive growth. The sectors that saw expansion were coal, cement, steel, and fertilisers, while refinery products, natural gas, crude oil, and electricity contracted.
Shriram Finance is set for faster growth and increased competition after receiving a Rs 39,618 crore equity infusion from MUFG Bank. Brokerages have given a 'BUY' rating and raised the target price, with MUFG becoming a major shareholder.
Rentomojo, a furniture and appliance rental platform, has reported a 92% surge in net profit to Rs 43.07 crore in FY25, marking its third consecutive year of profitability. The company's net rental revenue reached Rs 265.96 crore, with a return on capital employed of 25.1%.
India and New Zealand have agreed to allow market access for selected agricultural products, such as apples, kiwifruit, and manuka honey. The deal includes tariff rate quotas, minimum import prices, and seasonal import windows.
ArcelorMittal, in partnership with Nippon Steel, will invest $900 million to build three renewable energy projects in India. This will increase their capacity to 2 GW and their global portfolio to 3.3 GW. The projects include a 36 MW solar plant in Maharashtra and two hybrid installations in Rajasthan and Gujarat, providing power to AMNS India and helping reduce the company's carbon footprint.
Indian exports are adapting to US tariffs by expanding into new markets. Sectors like gems & jewellery, textiles & apparels, and marine products are seeing growth in countries like China, Spain, and the UAE. Despite a decline in exports to the US, there has been a rise in shipments to other countries, driven by demand for products like naphtha and printed circuit boards.
FSIB recommends Brajesh Kumar Singh, current executive director at Indian Bank, for the role of managing director and chief executive officer at Canara Bank. Singh, an agriculture graduate with three decades of experience in the banking sector, was chosen after an interface with 17 candidates. He has held various positions at Bank of Baroda and has been part of key committees at Indian Bank.
Tata Electronics has partnered with ROHM to assemble and test automotive chips in India for both local and global markets. This follows their recent collaboration with Intel to explore manufacturing and packaging Intel products. Tata is also building India's first semiconductor fab and a new assembly and testing plant in Assam.
The Securities Markets Code, 2025, Bill aims to streamline and strengthen SEBI's powers by consolidating three old laws. It addresses legal uncertainty and procedural challenges faced by SEBI and clarifies roles and responsibilities of market infrastructure institutions. This will provide a transparent and coherent legal framework for Indian investors, enhancing investor protection.
Bank of America's survey shows global fund managers have a mild overweight on Indian equities, making it the third favorite market in Asia. Japan and Taiwan are the top choices due to their diversification potential against AI-driven regions. While investors remain optimistic, return expectations have been lowered and concerns about an "AI bubble" have lessened.
Nagesh Kumar, an external member of the Monetary Policy Committee, warns that economic activity may have reached its peak in Q2 and US tariffs could harm MSMEs and jobs. Despite a strong Q2 GDP growth, high-frequency indicators show a slowdown. Kumar also emphasizes the negative impact of US tariffs on India's manufacturing sector, especially MSMEs.
FMCG companies are set to experience growth in the upcoming year due to favorable policies and factors such as income tax cuts, monetary policy easing, and GST reforms. While rural growth and lower commodity inflation also play a role, consumer durables, fashion, and lifestyle categories have seen immediate growth thanks to government and central bank stimulus.
IT stocks, including Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, HCLTech, and TCS, saw a surge on Monday due to factors such as increased visibility in AI revenue, positive signals from the US demand, and foreign inflows. The disclosure of AI revenue data by global and domestic IT leaders, along with TCS's detailed metrics, also contributed to the rally.
New York City's 2025 congestion pricing program has effectively decreased traffic and air pollution, generating $500 million for the MTA. Despite criticism, the program has led to a decrease in traffic and an increase in transit ridership. The MTA plans to surpass its revenue goal and use $15 billion in bonds to improve transit. Sales-tax revenue remains steady.
Nelco, backed by Tata Group, is conducting proof-of-concept trials and demonstrations with Eutelsat OneWeb to provide secure, low-latency LEO connectivity for enterprise and institutional clients. These demonstrations are crucial for regulatory approval before mass rollout.
In 2025, Bollywood dominates the highest-grossing Indian movies list with five Hindi films in the top ten. Regional films also thrive, with Gujarati films crossing Rs 100 crore and Malayalam cinema shining for the second year. The industry sees a growth in diverse content, including a groundbreaking spy-thriller that challenges stereotypes and generates debates.
India's natural gas import bill for April-November FY26 decreased by 11.5% to $9.2 billion, with a 8.8% decline in LNG imports. Domestic production also decreased by 3.3% while demand is expected to grow by 4-6% in FY26. The country's reliance on LNG imports is expected to remain high at 52%. India has signed a one-year deal for imports of 2.2 million tonnes of LPG
India is in talks with the US for a trade agreement and has finalized an FTA with New Zealand. The US deal is highly coveted, but labor-intensive sectors still struggle. Talks with Canada for the CEPA have been revived after a two-year gap. India's growing strategic significance is evident with FTAs finalized with three members of the Five Eyes alliance.
Indian travellers are choosing shorter, last-minute international trips due to the rupee's weakness. Thailand is now the preferred destination for year-end vacations, overtaking the UAE. The Prayagraj Kumbh Mela has boosted spiritual travel, making Uttar Pradesh the most visited state.
Large-cap funds once ruled long-term portfolios but 2026 may be rewriting that rulebook. As market volatility tests pure equity bets, hybrid multi-asset funds like Quant are quietly challenging giants such as Nippon India Large Cap. Their performance gap, risk profiles, and investor appeal are closer than you think and the final verdict might surprise even seasoned investors.
Mumbai, also known as "Maximum City," once had cleaner air than Delhi due to its coastal location and sea winds. However, pollution levels have worsened due to the rise in vehicles and construction projects. The state government's focus on infrastructure and real estate development is adding to the problem, with construction sites and redevelopment projects producing dust and emissions.
The DGCA is investigating an Air India incident where a Boeing 777-300ER had to return to Delhi due to a drop in oil pressure in its right-hand engine. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has requested a report and the airline has confirmed that standard procedures were followed.
The ED conducted searches at 21 premises in Delhi, Karnataka, and Maharashtra related to a cryptocurrency scam involving 4th Bloc Consultants and others. The accused targeted both foreign nationals and Indian citizens through social media, promising high returns through cryptocurrency investments.
Father-son duo Sajid and Naveed Akram have been identified as the suspects behind the Bondi Beach shooting in Sydney, Australia. A "fact sheet" released by police reveals details about their alleged involvement, including a video manifesto and claims of using unexploded bombs. The court document also mentions the pair's apparent training and planning for the attack.
Chennai-based Ramco Cements has sold non-core assets worth ₹514.90 crore to Prestige Estates Projects, as part of its plan to monetise assets worth ₹1,000 crore. This brings the total amount of assets sold by the company to ₹1,016.92 crore. The proceeds will be used to reduce debt, which stood at ₹4,591 crore as of September 30.
Air India is expanding its fleet with three new aircraft, including a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner and an Airbus A350-1000 with updated interiors and a new first-class product. Additionally, Air India Express will receive its first Boeing 737-8 MAX, as part of a larger 190 aircraft order. These additions showcase the airline's commitment to modernizing its fleet and improving its fleet management.
Ashvini Rare Earth is spearheading India's entry into rare-earth metal production with its 15-tonne-per-annum Nd-Pr metal facility. The company aims to catalyse domestic magnet manufacturing and reduce India's dependence on imports by creating downstream magnet capacity.
Shriram Finance has secured a massive investment from MUFG, but has no plans to convert into a universal bank. The Japanese conglomerate will acquire a 20% stake in the company, with the promoter group holding 20.3% and the public holding 60%.
Indian equity benchmarks closed higher on Monday, with the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex rising 0.79% and 0.75% respectively. The Nifty Bank also settled higher, while mid- and small-cap stocks closed in the green. The BSE Midcap finished 0.86% higher, while the BSE Smallcap ended 1.12% lower. The markets were supported by strong liquidity and global cues.
The streaming wars have intensified in 2025 as traditional TV schedules became less popular. The year's biggest hits, including a South Korean thriller and an animated musical, have achieved global success. Netflix's most-watched original film was an animated musical, while Cameron Diaz's comeback film was a high-octane action-comedy.
The US is launching "Project Sunrise" to turn Gaza into a futuristic destination with luxury resorts, high-speed rail, and AI-optimized smart grids. The project costs $112.1 billion and will take 10 years. The State Department denies reports of the US paying $60 billion. Jared Kushner is leading the project.
Robert Kiyosaki, author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," believes economic crashes are opportunities, not disasters. He stresses the impact of our words and how they can determine whether we become poorer or richer. In his post, "How to get richer as the economy crashes," Kiyosaki encourages controlling words and taking advantage of buying opportunities during market crashes.
Pakistan's CDF, Field Marshal Asim Munir, while speaking at a conference, stated that Pakistan received "divine help" during India's Operation Sindoor. He added that the country "felt it". He also called on the Taliban to choose between the TTP and maintaining relations with Islamabad, adding that 70 per cent of Afghans are part of TTP formations coming into Pakistan.
Microsoft has warned its visa-holding employees not to travel outside the US due to visa stamping delays. They have also created a survey to track the impact of these delays. The Trump administration's social media vetting has caused H-1B visa delays, with some appointments being rescheduled to 2026. Microsoft is closely monitoring and guiding its employees in this situation.
Shriram Finance's shares rise 2% as the company approves Rs 39,620 crore preferential equity issuance to MUFG Bank, giving them a 20% stake. Brokerages maintain a Buy rating and praise the deal. Nomura raises target price by 26.4%, citing the Japanese bank's expertise. Motilal Oswal sees the move as strategically significant and expects a credit rating upgrade.
At the young age of 46, versatile actor James Ransone sadly took his own life, leaving fans and colleagues in mourning. Known for his intense and authentic performances, he was open about his struggles with addiction and the emotional toll of playing troubled characters. His legacy will be remembered through his memorable roles in The Wire and It Chapter Two.