The Times of India News

The Centre has ended subsidies for electric three-wheelers after exceeding its penetration target. Support for electric two-wheelers may extend into the next fiscal year as sales are still below the goal. States are now expected to provide incentives, with Delhi poised to announce a package to boost EV adoption.

The Union Cabinet is expected to consider relief for Vodafone Idea on Wednesday regarding its AGR dues, a move seen as crucial for the struggling telco. The government may offer concessions on interest and penalties, potentially providing a lifeline amidst the company's significant debt and revival efforts.

Amid concerns on the nominal GDP growth remaining low, Sanjay Malhotra said the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) actions are dictated by the real GDP arrived at after subtracting the inflation levels.

Wall Street's major indexes retreated slightly on Tuesday, as worries over valuations of artificial intelligence stocks lingered in the final days of 2025. Major tech players saw declines early Tuesday as well, with shares in Nvidia and Palantir Technologies dipping.

Saudi Arabia's economy is transforming, impacting daily finances for everyone. Consumer prices are changing, especially housing costs in cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. While inflation is modest, rising rents are straining budgets, particularly for expatriates. Families are adjusting spending habits to manage household expenses. This economic shift presents both opportunities and challenges for residents.

Vande Bharat sleeper train has touched the 180 kmph speed mark during speed trials by the Commissioner Railway Safety. The new train set is a sleeper variant of the popular Vande Bharat chair car service and is set to be launched soon.

The economic impact will be driven by AI adoption across sectors including healthcare, agriculture, manufacturing, financial services, education, governance, and climate services, where automation and data-driven decision-making are already improving productivity and service delivery.

Despite vast deserts, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf neighbours rely on imported construction-grade sand to meet the demands of mega-projects like NEOM and the Burj Khalifa. Desert sands smooth grains are unsuitable for concrete, making riverbed and marine sand essential. This reliance highlights a global sand crisis, environmental pressures, and the urgent need for sustainable alternatives and innovation in construction materials.

India has emerged as the worlds fourth-largest economy, overtaking Japan, and is projected to challenge Germany for the third spot within the next three years. The government remains confident about sustaining growth momentum despite global trade uncertainties.

Budget 2026: The Centres dividend receipts from CPSEs and minority-held entities are on track to surpass budgeted levels for a fifth straight year in 2025-26, building on record collections in the previous fiscal.

India's 2025 witnessed a 'big bang' of reforms, including tax relief, simplified GST, and liberalized FDI in insurance and pensions. These sweeping changes, aimed at boosting 'ease of living' and 'doing business,' seek to counter global headwinds and attract investment. The ambitious push signals a strategic reset for sustained growth and India's developed economy goal.

Gold, silver rally: Looking for a historical parallel to todays surge in precious metals, the current rally closely echoes the boom of the 1970s a period defined by intense geopolitical tensions, runaway inflation, and the emergence of a new monetary and financial order following the collapse of the Bretton Woods system in 1971.

PAN-Aadhaar linking: The Income Tax Department allows PANAadhaar linking through multiple online options and urges taxpayers to confirm their linking status to keep their PAN active. Failure to complete the process before the deadline could render PAN inoperative from January 1, 2026.

India's economy is experiencing a 'Goldilocks moment' with robust growth and low inflation, concluding 2025 on a high note. Real GDP surged by 8.2% in Q2 FY26, driven by strong domestic demand and buoyant industrial and services sectors.

The Indian rupee edged higher by 3 paise to 89.95 against the US dollar in early trade, buoyed by a weaker greenback and robust industrial output data. However, foreign fund outflows and a weak start in domestic equities capped sharper gains for the local currency.

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmark indices, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, opened in red on Tuesday on weak global cues. While Nifty50 went below 25,950, BSE Sensex was down over 120 points.

Asian markets mirrored Wall Street's tech slump, with shares dipping slightly. Precious metals like silver and gold saw a sharp correction after a parabolic rally, though they steadied. Despite the pullback, Asian equities remain on track for significant annual gains. Oil prices eased, while Bitcoin stabilized after a turbulent period.

Stock market recommendations: Tata Consumer Products, BHEL, and Britannia are the top stocks recommended for buying today by Somil Mehta, Head - Alternate Research, Capital Market Strategy, Mirae Asset Sharekhan. Check target levels and stop loss:

The RBI is intensifying efforts to combat financial fraud and bolster customer protection. Banks are directed to expedite KYC updates, especially in rural areas, and avoid arbitrary rejections. New guidelines are forthcoming to tackle mis-selling, while advanced technologies like MuleHunter.ai are being deployed to counter sophisticated cyber threats and enhance digital financial literacy.

As Indian airlines face a dwindling pool of pilots due to updated flight duty regulations, IndiGo and Air India are ramping up their recruitment efforts. IndiGo, in particular, is set to hire 100 new pilots this January, with captains receiving enticing signing bonuses that could soar to 50 lakh.

Industrial output surged to a 25-month high in November, driven by a strong rebound in manufacturing and mining sectors. Consumer durables and non-durables also showed robust expansion, signaling a positive consumption scenario. Capital goods output also maintained healthy momentum, indicating sustained investment activity.

The number of ATMs in India has decreased as digital payments gain traction, reducing the need for cash withdrawals. While private and public sector banks reduced their ATM networks, white label operators expanded. Bank branches, however, saw growth, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas, with basic savings accounts also increasing.

Arvind Fashions is acquiring Flipkart Group's stake in Arvind Youth Brands for Rs 135 crore, making Flying Machine its wholly owned subsidiary. This move consolidates ownership of its youth-focused business, with Flying Machine remaining available on Flipkart and other digital platforms.

The central lesson of 2025 is that resilience in global trade does not come from inward retreat, but from strategic integration. Looking ahead to 2026, two structural priorities will define Indias trade position: access to critical minerals and logistics competitiveness.

Selling stocks will never become effortless. There will always be some doubt, some second-guessing. Thats normal. The goal is not to get every sell decision perfectly right. The goal is to avoid selling good businesses for bad reasons.

Bahrains Golden Residency reflects the Gulfs wider shift toward long-term settlement, offering a 10-year renewable visa focused on affordability, work freedom and livability. Positioned alongside UAE and Saudi reforms, Bahrain stands out for lower entry thresholds, tax-free income, strong expat integration and a business-friendly environment, making it a practical option for investors, professionals, families and retirees seeking stable Gulf residence.

Budget 2026: One of the most debated provisions relates to failure to furnish a return of income. Today, failure to file returns in cases involving tax liability above 10,000 (NIL for companies) can trigger prosecution.