The Times of India News

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, pledging the chip giant's support for India's Semiconductor Mission. Tan lauded the government's comprehensive policy for semiconductor design and manufacturing. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence that Intel's involvement will foster an innovation-driven future for India's youth, creating a robust electronic component ecosystem.

Singapore's Temasek, a global investment firm, has committed $50 billion to India and plans significant expansion in the coming years. Chairman Teo Chee Hean met with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, outlining focus areas including financial services, consumer markets, healthcare, technology, manufacturing, and renewables. Discussions covered broad investment opportunities across India.

A government panel has proposed a 'hybrid model' for AI firms, granting them a blanket license to use copyrighted works for training AI systems. This framework mandates royalty payments to intellectual property rights holders, who cannot opt out. A centralized, non-profit entity will manage these payments, simplifying access for developers and ensuring fair compensation for creators.

Microsoft is injecting a massive $17.5 billion into India, its largest investment in Asia, to bolster cloud and AI infrastructure. This significant commitment, alongside Google's plans, underscores India's growing importance as a global AI hub. The investment aims to enhance skilling and operations, positioning India as a frontier AI nation ready for transformative growth.

The US Federal Reserve is poised for a quarter-point rate cut this week, but internal disagreements signal future reductions will be challenging. Despite rising unemployment, inflation remains a concern, creating a complex economic landscape. Analysts anticipate significant dissent among policymakers, making consensus building difficult as the Fed navigates mixed economic signals.

Mumbai airport experienced significant disruptions last week as IndiGo cancelled 905 flights and delayed 1,475 others, impacting over 40,000 passengers with cancellations and 2.6 lakh with delays. The crisis, peaking on December 4-5, stems from new crew rostering rules affecting pilot rest periods and disrupting schedules across the airline's network.

Nilesh Shah of Kotak Mahindra AMC predicts capital markets will soon surpass bank lending in India, signaling a significant shift in economic financing. He emphasized the need for wiser investment habits, urging Indians to avoid unproductive savings and improve financial literacy. Radhika Gupta of Edelweiss Mutual Fund advocated for early-age investing incentives, including lock-in periods, to foster long-term wealth creation.

US job openings held steady in October, indicating a cooling labour market. Layoffs saw an uptick, while quits declined, suggesting employers might lean towards job cuts over natural attrition. This data emerges as the Federal Reserve considers another interest-rate cut amid mixed economic signals, with inflation still a concern but job market softness bolstering rate cut expectations.

The Indian rupee is experiencing significant pressure, hitting record lows against the US dollar due to trade deficits, US tariffs, and capital outflows. The Reserve Bank of India is reportedly employing a sophisticated, unpredictable intervention strategy, communicating confidential directives to dealers to manage volatility without depleting reserves or hindering growth. This approach aims to curb speculation while maintaining market stability.

Airlines are projected to earn a meager $7.90 per passenger in 2026, a profit margin so low that Apple makes more selling an iPhone cover. Despite connecting economies and supporting millions of jobs, the aviation industry faces persistent headwinds like supply chain issues and delivery delays, capping profitability.

US stocks traded cautiously on Tuesday, with major indices showing mixed movements ahead of the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. Investors are closely watching for future policy cues, especially regarding potential rate cuts amid a weakening jobs outlook. Stock-specific news, including Nvidia's AI chip sales and CVS Health's raised forecasts, also influenced intraday trading.

Renault and Ford are joining forces. They will build affordable electric cars and vans for Europe. This move aims to compete with fast-growing Chinese automakers. The first new electric car is expected in 2028. This partnership will also focus on commercial vans. Both companies want to strengthen their position in the European market.

Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged banks to fully transmit policy rate cuts to borrowers, aiming to support sustainable growth and improve customer outcomes. He emphasized the need for lower intermediation costs and higher efficiency, while also flagging rising risks from digital fraud and calling for stronger safeguards.

US consulates are canceling and rescheduling H-1B and H-4 visa appointments for late 2025 to March 2026 due to new mandatory online presence reviews. Applicants must now make social media accounts public for assessment, leading to reduced interview slots and extended vetting processes. These changes, alongside other H-1B policy tightenings, are expected to delay approvals and impact workforce planning.

India's primary market is establishing a new normal with annual IPO issuances projected to exceed $20 billion. This trend is driven by a robust pipeline of new-age businesses and large offerings, with consumer tech expected to significantly increase its share of IPO demand.

IndiGo's parent, InterGlobe Aviation, saw its stock plummet nearly 17% following widespread flight disruptions caused by revised pilot duty norms. Over 1,000 flights were cancelled in a single day, with the airline acknowledging operational strain from new FDTL rules and minor technical glitches. The DGCA is reviewing IndiGo's response to a show-cause notice.

India's middle class is embracing SIPs, with record contributions flowing into mutual funds. However, this financial sophistication masks a growing reliance on debt, as liabilities outpace asset growth. Many families are using credit to fund lifestyles and investments, creating a fragile financial situation despite the SIP boom.

Gold prices have surged significantly, prompting investors to reconsider their asset allocation strategies. Experts advise a disciplined approach, recommending gradual accumulation on price dips rather than chasing peaks. Gold's historical performance and its role as a safe-haven asset support its inclusion in diversified portfolios for long-term wealth creation. Investors should align their gold exposure with risk appetite and liquidity needs.

US President Trump has greenlit Nvidia's H200 AI chip sales to China, imposing a 25% tariff. This move aims to balance national security with maintaining US tech dominance against China's growing influence. While Nvidia sees it as a balanced approach, critics warn of military and surveillance risks. China, meanwhile, seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign chips.

Indian rice exporters faced a significant downturn on Dalal Street following US President Donald Trump's remarks hinting at potential new tariffs. Trump cited dumping of Indian rice as damaging domestic growers, sparking immediate market declines for major exporters like Kohinoor Foods and LT Foods. This development adds to existing trade tensions as a US delegation prepares to visit India.

US President Trump has threatened further tariffs on Indian rice, accusing India of 'dumping' products. Despite existing high tariffs, Indian rice exports to the US remain strong, particularly premium basmati. Experts suggest this is election-season messaging, as increased duties would primarily impact American consumers and not significantly harm Indian exporters.

Asian equities dipped Tuesday, mirroring Wall Street's decline and investor caution ahead of key economic decisions. Nvidia shares rallied after President Trump indicated approval for H200 chip sales to China, while markets awaited the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and guidance for 2026.

US President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for American farmers grappling with trade war losses. The funds, sourced from tariff revenue, aim to provide a crucial lifeline, with payments expected by February. While welcomed, farmers emphasize the need for market stability beyond temporary relief.

Senior officials are inspecting major airports to assess passenger issues caused by IndiGo's operational problems. The airline's schedule will be cut by five percent, impacting 110 daily flights. The Ministry and DGCA are monitoring the situation closely. IndiGo's internal crew rostering and operational planning are cited as reasons for the disruptions. Safety standards remain paramount.

Gold price prediction: Gold prices are poised for an upward trend driven by positive global signals. Investors are advised to adopt a 'buy on dips' strategy. China's central bank continues its gold buying spree, boosting reserves. Silver ETFs are also seeing significant inflows, indicating strong investor interest. The Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision will be a key event to watch.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, tanked in opening trade on Tuesday. While Nifty50 went below 25,800, BSE Sensex was down over 620 points.

YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, an Indian-origin executive, has been named TIME's 2025 CEO of the Year. TIME recognized Mohan for his role in shaping YouTube into a dominant force in global cultural consumption. His leadership at the video giant stems from a strong academic background and extensive experience in digital advertising and product development.

The IMF approved a $1.2 billion disbursement to Pakistan, bringing total inflows to $3.3 billion, acknowledging the country's reform efforts despite recent flood shocks. This funding supports macroeconomic stability and climate resilience, with further reforms needed for private sector-led growth and fiscal resilience.

Starlink India's announced pricing for its satellite internet service, featuring a Rs 8,600 monthly tariff and Rs 34,000 hardware charge, was quickly withdrawn due to a glitch. The company clarified that the displayed dummy data does not reflect actual costs, as government approvals for spectrum allocation and charges are still pending.

President Trump has threatened a 5% tariff on Mexican imports over a water-sharing dispute, accusing Mexico of withholding supplies guaranteed by a 1944 treaty. He demands immediate release of 200,000 acre-feet of water, citing severe impacts on Texas farmers. This follows a previous threat that led Mexico to send water.

JP Morgan maintains a neutral stance on Bajaj Finance, citing strategic growth plans and market share ambitions. Goldman Sachs also holds a neutral rating for Biocon, following its planned integration with Biocon Biologics. Kotak Institutional Equities initiates coverage on Tata Capital with an 'add' rating, anticipating strong loan growth.

Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has taken a giant leap in the sports industry by pumping Rs 40 crore into Agilitas Sports, a fresh initiative from the former Puma India managing director Abhishek Ganguly.

Elon Musk's Starlink has set its Indian launch price at Rs 8,600 monthly, plus a Rs 34,000 hardware fee. This significantly exceeds current terrestrial broadband options like Airtel and Jio, which offer speeds up to 40MBPS for under Rs 500. Starlink promises unlimited data and 30-day trials, but service commencement hinges on government spectrum allocation.

India has launched PaRRVA, a groundbreaking independent agency by NSE and Care Ratings, to verify performance claims in securities markets. This initiative aims to boost investor trust by ensuring risk-return metrics are independently validated, setting a global benchmark for transparency and accountability in financial markets.

In a turbulent turn of events, IndiGo's share price has dipped by 8.3% as the government takes a hardline approach in response to the airline's ongoing operational hurdles. Investors are feeling the sting, with losses exceeding Rs 37,700 crore. Moody's has raised alarms about potential credit risks fueled by these financial setbacks.