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A California jury ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $40 million to two women who claimed its talc-based baby powder caused their ovarian cancer. The women testified that decades of use led to major surgeries and chemotherapy. Johnson & Johnson plans to appeal, stating the verdict is aberrant and lacks evidence.
Investor sentiment surged on Dalal Street, propelling the Sensex back above the 85,000 mark following a record-breaking rally on Wall Street. This boost was attributed to the US Federal Reserve's interest rate cut, which improved global risk appetite and liquidity optimism, despite foreign fund outflows and a weakening rupee.
Brookfield is set to invest over one billion dollars in Mumbai. This investment will establish Asia's largest Global Capability Centre. The project is scheduled for completion by 2029. It is expected to create over 30,000 jobs. This development highlights India's growing importance as a hub for multinational corporations.
Linking Fastag with motor insurance could significantly boost GST revenue by an estimated Rs 18,000 crore and drastically cut down uninsured vehicles, according to Tapan Singhel. He highlighted that insurers have clear visibility of uninsured vehicles, and integrating with Fastag would enhance compliance and combat fraud.
'Real-Term Rise In Air Ticket Prices Negative'
Air India Express pilots are protesting the recruitment of new A320 captains, fearing reduced flying hours and pay. Around 100 pilots have written to management, questioning external hiring when internal utilization is low. They worry this will further impact their ability to meet contracted flying hours and affect their overall compensation.
The Supreme Court expressed strong disapproval of the Madras High Court's handling of the Karur stampede case, stating something is going wrong in the HC. The apex court rejected the Tamil Nadu government's plea to let its own commission investigate the incident, emphasizing the need for a fair and impartial inquiry. The SC will examine the HC registrar general's report.
India's retail inflation saw a slight increase in November, reaching 0.7% from October's record low, driven by rising costs of vegetables, eggs, meat, fish, and spices. Experts anticipate inflation to remain subdued for now, though a surge in tomato prices could impact future trends. The Reserve Bank of India recently reduced its policy repo rate.
Rahul Gandhi has demanded a Lok Sabha debate on the severe air pollution plaguing Indian cities, urging the government to present a concrete plan. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality remains 'very poor' and is predicted to turn 'severe' by Sunday, with light winds failing to disperse pollutants. Moderate fog is also expected.
The Supreme Court has ruled that individual liberty, while crucial, cannot override national security concerns in UAPA cases. Upholding this, the court denied bail to accused in the Jnaneshwari Express derailment case, emphasizing that barbaric acts endangering national integrity are not excusable, even after prolonged incarceration. The apex court stressed the need for expeditious trials in such grave matters.
The Union Cabinet has approved significant reforms for the stock market and insurance sectors. The plan includes allowing 100% foreign investment in insurance, aiming to boost penetration and consumer choice.
Prime Minister Modi's upcoming visit to Oman is poised to forge a robust economic and strategic alliance, potentially including a free trade agreement and a joint defense partnership. India anticipates receiving spare parts for its retired Jaguar fleet from Oman.
India gears up for Census 2027 with a Rs 11,718 crore budget, marking the first digital enumeration and inclusion of a caste count. The two-phase exercise, starting April 2026, will utilize mobile apps for data collection. Reference date is March 1, 2027, with special provisions for snow-bound regions. This census aims to provide accurate population data for future development planning.
The Union Cabinet has approved the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhikshan Bill, aiming to consolidate higher education regulation under a single authority, excluding medical and legal fields. This move seeks to simplify governance and enhance academic quality. Meanwhile, a parliamentary committee will question IndiGo, DGCA, and ministry officials regarding recent flight cancellations and pilot rest rule implementation.
India has launched CoalSETU, a new policy for long-term coal linkage auctions aimed at industrial use and exports. This dedicated window allows any domestic industrial buyer to bid, simplifying procedures and boosting the utilization of coal reserves. Fuel supply agreements can extend up to 15 years, with flexible use within group companies, potentially reducing imports and creating export opportunities.
The Union Cabinet has greenlit a bill to open India's nuclear power sector to private players, a move crucial for achieving 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047. The SHANTI Bill proposes changes to civil liability laws, caps supplier liability, and allows up to 49% foreign direct investment. This aims to boost domestic energy production and meet net-zero targets.
The government has approved a bill to replace MGNREGA with the Pujya Bapu Gramin Rozgar Guarantee Bill, promising 125 workdays per household. This move aims to counter opposition criticism on funding and boost employment claims, particularly in rural areas. Projects will align with Viksit Bharat National Infra Stack, prioritizing water security.
Alert BSF troops apprehended a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist near the Indo-Pak border in Akhnoor, Jammu and Kashmir. The operative, identified as Abdul Khalik from Rajouri, was found with an M-5 rifle and magazines. He had illegally migrated to Pakistan in 2021 and was handed over to local police for further investigation.
Jammu & Kashmir's education department has mandated teachers to report and manage stray dog populations, sparking outrage from political parties and teachers' unions. Critics deem the directives shocking and atrocious, arguing they undermine educators' dignity and professional roles. The orders, however, are reportedly based on Supreme Court guidelines amidst a surge in dog-bite incidents.
Pakistan has signed a non-binding MoU with Binance to explore tokenizing up to $2 billion in sovereign and real-world assets. This move aims to enhance liquidity and transparency by digitizing government holdings through blockchain platforms. The collaboration signals Pakistan's commitment to adopting blockchain-based financial infrastructure and attracting global investors.
The road transport ministry has issued new guidelines emphasizing that authorities must take full responsibility for road tunnel projects, from inception to completion. These guidelines mandate weekly risk management meetings and a live risk register, ensuring accountability for mitigation measures.
New York faces a potential $73 million loss in federal highway funds after an audit revealed thousands of immigrant commercial driver's licenses were allegedly issued without proper verification. The Transportation Department found over half of reviewed non-domiciled licenses were improperly issued, with New York unable to demonstrate status verification for 32,000 active licenses.
The NSE has released its 2026 trading holiday calendar, featuring 15 full market closures, one more than the previous year. Key festivals like Holi, Ram Navami, and Diwali Balipratipada are listed, with Diwali Laxmi Pujan falling on a Sunday. The customary Muhurat Trading session will occur on November 8.
ALROSA CEO Pavel Maryinchev believes US tariff hikes on Indian diamonds will be a temporary hurdle, with the sector adapting and costs potentially passed to consumers. He highlighted strong Asian demand, declining natural diamond production stabilizing the market, and synthetic diamonds losing appeal due to price drops and lack of uniqueness. ALROSA also emphasized its natural diamonds' environmental advantage.
The Union Cabinet has approved a bill to allow 100% foreign direct investment in the insurance sector, aiming to boost penetration and growth. The proposed legislation, slated for introduction soon, also includes provisions for mergers and a dedicated policyholder fund, while mandating Indian citizenship for key leadership roles. This move is expected to attract global capital and expertise.
The Indian rupee is experiencing a significant decline against the US dollar, which could impact inflation, exports, and corporate margins. While short-term effects are challenging, a weaker rupee could boost long-term growth by encouraging domestic production and improving export competitiveness. Experts anticipate this trend may continue due to trade deal uncertainties and capital flow pressures.
Indian markets mirrored global trends with advances, while US stocks saw a mixed performance on Friday. Tech stocks, particularly AI-related names like Broadcom, faced selling pressure despite overall market strength. Lululemon surged on strong results and CEO transition news. European and Asian markets largely traded higher, with Japan anticipating an interest rate hike.
Shilpa Shetty and Raj Kundra must deposit Rs 60 crore or provide a bank guarantee to lift the Lookout Circular. The couple seeks to travel to London to attend to Kundra's ailing father, who is reportedly suffering from a severe medical condition. They are contesting a cheating case filed by a complainant alleging a Rs 60 crore investment was misused.
Reports suggest Donald Trump is considering a new Core-5 bloc including China and Russia, a stark contrast to his previous stance. This idea, though unconfirmed, aligns with his transactional approach to foreign policy. The proposal emerges amidst ongoing trade tensions and follows a recent call between PM Modi and Trump.
The government has launched CoalSETU, a new auction route for long-term coal supplies, removing previous end-use restrictions for industrial consumers and exports. This move aims to boost domestic coal use, cut import reliance, and enhance ease of doing business. Any domestic buyer, except traders, can participate, with exports allowed up to 50% of allocated coal.
Landlord subsidy payments of up to $1,500 under the Section 8 rental assistance program are now rolling out after federal government shutdown delays. These Housing Assistance Payments support low-income households, seniors, and people with disabilities by covering a portion of rent.
India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant increase of USD 1.033 billion, reaching USD 687.26 billion in the week ending December 5. This rise was primarily driven by a substantial jump in gold reserves, which grew by USD 1.188 billion. Foreign currency assets experienced a slight dip, while Special Drawing Rights saw an increase.
The Centre government has approved higher Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for copra for the 2026 season, with milling copra set at Rs 12,027 per quintal and ball copra at Rs 12,500 per quintal. These increases aim to provide better returns to coconut growers and encourage expanded production to meet growing demand.
India's exports to Mexico face a significant blow from January 1, 2026, as Mexico imposes steep tariffs of up to 50% on non-FTA partners. Nearly 75% of India's $5.75 billion shipments, including autos, smartphones, and steel, will face sharply higher duties, potentially pricing them out of the market. Pharmaceuticals remain largely unaffected.
Headline inflation rose to 0.71% in November 2025. The rural sector experienced increases in both headline and food inflation for November 2025.
Ranveer Singh's 'Dhurandhar' has exceeded expectations in its first week, amassing a remarkable 207.25 crore. The film, directed by Aditya Dhar and featuring a star-studded cast, opened strong and maintained impressive collections throughout the week. Its total India net collection now stands at 210.85 crore.
Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has moved the Delhi High Court seeking protection of his personality and publicity rights, joining a growing list of public figures, such as Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Kumar Sanu, Nagarjuna and Jr NTR, pushing back against the unauthorised commercial use of celebrity identity.
A tragic bus accident in Andhra Pradesh's Alluri Sitharama Raju district claimed nine lives and injured twenty. Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences to the affected families. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh was announced for the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.
Maya Angelou, a celebrated poet and activist, transformed personal hardships into powerful art. Her enduring legacy emphasizes passion as the key to true accomplishment, urging individuals to pursue what they love with dedication. Angelou's wisdom inspires millions to find fulfillment and make a lasting impact through authentic commitment, not just financial gain.
West Bengal's Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, felicitated three men arrested for assaulting chicken patty vendors at a religious event, shortly after their bail. Adhikari stated his primary duty is to protect his dharma and Hindu brothers and sisters, asserting his legal team facilitated their release.