The Times of India News

India is experiencing a rare economic phase with near-zero inflation and robust growth exceeding 8%. While this 'Goldilocks' moment benefits borrowers and large corporations, farmers face significant losses due to falling food prices. Savers might see reduced returns as interest rates decline, highlighting a complex economic landscape where benefits are unevenly distributed.

India is actively engaging with Mexico over a unilateral tariff hike of up to 50% on a wide range of products. New Delhi seeks solutions beneficial to both nations while protecting Indian exporters' interests, as the increased duties are set to take effect from January 1, 2026.

Modern offices are a melting pot of Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z, each with distinct communication styles and work philosophies. While generational differences create unique workplace dynamics, from email etiquette to work-life balance, collaboration and innovation thrive. HR professionals now navigate these diverse expectations, fostering an environment where all generations contribute effectively.

Chaos erupted at Salt Lake stadium during Lionel Messi's visit, sparking a sharp BJP attack on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari accused the state government of gross mismanagement and demanded Banerjee's resignation, citing fan disappointment and alleged exploitation. Banerjee has ordered a high-level inquiry into the incident.

Copper prices are soaring towards $12,000 a ton, fueled by booming AI data infrastructure demand and global supply worries. With a 35% surge this year, the metal's electrical properties make it vital for data centers, EVs, and clean energy. Despite rising inventories, a market deficit is projected, intensifying supply concerns and driving investor interest.

Following the RBI's repo rate cut, State Bank of India has slashed its lending rates, including MCLR, EBLR, and RLLR, effective December 15th. This move aims to lower borrowing costs and EMIs for both retail and corporate clients. The bank also revised its BPLR and base rates, offering significant relief to borrowers.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reportedly gatecrashed a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after waiting over 40 minutes. This incident occurred as Sharif continues efforts to strengthen ties with Moscow, despite acknowledging Russia's close partnership with India.

India has eased visa regulations for Chinese professionals, allowing them to obtain business visas for short-term assignments, a move aimed at streamlining approval processes. This relaxation follows recent efforts by both nations to improve people-to-people engagement and mend relations strained by the 2020 border standoff.

Chaos erupted at Kolkata's Salt Lake Stadium during Lionel Messi's brief visit, with angry fans throwing projectiles after being unable to see the football icon due to mismanagement. The BJP criticized the Trinamool Congress for the otal embarrassment on an international stage, highlighting wasted fan efforts and zero planning for the highly anticipated event.

SBI has reduced interest rates on specific deposits and lending benchmarks following a 25 basis points repo rate cut. The bank adjusted deposit rates to maintain its net interest margin, with changes affecting 444-day deposits and those between two to three years. This move occurs as bank credit growth outpaces deposit expansion.

The Indian government has launched a Rs 476.03 crore, six-year development program to modernize the makhana sector. This initiative, overseen by the National Makhana Board, focuses on research, quality seed production, farmer training, and enhancing value addition, branding, and export promotion across the country.

The Supreme Court expressed dismay over the Madhya Pradesh High Court condoning a four-year delay in an appeal by the state government. Justices J.B. Pardiwala and Prasanna B. Varale questioned the High Court's awareness of apex court rulings on delay condonation, setting aside the order and remanding the case for reconsideration.

Over 5,900 Indians were brought home from the Middle East in three years due to safety concerns, including Operation Ajay in Israel. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed 1,474 evacuees hailed from Uttar Pradesh. The government also repatriated mortal remains of 45 Indians from Kuwait. No fresh evacuations are currently anticipated.

ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund's massive Rs 10,600-crore IPO saw robust demand on its opening day, with institutional investors oversubscribing their portion. While high net worth and retail investors showed moderate interest, the IPO is set to close on December 16. Prudential Corp Holdings is divesting a significant stake in this offering.

Haryana has launched its most ambitious environmental initiative, the 'Haryana Clean Air Project for Sustainable Development,' in collaboration with the World Bank, with a Rs 3,600 crore corpus. This project aims to significantly improve air quality over five years through sweeping interventions, including industrial upgrades, e-bus procurement, and enhanced monitoring infrastructure.

Indian Railways is piloting a new on-board catering model, separating meal preparation from service. IRCTC is partnering with established food brands and industrial kitchens to supply fresh, hygienic meals on select Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains. Initial passenger feedback is positive, with trials focusing on improving meal quality and offering diverse, restaurant-style menus.

Automakers experienced a record-breaking November with strong factory dispatches to dealerships, indicating sustained consumer demand. Passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers saw significant double-digit growth year-on-year, with Maruti Suzuki reporting its best November in 40 years. Despite a dip in two-wheeler registrations, industry leaders remain optimistic for continued growth into 2026.

President Trump touts rising government revenues and investment pledges as proof of his economic strategy's success. However, many Americans face affordability pressures, creating a disconnect between headline growth and personal finances. Critics argue that while tariffs have increased, they haven't significantly eased cost-of-living strains for households.

RBI Deputy Governor T Rabi Sankar warned that stablecoins pose significant macro-financial risks, including currency substitution and weakened monetary policy. He argued they lack the essential features of modern money, such as fiat status and singleness, and could undermine India's financial architecture. Sankar highlighted that their purported benefits are largely unproven, with domestic systems already offering superior payment solutions.

US lawmakers are pushing to remove steep tariffs on Indian imports, arguing they harm American jobs and consumers. A resolution seeks to end President Trump's national emergency declaration that led to duties up to 50%. This bipartisan move aims to mend the vital US-India partnership and boost economic ties, citing disruptions and increased costs for Americans.

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.

Month-Long Bastar Olympics Conclude Today

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.