A new figure, Oliver Chapman of OCI, has emerged in the Byju's funding dispute. His sworn statement suggests $533 million moved from Byju's Alpha was intended for founder Byju Raveendran's Singapore entity. This contradicts Raveendran's earlier claim that no funds were for personal gain. The Byju's Alpha estate is seeking a settlement with OCI.

Bitcoin has fallen below $90,000, its lowest in seven months. This marks a significant drop from its October peak. The digital asset market has lost $1.2 trillion in value. Traders cite concerns over US interest rates and market uncertainty. Major crypto-linked firms have also seen their shares decline. Ether, the second-largest cryptocurrency, is also under pressure.

India is urging developed nations to accelerate their net-zero targets and fulfill climate finance commitments ahead of its own 2035 pledges. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted India's successful development alongside environmental stewardship, exceeding its non-fossil fuel energy capacity target early. The country aims for net-zero by 2070, supported by its Nuclear and Green Hydrogen Missions.

Many taxpayers are still awaiting income tax refunds due to increased scrutiny of deduction claims. The CBDT is working to release remaining refunds, with interest payable under Section 244A for delays not caused by the taxpayer. Mismatches in data, foreign income, and verification issues are contributing to the processing slowdown.

Microsoft has forged a significant cloud infrastructure partnership with AI firm Anthropic and chipmaker Nvidia, signaling a shift away from exclusive reliance on OpenAI. Anthropic will purchase $30 billion in computing capacity from Microsoft Azure, with Nvidia investing up to $10 billion and Microsoft up to $5 billion in Anthropic.

Political leanings are influencing electric vehicle purchases globally, with over 40% of EV drivers considering avoiding Tesla due to its founder's controversial stances. A survey reveals a significant portion of buyers are wary of brands or countries of origin based on political factors, impacting choices in major markets like the US and Germany.

Wall Street experienced another downturn Tuesday, with major tech stocks like Nvidia leading the decline amid concerns of overvaluation. Home Depot's profit miss and a technical issue affecting Cloudflare further dampened sentiment. Global markets followed suit, with investors awaiting crucial US employment data that could influence the Federal Reserve's interest rate decisions.

Infosys has launched its largest-ever share buyback, valued at Rs 18,000 crore, commencing November 20, 2025, and concluding on November 26, 2025. The IT giant plans to repurchase 10 crore shares at Rs 1,800 each, aiming to return surplus funds to shareholders and enhance long-term value. Promoters will not participate in this program.

India-US trade deal: A senior Trump administration official indicated a trade deal between India and the US is nearing finalization, though complexities arise from India's dealings with Russia. Discussions have been ongoing since March, with both sides expressing optimism for a fair and balanced agreement that protects Indian communities.

Following a technical snag that disrupted operations and delayed over 800 flights at Delhi airport, authorities are reviewing and strengthening air traffic control systems. The Civil Aviation Minister confirmed a thorough investigation into the Automatic Message Switching System failure is underway, with a focus on enhancing future technologies and backup systems for air navigation.

Tej Pratap Yadav has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to investigate alleged mental and physical pressure on his parents, Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. He called it an attack on the RJD's soul, naming individuals he claims harassed his sister Rohini Acharya.

In a recent AICC meet, Rahul Gandhi has expressed deep apprehension regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, fearing it may unjustly disenfranchise genuine voters. He called upon Congress to tackle this issue from political, organizational, and legal fronts.

The government has greenlit 17 more companies under the textile PLI scheme, promising a significant boost to domestic manufacturing. These new entrants are set to invest over Rs 2,300 crore, projecting substantial sales and creating thousands of jobs. This initiative aims to elevate India's global standing in man-made fibre apparel and technical textiles, with the application window now extended.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar urged the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to adopt a zero tolerance approach to terrorism, emphasizing its founding purpose. Speaking in Moscow, he also called for reforms in the organization's working methods to adapt to the evolving global landscape. Jaishankar highlighted India's right to defend its people against terrorism.

New income tax return forms and rules under the simplified Income Tax Act, 2025, will be notified by January 2026, with the law effective April 1. CBDT Chairman Ravi Agrawal stated the department aims for simpler compliance and expects to meet direct tax collection targets, with refunds being scrutinized due to discrepancies and wrong claims.

Four Jungian archetypes explain why Bihar voted the way it did.

Reliance Consumer Products is set to disrupt India's booming pet food sector with its new brand, Waggies. Employing an aggressive pricing strategy, Waggies will be priced 20-50% lower than established brands, targeting mass-market consumers and general trade outlets.

BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla criticized Congress MP Imran Masood for calling suicide bomber Umar Un Nabi a misguided youth. Poonawalla accused the Congress of prioritizing vote bank politics over national interest, citing past instances where opposition leaders allegedly downplayed terror acts. The remarks came after a video emerged of the bomber justifying his actions.

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal indicated that a trade pact between India and the US is nearing completion, emphasizing the need for a fair, equitable, and balanced agreement. He assured that India will continue to protect the interests of its farmers, fishermen, and small industries during ongoing negotiations.

Bengal BJP assures Hindus and Muslims face no fear regarding voter list deletions during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Opposition parties, including TMC and SP, question the SIR, alleging it's a 'silent, invisible rigging' by the Election Commission at BJP's behest, while BJP dismisses these claims as 'cry of the losers'.

India's FMCG sector saw sales growth slow in Q3, with volume up 5.4% due to GST changes. Rural markets led expansion at 7.7%, outpacing urban areas. E-commerce remains a key driver, especially in metros, while modern trade shows revival. Inflation cooling is expected to boost consumption.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court that the 2020 Delhi riots were a pre-planned attempt to divide society communally, not a spontaneous protest. He argued accused activists are responsible for trial delays. Meanwhile, the Delhi high court directed police to update on riot investigations, noting petitions have been pending for six years without pursuing alternate legal remedies.

PhysicsWallah debuted strongly on the stock market, with shares rising significantly above its IPO price. This surge reflects investor confidence in the edtech firm's brand and hybrid model, though analysts suggest caution due to competition and profitability concerns. The IPO, one of the largest in India's edtech sector, was driven by institutional investors.

Jan Suraaj supremo Prashant Kishor accepted full responsibility for his party's complete failure in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, admitting he could not earn voters' trust. Despite contesting 238 seats, Jan Suraaj won none, with Kishor vowing to intensify his work in Bihar and observe a silent fast as atonement.

India's IPO market has seen a surge in applications, driven by the allure of listing gains rather than long-term investment. Despite the frenzy, over half of IPOs offer minimal gains, with successful allotments resembling a lottery. This pursuit of quick profits has become a national obsession, rewarding randomness over reasoned analysis.

A National Foundation for American Policy report argues that H-1B visa restrictions, including a new $100,000 fee, are counterproductive. The report highlights that H-1B holders are highly skilled professionals earning substantial salaries, not cheap labor, and that limiting these visas could drive jobs and innovation abroad.

India's aviation sector anticipates modest domestic passenger growth of 4-6% in 2025-26, despite earlier disruptions like cross-border tensions and an air tragedy. International traffic is set for a stronger 13-15% surge.

Prashant Kishor, the leader of Jan Suraaj, has openly accepted accountability for his party's disappointing outcome in the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections, where they secured no seats. He emphasized that despite a genuine commitment to merit-based governance, his party could not connect with the electorate. Acknowledging flaws in both strategy and communication, Kishor stressed the importance of regaining public trust.

Pakistani rapper Talha Anjum caused a stir by waving the Indian flag during a concert in Nepal. He later defended his actions, stating his art has no borders and he does not care about propaganda. While some Pakistanis criticised the move, many Indians praised the gesture. The incident has generated significant social media discussion.

India's economy is poised for robust growth, with projections indicating a 7.5% expansion in Q2 FY26. This surge is fueled by increased investment, recovering rural demand, and the positive impact of GST rationalization. Strong performances in services and manufacturing, alongside a significant rise in consumption indicators, signal a broad-based economic uplift.

India's electronics sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by new free trade agreements and supportive government policies. Industry leaders anticipate a surge in exports to $120 billion by March 2026, with ambitious long-term targets. Reforms, skilling initiatives, and new manufacturing projects are strengthening domestic capabilities and integrating India into global value chains.

Gold price prediction: Gold prices are expected to trade within a range as investors await global cues and US economic data. Buying on dips is advised, with support levels at $4050/$4000/$3936 and resistance at $4160/$4200/$4260. Silver also presents a dip-buying opportunity, with support at $50/$49.30/$47.50 and resistance at $52.30/$55.

Analysts are cautious on Tata Motors due to JLR's cyberattack and headwinds, while GMR Airports sees strong non-aero growth boosting its outlook. Hero MotoCorp's market share decline has stabilized, with attractive valuations. LG Electronics is poised for growth in affordable premium durables, and Apollo Tyres' margins are improving on lower raw material costs.

A bitter family feud has erupted within Lalu Prasad's family, with daughter Rohini Acharya alleging humiliation and abuse from her brother Tejashwi Yadav and his associates after donating a kidney to her father. The fallout intensified as three more sisters left their parents' home, while Tej Pratap Yadav voiced support for Rohini, accusing 'betrayers' of targeting the family.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Tuesday. While Nifty50 was below 25,950, BSE Sensex dropped over 250 points.

Asian markets declined Tuesday, mirroring a Wall Street slide, as investors awaited US economic data and reassessed Federal Reserve rate cut expectations. Japan's Nikkei tumbled over 2%, with bond yields climbing amid speculation about the Bank of Japan's policy. Gold and oil prices also softened, reflecting a broader risk-off sentiment.

A central agency raided Al-Falah University in Faridabad as part of the Delhi blast case investigation. This action follows the arrest of the university chancellor's brother and scrutiny of the institution due to its former student being the prime accused. Delhi Police have summoned the chancellor to address inconsistencies and clarify roles of individuals linked to the university.

Stock market recommendations: Investors looking for opportunities on November 18, 2025, can consider NBCC and Punjab National Bank, according to Mirae Asset Sharekhan. NBCC shows a breakout and is poised for an uptrend, while PNB is forming a bullish pattern above key moving averages.

Former Congress MP Husain Dalwai ignited controversy by linking the Red Fort blast to injustice in Kashmir and questioning its timing during the Bihar elections. The BJP swiftly condemned his remarks, accusing the Congress of justifying terrorism and speaking the language of separatists. Dalwai later clarified he condemns violence but maintained his stance on alleged injustice in Kashmir.

Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to bring perpetrators of the Delhi car bomb blast to justice, emphasizing the government's commitment to eradicating terrorism. Addressing the Northern Zonal Council meeting, he highlighted the importance of inter-state cooperation for national strength and discussed speedy justice for crimes against women and children, including increasing fast-track courts.

IT and BPM firms are increasingly deploying advanced productivity tools to offer clients real-time operational insights. These platforms, including time tracking and workforce pattern analysis, help identify inefficiencies. Companies like Cognizant, Wipro, and LTIMindtree selectively use ProHance, while TCS, Capgemini, and HCLTech leverage Sapience for employee productivity and engagement.