The Times of India

Sets Up Lab For Testing And Calibration

US mortgage rates saw a slight increase this week, remaining near their 2025 lows. While borrowing costs have eased significantly from a year ago, they continue to present a challenge for homebuyers. Despite some relief in monthly payments, housing affordability remains a major hurdle.

Chinese AI startup DeepSeek is rapidly gaining traction in developing nations, broadening generative AI access despite a widening global economic divide. Its free, open-source models are lowering adoption barriers, particularly in price-sensitive regions, while facing restrictions in Western markets due to security concerns.

The Indian government is introducing vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology to enhance road safety and prevent accidents. A joint task force with the Department of Telecom has been established, with the DoT agreeing to allocate specific spectrum for V2V use.

Home loans taken from non-banking sources - such as employers, friends, relatives or private lenders - qualify for an interest deduction but not for a principal deduction under section 80C.

US President Donald Trump has backed a bill that could levy 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian oil, giving the US leverage over major buyers such as China and India to curb imports from Moscow.

US stocks saw a slight dip as defence companies surged on President Trump's ambitious military spending plans. While major indices remained near highs, defence giants like Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin posted significant gains. Bond yields edged up amid mixed economic data, and oil prices continued their volatile climb.

Alaska Airlines Captain Brandon Fisher is suing Boeing for $10 million, alleging the company wrongly blamed him and his co-pilot for the January 2024 door plug blowout. Fisher claims Boeing shifted blame in court filings after initially praising the crew's safe landing, causing him emotional distress and reputational harm.

Assocham is urging the government to offer incentives for green steel production, including hydrogen-based DRI and renewable energy, to aid the sector's low-carbon transition. The industry body also seeks support for scrap recycling and R&D to boost productivity and reduce import reliance.

The Indian government may introduce a customs duty amnesty scheme in the 2026-27 Union Budget to resolve over Rs 1.52 lakh crore in pending litigation.

A significant collection of Steve Jobs' childhood items and early Apple products is now up for auction, featuring the first Apple check and an Apple-1 prototype motherboard. The sale also includes rare devices like the Lisa-1 and a first-generation iPhone, alongside personal effects from Jobs' youth, offering a comprehensive look at Apple's origins.

President Trump has greenlit a bipartisan bill authorizing significant sanctions and up to 500% tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. The Sanctioning Russia Act aims to pressure nations like China, India, and Brazil, part of the BRICS block, to cease fueling Russia's war machine.