News
National / The Times of India
Michael Burry, the investor famous for predicting the 2008 financial crisis, has criticized Tesla's valuation as idiculously overvalued. He argues that stock-based compensation, including Elon Musk's massive pay package, dilutes shareholder value and distorts true profitability. Burry believes this accounting practice, common in tech, masks recurring expenses and makes Tesla's market value unsustainable.
The Bombay high court has halted the announcement of first-phase municipal poll results, scheduled for December 3rd. Justices Anil Kilor and Rajnish Vyas ruled that releasing these outcomes prematurely could unfairly influence the second phase of voting on December 20th. The court mandated that all results be declared together on December 21st, ensuring electoral fairness and transparency.
Panic gripped Srinagar as a Himalayan black bear was sighted at the University of Kashmir and later at SKIMS hospital, nearly 10km apart. Wildlife officials are deploying traps and drones to capture the elusive animal. Increased sightings are attributed to climate change and readily available food sources like garbage, disrupting hibernation patterns.
A parliamentary panel has proposed significant reforms to India's insolvency framework, advocating for an advance ruling mechanism to provide pre-admission clarity and reduce litigation. The committee also backed integrating mediation and a transparent 'no dues' certificate system for revitalized companies. Stricter penalties for frivolous appeals and enhanced NCLT capacity were also recommended to streamline the resolution process.
India's Reserve Bank has reaffirmed State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank as domestic systemically important banks. These institutions must maintain higher capital reserves to ensure financial stability. The designation, based on updated RBI frameworks, requires additional Common Equity Tier 1 capital proportional to their risk-weighted assets.
The sole survivor of a Saudi bus accident, Mohammed Abdul Shoaib, recounted how a tanker struck their vehicle, causing it to erupt in flames and kill 45 passengers, including his family. He escaped through a window as the bus caught fire, but his clothes ignited. Shoaib, now without support, has appealed to the Telangana government for a job.
The PFRDA is establishing a dedicated NPS fund-of-funds platform to invest pension money into selected alternative investment funds (AIFs). This initiative aims to position pension assets as a stable source of long-term capital for India's private markets. The regulator has clarified classifications and strengthened governance for alternate assets, enabling pension funds to invest confidently.
Delhi is grappling with alarming air quality, as the AQI spikes to 372, perilously close to the 'severe' classification. More than 15 areas have hit this alarming benchmark. Experts warn that this 'very poor' air pollution is likely to linger for several days, compounded by nightly patterns of mist and haze.
Silver's remarkable 2025 rally has propelled it to unprecedented levels, surpassing gold and most stocks with a 103% return. Analysts anticipate further gains, with domestic prices potentially reaching Rs 1.85 lakh per kg. This surge is fueled by expectations of US Federal Reserve rate cuts, a weakening dollar, and robust industrial demand, alongside a depreciating rupee.
Air India has issued a travel advisory urging passengers to confirm flight status before airport arrival due to a third-party system outage impacting check-in operations and causing widespread delays. The airline's teams are working to restore services and minimize passenger inconvenience. Travelers are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.
Russia is keen to address India's trade deficit concerns and boost imports, aiming to shield bilateral commerce from third-country pressure. Ahead of President Putin's visit, Moscow highlighted plans to stabilize crude supplies and strengthen cooperation in defense, energy, and nuclear technology. Discussions will also cover peaceful negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict and counter-terrorism efforts.
India's Russian crude imports are set to dip following US sanctions on major oil firms, but a permanent shift is unlikely. Refiners are strategically sourcing from non-sanctioned Russian entities and other global suppliers. Despite temporary disruptions, India's demand for cost-effective Russian oil, coupled with emerging workarounds, suggests continued, albeit indirect, procurement.
Billionaires Michael and Susan Dell have pledged $6.25 billion to seed children's investment accounts created under President Trump's legislation. This significant contribution aims to provide an initial deposit for 25 million children under 10, fostering hope and opportunity for future generations. The program, set to launch in 2026, encourages long-term savings for education, housing, or business ventures.
US equities saw a steadier mood as Treasury yields eased and bitcoin rebounded, helping major indices regain ground. Investors favored technology stocks, with MongoDB and United Natural Foods posting significant gains. This optimism countered a slide in Signet Jewelers due to a weak holiday forecast. Global markets showed modest movements, with South Korea's Kospi notably rising.
Defense minister Rajnath Singh highlighted Operation Sindoor as a firm response to those ignoring peace, drawing parallels with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's decisive leadership. He praised the armed forces and emphasized the government's commitment to Patel's vision of a united India, citing Article 370's abrogation and strengthened indigenous defence capabilities.
Karnataka's chief ministerial post remains undecided as Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar's reakfast diplomacy yields no timeline from the party high command. Both leaders project unity, calling for a peaceful settlement amidst ongoing speculation. Siddaramaiah's cryptic politics is not permanent comment further fuels discussions about a potential leadership change.
India has achieved a significant milestone in indigenous defence capabilities with a successful high-speed rocket-sled test of a fighter aircraft escape system. This dynamic trial, conducted by DRDO, validated canopy severance, ejection sequencing, and aircrew recovery, placing India among nations with advanced in-house testing. The test simulated real-life conditions, marking a step towards self-reliance in defence.
As the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee meets, experts are divided on a potential repo rate cut. While strong GDP growth and easing inflation present opposing forces, some analysts believe a cut is possible to support growth. However, others anticipate the central bank will maintain the current rate due to economic resilience.
The new Prime Minister's Office complex, formerly 'Executive Enclave', will now be called 'Seva Teerth' to reflect a spirit of service over power. This renaming aligns with a broader shift in public institutions, moving from 'satta' (power) to 'seva' (service) and emphasizing duty and transparency in governance.
The Indian rupee hit an all-time low of 89.95 against the US dollar, driven by speculators and importers. Experts cite a strong dollar and delayed trade deal as key factors. While some foresee appreciation with a trade deal, others expect continued volatility around the 90-per-dollar mark.
SoftBank's Masayoshi Son revealed he 'was crying' while selling Nvidia shares, a painful but necessary move to fund AI ventures like OpenAI. Despite the emotional toll, Son emphasized the critical need for capital for future AI investments, dismissing concerns about an AI bubble and predicting its immense long-term economic impact.
Russia's State Duma has ratified a major military logistics pact with India, the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistic Support (RELOS). This agreement allows both nations' military forces to utilize each other's facilities for joint exercises, humanitarian operations, and disaster relief, strengthening their strategic partnership ahead of President Putin's visit.
EPS-95 pensioners hoping for a pension hike will likely be disappointed. The Labour Ministry confirmed an actuarial deficit in the Employees' Pension Scheme, meaning it's not generating enough to cover current payouts. This financial strain makes increasing minimum or maximum pension benefits improbable in the near future, despite ongoing demands.
Bharatiya Janata Party has responded to Congress accusations regarding the Sanchar Saathi app. BJP leaders stated the app aims to protect users from fraud and crime, not to monitor them. They emphasised that the application can be removed by users. Congress had alleged the directive was dictatorial and called the app a snooping tool.
Indian stock markets are poised for a constructive 2026, driven by an improving earnings cycle, strong domestic liquidity, and normalizing valuations, says Ajay Menon, MD & CEO Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services. Which sectors should investors focus on? Will other emerging markets and even gold continue to outperform Indian equity benchmarks in 2026 as well?
China has issued new general export licenses for rare earth shipments, easing months of disruption caused by tighter controls. This move, following the Trump-Xi summit, allows year-long permits for specific customers, particularly in the auto sector. While easing some pressures, differences remain between Beijing and Washington regarding the extent of these changes.
Parliament gears up for crucial debates on electoral reforms and Vande Mataram's 150th anniversary following a breakthrough. Meanwhile, Imran Khan met his sister in jail after weeks of restricted access. The Navy chief announced a new indigenous nuclear submarine and highlighted Operation Sindoor's impact on Pakistan's naval forces.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla reflects on his ISS mission, highlighting its success as a model of international cooperation and scientific advancement. His insights offer valuable lessons for India's own long-term human spaceflight strategy, emphasizing modularity, flexibility, and clear objectives for the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station.
Pakistan accused India of delaying its humanitarian aid to Sri Lanka, claiming airspace permission was withheld. India refuted these allegations, stating the request was processed within four hours. Meanwhile, Pakistan's High Commission in Sri Lanka faced online criticism over relief packages with apparent near-expiry dates.
Investors who followed Michael Saylor's Bitcoin strategy are now facing heavy losses. Strategy Inc.'s stock has seen a sharp decline, causing leveraged funds tied to it to unwind. This has erased previous gains and is impacting asset retention for funds tracking the company's volatile Bitcoin bets.
The new Prime Minister's Office complex, formerly 'Executive Enclave', has been named 'Seva Teerth', signifying a shift in governance from power to service. This renaming, along with others like Raj Bhawans to Lok Bhawans and Central Secretariat to Kartavya Bhavan, reflects a cultural and moral transition towards duty and transparency in public institutions.
Air India has grounded an aircraft and launched an investigation after it operated eight commercial flights with an expired Airworthiness Review Certificate. The lapse occurred during the Vistara-Air India merger transition, with the 70th aircraft's renewal delayed due to an engine change. Personnel involved have been de-rostered pending the outcome of the probe.
Arvind Kejriwal has strongly criticized the department of telecom's directive for pre-installing the Sanchar Saathi app on all new smartphones. He labelled it a razen attack on individual privacy and liberty, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the government's diktat. Kejriwal highlighted the lack of consent and deletion options in the notification.
India's primary market is set for a massive year-end, with December poised to raise nearly Rs 30,000 crore from around 25 IPOs. Major listings like ICICI Prudential AMC and Meesho are leading the charge. This surge, fueled by strong business confidence and discerning investors, signals robust market momentum extending into 2026.
Air India operated a 164-seater Airbus A320 on eight flights with an expired airworthiness license, posing a safety risk. The airline has suspended responsible personnel, and the DGCA is investigating the critical lapse. This incident further complicates Air India's efforts to rebuild passenger confidence following a previous fatal crash.
Chinese electronics giants like Oppo and Vivo are increasingly relying on loans from their group companies to fund Indian operations. This shift to external commercial borrowings (ECBs) stems from roadblocks in securing equity funding due to Press Note 3 (PN3) rules and regulatory actions, making bank loans difficult. The funding challenges are impacting expansion plans for some firms.
The Supreme Court questioned the obligation to illegal entrants during a hearing on Rohingya disappearances. The court asked if 'intruders' should receive a 'red carpet welcome'. The bench emphasized that if individuals lack legal status, deportation is a valid consideration. The court pondered the implications of illegal entry followed by demands for legal protections.
Gold prices saw a dip on Tuesday. Traders decided to book profits after recent gains. This pullback ended a strong run for the yellow metal. Domestic prices mirrored global market movements. Gold futures on Comex also slipped. Analysts suggest this correction is due to profit-taking after prices reached multi-week highs. Investors are anticipating a US interest rate cut.
The government clarified that the Sanchar Saathi App can be deleted by users, stating their role was only to introduce it. This statement followed a political uproar over the mandatory pre-installation of the app on mobile handsets, with the opposition raising privacy concerns and likening it to a 'snooping app'.
Omnicom is laying off over 4,000 employees and merging several advertising brands following its $13 billion acquisition of Interpublic Group. This strategic move aims to enhance financial benefits and regain momentum amidst industry transformation driven by AI and fierce competition. The integration will see agencies like DDB and MullenLowe merge into TBWA, and FCB absorbed into BBDO.
The government has confirmed no current plans for merging public sector banks. Foreign Direct Investment limits in banks have been detailed. The sale of IDBI Bank is proceeding as planned, with significant stakes being divested by the government and LIC. Regional Rural Banks have shown strong financial performance, achieving record profits.
Nelson Mandela, a beacon of freedom, embodied resilience through his fight against apartheid and 27 years of imprisonment. His philosophy, 'judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again,' underscores that true success lies in perseverance, not the absence of struggle.

13 C