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National / The Times of India
Union Home Minister Amit Shah rejected claims that the Vande Mataram debate was politically motivated for the West Bengal elections. He stated the discussion was to highlight the national song's importance, especially as it marked its 150th anniversary. Opposition leaders, however, linked the timing to the upcoming polls, accusing the government of distraction.
US President Trump has greenlit Nvidia's H200 AI chip sales to China, imposing a 25% tariff. This move aims to balance national security with maintaining US tech dominance against China's growing influence. While Nvidia sees it as a balanced approach, critics warn of military and surveillance risks. China, meanwhile, seeks to reduce its reliance on foreign chips.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu stated in Lok Sabha that IndiGo is being held accountable for its operational crisis, with services rapidly stabilizing. He assured that passenger convenience and dignity are being protected, and long-term measures are in place to enhance India's aviation sector, emphasizing no airline will be permitted to inconvenience passengers.
Indian rice exporters faced a significant downturn on Dalal Street following US President Donald Trump's remarks hinting at potential new tariffs. Trump cited dumping of Indian rice as damaging domestic growers, sparking immediate market declines for major exporters like Kohinoor Foods and LT Foods. This development adds to existing trade tensions as a US delegation prepares to visit India.
US President Trump has threatened further tariffs on Indian rice, accusing India of 'dumping' products. Despite existing high tariffs, Indian rice exports to the US remain strong, particularly premium basmati. Experts suggest this is election-season messaging, as increased duties would primarily impact American consumers and not significantly harm Indian exporters.
Helen Keller, a deafblind woman who overcame immense adversity, became a symbol of courage and determination. Her life, marked by learning to communicate and earning a college degree, inspired millions. Keller advocated for social justice and disability rights, leaving a legacy of resilience and hope.
Eleanor Roosevelt, a transformative First Lady, redefined her role through tireless advocacy for human and women's rights. A prolific writer and thinker, she championed dignity and courage. Her philosophy, Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure, emphasizes embracing challenges for true security and personal growth over mere competence.
Asian equities dipped Tuesday, mirroring Wall Street's decline and investor caution ahead of key economic decisions. Nvidia shares rallied after President Trump indicated approval for H200 chip sales to China, while markets awaited the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision and guidance for 2026.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed that rules must aid, not harass the public, amidst IndiGo's ongoing flight crisis. The airline's operational issues stem from new pilot rest rules, impacting thousands of passengers. Union minister Kiren Rijiju conveyed the PM's concern, emphasising passenger convenience and urging MPs to focus on public-centric reforms.
US President Donald Trump announced a $12 billion aid package for American farmers grappling with trade war losses. The funds, sourced from tariff revenue, aim to provide a crucial lifeline, with payments expected by February. While welcomed, farmers emphasize the need for market stability beyond temporary relief.
The BJP has sharply criticised Telangana CM Revanth Reddy, accusing the Congress government of failing to fulfill poll promises and resorting to authoritarianism. The party alleged arrests followed a social media poster criticising the CM's wo-year failure, highlighting corruption and misgovernance. Congress defended its record, citing financial challenges and commitment to guarantees.
Senior officials are inspecting major airports to assess passenger issues caused by IndiGo's operational problems. The airline's schedule will be cut by five percent, impacting 110 daily flights. The Ministry and DGCA are monitoring the situation closely. IndiGo's internal crew rostering and operational planning are cited as reasons for the disruptions. Safety standards remain paramount.
Gold price prediction: Gold prices are poised for an upward trend driven by positive global signals. Investors are advised to adopt a 'buy on dips' strategy. China's central bank continues its gold buying spree, boosting reserves. Silver ETFs are also seeing significant inflows, indicating strong investor interest. The Federal Reserve's upcoming monetary policy decision will be a key event to watch.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended birthday wishes to former Congress president Sonia Gandhi on her 79th birthday. The Congress party lauded her visionary leadership, attributing landmark rights-based laws like MGNREGA and the Right to Information to her tenure as UPA chairperson, which significantly impacted millions of lives.
Netflix assured its subscribers that othing is changing today following its $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., including HBO Max and HBO. The streaming giant stated both platforms will operate separately until the transaction closes in 12 to 18 months, despite significant opposition from politicians and industry groups concerned about anti-monopoly issues and potential negative impacts on consumers and workers.
Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, tanked in opening trade on Tuesday. While Nifty50 went below 25,800, BSE Sensex was down over 620 points.
YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, an Indian-origin executive, has been named TIME's 2025 CEO of the Year. TIME recognized Mohan for his role in shaping YouTube into a dominant force in global cultural consumption. His leadership at the video giant stems from a strong academic background and extensive experience in digital advertising and product development.
The IMF approved a $1.2 billion disbursement to Pakistan, bringing total inflows to $3.3 billion, acknowledging the country's reform efforts despite recent flood shocks. This funding supports macroeconomic stability and climate resilience, with further reforms needed for private sector-led growth and fiscal resilience.
Starlink India's announced pricing for its satellite internet service, featuring a Rs 8,600 monthly tariff and Rs 34,000 hardware charge, was quickly withdrawn due to a glitch. The company clarified that the displayed dummy data does not reflect actual costs, as government approvals for spectrum allocation and charges are still pending.
President Trump has threatened a 5% tariff on Mexican imports over a water-sharing dispute, accusing Mexico of withholding supplies guaranteed by a 1944 treaty. He demands immediate release of 200,000 acre-feet of water, citing severe impacts on Texas farmers. This follows a previous threat that led Mexico to send water.
JP Morgan maintains a neutral stance on Bajaj Finance, citing strategic growth plans and market share ambitions. Goldman Sachs also holds a neutral rating for Biocon, following its planned integration with Biocon Biologics. Kotak Institutional Equities initiates coverage on Tata Capital with an 'add' rating, anticipating strong loan growth.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi accused the Congress of betraying 'Vande Mataram' under pressure from Mohammed Ali Jinnah, citing appeasement politics. He highlighted Mahatma Gandhi's praise for the song, noting its significance as a unifying force against British rule. Modi criticized the Congress's 1937 decision to limit the song's recital, linking it to the eventual division of India.
Banks and RBI informed the Supreme Court that personal hearings before declaring accounts fraudulent are unfeasible due to a surge in cases. With tens of thousands of frauds annually, the sheer volume makes individual hearings impractical, potentially hindering the fraud declaration process. The regulator emphasized operational challenges and left the decision to banks' discretion.
The Supreme Court encountered its first AI misuse case where a litigant submitted a response with hundreds of fabricated legal precedents. Senior advocates highlighted the grave concern of AI-generated false case laws impacting judicial decisions. While acknowledging the error, the court proceeded to hear the case on its merits, emphasizing the need for caution.
The Supreme Court has allowed an SC certificate for a minor based on her mother's caste, even though her father is non-SC. This decision, made to prevent academic hardship, raises questions about whether children should inherit caste from their mother. The court acknowledged the evolving societal norms, hinting at a potential shift in established practices.
Amidst ongoing flight disruptions, the government is weighing the option of cutting IndiGo's flight schedule by 5%, with plans to redistribute these time slots to other carriers. IndiGo has acknowledged the issues, attributing them to recent duty requirements and changes in their winter travel timetable.
Former Indian cricket team captain Virat Kohli has taken a giant leap in the sports industry by pumping Rs 40 crore into Agilitas Sports, a fresh initiative from the former Puma India managing director Abhishek Ganguly.
Elon Musk's Starlink has set its Indian launch price at Rs 8,600 monthly, plus a Rs 34,000 hardware fee. This significantly exceeds current terrestrial broadband options like Airtel and Jio, which offer speeds up to 40MBPS for under Rs 500. Starlink promises unlimited data and 30-day trials, but service commencement hinges on government spectrum allocation.
India has launched PaRRVA, a groundbreaking independent agency by NSE and Care Ratings, to verify performance claims in securities markets. This initiative aims to boost investor trust by ensuring risk-return metrics are independently validated, setting a global benchmark for transparency and accountability in financial markets.
In a turbulent turn of events, IndiGo's share price has dipped by 8.3% as the government takes a hardline approach in response to the airline's ongoing operational hurdles. Investors are feeling the sting, with losses exceeding Rs 37,700 crore. Moody's has raised alarms about potential credit risks fueled by these financial setbacks.
India has demanded assurances from China that its citizens won't face selective harassment after an Arunachal Pradesh resident was reportedly mistreated at Shanghai airport. New Delhi strongly protested the incident, reaffirming Arunachal's status as an integral part of India. The MEA advised Indian nationals to exercise caution when traveling to or transiting through China.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh proposed adding a fundamental duty to the Constitution, mandating equal respect for 'Vande Mataram' as the national anthem. He accused Congress of communalizing the song due to appeasement politics, urging parliamentarians to restore its glory and honor its author. Singh highlighted historical attempts to truncate the song, deeming it an injustice to national identity.
In a fiery session in Parliament, Trinamool Congress slammed the government for allegedly using the 'Vande Mataram' discourse as a political distraction ahead of the West Bengal elections, branding it as a 'poorly executed farce.' MPs voiced their concerns over the BJP's 'polarizing' tactics, while Akhilesh Yadav from SP labelled their moves as 'nationally contentious.
A crucial parliamentary panel has raised alarming issues regarding the handling of the National Testing Agency's (NTA) exams in 2024, highlighting repeated delays, incidents of paper leaks, and various mistakes. The committee has advocated for a shift back to traditional pen-and-paper assessments, similar to those used by CBSE and UPSC.
A Kupwara court has denied bail to eight policemen, including a deputy SP, accused of torturing a constable for six days in February 2023. The constable's wife alleged brutal torture, including the insertion of an iron rod into his rectum. The Supreme Court had directed the CBI to register a case following the wife's plea.
The Jammu and Kashmir High Court has granted the administration and the Centre three months to respond to petitions challenging a ban on 25 Kashmir-related books. The ban, imposed by the home department, claims the books promote a false narrative and secessionism. A three-judge bench will hear the petitions, which argue the ban violates free speech guarantees.
A Chinese national was questioned for visa violations after travelling to J&K and Ladakh without permission. Meanwhile, authorities discovered multiple foreign nationals staying in Kashmir without mandatory reporting, leading to FIRs against several hotels and houseboats for non-compliance with Form-C submission norms.
Following recent bus fires, Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has ordered government-approved agencies to inspect all sleeper coach buses for safety norm compliance. This directive comes after reports of widespread non-compliance with the new Bus Body Code, leading to calls for action against errant builders and officials.
A massive forest fire erupted along the Line of Control in Rajouri and Poonch districts on Sunday, with dense smoke billowing up. The blaze, likely originating from across the border, is spreading rapidly due to dry conditions and has triggered multiple landmine blasts in forward areas without any reported injuries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed renewed vigor after meeting Bihar's NDA MPs, celebrating their historic victory in the recent assembly elections. He emphasized the double-engine government's commitment to improving the lives of Bihar's citizens. The NDA's decisive win, securing 202 out of 243 seats, underscores their mandate to fulfill public expectations.

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