The Times of India

India's merchandise exports saw a 1.87% year-on-year increase to $38.5 billion in December 2025, driven by strong performance in engineering goods, electronics, marine products, and pharmaceuticals. Despite this growth, a significant rise in imports led to a widening trade deficit of $25.04 billion for the month.

An agitated mob vandalized and torched the Goalpokher-II BDO office in North Dinajpur, West Bengal, during a Special Intensive Revision hearing. Around 300 people reportedly destroyed property worth Rs 20 lakh and injured police and staff. This follows similar violence at the Farakka BDO office.

Global Capability Centres (GCCs) are transforming from mere cost centers to innovation hubs, driving product development and strategic decisions for multinational corporations. Hiring is now focused on specialised skills in AI, cloud, and data, with GCCs increasingly owning end-to-end product lifecycles and shaping global strategies, signaling a profound shift in the nation's talent and economic landscape.

Coca-Cola is preparing for a significant Initial Public Offering of its Indian bottling business, Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages. The company aims to raise approximately $1 billion through this listing.

Looking forward, the Union Budget 2026-27 provides a strategic moment to reinforce a health-led growth framework that aligns with Indias long-term vision of Insurance for All by 2047.

Kolkata real estate developers are urging the Union Budget to recalibrate housing policies, advocating for higher tax benefits for homebuyers and a revised affordable housing definition. They emphasize the need to align policies with rising land and construction costs to revive demand, particularly in the mid-income segment.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor delighted netizens by sharing an Instagram reel dancing to Taylor Swift's 'The Fate of Ophelia.' The politician, amidst a mountain of work, showcased a playful side, humorously noting his transformation into a Swiftie. The charming video, filmed in his study, quickly garnered a massive positive response online, with fans celebrating this unexpected pop culture moment.

As the FY27 Budget nears, agriculture stakeholders are pushing for increased investment in technology, digital systems, and climate-ready infrastructure. Experts advocate for a shift from welfare to growth, emphasizing productivity, rural demand, and resilience. Targeted support for the dairy sector, climate-resilient infrastructure, and digital agriculture are highlighted as crucial for long-term economic expansion and food security.

The Indian Air Force swiftly deployed an Mi-17 V5 helicopter to combat a forest fire in Uttarakhand's Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Responding to a state government request, the IAF's Central Air Command engaged in firefighting operations in the rocky terrain. Aerial surveillance confirms the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib remain safe amidst ongoing efforts.

The US State Department is indefinitely suspending visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Iran, Russia, and Afghanistan, to reassess screening procedures. This move aims to tighten enforcement of the public charge provision, denying entry to applicants deemed likely to rely on public welfare benefits.

Asian markets saw a mixed close Thursday, influenced by US President Trump's comments on Iran and a sharp drop in oil prices. While Hong Kong and South Korea's indices rose, Japan's Nikkei plunged. US futures remained steady after Wall Street's decline, with Big Tech and bank stocks leading losses, while energy shares offered support.

India's western fashion market shows a split performance post-pandemic. While some global brands like Adidas and Marks & Spencer face declining sales, Uniqlo and Nike are experiencing significant growth. Experts point to a shift towards functional clothing, especially among Gen Z, influencing brand success and market dynamics.

Prolonged visa stamping delays have left many H-1B holders stranded in India, putting them at risk of job losses, pay cuts and potential Indian tax liabilities as interview appointments are pushed back by months.

Nine new Amrit Bharat Express trains are set to expand long-distance rail connectivity, linking West Bengal and Assam with Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. These non-air-conditioned trains offer affordable travel with modern amenities, aiming to boost commerce and tourism across the country.

Gold and silver price prediction today: Abhilash Koikkara, Head of Nuvama Professional Clients Group sees gold and silver prices hitting new lifetime highs in the coming days.

The stock market will be closed on January 15th due to Maharashtra municipal corporation elections, with trading suspended across various segments. Equity derivatives contracts originally set to expire on this date will now mature on January 14th.

Zerodha founder Nithin Kamath criticized the closure of Indian stock exchanges on January 15 for Mumbai's municipal elections, citing poor planning and a lack of appreciation for second-order effects. He argued that such a holiday, driven by local civic polls, undermines global investor confidence. Trading is set to resume on January 16 after the election-related holiday.

Mohan Bhagwat said elections are a mandatory part of democracy and hence, voting is the responsibility of all citizens.He appealed to electors that keeping the public interest in mind, everyone should vote for a suitable candidate during the elections.

In the 39-second clip, PM Modi was seen standing outdoors on a lawn in Lok Kalyan Marg, offering feed to the cows, which were adorned with decorative cloths, keeping with traditional festival practices. The festival marks the Suns transition into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makar) and is celebrated as a mid-winter harvest festival.

Banks across several Indian states are closed today, January 15, 2026, for various regional festivals and local elections. Residents in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh should note these closures. Plan your banking needs accordingly, as many branches will remain shut for upcoming holidays throughout January.

Global oil markets experienced a sharp sell-off as US President Donald Trump's remarks eased concerns over potential supply disruptions from Iran. Trump stated he was informed that the killing of protesters in Iran had halted, leading to a significant drop in West Texas Intermediate and Brent crude prices.

Despite broader government pushes under the Digital India programme, customs adjudication and litigation remain heavily paper-driven. Businesses are still required to file physical replies to show cause notices.

Infosys is under US Department of Justice investigation for alleged H-1B visa misclassification. The company is cooperating with the probe, which could materially impact its business. This follows previous settlements regarding visa fraud and worker compensation issues in the US.

Infosys shares surged on the NYSE after reporting stronger-than-expected December quarter sales, driven by significant large deal wins and an upgraded revenue growth forecast for FY26. The IT giant's performance outpaced TCS, with sequential revenue growth of 0.5% in dollar terms and a revised FY26 guidance of 3%-3.5%.

Global metal prices are surging due to geopolitical tensions, potential US rate cuts, and strong demand from sectors like EVs and solar. Silver and gold have hit record highs internationally and domestically, with copper and tin also seeing all-time peaks. Supply constraints in base metals further fuel the rally.

China's exports surged to a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus in 2025, defying expectations of a slowdown. This resilience, driven by deeper inroads into markets beyond the US and a shift up the value chain, is expected to continue supporting the economy despite weaker domestic demand and ongoing trade tensions.

Logistics firm Shadowfax has lowered its IPO valuation to Rs 7,169 crore, down from over Rs 8,000 crore, to attract more investors amidst market volatility. This move follows Amagi Media Labs' valuation cut. Despite the repricing, Shadowfax's implied valuation remains higher than its last private valuation, reflecting a cautious market sentiment.

Meta's new structure reveals tension between Mark Zuckerberg and Alexandr Wang, the $14 billion AI recruit. Wang finds Zuckerberg's micromanagement stifling, while staff question his leadership for Meta's AI ambitions. A recent strategy clash highlighted differing priorities, with Wang pushing for cutting-edge AI over immediate product integration.

India's two-wheeler sales surpassed two crore units in 2025, a 5% increase from the previous year, though still shy of the 2018 record. Exports surged by over 24% to a new high, boosted by global demand. Hero MotoCorp led domestic sales, while TVS Motor saw the sharpest growth, driven by urban demand and supportive economic policies.

Performances, P 11

'No infirmity in reply', P 12