CATEGORIES

Rice exports surge after curbs eased

SHARP SPIKE

Exporters seek special support for US markets

Sops to enable additional exports of $25-bn in 3 years

Quick, quicker, quickest...

SPEED THRILLS, AND how. Just six months ago, the opportunity for quick commerce was estimated at $30 billion by 2030, up from $6 billion in 2024. That has now been raised to $40 billion.

At the G, India up against Head-strong Australia

● In-form batter declared fit for Boxing Day Test

Prosperity through cooperation

The United National General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution proclaiming 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives with 'Cooperatives Build a Better World' as the theme.

Russia Launches 'Inhuman' Christmas Day Attacks

RUSSIA ATTACKED UKRAINE'S energy system and some cities with cruise and ballistic missiles plus drones on Wednesday in an \"inhuman\" Christmas Day assault, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.

Honda-Nissan deal may hold key to fight against BYD

HONDA MOTOR ABSORBING Nissan Motor could give the two struggling Japanese brands the scale they need to take on China's BYD, sales figures released on Wednesday show.

The angry young man

LATER, THE BUREAU of Indian Standards got into examining the matter.

Investors Get Good Exits in IPO Frenzy

IN FACT, A whopping ₹1.6 lakh crore has been mopped up in the primary market in 2024 by 90 firms, the highest so far in a year, topping the ₹1.19 lakh crore raised through IPOs in 2021 by 63 companies.

Impact on auto sector

HOWEVER, THE FALLING rupee presents challenges for import-dependent luxury carmakers like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, and Volvo.

China Avoids Rate Cut to Brace for Future Pressure

CHINA REFRAINED FROM cutting the interest rate and drained the most cash since 2014 with a one-year policy tool, keeping its powder dry ahead of possible escalation in trade tensions with the US next year.

Yoon Defies Second Agency Summons Over Martial Law

SOUTH KOREA'S SUSPENDED President Yoon Suk Yeol did not respond on Wednesday to a second summons by anti-corruption authorities who, along with prosecutors, are investigating his short-lived martial law decree issued early this month.

'2025 will be the year of small language models'

Mohammed Rafee Tarafdar, chief technology officer (CTO), Infosys, says that in recent times, several small language models for India-specific needs have been launched and with the growing developer base, \"we should see a lot more GenAI applications implemented for Indian and global markets.\"

Garuda promotes precision agriculture in hinterland

• Trains over 500 rural women for agri-related services

Gender gaps persist

WOMEN'S ACCESS TO PAID WORK CAN ONLY IMPROVE WHEN THE ECONOMY IS CREATING ADEQUATE JOBS

Moving towards an IP-centric economy

A product mindset will help drive business growth

Wegovy & Zepbound's next lap harder than acceptance

THIS TIME LAST year, people were still bickering about whether Novo Nordisk's Wegovy and Eli Lilly & Co.'s Zepbound represented a shortcut to losing weight or a medical breakthrough.

Incremental gains

Growth in area under green cover is encouraging, but the threat of forest degradation must be averted

A Baseline Scenario for Global Economy in 2025

Economic fragmentation will continue, pushing some countries to diversify their reserves further away from the US dollar and explore alternative payment systems

Long-Term Debt Funds to Gain From Rate-Cut Cycle

With India expected to begin a rate-cut cycle in the coming months, long-term debt funds are poised to benefit from falling bond yields and improved market dynamics.

Recoveries may top FY25 target of ₹5,000 cr

Aiming to expand its footprint across the country, Yes Bank plans to open 400 branches in the next five years. In an exclusive interaction, Prashant Kumar, managing director and CEO, tells Sachin Kumar about growth plans and the strategy to garner deposits at a time when the banking sector is struggling to raise low-cost funds. Excerpts:

Insurance penetration slips below 4% in FY24

AFTER THREE YEARS, India's insurance penetration slipped below 4% in FY24, underscoring the challenges in meeting Irdai's 'Insurance for All by 2047' vision.

Amitava Chatterjee Appointed J&K Bank MD

J&K Bank on Wednesday announced the appointment of Amitava Chatterjee, currently deputy managing director of State Bank of India (SBI), as its new managing director (MD) and CEO.

N Srinivasan Resigns as India Cements MD & CEO

INDIA CEMENTS LIMITED (ICL) on Wednesday announced that its former promoter N Srinivasan has stepped down as the company's managing director and CEO with immediate effect.

Ola reaches 4,000-store mark with EV network expansion

3,200 stores opened in the last month with service facilities Focus on EV adoption in smaller cities Competition from TVS, Bajaj Auto, Ather, & Greaves Ola scooters, Gig & S1 Z series, start at ₹39,999 Deliveries start April-May 2025; reservations for ₹499 Scooters feature removable batteries for all user types

Risk management set to drive Dezerv's 2025 growth story

Dezerv, which largely caters to an affluent section of first-generation wealth creators including founders and C-suite executives, will prioritize risk management next year as markets navigate global uncertainties.

Reverse flipping all set for 'homecoming' rush

However, regulatory hurdles, high costs & tax timelines likely to pose challenges

Synaptics to double workforce in India

NASDAQ-LISTED SEMICONDUCTOR solutions company Synaptics plans to double its workforce in India from 400 to 800 employees over the next two to three years, reinforcing its commitment to wireless and edge AI product development.

Allu Arjun, makers of Pushpa announce ₹2-cr financial aid for stampeded victim family

ACTOR ALLU ARJUN and makers of the film Pushpa on Wednesday announced financial assistance of ₹2 crore for the family of the woman who died in a stampede during the film's screening at a theatre here on December 4.

Delhi Govt Disowns AAP New Schemes; Kejriwal Targets BJP

In an unprecedented move, senior officers in the Delhi government released public notices and disowned the registration process started by chief minister Atishi and her predecessor, Arvind Kejriwal, for two schemes announced by the ruling AAP in the national capital.