Hindalco shares rally 7% as aluminium prices surge on supply concerns

Hindalco surged ~6–7%, hitting ₹983.5 and trading near ₹970, on aluminium price gains driven by Middle East supply disruptions (Qatalum shutdown, Hydro force majeure, QatarEnergy curbs, Hormuz risks). NALCO rose >5%. About 8.3m shares traded. MCX Al Apr futures up 1.47% to ₹338.5/kg.

At GEC 2026, PM Modi cast India as a stabilising, high‑growth, low‑inflation leader and voice of the Global South, spotlighting digital public infrastructure. Jaishankar warned of a turbulent, weaponised world and urged de‑risking. Fadnavis stressed Mumbai’s centrality.

Interview with SOI co-founder Khushroo N. Suntook and new Chief Conductor Martyn Brabbins traces the orchestra’s 20-year rise and Spring 2026 season—Beethoven to Mahler, Shostakovich, and Holst—spotlighting Mumbai’s growing ecosystem, the SOI Academy, and a new era of excellence.

In Q3 FY26, India’s cement majors grew profits on strong volumes and operating leverage despite softer realisations. Demand +7–8% y/y; volumes ~13%; EBITDA/tonne Rs865 with mostly flat costs. Prices began to recover (Jan +Rs10–20/bag). Q4 seen stronger on volumes, partial hikes, and efficiencies.

JM Financial-Hurun's Unlisted Gems 2026 ranks Reliance Retail India's top unlisted firm; Flipkart and Malabar Gold follow. Top 100 earned Rs 8.9T (2025) with Rs 1.03T EBITDA; valuation Rs 28.5T, 1.2M jobs. Fast growers: Tata Electronics, TPEM, JSW One. Report stresses IPO readiness, scale.

Australian report shows mixed progress: community prescribing down, but 42.7% of surgical antibiotics inappropriate; high aged-care use (79.5% annually; 34.7% >6 months). Critical resistances doubled to 3,389 in 2024. Urges stronger stewardship, prevention, One Health.

At India AI Impact Summit, Accenture CEO Julie Sweet said AI is the only path to broad prosperity, redefines entry-level jobs, and demands reinvention with humans leading. She highlighted India’s 350k+ workforce, Accenture’s growth, and said LLMs will accelerate pharma and transform commerce.

Rising exam stress is harming students’ wellbeing. Experts urge parents to spot irritability, withdrawal, and sleep/appetite changes; set calm routines, realistic expectations, and respond with empathy. Promote sleep, paced study, exercise, and good nutrition.

The BS Defence index stayed muted amid cautious sentiment and selloffs, yet it outperformed the Nifty and Sensex, underscoring its haven-like resilience in downturns. Defence firms now look to the Union Budget for higher allocations to power the next phase of the sector's rally.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Lt Gen Vipun Singhal said AI’s speed and efficiency can aid decisions, but human judgment, moral responsibility, and command authority must remain paramount. He urged the armed forces to define which decisions stay with commanders.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, CEA V. Anantha Nageswaran said India must act with urgency, political will, and strong state capacity to harness AI. He urged a “Team India” effort—government, private sector, academia—to align adoption with mass employability, warning the window won’t stay open.

SriLankan Airlines is adding two extra Mumbai–Colombo flights on Saturday and Monday to meet surging demand around the India–Pakistan T20 World Cup match in Colombo. Corporate group bookings are strong; flights from major Indian metros are near full Feb 13–15, 

Rupee hit a record 91.96/$, the worst in Asia, on FPI outflows and importer dollar demand; exporters hold back amid stalled trade talks. RBI intervenes lightly; risk seen toward 93 despite steady DXY. REER fell to 95.3. Rupee viewed 3–4% undervalued; FY depreciation 7.05% so far.

India’s blue-water navy is strong in the Indian Ocean but trails China in fleet size and build pace. It plans 50+ ships, carriers and subs, but progress is slowed by limited yards, approvals and supply chains. Budgets are up; China’s IOR reach has limits. India must speed indigenous build.

Amber Enterprises rose ~6–7% to ₹7,517 after Q3FY26: net profit +128% to ₹84 cr, revenue +38% to ₹2,943 cr, EBITDA +53% to ₹247 cr (₹9 cr one-off). ECMS nods: ₹3,200 cr HDI PCB (Ascent-K) and ₹500 cr multi-layer PCB (Shogini). Technically overbought; support ₹6.2–6.5k, resistance ₹7.8–8.6k.

India's military is rapidly integrating drones, driven by global trends and regional security needs. The market's projected $10.29 billion expansion (2024-2029) reflects this growing importance. Drones' use in operations like Operation Sindoor showcases their value in intelligence gathering, precision strikes, and minimizing casualties, even in challenging terrains. To maintain a competitive edge, India needs to prioritize superior drone capabilities across all forces, ensuring resilience against electronic warfare and adopting modular, AI-enabled systems. Boosting indigenous production, reducing reliance on foreign components, and creating sustained demand through government

Vodafone Idea said DoT has frozen its AGR dues at ₹87,695 crore. It will pay ₹124 cr annually in FY25–31 and ₹100 cr in FY32–35; a DoT panel will reassess dues, with the balance paid equally in FY36–41. Shares rose 3.3%. The move aids funding; govt owns 49%; SC allowed reassessment to FY16–17.

Founder Nivedita Jagadeesh recounts evolving Chennai’s Sobè Décor—born from her family’s Noritake legacy—into a multi-brand luxury tableware hub. To reach younger buyers without diluting the brand, she launched Kukoo, a curated platform giving indie entrepreneurs retail exposure and trend insight.

As power shifts to the Indo-Pacific, US-China rivalry replaces Atlantic primacy, reshaping trade, tech, and security. India seeks strategic autonomy—partnering with the US yet avoiding bandwagoning—while building capacity and hedging against US pullback and China’s uncertain model.

At Davos, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged calm over the US push to take over Greenland and related EU tariff threats, predicting a negotiated solution. He downplayed trade-war and bond-selloff risks as EU leaders weigh retaliation, and warned allies against overreacting.

RBI names Assam India’s fastest-growing state in FY20–25, with GSDP up from ₹2.4T to ₹3.5T. Infra capex, prudent debt (24–25% of GSDP) and central/MDB funding, plus agri upgrades, welfare, rising CD ratio and a ₹27,000 cr Tata OSAT plant lift per capita income to ₹1.59 lakh.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta launched ERSS 2.0, unifying emergency services under 112. It integrates calls, app/SMS/web alerts and panic buttons, auto-detects location, and simultaneously dispatches police, fire, ambulance and disaster teams. Phased rollout adds upgrades, training and awareness.

Silver surged over 5% to Rs 3 lakh/kg on MCX and above $93.5/oz globally, up ~28% YTD after a stellar 2025. Analysts stay bullish on tight supply, rate-cut hopes and geopolitics; some see $200/oz in 2026. Expect volatility and buy-the-dip; industrial/jewelry demand soft, bars/ETFs strong.

After protests, India’s Supreme Court stayed its Nov 20 order endorsing a narrow definition of the Aravallis that could strip protection from most of the range. It halted new mining licences, will form a high-powered panel on “sustainable mining,” amid evidence decades of mining have caused severe harm.

India’s innovation output is rising despite low GERD (~0.7%; est. 1.25%). R&D skews to govt labs and few big firms. New ANRF, ₹1T RDI scheme aim to spur private, strategic R&D. Budget 2026-27 should revive 200% weighted deductions and add petty patents to boost MSME-led incremental innovation.

Value funds held up in 2025, returning ~8.6% vs large-caps’ 9.7%. They buy undervalued stocks and could benefit if 2026 earnings broaden and sector rotation persists. Suited to SIP investors; keep a 15–25% allocation, avoid value traps, check quality, and consider low-cost index funds.

India’s government sought Dec 1–15 fare data from IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa after IndiGo canceled ~4,500 flights amid stricter pilot rest rules, pushing fares up. CCI is probing IndiGo’s dominance. ICRA now sees FY26 industry losses at ₹17k–18k cr and traffic growth at 0–3%.

Among top UN peacekeeping contributors, India (4th) has the lowest share of women at 3.4% (Nepal 9.83%, Bangladesh 7.7%, Pakistan 5.6%; China 3.57%). Women are 10.05% of 60,566 peacekeepers. UN targets 15% military/25% police by 2028. India fields 5,206 staff, including 177 women.

Gold and silver fell from record highs on profit-taking and easing safe-haven demand; by 1321 GMT gold -1.7% to $4,455/oz, silver -5.1% to $75. Platinum and palladium also slid. Despite big YTD gains, focus shifts to Fed minutes and rate cuts. UBS raised its gold target to $5,000/oz by 2026.

Gold rose over 1% to a near two-week high as soft U.S. data and dovish Fed signals boosted bets on a December rate cut (83% odds). UBS sees $4,200 by year-end, $4,500 mid next year; Deutsche Bank raised its 2026 view to $4,450. Silver, platinum and palladium also gained; jobless claims in focus.

UP grants a one-time 3-year upper-age relaxation for 2025 police recruitment, aiding aspirants delayed by the pandemic. Applies to all categories across 32,679 posts (constables incl. PAC/armed, SSF, women battalion, mounted, jail warders). Applications open till Jan 30, 2026; OTR required.

Bihar polls Phase I today (Nov 6): voting in 121 of 243 seats, 37.5m voters (1.07m new) at 45,341 booths (36,733 rural). 1,314 candidates incl Maithili Thakur, Khesari Lal Yadav. Key fights: Raghopur, Tarapur, Mahua, Mokama (Anant Singh vs Veena Devi). Digha 458k; Barbigha 232k.

As 2025 ends, India rolled out wallet-shaping reforms: Aadhaar went fully digital with online updates, QR verification and NRI-friendly rules; UPI added balance-check caps, biometric/MFA, AI fraud alerts and fees on high top-ups; taxes were simplified—0% to ₹12L, lower slabs, plus an extra ₹50k sta

RBI’s OMO purchase auction drew ₹1.39 trillion in bids versus ₹50,000 crore on offer, with cut-offs as expected. The RBI has infused ₹1.45 trillion in December via OMOs and FX swaps. Analysts see scope for more OMOs to aid transmission, flatten the steep yield curve, and ease bond supply.

India is rolling out major financial reforms—100% foreign ownership in insurance and pensions, looser bank/M&A rules, and lower market fees—to deepen capital markets and fund growth toward 2047. Japanese-led deals and FDI are climbing, though stocks lag amid outflows, tariffs, and a weak rupee.

With Diwali festivities back in full swing, gifting takes center stage. L’Opéra and Comfort by Cafe Delhi Heights unveil festive hampers, inviting patrons to visit outlets and savor fresh breads, buttery croissants, and creamy cakes—spreading joy, lights, and hopeful celebration this season.

The rupee has fallen about 2.5% in a month to record lows near 91/USD, diverging from broader Asian FX gains. Weakness reflects dollar flow imbalances, no US‑India trade deal, importer hedging, and cautious FPIs. With bearish momentum building, banks expect firmer RBI support signaled by spot/NDF.

DRDO handed over seven TDF-developed technologies to the armed forces, including a seawater battery, waterjet propulsion, VLF systems, and high‑voltage jammer power supplies, boosting indigenisation. An empowered committee cleared 12 projects under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

At counterterror talks in New Delhi, India and the U.S. urged tougher UN steps—asset freezes, travel bans, arms embargoes—against LeT, JeM and ISIS/al‑Qaida affiliates, seeking more 1267 listings. They condemned attacks, warned of drone/AI misuse, and vowed cooperation via the UN, Quad and FATF.

Trump’s National Security Strategy seeks a free, open Indo-Pacific by deepening US‑India commercial ties and Quad cooperation to counter China, protect sea lanes, and expand naval power. It revives a Monroe Doctrine focus in the Western Hemisphere, enlisting India and allies to sustain US primacy.

India urged its nationals to exercise discretion when traveling or transiting through China after a Nov 21 case where an Arunachal Pradesh woman was detained at Shanghai airport over her Indian passport. New Delhi seeks assurances against selective targeting and for respect of travel rules.

India’s MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said “democracy and Pakistan don’t go together,” adding India is monitoring developments. He condemned civilian deaths in Pakistan-Afghanistan border clashes and backed Afghanistan’s sovereignty amid Pakistan’s unrest, Imran Khan’s jailing, and PTI protests.

Timeless wardrobe staples that blend elegance and versatility: the Little Black Dress for instant sophistication; a crisp white shirt for effortless polish; classic blue jeans as a style foundation; and a tailored blazer to elevate any look. Mix, match, and stay chic anytime.

India’s geography is bounded by northern mountain arcs and seas; the Himalaya are diverse. Borders mark sovereignty, frontiers are fluid. India faces militarised disputes with China (LAC) and Pakistan (LoC, terrorism), and a porous Myanmar border under FMR fueling insurgency and trafficking.

Eeksha unveils Regia, a couture collection for modern brides and grooms blending regal tradition with trend. Opulent zardozi and threadwork on silk and satin elevate sherwanis, lehengas, saris and gowns—think corset tops, capes, detachable wings—in burgundy, royal blue and ivory.

East Coast Jazz Movement: Session II returns, presented by The MK Network with The Palomar. Featuring Moa Guevara, Gaby Echevarría, Maarten Visser, Aravind Murali and Manukrishnan in a cross-cultural, improvisational set. Nov 22, 7:30 pm, The Spotted Deer, Akkarai. Rs 400+

World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz will miss the Davis Cup Final 8 in Bologna due to swelling in his right hamstring/sciatic area, announced days after beating Jannik Sinner to win the ATP Finals. With Sinner already withdrawn to rest, the event and Spain lose star power and a potential rivalry clash.

On Oct 31, Kolkata came alive for Halloween as Cal-On, the rocking lounge at Hyatt Centric Ballygunge, hosted a spirited bash with themed food, drinks, and a live DJ. The city celebrated the undead in style—here are glimpses from the night. Coverage by Anindita.

Star-studded glimpses from the cityplex premiere of Pratim D Gupta’s new culinary drama, Ranna Baati. Cast, crew, and industry friends—including Sohini—joined to celebrate, serving up a flavorful first look with red-carpet moments and behind-the-scenes camaraderie.

Model and fashion influencer Nicola Gomes celebrated her birthday with a boho-chic themed party, surrounded by friends and family. The evening featured stylish decor, candid moments, and special guests, including Nysa, offering warm, festive glimpses from the celebration.