A 2015 study  shows that stronger IP protection and higher levels of R&D would lead to stronger growth of employment and wages across several industries in IndiaEarlier this year, the market capitalisation of Apple surpassed $700 billion - marking the first time a US company had ever reached that milestone. One of the factors contributing to Apple's strong performance has been its investments in research and development. And the company is doubling down on those investments. Its R&D spending surged to $1.9 billion in the second quarter of its fiscal year - a 36 per cent increase relative to a year earlier. Apple says R&D investments are "critical" to its "future growth and competitive position in the marketplace and are directly related to timely development of new and enhanced products that are central to the Company's core business strategy."Apple's willingness to allocate billions to R&D reflects an under-appreciated reality about the US economy: industries with high

Rod Hunter: Why India needs stronger IPR

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Without reform of IP law, Indian companies - and broader economic growth - will remain stunted

Rod Hunter: Why India needs to take intellectual property seriously

The Centre has approved a new subsidised helicopter route connecting Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar with an additional option of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu route, an official said.
The decision follows a proposal submitted by Jammu and Kashmir Civil Aviation Department secretary Mohammad Aijaz Asad for connecting the remote area of Mendhar directly with the winter capital Jammu, the official said.
Subsidised helicopter services are already operational in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, including Kishtwar-Sounder-Navapachi-Ishan-Kishtwar, Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch-Jammu, Jammu-Doda-Kishtwar-Jammu, Bandipora-Kanzalwan- Dawar-Niri-Bandipora, and Kupwara-Machil-Tangdhar-Keran-Kupwara.
Quoting a communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs, the official said it has given its approval to the proposal to operate the subsidised helicopter services on the new route of Jammu-Poonch-Mendhar with an additional option of Jammu-Mendhar-Jammu.
The Union Territory has been advised to claim the subsidy from the .

helicopter

The new head of security arrived at Damascus' international airport with his men, a bearded fighter who marched with other rebels across Syria to the capital. The few maintenance staff who showed up for work huddled around Maj Hamza al-Ahmed, eager for answers about what happens next.
They unloaded all their complaints, pent up for years during the rule of President Bashar Assad, which now, inconceivably, is over.
They told him they were denied promotions and perks funneled to pro-Assad favorites, that bosses threatened them with prison for working too slowly. They warned him of hardcore Assad supporters among the airport staff, ready to return whenever the facility reopens.
As al-Ahmed tried to reassure them, Osama Najm, an engineer, confessed: This is the first time we talk.
This was the first week of Syria's transformation after Assad's unexpected fall.
Rebels, suddenly in charge, met a population bursting with emotions: excitement at new freedoms; grief over years of repressio

Syria, Syrian Rebels

Tata Steel has initiated discussions with state-run miners NMDC and Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to secure future iron ore supplies as the company ramps up its domestic steel manufacturing capacity.
Tata Steel will also operationalise two new iron mines namely Kalamang West and Gandalpada as part of its strategy to ensure raw material security, the company's Vice President, Raw Material, D B Sundara Ramam told PTI.
At present, Tata Steel meets its entire demand for iron ore, a key raw material used for manufacturing steel, from six iron ore mines operated by the company in Odisha and Jharkhand.
Ramam said raw material plan has been carved out as leases of four mines  -- Noamundi iron ore mine (being operated since 1925), Katamati and Khondbond (since 1933) and Joda East (1956) --  are expiring in March 2030.
While two other mines NINL (Mithirda) and Vijay II will continue to remain operational. The mines came along acquisition of NINL plant and Usha Martin's steel business, he .

Tata Steel, Tata

The conditions were tough, and Smith faced a testing spell of bowling from India's bowlers, but he weathered the storm

Steve Smith

South Korea's opposition leader offered Sunday to work with the government to ease the political tumult as officials sought to reassure allies and markets, a day after the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach conservative President Yoon Suk Yeol over a short-lived attempt to impose martial law.
Liberal Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, whose party holds a majority in the National Assembly, urged the Constitutional Court to rule swiftly on Yoon's impeachment and proposed a special council for cooperation between the government and parliament.
Yoon's powers have been suspended until the court decides whether to remove him from office or reinstate him. If Yoon is dismissed, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.
Lee, who has led a fierce political offensive against Yoon's embattled government, is seen as the frontrunner to replace him.
He told a televised news conference that a swift court ruling would be the only way to minimize ...

Yoon Suk Yeol, Yoon Suk, South Korea President

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has enhanced the collateral-free loan limit for farmers from Rs 1.6 lakh to Rs 2 lakh, effective January 1, 2025, a move aimed at supporting small and marginal farmers amid rising input costs.
The new directive instructs banks nationwide to waive collateral and margin requirements for agricultural and allied activity loans up to Rs 2 lakh per borrower.
According to the agriculture ministry, the decision comes in response to the rising input costs and the need to improve credit accessibility for farmers. "This measure will significantly benefit over 86 per cent of farmers who are small and marginal landholders," the statement said.
Banks have been instructed to implement the guidelines swiftly and ensure widespread awareness about the new loan provisions.
The move is expected to facilitate easier access to Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans and complement the government's Modified Interest Subvention Scheme, which offers loans up to Rs 3 lakh at a 4 per ce

RBI, Reserve Bank of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday proposed 11 resolutions which include upholding existing reservations for marginalised sections but  strongly opposing any religion-based quota.
Replying to a two-day debate in Lok Sabha on the 'Glorious Journey of 75 Years of  the Constitution of India', Modi said the Constituent Assembly had decided against religion-based reservations after a thorough discussion, and alleged the Congress is now promising it to appease its vote bank.
The 11 resolutions proposed by Modi towards the end of his over 110-minute speech also included a call for an end to dynastic politics, promoting meritocracy over nepotism in governance and a pledge for having zero tolerance to corruption.
The prime minister said these resolutions are aimed at shaping India's future.
But Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav termed the 11 resolutions "hollow and fake promises."
"Today, we heard resolution of 11 'jumlas'. Doubling the .

Modi, Narendra Modi

The Bengaluru police arrested Nikita Singhania from Gurugram while her mother and brother were arrested from Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh

Nikita Singhania arrest

One Nation, One Election bill, has sparked significant debate, particularly from Opposition leaders about the feasibility of holding Lok Sabha and state Assembly elections within the same year

election

The US Fed interest rate decision, inflation data and FIIs are the key factors that are expected to drive stock markets this week,  analysts said.
Also, global trends will also be tracked by investors for further cues, they added.
"The Indian stock market's future trajectory will be influenced by a blend of global and domestic factors. Global trends, particularly the performance of US markets and the Fed's monetary policy decision, will play a significant role. Additionally, domestic economic indicators like inflation, will shape the market sentiment," Pravesh Gour, Senior Technical Analyst, Swastika Investmart Ltd, said.
The flow of foreign and domestic institutional investments will also be a key driver, he said.
Gour further said the rupee's exchange rate and crude oil prices will be critical determinants of market direction.
From the domestic macroeconomic data announcement, WPI inflation will be in focus on Monday.
"The key focus will be on the US Federal Reserve meeting, wh

Market, Stock market, NSE, National Stock Exchange

Australia's leading pacers, including Test captain Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, have signed up as supplementary players for the Big Bash League starting December 15.
Cummins, Starc and Josh Hazlewood have opened up a possibility of appearing in the marquee domestic T20 event after skipping it the last season owing to Test commitments.
"Hazlewood and Starc have signed for Sydney Sixers under the league's marquee supplementary player rule, while Cummins will be in Sydney Thunder's auxiliary list," 'cricket.com.au' reported.
The supplementary list allows Big Bash clubs to rope in a centrally-contracted Australian player in case they are available.
"Mitch and Josh are both foundation members of our club and have been a part of the Sixers for a long time, so any opportunity for us to engage them throughout the season is a win for our club and a win for our fans," said Sixers general manager Rachael Haynes.
"Both of the guys have great relationships with (coach) Greg (Shipperd) and t

Mitchell Starc

Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned till 2 pm on Thursday amid sloganeering after BJP president J P Nadda attacked the Congress for questioning the ruling given by the Chairman and the party's alleged nexus with US hedge fund tycoon George Soros.
After laying of listed papers and reports during the pre-noon session, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar rejected six notices to adjourn the scheduled business of the day and take up matters mentioned in the notices.
As several members from the opposition benches raised objections, Nadda criticised Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the House Mallikarjun Kharge for holding a press conference and criticising the Chairman.
The Chair cannot be "questioned" with regards to admissibility and for other purposes, Nadda said.
"The Chairman's ruling cannot be questioned or criticised. To do so is contempt of the House and the Chairman," the senior BJP leader said.
Nadda reiterated the allegation of a link between the Congress and Soros,

Parliament, New Parliament

The US January 2025 Visa Bulletin shows minor progress in few employment and family-based visa categories

US green card, US Passport, US immigration

From laptops to action cameras, here are five creator-focused gadgets designed to enhance productivity and creativity, reviewed in 2024

Top 5 creator-focused gadgets

The rise in Adani Green Energy share price came after the company announced that its step-down subsidiary Adani Green Energy Twenty Five, has commissioned a 250 MW solar power project in Rajasthan

Market, BSE, NSE, NIfty, Stock Market, investment

The new system will introduce dedicated PF withdrawal cards, functioning like regular bank ATM cards

ATM, Money, Transaction

Places of Worship Act case: Supreme Court has given the central government four weeks to file its reply to the various pleas

Supreme Court, SC

A Bangladesh delegation is likely to attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations in Kolkata on December 16, which marks the Indian Armed Forces' historic victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, Defence sources said on Thursday.
'Mukti Jodhas' may also take part in the celebrations, they said.
A Bangladesh delegation, comprising 'Mukti Jodhas', who were part of the guerrilla resistance force in East Pakistan opposing the Pakistan rule there, and serving officers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces, attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations held by the Indian Army's Eastern Command every year in Kolkata.
The Defence sources, while saying that a Bangladesh delegation is likely to attend the celebrations on December 16, however, did not give details of the size of the delegation.
The Army's eastern Command, which is headquartered at Fort William here, will hold a series of programmes on Vijay Diwas to mark the historic victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the 1971 war against Pakistan, a senior ...

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Drass to take part in an event on the 25th anniversary of  Kargil Vijay Diwas	Photo: PTI

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Thursday expressed confidence that India's economic growth by end of this fiscal will be back on track despite global uncertainties.
He said that this year also India will be the world's fastest growing economy.
"We had an election in the first quarter and during the election, obviously policy making and decisions on next steps of growth or infrastructure spending does slow down and there is a lag effect.
"But from what the initial numbers for this quarter, the third quarter show, the festive spending, the rebound in rural growth, the way banks are now seeing traction back again, the way infrastructure spending has come back on track, I think by the time we close the year in March, we will be back on track," Goyal said at Times Network's India Economic Conclave here.
The minister was replying to a question whether the 5.4 per cent GDP growth in the July-September quarter of this fiscal worries him.
The latest government data showed ..

Piyush Goyal

At just 18 years old, Gukesh's triumph marks a historic milestone in chess, making him the youngest player to ever claim the World Chess Championship title.

Rod Hunter

Rod Hunter

Rod Hunter

Rod Hunter: Why India needs stronger IPR

Rod Hunter: Why India needs to take intellectual property seriously

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Govt approves subsidised helicopter service for Jammu-Mendhar route in J-K

New Syria: Rebels try to bring normalcy while Syrians vow to speak up

Tata Steel engages with NMDC, OMC to secure iron ore needs for future

IND vs AUS: Steve Smith returns with 33rd Test century against India

South Korean leaders seek calm after President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached

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RBI raises collateral-free agricultural loan limit to Rs 2L to aid farmers

Zero corruption, no to religion-based quota: PM outlines 11 resolutions

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One Nation, One Election bill to be introduced in Parl: What we know so far

Mkts to be guided by US Fed rate decision, WPI inflation, trends: Analysts