Amid bad relations with the US due to tariffs, the Indian government has taken a big decision on China. India has decided to give fast track visas to professionals coming from China. India plans to issue business visas to Chinese companies within a month, reducing the time it takes for visa verification. “We have removed the administrative verification process, and business visas can now be issued within four weeks,” two officials said on condition of anonymity, according to a Reuters report. Meanwhile, China’s foreign ministry said it has noted India’s positive steps to facilitate people-to-people transactions, which are in the mutual interest of both sides. However, this move is seen as a major step towards improving relations between the two countries. Indian companies are said to be losing billions of rupees due to shortage of technicians. Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said that China is ready to continue regular talks and consultations with India. Relations between India and China deteriorated in 2020 as border tensions increased along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The confrontation began in early May 2020 when Chinese troops advanced into the disputed areas. China has objected to India’s road construction near the Galwan River Valley and Pangong Lake, leading to massive confrontations and clashes between the armies of the two sides. The tension reached its peak on June 15, 2020, when Indian and Chinese troops clashed in the Galwan Valley. 20 Indian soldiers were martyred in this violent clash. This was the first incident on LAC since 1975 in which lives were lost on both sides. However, relations have gradually improved over the past five years through regular interactions at the diplomatic and military levels, especially the meeting of corps commanders of the two countries along the LAC. Share this story Tags

Videos of dancing and singing often go viral on social media, which touches the heart. There is one such viral video in which two brothers sing a song. This song video shared on Instagram has been viewed more than 4.8 million times, and people keep sharing it. The reason for this is the sweet voice of both the brothers, which touched millions of hearts. In the viral video, both brothers are seen singing “Tera Mera Hai Pyaar Amar”, which was originally sung by Pakistani singer Ahmed Jahanzeb. As soon as the younger brother began to sing in his sweet voice, smiles appeared on the faces of the audience. Then the older brother raised the tone of the song by adding his voice. The older brother’s voice in particular is so mature that it even competes with professional singers. The brothers sang each line with such passion and emotion that the audience was mesmerized. This beautiful song video, which was shared on the social media platform Instagram with the name kishore_mondal_official, has been viewed millions of times, received millions of likes and received various reactions. Once the video went viral on Instagram, users praised it. One commented, “Brother, your voice touched my soul,” while another wrote, “I’ve never heard such an amazing duet.” Many users even called the two brothers the future of Indian music. Users say that if they keep singing like this, they will definitely get a chance to sing in Bollywood or on a big stage one day. Share this story Tags

Amid the ongoing organizational changes in the Uttar Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party unit, sources claim that the state may get a new deputy chief minister. According to sources, former MP Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti is leading in this race. According to reports, the cabinet expansion will take place after the election of the UP BJP president. Six new ministers can be added to the cabinet. At present there are 54 ministers in the UP government, and a total of 60 can be made. Sources also indicate that some ministers may also be removed. Samajwadi Party rebels may also be included in the possible cabinet expansion, in which two to three ministers may be made. According to sources, Defense Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Lucknow Rajnath Singh’s son and MLA from Noida Assembly seat Pankaj Singh may also become ministers. Apart from this, current UP BJP chief Bhupendra Chaudhary will join the cabinet. Speaking of SP rebels, there is talk of making Pooja Pal and Manoj Pandey ministers. There is talk of including Mahendra Singh in the cabinet. According to sources, in the possible expansion of the cabinet, not only BJP, but Rashtriya Lok Dal and Apna Dal can also be made ministers. However, this entire process will take place after the election of the BJP UP President. In the midst of all this, the reply of UP BJP chief Bhupendra Singh Chaudhary appeared. Regarding organizational changes within the party, Chaudhary said that Bharatiya Janata Party is a big party organizationally. Any member of the organization can become the state president. We had a great organizational celebration throughout the year. Now we have reached the stage of electing the state president. Nominations will be held tomorrow, and the state president will be officially announced the day after tomorrow. Share this story Tags

Travel vloggers travel around the world, tasting different dishes from each place and sharing their experiences, edible or not. Foreign travel vloggers also regularly visit India, introducing the world to the country’s culture and enjoying street food. One such video of a foreign travel vlogger went viral on social media. A video of a foreigner buying a banana shake from a street vendor in Kolkata has gone viral, but it’s not the shake that’s being praised, but the honesty of the vendor. Shopkeepers are often seen raising their prices after seeing foreigners, but this street vendor from Kolkata did not. He showed incredible honesty and touched the foreigner’s heart. In the video, you can see the stranger pointing to a small cart with a large green bucket placed on it. He said, “What is this man selling in the bucket?” He curiously asks the seller what he wants to try. Since the vendor sells banana shakes, he decides to have a glass. What happens next really wins people’s hearts. Actually, the seller takes a glass of shake from a big bucket and tells the foreigner that it costs Rs 20. Then the foreigner gives him 30 rupees and explains to the seller that he can keep the extra money as a tip, but sees the honesty of the seller. He refuses to take extra money. The honesty of the seller really impressed the foreigner. In the video, the foreigner says, “See! Welcome to India, honest people here.” This video, which was shared on Instagram by the username Nativity, has been viewed more than 26 million times, and users have shared different reactions after watching the video. One user wrote, “Salute the honesty of the seller,” while another said, “That’s the beauty of India bro.” Similarly, another user wrote: “I’m so glad someone is posting positive Indian street food. Otherwise most of the people here give street food a bad rap.” Share this story Tags

An important news came out on Friday about the census to be held in India. Union Cabinet approves ₹11,718 crore for Census 2027 Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav announced that the 2027 Census will be conducted in two phases: household listing will be done between April and September 2026, and the census will be done in February 2027. Ashwini said that the first digital census, and caste-based census will also be included in the 2027 census. This means that during the census people will be asked about their caste. Will castes of different religions also be counted? Under the Census Act, a Gazette Notice will explain how the census will be carried out, what questions will be asked and how it will differ from previous censuses. It will give you all the answers. The difference between Gotra and Caste will be decided after careful consideration. A digital census system is being created. Full arrangements will be made to keep people’s personal information safe. The first phase of the census will run from April to September 2026. The second phase will take place in February 2027. Arrangements have also been made for the safety of people who give wrong data. Earlier, the government also told the Lok Sabha that the 2027 census will include questions about the time people have stayed at their current home and the reason for migration. External Affairs Minister Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to a question, said the census collects information about each person at the place where they are found at the time of enumeration. The Home Affairs Minister was responding to an MP’s question whether any special provisions are being made to count migrant workers and temporary residents during the 2027 census and whether any separate data collection process is being proposed for this purpose. Nityanand Rai said that migration data is collected based on each person’s place of birth and last residence. “The census also collects information about time of stay at the current residence and reason for migration. The questionnaire for the census is notified by the central government through the Official Gazette before the start of fieldwork,” he said. The Minister said that the census questionnaire is finalized before each census based on inputs and suggestions received from different ministries, departments, organizations and census data users. The Minister said that the history of census is more than 150 years old, and in each census the experiences of previous censuses are taken into account. In a written reply to a separate question, the minister said that according to the decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs on 30 April this year, caste-wise enumeration will also be done in the census. In a written reply to another question, the Union minister said that the 2027 census will be conducted in a digital manner, in which data will be collected through mobile applications and there will be provision for online self-counting. Census 2027 will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, listing and counting of houses will be done between April to September 2026 and the counting of people will be done in February 2027. Share this story Tags

Options traders expect the euro to gain new momentum next week as the upcoming European Central Bank meeting is expected to exacerbate monetary policy disagreement with the US Federal Reserve. Statistics from the deposit and clearing company Depository Trust & Clearing show that the most active trading this month is concentrated at the level of $1.18 per euro, with the largest part in terms of total value accumulated in contracts expiring on December 18 and 19, that is, during the period of the meeting of the European Central Bank and the day after the interest rate decision. This flow indicates that the currency will exceed this level when monetary policy makers complete their meeting. The interest rate supports the euro’s rise. The single currency is hovering near its highest level in more than two months, after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the third time in a row this week, and statements leaning towards monetary tightening from a member of the European Central Bank’s Executive Board, Isabel Schnabel, and sentiment reflected in the options market ahead of the bank’s decision on December 18 became the most optimistic in about three months. Also read: Expectations for a European rate hike in 2026 as hawkish bets escalate. The cost of hedging volatility ahead of the decision rose to the highest level in three months after Schnabel’s statements. Even if the European Central Bank does not raise interest rates next year, Morgan Stanley analysts expect the euro to rise to $1.30 by the second quarter of 2026. Hedge funds were the main driver of the euro’s uptrend this week as they rushed to buy regular and composite options contracts that will generate profits if the euro rises, according to currency flows traders who are not familiar with the public.

Global stocks rose to a new record high after the Federal Reserve cut interest rates this week and its positive assessment of the US economy boosted investor sentiment. The MSCI All Country World Index, one of the broadest indices measuring the performance of stock markets, rose 0.2% on Friday, after closing at an unprecedented record level in the previous session. The S&P 500 index also rose to a new high, while the volatility index (VIX) fell to its lowest level in three months. The MSCI Asian share index rose 1.3%, on course for its highest close in a month. Tech stocks in Asia fell like their counterparts in the United States, marking the extension of the bullish wave that has sent the global stock index up about 21% during the year 2025, putting it on track for its best annual performance since 2019. Stock market optimism in 2026 “The momentum is expected to continue until the end of the year,” said President of G Bolvina Bolvinal Group. “With the start of the cycle of rate cuts, with a new Fed president soon to take office, and profits rising, the bull market looks set to continue into 2026.” She added: “As more companies adopt artificial intelligence, the spread will widen, and sectors may begin to strengthen their power against the G7 (Apple, Alphabet, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Tesla).” While the S&P 500 rose 0.2% to hit a record high on Thursday, there was some caution towards tech stocks. Shares of Broadcom, the chipmaker that competes with Nvidia for artificial intelligence computing revenue, fell in extended trading after its sales forecast for the accelerating market fell short of investors’ high expectations. Read more: Broadcom shares fall after disappointing AI market revenue forecasts S&P 500 futures were flat in Asian trade on Friday, while Nasdaq 100 futures fell 0.1%. Japan’s Topix index led regional gains, with financial sector shares benefiting amid almost certain expectations that the Bank of Japan will raise interest rates next week. Chinese stocks lagged their peers after the Chinese leadership signaled it would continue to support the economy without raising stimulus next year. US economic outlook After implementing the third consecutive interest rate cut on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell expressed optimism that the US economy will continue to improve as the inflationary impact of rates fades. While Fed officials have maintained their expectations of only one cut in 2026, traders continue to bet on two cuts. Also read: Powell hints at a temporary pause in the monetary easing cycle next year. The Fed now expects the US economy to grow 2.3% next year, up from a previous forecast of 1.8%, with inflation expected to slow to 2.4%. The Bloomberg Dollar Index traded near its lowest level in two months on Friday and was headed for a third weekly loss. 10-year Treasury yields held steady after a slight rise on Thursday, when data showed initial jobless claims rose more than estimated during the week ended Dec. 6. Asian markets under scrutiny Elsewhere, the Malaysian ringgit rose to its strongest level against the dollar in more than four years, reflecting optimism about the Southeast country’s trade economy and Asian economy. Markets in Thailand were the focus of traders’ attention after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced the dissolution of parliament, in preparation for early elections, following reports that a major political party had withdrawn to support his minority government. The tech sector remained the focus of investors’ attention, after Broadcom’s declines followed Oracle’s results earlier in the week, raising concerns about high valuations and whether big investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure are paying off. “We’ve reduced our exposure to equities a bit towards the end of the year because we’re a bit concerned about the vibrations in the AI ​​sector and the uncertainty around the Fed’s stance,” Ben Bennett, head of Asia investment strategy at Legal & General Investment Management Ltd, said in an interview with Bloomberg TV. In commodity markets, copper rose to a new record high on Friday, with most other industrial metals rising after the Fed’s decision. Gold stabilized after three days of gains, while silver traded near a record high, while oil recovered from its lowest close in nearly two months.

The oil price fell near its lowest level in nearly two months, with concerns about oversupply offsetting the impact of optimism in broader financial markets. Brent crude settled above $61 a barrel, unchanged. Global stock indexes hit new record highs, after investor sentiment was boosted by support from the Federal Reserve’s cut in interest rates this week and its upbeat estimates of the US economy. However, pressure on oil markets continued due to expectations of a large surplus in supply next year. Fears of excess supply have contributed to crude oil prices falling to the bottom of their trading range since mid-October. The International Energy Agency on Thursday confirmed its forecast of an unprecedented surplus, albeit slightly lower than its forecast last month, and said global inventories had risen to their highest level in four years. Also read: OPUL: Oil demand growth is stable for the current and next year. Haris Khorshid, chief investment officer at Chicago-based Karobaar Capital LP, said: “The recovery is mainly benefiting from the same wave that is lifting stocks. Traders like to buy some risk in all areas, but the basic surplus has not disappeared.” Geopolitical tensions add limited support to prices. Geopolitical tensions may also add some support to oil prices. US President Donald Trump announced new sanctions against three nephews of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, in addition to six oil tankers, after the United States seized a giant tanker off the coast of the Latin country on Wednesday. According to people familiar with the operation, the seizure of the ship was only the beginning of a new phase of the Trump administration’s intense pressure campaign against the Venezuelan president. The move, as a tool of “economic warfare,” aims to deprive Maduro of the oil revenue stream and force him to relinquish power, according to the people. Also read: Oil production recovers in Brazil after platforms collapsed in November. Khorshid said: “The escalation in Venezuela adds a risk premium that appears in the news, but it does not change the overall picture. Unless oil flows are suddenly choked by sanctions or shipping routes are disrupted, this is more noise than a structural shock.” In a related context, production in Brazil is recovering from outages that removed more than 300,000 barrels per day last month. The country is the largest supplier in Latin America and a major exporter of new barrels, along with the United States, Canada, Guyana and Argentina. (Prices have been updated to reflect market movements)

The shortage of oil tankers is becoming so severe that newly built ships, which usually carry refined fuel on their maiden voyages, are racing to empty to load crude cargoes as soon as possible. Six VLCCs have been delivered this year, all of them sailing offload from East Asia to load oil in the Middle East, Africa or the Americas, according to ship tracking data and confirmed charters seen by Bloomberg and Signal Ocean, compared with a single such voyage last year. The shortage of tankers is changing the approach of shipping companies. When tanker owners are about to take delivery of new ships, they usually use them to transport fuel, such as gasoline, on their first voyage to load crude oil, which has economic and geographical logic, since oil products are less polluted than crude, and the ships will not need to be washed after transporting these cargoes. Many tankers are also manufactured in East Asia, which imports large quantities of crude oil and exports refined fuel. Also read: Shipping costs jump and oil transport leads with a rise of 467% under the pressure of production and sanctions. However, the current severe shortage of tankers has reversed this logic. Oil producers from members of OPEC and beyond increased production this year. At the same time, Western sanctions against Russia and the dangers of sailing through the Red Sea have led to the disruption of the usual routes, leading to longer journeys and the use of a greater number of tankers. Freight rates attract fuel tankers to oil Smaller oil product tankers have also been attracted to trading crude, while some traders have been forced to split shipments due to a shortage of larger tankers, pushing up transport costs. The Baltic Dirty Tanker Index, which tracks the transport rates of crude oil on 12 main routes, has risen by 50% since the end of July. Also read: The cost of insuring ships against war risks in the Black Sea rises by 250%. “When VLCCs are earning $100,000 a day and Suezmax tankers are earning $80,000 for carrying crude oil, people will prefer to agree on these levels, just in case,” said Georgios Sakelarios, a ship charter analyst at Signal Maritime, a company that manages a group of ships in the same group. To withdraw it.” The Aliakmon 1 was the first supertanker to be seen sailing empty on its maiden voyage this year. It unloaded from a shipyard in northeastern China in late June, then headed to Kuwait to load about two million barrels of oil. The tanker, manufactured by the Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co. owned, then went to South Korea to deliver its cargo at the end of November.

IndiGo’s largest airline said on Friday that the company’s board has appointed veteran aviation expert Captain John Illson led by Chief Aviation Advisors LLC to conduct the “root cause analysis of the recent operational disruption” that left many passengers stranded at many airports across the country this month. According to PTI, the airline appointed, “Chief Aviation Advisors LLC, led by veteran aviation expert Captain John Illson, to conduct an independent expert review and assessment of the recent operational disruption and the contributing factors. The objective is to conduct an independent root cause analysis of the recent operational disruption, in addition to opportunities for improvement.” Who is Captain John Illson? Captain Illson has more than four decades of experience in aviation, having worked with the FAA, ICAO, IATA and major global carriers, ANI reported citing an official statement from the airline, adding that he is recognized for his extensive expertise in global aviation strategy, customized consultancy, safety leadership, establishment of international standards and new aircraft technologies in the air transport sector, which reflects his track record of air transport. The airline’s spokesman said: “With the Board’s approval now in place, the review will commence at the earliest, and the independent expert reviewer will submit a comprehensive report to the Board on completion.” IndiGo crisis The airline had earlier pointed to some tentative factors contributing to the disruption, including recent amendments to the Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) order. IndiGo stated that it is “realistically not possible to ascertain the exact cause(s) at this stage due to the “complexity and large scale of operations.” The airline also mentioned that the DGCA’s manual allows a 15-day timeline for SCN responses, indicating that more time is needed to complete a thorough ‘root cause analysis’ (RCA). “The full RCA will be shared once it is done,” the airline said. Quoting DGCA from IndiGo’s reply to the show cause notice, the FDTL order, IndiGo highlighted other contributing factors including “minor technical glitches, schedule changes, [and] adverse weather conditions.” Meanwhile, a four-member special committee of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) today summoned IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers to question him about the widespread flight cancellations last week. DGCA has intensified its investigation into the airline following the operational chaos and has taken various measures to ensure that operations were smoother, Pieter-CA informed the DGCA earlier. after the widespread cancellations The airline requested additional time, stating that it is currently “realistically not possible to determine the exact cause(s) given the “complexity and large scale of operations” also offered travel vouchers worth ₹10,000 to seriously affected passengers over the past few days IndiGo board probed on Friday as an external aviation expert for flight disruptions, has more than four decades of experience in aviation, after working with the FAA, ICAO, IATA and major global carrier worked, an official statement read IndiGo also offered travel vouchers worth ₹ 10,000 which has been severely affected in the last few days.