12_Dec_2025_Newsletter

Deepavali has been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognising its cultural significance and enduring traditions. Celebrated globally as a festival of renewal, unity, and prosperity, it supports artisans, strengthens communities, and promotes inclusive values. India’s community-driven nomination highlights Deepavali’s diversity, while the recognition reinforces efforts to preserve and honour this cherished living tradition.

Deepavali Shines on the Global Stage with UNESCO Heritage Recognition

Deepavali has been added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list, recognising its cultural significance and enduring traditions.

India’s smartphone exports to the US surged in October to 1.47 billion dollars, driving April–October shipments to 10.78 billion dollars despite earlier monthly dips. Global exports also rose 49% to 15.95 billion dollars, reflecting strong demand and India’s expanding role in supply chains. Officials credit incentives, scale efficiencies, and growing vendor ecosystems for sustaining momentum amid tariff uncertainties.

India’s Smartphone Exports to the US triples in Oct Despite Global Headwinds

India’s smartphone exports to the US surged in October to 1.47 billion dollars, driving April–October shipments to 10.78 billion dollars despite earlier monthly dips.

China’s trade surplus hit US$1.076 trillion in 11 months, driven by a November export rebound and diversified markets despite weak US demand. Imports grew modestly, reflecting soft domestic consumption. Economists say the strong surplus supports 2025 growth as policymakers plan more fiscal stimulus. Rare earth and trade tensions eased, while exports to the EU, Asia and Africa strengthened.

China’s Expanding Trade Surplus tops record US$1 trillion Signals Resilient Export Momentum

China’s trade surplus hit US$1.076 trillion in 11 months, driven by a November export rebound and diversified markets despite weak US demand.

The Trump Group plans to invest up to ₹1 trillion in Telangana over the next decade, focusing on the massive Bharat Future City project. Announced at the Telangana Rising summit, the move highlights confidence in India’s tech growth and Telangana’s investor-friendly climate. Additional projects include a film city, a Vantara rescue centre, and several major hotel developments.

Trump Group Signals Massive Telangana Push with Decade-Long Investment Plan

The Trump Group plans to invest up to ₹1 trillion in Telangana over the next decade, focusing on the massive Bharat Future City project.

Joe Rogan’s astonishment at Maharashtra’s eighth‑century Kailasa Temple has renewed global interest in the massive monolithic structure. Carved top‑down from a single mountain, the temple’s precision, scale, and history have impressed historians and viewers alike. His remarks, echoed by author Amish Tripathi, have sparked rising searches and revived attention to India’s extraordinary rock‑cut architectural legacy.

Joe Rogan’s Awe Reignites Global Fascination With Maharashtra’s Kailasa Temple

Joe Rogan’s astonishment at Maharashtra’s eighth‑century Kailasa Temple has renewed global interest in the massive monolithic structure.

Adani Group plans to invest up to ₹12 trillion in India over six years, focusing on infrastructure, mining, and major renewable energy projects, including a massive 30 GW park in Gujarat. Gautam Adani linked the push to India’s drive for self-reliance and nation-building. The conglomerate is also expanding in materials and committing heavily to global clean‑energy initiatives.

Adani Group Charts Massive ₹12 Trillion Investment Drive to Power India’s Growth

Adani Group plans to invest up to ₹12 trillion in India over six years, focusing on infrastructure, mining, and major renewable energy projects, including a massive 30 GW park in Gujarat.

Amazon will invest $35 billion in India by 2030 to expand AI capabilities, boost exports, and create jobs, building on over $40 billion already invested. The plan targets 3.8 million jobs, $80 billion in e-commerce exports, and widespread AI adoption, including programs for small businesses and students, reinforcing India’s fast-growing digital economy.

Amazon follows Microsoft’s lead with a bold move, unveiling a $35B investment plan for India by 2030

Amazon will invest $35 billion in India by 2030 to expand AI capabilities, boost exports, and create jobs, building on over $40 billion already invested.

Chinese manufacturers are expanding overseas to counter weak domestic demand, rising competition, and shifting supply chains. Firms are opening factories in Southeast Asia and emerging markets to secure new revenue and stay close to relocated clients. Despite regulatory hurdles, geopolitical risks, and high operating costs abroad, global expansion is increasingly essential for maintaining competitiveness and long‑term stability.

Chinese Manufacturers Accelerate Global Expansion Amid Domestic Pressures

Chinese manufacturers are expanding overseas to counter weak domestic demand, rising competition, and shifting supply chains.

Microsoft will invest $17.5 billion in India to expand AI and cloud infrastructure, its largest Asian commitment. The move strengthens India’s data centres, cloud regions and AI capabilities while supporting major skilling initiatives. With new sovereign cloud services and rapid infrastructure expansion, Microsoft positions India as a key global AI hub and deepens its long‑term partnership with the country.

Microsoft’s Massive AI Bet $17.5 Billion in India as a Global Tech Powerhouse

Microsoft will invest $17.5 billion in India to expand AI and cloud infrastructure, its largest Asian commitment.

India will launch the first global digital traditional medicine library at the WHO summit, presenting 2.5 million open‑access documents. The event will host delegates from over 100 countries and highlight India’s innovations, including AI tools, digital health platforms, and botanical databases. The initiative reflects India’s push for global collaboration and leadership in traditional medicine research.

India to Unveil Pioneering Global Digital Library on Traditional Medicine at Upcoming WHO Summit

India will launch the first global digital traditional medicine library at the WHO summit, presenting 2.5 million open‑access documents.

India’s workforce is set to expand by 144 million by 2050, while China’s will shrink by 239 million due to aging and low fertility. This widening demographic gap will reshape global labor dynamics, influencing supply chains, investment, and economic strategy. As China contracts, India’s growing labor pool positions it as an increasingly attractive hub for industry and global growth.

India and China’s Diverging Demographic Futures: What Their Labor Forces Signal for the Global Economy

India’s workforce is set to expand by 144 million by 2050, while China’s will shrink by 239 million due to aging and low fertility.

Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, was named Time’s 2025 CEO of the Year for his steady leadership and influence over global digital culture. Born in Indiana and educated at Stanford, he built a career across Accenture, Microsoft, DoubleClick, and Google before leading YouTube. He also serves on major corporate boards, shaping technology and media worldwide.

Neal Mohan: — Indian-origin executive named Time’s 2025 CEO of the Year

Neal Mohan, YouTube’s CEO, was named Time’s 2025 CEO of the Year for his steady leadership and influence over global digital culture.

Abhay Kumar Singh, a Patna-born doctor-turned-politician, is Russia’s first Indian-origin legislator, elected twice in Kursk. His journey from Soviet-era struggles to public office mirrors evolving India–Russia ties. Admired locally, he blends Indian roots with Russian political life, advocating strong governance while maintaining grassroots outreach and symbolizing a personal bridge between the two nations.

From Patna to Kursk: The Remarkable Journey of Russia’s First Indian-Origin Legislator

Abhay Kumar Singh, a Patna-born doctor-turned-politician, is Russia’s first Indian-origin legislator, elected twice in Kursk.

China is testing autonomous mining trucks at the 5,600‑metre‑high Huoshaoyun lead‑zinc site in Xinjiang, creating the world’s highest unmanned mine. The vast deposit’s harsh, low‑oxygen environment makes automation essential. Using 5G coordination and remote‑control systems, the trucks boost safety and efficiency. China aims to expand the fleet and fully automate all mining operations.

China Tests the Limits of 5,600 m Engineering With Record-Breaking High-Altitude Autonomous Mine

China is testing autonomous mining trucks at the 5,600‑metre‑high Huoshaoyun lead‑zinc site in Xinjiang, creating the world’s highest unmanned mine.

The IMF forecasts China will grow 5 percent in 2025 and 4.5 percent in 2026, citing stimulus and resilience despite trade tensions. It warns of property‑sector weaknesses, weak demand, and deflation risks, urging a shift toward consumption‑led growth and deeper reforms. Beijing has introduced supportive measures, while Premier Li calls for openness and avoiding politicised trade.

China’s Growth Outlook Brightens as IMF raises growth forecast to 5% for 2025

The IMF forecasts China will grow 5 percent in 2025 and 4.5 percent in 2026, citing stimulus and resilience despite trade tensions.

The Catholic Church is India’s second‑largest non‑government landowner, managing property valued around Rs 20,000 crore and thousands of schools, colleges, and hospitals nationwide. Its vast holdings stem from colonial‑era land grants under the 1927 Indian Churches Act. With institutions across the country and ventures like a Kerala plantation, it remains a major social and economic presence.

India’s Quiet Land Giant: How the Catholic Church Became a National Property Powerhouse

The Catholic Church is India’s second‑largest non‑government landowner, managing property valued around Rs 20,000 crore and thousands of schools, colleges, and hospitals nationwide. Its vast holdings stem from colonial‑era land grants under the 1927 Indian Churches Act.

The new NCERT Class 7 history textbook offers a detailed account of medieval invasions, expanding coverage of Mahmud of Ghazni, Bakhtiyar Khilji, and Muhammad bin Qasim. It highlights destruction, plunder, and their historical impact, including the fall of Somnath and Nalanda. The book urges critical reflection while aligning with NEP 2020 and the updated curriculum framework.

NCERT’s New Class 7 History Textbook Expands Focus on Medieval Invasions

The new NCERT Class 7 history textbook offers a detailed account of medieval invasions, expanding coverage of Mahmud of Ghazni, Bakhtiyar Khilji, and Muhammad bin Qasim.

China’s new Rizhao facility converts seawater and industrial waste heat into low‑cost fresh water, green hydrogen, and mineral brine. Producing hydrogen without desalination, it delivers cheaper water than many global plants. The project showcases an efficient, low‑carbon model for coastal industries, supporting China’s clean‑energy transition and demonstrating a promising approach to sustainable water and hydrogen production.

China Unveils Pioneering Seawater-to-Hydrogen Plant Slashing Freshwater Costs

China’s new Rizhao facility converts seawater and industrial waste heat into low‑cost fresh water, green hydrogen, and mineral brine.

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