The Union Cabinet on 31 December 2025 approved a major relief package for debt-ridden telecom firm Vodafone Idea, freezing its adjusted gross revenue (AGR) dues of ₹87,695 crore and granting a five-year moratorium on payments. The dues will now be rescheduled for payment over a 10-year period from FY2032 to FY2041, with the Department of Telecommunications to reassess the frozen amount under audit guidelines. AGR liabilities for FY18 and FY19 remain payable under existing schedules. The move aims to bolster Vodafone Idea’s financial stability, protect the government’s stake, and maintain competition in the telecom sector. Shares fell sharply on the news. 

India has imposed a three-year import duty on select steel products to curb a rise in cheap shipments, mainly from China. The tariff will be 12 per cent in the first year, 11.5 per cent in the second, and 11 per cent in the third. The move follows complaints from local producers over a surge in low-priced imports that hurt domestic sales. India is the world’s second largest crude steel maker. The government had earlier placed a 12 per cent temporary duty for 200 days, which ended in November. An industry body had also sought anti-dumping action through the trade remedies office in August. (PC: India Today)

India is reportedly seeking over $30 billion in compensation from Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and its partner BP over alleged under‑production of natural gas from the D1 and D3 offshore fields in the KG‑D6 block of the Krishna‑Godavari Basin. Government submissions to a three‑member arbitration tribunal claim the companies failed to meet production targets, causing losses of gas and value. Final arguments concluded in November 2025, and a decision is expected by mid‑2026. However, Reliance has strongly denied any $30 billion claim, calling reports “factually incorrect”. 

Google and Apple warned H-1B visa holders against international travel due to embassy delays stretching up to 12 months. Immigration law firms BAL (Google) and Fragomen (Apple) issued memos cautioning employees that traveling abroad risks extended stays outside the US due to visa stamping appointment backlogs. The State Department confirmed embassies now prioritize thorough vetting over speed, implementing expanded social media screening for H-1B workers and dependents. Many Indian nationals had December appointments cancelled or postponed. Immigration attorney Jason Finkelman advised employees to "stay put" unless travel is essential. Both companies are monitoring the situation closely as disruptions could continue into 2025, urging staff to avoid non-essential international travel. (PC: India Today)

President Trump's $100,000 fee for new H-1B workers hired from outside the US will significantly impact IT outsourcing firms, particularly Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, and Cognizant Technology Solutions. Bloomberg analysis reveals nearly 90% of these companies' new H-1B hires between May 2020-2024 were approved at US consulates and would face this fee. Infosys alone would have paid over $1 billion for 10,400+ workers (93% of new hires). Tata would owe fees for 6,500 workers (82%), while Cognizant faces charges for 5,600+ employees (89%). Industry experts predict the fee will drive jobs overseas, particularly to India, and could reduce lottery entries by 30-50% next year, despite legal challenges pending. (PC: Daily Excelsior)

Warner Bros Discovery's board is expected to reject Paramount's $108.4 billion takeover bid and recommend shareholders vote against the offer, potentially announcing the decision Wednesday. The company appears poised to recommit to Netflix's $72 billion cash-and-stock bid for Warner Bros' non-cable assets. Paramount CEO David Ellison countered with a $30-per-share all-cash offer for the entire company, financed by $41 billion in equity from the Ellison family and RedBird Capital, plus $54 billion in debt commitments. The winner will secure Warner Bros' extensive film and television library, including classics like Casablanca and contemporary hits like Harry Potter and Friends, along with HBO and HBO Max streaming service, a significant advantage in streaming wars. (PC: Pinterest) 

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a record Rs 1.5 lakh crore ($17.5 billion) investment marking it's largest in Asia, during his meeting with PM Narendra Modi Wednesday evening, focused on developing India's AI infrastructure and capabilities. This follows Microsoft's earlier $3 billion commitment for Bengaluru's cloud and AI infrastructure, including upskilling and data centers. Modi responded: "When it comes to AI, the world is optimistic about India!" Microsoft's statement emphasized India's emergence as a "frontier AI nation" and catalyst for inclusive growth. The investment underscores India's value for global tech giants, joining Google's $15 billion five-year plan for its Visakhapatnam AI hub and Amazon's billions in data centers, positioning India as a crucial AI development market.

Paramount Skydance launched a hostile $108.4 billion all-cash bid for Warner Bros Discovery, disrupting Netflix's tentative $72 billion equity agreement secured Friday after weeks of bidding battles with Paramount and Comcast. Paramount's $82.7 billion offer including debt with a $5.8 billion break-up fee payable by Netflix,  proposes $30 per share versus Netflix's $28 per share for assets. The deal faces intense antitrust scrutiny. Paramount accused Warner Bros of abandoning fair bidding, allegedly predetermining Netflix as winner. President Trump indicated the Netflix-Warner Bros combination raises market share concerns, telling reporters he'd have input. Bloomberg reported Trump met Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos mid-November, suggesting Warner Bros sell to the highest bidder. (PC: YouTube, Variety & Spyglass)

US President Donald Trump expressed concerns about Netflix's $83 billion Warner Bros. acquisition Sunday, citing the streaming giant's substantial market share as potentially problematic. Trump confirmed he'll participate in the regulatory decision while praising Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos, who recently visited the White House, for doing "one of the greatest jobs in movie history." The deal would give Netflix HBO Max, Warner Bros. studios' extensive catalog including Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, DC superheroes, and classics like Casablanca and Citizen Kane. Television channels Discovery and CNN would be spun off pre-sale. Netflix beat Comcast and Paramount Skydance after Warner Bros. Discovery invited offers in October.

Norway’s $2 trillion sovereign wealth fund—one of Microsoft’s biggest shareholders—voted against Satya Nadella’s reappointment as chair of the board and rejected his $96.5 million pay package at Microsoft’s Dec 5 AGM. The moves reflect the fund’s long-standing governance stance: it opposes the concentration of power when one person is both CEO and board chair, and criticizes what it considers excessive executive compensation. However, despite its opposition, Nadella’s compensation and leadership were still approved by the broader shareholder base. (PC: X)