India Grows 8.2% as Markets Drift, AI Bets Rise, and Corruption Probes Deepen | The Integrity Ledger

India achieved an impressive 8.2% GDP growth in Q2 2025-26, driven by strong consumption, GST reforms, and accommodative monetary policy. Despite record stock market highs and significant free trade agreements with New Zealand and Oman, rising US tariffs, a weakening rupee, and record foreign institutional investor outflows posed challenges throughout the year.

The robust growth alongside low inflation created room for further policy support, boosting domestic demand and investment. However, currency volatility and foreign capital outflows highlight the need for cautious monitoring in 2026, especially amid ongoing trade tensions and tariff-related uncertainties that could affect export sectors.

The Times Of India

U.S. stock indexes closed a holiday-shortened week with solid gains, led by the S&P 500 reaching fresh highs and approaching an 18% return in 2025. Nvidia advanced on a new AI-chip licensing deal and resumed shipments to China, while space stocks rallied after a U.S. executive order to boost lunar and commercial space efforts. Intel shares slipped amid reports Nvidia paused AI chip testing with its foundry process.

The market’s strong finish signals investor optimism heading into 2026, driven by technology advancements and geopolitical developments. Nvidia’s expanded AI production could reshape global chip demand, while space industry growth presents new investment opportunities. Intel faces headwinds in its foundry ambitions, highlighting competitive challenges in semiconductor manufacturing.

Benzinga

Quick commerce startup Zepto has filed a draft red herring prospectus with SEBI via a confidential route for an initial public offering aiming to raise Rs 11,000 crore. Valued at $7 billion, the company has raised $1.8 billion to date and plans to debut next year, joining rivals Zomato and Swiggy in the public markets.

Zepto’s IPO signals growing investor confidence in quick-commerce ventures amid fierce competition. The confidential filing strategy provides flexibility to time the market amid evolving conditions, potentially influencing valuations and sector momentum in India’s e-commerce landscape.

The Times Of India

The U.S. Treasury holds 261.5 million ounces of gold officially valued at the 1973 price of $42.22 per ounce, contrasting sharply with today's market price near $4,500 per ounce. This creates over $1 trillion in unrealized value, which analysts say could be unlocked through a gold reserve revaluation, injecting liquidity without new debt or quantitative easing. Such a move may also spur demand for Bitcoin as a hard asset alternative amid currency depreciation concerns.

A gold revaluation would expand government balance sheet capacity and signal dollar devaluation, likely boosting demand for hard assets like gold and Bitcoin. This could stimulate risk asset markets by increasing spending flexibility without adding debt, potentially reshaping interconnected traditional and digital asset landscapes.

Bitcoin Ethereum News

AI data centers face growing challenges as copper cables reach physical limits in high-speed GPU interconnections. Startups Point2 Technology and AttoTude propose radio-based cables offering longer reach of 10-20 meters, lower power consumption, and narrower form factors compared to copper and optical solutions. These innovations aim to support Nvidia’s plan to increase GPUs per system eightfold by 2027, addressing data center congestion and cooling issues.

If successful, radio cables could revolutionize scale-up networks by overcoming copper’s bandwidth and physical constraints, reducing power use and latency dramatically. This shift may ease cooling demands and enable more efficient, densely packed GPU clusters, accelerating AI model training and overall data center performance.

Ieee Spectrum - Robotics

BJP lawmaker Nishikant Dubey announced a bill expected next year to bolster AI regulations, focusing on safer use in social and news media. The legislation aims to extend oversight to digital news through the Press Council of India and address harms from AI-generated content, particularly protecting vulnerable groups like children and women.

The bill could reshape India's AI governance by introducing stricter controls on digital content and expanding regulatory bodies to combat misinformation and abuse of AI tools. This legislative move highlights growing concerns over AI's societal impact and sets a precedent for balancing technological innovation with public safety and ethical standards.

Hindustan Times

In 2025, major cyberattacks exposed critical skill gaps across industries, with India alone facing over 265 million cyberattacks. IBM's report revealed the average data breach cost dropped 9% to $4.44 million, aided by AI-powered faster detection. However, AI misuse increased phishing and ransomware risks, emphasizing evolving cybersecurity challenges.

Organizations must prioritize continuous, hands-on cybersecurity training focused on AI, cloud security, and zero-trust frameworks. Enhanced collaboration between IT and security teams will be vital to safeguard data, maintain trust, and build resilience against increasingly sophisticated attacks.

Zee News

Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP has filed a securities fraud class action against CarMax, Inc. following a significant stock decline triggered by poor Q2 2026 financial results and the unexpected departure of CEO Bill Nash. The lawsuit alleges misleading statements about demand and questions CarMax’s loan portfolio reserves, with investors having until January 2, 2026, to seek lead plaintiff status.

The class action highlights increased scrutiny over corporate disclosures and leadership stability amid volatile market conditions. Investors should monitor ongoing litigation risks while assessing CarMax’s operational resilience and financial outlook.

Benzinga

Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO) uncovered a vote-rigging and bribery scheme involving current members of the Verkhovna Rada. The investigation revealed MPs receiving illicit benefits in exchange for parliamentary votes, amid ongoing searches and interference from state security agencies.

This scandal further undermines public trust in Ukraine's leadership and complicates political relations ahead of a scheduled meeting between Presidents Zelensky and Trump. The crackdown highlights systemic corruption risks for foreign investors and stresses the urgency for deeper reforms in Ukraine's governance.

RT

Senator John Kennedy criticized Minnesota officials over the 'Feeding Our Future' fraud scandal, calling the $1 billion Somali-related pandemic-era scam 'a clown world on steroids.' He called for state accountability following federal prosecutors’ uncovering of one of the largest fraud cases in recent U.S. history.

The scandal highlights vulnerabilities in pandemic relief programs and raises calls for stricter oversight of state-managed aid. Policymakers and officials face increased pressure to enhance fraud detection and prevent misuse of public funds.

The Economic Times

US Lukoil gas station franchise owners face uncertainty after sanctions on Russian oil giant Lukoil disrupted operations, with banks cutting ties and forcing cash-only payments. Less than 200 stations remain in the US, and franchisees worry about business survival amid stalled asset sales and tainted ties to Russia following the Ukraine conflict.

Financial Post

In 2025, U.S. officials uncovered multiple Chinese espionage cases involving smuggling of toxins like a potential agroterrorism weapon and E. coli, recruiting U.S. military assets, and widespread hacking compromising over 200 American companies. Key figures include former Navy sailor Jinchao Wei and researchers Yunqing Jian and Youhuang Xiang. These revelations highlight escalating threats from China targeting U.S. national security and infrastructure.

Fox News

Guinea’s junta leader Mamady Doumbouya is the frontrunner in the first presidential election since his 2021 coup, bolstered by a controversial referendum enabling his candidacy and extending terms to seven years. The opposition condemns his bid as a betrayal of democracy amid a climate of political repression. The election outcome is crucial as Guinea expects economic transformation from the newly launched Simandou iron ore mine despite concerns over governance and transparency.

The Guardian

Myanmar's military junta plans phased elections starting Dec. 28 amid ongoing civil war, with opposition areas largely excluded and the main opposition party banned. The election is widely denounced as a sham by Western governments, while China supports the junta to protect its economic corridor. The military aims to restore order and ease diplomatic isolation despite worsening conflict and human rights abuses.

NPR

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