One of the biggest Chinese companies, Hikvision, is taking America’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to court. Chinese surveillance equipment manufacturer Hikvision announced that its US subsidiary has filed a legal challenge against a new FCC rule, escalating the ongoing dispute between Washington and Chinese technology companies over national security concerns. Hikvision stated it has filed a petition seeking judicial review of the FCC’s recent decision. The company argues that the commission exceeded its statutory authority and “seeks to retroactively curtail lawful authorizations without a sufficient legal or evidentiary basis.” Hikvision, best known for its video surveillance and security camera systems, also sells network transmission equipment and accessories.The legal action targets recent regulatory moves that allow US government agencies to tighten restrictions on telecommunications equipment manufactured by Chinese companies deemed to pose security risks. “Our legal action seeks to protect our established market rights and the lawful interests of our customers and partners, and to support a stable, transparent and predictable regulatory environment for all law-abiding businesses,” Hikvision said in a statement.

Dispute over “Covered List”

The dispute centers on the FCC’s “Covered List,” a designation for companies considered a threat to U.S. national security. The list effectively bars the FCC from authorizing the import or sale of new equipment from named firms. Hikvision, along with other major Chinese entities such as Huawei, ZTE, China Mobile, and China Telecom, has previously been placed on this list.This filing follows a series of regulatory crackdowns. In February, a U.S. appeals court rejected a separate bid by Hikvision to lift a 2022 FCC ban on approvals for its new video surveillance and telecommunications equipment.The regulatory pressure has extended beyond legal filings to the retail market. In October, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr announced that major American retail websites had removed several million listings for prohibited Chinese electronics. These items, which included home security cameras and smartwatches from Hikvision, Huawei, ZTE, and Dahua Technology, were removed for being on the Covered List or lacking agency authorization.The lawsuit comes as the American government continues to widen the scope of its restrictions on Chinese tech infrastructure. On October 15, the FCC announced it was moving to revoke the operating authorization of HKT, a leading Hong Kong telecom carrier and subsidiary of PCCW, citing national security concerns.Additionally, the FCC has recently moved to withdraw recognition from equipment test labs owned or controlled by Chinese entities, further tightening the compliance bottleneck for Chinese manufacturers attempting to enter or remain in the US market.

Inflation at a benign 2.2 per cent and growth at 8.0 per cent in H1:2025-26 present a rare goldilocks period, said RBI.

RBI monetary policy: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) decided to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25% in the December meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC). While most economists and experts had expected a 25 basis points cut after the October inflation came in at a record low of 0.25%, the recent better-than-expected GDP growth number of 8.2% for the second quarter had tapered these expectations.“The Monetary Policy Committee met on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of December to deliberate and decide on the policy repo rate. After a detailed assessment of the evolving macroeconomic conditions and the outlook, the MPC voted unanimously to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.25 per cent with immediate effect. Consequently, the standing deposit facility rate under the liquidity adjustment facility shall stand adjusted to 5.00 per cent and the marginal standing facility rate and the Bank Rate to 5.50 per cent. The MPC also decided to continue with the neutral stance,” said RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra.

Why did the RBI cut the repo rate despite strong GDP growth?

Inflation at a benign 2.2 per cent and growth at 8.0 per cent in H1:2025-26 present a rare goldilocks period, said RBI. The RBI governor noted that while inflation remains benign, and is expected to be within RBI’s comfort zone, the GDP growth may soften in the coming quarters. “Growth, while remaining resilient, is expected to soften somewhat,” said Sanjay Malhotra.Also Check | RBI MPC Meeting: Top Highlights“High-frequency indicators suggest that domestic economic activity is holding up in Q3, although there are some emerging signs of weakness in few leading indicators. External uncertainties continue to pose downside risks to the outlook, while speedy conclusion of various ongoing trade and investment negotiations present upside potential,” RBI cautioned.

“Accordingly, the MPC unanimously voted to reduce the policy repo rate by 25 bps to 5.25 per cent. The MPC also decided to continue with the neutral stance,” Sanjay Malhotra said.However, despite the softening outlook, RBI has raised its GDP growth forecast for this financial year from 6.8% in the last policy meeting to 7.3% today. This is a revision of 50 basis points.RBI-led MPC is of the view that the growth-inflation balance, especially the benign inflation outlook on both headline and core, continues to provide the policy space to support the growth momentum.“Despite an unfavourable and challenging external environment, the Indian economy has shown remarkable resilience and is poised to register high growth. The headroom provided by the inflation outlook has allowed us to remain growth supportive. We will continue to meet the productive requirements of the economy in a proactive manner while ensuring macroeconomic stability,” Malhotra said.

Asian stocks traded mixed on Friday, following a muted pattern on Wall Street as the latest US economic data left investors with little clarity about Federal Reserve’s plans for interest rate cuts nex week.Hong Kong’s HSI was down 63 points or 0.24% reaching 25,872. Nikkei also trimmed its gains, falling 702 points to trade at 50,326. Meanwhile, Shanghai and Shenzhen gained 0.08% and 0.39%, reaching 3,878 and 13,057 points, respectively. In South Korea, Kospi gained 0.99% gains at 9:50 AM IST, rising to 4,068 points. Recent market gains, lifted by comments from central bank officials signalling possible monetary easing, have stalled amid mixed economic signals. Payrolls firm ADP reported that over 30,000 jobs were lost in November, reinforcing signs that the US labour market is softening. Thursday’s figures on jobless claims and layoffs were slightly better than expected, yet markets remain highly confident of a rate cut at the Fed’s Wednesday meeting, with probabilities hovering around 90%. All eyes are now on the personal consumption expenditures (PCE) index, the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, due later on Friday. Analysts expect that a below-forecast reading could strengthen hopes for additional rate reductions in 2026. Data on income and consumer spending is also set for release. Wall Street ended the session on a muted note, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq posting small gains, while the Dow slipped marginally.Back in Asia, the focus will be on RBI’s monetary policy announcement, whre the apex bank might announce a rate cut. According to a Bloomberg survey that included 44 economists, the interest rates might go down a quarter point to 5.25%.

Market experts anticipate a period of sideways movement. (AI image)

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened flat in trade ahead of the RBI policy. While Nifty50 was above 26,000, BSE Sensex was around 85,250. At 9:18 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 26,037.90, up 4 points or 0.016%. BSE Sensex was at 85,243.19, down 22 points or 0.026%.Nifty managed a slight uptick on Thursday, breaking a four-day declining streak, though upside remained limited due to continued foreign investor outflows and the rupee touching historic lows. Experts anticipate a period of sideways movement.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “Today the market focus will be on the monetary policy. More important than the rate action, which is very tricky in the context of low inflation, high growth and depreciating rupee, the market will be keen to know what the governor says about the emerging macro trends. RBI’s action on the liquidity front will be keenly watched. If there is a rate cut, that will be the last cut in this rate cutting cycle. A rate cut in the present context will be negative for banks since it will impact their NIMs and ability to mobilise deposits. On the contrary, a rate cut will be positive for rate sensitives like autos and real estate. If there is no rate cut, banking stocks will rally.”“Rupee’s sharp recovery yesterday to 89.97 from the low of 90.42 is signalling some sort of stability in the currency market. The RBI governor’s views on the rupee today will significantly influence the near-term direction of the currency.”US stocks finished largely flat on Thursday as investors assessed labour market reports and additional economic indicators, whilst market sentiment remained buoyed by expectations of a Federal Reserve rate reduction next week.Regional Asian shares declined in early deals following an uninspiring US session that impacted technology shares and bonds, as attention shifted to upcoming US inflation figures on Friday.WTI oil prices approached weekly gains of nearly 2% during early Friday trading. The rise was supported by anticipated Federal Reserve interest rate reductions, heightening US-Venezuela tensions and halted peace negotiations in Moscow.Gold prices maintained stability on Friday, with increasing US Treasury yields counteracting benefits from a weakening dollar. Markets awaited US inflation data later in the day to understand the Federal Reserve’s policy direction before next week’s meeting.Foreign portfolio investors sold shares worth Rs 1,944 crore net on Thursday. Meanwhile, DIIs were net purchasers at Rs 3,661 crore.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Top stocks to buy (AI image)

Stock market recommendations: According to Bajaj Broking Research, the top stock picks for December 5, 2025 are Max Healthcare, and Tata Power. Here’s its view on Nifty and Bank Nifty:Index View: NIFTYBenchmark indices spent the previous week oscillating within a defined consolidation band, digesting their recent up move. The Nifty registered a fresh lifetime peak of 26,325 during Monday’s trade. However, lost momentum at elevated levels amid bouts of profit-taking, triggered in part by renewed pressure on the Indian rupee, which depreciated to a record low against the US dollar. Persistent foreign portfolio outflows (FPI selling) further exacerbated currency weakness, injecting a note of caution into risk sentiment.In the near term, market trajectory is likely to be dictated by currency stabilization dynamics, especially whether the rupee can find a durable floor. Additionally, investors will be closely tracking the RBI’s upcoming monetary policy statement for cues on the central bank’s stance regarding inflation management, liquidity calibration, and potential interventions to support the rupee. On the global front, the US FOMC policy outcome will remain a critical macro catalyst, shaping expectations around global rate differentials and capital flows. Moreover, clarity on evolving India–US trade negotiations could influence sector-specific outlooks, particularly in export-linked and tariff-sensitive industries. A key observation on the Nifty daily chart is that the entire up-move over the past two months has remained well within a rising channel, indicating sustained buying interest at higher levels and reinforcing an overall positive bias.We believe the current 3-4 sessions breather should be used to accumulate quality stocks in a staggered manner for the next leg of up move towards 26,500 and then towards 26,800 in the coming weeks being the measuring implication of the recent range breakout and the upper band of the last two months rising channel.Nifty has key support in the range of 25700-25900 being the confluence of the 50-day EMA, the bullish gap from November 12 and the lower band of the rising channel of the last two months. Holding above the support area will keep the overall bias positive and only a breakdown below the support area will signal a pause in the current positive trend. NIFTY BANKBank Nifty traded in a range, digesting its last four weeks strong gains. Earlier during the week, it formed a fresh all-time high of 26114. However, profit booking at higher levels saw the index traded in a range ahead of the RBI monetary policy outcome.We expect the index to consolidate and form a base in the range of 58500-60100 in the coming sessions. A follow through strength above Monday’s high (60114) will open further upside towards 60,400 and then towards 61,000 levels in the coming weeks.The entire up move of the last 2 months is well channelled signaling sustained demand at elevated levels. Key support is placed at 58,300-58,600 levels being the confluence of the last two weeks lows and recent breakout area. Holding above the support area will keep the short-term bias positive.

Stock Recommendations:

Max HealthcareBuy in the range of ₹ 1070-1090

The stock is forming base at the 52 week EMA and the 61.8% retracement of the previous major up move (940-1314).We believe the current decline is approaching price and time wise maturity and the stock is likely to resume up move and head towards 1190 levels being the confluence of the high of November and key retracement area. The daily stochastic has approached extreme oversold territory and we expect the stock to resume its positive momentum in the coming weeks.Tata PowerBuy in the range of 381-386

Tata Power continues to trade sideways on the daily timeframe, oscillating within a well-defined range of ₹380–₹420. The stock is currently forming a rectangle pattern, with consistent buying support emerging near the ₹380 zone.Historically, the counter has shown a tendency to rebound from these lower levels and head towards the upper end of the range, which lies near ₹420.Given the prevailing price structure and renewed momentum, the stock appears poised to extend its upward trajectory, first towards the upper band of ₹420, and potentially up to ₹430, which aligns with the 127.2% Fibonacci extension of the previous swing.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

Joe Root and Grace Hayden

BRISBANE: Joe Root finally broke his long-awaited century jinx in Australia on Thursday, but the loudest sigh of relief didn’t come from England’s dressing room — it came from Matthew Hayden’s house. And more specifically, from his daughter, Grace.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Root’s fluent 135 on Day 1 of the pink-ball Ashes Test at the Gabba not only ended 10 years of Australian heartbreak but also saved Hayden from fulfilling a bizarre promise. The former Australia opener had jokingly vowed to “walk naked around the MCG” if Root failed to score a hundred this series.

The moment Root reached three figures off Scott Boland, social media exploded — and Hayden’s daughter stole the spotlight with a cheeky Instagram story. Posting a selfie, Grace wrote: “Root, thank you, you’ve saved all our eyes.” The hilarious post instantly went viral, turning Root’s milestone into an internet spectacle.

Hayden himself quickly posted a congratulatory video shared by England Cricket on X, laughing at his own wager while praising Root’s perseverance.“Congratulations mate on a hundred here in Australia. Took you a while and there was no one that had more skin in the game than me, literally. I was backing you for a hundred in a good way. So congratulations, ten fifties and finally a hundred. You little ripper mate. Have a beauty and bloody enjoy it,” Hayden joked.A decade-long wait endsRoot’s ton was his first in Australia after 16 matches, 30 innings, and four Ashes tours. He brought calm to a tense English innings and climbed to 40 Test hundreds — just one behind Ricky Ponting (41) and trailing only Sachin Tendulkar (51) and Jacques Kallis (45).At stumps, England were 325/9, with Root unbeaten on 135 and Jofra Archer on 32.While Australia dropped regular captain Pat Cummins again and shockingly benched Nathan Lyon for Michael Neser, it was Root’s history-making innings — and Grace Hayden’s viral punchline — that ruled the day.For Root, it was a career milestone. For the Hayden household? It was a national emergency narrowly avoided.

Top 5 richest NFL players of all-time

The NFL has grown into a financial powerhouse where players turn their on-field success into long-term business wins. Many stars earn far beyond their salaries through smart investments, brand deals, and ventures that keep paying even after retirement. Their financial journeys show how discipline, strategy, and timing can redefine an athlete’s legacy.This list dives straight into the league’s wealthiest names and how they built their fortunes. From record-setting quarterbacks to players who mastered the business world early, each story proves that money in football comes from far more than trophies. These athletes combined talent with opportunity and turned their careers into thriving financial empires.

Richest NFL players of all-time

Tom Brady – 300 million dollarsTom Brady may have retired in 2023, but his financial reach continues to grow. Celebrity Net Worth places him at 300 million dollars, a figure built on decades of elite play and smart business decisions. In 2022 alone, he earned 75 million dollars from salary and endorsements with Aston Martin, Under Armour, and TAG Heuer. After leading the New England Patriots for 19 seasons and winning a seventh Super Bowl with Tampa Bay, he expanded his empire through a deal with Fox Sports and his wellness company TB12. Brady’s choices show how a player can turn fame into a long-term business platform.

Aaron Rodgers – 200 million dollarsAaron Rodgers remains one of the most accomplished quarterbacks in the NFL and one of its sharpest earners. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his wealth at 200 million dollars. His three-year, 150 million dollar extension with the Green Bay Packers in 2022 made him the highest-paid quarterback at that time. He later signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2025 worth an estimated 10 million dollars. Rodgers boosts his income with partnerships that include State Farm, Adidas, Pizza Hut, and Bose. He also invests in tech startups and real estate and is a minority owner of the Milwaukee Bucks.Kirk Cousins – about 180 million dollarsMinnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins built his fortune through consistent play and a focus on guaranteed money. Celebrity Net Worth places him near 180 million dollars. His steady rise comes from major contracts, brand deals like Tostitos, and smart investments. One source noted, “Cousins has had large guaranteed contracts, and endorsement deals.” His approach matches his own words: “I’m going to keep my head down and just keep working — that’s how I control my outcome.” Cousins may not generate as many headlines as others, but his financial discipline makes him one of the league’s strongest earners.Russell Wilson – 165 million dollarsRussell Wilson signed a one-year, 10.5 million dollar deal with the New York Giants in 2025, but his largest payday came from a five-year, 245 million dollar contract with the Denver Broncos in 2022. Celebrity Net Worth estimates him at 165 million dollars. His endorsements include Nike, Bose, Amazon, and Mercedes-Benz. Wilson also invests actively, holding stakes in Seattle Sounders FC and his own clothing brand, Good Man Brand. Alongside his wife Ciara, he supports education and health initiatives through the Why Not You Foundation.Matthew Stafford – 150 million dollarsMatthew Stafford helped deliver a Super Bowl win for the Los Angeles Rams in 2022 and strengthened his financial standing with a 160 million dollar contract extension the same year. The team restructured his deal in 2025 to guarantee more money for the upcoming seasons. With a net worth of 150 million dollars, he also profits from endorsements with Nike, Pepsi, and Ford. Stafford invests heavily in real estate, including a nearly 20 million dollar home in Los Angeles. His charitable work supports Detroit communities by providing medical care, food, and housing to families in need.Also Read: Jason Kelce Shares Raw Truth About the Heartbreaking Pregnancy Loss He and Kylie Suffered in 2018

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan HC has held that two consenting adults have the right to be in a live-in relationship even if they have not attained legal age for marriage. The legal marriageable age for women in India is 18 years, and for men, 21. At 18, men and women are considered adults.. Justice Anoop Dhand delivered the judgment on Monday while hearing a protection petition filed by an 18-year-old woman and a 19-year-old youth from Kota. A copy of the order was uploaded Thursday. Both had approached the HC seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent.‘Not of right age doesn’t mean one can be deprived of rights’Both had approached the high court seeking police protection, stating they had entered a live-in relationship by mutual consent. The couple executed a live-in agreement on Oct 27, 2025. However, the girl’s family opposed it and allegedly threatened to kill them. The petitioners told the court that despite submitting a written request to the police in Kota, no action was taken.Appearing for the state, Vivek Choudhary, the public prosecutor argued that since the boy had not completed 21 years of age, he could not legally marry, and, therefore, should not be allowed to be in a live-in partnership.However, the HC rejected this reasoning, observing that the “right to life and personal liberty” is guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution, and any threat to it amounts to a constitutional violation.Justice Dhand emphasised that the constitutional duty of the State is to protect the life and liberty of every citizen. “Only because the petitioners are not marriageable by law, they cannot be deprived of their fundamental rights,” the court observed.The court also said live-in relationships are neither illegal, nor an offence under Indian law, directing Bhilwara and Jodhpur (Rural) SPs to verify the facts mentioned in the petition, particularly the threat perception, and provide protection to the couple, if needed.

File photo (Picture credit: ANI)

The Indian rupee’s slide past Rs 90 per US dollar for the first time ever has shifted sentiment in the equity market and raised fresh concerns for investors. The breach of this psychological level has come on the back of weak capital flows, steady demand for dollars from importers, and uncertainty around the India–US trade agreement, reported ET. The currency touched Rs 90.43 on Thursday, marking its fifth straight day of losses despite the Reserve Bank of India’s rreported interventions. Although it appreciated by 26 paise to close at 89.89 on Thursday.

Why the fall beyond 90 matters

Currency traders cited by Reuters said that once the rupee slipped past Rs 88.80—a level the RBI had been defending—the currency became more sensitive to long-standing pressures such as soft capital inflows and a rise in speculative positions. Anindya Banerjee of Kotak Securities was quoted by ET as saying that the move toward Rs 90 was driven by short-covering and importer demand, calling the 90-mark a “major psychological barrier” reinforced by buy-stop orders. “If the pair starts sustaining above this zone, the market could quickly shift into a higher trending phase toward 91.00 or even higher,” he said.Banerjee also pointed to foreign portfolio investor outflows, early signs of unwinding yen carry trades, and the delayed Indo-US trade deal as factors weighing on the rupee. A clear close above 90, he said, could encourage fresh speculative flows.

Investor sentiment takes a hit

The currency’s decline has already begun affecting domestic equities. As per ET, Dr VK Vijayakumar of Geojit Investments said the Nifty’s roughly 300-point correction from its record high has more to do with technical adjustments, including changes in Bank Nifty weightage, but warned that “continued depreciation in the rupee” is prompting FIIs to sell despite strong fundamentals such as rising corporate earnings and robust GDP growth. He added that the rupee could stabilise once the long-awaited India-US trade deal is sealed, possibly this month.Market watchers say the rupee’s direction will have a direct bearing on import costs, inflation trends, and foreign portfolio flows. Weakness in the currency could push up costs for sectors dependent on imported goods—such as petroleum, electronics, and gems and jewellery—putting pressure on margins. However, Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran said on Wednesday that the recent fall has not affected inflation or exports, as per PTI.

What lies ahead for the Rupee

The US dollar index eased to 99.22 in Asian trade as expectations built that Kevin Hassett may become the next US Federal Reserve chair.. Emkay Global expects the rupee to trade between Rs 88 and Rs 91 for the rest of FY26, noting that it has been far weaker than its Asian peers this year. The brokerage said currency movements will hinge on the outcomes of the US–India and US–RoW trade deals.On Thursday, the rupee briefly recovered to Rs 89.89, supported by a softer US dollar and possible RBI intervention, PTI reported. Earlier in the day, it had hit another record low of Rs 90.43 amid foreign selling and firm crude oil prices. Analysts say elevated oil prices, fragile investor sentiment and persistent FII outflows may keep the rupee under pressure, although a weaker US dollar and the possibility of a Federal Reserve rate cut in December may offer some relief.With the currency hovering around a level last seen never before in Indian markets, investors remain on edge. Analysts warn that without clear intervention or a breakthrough on the trade front, speculative momentum could push the rupee toward Rs 91, making the coming weeks critical for D-Street.