A former senior Boeing manager, Ed Pierson, when asked if he would fly on a 787 or a 737 MAX today, said, "No. I will not fly on the 737 MAX. We have extensive defect reports on our Foundation for Aviation Safety website." "There are engine load-reduction device issues that cause smoke in the cabin and cockpit," he added.

According to the Income Tax Department, some taxpayers are claiming "ineligible refunds" that they are not entitled to, and this could be delaying income tax refunds. The department found some people had made bogus donations to unregistered political parties and also found mismatch between TDS and Annual Information Statement (AIS). Reportedly, some 2 lakh taxpayers claimed suspicious deductions.

Bharti Enterprises and US private equity firm Warburg Pincus have announced a deal to acquire a 49% stake in Haier India. The appliance maker's Chinese parent will continue to retain 49% stake in the unit, while employees will own the remaining 2%. The deal's value wasn't announced, but the agreement reportedly values the Indian business at around $1.3-1.5 billion.

The newly-listed shares of Lenskart Solutions and Groww-parent Billionbrains Garage Ventures will join the BSE LargeCap index from January 6, 2026. The shares of the recently demerged Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles will also be added to the index. Three of them will enter the BSE Allcap and BSE LargeMidCap indices as well.

Uttar Pradesh has strengthened rural livelihoods through MGNREGA, employing over 23 lakh women and ensuring timely wage payments. With 48 lakh families benefiting, the state leads in job generation, supports SC/ST households, boosts village infrastructure, and promotes sustainability. Rising women's participation highlights growing empowerment and improved rural economic stability.

Google is rehiring former employees as competition for AI talent intensifies, with 20% of its 2025 AI hires being returnees. Strong resources, faster decision-making, and renewed AI focus are drawing talent back. However, rivals like Microsoft, OpenAI and Meta continue aggressively poaching Google researchers with major offers.

The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has revised partial withdrawal rules under EPFO 3.0 to make them simpler and more uniform. Key changes include immediate access to 75% of PF after unemployment, a 12-month minimum service for most withdrawals, increased limits for education and marriage, and faster, fully digital processes for employees.

India and New Zealand have finalised a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that India's first predominantly women-led negotiating team executed, marking a milestone in Indian trade diplomacy. Nearly all negotiators were women, and the pact is expected to deepen economic ties, boost trade and investment, and create new opportunities for businesses and professionals.

The CAG audit of PMKVY from 2015-2022 revealed major flaws in data management, beneficiary verification, monitoring of training centres, and financial handling. Issues included duplicate bank accounts, missing records, closed centres, and weak selection processes. Only 41% of certified candidates secured jobs, highlighting the urgent need for stricter oversight.

India's digital commerce ecosystem faces challenges like diverse consumer segments, fragmented payment infrastructure, and logistics complexity. Strategic reforms, digital identity adoption, and improved data flows are enabling unified platforms that reduce friction, enhance reach, and improve conversion rates, empowering sellers to scale with better customer experiences.