Breaking up Facebook
Zuckerberg faces the real possibility of his painstakingly built up tech empire crumbling
Airport privatisation must ensure flying remains affordable
More than putting a cap on how many airports a single entity can win, bidding parameters should focus on containing costs so that user charges do not escalate
Sikh farmers have been great ambassadors of India's agri skills
In the last two decades, farming in Punjab has become increasingly unremunerative and with hardly any other industry in the state, there are no jobs for the young, who face a bleak and hopeless future. Agricultural reforms, with the right motive and intention, are the crying need of the state.
Sedition Law: Sensitivity and trepidations of the State
Should the State feel helpless and orphaned if the law of sedition is to be repealed? The fact that for seven decades and more the State has staunchly held on to this law suggests so
The Reading List: December 11, 2020
A selection of articles and social media gems from the world of economy, business and finance
European Central Bank steps up its stimulus as the economy contracts
The measures include a de facto money printing programme worth more than $2 trillion and an initiative that effectively pays banks to lend money to businesses and consumers
Unemployment claims jump, casting new shadow over US economy
Unemployment filings during the pandemic have been far above levels recorded in previous recessions
The way ahead for COVID-19 vaccine development and distribution in India
Certain questions need to be accorded top priority while planning the way in the Indian COVID-19 immunisation programme, which must be accentuated with novel steps and innovations at the grass-roots level catering to all
Three options that will boost India’s defence prospects in 2021
India needs to maximise its military’s operational capacity and increase the possibility of indigenisation without confusing the two and ending up nowhere
Popularity and Terror Threats | Will politics in Pakistan follow the old script?
Maryam Nawaz should watch out. An almost identical series of events preceded Benazir Bhutto’s assassination. ‘Terrorist’ threats from unknown sources, allegations of foreign funding, and an Army intent on keeping the reins
Pawan Goenka is right. India must seize the slim window of opportunity to revive manufacturing
The vast majority of actions needed to remove the drawbacks of the Indian system, which take away from the ease of doing business, require Centre-state cooperation
Road sector reforms welcome, but it won't be a smooth ride for government or developers
Reforms will ease developer cash flows, but could also lead to hyper-competition in the sector as contractors bid aggressively for projects at the cost of their own profitability
Interview | The market has largely priced in corporate earnings growth, says Vinit Sambre of DSP Investment Managers
The market seems to be pricing in almost one and a half year earnings estimate, and at current levels the market is due for a bit of a breather, says Sambre, who is Head of Equities at DSP Investment Managers
CCI scrutiny is a bad omen for cement companies, but charges have to stick
While cement prices post COVID-19 have been firm, future price hikes may be deferred fearing regulatory action
Airbnb and DoorDash IPOs leave gig economy issues unresolved
Questions remain over profitability and broader impact on society
Why the industrial capex machine is whirring to life
While companies seem to be turning back the lights on the capex front, it may not yet be an all-round revival
Editorials of The Times: The Coronavirus vaccines were developed in record speed. Now, the hard part
A given vaccine’s success is not necessarily how well that vaccine works. It’s everything else: how quickly and strategically the vaccine is distributed, how well received it is and whether people continue to wear masks and maintain physical distancing
SC verdict on Chennai-Salem highway a boost for development
In the past four years, Tamil Nadu has seen many protests against infrastructural and industrial projects. The Chennai-Salem expressway is one such project facing protests
More banking does not need more banks
It would be a giant leap of faith to believe that the new banks backed by return-seeking private capital will target the segments and geographies left unserved or underserved by the established large banks
Quick clarity on RoDTEP a must to help exporters
Industry should not be kept waiting as there is less than a month to go before the new export sop kicks in
The equity-oriented mutual fund industry has itself to blame for the outflow
Record outflows when markets are touching new highs is not only a sign of profit booking by investors but also fund managers who have read the market wrong.
Interview | At Endurance, managing uncertainty is the new normal, says Ramesh Gehaney
Access to technology and new customers are key when it comes to M&A, says COO of auto parts maker
Cargo at major ports grows for the first time since COVID-19 struck
Cargo volumes at major ports grow in November after declining for eight months. Container traffic and commodities such as iron ore and coal drive the recovery
Ruchir Sharma: Will bitcoin end the dollar’s reign?
Digital currency poses a significant threat to greenback’s supremacy
Big push into Helium could have the world on Russia’s string
A huge Helium production facility in Siberia could disrupt the global market for the lighter-than-air gas, which plays a critical role in industries like medical technology, space exploration and national security
