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LVM3-M6 BlueBird Block-2: Why this ISRO launch is a big leap for India’s space ambitions Watch here 👇 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1PmncnSbSY

Festive travel lifted hotel business in December, with bookings up nearly 30% month-on-month and 10–15% year-on-year. Goa led demand, alongside hill, desert and heritage destinations, while room rates rose about 10–11% amid strong holiday travel. https://mybs.in/2esTsgs

Good morning! This is what Business Standard's front page looks like today. Read the stories on http://business-standard.com

Good morning! This is what Business Standard's front page looks like today. Read the stories on http://business-standard.com

Video | More than 3.67 crore voter names have been omitted from draft electoral rolls after the second round of the SIR (spanning 11 states and UTs), reigniting political and administrative scrutiny. Details 👇 https://youtu.be/TWiCU1_EVM4

BS Editorial | US seizures of Venezuelan oil tankers risk escalating global tensions, with implications for India’s energy security. ONGC Videsh has $600 million stuck in Venezuela, while imports of cheap crude and exports of pharma and textiles face uncertainty. https://mybs.in/2esTslW

BS Editorial | MCA seeks 50 new NCLT courts and 2 NCLAT Benches to address IBC delays, but average resolution still exceeds 500 days. Capacity gaps, infrastructure shortfalls, and lack of procedural certainty remain key challenges for timely corporate insolvency resolution https://mybs.in/2esTsmI

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the expansion of Delhi’s Metro network at a cost of ₹12,015 crore. The approval covers Delhi Metro’s Phase V(A) project, which includes three new corridors spanning a combined length of 16.076 kilometres (km). The project will be funded by the Centre, the Delhi government and international funding agencies, said Union minister during a press briefing. Once completed, the additions will take the Metro network beyond the 400-km mark, from the current 395 km. https://mybs.in/2esUMOM

Promoted | With over 70 mn passengers flown and enhanced durability upgrades delivering improved performance for customers, the GEnx has set new standards for durability, reliability, and innovation. Watch here 👇 GE Aero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcmiXf35dEM

Watch | I stay in Delhi for two days and develop a throat infection. Delhi is troubled by pollution. I am the Road Transport Minister, and around 40% of pollution is linked to our sector, says Nitin Gadkari. https://youtu.be/Y5uXZRo2HMc

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday criticised the central government for "not doing enough" to deal with the national capital's worsening air pollution, Bar and Bench reported. The court said, “This is the minimum that you can do. Every citizen requires fresh air. If you can't do it, the minimum you can do is reduce the GST. Give an exemption for 15 days on a temporary basis. Treat this situation as an emergency. Take instructions and tell us now. Tell us now when you will come back with instructions." https://mybs.in/2esUMLo

As Delhi continues to reel under severe air pollution, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has acknowledged that the transport sector accounts for nearly 40 per cent of the capital’s emissions. He further expressed deep concern over the city’s toxic air, saying he falls ill after staying in Delhi for just two days due to pollution, according to ANI. “I stay in Delhi for just two days and end up getting infections. Why is Delhi suffering so much from pollution? I am the Transport Minister, and 40 per cent of the pollution is caused by us,” he added. https://mybs.in/2esUMMB

Video | Following recent forex market intervention, the RBI will inject close to ₹3 trillion through open market operations and a dollar-rupee buy-sell swap. Watch in for details 👇 https://youtu.be/aL7l8m2s6uQ

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a shift from the random lottery to a weighted selection system. In a circular, the USCIS said the new regulations will prioritise higher-skilled and higher-paid workers, a move intended to protect American wages and ensure the most qualified global talent is selected. But how will this impact Indian workers? Read here: https://mybs.in/2esUMFw

Hours after former Uttar Pradesh MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar was granted bail in connection with the 2017 Unnao rape case, the survivor, her mother and activist Yogitha Bhayana held a protest at India Gate on Tuesday. The protesters were later removed by the Delhi Police. The survivor alleged the bail was granted ahead of the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections, scheduled for 2027. She called for the bail order to be cancelled, saying she was scared after the court’s decision. https://mybs.in/2esUMF5

In a historic Christmas Eve mission, Isro's heaviest rocket, LVM3-M6, successfully placed a next-generation communication satellite into orbit on Wednesday. LVM3-M6 carried the communication satellite Bluebird Block-2 spacecraft as part of a commercial deal between NewSpace India Ltd (NSIL) and US-based AST SpaceMobile (AST and Science, LLC). https://mybs.in/2esUMFl

Video | ISRO successfully launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite for US-based AST SpaceMobile on December 24, 2025, marking a significant milestone for India's commercial space sector. Watch in for details 👇 https://youtu.be/kswNSxQnILQ

A federal judge said the Trump administration can move ahead with a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications, providing a setback for US technology companies that rely on hiring skilled foreign workers. US District Judge Beryl Howell said in a ruling Tuesday that President Donald Trump’s move to radically increase the cost of the popular visa is lawful. The decision provides a boost to the administration’s campaign to restrict immigration and push demand for US workers. The US Chamber of Commerce, which sued to block the proposal, can appeal. Details: https://mybs.in/2esUMFH