The Times of India News

Wall Street opened cautiously positive as investors await key US economic data, including jobs and inflation reports, which could influence interest-rate expectations. Asian markets largely declined, with Japan's Nikkei falling amid rate hike anticipation, while European stocks ticked higher. Oil prices remained steady, and the dollar softened.

The PFRDA is merging NPS Scheme A (alternate assets) with Schemes C (corporate bonds) and E (equities) to modernize its investment framework. This move aims to enhance diversification, improve risk-adjusted returns, and increase liquidity for subscribers. Existing Scheme A subscribers have until December 25, 2025, to switch their accumulated corpus to other asset classes without additional cost.

Thane Regional Mental Hospital is undergoing redevelopment. This plan involves cutting down over half of its trees. This action will impact the environment and the therapeutic benefits nature provides to patients. Experts suggest decentralizing the hospital to preserve green spaces. The loss of these trees affects local biodiversity and urban well-being.

Security forces have established contact with terrorists in the Majalta area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. The encounter began after a cordon-and-search operation, with intermittent firing reported. Reinforcements have been deployed, and escape routes are blocked.

The NIA has filed a chargesheet naming seven accused, including LeT and TRF, in the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack. The chargesheet identifies Pakistani handler Sajid Jatt and three slain Pakistani terrorists, along with two locals who harbored them. The attack resulted in the deaths of 26 civilians.

The government is set to incentivize states and districts to collaborate with industries for a hyper-local approach to skill gap identification and workforce development. This strategy aims to align training with investment patterns and local industry needs, utilizing AI for improved job matching and faster placement of skilled workers.

The Indian Army displayed a Turkish-made Yiha kamikaze drone, shot down on May 10 during a conflict with Pakistan. Launched from Lahore with a 10-kg explosive payload, the drone was intended for Jalandhar but was intercepted by Army Air Defence. Pakistan deployed numerous such drones during the clashes.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar removed the hijab of a woman AYUSH doctor during an appointment letter distribution event in Patna. The incident, captured on video, has sparked political criticism, with the Rashtriya Janata Dal accusing the CM of a Sanghi mindset. The doctor appeared visibly upset after the headscarf was removed.

Opposition leaders have strongly criticized the Centre's move to repeal and replace the MGNREGA, questioning the removal of Mahatma Gandhi's name. Critics allege a conspiracy to dismantle a rights-based law, calling the renaming hypocritical and an insult to the Father of the Nation. The proposed bill aims to revamp rural employment with a new framework.

Maharashtra's long-pending civic body elections are finally scheduled for January 15, with results on January 16. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) polls are seen as a key political mood test, pitting the ruling Mahayuti alliance against a fractured opposition. Control of the BMC, Asia's wealthiest civic corporation, holds immense political and economic significance.

The Centre is set to replace MGNREGA with the VBG RAM G Bill, 2025, offering 125 days of work with a focus on rural, climate, and digital issues. Meanwhile, PM Modi commenced a three-nation tour in Jordan, with subsequent visits to Ethiopia and Oman to strengthen bilateral ties and economic partnerships.

India and New Zealand are nearing the conclusion of their free trade agreement negotiations, with Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal expressing optimism for a swift finalization. This pact, launched in March 2025, aims to significantly boost bilateral trade, which already saw a 49% surge last year, and strengthen investment ties between the two nations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-nation tour in Jordan, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. He will then visit Ethiopia, a key African Union hub, to bolster bilateral relations and address Parliament. The tour concludes in Oman, aiming to deepen their strategic partnership and economic ties, with engagements including diaspora meetings.

The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low of 90.74 against the US dollar, pressured by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and continued foreign fund outflows. Despite positive macro cues, the rupee struggled as importers' strong dollar demand and risk-averse sentiment dominated. Experts see a bullish near-term bias for the USD-INR pair.

A new survey reveals 82% of Delhi-NCR residents know someone suffering serious health issues attributed to long-term air pollution exposure. This comes as Delhi's AQI reached 498, in the 'severe' category, exacerbating a public health crisis and raising concerns about affording medical treatment.

Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti passed away at the age of 67 in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, due to a heart attack. He was admitted to the hospital with severe blood poisoning and kidney failure. Efforts to transfer him to AIIMS Bhopal by air ambulance were unsuccessful due to poor visibility.

December 15, 2025, is a crucial advance tax deadline for individuals with multiple income streams. Taxpayers must have paid at least 75% of their estimated tax liability by this date to avoid accumulating monthly interest penalties under India's 'pay as you earn' framework. Failure to meet this deadline can lead to significant additional tax outgo.

Gold prices reached an all-time high in futures trade on Monday, surging Rs 1,874 to Rs 1,35,496 per 10 grams, driven by strong global market trends. February gold contracts on MCX climbed 1.4%, mirroring a significant jump in Comex gold futures overseas. This rally reflects robust investor sentiment in the precious metal.

In a recent statement, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that his party does not align with the Congress-led 'vote chori' initiative, asserting that the INDIA coalition remains uninvolved. He underscored the importance of each political faction crafting its own narrative while urging the Election Commission to maintain its autonomy and impartiality, highlighting concerns raised in Bihar.

India is in talks with Mexico to counter new import tariffs impacting goods from non-FTA nations, including India. These hikes, effective 2026, could affect $2 billion in Indian exports. Both nations are exploring a preferential trade agreement to safeguard bilateral trade interests and mitigate potential disruptions.

Despite US tariffs, China's trade surplus hit a record $1 trillion, driven by global demand for its goods. Exporters pivoted from the US to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This resilience, fueled by manufacturing strength and weak domestic demand, bolsters Beijing's stance in trade talks, though concerns about sustainability and global trade tensions persist.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reposted a thread comparing his political approach to Rahul Gandhi's, calling the analysis fair and eflective of a certain perception of the current reality. The thread criticized Gandhi's rural-centric policies as devastating and highlighted Tharoor's alignment with his background and audience.

Investors often fall into extremes with stock portfolios, either too concentrated or overly diversified. A balanced approach, typically 10-20 stocks, is recommended. Key to success is sensible position sizing, avoiding tiny holdings, and ensuring sector diversification to mitigate risks and enhance overall portfolio performance.

Wholesale inflation eased to -0.32% in November, a significant improvement from October's -1.21%, driven by falling prices in food, energy, and metals. Despite a monthly price increase of 0.71%, driven by primary articles and energy, manufactured goods saw a slight dip. Food inflation also moderated, remaining negative.

India's merchandise trade deficit narrowed significantly to $24.53 billion in November, driven by reduced imports of gold, oil, and coal. This decline exceeded analyst expectations and comes as India implements measures to counter US tariffs and seeks concessions on key exports.

The government is set to repeal the MGNREGA, enacted in 2005, and introduce the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025. This new legislation aims to provide 125 days of wage employment annually to rural households, shifting from an entitlement-based safety net to a future-oriented development mission aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047.

RBI's repo rate cuts are making home loans cheaper, but borrowers should focus on total interest paid. Prepaying high-cost, long-term loans offers a guaranteed, risk-free return higher than most fixed income investments post-tax. Early repayment significantly reduces total interest outgo and loan tenure, boosting long-term financial health.

Crows, known for their exceptional intelligence, may leave small objects like pebbles or bottle caps as a form of learned reciprocity. Studies show they remember faces and associate kindness with positive interactions. While not confirmed as emotional gifts, these offerings highlight crows' cognitive abilities and their capacity for forming unexpected bonds with humans who consistently show them kindness.

Former Congress MLA Mohammed Moquim was expelled from the party for anti-party activities after he wrote to Sonia Gandhi expressing dissatisfaction with the leadership and recent electoral losses. Moquim defended his actions, stating he offered suggestions for reform as a true Congress worker.

Wakefit Innovations debuted on Dalal Street with shares trading near its issue price, later climbing over Rs 200. The company raised Rs 1,289 crore through its IPO, aiming to expand its offline retail presence. Despite revenue growth, profitability has been uneven, with investors awaiting sustained earnings visibility.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a significant three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman, countries with deep historical and contemporary ties to India. The visits, spanning December 15-18, aim to bolster bilateral relations, commemorate diplomatic milestones, and explore avenues for enhanced cooperation across various sectors, including trade and defense.

Stock market recommendations: SBI Securities' Sudeep Shah highlights BHEL and Ashok Leyland as top stock picks. Nifty shows resilience, consolidating near all-time highs, with support at 25,700. Bank Nifty, however, lags, trading sideways.

Corona Remedies made a remarkable debut on the stock market, opening with a significant premium. The company's Rs 655-crore IPO was massively oversubscribed, attracting strong interest from institutional and retail investors alike. This robust demand reflects confidence in Corona Remedies' solid financial performance, strategic focus on key healthcare areas, and promising earnings potential.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are well supported, with the bias remaining on the higher side despite record highs impacting physical demand. Silver continues to outperform gold, driven by strong industrial demand and tight supplies. Key economic data this week will influence rate expectations and market volatility.

Asian shares declined Monday, mirroring a weak Wall Street close, as Chinese investment data showed ongoing economic weakness. Tokyo's Nikkei plunged amid anticipation of a potential Bank of Japan rate hike, while US futures showed a slight uptick. Tech stocks dragged down US markets on Friday, though some consumer-reliant companies remained resilient.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has demanded an apology from Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi following the surfacing of videos showing party workers chanting slogans to eliminate Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Rijiju stated that the BJP-NDA has never threatened anyone's life and questioned the Congress's mentality.

The Indian Rupee hit an all-time low of 90.56 against the US dollar, marking its second consecutive week of record declines. This depreciation is attributed to a lack of a US trade deal, weak capital inflows, and a widening trade deficit.

Stock market recommendations: Motilal Oswal Financial Services has identified SBI Life and RBL Bank as top stock picks for the week of December 15, 2025. SBI Life shows strong growth in key metrics like APE and VNB, driven by product mix shifts. RBL Bank's prospects are significantly boosted by Emirates NBD's substantial investment, enhancing its financial strength and operational capabilities for future expansion.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Monday on weak global cues. While Nifty50 was near 26,000, BSE Sensex was down over 250 points.

China's economic recovery is losing momentum as consumer spending and investment faltered in November. Retail sales saw their slowest growth since the Covid period, while factory output and car sales also softened. This weak domestic demand, coupled with external risks, has prompted leadership to prioritize expanding domestic demand for the upcoming year.

Congress expelled former MLA Mohammed Moquim for anti-party activities after he urged Sonia Gandhi to replace party president Mallikarjun Kharge, citing age and a need for young leaders. Moquim's letter highlighted recent electoral defeats and questioned leadership choices, drawing criticism from party officials who suggested he join the BJP.

Leading financial institutions are bullish on several Indian companies. Morgan Stanley sees potential in Adani Power, while CLSA maintains an outperform rating on Dixon Technologies despite some concerns. HSBC is positive on Tata Steel's growth prospects, and Jefferies reiterates a buy on BPCL due to strong refining performance. Citigroup recommends IGL, citing improved volume outlook from clean energy mandates.