The Times of India News

Kraft Heinz has named Steve Cahillane as its new CEO starting January 1, 2026. He will lead the Global Taste Elevation Co. after the company splits into two entities next year. This division aims to improve efficiency. Cahillane brings extensive experience in brand building and managing similar corporate structures. The current CEO will move to an advisory role.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, The Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, during his first bilateral visit. The two nations agreed to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, focusing on cooperation in economy, innovation, technology, defence, and health.

NPS retirement withdrawal rules have been significantly revised, allowing non-government subscribers to withdraw up to 80% of their corpus as a lump sum. The mandatory annuity purchase requirement has been reduced to a minimum of 20%, offering greater flexibility in managing post-retirement income.

Gujarat has banned the sale and distribution of rolling papers and pre-rolled cones, commonly known as 'Gogo paper'. The state home department cited health risks and concerns that these products are being used by youth to smoke narcotic substances. The ban, effective immediately, targets harmful substances found in the papers, aiming to curb addiction among young people.

Warren Buffett's wisdom transcends finance. His approach emphasizes integrity, generosity, and unwavering optimism, even amidst challenges. Buffett's philosophy, rooted in contentment and giving, offers profound lessons for navigating life's complexities, proving his most valuable investment might be in human connection.

India's aviation fuel sales dipped over 4% in early December, primarily due to IndiGo's extensive flight cancellations caused by new pilot rules and staff shortages. While jet fuel demand faltered, diesel, petrol, and LPG consumption saw significant year-on-year growth, indicating a mixed trend in the country's fuel market.

Over 7.7 lakh households are now receiving zero electricity bills thanks to rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The government has provided significant subsidy support and sanctioned numerous loan applications. Additionally, farmers are earning substantial income by leasing land for solar projects under the PM-KUSUM scheme.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma issued a stern warning to Bangladesh, stating India will retaliate if Bangladeshi politicians continue to make remarks about the northeastern region. His comments followed a statement by a Bangladeshi leader suggesting isolation of India's northeast and support for separatists if India destabilizes Bangladesh.

US job growth slowed significantly in November, adding 64,000 positions, a stark contrast to October's loss. The unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%, its highest since 2021, influenced by federal workforce reductions and economic uncertainties. Businesses are hesitant to expand due to AI integration and policy unpredictability.

Elon Musk has become the first person to exceed a $600 billion fortune, driven by SpaceX's valuation surge to $800 billion. This unprecedented wealth places him significantly closer to trillionaire status, with his SpaceX stake now valued at $336 billion.

In a remarkable shift in ten years, Global Capability Centres (GCCS) are accelerating their recruitment of tech professionals at a rate four times faster than any traditional IT companies. This surge is reshaping India's tech job market as these centres passionately pursue talent in burgeoning fields like AI and cloud technology.

Charles Dickens, a renowned author, left a legacy of impactful stories and social reform. His quote inspires action over mere wishes. It encourages embracing possibilities as probabilities. This wisdom guides generations to pursue goals with determination. Dickens' message promotes personal and communal growth through will and perseverance.

The Trump administration's 2025 National Security Strategy redefines global power dynamics, placing India at a critical juncture. The document emphasizes unilateral action and self-interest, urging India to contribute more to Indo-Pacific security through initiatives like the Quad, signaling a shift towards transactional alliances.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar strongly condemned the terror attack at Sydney's Hanukkah celebration, emphasizing India and Israel's zero tolerance policy towards terrorism. Speaking alongside Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Moshe Sa'ar, Jaishankar conveyed deep condolences for the lives lost and injured.

Bihar's Minority Affairs Minister Zama Khan defended Chief Minister Nitish Kumar after he removed a woman doctor's hijab during a public event. Khan described the act as fatherly affection, aiming to highlight minority women's progress. The incident sparked outrage, with the Congress demanding Kumar's resignation and questioning women's safety in the state.

Goa nightclub fire owners, Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, were deported from Bangkok to Delhi on Tuesday morning after fleeing India hours after the December 6 blaze that killed 25. The brothers face culpable homicide and negligence charges for alleged fire safety norm violations. Their passports were cancelled and an Interpol notice issued before their detention in Thailand.

The Reserve Bank of India has approved HDFC Bank to acquire up to 9.5% stake in IndusInd Bank, primarily for portfolio investments by its group companies. This approval, valid for one year, allows aggregate holdings by mutual fund and insurance arms without conferring board representation or control.

An Allahabad High Court judge, Justice Yashwant Varma, has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Lok Sabha Speaker's inquiry committee formed to probe corruption allegations against him. He argues the committee's constitution by the Speaker alone is a procedural lapse, as such a panel should be jointly formed by both Houses of Parliament.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has commenced a significant two-day State visit to Ethiopia, marking his inaugural trip to the nation. Following a productive tour of Jordan, PM Modi will engage in extensive discussions with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties and cooperation.

Goa nightclub owners, wanted for a fatal fire, were arrested in Delhi after fleeing to Bangkok. West Bengal's sports minister resigned following the Lionel Messi event chaos, with the CM taking charge. In IPL, Cameron Green was bought for Rs 25.20 crore. Delhi's environment minister apologized for air pollution, while Ukraine claimed responsibility for a Black Sea submarine attack.

The European Union has expanded its sanctions against Russia's oil trade, targeting traders and shipping networks accused of facilitating Moscow's crude exports. New measures name oil traders Murtaza Lakhani and Etibar Eyyub, aiming to disrupt the shadow fleet of tankers used to bypass Western restrictions and continue generating revenue for the Kremlin.

The Indian Rupee hit a new record low against the US Dollar on Tuesday. This decline is driven by foreign investors selling Indian assets and stalled trade negotiations between India and the US. Traders anticipate further depreciation, with the Rupee potentially crossing 92 against the Dollar this month. The currency has seen a significant drop in recent trading sessions.

The Reserve Bank of India is enhancing credit reporting, moving from monthly to 15-day updates and proposing weekly reporting by July 2026. This aims to accelerate the reflection of good borrower behavior, improve fraud detection, and provide a more accurate, near real-time credit profile for consumers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded a productive two-day visit to Jordan, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. Discussions with King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II strengthened cooperation in renewable energy, water management, and digital transformation. The visit underscored the warm and growing India-Jordan partnership.

Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) has been crowned the most consistent and all-round wealth creator stock over the past five years, outperforming the Nifty Total Return Index annually. A new report highlights HAL's impressive 75% Total Return CAGR, with PSU stocks notably leading wealth creation in this period. This defence giant's performance is a significant achievement, making it a standout investment.

Estranged cousins Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray are set to unite their Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS parties for upcoming civic polls in Mumbai, Thane, Pune, and Nashik. A formal announcement is expected next week, marking a significant political realignment after recent electoral setbacks. This alliance will contest elections in major cities, with local units deciding on tie-ups elsewhere.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee is reportedly set to take over the state's sports ministry. This follows Sports Minister Aroop Biswas offering to resign amid allegations of mismanagement and security lapses during the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata. The controversy led to spectator anger and damage to stadium property.

A new bill, Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha, has been introduced in Parliament. This aims to transform India's insurance sector. Foreign investment limits will rise to 100 percent. New licenses for specific insurance types will be available. The goal is universal insurance coverage by 2047. This reform seeks to boost growth and policyholder protection.

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa stated that reducing air pollution within 9-10 months is unrealistic, apologizing for the current smog. He blamed the previous AAP government for the pollution crisis, claiming his administration is working to fix it.

West Bengal Sports Minister Aroop Biswas has reportedly offered to resign following allegations of mismanagement and security lapses at the Lionel Messi event in Kolkata. The move comes after angry spectators clashed with police, causing significant damage to stadium property. A Trinamool Congress leader shared a purported resignation letter, though its authenticity is being questioned.

West Bengal authorities have issued show-cause notices to top police officials, including the DGP and Bidhannagar CP, following chaos during the Lionel Messi GOAT Tour event. Lapses in crowd control, security, and coordination led to disorder, vandalism, and the early termination of the program, prompting administrative action and an inquiry.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the Centre of attempting to dismantle the MGNREGA by renaming it to G RAM G. She warned that proposed changes, including shifting financial burden to states and centralizing decision-making, could lead to the scheme's collapse and eventual scrapping, despite claims of expanding employment days.

Gold prices saw a decline in futures trade as traders booked profits and awaited the US non-farm payrolls report for clues on the Federal Reserve's interest rate path. Both MCX and Comex gold futures experienced decreases, with international prices snapping a three-day winning streak.

Opposition MPs protested in Lok Sabha as the government tabled the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, 2025, aiming to replace MGNREGA. Concerns were raised over removing Mahatma Gandhi's name and weakening the legal right to employment, with demands for committee scrutiny.

India's business expansion continued in December, though at a moderated pace. The composite PMI index dipped to 58.9, reflecting slower growth in both manufacturing and services. While new orders remained strong, companies showed increased caution about future prospects, with business confidence declining. Despite the slowdown, the private sector maintained robust activity.

Prime Minister Modi announced India's economic ascent, projecting it to become the world's third-largest economy with over 8% growth fueled by productivity and innovation. Speaking at the India-Jordan Business meet, he highlighted significant opportunities for Jordanian investors and businesses, aiming to double bilateral trade to $5 billion in five years.

India's 2026-27 Union Budget could be historic, shifting focus to the debt-to-GDP ratio for increased spending. The expert expects simplified income tax with lower TDS rates to boost consumption, alongside support for manufacturing and capital markets.

Ankita Lokhande and Vicky Jain's family business faced extensive GST searches in Bilaspur, linked to a coal firm. The multi-location raids resulted in a total tax surrender of Rs. 27.5 crore from three coal trading groups. Officials suspected manipulation in tax input during the operations.

India's exports surged 19.4% in November, defying US tariffs, with shipments to China and the US showing significant growth. Engineering and electronics goods led the rise. The trade deficit narrowed to a five-month low as imports of gold and crude oil declined. This resilience highlights market diversification and sector strength.

The Indian rupee hit an all-time low, breaching 91 against the US dollar amid sustained foreign fund outflows and trade uncertainty. The currency extended its losing streak, weakening significantly in recent sessions. Analysts anticipate continued pressure due to delayed trade deals and FII outflows, though a weaker dollar or RBI intervention could offer support.

Nikola Tesla, a brilliant inventor, revolutionised modern technology with his work in electricity and wireless communication. Despite personal struggles, his visionary ideas continue to inspire. Tesla viewed life as an unsolvable equation, yet emphasized the importance of known factors like scientific principles and experience to navigate its mysteries with curiosity and purpose.

Nasdaq is proposing to extend stock trading hours to nearly 23 hours a day, five days a week, seeking regulatory approval. This move aims to cater to rising international investor interest in US equities and provide global access on their own terms. The exchange plans a two-session weekday structure, with opening and closing bells remaining unchanged.

Gold price prediction today: Gold prices are poised for a rise, supported by a weak rupee and a dovish Federal Reserve. Despite some volatility, the yellow metal found strength from the Fed's rate cut and bond-buying plans.

Asian markets declined Tuesday, mirroring Wall Street's losses, as investors awaited crucial US employment and inflation data. Concerns about a tech bubble and the Federal Reserve's interest rate stance are driving market caution. Key economic reports due today and Thursday will heavily influence the Fed's future monetary policy decisions.