The Times of India News

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.

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Unaccounted Currency Notes Were Recovered From Official Residence

Proposed N-Law changes will help implement Indo-US deal, open doors for US investment

With Curbs On Immigration Rising In West, Indians Look To Explore East

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US visa applicants, including H-1B workers and their families, must now make social media profiles public for enhanced screening. This directive, effective December 15, extends existing measures for students and exchange visitors. The State Department views visa decisions as national security matters, utilizing all available information to vet applicants for potential risks.

Filmmaker Karan Johar revealed a surprising personal detail: he has never eaten at a wedding due to discomfort with long queues and eating in public. This confession came during a conversation with newlyweds Kriti Kharbanda and Pulkit Samrat on a wedding show, where the couple emphasized the importance of good food at their own nuptials.

India has identified nearly 300 products in engineering, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and chemicals with significant export potential to Russia, aiming to boost bilateral trade. Despite a large trade deficit, India's current exports in these key sectors are considerably lower than Russia's import demand, presenting a substantial opportunity for growth.

Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, a seasoned politician and revered six-time MLA, has sadly passed away at the age of 95 after battling age-related ailments. His commitment to the upliftment of education and community service marked his illustrious career. His departure is a significant loss for Karnataka's political landscape and the Veerashaiva-Lingayat community, prompting leaders from all sides to express their condolences.

Football icon Lionel Messi's India tour captivated Mumbai, with a memorable meet-and-greet at Wankhede Stadium featuring Bollywood stars Ajay Devgn and Tiger Shroff. Kareena Kapoor Khan also brought her sons to interact with the legend. Young footballers will train with Messi, making this a truly inspiring visit before his Delhi finale.

Indian family businesses are experiencing robust expansion, with nearly half reporting revenues between USD 1 billion and USD 30 billion. Driven by increased capital access, generational leadership shifts, and technology adoption, these enterprises are poised for significant growth. A strong focus on ESG and aggressive global expansion plans further underscore their dynamic trajectory.

Telecom regulator Trai is clashing with the Department of Telecom over satellite spectrum charges. Trai objects to DoT's proposal for lower charges for state-owned BSNL, deeming it discriminatory to new entrants. Trai argues that preferential treatment for BSNL, even for strategic purposes, is unfair given evolving market dynamics and the need for a level playing field.

This bill marks Indias strongest legislative move yet to protect personal time in an always-connected digital work culture.

Banks must now link loans for micro, small, and medium enterprises to an external benchmark. This move aims to improve monetary policy transmission. The Reserve Bank of India has also reduced the reset period for these loans. Quality control measures are being phased in with specific exemptions for MSMEs.

A horrific shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach has claimed at least 12 lives, with authorities labeling it a terrorist incident. Police responded to the developing situation, urging the public to avoid the area. The attack occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, prompting condemnation and calls to combat antisemitism.

Do women end up paying hidden taxes just to survive? From the 'pink tax' to 'safety tax' and more, where women pay more for gendered products and essential safety measures. Does simply existing as a woman become financially and emotionally more expensive, a burden society continues to overlook but hard to escape.

Gold and silver are poised for further gains as global inflation data and economic indicators are closely watched. Analysts anticipate continued momentum driven by central bank policy expectations and geopolitical factors. Domestic factors like rupee depreciation are also boosting gold's appeal for Indian investors, while strong industrial demand supports silver.

The AAP leader's comments come a day after CM Gupta alleged that while Bharatiya Janata Party leaders are trying to fight pollution by staying in Delhi, Kejriwal simply abandons Delhi by taking a Vipassana every six months.

India's gems and jewellery exports surged nearly 20% to $2.5 billion in November, driven by strong shipments of cut and polished diamonds, studded gold jewellery, and silver items. While cumulative exports remain steady, this monthly uptick signals a market stabilization and picking up demand in key destinations like Hong Kong and the Middle East, offering optimism for future growth.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah congratulated Nitin Nabin on his appointment as BJP National Working President. Nabin, a five-time MLA and former Bihar minister, is lauded for his organizational experience and dedication. His political journey began in student politics, building a strong base before entering electoral politics and focusing on urban development.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the Centre to implement wide-ranging reforms in the Union Budget 2026-27 to boost India's investment-led growth. Key recommendations include increased capital expenditure, a new National Infrastructure Pipeline, and tax incentives to encourage private and foreign investment.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that he skipped his son's operation to protest alleged vote chori and Special Intensive Revision, calling it crucial to save 140 crore people. He labelled BJP gaddars and dramebaaz, asserting only Congress ideology can protect the Constitution from being destroyed by the BJP's agenda. Rahul Gandhi was lauded for leading the fight.