The Times of India News

Noida International Airport (NIA) has partnered with Tech Mahindra to establish a 24/7 integrated Network and Security Operations Centre (NOC-SOC). This collaboration aims to embed cybersecurity and digital resilience into the airport's operations from its inception. The NOC-SOC will proactively monitor and manage critical IT infrastructure, ensuring high availability and robust security for seamless airport operations.

Gold and silver prices reached unprecedented highs on Tuesday, driven by investor demand for safe-haven assets amidst geopolitical tensions and anticipated US Federal Reserve interest rate cuts. Both domestic and international markets saw significant surges, with gold futures on MCX and Comex hitting record levels.

Gold prices hit a new record high Tuesday, driven by escalating geopolitical tensions as the US seized Venezuelan oil tankers. Silver also neared historic peaks, extending a strong rally in precious metals. Expectations of lower US interest rates and a weaker dollar further fueled this surge, making gold an attractive safe haven for investors.

The first meeting of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Members of Parliament will be held on Tuesday and will be chaired by BJP President JP Nadda, along with National Working President Nitin Nabin. The meeting will be held on Tuesday at 9 pm through video conferencing.

Hyosung Heavy Industries secured a contract worth 120 billion won, or approximately USD 82 million, to supply ultra-high-voltage transformers to the United Kingdom. This deal with SP Energy Networks, a division of ScottishPower, aims to support a significant wind power project as Britain works toward its carbon-neutrality goals.

A political rift has emerged within the INDIA bloc as CPI(M) MP John Brittas criticised Rahul Gandhi's absence from Parliament during the Winter Session. Brittas also expressed disapproval of Priyanka Gandhi's participation in a tea meeting with Prime Minister Modi, deeming it a wrong message after the passage of key legislation.

India has pledged a comprehensive USD 450 million assistance package to Sri Lanka for reconstruction efforts following Cyclone Ditwah. This aid, comprising concessional credit and grants, builds on India's initial humanitarian response and aims to support critical infrastructure and recovery needs, reinforcing New Delhi's commitment to its neighbor's stability.

PAN-Aadhaar linking deadline: Link your PAN with Aadhaar by December 31, 2025, or face consequences. Unlinked PANs become inoperative from January 1, 2026, impacting tax refunds and leading to higher TDS.

Congress MP Imran Masood stated that Priyanka Gandhi would deliver a decisive treatment to Bangladesh if she becomes Prime Minister, drawing a parallel to Indira Gandhi's actions. Masood's remarks came amid protests in Dhaka over violence against minorities, specifically the mob lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das over alleged blasphemy charges.

The petitioners informed the Court that they had complied with the November 19 order by depositing a total sum of Rs 51,11,43,36,390.40, which also included an additional amount deposited as a measure of abundant caution.

Global equities climbed Tuesday, buoyed by anticipated US interest rate cuts and easing AI concerns. Gold and silver hit record highs as US economic data signaled inflation cooling and unemployment rising, strengthening the case for Federal Reserve easing. Micron's strong earnings also boosted tech stocks, despite ongoing AI investment scrutiny.

A Delhi court has framed charges of criminal conspiracy against Congress MP Karti Chidambaram and others in the Chinese visa scam case. The allegations involve a Rs 50 lakh bribe for facilitating visa approvals for Chinese personnel. The next hearing is scheduled for January 16.

India must prepare for both swift, high-intensity conflicts to counter terrorism and prolonged wars stemming from territorial disputes, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan stated. He emphasized the need for multi-domain operations, citing Operation Sindoor as an example of simultaneous warfare across all domains.

India's IPO market has shown strong momentum in 2025, emerging as a key exit route for private equity (PE) investors, according to KPMG's Pulse of Private Equity Q3'25 report.

Days after the killing of youth leader Sharif Osman Bin Hadi, another prominent youth leader, Motaleb Sikdar, was shot in head on Monday. He was taken to hospital in critical condition. This incident escalates concerns over political violence amidst heightened tensions following Hadi's death, which sparked widespread protests demanding justice.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring alleged the ruling AAP manipulated the recent zila parishad and panchayat samiti elections through abuse of power. He claimed AAP's actual electoral wins were significantly lower than reported, with many seats won unopposed or through rejected nominations, despite the AAP claiming an emphatic victory.

MacKenzie Scott has donated over $7.1 billion in 2025 to 186 organizations globally, including universities and environmental nonprofits, marking her largest annual giveaway. This significant philanthropic effort, detailed on her website Yield Giving, continues her focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, with substantial contributions to institutions like Howard University and the UNCF.

Amazon has blocked over 1,800 North Koreans attempting to secure remote IT jobs, citing a rise in applications and the use of laptop farms. This tactic, also seen at other companies, aims to generate funds for Pyongyang's regime. Officials warn of a widespread issue, with North Korea's cyber unit actively seeking to steal financial assets.

Markets saw huge volatility in 2025, with analysts predicting its continuation into 2026. Dynamic asset allocation funds, also known as balanced advantage funds, offer a potential solution by adjusting their equity and debt mix based on market conditions, delivering average returns of 4.57% in 2025.

All India Imam Association president Maulana Sajid Rashidi criticized RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's 'Hindu Rashtra' comments, deeming them unconstitutional and a threat to India's democratic fabric. Rashidi argued that such a concept would lead to the demise of the constitution and the implementation of Manusmriti, impacting Dalits and other religions.

Indian doctors and nurses are increasingly leaving the UK's NHS due to rising costs, tighter immigration rules, and reduced job security. Financial strain, better global opportunities, and restrictive government policies are pushing many to seek careers elsewhere, with visa numbers for Indian healthcare workers seeing significant drops. This trend impacts the NHS workforce.

Indonesia and the United States have finalized a new tariff deal, with presidents expected to sign it next month. The agreement lowers US tariffs on Indonesian goods, including palm oil, coffee, and tea, while the US seeks greater access to Indonesia's critical minerals. This follows a commitment by Indonesia to increase imports from the US.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Tuesday. While Nifty50 was above 26,150, BSE Sensex was below 85,500.

The Chinese embassy in India has launched an online visa application system for Indian passport holders, simplifying the process for tourist, business, student, and work visas. This digital initiative reduces consulate visits and allows for real-time tracking and INR fee payments, aiding in the gradual normalization of ties between the two nations.

Stock market recommendations: Mirae Asset Sharekhan's Somil Mehta identifies NMDC, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, and BHEL as top stock picks for December 23, 2025. These companies are showing positive technical indicators, suggesting potential uptrends.

Nuvama downgraded Voltas citing weak near-term demand and high inventory, while Kotak sees improvement in SBI Cards' asset quality and spending. CLSA expects Dalmia Bharat's volumes to rise but margins to be pressured by weak pricing. Morgan Stanley views HCL Tech's acquisition as financially minor, and Citigroup remains positive on Divis Laboratories amid global supply chain shifts.

UP CM Yogi Adityanath blamed Congress and Muhammad Ali Jinnah for India's cultural division and Partition. He stated that the compromise over Vande Mataram was the first dangerous outcome of Congress' appeasement politics, leading to separatism. Adityanath argued the opposition to the song was political, not religious.

Kochi police have dropped drug charges against actor Shine Tom Chacko and a co-accused after forensic reports confirmed no narcotic substances were found. The case, which gained attention in April following a hotel raid where the actor allegedly jumped into a pool to evade police, has now concluded with clean chits for both individuals.

India is nearing deals to export BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to Vietnam and Indonesia. Russia has given its nod for these sales. These agreements, worth over Rs 4,000 crore, will make Vietnam and Indonesia the latest ASEAN nations to acquire the missiles. India is also looking to export other defence systems to friendly countries.

A chilling wolf attack claimed the life of a three-year-old boy in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, amplifying widespread fear in rural areas. This incident marks the latest in a series of fatal attacks, with 13 people, mostly children, succumbing to wolves in the district over the past three months.

The Chinese embassy in Delhi has launched an online visa application system for Indian passport holders, simplifying the process by allowing applicants to fill forms and upload documents digitally. This new system, announced on WeChat, aims to provide greater convenience for those applying for tourist, business, student, and work visas.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, on his first Delhi visit post-oath, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Accompanied by Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary and Union Minister Lalan Singh, Kumar's visit was termed a courtesy call with discussions on developed Bihar. Shah affirmed the NDA government's commitment to welfare and good governance.

New Zealand's coalition government faces internal opposition to the India FTA, with Foreign Minister Winston Peters vowing to vote against it. He argues the deal is unfair, giving too much on immigration without sufficient returns, particularly for dairy exports. Despite this, the opposition Labour Party reportedly supports the legislation.

Tech billionaire Larry Ellison has personally guaranteed over $40 billion for Skydance's $78 billion bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, aiming to quell board doubts about funding certainty. This move, backing his son David's takeover attempt, intensifies the hostile bid against a rival Netflix deal. WBD's board now faces increased pressure from shareholders.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that criminal courts must not automatically demand passport deposits as a bail condition. Such orders require specific evidence of a genuine flight risk, as passports are crucial identity documents.

Activists Anjali Damania and Vijay Kumbhar have demanded an FIR against Parth Pawar and the resignation of Dy CM Ajit Pawar over an alleged Pune land scam. They presented text messages and power of attorney documents as evidence, claiming authorities have failed to act. The NCP has refuted the allegations, calling them unproven.

In Giridih, Jharkhand, a woman was severely injured after two men allegedly poured hot oil on her when she resisted their molestation attempt at her shop. One accused, Uday Choudhary, has been arrested, while efforts are underway to apprehend the second suspect, Manish Choudhary. An FIR has been lodged regarding the incident.

A 20-year-old pregnant woman was allegedly murdered by her family in Karnataka for marrying a Dalit man. Manya Patil, seven months pregnant, was reportedly assaulted by her father and relatives. Her family also attacked the Dalit youth's relatives, leading to protests and arrests.

The Supreme Court will deliver a crucial verdict on January 21. This decision will determine the fate of 57 local bodies in Maharashtra. These bodies saw their election results declared. The issue concerns reservation quotas exceeding the 50% limit. Both Mahayuti and MVA alliances have victories impacted by this legal challenge.

BJP dismissed Sonia Gandhi's criticism of MGNREGA's rollback as political fancy, asserting the new law is a epair job for renewal and expansion of social protection. BJP stated the legal right to employment remains, with guaranteed days strengthened, and the funding model rationalized to make states equal partners.

Amidst escalating tensions, Bangladesh has suspended consular and visa services in Delhi, citing 'unavoidable circumstances.' This move follows claims of threats to its high commissioner. Meanwhile, India has reopened its visa centers in Khulna, Rajshahi, and Sylhet, prioritizing humanitarian needs, particularly for medical visa applicants, despite security concerns.

India and New Zealand have inked a free trade agreement, aiming to double bilateral trade within five years. This pact grants India tariff-free access to New Zealand's markets for key sectors like textiles and engineering goods. New Zealand also pledged $20 billion in investment, while India offered market access on over 70% of tariff lines, excluding sensitive products like dairy.

The RBI sold a net $11.9 billion in October 2025 to stabilize the rupee, actively intervening in spot and forward markets. Gross dollar sales surged to $29.6 billion, indicating strong efforts to counter rupee pressure and prevent it from falling below 89 per dollar.

November's high-frequency indicators reveal robust domestic demand and stable economic activity, with benign inflation keeping input costs low for firms. Despite external headwinds, coordinated policy actions have bolstered resilience, allowing monetary policy to support growth. Global uncertainties persist, impacting emerging market flows, though equity markets showed optimism.