The Times of India News

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that both he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah are awaiting a call from the Congress high command regarding the leadership decision. This comes amid reports of Shivakumar's faction pushing for his elevation, with party leaders emphasizing a united front ahead of the legislative session.

India's telecom sector concluded 2025 with significant advancements in digital connectivity and infrastructure. The National Broadband Mission 2.0 accelerated high-speed internet access nationwide, while 5G services now reach nearly the entire population. A major achievement includes developing indigenous 4G technology, bolstering India's self-reliance and manufacturing capabilities.

Global oil demand reversed its predicted decline in 2025, with India emerging as a major consumption driver. This resurgence was fueled by delayed clean energy policies and geopolitical tensions, while India diversified its oil imports, notably from Russia, and expanded refining capacity. Stable oil prices provided fiscal relief for importers like India.

Parle Agro has achieved a significant multi-fold growth in its consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 115.38 crore in FY25. The beverage giant's revenue also saw a 5% increase, climbing to Rs 3,284.13 crore. This performance was accompanied by a reduction in advertising promotional expenses.

An Air India Express pilot has been grounded and faces a probe after allegedly assaulting a passenger at Delhi Airport's Terminal 1. The incident reportedly stemmed from a queue-cutting dispute at a staff entry gate. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has ordered a formal inquiry, seeking reports from aviation security and CISF.

An Air India Express pilot allegedly assaulted a passenger, Ankit Dewan, at Delhi Airport over a security lane dispute. The Delhi Police stated no formal complaint has been filed, learning of the incident via social media. The airline has grounded the pilot and condemned the behavior, promising disciplinary action.

Elon Musk has secured a significant legal victory as the Delaware Supreme Court reversed a lower court's decision, reinstating his $5556 billion Tesla pay package. The court found the original ruling went too far in cancelling the compensation, despite acknowledging concerns about Musk's influence over the company.

The Centre for Policy Research and Governance recently held a dialogue on AI in publishing. Experts discussed technology's impact on reading habits and content creation. The Youth Readership Study was also released. Discussions focused on balancing AI's role with human creativity and judgment in the evolving publishing landscape.

The Supreme Court agrees to hear pleas on the elephant corridor in the Sigur plateau

The Supreme Court swiftly responded to a young advocate's tearful plea, who alleged her uncle was harassing her and her mother over ancestral property. The bench, led by CJI Surya Kant, ordered immediate legal aid, protection for the duo, and restrained the uncle from alienating property, emphasizing the poor's right to judicial time.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Guwahati's new Lokapriya Gopinath Bardoloi International Airport terminal today, a significant infrastructure upgrade for Assam. This nature-themed facility, featuring a 'Sky Forest' with indigenous plants, aims to enhance passenger experience and boost commerce and tourism. The terminal is designed to handle millions of passengers annually, incorporating modern digital features for efficient travel.

Mumbai is set to get a world-class marina in its harbour, a Rs 887-crore project approved by the Union government. This initiative aims to boost maritime tourism and waterfront development, creating over 2,000 jobs. The facility will accommodate 424 yachts and includes plans for a sailing school and extensive onshore amenities, positioning Mumbai as a global maritime hub.

Eight elephants tragically died after being struck by the Sairang New Delhi Rajdhani Express in Assam's Hojai district early Saturday. The collision caused five coaches and the engine of the train to derail, though no passengers were injured. The incident occurred in a forested area known for elephant movement.

Gautam Adani's conglomerate is making a significant foray into hospitality, planning over 60 hotels across its airports and real estate. This ambitious move aims to diversify revenue streams beyond aeronautical income, positioning Adani Group as a major competitor to established players like Taj and ITC Hotels. Navi Mumbai is set to be a key development hub for these new ventures.

Adani Group plans a massive Rs 1 lakh crore investment in aviation infrastructure over five years, aiming to bid for a dozen airports. This expansion, funded by debt and equity, includes new terminals and facility upgrades. The group, already a major player, is preparing its airport business for a potential 2030 listing, focusing solely on domestic growth for now.

Corporation tax collections have surpassed personal income tax collections. This has led to a growth of 4.2% in gross direct tax collections until mid-December. The overall tax kitty has crossed Rs 20 lakh crore. This development signals strong corporate earnings. However, a fall in refunds has resulted in an 8% rise in net direct tax collections.

The Indian rupee experienced its strongest single-day gain since May, closing at 89.27 per dollar, up 97 paise. This rebound followed a period of record lows, driven by aggressive Reserve Bank of India intervention and corporate dollar inflows. The central bank's proactive measures appear to have countered speculative attacks, shifting the short-term outlook for the rupee.

US President Trump announced agreements with nine major pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices in the US, aligning them with those in other wealthy nations. These deals will impact Medicaid pricing and introduce most-favoured-nation pricing for new drugs across all markets. Companies also committed to a direct-to-consumer platform and offered discounts.

The Reserve Bank of India's central board has approved a shift to a risk-based pricing system for deposit insurance, moving away from the current uniform premium. This reform will allow better-rated banks to pay lower premiums, while weaker institutions will face higher charges, reflecting their financial strength.

The Supreme Court has fined 10 private dental colleges in Rajasthan Rs 10 crore each for admitting students without meeting NEET 2016-17 cutoffs. The court regularized degrees for affected students, who must now provide pro bono services during state emergencies. The fines will fund welfare institutions.

A violent gang war erupted at a Rohtak liquor vend, resulting in one death and four injuries after over 30 rounds were fired. Shooters from the Himanshu Bhau gang allegedly initiated the conflict, leading to a retaliation that critically injured a friend of gangster Sunny Ritoliya. One injured individual later died at a private hospital.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached assets worth Rs 8 crore belonging to cricketers Yuvraj Singh and Robin Uthappa, and actors Urvashi Rautela, Sonu Sood, Mimi Chakraborty, Ankush Hazra, and Neha Sharma in an illegal online betting case. This action follows previous attachments of Rs 11 crore from Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina.

Japan's MUFG is acquiring a 20% stake in Shriram Finance for $4.4 billion, marking the largest FDI in India's financial services. This strategic partnership will enhance SFL's capital adequacy and balance sheet, leveraging MUFG's global expertise and financial strength for long-term growth and improved credit ratings.

ICICI Prudential Asset Management Co debuted on Friday with a 20% premium, becoming India's most-valued fund house. The IPO, one of the most subscribed offers ever, saw its stock list at Rs 2,606 and close at Rs 2,587, achieving a market capitalization of nearly Rs 1.28 lakh crore.

GVK Reddy's daughter, Shalini Bhupal, is set to acquire Indian Hotels' 25.5% stake in Taj GVK Hotels & Resorts for Rs 592 crore, becoming the largest shareholder. This move increases the GVK Reddy family's stake to approximately 75%, while Indian Hotels will continue to manage the hotel portfolio under long-term contracts.

The Supreme Court denied anticipatory bail to a chartered accountancy student for posts on a parody X account, stating free speech is not unfettered. The court emphasized that those abusing their right to free speech cannot receive discretionary relief, suggesting the student approach the Gujarat high court.

The Supreme Court has signaled its strong inclination to protect elephants, stating it will always favor animals whose migration paths are obstructed by commercial tourism. This stance emerged during hearings concerning wildlife resorts in Tamil Nadu's Sigur Plateau elephant corridor. The court emphasized that any doubt regarding benefit should go to the silent victims of development.

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat's draft voter lists have seen significant deletions, with over 97 lakh and 73 lakh names removed respectively. Millions more face notices for logical discrepancies in their enrollment details. Claims and objections are now open until January 18th for affected voters.

The Supreme Court has mandated that environmental protection is a core component of corporate social responsibility, not mere charity. In a landmark ruling, the court directed non-renewable power generators in Rajasthan and Gujarat to contribute to the survival of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard. This decision underscores the constitutional duty of corporations to safeguard the environment.

The Enforcement Directorate has challenged a trial court's order dismissing its money laundering case against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. The ED argues the court overlooked evidence, stating cognizance was impermissible as it wasn't based on an FIR for a scheduled offense.

Enforcement Directorate questioned Anil Ambani's son, Jai Anmol, for over seven hours in a Yes Bank money laundering probe. He's summoned again Saturday to clarify transactions. The ED alleges a quid-pro-quo between Ambani's group and Yes Bank promoter Rana Kapoor, leading to substantial losses for the bank due to significant exposure to Ambani's companies.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Traditional Medicine Global Library (TMGL) at the WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, establishing a shared international platform for ancient health systems. The digital library aims to anchor Ayurveda, yoga, and other traditions in research and policy, ensuring equal access to authentic information for all countries.

Rahul Gandhi stated Congress will force the PM Modi government to withdraw the disbanding of the MGNREGA job guarantee scheme, warning it's the BJP's next target after farmers' protests led to the rollback of farm laws. He asserted the scheme provides crucial leverage to vulnerable sections, which the government aims to break.

The Supreme Court quashed an FIR against a husband, stating that asking his wife to maintain an Excel sheet for household expenses does not constitute cruelty. The court emphasized that such domestic disputes often stem from the 'daily wear and tear' of marriage and should not be used to initiate criminal proceedings without specific evidence of harm.

A special Pocso court sentenced a former headmaster and retired teacher of a school for the deaf to two years' rigorous imprisonment for sexually assaulting three students. The judge emphasized the betrayal of trust by those in positions of authority.

Adventure tourism leaders have declared Jammu and Kashmir safe, urging the reopening of all tourist spots closed after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Adventure Tour Operators Association of India successfully held its convention in Srinagar, with members visiting popular destinations without incident. They emphasize J&K's potential as a premier adventure hub, promoting safe and sustainable tourism.

PDP member Iltija Mufti filed a police complaint in Srinagar against Bihar CM Nitish Kumar for allegedly gesturing to an AYUSH graduate in a hijab to show her face. The complaint follows similar action by a Samajwadi Party spokesperson, with critics arguing the act undermines women's dignity and emboldens attackers.

Security forces launched extensive cordon and search operations in Rajouri district's villages after reports of suspicious movement. Troops from Rashtriya Rifles, J&K Police, and Special Operations Group conducted aggressive searches from midnight Thursday to Friday evening. A similar operation occurred in Samba district's Mansar area on December 17.

Dense fog grounded operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Friday, leading to at least 177 flight cancellations and over 500 delays. Airlines are offering full refunds and free rescheduling, with airport authorities ensuring passenger support amidst ongoing CAT III operations.

India and the Netherlands have launched a Joint Trade and Investment Committee (JTIC) to boost economic ties and resolve trade barriers. An MoU establishes this formal mechanism for annual meetings, co-chaired by senior officials, to review relations, promote investment, and explore mutual cooperation.