The Times of India News

Most investors have too many funds, leading to confusion rather than diversification. The article advocates for a focused approach, starting with one core fund and gradually adding a few more for specific roles. This strategy builds a robust portfolio of 4-6 well-chosen funds, ensuring clarity and effectiveness over time.

The Unnao rape survivor expressed deep distress over Kuldeep Singh Sengar's bail, calling it 'death' for her family and vowing to challenge the Delhi High Court's decision in the Supreme Court. The court suspended Sengar's life sentence, citing he shouldn't be jailed solely on victim threat perception, while imposing strict bail conditions.

Union minister Nitin Gadkari highlighted Delhi's severe air pollution, attributing 40% to the transport sector's reliance on fossil fuels. He urged a shift to electric and hydrogen mobility, framing it as a nationalistic imperative to reduce costly imports and pollution. Gadkari emphasised India's potential for cleaner fuel alternatives and advancements in electric vehicle technology.

Debt funds presented a mixed performance in 2025, with credit risk funds excelling while long-term funds lagged despite interest rate cuts. Experts anticipate range-bound yields, suggesting short-term funds may offer steadier returns. A barbell approach, balancing short and long-term allocations, is recommended for 2026 to achieve stability and potential gains.

For those guided by the stars, success can be a journey that begins later in life. Individuals connected to birth numbers like the imaginative Number 3, the meticulous Number 4, the steadfast Number 8, and the altruistic Number 9 often hit their stride post-35.

Legally binding commitments on professional services under Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) will unlock global markets for Indian professionals, said Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal while inaugurating a Chintan Shivir on professional services.

In a post on X, Ramesh alleged that the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change was being economical with the truth on the Aravalli Hills issue. He claimed that the redefinition being adopted by the government had been clearly and compellingly opposed by key statutory and judicial bodies, including the Forest Survey of India, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court, and the apex court's own amicus curiae.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Isro's successful launch of the US communications satellite BlueBird Block-2, calling it a proud milestone for India's space sector. The LVM3 rocket, carrying the heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil, demonstrated India's heavy-lift capability and commitment to self-reliance, strengthening its global commercial launch market role.

Foreign investors have returned to Indian stock markets, injecting $644 million in equities last week, the strongest inflows in nearly two months. This renewed interest follows a period of outflows and coincides with a sharp recovery in the rupee.

Violent protests over alleged illegal non-tribal settlements in Assam's Karbi Anglong region have resulted in two deaths and dozens injured. Tensions over land rights escalated, leading to clashes between tribal protesters and security forces. The state government has imposed restrictions and suspended mobile internet services.

Stock market today: Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in red on Wednesday. While Nifty50 was near 25,150, BSE Sensex was below 85,500.

Confused about bank operations this Christmas? While Christmas Day sees nationwide closures, Christmas Eve is a holiday only in Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya. Other state-specific holidays also affect banking. Plan ahead for branch visits, as digital services remain accessible. Check local lists to avoid festive season disruptions.

A US federal judge upheld the Trump administration's $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, rejecting a lawsuit by the Chamber of Commerce. The judge ruled President Trump had the legal authority to impose the fee, citing concerns that the program was displacing American workers. This decision impacts tech companies and businesses relying on skilled foreign talent.

The Netherlands sees growing political and economic ties with India, amplified by global geopolitical shifts. Recent agreements in security, defense, and semiconductors underscore a shared commitment to democracy and the rule of law. Both nations are keen to strengthen cooperation in areas like semiconductor R&D and talent development, with the Netherlands also welcoming Indian students and a thriving diaspora.

The US Department of State has expanded social media screening for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants globally, effective immediately. This move aims to prevent program abuse while allowing companies to recruit international talent. Major tech firms like Apple, Google, and Microsoft are advising visa workers against international travel due to potential delays.

Salesforce is scaling back its reliance on large language models due to reliability issues, shifting focus to deterministic automation in its Agentforce product. Executives acknowledge a decline in trust in AI models, with reported instances of models omitting instructions and losing focus. This strategic pivot follows significant support staff reductions attributed to AI agent deployment.

Stock market recommendations: Anand Rathi's Mehul Kothari recommends CEAT, Endurance Technologies, and HPL Electric & Power for purchase. These stocks are showing signs of reversal and stabilization at key support levels, with favorable risk-reward ratios for potential upside moves within a 30-60 day timeframe.

A Delhi court ordered charges against Karti P Chidambaram and six others in a visa scam. The case involves allegations of bribery for facilitating Chinese nationals' visas for a power company in 2011. The court found prima facie evidence of criminal conspiracy and illegal gratification, noting coordinated acts by the accused.

Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to screening CVs or scheduling interviews. Two unsettling Reddit accounts describe interviews where neither side realised they were speaking to a machine. Perfect answers, repeated phrasing and lifeless precision exposed the truth. The stories hint at a near future where human presence in hiring becomes optional, and increasingly difficult to verify.

A 34-year-old man from Mathura has been sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a 13-year-old mentally challenged girl. The incident came to light when the girl was found injured and bleeding. The accused, a neighbor with multiple prior criminal cases, was arrested and convicted under the Pocso Act.

An official order in Rajasthan's Sriganganagar district has cautioned private schools against compelling students to dress as Santa Claus for Christmas. The order cited the area's predominantly Sanatan population and the lack of justification for such programs, following a complaint from a Hindu nationalist group. The state education minister's office clarified the decision was local.

A retired Punjab IG, Amar Singh Chahal, attempted suicide after an alleged Rs 8 crore online fraud. Scammers posing as wealth managers lured him with fake investment returns via WhatsApp and Telegram. Chahal, who borrowed heavily, detailed his distress in a note to the DGP. Police have frozen 25 bank accounts and are investigating the digital trail.

Odisha's enhanced surrender package, offering nearly 20% higher rewards than Chhattisgarh, enticed 22 Maoist insurgents to lay down arms. This mass surrender, including 10 women and weapons valued over Rs 2 crore, marks a significant blow to the CPI (Maoist) ahead of the Centre's deadline to end left-wing extremism.

The BJP attacked Rahul Gandhi, citing comments from CPM MP John Brittas and Congress MP Imran Masood, to claim he is losing support within his party, allies, and even family. The party alleged that remarks from Robert Vadra and others signal a show of no-confidence in Rahul's leadership, prompting his foreign visit and anti-India remarks.

Congress MP Imran Masood clarified his remarks on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, stating Rahul Gandhi is the acknowledged leader of the party. Masood's initial comment, suggesting Hindus wouldn't face persecution in Bangladesh if Priyanka were PM, had sparked a row and was seized upon by the BJP. The party is wary of Rahul vs Priyanka headlines.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Aajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, replacing MGNREGA. This new law guarantees 125 days of work annually for labourers, excluding two months for agricultural needs, aiming to resolve farm labour shortages and boost farmer and labourer incomes.

Bangladesh expressed grave concern to India over vandalism at its diplomatic missions and visa center, while India summoned Bangladesh's high commissioner regarding incidents in Dhaka. Protests erupted in India against targeted attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, leading to clashes with police and detentions.

The BJP has accused the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal of targeting Hindus, drawing parallels with alleged attacks by Jamaat-e-Islami in Bangladesh. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi claimed the state police used force on protesters expressing concern over minority violence in Bangladesh, alleging the TMC is acting on an agenda to 'eradicate sanatan dharma'.

A liquor-laden truck overturned in Gujarat's Sanand, leading to a chaotic scene as locals looted spilled bottles before police arrived. The driver fled the accident, and authorities are now investigating the consignment's origin and destination while a significant amount of liquor was taken.

The National Medical Commission has revamped the NEET-PG 2025 counselling schedule, mandating states to synchronize their admission timelines with the All India Quota. This move aims to eliminate past confusion, seat blockages, and prolonged admission cycles, ensuring a smoother process for medical colleges and aspiring postgraduates. Strict adherence to the new calendar is now compulsory.

A Ludhiana man, Vijay Kumar, has been arrested for allegedly beating his eight-month pregnant wife, Pushpa, to death during a drunken rage. Her brother filed a complaint after Vijay attempted to claim she died of natural causes, despite visible injuries. Police suspect Pushpa fought back before succumbing to the assault.

To address doctor shortages, the National Medical Commission will continue relaxed MBBS intake norms for existing colleges for the 2026-27 academic year, allowing up to 250 seats. This move, alongside applications for new colleges, aims to boost doctor supply while maintaining quality standards. Colleges must meet strict faculty and infrastructure requirements.

From 2026, the NTA will implement facial recognition for NEET-UG and JEE-Main to combat impersonation, following a successful pilot with Aadhaar-based authentication. This, along with mandatory live photo capture during application, aims to bolster exam integrity amid recent leak concerns. These enhanced security measures were recommended by a government committee.

Renowned Hindi writer Vinod Kumar Shukla passed away at 88 after a lung ailment. The first Jnanpith awardee from Chhattisgarh, Shukla was known for his quiet grace and focus on ordinary people's inner worlds. He continued writing even in the ICU, leaving behind a legacy of profound literature.

A Delhi court has partially eased bail conditions for Christian Michel James in the AgustaWestland chopper scam case. The court allowed him to furnish a personal bond and cash surety instead of a surety bond, acknowledging his seven years in custody and the case's initial stage. Strict safeguards remain to prevent him from leaving the country.

Dense fog led to a massive pile-up on the Lucknow-Varanasi National Highway in Amethi, claiming the lives of two truck drivers and injuring at least 16 others. The accident involved multiple trucks, a bus, and a car, causing significant traffic disruption.

Two people died and dozens of police officers were injured in violent tribal protests in Assam's West Karbi Anglong district. Demonstrators, armed with bows and crude bombs, clashed with security forces over alleged illegal non-tribal settlements on protected lands. Internet services were suspended as authorities vowed legal action against those involved.

A UP-based YouTube influencer, Anurag Dwivedi, facing ED money-laundering probes for alleged ties to illegal betting, reportedly spent crores on a lavish Dubai destination wedding for over 130 guests. The lavish affair aboard a cruise ship, including flights and luxury stays, has drawn significant official scrutiny. The ED has seized assets worth an estimated Rs 20 crore.

Madhya Pradesh has removed 42.7 lakh voters, 7.4% of its electorate, in a massive electoral roll clean-up. This extensive revision, involving door-to-door verification, aimed to ensure accuracy by deleting deceased, shifted, and duplicate entries. The process also identified 'unmapped' voters requiring further documentation.

The Competition Commission of India has greenlit Blackstone's acquisition of up to 9.99% stake in Federal Bank via warrants, marking the US private equity giant's entry into the private lender. Additionally, CCI approved Tata Steel's complete takeover of Tata BlueScope Steel, consolidating its control over the joint venture.