The Sen Times News

Dec 12 (Reuters) Indias annual retail inflation quickened to 0.71% year-on-year in November, picking up from a record low in October, as the pace of decline in food prices slowed, government data showed on Friday. A Reuters poll had projected retail inflation at 0.7%. The latest print was below the Reserve Bank of Indias target range of 2% to 6% for the third straight month. COMMENTARY: TERESA JOHN, LEAD ECONOMIST, NIRMAL BANG, MUMBAI CPI inflation quickened to 0.71% in November from 0.25% in O

Kolkata, Dec 12 (PTI) The All India Matua Sanghas Gosai Parishad faction on Friday announced plans to hold a lakha kanthe (one-lakh-voice) Harinam Sankirtan in January to reiterate its demand for citizenship for Matua community members and to urge the Election Commission not to delete their names from voter rolls. Gosai Parishad secretary Nantu Halder said the date would be finalised after consultations. We are planning a Harinam Sankirtan with one lakh voices. I will speak to Mamata Bala Didi (

Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI) The rupee depreciated 24 paise to a new record low of 90.56 against US dollar in early trade on Friday, as uncertainty over the India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows dented investors sentiments. Forex traders said rupee is under pressure largely due to aggressive dollar purchases from importers amid surging global prices for precious metals. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 90.43 against the US dollar, then fell further to 90.56 again

Mumbai, Dec 12 (PTI) Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade on Friday, extending their previous sessions rally, in-tandem with a positive global trends amid a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 402.99 points to 85,221.12 during early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty jumped 115.3 points to 26,013.85. From the Sensex firms, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Steel, Bajaj Finance, UltraTech Cement, Axis Bank and Bharat Electronics were among the major

TOKYO, December 12, 2025 (AP) Japan on Friday issued a tsunami advisory after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake shook the countrys northeast, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Damage and injuries werent immediately clear. Fridays quake followed a 7.5 magnitude earthquake earlier this week in the north that caused injuries, light damage and a tsunami in Pacific coastal communities. At least 34 people were injured in that earlier quake on Monday off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost pref

NEW YORK, December 11, 2025 (AP) The Federal Reserve cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point Wednesday for the third time since September, bringing its key rate to about 3.6%, the lowest in nearly three years. Before September, it had gone nine months without a cut. The benchmark rate is the rate at which banks borrow and lend to one another, and the Fed has two goals when it sets the rate: one, to manage prices for goods and services, and two, to encourage full employment. The bench

Mumbai, Dec 11 (PTI) Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty rebounded on Thursday, cutting short a three-day falling streak following buying in auto and metal stocks and a rate cut by the US Federal Reserve. Rebounding from its early lows, the 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 426.86 points or 0.51 per cent, to settle at 84,818.13. During the day, it hit a high of 84,906.93 and a low of 84,150.19. The 50-share NSE Nifty appreciated by 140.55 points, or 0.55 per cent, to close at 25,898.55. Following

Mumbai, Dec 11 (PTI) The rupee plunged 54 paise to an all-time low of 90.48 against the US dollar in intra-day trade on Thursday after reports surfaced that the India-US trade deal is likely by March 2026. Forex traders said the rupee fell to a new all-time low of 90.48 after Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran reportedly said the India-US trade deal is likely to be inked by March. Moreover, prevailing risk-averse market sentiment, compounded by strong US dollar demand from importers, de

Krishnanagar (WB), Dec 11 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday called Union Home Minister Amit Shah dangerous, and warned that she would sit on a dharna if even a single eligible voters name was struck off from the list during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Launching a blistering attack on Shah, the chief minister said at a rally in Krishnanagar in Nadia district, The countrys home minister is dangerous. You can see it in his eyes its te

New York/Washington, Dec 11 (PTI) US President Donald Trumps policies towards India are doing real and lasting damage to the strategic trust and mutual understanding, a top US lawmaker has said, underlining that Washington must move with incredible urgency to mitigate the damage done to bilateral ties. Unless he changes course, Trump will be the American President that lost India, or more accurately, that chased India away while revitalising the Russian Empire, while breaking up the Transatlanti

WASHINGTON, December 11, 2025 (AP) President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that his long-promised gold card was officially going on sale, offering legal status and an eventual pathway to U.S. citizenship for individuals paying $1 million and corporations ponying up twice that per foreign-born employee. A website accepting applications went live as Trump revealed the start of the program while surrounded by business leaders in the White Houses Roosevelt Room. It is meant to replace EB-5 vis

New Delhi, Dec 10 (PTI) Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday challenged Home Minister Amit Shah to debate with him on his three press conferences in which the Congress leader alleged vote chori by the BJP in collusion with the Election Commission. Fiery exchanges were witnessed in the Lok Sabha with Shah and Gandhi trading barbs. With Shah attacking the Congress and the Opposition while participating in a debate on election reforms, Gandhi hit back and challenged Shah

MELBOURNE, Australia, December 10, 2025 (AP) Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed a world-first social media ban for children younger than 16 that took effect Wednesday as families taking back power from tech giants but warned the implementation would be difficult. Parents reported distraught children discovering theyd been shut out of platforms as the landmark law took effect. Some young children reported fooling the platforms age estimation technology by drawing on facial hair.

Sheffield (UK), Dec 10 (The Conversation) Online short-form video has shifted from a light distraction to a constant backdrop in many childrens lives. What used to fill a spare moment now shapes how young people relax, communicate and form opinions, with TikTok, Instagram Reels, Douyin and YouTube Shorts drawing in hundreds of millions of under-18s through endlessly personalised feeds. These apps feel lively and intimate, offering quick routes to humour, trends and connection, yet their design e

MOUNT POCONO, Pa., December 10, 2025 (AP) On the road in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, President Donald Trump tried to emphasize his focus on combating inflation, yet the issue that has damaged his popularity couldnt quite command his full attention. The president told the crowd gathered at a casino and resort in Mount Pocono that inflation was no longer a problem and that Democrats had used the term affordability as a hoax to hurt his reputation. But his remarks weaved wildly to include grievances

GENEVA, December 9, 2025 (AP) UN Women and partners published a study Tuesday that found more than two-thirds of women journalists, rights defenders and activists have reported violence online, with over 40% saying they have faced real-world attacks linked to digital abuse. The report entitled Tipping Point focuses on an escalation in violence targeting such women alongside the rise of social media and artificial intelligence, and draws on input from more than 6,900 human rights defenders, jour

New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) A delegation from the Central Secretariat Services (CSS) Group C Employees Association met Union Minister of State for Personnel Jitendra Singh at Parliament on Tuesday and submitted a representation outlining concerns over delayed promotions and cadre restructuring. The delegation highlighted long-pending issues affecting Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) and Central Secretariat Clerical Service (CSCS) employees, an official statement said. According to the representation, Group

New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Amid the debate on Vande Mataram in Parliament, Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind on Tuesday said it had no objection to anyone singing the national song, but the poem carries polytheistic beliefs, and Muslims cannot associate anyone else with worship. Maulana Arshad, the outfits president, said love for ones country is one thing, and worshipping it is another. He said Muslims do not need a certificate from anyone to prove their love for this nation. We have no objection to anyone readi

WASHINGTON, December 9, 2025 (AP) U.S. job openings barely budged in October, coming in at 7.7 million with ongoing uncertainty over the direction of the American economy. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that employers posted 7.67 million vacancies in October, close to Septembers 7.66 million. The Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), which was delayed by the extended government shutdown, also showed that the layoffs rose and number of people quitting their jobs a sign of confi

NEW DELHI, December 9, 2025 (AP) Microsoft on Tuesday announced its biggest-ever Asia investment, amounting to $17.5 billion, in India over the next four years to advance the countrys cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. CEO Satya Nadella revealed this in an X post after meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. Nadella said that Microsoft was committing the investments to help India build the infrastructure, skills and sovereign capabilities needed for its AI

New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) In a no-holds-barred attack, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday accused the BJP of indulging in the biggest anti-national act by committing vote chori in collusion with the Election Commission and destroying the idea of India. Participating in a discussion on election reforms in the Lower House, Gandhi posed three questions which he claimed make it clear that the BJP is directing and using the Election Commission (EC) to damage Indias democracy. Maki

New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Gold prices declined by Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,31,600 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday, tracking a muted demand in the local markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Analysts said traders stayed cautious ahead of the US Federal Reserves policy meeting announcement also weighed on the sentiment. The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had finished at Rs 1,32,600 per 10 grams on Monday. Gold traded lower on Tuesday but remained within a confined ra

Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) The rupee depreciated 10 paise to 90.15 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, as dollar demand from corporates, importers and foreign portfolio investors dented investors sentiments. Forex traders said investors are in a wait and watch mode and market participants are waiting for clarity from the US FED before taking decisive positions. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at 90.15 against the US dollar, down 10 paise from its previous close. On Mond

TOKYO, December 9, 2025 (AP) A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan late Monday, injuring 23 people and triggering a tsunami in Pacific coast communities, officials said. Authorities warned of possible aftershocks and an increased risk of a megaquake. The Japanese government was still assessing damages from the tsunami and late-evening quake, which struck at about 11:15 p.m. in the Pacific Ocean, around 80 kilometers (50 miles) off the coast of Aomori, the northernmost pr

KYIV, Ukraine, December 8, 2025 (AP) President Donald Trump on Sunday claimed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hasnt read a U.S-authored peace proposal aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Trump was critical of Zelenskyy after U.S. and Ukrainian negotiators completed three days of talks on Saturday aimed at trying to narrow differences on the U.S. administrations proposal. But in an exchange with reporters on Sunday night, Trump suggested that the Ukrainian leader is holding up the ta

New Delhi, Dec 8 (PTI) Gold prices fell by Rs 300 to Rs 1,32,600 per 10 grams in the national capital on Monday due to subdued demand in the local markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,32,900 per 10 grams on Friday. However, silver prices jumped by Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,85,000 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes), marking their second consecutive day of gains. It had settled at Rs 1,83,500 per kg in the previous market s

Kensington, Dec 8 (The Conversation) The terms tumour and cancer can refer to different types of lumps and bumps. But the terms are often confused and misused by the general public and even health professionals. For instance, doctors can use euphemisms such as tumour, mass, lesion or spot when they really mean cancer. So whats the difference between a tumour and cancer? And why is it important to use the right terms? Whats a tumour? The Oxford dictionary defines a tumour as any abnormal swellin

NEW DELHI, December 5, 2025 (AP) Indias aviation watchdog temporarily rolled back restrictions on airline crew duty hours, days after the previous order disrupted operations at major Indian airports as the countrys biggest airline, IndiGo, scrambled to restore normal services. The new regulations mandated longer rest periods and limited night flying hours for crew and pilots to address concerns about fatigue and safety. Indias Ministry of Civil Aviation said late Friday the suspension of the ne

New Delhi, Dec 5 (PTI) Gold prices jumped by Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,32,900 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday amid firm global trends, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had closed at Rs 1,31,600 per 10 grams on Thursday. In the local bullion market, silver surged by Rs 3,500 to Rs 1,83,500 per kilogram (inclusive of all taxes) from previous close of Rs 1,80,000 per kg. In the international market, spot gold increased by USD 15.10, or

Sydney, Dec 5 (The Conversation) If you are fluent in any language other than English, you have probably noticed that some things are impossible to translate exactly. A Japanese designer marvelling at an objects shibui (a sort of simple yet timelessly elegant beauty) may feel stymied by Englishs lack of a precisely equivalent term. Danish hygge refers to such a unique flavour of coziness that entire books seem to have been needed to explain it. Portuguese speakers may struggle to convey their sa

A consistent bedtime may play a meaningful role in lowering blood pressure, according to new research examining how sleep timing affects heart health. While most people think primarily about getting enough hours of sleep, experts say when you sleep also has an important effect on heart health. Sleep duration and sleep timing work together, and that consistency is a key part of supporting cardiovascular wellness. Recent findings have supported that connection. In a study published in the journal

MUMBAI, Dec 5 (Reuters) The RBI (Reserve Bank of India) cut its key repo rate by 25 basis points on Friday, in line with a consensus view, as record low retail inflation and a benign outlook for prices provided ample room to further support economic growth. The RBI also decided to conduct open market operations of 1 trillion rupees ($11.14 billion) and $5 billion in forex swaps to add liquidity and speed up transmission of lower rates. The six-member monetary policy committee voted unanimously

Mumbai, Dec 5 (PTI) Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty faced highly volatile trends in early trade on Friday ahead of the RBIs monetary policy decision due later in the day. Investors also remained on the sidelines amid relentless foreign fund outflows and mixed global trends. The 30-share BSE Sensex advanced 53.54 points to 85,318.86 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty went up by 28.2 points to 26,061.95. Both the benchmarks were later trading between highs and lows, reflecting

DHAKA, Bangladesh, December 4, 2025 (AP) A special tribunal in Bangladeshs capital on Thursday issued an arrest warrant against Sajeeb Wazed, the son of ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over alleged crimes against humanity during last years mass uprising that ended his mothers 15-year rule. Wazed, who lives in the United States, was an adviser to Hasina. He is accused of shutting down internet access in much of Bangladesh during the protests and causing mass killings of protesters. A three-

Dec 4 (Reuters) British American Tobacco is looking to offload its stake in Indias ITC Hotels, it said on Thursday, through an accelerated bookbuild process. The tobacco group plans to sell between 7% and its entire 15.3% stake in ITC Hotels, with proceeds from the block trade earmarked for deleveraging its balance sheet. In May, BAT sld a $1.5 billion stake in ITC Ltd, the parent company from which ITC Hotels was spun off as a separate listed entity in January. As previously stated, a direct s

Mumbai, Dec 4 (PTI) There is less than 1 per cent representation of persons with disabilities (PwDs) at organisations across the country even as there has been a discussion, advocacy and policy reform over the years, a report said on Thursday. The total number of corporate workers with disabilities remains below 1 per cent, and 37.9 per cent of the companies surveyed indicated that they do not have any permanently employed disabled individuals, according to Marching Sheep PwD Inclusion Index 202

Mumbai, Dec 4 (PTI) The rupee rebounded from its all-time low levels and appreciated by 19 paise to close at 89.96 against the US dollar on Thursday, on softness in the US dollar index and on reports of the Reserve Bank of Indias supposed intervention. Forex traders said the greenback fell after ADP non-farm payroll data came in sharply below forecast, and the softness in the US dollar index supported the rupee at lower levels. The rupee opened weak earlier in the day and touched a fresh all-tim

Mumbai, Dec 4 (PTI) Snapping the four-day losing run, benchmark Sensex climbed 158 points and Nifty settled above 26,000 on Thursday following buying in tech and IT shares. The 30-share BSE Sensex edged higher by 158.51 points or 0.19 per cent to settle at 85,265.32. During the day, it rose by 380.4 points or 0.44 per cent to 85,487.21. The 50-share NSE Nifty climbed 47.75 points or 0.18 per cent to 26,033.75. Sensex dropped around 613 points or 0.72 per cent while Nifty shed nearly 230 points o

New Delhi, Dec 4 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday alleged that the government tells visiting foreign dignitaries not to meet the Leader of the Opposition due to its insecurity. Gandhis remarks came hours ahead of Russian President Vladimir Putins two-day visit to India. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha said it is a tradition that visiting foreign dignitaries meet the LoP but Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Ministry of External Affairs were not following this norm.

Eating a daily skin-roasted peanuts may help older adults improve blood flow to their brains and boost memory, according to a new study. The new study suggests that a simple, everyday eating skin-roasted peanuts can supercharge blood flow in your brain a vital function that tends to weaken as we get older. Researchers found that the boost not only sharpened memory but also improved participants heart health. In the study, researchers at Maastricht University in the Netherlands recruited 31 heal

Mumbai, Dec 4 (PTI) The rupee slumped 28 paise to an all-time low of 90.43 against the US dollar in early trade on Thursday, amid substantial foreign institutional investor outflows and restrained intervention from the Reserve Bank of India. Forex traders said that restrained central bank intervention ahead of the crucial Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) decision and significant dollar demand from importers have exerted persistent downward pressure on the local currency. At the interbank foreign

New Delhi, Dec 3 (PTI) Gold prices climbed Rs 670 to Rs 1,32,200 per 10 grams in the national capital on Wednesday, as firm global trends and a steep fall in the rupee supported the safe-haven demand, according to the All India Sarafa Association. On Tuesday, the precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity closed at Rs 1,31,530 per 10 grams. Traders said the rupees slide to an all-time low against the US dollar pushed up bullion prices. However, silver snapped a six-day winning streak by declining Rs

Previous research has found that the human brain reaches maturity sometime in the 20s, but a new study suggests that it never stops developing. Our brains rewire themselves completely five times over the course of our lifetimes, says a research team, whose insights suggest changes we can expect in these different phases of our lives. The turning points in neural networking occur at an average age of around 9, 32, 66 and 83, they say. The rewiring is accompanied by different ways of thinking as w

NEW DELHI, Dec 3 (Reuters) Indias government scrapped an order to smartphone makers on Wednesday to preload a state-run cybersecurity app Sanchar Saathi on all new devices after an outcry from politicians, privacy advocates and global tech companies over surveillance fears. Prime Minister Narendra Modis government had privately told companies including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi on November 28 to preload new phones with an app that cannot be deleted called Sanchar Saathi within 90 days, Reuters

Mumbai, Dec 3 (PTI) Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower in a largely range-bound trade on Wednesday amid persistent foreign fund outflows and profit-taking by investors. Falling for the fourth day in a row, the 30-share BSE Sensex dipped 31.46 points or 0.04 per cent to settle at 85,106.81. During the day, it dropped 374.63 points or 0.44 per cent to 84,763.64. The 50-share NSE Nifty skidded 46.20 points or 0.18 per cent to 25,986. From the Sensex firms, Bharat Electronic

NEW DELHI, December 3, 2025 (AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin will be in India this week for a summit aimed at deepening economic, defense and energy ties, a visit that will also test New Delhis efforts to balance relations with Moscow and Washington as the war in Ukraine grinds on. Putin is scheduled to arrive on the state visit Thursday and hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. They are expected to review progress on bilateral ties, discuss issues of mutual intere

NEW DELHI, December 2, 2025 (AP) Indias telecoms ministry has directed smartphone manufacturers to pre-install a government-run cybersecurity app on all new devices, according to a government order, raising concerns of data privacy and user consent in one of the largest handset markets in the world. The Ministry of Communications order issued Monday asked smartphone makers to pre-install the governments Sanchar Saathi app on all new devices within 90 days and to prevent users from deleting it.

NEW DELHI, Dec 2 (Reuters) Apple does not plan to comply with a mandate to preload its smartphones with a state-owned cyber safety app and will convey its concerns to New Delhi, three sources said, after the governments move sparked surveillance concerns and a political uproar. The Indian government has confidentially ordered companies including Apple, Samsung and Xiaomi to preload their phones with an app called Sanchar Saathi, or Communication Partner, within 90 days. The app is intended to t

New Delhi, Dec 2 (PTI) Gold prices plunged Rs 1,670 to Rs 1,31,530 per 10 grams in the national capital on Tuesday, amid weak trends in the international markets, according to the All India Sarafa Association. The precious metal of 99.9 per cent purity had settled at Rs 1,33,200 per 10 grams in the previous market session. Gold edged lower on Tuesday as traders booked profits after prices hit a multi-week high in the previous session, while a cautious approach adopted by traders before the impor

Mumbai, Dec 2 (PTI) The rupee hit the psychological 90-a-dollar level in intraday trade before settling 42 paise down at an all-time low of 89.95 (provisional) against the US dollar on Tuesday, largely owing to continued short-covering from speculators and sustained importer demand for the American currency. Forex traders said multiple pressures, like foreign fund outflows from equities and lingering uncertainty over the Indo-US trade deal, are keeping investor sentiment fragile. At the interban