The Sen Times News

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) The Congress on Tuesday claimed the illegality of the Narendra Modi government and its politically motivated prosecution stands fully exposed after a court here refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorates National Herald money laundering case against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and others. In a statement, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the EDs proceedings against Congress leadership Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the case have been found to

Mumbai, Dec 16 (PTI) The rupee fell 23 paise against the greenback to settle at a new all-time low of 91.01 (provisional) on Tuesday, as the government in the Rajya Sabha attributed the sliding value of domestic currency to widening trade deficit and the ongoing developments related to the India-US trade agreement. During the session, the local unit lost 36 paise from its previous close against the greenback to hit its lowest-ever level of 91.14, but regained some ground later in the day. Even a

Dec 16 (Reuters) Gold prices edged higher on Tuesday, supported by a softer dollar, as investors awaited the release of key U.S. jobs data that could shape expectations for the Federal Reserves policy path in the new year. Spot gold was up 0.1% at $4,311.64 per ounce, as of 0230 GMT, extending a year-to-date rally of more than 64% that has seen bullion smash multiple records. U.S. gold futures were little changed at $4,333.20. The U.S. dollar hovered near a two-month low in early Asian trade, l

Mumbai, Dec 16 (PTI) The rupee plunged 9 paise to a record low of 90.87 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, weighed down by sustained FII outflows and no breakthrough in the India-US trade deal. However, a weaker greenback and a decline in global crude oil prices capped further losses in the domestic unit, according to forex traders. At the interbank foreign exchange, the rupee opened at its all-time low of 90.87 against the US dollar, down 9 paise from its previous close, and trade

Mumbai, Dec 16 (PTI) Benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday as persistent foreign fund outflows and weak global market trends dented investors sentiment. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 363.92 points to 84,849.44 during initial trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty dropped 106.65 points to 25,920.65. From the Sensex firms, Eternal, Axis Bank, HCL Tech, Infosys, Tata Steel, and Bharat Electronics were among the major laggards. However, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints, Tata Mot

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Congress leader P Chidambaram has slammed the increasing practice of the government using Hindi words in the titles of the bills and said the change is an affront to the non-Hindi-speaking people. Chidambaram said the non-Hindi-speaking people cannot identify a Bill/Act with titles that are in Hindi words written in English letters, and they cannot pronounce them. I am opposed to the increasing practice of the government using Hindi words written in English letters in the

Ahmedabad, Dec 16 (PTI) A sessions court here has rejected pleas of AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Sanjay Singh for separation of trial in a criminal defamation case over their remarks on PM Narendra Modis educational degree, noting they appeared to be animated by a common purpose. Additional Sessions Judge M P Purohit on Monday dismissed the revision applications filed by former Delhi chief minister Kejriwal and Rajya Sabha member Singh, who challenged the trial courts order that had rejected

WASHINGTON, December 16, 2025 (AP) President Donald Trump filed a lawsuit Monday seeking $10 billion in damages from the BBC, accusing the British broadcaster of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices. The 33-page lawsuit accuses the BBC of broadcasting a false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump, calling it a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It accused the BBC of splic

NEW YORK, December 16, 2025 (AP) Leading Jewish groups in the United States are urging all Jewish organizations to ratchet up security measures at public events including restrictions on access following the deadly mass shooting that targeted a Hanukkah celebration on a popular Australian beach. The groups including three which specialize in security issues said Jewish public events in the coming days should be open only to people who had been screened after preregistering. Provide details

NEW DELHI, Dec 15 (Reuters) India has presented legislation to expand a 20-year-old rural employment scheme by boosting the number of guaranteed workdays but opposition leaders challenged plans to remove independence hero Mahatma Gandhis name from the programme. The bill would guarantee 125 days of employment a year instead of the current 100 days per household for unskilled manual labour, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government said in its parliamentary listing of the measure. It had earmarke

Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI) Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty pared most of early losses to close marginally down on Monday amid persistent foreign fund outflows and weak global trends. The 30-share BSE Sensex closed lower by 54.30 points, or 0.06 per cent, at 85,213.36. The benchmark opened lower and declined further by 427.34 points, or 0.50 per cent, to hit a low of 84,840.32, but value buying in FMCG and IT shares in the second half helped cut losses. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 19

Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Monday in-tandem with a weak trend in global markets and persistent foreign fund outflows. Also, uncertainty over an India-US trade deal weighed on investors sentiment, analysts said. The 30-share BSE Sensex declined 384.39 points to 84,883.27 in early trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged lower by 122.9 points to 25,924.05. From the Sensex firms, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bharti Airtel, Trent, NTPC, Bajaj Finserv

Mumbai, Dec 15 (PTI) Rupee depreciated 9 paise to an all-time low of 90.58 against US dollar in early trade on Monday, weighed down by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and persistent foreign fund outflows. Forex traders said rupee is trading with a negative bias as investors are in wait and watch mode and awaiting cues from the India-US trade deal front. At the interbank foreign exchange market, the rupee opened at 90.53 against the US dollar, then fell further to an all-time intraday low

More than three-quarters of the global population is falling short on omega-3 intake, a nutrient gap that may increase the risk of heart disease, cognitive decline, inflammation and vision problems. Thats according to an analysis published in Nutrition Research Reviews, in which researchers from the University of East Anglia, the University of Southampton and Holland & Barrett analyzed omega-3 intake patterns across multiple countries and age groups. The review found that 76% of people worldwide

SYDNEY, December 15, 2025 (AP) Two gunmen opened fire during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydneys Bondi beach, killing 15 people, including a child, officials said Monday, in what Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called an act of antisemitic terrorism that struck at the heart of the nation. The shooters were father and son, authorities said. The massacre at one of Australias most popular beaches followed a wave of antisemitic attacks that have roiled the country over the past year, although the aut

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