South Korea's Constitutional Court will rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Both leaders are suspended over a brief martial law. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now acting president. The court will decide within 180 days whether to remove Yoon or reinstate him. Han also faces a potential court decision.
China is planning to build the world's largest dam on the Brahmaputra River in Tibet. The project, estimated to cost USD 137 billion, has raised concerns among neighboring countries. China claims the dam will not affect lower riparian states, and safety issues have been addressed. The hydropower project aims to develop clean energy and respond to climate change.
Under PM Manmohan Singh (2004-2014), BSE Sensex surged 398%, closing positive 8 out of 10 years. The highest returns were 81% (2009) and 47% (2006, 2007). Singh, India’s fourth longest-serving PM, held several prestigious positions, including RBI Governor and Finance Minister.
The writer reminisces about his 68-year friendship with Manmohan Singh, covering their time in Cambridge, Singh's career, and his tenure as Prime Minister. Singh's honesty, intelligence, and impact on India's economy are emphasised. Despite their occasional professional differences, the writer fondly remembers Singh as a brilliant and wonderful friend, now missed.
In the Nifty 50 index, 29 stocks ended in the green, while 21 stocks closed in the red in today's trade.
From Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) to ByteDance's TikTok, social media platforms have been under scrutiny this year, with governments assessing their impact on society and privacy. Countries like the United States, Australia, and Britain, among others, have taken steps to address the effects of social media on citizens, especially children.
Adani Ports has placed a significant order worth Rs 450 crore with Cochin Shipyard Ltd for eight advanced harbour tugs. The tugs are scheduled for delivery between December 2026 and May 2028. This purchase enhances APSEZ's commitment to self-reliance and safety in the maritime sector. APSEZ is India's largest private port operator.
Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, BJP leader, cautions against a syndicate undermining 'sanatan sanskar and culture.' He asserts PM Modi has countered communal polarization with inclusive empowerment, bolstering national pride. Naqvi supports UP CM Yogi Adityanath’s firm stance on law enforcement, despite criticism from dissenters defending lawbreakers.
Manmohan Singh's legacy is highlighted by his exceptional policy leadership, technical competence, and collaborative approach that spanned his career. He delivered significant economic reforms and stable growth without demanding credit, protecting India from global economic crises and fostering diplomatic relations effectively.
The 30-share BSE Sensex closed up 226.59 points at 78699.07
The Nifty Realty index closed 0.55 per cent at 1071.35.
Home affordability in India's major property markets has improved in 2024 due to rising income levels and stable interest rates. Seven out of eight cities recorded an improved EMI to income ratio, except Bengaluru. Ahmedabad, Pune, and Kolkata emerged as the most affordable markets. The trend is expected to continue in 2025, supported by economic growth and stable interest rates.
6 hilarious thefts in India that are hard to believe
Saturday bank holiday: Banks in India are closed on various occasions such as national and regional holidays. Banks are closed on all second and fourth Saturdays and all Sundays, while they are open on the first, third, and fifth Saturdays.
Anti-corruption activist Anna Hazare condoled the death of former prime minister Manmohan Singh, highlighting his contributions to the country’s economy and anti-corruption efforts. Hazare praised Singh for prioritising the welfare of the nation and making swift decisions on Lokpal and Lokayukta legislation during his tenure.
Here are powerful items to keep under your pillow for good luck.
The Indian rupee fell to an all-time low on Friday, as maturing non-deliverable forwards and currency futures boosted dollar demand, while the sharp fall led to panic dollar buying by importers.
Limelight Diamonds has opened its first store in Chennai, its 23rd in India, as part of its expansion plan. The Mumbai-based lab-grown diamond brand aims to open seven more stores by year-end. The company notes a 15-20% annual growth in the lab-grown diamond sector, driven by increased customer awareness and affordability.
Sanjay Takale will be the first Indian to compete in the four-wheel section at the Dakar Rally 2025 in Saudi Arabia. Partnering with the French team Compagnie Saharienne, Takale will race a Toyota Land Cruiser HZJ78. He aims to experience the challenge of Dakar and enjoy driving. His co-driver will be Frenchman Maxime Raud.
ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund is launching the ICICI Prudential Rural Opportunities Fund, an open-ended equity scheme focusing on rural and allied sectors. The NFO will open from January 9 to 23. The scheme aims to generate long-term wealth by investing in companies benefiting from rural India's growth. It will be benchmarked against the Nifty Rural Index TRI.
RBI new rules for UPI payment : Now wallet holders will no longer have to depend upon the PPI wallet issuer in order to make UPI payments, rather individuals can use third party apps in order to transact through wallet using a UPI. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed UPI access for prepaid payment instruments (PPI) via third-party applications. All you need to know about the new rule.
Indian benchmark indices saw a volatile session but closed slightly higher on Friday, starting the January series modestly. Sensex ended at 78,699, while Nifty 50 closed at 23,813.40. Top gainers included Mahindra & Mahindra and IndusInd Bank. A mixed performance was observed in Asian markets, and oil prices rose slightly with a stronger U.S. dollar capping gains.