The Ministry of Finance has discontinued the GST compensation cess on tobacco and related products, replacing it with a new Health Security and National Security Cess. This change aims to fund public health initiatives and national security. Demerit goods will now be taxed under a combination of the existing 40% GST slab and increased central excise duties.
Warren Buffett, the renowned investor, has retired as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, but his impact and principles live on. He showed that a patient and simple investment approach can bring long-term prosperity. Greg Abel will succeed him as CEO, but Buffett will remain chairman to preserve the company's distinct culture.
A federal judge in California on Wednesday blocked the Trump administration’s plan to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for about 60,000 immigrants from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua, CBS reported.
Indian equity indices opened the first trading session of 2026 on a positive note, with NSE Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex opening higher. Bank Nifty, small and mid-cap stocks also opened in the green. Technical analysis suggests a potential uptrend, with immediate support at 26,050 and 25,850. In 2025, Indian equities underperformed global peers, with Auto, Metals, and Bank.
In Indore district, Madhya Pradesh, seven people have died and over 160 have been hospitalized due to contaminated tap water. A toilet was built above a drinking water pipeline without a safety tank, causing sewage water to leak into the supply. Local residents report nine deaths, including an infant, within a week. Over 1,100 cases of vomiting and diarrhea have been confirmed.
A day after Russia accused Ukrainian drones of attacking Moscow and parts of Crimea, Russia's defence ministry released a video footage. The video, according to Reuters, appeared to show repeated drone strikes on a residence used by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The highly anticipated Bollywood releases of January 2026 have finally hit the big screens. Dharmendra's last movie, Ikkis, based on Major Arun Khetarpal's valiant sacrifice, marks the debut of Agastya Nanda and also stars Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia. Border 2, the sequel to JP Dutta's Border, is another war-drama to look out for. Other releases include Happy Patel Khatarnak
US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland but he added in his social media post that federal forces will "come back" if crime rates go up.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has signed an ordinance that sets up a new “Reparations Fund,” a move that could one day allow eligible Black residents to receive up to $5 million each for past discrimination and displacement, according to Fox News.
Egg prices have skyrocketed to Rs 800 per 100 units in major cities due to high demand during winter. This is a 25-50% increase from previous months, and prices are expected to stay high for a few weeks. Production can't keep up, resulting in a shortfall of 15 million eggs per day in Maharashtra. Export demand has also risen by 40%, adding to the strain on supply.
The BSE Sensex, launched in 1986, has shown remarkable growth in the last 40 years, with its market capitalisation increasing from Rs 12 lakh crore in 2005 to Rs 92 lakh crore in 2020. The index has consistently delivered positive returns, with financial services and consumer discretionary sectors gaining more weightage.
Prism, the parent company of OYO, has filed confidential papers with SEBI for an IPO worth up to Rs 6,650 crore. The IPO would value the company at $7-8 billion, making it one of the largest by an Indian startup. OYO reported its first profitable year in FY24 and has expanded into the premium segment with Sunday Hotels. SoftBank is its largest shareholder with a 40.3% stake.
The government's decision to impose safeguard duties on non-alloy and alloy steel flat products has led to a rise in shares for JSW Steel and Tata Steel. This move aims to stabilize domestic steel prices and boost profitability for steel makers, but may result in increased costs for industries like automobiles.
In 2026, artificial intelligence will dominate the consumer technology landscape, driven by low-cost smartphones, vernacular language support, and widespread 5G access. This will lead to the rise of AI companions, hyper-personalized shopping, AI tutors, and voice-first interfaces, as well as everyday health and wellness optimization.
The 2025 KBS Drama Awards paid tribute to Lee Soon Jae and awarded Ahn Jae Wook and Uhm Ji Won with the Grand Prize for their performances in Eagle Brothers. Lee Young Ae and Kim Young Kwang were named Best Actress and Best Actor, and Pump Up the Healthy Love and Splendid Days were recognized as top dramas. The event was hosted by Jang Sung Kyu, Nam Ji Hyun, and Moon Sang.
The Indian government has banned Nimesulide above 100 mg in tablets and syrup due to safety concerns, following a recommendation from ICMR. The drug has shown a CAGR of 8.4% in the past three years and is sold by multiple pharma companies. This decision has sparked controversy as it may harm businesses.
On the first day of the new year, Zohran Mamdani will step into office as New York City’s next mayor, with many firsts to his name. The 34-year-old Democrat is not only the youngest (in over a century) mayor of the New York City, but also the first Muslim, first Indian-origin, first South Asian to be seated at the post.
Indian exporters are facing a price cut of 15-22% on their products due to the implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by the EU. This tax will initially affect iron, steel, aluminium, fertilizers, cement, electricity, and hydrogen. While EU-based importers will pay the tax, Indian exporters will ultimately bear the cost, leading to higher compliance costs.
The Centre's fiscal deficit has reached 62.3% of the annual target, driven by increased capital expenditure and a decline in net tax revenues. Analysts predict that higher non-tax revenues and savings in revenue expenditure can help offset the potential shortfall in tax receipts.
Zohran Mamdani, NYC's youngest and first Muslim Mayor, will be sworn in on January 1, 2026. His unconventional choice of location, an abandoned subway station, symbolizes a new era for the city. Mamdani is humbled by the opportunity to lead millions of New Yorkers and continue the city's legacy of greatness. He will succeed outgoing Mayor Eric Adams.
USPS is updating its postmark process to show the date envelopes are processed by machines, which may delay important mail like tax returns and bills. This change is part of the 'Delivering For America' initiative to modernize infrastructure for declining paper mail and growing packages. To avoid penalties, mail time-sensitive items early or request a manual postmark.
Israel and India are set to launch official rounds of negotiations on their free trade agreement in January. The talks will focus on structuring the negotiations and growing bilateral trade, with the goal of reaching $100 billion in goods trade by 2030.
Spiritual leader Devkinandan Thakur raised concerns about Kolkata Knight Riders purchasing Bangladeshi player Mustafizur Rahman for a whopping Rs. 9.20 crore amid targeted killings of Hindus in Bangladesh. Thakur warned KKR management to remove the player or face consequences, citing his alleged love for Pakistan and those who hurt Hindus.
Mumbai and its suburbs experienced a 14-year high in property registrations, generating Rs 13487 crore in revenue. December 2025 saw a 16% YoY increase in registrations and 11% YoY rise in stamp duty collections. The luxury segment flourished, but affordability issues impacted properties under Rs 1 crore.
The 2025 SBS Drama Awards, co-hosted by Shin Dong Yup, Chae Won Bin, and Heo Nam Jun, celebrated a new era for K-dramas. The Taxi Driver 3 cast stole the spotlight on the red carpet and eight actors were unexpectedly awarded Best Newcomer. Fans were shocked and shared their thoughts on social media as the winners, including Cha Woo Min, Kim Mu Jun, and Kim Dan, were announced.
Warren Buffett's 6-decade leadership at Berkshire Hathaway will end in 2025, prompting a review of their India investment. Their only investment in India, Paytm, resulted in a loss of Rs 630 crore despite their disciplined approach. They sold out within 5 years and while Paytm's stock has not reached its issue price, it has shown a positive year-to-date return.
BCCI has revealed the 15-member squad for the Under-19 Men's Cricket team, led by Ayush Mathre, for the upcoming ICC World Cup in Zimbabwe. The tournament will host 16 teams, with India placed in Group B alongside New Zealand, Bangladesh, and the United States. The team, with five previous championships, is determined to reclaim the title after losing to Pakistan in the Asia Cup final.
As the new year approaches, it's a time to let go of the past and embrace new beginnings. People gather to celebrate and wish for happiness, success, and growth. Let's welcome the new year with optimism and create lasting memories with loved ones. Wishing for a peaceful and fulfilling year ahead. Happy New Year 2026!
Come March 2026, Semaglutide the blockbuster ingredient behind Ozempic loses its patent.
That could slash prices by 50%, bringing monthly treatment costs down to ₹4,000–₹6,000.
According to Elara Securities, this will unleash a ₹10,000-crore opportunity in India’s pharma market.
The Big Four racing ahead? Sun Pharma, Lupin, Torrent, and Intas all with strong diabetes and metabolic drug portfolios.
The Noida International Airport at Jewar, India's largest and UP's fifth international airport, will launch in January. It will cover 13,000 hectares with one runway, expanding to 11,750 acres and five runways in the future. It is a key driver of growth for Western UP and will create 5,000+ jobs.
Bharat Forge has been awarded a contract worth Rs 1,661.9 crore by the Ministry of Defence to supply over 2.5 lakh Close Quarter Battle (CQB) carbines to the Indian Army. The company will be supplying 255,128 carbines over the course of five years, and the contract is confidential in nature. The CQB carbine are firearms jointly developed by DRDO and Bharat Forge.
Indian equity market sees smart rally on last day of 2025, Nifty 50 and Sensex surge almost 1%, led by oil & gas and banking majors. Reliance Industries is the biggest mover, contributing 52.5 points alone. Nifty IT is the only sectoral index trading in the red, while India VIX falls 1.5%. 3 main reasons for the rally: 3-year safeguard duty on steel imports, optimism for Q3 earnings.
Salman Khan reveals new look for Battle of Galwan, a film inspired by India-China clash. Set to release on his 60th birthday, the film has sparked controversy and Salman is earning Rs 110 crore. Co-stars Chitrangda Singh and Govinda also receiving hefty paychecks. Not a biopic, but based on real events.
Motilal Oswal maintains a Buy rating and sets a target price of Rs 3,145 for Ajanta Pharma due to its plans for expansion and product enhancement. The company is expected to outperform the industry with its strong MR presence and shift towards a chronic-focused portfolio. The partnership with Biocon and potential earnings growth in FY27 are also seen as significant drivers.
Global brokerage JP Morgan sees massive hidden value in Grasim Industries, calling it a “buy one, get four free” stock.
The report says investors are overlooking Grasim’s fast-growing Birla Opus paints, chemical division, and digital B2B platform (Birla Pivot), turning the Aditya Birla Group flagship into a multi-billion empire waiting for revaluation. Read more to find the target price.
Indian equities remain muted on last trading session of the year with Nifty 50 hovering around 26,150 mark and BSE Sensex trading near 85,300, while individual stocks show sharp moves due to contracts, regulatory changes, and corporate actions. Vodafone Idea jumps to record high amid expectations of AGR relief, steel stocks rise on safeguard duty announcement.
The 2025 SBS Drama Awards will honor the accomplishments of the South Korean TV industry and provide a glimpse into the future. Hosted by Shin Dong Yup, with Chae Won Bin and Heo Nam Jun, the event will showcase the top 5 TV series of 2025, such as Love Scout and Taxi Driver 3. Expect star-studded presenters and performances, including NCT WISH.
The 2025 KBS Drama Awards will take place today, with much anticipation over who will receive the Grand Prize. Hosted by Jang Sung Kyu, Nam Ji Hyun, and Moon Sang Min, the event will feature the trio's chemistry as leads in the upcoming drama To My Beloved Thief. Last year, the late actor Lee Soon Jae won the Grand Prize at 90 years old. Tune in to KBS 2TV for the live broadcast.
Delivery app and gig workers in India have gone on strike on New Year's Eve to protest against low pay, lack of insurance, and unsafe working conditions. This follows a successful strike on Christmas Day and aims to address key issues such as fair pay and transparency. The unions have sent a list of demands to the Union Labour Ministry, emphasizing the importance of these issues.
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced on Tuesday that he is appointing Ramzi Kassem as the city’s chief counsel, the top legal position in the city. Mamdani is set to take office on January 1, 2026.
A tragic incident occurred in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district where two loco trains collided at the THDC hydropower project area. 109 people were onboard, out of which 60 were injured and 42 were admitted to the district hospital. 17 people were admitted to Pipalkoti's Vivekananda Hospital. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, described the incident as "painful" .
Salman Khan's film, Battle of Galwan, has caused controversy for its portrayal of the Galwan Valley clash. China's state-run newspaper has criticised the film for being exaggerated and one-sided, accusing India of provoking the clash. Chinese experts say that the film's nationalistic tone will not impact the "sacred territory".
Bengaluru's traffic has been a major issue for residents, causing mental and physical strain. Leaving the city has brought relief for many, including a software engineer who noticed an improvement in her health and productivity after moving to Hyderabad. She listed the draining factors of Bengaluru and praised the calmer environment of Hyderabad.
"Get ready for a guilt-free New Year's Eve party with these quick and easy protein-packed snacks. From tandoori paneer skewers to chicken lettuce cups and roasted chickpeas, these recipes will satisfy your cravings without ruining your diet. Plus, add some inspiration to your celebration with quotes for a positive start to 2026. Cheers to a new year and healthy snacking!"
Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman of Wipro, commemorated the company's 80th anniversary with a heartfelt post on X. Founded in 1945, Wipro has been a part of India's history. Premji shared the original Certificate of Incorporation and expressed his gratitude for being a part of the legacy. Wipro's recent acquisition of HARMAN DTS has added 5,600 employees and boosted its AI capabilities.
India has implemented a three-year import tariff on specific steel products, beginning at 12% and decreasing to 11%, to combat inexpensive imports from China, Vietnam, and Nepal. The measure, suggested by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies, excludes specialty steel and developing countries, due to a rise in imports harming the local industry.
Indian equity indices opened positively in the last trading session of the year, with Nifty 50, Sensex, and Bank Nifty all higher. Small and mid-cap stocks also opened in the green. The upcoming days will be eventful, with Q3 results, budget expectations, and global news being crucial. Traders should follow a stock-specific approach. The Nifty index is still trading.
Nikki Haley’s son, Nalin Haley, is back in the spotlight, this time for launching a sharp and very public attack on Vivek Ramaswamy, who is running for governor of Ohio. Nalin, who has been vocal about backing the “America First” mood, went after Ramaswamy in a series of posts on X, accusing him of being fake, opportunistic, and dishonest about his political beliefs.
UGC NET December 2025: NTA conducts the first step of the admission process for Indian universities for a Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), an Assistant Professorship, or a PhD. The Computer-Based Test (CBT) will be held in two parts, with strict guidelines to ensure fairness. Candidates must bring important documents, follow a dress code, and not bring any electronics devices.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida on Monday, suggesting a strong partnership as tensions in the Middle East continue.