Times of India

BSE Sensex and Nifty50 plunged over 2% amid rising Middle East tensions and crude prices. Experts predict short-term volatility but expect stabilization. Concerns also rise over China's economic stimulus drawing investment away from India, further impacting markets.

Ratan Tata reaped over 23,000% return on his early investment in Upstox, a Tiger Global-backed stock broking platform. Tata who invested in 2016, recently exited a portion of his holding. Upstox's valuation surged to $3.5 billion, underscoring the platform's success in delivering wealth management services.

An Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in central Beirut, killing seven civilian first responders tied to Hezbollah. This occurred following clashes in southern Lebanon that resulted in eight Israeli soldiers' deaths. Lebanon's media accused Israel of using phosphorous bombs. Additionally, Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed to have launched drones at Tel Aviv, intensifying regional conflict.

India rejected the USCIRF report, calling it biased and politically driven. The Ministry of External Affairs criticized USCIRF for misrepresenting facts and urged it to focus on US issues. The report had alleged severe violations of religious freedom in India, including violence and legal changes affecting minorities. India has consistently denied USCIRF visas, citing interference.

An Indian user humorously responded to Donald Trump's automated election message. The user clarified Trump will never be their President and highlighted they are from India. The reply went viral. Trump used social media platform X to send election updates, with many receiving automated personalized responses.

Alex Soros, son of George Soros, recently met Bangladesh’s interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, highlighting Yunus' long-standing ties with the Soros family. Yunus, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and founder of Grameen Bank, has official financial links with George Soros, having secured an $11 million loan in 1999 from the Soros Economic Development Fund. This loan helped Grameen Telecom acquire a stake in Grameenphone, boosting Bangladesh’s telecom industry. Yunus' partnerships with international figures continue to fuel political scrutiny in Bangladesh.

Starting your day with effective morning habits like regular exercise, a nutritious breakfast, a stroll, sunlight exposure, meditation, and journaling can significantly reduce the risk of depression. These activities promote a positive mindset, help manage stress, and improve overall mental health.

In October 2024, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, and Bank of Baroda revised their fixed deposit interest rates. General citizens can earn between 2.80% and 7.25%, while senior and super senior citizens enjoy additional benefits. The highest rate for general citizens is 7.25%.

WWE Shop introduces unique merchandise ahead of Bad Blood 2024 and Christmas, including items like a WWE Championship Belt waffle maker, Dominik Mysterio toilet paper, an Undertaker casket ornament, a WWE Championship Belt slow cooker, and a Roman Reigns night light charger with Bluetooth speaker, all with a 25% discount for a limited time.

Indian cricketer Rohit Sharma expressed his joy in Marathi after India's Test series win against Bangladesh and the 2024 T20 World Cup victory. Rohit described the World Cup win as life-changing and emotional, ending India's 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. He also announced his last T20I match, marking his legacy with personal milestones.

​Things changed drastically in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini came to power, and the country transformed into an Islamic Republic, officially opposing Israel. Nonetheless, Iran and Israel continued to work together clandestinely, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War. Both nations saw the benefit of undermining Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, which posed a larger threat to their security. Israel provided arms to Iran, a move designed to weaken Iraq, despite the official US embargo on such military assistance.

Liv Morgan, a prominent WWE wrestler, owns a collection of high-end cars worth $321,000 USD. Her vehicles include a Lexus SUV, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and an Audi A6, each offering luxury and performance. Liv Morgan's success in WWE is marked by various achievements, including winning Women's Money in the Bank and holding multiple championship titles.

Zakir Naik, a controversial Islamic evangelist facing terror-linked charges, was warmly welcomed in Pakistan by officials, including PM Shehbaz Sharif. Experts believe his visit could exacerbate Indo-Pak tensions, already strained due to historical conflicts and recent geopolitical issues while offering India a chance to highlight Pakistan's support for anti-India elements. ​​Naik is the founder of Peace TV, a channel on comparative religion with a reported audience of over 100 million.

Bob Dylan took the American storytelling tradition to a new level with six decades of superlative songwriting. JD Vance’ story might be very different, but it’s one that could matter a great deal to the future of American politics, much like Pete Seger felt when he heard a young Dylan. It’s not inconceivable that a post-MAGA future will have Vance at the very centre of it.

Maharashtra's deputy chief minister suggested lowering the legal age for defining 'juvenile' in criminal cases from 18 to 14. He argued that 17-year-olds are increasingly involved in serious crimes and are aware of their age-based immunity. He plans to discuss this with Union home minister Amit Shah and send a formal letter to the Centre.

Just two days before the Haryana assembly elections, former Sirsa MP and BJP leader Ashok Tanwar rejoined the Congress party. Tanwar had initially switched to the BJP in January 2024, praising the progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.

Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu advocates for decentralising corporate operations to alleviate employee stress, citing the harmful effects of long commutes and loneliness. He also calls for tighter regulations on big tech to prevent monopolies and lauds India's Digital Public Infrastructure as a success story.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) killed Hamas government chief Rawhi Mushtaha in a precise airstrike three months ago, along with key operatives Sameh al-Siraj and Sami Oudeh. The operation, confirmed by Israel's internal security agency, targeted an underground compound in the northern Gaza Strip.

Maharashtra deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis criticized Karnataka minister Dinesh Gundu Rao for allegedly insulting freedom fighter Savarkar. Fadnavis defended Savarkar's legacy, accusing Congress of spreading misinformation. Rao had earlier criticized Savarkar's ideology as diverging from Indian culture, particularly on issues like beef consumption, contrasting him with Gandhi. Fadnavis dismissed these claims as misrepresentations.