Times of India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced a three-nation tour in Jordan, marking 75 years of diplomatic ties. He will then visit Ethiopia, a key African Union hub, to bolster bilateral relations and address Parliament. The tour concludes in Oman, aiming to deepen their strategic partnership and economic ties, with engagements including diaspora meetings.

The Indian rupee hit a fresh all-time low of 90.74 against the US dollar, pressured by uncertainty over an India-US trade deal and continued foreign fund outflows. Despite positive macro cues, the rupee struggled as importers' strong dollar demand and risk-averse sentiment dominated. Experts see a bullish near-term bias for the USD-INR pair.

Shubman Gill's recent batting struggles have put India's T20 World Cup plans in a bind. With only seven T20Is left, the vice-captain's form is under scrutiny, intensifying debate over Sanju Samson's potential inclusion. Former spinner Ravichandran Ashwin urges a fair review, highlighting the difficulty of dropping a vice-captain while stressing the need for impactful batting.

Sydney's Jewish community mourns Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a victim of a recent antisemitic attack. Just days prior, he honored victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror. Schlanger, a dedicated community leader, actively campaigned against rising antisemitism. The attack, Australia's worst in decades, has prompted calls for solidarity from global leaders.

A new survey reveals 82% of Delhi-NCR residents know someone suffering serious health issues attributed to long-term air pollution exposure. This comes as Delhi's AQI reached 498, in the 'severe' category, exacerbating a public health crisis and raising concerns about affording medical treatment.

Ram Janmabhoomi movement leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti passed away at the age of 67 in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, due to a heart attack. He was admitted to the hospital with severe blood poisoning and kidney failure. Efforts to transfer him to AIIMS Bhopal by air ambulance were unsuccessful due to poor visibility.

UK immigration changes introduced in July 2025 are significantly impacting Indian professionals and students, with sharp drops in visa approvals for healthcare, IT, and student routes. Tighter criteria, higher salary thresholds, and reduced post-study work periods are forcing many to reconsider their plans or look to alternative destinations like Canada and Australia.

In a recent statement, Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Minister Omar Abdullah clarified that his party does not align with the Congress-led 'vote chori' initiative, asserting that the INDIA coalition remains uninvolved. He underscored the importance of each political faction crafting its own narrative while urging the Election Commission to maintain its autonomy and impartiality, highlighting concerns raised in Bihar.

iRobot, the maker of Roomba, has filed for bankruptcy and will be acquired by its supplier, Shenzhen PICEA Robotics. This move cancels $264 million in debt, allowing iRobot to continue operations as a private company. Intense competition from Chinese firms and the collapse of an Amazon acquisition deal led to the company's downfall after 35 years.

Despite US tariffs, China's trade surplus hit a record $1 trillion, driven by global demand for its goods. Exporters pivoted from the US to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This resilience, fueled by manufacturing strength and weak domestic demand, bolsters Beijing's stance in trade talks, though concerns about sustainability and global trade tensions persist.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru, led by Rajat Patidar, finally clinched their maiden IPL title in 2025, defeating Punjab Kings. With a strong batting lineup and effective bowling, RCB enters the 2026 auction with Rs 16.40 crore and 8 slots to fill, aiming to bolster their bowling depth and middle-order options.

The Centre is set to replace MGNREGA with the VB–G RAM G Bill, 2025, guaranteeing 125 days of wage employment and focusing on water security, rural infrastructure, and climate resilience. This revamped law aims to boost the rural economy, benefit farmers and labourers through increased income, predictable work, and digital formalisation, addressing past systemic failures.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor reposted a thread comparing his political approach to Rahul Gandhi's, calling the analysis "fair" and "reflective of a certain perception of the current reality." The thread criticized Gandhi's rural-centric policies as "devastating" and highlighted Tharoor's alignment with his background and audience.

Dense fog on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway led to multiple accidents on Monday morning, resulting in at least four fatalities and several injuries. A major pile-up involving over 15 vehicles near Raniyala Patakpur village claimed two lives, including a CISF inspector. Another collision in Faridabad also resulted in two deaths.

Investors often fall into extremes with stock portfolios, either too concentrated or overly diversified. A balanced approach, typically 10-20 stocks, is recommended. Key to success is sensible position sizing, avoiding tiny holdings, and ensuring sector diversification to mitigate risks and enhance overall portfolio performance.

Young Vaibhav Suryavanshi's stellar 171 against UAE was followed by a quiet 5 against Pakistan. Malaysia captain Deeaz Patro, inspired by David Warner and with an Odisha connection, plans strategies to dismiss Suryavanshi. Aalif, a Virat Kohli admirer, also looks forward to the challenge.

Tom Moody, Desert Vipers Director of Cricket, believes the ILT20’s biggest success lies in accelerating UAE's domestic talent. He stressed that smart auctions are about needs, not wants, highlighted the evolution of coaching with changing players, and urged cricket’s governing bodies to protect Test cricket amid franchise growth — even if that means exploring four-day Tests with stricter over-rate discipline.

Luthra brothers, co-owners of a North Goa nightclub, are being deported from Bangkok to face charges after a fatal fire on December 6, 2025. The blaze, which claimed 25 lives, is suspected to have been caused by electric firecrackers igniting the ceiling. The brothers allegedly operated the venue without proper safety permits.

The US State Department has tightened visa vetting, requiring H-1B workers and their H-4 dependents to undergo social media screening. Applicants must now set all social media profiles to public for enhanced background checks, a move aimed at strengthening national security and ensuring visa eligibility.