Former US president Jimmy Carter dies at 100; What is in store for Indian IT in 2025?; Factors behind 56% surge in gold loans in 2024 & more
#TopStories
Jimmy Carter, former US president and Nobel Peace Prize recipient, dies at 100
Jimmy Carter, the earnest Georgia peanut farmer, who as US president struggled with a bad economy and the Iran hostage crisis but brokered peace between Israel and Egypt and later received the Nobel Peace Prize for his humanitarian work, died at his home in Plains, Georgia, on Sunday, the Carter Center said. He was 100.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honouring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
The Carter Center said there will be public observances in Atlanta and Washington. These events will be followed by a private interment in Plains, it said.
SBI Mutual Fund and Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund pause investments in select international schemes
SBI Mutual Fund and Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund have announced suspensions on fresh investments in select international funds, citing regulatory limits. These pauses impact various modes of investment but preserve certain ongoing arrangements for existing investors.
SBI Mutual Fund has stopped fresh subscriptions to its SBI International Access - US Equity Fund of Fund, effective December 27, 2024.
Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund will pause fresh SIP contributions to its Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund and Motilal Oswal Nasdaq 100 Fund of Fund from January 5, 2025.
SC likely to stop recommending judges’ relatives for High Court judgeship: Report
The Supreme Court (SC) collegium is considering a proposal to temporarily halt recommending family members of sitting or former judges for High Court judgeship.
This move aims to dispel the widespread perception that the relatives of sitting or former SC and HC judges practising as advocates receive preferential treatment over first-generation lawyers in the selection process for various High Courts, according to a Times of India report.
The collegium system has faced criticism for its opacity and allegations of nepotism in elevating advocates to different High Courts.
#CNBCTV18Market
Senores Pharmaceuticals, Ventive Hospitality and Carraro Listings: Premium debuts for two stocks, one disappoints
The shares of companies such as Senores Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Ventive Hospitality Ltd., and Carraro India Ltd. made their stock market debut today. These three IPOs, which were open for bidding between December 20 and December 24, are commanding a decent premium in the unlisted market. Here's how they fared
Cigniti shares fall 7% after Coforge announces amalgamation, share swap ratio
Shares of Cigniti Technologies Ltd. declined by over 7%, while Coforge shares traded flat on Monday, December 30, following the announcement of a merger between the two companies.
Mid-tier IT company Coforge stated that its board has approved a scheme of amalgamation with Cigniti Technologies through a share swap arrangement.
Cigniti shareholders will be issued one equity share of Coforge for every five equity shares of Cigniti held by them.
The share swap transaction will lead to 4% dilution in Coforge equity shares.
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What is in store for Indian IT in 2025? Here is a bull and bear case
The Nifty IT index has gained 23% so far in 2024, following the 24% returns it had generated in 2023. Since 2017, 2022 has been the only year in which the Nifty IT index has generated negative returns. Back in 2020 and 2021, the index had gained close to 60% each.
#PersonalFinance
How fixed deposits help in tax-saving: Here's what experts say
Tax-saving Fixed Deposits (FDs) are ideal for conservative investors who prioritise safety and guaranteed returns. These FDs offer fixed interest rates and come with a minimum investment amount of ₹10,000.
While the interest earned on these FDs is taxable, the principal deduction helps in reducing the overall tax liability, making them an attractive choice for tax-conscious investors, Agwaan says.
In terms of returns, FDs typically offer annual interest ranging from 5% to 7%. While this is a stable return, the interest earned is fully taxable according to the applicable income tax slab. For investors in the higher tax brackets, especially those in the 30% slab, the post-tax returns may be significantly lower.
How credit card deals and restaurant offers are transforming the dining experience
Dining offers and credit card promotions have become crucial in the modern dining landscape, benefiting both restaurants and consumers. These offers help restaurants boost footfall, enhance customer experiences, and provide value, while dining apps and credit cards continue to evolve with more targeted deals. Offers, whether cashback, discounts, or loyalty points, are essential both to attract new customers and retain regulars. The rise of dining apps and credit cards has given consumers more options to maximise their dining experiences.
Gold loans surge 56% in 2024: Key factors behind the growth and future outlook
Gold loans recorded a 56% year-on-year growth in 2024, outpacing the 18% increase seen in home loans, according to a Bankbazaar report. This growth marks the fastest expansion among all retail lending categories and reflects a shift in borrowing preferences.
#Entertainment
25 years of romance, drama, and thrills: Revisiting Bollywood’s class of ’99
The year 1999 was a turning point for Bollywood, marking the end of a transformative decade and the cusp of a new millennium. It was a year of glitz and experimentation, blending traditional storytelling with modern styles and paving the way for future cinematic trends. 1999 was more than just a year of hits. It was a defining chapter in Bollywood’s history, where traditional narratives coexisted with experimentation, laying the foundation for the cinematic evolution that followed.
Best of 2024: Acting performances in a Hindi web show
With theatrical releases getting increasingly disappointing each year, streaming is slowly filling the growing void, consistently delivering some of the finest performances since the coronavirus pandemic, irrevocably changing the way we consume entertainment. As the year draws to a close, a look at some of the breakout performances in the Hindi streaming space.
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