The stock market suffered a sharp sell-off on Friday as fears over inflation, declining consumer confidence, and doubts about artificial intelligence investments combined to push major indexes lower. The S&P 500 dropped 2%, making it the second-worst trading day of 2025 for the broad-based index, while the Nasdaq Composite tumbled 2.7%, breaching its lowest point for the year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average also slumped, losing 1.7% as investors reacted to concerning economic signals.

The landscape of relationships in India is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Gone are the days when marriage was considered the ultimate milestone and divorce carried a heavy stigma. Social values, economic independence, and individual aspirations are now redefining how Indians view commitment, family, and relationships. For generations, divorce was rare in India, and remaining single was perceived as an unfortunate outcome rather than a conscious choice. However, changing attitudes hav

A loan against mutual funds is an effective financing option that allows investors to access funds without selling their investments. By pledging mutual fund units as collateral, individuals can secure a loan from banks or financial institutions. This method provides a practical solution for short-term financial needs while enabling investors to retain their portfolio and continue benefiting from market growth.   What is a Loan Against Mutual Funds?

Post Office Savings Schemes remain one of the most trusted investment options in India, offering secure returns backed by the government. Many of these schemes not only provide financial security but also offer tax benefits under Section 80C of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Investors can claim a tax deduction of up to ₹1.5 lakh per financial year when investing in these schemes, making them an attractive option for tax planning.However, these deductions are applicable only under the old tax reg

Choosing between a fixed and floating interest rate for a home loan is a crucial financial decision. Both options come with advantages and risks, and selecting the best one depends on your financial goals, market trends, and risk appetite. A fixed rate offers stability, while a floating rate provides flexibility and potential savings. Understanding the differences between these loan types will help you make an informed decision based on your repayment capacity and future market expectations.

Personal loans are often marketed as quick and hassle-free financial solutions, but borrowers are frequently caught off guard by hidden charges that increase the total cost of borrowing. While interest rates are clearly disclosed, additional fees, penalties, and deductions can reduce the actual loan amount disbursed and increase monthly EMIs.Lenders often do not fully disclose these fees upfront, making it essential for borrowers to understand all associated charges before finalizing their lo

A new report by the World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms over the rising burden of breast cancer worldwide. According to the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), breast cancer diagnoses and deaths are set to increase dramatically by 2050, underscoring the need for improved awareness, early detection, and prevention strategies.   Projected Rise in Breast Cancer Cases and Mortality Rates The study published in Nature

Indian stock markets experienced a significant fall in early trade on Monday, even though the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced a rate cut and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged victorious in the Delhi Assembly elections. The benchmark indices opened lower and continued to decline amid growing selling pressure. The BSE Sensex lost over 600 points, while the NSE Nifty dropped nearly 200 points.   The Sensex hit a low of 77,189.04, down from the previous session&

Vijay Mallya, the fugitive liquor baron, has approached the Karnataka High Court, claiming that banks have recovered the "principal debt amount multiple times over" in the Kingfisher Airlines loan default case. In his petition, Mallya has sought directions from the banks to provide a statement of the recovered amount.Justice R Devdas issued notices to 10 banks, including State Bank of India (SBI) and Punjab National Bank (PNB), a recovery official, and an asset reconstruction compan

Assess Your Financial Needs: Before applying for a personal loan, take time to evaluate how much you truly need. Borrowing more than necessary can stretch your finances, while borrowing too little might leave you short of funds. Carefully analyze your expenses, create a budget, and determine the exact amount required. This ensures you borrow responsibly and avoid o

Elon Musk recently shared his concerns about the global population decline, labeling it as humanity’s greatest threat. Musk's post on X (formerly Twitter) included a graph that displayed projected population changes for several countries, including Nigeria, the US, Indonesia, and Pakistan, between 2018 and 2100. In his post, Musk agreed with the statement “Population collapse is humanity's greatest threat,” originally shared by the Tesla Owners Silicon Vall

A Chinese court has ruled that Li, a man involved in a complicated breakup, is not required to return a 300,000 Yuan (₹3.2 crore) gift given to him by his ex-girlfriend, Xu. The unusual legal case, which has gained significant attention, centers on the couple's tumultuous relationship. Li and Xu had been in a stable relationship since 2018 until 2020, when Li discovered that Xu had an affair with his nephew. The revelation led to a breakup, but Xu later transferred a large sum of money

India, having recently surpassed China as the world's most populous country, faces a significant demographic challenge. Fertility rates have dramatically declined across the country, especially in southern states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, where rates have fallen below the replacement level of two children per woman. This poses a dual challenge: the southern states worry about the implications for political representation and federal revenues, as population shifts could reduce th

As of 6:50 a.m. today, gold prices stood at Rs 77,170 per 10 grams, according to the India Bullion Association. This represents a slight dip from the highs seen on Monday when prices had briefly climbed after falling from Rs 79,100 on Friday. The price of gold had reached its highest level for the month on December 11 before experiencing a drop of over Rs 1,000 on Monday. Compared to November's peak of Rs 78,060 on Nov. 23, the current price of gold reflects the ongoing volatility in the

Bitcoin reached an all-time high of over $106,000, marking a significant milestone just 10 days after surpassing the $100,000 mark. The cryptocurrency’s surge is fueled by expectations that the Federal Reserve may cut interest rates during its upcoming policy meeting. Lower interest rates historically benefit Bitcoin, as they weaken the US dollar and increase the money supply, driving investor interest in digital assets. Bitcoin has risen over 77% in the last year, and its rec

On Thursday, the Indian Rupee weakened to a record low of 84.88 against the US Dollar, following a series of declines this week. The rupee had opened flat at 84.85 for the second consecutive day, and this followed a similar trend on Wednesday when it closed at 84.84 after opening at 84.85. Earlier in the week, the rupee had weakened by 12 paise on Tuesday to close at 84.85, marking a new low. The domestic currency dipped to 84.73 on Monday, continuing its downward trajectory. Expert

A panel of state ministers has recommended changes to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure, specifically targeting sin goods, including tobacco products, aerated beverages, and luxury cars. These goods are currently taxed at the highest 28% GST rate, along with an additional cess. The proposal, which is part of a rate rationalisation report, is set to be presented before the GST Council in its upcoming meeting later this month. The Group of Ministers (GoM), led by Bihar Deputy Chief Min

The Reserve Bank of India’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) is expected to maintain the status quo on the benchmark repo rate at 6.5% in its upcoming meeting from December 4 to 6. Despite India's GDP growth slowing to 5.4% in the July-September quarter, economists suggest that inflation concerns will likely take precedence, making a rate cut unlikely in December. Retail inflation rose to 6.2% in October, exceeding the RBI’s target range of 2-6%. Though a repo rate cu

The government of Andhra Pradesh, under the leadership of the NDA camp, is addressing pressing issues left by the previous administration, including the growing loan app culture. These loan apps are increasingly becoming a threat to the public, with many individuals falling victim to their deceptive practices. In a significant statement in the Assembly, Home Minister Anitha spoke out about the severe consequences of loan apps, which initially attract users by offering easy loans wit

In a recent report by the Union Ministry of Statistics, Andhra Pradesh has been highlighted as the state with the highest number of borrowers in India, averaging 60,092 loans per 100,000 individuals during the 2022-23 period. This significant figure places it well ahead of Telangana and Tamil Nadu, which have borrowing rates of 42,407 and 35,703, respectively. The data reveals a slight gender disparity, with men (60,144) slightly outnumbering women (60,043) among those classified as