#MintCharts | An increasing number of India's small cities and towns, expected to be more liveable than the bustling metropolises, are registering #airpollution above the safe limit. Cities such as Jaipur, Bhopal and Thiruvananthapuram are among cities that have seen a sharp rise in air pollution levels.

In today's Plain Facts story, we explain how Tier-II and Tier-III cities are facing the threat of air pollution.

#PersonalFinance | No-cost EMI schemes, popular for purchasing items through staggered payments without interest, involve hidden costs, including 18% GST on credit card interest, processing fees, and the loss of rewards.

(Shipra Singh writes)

Read more: https://www.read.ht/R1ah

#PersonalFinance | Bank #fixeddeposits (FDs) continue to be popular investment products not just among senior citizens who are looking for guaranteed income, but also among investors who can't stomach risks.

Here is a list of banks that offer the highest FD rates for deposits up to ₹1 crore over various tenures.

The Colorado Supreme Court has decided to exclude former US President #DonaldTrump from the presidential primary ballot, making it the first court to assert that his role in inciting the January 6 attack on the US Capitol disqualifies him from seeking re-election, Bloomberg reported

Read more: https://www.read.ht/R1e8

#BreakingNews | The #LokSabha passed the three criminal laws — the Bharatiya Nyaya (Second) Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha (Second) Sanhita and the Bharatiya Sakshya (Second) Bill — today.

Read here: https://www.read.ht/R1km

Bengaluru-based social-media platform #ShareChat reportedly terminated 200 employees following an official statement citing "strategic restructuring" and the need to "streamline the company's cost base."

This action was taken in response to a substantial decline in the overall valuation, as reported by the Economic Times.

Read here: https://www.read.ht/R1o5

#MintCharts | At the United Nations climate change summits (COPs), India has positioned itself as a voice for the global south, asking for equal responsibility-sharing for tackling the climate crisis. However, with its own emissions rising, how is India playing the balancing act of safeguarding its interests?

Check out today’s Plain Facts.

#PersonalFinance | Sebi's approval for MSM Reits formalizes fractional ownership, accommodating larger platforms like Strata & PropShare and smaller investors through structures like ALYF & Brikkit, offering opportunities in India's commercial real estate sector - writes Akshat Rohatgi

Read here: https://www.read.ht/R1yD

#Mint20BestFunds | We have hand-picked 20 #mutualfunds for your portfolio that have jumped through hoops of good returns, low risk, good portfolio hygiene and our own qualitative research.

#PersonalFinance

On the latest #DataRewind in today's Mint, we examine the number of footfalls at the top 10 centrally protected monuments in India in 2001.

Take a look!

Indian drug regulator Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has banned a widely used anti-cold cocktail medicine combination for infants and children under four years of age, and ordered that drugs should be labelled accordingly.

Read more: https://www.read.ht/R1yV

India recorded 358 new cases of #COVID19 and six fatalities, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare today.

Notably, Kerala alone accounted for 300 new active cases and reported three deaths.

Read more: https://www.read.ht/R2AC

More than 15,000 employees were laid off by roughly 100 Indian startups in 2023 as funding winter persists. Cash-strapped Byju's sacked 2,500 of its staff in the second round this year.

Read here: https://www.read.ht/R2GG

#SanjaySingh was elected as the next President of the Wrestling Federation of India. He is known to be a close confidante of sexual harassment accused Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

He managed to win most of the posts in the delayed polls as outgoing chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh gained indirect control over the sports body.

Read here: https://www.read.ht/R2GR

#MintCharts | India emerged as the top remittance recipient in 2023, with inwards remittance set to top $125 billion, according to World Bank. India is followed by Mexico and China.

#MitshiIndia on December 21 informed the exchanges that it has accepted the resignation of Rinku Niket Patel from the post of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in the company.

https://www.livemint.com/companies/news/mitshi-india-cfo-resigns-on-school-notebook-paper-in-handwritten-letter-see-picture-11703209475264.html

#PersonalFinance | India's insurance regulator (#Irdai) proposes increased surrender values for life policies, potentially reaching 75-84% of the premium, which could benefit policyholders but impact insurers' margins - Aprajita Sharma writes


Read more: https://www.read.ht/R2Zi

#PersonalFinance | Whether you are planning overseas travel or want to send money abroad, it is always a good idea to shop around for the best #forex exchange rate.

Here's a list of INR to USD forex rates offered by some of the major banks & travel aggregators.

#MintDataBytes | Which country offers the most affordable iPhone 15?

Take a look!

A special court here on Thursday granted bail to #YesBank co-founder #RanaKapoor in a money-laundering case linked to alleged financial irregularities at the bank.

He, however, would not walk out of jail at present as he has not been granted bail in a related case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Read more: https://www.read.ht/R23B

The prices of commercial cooking gas (#LPG) were reduced by ₹39.50 per 19-kg cylinder today, aligning with the decline in international benchmarks.

Read more: https://www.read.ht/R252