From hugs to food to tattoos: Debunking 16 dangerous myths about HIV

Debunking HIV myths: HIV ≠ AIDS; no spread via touch, food, or mosquitoes; anyone can get it; protection still needed even if both positive; ART makes HIV manageable; no herbal cure; testing and PrEP matter; pregnancy/breastfeeding can be safe with care; workplaces and sterile tattoos are safe.

USTR Jamieson Greer says the US is prioritising stable trade with China over coordinated pressure. He cites a ~25% deficit drop, selling high-value goods, and a tariff truce. TikTok, soybean buys and rare-earth licenses remain pending amid reindustrialisation goals.

Apple hires Meta CLO Jennifer Newstead as general counsel (Mar 1) amid a reshuffle: Lisa Jackson to retire, COO Jeff Williams departed, and design exec Alan Dye heads to Meta. Newstead, fresh off an FTC win, will also lead government affairs; env/social shift to COO Sabih Khan. Apple faces a US antitrust suit.

The U.S. State Department will require H-1B applicants and H-4 dependents—along with F, M, and J visa seekers—to set all social media profiles to public for vetting from Dec 15. Framed as a security step, it comes amid broader immigration tightening and pauses some cases from 19 countries.

India will lift nuclear capacity from 8,780 MW to 9,480 MW in FY25-26, 13,480 MW by 2029-30 and 21,880 MW by 2031-32. Three 700 MW PHWRs are under construction; ten more planned. 

The Centre has released about Rs 37,000 crore—38% of the sanctioned Gross Budgetary Support—under the RDSS to improve power distribution. Funds are released when DISCOMs meet milestone-based guidelines, assessed via state-specific action plans. No state claims are pending with the ministry.

Axis Trustee told the Supreme Court Yes Bank’s 2020 AT1 bond write-down was illegal, arguing only RBI—not the administrator—could erase ₹8,400 crore. SC is hearing appeals against a Bombay HC ruling favoring bondholders.

LIC and Yes Bank formed a bancassurance tie-up, offering LIC policies via 3,600+ LIC offices, 1,295 branches and 235 BC outlets (5,100+ touchpoints). Products include term, endowment, pension, ULIPs. LIC also launched Protection Plus (linked savings) and Bima Kavach (pure risk, term up to 100).

India has framed the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), creating a National Steering Committee co‑chaired by the Power and Environment (Forest & Climate Change) secretaries to oversee the carbon market. Compliance now covers aluminium, cement, petrochemicals, refineries and textiles.

NephroPlus, India’s largest dialysis network, opens its IPO Dec 10–12 at Rs 438–460 to raise up to ~Rs 871 cr via fresh issue (Rs 353 cr) and OFS. Funds new clinics and debt repayment.

PwC projects India’s E&M to reach $47.2bn by 2029 (CAGR 7.8%; 2025 growth 8.9%), driven by mobile-first Gen Z, internet ads ($13.06bn, 15.9% CAGR) and OTT ($3.5bn; SVOD ~69%). Gaming hits $3.96bn; traditional media $22.9bn (5.4% CAGR). Sports/live $7.8bn; sports economy ~Rs 65,000 crore.

Post-Diwali smog in Delhi is pushing residents to Rajasthan, boosting hotel occupancy to 70–80% and crowding tourist cities on weekends (Jaipur saw 25k–30k visitors). Stays run 2–7 days, 95% domestic.

Tech roundup: Apple Watch adds hypertension alerts in India; Realme P4x 5G and Watch 5 launch; iOS 26.2 RC nears; Elden Ring DLC drops; Spotify Wrapped 2025; Samsung teases Exynos 2600; iPhone 17e tipped for 2026

Doctors warn routine use of perfumes, candles and diffusers can expose people to endocrine‑disrupting chemicals (phthalates, parabens, synthetic musks, VOCs), subtly disturbing hormones affecting reproduction, thyroid, metabolism, mood and sleep. Choose fragrance‑free, ventilate, and limit use.

Weddings are costly and risky, yet few plan backups. CEO Rahul Mathur says insurance can curb losses from postponement/cancellation, vendor or venue failure, extreme weather, illness/injury, and even damaged gifts/attire, with liability cover—key as climate risks, fraud and disruptions rise.

India’s Nov power demand dipped 0.3% to 123 BUs on cooler weather; MP -11%, Rajasthan -7%. Manufacturing slowed (PMI 56.6). Peak hit 216 GW; Apr–Nov demand -0.1% YoY. RTM MCP fell 9% to Rs 3.13. Generation rose 0.5% to 134 BUs, with RE +17% and hydro +27.6%; coal -3.5%, share 72% vs 75%.

Bandai Namco’s Elden Ring Nightreign DLC, The Forsaken Hollows, adds two playable Nightfarers (Scholar, Undertaker), two bosses, and the Shifting Earth event The Great Hollows. Unlock by beating Tricephalos and following Roundtable prompts.

Amazon’s Alexa Plus for Fire TV lets you jump to precise scenes in Prime Video movies by describing quotes, characters, or moments. 

Pilots worldwide hide treatable mental-health issues for fear of grounding and career loss, delaying care and raising safety risks. Stigma, long costly reviews, and limited support persist. Regulators and airlines are easing rules, meds, rest, and peer programs, but cultural change remains crucial.

Lupus diagnoses are rising due to earlier testing, better access/data, and environmental triggers—especially in women. Vague symptoms delay care. ANA-led workups confirm. Early treatment (HCQ, short steroids, immunosuppressants/biologics) plus monitoring limits organ damage.

Google Photos is rolling out its 2025 Recap, a year-end reel powered by Gemini to surface personal highlights like your main hobby and top moments. 

Brazilian Luana Lopes Lara, 29, is Forbes’ youngest self-made woman billionaire after Kalshi—the CFTC-approved event-trading exchange she co-founded—hit an $11B valuation in a $1B round. An MIT-trained ex-ballerina, she’s scaling Kalshi with top VC backing and expansion.

After 2 years without transactions, a bank account is marked dormant: funds remain safe, but use is blocked. Reactivate at the branch by updating KYC and making a small transaction. No reactivation fee. After 10 years, balances shift to DEAF but stay claimable. Prevent with periodic small transfers.

Bahrain cut the Golden Residency Visa property threshold to BHD 130,000 to attract investors. The 10-year renewable visa allows work, multiple entry, full business ownership, and family sponsorship. Eligible: investors, high earners, retirees, entrepreneurs, experts. Apply via NPRA.

Ex-visa officer Simon Hankinson says H-1B has long been misused, favoring average grads and lower wages, as big firms hire abroad while cutting U.S. jobs. He and ex-diplomat Mahvash Siddiqui cite fraud in Indian cases. He says the U.S. has ample STEM grads; India is the top H-1B source.

India’s MoD will seek a 20% hike in defence modernisation next year amid global tensions, after fully using FY25 funds; FY26 capex is Rs 1.49 tn. Exports aim to double to ~Rs 50,000 cr before FY30, buoyed by BrahMos interest.

WGC sees gold up 15–30% in 2026 if yields fall, geopolitics stay tense, and safety demand persists; ETF flows are pivotal (CY25 +$77bn/700t; +850t since May ’24). Downside: a Trump-led US reflation lifts yields and the dollar, spurs risk-on, ETF outflows, and a 5–20% drop.

SC manufacturing parks face high injury risks from heavy machinery, chemicals, and tight schedules.

Realme launches P4x 5G in India with Dimensity 7400 Ultra, 6.72" 144Hz display, 7,000mAh/45W, 50MP main + 50MP ultrawide + 200MP telephoto, IP64, Android 15. Rs 15,999–19,499; sale Dec 10 with discounts. Watch 5 at Rs 4,499: 1.97" AMOLED, GPS, NFC, 108 sports, IP68, up to 16–20 days battery.

December home loan rates are stable: most banks start at 7.30–8%. Public-sector banks are cheapest (e.g., SBI 7.50–8.95; BoB from 7.45). Private banks/HFCs have wider spreads, some hitting double digits (Bandhan up to 15%). Concessions exist (women, salary a/c)

December car-loan rates are steady; 5-year Rs 5 lakh offers range 7.60%–14%+. Public banks lead with sub-8% starts and several fee waivers (UCO, Canara), while private banks have higher rates and fees. Compare total cost (EMIs + processing). Limited-time waivers make December attractive.

Apple now promotes iOS 26.1 atop Software Update for users on iOS 18, pushing 18.7.2 to alternate. Installs still need manual approval. iOS 26.1 brings Liquid Glass UI, new AI features, and tweaks: opacity controls, more Live Translation languages, lockscreen camera toggle, and more.

OPPO Enco Buds 3 Pro Plus review: Age-old design with matte finish, nothing premium. Seamless pairing. Loud, balanced sound; decent 32dB ANC and transparency. Game Mode fixes latency. Read the full review here.

Spotify launches Wrapped 2025 in India, highlighting users’ top music, podcasts and audiobooks. Arijit Singh tops for a 7th year; romance leads, with Raanjhan most-streamed and Saiyaara top album. 

Google’s Android 16 QPR2 expands Circle to Search’s “Scroll and translate” beyond Samsung, enabling live, continuous on-screen translation while you scroll. 

A State Dept cable orders tighter scrutiny of visa applicants—especially H‑1B—denying those linked to censorship of Americans’ speech. Officers must review LinkedIn/CVs and social media. The move aligns with broader immigration crackdowns, new H‑1B fees, and earlier social‑media vetting.

Apple released the iOS 26.2 RC to developers and public beta testers, signaling an imminent launch. It adds single-use AirDrop codes, Sleep Score updates, CarPlay tweaks, Liquid Glass lock screen, Urgent Reminders, Freeform tables, Games/Music/News upgrades, and supports iPhone 11–17 and SE (2nd+).

Survey of 15,233 Indians finds Gen Z enters adulthood fitter and wealthier: 68% have BMI under 25 (vs 51%), 40% work out 3+ times a week, and they earn 20–30% higher starting pay. 82% don’t drink. But 1 in 4 smoke (1 in 10 chain), risking higher future healthcare costs and insurance premiums.

Bill Gates warns donor cuts—led by the US and Europe—risk the first rise in child deaths in 25 years, with 200,000 additional under-5 deaths this year, per the Goalkeepers report. With aid down 27% and programs like TB care in Nigeria slashed, he urges scaling proven tools and is boosting spend.

Google is rolling out a web redesign for Gemini, aligning it with the mobile apps. Updates include a cleaner UI with new “Hi” greeting, spark icon and load animation; a revamped prompt box with centered suggestions; a “My Stuff” hub. 

Samsung teases the Exynos 2600 for some Galaxy S26 models, claiming core refinements amid strong Snapdragon preference. 

Marc Faber warns 2026 could be rough for equities as US tariffs lift inflation and long yields. He sees AI names overpriced, urges diversification and precious metals. Expects EMs to outperform—favoring Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Brazil, Colombia, and Chile—while wary on India.

Apple launches hypertension notifications in India for select Apple Watch Series. It analyses 30 days of optical heart data to flag possible high BP and prompts a Blood Pressure Log using a third‑party cuff. Requires iPhone 11+, wrist detection, age 22+, not pregnant; not diagnostic.

OnePlus launches Ace 6T in China with Snapdragon 8 Gen 5, 6.83-inch 1.5K 165Hz AMOLED, up to 16GB/1TB, 50MP+8MP rear cameras, and 8,300mAh battery with 100W charging. Expected to arrive in India as OnePlus 15R with similar chip/display and near-identical design; storage/battery may vary.

Ashmore Group ($48.7bn AUM) sees Indian equities pausing in 2025 before rebounding in 2026 on stronger credit/investment, contained inflation and likely rate cuts, though China reweighting is a drag. EM momentum broadens as reforms, disinflation (AI capex, China exports) and softer USD enable cuts.

India’s new labour codes set basic pay at ≥50% of CTC, raising PF/NPS deductions and trimming take-home. Sujit Bangar says a 12L salary could see PF rise from Rs 7,200 to Rs 12,000, adding 2+ cr to retirement and lifting corpus from ~Rs 3.46 cr to ~Rs 5.77 cr via compulsory, automated saving.

With dollar bond demand waning amid high U.S. yields and geopolitics, foreign banks like Standard Chartered and Barclays are pivoting to India’s rupee bond market. Rupee issuance is ₹12.6T YTD vs $9B in dollar bonds. Barclays is scaling onshore but faces entrenched, lower-cost domestic rivals.

Floods across South and Southeast Asia since late last month have killed 1,300+ and caused $20B+ in losses as three cyclones overlapped the monsoon. Climate change, deforestation and weak defenses worsened impacts from Sri Lanka and Thailand to Indonesia and Vietnam, straining budgets and recovery.

Meta has hired Apple’s UI chief Alan Dye to lead a new design studio overseeing hardware, software and AI under CTO Andrew Bosworth, with deputy Billy Sorrentino joining. Apple names Stephen Lemay as successor. The move boosts Meta’s device push and adds to Apple’s senior design departures.

Despite a 100 bps RBI cut, October saw fresh loan yields rise 14 bps while WALR on outstanding loans fell 4 bps (private +12, PSU +9). With repo-linked repricing largely done and MCLR easing slowly, banks are lifting new-loan rates to protect NIMs.