India’s equity markets could provide robust returns in near future due to impressive valuations, trailing performance, macro stability and the growth cycle, a report said on Wednesday.

The report from MS Research predicted a 13 per cent upside for BSE Sensex to touch 95,000 by December 2026 citing a 50 per cent probability.

The firm assumed continued fiscal consolidation, higher private investment and a positive gap between real growth and real rates to provide this base case scenario of Sensex touching 95,000.

Seoul shares extended their rally to a fourth day to set a fresh record high on a tech and auto rally on Wednesday after briefly landing above the 4,600-point level. The Korean won fell against the US dollar.

The benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) rose 25.58 points, or 0.57 percent, to close at an all-time high of 4,551.06, reports news agency.

The index briefly topped the 4,600-point mark, touch an intraday high of 4,611.72.

Afghan counter-narcotics police have confiscated 130 kg of illegal drugs and arrested 36 suspected smugglers in a series of operations across the country, official statements reported.

In northern Badakhshan province, authorities seized 130 kg of opium and hashish in Jurm district and detained one individual, according to a statement from the provincial police office, News Agency reported.

Additionally, the Ministry of Interior Affairs announced the arrest of 25 others linked to drug trafficking, possession and sales in provinces including Bamiyan, Kunduz and Parwan. Hundreds of narcotic tablets, along with quantities of crystal methamphetamine and hashish, were recovered from the suspects.

As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, the Indian Army's Engineer Task Force is working relentlessly to restore B-492, which connects Kandy in the Central Province to Badulla in Sri Lanka's Uva Province, which was severely affected due to Cyclone Ditwah.

In a video posted by the Indian Army on X, a schoolgirl said, "We are really grateful to you for the service you have done for us, especially coming all the way from India. Due to the damaged bridge, we had no way of crossing over to this side. We are so thankful to all of you for coming and doing this for us. Thank you very much for the assistance you have provided."

Indian specialists accounted for roughly 34 per cent of specialist‑level talent moving to Finland in 2025, with tech and engineering professionals employed at firms including Nokia, Kone, Wärtsilä, HCL, Infosys and TCS, a report showed on Wednesday.

The report from Finnish government organisation Business Finland said that the country issued about 300 first‑time specialist residence permits to Indian professionals between January and November 2025, adding to over 20,000 Indians already living in the country.

India's tax collections could surge in FY27, with gross tax buoyancy rising to 1.1 from a projected 0.64 in FY26, a report said on Wednesday.

The report from HDFC Bank said that nominal GDP growth is expected at about 10.1 per cent in FY27 after an estimated 8.5 per cent in FY26. It said that capital expenditure is expected to grow by 10.5 per cent to about Rs 11.5–12 lakh crore while revenue expenditure may rise 9.5 per cent to Rs 41.9 lakh crore.

The government's fiscal deficit target of 4.4 per cent for FY26 is likely to be achieved, with the deficit pegged at about Rs 15.79 lakh crore versus the budget estimate of Rs 15.69 lakh crore, the report said.

Cold conditions in West Bengal will continue in the next few days, the Meteorological office said on Wednesday.

The cold spell will continue for the next few days, with the minimum temperature likely to drop further.

Delhi Police have arrested five people in connection with the stone-pelting incident during the demolition drive near a mosque, officials said.

The incident occurred near the Faiz-e-Ilahi Mosque in the Turkman Gate area, close to Ramlila Ground, where authorities launched an anti-encroachment operation.

According to officials of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the drive was conducted to clear unauthorised structures from land adjoining the mosque and nearby areas, in compliance with directions issued by the Delhi High Court on November 12, 2025.

Actress Neetu Kapoor used social media to relive a fond memory with her daughter, Riddhima Kapoor.

The 'Jugjugg Jeeyo' actress took to the Stories section of her official Instagram handle and dropped a throwback photo of the adorable mother and daughter duo.

The photograph had Neetu lovingly holding little Riddhima in her arms. While the little one is flaunting her heart-melting smile at the camera, Neetu has her eyes fixed on her little bundle of joy.

 India’s top domestic institutional investors reported a 12 per cent to 20 per cent surge in assets across multiple segments during 2025, underscoring continued local support for equity and debt markets even as foreign investor assets growth softened.

Mutual funds led the expansion, with equity assets up 20.6 per cent to Rs 52.25 lakh crore from Rs 43.34 lakh crore a year earlier, and their combined equity and debt assets climbed 23.34 per cent to Rs 73.21 lakh crore from Rs 59.35 lakh crore, as per data.

In a major intelligence-led operation, Punjab Police’s State Special Operation Cell of Mohali, in coordination with Counter Intelligence of Ludhiana, have apprehended two men who were planning a targeted killing on the directions of foreign-based handlers, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.

One 9 mm pistol, along with five cartridges, was recovered from the Ludhiana-based accused.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with UK and Germany-based handlers associated with the Khalistan Commando Force (KCF) and linked to hardline extremist ideology.

Two more people have been arrested in connection with the trafficking case in West Bengal's Nadia, the police said on Wednesday.

The duo was arrested from a cafe in Kalyani of Nadia district on Tuesday.

The arrested individuals were identified as Sathi Biswas, alias Tina, and Tanmoy Das.

According to sources at Kolkata Police headquarters, Sathi and Tanmoy were arrested while they were inside a cafe in Kalyani.

Actor Babil Khan recently opened a small window into the lighter, everyday moments he shared with his late father Irrfan Khan as he remembered how he would often jump on him by saying “sofa mode activated”.

Babil took to Instagram, where he shared two images. The first was a nostalgic photograph showing a young Babil lying on the back of his father, the late Irrfan Khan. Both appear relaxed and comfortable on a striped floor mat, with simple pillows and a few household items around them.

Bollywood’s Greek God Hrithik Roshan knows how to let his presence do the talking as he dropped a glimpse that subtly showcased his chiselled frame and washboard abs.

Taking to Instagram, the 51-year-old star shared a BTS video from a photoshoot, where he showcased his perfect washboard abs.

He wrote as the caption: “Vibes on. Control off…”

Actor Arjun Rampal made quite a splash with his portrayal as Major Iqbal in Aditya Dhar's much-appreciated "Dhurandhar".

Now, basking in the success of his latest release, Rampal decided to witness the spy thriller with some of his buddies in Goa.

The movie was followed by a lovely dinner, making for a wholesome evening.

The minimum temperature improved marginally across Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, as Srinagar city recorded minus 1.6 degrees Celsius.

Due to partial night-long cloud cover, the minimum temperature improved in Jammu and Kashmir as Srinagar recorded minus 1.6, Gulmarg minus 7.6 and Pahalgam minus 7.2.

Jammu city recorded 8.7 degrees Celsius, Katra town 6.2, Batote 3.1, Banihal 2.3 and Bhaderwah minus 2.6 as the night's lowest temperature.

Physical presence for hearing sessions will not be mandatory for migrant workers from West Bengal who are currently residing in other states for their livelihoods and students from the state studying elsewhere, who have been detected as “logical discrepancy” cases in the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission of India (ECI) has clarified.

Family members of such categories of voters would be able to reach the hearing centres on their behalf and furnish the required documents to clarify the ECI's doubts in the matter, confirmed an insider from the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO).

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit off Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on Wednesday morning.

The institute said the earthquake occurred at 11:02 a.m. local time at a depth of 42 kilometers, with the epicentre about 47 kilometres from the coastal town of Manay.

Tremors were felt across the island.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will chair a high-level security review meeting on Jammu and Kashmir in New Delhi on Thursday, as the Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, senior officers of J&K Police, civil administration, CAPFs, intelligence agencies, and the top officials of the home ministry (MHA) will attend the meeting.

The review meeting will be the first high-level security review meeting on the union territory in 2026. The meeting follows aggressive operations launched by J&K Police and the security forces in the mountains and remote areas of the Jammu region to hunt down terrorists, including foreign terrorists.

Delhi and the NCR region, including Noida and Greater Noida, were facing severe cold conditions coupled with high pollution levels on Wednesday, making mornings particularly harsh for residents.

Strong winds have intensified the chill, while air quality has deteriorated to the “poor” category in most areas, raising concerns for public health.

Delhi recorded an AQI of 302 at 7 a.m., with several areas entering the red zone and some locations reporting levels above 350.

The Indian benchmark indices posted mild losses early on Wednesday amid rising geopolitical tensions and fresh tariff-related concerns, tracking mixed cues from Asian markets.

As of 9.30 am, Sensex slipped 156 points, or 0.18 per cent to 84,907 and Nifty eased 54 points, or 0.21 per cent to 26,124.

Main broad-cap indices showed clear divergence with benchmark indices, with the Nifty Midcap 100 up 0.22 per cent, while the Nifty Smallcap 100 gained 0.25 per cent.