India’s initial public offering (IPO) segment remains active, with roughly two dozen firms, including ICICI Prudential AMC, Meesho, and Juniper Green Energy, preparing to launch their public issues over the next two months. Collectively, these offerings could raise close to Rs 40,000 crore, according to merchant bankers.The upcoming slate also features prominent companies such as AI-focused Fractal Analytics, home and sleep solutions brand Wakefit Innovations, technology-driven security firm Innovatiview India, and hospital chain Park Medi World. This strong pipeline reflects both the confidence of the issuers and investors’ eagerness to capture early gains or back businesses with long-term growth prospects, reported ET.Firms across all market capitalisations—large, mid, and small caps—are gearing up to enter the IPO route in the coming weeks. Analysts attribute the surge to growing retail participation and steady domestic inflows, which have helped maintain fundraising momentum.This year alone, 96 companies have debuted on stock exchanges, raising a total of Rs 1.6 lakh crore. Over 40 of these listings were completed in the last three months, underscoring the heightened activity in the primary market. In comparison, 91 IPOs collectively mobilised Rs 1.6 lakh crore in 2024, aided by healthy retail participation, strong private capital expenditure, and a buoyant economic environment.Thomas Stephen, Head – Preferred at Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, said, “With several IPOs scheduled for December, the total fundraising in 2025 could touch Rs 2 lakh crore, setting a new record for India’s primary markets. This is remarkable given the global volatility and a muted secondary market. Strong domestic liquidity has supported high valuations, and mutual funds, earlier cautious on pre-IPO deals, are now meaningfully increasing allocations.”Stephen also noted that India’s strong consumption story, bolstered by GST and income-tax rationalisation, has encouraged many consumer-oriented businesses to consider public listings. Supporting this view, Shantanu Awasthi, Co-founder & CEO of Mavenark, said, “Companies previously hesitant about tapping the public markets now recognise that sustained growth will require substantial capital infusion.”The funds raised through these IPOs are expected to help companies expand operations, invest in capital projects, repay debt, and meet other corporate objectives. ICICI Prudential AMC plans to raise Rs 10,000 crore in the second half of December through an offer for sale (OFS) of 1.76 crore shares by its UK-based promoter Prudential Corporation Holdings.SoftBank-backed Meesho is targeting Rs 5,421 crore through an IPO opening for public from December 3, comprising a fresh issue of Rs 4,250 crore and an OFS of 10.55 crore shares valued at Rs 1,171 crore. Other significant upcoming offerings include Aequs (Rs 922 crore), Vidya Wires (Rs 300 crore), Clean Max Enviro Energy Solutions (Rs 5,200 crore), Fractal Analytics (Rs 4,900 crore), and Juniper Green Energy (Rs 3,000 crore).Additional firms preparing to enter the market between December and January include Manipal Payment, Kanodia Cement, Corona Remedies, Milky Mist, Amagi Media Labs, Nephrocare Health Services, Veeda Clinical, LCC Projects, Waterways Leisure, KSH International, Skyways Air Services, Ardee Engineering, PNGS Reva Diamond, and CIEL HR Services. Combined, these companies are expected to raise Rs 40,000 crore, merchant bankers said, as reported by ET.Among major main-board listings this year, Tata Capital led with Rs 15,512 crore, followed by LG Electronics (Rs 11,607 crore), Lenskart Solutions (Rs 7,278 crore), and Billionbrains Garage Ventures, the parent of Groww, which raised Rs 6,632 crore.Mavenark’s Awasthi advised investors to exercise caution, saying, “Investors should remain mindful of valuations and the underlying business narratives before investing.”

Shehbaz Sharif (left), Asim Munir (ANI)

Author and National Security Advisory Board (NSAB) member Tilak Devasher claimed that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is “intentionally” staying out of the country to avoid being present when the notification would be issued for the appointment of the first-ever Chief of Defence Forces (CDF). Created through the 27th amendment to Pakistan’s constitution, the post is set to be assumed by Field Marshal Asim Munir, potentially making him the most powerful army chief in the country’s history.Also Read | ‘Reflects political bias, misinformation’: Pak brazens it out; criticises UN top official for remarks on 27th constitutional amendmentSpeaking to ANI, Devasher highlighted that Sharif left for Bahrain and then London, leading to speculation that he’s “deliberately” staying away to avoid issuing the notification.“Very smartly, the Pakistan PM went to Bahrain and then to London. He clearly does not want to issue the notification giving Asim Munir five years as army chief and as Chief of Defence Forces. He seems to believe that by staying away and avoiding signing the notification, he can escape the consequences,” said Devasher, author of four books on Pakistan.The comment comes after Sharif’s government failed to issue the required notification appointing Munir as the first-ever CDF by the November 29 deadline—the day his original three-year term as army chief ended. With the creation of the CDF post, the office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee has formally been abolished.Devasher added that Pakistan is currently navigating a “very messy” situation.“If it turns out that he (Asim Munir) is no longer the army chief, then Pakistan finds itself without an army chief, and even the nuclear command authority—meant to fall under the new Strategic Forces Command—is effectively leaderless. It’s an extremely strange situation,” he remarked.Legal experts remain divided over whether the notification is necessary. Under the amended Constitution, the Chief of Army Staff’s term is meant to run concurrently with the CDF, lasting five years.Some analysts, however, argue that the issue may already be addressed by the Pakistan Army Act’s 2024 amendment, which extended the tenure of service chiefs to five years, according to Dawn. The amendment includes a “deeming” clause stating it “shall always be deemed to have been part of the Pakistan Army Act,” implying that Munir’s current term could automatically extend from three to five years without any additional notification.Devasher, however, called this interpretation “controversial,” questioning the view that a notification may not be required.“Some people argue that the Army Act was amended in 2004, setting the army chief’s tenure at five years. Since he has already served three, he supposedly has another two years remaining. From this perspective, no new notification would be required. This is controversial, and it’s unclear how the judiciary or the government will view it. But the fact remains that it makes his position very tenuous,” Devasher said.He also pointed to what he described as political manoeuvring within the military. “There are reports that other generals are now jostling for the position of army chief or for the two newly created four-star posts,” he stated.Devasher added that Prime Minister Sharif’s absence is only deepening the uncertainty. “But this situation cannot continue,” he warned. “A nuclear-armed country cannot function without a Chief of the Army Staff or someone in charge of the nuclear command authority.”

One of the key changes is the wage redefinition, as this forms the base for all calculations under the codes. (AI image)

By Parizad SirwallaIndia’s labour landscape is witnessing one of the most significant transformations in decades. As of 21 November 2025, most of the provisions under the four Labour Codes have been made effective. The Labour Codes consolidate 29 existing labour laws into four comprehensive codes—Wages, Social Security, Industrial Relations and Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions (OSH). This reform is positioned as a cornerstone for enhancing workplace safety, improving ease of doing business, promoting formalization, fostering inclusive growth, while also aligning with global standards. For businesses, this means fewer overlapping regulations and a clearer roadmap for workforce management.One of the key changes is the wage redefinition, as this forms the base for all calculations under the codes – resulting in an increase or decrease in the statutory liabilities depending upon the wage structure deployed by the company. The impact of this on the net take home of the employee also needs to be monitored. A full financial sensitivity analysis by employee grade, tenure, and function becomes imperative.Amongst others, the Codes encourage gender and wage parity, introduce provisions for night shifts for women with certain safeguards, national floor wage for all, enhanced health and safety norms. They mandate appointment letters, extend social security benefits to unorganized sector, gig, platform workers and fixed term employees.Also Read | Explained: How new labour laws could hit your take-home salary, increase your provident fund & gratuity contributionsThe Codes do seem to seek alignment with few of the international Labour Organisation (ILO) principles towards wages, gender equality, and occupational safety. According to ILO, over 2.78 million workers die annually from occupational accidents and diseases, highlighting the relevance of OSH provisions. The ILO’s Global Wage Report shows persistent gender pay gaps worldwide, making India’s gender-neutral wage provisions significant In June 2025, ILO committed to binding global standards for platform work which reinforces India’s progressive vision of including platform workers in the Codes.From a business perspective, in the long run, simplified and digitized compliance will reduce administrative burden and litigation risk, improving investor confidence. Formalization of employment will enhance tax compliance and social security coverage. Parallelly, digital transformation initiatives of the Government, such as EPFO 3.0 etc. complement these reforms, promoting transparency and trust.There may however be a need to navigate some short-term challenges. A key one being aligning to the new and critical definition of wages, as the ambiguities surrounding its interpretation continue especially with respect to variable / one-time payments, stock benefits etc. Some illustrations or clarifications from the Ministry in this regard in due course will certainly help clarify.Employers would also need some immediate catch-up on cost provisioning / recalculation of benefits such as gratuity, leave encashment etc. which in the absence of any clarification otherwise, may have a retro-active effect. For instance, gratuity is calculated based on the last drawn wage for every completed year of service. With the change in definition of wage under the Codes, it could lead to an enhancement of the gratuity liability for employee’s termination post commencement of the Code.Also Read | What do new labour codes mean for employees & employers? From minimum wages, gratuity benefits to appointment letters & layoff rules – top things to knowAlso, gratuity obligations towards fixed term employees (including the existing) would need to be provided for. Also, the ambiguity around calculation for multiple short-term contracts would need to be addressed. These adjustments could impact payroll structures, financial planning and compliance strategies in the short term.Organizations should undertake a comprehensive classification of employees, workers, and gig workers, based on role profiles and salary levels, to ensure compliance and workforce clarity. They also need to ensure that the documentation is watertight. Organizations that depend extensively on contract labour should analyze market trends and regulatory shifts under the Codes, which restrict outsourcing in core functions while introducing a unified registration framework. These developments are likely to reshape workforce strategies, enabling more dynamic planning across sectors such as IT, logistics, global capability centers (GCCs), manufacturing, and engineering—industries where contract staffing remains a critical component.While the Codes have come into effect, the Central and State rules are still being finalized, creating a dual compliance environment and uncertainty around eventual alignment. In the interim, organizations must carefully assess which provisions to follow during the transition, particularly where multiple state rules apply.To sum up, the Labour Codes indeed mark a paradigm shift in India’s employment regulation, blending worker welfare with business facilitation. While they aim to lay the foundation for a future-ready workforce, their success hinges on stakeholder collaboration, robust enforcement and continuous adaptation to global best practices. For businesses, navigating the financial impact, payroll reconfiguration, state wise compliance mapping, strategic workforce planning, review of vendor agreements, audit disclosures, digitizing processes, robust compliance dashboards, will be key to leveraging the reforms for sustainable growth.(Parizad Sirwalla is Partner and Head, Global Mobility Services, Tax, KPMG in India)

Samantha Ruth Prabhu wed Raj Nidimoru today in an intimate ceremony at Isha Yoga Centre’s Linga Bhairavi Temple, attended by 30 guests. She wore a red saree. Rumors swirled after Raj’s ex-wife’s cryptic post; they’ve been linked since 2024. This follows her 2021 divorce from Naga Chaitanya.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu and ‘The Family Man’ director Raj Nidimoru have sparked relationship talk for over a year now. They’ve avoided any confirmation of dating but have popped up together publicly several times. Now, as per the recent reports, the duo tied the knot today at Isha Yoga Centre in Coimbatore during a private ceremony limited to around 30 attendees.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu wedding ceremony details

According to Hindustan Times, the wedding took place on Monday morning. It happened at the Linga Bhairavi Temple inside Isha Yoga Centre early in the morning. There were a total of 30 guests. The actress wore a red saree for the wedding.

Wedding buzz and ex-wife post

The wedding buzz for the duo picked up late Sunday night on social platforms. Shhyamali De, Raj Nidimoru’s ex-wife, stoked curiosity with her Instagram story quote: “Desperate people do desperate things.” According to reports, they divorced back in 2022.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu and Raj Nidimoru’s public displays

In early 2024, hints of a connection between Raj Nidimoru and Samantha surfaced around on the internet after spotting the duo at various events. In the months that followed, the actress shared multiple photos with Raj on social media, openly displaying their bond.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s previous marriage

Samantha was previously married to actor Naga Chaitanya in 2017. The couple parted ways in 2021 after four years, finalizing their divorce the next year, and Naga later married actress Sobhita Dhulipala in December 2024.

Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s upcoming projects

Meanwhile, on the work front, Samantha Ruth Prabhu was last seen in her first-produced Telugu film ‘Subham’, where she played a cameo role. She is currently working on the Telugu film ‘Maa Inti Bangaram’, which she is also co-producing, and the upcoming web series ‘Rakt Brahmand: The Bloody Kingdom’.

School Holiday in December 2025

December has finally arrived, bringing with it the stretch students across the country look forward to all year, winter breaks, Christmas celebrations and the gentle slowing down that marks the end of the academic calendar. After a busy November filled with examinations in many states, schools are now shifting into a lighter schedule as temperatures begin to drop and year-end activities take over.Unlike summer holidays, December breaks don’t follow a uniform pattern across India. Each state, and often each school, sets its own calendar depending on the weather and institutional policies. But there is one common trend: the second half of December typically offers the longest cluster of holidays for schoolchildren before the new year begins.

When are schools likely to close in December 2025?

Schools across several northern and central states are expected to go on winter break sometime between December 20 and December 24, with most reopening only in the first week of January. This period usually covers Christmas, New Year’s Eve and the coldest days of the season.

Important festive holidays in December

Even in states without long winter breaks, certain days will be observed as holidays across most schools:

Some schools also club these festive holidays with year-end events, annual functions or cultural programmes, adding to the excitement of the month.

Why December still feels special for students

December is more than just a month of holidays, it marks a much-needed pause in the school year. The weather encourages a slower pace, families plan outings and reunions, and students get a short but meaningful break before the academic race picks up again in January.Even for schools, this period is valuable: campuses use the downtime for repairs, planning sessions and preparations for final-term activities.

Representative image (ANI)

NEW DELHI: Gold and silver opened strongly in domestic futures on Monday, driven by a softening dollar, expectations of a US Federal Reserve rate cut and a weaker rupee.Gold February futures traded at Rs 1,30,383 per 10 grams, up Rs 879 (0.68%), while silver March futures surged to a new peak of Rs 1,78,620 per kg, gaining Rs 3,639 in early trade.Silver price growth was supported by a weaker rupee and expectations of a US rate cut. Analysts expect the metal to maintain strong momentum amid global economic developments and currency fluctuations.On the international front, spot gold was slightly down at $4,221.68 per ounce by 0.2%, after hitting a near three-week high on Friday.US gold futures for December delivery rose 0.2% to $4,261.60 per ounce, while silver climbed 2.2% to a fresh high of $57.59 per ounce. Market experts expect gold and silver prices to remain volatile this week, with movements influenced by fluctuations in the dollar index, global financial markets and upcoming US Federal Reserve policy meetings.Gold recently touched five-week highs, while silver surged to record levels, driven by expectations of a rate cut in the US and profit-taking in the dollar index.“Safe-haven buying also emerged for precious metals after trading was halted in the CME due to overheating at its data center,” said Manoj Kumar Jain of Prithvifinmart Commodity Research, according to PTI. “However, optimism over a Russia-Ukraine peace deal limited gains in precious metals,” he added.

City-wise gold rates today:

Delhi

In Delhi, 24K gold is trading at Rs 13,063 per gram, 22K at Rs 11,975 per gram and 18K at Rs 9,801 per gram. Compared to yesterday, 24K gold rose by Rs 66, 22K by Rs 60, and 18K by Rs 49 respectively.

Bengaluru

Today in Bengaluru, 24K gold is priced at Rs 13,048 per gram, 22K at Rs 11,960, and 18K at Rs 9,786. The rates have increased by Rs 66 for 24K, Rs 60 for 22K, and Rs 49 for 18K since yesterday.

Mumbai

In Mumbai, 24K gold stands at Rs 13,048 per gram, 22K at Rs 11,960, and 18K at Rs 9,786. Compared to the previous day, 24K rose by Rs 66, 22K by Rs 60, and 18K by Rs 49.

Chennai

Chennai’s gold prices today are Rs 13,167 per gram for 24K, Rs 12,070 for 22K, and Rs 10,065 for 18K. The increases since yesterday are Rs 98 for 24K, Rs 90 for 22K, and Rs 70 for 18K.

Kolkata

In Kolkata, 24K gold is Rs 13,048 per gram, 22K gold is Rs 11,960 and 18K gold is Rs 9,786. Compared to yesterday, the rates have gone up by Rs 66 for 24K, Rs 60 for 22K and Rs 49 for 18K respectively.

Hyderabad

The gold prices in Hyderabad today stands at Rs 13,048 per gram for 24K, Rs 11,960 for 22K and Rs 9,786 for 18K. The prices have increased by Rs 66, Rs 60 and Rs 49 respectively since yesterday.

Jaipur

In Jaipur, 24K gold is trading at Rs 13,063 per gram, 22K at Rs 11,975 and 18K at Rs 9,801. The rates are up by Rs 66 for 24K, Rs 60 for 22K, and Rs 49 for 18K from the previous day.

Ahmedabad

Today in Ahmedabad, 24K gold is Rs 13,053 per gram, 22K gold is Rs 11,965 and 18K gold is Rs 9,791. Compared to yesterday, 24K rose by Rs 66, 22K by Rs 60 and 18K by Rs 49.

Bhubaneshwar

Bhubaneshwar’s gold rates are Rs 13,048 per gram for 24K, Rs 11,960 for 22K and Rs 9,786 for 18K. Compared to yesterday, marking rose by Rs 66, Rs 60 and Rs 49 respectively.

Pune

In Pune, 24K gold is priced at Rs 13,048 per gram, 22K at Rs 11,960 and 18K at Rs 9,786. The rates increased by Rs 66 for 24K, Rs 60 for 22K and Rs 49 for 18K since yesterday.

Kanpur

In Kanpur, 24K gold trades at Rs 13,063 per gram, 22K at Rs 11,975 and 18K at Rs 9,801. Compared to the previous day, 24K rose at Rs 66, 22K at Rs 60 and 18K at Rs 49.

A decade from now, the fund you barely talked about will likely be the one that did most of the work. (AI image)

Here’s a scene I’ve seen many times.A new investor starts a SIP. Within a month, the portfolio already has seven funds: a mid-cap, a small-cap, a PSU theme, a “manufacturing” theme, an international fund, a sector fund, and one “special opportunities” fund—because each one looked great on a “top returns” list.Another new investor starts with one fund—a plain flexi-cap fund or a broad index fund—and just keeps investing.Five years later, the second investor usually has a bigger corpus and far less stress.Not because they found a magical fund. But because they began the right way.What your first mutual fund should doYour first mutual fund has a simple job:

This is the “learning to drive” phase. You don’t start by driving in the hills at night in the rain. You start on a steady road.So your first fund should be boring in the best way—broad, diversified, and easy to stay invested in.Good beginner choices are:

These are not flashy. That’s exactly why they work.Why “hot” funds are a bad starting pointMost beginners choose funds the way people choose restaurants—by looking at what’s “trending”.Apps and websites push:

The trap is simple: yesterday’s winner is often tomorrow’s disappointment.Sector and thematic funds are not evil. They’re just sharp tools. If you’re still learning, sharp tools increase the chances of getting hurt.Why?

So the fund didn’t “fail”. The investor’s timing did. And timing is the one skill beginners shouldn’t be forced to master.One simple fund often beats many clever ones (in real life)Over a full market cycle—up, down, then recovery—broad-market funds tend to be easier to hold, and that matters more than people admit.For example, consider the periods from August 2013 to December 2017 and from December 2017 to March 2020.

Performance breakdown

Now add reality: most investors didn’t stay invested in the theme through the full cycle. Many entered late and exited early.That’s why “best returns” lists can be misleading. They show what a fund did. They don’t show what investors earned.How many funds do you need in your first 2–3 years?Most beginners think diversification means “more funds”.It doesn’t.If you own five equity funds, chances are you own the same top 20–30 stocks five times. That’s not diversification. That’s repetition with extra paperwork.For the first two to three years, a good rule is:Start with 1–2 funds.That’s enough.A simple structure:

If you can’t explain why you own a fund in one sentence, you probably don’t need it—yet.“But what about small caps, international exposure, sectors, themes?”Later—maybe.Think of these as “satellites”. You add them after your “core” is in place.Start with the core first because:

When we design a first portfolio in Value Research Fund Advisor (VRFA), we usually start with 1–2 core funds that can quietly do the heavy lifting for decades. Once the foundation is solid, we add anything else if needed.A practical, quick check before you pick your first fundBefore you choose, ask yourself:

That last question is the real test.Because your first mutual fund is not about being clever. It’s about being consistent.The whole pointIf you do just two things right at the start, you’ll be ahead of most investors:

Ignore the noise. Ignore the “top returns” carousel.A decade from now, the fund you barely talked about will likely be the one that did most of the work.(Sneha Suri is Lead Fund Analyst – Value Research’s Fund Advisor)

NIA conducts searches at the Lucknow residence of arrested woman doc Shaheen Shahid

LUCKNOW: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday widened its probe into a “white-collar” terror financing and radicalisation network linked to the November 10 car blast near Delhi’s Red Fort, conducting coordinated searches across Jammu & Kashmir and Uttar Pradesh — including the Lucknow residence of former medical college faculty member Dr Shaheen Shahid, now arrested and in custody of NIA. Lucknow search: family under scannerIn Lucknow, NIA searched Shaheen’s Lalbagh residence where her father and one of her brothers continue to live; another brother, also a doctor, has been detained for questioning.

It is for the first time that NIA has conducted searches at residence of Dr Shaheen Shahid in Lucknow.Shaheen was earlier arrested after a Russian rifle and ammunition were recovered from a car registered in her name, allegedly used by Muzammil.Investigators allege she funnelled Rs 27–28 lakh into the module, including Rs 6.5 lakh for weapons and Rs 3 lakh for a vehicle, though she claims the money was given as zakat. Agencies also assert she was the only woman in the Faridabad JeM module and was in contact with Afira Biwi, wife of Pulwama attack mastermind Umar Farooq, and had discussed a plan to target six Indian cities on December 6 as “revenge for Babri Masjid”.A topper turned terror accusedBorn and raised in Kaiserbagh, the 46-year-old pharmacology specialist Shaheen also known as ‘Madam Surgeon’ had an impeccable academic run — topping her Class 10 and 12 boards, completing MBBS and MD from the government medical college in Prayagraj, and securing a UPPSC rank to join GSVM Medical College, Kanpur, as an assistant professor in 2006.Her trajectory reportedly plunged after 2013, when she abruptly stopped reporting for duty. All official communication failed, and she was terminated in 2021. During these undocumented years, investigators claim she drifted toward radical elements while associated with Al-Falah University, where she allegedly grew close to Dr Muzammil, suspected Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) operative whom she married in 2023.Dr Shaheen Shahid was allegedly heading the India wing of Jamaat-ul-Mominaat which is the women’s wing of Jaish-e-Muhammad.NIA teams carried out searches at eight locations in Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam. In Shopian, officers raided the home of Maulvi Irfan Ahmad Vagay, who has emerged as the alleged mastermind responsible for radicalisation and recruitment in the network. Vagay is currently under NIA custody in connection with the Red Fort blast that killed 15 people.In Pulwama, searches were conducted in Koil, Chandgam, Malangpora and Sambura, all linked to suspects connected to the Delhi blast.Simultaneously, NIA searched the residence of Dr Aadil Ahmad Rather in Saharanpur, arrested earlier this month, as part of efforts to map the financial and operational web of the module.A white-collar terror modelOfficials describe the network as a new breed of “white-collar” terror module — educated professionals who raise funds through financial fraud, laundering and legitimate-looking transactions, making detection far more complex.With raids now stretching from Kashmir to Uttar Pradesh, investigators say the focus is on identifying the module’s handlers, mapping the funnel of funds, and establishing how radicalisation and operational planning were executed by individuals with professional backgrounds.The raids come after a Delhi court on Saturday extended the National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody of four accused, including Dr Shaheen Shahid, Dr Muzammil Shakeel, Mufti Irfan Ahmad Wagay, and Dr Adeel Ahmed Rather in the Delhi blast case for another 10 days after it sought more time for investigation.Even before the blast, several arrests had been made across multiple states, and investigators had begun to piece together evidence of an interstate terror module.Following the explosion, the NIA found that the incident was connected to earlier arrests, leading to a series of new revelations as the probe deepened.The NIA has so far arrested seven individuals in connection with the blast involving a Hyundai i20 driven by Dr Umar Muhammad, which exploded near the Lal Qila Metro station.

Ludwig A Minelli (AFP photo)

Head of the Swiss right-to-die group Dignitas, Ludwig Minelli, has died through an assisted death, the organisation has confirmed. Minelli, who founded Dignitas in 1998, died on Saturday, just days before his 93rd birthday. The group said he spent his final years looking for new ways to help people make their own choices about the end of life.“Right up to the end of his life, he continued to search for further ways to help people to exercise their right to freedom of choice and self-determination in their ‘final matters’ – and he often found them.” Dignitas said it would continue his work and run the association in the spirit he set, as an organisation focused on self-determination and freedom of choice.Assisted dying laws have changed widely since Dignitas began. France recently approved assisted dying for some people with terminal illnesses. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Spain and Austria have also legalised assisted dying since 2015. In the US, it is allowed in 10 states.In the UK, the assisted dying bill is still being debated. MPs backed it in June, but it is now under scrutiny in the House of Lords. Minelli, a journalist who later became a lawyer, faced several legal battles over the years. He won cases in the Swiss supreme court and at the European Court of Human Rights.Dignitas said Minelli had a lasting impact on Swiss law, noting a 2011 European court ruling that supported a person’s right to choose how and when to end their life. Switzerland does not allow euthanasia, where another person gives a lethal drug. But assisted dying, where a person takes the final action themselves after expressing the wish to die, has been legal for decades. Dignitas, which has over 10,000 members, also accepts people from outside Switzerland. By 2024, it had assisted more than 4,000 deaths, including 571 people from the UK. About 1,900 Britons are members, among them is TV presenter and campaigner Esther Rantzen. In a 2023 interview with the Financial Times, Minelli said he was still working long hours at the age of 90 and believed assisted dying should be available to almost everyone.