The Economic Times News

Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraine's forces have withdrawn from the front line, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments published Friday in Russian business daily Kommersant.

The government has approved a new bill allowing 100 percent foreign investment in the insurance sector. This move aims to boost growth and improve insurance coverage across India. Companies must invest all premiums within the country. The bill also permits a single entity to offer life, general, and health insurance.

Oracle shares are up just 13 per cent now for the year, having erased all the gains from a 36 per cent jump in September, when it reported a massive backlog of over $450 billion mostly tied to OpenAI.

Police in Assam's Sonitpur district have arrested four people, including a woman reportedly married to a Pakistani national. The arrests followed the detection of unusually large foreign deposits in a family's bank account. Investigations revealed the woman had met the Pakistani national online and traveled to Dubai. Authorities seized numerous ATM cards and bank documents.

Financial institutions extended 392 billion ($55.6 billion) of new yuan loans in the month, falling short of economists' median forecast of 450 billion , based on data released by the People's Bank of China on Friday. The stock of outstanding credit to the real economy rose 8.5% from a year ago, matching the pace in October.

Retail inflation saw a slight increase to 0.71% in November, up from October's 0.25%. This rise occurred as food deflation lessened. Price pressures remained subdued due to tax cuts and softer food prices. Inflation stayed below the central bank's target range for the fourth month. Food prices declined for the sixth consecutive month.

Rajkumar Goyal, a retired IAS officer, is poised to become the Chief of the Central Information Commission. Several other prominent figures are expected to be appointed as Information Commissioners, filling all nine vacancies. This move aims to bolster the RTI Act's appellate authority, though concerns about representation have been raised.

India's startup ecosystem is booming with over two lakh government-recognised entities. This year alone saw over 44,000 new recognitions, a record high. A significant achievement is that nearly half of these startups include at least one woman director or partner. These ventures have collectively generated over 21 lakh direct jobs, showcasing robust growth and inclusivity.

India's digital progress is uneven. Some states are building world-class digital systems, while others fall behind. Delhi leads with a high digitalisation score. Jharkhand ranks last. This disparity risks India's ambitious Digital Bharat goals. Ensuring weaker states catch up is crucial for India to become a global digital powerhouse.

Military retirement pay increase 2026: Military retirement pay will rise 2.8% in 2026 as the new COLA takes effect, lifting checks starting December 31, 2025. The increase mirrors Social Security and VA adjustments and adds $28 per $1,000 of monthly retired pay. REDUX retirees get 1.8%. A detailed breakdown followsheres what changes next year.

India and France are nearing a revised tax treaty that will reduce dividend taxes for French parent companies holding over 10% stakes to 5%, while increasing it to 15% for minority shareholders. The agreement also proposes allowing India to tax share sales by any French entity, shifting to a source-based capital gains framework.

Dune: Prophecy Season 2 release date, cast and how to watch update explains the new season plan, production timeline, first footage details, new cast, and links to the wider Dune universe. It breaks down HBO updates, filming locations, story expansion, and the confirmed 2026 rollout of the prequel series.

If you sit a lot, your heart can get weak. Eating foods like cocoa, green tea, berries, leafy greens, plums, and nuts can help keep your heart healthy. These foods have flavanols, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Simple changes in your diet can protect your heart even when you are mostly sitting.

When Gandhi suggested a discussion on the matter, parliamentary affairs minister Kiran Rijiju said the demand for such a debate had already been made by both ruling and Opposition sides, even at the last business advisory committee meeting, and that the government was in the process of structuring the upcoming House discussion on pollution.

The US has initiated Pax Silica, a strategic blueprint aimed at solidifying the silicon supply chain in partnership with influential nations like Japan, South Korea, and the UK. Interestingly, India finds itself outside this new coalition, despite its previous ties.

House Democrats have released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. These images offer a new look at his connections with prominent figures. The release adds pressure as a deadline for the Epstein files approaches. Republicans accuse Democrats of creating a misleading narrative. The photos show individuals like Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. More images are expected to be released soon.

Nvidia has told Chinese clients it is evaluating adding production capacity for its powerful H200 AI chips after orders exceeded its current output level, according to two sources briefed on the matter.

Chases limited-time refinance mortgage rate discount: Chase refinance rate sale wraps Sunday as the lender offers rare rate cuts of up to 1% while mortgage rates hover near 6%. Homeowners can lock discounted rates through the weekend, stack Chase relationship pricing, and shave real dollars off monthly payments before the Dec. 14 deadline hits.

President Donald Trump announced a renewed truce between Thailand and Cambodia. Leaders of both nations agreed to cease all shooting. This comes after days of deadly clashes threatened an earlier ceasefire. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim also played a role. The conflict stems from historical territorial claims and a 1907 map. Both countries have deployed military assets.

Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2 release date, cast and production update continues to draw interest as Netflix prepares the new season. The series will return in 2026 with new cast members, major story changes, and long production plans. This explainer covers release updates, filming status, new characters, and season details.

How long alcohol stays in the body and why the timing is different for everyone. A doctor shares how the liver breaks down alcohol and how things like genetics, age, and drink strength change the process. It also gives a simple timeline of how long alcohol can be found in blood, breath, urine, saliva, and hair.

Oracle stock plunges over 7% as OpenAI data-center delay to 2028 sparks fresh worries. Oracles $300B AI build-out faces new pressure after Bloomberg reported construction setbacks and a $15B capex jump for FY26. The pullback in ORCL contributed to a wider tech sell-off, with AI and cloud stocks like Nvidia, AMD and others also sliding on risk-off sentiment.

Interview with the Vampire Season 3 release date and how to watch update is now confirmed for summer 2026. AMC has rebranded the season as The Vampire Lestat. The story shifts to Lestats point of view and explores his past, rock star life, new cast members and links to earlier seasons.

RMD rules explain how much money must be taken from a $750,000 retirement account at a certain age. The amount is based on IRS calculations that change each year. Withdrawals can affect taxes, and missing them can lead to big penalties. Early planning and good advice help retirees handle these required payments safely and avoid costly mistakes.

Rowan Atkinson's new Netflix series, Man vs Baby, a four-episode special, has arrived. Following his Man vs. Bee antics, Atkinson's character, Trevor, finds himself unexpectedly caring for a baby amidst Christmas chaos. While the finale hints at more, a second season is highly unlikely, with Netflix positioning it as a holiday special rather than a multi-season show.

US Treasury buys another $12.5 billion of its own debt: The record buyback tightens market liquidity as bank reserves fall to $2.83T. Investors question QE-like effects. Higher Treasury yields may pull funds from stocks and crypto, impacting short-term market trends and fueling volatility across financial and digital asset markets. Bank reserves have already dropped from a 2021 peak of $4.27 trillion to $2.83 trillion.

Tom Brady and Irina Shayk have quietly rekindled their romance over a year following their brief 2023 fling, though sources cite that they are keeping things casual. The former NFL quarterback, 48, and the supermodel, 39, explain their relationship as a situationship, with neither pursuing exclusivity.

RSS leader Mohan Bhagwat called on citizens to prioritize the needs of the nation above all personal interests. He reminded everyone that its time to embrace a life dedicated to Bharat's progress rather than sacrificing for it. With an emphasis on unity, Bhagwat urged individuals to rise above caste and religious differences.

December 13 marks significant historical events, including Pope Celestine V's resignation in 1294 and the capture of Saddam Hussein in 2003. The day also commemorates the start of the Nanjing Massacre in 1937 and the birth of influential singer Taylor Swift in 1989.

The Powerball jackpot has reached $1 billion, and many people are excited to try their luck. The prize grew after no one won this week. Players can buy a ticket, pick numbers, and wait for the next drawing. With a huge holiday jackpot, Powerball is giving everyone a chance to dream of winning big without revealing the full story.

Maduro's end near? Massive US military build-up in Puerto Rico is Trump on the verge of striking Venezuela? The Pentagon has surged destroyers, surveillance jets, and Marine units into the Caribbean, raising urgent questions over a possible Trump strike on Venezuela. New satellite data, tanker seizures, and Trumps ultimatum to Maduro intensify fears that Washington is moving closer to decisive action.

WWE presents Saturday Night's Main Event on December 13, 2025. Wrestling legend John Cena steps into the ring for his final match against GUNTHER. The event also features Cody Rhodes defending his title against Oba Femi. AJ Styles and Dragon Lee will defend their tag team championships. Bayley faces Sol Ruca in a key women's match. U.S.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the TVS Credit Technology Centre in Guwahati, a key initiative under Advantage Assam 2.0. This center aims to bolster the state's digital ecosystem by skilling youth for tech roles, supporting AI, automation, and national digital transformation efforts.

Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif faced a diplomatic setback when Russian President Vladimir Putin kept him waiting for 40 minutes. Sharif later joined a meeting between Putin and the Turkish President uninvited. This incident follows previous embarrassments for Sharif during meetings with Putin, including malfunctioning headphones.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on February 1, 2026. This marks a continuation of her tenure, joining a select group of finance ministers with multiple consecutive budgets. The meticulous preparation process, involving extensive consultations and departmental reviews, culminates in the budget's presentation to Parliament.

Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attended a forum on peace and neutrality. He praised Turkmenistan's neutral status and its role in Eurasian stability. Tokayev stressed the need for UN reform and a just world order. He welcomed diplomatic efforts to resolve regional conflicts, including the Ukraine conflict. Kazakhstan supports dialogue and peace initiatives.

U.S Stock Market outlook hints at S&P 500 reaching fresh heights in 2026, according to several reports.

US stock market today: Dow eyes fresh record as S&P 500 and Nasdaq fall - US markets traded mixed today as the Dow Jones hovered near a fresh record while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq slipped on renewed tech selling. Broadcoms slump fueled an AI valuation pullback. Meanwhile, gold and silver both hit all-time highs as investors shifted toward safe-haven assets after the Feds rate cut.