The Economic Times News

In a world obsessed with flawless faces and perfect bodies, some Bollywood actors chose authenticity. These actors didnt change themselves to be accepted; they changed how beauty is seen on screen.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea on December 17 concerning Delhi-NCR's worsening air pollution. Amicus curiae highlighted poor implementation of existing preventive measures by authorities. The court acknowledged the issue, including schools holding outdoor sports despite orders, and will aim for enforceable solutions.

BJD leaders and workers are protesting in Bhubaneswar, demanding the arrest of individuals involved in a violent clash in Jajpur district. The incident, which occurred at a BJD leader's farmhouse, left 15 injured, with five seriously hurt. Vehicles were also vandalized. Opposition leader Naveen Patnaik condemned the alleged 'goondaraj' and urged immediate action against the culprits.

The Election Commission began publishing Bengals draft electoral rolls on Sunday evening, following the Special Intensive Revision from December 411. The draft covers a population of over 7.66 crore. Claims and objections run from December 16, 2025, to January 17, 2026, with hearings until February 7, 2026, and final rolls in February.

Rob Reiner's 'When Harry Met Sally' is one of the most iconic movies in Hollywood. When Shahrukh Khan's movie 'Jab Harry met Sejal' was announced, there were wide speculations that Imtiaz Ali's rom-com was inspired from Rob Reiner's movie. Rob Reiner and his were stabbed to death at their house in South California.

Canadian-American actor Michael J. Fox, celebrated for his roles in 'Back to the Future' and TV series, inspires with his resilience after a Parkinson's diagnosis. He champions research through his foundation, advocating against pity and for dignity. His unwavering optimism and significant contributions to Parkinson's awareness and research continue to resonate globally.

The bodies of man and a woman were found at the When Harry Met Sally director's house on 14 December. The man was approximately 78 years old, and the woman was believed to be 68 years old, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) confirmed. Reiner is a highly successful director from a celebrated Hollywood family.

Peter Meagher: A tragic terror attack struck Bondi Beach on Sunday night. Peter Meagher, a dedicated rugby volunteer and photographer, was among the victims. Meagher was on assignment when the shooting began. The rugby community mourns the loss of this beloved figure, known as 'Marzo'. His family has a deep history with rugby.

Australia's Prime Minister has proposed stricter gun laws following a mass shooting at a Hanukkah celebration in Sydney. The attack left at least 15 people dead. The government is considering new restrictions on gun ownership. This move comes after authorities revealed the older gunman legally obtained his weapons. The incident has sparked outrage and calls for action against rising antisemitism.

Charles Dickens, a well-known author and novelist, inspired people through his writings and left behind a huge legacy. His quote encourages people to accept and embrace possibilities as opportunities. Dickens' message promotes personal and communal growth through his quote which inspires action over mere wishes. He says don't consider anything as impossible and work hard to achieve your dreams.

Bondi beach Hanukkah festival shooting: New details have emerged in Bondi beach shooting in Sydney and police have found that the Sajid Akram, one of the alleged gunmen, brought six of his registered deadly firearms to the beach. Police have also found improvised explosive devices in shooter's vehicle and also conducted a raid at Naveed Akram's house.

Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai, 78, founder of the now-closed Apple Daily, was found guilty of foreign collusion and seditious publication under the national security law. He faces up to life in prison. Lais case, widely seen as politically motivated, has drawn international criticism as a major blow to press freedom, amid concerns over his health after years in custody.

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai was found guilty of colluding with foreign forces and sedition under the citys national security law, risking life imprisonment. Lai, 78, spent over five years in custody, much in solitary confinement, and has long criticized Beijing while funding pro-democracy causes. His conviction marks a major blow to Hong Kongs media freedom and democracy movement.

Tehrans water crisis shows how climate change and poor water management can push even large cities toward day zero. Indian cities such as Chennai, Bengaluru and Hyderabad have faced similar stress, highlighting the urgent need for better water use, food trade choices and climate action to secure urban futures.

Jose Antonio Kast won Chiles presidential election with 58% of the vote, defeating leftist Jeannette Jara and marking Chiles sharpest shift to the right since 1990. Kast campaigned on tough stances on crime and immigration, including building border walls, deploying the military to high-crime areas, and deporting undocumented migrants.

Oil prices saw an increase on Monday, recovering some of last week's losses. Escalating tensions between the United States and Venezuela are raising concerns about potential supply disruptions. This is happening alongside ongoing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. Market direction remains unclear, with oversupply worries persisting. Venezuelan oil exports have dropped significantly due to new sanctions.

A thick layer of smog engulfed Delhi and its neighbouring areas on Monday, severely reducing visibility. This compounded the city's already critical air quality, with AQI levels in the 'Severe Plus' category. The IMD has warned of very dense fog conditions in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana in the coming days. In view of the deteriorating weather conditions, Delhi airport issued an advisory on Monday morning informing passengers of possible delays.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the killing of senior Hezbollah terrorist Zakaria Yahya al-Hajj in a southern Lebanon airstrike, alongside two other Hezbollah operatives in separate strikes. Al-Hajj was involved in activating agents within Lebanons security and suppressing Hezbollah critics.

A JetBlue pilot reported narrowly avoiding a midair collision with a U.S. Air Force refueling tanker over the Caribbean after the military aircraft flew without its transponder on, making it invisible to radar. The incident occurred shortly after a flight departed Curaao for New York, forcing the JetBlue plane to halt its climb.

Britains new MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli, will warn that Russia under Vladimir Putin poses an aggressive, expansionist threat and deliberately exports instability. In her first speech since becoming the first female head of MI6, she will stress that UK support for Ukraine is enduring and that pressure on Russia will continue until Putin changes course.

India's top business leaders convened to discuss the nation's economic trajectory, acknowledging both global challenges and domestic strengths. They highlighted rural transformation, political stability, and entrepreneurial spirit as key confidence boosters. However, concerns linger over innovation, R&D investment, and the need for greater private capital deployment to sustain momentum towards global leadership.

BJP MLAs from Manipur, including former Chief Minister Biren Singh and Assembly Speaker Satyabrata Singh, went to Delhi on Saturday to attend the Sunday's meeting convened by the party's Central leadership.

Amidst global volatility, India projects a confident economic stance, reshaping globalization with strategic autonomy in trade and resource management. Times Internet chairman Satyan Gajwani highlighted this at the ET CEO Roundtable 2025, celebrating business leaders who exemplify India's growth and resilience in an uncertain world.

The Democratic Party has been Hong Kong's flagship opposition since its founding three years before the financial hub's return to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997. It used to sweep city-wide legislative elections and push China on democratic reforms and upholding freedom.

Parliamentarians engaged in intense debates on Vande Mataram and electoral reforms, showcasing flair and passion without clear winners or losers. The House functioned, allowing all voices to be heard, and the government even agreed to an Opposition proposal for an air pollution discussion, highlighting the power of debate over disruption.

I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism, the Prime Minister wrote on X.

Marking a major shift, the Centre will also ensure that the new regulator is divested of all funding/grant mechanisms, which will instead be handled by the Union education ministry.

A civilian is being celebrated as a hero in Sydney. He bravely tackled and disarmed an armed attacker at a Jewish holiday event. This courageous act potentially saved many lives during the incident. The bystander's quick thinking is widely praised. Authorities are investigating the attack further.

The Election Commission has appointed five nodal officers for the First Level Checking of electronic voting machines. These officers are from different states. This preparation is for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.

The December horoscope emphasises adaptability. While progress may feel slow, astrologers recommend viewing this phase as preparation rather than stagnation. Strategic pauses, emotional awareness and realistic expectations will prove essential.

News headlines for December 15: Delhi schools are now operating in a hybrid mode due to pollution. Prime Minister Modi embarks on a visit to Jordan. New tourism facilities have opened in Kashmir. The BJP has a new national working president. A mass shooting occurred in Sydney. India leads South Africa in the T20 series. The Odisha Masters badminton tournament has concluded.

Today School holiday 15th December: Indian schools will operate as usual on Monday, December 15, 2025. No national holidays or breaks are scheduled for this date. Winter vacations will commence later in December for most regions. An exception is the Winter Zone of Jammu & Kashmir, which is already on a long winter recess. Parents in Delhi-NCR should monitor advisories for potential weather-related adjustments.

The proposed project, which will come up at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, is aimed at positioning the state as a key hub for next-generation maritime and autonomous systems development.

Football legend Lionel Messi visited Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium as part of his 'GOAT India Tour' 2025. He met Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The event featured a friendly football match and interactions with young footballers. Messi gifted a signed jersey to Chhetri and received a memento from the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

2026 IPL Auction: Top 5 wicket keepers in focus. The IPL 2026 auction on December 16 sees franchises prioritizing wicketkeepers who offer batting flexibility. With experienced internationals and emerging talents like Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, KS Bharat, Jamie Smith, and Josh Inglis in the pool, competition for these crucial players is expected to be fierce.

Russia is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and none of the defendants were present in court.

A Powerball ticket carrying a $1 million prize, along with five other tickets were sold in the US in Saturday nights draw, as the jackpot once again remained without a winner.