The Economic Times News

Turkiye has warned Russia and Ukraine to be more careful in the Black Sea. This comes after Turkiye's air force shot down a drone that entered its airspace. The incident occurred near the Turkish coast. Ukrainian naval drones had previously struck Russian tankers. Turkiye stated the drone's origin is unknown. Search and analysis are ongoing.

Mutual Divorce: Delhi High Court has delivered a significant ruling for couples seeking divorce. Courts can now waive the mandatory one-year separation period for mutual consent divorces. Judges will not mechanically delay these separations. This decision respects the autonomy of consenting adults. The law will not force couples into unhappy marriages.

Wordle #1643's answer, is revealed with hints for players. The popular New York Times word puzzle, known for its simple rules and daily challenge, continues to engage millions. Today's puzzle was considered moderately easy, particularly for those with sports knowledge.

Indian Coast Guard apprehended 35 Bangladeshi fishermen and seized two boats for illegal fishing within India's Exclusive Economic Zone. The fishermen were found without valid permits. This action highlights India's commitment to protecting its maritime interests. The apprehended individuals were handed over to Marine Police for further legal proceedings. This is part of ongoing efforts to curb illegal fishing activities.

The Civil Aviation Minister stated the government steps in to control airfares during unusual situations. This includes past instances like the Covid pandemic and the recent IndiGo crisis. The ministry monitors pricing to ensure affordability on all routes. A fare cap exists for UDAN routes. IndiGo's operations are stabilizing after recent disruptions.

India's food delivery sector is a major economic driver. It generated Rs 1.2 lakh crore in gross output in 2023-24. Employment in the sector grew significantly, outpacing the national average. The sector creates substantial economic value and jobs.

Trumps $1,776 warrior dividend brings Christmas checks to nearly 1.5 million U.S. service members nationwide. But the bonus is only part of Trumps broader military support agenda. The 2026 defense bill includes a 4% pay raise. It also funds new barracks, family housing, and childcare relief. The White House says tariff revenue covers costs. Congress also approved $2.9 billion for housing and childcare support. These moves reshape troop finances and family life in 2026. Scroll ahead for who benef

Charlie Munger, a longtime friend of Warren Buffet, was best known for his advice on finance, investments and success. Trained as a meteorologist during World War II and as a lawyer at Harvard before devoting himself to business, Charlie Munger in one his quotes said that you make your money by the waiting. It means that even if you have a good asset but if you lack patience, you might end up losing the money.

Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna's spy thriller 'Dhurandhar' is now Pakistan's most pirated film. Despite a ban, the movie has seen millions of illegal downloads. This piracy surge is happening even as the film performs strongly at the box office in India and overseas. Viewers are accessing pirated copies through various online platforms. The film also faces legal challenges in Pakistan.

Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly is suing an Argentina fan club founder for 50 crore over defamatory remarks linking him to the chaotic Lionel Messi GOAT tour event in Kolkata. The fan club chief accused Ganguly of being a stooge and financially ruining Bengal cricket. The Messi event at Salt Lake Stadium saw fan anger and vandalism.

VB G Ram G Bill 2025, is set to replace MGNREGA. It promises 125 days of guaranteed wage employment for rural households. The focus shifts to creating durable rural assets like water infrastructure and roads. Funding will be a centrally sponsored scheme with a 60:40 Centre-state share. Enhanced monitoring mechanisms are also introduced.

Delhi's mandatory 50% work-from-home rule, aimed at reducing pollution, has exposed practical challenges. The directive faces fragmented authority, uneven workplace organization, and jobs that cannot be done remotely, leading to confusion and selective implementation across government and private sectors.

Bill Gates has a stark warning for AI companies. The Microsoft co-founder said that AI will become hyper competitive and only a fraction of companies will come out as winners in the long-run. He warned that AI companies with sky-high valuations face an uncertain future as the competition is growing tough. Despite these remarks, he highlighted that AI is the most thing and called it a transformative force.

India and Oman have signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. This pact aims to significantly boost economic ties between the two nations. The agreement was signed in Muscat during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. It is expected to enhance trade and investment. This partnership strengthens India's economic presence in the Middle East region.

India's football future was debated in the Rajya Sabha. A Congress member highlighted Curacao's World Cup qualification to question the Sports Minister about long-term plans. The Minister stated that the All India Football Federation (AIFF) is responsible for football development and has plans for both men's and women's teams.

Kartik Sharma's journey from poverty to a Rs 14.20 crore IPL deal is a testament to his family's unwavering support. Facing financial hardship, including sleeping in night shelters and skipping meals, his parents sacrificed everything, selling land and jewelry for his cricket dreams. His talent, evident from childhood, finally led to IPL selection after years and years of persistence.

US stock futures rose Thursday as investors awaited key CPI inflation data. Nasdaq futures led gains, supported by Microns strong AI-driven earnings outlook. Micron shares jumped premarket, lifting Nvidia and Tesla in early trading. Dow and S&P 500 futures also turned green after Wednesdays selloff. Markets remain cautious as CPI data faces disruption from the government shutdown. Rate-cut hopes linger.

Beijing experienced a rare spike in very unhealthy smog levels, reaching an AQI of 215 after years of significant pollution reduction efforts. Despite past successes in improving air quality through industrial relocation and cleaner heating, the city faced a temporary setback. This event has sparked comparisons with New Delhi's ongoing pollution crisis.

Facing U.S. import tariffs, India is accelerating free trade agreements to secure market access beyond America. New Delhi is finalizing deals with the EU, New Zealand, and Chile, and has signed a pact with Oman, diversifying export destinations amid global trade uncertainty.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor proposed shifting cricket matches from North India to South India between mid-December and mid-January. This move aims to prevent disruptions caused by dense fog and smog.

Karnataka Assembly has passed a new bill to prevent hate speech and hate crimes. This pioneering law introduces penalties of up to seven years in jail and a fine of Rs one lakh. The bill was approved amidst disruptions in the assembly. Coastal Karnataka was highlighted as an area affected by such incidents.

Bangladesh anticipates a February 12 election, boosting investor sentiment. Despite strong headline growth, structural issues persist. Foreign direct investment shows mixed signals, with reinvested earnings and intra-company loans driving growth, while new equity capital declines. Macroeconomic indicators present a mixed picture, with inflation easing but remaining elevated. Remittance flows remain robust, supporting reserves.

Punjab rural election results: The ruling AAP in Punjab won the zila parishad polls and was also surging in majority of the zones of panchayat samiti. Congress secured the second spot and BJP managed to win 4 zones of the zila parishad in Pathankot. Punjab Congress Chief accused the AAP government of stealing polls.

The Supreme Court has postponed the hearing on a plea by Bhupesh Baghel's son challenging his arrest in a Chhattisgarh liquor scam. The court stated the matter cannot be heard piecemeal. The son is also challenging provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The hearing is now scheduled for January.

Amandeep Singh Bola, a Punjabi-Sikh origin New Zealander, showed exceptional courage and bravery when the horrific shooting at the Bondi beach in Australia unfolded. Amandeep was enjoying kebabs at the beach when he heard the gunshots and he ran towards the attackers, disarmed Sajid, one of the shooters, till the cops took over. He said there was a strong adrenaline rush after he got up.

Kerala's electoral roll enumeration concludes Thursday. The draft list will be released December 23. Over 24 lakh voters are categorized as untraceable. Overseas electors can apply to add their names. The final electoral roll is scheduled for publication on February 21, 2026. Polling stations will have a maximum of 1,700 voters. Efforts are underway to ensure smooth participation in democracy.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra strongly opposes the VB-G-RAM-G Bill passed in the Lok Sabha. She believes this legislation will end MGNREGA in the coming months. The bill shifts the financial burden to state governments. This move, she argues, will gradually dismantle the scheme.

RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group Chairman Sanjiv Goenka announced a Rs 15,800 crore capital expenditure plan for West Bengal, focusing on energy, education, and healthcare. A key project is a 5,000 MWh storage facility costing Rs 12,000 crore, aiming to power Kolkata with 50% renewable energy. The group will also invest Rs 1,000 crore in expanding education and healthcare facilities.

Social Security COLA increase in 2026 may hike SSA and SSI payments but still not benefit you because higher Medicare premiums, rounding rules, and income-based differences reduce gains. The national COLA applies equally, but actual dollar increases vary by benefit size and deductions.

Centre on Thursday passed the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) or G RAM G Bill 2025 in the Lok Sabha, proposing to repeal the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), and replace it with a new statutory framework guaranteeing up to 125 days of wage employment per rural household annually.

The Integrated Manufacturing Excellence Initiative (IMexI) 2025 concluded in Mumbai, celebrating advancements in Indian manufacturing. The event highlighted best practices, leadership's role in driving change, and introduced the IMexI India Icon recognition, with Reliance Industries Limited's SEZ Refinery receiving the inaugural award. The initiative aims to foster sustained, enterprise-wide excellence.

OTT releases this week: Stay updated with the latest OTT releases this week in India. From new movies to trending web series, here is the complete list of fresh content streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar and ZEE5, including genres, release dates and highlights you should not miss.

Actor-politician Vijay has launched a strong attack on Tamil Nadu's ruling DMK, calling it an 'evil force'. He stated his party, Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, is a 'pure force'. Vijay indicated the upcoming electoral contest is now solely between these two parties. He also alleged a smear campaign against him.

MTAR Technologies secured a significant Rs 310 crore order from Megha Engineering & Infrastructures for Kaiga nuclear reactors in Karnataka. This order, along with a previous Rs 194 crore contract, brings the total for Kaiga 5 and 6 reactors to Rs 504 crore this month. Deliveries are scheduled to continue until February 2030.

An Indian expatriate in Dubai, Ritesh Dhanak, has won Dh100,000 in the Big Ticket weekly e-draw after nearly 15 years of participation. Dhanak, a computer teacher, secured the prize through a group ticket purchase, inspired by a promotional offer. He plans to use his winnings for a family holiday and his daughter's education.

Australian shares saw a cautious trading day on Thursday, December 18. The S&P/ASX 200 index closed almost flat, gaining a mere 0.03 per cent. While some stocks like Bapcor and Austal surged, others like Boss Energy plunged. Consumer Staples and Telecommunications led sector gains, but Energy stocks pulled the market down. The benchmark index remains positive year to date.

Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025 Final: Haryana and Jharkhand are facing each other in the final of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025, marking their first-ever appearance in the championship match. Before this final, the elite tournament has been played 18 times. Here is a list of full list of SMAT trophy winners.

Harsh Goenka shared images of Kandovan, Iran. This village features unique homes carved into volcanic cones. These dwellings are over 700 years old and still inhabited today. They were built for survival against harsh winters. The natural insulation keeps homes warm. Social media users praised the ingenuity and sustainability of these ancient cave homes.

The Supreme Court has voiced concern over judges issuing many orders just before retiring. This practice was compared to a cricketer hitting sixes in the final overs. The court made these observations while hearing a case involving a Madhya Pradesh judge suspended shortly before his retirement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the India-Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a lueprint of our shared future that will shape bilateral ties for decades. Addressing the India-Oman Business Summit, he emphasized the historical maritime links and invited startups to invest and innovate in India, highlighting mutual growth opportunities.