The Economic Times News

UK companies are significantly expanding their presence in India, with a collective turnover of Rs 5,693 billion and 552,902 employees. The Free Trade Agreement is expected to unlock further growth across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital trade, fostering innovation and job creation for both economies.

President Trump's accusations of India dumping rice in the U.S. market appear politically motivated, aimed at appeasing American farmers hurt by his tariff wars. Despite the trade's small scale, the move signals pressure to address rural discontent ahead of crucial elections.

Union Budget 2026: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget for FY 2026-27 on February 1, 2026. Ahead of this, understanding key budget terms like Annual Financial Statement, Fiscal Deficit, and Revenue Expenditure is crucial for grasping the government's financial blueprint and economic strategy.

Nobel laureates in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and economics are receiving their prizes at a separate ceremony in Stockholm on Wednesday.

US stock market today: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq on pause as all eyes on Fed verdict a likely rate cut: Stocks paused today as the Dow hit 47,655.93. The S&P 500 inched to 6,841.36. The Nasdaq slipped to 23,527.45. Markets priced a 90% chance of a Fed rate cut. Intel fell 2.48%. Silver topped $60. Investors now wait for Powells verdict and the real move that follows.

Sophie Kinsella, the famous author of the Shopaholic books, has died at 55 after battling brain cancer. She was loved for her fun stories and her bestselling novels that reached readers around the world. Her family shared the news with fans, remembering her strength, joy, and huge impact on modern fiction.

The title track of the Indian film Dhurandhar has gone viral beyond its home country, with a choreographed wedding dance performance set to the song emerging from Pakistan. The video, posted on Instagram, showcases a synchronized group dance, highlighting the song's widespread popularity. Dhurandhar, a spy thriller, has garnered significant attention for its star cast and compelling narrative.

A federal judge has blocked President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles, ordering their return to the governor's control. The judge rejected the administration's claim that protests against immigration authorities constituted a rebellion justifying federal takeover of state National Guard units.

Assam inaugurated a memorial for 860 martyrs of the Assam Agitation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored those who participated in the Assam Movement, recognizing their significant contribution to India's history. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also remembered the sacrifices made. The new memorial, built at a cost of Rs 178 crore, features statues and other facilities.

Dr. Shubham Vatsya advises intentional fruit consumption for health. Papaya and kiwi aid constipation. Berries and papaya benefit acne-prone skin. Bananas offer quick energy. Watermelon and oranges help regulate blood pressure. Guava is rich in Vitamin C and antioxidants. Amla is a superfood providing daily Vitamin C and stabilizing blood sugar. Eat fruits with intention for better results.

California is introducing strict rules to restrict cellphone use in schools. Governor Gavin Newsom has approved legislation mandating all school districts to formulate a plan, either ban or limit student phone use on campus by July 2026. Schools must create, adopt, and update policies every five years. Some districts, like San Diego Unified, have already launched Phone-Free School Day Policies.

Political parties' booth-level agents will receive lists of deceased and relocated voters before draft electoral rolls are published. This initiative, part of a Special Intensive Revision exercise in 12 states and UTs, aims to ensure accuracy. The draft rolls are set for release on December 16.

India is actively pursuing trade pacts, sharing draft terms for a Free Trade Agreement with Qatar and finalizing internal approvals for a similar deal with Oman. Negotiations are also progressing with Israel and the Maldives, with Terms of Reference signed for both. Discussions are also underway with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar met with the Karnataka State Cricket Association president. A decision on allowing IPL matches at Chinnaswamy stadium will be made in the upcoming cabinet meeting. The government is committed to cricket and cricket fans. International cricket and IPL matches will return to Bengaluru.

Adobe is integrating Photoshop, Adobe Express, and Acrobat into ChatGPT, enabling users to edit images, design graphics, and manage PDFs directly within the chatbot. This move aims to simplify creative tasks and expand Adobe's reach to ChatGPT's vast user base, adapting to the growing demand for conversational AI tools in design.

Delhi authorities are ordering fire safety checks for restaurants, hotels, and clubs. This action follows a fatal fire in Goa. Inspections will focus on public assembly premises. The upcoming Christmas and New Year celebrations increase the risk. Establishments must comply with fire safety rules. Action will be taken against those violating standards. Owners share responsibility for safety measures.

Schools across India face potential closures on December 11, 2025. Kerala announces a holiday for local body elections. Telangana anticipates school closures due to panchayat polls. Coastal regions like Tamil Nadu and Puducherry may see local decisions based on weather. Jammu and Kashmir's hilly areas are already closed due to winter conditions. Parents should check for state and district-specific updates.

JP Morgan is making a historic silver bet. The bank now holds over 750 million ounces of physical silver, adding 21 million ounces in six weeks. It exited 200-million-ounce paper shorts, leaving zero short contracts for the first time. Physical supply is tightening as the U.S. Mint reports coin shortages. COMEX open interest is 244% of registered silver, lease rates near 30%, and 169 million ounces moved to non-deliverable vaults.

Author Sophie Kinsella, known for Confessions of a Shopaholic, has passed away. She was 55 and had been battling brain cancer. Kinsella's family announced her peaceful death, remembering her radiance and love for life. Her Shopaholic series sold millions worldwide and was adapted into a popular film. She also wrote under her real name, Madeleine Wickham.

Erika Kirk is getting strong financial support after Charlie Kirks death. She now leads TPUSA and is receiving large donations and steady income from Charlies past work. Reports say she and her children are well protected for the future. The story also shares how Erika is coping and remembering her husband with love.

Marilyn Monroes life, legacy, and cultural influence continue to shape modern discussions on confidence, womanhood, and self-belief decades after her passing. Her words, echoed in classrooms, workplaces, cultural forums, and across social media, stand as enduring reminders of the unwavering spirit she brought to her craft and public life.

NASAs Hubble Space Telescope has observed the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS once more as it races through space toward a close approach to Earth in December. Initially captured in July 2025, the comet arrives from outside our solar system, navigating at approximately 137,000 miles per hour along a hyperbolic path that will carry it back into interstellar space.

Owners of Goa's Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub, Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra, allegedly booked flight tickets to Thailand while firefighters battled a blaze that claimed 25 lives. A Delhi court declined their interim protection request. Interpol issued a Blue Corner Notice for the brothers who had flown to Phuket. Another co-owner, Ajay Gupta, was detained.

December 11th marks significant historical moments, including Germany and Italy declaring war on the U.S. in 1941 and the founding of UNICEF in 1946. The date also saw the last human moon landing with Apollo 17 in 1972 and the U.S. providing its first direct military support to South Vietnam in 1961.

U.S. Fed interest rate cut time: Federal Reserve's 19-member rate-setting committee is deeply divided between those who support reducing rates to bolster hiring and those who'd prefer to keep rates unchanged because inflation remains above the central bank's 2 per cent target.

Christmas 2025 is gaining attention for its rare numerical sequence: 25/12/25, a date combination that occurs only once in a century. The previous time Christmas fell on this exact alignment was in 1925, and it wont repeat until 2125. The repeating 25 pattern has ignited curiosity among numerology fans, calendar enthusiasts, and social-media users who enjoy unique date coincidences.

The U.S. is seeing very high layoffs in 2025 as companies cut workers more often and in smaller waves. Experts say many businesses are using automation, saving costs, and hiring less. Rich households are still spending, but many workers feel stressed about fewer jobs and slow hiring. This mix is creating worry about job security across the country.

The New York Times ever-growing catalogue of digital puzzles continues to attract a widening audience, and todays edition of Strands once again captured the interest of word-game enthusiasts around the world.

The UP Police Recruitment Board has released written exam results for 2025 direct recruitment. Candidates for Computer Operator, Police Sub-Inspector Confidential, and Police Assistant Sub-Inspector Ministerial and Accounts can check their scores online. Those who passed the written test will now undergo document verification and a physical standard test.

Italy is keen to boost its economic partnership with India. Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani announced a Euro 500 million financing line to support Italian companies entering the Indian market. The focus is on industrial collaborations, joint ventures, and co-development projects.

Kia India has unveiled the all-new Seltos, a significantly refreshed SUV with a bolder design and expanded dimensions. Bookings open December 11 for 25,000, with prices to be announced January 2, 2026. The updated model boasts a larger cabin, advanced tech like a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and Level 2 ADAS.

Bitcoin price forecast today: Bitcoin holds $92,000 as traders brace for the Feds rate call. BTC nears the key $94,253 resistance. Volatility is rising. ETF inflows hit $151.74 million. Futures Open Interest stays near 121,000 BTC, signaling a big move ahead. A breakout could target $100,000. Here's more crucial details to follow.

The Trump administration plans to end the SAVE student loan repayment plan, creating big changes for millions of borrowers. Officials say the plan was not legal, while critics worry it will raise costs and cause confusion. A court decision will decide what happens next, and borrowers may need to quickly move to new repayment options.

Quick oats and steel-cut oats both offer solid nutrition, but they differ in processing. Steel-cut oats digest slower and control blood sugar better, while quick oats are convenient. Your pick depends on lifestyle and health goals.

Speculations about Vice President JD Vances marriage resurfaced following a viral Facebook post appearing to show him and his wife, Usha, in a strained restaurant argument. The caption cited, Looks like things are not so good in Republicanistan but online analysis indicated that the image was likely AI-generated. Vance dismissed the rumors with sarcasm, writing, I always wear an undershirt when I go out in public to have a fight loudly with my wife.

Connections has quickly become one of the standout digital puzzles in the NYT Games lineup, joining favourites like Wordle, Spelling Bee, and Strands. Each daily puzzle presents 16 words that must be arranged into four secret categories, challenging players logic, pattern recognition, and ability to draw subtle associations.

President Droupadi Murmu embarks on a significant two-day visit to Manipur on December 11 and 12. This marks her first trip to the state since taking office. Her itinerary includes attending key events in Imphal and Senapati. Meanwhile, insurgent groups have called for a complete shutdown during her visit.

Special NIA court remanded Amir Rashid Ali and Jasir Bilal Wani alias Danish to 14-day judicial custody. Both accused were produced before the court after expiry of their NIA custody.

India has significantly boosted its online government services, more than doubling them to 23,919 by October 2025. This surge, a 105% increase, is attributed to the NeSDA Way Forward initiative, aiming for easier digital access. Mandatory online services also rose to 80%, with several states now offering most or all services via unified portals.

India is shifting its AI focus from potential to real-world impact, aiming for large-scale adoption, according to NITI Aayogs Debj Ghosh. She emphasized preparing the workforce for rapid technological change and supporting MSMEs through initiatives like DXEdge to accelerate digital transformation. The India AI Impact Summit 2026 will further showcase these efforts.

Lauki, or bottle gourd, is a humble winter vegetable packed with water, fiber, and vital minerals that help manage weight, steady blood pressure, and cool an overheated digestive tract. This simple juice is making a quiet comeback in kitchens across India as a go-to winter wellness drink for anyone chasing better health without fuss.

Global leaders are urged to strengthen multilateral institutions like the G20 through enhanced cooperation. Meanwhile, India celebrates Deepavali's UNESCO heritage status, and international news includes a deadly building collapse in Morocco and Trump's claims of averting an India-Pakistan conflict. Sports highlights feature India hosting the Commonwealth Kho Kho Championship and a close race for the top ICC ODI batting ranking.