The Economic Times News

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.

Bankers said the move will delay margin recovery since they cannot cut deposit rates sharply due to stiff competition from alternative investment avenues such as mutual funds.

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.

India eyes a $100 billion trade target with Russia by 2030, identifying 300 products across engineering, pharma, agri, and chemicals with significant export potential. Despite a current $1.7 billion export figure against Russia's $37.4 billion imports, a substantial complementary space exists to bridge India's $59 billion trade deficit.

Cheap copper imports are hurting Indian manufacturers. The Indian Primary Copper Producers Association is calling for government action. They want safeguard duties and limits on overseas shipments. Investments in domestic production are at risk. The association highlights issues with the India-UAE CEPA and an inflated tariff rate quota. Immediate intervention is sought to protect the industry.

In a recent order, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) rejected the proposed sale of two IL&FS-owned commercial properties -Mafatlal Chambers and Trade World -citing undervaluation.

A parliamentary committee has highlighted India's significant reliance on crude oil imports, nearly 89%, and the escalating geopolitical risks. It urged the government to diversify supply sources and bolster risk management, including hedging and flexible contracts, to counter global disruptions and ensure energy security.

The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has urged the government to prioritize investments for sustained economic growth, recommending a 12% increase in central capital expenditure and a 10% rise in state capex for FY27.

The court ruled that using the COX 5001 trademark amounts to passing off, a term used in intellectual property rights (IPR) law referring to making a false representation that is likely to mislead someone into believing that the goods or services come from another source.

The refinancing was anchored by Tata Capital with a commitment of about 800 crore, alongside Investec at 300 crore. Other lenders and investors in the syndicate include Vivriti Capital (200 crore), Hero FinCorp, Hero Corp, DSP, Oxyzo and a clutch of family offices, taking the total deal size to around 2,300 crore.

So far, Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satellite have completed most of the licensing and space-regulatory steps, including obtaining the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, and approvals from space-regulatory body In-SPACe. Commercial launch, however, hinges on the spectrum allocation based on pricing rules, and compliance with security and capacity rules.

India and Oman are poised to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Muscat. This free trade agreement, approved by the Union Cabinet, aims to significantly deepen economic ties and open a new chapter in bilateral trade and commercial relations.

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.

The countrys financial capital has over 19,000 pagdi buildings, with more than 13,000 still pending redevelopment, many in prime central areas where land is scarce. The move is expected to generate renewed investor interest and potential development opportunities across these high-value precincts.

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.

Mumbai's Dahisar radar will move to Gorai. This unlocks hundreds of acres for affordable housing. The decision follows a meeting with the Civil Aviation Ministry and Maharashtra government. Cabinet approval is sought for early construction. This move will allow redevelopment of old buildings.

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.

A leading neurosurgeon has shared five simple daily habits that can help rebuild and protect brain health over time. Drawing from years of clinical experience, the doctor explains that consistent sleep, regular strength training, daily moments of calm, early recognition of burnout, and avoiding constant exhaustion are key to maintaining mental sharpness.

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.

Chartered accountant Nitin Kaushik has shared three simple money rules that focus on disciplined investing, controlled spending and avoiding unnecessary debt. He explains that regularly investing 15 percent of income into low-cost index funds, resisting lifestyle inflation and staying away from credit-driven purchases can help ordinary earners build wealth worth several crores over time.

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.

Haq, the courtroom drama starring Yami Gautam and Emraan Hashmi, is set to make its OTT debut after its November theatrical release. Inspired by the landmark Shah Bano case, the film explores issues of womens rights, personal law, and justice through the story of a Muslim woman who approaches the court seeking rightful maintenance.

Manik Saha said he had accepted the decision taken by the PM, though his family had been sceptical about it. There had been rumours that the two leaders had differences over party matters.

What happened in Australia today: A mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach has left at least 11 people dead and 29 others injured, including two police officers, according to authorities.

Bihar minister Nitin Nabin appointed BJP's National Working President. Know about his career and more: Nitin Nabin's appointment as BJP national working president sparks speculation about a generational shift, positioning the 45-year-old Bihar minister as a potential successor to J.P. Nadda. Nabin, a five-term MLA with significant electoral success and ministerial experience, is seen as a dark horse choice backed by top leadership, including Prime Minister Modi.

Australia shooting at Sydney Bondi beach: Common man lauded as hero by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and citizens for disarming the gunman.

Amitabh Bachchan faced a near-fatal incident during Sholay's filming. A gun fired unexpectedly, missing Bachchan by a fraction of an inch. The cinematographer refused to continue filming due to safety concerns. Director Ramesh Sippy calmed the set and addressed the accidental mishap. Dharmendra apologized for the near-tragedy. Sholay later became a cinematic landmark.

The announcement was made in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.

A 28-year-old software engineer earning Rs 4050 lakh annually has sparked discussion online after sharing that he feels like a failure despite his high-paying job at a multinational company. In a Reddit post, he explained how constant comparison with peers over savings, lifestyle, and fitness has affected his self-worth. Heavy spending on building a house left him with limited liquid savings, while remarks about his physique added to his insecurity.

U.S. Stock Market: S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq are witnessing volatile movememt of AI-related stocks.

Retired Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh stated that 'Operation Sindoor 2.0' is inevitable. He highlighted Pakistan's continued focus on Kashmir, supported by China and Turkiye. Singh emphasized India's need to enhance its narrative-building and cyber warfare capabilities. He also called for a codified national security strategy and increased defense spending.

NYT Strands is a daily word-search puzzle available in The New York Times Games section. Distinct from Wordle or Connections, it permits words to be traced in multiple directions, up, down, across and diagonally, while each letter on the grid can be used only once.

Neurologist Dr. Sudhir Kumar shared his experience of a 14-hour fasted half marathon, highlighting endurance running's benefits. His run demonstrated efficient fat burning, a strong and economical heart with a low heart rate, and improved blood sugar control. This sustained movement supports longevity and overall wellbeing.

Sixteen months and thousands of arson, firebombing, graffiti and hate-speech incidents later, the head of the nation's main intelligence agency declared that antisemitism was his number one priority in terms of threat to life.