The Economic Times News

Meghalaya has mandated Khasi and Garo language inclusion in the curriculum up to Class-1 to foster cultural identity and simplify learning. The state cabinet also approved revised pay for teachers, a five-year HIV/AIDS project, and mandatory green building certification for large constructions. Additionally, a new cooperative society and a National Games Secretariat were approved.

Seven individuals have been apprehended in Bangladesh following the brutal lynching of Dipu Chandra Das, a 25-year-old Hindu man, accused of blasphemy. The mob allegedly beat him, hanged him from a tree, and then set his body ablaze.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's helicopter could not land at Taherpur in West Bengal on Saturday. Dense fog caused low visibility. The helicopter returned to Kolkata airport. The Prime Minister was waiting for weather updates. It is unclear if he will travel by road or attempt an aerial route later. He was scheduled for an administrative program and a BJP rally.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the global economic and political order has shifted, with multiple centres of power emerging and no single country able to impose its will on all issues. Speaking at a university convocation in Pune, he said this has led to natural competition among nations and a new balance of influence.

A former employee of Jeffrey Epstein reported his interest in child pornography to the FBI in 1996. This report was recently revealed in newly released Epstein files. The woman expressed relief at being vindicated after years of doubt. She also voiced heartbreak that the FBI's inaction allowed further harm to victims.

Former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's health has stabilized, with her personal doctor reporting no deterioration. The 80-year-old BNP chairperson, hospitalized since November for multiple complications, underwent a successful minor procedure. While a planned London trip was delayed, doctors are monitoring her closely, awaiting her fitness to travel. Her son is expected back from self-exile soon.

Javed Akhtar, known for his fearless opinions and speaking his mind, gave a direct and blunt reply to a woman who asked why a woman becomes less strong if she chooses to cover her face. The lyricist asked why is she ashamed of her face and claimed that women who do it are brainwashed. While the event took place in November, the video has gone viral amid Bihar CM Nitish Kumar pulling a woman doctor's hijab.

Aditya Dhar's film Dhurandhar starring Ranveer Singh has achieved a major milestone. The movie has crossed the Rs 500 crore mark at the domestic box office. Released on December 5, Dhurandhar features a star-studded cast. The film's narrative is set against significant geopolitical and terror events.

Parle Agro has achieved a significant multi-fold growth in its consolidated net profit, reaching Rs 115.38 crore in FY25. The beverage giant's revenue also saw a 5% increase, totaling Rs 3,284.13 crore. This growth occurred despite a slight decline in advertising promotional expenses.

Madhuri Dixit recently opened up about her children's career choices and revealed that her sons Arin and Ryan are not interested in the film industry. Calling her younger son Ryan a 'stem enthusiast', she said he is not interested in his whole circus. In a surprising revelation, she said her elder son Arin has a passion for music and works at Apple.

Subtle balance changes can signal serious health issues. Years of routine drinking can damage the brain's cerebellum. A man's story shows how chronic alcohol use eroded his coordination. This led to cautious walking and fear of falling. Early recognition and stopping alcohol are vital for recovery and preventing further decline.

Artificial intelligence offers significant benefits to education, enhancing personalized learning and teacher efficiency. However, concerns about cheating and data privacy require careful management. Educationist Shishir Jaipuria emphasizes the need for digital competencies among teachers and policy initiatives to harness AI's full potential.

Delhi Police said they have not received any formal complaint in connection with allegations that an off-duty Air India Express pilot assaulted a passenger at Delhi airport. The police said they came to know about the incident only after a social media post surfaced and that legal action would be taken once a written complaint is filed.

Aubrey Drake Graham, a Canadian rapper, began his career in acting before venturing into music. He gained recognition for his role on Degrassi: The Next Generation. His musical journey started with mixtapes, leading to his debut album in 2010. Drake is known for blending R&B with hip-hop. Drake has established himself in the entertainment industry as a multi-talented young Canadian.

The Matua community in West Bengal is anxious over verification hearings under the SIR, fearing loss of voting rights and uncertainty over their future. Concerns are strongest in Matua-dominated areas of Nadia and North 24 Parganas districts, where lakhs of voters have been listed as unmapped in the draft electoral rolls and will be called for hearings by the Election Commission.

The year also saw India diversifying crude supply, with US crude imports surging, particularly after Trump's tariff, alongside expansion in LNG and LPG trade, reflecting broader efforts to reduce dependence on any single source.

'Save Aravalli campaign' has flooded social media platforms after the Supreme Court accepted the Centre's new definition which establishes a new definition. Considered the green lungs for northern India, the Aravallis prevents the eastward spread of the Thar desert and supports rich biodiversity. The Supreme Court ruling has sparked outrage among experts with some of them calling it a 'death warrant'.

Putin responded to 77 questions during the combined Direct Line Q&A session and year-end press conference, fielded both from journalists and live broadcast participants, with some asking multiple questions at once.

Javed Akhtar's journey from a struggling teenager to a celebrated screenwriter is a testament to perseverance. Facing hardship and initial setbacks, he and Salim Khan revolutionized Hindi cinema, transforming the role of writers and creating iconic films that redefined storytelling and elevated their profession.

Dense fog and low visibility have severely disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport for days. On Saturday, 129 flights were cancelled, with IndiGo alone cancelling 22 Delhi flights. Meanwhile, Delhi's air quality worsened to a 'very poor' category with an AQI of 384.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Assam, launching multiple development projects and interacting with BJP workers. He will unveil an 80-foot statue of Gopinath Bardoloi and inaugurate the new airport terminal. The PM will also address public meetings and visit the Swahid Smarak Kshetra, paying tribute to martyrs of the Assam movement.

Fortis Healthcare Limited is set to acquire TMI Healthcare Private Limited, which operates People Tree Hospitals in Bengaluru, for Rs 430 crore. The deal includes the hospital, its infrastructure, land, and an adjacent parcel. This strategic acquisition aims to expand Fortis's presence in the region, leveraging People Tree's established multispecialty services.

Bollywood's dancing queen Madhuri Dixit's sons Arin and Ryan Nene are not following her footsteps into cinema. Arin is a Machine Learning Engineer at Apple, also pursuing music. Ryan is immersed in STEM subjects at USC. Their choices highlight diverse career paths. They embody dedication and excellence, mirroring their mother's success in new fields.

Karnataka's Legislative Council passed a resolution. It asks the central government to place the state's 56 percent reservation decision in the ninth Schedule of the Constitution. This move aims to protect the reservation from the Supreme Court's 50 percent cap. The Council also urged the Centre to establish AIIMS in Raichur and transfer national institutes to North Karnataka.

The United States has taken action against Honduran electoral officials. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced visa refusal for Marlon Ochoa and revocation for Mario Morazan. This comes as Honduras faces a delayed presidential election outcome. Allegations of fraud and a flawed vote count have plagued the process.

Actress Madhuri Dixit's sons Arin and Ryan are forging their own paths. Arin is exploring music and computer science, working with Apple. Ryan is focused on engineering and technology at USC. Dixit emphasizes their choices are their own, supporting their diverse ambitions outside of acting. Her crime thriller series, Mrs. Deshpande, is also streaming.

Sreenivasan's cause of death: Prominent Malayalam actor and director Sreenivasan died on Saturday at the age of 69. He was undergoing treatment at his house for a long-term illness, according to reports. The family of Sreenivasan is yet to issue an official statement regarding his cause of death. After his health worsened, he was admitted to a hospital in Thrippunithura.

The quote highlights Galileo Galileis belief that reason and observation are divine gifts meant to be used, not suppressed. Written in 1615 amid opposition to his support for a Sun-centered universe, it reflects his argument that science and faith need not clash. Galileo maintained that religious texts guide spiritual life, while the natural world should be understood through evidence and inquiry.

As dense fog continues to surround Delhi and NCR, the Delhi International Airport issued an advisory today saying that all flight operations are functioning normally. The Indira Gandhi International Airport advised passengers to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates. On Friday, flight operations at the airport were affected due to bad weather conditions.

A tragic accident occurred in Assam's Hojai district early Saturday. The Sairang-New Delhi Rajdhani Express struck a herd of elephants. Eight elephants died and one was injured. The train's engine and five coaches derailed. No passengers were harmed. Forest officials are at the scene. Train services are being diverted.

A neurologist highlighted the overuse of medical scans, citing a patient who repeatedly sought MRIs despite normal results and no symptoms. The doctor redirected the focus to the patient's poor lifestyle habits, emphasizing that sleep, exercise, and diet are more crucial for preventing serious conditions than unnecessary scans.

In a recent statement, Ashish Sinha, the Ambassador of India to Estonia, emphasised India's significant role in global politics, particularly in the context of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. With Estonia located in a region heavily impacted by the crisis, Sinha highlighted how India is viewed as a key player capable of facilitating a peaceful resolution.

In its final parliamentary session of the year, Prime Minister Narendra Modis government pushed through major economic reforms aimed at boosting growth amid trade challenges. Parliament approved bills allowing private investment in nuclear energy, full foreign ownership of insurance firms, and a unified securities market code.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said European elites are hoping the 2026 US midterm elections will shift power in Washington and increase pressure on President Trump. Speaking at his annual Direct Line press conference, Putin addressed NATO expansion, the use of Russias frozen central bank assets, and Ukraine-related security arrangements, emphasizing that lasting peace requires addressing the root causes of conflict.

19 minute viral clip: Payal Dhare, a popular gamer and content creator, was dragged into a controversy after an alleged video went viral with several users linking it to her. Now, Maharashtra Cyber Police has confirmed that the video was a deepfake. Prior to this, another video, dubbed as '19 minute viral MMS' went viral on social media, raising concerns on digital safety.

The uneasy feeling spans political affiliation in the town, which is split between two largely rural and somewhat impoverished counties, although some were more hopeful than others that there are signs of reprieve on the horizon.

Liu Jie, a 42-year-old woman from Chongqing, China, living with ALS, organized a unique farewell ceremony. She gathered loved ones in a funeral home to express gratitude and celebrate the love that shaped her life. Despite losing her ability to speak and move, Liu communicated her feelings using an eye-gaze device.

President Trump is campaigning in North Carolina to bolster public opinion on his economic policies ahead of midterm elections. Despite recent positive inflation data, overall prices remain a concern for voters. Trump plans to attribute economic challenges to Democratic predecessors while highlighting his administration's successes.

IndiGo cancelled flights today: Due to the dense fog and low visibility, IndiGo flight operations have been affected across the country. Today too, the airline cancelled more than 80 flights from various airports due to adverse weather conditions. The airline has said that low visibility may impact flight operations in Ranchi, Jammu and Hindon.

Ranveer Singh's espionage thriller 'Dhurandhar' is shattering box-office records, nearing the Rs 500 crore milestone. The film has become one of the year's biggest hits, outperforming several major releases and marking a career-defining triumph for Singh. This spy action thriller is the first chapter of a planned two-part saga.

A foreign vlogger's trip to New Delhi took an unexpected turn with auto driver Mr Mulchan. He became more than a driver, joining tourists at amusement parks and temples. This encounter showcased genuine Indian hospitality. The viral video highlights the warmth and connection found in everyday interactions, leaving a lasting impression on both the travelers and Mr Mulchan.

Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense reported detecting six Chinese military aircraft and eleven naval vessels operating near its territorial waters on Saturday. This follows a similar detection of seven Chinese aircraft and eleven naval vessels on Friday. Additionally, Taiwan's National Security Bureau is monitoring Chinese officials in foreign embassies tasked with observing and intimidating Taiwanese citizens abroad.

Newly released Jeffrey Epstein files, heavily redacted, show Donald Trump's name mentioned sparingly in flight logs and message books. While some photos of Trump with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell are already public, written references are largely from previously released documents. Trump has previously downplayed his relationship with Epstein.

Dhaka prepares for the funeral of a prominent youth leader on Saturday. Security is tight following unrest triggered by his death. The government has urged citizens to resist violence. The leader's body arrived from Singapore amid widespread mourning. Attacks and vandalism have occurred across the country. The interim government vows to bring killers to justice.