The Economic Times News

Debbie Zakaib, Alexandre Taillefers wife and a celebrated Quebec personality in fashion and food, has died. She died after a brief but challenging fight with cancer. Zakaib was a driving force in the province's culinary world and a respected marketing executive. Her contributions significantly boosted Quebec's creative sectors and cultural landscape. She was also instrumental in bringing prestigious culinary recognitions to the region.

Over 400 former Bodo Liberation Tigers cadres, previously excluded from rehabilitation, received Rs 2 lakhs each. This initiative is part of a broader peace effort in Assam, following several Memorandums of Settlement with various militant groups since 2020. These efforts have successfully integrated thousands of former cadres into mainstream society through skill development and financial packages.

In a debate on election reforms at the Rajya Sabha, Opposition members accused the Election Commission of India of favouring the ruling party, which BJP countered by alleging that Congress misused institutions when in power. Concerns were raised about a level playing field, transparency and institutional credibility. Data on party funding was presented.

Garena Free Fire Max players can snag in-game freebies using regularly released 12-character alphanumeric redeem codes. These codes have limited validity and can only be used once, so prompt redemption is advised. Players can claim rewards by visiting the official redemption site and logging in with their game-linked accounts.

Pakistan's government is considering a ban on social media platforms. Minister Barrister Aqeel Malik stated that platforms must cooperate with authorities. He highlighted X's lack of cooperation compared to others. The government has warned that non-compliant platforms could face bans. This follows Brazil's actions against X. Pakistan wants social media companies to open offices in the country.

Australia's wartime Prime Minister John Curtin believed the journey of learning shapes character more than knowledge itself. From humble beginnings, he championed workers' rights and social justice, emphasizing discipline and intellectual effort. Curtin's philosophy highlights curiosity and resilience as vital for growth, warning against complacency and fostering integrity and sound judgment through continuous pursuit of understanding.

As the Federal Reserve navigates potential leadership changes and ongoing political pressures, its hard-won independence faces a critical test. Historical parallels with the 1950s highlight the enduring struggle between the central bank and the executive branch over monetary policy. The outcome in 2026 will significantly impact the cost of living and investor confidence.

Shivraj Patil Death News: Senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil passed away at 91 in Latur after a prolonged illness. He served as Speaker of the Lok Sabha and Union Home Minister, notably during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, for which he took moral responsibility. Patil also faced criticism over his attire following the Delhi blasts.

Mahatma Gandhi's enduring wisdom emphasizes that personal transformation is the catalyst for global change. His quote, Be the change that you wish to see in the world, urges individuals to embody desired values and actions. This principle encourages self-discipline and accountability, inspiring positive shifts within families, communities, and beyond.

IndiGo's operations are stabilizing after over a week of severe disruptions, with thousands of flights cancelled and thousands of passengers affected. The airline is reducing daily operations and working with regulators to restore punctuality. IndiGo will issue 10,000 travel vouchers to severely impacted customers, in addition to mandated compensation.

Mammootty's film Dominic and the Ladies Purse is all set for its digital debut soon. The mystery thriller will start streaming from next week and features Mammootty as a private detective. Viewers can now catch this detective-style narrative online. Read on to know when and where you can watch Gautham Vasudev Menon's Malayalam directorial debut online.

Ashneer Grover, Rajesh Yadav, and Sanyam Sharma satirized extravagant celebrity weddings and the Smriti Mandhana-Palash Muchchal breakup. Their spoof featured a father planning his daughter's third marriage with an astronomical budget and absurd demands, including problematic personalities and renowned directors, highlighting the excesses of celebrity events.

Delhi Weather Today: Delhi is experiencing a milder-than-expected winter this December, with minimum temperatures around 9C and maximums near 24C. Despite the moderate chill, dense fog has blanketed parts of the NCR, reducing visibility. The IMD has warned of dense fog and potential cold wave conditions in the coming days.

Stranger Things Volume 2 update covers new episode titles, directors, release dates, post-production progress, and comments from the Duffer Brothers. The story explains how Stranger Things Volume 2 will shape the final season and what viewers can expect from the next set of chapters.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella developed an AI app to analyze cricket. He used it to pick a team of Indian test cricket legends. Nadella, a cricket enthusiast, also invests in cricket teams. He is currently in India, where Microsoft plans significant AI and cloud investments. Cricket has shaped Nadella's leadership skills.

Kannada star Darshan Thoogudeepa's action drama The Devil was released to massive fan support despite the actor's legal troubles. It opened on a strong note at the box office. The film achieved 63.75% occupancy across Karnataka, with evening shows peaking at 80%, showcasing strong audience interest. Read on to know how it has performed on day 1.

Barron Trump and Andrew Tate relationship explained in a new report that outlines their Zoom conversations, views on Romanian charges, dating advice given to Barron, and their growing connection through Tate associate Justin Waller. The report also covers Tates past issues, legal cases, and his long link with the Trump family.

President Trump signed an executive order Thursday to block states from creating their own AI regulations, citing concerns about stifling innovation and falling behind China. The order directs the Attorney General to challenge state laws and the Commerce Department to identify problematic rules, threatening to restrict funding for states with AI legislation.

The government is considering changes to the Copyright Act. This is to create a system for paying royalties to creators whose work is used to train artificial intelligence. A committee has proposed a mandatory license for AI developers. This license would include payments to copyright holders. A central body would manage these royalty collections and distributions.

Nandamuri Balakrishna's Akhanda 2 has finally been released today, following the resolution of legal hurdles. Early reviews from netizens are largely positive, praising the Boyapati-Balakrishna collaboration, intense action, and Thaman's score, with some calling it a lockbuster in the making and a high-voltage mass entertainer. Read on to know more about it!

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal indicated the US should sign a trade agreement if satisfied with New Delhi's offer, following positive remarks from US trade officials. Meanwhile, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister expressed optimism for an India-EU Free Trade Agreement within six months, though India's minister declined to provide a specific timeline for the deal.

Niti Aayog has proposed sweeping tax, regulatory, and market reforms to expand Indias corporate bond market into a major long-term capital source by 2030. The report urges parity in taxation, lower barriers for foreign investors, stronger market infrastructure, and coordinated policy measures to support investment and Indias growth ambitions.

India and Liberia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to bolster cooperation in pharmacopoeia, aiming to establish shared quality standards for medicines. This agreement will enable Liberia to adopt the Indian Pharmacopoeia as a reference, enhancing regulatory alignment and improving access to safe and affordable medications in the West African nation.

Consumption momentum is expected to remain strong in the coming year, driven by low inflation, the positive effects of GST cuts, and easing policy rates. Economists anticipate this trend will continue to fuel demand and support household real incomes, though growth may be led by affluent consumers.

Dharma Cornerstone Agency has been restructured as Karan Johar's Dharma Productions buys out Bunty Sajdeh's Cornerstone's 45% stake. The amicable split allows both entities to pursue independent strategies, with Dharma assuming full control of the talent management LLP. This move aims to integrate talent management with Dharma's content pipeline.

Fairfax Financial seems poised to take the lead in acquiring a significant stake in IDBI Bank, with Kotak Mahindra Bank hot on its heels. As financial bids draw near, theres speculation about a potential deadline extension. Fairfax is leaning towards a full cash offer amidst the government and LIC's plans to offload more than 60% of the bank's shares.

Heated Rivalry Episode 4 release time, schedule and how to watch are now confirmed for global viewers. Episode 4, titled Rose, arrives on December 12 with a midnight release on HBO Max and Crave. This explainer covers the release time, streaming options, cast details, episode guide and full viewing schedule.

The US Navy has submitted recommendations to the Pentagon regarding Senator Mark Kelly's appearance in a video urging service members to reject illegal orders. The Pentagon is reviewing the report, which Kelly's office dismisses as politically motivated, intensifying a dispute with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.

Indiana Senate Republicans rejected a congressional map favored by President Trump. The plan aimed to secure two additional Republican seats in the U.S. House. Lawmakers cited constituent opposition and potential political backlash. This defiance highlights limits to Trump's influence even in a Republican stronghold. The vote has implications for future redistricting efforts.

Charlotte's Sycamore Brewing is reeling after former co-owner Justin Tawse Brigham was arrested on serious charges including statutory rape of a child. Court documents detail disturbing allegations of burglary and sexual acts with a 13-year-old. His wife, Sarah Brigham, has taken full control of the brewery, expressing devastation and prioritizing the team.

A healthy thyroid needs the right foods to work well. Doctors say nutrients like iodine, selenium, zinc, protein, and antioxidants play a big role in thyroid health. Eating natural foods that have these nutrients may help support hormone balance and reduce inflammation. This simple guide explains which foods are helpful and which ones to limit.

Tejas Networks is set to deploy over 50,000 routers for BharatNet Phase III. This initiative aims to upgrade rural broadband connectivity across India. The company is the largest supplier for this government program. The project will connect numerous gram panchayats and blocks with high-speed internet. This marks a significant step in expanding digital access in rural areas.

Several mid-sized lenders, including Kotak Mahindra Bank, RBL Bank, and IndusInd Bank, are slowing new credit card issuances due to ongoing sector stress and a focus on cleaning up books. This contrasts with larger banks like HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, which continue aggressive portfolio expansion.

Kotak Mahindra Bank is expanding its mid-market corporate loan book, targeting companies with 500 crore to 1,500 crore in turnover. This segment, which has grown over 35% compounded annually since its launch, is expected to see 20-25% growth over the next five years. The bank aims for this mid-market book to reach at least 20% of its total corporate portfolio.

The Department of Telecommunications is advocating for TRAI to expedite its recommendations concerning telemarketer regulations, a step deemed vital for the effective governance of telemarketing practices. Telecom operators are pushing for these rules to tackle the rising tide of spam calls by enhancing accountability within the industry. However, TRAI's delays are thwarting the implementation of these essential regulations.

The Federal Reserve rate cut is important because it can change how much money people earn or pay on savings, loans, mortgages and credit cards. This move may push deposit rates lower and only slightly affect borrowing costs. Experts say the bond market and future Fed plans will guide what happens next to peoples money.

The Delhi High Court has temporarily halted the registration of 'Wellford Pudin Hara' trademark, citing its strong resemblance to Dabur India's 'Pudin Hara' mark. The court found a significant likelihood of consumer confusion and suggested the adoption of the new mark was prima facie dishonest. The stay is in effect until March 17.

Reliance Retail aims for an Initial Public Offering by 2028. The company is strategically expanding its store network, adding approximately 2,000 stores annually. Debt reduction is a key focus as part of balance sheet restructuring. Reliance Retail is also enhancing its presence in the quick commerce segment. This preparation aims to improve market valuations before the planned public offering.

India is projected to achieve a historic peak in rice production, hitting 152 million tonnes during the 2025-26 season. Meanwhile, wheat production is also on the rise. Unfortunately, the oilseed sector might face a downturn. Analysts attribute the rice boom to favorable monsoon conditions and expanded planting areas.

Russian diamond giant Alrosa is set to establish a polishing plant in India, marking its first international expansion. The company plans to invest $50 million, aiming to boost India's position as a global manufacturing hub. Alrosa will also launch co-branded luxury jewellery lines and implement blockchain technology for supply chains.

President Droupadi Murmu assured Manipur's affected families of the government's unwavering support and commitment to restoring harmony and development. She inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 26 projects worth Rs 1387 crore, aimed at improving quality of life and boosting economic activities in the state.

The Supreme Court has ruled that families of doctors who died during the Covid-19 pandemic are eligible for insurance cover. This applies even if the doctors were not officially requisitioned by the government. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package aims to provide financial security. Claims will be considered based on evidence of Covid-related duty.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, recently stirred discussions by revealing that she has yet to complete her enumeration form, raising concerns about the implications of verifying her citizenship. According to officials from the CEO's office, her form is indeed filed but has raised some flags.

IndiGo is offering travel vouchers to customers impacted by flight cancellations and delays. With over 2,000 flights affected, the airline anticipates a hit of more than 500 crore rupees. As it recalibrates its capacity and revenue expectations, operations are gradually returning to normal following the DGCA's easing of some regulations.