The Economic Times News

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Patakys 14-year marriage is reportedly experiencing strain as he balances between Hollywood career and family life. Sources disclose that Chris spends most of his time filming in America while Elsa resides in Australia with their three children, and both have hectic professional schedules.

Uber stock fell 3.8% as European rules and taxi protests create pressure. Analysts like Erste Group and Morgan Stanley lowered their outlook, raising investor concerns. Fines, lawsuits, and possible new driver laws make Europe a tough market for Uber. Experts say the stock drop shows worries about future growth and costs, even though US business remains stable.

India is urged to be cautious in trade talks with the US, particularly regarding agricultural and GMO products, and to demand significant tariff cuts on its exports. A think tank advises delaying commitments until the US Supreme Court rules on tariff authority.

Michael Jacksons reflection on life centres on the belief that love provides the strength to endure every challenge. He suggested that beginning and ending life with a sense of being loved creates the foundation needed to handle whatever happens in between. This idea mirrored the themes he promoted throughout his career and humanitarian work. From his disciplined childhood in the Jackson 5 to his rise as a global icon, Jackson consistently championed messages of compassion and unity.

Akasa Air welcomed its 31st aircraft, a Boeing 737 MAX 8-200, featuring advanced Safran Z200 seats with enhanced comfort and connectivity. This delivery marks a significant step in the airline's expansion, reflecting its commitment to passenger experience and sustainability. Akasa Air plans to induct 195 more aircraft in the coming years.

Five youths remain missing after falling into the Brahmaputra River at Kharghuli in Guwahati. A group of eight had gone to offer prayers at Bhakti Kutir and subsequently went for a bath in the river. While three were rescued, the NDRF's search operation has so far failed to locate the five others.

Zee Laboratories' drugs face persistent quality issues, with over 86 failed regulatory tests in India and abroad. Despite multiple prosecutions for substandard medicines, the company has seen no convictions. Regulators continue issuing public warnings about the potential dangers of these widely distributed drugs.

Winston Churchill's philosophy, encapsulated in his quote, emphasizes that neither success nor failure is final. He believed true character lies in the courage to persevere through life's challenges. This enduring message inspires individuals to remain resilient, learn from setbacks, and continue striving towards their goals, fostering stronger personal and societal progress.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the 'Shaheed Smarak Kshetra and Park' in Guwahati, commemorating the Assam Movement's martyrs. He emphasized the movement's enduring spirit in safeguarding Assam's identity, culture, and existence, highlighting government initiatives to address issues central to the struggle.

A young security guard has gained widespread attention after it was revealed that he is also a Bengali YouTuber with over 300,000 subscribers. US-based Indian founder Harish Uthayakumar shared the discovery on X, highlighting that the guard started creating comedy skits at the age of 14 during the Covid lockdown. The post sparked admiration for his dedication and entrepreneurial spirit.

IndiGo has submitted a revised winter flight schedule to the DGCA after the aviation regulator mandated a 10% reduction due to crew shortages. This cut, amounting to approximately 220 flights daily, aims to align the airline's operations with available pilots. The revised schedule was submitted by Wednesday's deadline.

DGCA officials are conducting on-site inspections at 11 domestic airports to assess IndiGo's operations amid widespread disruptions. These inspections aim to evaluate safety, operational preparedness, and passenger facilitation measures. The move follows significant passenger inconvenience caused by thousands of flight cancellations due to crew shortages.

Apple is about to release iOS 26.2 for iPhone and iPad, bringing important security updates and new features. The update fixes spyware risks, adds AirDrop safeguards, and improves apps like Podcasts and Sleep tracking. Users with iPhone 11 or newer should upgrade soon for better protection and performance. The release is expected in early to mid-December 2025.

Donald Trump regularly accuses the media of having failed to cover the health of his predecessor Joe Biden, who dropped out of the 2024 election after a shambolic debate performance raised concerns about the Democrat's age.

IndiGo is bringing in an external technical expert to investigate recent operational issues. The airline experienced widespread cancellations and delays earlier this month. Chairman Vikram Singh Mehta has apologized to affected customers. The investigation will cover all aspects of the disruptions. Corrective actions will be taken to prevent future occurrences. IndiGo assures that safety and compliance with rules were maintained.

Smriti Mandhana, celebrating 12 years in Indian cricket, declared her unparalleled love for the game. She described the recent World Cup triumph as a hard-fought reward, a culmination of years of struggle. The emotional victory, especially for veterans Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami, reinforced lessons of starting anew and playing for the team, not oneself.

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.

Elon Musk announced his readiness to serve India via Starlink, following a meeting between SpaceX's senior leadership and Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. The discussions focused on enhancing satellite-based last-mile internet access, aiming to extend connectivity to remote and rural areas for accelerated digital inclusion and development.

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.

A fitness coach, Zarina Manaenkova, has claimed that doing ten squats every 45 minutes could offer the same benefits as walking 10,000 steps, citing a recent study. She explained that active muscle contraction releases compounds that support metabolism, brain function and fat burningeffects that simple walking may not trigger as strongly.

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.

Longevity expert Dr. Vassily Eliopoulos emphasizes that true heart health begins years before symptoms appear, focusing on fundamental daily habits. He highlights the importance of muscle mass, VO2 max, inflammation control, quality sleep, and stress regulation as crucial for long-term cardiovascular well-being, rather than relying on supplements or quick fixes.

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.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Guwahati's new Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport terminal on December 20. This new structure, inspired by Northeast India's vernacular architecture and natural beauty, features a unique bamboo Vault and a 'Vault Village' for community engagement. The terminal aims to boost regional connectivity and trade.

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.

Cipla has launched Yurpeak, a new injectable medication for obesity and type-2 diabetes. This one-weekly therapy, tirzepatide, is now available in India. Yurpeak aims to address two significant health challenges in the country. Cipla is collaborating with Eli Lilly for this innovative treatment. The drug will be offered in multiple strengths.

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.

CA Abhishek Walia highlights a common financial pitfall. Many people hold emergency funds that are either too large or too small. An oversized fund earns minimal interest, losing value to inflation. A small fund creates stress and can lead to debt. Walia stresses matching fund size to income stability, expenses, insurance, and dependents for optimal financial health.