The Economic Times News

Amazon Prime Video has launched a new free news feature for U.S. users. The update adds many live and on-demand news channels inside the Prime Video app. Viewers can watch local, national, and global news in one place. The move gives users more value without raising prices and expands what Prime Video offers.

Indian companies are set to give average salary hikes of 9% in 2026. Manufacturing and automotive sectors will see the highest increases at 9.5%. Global capability centres will offer 9%. This steady rise reflects a balanced economy and a stable talent market. Companies are focusing on short-term incentives to attract and keep key employees.

Long before Ozzy Osbournes death in July 2025 at 76, he and his wife Sharon Osbourne had an assisted suicide pact in place. After his passing, Sharon, 73, disclosed why she chose not to follow through, stating that her three children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack as her reason to stay alive. Looking back, she recounted that witnessing the devastating impact of parental suicide on young women, which solidified her decision.

Nick Reiner hotel room blood stains matched with Rob and Michele is at the center of a homicide investigation. Police examined a Santa Monica hotel room after Rob and Michele Reiner were found dead. Nick Reiner was arrested. Barack and Michelle Obama also reacted.

A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering charge against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and five others, holding that the agency's probe stemmed from a private complaint and not an FIR.

White House chief of staff Susie Wiles described President Trump as having an alcoholic's personality in a new interview, noting his belief that here's nothing he can't do. Wiles, whose father struggled with alcoholism, drew parallels between her father's personality traits and Trump's. She also shared candid observations about other public figures.

The Lok Sabha has approved the Insurance Amendment Bill. This allows foreign companies to own up to 100 percent of Indian insurance businesses. The government believes this will bring more money into the sector and make it stronger. The bill also introduces changes to improve how insurance companies are run and to increase insurance coverage across the country.

This is PM Modi's first visit to Ethiopia and reflects India's commitment towards deepening South-South cooperation and strengthening of partnership with Africa.

CoreWeave stock falls 61% from all-time high: CoreWeave shares have plunged 61% from a $187 peak to around $69, wiping out $33 billion in value in six weeks. Investors are spooked by data-center delays, heavy debt, and widening losses, amplified after short seller Jim Chanos raised red flags. Operating costs jumped to $1.19B in Q2, outpacing revenue. Despite $5.05$5.35B 2025 guidance, negative EPS and execution risks keep volatility high and investors on edge.

Election Commission officials said the names in the draft electoral rolls also include new voters who had filled up Form 6 to become part of the electorate.

America added 64,000 jobs in November, a welcome gain after October's loss of 105,000 jobs. Federal worker departures heavily influenced October's figures. The unemployment rate climbed to 4.6%. Healthcare and construction sectors saw job additions. Manufacturing shed jobs for the seventh consecutive month. Hiring momentum has slowed due to economic uncertainties.

Goa Police secured a two-day transit remand for Luthra brothers, co-owners of a Goa nightclub. The brothers were deported from Thailand after being detained in Phuket. They face legal proceedings in India following a deadly fire at their establishment. The incident led to widespread outrage and scrutiny over safety lapses. Several other staff members have already been arrested.

US stock market crashes today: U.S. stock markets slid into deep red territory on Tuesday as fresh labor data rattled investor confidence. The Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all moved lower after Novembers unemployment rate jumped to 4.6%, the highest level in four years, despite payrolls rising by 64,000. Rising joblessness, weak October revisions, and looming inflation data are fueling fears that stocks may face further downside ahead.

The development came after Coinbase Global in October announced that it had made an investment in CoinDCX, a leading crypto exchange in India and the Middle East.

Howard Stern has signed a new three-year deal with SiriusXM to keep his radio show going. He will have more free time but will continue hosting because he loves the show. Fans can expect him on the air for the next few years. The contract confirms Stern is staying with SiriusXM and the Howard Stern Show continues.

A father-and-son duo, Sajid, 50, and Naveed, 24, executed a deadly mass shooting at Bondi Beach during Hanukkah celebrations, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Sajid died at the scene, while Naveed was given life-saving CPR and was hospitalized in a coma before waking. Investigators stated that the pair obtained military-style training in the Philippines and were inspired by Islamic State ideology.

Mark Zuckerberg is facing renewed online criticism. His massive superyacht, Launchpad, has drawn attention for its significant fuel consumption. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy regarding his past climate change advocacy. Social media users are highlighting the stark contrast between his public statements and his opulent lifestyle. The controversy underscores broader concerns about environmental double standards among the ultra-wealthy.

The Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Bill, which seeks to open the civil nuclear power sector for private participation and overhaul the liability regime, could be taken up for discussion on Wednesday.

Palantir PLTR Secures Three-Year DGSI Renewal: The companys Foundry and AI Platform will support Frances intelligence operations and modernize the Maritime Industrial Base. Analysts maintain Buy ratings, citing decade-long government partnerships and growing demand for AI-driven decision-support software in both defense and commercial sectors.

The unchanged reading in retail sales reported by the Commerce Department's Census Bureau on Tuesday followed a downwardly revised 0.1% gain in September. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast retail sales, which are mostly goods and are not adjusted for inflation, edging up 0.1% after a previously reported 0.2% rise in September.

Indias exports to the US in November rose 22% on-year to $6.98 billion, despite the 50% tariff that Washington levies on imports from India since August. This is faster than the 19.38% growth in Indias total outbound shipments in November and 2.62% in April-November.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the new policy here at the Odisha Pharma Summit-2025 in the presence of Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain and senior government officers.

Many Americans dream of retiring with $1 million, but very few actually reach it. Most people have far less in savings, and factors like income, education, and homeownership affect how much they save. Starting early and saving regularly helps, but $1 million in retirement is still rare. Only a small percentage of Americans achieve this goal.

Nick Reiner, the son of filmmaker Rob Reiner and Michele Reiner, is being held on a criminal charge connected with their deaths as investigators continue analyzing the case. In previous years, Nick openly spoke about a history of addiction, relapse, and erratic behavior during several appearances on the Dopey podcast. He shared stories that involved substance abuse, destructive episodes, theft, and discomfort being raised around fame and wealth.

US Joint Chiefs Chairman Dan Caine was expected to present the plan to Hegseth in coming days, a senior defense official familiar with the discussion told the Washington Post.

US jobs report today sends a fresh warning. Unemployment rose to 4.6% in November, the highest since 2021. Employers added just 64,000 jobs, missing momentum. Manufacturing lost 5,000 roles. Prior months were revised lower. The data strengthens bets the Fed may cut rates again. But is this slowdown just starting?

US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene is engaged to journalist Brian Glenn, marking a new personal and professional chapter. Glenn will leave his White House correspondent role to join Greene in Georgia as she resigns from Congress on January 5th. The announcement follows a period of political divergence between Greene and former President Trump.

The draft electoral rolls published on Tuesday show the state's electorate shrinking from around 7.66 crore voters to over 7.08 crore, after names were deleted on grounds ranging from death and permanent migration to duplication and non-submission of enumeration forms.

Bitcoin price prediction turns sharply bullish as new ETF data suggests BTC could surge to $140,000 within the next 180 days. Analysts say Bitcoin is holding near its ETF investor cost basis, a level that has triggered three rallies since 2024. Each move delivered over 60% gains, driven by institutional rebalancing, not retail hype.

The new bill must be approved by the lower and upper houses of parliament to become law.

Emily in Paris Season 5 release date, time, schedule and how to watch details are now confirmed. Netflix will release all ten episodes at once on December 18, 2025. The season follows Emily as she moves to Rome, faces work changes, and manages relationships.

Michael Saylors company Strategy has made another very large Bitcoin buy, even as prices fall and investors stay careful. The move has caught market attention and raised questions about long-term confidence in Bitcoin. At the same time, market pressure from interest rates and US policy continues to affect crypto prices.

Britain has begun a review of the BBC's funding. This comes as the broadcaster faces a lawsuit from US President Donald Trump. The BBC is also dealing with competition from streaming services. The government is considering reforms to ensure the BBC's future. This includes exploring new revenue streams and funding for its World Service.

Jaishankar met his Israeli counterpart Gideon Moshe Sa'ar in Jerusalem. Both nations share a zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism. Discussions focused on deepening the strategic partnership between India and Israel. Preparations are underway for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to India.

The Enforcement Directorate will file a new charge sheet against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case. This follows a court's rejection of a previous charge sheet. The agency is merging a Delhi Police FIR into its existing case. This move aims to strengthen the investigation.

Australian police have confirmed a mass shooting at Sydney's Bondi Beach was a terrorist attack. The incident, which occurred during a Hanukkah celebration, claimed 15 lives. Authorities identified a father and son as the suspects, with the older man killed and his son hospitalized. Evidence, including Islamic State flags, supports the terrorist motive.

The Powerball jackpot increased to $1.15 billion for the Monday, Dec. 15 drawing after no ticket matched all six winning numbers. Although the grand prize went unclaimed, two players in Arizona and California each won $1 million by matching five white balls. The massive jackpot remains to attract nationwide attention as it ranks among the largest in the games history.

Mumbai Indians entered the IPL Auction 2026 with a minimal purse of Rs 2.75 crore after retaining 20 players. They strategically acquired South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock for Rs 1 crore, bolstering their squad. The franchise also made significant moves during the trade window, securing Shardul Thakur, Sherfane Rutherford, and Mayank Markande to enhance their already strong lineup.