The Economic Times News

Jitan Ram Manjhi, former Bihar Chief Minister, expressed dissatisfaction with his treatment within the NDA alliance. He indicated that his party, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), might explore other political avenues. This comes as Manjhi seeks a Rajya Sabha seat, a promise he claims remains unfulfilled. He highlighted that HAM received only one Lok Sabha seat in the previous elections.

Thought of the Day: Edgar Allan Poes enduring influence extends beyond his famous tales to his incisive aphorisms and keen reflections on fear, obsession, love and loss. Best known for works such as The Murders in the Rue Morgue, which helped shape modern detective fiction, and the poem The Raven, Poe also revealed a deep understanding of human psychology through his brief yet powerful observations.

A Congress team recently engaged with Prakash Ambedkar, head of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, focusing on the pivotal Mumbai municipal elections. They dissected urban governance hurdles and the necessity for inclusive progress within the metropolis. While Congress aims to run solo in the BMC elections, they are fostering dialogues with factions like VBA and RPI for potential collaborations.

The Shiv Sena has secured victory in the Kankavli municipal council elections. A candidate supported by Nilesh Rane of the Shiv Sena defeated the challenger backed by his brother and state minister Nitesh Rane. This outcome occurred on their home turf. Nilesh Rane expressed mixed emotions, highlighting the alliance's continuation despite the BJP's loss.

England's aggressive 'Bazball' cricket approach has failed in Australia. The team suffered a significant Ashes defeat after a three-year run. Coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes may seek to revive the style. However, the team's preparations and performance have drawn criticism. England now aims to win a single test match after a series of losses.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted heavy snowfall and rainfall, accompanied by snowstorms at isolated places over the higher reaches of Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh and northeast Himachal Pradesh until Monday.

Gurugram administration has altered office timings for state government and municipal bodies. This decision follows the implementation of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan due to severe air pollution. New timings aim to reduce traffic congestion and vehicular emissions. Private institutions are also advised to adopt work-from-home policies.

Delhi Weather: Delhi-NCR anticipates stable minimum temperatures for two days, followed by a 2-3 degree Celsius dip later this week, though no cold wave is expected. Maximum temperatures will be below normal for the next 24 hours, then near normal. Air quality remains 'very poor' with significant fog impacting visibility.

Quote of the day: Today, as the Quote of the Day reminds readers of humanitys restless relationship with time, Pascals words feel not historical but immediate. In an era defined by urgency and anticipation, his wisdom offers a quiet challenge: to recognise where our thoughts dwell, and why.

Ukrainian forces are engaged in intense fighting in the Sumy region. Russia is attempting a breakthrough near Grabovske village. Reports indicate Russian troops forcibly moved around 50 civilians from Grabovske to Russia. This follows earlier Russian claims of capturing Vysoke village. Ukrainian authorities had previously evacuated residents from border communities.

Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev voices alarm over rising anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh. He warns that foreign agencies, particularly Pakistan, could exploit this trend to create tensions. The recent lynching of Hindu youth Dipu Chandra Das in Mymensingh highlights these concerns. Sachdev also notes the declining Hindu population in Bangladesh as a significant worry for India.

Visakhapatnam will host the International Fleet Review in February 2026. Over 100 nations will participate, showcasing naval strength and cooperation. The event aims to enhance interoperability and address maritime threats. Discussions will cover emerging technologies, legal frameworks, and humanitarian assistance. This gathering underscores India's commitment to cooperative security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Dense fog disrupted flight operations at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday. Over 110 flights were cancelled and more than 370 were delayed. This caused significant inconvenience to thousands of passengers. Low visibility procedures were activated to ensure safety. Similar disruptions affected other airports in North India. Airlines issued advisories for passengers to check flight status.

Addressing a public rally after unveiling a Rs 10,601-crore fertiliser plant at Namrup in Assam's Dibrugarh, Modi also alleged that the Congress did not make any effort to modernise the old plant here, and find solutions to problems faced by farmers.

Social Security latest: The amount of money you get from Social Security each month depends on when you start receiving benefits.

News headlines December 22: The Indian Visa Application Centre in Chattogram suspends services due to security concerns. In Maharashtra, the BJP leads local body polls, while ISRO conducts parachute tests for astronaut safety. International news includes South Korea ordering compensation for a data breach, US-Russia talks on Ukraine, and tech giants advising employees on visa travel.

Strands appeals to players who enjoy thematic puzzles rather than single-word challenges. Its blend of storytelling, spatial awareness and vocabulary makes it distinct from other NYT games.

The Punjab government has officially declared Amritsar Walled City, Talwandi Sabo, and Sri Anandpur Sahib as holy cities. This designation brings a complete ban on the sale of meat, tobacco, alcohol, and other intoxicants in these revered Sikh locations. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann confirmed the notification is now in effect. The government will enhance public transport for devotees.

S&P 500 is up more than 15 per cent so far 2025, on track for its third consecutive year of gains of at least 10 per cent.

Karnataka's BJP is strategizing to prevent the new hate speech bill from becoming law, fearing it could be used against opposition leaders. Senior lawmakers plan to petition the Governor and explore legal avenues, citing judicial precedents.

A technical paper from IIT-Bombay offers recommendations on proposed changes to how housing services are measured for inflation. While supporting a new base year, the paper cautions against collecting rent data from every dwelling monthly. Experts argue this could increase costs and compromise data quality. The paper suggests improving existing methods instead of a complete overhaul.

Stephen Hawking, diagnosed with a motor neuron disease early in life, defied expectations to become a renowned cosmologist. He viewed the universe as governed by natural laws, not divine intent, and saw consciousness as a product of the brain's physical processes, thus no afterlife. Hawking found meaning in life's finite nature, urging a focus on curiosity and discovery.

Swami Vivekanandas powerful quote continues to inspire people even today. It urges self-belief and sustained effort in the pursuit of ones goals. The message cuts through modern distractions and reminds us that true progress requires patience and discipline. It highlights the dignity found in honest effort and encourages individuals to rise above challenges and self-doubt. Timeless in its appeal, the quote stands as a clear call to action for everyone striving to move forward in life.

Israel's Cabinet has approved nineteen new settlements in the occupied West Bank. This move significantly expands the number of settlements. Finance Minister Betzalel Smotrich announced the approval. Two settlements previously evacuated are included. This brings the total of new settlements over two years to sixty-nine.

Australians observed a minute of silence to honor victims of the Bondi Beach shooting. Gunmen attacked a Jewish festival, killing 15 people. The nation mourns the loss of innocence. Unarmed civilians showed immense bravery. Authorities are investigating the incident and implementing new gun laws. The country grapples with rising hate speech and antisemitism.

The Winter Solstice, which typically falls around December 21 each year, marks the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere. From an astronomical perspective, it also signifies the Suns entry into Capricorn, heralding the beginning of a new seasonal cycle.

Congress leader P Chidambaram labelled the National Herald case as fabricated and politically motivated. He stated the Enforcement Directorate acted illegally. The ED had approached the Delhi High Court challenging a lower court's decision. The court declined to take cognisance of the money-laundering complaint.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced the mandatory recitation of Bhagavad Gita verses in state schools to foster cultural connection and moral development. He also highlighted the historic Kattarmal Sun Temple, emphasizing its architectural significance and Uttarakhand's rich heritage. Dhami further praised cultural events like Mahakauthig for preserving traditions and uniting the diaspora.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his double-engine government was resolving long-pending problems created by the Congress in Assam, alleging years of neglect of Namrup's fertilizer units. Highlighting BJP-led reforms, he said urea production increased from 225 lakh metric tonnes in 2014 to around 306 lakh metric tonnes nationwide.

A Delhi tribunal has awarded over Rs 68 lakh compensation to the parents of Harshit Verma. Verma, 24, died in a road accident in March 2022. The accident occurred when the car he was in lost control and overturned. The tribunal found the driver's rash and negligent driving caused the crash. Verma was the sole breadwinner for his parents.

Tragedy struck Hazaribagh, Jharkhand, as two coal workers lost their lives when a mine wall collapsed onto a truck. The incident occurred late Saturday night in the Urimari Police Station area. Both bodies were recovered Sunday morning.

A top Russian foreign policy aide stated that changes to U.S. peace proposals by Europeans and Ukraine do not improve prospects for long-term peace. Yuri Ushakov expressed this view, noting that the modifications do not enhance the document or the possibility of achieving peace. U.S. negotiators met with Russian officials, with talks described as constructive and set to continue.

Power has been restored for approximately 95,000 customers in San Francisco following a significant outage that affected around 130,000 residents. While most services were back online by Saturday evening, about 35,000 customers remained without electricity. The blackout caused traffic disruptions and temporary business closures.

Peace talks aimed at ending the Ukraine war are moving forward constructively in Florida. A Kremlin envoy met with US officials, including Jared Kushner. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy awaits the US stance. European Union leaders have pledged significant financial aid to Ukraine. Russia's President Vladimir Putin remains firm on his demands.

A former accounts officer at India's Permanent Mission in Geneva has been accused of siphoning over 2 lakh Swiss francs (around Rs 2 crore) to fund crypto-gambling. Mohit allegedly replaced vendor QR codes with his own, diverting payments to his personal account. The scam was uncovered by auditors investigating duplicate payments.

Paul Sadlon, a respected Barrie businessman and philanthropist, has passed away at 93. His death was announced at an OHL game. Sadlon founded Paul Sadlon Motors in 1971. He was a significant supporter of Georgian College and contributed to the Sadlon Centre for Health, Wellness, and Sciences. His philanthropy extended to many community organizations.

Australia will face a varied Christmas Day weather outlook, with mild conditions expected in the south-east and potential showers in the north. Western Australia, however, is bracing for a significant heatwave, with Perth forecast to reach 40C. Meanwhile, parts of the Northern Territory and Queensland anticipate heavy rain and thunderstorms.

Canadians will receive their final Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security payments of 2025 on December 22. These payments are issued early for the holiday season. Starting January 2026, Canada Pension Plan benefits will see an increase due to annual inflation adjustments. The next scheduled payment for both programs is January 28, 2026.

Uttar Pradesh Police is hiring 537 Sub-Inspector and Assistant Sub-Inspector positions. Applications open December 20, 2025, and close January 19, 2026. A correction window is available January 20-22, 2026. The selection process includes written tests, physical tests, and medical examinations. Interested candidates should visit the official UPPRPB portal for details.

IND-W vs SL-W 1st T20I Live Streaming Telecast When and Where How to Watch: India women's cricket team is set to commence their five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka women's cricket team on December 21. The opening match will be held at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Vizag, with the game scheduled to start at 7:00 pm IST.