The Economic Times News

In-N-Out Burger has removed the number 67 from its ordering system after a viral slang trend caused disturbances. Teens, particularly Gen Alpha, swarmed restaurants when order number 67 was called, reacting to the phrase six seven originating from a rap song. The chain also removed 69 due to similar reasons.

Americans are being asked to check their bank accounts as Section 8 landlord payments begin after a short delay. The program helps families and seniors pay rent by sending part of the payment to landlords. Housing agencies say the money is now ready, and landlords should receive around $1,500 depending on the home. More support programs are also helping households.

U.S treasury yields extended decline after FOMC policy announcement; yield on 10-year treasury notes were last down 3.5 basis points at 4.151 per cent.

Mortgage rates are gradually declining after the Feds 25-bps cut, its third move of 2025. The federal funds rate is now 3.50%3.75%. Thirty-year mortgage rates hold near 6.19%6.30, while refinance rates sit around 6.52. Markets remain volatile, and the next shift could push rates sharply up or down.

Shubman Gill seeks a significant knock at home in the second T20I against South Africa, aiming to improve his T20 record. India, after a dominant win, faces scrutiny on Suryakumar Yadav's form. South Africa aims for a better batting performance after a dismal first T20.

A massive fire has engulfed the Nevsky Market in Saint Petersburg, Russia, with flames spreading across over 1,500 square meters. Videos show thick black smoke billowing into the night sky as approximately 30 fire engines battle the blaze. Reports indicate at least two injuries, and the cause of the fire is currently unknown.

In a recent discussion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed satisfaction with the burgeoning strategic relationship between India and Israel. The leaders reiterated their determination to fortify their collaboration and jointly condemned terrorism, underscoring their stance on zero tolerance.

During his recent trip, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed admiration for India's extraordinary strength in diversity. In parallel, the Russian Parliament has approved a pivotal agreement with India, which enhances logistical support for military operations, including warships and aircraft. This deal simplifies procedures for collaborative exercises, disaster response initiatives, and various other joint activities between the two countries.

In a shocking turn of events, Bholanath Ghosh, a pivotal figure in the ration distribution fraud investigation, has sustained life-threatening injuries in a car accident. The tragic mishap occurred in the South 24 Parganas region, claiming the lives of two companions. Ghosh's son vehemently suspects foul play, implicating associates of Sheikh Shahjahan.

Guwahati witnessed the inauguration of the Swahid Smarak Kshetra. This memorial honors 860 martyrs of the Assam Agitation. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma inaugurated the site. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also paid tribute to the movement's participants. The memorial complex includes statues, a meditation hall, and gardens. The event marks the observance of Swahid Diwas.

On December 16-17, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will set foot in Ethiopia, marking a pivotal moment for India's influence in the Global South. This visit highlights the flourishing partnership with Ethiopia, a vital ally and recent BRICS addition. Both nations are eager to enhance collaboration in multiple domains, driven by a shared commitment to sustainable development and mutual respect.

On International Human Rights Day, Engineer Rashid, a member of the Lok Sabha, initiated a hunger strike from within the confines of Tihar Jail. This bold act was intended to spotlight the persistent issues faced by the people in Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh.

The Asian Development Bank has raised India's growth forecast for the current financial year to 7.2%, citing stronger-than-expected second-quarter performance driven by robust domestic consumption. Despite an unfavorable base effect for 2026-27, policy measures are expected to offset potential drags, supporting continued economic expansion.

In a recent statement, Congress has taken the government to task for allegedly distorting the legacy surrounding the iconic national song, Vande Mataram. Jairam Ramesh, a key party figure, expressed concern that the administration's approach diminishes the contributions of historical giants like Jawaharlal Nehru and Rabindranath Tagore.

Fed Rate cut announcement: Whoever is selected to lead the Fed will inherit many of the challenges that Jerome Powell is dealing with. For one, the next chair may struggle to deliver the interest rate cuts that Donald Trump so desperately wants, given the split among voting members.

In a burst of tension, Minister Anupriya Patel clashed with Lok Sabha chair Krishna Prasad Tenneti during a session. Unsatisfied with her allotted speaking time on electoral reforms, Patel defiantly continued her address despite the microphone being cut and multiple appeals for her to conclude.

The company's move towards a public listing, which could rank among the largest global IPOs, has been largely driven by the rapid expansion of its Starlink satellite internet business, including plans for direct-to-mobile service and progress in its Starship rocket program for moon and Mars missions.

A heated debate unfolded in Lok Sabha over electoral reforms. Congress MP KC Venugopal accused the Election Commission of India of enabling vote chori and criticized legal immunity for election commissioners. Former law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad countered, alleging Congress's history of institutional capture and blaming the opposition's electoral defeats for their criticism of the ECI.

In a fiery session in the Lok Sabha, Home Minister Amit Shah did not hold back as he took aim at the Opposition, specifically targeting the Nehru-Gandhi lineage for what he termed historical 'vote chori.' He staunchly supported the integrity of electronic voting machines and the importance of periodic electoral roll updates.

Cathie Wood of ARK Invest says the old 4-year Bitcoin cycle is finished. She believes institutional investors will bring big money, less volatility, and push Bitcoin price higher. Wood expects Bitcoin to outperform gold in 2026 and stay strong during market changes. She sees a new era for crypto as the world enters the AI age.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as an engaged couple whose relationship unravels in Kristoffer Borgli's new A24 dark comedy, The Drama. The trailer hints at a chaotic wedding and mental distress for the pair. This marks the first of three upcoming collaborations between the actors, with The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three also slated for release.

Airfares have surged dramatically following IndiGo flight cancellations. This has led to public anger and government intervention. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has imposed fare caps to prevent such steep increases. Industrialist Harsh Goenka highlighted the historical affordability of Indian air travel despite rising operational costs. The Delhi High Court has also questioned the fare hikes.

OnlyFans, a subscription-based content services, runs with just 42 full-time employees while serving more than 400 million users worldwide and hosting 4 million content creators. CEO Keily Blair disclosed that the companys lean workforce is intentional, cutting middle-management positions to enhance agility. The platforms strategy concentrates on hiring highly experienced senior professionals and encouraging junior talent, prioritizing attitude and capability over experience.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.