The Economic Times News

Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, was instrumental in the nation's 1867 Confederation and westward expansion, notably the Canadian Pacific Railway. His long tenure shaped early governance and institutions. However, his legacy is complicated by policies affecting Indigenous peoples. A quote attributed to him stresses unity for common goals before considering individual rewards.

Trump India Tariffs: Democratic lawmakers have introduced a resolution to terminate the national emergency used by President Trump to impose steep tariffs on Indian imports. They argue these illegal tariffs abuse executive power, damage a key strategic partnership, and harm American workers and consumers. The move aims to restore Congress's constitutional authority over trade and curb the misuse of emergency powers.

Retail inflation in India has experienced a dip thanks to adjustments in GST rates, with SBI Research forecasting this positive trend ahead. However, a shift in inflation is anticipated around 2025-26. In the meantime, the Reserve Bank of India is expected to keep interest rates stable. Meanwhile, Kerala remains notable for its elevated inflation rates.

North Korea sent troops to clear mines in Russia's Kursk region earlier this year, leader Kim Jong Un said in a speech carried on Saturday by state media, a rare acknowledgement by Pyongyang of the deadly tasks assigned to its deployed soldiers. North Korea has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and Western intelligence agencies.

Kerala Civics Polls Result 2025: The counting of votes for Kerala local body elections started at 8 am today. The State Election Commission (SEC) said the final results are likely to be declared by Saturday afternoon. Early trends show LDF extending lead in 136 gram panchayats and NDA losing steam after first hour of vote counting

Geminids Meteor Shower 2025: Bright yellow fireballs streak across skies around the globe in the popular Geminids meteor shower will lighten the skies on December 13 and 14 this year. According to NASA, the Geminids meteor shower, which peaks during mid-December each year, is considered to be one of the best and most reliable annual meteor showers. The Geminids are bright and fast meteors and tend to be yellow in color.

In the upcoming election, the ailing former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia's BNP are emerging as the main political force. Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the country's largest Islamist party, is also a significant contender in the election.

Initial trends shared by the State Election Commission (SEC) showed the ruling LDF, the opposition UDF and the NDA leading in various grama panchayat, block panchayat, municipality and corporation wards.

This would be the first time in recent years that Pakistan has served a demarche to an European envoy. European envoys are generally given red carpet welcome and treated with care by Islamabad given its financial dependence on Europe through GSP Plus and other schemes. Norway hosts sizeable number of Pakistani nationals.

India's apparel sector anticipates a significant boost from the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. Negotiations are progressing positively, aiming to reduce import duties on Indian garments in the European Union. This move is projected to increase exports by 20-25% in the coming years. The agreement will foster stable investment and strengthen India's position in premium European markets.

Cambodia stated Thai forces continued bombing Saturday morning, hours after US President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire. Thailand countered, accusing Cambodia of violations. Trump had claimed a ceasefire was agreed upon Friday night. However, Cambodian and Thai leaders did not confirm this. Fighting has intensified along the disputed border since Monday.

America briefly halted sharing vital intelligence with Israel. This action stemmed from concerns over civilian casualties and alleged mistreatment of Palestinian prisoners. The US sought assurances that Israel would adhere to the laws of war. Intelligence sharing resumed after Israel provided these assurances. This move highlights significant tensions between the two allies.

A new US plan suggests Ukraine could join the European Union by January 2027. This proposal also includes Ukraine ceding land to Russia. European nations and Ukraine are seeking security guarantees before any territorial talks. The United States reportedly has influence to sway opposition to Ukraine's EU membership. Discussions are ongoing regarding the plan's details.

President Trump's order to challenge state AI laws faces significant opposition. States aim to protect their regulatory rights. The administration's move to block federal funding for states with AI laws is also contested. Legal experts express doubts about the order's enforceability. Republican governors are also voicing concerns about federal overreach.

The United States Air Force faces another year-long delay for its new Air Force One jets. Boeing now expects to deliver the first of two specialized 747-8 aircraft by mid-2028. This pushes the program four years behind schedule. The project's cost has now exceeded $5 billion.

Preservationists have filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump. They seek to halt his White House ballroom project. The group wants multiple independent reviews and congressional approval. The project has already seen the East Wing demolished. The lawsuit argues against bypassing required reviews and public input. The White House maintains the President has legal authority to renovate the residence.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will investigate claims of e-cigarette use within Parliament. BJP MP Anurag Thakur alleged a TMC MP smoked an e-cigarette in the House. The Speaker stated no permission was granted and action will follow if violations are proven. E-cigarettes are banned nationwide. The matter is under the Speaker's purview for factual verification.

America has lifted sanctions on a top Brazilian judge. This move comes after a shift in US policy towards Brazil. President Lula da Silva welcomed the decision, stating he discussed it with President Trump. The judge called it a win for Brazil's democracy. This development follows Brazil's lower house voting to shorten sentences for those convicted of anti-democratic acts.

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has formed a new 23-member political committee. Imran Khan directed the formation of this top decision-making body. Key leaders like Gohar Ali Khan and Salman Akram Raja are included. Notably, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister Ali Amin Gandapur is absent from the new structure. The committee will shape party policies and guidelines for parliamentary wings.

King Charles the Third has shared positive news about his cancer recovery. His treatment will be reduced next year. This milestone comes after early diagnosis and effective medical intervention. Buckingham Palace confirmed his excellent response to treatment. Doctors now advise a precautionary phase. This marks a significant step in his ongoing recovery journey.

College football's top individual award will be presented on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The Heisman Trophy ceremony airs at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live on ABC. Streaming is available via the ESPN App and the NCAA football hub. Fubo also offers a free trial. The winner of the 91st Heisman Trophy will be revealed in New York City.

Landman Season 2 Episode 5 releases on December 14, 2025, streaming on Paramount+. New episodes air weekly on Sundays. Learn Landman Season 2 Episode 5 release time, schedule, how to watch, runtime, and what to expect from the story. Global timings and subscription details are included.

Actress Hailee Steinfeld is expecting her first child with husband Josh Allen. She revealed the happy news on her 29th birthday through a personal Substack post. The couple, married since May, shared a video showing Allen kissing Steinfeld's baby bump. Pregnancy rumors had been circulating for weeks after a red carpet appearance.

One Punch Man Season 3 Episode 10 release date, time and how to watch are now confirmed. The episode continues the events of Episode 9 and sets up major battles. This explainer covers release details, platforms, and story progress.

Moscow will give its blessing to a ceasefire only after Ukraine's forces have withdrawn from the front line, Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov said in comments published Friday in Russian business daily Kommersant.

The government has approved a new bill allowing 100 percent foreign investment in the insurance sector. This move aims to boost growth and improve insurance coverage across India. Companies must invest all premiums within the country. The bill also permits a single entity to offer life, general, and health insurance.

Oracle shares are up just 13 per cent now for the year, having erased all the gains from a 36 per cent jump in September, when it reported a massive backlog of over $450 billion mostly tied to OpenAI.

Police in Assam's Sonitpur district have arrested four people, including a woman reportedly married to a Pakistani national. The arrests followed the detection of unusually large foreign deposits in a family's bank account. Investigations revealed the woman had met the Pakistani national online and traveled to Dubai. Authorities seized numerous ATM cards and bank documents.

Financial institutions extended 392 billion ($55.6 billion) of new yuan loans in the month, falling short of economists' median forecast of 450 billion , based on data released by the People's Bank of China on Friday. The stock of outstanding credit to the real economy rose 8.5% from a year ago, matching the pace in October.

Retail inflation saw a slight increase to 0.71% in November, up from October's 0.25%. This rise occurred as food deflation lessened. Price pressures remained subdued due to tax cuts and softer food prices. Inflation stayed below the central bank's target range for the fourth month. Food prices declined for the sixth consecutive month.

Rajkumar Goyal, a retired IAS officer, is poised to become the Chief of the Central Information Commission. Several other prominent figures are expected to be appointed as Information Commissioners, filling all nine vacancies. This move aims to bolster the RTI Act's appellate authority, though concerns about representation have been raised.

India's startup ecosystem is booming with over two lakh government-recognised entities. This year alone saw over 44,000 new recognitions, a record high. A significant achievement is that nearly half of these startups include at least one woman director or partner. These ventures have collectively generated over 21 lakh direct jobs, showcasing robust growth and inclusivity.

India's digital progress is uneven. Some states are building world-class digital systems, while others fall behind. Delhi leads with a high digitalisation score. Jharkhand ranks last. This disparity risks India's ambitious Digital Bharat goals. Ensuring weaker states catch up is crucial for India to become a global digital powerhouse.

Military retirement pay increase 2026: Military retirement pay will rise 2.8% in 2026 as the new COLA takes effect, lifting checks starting December 31, 2025. The increase mirrors Social Security and VA adjustments and adds $28 per $1,000 of monthly retired pay. REDUX retirees get 1.8%. A detailed breakdown followsheres what changes next year.

India and France are nearing a revised tax treaty that will reduce dividend taxes for French parent companies holding over 10% stakes to 5%, while increasing it to 15% for minority shareholders. The agreement also proposes allowing India to tax share sales by any French entity, shifting to a source-based capital gains framework.

Dune: Prophecy Season 2 release date, cast and how to watch update explains the new season plan, production timeline, first footage details, new cast, and links to the wider Dune universe. It breaks down HBO updates, filming locations, story expansion, and the confirmed 2026 rollout of the prequel series.

If you sit a lot, your heart can get weak. Eating foods like cocoa, green tea, berries, leafy greens, plums, and nuts can help keep your heart healthy. These foods have flavanols, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. Simple changes in your diet can protect your heart even when you are mostly sitting.

When Gandhi suggested a discussion on the matter, parliamentary affairs minister Kiran Rijiju said the demand for such a debate had already been made by both ruling and Opposition sides, even at the last business advisory committee meeting, and that the government was in the process of structuring the upcoming House discussion on pollution.

The US has initiated Pax Silica, a strategic blueprint aimed at solidifying the silicon supply chain in partnership with influential nations like Japan, South Korea, and the UK. Interestingly, India finds itself outside this new coalition, despite its previous ties.

House Democrats have released photographs from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. These images offer a new look at his connections with prominent figures. The release adds pressure as a deadline for the Epstein files approaches. Republicans accuse Democrats of creating a misleading narrative. The photos show individuals like Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. More images are expected to be released soon.

Nvidia has told Chinese clients it is evaluating adding production capacity for its powerful H200 AI chips after orders exceeded its current output level, according to two sources briefed on the matter.

Chases limited-time refinance mortgage rate discount: Chase refinance rate sale wraps Sunday as the lender offers rare rate cuts of up to 1% while mortgage rates hover near 6%. Homeowners can lock discounted rates through the weekend, stack Chase relationship pricing, and shave real dollars off monthly payments before the Dec. 14 deadline hits.