The Economic Times News

India's top business leaders convened to discuss the nation's economic trajectory, acknowledging both global challenges and domestic strengths. They highlighted rural transformation, political stability, and entrepreneurial spirit as key confidence boosters. However, concerns linger over innovation, R&D investment, and the need for greater private capital deployment to sustain momentum towards global leadership.

BJP MLAs from Manipur, including former Chief Minister Biren Singh and Assembly Speaker Satyabrata Singh, went to Delhi on Saturday to attend the Sunday's meeting convened by the party's Central leadership.

Amidst global volatility, India projects a confident economic stance, reshaping globalization with strategic autonomy in trade and resource management. Times Internet chairman Satyan Gajwani highlighted this at the ET CEO Roundtable 2025, celebrating business leaders who exemplify India's growth and resilience in an uncertain world.

The Democratic Party has been Hong Kong's flagship opposition since its founding three years before the financial hub's return to Chinese rule from Britain in 1997. It used to sweep city-wide legislative elections and push China on democratic reforms and upholding freedom.

Parliamentarians engaged in intense debates on Vande Mataram and electoral reforms, showcasing flair and passion without clear winners or losers. The House functioned, allowing all voices to be heard, and the government even agreed to an Opposition proposal for an air pollution discussion, highlighting the power of debate over disruption.

I extend my sincere condolences to the families who lost their loved ones. We stand in solidarity with the people of Australia in this hour of grief. India has zero tolerance towards terrorism and supports the fight against all forms and manifestations of terrorism, the Prime Minister wrote on X.

Marking a major shift, the Centre will also ensure that the new regulator is divested of all funding/grant mechanisms, which will instead be handled by the Union education ministry.

A civilian is being celebrated as a hero in Sydney. He bravely tackled and disarmed an armed attacker at a Jewish holiday event. This courageous act potentially saved many lives during the incident. The bystander's quick thinking is widely praised. Authorities are investigating the attack further.

The Election Commission has appointed five nodal officers for the First Level Checking of electronic voting machines. These officers are from different states. This preparation is for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections.

The December horoscope emphasises adaptability. While progress may feel slow, astrologers recommend viewing this phase as preparation rather than stagnation. Strategic pauses, emotional awareness and realistic expectations will prove essential.

News headlines for December 15: Delhi schools are now operating in a hybrid mode due to pollution. Prime Minister Modi embarks on a visit to Jordan. New tourism facilities have opened in Kashmir. The BJP has a new national working president. A mass shooting occurred in Sydney. India leads South Africa in the T20 series. The Odisha Masters badminton tournament has concluded.

Today School holiday 15th December: Indian schools will operate as usual on Monday, December 15, 2025. No national holidays or breaks are scheduled for this date. Winter vacations will commence later in December for most regions. An exception is the Winter Zone of Jammu & Kashmir, which is already on a long winter recess. Parents in Delhi-NCR should monitor advisories for potential weather-related adjustments.

The proposed project, which will come up at Juvvaladinne Fishing Harbour, is aimed at positioning the state as a key hub for next-generation maritime and autonomous systems development.

Football legend Lionel Messi visited Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium as part of his 'GOAT India Tour' 2025. He met Indian football icon Sunil Chhetri and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar. The event featured a friendly football match and interactions with young footballers. Messi gifted a signed jersey to Chhetri and received a memento from the Maharashtra Chief Minister.

2026 IPL Auction: Top 5 wicket keepers in focus. The IPL 2026 auction on December 16 sees franchises prioritizing wicketkeepers who offer batting flexibility. With experienced internationals and emerging talents like Quinton de Kock, Jonny Bairstow, KS Bharat, Jamie Smith, and Josh Inglis in the pool, competition for these crucial players is expected to be fierce.

Russia is not a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), and none of the defendants were present in court.

A Powerball ticket carrying a $1 million prize, along with five other tickets were sold in the US in Saturday nights draw, as the jackpot once again remained without a winner.

Manik Saha said he had accepted the decision taken by the PM, though his family had been sceptical about it. There had been rumours that the two leaders had differences over party matters.

What happened in Australia today: A mass shooting at Sydneys Bondi Beach has left at least 11 people dead and 29 others injured, including two police officers, according to authorities.

Bihar minister Nitin Nabin appointed BJP's National Working President. Know about his career and more: Nitin Nabin's appointment as BJP national working president sparks speculation about a generational shift, positioning the 45-year-old Bihar minister as a potential successor to J.P. Nadda. Nabin, a five-term MLA with significant electoral success and ministerial experience, is seen as a dark horse choice backed by top leadership, including Prime Minister Modi.

Australia shooting at Sydney Bondi beach: Common man lauded as hero by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and citizens for disarming the gunman.

The announcement was made in the presence of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak.

U.S. Stock Market: S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq are witnessing volatile movememt of AI-related stocks.

Retired Lieutenant General Dushyant Singh stated that 'Operation Sindoor 2.0' is inevitable. He highlighted Pakistan's continued focus on Kashmir, supported by China and Turkiye. Singh emphasized India's need to enhance its narrative-building and cyber warfare capabilities. He also called for a codified national security strategy and increased defense spending.

NYT Strands is a daily word-search puzzle available in The New York Times Games section. Distinct from Wordle or Connections, it permits words to be traced in multiple directions, up, down, across and diagonally, while each letter on the grid can be used only once.

Sixteen months and thousands of arson, firebombing, graffiti and hate-speech incidents later, the head of the nation's main intelligence agency declared that antisemitism was his number one priority in terms of threat to life.

Australia shooting: What happened in Bondi beach, Sydney? One gunman was fatally shot by police and the second arrested. The suspect was in critical condition, authorities said. At least 29 people were confirmed wounded

India Budget 2026: As India prepares for Union Budget 2026, this explainer details its significance as the government's annual financial blueprint. The Budget outlines revenue and expenditure plans, crucial for converting policy promises into action and managing finite resources to drive economic growth and social welfare.

Wordle is a daily word game that tasks players with guessing a five-letter word within six tries. Created in 2021 by software engineer Josh Wardle, it rapidly captured global attention, driven by its clean design and distinctive emoji-style results that are easily shared.

The Enforcement Directorate is set to close hundreds of old cases filed under the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. These cases, some dating back decades, will be fast-tracked for closure. The agency aims to complete this process by the first quarter of 2026. This move will end long-standing litigation and clear legacy cases. The FERA was replaced by FEMA in 1999.

Nitin Nabin, a cabinet minister in the Bihar government, has been appointed as the BJP's national working president. The decision was made by the party's parliamentary board. This appointment is effective immediately, as announced by BJP national general secretary Arun Singh.

John Cena retired from WWE after a tap out loss to Gunther at Saturday Nights Main Event in Washington DC. Leaving his shoes and wristband in the ring, Cena thanked fans for their support, closing a 24 year career that included a record 17 world championships.

Thought of the day: In 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo became the first male footballer to reach the milestone of 900 career goals. By 2025, he continued his scoring momentum, delivering crucial moments on the field, including a match-winning goal in the UEFANations League semifinal against Germany.

Indian teenagers are proactively reducing their social media consumption. Instead of bans, they are setting personal limits and using tools to manage their screen time. This shift reflects a growing awareness of the importance of studies and other activities.

A 62-year-old property dispute in Faridabad has concluded. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ruled in favor of the original allottee's family. They will receive a 5,103 sq ft plot purchased in 1963 for under 14,000. The land's current market value is nearly 7 crore.

Apple iPhone 16 Pro discount : Flipkart's End of Season Sale features the iPhone 16 Pro at a significant discount, dropping its price below Rs 70,000 with bank and exchange benefits. Despite not being the latest model, its flagship performance, premium build, and advanced camera system make it a compelling purchase. The sale runs from December 12 to 21.

Quote of the day: Alexander Graham Bell submitted a patent, on February 14, 1876, outlining a technique for transmitting sound electronically, narrowly beating rival inventor Elisha Gray, who filed a comparable claim later the same day.

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge branded the BJP as raitors and heatrical at a rally, demanding their removal to protect voting rights and the Constitution. He urged Indians to unite behind Congress ideology, asserting it's the only force capable of saving the nation from the RSS's alleged destructive path.

Heath Ledger, the iconic actor known for his role as the Joker, began his career in 1997 with a small role in 'Blackrock'. He later chose a unique role as a gay cyclist in the TV show 'Sweat' to stand out. Ledger believed in acting guided by instinct rather than strict techniques, emphasizing the importance of unique choices.

AIIMS New Delhi has successfully concluded India's first clinical trial for an indigenously developed advanced stroke device, the Supernova stent retriever. This breakthrough promises to enhance access to timely and affordable stroke care nationwide. The trial demonstrated comparable outcomes to global standards, paving the way for wider availability of this life-saving technology.

German authorities have arrested five men suspected of planning an attack on a Christmas market in southern Bavaria. The men, from Morocco, Egypt, and Syria, were detained at the German-Austrian border. Investigators believe they intended to use a vehicle to target a crowded market. The motive is suspected to be Islamist. This follows previous vehicle ramming attacks in Germany.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is pushing for a dignified peace and security assurances from Russia. He is meeting with US envoys and European leaders in Berlin.