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National / The Economic Times
The Supreme Court will re-examine its May 2025 ruling on the Bengaluru ISKCON temple ownership. A review petition filed by ISKCON India has been accepted. The court will reconsider its earlier decision which declared the ISKCON Karnataka Society as the owner. ISKCON India maintains that only the 1971 Mumbai registration is the official ISKCON society in India.
The Allahabad High Court has ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to cease Scheduled Caste benefits for individuals converting to Christianity. The court stated that continuing these benefits would be a fraud on the Constitution. It emphasized that only Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists are recognized as Scheduled Castes.
Mortgage rates are holding steady as December opens. Zillow shows the 30-year fixed at 6.11% and the 15-year at 5.52%. Realtor.com now projects the 2026 average near 6.3%, slightly below 2025s 6.6%. Markets are watching the Fed, with a December rate cut still uncertain. Any move may keep mortgage costs in a tight, modestly lower range.
Ankara, a NATO member that has kept warm relations with both sides in the Russian war in Ukraine, has condemned attacks on vessels with links to Moscow that took place inside Turkey's exclusive economic zone off its coast in the Black Sea.
Major news unfolds on December 4, 2025. Calcutta High Court upholds primary teacher jobs. Jasir Wani's NIA custody extended. Sabarimala gold loss case sees bail plea rejected. India's CAD widens due to gold imports. US H-1B visa oversight intensifies. HSBC appoints a new chairman. US-Russia talks on Ukraine are constructive. Virat Kohli scores back-to-back centuries. China's services growth slows.
Putin held hours of late-night talks with Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner Tuesday, but neither side announced headway on a peace settlement to end almost four years of war in Ukraine.
A sum of Rs 51,253 crore has been earmarked for the annual expenditure on schemes, while Rs 40,462 crore is meant for establishment and committed expenditures.
Virat Kohli is in exceptional form in the ODI series against South Africa. His two centuries have thrilled fans, who are crediting coach Gautam Gambhir for his resurgence. Kohli has also climbed to number four in the ICC ODI rankings. He will now play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, boosting Delhi's chances.
As the Union Budget 2026 approaches, the revenue, fiscal, and primary deficits are under scrutiny. These indicators reveal the government's financial health, influencing growth and inflation expectations. Policymakers are balancing growth priorities with fiscal consolidation by closely monitoring these key metrics.
A ruling from the Calcutta High Court states that reserved-category candidates who achieve general merit will keep their original category benefits. This decision came during a hearing concerning an SSC candidate. The court emphasized that a candidate's declared category remains unchanged even if they qualify under the general quota.
Republican congressional candidate Valentina Gomez released a video vowing to make Texas free of pedophiles and illegals. She also promised to make Texas he worst place for 'groomers,' 'pedophiles,' and illegals to live in, citing perceived threats to the state and nation. In the video clip, which she posted on her X, she also mentioned New York, where Zohran Mamdani won the race for mayor.
An 18-year-old rider, Prince Patel, died in a high-speed accident near Breadliner Circle in Surat after losing control of his KTM sports bike and hitting a road divider. In a separate incident in Ahmedabad, a speeding motorcyclist in his 20s died after crashing into a BRTS track grill, with police suspecting an illegal race.
The Calcutta High Court has retained the jobs of 32,000 primary teachers, overturning a single-judge order that had dismissed their appointments due to recruitment irregularities. A division bench ruled that innocent teachers should not suffer for the faults of authorities, stating they were not involved in corruption. This decision brings relief to the teachers and the West Bengal government.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated he will only travel to New Delhi if formally invited, following Deputy CM D.K. Shivakumar's visit for a wedding and party event. The two leaders recently displayed unity, but Siddaramaiah's stance highlights potential underlying political dynamics. Shivakumar also mentioned plans for a 'Vote Chori' campaign event in Delhi.
Bharat Taxi, India's new cooperative ride-hailing platform, is launching with a zero-commission model. Drivers will own the fleet and keep 100% of their earnings. Pilot runs are underway in Delhi and Gujarat. This initiative aims to provide drivers with greater dignity and financial stability. Passengers can expect transparent, no-surge pricing. Bharat Taxi is set to reshape India's ride-hailing sector.
Amid privacy concerns over the Sanchar Saathi app, Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia asserted that snooping is neither possible nor will it happen with the app.
Pakistan is on the brink of a demographic disaster, experts cautioned at the conclusion of the Pakistan Population Summit on Tuesday, warning that the country's unchecked population growth is rapidly outpacing its available resources. The two-day event featured government officials, scholars, and civil society leaders who described the issue as an existential crisis demanding urgent national attention and coordinated reform, as reported by The Express Tribune.
Health experts warn that excessive winter consumption of tea and coffee can worsen joint stiffness, particularly in weight-bearing joints. This is due to dehydration, as hot beverages replace adequate water intake, thickening synovial fluid. Maintaining hydration balance and regular movement are key to enjoying these drinks without compromising joint health.
US stock futures rebound today as Dow rises 80 points to 47,624, S&P 500 adds 9.25 to 6,849.50, and Nasdaq gains 25.50 to 25,631.50 in early trade. Crypto-linked stocks lead momentum with PMAX up 67%, CMCT up 30%, and ABTC up 12%. Nvidia and Marvell also edge higher, signaling steady recovery across tech and digital-asset names.
Chennai school holiday December 4 update: Schools in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kanchipuram, Cuddalore, Kallakurichi and Villupuram districts in Tamil Nadu were shut on Wednesday, December 3 due to the incessant rainfall in the state. There is no official confirmation on the update of closure of schools in Chennai for December 4.
Indian family offices are rapidly expanding, venturing into non-core businesses and adopting private equity strategies. With a 30% annual growth rate, they now rank third globally in venture capital deal volume. This evolution signifies a shift towards comprehensive family capital management, focusing on sustainability and legacy.
A Delhi court has extended the National Investigation Agency custody of Jasir Bilal Wani by seven days. Wani is a key accused in the Red Fort blast case. He was arrested for allegedly providing technical support for attacks. This included modifying drones and attempting to make rockets. The NIA has arrested seven people so far in the case.
While common cancer symptoms are widely known, four rare warning signs can go unnoticed. Persistent chest or abdominal pain after alcohol, broken bones from minimal trauma, extremely high calcium levels, and painful, swollen breasts or nipple discharge can indicate cancer. Early recognition of these unusual symptoms is crucial for improved treatment outcomes.
The Indian Rupee is nearing 90 against the US Dollar. Foreign investors are selling Indian stocks, impacting market performance. Domestic investors are buying, but foreign selling is currently dominant. This situation calls for Indian businesses to adapt. Export-oriented sectors may benefit from the weaker Rupee, while import-dependent sectors face increased costs.
Luana Lopes Lara, 29, is now the world's youngest self-made woman billionaire. Her prediction market platform, Kalshi, achieved a $11 billion valuation after raising $1 billion. This success follows a journey from professional ballet to computer science. Kalshi navigated legal challenges to become a regulated marketplace. The platform now sees significant trading volumes, particularly in sports contracts.
A University of Delaware student, Luqmaan Khan, faces serious charges after allegedly planning an attack on campus police. Authorities discovered weapons, tactical gear, and a notebook detailing assault plans during a traffic stop. Khan was arrested and banned from all university campuses. The FBI is now involved in the ongoing investigation into the incident.
A vigilance court in Kerala has rejected the bail plea of former Travancore Devaswom Board president N Vasu. Vasu is accused in the case concerning the disappearance of gold from the Sreekovil door frames of the Lord Ayyappa shrine. He was arrested in November. This is the first high-profile arrest in the ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team.
The Enforcement Directorate has attached two Chennai flats worth 2.04 crore belonging to G. Ranganathan, promoter of Sresan Pharmaceuticals, whose Coldrif cough syrup has been linked to the deaths of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh.
Senior BJP leaders have sharply criticised Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy over remarks they claim are anti-Hindu, calling for statewide protests on December 3. Union ministers Kishan Reddy and Sanjay Kumar accused the chief minister of insulting Hindu beliefs and urged Hindus to unite against the Congress.
Pune police are investigating a bomb threat at a private international school in Hinjewadi. The school received an email claiming a bomb was planted. Authorities immediately evacuated the premises and launched a thorough search. The Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad is involved. So far, no suspicious items have been discovered. An investigation into the origin of the email is underway.
Red Bull 2026 Lineup: 18-year old Arvid Lindblad, a British-Swedish driver with Indian heritage, is set to debut in Formula 1 in 2026, joining Red Bull's Racing Bulls alongside Liam Lawson. Lindblad's promotion from the Red Bull Junior Team highlights his impressive junior career while his Indian roots add a unique multicultural dimension, with the 2026 F1 grid now fully confirmed.
Doctors in Delhi-NCR are alarmed by the severe impact of air pollution on children, leading to chronic respiratory ailments like bronchitis and airway inflammation. Youngsters are experiencing exacerbated conditions and new health issues, with experts warning of the toxic air's heavy toll on developing lungs.
Google is building a massive AI hub and data center in Tarluwada, Andhra Pradesh. This $15 billion investment is Google's largest in India. The project will bring jobs and infrastructure upgrades to the region. Visakhapatnam is set to become a major AI and connectivity hub.
The Hurun India Art List 2025 reports record art sales of 310 crore for Indias top artists, a modest 3% rise from last year, with 78% of listed artists seeing higher cumulative sales. Sales volumes also grew sharply, with 995 lots soldup 26% year-on-year. Anish Kapoor reclaimed the top spot despite lower turnover, while Krishen Khanna and Sakti Burman saw major surges, joining him in the top three.
The ministrys order dated November 28 mandates that all mobile phone manufacturers preload the app on new handsets and push it to existing devices via software updates within 90 days.
The ASX 200 closed higher on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, gaining 15.50 points, with Boss Energy Ltd and Bellevue Gold Limited leading the top performers. This follows a mixed start to December, with the index experiencing a downturn on Monday before recovering on Tuesday. Major ASX indices also saw modest gains throughout the day.
Congress leader K Muraleedharan has declared that the party is gearing up to take rigorous steps against suspended MLA Rahul Mamkootathil following fresh allegations of sexual assault from a different complainant. The KPCC chief is expected to respond with urgency and decisiveness. Mamkootathil finds himself at a crossroads, needing to consider his potential resignation.
A Delhi boy transformed a roadside stone into a polished, functional clock, selling it for 5,000. After refining the design based on feedback, his innovative creation, costing only 460 to make, garnered nationwide attention for its blend of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit.
Anupam Kher walks into the gym with the calm confidence of a man who has beaten time. He exercises like someone who is 70 and rewriting the rules for getting older. His discipline sets the tone: no fanfare, no excuses, and he gives it his all in every rep.

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