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National / The Economic Times
A new government definition classifying hills over 100 meters as Aravalis has sparked expert warnings that significant portions of the vital mountain range may lose protection. This decision risks exposing regions like Delhi-NCR to increased dust storms, drought, and severe air pollution, potentially leading to the slow deletion of this natural shield.
Railways added an extra coach to the Jammu-New Delhi Rajdhani Express due to IndiGo flight disruptions. Globally, President Putin indicated disagreements with the US proposal to end the Ukraine war, while China's Xi Jinping hosted French President Macron. In sports, India faces South Africa in a series decider, and Sunil Narine achieved a T20 wicket milestone.
The Lok Sabha has approved the Health Security and National Security Cess Bill. This paves the way for the government to introduce a special cess. This cess will be imposed on pan masala manufacturing units. The bill's approval marks a significant step in the government's fiscal measures. This development is set to impact the pan masala industry directly.
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra anticipates deposit rates will decrease, mirroring falling bank lending rates. He noted that real interest rates are currently high for both borrowers and savers. Data shows a significant drop in deposit and lending rates following repo rate cuts.
A Bengaluru man quit his Rs 25 lakh-per-year job to become a food delivery partner, gathering firsthand data on customer orders and preferences. This unusual move, aimed at informing his future cloud kitchen venture, has sparked online discussions about entrepreneurship and the dignity of work.
Battlestate Games has said the holiday offer is designed to make its premium content more accessible, while also encouraging current players to consider upgrading their editions.
Delhi Police crime branch arrested Swarn Singh and his brother-in-law Dharmender. They are accused of running an organised diesel theft racket for nearly 30 years. The duo illegally tapped petroleum pipelines across several states. They used rented rooms and hidden tunnels to siphon diesel. The stolen fuel was sold at cheaper rates.
The drill is the second one following the Israel-Iran war in June that killed nearly 1,100 people in Iran, including military commanders and nuclear scientists. Missile attacks by Iran killed 28 in Israel.
Northern Railways is adding an extra coach to the Jammu-New Delhi Rajdhani Express. This move will help passengers stranded by IndiGo flight cancellations. The additional coach will be available for the next seven days. Passengers can book seats in this coach for a comfortable journey. This railway service offers a reliable alternative for travellers.
Cloudflare, a major internet provider, was down again. This outage affects trading platforms like Zerodha and Angel One, AI tools, and travel services. Users face login and access issues. This was Cloudflare's second major disruption in a month. The internet's reliance on a few providers is evident.
Quote of the Day: Oscar Wilde stands as one of the most acclaimed literary voices of the late 19th century, celebrated for his enduring impact on theatre, fiction and literary criticism.
US stock futures rose early Friday as traders awaited the delayed September PCE inflation report that could shape the Feds Dec. 10 rate call. S&P 500 futures gained 0.2%. Nasdaq 100 rose 0.4%. Dow futures were flat at 47,906. Markets now price an 87% chance of a rate cut. Labor data showed 71,000 layoffs, but jobless claims hit a three-year low.
A newlywed couple missed their wedding reception in Hubballi after IndiGo flights were repeatedly delayed and then cancelled. Stranded in Bhubaneswar, they joined their reception via video call. Relatives travelled from various cities for the event. The bride's father arranged a screen for the virtual attendance. This incident highlights widespread flight disruptions across India.
India and Russia solidified bilateral ties with multiple agreements signed, including a urea plant deal and MoUs on food safety, shipping, and medical sciences. Both nations also agreed on an economic cooperation program to boost trade until 2030, with India pursuing an FTA with the Eurasian Economic Union.
IndiGo's operations faced significant disruption following new pilot rest and duty-hour rules. This came just days after the airline's CEO lauded the team for managing a critical Airbus software update. The new regulations, effective November 1, capped night landings and increased rest periods. This led to crew shortages and widespread flight cancellations across major Indian airports, stranding thousands of passengers.
Cloudflare is down again, as users across the globe have flooded social media with reports of issues and a server error. Cloudflare has provided a status update on its page, mentioning when users can expect the services to be restored normally.
Cloudflare experienced a global outage affecting popular websites like Canva and Downdetector, prompting widespread user complaints on social media platform X. This marks the second major disruption in a month, following a November outage that impacted services including Spotify and ChatGPT.
A BJP leader has called for the removal of the title 'Lord' from British colonial rulers in educational materials and official documents. He argues this practice perpetuates a colonial mindset 75 years after India's independence. The leader highlighted references in NCERT textbooks and government websites.
During Vladimir Putin's visit to Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi opted for a Toyota Fortuner instead of his usual Range Rover for their private drive. This choice, sparking widespread discussion, is seen by analysts as a calculated message to the West amidst sanctions, while others point to practical seating arrangements and the 'Make in India' initiative.
A Delhi court has extended the NIA custody of Soyab, accused of harbouring Red Fort bomber Umar-un Nabi, for another 10 days. Soyab, arrested for allegedly providing logistical support, is the seventh accused in the case linked to a terror module. The NIA continues its investigation and searches across states to identify others involved in the attack.
Strong knees support every movement you make, and even after that, theyre often the most ignored joints. Dr. Nene highlights that neglect leads to stiffness, swelling, and chronic pain. Simple routines, smart movement, and mindful choices can keep your knees youthful and strong.
The new world disorder clearly requires sending clear signals to the USA and especially President Trump. There are and should be limits, even with suffocating pressure and tariffs. The Indians know this, and the visit sends a clear message to the White House: nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to India.
Dhurandhar OTT Release: Ranveer Singh returns to cinemas with the high-octane spy thriller Dhurandhar, released on December 5, 2025. The film, inspired by real-life RAW operations, has garnered overwhelmingly positive early reviews, with audiences praising its intense action and patriotic storyline.
New South Wales experienced an intense early summer heatwave, fueling around 40 bush and grass fires. An emergency warning remains for the Bulahdelah fire, with the Pacific Highway closed. The Beni fire near Dubbo, though downgraded, is uncontained and threatens rural properties. Conditions are expected to worsen, stretching resources as authorities issue severe heatwave warnings.
OTT releases this week: This week's OTT releases offer a diverse cinematic experience, from horror-comedy Thamma and sci-fi spectacle Tron: Ares to gripping thrillers like Dies Irae and Stephen. Holiday cheer arrives with My Secret Santa and With Love, Meghan: Holiday Celebration, alongside a festive stand-up special from Matt Rife.
The Reserve Bank of India cut the repo rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 5.25%, citing record-low retail inflation and a supportive price outlook. With this move, the MPC has reduced rates by 125 basis points since February, while maintaining a neutral policy stance.
Halle Berry publicly criticized Governor Gavin Newsom for vetoing the Menopause Care Equity Act twice, stating he probably should not be our next president due to his neglect of women's health. Berry emphasized the need for better midlife care and urged engagement on the issue, highlighting its broad societal impact.
India's foreign exchange reserves have climbed to $686 billion. This provides a strong 11 months of import cover. The Reserve Bank of India announced a 25-basis point cut in the repo rate to 5.25%. The rupee also saw an appreciation against the US dollar.
Rahul Gandhi criticizes the government's monopoly model following IndiGo's widespread flight cancellations, which have inconvenienced hundreds of passengers. He argues that ordinary Indians bear the brunt of such disruptions. Gandhi advocates for fair competition across all sectors, rejecting match-fixing monopolies.
Central Delhi is likely to face significant traffic restrictions and diversions on Friday due to Russian President Vladimir Putin's official engagements. Commuters are advised to avoid key routes and plan travel in advance as sweeping curbs are in place from 9 am to 12 noon. Public transport is recommended to navigate the city smoothly during the State visit.
Power Book IV: Force Season 3 Episode 5 release date, time, schedule and how to watch guide explains when episode 5 will air, how the weekly schedule works in the US and UK, and where viewers can stream the new chapter of Tommy Egans story across platforms and regions.
Chinese President Xi Jinping accompanied French President Emmanuel Macron to Chengdu. This rare gesture signals Beijing's focus on France within the European Union. Macron visited a historic dam and met with Xi. While 12 cooperation agreements were signed, a major Airbus jet order was not expected. French business leaders are part of Macron's delegation.
IndiGo has been experiencing a sharp rise in cancellations, reaching approximately 170-200 flights per day, substantially higher than usual.
Avadhut Sathe news: Sebi has banned stock market influencer Avadhut Sathe and his firm from the securities market, ordering them to repay Rs 546.16 crore. The regulator found they collected over Rs 601 crore from 3.37 lakh investors by offering unregistered investment advice disguised as stock market education, selectively showcasing profitable trades.
The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet against three more individuals in connection with the 2024 Gurugram club bombings. These attacks were allegedly carried out by members of the Babbar Khalsa International. The accused are believed to have received explosives and funds from overseas handlers. The conspiracy aimed to disrupt peace and destabilize law and order in northern states.
Warner Bros. Discovery is in exclusive talks to sell its film and TV studios and HBO Max to Netflix for an undisclosed sum. Netflix is reportedly offering a $5 billion breakup fee if regulators block the acquisition. This potential deal, which could be announced soon, would significantly reshape the entertainment landscape.
Emily in Paris Season 5 release date, schedule and how to watch information is now confirmed. The new season takes Emily to Rome and back to Paris as she handles work challenges, personal shifts and major setbacks. This explainer outlines the release plan, story details, cast list and what viewers can expect.

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