The Economic Times News

Delhi is taking strict action to fight air pollution. Vehicles without a Pollution Under Control Certificate will not get fuel. Trucks carrying construction materials are banned from entering the city. These measures are in place as the Commission for Air Quality Management has invoked GRAP Stage IV.

The Belgian Supreme Court has dismissed Mehul Choksis appeal against extradition to India, calling his objections without substance. The court upheld earlier rulings, confirming that the extradition process met Belgian law and European human rights standards.

President Donald Trump is set to name a new Federal Reserve chairman. He wants a leader who strongly supports lower interest rates. Trump also believes the Fed chair should consult with him on rate decisions. This move signals a potential shift in monetary policy. The chosen candidate will influence mortgage rates and the broader economy.

America has approved a record $11.1 billion arms package for Taiwan. This includes HIMARS, howitzers, and drones. Taiwan aims for asymmetric warfare with this support. The sales aim to bolster Taiwan's self-defense capabilities. This move increases tensions with China. Taiwan plans significant additional defense spending.

On December 19, the interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS will make its closest approach to Earth with NASA saying it poses no danger to our planet. Skygazers can watch comet 3I/ATLAS with the help of a telescope or binoculars as it won't be visible to the naked eye. NASA has already clarified comet 3I/ATLAS is not an alien object.

Geopolitics overshadowed cricket in 2025 as India-Pakistan tensions disrupted tournaments, with India refusing to accept the Asia Cup trophy. India also won the Champions Trophy, while their women's team secured a maiden World Cup title. South Africa shed their 'bridesmaids' tag, winning the World Test Championship and a historic Test series in India.

Estonia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Margus Tsahkna, has said that India can play a meaningful role in influencing Russia over its war against Ukraine, citing Delhi's strong economic ties with Moscow and its shared commitment to the principles of the United Nations Charter.

The US government has admitted fault in a deadly crash near Washington DC. An air traffic controller and an Army helicopter pilot's actions contributed to the collision. The crash killed 67 people. The government acknowledged its duty of care was breached. This led to the tragic accident. The National Transportation Safety Board will release its full report next year.

President Trump asserted in a White House speech that he is fixing the economy he inherited, despite public concerns about inflation and a slowing job market. He blamed his predecessor for economic challenges, while charts presented by Trump suggested an upward trajectory, though public sentiment remains cautious.

Dense fog continues to shroud the national capital, keeping air pollution in the very poor category for the third consecutive day and disrupting air traffic. While a slight improvement was noted, pollution levels are expected to persist and potentially worsen. Vehicular emissions and industrial output are significant contributors to the smog.

Mark Carney, a distinguished economist and politician, has been serving as Canada's 24th Prime Minister since 2025. His career includes leading the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England through significant global financial challenges. Carney's leadership emphasizes the crucial role of public inquiry and critical thinking in navigating societal adjustments and ensuring accountability.

Howard Florey, alongside his Oxford team, transformed Alexander Fleming's 1928 discovery into a life-saving drug. Their crucial work in isolating, purifying, and mass-producing penicillin in the late 1930s and early 1940s ushered in the antibiotic era. This groundbreaking achievement earned Florey a share of the 1945 Nobel Prize, cementing his legacy.

Survivor finale 49 airs Wednesday night on CBS. President Trump's address will interrupt the broadcast at 9 p.m. ET. The show will resume after the speech for Eastern and Central time zone viewers. The finale will crown a new Sole Survivor. Viewers can watch live on CBS or stream on Paramount+.

India and Saudi Arabia have signed a bilateral Visa Waiver Agreement for holders of diplomatic, special, and official passports. This agreement aims to facilitate official travel and boost bilateral exchanges under the India-Saudi Arabia Strategic Partnership Council. The move follows recent discussions on strengthening parliamentary ties between the two nations.

Oil giant BP has appointed Meg O'Neill as its new CEO. She will be the first woman to lead a top global oil major. O'Neill, currently heading Australia's Woodside Energy, takes charge from April 1. This move signals a significant shift for BP. Carol Howle will be the interim CEO. The company seeks transformative changes to boost shareholder value.

Ford Motor has cancelled a major electric vehicle battery supply deal with LG Energy Solution. The agreement was worth approximately 9.6 trillion won. This decision follows Ford's move to halt production of some EV models. The automaker cited policy changes and a weaker outlook for electric vehicle demand.

What time is Trump speaking tonight: President Donald Trump will address the nation tonight from the Oval Office. He plans to discuss his administration's achievements over the past eleven months. Trump will also outline his future plans for the country. The speech is expected to cover policy initiatives for the coming year.

The Economic Times Awards for Corporate Excellence 2025 celebrated outstanding achievements. Sajjan Jindal received the Business Leader of the Year award. Bharti Airtel was named Company of the Year. N Chandrababu Naidu earned Business Reformer of the Year. KP Singh and Cyrus Poonawalla were honored with Lifetime Achievement awards. Neal Mohan was selected as Global Indian of the Year.

Blake Mitchell death: OnlyFans creator Lane Rogers, known online as Blake Mitchell, tragically passed away at 31 following a motorcycle accident on the Pacific Coast Highway in Oxnard, California. He sustained fatal blunt force trauma after colliding with a box truck. Rogers, who boasted over 400,000 Instagram followers, began his adult film career in 2014. The investigation into the crash is ongoing.

Dan Bongino: FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino is reportedly preparing to leave his post, with President Trump suggesting he wishes to return to his media show. Bongino's tenure has been marked by controversy, including his appointment despite lacking FBI experience and past comments on conspiracy theories like the January 6 pipe bomb case and Jeffrey Epstein's death.

Barstool Netflix: Netflix is expanding its sports media offerings by partnering with Barstool Sports for a multi-year deal. Starting in early 2026, the streaming giant will exclusively feature video versions of three popular Barstool podcasts: Pardon My Take, The Ryen Russillo Podcast, and Spittin Chiclets. This move signals Netflix's focus on personality-driven sports content.

Republicans Obamacare: Four House Republicans joined Democrats on a discharge petition to force a vote on extending Obamacare subsidies, set to expire December 31. This move aims to prevent insurance costs from doubling for millions. The petition's success highlights Speaker Johnson's challenges with his narrow majority, with a vote likely in January.

Ursid meteor shower 2025: Look up for the Ursid meteor shower this year. It peaks on the night of December 21 into the early morning of December 22. This modest celestial event offers a chance to see 5 to 10 meteors per hour from a dark location. The thin crescent moon will aid viewing.

Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Noida, RateGain provides software as a service (SaaS) solutions to global travel and hospitality companies, helping them grow their business through customer acquisition, retention and wallet share expansion.

Sajjan Jindal has been named Business Leader of the Year for FY2025. JSW Group's aggressive strategy and financial discipline have driven success across multiple sectors. The conglomerate has expanded significantly in energy, paints, and automobiles. Steel remains a core business, while JSW Cement and JSW Infrastructure are also growing. The group's net sales and profits show strong growth.

Bryan Johnson immortality: Tech entrepreneur Bryan Johnson aims for immortality by 2039, believing current advancements in biological engineering make it a realistic goal. He cites nature's examples of longevity and the accelerating pace of AI-driven innovation as key factors. Johnson's ultimate aspiration is to achieve a youthful physical state combined with lifelong wisdom.

N Chandrababu Naidu has secured over Rs 10.7 lakh crore in investments for Andhra Pradesh. He is recognized for attracting businesses back to the state. Naidu's approach focuses on creating an environment for innovation and job creation. His leadership is seen as a new model for governance, emphasizing technology and efficiency. This has made Andhra Pradesh a sought-after investment destination.

Asian Paints is honored with The Economic Times Conscious Corporate Award, celebrating its commitment to social responsibility. By investing 3% of its annual profits into CSR initiativessurpassing the required 2%the company leads the way in fostering vocational skill development, promoting water conservation, and enhancing health services.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in reply to the debate in Rajya Sabha said opening up the sector would attract new insurers, intermediaries, and allied service providers, expanding the overall insurance ecosystem and creating net employment.

Millions of Amazon Prime users in the U.S. may get an automatic $51 refund after a settlement for unauthorized sign-ups. Eligible members should check their emails for PayPal, Venmo, or mailed payments. Refunds are available from November 12 to December 24, 2025. Those who dont get an email can claim money at subscriptionmembershipsettlement.com starting December 24.

For the first time since 1911, India's upcoming 2027 Census will include denotified tribes, aiming to elevate these historically marginalized communities into government recognition. This important step is designed to extend essential benefits and reservations to these populations, who were once categorized under the outdated Criminal Tribes Act before their denotification post-independence.

Spartacus House of Ashur Episode 4 release date, time, schedule and how to watch details confirm the episode airs on December 19, 2025. The story explains global timings, episode schedule, streaming platforms, cast, plot, and how viewers in different regions can watch the series.

Maharashtra minister Manikrao Kokate lost his portfolio Wednesday. This followed an arrest warrant in a 1995 cheating and forgery case. The Nashik District Court upheld his two-year jail term for fraudulently obtaining government flats. Kokate admitted himself to a Mumbai hospital. His lawyers are seeking urgent bail. This is the second NCP minister to face such a situation.

Bitcoin price today: Bitcoin faces pressure near $86,000. Uncertainty over the next US Federal Reserve Chair and year-end tax-loss selling are impacting the cryptocurrency. Investors are cautious as long-term holders sell and leveraged positions are liquidated. Analysts warn of a potential slip below $80,000 if selling continues. Bitcoin's performance is diverging from the S&P 500.

Home prices, rents, rates 2026: Housing market predictions for 2026 show slower home price growth, not a collapse. Mortgage rates may ease slightly but remain above 6%. Inventory stays tight in many regions, keeping competition high. Renters gain options as new apartments ease pressure. Buyers and homeowners must focus on financial readiness, equity, and local conditions. Read on to see expert tips for navigating 2026.

Parliament took on the SHANTI Bill, a pivotal piece regarding nuclear energy. The government praised the bill as a cornerstone for elevating India's stature on the global stage and its commitment to moving away from fossil fuels. Meanwhile, opposition voices raised alarms over the potential pitfalls of privatization and accountability in nuclear supply chains.

The EU agreed earlier this month on legislation to cut ties with Europe's former top gas supplier Russia, having vowed to do so after Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Lawmakers voted 500 in favour, 120 against and 32 abstained. The ban still requires formal approval by EU ministers, expected early next year. Officials expect countries to endorse the deal without changes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's journey to Ethiopia felt like a homecoming, as he drew inspiring connections between the African nation and his roots in Gujarat. He delivered heartfelt greetings on behalf of India, reflecting on their rich shared heritage. In discussing a crucial defense cooperation agreement, Modi championed the importance of unified security efforts.

Thousands of salad dressing cases from Costco and Publix are recalled nationwide due to black plastic found in granulated onions. Ventura Foods initiated the Class II recall affecting Italian, Caesar, and ranch varieties. While some Costco prepared foods were impacted, consumer-sold Hidden Valley products remain unaffected. The recall spans 27 states and Costa Rica.

Bridgerton Season 4 release date, filming and cast update confirms an early 2026 return on Netflix. The season focuses on Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett. Filming has ended, post-production is ongoing, and the season will release in two parts with eight episodes.

In a strategic surge to elevate its aerial powers, the Indian Navy is set to procure 26 Rafale M fighter jets from France, as announced by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi. This acquisition will significantly amplify its long-range strike capabilities.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced a plan to boost highway construction to 60 km daily. He also aims to make India's automobile sector the world's largest within a decade. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has set a target of 10,000 km for National Highways in the current financial year. Previous years saw significant construction achievements.

The James Webb Space Telescope has found a strange exoplanet with a lemon-like shape. The planet orbits a dead star and has a rare carbon-filled atmosphere. Scientists say this discovery is very unusual and hard to explain. The planets shape and air make it one of the strangest worlds ever seen in space.