News

India swiftly granted Pakistan permission to use its airspace for humanitarian aid to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, processing the request within four hours. This humanitarian gesture was made despite Pakistan's prior ban on Indian airlines, with officials dismissing Pakistani media reports of denial as fake news and propaganda.

A devastating fire in Hong Kong claimed over 150 lives. Investigations reveal fire safety violations in construction netting. While public support for survivors is immense, authorities are suppressing criticism. Arrests have been made for spreading 'fake news' and sedition. The government is providing aid to victims and housing assistance.

Winter skin gets dry and dull because the air has less moisture. Natural oils like coconut, olive, almond, argan, jojoba, and rosehip can help keep the skin soft and healthy. These oils give hydration, protect the skin, and add glow. Using the right oil in winter can make your skin feel smooth, calm, and well-nourished.

Tesla overvalued: Investor Michael Burry believes Tesla remains significantly overvalued. He warns that Elon Musk's large pay package could dilute existing shareholders' stakes. Burry criticizes the company's shifting hype narratives and compares the current market to past bubbles. Tesla's stock has seen gains this year amid optimism for its robotaxi and robot ventures.

Apple has challenged the amendment that allows the commission to impose penalties on the basis of a company's global turnover. Its potential penalty at the rate of 10% of the average global turnover for fiscal 2022 to 2024 could be about $38 billion (3.40 lakh crore), the US-based tech giant has told the court.

Civic polls in Maharashtra are set to commence on December 2. This marks the first major statewide election since last year's assembly polls. The elections will cover numerous municipal councils and nagar parishads. Later phases will include zilla parishads, panchayat samitis, and municipal corporations. Polls were delayed due to Covid and court cases.

In a bid to bolster local industry, a parliamentary committee is advocating for the domestic production of essential steel components. Leading manufacturers gathered to strategize on replacing imports of premium materials essential for transformers and automotive manufacturing. The emphasis is on fostering independence within these vital sectors.

IRS stimulus check: Trumps $2,000 tariff dividend: Trumps proposed $2,000 tariff dividend is driving new questions as December 2025 begins. Many want to know what the IRS is preparing, what Congress may allow, and who might qualify if any payment moves forward. The numbers, the revenue, and the politics all matter. And nothing is settled yet. Heres where the debate stands now.

Is Shopify down? Shopify experienced a significant outage on Cyber Monday, preventing thousands of merchants from accessing their stores and processing transactions. The e-commerce platform acknowledged login issues and worked to resolve them, but the exact cause remains under investigation as the disruption impacted one of the year's busiest shopping days.

The Reserve Bank of India has launched a new five-year plan to boost financial inclusion. This strategy focuses on improving access and usage of financial services for everyone. It includes specific goals for women and vulnerable groups. The plan aims to ensure financial safety and security for households and small businesses.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. This meeting is part of efforts to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine. Earlier, Ukrainian and US officials held productive talks. French President Macron seeks fair and lasting peace. Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US envoy Steve Witkoff.

The Reserve Bank of India has received another Rs 74 crore of Rs 2,000 notes in November. This brings the total circulation down to Rs 5,743 crore. The RBI had announced the withdrawal of these notes in May 2023. Banks accepted them until October 7. Now, RBI offices and India Post are facilitating their deposit.

India is acquiring additional Israeli Heron MK-II drones. Discussions are underway for local manufacturing of these advanced unmanned aerial vehicles. This move aims to boost India's defense manufacturing capabilities. The Heron MK-II drones are crucial for long-range surveillance. This initiative signifies a deepening of the Make in India initiative in the defense sector.

Three individuals, Ravjot, Gurkirat, and Kranti, have been remanded to three days' police custody by a Delhi court. The court also mandated that female officers interrogate the women accused. These arrests are connected to a protest and slogan-shouting incident near India Gate. Police are investigating the accused's alleged links to a banned organization and funding sources.

A Delhi court has sent Ashif, a 22-year-old, to five-day police custody. He is accused in a Pakistan-controlled terror module. This module is linked to gangster-turned-terrorist Shahzad Bhatti. Ashif is allegedly involved in a grenade attack outside a Gurdaspur police station. Investigators are examining his devices and tracing links to Bhatti.

Starting February 1, air travelers without REAL ID compliant identification will face a $45 fee. This charge applies for a 10-day period. The Transportation Security Administration is implementing this to encourage travelers to obtain enhanced identity documents. Previously, warnings and enhanced screening were used. The fee is nonrefundable and may cause delays at airport security. Children under 18 are exempt.

U.S. liquefied natural gas exports reached an all-time monthly high for the second consecutive month in November, totaling 10.9 million metric tonnes. Cooler weather and robust production from major exporters like Cheniere Energy drove this surge. Europe remained the primary market, receiving 70% of these exports.

Whitney Leavitt will debut on Broadway as Roxie Hart in Chicago. The Dancing with the Stars semi-finalist and Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star begins performances on February 2, 2026. This marks her first professional theatre role. Leavitt, a social media personality, will perform for a limited six-week engagement. Chicago is a long-running American musical.

Social Security spousal benefits allow eligible partners to claim up to 50% of their spouse's Primary Insurance Amount, providing crucial income for those with limited work histories. Eligibility requires marriage for at least one year and the primary spouse receiving benefits. Claiming early significantly reduces monthly payments, with no increase for delaying past full retirement age.

Spotify teased its annual Wrapped launch over the weekend with a TikTok post showcasing several artist-inspired variations of its logo. Fans were quick to identify the visual cues, interpreting them as nods to Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Katseye and PinkPantheress.

Nintendo fans received a surprise Cyber Monday treat when Walmart discounted the Nintendo Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle to $449.99, the lowest price so far. The bundle already saved buyers $30, but Walmarts deal essentially makes Mario Kart World free, a rare move for Nintendo hardware. The Switch 2 includes a 7.9-inch LCD screen, upgraded Joy-Con 2 controllers, faster internals, and backward compatibility with most original Switch titles.

Acharya was speaking at the inaugural of the conference that began at IISc on Monday with about 700 delegates including experts from both within and outside of India in attendance. These insights, he said, were essential for strengthening future frameworks for integrative care and translational research.

Injecting drug use is a major concern in Assam, driving over 60 percent of HIV cases. The Assam State AIDS Control Society is working to increase HIV status awareness. Efforts continue to combat stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV. More awareness campaigns are needed across the state.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin inaugurated Wonderla Chennai, a new amusement park in Thiruporur. This park, a Rs 611 crore investment, features 43 rides and 8 dining venues. It is expected to create 1,000 jobs. Wonderla Chennai opens to the public on December 2. This marks a significant addition to the state's leisure sector.

American factories faced a ninth consecutive month of contraction in November. Orders slumped and input prices rose, with import tariffs continuing to impact the sector. Factory employment also declined. This trend suggests ongoing challenges for U.S. manufacturing. The situation highlights persistent economic headwinds affecting industrial output.

A private school in Mira Road, Thane received a bomb threat email early Monday morning. Police immediately launched a search operation. The bomb detection and disposal squad thoroughly searched the premises. Officials confirmed the threat was a hoax. Security was deployed, and school sessions continued as normal.

Buying a house in 2025 is easier for many people. Mortgage rates are lower, and more homes are available, giving buyers more choices. Home price growth has slowed, while rent keeps rising, making buying more attractive. Comparing mortgage rates and negotiating on homes can save money. Year-end is a good time to buy and lock in a home

Officials said extensive data inputs with around 700 granular indicators are used for the quarterly estimates.

India's current account deficit significantly eased to $12.3 billion in Q2 FY24, primarily driven by robust services exports and remittances. This improvement contrasts with a wider deficit in the previous quarter and a substantial decline in foreign exchange reserves on a balance of payments basis.

With a firm peace deal between Russia and Ukraine still elusive, German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann believes that Putin's visit is an opportunity for India to send a message of peace to the Russian President.

Congress leaders from Uttarakhand met Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi at 10 Rajaji Marg on Monday to discuss the party's revamped organisational structure and roadmap for the state.

President Trump has selected his candidate to lead the Federal Reserve. He expects the nominee to lower interest rates. The announcement is imminent. Kevin Hassett, Trump's economic advisor, is considered a strong possibility. Hassett indicated the market reacted positively to the news. The chosen individual will need Senate approval. Powell's term as chair concludes in May.

A rise in solar radiation forced airlines globally to update software on thousands of Airbus A320-series jets after investigators spotted a vulnerability in the aircrafts flight control systems. The issue came to light following the JetBlue Flight 1230 incident on Oct. 30, 2025, when a sudden altitude drop resulted in an emergency landing. Airbus cautioned that extreme solar activity could corrupt significant flight-control data, impacting over 6,000 aircraft globally.

Eli Lilly has reduced the cost of its popular obesity drug Zepbound for American patients. This move aims to make the treatment more accessible as demand for weight-loss medications skyrockets. Patients can now access Zepbound at lower prices through Lilly's online platform. This initiative follows similar price adjustments for other formulations of the drug.

A senior Congress leader claims a government cash handout to women caused the INDIA bloc's election loss in Bihar. He called the scheme a bribe and questioned the Election Commission's silence. Other party members also pointed fingers, citing issues with seat distribution and alliance coordination.

Stock market prediction December 2025: Wall Street strategists are warning that the traditional Santa Claus rally may not occur this December. Unprecedented market behavior throughout the year, driven by AI disruption and volatility, has defied seasonal patterns. Investors are showing bearish sentiment, with a potential Fed rate cut's impact uncertain, making year-end gains less likely.

The Staff Selection Commission has opened online registrations for 25,487 Constable (GD) posts in CAPFs, SSF, and Assam Rifles for 2026. Applications are accepted from December 1 to December 31, 2025, with the exam tentatively scheduled for February to April 2026. Candidates need a 10th-class pass and must meet age criteria.

Social Security COLA 2026 is locked in at 2.8%, and retirees in five states are set to see the biggest dollar increases. The national average benefit will rise by about $56 to $2,071, but higher-benefit states will get more. Maryland retirees are projected to get $58.96, Delaware $59.97, New Hampshire $60.11, New Jersey $60.57, and Connecticut the highest at $60.66. The reason is simple: bigger base checks mean bigger raises. The percentage is the same for everyone, but higher lifetime earnings

Alina Habba is one of a number of U.S. attorneys whom the Trump administration has kept in power even though she was neither confirmed by the Senate nor appointed by district trial court judges -- the two traditional pathways.

In a challenging financial landscape, MLAs in Himachal Pradesh must now exercise patience as they await their area development funds and proposed salary increases. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that due to dwindling central grants and tighter borrowing limitations, disbursing the third installment of the MLA Local Area Development Fund (LADF) and salary hikes cannot occur this month.

GCC nations are set to trial a new one-stop travel system in December 2025, initially between the UAE and Bahrain. This initiative aims to streamline immigration and security, allowing travelers to complete checks only at departure. Successful trials could lead to a regional rollout, easing congestion and enhancing travel efficiency.

India aims to achieve $2 billion in organic food exports by 2030, with current exports reaching $665 million in 2024-25. The nation's organic production has surged to 46.99 lakh tonnes, driven by a 15% CAGR in cultivation area. The first Northeast India Organic Week is underway to boost regional organic potential.

Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences to Sri Lankan President Dissanayake following Cyclone Ditwah's devastation. India assured continued support under Operation Sagar Bandhu, aligning with Vision MAHASAGAR and its 'First Responder' role, to aid Sri Lanka's rehabilitation and restoration efforts.