The Economic Times News

The Indian Street Premier League concluded its Season 3 Player Auction in Mumbai. Eight franchises invested nearly Rs 10 crore in 144 players. Vijay Pawle became the league's highest-ever buy at Rs 32.50 lakh. Two new teams, Ahmedabad Lions and Delhi Superheros, joined the competition. The auction showcased emerging talent and attracted cricket and Bollywood personalities.

Odisha has significantly increased MLA salaries, tripling their monthly earnings to Rs 3.45 lakh, making it one of India's highest. This revision, effective from June 2024, also boosts pay for CM, ministers, and former MLAs, with pensions and allowances seeing substantial hikes. The move received unanimous support, citing increased responsibilities and living costs.

US stock futures ticked higher early Wednesday. Dow at 47,635. S&P 500 at 6,856. Nasdaq at 25,724. Markets wait for the Feds final 2025 decision. A 90% chance of a rate cut drives caution. Silver hits $61.47, a record. Big moves ahead. Scroll for full data and drivers.

Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, America's largest bank, has once again repeated his claim that AI will eventually eliminate jobs. He urged workers to focus on unique human-only skills such as critical thinking, clear communication and emotional intelligence. Jamie Dimon has been optimistic about the long-term potential of AI.

Shashi Tharoor has refused to accept the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award, stating he was not informed about the award's nature or the organizing body. A senior Congress colleague had also urged him not to accept any honor named after Savarkar. The award organizers claim Tharoor was informed and invited.

India's Goods and Services Tax (GST), introduced in 2017, unified indirect taxes, simplifying compliance and fostering a national market. Recent rate cuts, despite simplifying the structure, have maintained stable collections, demonstrating economic resilience. These collections are crucial for government spending and meeting fiscal targets, especially as they boost consumption and support GDP growth amidst global uncertainties.

India and the EU are nearing a free trade agreement, with a rough outline now prepared. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in an early conclusion, noting positive discussions with EU officials. Both sides are committed to finalizing the deal, which could significantly boost bilateral trade in goods and services, impacting sectors like automobiles and pharmaceuticals.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has directed officials to ensure the timely completion of 428 development projects, collectively valued at Rs 50,000 crore. These projects were announced during his Pragati Yatra from December 2024 to February 2025.

Maharashtra Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar has declared wrongful toll deductions from electric vehicles (EVs) on major highways as illegal. He has mandated the state government to fully enforce the EV toll waiver within eight days and establish a refund mechanism for wrongly charged users.

India's economic growth forecast for FY26 has been boosted to 7.2 percent by the Asian Development Bank. This upgrade is driven by robust domestic consumption, supported by recent tax cuts. Manufacturing and services sectors are showing firm gains. The Reserve Bank of India also increased its growth estimate.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has taken on the BJP's criticism aimed at Rahul Gandhi's upcoming visit to Germany, slated for December 15 to 20. She challenged the BJP's obsession with questioning opposition leaders' trips, drawing attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's own extensive foreign excursions.

Tirumala dupatta scam: The Tirumala temple is embroiled in a new controversy over dupattas. Investigations reveal a decade-long alleged fraud where fake polyester dupattas were supplied as pure mulberry silk. This scam involves a vendor who supplied cloth worth nearly Rs 55 crore. The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams has referred the matter to the Anti-Corruption Bureau for a full investigation.

The Malkangiri administration in Odisha saw violent clashes, internet shutdown and prohibitory orders being imposed after a headless body of an Adivasi woman led to violence. Clashes between tribal communities and Bengali settlers led to the destruction of 160 houses. The confrontation happened after a gruesome killing of a 51-year-old tribal woman, whose headless body was recovered from a riverbank last week.

Trinamool Congress MPs staged a protest in Parliament. They demanded a white paper on funds for West Bengal. The party alleges the central government owes the state significant amounts.

Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, marking a significant global recognition for the widely celebrated Indian tradition. This inscription reinforces India's cultural footprint as it hosts the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Committee session in Delhi, highlighting the importance of safeguarding living traditions.

Interpol has issued Blue Corner Notices against nightclub owners Saurabh and Gaurav Luthra. The notices aim to trace the absconding owners who fled to Thailand after a fire killed 25 people. Other owners also face charges. Authorities are investigating all responsible parties. The nightclub operated without proper licenses and safety measures.

India already has 15 other elements inscribed on the UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, including the Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja of Kolkata, Garba dance of Gujarat, yoga, the tradition of Vedic chanting and Ramlila -- the traditional performance of the epic 'Ramayana'.

Deepavali, the festival of lights, has been inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List. Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the decision, stating it will boost the festival's global popularity. The announcement was made during a UNESCO meeting hosted in Delhi.

Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado will not attend the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, with the Norwegian Nobel Institute confirming her absence. Machado, who faces a travel ban and criminal accusations from Venezuela's government, will be represented by her daughter. Her win has intensified Venezuela's political confrontation with the United States and her alignment with former President Trump.

After Spotify Wrapped, ChatGPT Wrapped is going viral with many people creating AI yearly wrapped with a simple prompt. ChatGPT users are sharing their Wrapped results and the trend is now live. If you also want to make ChatGPT Wrapped, type the phrase: 'Make me a ChatGPT Wrapped summary like a Spotify Wrapped showing my usage this year.'

Kia Seltos 2026 Price in India: Kia India is set to launch the next-generation Seltos 2026 on December 10, 2025. This highly anticipated mid-size SUV will feature a bolder exterior design, a completely redesigned premium interior with dual 12.3-inch displays, and enhanced safety features including an improved ADAS package.

A new survey reveals Indian children are starting drug use at an alarming average age of 12.9, with one in seven students experimenting with substances. Tobacco and alcohol are most common, but opioids, cannabis, and inhalants are also significant concerns, driven by easy access and unaddressed emotional distress.

A personal grudge between two young men escalated into a national security alarm, involving the Delhi and Bengaluru Police Commissioners. A BCA student allegedly orchestrated a cyber threat campaign, using spoofed emails and fake complaints to frame his rival, Mohit, and destroy his reputation.

Sleek silhouettes, glossy glam, and a less-is-more approach that still feels powerful. Her looks are elegant without trying and bold without excess, giving a new definition to effortless evening dressing.

Nothing has launched the Phone (3a) Community Edition. This special phone was designed with input from its global community. Over 700 submissions were received. Hardware draws inspiration from the late 90s. Software focuses on clarity. A marketing campaign highlights this co-creation. The phone is priced at Rs. 28,999. Only 1,000 units will be produced globally.

Congress leader K Muraleedharan urged party members, including Shashi Tharoor, to reject any award in Veer Savarkar's name, citing Savarkar's past actions. Tharoor, who is slated to receive the Veer Savarkar International Impact Award 2025, stated he was unaware of the award and would not attend the ceremony.

Akshaye Khanna's performance and the dance moves on 'FA9LA' in the spy thriller Dhurandar has become the talk of the town. Now, a video has gone viral which shows Akshaye Khanna's father Vinod Khanna grooving with Rekha and former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. Netizens believe that Akshaye Khanna channelised his father in the viral track.

Fast bowler Blair Tickner suffered a suspected shoulder dislocation on day one of the second Test against the West Indies, forcing him off the field. Tickner had been in impressive form, taking four wickets, but his injury adds to New Zealand's growing list of absent fast bowlers, deepening their seam-bowling woes.

Startling global figures indicate that more than a billion people experienced sexual violence during their childhood. In the year 2023, approximately 608 million women were subjected to violence by their partners, resulting in dire health impacts, such as mental health disorders and long-term physical ailments. The situation in India mirrors these global trends with troubling frequency.

87-year-old Mandakini Shah of Ahmedabad defies expectations, confidently navigating the city on her scooter. From a childhood of struggle to a life dedicated to social work and empowering women, she has always forged her own path.

Australian stocks: Australia's S&P/ASX 200 index saw a minor dip of 6.50 points to 8,579.40 on Wednesday, December 10. Despite the slight decline, the index remains largely stable over the week and is up 5.15% year-to-date. Reliance Worldwide Corporation and Iluka Resources were the day's weakest performers, while Droneshield Limited led the gainers.

Intense clashes erupted between Thailand and Cambodia. Thai F16 jets bombed Cambodian villages. Cambodia fired rockets at a Thai hospital. Fighting occurred at multiple border locations. Several soldiers were killed and injured on both sides. Landmines were also found. This escalation follows a recent peace agreement suspension.

Kareena Kapoor Khan has embraced a lifestyle shift that revolves around slow living, a rhythm that balances fame with thoughtful intentional choices. Its a version of ease built not on laziness but on clarity and conscious living.

Google has launched Google AI Plus in India for Rs 399 per month, with a promotional Rs 199 rate for six months. The plan offers enhanced access to Gemini 3 Pro, Nano Banana Pro image tools, video generation, and AI features in Gmail and Docs. It also includes NotebookLM access, 200 GB storage, and sharing benefits with up to five family members.

3I/ATLAS emanates unusual X-rays? Scientists report new X-ray activity from interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS during XRISM observations. The glow may link to charge-exchange reactions between solar wind and comet gas. Researchers plan more analysis to confirm the origin and understand its behavior before it exits the solar system next year.

Vitamin B12 is vital for energy and nerve health. Many Indians, particularly vegetarians, face B12 deficiency. This essential nutrient supports red blood cell production and brain function. Simple dietary additions like milk, curd, paneer, eggs, and fortified foods can boost levels. Non-vegetarians can include fish and chicken. Supplements are also an effective option.

Captain Pat Cummins is set to return for Australia's third Ashes Test after recovering from a back issue, boosting the team's bowling attack. However, Josh Hazlewood has been ruled out for the remainder of the series due to Achilles and hamstring injuries, shifting his focus to next year's T20 World Cup.

Ilhan Omar has once again become the target of US President Donald Trump. The MAGA chief stepped up his attack against Ilhan Omar, claiming that she married her brother to get into the US and insisted that she should get the hell out of the country. The claim that Rep. Ilhan Omar committed immigration fraud by illegally marrying her brother is false.

Two lucky Australians are now multi-millionaires after sharing the $30 million Oz Lotto jackpot. A West Australian and a New South Wales resident each secured $15 million. The winning numbers were 21, 15, 3, 6, 9, 33, and 19. This marks a significant life change for the two ticket holders.

Full Budget and Vote on account explanation: A Full Budget is the government's comprehensive annual financial plan, detailing past performance and future revenue and spending. In contrast, a Vote on Account is a temporary measure for essential expenses when a full budget cannot be presented, typically during elections. Unlike a full budget, it doesn't introduce new policies or tax changes.

2025 brings three compelling mid-range smartphones. The Realme P4x 5G excels in performance and battery life. The Vivo T4R 5G offers premium design and durability. The Moto G57 Power 5G focuses on extended battery and clean software. These devices cater to different user needs, providing powerful options without breaking the bank.

Akshaye Khanna candidly shared his childhood confusion over his father Vinod Khanna's spiritual renunciation to follow Osho. As a teenager, Akshaye found understanding through Osho's teachings, realizing his father's deep inner calling. He now holds no bitterness, only respect for his father's complex legacy.

Ryan Wedding: Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan James Wedding, now on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list, is being sought for allegedly leading a transnational cocaine trafficking operation and orchestrating multiple murders. New photos released by authorities show the 44-year-old, believed to be in Mexico, as the US Department of State offers a $15 million reward for information leading to his arrest.

Realme's P4x 5G launches today at noon with an exclusive 12-hour sale on the company's website. Priced from 13,499 with launch coupons, this performance-focused mid-ranger boasts a Dimensity 7400 Ultra 5G chip, a 144Hz display, and a massive 7,000mAh battery, promising an immersive multimedia and gaming experience.