The Economic Times News

Sunrisers Hyderabad, after a disappointing 2024 season, are looking to rebuild their squad in the upcoming mini-auction. With a significant purse and several slots to fill, the franchise is targeting key players to address weaknesses in their bowling and batting departments. SRH aims to strengthen their death bowling and middle-order batting to challenge for the IPL title.

Chinese coast guard ships aggressively used water cannons and blocking tactics against Philippine fishing boats near Sabina Shoal, injuring three Filipinos and damaging two vessels. Anchor lines were also cut, endangering crews. The Philippine coast guard intervened, providing aid and urging adherence to international conduct, while the US reiterated its defense commitment to its ally.

Lionel Messi's much-anticipated Kolkata appearance descended into chaos after crowd surges cut short his lap of honour at Salt Lake Stadium. Amid the chaos, Satadru Dutta is gaining prominence as he is the man behind the Lionel Messi's India GOAT Tour 2025. He has already brought football legends like Pele, Diego Maradona, and Cafu to India.

Billionaire Gretel Packer has purchased a neighbouring property in Bellevue Hill for $59 million. This significant acquisition, made off-market, more than doubles the size of her existing Sydney estate. The deal, including stamp duty, pushes the total cost beyond $60 million. Packer, daughter of the late Kerry Packer, continues to expand her impressive property holdings.

A significant verdict from the Delhi High Court declares that airline pilots fall under the category of 'workmen' as per labor laws. The court emphasized that holding notable job titles or earning high salaries does not exempt pilots from necessary protections. Pilots are primarily responsible for flying planes, not engaging in management.

Uttarakhand's Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the Aroma Revolution Policy 2026-36. This initiative aims to significantly increase the state's aroma industry turnover. The policy will establish seven aroma valleys and five satellite centers. Farmers will receive substantial subsidies for cultivation. The goal is to elevate the industry's financial standing over the next decade.

Drone attacks in Russia's Saratov region killed at least two people and damaged infrastructure, while Ukraine experienced widespread power outages following Russian strikes on energy facilities. These incidents occur amidst ongoing U.S.-led peace talks, which face significant hurdles regarding occupied Ukrainian territories and Russia's demands for troop withdrawal.

Indonesia is grappling with a devastating disaster. Torrential rains and landslides on the island of Sumatra have claimed over a thousand lives. Thousands more are injured and over a million people have been forced from their homes. Rescuers are working tirelessly to reach those affected. The government states relief efforts are improving and supplies are adequate.

The Delhi High Court has stated that the Graded Response Action Plan is for pollution control, not for individual employee rights. A central government employee's plea for work-from-home due to workplace pollution was denied. The court noted that GRAP provisions for work-from-home are discretionary and have been revoked. The employee can seek a transfer out of Delhi on health grounds.

Australia's Federal Energy Minister announced a $5 billion expansion to the battery subsidy program due to rapid depletion of its initial $2.3 billion budget. The scheme, designed to lower home battery costs, will be adjusted to ensure fairness across various system sizes and will be administered through the SRES, ensuring safety and accreditation standards are met.

Kerala election results 2025: The BJP-led NDA received a huge boost after the alliance crossed the magic mark in Thiruvanathapuram Corporation. R Sreelekha's win from Thiruvananthapuram came as big relief for the party. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also acknowledged BJP's 'historic performance' and called it 'notable shift in the capital's political landscape.'

Indian and Chinese foreign ministry officials met in Beijing to discuss bilateral relations, noting positive momentum and reaffirming commitments made by their leaders. Both sides agreed to boost exchanges, restore dialogue, manage differences, and enhance cooperation on regional and global issues. Discussions also covered trade and the need for early resolution of export control matters.

IPL Auction 2026 these 10 big players are in focus. The IPL auction on December 16 features 350 players vying for 77 slots with a combined purse of 237.50 crore. Kolkata Knight Riders lead with 64.3 crore, while Mumbai Indians must shop smartly with 2.75 crore. This year's auction is set to see big spending on marquee players like Cameron Green, Venkatesh Iyer, Ravi Bishnoi and Liam Livingstone.

Aditya Dhars Dhurandhar is captivating audiences with its powerful performances and remarkable physical transformations. A behind-the-scenes video has revealed the detailed makeup process that made Gaurav Gera almost unrecognisable as Mohammad Aalam, drawing widespread praise for its realism and adding to the films strong box office success.

A court has acquitted actor Dileep in the sensational 2017 actress sexual assault case. The judge stated the prosecution failed to prove conspiracy charges. Key evidence regarding a gold ring was found inconsistent. Approvers' statements also changed during the trial. The court found no reliable evidence for the alleged motive or planning.

Shubman Gill faces immense pressure to cement his T20 World Cup spot as Team India confronts South Africa in the third T20I. Skipper Suryakumar Yadav's form is also under scrutiny. With a formidable Proteas pace attack and a bouncy Dharamsala pitch, India's top order must deliver. Coach Gambhir faces tough selection calls with limited games remaining.

A bus carrying the Athabasca Rivermen junior hockey team crashed on a snowy and icy highway in northern Alberta early Friday morning. Two teenagers were hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, while others sustained minor injuries. The incident occurred on Highway 2 around 8 am, with the bus veering into a ditch and colliding with trees.

Settler violence in the West Bank has escalated dramatically. Reports indicate increased kidnappings and abuse, with alleged military involvement. This surge follows significant political shifts within Israel. Key ministers with pro-settler ideologies now hold influential positions. Policies are being implemented that facilitate settler actions. This trend is reshaping Israeli institutions and impacting the peace process.

Football legend Lionel Messi's visit to Kolkata faced significant disruptions. Frustrated fans resorted to throwing bottles and attempting to breach gates at Salt Lake Stadium. The highly anticipated GOAT Tour was cut short due to the chaos. Many fans were unable to catch a glimpse of the star, leading to disappointment and security concerns.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has approved road projects worth Rs 1.50 lakh crore for Maharashtra. These significant infrastructure developments are set to commence in the next three months and will be completed by 2026. Key projects include a new Pune-Sambhajinagar expressway and an elevated road in Pune.

BJP candidate R Sreelekha won from the Sasthamangalam division in the Thiruvananthapuram corporation in a big boost for the NDA. R Sreelekha is the first woman IPS officer who retired as DGP in 2020 and later joined the BJP. She earned the title of 'Raid Sreelekha' or her high-visibility operations when she was on deputation with the CBI.

Amidst ongoing discussions about fiscal policy, President Donald Trump has identified two potential candidates for the role of Federal Reserve chair. His stance is clear; he wants to be part of the conversation around interest rate decisions, having openly challenged the existing policies of the Fed.

AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami alleges Karnataka's Congress government plans to make Tamil Nadu a desert by building the Mekedatu dam. He criticizes Tamil Nadu's DMK government for not strongly defending the state's rights. Tamil Nadu has filed review petitions and pleas regarding the project's detrimental impact. The Mekedatu project aims to supply water to Bengaluru and generate power.

Geopolitical instability is the top future risk for Indian businesses. Nearly half of top executives see it as the biggest threat in the next five years. Cyberattacks and data breaches are also major board-level concerns. Companies face talent and digital capability gaps. Indian firms are in an era of chronic, interconnected risks.

As West Bengal gears up for its elections, a notable uptick in religious symbolism is evident. Political rallies are increasingly hosted at temples and mosques, diverting attention from critical issues like job creation and migration challenges. This shift is amplifying communal differences, with leaders strategically using religious identity to cement their voter appeal.

A 12-year-old boy from Lethbridge, Alberta, has pleaded guilty to attempting to murder his seven-year-old brother. The attack, which involved multiple stab wounds, was reportedly premeditated and influenced by violent online content. The younger sibling sustained severe injuries. The older boy will be sentenced under a rehabilitative custody and supervision order, addressing significant mental health challenges.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has voiced strong opposition to reports of renaming the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act. She highlighted the significant government expenditure involved in such a change, deeming it unnecessary. Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi also criticized the move, calling it a distraction. The scheme provides guaranteed rural employment.

Delhi reimposes GRAP Stage III restrictions due to severe air pollution, with AQI reaching 349. The ban includes non-essential construction, demolition, and stone crushing. Classes up to Grade 5 shift to hybrid mode, and BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel cars are restricted, with exemptions for persons with disabilities.

New labour codes, effective November 2025, are poised to significantly boost women's workforce participation by enhancing safety, security, and accessibility. These reforms consolidate existing laws, strengthen maternity benefits, expand social security to gig workers, and allow women to work in previously restricted sectors, fostering greater economic independence and career advancement.

Vyshna SL, a Congress candidate from Muttada division, has won the local body polls. Her name was removed from the voters' list but reinstated by the Kerala High Court. She secured victory with a margin exceeding 300 votes. Vyshna stated this win is for democracy and recognizes their hard work. The Congress had alleged a conspiracy behind her name's removal.

A BJP leader claims a Babri Masjid in West Bengal is a plot to create Bangladesh. This comes as a TMC MLA plans to build the mosque and launch a new party. The MLA states the construction is constitutional. The BJP criticizes the Chief Minister's alleged inaction. The mosque project includes a hospital and guesthouse.

Chinese coast guard ships fired water cannon and cut anchor lines, wounding three Filipino fishermen and damaging two vessels near Sabina Shoal. Manila's coast guard condemned the actions, calling them unprofessional and unlawful interferences in the Philippine exclusive economic zone. Despite blockades, Filipino rescuers reached the injured fishermen and provided aid.

Delhi's air quality has plunged back into the 'severe' category, prompting authorities to reimpose Stage III restrictions under GRAP across the NCR. Unfavorable weather conditions, including slow winds and a stable atmosphere, led to a sharp overnight rise in pollution levels, causing widespread smog and respiratory discomfort.

Dhurandhar is performing well in India and this weekend, the Ranveer Singh's movie defeated Prabhass Baahubali 2-The Conclusion' at the North American box office, making a new record. But despite its strong performance, the movie has been banned in six Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia and UAE, due to its anti-Pakistan messaging.

A Special Investigation Team has filed a charge sheet in the Aland Assembly segment 'vote chori' case. Seven individuals, including a former BJP MLA and his son, are named. The case involves alleged efforts to remove thousands of voters' names. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar highlighted a campaign against vote theft, with a protest rally planned in Delhi.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan led Parliamentarians in paying floral tributes to martyrs of the 2001 Parliament attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered tributes. The event marked the 24th anniversary of the attack. CISF personnel presented a salute. Several leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, were present.

Our planet Earth and Mercury have invisible tails stretching millions of kilometres. These cosmic tails are real phenomena. Mercury's tail glows orange due to sodium atoms. Earth's magnetotail is formed by its magnetic field. It shields us from solar wind. These tails offer insights into planetary interactions and space weather.

Delhi woke to partly cloudy skies on December 13, 2025. Air quality remained a concern, hovering in the 'very poor' category. Vehicular emissions and stagnant weather contributed to pollution. Advisories were issued for limited outdoor exposure. Air quality is expected to remain poor and may worsen. Several areas recorded 'very poor' and 'severe' AQI readings.

China's Wang Yi seeks deeper oil and gas ties with UAE on Middle East tour

Canada achieved its first trade surplus since the US trade war began, with September exports soaring and imports declining. This positive shift, driven by strong non-US market performance and diversification efforts, signals economic resilience. The Bank of Canada maintained its interest rate, deeming it appropriate for growth and stability, while a growing 'Buy Canadian' sentiment reflects consumer sentiment.

Quote of the day by Nelson Mandela: Nelson Mandela's enduring quote, It always seems impossible until its done, continues to inspire millions by emphasizing the power of perseverance. His words, forged in struggle, remind us that meaningful change, whether personal or societal, requires patience and unwavering belief. Mandela's legacy teaches that overcoming perceived impossibilities is achievable through resilience and a determined mindset.

UN experts have raised serious concerns over the detention conditions of former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan. They are urging the Pakistani government to take immediate action. Reports indicate Khan is held in solitary confinement for excessive periods, with restricted access to the outside world. Experts warn these conditions could amount to torture and violate international human rights law.

President Trump downplayed newly released photos showing him with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, stating he knew nothing about him and that everybody knew this man. The images, released by the House Oversight Committee, also feature Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, and Steve Bannon, intensifying calls for full disclosure of Epstein-related files.