The Economic Times News

BMC plans to spend over four crore rupees on special bed mats for its hospitals. These mats are claimed to reduce infections. However, infection control experts are unaware of the product. Its effectiveness in real hospital settings lacks validation. Laboratory reports support the claims, but clinical trials are missing. The procurement is proceeding despite these concerns.

Congress has demanded Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's resignation. The party claims the national carrier's condition has worsened under his tenure. Train fares have been raised twice, impacting common citizens. Congress also highlighted safety concerns, urging immediate implementation of the Kavach system. They pointed to issues with food quality and a lack of general class coaches.

Thousands of Americans may get cash after a major data breach settlement. A health care company has agreed to pay millions to close the case. Affected people can apply for money or free credit protection. The deadline to file a claim is near, so eligible patients should check if they qualify and act soon.

Gold price today surged to record highs above $4,400 as safe-haven demand intensified. Gold futures in New York jumped 1.3% to nearly $4,445. Rate-cut expectations fueled buying across precious metals markets. Central-bank demand stayed strong throughout 2025. Geopolitical risks lifted bullion appeal further. Silver and platinum also hit multi-year peaks. Investors now watch whether gold consolidates after this historic surge.

Retirement changes 2026: Big changes are coming for retirement in 2026. People can save more in IRAs and workplace plans. Social Security benefits will see a small increase. However, Medicare costs are going up. Prescription drug expenses will decrease for some. The full retirement age will also reach 67. Higher earners will pay more Social Security tax.

Responding on social media platform X, Malviya said Sonia Gandhi's recent article in an English daily reflected political speculation rather than a factual or legal assessment. He claimed her arguments were based on misrepresentations and selective interpretation, suggesting that she had not examined the provisions of the new Act.

International Monetary Fund data reveals a slight decrease in the U.S. dollar's global currency reserve share during the third quarter of 2025. The euro's share saw a modest increase. This follows significant market fluctuations in the preceding quarter. The shifts indicate a stabilization in reserve holdings after earlier volatility. Analysts note reserve managers adjusted to currency market movements.

Police documents reveal Naveed Akram, accused of the Bondi Beach massacre, trained with his father. They recorded footage justifying the attack. The pair threw unexploded bombs at a Jewish event. Akram faces 59 charges, including murder. This was Australia's worst mass shooting since 1996. New laws aim to tighten gun ownership.

BJP chief JP Nadda has accused Congress insiders of aiding the 2013 Jhiram Ghati Naxal attack. He stated that previous Congress governments colluded with Naxalites. The current BJP government under PM Narendra Modi has confronted Left-wing extremism decisively. Nadda highlighted surrenders and arrests of Naxalites. He criticized the previous Congress government for corruption and appeasement.

Delhi private schools' nursery admissions face confusion. The distance criterion, crucial for admission, is calculated differently by each school. This leads to varied outcomes for students living at the same address. Parents are seeking uniform guidelines for distance calculation. Schools use methods like Google Maps, aerial distance, and transport routes. This inconsistency creates an uneven playing field for applicants.

Artificial intelligence image generators have revolutionized digital creativity by transforming simple text descriptions into stunning visuals in seconds. Here's how these systems actually work, broken down for anyone curious about the technology reshaping design, marketing, and art creation.

The Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) Anjadip is third in a series of eight such platforms being built at the shipyard. The ship was delivered to the Navy at the Chennai Port Trust.

Quote of the day: Harper Lees 'To Kill a Mockingbird' rapidly emerged as a cornerstone of American literature. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and has since sold more than 40 million copies across the globe.

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav countered CM Yogi Adityanath's 'two namoone' jibe, interpreting it as an admission of internal BJP discord. Adityanath had targeted unnamed leaders in Delhi and Lucknow, implying they flee discussions. Yadav urged the BJP to resolve internal conflicts privately, not publicly.

India's eight core infrastructure sectors grew by 1.8% in November 2025, driven by strong performances in cement, steel, fertilizers, and coal production. This marks a rebound from the previous month's contraction. Cumulatively, the core sector expanded by 2.4% from April to November 2025-26.

India has significantly cut welfare system leakage by almost 13 percent. This achievement stems from major digital payment reforms. The country now leads globally in public welfare integrity. Technology adoption ensures aid reaches intended beneficiaries effectively. This success offers a model for other nations to enhance public spending and citizen access to benefits.

The Enforcement Directorate has attached properties worth Rs 110 crore in a money laundering case involving Prayag Group. The group allegedly collected Rs 2,863 crore from over 38 lakh investors through illegal schemes. Funds were diverted for personal gain and acquiring assets. Directors Basudeb Bagchi and Avik Bagchi are in judicial custody. A prosecution complaint has been filed.

Cambodia and Thailand agreed Monday to hold border talks this week, after a regional meeting in Malaysia aimed at halting deadly clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbours. Trump, whose administration helped broker the previous truce alongside Malaysia and China, claimed this month that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to halt the fighting.

Artificial intelligence falters in domains demanding moral judgment, contextual nuance, and human accountability. From healthcare diagnostics to criminal sentencing, relying wholly on AI exposes vulnerable populations to bias, wrongful outcomes, and erosion of critical thinking itself.

Renowned sarod player Shiraz Ali Khan fled Bangladesh after the cultural venue Chhayanaut was vandalized amid unrest. Khan, who concealed his Indian identity during his escape, expressed shock at the attack on the venue where he was scheduled to perform. His tabla player remains stranded in Dhaka.

Silver prices surged toward $70 an ounce, marking record highs and a historic 2025 rally. Gains exceed 140% this year. Gold, platinum, and palladium also surged strongly. Fed rate-cut bets, Trump policy pressure, and rising geopolitical tensions boosted safe-haven demand. Investors now watch technical levels closely as momentum remains powerful.

China will implement provisional tariffs of up to 42.7% on EU dairy products starting Tuesday, following an investigation into EU subsidies. This move is a retaliatory measure against EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, escalating trade tensions between Beijing and Brussels.

A large study reveals that workers whose sleep patterns clash with daily schedules, known as social jetlaggers, experience significant productivity loss. Insomnia and extreme sleep durations also negatively affect workplace performance. Researchers used smartphone data from nearly 80,000 Japanese workers to identify these trends. The findings highlight the critical role of sleep quality and timing in daily output.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lead the fifth national conference of chief secretaries in Delhi this week, from December 26-28. This significant gathering aims to further strengthen the partnership between the Centre and state governments. The event is expected to be attended by district collectors, magistrates, and representatives from Union ministries.

Goa police custody for nightclub owners Saurabh Luthra and Gaurav Luthra has been extended by five days. The siblings were arrested after a fire at their club, Birch by Romeo Lane, claimed 25 lives. They had fled to Thailand post the incident. Another owner, Ajay Gupta, has been remanded to judicial custody.

A Telangana sarpanch donned a bear costume to scare away monkeys plaguing his village, Lingapur. This unconventional approach followed failed attempts with cages. The sarpanch's viral effort highlights the persistent monkey menace across Telangana, prompting calls for government intervention and long-term solutions.

Researchers at IIT Delhi have developed a novel mosquito-repellent laundry detergent. This innovative product, used during regular washing, makes clothes unattractive to mosquitoes by interfering with their senses. The treated fabric significantly reduces mosquito landings, offering a new, effortless layer of daily protection against mosquito-borne diseases.

The Delhi High Court has protected actor R Madhavan's personality rights. Several websites and online platforms are now restrained from using his name or images for commercial gain without permission. The court also prohibited the use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology to exploit his personality traits. Obscene content found online has been ordered for takedown.

Quote of the day: Media icon Oprah Winfrey's powerful message 'You become what you believe' guides us. Her journey shows that inner conviction, not external validation, fuels success. This philosophy encourages focusing on strengths and learning from setbacks. Winfrey's wisdom offers a timeless approach to achieving personal fulfillment beyond mere fame or fortune.

New Zealand will invest twenty billion US dollars in India over the next fifteen years. This commitment is part of a new free trade agreement between the two nations. The pact aims to boost manufacturing, infrastructure, and services in India. This significant foreign direct investment is expected to create jobs and support India's growth vision.

India and Canada will soon begin discussions on the terms for a free trade agreement. This follows a pause in negotiations by Canada in 2023. India has already finalized trade pacts with Australia, the UK, and New Zealand. Negotiations with the US are also progressing. This signals India's growing global importance.

As India gears up for the Union Budget 2026, infrastructure spending is poised to be the cornerstone of the government's growth strategy. Industry leaders are urging a significant capital investment push to propel India towards becoming the world's third-largest economy, with a focus on attracting private investment and enhancing domestic competitiveness amidst global trade headwinds.

Strands challenges players to connect letters in multiple directions, up, down, across and diagonally. Words can twist and turn as they move through the grid, creating unexpected pathways. Each letter must be used exactly once, increasing the puzzles level of difficulty.

Pakistan and China have inked twenty-four Memoranda of Understanding to boost digital cooperation. These agreements aim to develop an innovative digital corridor for the IT industry. This initiative will create new opportunities for Pakistani tech firms and enhance ICT infrastructure development. The collaboration is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's second phase, focusing on digital skills training and AI adoption.

Indias central and state governments are set for heavy borrowing in Q1, with total debt issuance estimated at 8.1 trillion ($90.3B)3.1 trillion from the Centre and 5 trillion from states. Elevated supply is expected to push bond yields higher, increasing borrowing costs and potentially straining budgets.

2025 Best Christmas Gift Ideas: Discover thoughtful Christmas gift ideas for everyone on your list, from kids and parents to friends and colleagues. Explore categories like educational toys, personalized items, gourmet treats, and desk essentials. The best presents are chosen with care, spreading joy and festive cheer this holiday season.

In Chandausi, police uncovered a gruesome murder where a wife allegedly conspired with her lovers to kill her husband, dismember his body, and dump the parts. The discovery of severed remains led to the identification of Rahul, a shoe trader, through an engraving on his arm.

A Russian expat in India, Kseniia Shakirzianova, has gone viral for debunking common myths about the country. Living there for three years, she shared her personal experiences, refuting assumptions about drastic tan changes, weight gain from oily food, constant two-wheeler travel, daily sari wear, spiritual disappearances, and excessive masala chai consumption. Her candid approach resonated widely.

Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir received Saudi Arabia's highest civilian honour, the King Abdulaziz Medal of Excellence. This comes after a strategic defence pact between the two Muslim-majority countries earlier this year. Asim Munir's recent remarks on divine help during the India conflict in May also went viral.

Auto components giant SAMIL is set to expand its global reach in wiring harness solutions. The company is in exclusive talks to acquire the global wiring harness business of Nexans AutoElectric GmbH. This deal, valued at 207 million euros, aims to strengthen SAMIL's position in the automotive sector.