The Economic Times News

Security forces and terrorists are engaged in an encounter in the Sohan area of Udhampur district in Jammu and Kashmir. This operation began following intelligence inputs. The Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police have made contact with the terrorists. Fire has been exchanged. The operation is currently ongoing.

Japan faces a significant threat from a powerful earthquake along the Nankai Trough. This event, predicted to occur within decades, could trigger colossal tsunamis and result in widespread devastation. Authorities are on high alert following recent seismic activity. The nation, prone to tremors, prepares for a potential disaster on the scale of past catastrophic events.

Astrology followers often treat the turn of the year as a symbolic fresh start, but 2026 is distinctive in its emphasis on rewarding sustained effort, perseverance, and inner resilience built over time.

Major attacks were planned during New Year's Eve in places in Los Angeles.

Social Security maximum benefits in 2026 after COLA adjustment: In 2026, the maximum Social Security retirement benefit is expected to reach about $5,251 per month. This amount applies only to workers who earned at or above the Social Security wage cap for at least 35 years and delayed claiming benefits until age 70. On an annual basis, that translates to more than $63,000 a year in guaranteed income from Social Security alone.

A leaked low-quality teaser for Avengers: Doomsday has sparked significant excitement among Marvel fans, with reports indicating that the clip confirms Steve Rogers return. The footage reportedly concentrates on a quiet, emotional moment rather than large-scale action, reinforcing Marvels speculated approach of releasing character-driven previews.

Tesla stock moved higher after Elon Musk shared an update on robotaxi testing. Investors are closely watching Teslas self-driving plans, which play a big role in future growth hopes. The news increased market confidence as the company prepares for more driverless technology testing and new vehicle launches, keeping attention on Teslas next steps in automation.

Seed cycling, a food-based wellness trend, involves consuming specific seeds at different menstrual cycle phases to support hormonal balance. While direct scientific evidence is limited, individual seeds offer nutrients linked to hormone health. Experts suggest it can be a supportive dietary addition but not a replacement for medical care.

A video of Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, former Kalmykia president, claiming alien abduction has gone viral again. He says extraterrestrials took him aboard a spacecraft in 1997. Ilyumzhinov shared details of their appearance and messages about Earth's history and humanity's development. His unverified testimony continues to divide internet users.

The United States said Monday it offered strong, NATO-like security guarantees to Ukraine and voiced confidence that Russia would accept, in what Washington said would be a breakthrough in ending the war. But another US official voiced confidence that Russia would back the deal.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor explained his absence from the party's 'Vote Chor Gaddi Chhod' rally in Delhi, citing a prior international commitment. He assured that everything is fine from his side. Tharoor also commented on the Kerala local body election results, acknowledging the BJP's win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation while highlighting the UDF and Congress alliance's strong performance elsewhere.

Filmmaker Rob Reiner's strong criticisms of Donald Trump are being revisited after his death. Reiner had repeatedly warned about Trump's impact on American democracy, calling him unfit for office and a threat to autocracy. His views are now gaining attention amid an ongoing investigation into his and his wife's deaths. The situation highlights Reiner's outspoken stance on political matters.

Fallout Season 2 early release date, time, schedule and how to watch details are now confirmed by Prime Video. The series will premiere one day earlier than planned. This explainer covers the release time, episode schedule, cast list, story setup, and streaming details.

Inherited an IRA? Learn how to avoid big taxes and penalties. Know key terms like Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, RMDs, and the 10-year rule. Talk to a financial advisor, understand your beneficiary type, let your money grow, and name your beneficiaries. These steps help manage inherited IRAs safely and save money for the future.

The Reserve Bank of India is injecting Rs 1.5 lakh crore into the financial system. This move aims to prevent any cash crunch as advance tax and GST payments are due. The central bank is conducting a dollar-rupee buy-sell swap to add more liquidity. This action will help keep overnight interest rates stable.

A new bill, the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, has been introduced in Lok Sabha. It proposes a new overarching higher education commission. This commission will oversee three specialized councils. These councils will handle regulation, accreditation, and academic standards for universities and higher education institutions across India. The bill aims to streamline higher education governance.

The Lok Sabha has approved an additional Rs 41,455 crore in spending for the current fiscal year. This includes over Rs 18,000 crore for fertiliser subsidies and approximately Rs 9,500 crore for the Petroleum Ministry to cover oil marketing company under-recoveries. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the necessity of supplementary demands for responsible governance.

Now You See Me 3: Fans eager to bring a dose of cinematic magic to the holiday season have something to look forward to, as Now You See Me 3, officially titled Now You See Me: Now You Dont, is gearing up for its digital release.

Rob Reiners son Nick Reiner was arrested even as U.S. President Donald Trump made shocking remarks.

President Donald Trump encountered heavy backlash online after posting controversial statements on Truth Social about the passing of Hollywood director Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. The pair was tragically killed at their Los Angeles home in an apparent double homicide, with reports stating their throats were slashed after a heated argument. Trumps remarks received criticism from social media users, including some of his supporters.

When will Spotify be back up and any fix applied yet? Spotify users across several countries faced service issues as reports of Spotify down, Spotify outage today, and Spotify not working surged. Downdetector data, user reactions, and Spotify status updates show gradual recovery.

A Gujarati singer, Kinjal Dave, and her family have been expelled by the Panch Pargana Audichya Brahma Samaj for her intercaste engagement. The community cited protecting girls as the reason for the lifelong boycott, which will be enforced across over 200 villages. Dave has vowed legal action against those opposing her family.

BTC crash: Bitcoin price slipped below $87,000 today after a sharp selloff wiped out nearly $200 million in leveraged long positions within minutes, data from Coinglass shows. The drop followed BTCs failure to hold above $90,000, dragging major altcoins lower. Traders are now watching whether key support levels can hold or break next.

Cathie Wood and ARK Invest sold some Tesla shares, which surprised many investors. The move was mainly for portfolio balance and risk control. ARK is still positive on Teslas future, especially its self-driving and robo-taxi plans. The stock remains highly debated on Wall Street, with mixed views from analysts.

John Cena, globally recognized WWE superstar and actor, and his wife Shay Shariatzadeh have a 12-year age gap, which often draws media attention. Cena is 48 and Shariatzadeh is 36, yet their connection thrives on mutual respect and shared values. Meeting in 2019 during filming in Vancouver, their love developed privately, leading to a secret wedding in Tampa, Florida, in 2020.

Kolkata celebrated the 54th Vijay Diwas with a grand Military Tattoo. The Eastern Command organized a series of events. Lt Gen RC Tiwari spoke about Indo-Bangladesh friendship and the bravery of Indian forces. The event featured impressive military displays, including helicopter fly-pasts and combat maneuvers.

Erika Kirk rose to national prominence after becoming CEO of Turning Point USA in September 2025, after the assassination of her husband, organization cofounder Charlie Kirk. Earlier working along with him informally, she was unanimously appointed by the board during a period of grief and change. Kirk brings a diverse background covering education, faith leadership, media, entrepreneurship, pageantry, podcasting, and real estate.

What is hinting at steps towards formation of a popular government in ethnic strife torn Manipur, the BJP leadership had a couple of rounds of discussion with BJP MLAs of the state.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman. They discussed key issues for Assam's development and people's welfare. Matters of economic growth and infrastructure were deliberated. Cooperation between the Centre and state was emphasized to accelerate growth. The Chief Minister expressed gratitude for support in Assam's journey.

Arc Raiders Cold Snap update release date, time, new quests and event details confirm a December 16, 2025 launch. The update adds snowfall map conditions, more quests, a new Raider Deck, and the Flickering Flames community event.

Gold price holds near seven-week high: Gold prices surged to $4,350, a seven-week high, sitting less than 1% below the all-time record. A weaker dollar and falling yields are driving demand. Traders now watch U.S. jobs and inflation data closely, as the next few sessions could decide whether gold ends 2025 with a historic breakout.

The National Investigation Agency has filed a chargesheet in the Pahalgam terror attack. Pakistani terrorist Sajid Jatt and banned organizations Lashkar-e-Taiba and The Resistance Front are named. The attack involved religion-based targeted killings of 26 people. The chargesheet details Pakistan's conspiracy and the roles of the accused. Three Pakistani terrorists killed in an operation are also identified.

In 2026, you can grow your retirement savings by claiming your full 401(k) match, saving any pay raise automatically, and investing smartly for long-term growth. Using growth stocks, dividend stocks, or low-cost index funds can help your money grow faster. Learning Social Security strategies can also increase your future income and make retirement more secure.

Pamela Anderson, longtime Baywatch star and glamour icon, is taking a profoundly personal step to reclaim her heritage by opting to adopt her late Finnish grandfathers surname, Hyytiinen. The decision shows her desire to honor her family, reconnect with her roots, and assert authority over her own identity apart from public perception. Pamela revealed in Vogue Scandinavia, Sometimes I dont want to be Pamela Anderson. I want to be Pamela Hyytiinen.

Stablecoins, until recently, served two main purposes: buying other cryptocurrencies and making risky crypto bets. But new regulations, including President Donald Trump signing into law this year, legitimized them for traditional payments and banking.

Delhi schools are shifting to fully online classes for students up to Class V due to severe air pollution. This directive follows the invocation of Stage-IV of GRAP, with AQI levels reaching 'Severe+' in the capital. Neighbouring Noida and Ghaziabad have implemented similar measures for younger students.

Record of Ragnarok's third season has surged globally on Netflix, despite being banned in India due to controversy over its portrayal of Hindu deities. The dark fantasy anime, featuring gods battling humanity, continues to captivate audiences with its high-stakes premise and unanswered question of humanity's survival, proving that outrage fuels curiosity.

Social Security payments of up to $5,108 are set to arrive on Wednesday, December 17. The checks go to retirees, SSDI recipients, and survivors born between the 11th and 20th of any month. The top amount is reserved for workers who delayed benefits until age 70. Average payments remain near $2,000. Who gets paid, how much, and what comes next, here's all what you need to know.

Rob Reiner death: Legendary filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, have been found dead in their Los Angeles home in what police are treating as an apparent homicide.

India and the European Union are in the most difficult phase of trade negotiations. Key issues like the EU's carbon tax mechanism are being discussed. Both sides are working to bridge differences and close the free trade agreement talks soon. India's exports to the EU are significant. The pact covers 23 policy areas.

Many workers think their 401(k) is safe, but small mistakes can hurt retirement savings. Saving too little, missing employer matches, and not understanding taxes can reduce future money. Experts say checking contributions, using free employer money, and planning early can help build a stronger and safer retirement fund over time.