The Economic Times News

China conducted war games around Taiwan, warning against separatism and foreign interference. The drills highlight the ongoing dispute over Taiwan's status, with Beijing claiming sovereignty while Taipei asserts its de facto independence and democratic governance. The situation remains tense as China reiterates its commitment to reunification.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Reaz Hamidullah has returned to Dhaka. This follows an urgent summons from the foreign ministry. The move comes amid visibly strained bilateral ties with India. Hamidullah reached Dhaka on Monday night. He is expected to discuss the recent situation in bilateral relations. This development signals significant diplomatic activity.

Social Security checklist 2026: Social Security beneficiaries will receive a 2.8% COLA increase in 2026. Review your earnings record to avoid benefit errors. Confirm tax withholding and update Form W-4V to prevent surprises. Check direct deposit details to ensure timely payments. Keep your mySocialSecurity account current. Small updates now secure higher, uninterrupted benefits in January 2026.

India's defence ministry has approved acquisitions worth seventy-nine thousand crore rupees. The focus is on indigenous long-range weapons and counter-drone systems. This move is informed by lessons from past operations. The navy will also lease two additional MQ9B drones from the US. These acquisitions aim to bolster India's defence capabilities significantly.

Brigitte Bardot, the legendary French actress and global style icon, died Sunday at age 91. While celebrated for her 1950s cinema roles, her death sparked immediate backlash due to her history of hate speech convictions. Pop star Chappell Roan recently retracted a tribute to the star after learning of Bardot's controversial far-right politics and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Thought of the day: Renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow's insights on self-actualization offer a powerful message for today's uncertain times. His work emphasizes that true happiness stems from fulfilling one's potential, not just meeting basic needs. Ignoring capabilities leads to dissatisfaction, urging individuals to align daily choices with personal values for lasting fulfillment and well-being.

Americans affected by Watson Clinics data breach can claim up to $75,000. Sensitive patient information, including Social Security numbers, was exposed on the dark web. Payments vary by type of data leaked. Deadlines to claim are February 5, 2026, with opt-out by January 6. Final distributions follow a March 9 approval hearing. Act fast to secure compensation.

D4vd Celeste Rivas murder case: Los Angeles prosecutors are moving closer to a possible indictment of D4vd as a grand jury reviews evidence in the Celeste Rivas murder investigation. Sources say witnesses have testified and key timelines are under scrutiny. No charges are filed yet, but officials believe the case is nearing a decisive legal moment.

Social Security payments December 2025: Millions of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients will receive their January 2026 payment early on December 31 due to the New Year's Day holiday. This early check includes a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment, increasing individual benefits to $994. Some recipients will get three payments in December due to this early disbursement.

The interstellar object 3I/ATLAS has spotted global attention because of its rotating double jet structure. The majority of the astronomers define it as a comet arriving from another star system. Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb indicates that it could be an artificial probe, noting its unusual trajectory, glow, and sunward anti-tail. Hubble Space Telescope pictures show one strong sunward jet and a weaker secondary jet, both moving around the nucleus.

Spain has a unique New Year tradition where people eat 12 grapes at midnight. Each grape stands for one month of the year and is believed to bring good luck. The custom began long ago and is still widely followed today. Many Spaniards continue this tradition to welcome the new year with hope and positivity.

General George S. Patton Jr., a prominent and controversial World War II commander, was renowned for his aggressive leadership and belief in offensive warfare. He played a decisive role in key Allied victories, including the invasion of Sicily and the Normandy breakout, earning a reputation for speed and bold maneuvers.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced her second pregnancy, prompting speculation about who will fill her role during maternity leave. Despite the demanding position, Leavitt intends to continue her duties. Potential temporary replacements include Tricia McLaughlin, Katie Pavlich, Kellyanne Conway, Laura Ingraham, Monica Crowley, Riley Gaines, and Margo Martin.

President Trump warned Iran against rebuilding its nuclear program, stating the U.S. would launch swift and forceful attacks if they proceed. While issuing this threat, Trump also expressed openness to negotiating a much smarter deal with Iran.

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has denied a Reuters report claiming the government sought $30 billion in compensation for gas production shortfalls from its KG-D6 block. RIL stated the actual government claim is $247 million, a figure consistently disclosed in its financial statements. The dispute stems from disallowed investment costs and ongoing arbitration proceedings.

The Supreme Court has halted the release of expelled BJP leader Kuldeep Singh Sengar. This follows a Delhi High Court order granting him bail in the Unnao rape case. The apex court expressed concern over the High Court's interpretation of 'public servant' under the POCSO Act. The CBI argued the High Court erred in its decision.

Nostradamus, the 16th-century astrologer, foresaw four alarming events for 2026. These include a major war lasting seven months, a mysterious swarm of bees appearing at night, a prominent celebrity struck by lightning during the day, and a grim prediction of bloodshed in Switzerland's Ticino region. His cryptic prophecies continue to spark debate and intrigue about future happenings.

The Supreme Court has put a hold on its earlier orders regarding the Aravalli hills definition. A new expert committee will now study the environmental impact of previous recommendations. This move aims to resolve ambiguities and provide clear guidance on hill definitions. The court will re-examine the matter on January 21, 2026.

Youth groups in Agartala held a candlelight march protesting the death of Tripura student Angel Chakma in Dehradun. Uttarakhand CM Dhami assured justice, stating five accused are arrested, with one believed to have fled to Nepal. Rahul Gandhi condemned the incident as a horrific hate crime normalized by the BJP.

U.S. Stock market today: The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 282 points, or 0.58%, to 48,428. The S&P 500 slid 0.47% to 6,897. The Nasdaq Composite led losses, falling 0.65% to 23,439. Silver prices plummeted 8% after a parabolic run to $80 per ounce. Gold futures also tumbled more than 4%, falling toward the $4,300 level.

Jammu and Kashmir faced a grim 2025 with terror attacks and an India-Pakistan clash shattering peace hopes. Foreign militants pose a significant threat, while local recruitment is controlled. Economic woes, particularly in tourism and horticulture, persist. Political disillusionment is rife, with promises of statehood unfulfilled and a power struggle evident.

India and Bahrain are moving forward with trade talks. Draft terms for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement have been exchanged. A joint working group is being established. India is also in discussions with the GCC for a free trade pact, with terms for Qatar substantially finalized. These agreements aim to boost Indian exports and diversify trade routes.

Choosing the right order to take money from 401(k), pension, and Social Security can save taxes and make retirement easier. Your plan should match your goals, like enjoying life early or leaving money for family. Work with a financial advisor, sequence withdrawals smartly, and use Roth conversions to protect your savings for a long and stress-free retirement.

A bus collided with people in Mumbai's Bhandup West area on Monday, injuring at least five people as the BEST vehicle was reversing, officials said.

Hamas's armed wing reiterated on Monday that it would not surrender its weapons, a key issue expected to feature in talks later in the day between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The statement came just hours before Trump and Netanyahu were scheduled to meet in Florida.

The Indian government will borrow Rs 3.84 lakh crore through treasury bills in the fourth quarter of the current financial year. This borrowing aims to meet short-term funding needs. Weekly auctions will range from Rs 29,000 crore to Rs 35,000 crore. This amount is lower than the previous year's borrowing for the same period.

A throwaway remark last week by President Donald Trump has raised questions about whether US forces may have carried their first land strike against drug cartels in Venezuela. Trump has been saying for weeks that the United States will soon start carrying out land strikes targeting drug cartels in Latin America, but there have been no confirmed attacks to date.

Millions of Americans will observe three new public holidays in 2026, including Asian Lunar New Year, Eid al-Adha, and Diwali. While these additions recognize cultural diversity and offer more days off, they may present childcare challenges for parents. Several states and cities are implementing these holidays, with some offering school closures and paid time off.

Reliance Industries Limited has refuted a media report alleging the government sought $30 billion from the company and BP over KG-D6 gas block underproduction. RIL clarified that the actual government claim is approximately $247 million, a figure consistently disclosed in its financial statements.

California is rolling out a new law that tightens regulations around license plate flippers and other obscuring devices. To begin in the new year, the legislation prohibits both the use and distribution of products intended to hide or manipulate license plates. Drivers using such devices may get fines of up to $250, while sellers incur penalties of $1,000. Even though these devices have been illegal to use since 2008, loopholes enabled them to remain broadly available.

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy seeks Russian war reparations, potentially for defense, following talks with Donald Trump. He emphasized Ukraine's territorial integrity and interests regarding the Donbas. Zelenskyy also highlighted the need for a ceasefire for referendums and detailed new US-backed security guarantees, aiming for a peace deal through diplomacy and a popular vote on a 20-point plan.

US President Donald Trump had a positive call with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Monday, the White House said, a day after Trump met Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky in Florida. President Trump has concluded a positive call with President Putin concerning Ukraine, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. Trump and Putin had also spoken ahead of Sunday's Zelensky talks.

Intel's stock surged following the confirmation of a $5 billion private share sale to Nvidia, finalized on December 26, 2025. This strategic move, which grants Nvidia a roughly 4% stake, is seen as a significant boost to Intel's balance sheet and its ongoing turnaround efforts under CEO Lip-Bu Tan. The funding will support AI initiatives and manufacturing competitiveness.

Many grocery stores will be open on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Some stores will have regular hours, while others will close early or remain closed. Shipping services like UPS and FedEx will have modified hours. It is advisable to check specific store and service locations for exact timings.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced Moscow's accusation of a drone attack on Vladimir Putin's residence as a lie. He stated that Russia is fabricating this claim to justify further strikes, potentially targeting Kyiv and government buildings. Zelensky urged everyone to remain vigilant, anticipating retaliatory actions.

Saying Happy New Year differs across languages and cultures, signifying local traditions and customs. From English and French to Korean and Thai, each greeting has its own warmth and importance. This guide shows how to wish the New Year in 15 languages, that includes Spanish, Italian, German, Arabic, Hindi, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Dutch, Russian, and Turkish.

Beyonc has crossed the $1 billion net worth mark, becoming one of the richest celebrities in the world. Her money comes from music tours, album sales, and owning her music rights. Smart business choices and global concerts helped grow her wealth, making her a top name in entertainment and pop culture worldwide.

A close contest is expected in the Nashik Municipal Corporation elections. The BJP will contest alone. Shiv Sena and NCP will fight together. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, including Shiv Sena (UBT), NCP (SP), Congress, and MNS, is also set to contest as a bloc. Seat sharing discussions are ongoing. The election outcome remains uncertain.

The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association has urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to intervene regarding alleged harassment and violence against Kashmiri students and shawl vendors in Himachal Pradesh. The association highlighted a recent assault and stated that despite repeated pleas, effective action remains absent, leading to fear and disruption for Kashmiris.