The Economic Times News

Russia is reportedly placing new nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles in Belarus. Satellite imagery suggests a former airbase near Krichev is being used. This move could enhance Russia's missile reach across Europe. Experts believe it is a response to Western actions. Belarus confirms deployment, calling it a response to aggressive Western actions.

Zelenskyy is expected to meet Trump in Florida on Sunday. He has said he will present a new 20-point peace plan aimed at ending the nearly four-year-long war with Russia. The peace plan proposed by US and Ukrainian officials is 90 per cent ready, Zelenskyy said on Friday

Nigeria's government confirmed its cooperation with the U.S. on a Christmas Day airstrike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria. This action followed President Trump's threats to intervene unilaterally if Nigeria did not protect Christians, though Nigeria maintains no specific religion was targeted. Security experts question the long-term impact of such strikes on persistent militant threats.

Kyiv faced a major Russian assault early Saturday. Explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital as air defenses engaged incoming missiles. This significant military action occurs just two days before Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump. The leaders aim to finalize details of a peace accord to end the protracted conflict with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump to finalize drafts of a peace deal and security guarantee, with territorial concessions being a key point of discussion. Trump stated that any deal requires his approval, while Zelenskiy indicated a willingness to hold a referendum on land issues if necessary.

Emma Stones latest movie Bugonia is now streaming on Peacock after achieving critical acclaim in its theatrical run. Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, the dark comedy thriller centers on two conspiracy-obsessed men who kidnap an influential CEO they believe is an alien threat to humanity. What starts as paranoia changes into a tense psychological battle packed with dark humor and unsettling twists.

Nicki Minaj has deactivated her Instagram account days after making an unexpected presence at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona. The rapper joined Erika Kirk onstage and shared her perspectives on leadership and politics, resulting in mixed responses online. After the event, fans noticed her Instagram account had gone offline, fueling speculations about backlash and follower loss.

Netflix has released the official teaser for Apex, a high-intensity survival thriller starring Charlize Theron and Taron Egerton, set in the harsh Australian wilderness. Theron portrays a grieving woman looking for solace in nature but becomes the target of a calculated predator, featured by Egerton. Directed by Baltasar Kormkur and written by Jeremy Robbins, the movie compels its actors to their physical limits, with Theron sustaining injuries during filming.

Stranger Things Season 5 finale releases December 31, 2025. Netflix drops Episode 8, The Rightside Up, at 8 PM EST/5 PM PST. Volume 2 sets up the final showdown with Vecna, reveals Elevens powers, Wills hive mind, and the Abyss. Here is how to watch and what to expect in the finale.

A winter storm swept across Michigan on Thursday night, resulting in snow and freezing rain to the Lower Peninsula and western Upper Peninsula. Over 30,000 electricity customers lost power on Friday, with Mecosta, Clare, Isabella, and Oakland counties among the most severely impacted. The National Weather Service stated, up to 0.27 inches of ice could accumulate on surfaces by Saturday morning.

Thousands of immigrant truck drivers in California are facing license cancellations after a DMV review. Many say the problem is paperwork mistakes, not unsafe driving. Sikh groups have filed a lawsuit to stop the cancellations. The case could affect jobs, families, and the trucking industry if licenses are not fixed soon.

Bitcoin price BTC USD forecast 2026: Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson predicts Bitcoin could hit $250,000 by 2026, driven by its fixed supply meeting rising institutional demand. As major players and traditional finance channels embrace BTC, its scarcity fuels price appreciation. While some altcoin gains are expected, regulatory and tech market uncertainties pose risks.

French police arrested a man suspected of stabbing three women on Paris's Line 3 metro during end-of-year festivities. The attacks occurred at Republique, Arts et Metiers, and Opera stations. Surveillance footage and mobile tracking led to the suspect's apprehension north of Paris.

Nvidia is updating its cloud gaming service GeForce Now by introducing a 100-hour monthly limit, beginning from January 1, 2026. The cap affects almost all subscribers except long-term Founder members who joined before March 17, 2021. Players can purchase additional hours in 15-hour blocks, $2.99 for Performance tier users and $5.99 for Ultimate, while free-tier users remain restricted to one-hour sessions.

President Donald Trump declared December 26 a holiday for federal employees in 2025. This is a temporary order and not a permanent federal holiday. Most banks and stores will remain open. The U.S. Postal Service will operate normally, with mail delivery and post office counters open. Private carriers like FedEx and UPS are also resuming their services.

Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant's fifties propelled Delhi to 254, but Gujarat faltered in their chase, collapsing to 247. Despite a strong start, Gujarat's batters succumbed to pressure, handing Delhi a narrow seven-run victory in the Vijay Hazare Trophy.

Social Security retirement income in 2026 may look higher on paper but feel tighter in reality. Average monthly benefits hover near $2,013 after adjustments. Inflation lingers above 2.5% in key metrics. Everyday costs for groceries, housing, and healthcare climb faster than that COLA. The Bureau of Labor Statistics pegs senior housing inflation at 4.2% year-over-year. Retirees on fixed incomes feel the squeeze first. Medicare Part B premiums jump to $185.00 monthly in 2026, up $10.30 from 2025.

Streaming platforms are wrapping up this December with a packed weekend of new releases. Major services are bringing out highly awaited episodes, season finales, and full-series premieres, offering audiences a wide range of genres to choose from. Fans can watch fresh chapters of long-running hits, binge complete seasons of new thrillers, or delve into fresh documentaries and movies. Live sports and family-friendly titles also complement the list.

A number of weapons storage facilities and terrorist infrastructure sites were struck, which were used by Hezbollah to advance terror attacks against the state of Israel, a military statement said. Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported a series of airstrikes by Israeli aircraft on mountainous areas in Nabatiyeh and Jezzine districts in the south, and the Hermel district in the east of the country.

Pakistan's massive defense deal with a Libyan faction carries significant implications for Europe and North Africa. The four billion dollar agreement could destabilize the Mediterranean region, impacting Egypt and posing a threat to Italy. This deal, reportedly supported by the US and Turkey, involves supplying combat aircraft to a non-state actor, undermining a UN arms embargo.

President Trump is facing trouble as a new poll shows falling approval among working-class Americans. Many people are upset about high prices and job worries. Economic stress is shaping public opinion and could affect future elections. Poll data and consumer confidence reports suggest money concerns remain a big issue heading into 2026.

Dog as tax dependent lawsuit explained: A New York lawyer is challenging the IRS in federal court. She wants to claim her golden retriever, Finnegan, as a tax dependent. She spends over five thousand dollars annually on Finnegan's care. The lawsuit argues that dogs deserve legal recognition for tax purposes. This case could impact other pet owners who financially support their animals.

Non-profits face potential FCRA registration cancellation for inactivity since 2021, with the MHA invoking a rarely used law. Notices cite non-utilization of foreign funds for three consecutive years, demanding explanations within 21 days to avoid ex parte action.

Trinamool Congress leader Abhishek Banerjee will connect with over 1.2 lakh party members virtually. These sessions will cover electoral roll revisions and recent political events. The party's development report card, 'Unnoyoner Panchali', will also be shared. This outreach prepares for the 2026 Assembly elections. Banerjee launched the campaign slogan 'Manbe na Haar, Aabar Trinamool Sarkar'.

A ban on jungle safaris in Karnataka's Bandipur and Nagarahole tiger reserves is impacting tourism. Resorts and homestays are facing cancellations. This peak season could see major job losses if the ban continues. Foreign tourists are rerouting their plans. The state's reputation is at risk. This situation is unprecedented for Karnataka tourism.

The announced meeting is the latest development in an extensive U.S.-led diplomatic push to end the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine war, but efforts have run into sharply conflicting demands by Moscow and Kyiv. A meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will happen in the near future, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, signaling progress in talks to end the nearly four-year Russia-Ukraine war.

India voiced serious concerns regarding ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh. New Delhi emphasized that the upcoming February 2026 elections must be free, fair, and inclusive. The return of Tarique Rahman is viewed in the context of ensuring participatory polls. India condemned the recent lynching of a Hindu youth and expects justice for the perpetrators.

Russia's arms and ammunition production has surged dramatically since February 2022. President Vladimir Putin stated that overall production has increased 22 times. Tank production rose 2.2 times, military aircraft 4.6 times, and strike weapons and ammunition saw a 22-fold increase. This expansion is attributed to state support and the evolving nature of warfare.

Best retirement income sources: Many Americans anticipate relying on Social Security for retirement expenses. However, program insolvency looms, potentially cutting benefits by 2033. Current average checks fall short of retiree spending. Social Security was designed to supplement other income. Retirees increasingly use pensions, employer accounts, IRAs, savings, stocks, annuities, and real estate to cover costs.

Many companies may cut jobs in 2026 as they use more artificial intelligence. A new survey shows big firms are planning layoffs, especially in marketing roles. Unemployment is already high, and hiring is slowing. Some CEOs warn workers to learn AI skills, while others say AI will mostly change tasks, not replace jobs.

Landman Season 2 Episode 7 release date, time, schedule and how to watch details are now clear. The episode arrives on Paramount+ on December 28. Viewers can check global timings, full episode schedule, story recap, and streaming options in this explainer.

Ukraine and the United States are negotiating a plan to end Russia's war. Key issues like security guarantees, territorial disputes, and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remain unresolved. Ukraine has shared its position with Washington, which will relay it to Moscow. Talks are ongoing, with further discussions planned.

Dow Jones Today: U.S. stock market experienced a slight retreat on Friday, December 26, as the initial euphoria of the Santa Claus rally met with typical year-end profit-taking. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 96.62 points to 48,634.54, down 0.20%. The S&P 500 dipped just 4.76 points to 6,927.29, off 0.07%, while the Nasdaq Composite held flat at 23,613.10, down a mere 0.21 points.

A Kota consumer court has summoned Bollywood actor Salman Khan. He must appear in person on January 20 regarding a pan masala advertisement case. The court also ordered a forensic examination of his signature on legal documents. The actor and a pan masala company face allegations of misleading the public.

Fibrebond bonus payout: A Louisiana factory CEO ensured over 500 employees received life-changing six-figure bonuses, totaling $240 million, as part of the company's $1.7 billion sale. This extraordinary condition, a non-negotiable demand from CEO Graham Walker, allowed workers to share in the windfall despite not owning stock, profoundly impacting their lives and the local economy.

Oracle co-founder and noted tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison took a big risk when he invested $2,000 to start Software Development Laboratories, later known as Oracle. One of the most prominent names in the tech field, Larry Ellison is a college dropout who even surpassed Elon Musk once to become the world's richest man. In his quote, he urges people to believe in what they are doing.

Trump accounts for children explained: Trump Accounts launch in 2026 for children born 20252028. Each starts with a $1,000 federal deposit. Families can add up to $5,000 yearly. Money grows tax-free. Withdrawals face limits and penalties. Small contributions may trigger IRS Form 709. Parents can begin enrollment during the 2025 tax season. However, new IRS Form 4547 complicates filings. This shift impacts FAFSA eligibility and future tax brackets significantly.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the cancellation of commercial licenses on VGR-PGR land in Karbi Anglong and pledged government action following a Gauhati High Court decision. The state will also provide compensation and a job to the next of kin of a deceased protestor, while fencing and afforestation will prevent future encroachments.

Tripura Assembly Speaker Biswa Bandhu Sen has passed away at the age of 72. A former Congress leader who later joined the BJP, Sen served as MLA four times. The Tripura government has declared three days of state mourning. A state funeral will be held for the departed leader.

New student loan limits start in 2026. First-time college freshmen and graduate students will face lower borrowing limits for Parent PLUS, Grad PLUS, and graduate unsubsidized loans. Existing borrowers are not affected. Families need to plan carefully to avoid gaps and expensive private loans. Undergraduate subsidized and unsubsidized loans stay the same.

The NCLAT has ruled that a Committee of Creditors cannot change a resolution plan's fund distribution for dissenting creditors once it is approved. This decision came in the Reliance Communications Infrastructure Ltd matter.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sat at 48,686.73, down 44.43 points or 0.09%. S&P 500 held at 6,937.95, up 5.90 points or 0.09%. Nasdaq Composite traded at 23,635.45, gaining 22.15 points or 0.09%. Gold and silver smash all-time records today. Tim Cooks Nike stake doubling sparks investor optimism. Crude oil climbs amid new global supply tensions.