The Economic Times News

Operation Vijay, India's first joint military operation involving all three services, liberated Goa, Daman, Diu, and Anjidiv Islands from 450 years of Portuguese rule in a swift 40-hour action. The successful military campaign, supported by local freedom fighters, concluded on December 19, 1961, marking a significant moment in India's post-independence history.

India's exports to China surged nearly 90% in November 2025, driven by naphtha and electronics, but this growth is not broad-based. Analysts highlight a deep reliance on Chinese imports, particularly electronics and machinery, leading to a widening trade deficit projected to hit a record $106 billion. This imbalance persists despite export gains.

Budget 2020-21 introduced a new optional tax regime, a series of welfare measures. Themed Ease of Living, it outlined a comprehensive plan for India's economic and social advancement. It focused on Aspirational India, Economic Development, and a Caring Society, proposing significant investments in agriculture, health, infrastructure, and education to boost living standards and long-term growth.

Microsoft co-founder and billionaire Bill Gates has featured in new batch of Jeffrey Epstein photographs released by US House Democrats. One of the photograph shows Bill Gates standing next to a woman whose face has been blurred. Bill Gates have previously acknowledged having interactions with Epstein adding that he regretted having dinner with him.

The Australian stock market finished Friday, December 19, 2025, on a strong note. The S&P/ASX 200 index saw a gain, boosted by top performers like DRONESHIELD LIMITED and BOSS ENERGY LTD. Other key indices also recorded modest gains, indicating a positive end to the trading week for Australian equities.

Assam cabinet approved land for an Ammonia-Urea Project, with PM Modi laying the foundation stone on December 21. The state also declared two beels as Proposed Reserved Forests and transferred land for a CRPF Group Centre. PM Modi will visit the Assam BJP headquarters on December 20 and inaugurate several projects, including a new airport terminal and a statue.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant will hear urgent cases on December 22. This is the first day of the Supreme Court's Christmas and New Year holidays. The apex court registry will verify case urgency. Junior lawyers must argue their matters on this day. The court will be closed from December 22 until January 2, 2026.

Roblox is facing outage and many users have complained that they are unable to access the platform or play games smoothly. Data from Downdetector suggests that the majority of users faced issues accessing the Roblox website and were met with error code 9007. Roblox has not yet issued a statement regarding the outage.

Indias e-commerce sales promise savings but often deliver clutter and regret. This 'un-how-to' piece explores why discounts trigger impulse buying, how saving is often an illusion, and why walking away from sales can be the smartest financial decision.

Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of dismantling 20 years of MGNREGA with the new VB-G RAM G legislation, calling it anti-village. He argued the bill replaces the rights-based guarantee with a rationed scheme, weakening rural workers' bargaining power and disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. Gandhi vowed to fight the bill's withdrawal.

Three individuals, including two women, were arrested in Assam in connection with the assault and subsequent suicide of a delivery boy in Tripura. The victim, Prasenjit Sarkar, was allegedly beaten and publicly humiliated by five people, leading to his death on December 14. Police are actively searching for the remaining two accused.

A video was shared by Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum which shows a lightning striking at Burj Khalifa. The video has left internet stunned. The UAE is receiving heavy rainfall and strong winds and has been experiencing unstable weather conditions with water logging reported in many areas.

3I/ATLAS aliens come in peace to save earth from nuclear disaster? Psychic Uri Geller claims the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS is an alien craft. He believes extraterrestrials are observing Earth and may help humanity avoid nuclear destruction as the object makes its closest approach.

An earthquake measuring 5.7 magnitude struck Afghanistan's Hindu Kush region on Friday, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said.

The Act outlines 'sense of Congress on Defence Alliances and Partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region'. Under this, the Secretary of Defence should continue efforts that strengthen US defence alliances and partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region to further the comparative advantage of the US in strategic competition with China.

Despite the ban, Indian spy thriller and Ranveer Singh starrer movie Dhurandhar continues to shine in Pakistan. A video has now gone viral which shows Bilawal Bhutto Zardari making a grand entry on viral track 'FA9LA' at a party in Pakistan. Pakistan, along with some Gulf nations, has banned the screening of Dhurandhar, calling it negative propaganda.

Americans anticipate the release of the Epstein Files. Democrats have shared new images from Jeffrey Epstein's estate. Representative Ro Khanna stated the files will be released by Friday midnight. He promised accountability for powerful men who covered up abuse.

The recent approval of the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill by Parliament has stirred controversy. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has expressed strong dissent over the renaming, emphasizing that it dilutes Mahatma Gandhi's association with the rural employment scheme and described the decision as unconstitutional.

Following the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a young student leader in Bangladesh, violent mob has burnt down several media offices in Dhaka. The media offices of two prominent newspapers in Bangladesh 'Prothom Alo' and 'The Daily Star' were set ablaze by the mob and staff were trapped inside. A video has gone viral which shows a mob attacking the editor of New Age Newspaper of Bangaldesh Nurul Kabir.

Delhi Weather Today: Delhi is battling severe air pollution. Smog has pushed the Air Quality Index to 'very poor' and 'severe' levels in many areas. Dense fog has also disrupted flights at Indira Gandhi International Airport. The Environment Minister is enforcing the 'No PUC, No Fuel' rule at petrol pumps. Over 60,000 Pollution Under Control Certificates were issued in a day.

Nike's China sales are falling for the sixth quarter. The company is struggling with competition and old stock. CEO Elliott Hill says Nike needs a new approach for the Chinese market. Online sales are down significantly. Nike is trying to sell more at full price. Analysts believe Nike has time to fix its China strategy.

Rabindranath Tagore's painting From Across The Dark shattered records, fetching a remarkable Rs 10.7 crore at an Astaguru auction. This masterpiece, gifted to the princess of Kasmanda in 1937, now stands as the highest-priced Tagore artwork globally. The sale highlights the enduring value and profound emotional resonance of the poet's late creative period.

A Pakistan-based gangster has reportedly given threat to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. He reportedly warned Nitish Kumar with dire consequences if he did not apologise to the Muslim woman doctor whose niqab (veil) was pulled down by him while handing over her appointment letter. Patna Police have registered an FIR and are probing the matter.

Toyota plans to sell its U.S.-made Camry, Highlander, and Tundra vehicles in Japan starting next year. This move aims to boost trade relations between Japan and the United States. The automaker is also increasing hybrid production and investing significantly in U.S. manufacturing facilities.

UAE Weather Dubai Rain Today: The UAE is experiencing unstable weather with heavy rain, strong winds, and cooler temperatures due to convective clouds and a low-pressure system. Authorities have issued warnings for road safety and travel, with rough seas also affecting marine activities. A cold snap is expected to follow the rainfall over the weekend.

The Trump administration says its blockade is narrowly tailored and not targeting civilians, which would be an illegal act of war. But some experts say seizing sanctioned oil tied to leader Nicolas Maduro could provoke a military response from Venezuela, engaging American forces in a new level of conflict that goes beyond their attacks on alleged drug boats.

On Friday, Delhi was enveloped in a thick haze as air pollution reached alarming levels, with the Air Quality Index soaring into the 'very poor' and 'severe' categories across numerous districts. In a proactive measure, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa made rounds at petrol stations to ensure adherence to the 'No PUC, No Fuel' mandate.

Bangladesh protests have gripped the country after the death of youth leader Sharif Osman Hadi. Protests have spread nationwide, with demonstrators blocking highways and attacking properties. Anti-India slogans have emerged, with protesters targeting Indian diplomatic premises. Media houses, including Prothom Alo and The Daily Star, have been vandalized. Authorities warn of escalating violence.

Participating in the debate on the Sustainable Harnessing of Atomic Energy for Transformation (SHANTI) Bill in the Rajya Sabha, Shringla said that with electricity demand projected to more than double by 2040 and the country preparing to retire ageing coal assets, nuclear energy becomes indispensable for sustainability, grid stability and energy security.

PM Albanese said it would be the largest gun buyback effort since 1996, when Australia cracked down on firearms in the wake of a shooting that killed 35 people at Port Arthur.

Anti-India protests have rocked Bangladesh after the death of Sharif Osman Hadi, a prominent youth leader of the countrys 2024 pro-democracy uprising. Sharif Osman Hadi sustained injuries when he was attacked by unknown miscreants in Dhaka on December 12. On Thursday night, he died while undergoing treatment at a Singapore hospital. He was also preparing to contest the upcoming elections as an independent candidate.

TikTok US deal 2026: TikTok is set to become a US joint venture. Oracle, Silver Lake, and MGX will lead the new entity. American investors will hold majority ownership. This move separates TikTok's US operations from its Chinese parent, ByteDance. The deal is expected to finalize in January 2026. The new US company will manage its own data and content.

Australia is initiating its biggest gun buyback program since 1996. This follows a deadly terrorist attack at Bondi Beach during a Hanukkah celebration. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the nationwide initiative to remove firearms from communities. The Australian Federal Police will oversee the destruction of surrendered weapons. This move aims to enhance national safety after the tragic events.

Jim Hunt death: Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, a champion of public education and a key figure in the state's economic transformation, has passed away at 88. Hunt served four terms as governor, guiding North Carolina's shift to a high-tech economy and leaving a lasting legacy on education reform and public service.

Major Indian consumer goods and auto companies are boosting manufacturing investments over the next two years. Firms like Nestle, Godrej Consumer Products, and automakers Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra are committing significant capital. This expansion is driven by expectations of sustained demand growth, supported by GST reforms and stable commodity prices.

S&P 500, Dow, Nasdaq today: US stock market surged on Thursday, breaking a four-day slump as investors celebrated lower-than-expected inflation figures and optimistic projections from chipmaker Micron Technology. The S&P 500 climbed, with the Nasdaq Composite leading the gains. This positive sentiment was further boosted by encouraging jobless claims data, signaling a robust economic outlook.

Schedule 3 drugs: President Trump signed an executive order to reclassify marijuana to Schedule III, aiming to expand medical research into its potential benefits and risks. This move simplifies scientific study of cannabis without legalizing recreational use or enacting criminal justice reforms. The order also seeks to improve access to CBD and hemp products.

Crypto crash prediction after BOJ rate hike: Cryptocurrency markets are experiencing significant volatility as investors brace for a potential Bank of Japan interest rate hike on December 19. Bitcoin has seen a notable dip, with analysts warning of further declines if the BOJ tightens policy, mirroring past Fed actions. This move could drastically reduce global crypto liquidity, impacting digital assets.

Who is Greg Biffle? Greg Biffle was a former NASCAR driver and aviation business owner. He died along with his wife and children in a plane crash at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina. This explainer covers his career, family, net worth, and crash details.

Trump supporter Greg Biffle, wife Cristina, daughter Emma and son Ryder killed in Statesville plane crash after a Cessna C550 jet crashed while attempting to land in North Carolina. Authorities confirmed fatalities. Federal agencies are investigating the crash at Statesville Regional Airport.

Trump Media is merging with fusion energy company TAE Technologies in a multi-billion-dollar deal. The move links social media, clean energy, and artificial intelligence. The new company aims to build large-scale fusion power in the future. Supporters see energy potential, while critics raise concerns about politics, regulation, and funding for this emerging technology.

Bitcoin price is under pressure as a large options expiry looms. Over $23 billion in Bitcoin options contracts are set to expire, fueling fears of sharper price swings. Volatility has intensified, with significant price movements observed. Traders are bracing for further downside risk heading into the new year. An MSCI decision in January could also impact digital asset firms.

Greg Biffle net worth and wife Cristina Grossu last post are drawing attention after a Cessna C550 plane linked to the former NASCAR driver crashed at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina, prompting investigations, public concern, and questions about passengers, family, and financial background.

India's labour minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, announced new labour codes designed to boost the workforce and economic growth. These reforms aim to protect worker rights and ensure minimum wages. The government has consolidated 29 laws into four codes to simplify business and promote employment. This modernization seeks to create a fair and worker-focused framework for India's evolving economy.

A single photograph of Karoline Leavitt has sparked intense debate. Photographer Christopher Anderson defends the image, stating it was not meant to embarrass. He insists his close-up style aims to penetrate political theater. Anderson claims he did not edit out alleged injection marks, viewing it as an ethical stance. The White House criticized the magazine for intentionally demeaning its staff.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner engaged in a fierce rivalry, each securing two Grand Slam titles. Alcaraz triumphed at the French Open and US Open, while Sinner claimed glory at the Australian Open and Wimbledon. Meanwhile, the women's circuit celebrated a diverse year, crowning four distinct champions.