The Economic Times News

Haryana witnessed significant events in 2025. A senior IPS officer's alleged suicide and a terror module bust dominated headlines. The ruling BJP secured more electoral victories, winning civic polls. The state also faced challenges with heavy rains and floods.

Four policemen were injured in Jaipur district early Friday when a mob pelted stones while authorities removed iron railings encroaching on a road outside a mosque. The incident in Chomu town led to the use of tear gas and mild force to disperse the crowd. Internet services have been suspended as a precautionary measure.

China's sprawling high-speed rail network passed 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles) in total operating distance with the opening of a new line on Friday, state media reported. China's rail network has expanded by around 32 percent compared to 2020, state-owned China Railway added Friday in a statement.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 has finally released in India, concluding the acclaimed Netflix series. While fans eagerly awaited the finale, reactions have been mixed, with some expressing disappointment over the writing and pacing. Many fans took to social media to share their reviews along with several spoilers about Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2.

Indore police cracked a major jewellery shop heist. Two 18-year-olds, a graphic designer and a NEET aspirant, were arrested. The duo stole jewellery worth over Rs 16 lakh from Shri Jewellers. CCTV footage and technical tracking led to their capture in Bhopal. The entire stolen collection was recovered. The plan was inspired by a Bollywood film. Further investigation is ongoing.

Najib Razak, once groomed for leadership, now serves jail time for graft. A crucial verdict looms in a second trial concerning the 1MDB scandal. Investigations have deepened allegations against him and his wife, Rosmah Mansor. This marks a significant fall for the leader who promised reforms. The 1MDB scandal involved billions of dollars diverted from the sovereign wealth fund.

India's Ministry of Culture marked 2025 with significant events. The Maha Kumbh showcased Indian heritage. Celebrations for Vande Mataram and Ahilyabai Holkar were held. India gained UNESCO World Heritage status for Maratha Military Landscapes and Intangible Cultural Heritage for Deepavali. The year also saw the launch of the 'Gyan Bharatam' initiative.

Construction has begun on Amaravati's new High Court as Municipal Minister P Narayana inaugurated the raft foundation works. The building, designed by Norman Foster and Partners, will be an iconic B+G+7 floor structure. It will house 52 court halls. The target completion date for the High Court is the end of 2027.

The military has framed the polls as a return to multi-party democracy, likely seeking to add a facade of legitimacy to its rule, which began after the army four years ago ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

The year 2025 saw widespread internet disruptions. Major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud experienced significant outages. Cyberattacks also crippled vital systems.

Fatal road accidents, often involving buses or trucks, are common in Mexico. They are often caused by speeding or mechanical failure.

Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2: The wait is finally over and fans can't contain their excitement about Stranger Things Season 5 which has started streaming on Netflix. In India, you can watch episodes of Stranger Things Season 5 Volume 2 from Friday, December 26 from 6.30 am onwards. Season 5 consists of eight episodes.

Delhi NCR AQI Today: Delhi experienced marginally cleaner air on Friday, with the overall AQI at 292, still in the 'poor' category. While some areas saw 'very poor' levels, others showed improvement, a trend following a sharper dip on Thursday. Despite temporary relief from favorable winds, forecasts predict rising pollution due to slower winds ahead.

Last month, Trump said he had ordered the Pentagon to begin planning for potential military action in Nigeria following the claims of Christian persecution. The State Department then announced in recent weeks that it would restrict visas for Nigerians and their family members involved in mass killings and violence against Christians in the West African country.

Bitcoin BTC USD price prediction December 26: Bitcoin's market is focused on a massive options expiry on December 26. This event, the largest on record, involves $23.6 billion in Bitcoin options. Analysts predict this could lead to significant short-term price swings. Traders are watching key support levels around $80,000 to $82,000. Early bullish signals suggest a potential temporary recovery.

Several NFL fans reported issues streaming Netflix during the Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys game on Christmas Day. Downdetector logged around 500 reports, with users pointing to playback, Chromecast, and captioning problems. Despite the complaints, Netflix stated it was not experiencing a service disruption. Social media immediately filled with frustrated reactions from audiences struggling to cast the game or adjust captions.

Supercomputers black hole research: New simulations offer unprecedented detail on how black holes consume and eject matter. Researchers used supercomputers to model gas, light, and magnetic fields. This work accurately includes key physical processes, revealing how dense gas disks form and powerful jets shoot outward. The models also show how magnetic fields direct matter flow.

Timothe Chalamet has honored Susan Boyle by gifting her a Marty Supreme jacket, celebrating her remarkable rise after Britains Got Talent. Boyle became an international sensation in 2009 with her performance of I Dreamed a Dream, redefining expectations and inspiring millions. Chalamet, promoting his forthcoming movie Marty Supreme, has been recognizing figures he considers cultural icons through symbolic gestures.

Experts say that companies will have to update transfer pricing benchmarks and documentation, as changes in the cost base could affect the arm's length pricing of intra-group services and cost-sharing arrangements, with potential for tax disputes where global policies are not aligned.

Spartacus: House of Ashur Episode 5 release date, time, schedule and how to watch details are now clear. The episode airs on December 26, 2025. The series follows a weekly release plan on Starz, with global timings and streaming options confirmed.

The winning numbers were 04, 25, 31, 52 and 59, with the Powerball number being 19. The winning ticket was sold in Cabot, lottery officials in Arkansas said Thursday. The community of roughly 27,000 people is 26 miles (42 kilometers) northeast of Little Rock.

Tarique Rahman has returned to Bangladesh after 17 years. He addressed a rally in Dhaka, promising to restore democratic rights. Rahman spoke of building a diverse nation and ensuring safety for all citizens. He aims to lead the BNP to power and replace the interim government.

The Reserve Bank of India may inject an additional 1 lakh crore in February-March 2026 to maintain surplus liquidity in the banking system. This move aims to encourage banks to lower lending rates and stimulate credit demand, addressing the current liquidity deficit caused by forex interventions and tax outflows.

Netflix and WWE are extending the Stranger Things phenomenon past its Season 5 finale through a never before seen crossover with Monday Night RAW. A special themed episode will stream on Netflix on January 5, 2026, blending live wrestling events with one of streamings most influential franchises. Teased with the line THE WWE GETS STRANGER, the collaboration taps into the loyal worldwide fandoms to recreate communal viewing experience in a fragmented media era.

Manipur faces its third harsh winter since ethnic strife began in May 2023. Displaced people are restless, demanding resettlement. Recent clashes in Bishnupur district highlight ongoing tensions. Despite visits by dignitaries and festivals, displaced individuals protest, seeking basic needs and a return home.

Quote of the Day: Robert Frost's iconic The Road Not Taken explores how individuals retrospectively assign meaning to life choices. The poem depicts a traveler at a fork in the road, ultimately choosing a path that, in hindsight, is perceived as having significantly shaped their life, even if the paths were similar at the time of decision.

Parliamentarians are now cautioned against using smart watches and spectacles within the Parliament Estate. The Lok Sabha Secretariat issued an advisory highlighting potential risks to privacy and security. This move follows past incidents where recording parliamentary proceedings led to suspensions and privilege motions. The directive aims to reinforce the importance of upholding parliamentary privilege and respecting members' privacy.

A tragic accident occurred on National Highway 48 in Chitradurga district. A sleeper bus collided with a container truck, resulting in a fire. Six people lost their lives and 21 others sustained injuries. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed their condolences and announced financial aid for the victims' families. An inquiry into the mishap has been ordered.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a Christmas morning service in Delhi. This visit highlights his ongoing engagement with the Christian community. Over the past decade, Modi has consistently participated in Christian events. He has hosted annual Christmas receptions and attended Easter celebrations. Christian leaders have also been part of his government. Modi has met with Pope Francis internationally.

Kashmiri leaders voiced strong condemnation over assaults on traders in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, demanding swift legal action. Jailed MP Engineer Rashid and NC leader Aga Ruhullah Mehdi highlighted the violation of constitutional rights and human dignity. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti urged the Uttarakhand DGP to register an FIR against perpetrators, emphasizing accountability and preventing future incidents.

The Asian Development Bank has partnered with Pakistan for two significant projects totaling $730 million. These initiatives aim to bolster the nation's energy infrastructure and drive institutional reforms. The Power Transmission Strengthening Project will enhance electricity evacuation and grid resilience.

Biggest tax refund 2026: Senior White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett predicts the largest tax refund cycle in U.S. history for 2026. This is due to tax reductions from Trump's 'One Big, Beautiful Bill Act' not being fully reflected in earlier filings. Workers earning tips or overtime pay are expected to benefit the most.

Newly revealed conversations from two decades ago show Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President George W. Bush shared significant worries about Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. The leaders viewed Pakistan under Pervez Musharraf as a major non-proliferation challenge. Putin specifically voiced concerns about the country's stability and its status as a junta with nuclear weapons.

Jesus is Palestinian? A Times Square billboard carrying this message during Christmas has sparked debate. The ad, funded by the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, drew mixed reactions from tourists, social media users, and faith groups, raising questions on religion, identity, speech, and public messaging in New York City.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that previous Congress governments sidelined the BJP, naming schemes after one family. He highlighted his government's efforts to honor leaders like Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, BR Ambedkar, and Sardar Patel. The Prime Minister inaugurated a memorial in Lucknow, emphasizing his administration's commitment to inclusive recognition of national heroes and equitable welfare scheme implementation.

Country star Keith Urban is reportedly grappling with loneliness and regret following his separation from Nicole Kidman, questioning if their divorce was a huge mistake. Meanwhile, Kidman appears to be embracing her new chapter with upcoming projects and a seemingly carefree holiday. Their communication is strictly through lawyers, with no signs of reconciliation.

2026 Horoscope: As 2026 dawns, astrologers spotlight a rare alignment of eclipses and outer-planet transits set to reshape careers, relationships, and wallets across all zodiac signs. Drawing from NASA's precise eclipse timetablethree potent lunations on March 3 (Virgo), March 17 (Pisces), and August 12 (Leo lunar)these events signal seismic pivots. Saturn enters Aries on May 24, demanding bold career moves. Uranus in Gemini from July 7 stirs financial innovations.

Best Christmas movies to binge watch remain part of yearly viewing habits across homes. These films pass between generations and shape holiday routines. This explainer lists Best Christmas movies to binge watch, explains their themes, history, and cultural role, and why viewers return to them every December.

Wealth quote of the day by Warren Buffett: The Oracle of Omaha, champions patience and strategic action over constant hustle. He emphasizes waiting for genuine opportunities rather than forcing activity, a principle crucial for long-term success in investing and life. This disciplined approach, honed through decades of value investing and transforming Berkshire Hathaway, continues to inspire global audiences.

Another Hindu man, Amrit Mondal, was beaten to death by a mob in Rajbari, Bangladesh. This incident occurred over an extortion allegation. Mondal was attacked by villagers after he allegedly demanded money from a resident. Police rescued him in critical condition, but he was declared dead at the hospital. This follows another lynching of a Hindu man in Mymensingh district.

Homeowners can face fines for shoveling snow the wrong way, especially if it goes onto roads. Michigan law and some city rules make improper snow removal illegal. Safe methods include shovels, leaf blowers, heated driveways, and natural solutions like sand or coffee grounds. These tips keep driveways clear, protect pets and the environment, and avoid costly fines.