The Economic Times News

Interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS might be older than our Sun and is estimated to be between eight and 14 billion years old and this discovery has left scientists stunned. The third only known to enter our solar system, theories suggest that interstellar comet 3I/ATLAS could be alien too. Whether it is a 14-billion-year-old piece of cosmic history or a scout from another civilisation, 3I/ATLAS remains the most significant astronomical event of the decade.

Quote of the day by Julius Caesar: Julius Caesars observation highlights how people often fear the unknown more than visible challenges, with imagination magnifying anxiety when facts are absent. This timeless insight remains relevant today, encouraging calm, rational thinking by focusing on what can be controlled and recognising that clarity, not just courage, can ease unfounded worries.

Following a U.S. military operation in Venezuela, President Trump reiterated his desire to acquire Greenland for national security, citing Russian and Chinese presence. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Rubio warned Cuba, stating its government is in severe trouble and its economy will further decline after Maduro's ouster.

President Donald Trump said on Sunday that Cuba was ready to fall after US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, noting that Havana would struggle without subsidized Venezuelan oil. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump downplayed the need for any US military action in Cuba, saying, I dont think we need any action. It looks like its going down.

In Why Not Socialism?, G.A. Cohen uses humour and a camping-trip metaphor to highlight human differences and personal limits. By joking about discomfort and preferences, he argues that fairness should respect individual capacities. Equality, Cohen suggests, is not about equal suffering but about cooperation, mutual respect, and justice that acknowledges real human needs.

Katie Miller, wife of a top White House official, posted a map of Greenland with the U.S. flag, sparking speculation of a Trump administration annexation. While Denmark and Greenland officials expressed disapproval, some observers believe the U.S. is serious about acquiring the territory for national security.

Chinas services sector grew at its slowest pace in six months in December, with the RatingDog China General Services PMI slipping to 52.0 from 52.1, indicating modest expansion. Growth in new business weakened, while new export orders fell into contraction due to lower tourist demand.

President Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that it would get hit very hard by the United States if more protesters die during demonstrations that have entered a second week. If they start killing people like they have in the past, I think they're going to get hit very hard by the United States, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.

Cuba said on Sunday that 32 of its citizens were killed during the U.S. operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolas Maduro. Havana announced two days of mourning on January 5 and 6, with funeral arrangements to be shared later.

China said it does not accept any country acting as the worlds judge or police after the United States captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Foreign Minister Wang Yi said sovereignty and security of all countries must be protected under international law, referring to recent developments in Venezuela without naming the US.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday that US national security officials have concluded Ukraine did not target a residence of Russian President Vladimir Putin in a drone attack last week, dismissing Russias claim. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump said he did not believe the strike took place.

US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened possible military action against Colombia, saying such an operation sounds good to me. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump accused Colombias leadership of being involved in cocaine production and trafficking to the United States, in remarks aimed at President Gustavo Petro.

North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un observed test flights of hypersonic missiles and stressed the need to strengthen the countrys nuclear deterrent, as it steps up weapons displays ahead of a key ruling party conference. The announcement followed reports by South Korea and its neighbours of multiple ballistic missile launches.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States does not plan to govern Venezuela day to day and will limit its role to enforcing an existing oil quarantine, softening President Donald Trumps earlier comments that Washington would run the country after the removal of Nicolas Maduro. Rubio said the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers would be used as leverage to push changes in Venezuelas oil sector and curb drug trafficking.

Reviving Venezuelas oil industry under a US-led plan would take years and cost more than $100 billion, analysts said, as decades of underinvestment and damage have left infrastructure in poor condition. Restoring output to past peaks would require sustained investment of about $10 billion a year for a decade, with any faster recovery needing even more spending.

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake struck central Assam early Monday, with no immediate reports of injuries or damage. The quake was recorded at 4.17 am in Morigaon district at a depth of 50 km, according to the National Centre for Seismology.

Venezuela holds the worlds largest estimated oil reserves, about 17% of the global total, but production remains far below capacity due to years of mismanagement, low investment and sanctions. Most reserves are heavy crude in the Orinoco region, which is costly to produce. The country also has significant mineral resources, including gold, iron ore, bauxite and coal, though official data often blurs the line between reserves and resources, making the true scale unclear.

Goldman Sachs said Venezuelas oil outlook this year hinges on how U.S. sanctions policy evolves after the United States removed President Nicolas Maduro and said it would take control of the country. The bank sees limited and uncertain short-term risks to oil prices from Venezuela.

Idol I Part 3 Episodes 5 and 6 release date, time, schedule and how to watch online details the Netflix release plan, time zones, episode count, cast, plot, Episode 4 recap, and full weekly schedule for the Korean drama Idol I airing internationally.

What is League Client down error and do desktop or mobile users face issues? League of Legends players reported login failures, client crashes, and launch errors on January 4. Downdetector logged over 7,000 reports. Riot Games confirmed awareness and said a fix was in progress.

League of Legends down and when will it be back up became a major question on January 4 after players faced login issues. Thousands reported problems through Downdetector and social media. Riot Games confirmed the issue and said a fix is in progress.

Thought of the day by Ralph Waldo Emerson shares a clear message on life direction. The quote urges people to move forward with dreams, not problems. The message links to Emersons ideas, life, works, and his role in Transcendentalism, while explaining why such thoughts matter daily.

At least 152 members of the UAE-backed STC forces were wounded and 130 were taken captive, the official said, giving a preliminary toll of casualties since the start of the Saudi-backed operation. Forces supported by Riyadh began operations on Friday to retake swathes of territory seized by the STC, which is backed by Abu Dhabi, as a struggle for dominance deepened a rift between the two Gulf allies.

Bihar's cabinet is set for its first expansion soon after January 14. Nine new ministers are expected to be sworn in. The JD(U) will likely induct six ministers, while the BJP will add three. This expansion will bring the total number of ministers to 35. The JD(U) aims to include representation from extremely backward classes.

Nitin Nabin, BJP working president, will soon meet with nearly 36 organisations linked to the RSS. This initiative aims to address and resolve coordination concerns that have surfaced between the BJP and its affiliate groups. Meetings are being scheduled to foster better understanding and collaboration. Party coordinators are in place to ensure smooth interactions.

A covert CIA operation gathered crucial intelligence on Venezuelan President Nicols Maduro. This information facilitated a swift and precise U.S. military raid to extract Maduro. The operation, codenamed Absolute Resolve, involved elite Delta Force commandos. It was a significant U.S. military action, resulting in Maduro's capture without American casualties.

Starmer, who won power in July 2024, also argued Britain should pursue further alignment with the EU single market, saying it was in the country's ational interest to get closer to the bloc. A decade after Britons voted narrowly to leave the EU, the stance is likely to draw criticism from Brexit advocates like Nigel Farage, whose hard-right Reform UK party has led in the polls for the past year.

Somnath Temple marks 1000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's attack. In 2026, it also celebrates 75 years since its restoration and reopening in 1951. Despite repeated attacks, the temple was rebuilt by great leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Its survival showcases India's indomitable spirit and the power of faith over destruction.

Quote of the day by Plutarch highlights how learning works through thought and reflection. The quote explains that knowledge grows through curiosity, not storage. This explainer covers the meaning of quote of the day, Plutarchs life, works, influence, and why his words remain shared today.

Mumbai BJP claims a 'jihadist conspiracy' aims to capture cities and calls for citizens to resist a 'cultural invasion'. Party president Ameet Satam alleges Uddhav Thackeray is part of this plot. This strategy seeks to polarize voters ahead of civic polls. The BJP previously stated no person with the surname 'Khan' would be allowed to become Mayor.

West Bengal's political temperature is rising as assembly polls approach. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has become a major point of contention between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Mamata Banerjee alleges a bid to delete voters, while the BJP claims infiltrators are on the rolls. The influential Matua community faces uncertainty.

India's Election Commission is undertaking a massive revision of voter lists. This exercise, called Special Intensive Revision, began in 2025 and continues into 2026. It aims to clean up electoral rolls by verifying citizenship and removing ineligible voters. The process has already removed millions of names and faced political opposition and legal challenges.

Trump's operation against the Venezuelan strongman shot to the top of China's Weibo late Saturday, with the topic gaining some 440 million views on the X-like platform. Many commentators were quick to make comparisons between the fate of the South American nation and that of the self-ruled democracy Beijing has vowed to claim.

Corporate India reached a significant milestone with over two million active companies. This surge highlights the economy's formalization and strong investor confidence. The number of operational companies grew rapidly, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. This expansion occurred despite government efforts to close defunct businesses and crack down on shell companies. New company incorporations are high, with fewer closures.

A health activist has filed a contempt petition against online diagnostic services. The Delhi High Court has directed the Union health ministry to respond by January 20. The petition alleges these services operate illegally, violating the Clinical Establishments Act. This action follows a previous court order to address such illegal online health aggregators.

While Machado is a ice woman, she lacks support and respect inside Venezuela, Trump said Saturday in a news conference to discuss the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US forces. I think it would be very tough for her to be the leader, he said. Instead, he said the US plans to work with Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, Maduro's second-in-command.

Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi is on a four-day visit to the UAE and Sri Lanka. He will explore ways to strengthen bilateral military cooperation. Discussions will focus on defense cooperation, professional exchanges, and regional security. These visits aim to deepen mutual understanding and enhance collaboration between the armed forces.

As the situation in Yemen unfolds, India is strategically assessing the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the UAE without taking sides. This cautious approach reflects India's commitment to preserving robust economic alliances and diplomatic relationships with both nations.

Weeks earlier, U.S. officials had already settled on an acceptable candidate to replace Maduro, at least for the time being: Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, who had impressed Trump officials with her management of Venezuela's crucial oil industry.

Abujhmad, a long-standing Maoist stronghold in Chhattisgarh, is set for its first-ever survey and mapping since India's Independence. IIT Roorkee is undertaking the task for 246 villages. This initiative marks a significant step as security forces gain ground. The mapping will enable government schemes to reach remote villagers. Cadastral maps will be developed, followed by public objections before finalization.

The Congress party has voiced serious concern regarding recent United States actions in Venezuela. Party leaders emphasized that established international law principles must not be disregarded. While not directly condemning the military actions or the capture of President Nicolas Maduro, the Congress highlighted the potential for unilateral violations.

The Money Horoscopes for 2026 point to a year where intention, planning, and adaptability determine financial success. While planetary movements create openings, experts stress that sustained wealth will come from thoughtful action rather than chance.

United States officials confirmed they will work with Venezuela's current leaders following President Nicolas Maduro's capture and transfer to New York for trial. US commandos conducted a raid to seize Maduro and his wife. The streets of Caracas remained calm. Venezuela's military recognized Delcy Rodriguez as acting president.

Venezuela's military on Sunday recognized Delcy Rodriguez, deputy to ousted president Nicolas Maduro, as the country's acting leader, after US forces extracted the former head of state to face trial. Padrino read out a statement on television endorsing a Supreme Court ruling that appointed Rodriguez as acting president for 90 days.