The Economic Times News

Himachal Pradesh is waging a strong war against drugs. Shimla police are using a new strategy to stop drug sales on the streets. They are identifying frequent drug dealers and proposing their preventive detention. This aims to break drug supply chains and protect young people. The police are using technology and intelligence to track down organized gangs.

U.S. stock futures were mostly steady Thursday night as Wall Street reopened after Christmas. The pause followed a strong holiday-shortened session. The S&P 500 hit a fresh intraday record. The Dow Jones closed at a new high. Investors are now watching whether the traditional Santa Claus rally is taking shape. U.S. equity markets ended Christmas Eve with broad gains despite light volume.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored the supreme sacrifice of Guru Gobind Singh's sons, calling it India's ultimate courage against Mughal cruelty. He highlighted their bravery against religious fanaticism, stating their example inspires the nation's youth. The nation remembers these young heroes on Veer Bal Diwas, a day dedicated to their unparalleled valor and martyrdom.

What's new on Netflix, ZEE5, and JioHotstar this week? Our curated list features the years biggest drops: Stranger Things 5 Vol 2, the all-in-one Baahubali saga, and Harshvardhan Ranes obsessive thriller Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Get release times, plot twists, and streaming links for the final week of December 2025.

India's top courts made significant rulings in 2025. The Supreme Court addressed Waqf Act amendments, stray dog management, and electoral roll revisions. Governors' powers and Aravalli mining were also examined. High Courts clarified senior citizen property rights and live-in relationship legality. These judgments shaped legal landscapes across the nation.

A forest department officer was injured during a wild boar rescue operation in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh. The animal attacked Shivam Pratap Singh, knocking him down and repeatedly charging. Eyewitnesses described the sudden and aggressive nature of the attack. Despite efforts to fend off the boar, the officer sustained injuries and was hospitalized.

A shocking incident unfolded in Mishima, Japan, where fourteen individuals sustained injuries during a stabbing and liquid spray attack at a rubber factory. Emergency services transported victims to hospitals. Police have reportedly arrested a man in connection with the incident. This event highlights ongoing concerns regarding violent crime in the country, despite its generally low crime rates.

What India asked the Google in 2025: Indians increasingly turn online for practical answers, learning and also real-world problem-solving. 'How to' queries covering everything from cooking to navigating through apps dominated the trends. People sought guidance for creating their own 'ghibli-style' images and the SIR season throughout India also brought queries like ;how to fill SIR form online also gained traction online.

China has imposed sanctions on ten individuals and twenty US defense companies. This action follows a recent large US arms sale to Taiwan. The sanctions freeze assets and prohibit business dealings. Individuals on the list are also banned from entering China. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and warns against actions crossing its red line on the island.

Hardik Singh will lead the HIL Governing Council team in the Hockey India League. The tournament begins January 3 in Chennai. The team features experienced players and promising youngsters. The league will have eight franchises competing in a single round-robin format. Playoffs and the final will be held in Bhubaneswar. The league aims to provide continuity for players.

India's new Regional Rapid Transit System promises to change how people travel and boost economies. The Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor will cut travel time significantly. Experts believe this system is more than just transport; it's a growth catalyst. Its success depends on planning, land use, and investment. Affordable housing near stations is also crucial for its long-term impact.

A Bihar man faces arrest for allegedly marrying three women in three years without divorcing. His first two wives accuse him of dowry harassment and domestic abuse. The accused denies claims, citing family circumstances and alleging his wives neglected his elderly mother. The women, however, detail a pattern of deception and financial exploitation.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 7 crore. Experts suggest Iyer might not feature in the initial playing XI. RCB focused on retaining their core team and acquiring backups. The franchise is happy with the acquisition. The team aims to build on past success. Player acquisitions were strategic.

Apollo Micro Systems Limited has received new defence orders exceeding Rs 100 crore. The company will supply unmanned aerial systems to the Ministry of Defence. These orders are scheduled for execution within the next four months. This development highlights AMSL's contribution to the defence sector. The company provides technology solutions across various industries.

Emphasising the abundance of opportunities being created at various fields, PM Modi on Saturday believed in the capabilities and confidence of Gen-Z, encouraging them to strive for the nation's development through hard work and discipline, fulfilling the goal of Viksit Bharat

What's new on Netflix, ZEE5, and JioHotstar this week? Our curated list features the years biggest drops: Stranger Things 5 Vol 2, the all-in-one Baahubali saga, and Harshvardhan Ranes obsessive thriller Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Get release times, plot twists, and streaming links for the final week of December 2025.

Jackie Chan, Hong Kong martial artist, has always inspired people through his wise words. Chan's journey from a stuntman to gaining international fame is nothing short of incredible. In one of his quotes, Jackie Chan advises people to be kind, compassionate and caring towards others which can be a changing point in someone else's life.

Uttar Pradesh schools will now mandate newspaper reading for students, aiming to foster reading habits, critical thinking, and reduce screen time. The initiative encourages daily reading of both Hindi and English newspapers, with students sharing key points during morning assemblies. This move seeks to enhance general knowledge, vocabulary, and awareness of current affairs, while also promoting empathy and civic engagement.

A Hyderabad woman was defrauded of 1.8 crore by cybercriminals who impersonated Mukesh Ambani and RBI officials. Over nine months, they convinced her to share bank details and activate net banking, siphoning money through numerous small transactions. The scam was uncovered when she found minimal funds left in her accounts.

Resident doctors in Himachal Pradesh will go on a day-long mass leave. This follows Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu's assurance of a fresh inquiry into a patient assault controversy. The controversy led to the termination of a senior resident doctor at IGMC Shimla. The Chief Minister has agreed to re-investigate the case and consider all evidence.

Fresh clashes erupt along the Thailand-Cambodia border. Decades-old disputes over land and ancient temples reignite. Fighting intensified in December after a July ceasefire collapsed. Both sides deployed military might. Diplomatic efforts are underway to restore peace. The situation remains tense as underlying issues persist.

A Delhi court has extended the National Investigation Agency custody for two accused in the Red Fort blast case. Yasir Ahmed Dar will be questioned for ten more days, while Dr Bilal Naseer Malla will be quizzed for eight more days. The NIA is investigating the November 10 attack that killed 15 people.

South Korea's ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol faces a 10-year prison term demand for attempting to impose martial law and other charges. The independent counsel cited obstruction of duties and abuse of power, with Yoon denying all allegations. His martial law attempt triggered a severe political crisis, leading to his impeachment and dismissal.

A Booth Level Officer in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly died by suicide in his rented room. Identified as Umesh, he was reportedly under pressure due to his recent assignment as a BLO for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. While family members cite work pressure, the exact cause remains under investigation.

While UPI transaction volumes appear massive nationwide, per-capita data reveals a significant digital divide. Southern and western states show much deeper UPI adoption and usage compared to eastern and northeastern regions. Closing this gap requires improved infrastructure and merchant onboarding in lagging states.

BJP leader VV Rajesh made history after being elected as the Thiruvanthapuram mayor which is a first corporation win for the party in the southern state. A seasoned politician, VV Rajesh is a lawyer by profession and has been active in politics for more than 25 years. He has previously served as the Thiruvananthapuram district president and as the state president of the BJP Yuva Morcha.

The Bharatiya Janata Party achieved a historic win in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation. V V Rajesh became the mayor, marking the BJP's first municipal corporation victory in Kerala. The United Democratic Front secured victories in Kollam, Kochi, and Thrissur Corporations. The Left Democratic Front won in Kozhikode, and the UDF is set to lead Kannur.

Airports in Bhopal and Khajuraho have achieved top rankings in a nationwide customer satisfaction survey. The survey covered 58 airports across India. Both Bhopal and Khajuraho airports secured perfect scores in the first round. In the second round, they scored 4.99 out of 5. This indicates world-class passenger services are reaching smaller Indian cities.

Rising South Sydney star Keaon Koloamatangi is reportedly set to join the St. George Illawarra Dragons in 2027 on a lucrative five-year deal. This blockbuster move, worth approximately $5 million, would be a significant acquisition for the Dragons. Koloamatangi has informed the Dragons of his intention to join, despite a strong counter-offer from the Rabbitohs.

RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Bharatiya Vigyan Sammelan in Tirupati. He asserted that science and dharma are not in conflict. Bhagwat explained dharma as the governing law of creation, not just religion. He noted that science and spirituality share the same ultimate goal of knowing truth. Methodologies may differ, but the destination remains the same.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that mediation represents the highest evolution of law, fostering harmony and a transition from adjudication to participation. He envisions a multi-door courthouse as a comprehensive dispute resolution center, not just a trial venue. Mediation is recognized as a successful and cost-effective win-win solution for parties.

Maharashtra witnessed a turbulent 2025 marked by major crime and security events. Key Naxalites surrendered, while high-profile fraud cases, including a Pune land deal, surfaced. Bollywood stars faced allegations. The year also saw acquittals in terror blast cases, raising questions about investigations. Incidents of violence and infiltration were also reported.

Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak faces more jail time and fines. A judge found him guilty of abuse of power in the 1MDB scandal. The ruling could impact Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's government. Najib denies wrongdoing, claiming he was misled by financier Jho Low. The court rejected his defense regarding the source of funds.

Popular Bengali actress Parno Mittra has joined the Trinamool Congress. She stated this was a conscious decision to correct a past political error. Mittra had previously joined the BJP in 2019 and contested the 2021 Assembly elections from Baranagar. She lost that election to a TMC candidate. The TMC candidate later switched to the BJP.

Mustafa Suleyman, the head of Microsoft AI, has said that companies may have to spend hundreds of billions to lead the race of Artificial Intelligence, adding that competing at the top level of AI will require an investment of hundreds of billions of dollars over the next five to ten years. His remarks come at a time when major tech companies have also invested billions of dollars in building AI data centres.

Australia secured a 42-run first-innings lead over England on a dramatic day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Twenty wickets fell before a world-record crowd. Australia collapsed for 152, but England was bowled out for 110. Australia finished the day at 4-0 in their second innings, holding an overall lead of 46 runs.

Mumbai opener Rohit Sharma was dismissed for a golden duck by Uttarakhand pacer Devendra Bora in the Vijay Hazare Trophy. Bora, playing his third List A match, removed Sharma in the opening over after Mumbai opted to bowl. Sharma's attempt at a pick-up pull shot resulted in a catch at deep square leg.

A Mumbai businessman has been convicted for feeding pigeons in a public place, marking the first such ruling since the Bombay High Court banned the practice. The court found the act posed a risk to public health and violated government directives, imposing fines under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The businessman pleaded guilty, and the court deemed a monetary penalty sufficient.

Goa's tourism sector faced a setback following a tragic nightclub fire. The state government encountered criticism regarding corruption and deteriorating law and order. Despite these challenges, Goa hosted significant events like the FIDE World Cup and the International Film Festival of India. The BJP maintained its political dominance in local elections.