New Year's 2026: Celebrations around the world Countries around the world rang in 2026. ABC News' Alison Kosik has the details on the global New Year's party.

Fireworks over the Arc de Triomphe as Paris rings in the new year Paris lit up the sky above the Arc de Triomphe with a fireworks display as France's capital rang in 2026.

(Taiwan Presidential Office via AP)TAIPEI, Taiwan -- Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Thursday vowed to defend the self-ruled island’s sovereignty in the face of China’s “expansionist ambitions,” days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores. Lai’s comments came days after China wrapped up live-fire drills around Taiwan featuring rocket launches, aircraft and warships. The United States is obligated by its own laws to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. China’s leader Xi Jinping called Taiwan’s eventual annexation “ unstoppable " during his own televised New Year’s address on Wednesday. “Facing China’s serious military ambitions, Taiwan has no time to wait,” Lai said.

Falling mortgage rates bring hope for housing market ABC News’ Elizabeth Schulze shares what potential home buyers should know as the new year starts with mortgage rates at a 15-month low.

The Walt Disney Co. has settled claims that it violated child privacy laws, said the U.S. Department of Justice, with a federal court entering a stipulated order resolving the case, on Tuesday. The Justice Department had alleged that Disney Worldwide Services and Disney Entertainment Operations failed to accurately identify some YouTube video content as “Made for Kids,” enabling Disney and other parties to collect personal data from children under 13 years old. AdvertisementThe Federal Trade Commission investigated the matter and referred the case to the Justice Department. “Disney has a long tradition of embracing the highest standards of compliance with children’s privacy laws, and we remain committed to investing in the tools needed to continue being a leader in this space.”AdvertisementIn a statement Tuesday, Assistant Atty. Gen. Brett A. Shumate said, “the Justice Department is firmly devoted to ensuring parents have a say in how their children’s information is collected and used.

What America has planned for 250th celebration U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum joins “GMA” live to share details of the celebrations planned for America’s birthday in 2026.

LOADING ERROR LOADINGWASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration has ended the lease agreement for three public golf courses in Washington, a move that offers President Donald Trump an additional opportunity to put his stamp on another piece of the nation’s capital. The National Links Trust, the nonprofit that has operated Washington’s three public courses on federal land for the last five years, said Wednesday that the Department of the Interior had terminated its 50-year lease agreement. The Interior Department said it was terminating the lease because the nonprofit had not implemented required capital improvements and failed to meet the terms of the lease. AdvertisementWhile it was unclear what the Trump administration’s plans are for the golf courses, the move gives Trump, whose private company has developed numerous golf courses in the U.S. and abroad, the chance to remake links overlooking the Potomac River and in Rock Creek Park and a site that is part of Black golf history. Officials for the National Links Trust said in a statement that they were “devastated” by the decision to terminate the lease and defended their management of the courses.

Source: Getty Images / UnsplashMost people assume their “bad habits” reveal something unflattering about them: a lack of discipline, social maturity, or emotional strength. Good GossipGossip is one of those words that immediately conjures images of whispered betrayals and unnecessary drama. Whether they know it or not, they’re transmitting social norms and helping one another make sense of their relational world. Humans aren’t built to decode social information in isolation; gossip is one of the oldest ways we learned to co-construct meaning and protect our emotional equilibrium. Although chronic, avoidant procrastination can indeed be harmful, recent research makes an important distinction.

ETIt's almost 2026, and thousands of people have flocked to Times Square in New York City to watch the annual ball drop to ring in the New Year. Read on to see a livestream from USA TODAY of New Year's Eve events around the worl, or learn how to watch the Times Square ball drop live on television. Watch a livestream of the 2026 Times Square ball drop in NYC, events around the worldCheck out a livestream from Times Square, and other events around the world, courtesy of USA TODAY, below:More holiday happenings: See families celebrate New Year's Eve in YonkersHow to watch the New Years Eve 2026 Times Square ball drop on TVCheck out the following television channels and streaming services for their coverage:ABC’s "Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve with Ryan Seacrest," 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., will have, along with the ball drop, music performances. In the Lower Hudson Valley region, NBC and CBS affiliates typically broadcast New Year's Eve specials that include coverage of the ball drop. Live TV streaming services: Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, YouTube TV, and DirecTV Stream offer access to ABC, CNN, and other local channels, according to the Times Square website.

A look ahead at the movies in 2026 ABC News' Danny News unpacks some of the exciting films on the docket for 2026.

AdvertisementBe in no doubt that the mood among the Parliamentary Labour Party is grim, with their anger being directed at what they see as a misfiring No.10 operation. Advertisement“I want to pay tribute to Alaa’s family, and to all those that have worked and campaigned for this moment. seems to be under the illusion that there is going to be a strong start to 2026 ! pic.twitter.com/WOhzcKSZNV — PoliticalPics (@PoliticalPics) December 19, 2025On the face of it at least, Starmer remains upbeat that 2026 will be the year when “things start to feel easier” for hard-pressed voters. AdvertisementYet another battle for the soul of the Labour Party will then ensue, between those on the Right such as Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood, and the likes of Angela Rayner and Andy Burnham on the Left.

The Defence Headquarters has revealed that a damage assessment of the recent United States strikes conducted in conjunction with Nigerian forces is still ongoing. “On the United States strikes in conjunction with Nigerian forces, there is a process of battle damage assessment. According to him, the armed forces are also engaging civilians to support security agencies with timely information. It is not for the Armed Forces to focus on what some people in society do not agree with in our activities. He assured the public that the armed forces would continue operations against terrorist groups into the new year.

The Trump administration is terminating a nonprofit’s management of three public Washington, DC, golf courses, in what may be the latest effort to put President Donald Trump’s stamp on local institutions. The $8.5 million in capital improvements the group says it has invested is more than what the Interior Department says it owes in rent. “We are fundamentally in disagreement with the administration’s characterization of NLT as being in default under the lease,” National Links Trust said in its statement. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementEast Potomac Golf Links on Hains Point has played a part in one renovation overseen by the president. It’s unclear whether Trump has ever golfed at any of the courses managed by National Links Trust.

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