Entertainment
China rare earths deal will ‘hopefully’ be done by Thanksgiving, says Bessent
A rare earths deal between the US and China will “hopefully” be done by Thanksgiving, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in remarks that aired on Sunday.
Bessent’s comments follow a framework agreement announced last month in which Washington agreed not to impose 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, and China would hold off on an export licensing regime for crucial rare earth minerals and magnets.
“I am confident that post our meeting in Korea between the two leaders, President Trump, President Xi (Jinping), that China will honour their agreements,” Bessent told Fox News’s “Sunday Morning Futures” programme.
“And I am confident that— post our meeting in Korea between the two leaders, President Trump, President Xi — that China will honour their agreements.”
But, Bessent warned, if Beijing baulks, the United States has “lots of levers” to retaliate.
The Treasury secretary insisted that under the deal, rare earths “will flow freely as they did before April 4,” when China slapped restrictions on the sector, requiring export licenses for certain products in response to Trump´s sweeping tariffs.
Under the deal reached by Trump and Xi, the United States will cut back tariffs on Chinese products, and Beijing will buy at least 12 million metric tons of American soybeans by the end of this year, and 25 million metric tons in 2026.
China, which had stopped buying US soybeans in response to Trump´s tariffs, “made pawns out of our great soybean farmers,” Bessent said.
Bessent also disputed a recent Wall Street Journal report that said Chinese officials planned to restrict access to rare earths for US companies with ties to the military.
Earlier this month, China suspended an array of export control measures it imposed on October 9, including expanded curbs on some rare earth materials and equipment, as well as lithium battery materials and super-hard materials, the Commerce Ministry said in a statement.
The suspensions were effective immediately and would apply through November 10, 2026, the ministry said.
The announcement confirmed and formalised an agreement reached after US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping hammered out a trade truce last month.
The White House and China’s Commerce Ministry had both said such an announcement was forthcoming.
The year 2026 is anticipated to be a landmark for video gamers. Many franchises are expected to return with bold new ideas and fan-favourite heroes reaching consoles.
From cinematic blockbusters to indie titles, developers aim to push both technology and story telling new heights.
Here’s the complete list of most anticipated games that will be released in 2026:
- Cairn
- Reanimal
- Resident Evil Requiem
- Pokémon Pokopia
- 007 First Light
- Saros
- Grand Theft Auto VI
- Marvel’s Wolverine
- Witchbrook
- Halo: Campaign Evolved
The most talked-about releases are Grand Theft Auto VI. Set in the fictional Floridan-inspired themes, the game follows criminal partners Lucia and Jason promising players a sharp satire of modern America. Expectations are sky-high ahead of its planned November release.
Another most-awaited is 007 First Light, developed by IO Interactive. As the name suggests, the story revolves around James Bond. However, the exciting part is this chapter is about the young Bond before he earns his 00 status. After GoldenEye 007, it is considered as the most significant Bond game.
The horror niche lovers will also get their new year surprise. In 2026, Resident Evil Requiem introduces two contrasting protagonists i.e., timid newcomer Grace and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy, as they face fresh terrors in Raccoon City.
For exact release dates and new updates, players need to stay informed through official sites of developers.
Stranger Things finally ended its ten-year run on Netflix with an emotional farewell for its cast and creators.
The horror thriller, which began in 2016, made its young actors international stars and the series became a global sensation.
On December 19, 2025, series creators Matt and Ross Duffer joined core cast members Millie Bobby Brown, Finn Wolfhard, Sadie Sink, Gaten Matarazzo, Caleb McLaughlin and Noah Schnapp at Netflix’s Paris Theatre in New York City.
The group watched the most-awaited finale, The Rightside Up, together for the first time.
The exciting event was filled with intense emotion as the actors talked about their journey, where Millie Bobby Brown, who played the main role Eleven, shared: “I started this show when I was just 12.
It’s hard to imagine my life without these people. They’ve been my family for ten years, and this goodbye is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
The 21-year-old actress added, “Noah is still the godfather of my child, so I guess some parts of this family stay forever.”
However, other cast members shared similar feelings about growing up on the show and the close bonds they made over the years.
The Duffer brothers also praised all the actors for their hard-work and to bring the story to life over a decade.
Stranger Things finale premiered on New Year’s Eve 2025, closing the chapter on Hawkins’ adventures while leaving behind a lasting legacy.
Friends gave fans plenty of unforgettable New Year’s moments, but for Courteney Cox, one episode still stands above the rest.
To ring in the new year, the actress revisited one of the sitcom’s most iconic scenes. On New Year’s Eve 2026, Cox, who played Monica Geller on the beloved ’90s series, shared a clip from The One with the Routine on Instagram.
The episode, which aired on December 16, 1999, featured Monica and her older brother Ross, played by David Schwimmer, attempting to dance during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. After repeatedly failing to get the camera’s attention, the siblings fall back on a dance routine they created as kids. Confident it will be a hit, they perform it with full enthusiasm. Instead, the awkward moves land them in the show’s blooper reel.
“Happy New Years everyone!” Cox, 61, captioned the post.
Fans immediately flooded the comments with praise. “Dare i say: one of the most iconic scenes of the series?” one person wrote. Another agreed, calling it “Without fail one of the greatest scenes EVER.” One fan also noted their disappointment over Friends recently being removed from Netflix.
Meanwhile, Cox’s longtime friend and Friends co-star Jennifer Aniston marked the occasion in her own way. The Emmy-winning actress — who won hearts as Monica’s best friend Rachel Green — shared a video montage of her 2025 highlights on Instagram.
The recap featured familiar faces, including Cox herself, Aniston’s dogs, her new boyfriend Jim Curtis, and even fellow Friends alum Reese Witherspoon.
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