The Economic Times

Earning Rs 2 lakh monthly in Indian metros, once a dream, now struggles against soaring costs. Private school fees jumped 160%, medical inflation hit 14%, and housing debt traps consume half of take-home pay. High earners are increasingly servicing debts for real estate and education, facing financial strain instead of security.

High earners often lack financial freedom due to poor life design. CA Abhishek Walia of Zactor Money explains rigid financial structures and commitments trap individuals. Heavy EMIs and fixed costs limit career flexibility. People cannot easily change jobs or pursue growth opportunities. True freedom stems from thoughtful life design, not just a high salary.

Vivo introduces the X200T in India. This new smartphone targets everyday flagship users. It features ZEISS cameras for superior imaging. The device is powered by MediaTek's latest chipset for strong performance.

Motorola makes a strong return to the flagship market with the Signature, offering a balanced approach that prioritizes design and performance. This device delivers a refined experience with a premium build, clean software, and long-term update support, making it a sensible choice for users seeking a no-compromise flagship.

Vince Lombardi, a legendary American football coach, believed in the power of desire. His famous quote, 'Winning isn't everything, but wanting to win is,' highlights the significance of effort and preparation. This philosophy extends beyond sports, encouraging individuals to strive for their best in all aspects of life. The drive to succeed fuels growth and continuous progress.

Sunila, a former dancer, rediscovered her passion during the 2020 lockdown after decades dedicated to family. A viral video, mistakenly attributed to a legendary actress, brought her back into the spotlight. Her journey inspires others to pursue their long-held dreams, proving that age is no barrier to reigniting a passion.

Ayn Rand, a Russian-American writer and philosopher, developed Objectivism. Her work focused on individual purpose and ambition. She encouraged people to protect their inner hero. Rand believed the world one desires is achievable. Her message promotes persistence and self-belief. Unfulfilled dreams do not mean impossible dreams. This philosophy resonates with those feeling stuck.

Karthi's Vaa Vaathiyaar, an adventure-comedy, is heading to OTT after an underwhelming theatrical run following its Pongal release. Despite facing delays and reduced competition, the film failed to impress at the box office. Read on to know when and where you can watch the film online.

Veteran actor Richard Gere shares insights on his journey. He acknowledges making mistakes and learning from them. He believes maturity is a gradual process. Read on to know how this perspective resonates today and encourages patience and self-compassion.

Bengaluru-raised Mala Gaonkar has built SurgoCap Partners into one of the fastest-growing hedge funds, tripling assets to nearly $6 billion in three years. Gaonkar, a former Lone Pine Capital partner, leverages data science to identify disruption across industries, a strategy that has propelled her firm's remarkable ascent in a challenging market.

Apple is reportedly preparing a significant Siri overhaul, potentially powered by Google's Gemini AI, as early as February. This update aims to enhance Siri's conversational abilities and on-screen awareness, addressing long-standing limitations. A more ambitious transformation is planned for 2026, promising a deeply conversational assistant across Apple devices.

George Harrison, the quiet Beatle, evolved from The Beatles' lead guitarist to a respected solo artist. His creative contributions, influenced by global traditions and spiritual exploration, profoundly shaped both the band's sound and his own distinctive musical voice. Harrison's legacy extends beyond music, marked by humanitarian efforts and enduring artistic influence.

Thalapathy Vijay's final film before politics, Jana Nayagan, faces release uncertainty as the Madras High Court set aside a U/A certificate order. The division bench sent the case back to a single judge. The film's certification remains pending, delaying its much-anticipated release. Read on to know more about it.

Billie Jean King was a sports icon. She dominated tennis and fought for equality. Her win against Bobby Riggs was historic. King also founded key organizations for women athletes. Her legacy continues through numerous honors and institutions.

Betty Ford, an unconventional First Lady from 1974-1977, redefined the role with her honesty and advocacy. She championed causes like the Equal Rights Amendment and women's health. Ford's belief that life is easier with support challenged societal expectations of self-sufficiency. Read on!

This decline is attributed to a significant rise in available rental properties.

Paris's luxury property market, which rebounded strongly last year, now faces headwinds from political instability and an anti-rich sentiment.

Vijay Deverakonda's new film, Ranabaali, has released its first glimpse. The movie is a historical drama set during British colonial rule. Director Rahul Sankrityan is steering this ambitious project. The film is inspired by real incidents from the past. Read on to know more about the director and the movie release date.

Actress Sara Ali Khan and social media personality Orry's once-warm friendship appears to have cooled, with recent social media actions fueling speculation of estrangement. Orry's sarcastic comment referencing Sara's box office success after a viral trend video has intensified online chatter, following earlier instances of tension and unfollowing.

Korean crime thriller The Art of Sarah is all set to premiere in India. The series follows Sarah Kim as her life unravels after a murder, drawing her into a complex investigation led by Detective Park Mu-gyeong. The show promises a suspenseful psychological puzzle with strong performances. Read on to know when and where to watch it online!

Jennifer Aniston's relationship with wellness coach Jim Curtis, first rumoured in mid-2025, was officially confirmed by the actress in November 2025. The hypnotherapist recently revealed how their love story began. He hinted they have been together for several months, possibly nearing a year. Read on to know more about it!

Bridgerton Season 4 is all set to make its digital debut. The new season centres on Benedict Bridgerton and a maid named Sophie Baek. Their romance echoes a Cinderella story. The series will be released in two parts. The season explores class differences and social barriers. It promises romance, drama, and spectacle. Read on!

Border 2 is Bollywood's first major success of 2026. The Sunny Deol film is performing strongly at the box office. It crossed over Rs 150 crore in India within three days. The film also crossed Rs 250 crore worldwide. Border 2 is inspired by the 1971 India-Pakistan War. Read on to know how much it earned on day 4.

The Raja Saab, starring Prabhas, is gearing up for its OTT release after completing its theatrical run. The horror-comedy has been acquired by Jio Hotstar, which has secured the digital streaming rights for all major language versions. While the platform is yet to announce the streaming date, the deal is reportedly valued at 80 crore, with an additional performance-linked clause tied to the films box office earnings.

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams went viral during her recent visit to Kerala after she was seen enjoying falooda at a local dessert outlet in Kozhikode. Videos shared by the outlet and later from the Kerala Literature Festival showed Williams relishing the popular Indian sweet and identifying it as her favourite dessert, drawing warm reactions online. The moment stood out for its simplicity and came shortly after Williams announced her retirement from NASA following a 27-year career mark

A Reddit post has drawn attention after a job candidate claimed that the person who interviewed him ultimately secured the same role. The candidate said he was left waiting for a response after the final interview and later discovered through LinkedIn that the interviewer had taken the position. The incident sparked widespread discussion online, with many users sharing similar experiences and raising concerns about transparency, internal hiring practices, and ethics in recruitment.

Apple has introduced an updated AirTag that improves item tracking with a longer Precision Finding range, a louder built-in speaker, and deeper integration with the Find My network, including support on Apple Watch and airline baggage recovery. Despite the internal upgrades, Apple has kept pricing unchanged from the original model, positioning the new AirTag as a practical refinement rather than a major redesign.

Filmmaker and choreographer Farah Khan has sparked fresh discussion around beauty standards in Bollywood after naming Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as the only actor she considers genuinely naturally beautiful. The comment came during one of Farahs popular cooking vlogs, where a light-hearted exchange with her cook about glowing skin turned into a candid take on cosmetic enhancements in the industry.

Chester Benningtons quote highlights his belief that fearespecially fear of being hurtcan stop people from truly living. Shaped by personal trauma and hardship, his words encourage accepting vulnerability rather than avoiding pain. His life story, from a difficult childhood to global success with Linkin Park, reflects this outlook, as his music and message consistently confronted emotional struggle, survival, and the courage it takes to live fully despite inner battles.

Aman Gupta left a lucrative Rs 60 lakh job to pursue his entrepreneurial vision, co-founding boAt. Despite initial rejections, his persistence led to extraordinary success, with boAt becoming a leading audio and wearable brand. Now, Gupta mentors emerging entrepreneurs, sharing his journey of choosing uncertainty for impactful growth.

Hussain Mansuri rose from a Mumbai slum to dedicate his life to helping the city's poor. His journey, marked by struggle and empathy, shows the power of kindness. After facing job rejections, he found fulfillment in service. A viral video of a simple act of kindness brought him widespread recognition.

Eric Clapton, a legendary guitarist and singer-songwriter, profoundly shaped blues and rock music with his emotional playing. From his early days in the Yardbirds to his influential work with Cream and Derek and the Dominos, Clapton consistently prioritized tone and feeling. His career, marked by personal loss and artistic evolution, continues to inspire musicians worldwide.

Plutarch, a revered ancient Greek writer and philosopher, is celebrated for his Parallel Lives and Moralia. His biographical comparisons of Greek and Roman figures emphasized character and morality, influencing thinkers for centuries. He believed the mind is a fire to be kindled, not a vessel to be filled, highlighting his focus on intellectual and spiritual development.

AMD has announced the Ryzen 7 9850X3D, a new high-end desktop processor focused on gaming performance as GPU prices remain elevated due to demand from AI and data centres. Priced at $499 and launching on January 29, the chip builds on AMDs 3D V-Cache lineup with higher clock speeds and improved real-world gaming gains.

Actress Keerthy Suresh and her husband Anthony Thattil unveiled their Kochi residence, the House of Fun, mixing modern design with Kerala traditions. The home features scenic backwater views, a moon-phase artwork marking significant dates, and memorabilia celebrating Keerthy's career, including her National Award for Mahanati. Read on!

A Google research scientists chance interaction with an elderly Japanese couple during a flight in 2019 turned into a lasting family bond. After helping the man with a language issue on the plane, the conversation continued beyond the journey, eventually leading the couple to become like parents to him. Over the years, they stayed closely connected, supported each other during the pandemic, met each others families, and even shared major life moments, showing how a small act of kindness can grow

Several new movies and shows are set to release on OTT platforms this week. Popular titles like Bridgerton Season 4, Dhurandhar, and Daldal are among the major highlights. Viewers can also look forward to Shrinking Season 3 and the Take That documentary. With a mix of romance, action, drama, and music, these releases offer something for everyone between January 26 and February 1.

At the Joy Awards 2026 in Riyadh, Shah Rukh Khan captivated attendees, notably with his ultra-exclusive Rolex Daytona Blue Sapphire watch, reportedly valued at over Rs 10 crore. This rare, off-catalogue timepiece, featuring diamonds and blue sapphires, sparked global curiosity, highlighting the actor's long-standing appreciation for luxury watches.

Sunita Ahuja has spoken out about her husband Govinda's alleged infidelity, expressing concern for their children and criticizing his behavior at 63. She believes aspiring actresses manipulate senior stars for financial gain. Govinda, however, denies the allegations, suggesting his family might be unknowingly part of a larger conspiracy.

Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu and filmmaker Raj Nidimoru are in the spotlight. Their recent outing at a pickleball tournament sparked online buzz. The pair showcased their coordination and camaraderie on the court. Previously, they were seen playing pickleball together. Their professional collaborations led to a close bond. They recently tied the knot in a private ceremony.

George Michael's music is experiencing a major comeback in 2026. His songs are popular on streaming platforms and social media. A quote from the singer about being kind to oneself is also gaining attention. This message emphasises personal responsibility for happiness. George Michael's legacy continues to inspire audiences worldwide. Read on!

Ed Sheerans recent Loop Tour in New Zealand showed how strong his bond with fans remains, thanks to his long and energetic performances. A quote from the singer that is now widely shared says that real success comes from hard work and staying focused on one chosen path, not trying to do everything at once. Read on!

Dorset offers a quieter, less polished alternative to the crowded Cotswolds, boasting stunning coastal scenery, rich history, and excellent local food.

Regular exercise in small amounts may be the key to longevity. But which sports give you the best perks?

National Award-winning actor Vikrant Massey recently spoke about his early struggles and recalled a difficult moment from his first day on a film set at the age of 16. He shared that a director shouted at him in front of others, leaving him humiliated and in tears. Despite the painful experience, Vikrant said he learned from it and grew stronger. Read on!

Bollywood star Hrithik Roshan was recently seen using crutches due to a sudden knee issue, sparking fan concern. He clarified on Instagram that his body parts sometimes unpredictably switch off, a challenge he's learned to cope with, even finding humour in it. Despite this, he remains busy with upcoming projects like Krrish 4.

A Lucknow-born Bengaluru resident sparked an online conversation by highlighting the city's rich social and cultural life beyond its tech-centric reputation. Her post emphasized Bengaluru's opportunities for building connections and pursuing diverse interests, resonating with many who feel a deep connection to the city's welcoming spirit and cosmopolitan nature.

Laughter Chefs Season 3 concluded with Team Kaanta emerging victorious. The finale saw intense competition between Team Kaanta and Team Chhuri. Krushna Abhishek, Kashmera Shah, Abhishek Kumar, Samarth Jurel, Aly Goni, and Jannat Zubair formed the winning team. Host Bharti Singh also returned for the grand finale. The show is available for streaming on JioHotstar. Read on!

Vikrant Massey's rise to fame, particularly after '12th Fail', was forged through early struggles. Forced to work at 16 due to financial hardship, he juggled multiple jobs and education. His television beginnings and early roles as a barista and dance instructor instilled resilience, shaping his authentic portrayal of struggle.

This weeks South Indian OTT releases bring something for everyone. Viewers can enjoy feel-good family films like Sarvam Maya, hard-hitting social dramas such as Sheshippu, sports-based stories like Champion, action thrillers like Mark, and crime dramas including Sirai, all streaming across different platforms. Read on to know when and where to watch it.