The Economic Times

United States President Donald Trump has pledged support for Iranian protesters. He stated that help is on its way for citizens demonstrating against the government. Trump has also cancelled all meetings with Iranian officials. This action comes as the death toll from the ongoing protests in Iran has risen significantly.

Tax forms like W-9, 1099, W-4, and W-2 are important for reporting income and taxes in 2025. W-9 is filled by workers, 1099 reports extra income, W-4 sets paycheck tax, and W-2 shows earnings from employers. Knowing each form helps you file taxes correctly, avoid mistakes, and get refunds or pay the right amount.

US President Donald Trump will lead a large delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, alongside leaders from G-7 nations, China, and Pakistan. The five-day meeting, beginning January 18, will focus on Ukraine, Gaza, and Latin America, with a strong Indian presence including four Union ministers and six chief ministers.

X is down: Reports that X was down began circulating early Tuesday, with users in several regions reporting login failures, timelines failing to load and posts not refreshing. The disruption follows owner Elon Musks recent announcement that X plans to open-source its recommendation and advertising algorithms as part of a broader push for transparency.

Bestselling author Colleen Hoover, recognized for It Ends With Us, confirmed her cancer diagnosis and shared updates on her recovery. Diagnosed in December 2025 after filming Reminders of Him in Canada, Hoover had the cancer surgically removed and is currently undergoing radiation therapy. She stated that her condition was not related to family genetics, HPV, or hormone issues, likely arriving from environmental or lifestyle elements.

The World Bank forecasts a slight improvement in global GDP growth for 2026, driven by stronger-than-expected performance in advanced economies, particularly the U.S. Despite this resilience, overall growth remains too weak to significantly reduce extreme poverty and is on track to be the slowest decade since the 1960s.

The World Health Organization chief warned Tuesday that Washington's decision to withdraw from the UN health agency was dangerous for the United States and the rest of the world alike. The withdrawal, he warned, makes the US unsafe... and makes the rest of the world unsafe, so it's not really the right decision.

Trump announced on Monday that any country doing business with Iran will have to pay a 25 per cent tariff on its trade with the US, a move that could impact Tehran's major trading partners such as China, India and the UAE.

Quote of the day by Kalpana Chawla: Kalpana Chawla, India's first woman in space, continues to inspire with her powerful words on achieving dreams. Her journey from Karnal to NASA exemplifies the vision, courage, and perseverance needed to turn aspirations into reality. Chawla's simple yet profound message resonates, reminding us that a path to success always exists for those willing to seek and follow it.

Madam C.J. Walker, born Sarah Breedlove, is widely regarded as Americas first self-made female millionaire. An African American entrepreneur, she built a pioneering beauty and hair care business for Black women in the early 20th century and had amassed a fortune by the time of her death in 1919.

The Treasury and State departments announced the actions Tuesday against the Lebanese, Jordanian and Egyptian chapters of the Muslim Brotherhood, which they said pose a risk to the United States and American interests.

Actor and TVK chief Vijay has been summoned for a second round of questioning by the CBI on January 19 in connection with the Karur stampede case. The federal agency took over the investigation following a Supreme Court order after the September 27, 2025, incident claimed 41 lives.

George Clooney defended actors Paul Dano, Owen Wilson, and Matthew Lillard after Quentin Tarantinos public criticism in December 2025. Speaking at the AARP Movies for Grownups Awards, Clooney admired their talent, stating he would be honoured to work with those actors. Honoured. He emphasized that Hollywood is now a time of cruelty and encouraged people not to add to it.

Apple's iOS 26.2 update is now live, patching critical spyware vulnerabilities that could compromise iPhones. This crucial update also introduces a redesigned lock-screen clock, enhanced UI customization, and a new AirDrop code feature for secure file sharing. Users are urged to install this vital security patch immediately to protect their devices.

American consumer prices held steady in December. This marks the end of a year where affordability became a major concern for households. President Donald Trump's tariffs also influenced the economy throughout the year. The consumer price index rose 2.7 percent annually. Shelter costs were a key driver of the monthly increase.

Delta Air Lines plans 20% earnings growth in 2026, mainly from premium travelers. Economy demand is low, and the stock dropped almost 5%. Delta is adding more premium seats and Boeing 787 jets to attract wealthy travelers. International travel is slowly recovering, and the airline focuses on high-paying customers, loyalty programs, and long-term fleet diversity for better profits.

France has recorded more deaths than births for the first time since World War Two, with 651,000 deaths and 645,000 births in 2025. This demographic shift, driven by an aging population and falling birth rates to 1.56 children per woman, erodes its traditional advantage and strains public finances.

Top Defence sources told that as per the proposal, the deal would also include around 12-18 Rafale jets to be acquired by the Indian Air Force in fly-away condition.

Social Security payments rise 2.8% in 2026. The increase starts in January. Medicare Part B premiums jump to $202.90 monthly. Healthcare costs keep climbing. Housing remains expensive. Inflation hits seniors harder than workers. Global tensions raise energy risks. Retirees feel the squeeze. The COLA offers stability, not relief. Many still lose purchasing power.

Karnataka will conduct all local body elections this year. The Supreme Court has mandated civic polls for Bengaluru's five new corporations by June 30. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed confidence in the Congress party's performance. Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar affirmed the government's commitment to holding the elections on time.

Experiencing emotional release brings relief and renewal. This process, known as catharsis, helps cleanse and purify strong emotions. Modern life often encourages emotional restraint, leading to buildup. Catharsis prevents burnout and resentment. It allows processing feelings instead of burying them. This quiet healing is essential for well-being. It is a human need for emotional maintenance.

Todays word that we are going to discover the meaning of is Quixote. The word comes from a famous old book written more than 400 years ago. It became popular because of a unique story and character. Over time, this word entered everyday English and is now used widely in books, news, and daily conversations.

Anhedonia is the reduced ability or complete inability to feel happiness and losing interest from the activities that are once enjoyable. It impacts emotional, social, and physical experiences, making everyday life seem to be dull despite normal routines continuing. Unlike sadness, anhedonia is signified as emotional numbness rather than emotional distress.

President Donald Trump's administration is facing criticism for its limited action on declining birth rates. Despite vocal support from Vice President JD Vance and other officials, concrete policies to reduce the cost of raising children have stalled. Conservatives expected more, but the focus has been on immigration.

President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would face a complete mess and difficulty repaying tariff collections if the Supreme Court rules against his unilateral authority to impose them. He stated on social media that refunds could be almost impossible and may not be possible due to the immense complexity and scale of the potential payouts.

Anthem class action settlement: Health insurer Anthem, now Elevance Health, will pay $12.875 million to settle a class action lawsuit. The suit challenged denied coverage for residential treatment services. Customers whose claims were denied between April 2017 and April 2025 may be eligible for a payment. A final approval hearing is set for January 2026.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has accused the Election Commission of deleting 54 lakh names from draft voter lists. She claims this was done unilaterally using AI tools devised by the BJP. Banerjee alleges genuine voters were removed without proper notification.

Nitin Nabin will become the new Bharatiya Janata Party National President on January 20. He will succeed JP Nadda. Nabin was elected as the party's working president in December. He will file his nomination on January 19. Senior party leaders will attend the announcement in Delhi. This appointment signals a focus on youth leadership within the BJP.

Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner, and Jennifer Lopez attended the 2026 Golden Globe Awards but chose not to pose together, initiating public curiosity. Insiders state that the decision was not because of the conflict, as Garner and Lopez continue to be friendly and consistently interact because of their combined family. Sources describe that a joint photograph would have resulted in unnecessary media attention and possible discomfort for their children.

Nicolas Cage is a well-known Hollywood actor with a long career in movies. He has won an Academy Award and acted in many action and drama films. Born in California, he started acting in the early 1980s. Over the years, Nicolas Cage became famous for intense roles and blockbuster films loved worldwide.

Trump 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran: US President Donald Trump has threatened a 25% tariff on any nation continuing business with Iran, a move that could significantly impact global trade. With Iran exporting to 147 countries, including major players like China and Turkey, this policy could create substantial economic pressure on allies and adversaries alike. Fuel remains Iran's primary export.

Maharashtra will hold elections for 12 Zilla Parishads and 125 Panchayat Samitis on February 5. Vote counting is scheduled for February 7. The State Election Commission announced the poll schedule, triggering the model code of conduct. Over 25,000 polling stations are being set up.

Security forces in Manipur have arrested three militants from KYKL and PREPAK groups for their alleged involvement in a bomb explosion at a fuel station. The blast caused damage, leading to a shutdown of petrol pumps across the Manipur Valley. Meanwhile, the Governor highlighted Manipur's resilience and potential for growth at a seminar focused on stability and development.

America has imposed a 25% tariff on trade with nations doing business with Iran. This move comes as Iran faces significant anti-government protests. Iran's trade partners include China, India, Turkey, Germany, South Korea, and Japan. Fuels are Iran's primary export. The US sanctions aim to cut funding for Iran's nuclear program.

Rahul Gandhi, a Congress leader, stated that India's democratic system faces an attack. He mentioned institutions like the Election Commission are under pressure. Gandhi urged young people to remain confident and question those in power. He emphasized that democracy relies on everyone having a voice. The government is accused of undermining the people's voice.

Puzzle enthusiasts note that Strands offers a satisfying balance between structure and discovery. The hint system rewards exploration, while the spangram adds a strategic layer that sets the game apart from other NYT offerings.

Delhi-NCR School Holiday: Delhi schools remain closed on January 14, 2026, due to ongoing winter vacations. Uttar Pradesh schools in Noida and Ghaziabad will observe a public holiday for Makar Sankranti on January 15, 2026. Gurgaon and other Haryana schools are also shut until January 15 for winter break. Students across Delhi-NCR enjoy a mid-January break.

Lohri 2026 time to light Lohri fire: Lohri, celebrated on January 13, is a significant Punjabi and Sikh festival marking the harvest season with community bonfires. Families gather to offer gratitude for winter crops, share traditional foods like rewari and gajak, and engage in folk songs and dances. The auspicious time for lighting the bonfire in 2026 is from 5:43 pm to 7:15 pm.

Global central bankers stand with U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. They issued a statement of solidarity after President Donald Trump threatened criminal charges. Powell is praised for his integrity and commitment to public interest. The independence of central banks is crucial for economic stability. This independence must be preserved with respect for the rule of law.

China on Monday reaffirmed its territorial claims over the Shaksgam valley in the backdrop of India's objections, stressing that the Chinese infrastructure projects in the area are eyond reproach.

Haryana Police have removed 67 songs promoting gang lifestyle, weapons, and violence from digital platforms. This action follows an investigation revealing how such content glamorizes crime and influences young minds. The police are continuing their crackdown, warning creators and monitoring online activity to combat the glorification of criminal behavior.

President Donald Trump is reshaping the global order with aggressive actions. He has targeted Venezuela and threatened other nations. His America First approach is causing unease among allies. This shift towards spheres of influence mirrors past doctrines. World leaders are reacting to these changes. The U.S. is asserting its power, impacting international stability.

Estranged RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav attended a feast hosted by Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha, sparking speculation about his political future. Yadav, who recently floated his own outfit, met Sinha days prior to extend an invitation. Both leaders emphasized shared cultural ethos, leaving room for future political developments.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared antimicrobial resistance a significant threat to humanity. He urged experts to develop a plan to combat this growing challenge. Shah also laid the foundation stone for a BSL-4 biocontainment facility in Ahmedabad.

Venezuela's political dynamics are in flux, with influential figures such as Delcy Rodriguez and Diosdado Cabello at the helm. In contrast, American leaders like Marco Rubio and John Ratcliffe are playing critical roles in determining the nation's trajectory. The U.S. aims to revitalize Venezuela's oil industry while securing its geopolitical stakes.