The Economic Times

Happy Pongal Wishes 2026: From January 14, the celebrations of the four-day harvest festival, kick-started in Tamil Nadu is being observed alongside Makar Sankranti. Families gather to express gratitude for a plentiful harvest and to pay tribute to the Sun God on Pongal. To mark the occasion, we have compiled a selection of greetings and best wishes to share with friends and family

Ukraine peace plan: Trump's comments suggested renewed frustration with the Ukrainian leader. The two presidents have long had a volatile relationship, though their interactions seem to have improved over Trump's first year back in office.

The Indian side is discussing with French officials for maximising the localised content in the deal with plans of setting up the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility within India to maximise the serviceability of the planes, government sources said.

Delhi, Noida, Gurugram weather: The residents of Delhi woke up to yet another bitter winter morning as dense fog returned and the capital remained in the grip of a cold wave for the fifth straight day on Thursday. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for cold wave for Delhi today. Gurugram may freeze at 1 degree Celsius today, the IMD has warned.

Iran airspace closed: Iran's government has closed its airspace to commercial aircraft without explanation amidst heightened tensions with the United States over a crackdown on protests. The closure, initially for a few hours, allows only permitted international flights to and from Iran. Authorities have offered no specific reasons for the decision.

Ponies release time and how to watch details confirm when the series premieres, what time episodes drop, and which platforms stream it worldwide. The explainer covers launch dates, time zones, streaming services, and the current UK release status for Ponies viewers.

Trump versus Fed: Trump administration recently opened a criminal investigation into Powell over cost overruns for a $2.5 billion project to renovate two historical buildings at its headquarters complex. Powell, who disclosed the probe on Sunday, denies wrongdoing, and said the unprecedented actions are a pretext to put pressure on Powell for not satisfying Trump's long-running demands for sharply lower interest rates.

The apparent decision by the Iranian government to hold off came amid a growing death toll from violent clashes on the streets of the country. Protests against the regime have been met with increasingly deadly force by authorities.

Sentenced to Be a Hero Episode 2 release time, schedule, what to expect and how to watch details are now confirmed. The episode airs on January 15, 2026, on Crunchyroll. This explainer covers story focus, global timings, release changes, episode count, and streaming platforms for viewers.

U.S Stock Market today: Stocks of smaller companies also did better than the rest of the market, with the Russell 2000 index rising 0.7 per cent.

Government ministries and departments will resolve internal commercial disputes through new inter-ministerial panels starting next financial year. This aims to speed up resolutions and reduce court burdens. Disputes involving income tax, customs, and railways are excluded. The cabinet secretary will make final decisions if panels fail. This initiative seeks to save public money and improve accountability.

Verizon users slam service, seek refunds over disruption to life in massive outage after a nationwide network failure left phones in SOS mode. Downdetector logged over 170,000 reports. Users demanded refunds as Verizon confirmed voice and data issues with no repair timeline.

Wealth quote of the day by Michael Burry: Michael Burry, famous for predicting the 2008 housing crash, champions buying unpopular companies when they are undervalued. His strategy focuses on intrinsic worth, not market trends. Burry uses financial metrics like P/E and P/B ratios, alongside qualitative factors. He made his fortune by shorting subprime mortgages and later warned of an AI market bubble.

Quote of the Day: Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, believes success comes from many failures. His journey with Google shows innovation requires constant trial and error. From early days to global impact, Brin's perspective emphasizes learning from mistakes. This approach drove Google's transformation. His words encourage persistence and resilience in pursuing ambitious goals.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Xfinity down across US became a major question after Verizon faced a nationwide outage. Users saw SOS mode, no signal, and call failures. Other carriers reported spillover issues. Verizon confirmed the problem and said engineers are working on a fix.

The IRS has warned Americans about rising tax scams ahead of the 2026 filing season. Fraudsters are using fake messages, social media posts, and identity theft to steal refunds and personal data. Seniors, workers, and businesses are all targets. The agency urges people to stay alert, file carefully, and use extra security steps.

Bitcoin price surged to its highest in two months, nearing $97,700. MicroStrategy's significant Bitcoin purchase fueled this rise. Supportive US inflation data also boosted investor confidence in risk assets. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum also saw gains. However, some experts remain skeptical, calling it a temporary rally. Meanwhile, US stocks experienced a decline.

Verizon outage hit services in areas such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

U.S. visa freeze: The pause, which will impact applicants from countries including Somalia, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Yemen, Thailand and Brazil, will begin on January 21, the spokesperson said. It does not affect visitor visas, as per reports.

Word of the day: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a fun, whimsical word popularized by the Disney classic Mary Poppins. It explains something extraordinarily wonderful, magical, or beyond ordinary description. The word blends fun, creativity, and exaggeration, making it ideal for conveying joy, awe, and amazement. Often used in storytelling, conversation, and writing, it incorporates a cheerful, imaginative touch to language.

Bilt has launched its new 2.0 credit cards that reward users for rent and mortgage payments. The update adds Bilt Cash, removes old spending rules, and introduces three card options with different fees and benefits. The move shows Bilt wants users to spend more inside its rewards system.

Song of the day: Released in August 1968, The Beatles Hey Jude is one of the bands most beloved tracks. Written by Paul McCartney to console John Lennons son, Julian, the track motivates to turn sadness into hope: Take a sad song and make it better. Its simple piano melody, soaring vocals, and iconic 4-minute Na-na-na coda gives you an unforgettable sing-along experience.

Donald Trump faced a silent reception in Michigan after mimicking President Biden's speaking style, including a mock cough and wheezing. Trump's remarks, which targeted Biden's health and speech delivery, drew criticism for their perceived insensitivity. The audience's lack of reaction was noted, with some deeming the act a self-inflicted humiliation for Trump.

BP Plc anticipates up to $5 billion in writedowns from its energy transition business following a leadership change and a pivot back to fossil fuels. The energy giant also reported weak oil trading and flat production for the fourth quarter, while successfully reducing net debt. This update comes after the ouster of its CEO amid pressure over low-carbon investments.

Elon Musk's American aerospace company has taken steps to restore telecommunications and internet access to Iran. This action comes after a complete shutdown of these services to the country's 85 million residents on January 8.

Iran protests death toll update: Iranian security forces have killed over 3,400 protesters. More than 10,000 people have been arrested. New information reveals a sharp increase in deaths between January 8 and 12. The human rights group Iran Human Rights stated the true toll is likely higher. This crackdown marks a significant event.

Many retirees make mistakes that reduce their Social Security income. Common errors include relying too much on benefits, not coordinating with a spouse, and overestimating annual COLA increases. By planning carefully and using strategies to maximize benefits, retirees can boost income, avoid financial problems, and enjoy a safer, more confident retirement without running out of money.

The Sundance Institute has announced the jury lineup for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, scheduled to run from January 22 to February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with an online at-home programme available nationally. The 17-member jury includes respected filmmakers, critics, and cultural voices judging movies in U.S., World Cinema, Short Film, and NEXT categories.

An Indian Sikh woman, Sarabjeet Kaur, who married a Pakistani Muslim during a visit, has been sent to a government shelter home in Lahore. Despite a court order to cease harassment, Punjab police apprehended the couple. Authorities reportedly aim to deport Kaur, while her husband faces a case.

Maharashtra is voting today for 29 municipal corporations. The main contest is for Mumbai's BMC between the BJP-led Mahayuti and the Thackeray front. Over 3.48 crore voters will decide the fate of 15,931 candidates. This is the Shiv Sena's first BMC election since its split. Key political alliances have formed. Populist promises for women feature prominently in manifestos.

He will succeed incumbent Praveen Kumar, who has been named the new chief of the Border Security Force (BSF).

Robert Frosts quote, It goes on, captures the quiet truth of lifes resilience. In just a few words, the poet reminds us that despite setbacks, losses, or uncertainty, life continues to move forward, asking us to adapt, endure, and keep going.

American officials Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are reportedly planning a trip to Moscow. They aim to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. The purpose is to present new peace proposals for Ukraine. Discussions are expected to include security guarantees and reconstruction efforts. This comes after President Trump's recent remarks on the ongoing conflict.

Concerns over politics and safety are affecting 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket plans. Thousands of fans have reportedly withdrawn from ticket plans. FIFA is now scheduling an emergency meeting to address these issues. Despite some withdrawals, overall ticket demand remains stable. Prices for later tournament rounds show volatility. The final match is scheduled for July 19, 2026.

TJ Sabula, a Ford factory worker, went viral after confronting Donald Trump during a plant visit. A video of the moment spread online, leading to his suspension without pay. The incident sparked a national debate about free speech, workplace rules, and political retaliation, while thousands of supporters donated money to help his family during the fallout.

Aggarwal, a 1994 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of Himachal Pradesh cadre, is currently special director general in the anti-terror agency. He has also been holding the additional charge of the post of DG, NIA.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi about the evolving situation in and around Iran. This call followed New Delhi's issuance of a new travel advisory for Indian nationals heading to Iran due to recent developments.

MSTR stock: Strategy shares saw a significant jump on Wednesday. This rise was fueled by a surge in Bitcoin's price, which crossed $97,000. Investors also reacted positively to a rare insider purchase by director Carl Rickertsen. The company recently made its largest weekly Bitcoin acquisition since July 2025, expanding its holdings to over 687,000 Bitcoin.

Euphoria Season 3 follows Rue Bennetts journey five years after high school, exploring her addiction battles and personal development. A newly released teaser emphasizes her debt to drug dealer Laurie, cautioning that The devil always collects. The video also launches a dangerous new kingpin, who cites Rue, You walk up into my house, and you dont even introduce yourself. Zendaya returns along with Sydney Sweeney, Hunter Schafer, Jacob Elordi, and Alexa Demie, with fresh cast members Rosala and D

IRCTC scam: The court, however, said the trial court could hold the cross-examination of witnesses ext-to-next week, by which time it would decide the petitions by the father-son duo against a trial court order framing charges in the case.

Lemon peel, cinnamon and ginger water is a viral wellness drink claimed to boost metabolism and burn fat, but it is not a magic weight-loss solution. While the ingredients may support digestion, reduce bloating and help control appetite, real fat loss still depends on diet, activity and lifestyle habits.

Citigroup will cut about 1,000 jobs this week as part of a 20,000-role global restructuring. CEO Jane Fraser aims to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and close performance gaps with rivals. Cuts focus on corporate, technology, and support roles. The bank employed 229,000 globally by 2024. Fourth-quarter results may reveal impact. Global risks including Middle East tensions affect strategy.