The Economic Times

Ukraine war: Zelenskyy announced a trilateral meeting between US, Ukrainian and Russian officials will be held in the UAE from Friday. Trump called his meeting with Zelenskyy good but said peace talks have a ways to go, adding the war must end and negotiations are ongoing.

Tesla plans to offer its Optimus robots to consumers by the end of next year. Elon Musk also anticipates regulatory approval for the company's Full Self-Driving system in Europe and China within the next month. These developments come as Tesla seeks to diversify revenue streams beyond its electric vehicle sales.

The prekindergarten pupil, Liam Conejo Ramos, is pictured in a photo released by the school system as he stands next to a vehicle with an adult's hand on his backpack. His father is not in sight. The image prompted outrage in the Twin Cities area, where many people have been angered since mid-December by the Trump administration's surge in deportation operations.

Davos: Madhya Pradesh wants to play the most important role in INDIA'S progress; the state govt already prepared its plan and is committed to it, said Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at the WEF summit.

Brazil president India visit: Modi conveyed to Lula that he looked forward to welcoming Lula to India at an early date. Lula is planning to visit India for the AI Summit and State visit next month.

Why is gold price rising and will it go above $4,937? Gold crossed $4,900 as the dollar weakened and markets expected Federal Reserve rate cuts. Geopolitical tension, U.S. data, and demand trends also supported gold, silver, and platinum prices.

Blackstone, a global investment giant, no longer considers India an emerging market. The firm sees immense growth potential in India, citing its large population and stable government. Blackstone plans to expand its investments across various sectors. Artificial intelligence is also highlighted as a technology set to transform the world rapidly. This outlook contrasts with short-term stock market fluctuations.

Microsoft 365 services and products operational now? Microsoft reports recovery in consumer-focused products, but Microsoft 365 services still face issues. Outlook and Teams show high reports, while traffic redirection and load balancing are ongoing. Users can check Microsofts status page for updates on service restoration.

What is Microsoft 365 451 4.3.2 Temporary Server Error and how to fix it? Microsoft 365 faced outages affecting Outlook, Teams, Defender, and Purview. Users reported over 11,000 issues. The error indicates server-side problems. This guide explains causes, Microsoft updates, and steps for users and admins to resolve or manage the issue.

Sinners can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video and HBO Max

Microsoft 365 down and when will it be back up? Microsoft 365 faced a major outage impacting Outlook, Teams, Defender, Purview, and Microsoft Store. Thousands of users reported email delays, login failures, and server errors. Microsoft confirmed the issue and said engineers are working on service recovery.

Quote of the day by George Soros: Investor George Soros emphasizes the inherent unpredictability of financial markets, driven by human behavior and global events. He advocates for preparing for multiple scenarios rather than relying on precise forecasts. This approach, supported by behavioral finance, encourages humility and adaptability in navigating market volatility.

Donald Trump Vs JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon $5 billion lawsuit explained as the U.S. president accuses the bank of debanking him for political reasons. The lawsuit claims account closures followed January 6 events. JPMorgan denies political bias and cites regulatory risk.

HR angry email goes viral: A job seeker's sharp rejection email from a hiring manager has gone viral on Reddit, sparking widespread discussion. The applicant, who had already accepted another role, was accused of unprofessionalism for not attending a scheduled interview. This incident highlights growing frustrations among job seekers regarding recruiter entitlement and poor communication practices.

Sources tell celebrity journalist Rob Shuter that Hollywoods most celebrated friendship between Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds may be weakening. Hughs been unusually quiet around Ryan lately; people are whispering hes stepping back for his own sanity, a source stated. Insiders cite that minor blips, like missed messages, have escalated into noticeable strain. The tension reportedly arrives from Reynolds and Blake Livelys ongoing legal battle with Justin Baldoni.

Global trade is changing rapidly. US tariff policies have shifted focus from multilateral agreements to bilateral trade deals. This creates uncertainty for businesses. India is strategically diversifying its trade partnerships. This approach helps navigate a more disrupted world. New strategies are needed to adapt to these evolving trade dynamics.

K-Pop sensation BTS is returning to the touring stage with their 2026 World Tour. Tickets are now available for fans eager to see the group live. The tour kicks off in South Korea and will make its way to the US, with multiple stops scheduled. Dates are set to run into March 2027, promising a global spectacle.

Elon Musk Davos speech: Elon Musk surprised attendees at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He spoke about his dream of dying on Mars and joked about global politics. Musk also shared his vision for widespread humanoid robots and provided updates on Tesla's self-driving technology. He mentioned potential regulatory approval in Europe and China.

Credit card debt relief is gaining attention as balances cross $1.1 trillion and interest rates stay above 21%. In 2026, select Americans may qualify for debt forgiveness through issuer programs. Eligibility depends on hardship, delinquency, and negotiation. Settlements, tax impacts, and credit risks matter. With economic uncertainty rising, informed borrowers are exploring relief paths carefully.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met EU ambassadors to discuss global economic derisking ahead of the India-EU summit. The summit will see the conclusion of FTA negotiations, aiming to strengthen ties for resilient supply chains, public goods provision, and global stability through enhanced trade and security partnerships.

The Congress party alleged that the recently enacted G RAM G scheme was part of the Centre's design to deny workers right-based MGNREGA and by ending it, the government has attacked the poor and weaker sections of rural India, and this is being opposed across the country

Fresh tension grips Manipur after a man was found dead following his kidnapping. Suspected United Kuki National Army militants abducted the 38-year-old and his wife. A video shows the victim being shot. The incident has reignited ethnic divides.

LinkedIn AI report: LinkedIn cofounder Reid Hoffman argues that US companies are missing the biggest AI productivity gains by focusing on chief AI officers and pilot teams. True transformation, he states, comes from automating everyday work and fostering open employee learning, not secret experimentation. Companies integrating AI into daily tasks will see compounding gains over time.

Former US President Donald Trump has announced plans to sue The New York Times. This action follows the publication of an opinion poll by the newspaper. The poll indicated a decline in voter support for the Republican figure. Trump stated on his Truth Social platform that the poll results will be part of his ongoing legal action against the publication.

With an impressive 16 nominations, Sinners has emerged as the dominant force this awards season. The film's success stems from its bold storytelling, technical mastery, and emotionally resonant performances, reflecting a clear and confident directorial vision. This widespread recognition across major and technical categories signals a strong alignment with the Academy's evolving taste for complex narratives.

Paramount is extending its offer to buy Warner Bros. Discovery. The company is also preparing for a proxy fight. Warner's board favors a deal with Netflix. Paramount argues its offer is better for shareholders. The battle for Warner is complex, with different assets being targeted. The outcome could face significant regulatory review. Both Warner and Netflix shares saw minor dips.

Donald Trump's policies are reshaping global dynamics. The United States now views Europe as a rival, potentially weakening transatlantic ties. This shift creates opportunities for China to expand its influence. America is exhibiting tendencies towards resource imperialism, a strategy ill-suited for the 21st century. These developments signal a fundamental turning point in world power structures.

U.S. stocks surged as small caps took the lead. The Russell 2000 jumped 1.25% to 2,731.77, hitting a fresh record high. The Dow Jones Industrial Average, S&P 500, and Nasdaq Composite also advanced. Dow climbed 435.64 points, or 0.89%, to 49,512.87. The S&P 500 advanced 0.70% to 6,924.01, while the Nasdaq Composite gained 1.03%, finishing at 23,463.04.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy criticized European allies for a slow, fragmented response to Russia's ongoing aggression, urging the continent to become a global force. He lamented that a year after his previous warning, Europe's defense posture remains unchanged, leaving Ukraine vulnerable. Zelenskyy's remarks followed a meeting with U.S. President Trump, who is pushing for a peace settlement.

EU leaders are set to discuss reducing reliance on the U.S. following President Trump's unpredictable actions and threats of tariffs. Concerns persist over his approach, prompting a need for a long-term strategy to navigate the transatlantic relationship and enhance European independence.

Greenland's leader Jens-Frederik Nielsen has stated the territory wants peaceful talks with the United States. He stressed Greenland wishes to stay with Denmark for now. Nielsen declared that respecting Greenland's sovereignty is a red line. He added that only Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark can make agreements concerning them.

India's Election Commission is offering international poll bodies help with technology and training. They want to share their ECINET platform and expertise. This collaboration aims to strengthen democracy globally. Many countries showed interest in adopting India's election management solutions.

Elon Musk believes artificial intelligence will soon be smarter than all humans combined. This advancement will reshape jobs and life's purpose. Musk also noted energy shortages could limit AI growth. He suggested space could become the cheapest location for AI systems. Tesla's humanoid robots and self-driving technology are also progressing rapidly.

A Reddit user shared a job rejection email that was surprisingly kind. The message acknowledged the applicant's creativity despite not meeting experience requirements. This thoughtful approach made the applicant feel seen during a tough job search. The post highlights how empathy in rejections can leave a positive, lasting impression on candidates navigating the challenging job market.

A young product manager shared her layoff story on Reddit, explaining how job loss broke her confidence but did not break her spirit. After months of rejection and stress, she received the right guidance and support. Her journey reminds people that layoffs are painful, but they do not define the future or decide success forever.

Courts globally are penalising lawyers for submitting fake legal citations generated by AI, emphasizing that AI errors do not excuse professionals from accountability. Judges are holding legal practitioners responsible for accuracy, even for unintentional mistakes, with sanctions ranging from fines to public reprimands. This strict enforcement of existing duties highlights that human oversight remains crucial in legal practice.

A massive structural shift is hitting the 2026 job market. Amazon, Intel, and Microsoft have joined 17 other giants to cut over 165,000 roles. This is not a simple recession. Companies are trading human payroll for AI infrastructure. Intel is slashing 15% of its staff to save billions. Amazon is removing middle management layers. Microsoft is funding data centers through layoffs. This reset signals a permanent, tech-driven workforce evolution.

Karnataka is rapidly expanding into new-age sectors like data centres, AI, and green energy, building on its decades-long success in traditional industries. Senior minister MB Patil highlighted the state's strong ecosystem, its leadership in machine tools and aerospace, and its growing prominence as India's startup capital.

Following recent transatlantic turmoil, European officials are exploring economic leverage against the U.S. They are considering actions like selling U.S. bonds and targeting the services trade, though the effectiveness of these threats remains a key question due to EU decision-making complexities.

GE stock price today: GE Aerospace shares dipped despite strong Q4 results and upbeat 2026 guidance. While profit and revenue surged, investors worry about a growth slowdown. The company anticipates continued earnings and cash flow expansion, driven by robust demand in air travel and its services segment, though growth rates are projected to moderate.

Odisha has implemented a comprehensive ban on all tobacco and nicotine products, including chewable and non-chewable varieties, regardless of flavoring or additives. This stringent measure aims to address severe public health concerns, particularly the high rate of smokeless tobacco consumption in the state, which is linked to various cancers and oral health issues.

Delroy Lindo, a celebrated actor, is making his directorial debut with a feature film set in Jamaica, marking a milestone in his nearly five-decade career. The story, which Lindo has been associated with since 2015 and officially acquired in 2021, examines concepts of power, spirituality, and community healing. Set in the scenic Blue Mountains, the movie combines magical realism with emotional narrative.

Karnataka is attracting significant investments as RPSG Group plans a Rs 10,500 crore outlay in renewable energy. Several other major companies, including InoxGFL, Ramky Group, Tech Mahindra, and Lenovo, are also exploring substantial investments and partnerships across various sectors like wind energy, waste management, IT, and manufacturing.