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.

Indian fashion retail sees a split. Uniqlo and Nike are booming, driven by quality and function. Other brands like Marks & Spencer and Adidas are struggling. Consumers are becoming more selective. This indicates a structural shift in the market. India's young population and growing appreciation for functional clothing are key factors. The market is recovering post-festive season.

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.

The pace of rise in bank profitability is likely to bottom out this fiscal year, and gradually improve in FY27 as funding pressures ease and net interest margins (NIMs) stabilise, the agency said in its outlook on the financial sector for FY27.

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.

Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) denies claims that mobile connectivity is unavailable at the upcoming airport. NMIAL defends its neutral-host telecom infrastructure, stating it ensures uniform coverage and operational efficiency. The airport operator also refutes allegations regarding high access charges and Right of Way denials. NMIAL remains committed to working with stakeholders for secure and efficient connectivity.

Central Government Health Scheme beneficiaries now have a new optional health insurance plan. The Paripoorna Mediclaim Ayush Bima offers in-patient hospitalisation coverage up to 20 lakh. This plan provides enhanced financial security and access to quality healthcare across India. Beneficiaries can choose co-payment options of 70:30 or 50:50. The policy is available at discounted premiums compared to regular plans.

The Delhi High Court has overturned an Income Tax Department ruling concerning Ernst & Young. The court ordered a fresh review of Ernst & Young's request for a nil withholding certificate. This pertains to a payment of 1,750 crore rupees to its UK-based entity. The tax department had previously rejected the plea, citing a virtual permanent establishment in India.

Leading telecom operators have lodged a complaint with TRAI. They allege the Navi Mumbai airport operator is creating a monopolistic in-building telecom setup. This arrangement is reportedly exclusive and costly for travelers. The operators seek TRAI intervention to ensure fair pricing and non-discriminatory access to public infrastructure for connectivity.

Hinduja Renewables Energy plans a significant $4 billion investment to triple its renewable capacity to 10 GW, pivoting towards wind power and energy storage. The company is expanding into hybrid solar-wind projects and developing substantial pumped hydro storage capacity to meet India's demand for round-the-clock green power.

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.

Big Tree Entertainment, operating BookMyShow, saw its net profit surge to '192 crore in FY25. This growth stems from a robust performance in its ticketing and live events segments. The company's total income also increased significantly. Live events, including music festivals and concerts, played a key role in this expansion. BookMyShow's online ticketing business remained its largest revenue source.

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.

The Delhi High Court has made waves with its recent judgment, reinstating a ban on two fixed-dose combination drugs for managing Type II Diabetes Mellitus, significantly affecting leading pharmaceutical corporations. The ruling reaffirmed the government's power to eliminate drugs deemed risky to health.

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.

Film studios are now acting more like moneylenders than co-producers. They are imposing tougher terms in film deals. This shift comes as many movies struggle to recover costs at the box office. Studios are focusing on safeguarding their capital. Producers now bear more risk, while studios maintain significant control over films and their intellectual property.

Eutelsat is providing OneWeb's low earth orbit satellite connectivity for the Indian Navy's Project Kaundinya. This maritime voyage traces historic trade routes from Porbandar to Muscat. The traditional vessel lacks standard communication systems, making satellite links essential. OneWeb's technology offers high-speed internet for real-time communication, crew welfare, and maritime security.

Indian auto parts makers are experiencing a slowdown in long-term orders from the US. This is due to uncertainty over potential tariffs imposed by the US administration. Automakers in the US and neighboring countries are hesitant to finalize import supply contracts. The industry faces challenges absorbing increased tariff costs.

Bajaj Auto is targeting the top spot in India's electric scooter market this calendar year. The company is focusing on a refined product strategy and making electric mobility more affordable and reliable. Rishab Bajaj, son of MD Rajiv Bajaj, expressed hope for leadership. The introduction of the Chetak C25 model further strengthens their electric scooter offerings for urban consumers.

The Confederation of Indian Industry is pushing for government mandates on green hydrogen. This aims to increase its use in sectors like refining and fertilisers. Such measures would help bridge the cost gap with grey hydrogen. Incentives and phased mandates are proposed. This follows a record year for India's clean energy capacity.

In 2025, Mercedes-Benz India faced its first sales decline in half a decade, attributed to heightened competition and currency volatility, which resulted in increased pricing. Despite strong demand for high-end models, the core segment took a hit. Meanwhile, BMW capitalized on these shifts with notable sales growth. While luxury cars remain in demand, potential buyers are increasingly worried about affordability.

Indian Oil Corporation is embarking on an exciting journey to enhance its non-fuel portfolio. With a vision to generate 20-30% of its revenue from emerging sectors such as gas, petrochemicals, lubricants, and renewable energy by 2030, the company is set to elevate its non-fuel business to an estimated 2-3 lakh crore.

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has mandated early-stage freezing of free-sale inventory in slum redevelopment projects. This move aims to secure transit rent payments and permanent alternate accommodation obligations for eligible slum dwellers. Developers must now formally earmark and list these frozen flats, limiting their sale or encumbrance until rehabilitation is complete and all dues are cleared.

Essar Energy Transition achieved record domestic fuel sales in 2025 at its Stanlow refinery. Strong UK demand and an expanded supply network fueled this success. Retail and aviation sectors saw significant growth. Investments in infrastructure and decarbonization are ongoing. The company advocates for refining inclusion in the UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to ensure a competitive domestic sector.

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.