The Economic Times News

Bridgerton Season 4 Part 1 release date, time and schedule has been confirmed by Netflix. Part 1 will release on January 29, 2026. Part 2 will follow on February 26, 2026. The season focuses on Benedict Bridgerton and Sophie Beckett.

Social Security benefits are rising in 2026. A new 2.8% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is now in effect. This boost helps millions of seniors manage inflation. The Social Security Administration (SSA) has updated payment tiers for all beneficiaries. The 2.8% increase applies to retirees, disabled workers, and those on SSI. Most seniors pay Medicare Part B premiums directly from their Social Security. In 2026, the Part B premium rose to approximately $202.90.

Bridgerton Season 4 Premiere Masquerade global livestream event will allow fans to watch Episode 1 live, enjoy red carpet interviews, games, and a special performance. RSVP by January 13 to attend this exclusive Paris event.

Bridgerton Season 4 Episode 1 coming earlier than you can imagine as Netflix plans an early livestream event. Fans can watch Episode 1 before release. The event includes a preshow, red carpet talks, and a screening on Tudum ahead of January 29, 2026.

Emily in Paris Season 6 renewal and release date update remains pending as Netflix has not confirmed the next season. Season 5 ended with new story paths, a Greece setup, and strong viewership. This explainer covers renewal status, release timeline, cast details, and future story direction.

Quote of the day: Selena Gomez emphasizes that true success is hollow without meaningful relationships to share it with, highlighting the importance of supportive friends and loved ones for fulfillment. Her career, from Disney star to global icon and businesswoman, underscores this belief. Gomez's journey also includes significant mental health advocacy and personal resilience.

Chinese New Year 2026: The Lunar New Year arrives on February 17, 2026, ushering in the Year of the Red Fire Horse. This transition marks a dramatic shift from the steady, introspective pace of the previous Wood Snake year. In Chinese astrology, the Horse represents rapid movement, unbridled ambition, and the stamina required to reach distant goals. When paired with the Fire element, this energy becomes even more potent.

Vodafone Idea's promoters will settle legacy merger liabilities worth 3,529 crore by earmarking 3.28 billion equity shares. This follows an amended agreement securing 5,836 crore, with 2,307 crore in cash and the rest via shares held by three Vodafone promoter entities. These shares, representing 3.03% of Vi's equity, will be sold over five years.

India now permits full foreign ownership in insurance firms. However, industry experts believe this change will not immediately bring many new foreign companies. Setting up an insurer requires substantial investment and a long-term view in a competitive market. Existing joint ventures might see increased stakes, but new ventures from scratch are unlikely.

Indian travellers are embracing slower, more meaningful journeys. Expect growth in cultural, wellness, and nature-focused trips. Offbeat destinations and longer stays are becoming popular. AI will personalize travel planning. Value will be defined by experiences, not just price. This trend signals a new phase of travel growth.

Many Indian television channels are shutting down. Broadcasters are surrendering licenses as viewers move to digital platforms. This trend is driven by changing market conditions and financial challenges. Advertising revenue is also falling. This signals a significant shift in India's media landscape.

PC demand in India is set to drop by up to 8% in 2026. Consumers and gamers face higher prices for components like RAM. This surge is driven by AI data center needs. Businesses, however, are buying more PCs now to avoid future cost increases. Some buyers are opting for lower specifications with plans to upgrade later.

India is preparing for a comprehensive nationwide survey of its vital textile industry. This initiative aims to map key textile hubs and assess the sector's overall health. The survey will collect data on financial inclusion, production value, worker conditions, and export performance. The findings will provide crucial insights into one of India's largest employment generators.

India has launched a significant export support package worth 7,295 crore. This initiative aims to make trade finance faster and cheaper for exporters. The package includes an interest subvention scheme and collateral support. These measures will be implemented over six years, starting from 2025. The goal is to boost India's exports by addressing critical trade finance challenges faced by businesses.

Customs officers at international airports' Red Channel are now mandated to wear body-worn cameras during passenger interactions. This move aims to boost transparency and accountability, with recordings stored for 90 days or longer for investigations. The initiative aligns with international best practices and addresses concerns about harassment.

XRP price is moving again. The token jumped more than 6% today. Standard Chartered says XRP could climb to $8 by 2026. The bank argues that XRP is entering a new phase after years of legal overhang. According to its research, XRPs upside comes from demand pressure rather than speculation. The forecast assumes $4 billion to $8 billion in spot XRP ETF inflows during 2026.

The Premier League kicked off the New Year with an unexpected twist, featuring three matches that ended without a goal. In a frustrating outing, Manchester City drew with Sunderland, further distancing themselves from Arsenals lead. Liverpool and Tottenham also struggled to find the back of the net, delivering a tense goalless game.

Abhishek Banerjee, who launched the party's outreach campaign, 'Abaar Jitbe Bangla', in South 24 Parganas district's Baruipur, said Trinamool's vote share and seats will increase this time.

Lending rates on fresh rupee loans rose by 10 basis points to 8.71% in November 2025, driven by state-run banks. This increase reflects rising bond yields and sluggish deposit growth, hindering the full pass-through of policy rate cuts to borrowers despite RBI's aggressive easing.

In its second supplementary charge sheet filed on Thursday, the agency named Anees Fathima, Chan Pasha A and Nagaraj S under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the Explosive Substances Act, the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Karnataka Prisons Act.

MSFT stock price today: Microsoft shares opened 2026 trading down over 2%, as investors reassessed big tech positions following a year of AI enthusiasm and shifting interest-rate expectations. The dip, alongside broader weakness in large-cap growth stocks, highlights market sensitivity to AI adoption and corporate tech spending, with Azure cloud growth a key focus.

Indias forex reserves rose by $3.3 billion to $696.61 billion in the week ended December 26, RBI data showed. The increase was led by a sharp $2.95 billion jump in gold holdings and a modest rise in foreign currency assets. Reserves remain near record highs, providing cover for 910 months of imports amid global volatility.

India is closely monitoring protests in Iran and potential US action, preparing to evacuate its nationals, including students, if the situation deteriorates. While no foreign missions have issued advisories, the government is exploring evacuation options in anticipation of escalating conflict, having previously evacuated citizens after an Israeli strike.

Sheinelle Jones is entering into a fresh chapter on NBCs Today show as she is getting ready to become co-host of the fourth hour along with Jenna Bush Hager. Gaining inspiration from Oprah Winfrey, Jones features the power of connection in a changing media scenario while being true to her own voice. Her farewell to Todays third hour was filled with emotional tributes from colleagues, celebrating her warmth, resilience, humor, and lasting influence on audiences and the shows family across generat

The BJP and its Mahayuti allies have secured 68 unopposed seats in the Maharashtra civic polls, with the BJP alone winning 44. This significant victory, attributed to the popularity of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and effective electoral strategies, highlights the BJP's growing dominance in urban local bodies across the state.

From affordable help and digital ease to strong family support, India in 2026 offers comfort and quality of life that many NRIs miss abroad. Its time to appreciate the real advantages of staying here.

State-run banks saw steady balance sheet growth in the December quarter, with loans continuing to grow faster than deposits. Average credit growth was about 14%, compared with deposit growth of nearly 11%, highlighting ongoing funding pressures. Brokerages expect loan growth to stay strong, supported by retail and MSME demand, despite persistent challenges in deposit mobilisation.

At a workshop for candidates held in the city, Aaditya Thackeray - son of Uddhav Thackeray - and Amit Thackeray - son of MNS chief Raj Thackeray - unveiled the promises through a presentation. They said the alliance would build one lakh affordable homes for government employees and mill workers so that Marathi-speaking residents do not have to move to Mumbai's outskirts. The plan also includes free power for BEST (Brihanmumbai Electric Supply Undertaking) residential consumers up to 100 units, a

Rahul Gandhi criticized the Madhya Pradesh BJP government over the deaths of about 10 people in Indore due to contaminated water. He accused the administration of negligence and highlighted the arrogant statements of leaders, demanding accountability for the ight to life being violated.

Ancient Indian temples, guilds and merchants practised balanced accounting centuries before Europe. From bahi khata to Jain manuals, Indias paappunya philosophy shaped the logic behind double-entry bookkeeping.

Indore, a recent entrant to the elite Super Swachh League, faces scrutiny after a tragedy claimed 10 lives due to contaminated water. The incident highlights gaps in the Swachh Survekshan parameters, as a pipeline replacement tender, flagged for foul-smelling water, was only opened after the deaths, exposing administrative apathy despite the city's consistent cleanliness rankings.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that India will not share resources with 'bad neighbours' who persist in spreading terrorism. He emphasized that India supports 'good neighbours' in difficult times, citing aid during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine conflict, and Sri Lanka's financial crisis. Jaishankar highlighted India's foreign policy approach of leveraging strengths to achieve maximum impact with limited resources.

Many baby boomers have little or no retirement savings. Experts say boomers can still take action by checking finances, cutting extra costs, setting small goals, working part-time, and delaying Social Security to increase benefits. Professional advice and smart money steps can make retirement more secure, even for those starting late.

The U.S. Justice Department said it foiled a New Years Eve ISIS-inspired attack by 18-year-old Christan Sturdivant from North Carolina. He was charged with providing material support to a foreign terrorist group. FBI agents found a handwritten plan titled New Years Attack 2026 detailing attacks on civilians and police.

S&P 500 Today: The S&P 500 Index opened higher on the first trading day of 2026 but soon dipped below the flat line, trading at 6,838.24 (down 0.11%). This reversal stems from a fading Santa Claus rally and investor caution over high valuations. The Dow traded near 48,120, up about 0.1%. The Nasdaq slipped more than 0.2%.

New York law provides a smaller credit for families with older children -- $330 per child between the ages of 4-17 years old. That credit will rise to $500 per older child the following year.

BYD has become the worlds top electric car seller, passing Tesla in 2025 sales. Tesla deliveries fell for the second year, while competition grew stronger. BYD faces tough price wars in China but is expanding abroad. Investors remain hopeful about Teslas future technology plans despite weaker vehicle sales.

Life Insurance Corporation of India announces a special revival campaign for lapsed policies. This drive runs from January 1 to March 2, 2026. It offers attractive concessions on late fees for non-linked policies. Micro insurance policies receive a 100 percent waiver. The campaign aims to help policyholders restore their insurance cover.

Hollywood actor and martial arts choreographer Yuen Cheung-yan has passed away at 69. He died in hospital on New Years Day, according to director Lee Lik-chi, who stated: May Master Yuen rest in eternal peace. A funeral will be held on February 1. Yuens credits include Kung Fu Hustle, Charlies Angels, and The Matrix.

The Indian Army has achieved over 90% indigenisation of its nearly 200 ammunition variants through policy reforms and industry engagement. This strategic shift, backed by substantial domestic orders, aims to reduce import dependence and build a resilient supply chain for sustained combat endurance and long-term warfighting capability.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed critical mineral asset acquisitions overseas. He also assessed a Rs 1,500-crore incentive scheme promoting critical mineral recycling. These efforts aim to secure supply chains for modern industries and support India's energy transition. The National Critical Mineral Mission is driving self-reliance and green energy goals.

Victoria Jones, daughter of actor Tommy Lee Jones, was found unresponsive at a San Francisco hotel. A 911 call indicated a suspected drug overdose as the cause. Paramedics declared her dead at the scene. This incident follows previous drug-related arrests for Jones. An official cause of death is pending an examination.

Swiss officials put the death toll at 40 with more than 100 injured. Investigators are combing through the ruins of the bar, examining video recordings and interviewing survivors in the hunt for clues on how the fire broke out.

A magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck southern Mexico early Friday morning, with its centre near Tecoanapa in Guerrero, almost 282 kilometers south of Mexico City. The tremor was hit across several states, with millions encountering light to strong shaking. Acapulco de Juarez reported moderate tremors, while Mexico City high-rises swayed. The earthquake alert system issued early warnings, allowing people to seek safety.

Micron Technology shares surged as demand for memory chips stayed strong in early 2026. Investors reacted to higher chip prices, analyst upgrades, and growing AI needs. The stock move shows confidence in Microns role in data centers and advanced storage. Market optimism remains high as supply stays tight and earnings expectations improve.

Andhra Pradesh is leading in proposed investments for the financial year 2025-26. The state has attracted over a quarter of all investment announcements. This significant inflow is attributed to investor-friendly policies and efficient governance. Major investments, including Google's data center project, highlight the state's growing economic prominence. Other states like Odisha and Maharashtra also show strong investment figures.

Punjab National Bank reported strong growth in its third quarter business. Global business reached Rs 28.92 lakh crore, a 9.57% increase year-on-year. Domestic business also saw a rise of 9.09%. Deposits and advances both showed healthy year-on-year growth. The bank's shares closed higher on Friday.

Indias core industries are transforming as the nation advances toward Viksit Bharat. In 2026, technology-led reinvention, sustainability, and talent transformation are key drivers. AI, smart systems, and digitalization are reshaping manufacturing, energy, healthcare, and finance, while companies focus on low-carbon operations and workforce upskilling.