The Economic Times

Planning a quick escape this Republic Day long weekend? From serene hill stations to cultural cities and wildlife retreats, these destinations near Delhi are perfect for a short, refreshing winter break.

India Budget 2026: A 1985 Plaza Accord saw global powers coordinate to devalue the dollar, impacting Japan severely. Today, similar economic conditions and Donald Trump's protectionist policies are reshaping global trade. India, historically less integrated, may find an unexpected advantage in this shift towards self-sufficiency, potentially mitigating direct trade shocks.

The Enforcement Directorate has attached eight properties valued at Rs 2.66 crore. These assets belong to Saumya Chaurasia, a former Chhattisgarh officer, and Nikhil Chandrakar. The properties were allegedly acquired using proceeds from illegal coal levy collections and extortion. This action is part of a larger investigation into a racket that extorted approximately Rs 540 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with top CEOs in Ahmedabad. Bilateral trade between India and Germany has reached a record high, exceeding 50 billion dollars. Both nations are enhancing cooperation in technology and renewable energy. New initiatives like the India-Germany Centre of Excellence will foster knowledge and innovation. Several MoUs were signed, reinforcing strong ties.

Ajit Doval, India's National Security Advisor, said that he does not use mobile or internet for day-to-day work. The former intelligence officer revealed he uses mobile or internet when he has to communicate with people abroad, adding that there are other means of communication too. Doval, a former IPS officer, is known for his work on intelligence and security operations.

The Central Bureau of Investigation is questioning actor-politician Joseph Vijay. The probe focuses on the Karur stampede. Investigators are examining delays and crowd management. They are assessing organizational responsibilities for the event. Vijay's team is cooperating with the inquiry. The stampede claimed 41 lives last year. The CBI took over the investigation following a Supreme Court order.

The Delhi High Court has ordered the Central Administrative Tribunal to finalize disciplinary proceedings against Sameer Wankhede. These proceedings stem from allegations related to the Cordelia cruise raid. The Tribunal must decide the case by January 14 or within ten days after. The Court emphasized that the Tribunal should make its decision independently.

Bhopal-based gang leader Raheman Dakait, also known as Aabid Ali Irani, has been arrested in Surat after escaping a major police crackdown. Wanted for numerous crimes and accused of a heinous arson attempt, he led a lavish lifestyle funded by his syndicate's activities. His arrest followed a meticulous police operation tracking his movements across states.

India is nearing a trade agreement with the European Union. Talks are also underway for a trade deal with the United States. These developments signal significant progress in India's international trade relations. The India-EU agreement aims for completion soon. The European Union is India's largest trading partner in goods. This indicates a strengthening economic partnership.

The Trinamool Congress held its first digital conclave for 'Ami Banglar Digital Joddhas'. Over 10,000 volunteers attended the training event. Abhishek Banerjee will interact with them. The party is focusing on digital outreach and social media for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections. This initiative aims to strengthen their online campaign strategies and reach voters effectively.

India is set to welcome delegates for the 28th Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth, taking place from January 14 to 16, 2026. With this record-breaking participation, the conference will delve into the vital role of technology in enhancing parliamentary democracy.

Iran's shutdown of the internet, which activists fear masks a crackdown they say has killed hundreds, has now lasted more than three-and-a-half days, a monitor said Monday. As Iran wakes up to a new day, metrics show the national internet blackout is past the 84 hour mark, monitor Netblocks said, saying that the blackout could be circumvented with shortwave radio, connecting to cell coverage at borders, Starlink and satellite phones. sjw/ah/amj

Heineken's CEO, Dolf van den Brink, will depart on May 31. He led the company through the COVID-19 pandemic. The board will now search for a new leader. This change comes as the company aims to execute its long-term strategy until 2030. Brewers have faced challenges with falling beer sales and market disruptions.

China has responded to US President Donald Trump's remarks on Greenland. Beijing stated that the US should not use other nations as a pretext for its own ambitions. China emphasised that its Arctic activities promote peace and sustainable development.

A Border Security Force jawan has died in a fire incident. The blaze occurred in a building within a BSF camp in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir. Constable Ramesh Kumar, who worked as a washerman, lost his life. The fire started in a single-storey tradesmen building on Sunday evening. Fire tenders and BSF personnel worked to control the flames.

Sissu valley in Himachal Pradesh will suspend all tourism activities for 40 days, from January 20 to February 28, to protect traditional religious rituals and customs. This decision, supported by local bodies, aims to prevent disruptions during important festivals like Halda and Poonha, ensuring spiritual discipline and cultural preservation.

Sydney Thunder vs Melbourne Renegades Live Streaming: Melbourne Renegades need a win against Sydney Thunder to keep their season alive. Adam Zampa returns for the Renegades. Sydney Thunder have made squad changes, dropping Nathan McAndrew. David Warner is named despite a knee knock. The match is expected to be high-scoring. Renegades are favoured to win.

Iran's top diplomat states nationwide protests are controlled. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump suggests Iran seeks talks following a severe crackdown. Activists report over 500 deaths and thousands detained. The situation remains tense as Iran calls for pro-government rallies and warns of retaliation against US and Israeli forces.

A breakfast conversation in Davos in the early 2000s sparked the India Everywhere campaign, aiming to boost India's global economic narrative. Nearly 20 years later, India arrives at Davos 2026 not as an announcer, but as an anchor economy, demonstrating scale, growth, and resilience.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz joined Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, flying a kite featuring Lord Hanuman. This cultural exchange marked Merz's first official visit to India, highlighting the warmth in diplomatic ties ahead of key bilateral talks on trade, technology, and green growth.

Sai Krishna, an Indian entrepreneur, shared his surprise after a matchmaking app founder stated finding a vegetarian woman who avoids drinking and smoking is nearly impossible. This sparked a wide online discussion. Users debated traditional matchmaking versus modern dating apps. Krishna, based in the UK, highlighted how urban lifestyles and shifting social norms influence relationship expectations.

Do you also get confused about where you should sit in a movie theatre? Filmmakers like Christopher Nolan and James Cameron have shared their their mantra to choose the best seat. While Oppenheimer director Nolan prefers specific rows based on screen format, Avatar creator James Cameron seeks a screen-filling view.

With the inauguration of US Ambassador Sergio Gor in New Delhi, a new chapter in India-US relations begins. His mission highlights the deep-rooted friendship shared by both nations. Ongoing trade dialogues promise fruitful outcomes, with the next round of negotiations set to occur shortly.

Tamil Nadu BJP leader K. Annamalai hit back at MNS chief Raj Thackeray's remarks, calling critics of his statement on Mumbai ignorant. Annamalai, who stated Mumbai is an international city, also revealed receiving threats but vowed to visit the city. Thackeray had mockingly referred to Annamalai as 'rasmalai' and questioned his connection to Mumbai.

Reliance Industries affirms its battery storage manufacturing plans are on track. The company denies reports of pausing lithium-ion cell production in India. Discussions for Chinese technology licensing have reportedly stalled. Reliance continues to build a world-leading battery storage ecosystem.

Global smartphone shipments saw a 2% year-on-year increase in 2025, driven by emerging market demand and economic momentum. Apple secured the top spot with a 20% market share, fueled by strong iPhone 17 sales. However, the market is projected to soften in 2026 due to chip shortages and rising component costs.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) conducted routine stakeholder consultations on safety and security requirements on Sunday, maintaining continuous engagement with the industry on security standards. These structured discussions are aimed at developing a robust regulatory framework for mobile security within India's rapidly evolving digital ecosystem.

Budget 2026 approaches with India's fiscal calculations under scrutiny as tax collections have slowed, impacting government finances. The Finance Minister faces the challenge of maintaining fiscal consolidation amidst these pressures. Balancing growth with discipline will be key. Non-tax revenues and spending discipline are crucial. Market borrowing tolerance is also a significant consideration.

Pablo Picasso revolutionized art in the 20th century. He broke artistic conventions, co-founding Cubism. This movement fragmented objects, showing multiple viewpoints. Picasso's work influenced painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and literature. His journey from prodigy to innovator mirrors modern art's evolution. He constantly reinvented himself, embracing curiosity and experimentation throughout his career.

North India's Bhumika Group has secured Rs 170 crore in debt from a real estate credit platform managed by BGO and Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC. This funding will support a mixed-use project in Faridabad with a revenue potential exceeding Rs 1,500 crore. The investment highlights growing institutional confidence in the developer's capabilities and Faridabad's urban growth prospects.

Kotak Mahindra Bank has appointed Anup Kumar Saha as its new consumer banking head. Saha, formerly with Bajaj Finance, will also manage marketing and data analytics. His expertise in retail finance and digital innovation is expected to boost the bank's strategy. This move aims to enhance customer value and strengthen the bank's position in the financial services sector.

Lohri 2026 shubh muhurat: Lohri, a vibrant harvest festival celebrated on January 13 in North India, marks the end of winter and the arrival of the rabi harvest. Centered around the legend of Dulla Bhatti, the festival features bonfires, offerings of gratitude, and traditional foods, symbolizing warmth, hope, and new beginnings.

Anand Mahindra in his social media post on Monday spoke about Chennai's Perungudi dumpyard, once a massive landfill, which has been transformed using bio-mining technology from Blue Planet Environmental Solutions. The tech mogul said if 50 years of garbage can be re-invented, then there is hope for India and there is room for more growth stories.

India's banking system has seen strong growth over two decades. Deposits and advances have risen sharply, showing deeper financial intermediation. Bank assets have also expanded significantly, reflecting renewed credit activity. Public Sector Banks are regaining market share.

TVK chief Vijay arrived in Delhi to appear before the CBI for questioning in connection with the Karur stampede case. He is cooperating with the investigation, which began after the Supreme Court ordered the CBI to take over the case from an SIT.

Indian vegetarianism is incredibly diverse. A recent post highlighted eight evolving categories of eating habits. These range from pure vegetarians to those who eat meat under specific circumstances. This shows the nuanced and often humorous ways people navigate their diets. Vegetarianism in India is a spectrum of lifestyles and personal rules.

Maharashtra's Election Commission is investigating a minister's statement about the Ladki Bahin Yojana. Opposition parties allege this is a violation of the election code of conduct. They claim the financial aid disbursement is timed to influence women voters before municipal corporation elections. The Chief Secretary has been asked for a report. The scheme provides monthly assistance to eligible women.

It also drives home the realisation that 'Viksit Bharat' is not just a target for 2047, but is part of a process in which they are participating. The questions posed during the interaction were also of very high quality. 'What are you doing about sustainability? What are you doing about the green transition? If you're worried about clean air and clean river water?' Those are very positive signs, Puri told reporters.

North Korea condemned on Monday what it called shameless moves by the United States that it said undermined the United Nations and accused Washington of a hideous criminal act. It also accused Washington of shameless illegal and immoral acts and rying to make a mockery of the UN arena for unilateral and selfish purposes.

An Election Commission official faces potential disciplinary action. Mousam Sarkar, an Assistant Electoral Registration Officer, publicly raised concerns about alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision process. The Chief Electoral Officer's office stated Sarkar violated service discipline by not following proper channels. Sarkar maintains his actions were in the public interest.

Chiranjeevi's latest film, Mana Shankara Vara Prasad Garu, has opened to a strong box office performance. The movie is performing well in India and has crossed one million dollars in premiere shows in the United States. Early estimates indicate a solid opening day collection. Read on to know how much it earned till now in India.

The Delhi High Court has permitted Zydus Lifesciences to produce and market a biosimilar cancer drug. This decision comes as the patent for the original drug, Nivolumab, nears its expiration. The court prioritized patient access to affordable treatment. Zydus can now proceed with its biosimilar, ZRC-3276, while maintaining sales records.

In 2026, Indian enterprises are bracing for a transformative regulatory landscape, emphasizing toughness and adherence. Financial institutions are now empowered to support acquisitions, while private equity blossoms with the rise of secondary funds. However, the looming threat of sanctions remains a critical concern.

Mattel is launching a new autistic Barbie. This doll joins a diverse collection aimed at inclusivity. The design involved extensive collaboration to reflect autistic experiences. Features include eye movement and articulated joints. Accessories like headphones and a tablet are also included. This move highlights Mattel's commitment to representation in its popular Fashionistas line.