The Economic Times News

US President Donald Trump on Sunday threatened possible military action against Colombia, saying such an operation sounds good to me. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump accused Colombias leadership of being involved in cocaine production and trafficking to the United States, in remarks aimed at President Gustavo Petro.

North Korea said leader Kim Jong Un observed test flights of hypersonic missiles and stressed the need to strengthen the countrys nuclear deterrent, as it steps up weapons displays ahead of a key ruling party conference. The announcement followed reports by South Korea and its neighbours of multiple ballistic missile launches.

US President Donald Trump said Washington could raise tariffs on Indian goods if New Delhi does not address US concerns over Indias purchases of Russian oil. India became the largest buyer of discounted Russian seaborne crude after the Ukraine war began in 2022, drawing criticism from Western nations that say the trade supports Moscows war effort.

If you are confused by personal finance terms, jargon and calculations, heres a series to simplify and deconstruct these for you. In the 84th part of this series, Riju Mehta explains what this employee incentive means.

A weak rupee is making global mobility costlier by the day.

The annual returns are ranked for 6 key NSE Factor indices, with a broad-based index, Nifty 500, thrown in for comparison. This map shows that no single-factor strategy consistently outperforms, making a strong case for diversification. By Sameer Bhardwaj.

Lower rates dont guarantee a good loan. Check your EMI limits, compare rates and cut loan costs.

By removing Section 213 and amending Section 370(1) of the Indian Succession Act, the recently passed Repealing and Amending Act, 2025 places the wills of a deceased Hindu, Jain, Sikh, Parsi, or Buddhist person in Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai on par with those in the rest of the country.

Out of 71 international funds that are available in the Indian mutual fund market, only 28 are accepting investments, while 6 ETFs can be traded on exchanges, writes Abhinav Kaul.

Many of our resolutions are planned steps in the right direction. We know that what we are setting out to do is good, but giving up the joys of an entrenched habit or behaviour is tougher than the perceived pleasures of acquiring a new one. Finding a coach, a partner, a well-wisher to goad us on helps.

While selling may fetch a better price, there are situations under which scrapping may be your only option.

Gen Zs SIP-first, DIY investing style is shifting incremental mutual fund inflows towards digital platforms.

Investors need to treat their SIPs as genuinely non-negotiable commitments. They need to stop watching their portfolios frequently because every look creates an opportunity for destructive action. Data suggests that the investors who started SIPs a decade ago and forgot about it, would be substantially richer today than those who actively managed their investments.

Lower funding costs, loan growth momentum, and robust fundamentals to propel banking sector stocks.

From global diversification to large-cap focus, NPS upgrades to AI adoption heres how to protect your wealth and grow richer in the New Year.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the United States does not plan to govern Venezuela day to day and will limit its role to enforcing an existing oil quarantine, softening President Donald Trumps earlier comments that Washington would run the country after the removal of Nicolas Maduro. Rubio said the blockade of sanctioned oil tankers would be used as leverage to push changes in Venezuelas oil sector and curb drug trafficking.

Reviving Venezuelas oil industry under a US-led plan would take years and cost more than $100 billion, analysts said, as decades of underinvestment and damage have left infrastructure in poor condition. Restoring output to past peaks would require sustained investment of about $10 billion a year for a decade, with any faster recovery needing even more spending.

Manufacturers of ACs, refrigerators, and TVs will face penalties if their products fail energy efficiency tests or if star rating labels are tampered with. This new government measure aims to curb power usage by ensuring appliances meet their declared energy performance standards, following recent BEE findings of non-compliance.

Tata Sons is actively seeking new leadership for its airline business, with chairman N Chandrasekaran reportedly in talks with international aviation executives. These discussions are occurring as current Air India CEO Campbell Wilson's term nears its end in June 2027, and similar changes are anticipated for Air India Express.

Apple Inc. has achieved a significant milestone. Through its Indian vendors, the company exported iPhones worth a record $50 billion by December 2025. This achievement comes after Apple joined the production linked incentive program in FY22. Exports are expected to rise further. Samsung also exported devices worth nearly $17 billion during its applicable period.

Customised credit cards, loan products and women-focused insurance plans may be key announcements as the government is looking to build on the measures unveiled in the FY26 budget, including the Grameen Credit Score and credit support for first-time entrepreneurs.

Idol I Part 3 Episodes 5 and 6 release date, time, schedule and how to watch online details the Netflix release plan, time zones, episode count, cast, plot, Episode 4 recap, and full weekly schedule for the Korean drama Idol I airing internationally.

What is League Client down error and do desktop or mobile users face issues? League of Legends players reported login failures, client crashes, and launch errors on January 4. Downdetector logged over 7,000 reports. Riot Games confirmed awareness and said a fix was in progress.

League of Legends down and when will it be back up became a major question on January 4 after players faced login issues. Thousands reported problems through Downdetector and social media. Riot Games confirmed the issue and said a fix is in progress.

Thought of the day by Ralph Waldo Emerson shares a clear message on life direction. The quote urges people to move forward with dreams, not problems. The message links to Emersons ideas, life, works, and his role in Transcendentalism, while explaining why such thoughts matter daily.

International Finance Corp., the World Bank Group's private-sector arm, has committed Rs 220 crore as anchor investor, while the remaining capital is coming from institutional investors, family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals.

Indian banks show improved asset quality with declining bad loans. Special Mention Accounts and Gross Non-Performing Assets have fallen significantly. Stress in MSME and unsecured loans has also eased. While overall credit costs are stable, certain segments like micro-LAP and commercial vehicles require monitoring. Lenders report better collection efficiencies, indicating a positive trend in the banking sector.

Nitin Nabin, BJP working president, will soon meet with nearly 36 organisations linked to the RSS. This initiative aims to address and resolve coordination concerns that have surfaced between the BJP and its affiliate groups. Meetings are being scheduled to foster better understanding and collaboration. Party coordinators are in place to ensure smooth interactions.

Starmer, who won power in July 2024, also argued Britain should pursue further alignment with the EU single market, saying it was in the country's ational interest to get closer to the bloc. A decade after Britons voted narrowly to leave the EU, the stance is likely to draw criticism from Brexit advocates like Nigel Farage, whose hard-right Reform UK party has led in the polls for the past year.

Somnath Temple marks 1000 years since Mahmud of Ghazni's attack. In 2026, it also celebrates 75 years since its restoration and reopening in 1951. Despite repeated attacks, the temple was rebuilt by great leaders like Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Its survival showcases India's indomitable spirit and the power of faith over destruction.

Quote of the day by Plutarch highlights how learning works through thought and reflection. The quote explains that knowledge grows through curiosity, not storage. This explainer covers the meaning of quote of the day, Plutarchs life, works, influence, and why his words remain shared today.

Mumbai BJP claims a 'jihadist conspiracy' aims to capture cities and calls for citizens to resist a 'cultural invasion'. Party president Ameet Satam alleges Uddhav Thackeray is part of this plot. This strategy seeks to polarize voters ahead of civic polls. The BJP previously stated no person with the surname 'Khan' would be allowed to become Mayor.

West Bengal's political temperature is rising as assembly polls approach. The Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls has become a major point of contention between the Trinamool Congress and the BJP. Mamata Banerjee alleges a bid to delete voters, while the BJP claims infiltrators are on the rolls. The influential Matua community faces uncertainty.

India's Election Commission is undertaking a massive revision of voter lists. This exercise, called Special Intensive Revision, began in 2025 and continues into 2026. It aims to clean up electoral rolls by verifying citizenship and removing ineligible voters. The process has already removed millions of names and faced political opposition and legal challenges.

Indian insurers settled a record number of health claims in FY25. Settlement ratios improved significantly, with fewer claims rejected. Average payouts per claim decreased due to wider policy coverage. Cashless treatments continued to dominate claim payments. Regulators pushed for faster, more transparent settlements, leading to improved processing times and tighter oversight.

Coal imports saw a significant rise in November. This increase was driven by winter stocking by steel mills and weak seaborne prices. However, industry data suggests a coming decline in imports. This shift is attributed to greater availability of coal from domestic sources. The trend indicates a move towards self-sufficiency in coal supply.

Corporate India reached a significant milestone with over two million active companies. This surge highlights the economy's formalization and strong investor confidence. The number of operational companies grew rapidly, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic. This expansion occurred despite government efforts to close defunct businesses and crack down on shell companies. New company incorporations are high, with fewer closures.

Nykaa's parent company anticipates robust revenue growth for the December quarter. The beauty segment is set to lead this expansion, showing its strongest performance in six quarters. This surge is fueled by festive demand and successful sales events. The fashion business also shows growth, though at a slower pace. Nykaa's rapid delivery service continues to operate across major cities.

TRAI data through much of 2025 show monthly MNP requests consistently at 14-15 million, indicating persistently high churn. Cumulative MNP requests crossed the 1 billion mark in July 2024 when India was processing around 11 million porting requests per month. Ever since, churn has remained elevated at 12-15 million, with cumulative MNP requests crossing 1.23 billion in November 2025.

Foreign investment surged in India's media sector. The information and broadcasting industry attracted 5,586 crore in the September quarter of FY26. Films and advertising led this growth. Overseas investors focused on content and production assets. Prime Focus was a major recipient of these funds. This marks a significant increase from previous quarters.

India is integrating sports and fitness into its skill training programs, aiming to enhance trainees' physical resilience and provide a potential second income. This initiative, inspired by Prime Minister Modi's vision, will include mandatory yoga and self-defense training at skill institutes, with certification opportunities. The government also plans to develop sports infrastructure on campus, tailored to regional strengths.

The latest performance of Kellanova also indicates growing contribution from other categories as the cornflakes maker tries to shift from a breakfast focused firm to a broader packaged-foods player in India.

India may exempt Sovereign Wealth Funds and patient capital from taxes on Indian stock market earnings. This proposal aims to attract stable foreign investment following significant sell-offs by foreign fund managers. The government is examining extending these benefits to other long-term investors like pension funds. Such a move could boost capital inflows into the Indian equity market.

US oil companies face significant hurdles in reviving Venezuela's oil sector, despite President Trump's optimism. Industry executives highlight the need for political stability and legal certainty before companies will commit billions, citing past expropriations and entrenched bureaucratic interests as major deterrents.

Investor-friendly policies & robust infra make emirate an attractive destination for cos looking to expand globally.

Nirma Group is entering the hospitality sector. They plan a five-star hotel in Ahmedabad. The hotel will have 555 rooms. It will be located on the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway. Nirma Group is in talks with international hotel operators. The hotel is expected to open before the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Ahmedabad's hotel market is seeing strong demand.

The Money Horoscopes for 2026 point to a year where intention, planning, and adaptability determine financial success. While planetary movements create openings, experts stress that sustained wealth will come from thoughtful action rather than chance.

The weekly horoscope indicates that the days ahead offer significant opportunities for self-development, emotional clarity and intentional decision-making, as long-running planetary patterns start to evolve. Central to this period is Neptunes closing chapter in Pisces, a phase that has spanned years, influencing creativity, intuition, and, occasionally, uncertainty.

A sudden feeling of falling just as you drift off to sleep is a common experience for many adults. Doctors say this sensation, known as a hypnic jerk, happens when the brain briefly misreads muscle relaxation during the transition from wakefulness to sleep. While usually harmless, experts explain that frequent episodes can be linked to stress, sleep deprivation, irregular schedules, or high caffeine intake.

Did Delcy Rodriguez hand over Nicolas Maduro to the US? Claims by Colombias former vice president say Venezuelas second-in-command cooperated with Washington during the capture of Maduro. The remarks follow a US military operation in Caracas and rising questions about internal support.