The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
Who is Guy Fieri and why his new hair is grabbing eyeballs? Guy Fieri surprised fans by sharing an AI makeover on his birthday. The Food Network star showed a new hairstyle and outfit. The post sparked reactions from fans, chefs, and family members.
Quote of the day and investing lessons by Suze Orman: Financial expert Suze Orman advises a balanced mix of stocks and bonds for long-term investments like retirement accounts. This strategy aims to achieve inflation-beating gains from stocks while using bonds to mitigate risk and preserve capital during market downturns, ensuring financial security.
Job search strategy: A Reddit user found success in their job search after changing their approach. Instead of sending many applications, they focused on tailoring their resume to match employer language. This involved identifying pain points in job descriptions and addressing them directly. Simplifying resume formatting also helped bypass applicant tracking systems.
His comments assume significance as the company in 2025 reported a decline in sales for the first time in five years.
Frozen car doors are a common winter annoyance that can result in costly damage if managed improperly. Automotive instructor Sean Reisdorf highlights patience, preventive maintenance, and safe thawing methods. Newer cars with electronic mechanisms need additional attention, while older vehicles may require careful handling of plastic handles. Following expert guidance keeps doors functional and safe.
In 2026, India's automotive landscape is set to witness a groundbreaking transformation with over 30 new vehicles hitting the market. Major players like Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors, and Mahindra & Mahindra are at the forefront of this exciting evolution.
Indian apparel exporters face factory closures and job losses. Buyers are deferring or cancelling orders due to uncertainty over high US tariffs. The Apparel Export Promotion Council warns of permanent harm if a tariff deal is delayed. Exporters have absorbed significant price reductions, wiping out profits.
Dubai-based Apparel Group is reportedly in early-stage exploratory talks to acquire a stake in Indian beauty distributor Baccarose. The potential deal could involve the entire company or just its retail arm, Parcos, which operates over 50 specialty perfume stores. This move comes as Baccarose faces increased competition in the Indian beauty market.
Bank employee unions will strike on January 27. This follows failed conciliation talks. Public sector banks may face disruptions. The strike adds to the January 26 public holiday closure. Operations could be significantly affected. Unions are demanding a five-day work week. Discussions with government and Indian Banks' Association yielded no positive results. The strike is confirmed.
India will be the partner country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai. Over 160 exhibitors from 25 states will present processed foods, frozen products, and pulses. This participation aims to boost India's agri exports. The event aligns with opportunities from the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
Silver and gold prices climbed on Friday, driven by strong safe-haven demand amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and expectations of easier US monetary policy. In the domestic retail market, silver rose 6.42% to 3,18,960 per kg, while gold gained 3% to 1,55,428 per 10 gm.
The government has approved wage revisions for public sector general insurance employees and Nabard staff, with a 12.41% hike for insurers effective August 2022. Pension revisions for RBI and Nabard retirees have also been sanctioned, enhancing benefits for thousands of former employees and their families.
India's private sector activity rebounded in January, with the HSBC Flash Composite Output Index rising to 59.5, driven by faster growth in new orders and output. Business sentiment improved, reaching a three-month high, as both manufacturing and services sectors saw accelerated growth. Hiring resumed, and input prices rose at their fastest pace in four months.
India's economic growth measurement is undergoing a significant overhaul, with the statistics ministry proposing the use of granular data and new benchmark techniques for quarterly GDP estimates. These revisions, set to be implemented alongside the GDP base year rebasing to 2022-23, will also impact sub-national accounts and key economic sectors.
Term of the Day: A stagflationary spiral is a rare economic crisis where stagnant growth and high unemployment collide with surging prices. This toxic cycle triggers a wage-price feedback loop, forcing costs higher even as the economy shrinks. Unlike standard recessions, central banks face a Catch-22 where raising rates to fight inflation worsens job losses. Global supply shocks and greenflation in 2026 have made this structural risk a top priority for national news and market stability.
National Small Savings Fund collections have reached 2.17 lakh crore, nearing two-thirds of the fiscal year's budget estimate. Officials anticipate exceeding the target due to year-end tax-saving rushes, providing the government with additional comfort and reducing market borrowing needs.
The Enforcement Directorate has conducted searches across Delhi, Gurugram and Goa in connection with its money-laundering probe into the December 6 Goa nightclub fire that killed 25 people. The investigation focuses on alleged illegal land conversion, unauthorised construction and the operation of the club without mandatory licences, which the agency says may have generated proceeds of crime.
As the water crisis looms large, Indian companies are stepping up their game to prioritize water conservation. With industry giants such as Larsen & Toubro and SAP leading the charge, water stewardship is now ingrained in corporate strategies.
As water security takes centre stage at the World Economic Forums Year of Water, Indian companies are embedding water conservation into core business strategy rather than treating it as a stand-alone ESG effort.
The Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to several insurance companies by staying GST demands on co-insurance premiums and ceding commissions, holding that the levy appears to be contrary to CBIC circulars. The stay applies until the next hearing.
Global trade is undergoing a major shift due to geopolitical uncertainty. India is strategically positioned to benefit from this transformation over the next ten years. New trade routes are emerging, connecting India with the Middle East, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the European Union.
Airlines are reluctant to take up around 300 airport slots surrendered by IndiGo as the governments proposal appears to be valid for only a month, making it commercially unviable to launch new routes. Executives from Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa Air said short-term access does not justify the cost and planning needed to deploy aircraft, crew and sales.
Suspended Trinamool MLA Humayun Kabir has extended an olive branch to the BJP, contingent on securing the chief ministerial position. He has also opened dialogues with Congress, CPI-M, and ISF, advocating for a coalition of opposition parties. Trinamool leaders have swiftly condemned Kabirs move, labeling him as a supporter of the BJPs agenda.
Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi met senior Kerala Congress leaders in New Delhi to discuss election preparations, but the absence of Congress Working Committee member Shashi Tharoor drew attention. The absence came days after Rahul Gandhi did not mention Tharoor during a party event in Kochi, fuelling speculation about a rift.
Deposed Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged citizens to remove the Muhammad Yunus-led government. She stated free and fair elections are impossible under the current administration. Hasina also called for a UN investigation into past events.
According to sources, details of several cases being probed by ED and flow of events on the day of I-PAC raids were part of the discussion. The officers were assured that legal actions will be taken care of in connection with these cases.
Opposition parties in Assam have accused the ruling BJP of manipulating voter lists during the ongoing special revision exercise. The Congress alleged that names of permanent residents are being removed, citing complaints from voters in the Nazira assembly constituency.
Prediction markets are booming, offering a new way to earn a living by forecasting events. Platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket are gaining popularity, attracting skilled traders. These 'sharps' use data and analysis to make profitable bets. The rise of these markets reflects changing career paths and a growing interest in speculative investments.
A Mumbai court has discharged senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, his son Pankaj Bhujbal, and nephew Sameer Bhujbal. The charges were related to the multi-crore Maharashtra Sadan scam. Companies linked to the Bhujbal family were also discharged.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday alleged a conspiracy behind the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral rolls, claiming that nearly two crore names could be deleted from the states voter list. Speaking at a programme marking Netaji Subhash Chandra Boses birth anniversary in Kolkata, she said 58 lakh names had already been removed and 1.38 crore flagged under logical discrepancies out of a total 7.66 crore voters.
Taking strong exception to the comments by the PM at a rally of NDA in Maduranthakam, Stalin asked Modi to ponder how states such as Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Karnataka and West Bengal, where the double engine has not entered, were registering growth.
Why is silver cruising above $100 now and will it rise more to reach new record levels? Silver crossed $100 per ounce as gold moved close to $5,000. Supply gaps, safe-haven demand, rate cut hopes, and market risks pushed silver, gold, platinum, and palladium prices higher.
Census 2027 will gather caste information during the household listing in February. Individuals not falling into SC or ST categories can specify their caste. The census will also collect data on housing, amenities like television and internet, and household composition.
A Reddit user shared a detailed dilemma after seven years at a small consulting firm. While they appreciated the workplace and benefits, pay had been stagnant, with a recent 6% raise still below market rate. After knowing two colleagues had given notice, they wondered whether to stay, seek a counter proposal, or accept external market-rate offers. Community responses emphasized negotiation leverage, workload challenges, and the significance of career mobility.
Professionals are navigating a volatile 2026 job market by using safety net offers to fuel high-stakes negotiations. Securing a $110,000 baseline provides the psychological leverage needed to fast-track FAANG interviews paying $165,000+. Data shows that at-will flexibility allows candidates to prioritize risk-adjusted stability over raw salary. This strategic honesty often lands better fits. Ultimately, a bird in hand accelerates market velocity for displaced high-earners seeking long-term secur
The US and China are engaged in a diplomatic spat over their influence in Bangladesh ahead of elections. Beijing criticized US Ambassador Brent Christensen's remarks on Chinese influence, calling them irresponsible and utterly unfounded. The US, meanwhile, is reportedly engaging with the radical Jamaat-e-Islami party, raising concerns.
Minister Jitendra Singh outlines India's nuclear ambitions under the SHANTI Act, emphasizing private sector involvement and safeguards. He addresses ISRO's launch delays, stating issues are being fixed before future missions. Singh also discusses the evolving geopolitical landscape and technological advancements driving these initiatives.
Nine Naxalites surrendered in Chhattisgarh's Dhamtari district. The group included seven women and carried rewards totaling Rs 47 lakh. They cited disillusionment with Maoist ideology and forest life hardships. The state government's rehabilitation policy also influenced their decision. This development marks a significant blow to Maoist activities in the region. Authorities continue efforts to encourage further surrenders.
The company said it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Maharashtra government to set up a large-scale milk processing and dairy products manufacturing facility in the state.
India's Barista Coffee plans to expand to 800-900 outlets by 2030, targeting tier-II and tier-III towns. The company is also scaling its coffee vending machine segment, aiming for a tenfold growth to 5,000 machines in five years. This expansion is driven by rising coffee culture and better earning profiles in smaller cities.
Torrent Power's licensed distribution units in Ahmedabad and Surat achieved a perfect score of 100 and were ranked 1st in the list, a company statement said.
India and the European Union are nearing a significant Free Trade Agreement. Ambassadors from EU nations, including Italy, Estonia, and Malta, are optimistic about its conclusion. This deal is expected to boost trade and strengthen defense and strategic ties.
The aircraft, also the first custom-made Dreamliner to join the Air India fleet after takeover by the Tata Group in January 2022, will enter commercial operations on the Mumbai-Frankfurt route from February 1.
Valentines Day 2026 encourages a look back at the love stories that shaped history. Kahlo and Rivera stand as a reflection that romance is not always gentle or uncomplicated.
The word sacrosanct signifies something so important or respected that it cannot be questioned, altered, or interfered with. Originating from the Latin sacrosanctus, meaning holy or inviolable, it was used in ancient Rome to refer to laws, rituals, and sacred places. Today, it is applied to values, principles, customs, and guidelines that are served as untouchable.

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