The Economic Times
Elections 2026Economy / The Economic Times
The Washington Post is facing serious money problems in 2025 after losing over $100 million. The company is cutting many jobs and trying to reduce costs. Leaders say they want to focus on strong and different journalism. The changes come as the news industry faces falling readers, lower revenue, and big challenges in the digital world.
Google rolled out the Nano Banana AI image editor in August, which quickly became a viral sensation, attracting 13 million first-time users to the Gemini app in just four days in September.
Why is oil price surging now by $1 and will it continue to rise or finally drop? Oil prices increased during a volatile session as the United States and Iran held nuclear talks in Geneva. Brent crude and WTI futures moved higher as markets reacted to developments.
Megyn Kelly believes Savannah Guthrie's latest plea about her missing mother, Nancy, revealed a crucial detail: Nancy was taken from her bed in the dark of night. This statement, made on day 24 of the suspected kidnapping, suggests new information has come to light regarding the February 1 incident in Tucson, Arizona.
Troubled automaker Stellantis, behind brands like Jeep and Fiat, announced Thursday a net loss of 22.3 billion euros ($26.3 billion) for last year, blaming a lack of demand for electric vehicles. Stellantis' revenue fell only by two percent to 153.5 billion euros last year while its sales actually rose from 5.41 million vehicles in 2024 to 5.48 million last year.
Ukrainian and US officials met in Geneva to advance post-war reconstruction plans even as Russia launched 420 drones and 39 missiles in fresh strikes on critical infrastructure. With peace talks stalled, Kyiv seeks $800 billion over a decade for rebuilding. Discussions also covered potential trilateral talks with Moscow aimed at ending the five-year war.
Puma has cancelled its dividend and anticipates an annual loss in 2026. Chief Executive Arthur Hoeld is leading a turnaround for the German sportswear brand. China's Anta is becoming a strategic investor, acquiring a 29% stake. Puma expects an operating loss between 50 million and 150 million euros in 2026.
A Chinese company, Henan Kuangshan Crane Co., Ltd., made global headlines by offering 180 million yuan (US$26 million) in year-end bonuses. Employees were invited on stage to count stacks of cash and take home whatever they could carry. Videos went viral, showing workers struggling to hold bundles of notes while cheering. Chairman Cui Peijun, who owns nearly 99% of the company, canceled planned gifts and distributed cash directly, citing employees financial burdens.
Online posts claim Earths gravity will vanish for seven seconds on August 12, 2026, allegedly causing catastrophic damage and 40 million deaths. The speculation suggests NASA is managing the threat through a secret initiative called Project Anchor and even cites an accurate time for the event. NASA has addressed the theory.
Vineet Jain, managing director of The Times Group, received the 'Lifetime Contribution to Media' award from the All India Management Association. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan presented the honour in New Delhi. The award recognizes Jain's significant impact on the media industry.
India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will soon create opportunities for ancillary market players in the clean energy sector. This initiative aims to improve grid management through services like frequency control and voltage support. The Central Electricity Authority is developing a paper on this subject. This move will help integrate more renewable energy into the grid.
Indian Railways has launched a new Rail Tech policy to encourage innovation. This policy aims to involve startups and industry in developing solutions for railway challenges. Grants for prototype development and trials have been significantly increased. The initiative seeks to improve safety and efficiency across the railway network. Successful innovations may also be exported.
Indian exporters need faster and more reliable customs procedures. Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava emphasized this need as India expands its global trade. He stated that customs administration facilitates economic growth and enhances competitiveness. The reforms focus on trust in stakeholders and technology. This shift aims for partnership and cooperation with industry.
Out of the total suggestions, about 450 suggestions are relevant and have been picked up by the department for further deliberation. These are from professionals, industry chambers, and tax experts. The suggestions asked for further simplification of tax forms and renaming tax returns based on its utility.
India's financial watchdog, NFRA, has inspected ten major audit firms. These include EY, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, Grant Thornton, and BDO. Findings will be released by March end. Inspections focus on audit quality and governance. Some firms show improvement in processes. However, areas like audit independence still need attention.
Mortgage rates have dropped below 6%, giving home buyers some relief after years of high costs. Lower rates mean smaller monthly payments and may bring more people back into the housing market. However, rates can change quickly, so buyers should focus on their budget, credit score, and long-term plans before deciding when to lock a mortgage rate.
ET has learnt that Cabinet notes to operationalise these proposals are under preparation, with approvals targeted in the May-June window.
An Election Commission of India delegation is currently in Chennai, conducting a comprehensive review of election arrangements in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. After meeting representatives from multiple political parties, the Commission reiterated its directive to Puducherry officials to rigorously enforce the rulesparticularly against the distribution of money, alcohol, and drugs to sway voters.
Physicists have finally solved the mystery behind the squeaky sound of basketball sneakers. High-speed imaging revealed that the noise is caused by rapid 'opening slip pulses' traveling along the rubber sole. Ridged surfaces on the shoes confine these pulses, creating the consistent, musical squeak heard during games.
The Enforcement Directorate has secured prosecution sanction orders against former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. These orders pertain to alleged money laundering offenses in the Aircel Maxis and INX Media cases. The agency's probe revealed FIPB approval was granted during Chidambaram's tenure. Illegal gratification was allegedly received through entities linked to his son, Karti P Chidambaram.
A goods train with 50 wagons was found to be speeding at 75 kmph, exceeding the 60 kmph limit, while descending the Palasdari and Karjat railway stations on the Mumbai-Pune route. Central Railway has ordered a probe into this major safety lapse, suspecting crew failure to control the train despite functioning brakes.
Moulin Rouge Broadway: Megan Thee Stallion is set to make her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre for a limited engagement from March 24 to May 17, 2026. She will feature Zidler, becoming the first female-identifying performer to play the role in any production worldwide.
Renowned defence analyst and retired Indian Army officer Major Maroof Raza has passed away. He was widely recognized for his sharp insights on national security, counter-insurgency, and India-Pakistan relations, becoming a familiar face on television debates. His extensive military background and academic fellowships lent significant credibility to his impactful strategic commentary.
Nasdaq down today: The Nasdaq Composite fell nearly 2% today, dropping below 22,720 in sharp midday trading. Investors are reacting to a 5% plunge in NVIDIA stock despite strong earnings. The sell-off spread fast across AI stocks and semiconductor shares. The S&P 500 slipped over 1%. The Dow Jones fell about 0.4%. Traders fear AI stock valuations are stretched after a massive 40% sector rally in six months. Rising bond yield concerns and inflation data uncertainty added pressure. Todays Nasdaq c
City gas distributors are seeing a slowdown in adding new customers and expanding infrastructure. Industrial customer additions dropped significantly. Household connections also declined. The number of new CNG stations and pipeline installations decreased. This slowdown is attributed to factors like natural gas competitiveness and challenges in household connections. Companies are moderating expansion to recover investments.
A $100,000 salary doesnt have the same impact everywhere. According to ConsumerAffairs, Southern and Midwestern cities, particularly in Texas, maximize purchasing power, while West and East Coast metros often reduce it significantly. Factors like state and local taxes, housing, and everyday costs determine the real value of income. The findings show that location can turn a six-figure income into a comfort zone or survival mode. Choosing where to live is as important as earning a high salary.
A 23-year-old law student faces a tough choice: a demanding career opportunity in a new city or a less intense role closer to her boyfriend of four years. The dilemma pits professional ambition and financial stability against relationship proximity, sparking debate online about prioritizing career versus love in early adulthood.
Many professionals face the dilemma of choosing between a high-paying job with low security and a stable, lower-paying role. An IT professional shared his experience of switching to higher-paying positions despite uncertain job stability, noting better work-life balance but ongoing worries about layoffs. Reddit users suggested strategies like maintaining a financial buffer and adjusting expenses to manage risk.
Spending on preventive healthcare is projected to scale to USD 73 billion by FY30, growing at 17 per cent CAGR, as Gen X, (aged roughly 45-60 years today), shifts from reactive care to longevity-led prevention, said the report titled 'The Sorted Generation: Gen X as India's Hidden Consumer Powerhouse'.
If Apple Pay succeeds in India, it will mean that Apple has moved from being a premium device seller in India to a fully integrated ecosystem player manufacturing locally, selling through its own stores and embedding financial services into everyday life.
Nvidia NVDA stock today: Nvidia's stock saw a dip despite impressive revenue forecasts and a significant jump in fourth-quarter sales. Investors are questioning the sustainability of the artificial intelligence boom. The company's CEO expressed confidence in continued demand, citing customer returns on computing power.
Merlin Prime Spaces, a subsidiary of the Kolkata property developer, is looking to build a commercial project on the land parcel with a total investment of over Rs 1,000 crore including the land cost.
Humanitys Last Exam (HLE) is a groundbreaking 2,500-question assessment created to reveal the limits of advanced AI systems. Developed by almost 1,000 researchers worldwide, including Texas A&M professor Dr. Tung Nguyen, it covers mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, ancient languages, and specialized subfields. Unlike traditional benchmarks, HLE needs deep human expertise and context, leaving even leading AI models struggling with accuracy under 50%.
Telangana power salaries: Salaries in Telanganas power utilities have surged, with senior sweepers reportedly earning up to Rs 2 lakh per month and chief engineers up to Rs 7 lakh, following successive Pay Revision Commissions. This increase has contributed to a significant rise in the states pension and salary bill since its formation in 2014.
A-1 Sureja Industries has secured orders for over 1,400 low-speed electric two-wheelers from Zipnova Enterprise and Aayushman Engineering. The company also launched its 'Yellow EV' mobile app to enhance operational efficiency and customer engagement. This expansion aligns with their 'Made in India' approach, strengthening their presence in the affordable EV market.
Vikram On Duty, starring Nikhil Maliyakkal, is a Telugu crime thriller set to stream online soon. The series follows police inspector Vikram Vasu, an unconventional cop who bends the rules to solve a dangerous case. Produced by Gnapika Entertainments, the show blends suspense, action, and moral dilemmas, promising an intense viewing experience for fans of crime dramas.
Trying out a new gaming headset as someone who isnt a hardcore player can be a mixed bag. The HyperX Cloud Jet Dual Wireless surprised me in more ways than one. Its not without its compromises, but it raises an interesting question: how much headset do you really need for everyday gaming and entertainment?
US stock market today shows a sharp split. The Dow Jones rose 174 points to 49,656. The Nasdaq fell 146 points. The S&P 500 slipped 0.28%. This market divergence followed Nvidia stock dropping over 2% despite strong earnings. Investors questioned AI growth sustainability and China revenue exposure. The AI trade now faces valuation pressure. Tech stocks reacted fast. Defensive Dow components held firm. Jobless claims came at 212,000, signaling a cooling labor market. Traders await inflation data
Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election in part because Joe Biden - his Democratic predecessor in the White House - was widely seen to have lost mental acuity as he aged in office.
India and Israel will hold the next round of free trade agreement talks in May. This follows successful initial discussions. Prime Minister Modi has called for early finalisation of the ambitious FTA. Both nations aim to unlock untapped trade potential. Discussions covered goods, services, and intellectual property. The agreement seeks to create a stable framework for businesses.
Snowball Earth: Researchers at the University of Southampton have revealed evidence that Earths climate continued to fluctuate during the extreme Cryogenian ice age, known as Snowball Earth. The findings suggest Snowball Earth was not entirely static and may have had habitable oases that supported early complex life. These insights reshape our understanding of ancient climate resilience and planetary systems.
After a two-year injury layoff and the loss of her father, 22-year-old Beauty Dungdung has returned to the Indian Women's Hockey Team camp. She is determined to rebuild her career and support her family, drawing strength from her teammates as she prepares for the FIH Hockey World Cup 2026 Qualifiers.
NASA is monitoring asteroid 2026 CU1, a 140-foot space rock, as it safely passes Earth at 18,000 mph. While not a threat, its close flyby at 764,000 miles offers a valuable opportunity for scientific study and reinforces the importance of continuous monitoring of near-Earth objects.

19 C