The Economic Times

Apple stock dropped after news that its new AI Siri is getting delayed. Investors expected the launch earlier, but reports say it may now come later in 2026. Some features could take even more time. Experts say this delay may affect investor confidence and future plans, while Apple is still focusing on privacy and improving its AI technology.

The CDC has issued a health advisory for travelers to the Seychelles after a chikungunya virus outbreak was confirmed. Spread by mosquitoes, chikungunya causes fever, joint pain, rashes, and fatigue, with some facing prolonged joint pain for months to years. The CDC advises preventive measures, which includes insect repellent, long-sleeved clothing, and staying in screened or air-conditioned regions, as well as vaccination for visitors.

Dow Jones Transportation vs S&P 500: America's transportation sector is experiencing a significant surge, outperforming the S&P 500 as investors seek safer havens away from tech. Robust manufacturing data and a strengthening economy are fueling this rally, with companies like CSX and FedEx seeing increased interest.

Nearly three out of four resumes fail automated ATS screening today. Corporate job postings attract over 250 applicants on average. Remote roles cross 1,000 submissions within days. Many candidates never reach human review. Ghosting after job offers is increasing. Resume rewrite scams target desperate applicants. Hiring freezes add hidden competition. This story breaks down what blocks interviews and what changes outcomes.

Mortgage rates in the US dropped a little this week. The average 30-year rate is just above 6%. Experts say strong jobs and a stable economy are helping more people think about buying homes. Rates are still higher than past years, but lower than last week. Many buyers are watching rates closely before deciding to take home loans.

Meeting in a Belgian castle, the EU leaders agreed an action plan with a strict timeline for the economic restructuring, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. The pressure and the sense of urgency is enormous, and that can move mountains, she said. The plan, to be presented formally in March, would include measures to coordinate upgrading energy grids, deepen financial integration and loosen merger regulations to allow European firms to grow to better compete globally, she sai

The Waldorf Astoria, New York Citys iconic luxury hotel, is set for sale after a $2 billion renovation that transformed the historic property into 375 hotel rooms and 372 private homes. Owned by Dajia Insurance Group, the Park Avenue landmark reopened in November after an eight-year project delayed by landmark preservation guidelines, supply chain interruptions, and redevelopment concerns.

Jane Street has approached the Supreme Court. The company seeks clarity on legal protection for internal communications. This comes amid a dispute with Indian tax authorities. The case concerns whether advice from in-house legal teams is protected. The Supreme Court has admitted the review application. The matter is listed for hearing on March 25.

More than 260,000 U.S. layoffs hit workers last year. High performers were not spared. Even top 5% rated managers lost roles. Corporate restructuring cut entire leadership layers. Strong earnings did not prevent job cuts. RSUs vanished overnight. Digital access ended within minutes. Families and teams were stunned. What drives sudden layoffs despite profits? Why are critical roles eliminated? The answers reveal a shifting workforce reality.

Advocate Salman Safdar, who was appointed amicus curiae to visit Rawalpindi's Adiala Jail, formally submitted to the Supreme Court on Wednesday a report regarding incarcerated Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)founder Khan's living conditions amid concern from his party over his treatment.

Hermes has reported robust fourth-quarter revenue growth, exceeding expectations. Strong sales in the United States and Japan have bolstered performance. The luxury brand is weathering a sector slowdown better than rivals. Hermes anticipates continued confidence into 2026. Price increases are planned, though at a slightly slower pace. Positive signs are emerging from China.

India's social security coverage has seen a remarkable surge, reaching 64.3% in 2025. New safety mandates for heavy vehicles are set to be implemented from October 2027 and January 2028. The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has also witnessed substantial growth, with contributing members rising to 73.7 million in 2023-24.

The high-level memo, which was drafted this year, details seven points where, in the Kremlin's view, Russian and US economic interests could converge following a deal to end the war in Ukraine. It sees the two countries working together to champion fossil fuels over greener alternatives as well as joint investments in natural gas, offshore oil and critical raw materials plus windfalls for US companies.

The State Administration for Market Regulation released guidelines for manufacturers, dealers and parts suppliers aimed at preventing a race-to-the-bottom price war. They ban automakers from setting prices below the cost of production to squeeze out competitors or monopolize the market. Violators may face significant legal risks, the regulator warned.

The voter-friendly SIR phase-2 electoral process is facing significant delays and disputes. Lakhs of people await hearings, and state governments are at odds with the Election Commission. Court battles and repeated extensions are pushing back final roll publication dates. This revised process, meant to be smoother, is encountering similar hurdles to its predecessor, raising concerns about transparency and efficiency.

U.S. Stock Market Today: Dow Jones, S&P 500, Down Joneson Thursday fell big.

Spider Noir is an upcoming Amazon Prime Video series based on Marvels Spider-Man Noir, starring Nicolas Cage in his first television lead role. Set in 1930s New York, the show follows an aging private investigator haunted by his past as a masked vigilante. Developed by Oren Uziel, the series adopts a black-and-white noir aesthetic and delves into trauma, crime, and moral conflict.

Daily wagers and contractual employees from various government departments staged a protest in Srinagar along with their families, demanding regularisation of their services. The JK Employees Joint Action Committee said they would protest again outside the National Conference office if the Omar Abdullah-led government does not clarify its policy and fulfil its promises.

Gold, Silver, platinum and copper price plunge today: Gold, silver, platinum and copper all fell sharply today. Gold dropped over 2.5% below $5,000. Silver plunged nearly 10% under $80. Platinum lost more than 5%, and copper slid nearly 3%. The broad sell-off followed stronger U.S. jobs data and a stronger dollar. Markets saw technical breakouts below key support levels. Traders unwound leveraged positions. Safe-haven demand weakened. Industrial metals also felt pressure from slowing global grow

West Bengal's electoral roll revision uncovered strange data. In Metiaburuz, siblings' birth dates showed a gap of less than a month. Ten family members shared the same parents and address. Another case involved a birth certificate issued before the actual birth. These discrepancies are under verification by electoral officials and micro-observers.

Public sector companies and four major government bodies maintained their capital spending this fiscal year. Their expenditure reached 6.67 lakh crore by January, nearly matching last year's 6.79 lakh crore. This consistent public investment is vital for India's economic growth. Experts note that geopolitical risks have impacted private investment, making public capex crucial for the economy.

Former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai informed a Joint Parliamentary Committee that the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal is constitutionally valid. He stated that synchronized polls will not affect federalism or democratic governance. Justice Gavai asserted that the bill only requires a one-time adjustment to the election cycle.

Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda accused the BJP and Election Commission of attempting to remove lakhs of genuine voters through a planned conspiracy during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He said about 74 lakh names were deleted from the draft list released in December.

The Jammu and Kashmir government said it has proposed provisions in the draft New Media Policy-2026 to create a regulatory framework for new and social media along with print media. The proposal is under inter-departmental consultation and was prepared in response to the growth of digital platforms.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India's strong economic performance, characterized by high growth and low inflation, attributing it to government reforms. She refuted claims of middle-class suppression, citing an expanding taxpayer base and rising real incomes. The budget aims to guide India towards developed nation status by 2047.

Opposition members disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings on Thursday. They supported a national strike by trade unions protesting the India-US trade deal. They also raised state issues. Later, they debated the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill. Opposition members alleged the bill favors industrialists. They claimed earlier legislations already took away workers' rights.

A Romanian fugitive, Florin Stoian, has been extradited to New York to face charges in the 2022 hit-and-run death of a 74-year-old man. Stoian allegedly fled the country after killing Be Tran, committing further crimes internationally before being imprisoned in Germany. He is now back in the US to face multiple charges, including manslaughter and arson.

Bengaluru Rural Police arrested BJP MLA BA Basavaraj. The arrest followed the Supreme Court's refusal of his anticipatory bail plea. He is implicated in the murder of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Bikla Shiva. The Devanahalli police took him into custody at the international airport. The Criminal Investigation Department is now probing the case.

US stock market crashes today due to a growing $1.2 trillion AI scare trade that hit logistics and software stocks hard. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq each fell more than 1%. Investors are dumping Nvidia, Apple, and Amazon stocks. New data shows AI could replace 400% of logistics labor, fueling disruption fears. While S&P 500 tech names crash, money is moving to Walmart and Boeing. Traders now await Fridays CPI inflation report to see if the Fed will cut rates.

India will await the results of the Bangladesh elections. The nation will then review existing matters based on the electoral mandate. New Delhi has stated its support for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. India did not send observers despite receiving an invitation.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026. This event sets the stage for integrating AI into education across India. The Bharat EduAI Stack will support AI-powered learning solutions. Several key partnerships and initiatives were announced. These include collaborations between IIT Bombay and Columbia University, and IIM Lucknow's AI Programme.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated budget debate between the BJP and TMC. The BJP accused the Mamata Banerjee government of impeding development and allowing infiltration. The TMC countered by alleging discrimination against non-NDA states, citing a lack of focus on key welfare issues.

In a sharp rebuttal against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress has rallied to defend farmers' interests. During a contentious 2013 WTO meeting, Sitharaman claimed the previous UPA regime failed to protect agricultural stakeholders. Anand Sharma, a former trade minister, countered her narrative, arguing that she misrepresented facts in Parliament.

During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns over caste-based discrimination at workplaces, citing recent incidents from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chandigarh. He said such practices continue despite constitutional guarantees of equality and highlighted a case where a Dalit woman cooks food at an Anganwadi centre in Odisha was refused by some families.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 will happen in Chicago at the United Center. The event is very important before WrestleMania. Two big Chamber matches will decide who gets title chances later. Famous stars like CM Punk, AJ Lee, Finn Blor, and Becky Lynch are part of the show. Many tickets are still available for fans to buy now.

Netflix stock NFLX today: Netflix shares hit a new 52-week low of $79, down 5%, as the streaming giant faces industry-wide pressure and intense competition. Despite a 23.71% annual stock decline, analysis suggests Netflix is undervalued, though a proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's studios and HBO Max faces regulatory scrutiny and potential delays.

Charles Michel, a key figure in European politics, is set to address the ET NOW Global Business Summit. He previously led Belgium as Prime Minister and chaired the European Council. Michel navigated significant global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. His insights on geopolitics and the EU's future will be a highlight of the two-day event.

In a recent briefing, S Paul Kapur, a US official, outlined the Trump administration's strategic approach to South Asia. The focus is on enhancing economic exchanges and defense collaborations with countries across the region.

The Congress on Thursday said it will respond to BJP MP Nishikant Dubeys notice seeking cancellation of Rahul Gandhis Lok Sabha membership and asserted that the Leader of Opposition and other members will continue to raise issues in Parliament.

In a significant political event, Bangladesh conducted its 13th parliamentary elections on Thursday, with voting taking place across 299 constituencies amid heightened security measures. Early indications point to a potential victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell highlights climate action as a vital tool for global security and prosperity. He notes that despite global instability, investments in clean energy are growing rapidly. Renewables are now the leading electricity source, and global emissions have dropped. Stiell acknowledges progress but stresses the need for faster and fairer transitions.

The bond between India and Russia is on a steady ascent, fueled by vibrant trade, cultural collaborations, and strategic defense initiatives. Both countries are weaving their interests across multiple domains. The Russian foreign ministry expresses optimism about the continuation of energy partnerships with India. This alliance shows no signs of slowing down, as it evolves and expands across various spheres.

Hilary Duff has announced a major comeback to live touring with The Lucky Me Tour, her first full-scale global headlining tour in almost two decades. The tour will span seven countries and run from summer 2026 through early 2027, which includes a stop at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 20. The revelation arrives ahead of her sixth studio album, luck... or something, launching on February 20.

The Indian Air Force will train pilots of the UK's Royal Air Force. This marks a significant first. Three Indian Qualified Flight Instructors will go to RAF Valley in the UK. They will impart fast jet training to British pilots. This deployment is for two years. It strengthens defense ties between India and the UK.

Delhi Police questioned Penguin India representatives regarding the alleged leak of General M.M. Naravane's unpublished memoir. Investigators are probing a potential coordinated effort to bypass defence ministry clearances, examining digital trails and the publisher's delayed response to the unauthorized dissemination.