The Economic Times

While Washington has stepped back from military action, the White House said on Thursday that all options remain on the table for the president Donald Trump.

Wealth quote of the day: Stephen A. Schwarzman, co-founder of Blackstone, emphasizes that business success is a team sport, not the work of a solitary genius. Effective leadership relies on collective effort and skilled professionals to drive results. Research supports that collaboration enhances problem-solving and overall organizational performance.

Great healthcare plan: On average, premium costs will increase to $1,904 in 2026 from $888 in 2025, according to health policy firm KFF, a far greater jump than the savings promised in the Donald Trump plan.

Mark Zuckerberg's quote, Ideas dont come out fully formed, they only become clearer as you work on them. You just have to get started, highlights that clarity emerges through action, not pre-planning. His career, from Facebook's inception to Meta's evolving ambitions, exemplifies this principle, demonstrating that embracing imperfection and starting is crucial for progress and innovation.

Trumps tax and spending plan changed company tax deductions, affecting employee perks and corporate charity. Free food, bike commuting, and moving expenses may now cost more or disappear. Companies must give at least 1% of taxable income for charity deductions. These changes can raise taxes, reduce some benefits, and affect both mid-size and large employers budgets.

Song of the Day: Someone Like You by Adele is a moving ballad born from personal heartbreak. The track was inspired by Adele learning her former love had moved on and got engaged, evoking grief, reflection, and acceptance. The song resonates universally, offering listeners a mirror for their own lost loves and unfinished goodbyes.

Word of the day: The word 'aura' has a rich history, once meaning air or breath. Today, it describes a person's unique vibe or presence. Gen Z on social media uses 'aura' to denote charisma and coolness. This evolution shows how language adapts to new cultural expressions and digital communication. The term captures an intangible quality that makes individuals stand out.

In the last week of December, commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal had a virtual meeting with US trade representative Jamieson Greer.

Miscreants vandalized the Chakulia block development office in North Dinajpur, causing chaos and violence for three hours. Stones were hurled, SIR forms were set ablaze, and office infrastructure, including electronic gadgets and documents, was destroyed, with damages estimated at Rs 20 lakh. Police personnel and office staff were injured during the rampage.

Madison Sheahan, former Deputy Director of ICE, is leaving her job to run for Congress in Ohios 9th District. She aims to challenge longtime Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur. Sheahan brings leadership experience from ICE and Louisianas wildlife department and focuses on American jobs, safety, and values. Her campaign highlights law enforcement experience and support for Trumps agenda.

A new $45 TSA fee for identity verification will be implemented on February 1. Travelers can avoid this surcharge by presenting a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or other acceptable forms of identification. The TSA has updated its list of accepted IDs, including digital options, to help passengers navigate the new requirement.

According to the paper, investments in urban mobility infrastructure over the past decade, particularly metro rail expansion, have translated into stronger household liquidity management and more disciplined borrowing.

A new rural employment law, VB-G RAM G, will soon replace the current program. It guarantees 125 days of work, an increase from 100 days. Fund allocation to states will now follow objective central government parameters. This aims to reduce disparities and pilferage. The central government plans to increase the budget for the new scheme.

Moody's Ratings has upgraded the outlook for three Adani Group companies to stable. Adani Ports, Adani Transmission Step-One, and Adani Electricity Mumbai now have a stable outlook. This reflects improved liquidity and strong financial profiles. The companies are expected to maintain sufficient liquidity for operations and debt obligations over the next 18 months.

The Lincoln Lawyer Season 4 release date, episode count, trailer, cast, characters details confirm the Netflix return on February 5, 2026. Mickey Haller faces a murder charge. Ten episodes adapt The Law of Innocence. The trailer, cast updates, and character list explain what happens next.

Harry Styles new album Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally is now available for preorder.

US President Donald Trump expressed optimism that killings in Iran's protest crackdown are easing, following reports of a death sentence postponement for an arrested protester. Trump stated he received assurances from very important sources on the other side and is adopting a wait-and-see approach, though he did not rule out potential US military action.

The Election Commission of India has extended the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in several states until January 19, 2026. The poll panel informed the Supreme Court that it can only determine citizenship for voter registration. It cannot deport individuals or decide on visa status. This clarification came during hearings on petitions challenging the revision exercise.

Parents filing 2025 taxes can now open a Trump Account for children. The IRS allows a $1,000 federal seed contribution using Form 4547. Eligible kids under 18 gain tax-deferred investment access, early-use flexibility, and long-term financial growth, as Washington pushes family savings amid global economic uncertainty.

Four Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and Egypt, engaged in intense diplomacy with the U.S. and Iran to avert a threatened U.S. attack. They warned Washington of regional security and economic repercussions, while urging Iran to avoid retaliatory strikes. This effort aimed to de-escalate tensions and prevent wider instability.

Participative sports like marathons and cycling are booming in India, driven by rising fitness consciousness and increased corporate involvement. These events, including the Mumbai Marathon, are becoming significant economic drivers, contributing hundreds of crores annually. With millions of runners and rapid growth, the sector's value is projected to multiply significantly.

The meeting that took place in Dhaka on Wednesday evening has raised suspicion of BNP's future links with Pakistan and spy agency ISI. Such moves may be detrimental to India's security interests, according to people familiar with Bangladesh-India links.

Talk of Donald Trump impeachment has returned after new corruption claims by Democrats. Any impeachment must start in the House, where Democrats currently lack numbers. Even if Trump is impeached again, removal is very hard because the Senate needs a two-thirds vote. For now, Trump staying in office remains the most likely outcome.

Verizon credit: Verizon is giving 1.5 million customers a $20 credit. This follows a major service outage that lasted up to 10 hours. The company apologized for the disruption. Customers can get the credit through the MyVerizon app. The outage affected many across the United States. Verizon is still not revealing the exact cause of the widespread failure.

The Supreme Court has taken up a serious matter concerning the Enforcement Directorate's recent searches. Notices have been issued to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and DGP Rajeev Kumar. The court expressed displeasure over disruptions in the Calcutta High Court. It has also stayed FIRs registered against ED officers by West Bengal Police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India's democratic strength at the CSPOC conference. He stated that democracy ensures last-mile delivery of welfare, lifting millions out of poverty. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla warned about technology misuse, including misinformation and cybercrime, threatening democracies worldwide. Effective solutions are needed to counter these challenges.

The Supreme Court has urged political parties to actively encourage citizens to vote. Chief Justice Surya Kant stated it is high time parties persuade people to exercise their valuable right. The court noted disappointment that only one party presented solutions for voter participation. The Election Commission highlighted that polling is a cooperative exercise.

The government of Manipur is prioritizing the rehabilitation and resettlement of its displaced citizens. Security assessments are presently being conducted at various proposed locations. A comprehensive plan is in action, intending to support around 60,000 people. This initiative moves beyond mere relocation, encompassing vital areas such as education, job creation, and overall well-being.

Financial word of the day: Black-Scholes model The Black-Scholes model remains the 2026 gold standard for pricing trillions in derivatives. It uses five key data points: stock price, strike, time, interest rates, and volatility. This math-heavy formula eliminated guesswork, creating todays liquid markets. Traders rely on its Greeks to manage risk instantly. Even with AI, Black-Scholes provides the essential fair-value benchmark for every call and put option traded globally.

A major Iranian bank's collapse triggered widespread economic hardship. Millions lost savings as Ayandeh Bank failed with billions in losses. This led to protests across Iran. The government's response included printing money and cutting subsidies. Sanctions and regional conflicts also worsened the situation. The economic turmoil highlights deep-seated corruption and inequality.

NBC Nightly News scored a rare win over ABC in the important 2554 age group, shaking up the nightly news ratings race. ABC World News Tonight with David Muir still leads in total viewers, but NBCs Tom Llamas is gaining ground. CBS Evening News remains far behind despite recent changes and growing digital attention.

Gurugram Police have taken action against 73 flat owners for allegedly accommodating foreign nationals without the required permissions and without submitting Form-C. The action followed a tip-off that led to a verification drive by the police. Authorities have reiterated that filing Form-C is mandatory for monitoring the stay of foreign nationals and stressed that strict compliance with these rules is essential in the interest of national security.

Jaipur hosted the 78th Army Day Parade, a significant event marking several firsts. The parade moved outside a cantonment area for the first time. The newly-raised Bhairav light commando battalion also made its debut. Traditional Rajasthani folk dances were showcased. Military prowess was on display with advanced weaponry and platforms.

In March 2025, Washington made the decision to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine as part of efforts to crank up pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to cooperate with President Donald Trump's bid to convene peace talks with Russia, which invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

GS Stock: Goldman Sachs shares surged after the bank announced fourth-quarter earnings that surpassed analyst predictions. Strong dealmaking and trading performance significantly boosted the investment bank's results. This positive financial outcome has increased investor confidence in the company's stock. The firm also saw growth in its wealth management business and raised its quarterly dividend.

A UK court has ruled that the Payments System Regulator can cap cross-border card fees. Mastercard, Visa, and Revolut challenged this plan. The regulator stated the decision confirms its power to ensure fair card payment costs for UK businesses and consumers. This allows the regulator to proceed with setting appropriate levels for cross-border interchange fees.

President Vladimir Putin stated the international situation is deteriorating and becoming more dangerous, though he remained silent on Venezuela, Iran, and U.S. threats. Speaking to new ambassadors, Putin criticized those dictating their will and reiterated Russia's commitment to a multipolar world and new European security architecture.

The prospect of US retaliation for the deaths of protesters still hung over the region, though President Donald Trump signaled a possible de-escalation, saying the killing appeared to be ending. The US announced new sanctions on Iranian officials accused of suppressing the protests, which began late last month over the country's faltering economy and the collapse of its currency.

Denmark and Greenland's top diplomats met with US officials to oppose President Trump's proposal to buy Greenland. They asserted Greenland's independence and rejected claims of Chinese threats. Denmark highlighted its own security contributions, including advanced military assets. Both nations emphasized their commitment to Denmark if forced to choose. The meeting aimed to address US concerns while maintaining Greenland's sovereignty.

Northern and Eastern India are experiencing severe cold. Hisar in Haryana recorded 0.2 degrees Celsius. Delhi saw its coldest morning of the season at 2.9 degrees Celsius. Kashmir's Dal Lake has frozen. Jharkhand and West Bengal also recorded freezing temperatures. This cold wave is impacting several states.

Britain will boost its military reserve forces. The maximum age for former personnel to be called up will rise to 65. The criteria for calling up reserves will also expand to include 'warlike preparations'. These changes aim to enhance national readiness. The reforms are set to be implemented from spring 2027. This move aligns with broader NATO force strategies.

Wealth Quote of the Day by Douglas W. Diamond, The waters been so high for so long that people didnt even put on the skimpiest of bathing suits Nobel economist Douglas W. Diamond warns hidden risks lurk in todays low-rate economy. Corporations and banks overleverage during easy credit periods. Rising interest rates expose fragile balance sheets. Geopolitical tensions in Iran and Israel impact energy and financial markets. Diamonds research highlights liquidity shocks and bank run vulnerabilities

J.R.R. Tolkien's famous quote challenges the idea that a straight path is the only way. It suggests that wandering can be a deliberate choice, a form of exploration. This applies to both external journeys and internal growth. Tolkien's own life and works reflect this wisdom. His stories show that strength comes from facing challenges.