The Economic Times

Verizon users slam service, seek refunds over disruption to life in massive outage after a nationwide network failure left phones in SOS mode. Downdetector logged over 170,000 reports. Users demanded refunds as Verizon confirmed voice and data issues with no repair timeline.

Wealth quote of the day by Michael Burry: Michael Burry, famous for predicting the 2008 housing crash, champions buying unpopular companies when they are undervalued. His strategy focuses on intrinsic worth, not market trends. Burry uses financial metrics like P/E and P/B ratios, alongside qualitative factors. He made his fortune by shorting subprime mortgages and later warned of an AI market bubble.

Quote of the Day: Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, believes success comes from many failures. His journey with Google shows innovation requires constant trial and error. From early days to global impact, Brin's perspective emphasizes learning from mistakes. This approach drove Google's transformation. His words encourage persistence and resilience in pursuing ambitious goals.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Xfinity down across US became a major question after Verizon faced a nationwide outage. Users saw SOS mode, no signal, and call failures. Other carriers reported spillover issues. Verizon confirmed the problem and said engineers are working on a fix.

The IRS has warned Americans about rising tax scams ahead of the 2026 filing season. Fraudsters are using fake messages, social media posts, and identity theft to steal refunds and personal data. Seniors, workers, and businesses are all targets. The agency urges people to stay alert, file carefully, and use extra security steps.

Bitcoin price surged to its highest in two months, nearing $97,700. MicroStrategy's significant Bitcoin purchase fueled this rise. Supportive US inflation data also boosted investor confidence in risk assets. Other cryptocurrencies like Ethereum also saw gains. However, some experts remain skeptical, calling it a temporary rally. Meanwhile, US stocks experienced a decline.

Verizon outage hit services in areas such as Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

U.S. visa freeze: The pause, which will impact applicants from countries including Somalia, Iran, Russia, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Yemen, Thailand and Brazil, will begin on January 21, the spokesperson said. It does not affect visitor visas, as per reports.

Word of the day: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious is a fun, whimsical word popularized by the Disney classic Mary Poppins. It explains something extraordinarily wonderful, magical, or beyond ordinary description. The word blends fun, creativity, and exaggeration, making it ideal for conveying joy, awe, and amazement. Often used in storytelling, conversation, and writing, it incorporates a cheerful, imaginative touch to language.

Bilt has launched its new 2.0 credit cards that reward users for rent and mortgage payments. The update adds Bilt Cash, removes old spending rules, and introduces three card options with different fees and benefits. The move shows Bilt wants users to spend more inside its rewards system.

Song of the day: Released in August 1968, The Beatles Hey Jude is one of the bands most beloved tracks. Written by Paul McCartney to console John Lennons son, Julian, the track motivates to turn sadness into hope: Take a sad song and make it better. Its simple piano melody, soaring vocals, and iconic 4-minute Na-na-na coda gives you an unforgettable sing-along experience.

Donald Trump faced a silent reception in Michigan after mimicking President Biden's speaking style, including a mock cough and wheezing. Trump's remarks, which targeted Biden's health and speech delivery, drew criticism for their perceived insensitivity. The audience's lack of reaction was noted, with some deeming the act a self-inflicted humiliation for Trump.

Verizon users across the United States are reporting a network outage causing phones to show SOS mode. This guide explains what the Verizon SOS mode issue is, why it happens, and step-by-step methods to fix it. It also covers affected regions, Verizon responses, and how to restore normal connectivity.

LA 2028 Olympics tickets registration opens today as price details for tickets for Los Angeles Olympics are out.

President Trump is generating significant turmoil early in the new year, escalating foreign policy threats and domestic immigration crackdowns. His administration's actions, including a probe into the Federal Reserve, are raising concerns among allies and the public, with midterm elections looming as a key test of his leadership.

Layoff: A software engineer lost their job after inappropriate search history surfaced on a company laptop. This happened immediately after the engineer completed a four-month performance improvement plan. Employers can monitor work devices. In the US, at-will employment allows termination for many reasons not deemed illegal. Review policies and seek legal advice if you face a similar situation.

Medicare will end broad athome telehealth coverage starting January 31, 2026. Millions of seniors rely on virtual visits for routine care. Pandemic-era waivers allowed telehealth from home with multiple provider types. After the change, most visits require a rural facility. Behavioral health remains an exception. Patients may face higher costs, travel, or delayed care. Medicare Advantage plans may offer alternatives.

The procession was held under the banner of the Imam Khomeini Memorial Trust on Wednesday during which protesters targeted US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. They also carried portraits of Imam Khomeini and Khamenei and placards, expressing solidarity with the people of Iran.

What began as a 'buffer zone' in Manipur to safeguard against ethnic conflict has morphed into a politically charged environment, exacerbating existing divisions. Allegations of movement restrictions by security forces have ignited debates about the legitimacy of these actions, resulting in the emergence of de facto internal borders.

In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, Just concluded a good conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Discussed trade, critical minerals, nuclear cooperation, defence and energy. Both leaders agreed to continue discussions on these matters and other issues.

The Army said if at all the hospital is allowed to be built, it should have over 15-ft concrete boundary wall with separators and no window of the structure should face the Army camp.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reflected on the complex history surrounding the deployment of Indian forces for Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka almost four decades ago, suggesting that opinions may vary on the decision. Nonetheless, he staunchly defended the valor of the IPKF troops, calling for widespread recognition of their sacrifices and the heroism they demonstrated during difficult times.

Verizon outage affected regions list and what should users do now explains the current Verizon network outage. Customers across several US cities report SOS mode, call failures, and no signal. This explainer covers affected regions, reported issues, SOS mode meaning, and steps users should follow now.

Millions of Americans are bracing for significantly higher heating bills this winter, with electric heating users facing the steepest increases. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) received $3.7 billion, but officials state this is insufficient to meet demand, potentially leading to increased consumer debt and utility shutoffs.

Pakistan is often seen as having a chequered past when it comes to illicit money flow. At a proposed FATF meet next month, there will be scrutiny on whether it aided terror financing or not.

BP Plc anticipates up to $5 billion in writedowns from its energy transition business following a leadership change and a pivot back to fossil fuels. The energy giant also reported weak oil trading and flat production for the fourth quarter, while successfully reducing net debt. This update comes after the ouster of its CEO amid pressure over low-carbon investments.

Elon Musk's American aerospace company has taken steps to restore telecommunications and internet access to Iran. This action comes after a complete shutdown of these services to the country's 85 million residents on January 8.

Iran protests death toll update: Iranian security forces have killed over 3,400 protesters. More than 10,000 people have been arrested. New information reveals a sharp increase in deaths between January 8 and 12. The human rights group Iran Human Rights stated the true toll is likely higher. This crackdown marks a significant event.

Many retirees make mistakes that reduce their Social Security income. Common errors include relying too much on benefits, not coordinating with a spouse, and overestimating annual COLA increases. By planning carefully and using strategies to maximize benefits, retirees can boost income, avoid financial problems, and enjoy a safer, more confident retirement without running out of money.

The Sundance Institute has announced the jury lineup for the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, scheduled to run from January 22 to February 1 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, with an online at-home programme available nationally. The 17-member jury includes respected filmmakers, critics, and cultural voices judging movies in U.S., World Cinema, Short Film, and NEXT categories.

Indian auto parts makers are experiencing a slowdown in long-term orders from the US. This is due to uncertainty over potential tariffs imposed by the US administration. Automakers in the US and neighboring countries are hesitant to finalize import supply contracts. The industry faces challenges absorbing increased tariff costs.

Bajaj Auto is targeting the top spot in India's electric scooter market this calendar year. The company is focusing on a refined product strategy and making electric mobility more affordable and reliable. Rishab Bajaj, son of MD Rajiv Bajaj, expressed hope for leadership. The introduction of the Chetak C25 model further strengthens their electric scooter offerings for urban consumers.

The Confederation of Indian Industry is pushing for government mandates on green hydrogen. This aims to increase its use in sectors like refining and fertilisers. Such measures would help bridge the cost gap with grey hydrogen. Incentives and phased mandates are proposed. This follows a record year for India's clean energy capacity.

In 2025, Mercedes-Benz India faced its first sales decline in half a decade, attributed to heightened competition and currency volatility, which resulted in increased pricing. Despite strong demand for high-end models, the core segment took a hit. Meanwhile, BMW capitalized on these shifts with notable sales growth. While luxury cars remain in demand, potential buyers are increasingly worried about affordability.

Indian Oil Corporation is embarking on an exciting journey to enhance its non-fuel portfolio. With a vision to generate 20-30% of its revenue from emerging sectors such as gas, petrochemicals, lubricants, and renewable energy by 2030, the company is set to elevate its non-fuel business to an estimated 2-3 lakh crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated Pongal, highlighting Tamil culture as an ancient living civilization that guides the future. He emphasized the vital role of farmers and the necessity of protecting nature, linking these themes to India's cultural strength and confidence. The Prime Minister also noted Pongal's global reach and its embodiment of gratitude and balance.

The Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) has mandated early-stage freezing of free-sale inventory in slum redevelopment projects. This move aims to secure transit rent payments and permanent alternate accommodation obligations for eligible slum dwellers. Developers must now formally earmark and list these frozen flats, limiting their sale or encumbrance until rehabilitation is complete and all dues are cleared.

The Supreme Court will hear a plea from the Enforcement Directorate. The ED alleges interference by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. This interference reportedly occurred during a probe and search at the I-PAC office. The ED claims records were illegally seized. The Calcutta High Court has disposed of a related petition.

NCPs Ajit Pawar has fired a significant shot across the bow at the erstwhile Shiv Sena-BJP coalition, alleging they orchestrated an irrigation scam that saw project budgets fattened for illicit gains. As the heat rises in the lead-up to civic elections and investigations remain active, opposition parties are quick to defend their honor by questioning Pawar's own track record.

Chattisgarh news: Twenty-nine Maoists surrendered in Sukma, Chhattisgarh. This included Podiam Budhra, a leader with a 2 lakh reward. The surrender occurred under the 'Poona Margem' initiative. A new security camp in Gogunda played a key role. Anti-Maoist operations intensified, disrupting rebel activities. This follows other recent surrenders in the region. The Centre aims to eliminate Maoism by March 31.

Animal Crossings: New Horizon 3.0 Update launch time has become a major topic as players wait for the January 15 release. Nintendo has not confirmed timing, but past updates suggest a fixed pattern. Time zone differences may allow early access in several regions worldwide.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha will again discuss the killing of student Angel Chakma with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami. Angel Chakma was allegedly killed in a racially motivated attack in Dehradun. Saha visited the family and assured support. He will meet Dhami in Delhi to expedite the investigation. The Tripura government has provided ex gratia.

Essar Energy Transition achieved record domestic fuel sales in 2025 at its Stanlow refinery. Strong UK demand and an expanded supply network fueled this success. Retail and aviation sectors saw significant growth. Investments in infrastructure and decarbonization are ongoing. The company advocates for refining inclusion in the UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism to ensure a competitive domestic sector.

An Indian Sikh woman, Sarabjeet Kaur, who married a Pakistani Muslim during a visit, has been sent to a government shelter home in Lahore. Despite a court order to cease harassment, Punjab police apprehended the couple. Authorities reportedly aim to deport Kaur, while her husband faces a case.