The Economic Times

Quote of the day by Leonardo da Vinci: Leonardo da Vinci, a Renaissance master, excelled in art and science. His famous works include Mona Lisa and The Last Supper. A quote attributed to him likens marriage to a gamble, highlighting its uncertainties. Da Vinci's notebooks reveal his innovative mind and forward-thinking designs. His legacy continues to inspire creativity and curiosity worldwide.

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in his annual letter warned that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is that one human invention that will change the society more than anything. Though the tech billionaire acknowledged AI's potential in healthcare and education, he warned of significant threats, including bioterrorism and job market disruption. Today, an even greater risk than a naturally caused pandemic is that a non-government group will use open source AI tools to design a bioterrorism weapon, he wr

Lohri fashion is all about warmth, tradition, and colour. Take cues from Bollywood celebs who blend Punjabi roots with modern festive styling effortlessly.

Russian forces unleashed a significant wave of missile strikes on Ukraine's major cities early Tuesday. Kharkiv, a frequent target, reported four fatalities and six injuries from an attack on its outskirts. Kyiv also experienced a brief but intense missile assault. These strikes represent the most sustained aerial assault on Ukraine this year.

Congress leader Supriya Shrinate criticized Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw's visit to Washington DC. She stated that no US official received the minister, indicating a failure in India's foreign diplomacy. Vaishnaw attended a Critical Minerals Ministerial meeting, discussing supply chain resilience for manufacturing and electronics. The meeting focused on securing critical minerals, technology sharing, and recycling.

China criticised the U.S. threat of a 25% tariff on countries trading with Iran, saying it opposes unilateral sanctions and what it called long-arm jurisdiction. Beijing said tariff and trade wars have no winners and warned it would take necessary steps to protect its interests.

Makar Sankranti 2026: Makar Sankranti is one of the most widely celebrated harvest festivals in India and on this auspicious occasion, schools in many states, including Uttar Pradesh, remain closed. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a revised order has stated that schools in the state will remain closed on January 15, Thursday for Makar Sankranti.

Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the RSS's role in India's freedom struggle. He stated Sangh founder K B Hedgewar was jailed for supporting the Khilafat movement. Owaisi also denied the presence of Bangladeshis in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. He criticized the BJP for using such narratives to push its Hindutva agenda and distract from governance failures.

Special Counsel Jack Smith, who led now-dropped criminal cases against Donald Trump, will testify publicly before the House Judiciary Committee on January 22. Smith previously defended his investigation in private testimony, asserting Trump's actions were the sole basis for the prosecutions. This comes after the committee released transcripts from his December testimony, which indicated Trump acknowledged his 2020 election loss.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke at the Viksit Bharat Young leaders dialogue. He emphasized India's progress in the Orange economy. He encouraged the youth to reject colonial thinking and contribute to national development. Modi noted the government's support for startups and the space program. He inspired young people to embrace innovation and a self-reliant mindset.

Canada is issuing new travel advisories for 2026. Citizens are warned about increasing dangers in many countries. High-risk nations like Iran, Venezuela, and South Sudan are flagged with 'Avoid All Travel' alerts. Other popular destinations require a high degree of caution due to safety and security concerns. Canadians should plan carefully for international trips.

Chennai weather today: Tamil Nadu is in festive mood for Pongal celebrations which begin tomorrow but the main question is whether rain dampen the festive mood in Chennai and the southern state? According to the IMD forecast, light to moderate rain is expected at isolated places over Tamil Nadu, Puducherry & Karaikal area. No major rainfall warning has been issued and dry weather is likely to prevail in the state from January 15.

More than two weeks of protests in Iran have become the most serious challenge in years to the countrys theocratic leadership, though analysts say it is still too early to predict the fall of the Islamic republic. What began as protests over economic hardship has widened into calls for an end to clerical rule, even as authorities have launched a crackdown that rights groups say has killed hundreds.

President Trump is exploring diplomatic avenues with Iran. He is also considering military strike options. These options range from cyberattacks to strikes on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile sites. The United States is also considering imposing tariffs on countries trading with Iran. Iranian officials have indicated readiness for talks. The situation remains tense.

Exxon, ConocoPhillips and Chevron were key partners of Venezuela's state oil company, PDVSA, before former President Hugo Chavez nationalized the industry between 2004 and 2007.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attacked Uddhav Thackeray and Raj Thackeray. He stated the Mumbai civic body election is a survival battle for the cousins. Fadnavis asserted Mumbai is part of Maharashtra. He vowed to install a Mahayuti mayor and transform the city. The Chief Minister also discussed development projects and the economy.

Senior Trump administration aides, reportedly including Vice President JD Vance, are advocating for diplomatic engagement with Iran before considering military action. The White House is reportedly evaluating an offer from Tehran for nuclear program talks, though Vance's office stated he and Secretary of State Rubio are presenting all options without bias.

Delhi temperature: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Delhi today and warned of cold wave conditions at a few places. The national capital continues to remain in the grip of cold wave and temperatures have dropped significantly. In Noida, the weather office has warned of cold wave and minimum temperature may drop to 4 degrees Celsius.

Sergio Gor has taken charge as the new US Ambassador to India. US Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio congratulated him. Gor expressed eagerness to work on President Donald Trump's priorities and strengthen the US-India partnership. Discussions are ongoing for a trade deal between the two nations.

New York Fed President John Williams said he expects the US economy to remain healthy in 2026 and sees no near-term need to cut interest rates. He said monetary policy has moved closer to neutral and is well placed to support the labour market while guiding inflation back to the Federal Reserves 2% target.

Iran is facing nationwide protests driven by a deepening economic crisis, adding pressure on its theocratic leadership. Authorities have shut down internet and phone networks as demonstrations spread across all 31 provinces. The unrest follows a sharp collapse in the rial, now trading above 1.4 million to the dollar, rising inflation near 40%, and higher prices for fuel and food after cuts to subsidies and exchange-rate support.

In 2024, following a movement led by the students in Bangladesh, and after the Awami League president and then Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina went into exile in India, a wave of arrests of Awami League leaders and activists began across the country. During that very crackdown, Proloy was arrested, and several cases were filed against him.

Neville Tata, son of chairman Noel Tata, is set to join the Sir Ratan Tata Trust board, reinforcing Noel's influence and marking Neville's rise within the Tata group. This development follows Neville's earlier induction to the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust board and comes amid potential trustee exits and regulatory changes impacting perpetual appointments.

US Ambassador designate Sergio Gor announced that trade pact discussions with India will resume Tuesday, aiming to resolve differences beyond tariffs. He emphasized the strong personal relationship between Presidents Trump and Modi, highlighting the partnership's significance beyond trade, encompassing security, technology, and energy cooperation.

U.S Stock Market: Analysts see the technology sector leading S&P 500 earnings growth for the quarter.

Since Nicolas Maduro's ouster, Maria Corina Machado has heaped praise on Trump, and has offered to give him her Nobel Peace Prize, an award the US president has long publicly coveted.

Quote of the day: Scarlett Johansson's words emphasize self-understanding before relationships. Knowing yourself builds strong connections. Johansson, a celebrated actress, has a career spanning decades. Her journey from child actor to Hollywood icon is detailed. Her film milestones and other ventures are also covered. This insight offers valuable lessons for everyone.

President Trump is considering air strikes on Iran amid reports of a crackdown on protesters, with the White House stating people are being killed on the streets. However, diplomacy remains an option, as private discussions with Iran's envoy reveal a far different tone than public statements. Trump indicated a potential need for action before any meeting with Iranian leaders.

Frisco ISD campuses were briefly placed under secure status Monday morning following the receipt of threatening emails. Police and district officials responded quickly, deeming all schools safe after thorough checks. The threats were determined to be non-credible, and normal operations resumed, though an investigation into the email's origin is ongoing.

Vervet monkeys are native to sub-Saharan Africa, where they are widespread. Weighing in at 7 to 17 pounds (3.18 to 7.71 kilograms), they are sometimes called green monkeys because of the tint of their fur.

The Supreme Court has ruled that reclaimed land along the Mumbai Coastal Road must remain open to the public. Residential or commercial development on this land is strictly prohibited. This decision addresses concerns raised in a Public Interest Litigation. The court emphasized that the area should be accessible to citizens, with exceptions only for necessary development and maintenance work.

Officials are evaluating changes to the Scheme to Promote Manufacturing of Electric Passenger Cars in India (SPMEPCI), which relies primarily on import duty concessions, including the introduction of more direct incentives, to entice global premium EV makers to establish manufacturing bases in the country, the people said.

Canadian province's premier David Eby, who is leading a trade mission to India from January 12-17, told ET in an interview that the province is trying to develop more opportunities with India to diversify trade, which has been hit by the US tariffs.

Eight states cut income tax rates on Jan.1, 2026. Nebraskas top rate drops to 4.55%. Indiana falls to 2.95%, Ohio simplifies to 2.75%. North Carolina reaches 3.99%, Kentucky 3.5%, and Montana 5.65%. Oklahoma and Mississippi also lower rates. Residents keep more earnings. States aim to boost growth, attract workers, and investments.

Despite a slower pace of tax refunds, the growth in collection was much below the budgeted 12.7% increase for the entire 2025-26. With less than three months left in this fiscal, experts are cautiously optimistic about meeting the budget target of 25.20 lakh crore.

India is set to become a global hub for AI applications. The country will foster its own AI infrastructure, including large language models and data centers. This initiative aligns with the goal of democratizing AI resources. India's role as a trusted partner in value chains is recognized. Discussions on global AI policy will take place at an upcoming summit.

In December 2025, retail inflation climbed to 1.3%, rising from November's 0.7%, setting a new three-month peak. While this increase remains shy of the central bank's goal, the easing of food deflation contrasted with the uptick in prices for various goods.

Venezuela claims to have freed over a hundred political prisoners following US pressure after Nicolas Maduro's ouster. However, rights groups and families question the numbers, with many still awaiting loved ones' release. Opposition leader Maria Corina Machado urged the Pope to intercede, highlighting the ongoing struggle for democracy amidst international negotiations.

Job search hacks after layoff: A professional found a new job with better pay just six weeks after being laid off. This success came amid a tough job market. The user shared a disciplined strategy on Reddit. This involved applying to fewer, well-matched roles and using AI tools. Protecting mental well-being was also key to their swift re-employment.

Money Quote of the Day by Milton Friedman: Inflation is taxation without legislation. Milton Friedman warned that inflation is a hidden tax on your savings. Today, global tensions and new tariffs are driving prices higher. US inflation sits near 3.2%, squeezing every household budget. Geopolitical shifts in the Middle East further threaten energy stability. Friedman was an American economist, a leader of the Chicago School, and the 1976 Nobel laureate in economics. He changed modern macroeconomi

Tamil actor Vijay was questioned by the CBI regarding the Karur stampede. The investigation focused on a delay in his arrival at a rally. Meanwhile, the producer of Vijay's film 'Jana Nayagan' has approached the Supreme Court. This move challenges a High Court order that stayed the film's certification. The movie faced issues with the CBFC.