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Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
The comment by a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson came in response to a question at a regular daily briefing. US President Donald Trump has said that he would like to make a deal to acquire Greenland, a semiautonomous region of NATO ally Denmark, to prevent Russia or China from taking it over.
Quote of the Day: A powerful quote by Judith Butler reveals how reading immerses us in new worlds. We lose ourselves in books, only to return changed. This transformation expands our perspective and sense of belonging. Butler's work emphasizes how language and interpretation shape identity. This idea is crucial in today's fast-paced world. Engaging deeply with texts offers a moment of stillness and growth.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge indicated that Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM DK Shivakumar will be summoned to Delhi for discussions when necessary. This comes amid speculation of a leadership change, with Siddaramaiah recently asserting he would complete his full term. Shivakumar had previously mentioned a power-sharing understanding with the high command.
The Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena unveiled its manifesto for the Thane civic polls, promising a slum-free city and a 260-meter viewing tower. The plan includes urban renewal, accelerated cluster development, and improved infrastructure. Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde also rallied for the Mahayuti alliance, urging voters to support official candidates and assuring continued development funds.
The Supreme Court questioned gangster Abu Salem's claim of completing his 25-year jail term. Salem, a convict in the 1993 Mumbai blasts, was extradited in November 2005. India assured Portugal his sentence would not exceed 25 years. The court sought clarification on his calculation of the jail period, including remission. The matter is scheduled for further hearing.
Kylie Jenners decision to skip the red carpet with Timothe Chalamet at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards rapidly became the subject of discussion. While Jenner then sat beside Chalamet inside the event, his solo arrival resulted in questions among fans and observers. Body language expert Judi James indicated that the move could have seemed to be hurtful, mainly given Jenners red carpet-ready appearance.
Economic calendar this week January 2026: Investors brace for a significant week. Major US banks like JPMorgan Chase kick off earnings season. Key economic reports on inflation, retail sales, and housing will offer crucial insights. Federal Reserve officials' speeches may signal future interest rate decisions. This confluence of data and corporate results will shape market direction.
Quarterly tax deadlines in 2026 are important for freelancers and self-employed workers. These taxes are paid during the year on income with no automatic tax cut. Missing a payment can lead to penalties and interest. Knowing who must pay, when payments are due, and how the system works can help avoid tax trouble later.
Admit cards for the All India Sainik Schools Entrance Examination 2026 are now available. The NTA will conduct the exam on January 18 for Class 6 and Class 9 admissions. Candidates can download their admit cards from the official website. The exam will be held in pen-and-paper mode across 190 cities.
The Quote of the day by Aldous Huxley is still relevant because it captures a central dilemma of modern life: how to maintain agency in a world shaped by forces beyond individual control.
Shikhar Dhawan engagement: Indian cricketer Shikhar Dhawan is engaged to Sophie Shine. The couple shared their happy news on Instagram. They met in Dubai a few years ago. Their relationship grew from friendship. Dhawan previously spoke about moving on in life. Sophie Shine is an Irish Product Consultant. She also heads the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation. Dhawan was previously married to Aesha Mukherji.
Thirteen U.S. states do not tax retirement income in 2026, offering major savings for retirees. Nine states have no income tax, while four exempt Social Security, pensions, IRAs, and 401(k) withdrawals. While 41 states now offer some form of Social Security relief, these Elite 13 offer a rare 100% exemption across all major retirement income streams. Social Security alone replaces roughly 40% of pre-retirement earnings for middle-income workers. However, higher property taxes, sales taxes, and l
A retired doctor couple in South Delhi lost nearly 15 crore in a sophisticated cyber fraud. Scammers, posing as TRAI and Mumbai police officials, subjected the couple to a two-week digital arrest, isolating them and coercing them into transferring funds for alleged verification. The victims only realized they were duped after the fraudsters instructed them to collect a release order.
Booth Level Officers in Kolkata protested, accusing the Election Commission of indifference to BLOs' deaths during electoral roll revision. Citing immense pressure and health tolls, they demanded compensation and workload rationalization. The revision process has seen significant name deletions and scrutiny of millions of electors, raising concerns over officer well-being.
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a chargesheet against former Jaypee Infratech MD Manoj Gaur in a Rs 14,599 crore fraud case involving homebuyers. Gaur, arrested in November, is accused of diverting funds collected for residential projects, leaving them incomplete. The investigation stems from multiple FIRs filed by homebuyers.
Rajasthan government employees staged a protest in Jaipur on Monday. The All Rajasthan State Employees' Joint Federation demanded resolution of promotion issues and regularization of contractual staff. They also called for the old pension scheme's continuation. The rally caused traffic disruptions. Leaders accused the government of neglect and warned of further agitation if demands are unmet.
The Supreme Court has appointed Sunaina Sharma as a special judge for coal scam cases. She will now conduct trials previously handled by Sanjay Bansal. This appointment comes as Bansal sought to be relieved from his duties. Another judge, Dheeraj Mor, is also presiding over coal scam cases.
Over two weeks of protests initially sparked by economic grievances have turned into one of the biggest challenges yet to the theocratic system that has ruled Iran since the 1979 Islamic revolution that ousted the shah.
RCB W vs UPW W Live Streaming: Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women face UP Warriorz Women in a key WPL 2026 clash. RCB W, buoyed by a dramatic opening win, will aim to maintain momentum against a UP Warriorz side seeking to recover from a narrow defeat. The Dr DY Patil Sports Academy pitch may favor early batting, with spinners expected to play a role later.
Speaking at the Third Annual Global Conference of the College of Supervisors in Mumbai, RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J said that traditional indicators such as capital adequacy and liquidity are no longer sufficient to assess the health of banks in a technology-driven environment.
A promotional video for Aamir Khan Productions' upcoming film, 'Happy Patel: Khatarnak Jasoos,' has gone viral. The clip features Sunil Grover hilariously impersonating Aamir Khan, leading to a mistaken identity scenario where the real Aamir Khan is escorted out of his own office. Grover's uncanny mimicry has further fueled the online buzz.
Cyber fraudsters have stolen an estimated Rs 1,250 crore in Delhi alone in the past year, with a nationwide figure reaching Rs 20,000 crore. A recent Rs 14.85 crore fraud on a senior citizen couple highlights the ease with which victims are manipulated, often through 'digital arrest' scams originating from Southeast Asia.
A Bengaluru fire initially believed to be accidental has been reclassified as murder. Police allege a 17-year-old student killed his 34-year-old neighbor after she rejected his advances, then set her flat ablaze to conceal the crime. The discovery of struggle marks and forensic evidence shifted the investigation from accident to premeditated murder.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant commemorated the birth anniversary of the revered Swami Vivekananda, highlighting his role as India's leading cultural and philosophical envoy, during a spirited blood donation drive at the Supreme Court.
Strands is a daily word puzzle developed by The New York Times and added to its expanding Games lineup. While it resembles a word search, the game is structured around a central theme, requiring players to find several hidden words in a grid that are all linked to that theme.
India secured a four-wicket victory against New Zealand in the ODI series opener. Shreyas Iyer lauded Virat Kohli's exceptional batting display. Iyer expressed his delight at returning to the team after an injury layoff. Fast bowler Harshit Rana impressed with key wickets and a valuable contribution with the bat. Rana is also focusing on improving his batting skills.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to relocate his office to the newly constructed Seva Teerth complex near Raisina Hill, marking the PMO's departure from South Block after decades. This move, part of the Central Vista project, consolidates key decision-making bodies into a modern administrative zone.
India's economy is set for strong growth. BMI predicts 7.4 percent expansion this fiscal year and 7 percent for FY27. Favorable policies are boosting investment and consumption. Reforms in goods and services tax, personal income tax, and insurance ownership are positive. The Reserve Bank of India's rate cuts also support growth. This outlook signals a robust economic future for India.
AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge criticized the NDA government for replacing the UPA's MGNREGA with the VB-G RAM-G Act and reducing funding. He accused the government of diverting resources to corporates while burdening states with increased implementation costs. Kharge vowed to continue the fight against the new law, asserting it undermines a crucial pro-poor scheme.
The Supreme Court has asked the Election Commission for its response. Trinamool Congress MPs have raised concerns about the electoral roll revision process in West Bengal. They allege procedural irregularities and arbitrary actions. The court is reviewing these claims. The Election Commission has been given time to file its reply. The matter is listed for further hearing.
NYT Connections is a daily game available on The New York Times website and its Games app, where players are challenged to sort a grid of 16 words into four correct groups of four. Each wrong attempt is recorded as a mistake, and the puzzle ends once four errors have been made.
Indias retail inflation quickened to 1.33% in December 2025 on an annual basis, as against 0.71% in November 2025, driven by higher prices in personal care, vegetables, meat and fish, eggs, spices, and pulses and products. This marked the 11th straight month that inflation remained below the Reserve Bank of Indias medium-term target of 4%.
The Union Budget 2026 is set to target 8.5-9% economic growth. Capital expenditure will see a significant increase. The budget will prioritise MSMEs and export-oriented sectors. Measures to ease compliance and potentially reduce customs duties are expected.
Gurgaon Weather Today: Gurugram experienced its coldest day with temperatures dropping to 0.6 degrees Celsius. The temperature in the millennium city in Haryana was lower than the hill station Shimla, where minimum temperature of 4 degree was recorded today. A severe cold wave has gripped North India, bringing dense fog and frost in the region. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Gurugram.
Gold rate predictions for January and February have been hinted experts as gold price hit all-time high.
Uncapped Ayush Badoni has been called up to India's ODI squad for the remaining matches against New Zealand. All-rounder Washington Sundar has been ruled out due to a rib injury sustained during the first ODI. Badoni, a batter who bowls off-spin, will join the team for the second ODI in Rajkot.
Congress leaders will meet on January 17 in New Delhi to strategize for the upcoming West Bengal assembly elections. Further meetings are scheduled for January 18 in Kolkata. Discussions will focus on poll preparedness and potential alliances. Senior observers have been appointed for the elections. These meetings occur amidst ongoing electoral roll revision controversies and political exchanges.
India faces a massive economic burden from diabetes, estimated at over 11 trillion US dollars. This figure places India second globally, behind the United States. The study highlights that informal caregiving significantly increases these costs. Experts emphasize that promoting healthy lifestyles and early detection are crucial to combat this growing health and economic challenge.

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