The Economic Times News

Thought of the day by Carol Burnett focuses on the quote, No one ever said life was fair. Just eventful. The story explains the meaning of thought of the day, details Carol Burnetts life, career, work, awards, and quotes, and explains why her words still matter today.

Chinese Calendar Baby Gender 2026: Parents anticipating a 2026 baby can use the traditional Chinese gender calendar for a fun prediction. This chart, based on the mother's lunar age and conception month, offers a light-hearted guessing game. While not medically proven, it serves as a cultural tradition and a way to explore Chinese heritage.

The Supreme Court has introduced a new procedure for lawyers. This standard operating procedure sets timelines for presenting arguments and written notes. The aim is to improve court management and speed up the delivery of justice. Lawyers must now submit their argument timelines a day before the hearing.

Ancient Greek philosopher Epicurus founded Epicureanism, focusing on everyday happiness and reducing anxiety. He established The Garden school, open to all, teaching philosophy as a practical tool for mental healing. Epicurus advocated for simplicity and moderation, emphasizing contentment through gratitude and disciplined desires rather than endless accumulation.

The year 2026 is set to bring a wave of opportunities and good fortune, particularly for individuals born on specific dates. Astrological insights suggest that those ruled by the Sun, Jupiter, and Mars can anticipate significant career advancements, promotions, and financial gains. Hard work and dedication are expected to be recognized, leading to increased responsibilities and professional satisfaction.

Indian opener Shafali Verma has surged to sixth in the ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings. Her recent half-centuries against Sri Lanka propelled her up the standings. Smriti Mandhana remains third, while Deepti Sharma leads the bowlers. Renuka Singh Thakur also entered the top ten.

Trinamool Congress leaders have strongly refuted Union Home Minister Amit Shah's predictions for the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections. They accuse Shah of making baseless claims and assert that the BJP will not secure a two-thirds majority. Leaders stated the BJP's performance will be significantly lower than anticipated.

Residents of Arambol, Goa, are protesting the reclassification of a forested hill to a settlement zone, fearing landslides and environmental damage. Despite assurances, the land-use change has been notified, sparking fears of large-scale construction impacting wildlife, water sources, and the village's identity. Locals vow to continue their protest until the decision is reversed.

Donald Trump's first year of his second term saw a disruptive 'America First' policy. Tariffs became a key tool, reshaping global trade. Immigration enforcement was aggressive, creating domestic polarization. Transactional diplomacy marked foreign policy, impacting relations with allies. The world is adjusting to a multipolar order, with America's global role increasingly contested.

Mumbai gears up for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation elections on January 15, 2026. Political alliances have finalized seat-sharing pacts. The BJP and Shiv Sena (Mahayuti) will contest together. The Congress and Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi have also formed an alliance. The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) is contesting independently. Vote counting is set for January 16, 2026.

Oil exports from Kazakhstan via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's Black Sea terminal have been halted. Bad weather and full storage tanks are the immediate reasons. A Ukrainian drone attack in November also disrupted operations. This has caused a significant drop in Kazakhstan's oil production and exports.

Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has called on the Supreme Court to take suo motu action on critical environmental issues. He highlighted the need to reject proposals to redraw Sariska Tiger Reserve boundaries for mining. Ramesh also stressed the importance of preventing retrospective environmental approvals.

Kaziranga National Park has seen its highest foreign tourist numbers in 2025-26. This surge reflects growing global confidence in Assam's conservation efforts and community tourism. The park welcomed 6,699 foreign visitors by December 27, a significant increase from previous years. This achievement sets new standards for wildlife destinations worldwide.

IBM is expanding its innovation hubs beyond Indian metros to tap into local talent, fostering inclusive technology development. The company highlights India's strong AI adoption and progress, emphasizing data sovereignty and responsible AI as crucial for global competitiveness in the AI-driven economy.

Australian shares closed flat on the final full trading day of 2025, with profit-taking in miners and gold stocks offsetting gains in financials. The S&P/ASX 200 index finished slightly lower, marking a third consecutive annual rise amid holiday-thinned trading. Silex Systems and Liontown were among the day's biggest decliners.

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has assigned the additional charge of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Director General to senior IPS officer Rakesh Aggarwal following the premature repatriation of the incumbent DG, Sadanand Vasant Date, to his parent cadre.

One more day until unlinked Pan Card becomes inoperative. You've got until December 31, 2025, to link your PAN and Aadhaar. After that, your PAN won't work if they're not connected. You can do it online, via SMS, or at service centers. There's a 1,000 penalty for linking late. This guide covers who needs to link, how to pay, and how to check your status.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised alarms about a purported drone attack on President Vladimir Putin's home, calling for calm and advocating for diplomatic solutions as the route to stability. Meanwhile, Russia has placed blame on Ukraine, which has firmly rejected the allegations, denouncing them as deceptive narratives. The incident further escalates the delicate situation surrounding ongoing peace discussions.

Bangladesh mourns the passing of former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia. Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has declared three days of state mourning. A general holiday will be observed tomorrow, the day of her funeral prayers. Zia, a three-time prime minister and leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, died at 80 after a long illness.

Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's Mukalla port. The strike targeted weapons for separatists arriving from the UAE. This action signals a major escalation between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Tensions are rising across the Red Sea region. Yemen's anti-Houthi forces declared a state of emergency.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal. He alleged the state suffers from fear, corruption, and misgovernance. Shah predicted the BJP will form the next government in 2026 with a significant majority. He promised to address infiltration and revive development and welfare measures for the poor.

UP's temple towns Ayodhya, Kashi, MathuraVrindavan and J&K's Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Katra are witnessing a sharp rise in devotees as the New Year approaches. Authorities from major pilgrimage centres have stepped up security, crowd management and traffic regulation to ensure smooth movement. From temple anniversaries and rituals to yatra-related advisories, officials are on alert to manage the festive surge while pilgrims begin the year on a spiritual note.

Aviva Baig, Raihan Vadra engaged? Raihan Vadra, son of Priyanka Gandhi and Robert Vadra, is engaged to his girlfriend Aviva Baig. The couple celebrated their engagement with family. A larger ceremony is planned soon in Rajasthan. The wedding is expected in the coming months. Aviva Baig is an interior designer and photographer. Raihan Vadra is a visual artist and photographer.

Pune is experiencing a gradual end to its December chill, with minimum temperatures forecast to rise into double digits. This follows one of the coldest early Decembers in a decade. While haze is expected initially, clearer skies are predicted, signalling winter's easing grip on the city.

January 2026 promises a defining winter for Delhi-NCR. Expect persistent fog and cold mornings, impacting visibility and daily life. Daytime temperatures will remain near normal, though cloud cover may bring cooler afternoons. Nights will be cold, especially in the first two weeks. Rainfall will be limited. Air quality is expected to remain a concern due to prevailing weather conditions.

An 82 year old man died hours before his scheduled hearing in Purulia, while two others passed away after receiving notices, as queues and anxiety marked the third day of hearings. Several elderly and vulnerable voters across West Bengal faced distress while attending Special Intensive Revision hearings for electoral rolls.

Delhi Police had a demanding year. They responded to a deadly Red Fort blast and a stampede at New Delhi Railway Station. The force also arrested a serial killer known as Doctor Death and investigated a self-styled godman. Bomb threats and street crimes tested their capabilities. The year saw significant changes in police leadership and several police-criminal encounters.

2026 Luckiest Months Numerology: The year 2026 marks a significant reset in numerology. It is a Universal Year 1, ushering in new beginnings and a fresh nine-year cycle. Each Life Path number has specific months that align with this universal energy. These periods offer smoother progress and stronger outcomes.

Shiv Sena leader Ravindra Dhangekar has denied switching parties ahead of Pune civic polls. Meanwhile, the NCP-Sharadchandra Pawar faction will contest the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic elections with Ajit Pawar's NCP. Both factions will use their respective symbols.

As 2026 begins, embrace fresh hope and new beginnings with heartfelt New Year wishes. The article offers 50 messages, quotes, and greetings suitable for friends, colleagues, and general sharing, encouraging positivity and connection for the year ahead.

Indian sportswomen dominated 2025 with historic wins in chess, cricket, shooting, and archery. Sheetal Devi became the first armless para world champion. Blind women's cricket team also won a world title. Men's cricket and hockey saw successes too. New sports laws and a Commonwealth Games bid were announced.

Delhi Traffic Police has announced extensive restrictions and diversions for New Year's Eve 2026, particularly around Connaught Place, from 7:00 PM on December 31st. Entry into Connaught Place will be prohibited beyond designated checkpoints, with limited parking available. Commuters are advised to use public transport and alternate routes to avoid congestion.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu flagged off the inaugural flight of the Dhruv-NG, a civil variant of HAL's indigenous helicopter, in Bengaluru. This marks HAL's strategic expansion into the growing civilian helicopter market, targeting sectors like air ambulance and disaster response.

India is set to revise its CPI calculation methodology and monetary policy mandate by 2026, following a year of benign inflation driven by subdued food costs and GST reductions. Retail inflation has remained within the RBI's comfort zone, prompting rate cuts and opening possibilities for further reductions.

Indian chess prodigy Arjun Erigaisi secured a bronze medal at the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship, defeating world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen. This historic podium finish makes him the second Indian male player to achieve this feat. Erigaisi's remarkable performance capped a year of significant victories against top players.

Indian Railways made significant strides in 2025. New rail links reached difficult terrains like Mizoram and Kashmir. Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat train services expanded. Infrastructure projects, including station modernisation and freight corridors, progressed. Safety indicators improved with fewer accidents. Wagon production also increased to support freight earnings.

The OnePlus 15, which was launched at a price of Rs 79,000, is now available for below 40,000. Stacked discounts, bank offers, and significant exchange benefits bring this flagship into a mid-range price bracket. The deal highlights top-tier hardware, a new design, and extended software support, making it a compelling offer.