The "365 buttons" trend, sparked by a TikTok comment about setting boundaries, has become the first viral meme of 2026. Gen Z has embraced the motto "it only has to make sense to me," with major brands and indie bands joining in. The trend has also led to a community of "button collectors" using it for mindfulness and personal freedom.
India's auto component industry experienced robust growth in the first half of FY26, fueled by domestic demand and steady exports. However, the rise in imports and trade deficit emphasize the need for a stronger strategic focus. The industry is also shifting towards electrification, with EV components comprising 4.6% of OEM supplies.
The Central government has approved wage and pension revisions for employees and retirees of Public Sector General Insurance Companies, NABARD, RBI, and NABARD. Over 46,000 individuals will benefit from this decision, with an estimated cost of ₹11,601.5 crore. The revisions also include an increase in NPS contribution and family pension rates.
In FY27, Bharat Petroleum Corporation will purchase 12 million oil barrels for $780 million from Brazil's Petrobas, twice the size of its 2026 contract. Indian oil companies are diversifying their import strategy to reduce reliance on Russian oil. Indian Oil and Numaligarh Refinery will sign deals with TotalEnergies for sustainable aviation fuel and LNG purchases.
The 98th Academy Awards nominations delivered major shocks, with frontrunners like Paul Mescal and Ariana Grande missing out, while unexpected contenders such as Delroy Lindo and Amy Madigan secured surprise nods. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest snubs and surprises from the 2026 Oscars.
Border 2 has hit the ground running even before release. Strong advance booking numbers show the Sunny Deol-starrer dominating the box office conversation, with pre-sales already surpassing major recent blockbusters and setting the stage for a massive Republic Day weekend run.
India's crude oil imports in January 2026 indicate a move towards lower-risk and execution-certain supply, with increased intake from the Middle East balancing a more selective and compliance-driven approach to Russian crude. This reflects a "de-risking rather than replacing" strategy, as refiners prioritise execution certainty and supply reliability.
India is making a significant shift towards clean energy as a key industrial and manufacturing strategy, with more than half of its power capacity coming from non-fossil sources. This move aims to reduce costs, create jobs, and boost domestic manufacturing. Global leaders are confident in India's policy stability and execution capabilities.
Godrej Industries, a major Indian conglomerate, is seeking acquisitions in consumer goods and animal feed sectors, as announced by Chairman Nadir Godrej. Their food and agri business, Godrej Agrovet, is also on the lookout for opportunities in the animal feed market.
Godrej Consumer Products, a FMCG company, saw a slight decrease in net profit in Q3 FY26 due to higher employee costs after labour code changes. However, revenue from operations increased by 8.78% year on year. The company is optimistic about achieving high single-digit revenue growth and has declared a dividend of Rs 5 per share. It also faced litigation costs of Rs 23.31 crore.
Sunny Deol makes a triumphant return to the silver screen after three decades in Border 2, a highly-anticipated war film about the 1971 India-Pak war. The star-studded cast, including debutants Ahan Shetty and Medha Rana, along with Varun Dhawan and Diljit Dosanjh, delivers a solid war spectacle that has won the hearts of fans and critics alike.
Radhamani Amma, also known as "Driver Amma," has defied stereotypes by confidently driving a Rolls-Royce Ghost in Dubai. She holds 11 driving licenses and runs a driving school in Kerala, encouraging women to enter male-dominated fields. With over 40 years of experience, she believes in composure and hard work, not fear.
Reliance Industries consolidates its 16 subsidiary companies into Reliance New Energy to focus on new and renewable energy. This includes hydrogen electrolyser and fuel cell production. The company is investing in a 10 GWp solar manufacturing facility and battery segment. The gigafactories are expected to be operational in phases this year.
Indian markets witness sharp decline on January 23, with Sensex and Nifty plunging over 0.9% each in intraday trading. Heavy selling in key stocks, sector-wide weakness, and continued foreign investor selling are the major factors behind the fall. Rising global crude oil prices and weak quarterly earnings also weigh on market sentiment.
Forget Greenland — US President Donald Trump has the internet buzzing again, and this time it’s not about tariffs. At Davos 2026, where he surprisingly stepped back from his European tariffs threat, he was spotted with a bruised hand, clearly visible in daylight photos.
The proposed ₹15,000-crore expansion of Rajasthan's Chhabra Thermal Power Plant by NTPC is facing uncertainty as the MoU signed between NTPC and RVUNL is likely to be cancelled due to unresolved critical issues. This highlights the regulatory reluctance to treat MoUs as firm capacity in power planning. The project, which aimed to add 1,320 MW of coal-based capacity, has faced roadblocks.
Bandhan Bank's share price rose by 6% in intraday trade, leading Motilal Oswal to reaffirm a 'Buy' rating and set a target price of Rs 175 with a 23% potential upside. The brokerage is optimistic about the bank's long NPA cycle and its effect on growth and profitability.
IndusInd Bank has appointed Arijit Basu as Non-Executive Independent Director and part-time Chairman, following Sunil Mehta's stepping down from his duties. Basu, with a long career in financial services, will assume his role on January 31, 2026. He has previously served as Managing Director of State Bank of India and Chairman of HDB Financial Services.
Indian digital payments market is led by Paytm and PhonePe, with Paytm already listed and profitable while PhonePe, backed by Walmart, is preparing for a public listing. Both offer consumer and merchant payments, and financial services through Unified Payments Interface. As of September 2025, PhonePe processed the largest share of UPI transaction value, followed by Paytm.
HSBC Flash India PMI data for January indicates a recovery in the private sector economy, with growth in new orders, output, job creation, and business confidence in both manufacturing and services. The composite PMI reached an 11-month high, driven by increased output in both sectors. Hiring resumed and input costs rose, leading to higher prices for customers.
Meghan Markle's lifestyle platform, As Ever, had a security glitch that revealed the brand's huge success. Screenshots showed $36 million in earnings from one product and potential revenue of £26 million. Despite the leak, As Ever is a major player in luxury with plans for global expansion and new projects.
Indian H-1B visa holders continue to face long delays as interview slots remain unavailable, with some appointments now being pushed into 2027. Hundreds of H-1B holders were stuck in India in December 2025 after travelling for visa interviews, only to be informed that their appointments were postponed to 2026 due to expanded social media screening by US consulates.
Rooney's three-word verdict sparked a debate about whether Arsenal's current team can compete with Manchester United's 2008 double winners. The debate highlights the dominance of United's team and the pressure on Arsenal to prove themselves as equals. Rooney pointed to the quality of players like Ronaldo and the defensive prowess of Vidic and Ferdinand as factors that set the 2008 team apart.
The Nagercoil-Mangaluru Amrit Bharat Express will soon begin commercial operation, connecting Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It will provide a faster and more affordable option for long-distance travel along the Kerala coastline. The train will have 20 stoppages, including major stations like Thiruvanthapuram Central and Kollam.
Donald Trump heaped fresh criticism on NATO countries on Thursday --- wondering if they would defend the United States if necessary. The President claimed that troops from other countries had “stayed a little back, a little off the frontlines” while fighting alongside American forces against the Taliban in Afghanistan
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Pune underwent heightened security checks after receiving a bomb threat upon arrival. This comes just days after a similar incident on a Delhi-Bagdogra flight. The threat was found to be a hoax, and after thorough checks, the aircraft was cleared for normal operations. This is the second such incident involving IndiGo in five days.
Florida universities could be barred from hiring new faculty or staff on H-1B visas until early 2027 under a proposed rule backed by Governor Ron DeSantis. The policy is set to be introduced on January 29 by the State University System Board of Governors, according to Politico.
Delhi faced heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and a drop in temperatures with an orange alert issued by IMD for the next two hours. Areas like Narela, Alipur, Rohini, and Dwarka were affected, and similar weather conditions were expected in Haryana and Rajasthan. Friday's weather outlook predicted light rain, thunderstorm, and shallow fog, with IMD warning of dense fog and reduced visibility.
US President Donald Trump has sued JPMorgan Chase and its CEO Jamie Dimon, accusing the bank of shutting down his accounts for political reasons, Bloomberg reported.
The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organisation (WHO), ending its membership after months of warnings from health experts that the move could hurt public health in the US and around the world.
Adar Poonawalla, owner of Serum Institute, is interested in buying RCB in the IPL, along with Nikhil Kamat and Ranjan Pai. United Spirits is considering selling RCB, which is valued at $269 million, potentially setting a new record.
Edtech firm Extramarks plans to onboard over 100,000 students by FY27 through deeper penetration within its existing school network and expansion of its AI-led learning platform. The company has already onboarded 200,000 students and 75,000 teachers through its partner schools.
Emergent, a fast-growing AI startup founded by Mukund Jha, is disrupting software creation by enabling non-programmers to build advanced applications using AI. Their platform prioritizes reliability and practical deployment, leading to over 5 million users and $50 million in annual recurring revenue in just seven months.
PhonePe, a top fintech firm, is gearing up for an IPO with its parent company Walmart, along with investors Tiger Global and Microsoft Global Finance, looking to sell shares worth Rs 10,115 crore. The IPO will only have an offer-for-sale of 50.7 million shares and is set to open in March or April. The company's revenue has seen a steady 22% growth in the first half.
Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla has officially announced his bid to acquire the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He enters a crowded race alongside Zerodha’s Nikhil Kamath and Manipal’s Ranjan Pai, all vying for the IPL franchise. Poonawalla’s strategic move aims to leverage the team’s massive platform to significantly enhance the global visibility and reach of his primary brand, the Serum Group.
Zee Entertainment Enterprises reported a decline in Q3 profit due to subdued advertising demand and rising programming expenses. Ebitda was down 20.3% and margins declined by 500 basis points.
The Reserve Bank of India has implemented stricter norms for related party lending in banks, transferring oversight from management to the board. These norms are based on the Companies Act, 2013 and aim to prevent unfair transactions.
InterGlobe Aviation's IndiGo Airlines has reduced its capacity guidance for the January-March quarter of 2025-26 to 10%, citing operational challenges from ongoing engine groundings. Despite the December crisis, the airline's management remains confident in its long-term strategy and plans to expand its premium services.
InterGlobe Aviation, which operates IndiGo, reported a 77.5% decline in net profit for October-December due to flight disruptions and regulatory action. Revenue increased 6.2%, but Ebitda and net profit were below market expectations. The airline also faced an exceptional charge of Rs 1,550 crore and a decrease in passenger load factor.
Bangladesh's boycott of the 2026 T20 World Cup in India due to security fears creates a golden chance for Nepal, Italy, and likely replacement Scotland. The three underdogs now have a realistic shot to upset giants England or West Indies and reach the historic Super 8s.
The National Statistical Office (NSO) released advance estimates for 2025-26, showing a 7.4% annual GDP growth and a decadal growth of 5.9%. The current series based on 2011-12 will be replaced by a new series with 2022-23 as base in February 2026. The new series addresses discrepancies in GDP estimates and includes data from the informal sector.
Duroflex, a mattress maker, aims to raise funds through an IPO to expand its omnichannel presence and drive innovation. It plans to launch 120 stores, increase online sales to 18%, and introduce new mattresses with proprietary sleep technology.
Indian airlines are facing challenges despite high passenger load factors, with around 15-17% of the industry fleet grounded. Rising fuel costs and a slowdown in domestic traffic growth are squeezing margins, leading to a stress year for the industry. The focus has shifted to balance-sheet resilience and cost control, with a recovery cycle expected only after fleet availability improves.
Indian equity markets are seeing a flurry of dividend declarations this January for the 2025-26 financial year. Companies like Wipro, Havells India, and Persistent Systems are among those announcing payouts, setting a positive tone for income-seeking investors. The record dates for these dividends are clustered around the final week of January, with Wipro, Persistent Systems and more.
The SEC has sought permission to personally summon Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani via email for their alleged involvement in a $265 million bribery scheme. India has refused to serve the summons, stating procedural issues. The Adani Group denies all allegations and a resolution discussion with the Trump administration has been halted due to tensions over India's oil trade with Russia.
US-based private equity firm General Atlantic has acquired a 7% stake in Balaji Wafers for Rs 2,500 crore, valuing the company at Rs 35,000 crore. This comes after rival Haldiram's saw four investors put in around Rs 20,000 crore for a total of about 20-21% stake.
CreditAccess Grameen's stock surged by 10% on the National Stock Exchange following a brokerage's upgrade and higher target price. The company's Q3 FY26 net profit marked a significant improvement from the previous year's loss. Other brokerages have also raised their ratings, recognizing the company's impressive performance and potential for growth. The stock has seen a 50% rise in the past year.
Coal India Ltd. has dispatched 375 million tonnes of coal through rail mode, sampled by third-party agencies, till December of the current fiscal. This shows the success of third-party sampling protocols and the company's emphasis on quality assurance and supply chain reliability. CIL aims to increase dispatches through silos to 80% and has introduced online analysis to promote
Motilal Oswal maintains 'Buy' rating on Apollo Hospitals with target price of Rs 9,015 due to expected 32% growth in the next 12 months. The company is expanding its healthcare services through various channels and has seen an increase in oncology share to 17%. Management is focused on the CONGO strategy for profitable revenue growth, but faces challenges in the Eastern and North clusters.
Jacob & Co. introduces the 'Vantara' watch, valued at $1.5 million, inspired by the Vantara Global Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Centre. It showcases an Anant Ambani figurine, representing his commitment to nature, and is embellished with 397 gemstones, weighing 21.98 carats, and a green camouflage design. This timepiece perfectly combines luxury and conservation.
The new Vande Bharat Sleeper Express on the Kamakhya-Howrah-Kamakhya route has been well-received, with tickets for the first commercial run selling out quickly. The train promises faster, more comfortable, and safer long-distance travel, along with region-specific cuisine and free onboard services.