The Economic Times

The State Administration for Market Regulation released guidelines for manufacturers, dealers and parts suppliers aimed at preventing a race-to-the-bottom price war. They ban automakers from setting prices below the cost of production to squeeze out competitors or monopolize the market. Violators may face significant legal risks, the regulator warned.

The voter-friendly SIR phase-2 electoral process is facing significant delays and disputes. Lakhs of people await hearings, and state governments are at odds with the Election Commission. Court battles and repeated extensions are pushing back final roll publication dates. This revised process, meant to be smoother, is encountering similar hurdles to its predecessor, raising concerns about transparency and efficiency.

U.S. Stock Market Today: Dow Jones, S&P 500, Down Joneson Thursday fell big.

Spider Noir is an upcoming Amazon Prime Video series based on Marvels Spider-Man Noir, starring Nicolas Cage in his first television lead role. Set in 1930s New York, the show follows an aging private investigator haunted by his past as a masked vigilante. Developed by Oren Uziel, the series adopts a black-and-white noir aesthetic and delves into trauma, crime, and moral conflict.

Daily wagers and contractual employees from various government departments staged a protest in Srinagar along with their families, demanding regularisation of their services. The JK Employees Joint Action Committee said they would protest again outside the National Conference office if the Omar Abdullah-led government does not clarify its policy and fulfil its promises.

Gold, Silver, platinum and copper price plunge today: Gold, silver, platinum and copper all fell sharply today. Gold dropped over 2.5% below $5,000. Silver plunged nearly 10% under $80. Platinum lost more than 5%, and copper slid nearly 3%. The broad sell-off followed stronger U.S. jobs data and a stronger dollar. Markets saw technical breakouts below key support levels. Traders unwound leveraged positions. Safe-haven demand weakened. Industrial metals also felt pressure from slowing global grow

West Bengal's electoral roll revision uncovered strange data. In Metiaburuz, siblings' birth dates showed a gap of less than a month. Ten family members shared the same parents and address. Another case involved a birth certificate issued before the actual birth. These discrepancies are under verification by electoral officials and micro-observers.

Public sector companies and four major government bodies maintained their capital spending this fiscal year. Their expenditure reached 6.67 lakh crore by January, nearly matching last year's 6.79 lakh crore. This consistent public investment is vital for India's economic growth. Experts note that geopolitical risks have impacted private investment, making public capex crucial for the economy.

Former Chief Justice of India BR Gavai informed a Joint Parliamentary Committee that the 'One Nation, One Election' proposal is constitutionally valid. He stated that synchronized polls will not affect federalism or democratic governance. Justice Gavai asserted that the bill only requires a one-time adjustment to the election cycle.

Gujarat Congress chief Amit Chavda accused the BJP and Election Commission of attempting to remove lakhs of genuine voters through a planned conspiracy during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. He said about 74 lakh names were deleted from the draft list released in December.

The Jammu and Kashmir government said it has proposed provisions in the draft New Media Policy-2026 to create a regulatory framework for new and social media along with print media. The proposal is under inter-departmental consultation and was prepared in response to the growth of digital platforms.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted India's strong economic performance, characterized by high growth and low inflation, attributing it to government reforms. She refuted claims of middle-class suppression, citing an expanding taxpayer base and rising real incomes. The budget aims to guide India towards developed nation status by 2047.

Opposition members disrupted Lok Sabha proceedings on Thursday. They supported a national strike by trade unions protesting the India-US trade deal. They also raised state issues. Later, they debated the Industrial Relations Code (Amendment) Bill. Opposition members alleged the bill favors industrialists. They claimed earlier legislations already took away workers' rights.

A Romanian fugitive, Florin Stoian, has been extradited to New York to face charges in the 2022 hit-and-run death of a 74-year-old man. Stoian allegedly fled the country after killing Be Tran, committing further crimes internationally before being imprisoned in Germany. He is now back in the US to face multiple charges, including manslaughter and arson.

Bengaluru Rural Police arrested BJP MLA BA Basavaraj. The arrest followed the Supreme Court's refusal of his anticipatory bail plea. He is implicated in the murder of rowdy-sheeter Shivaprakash alias Bikla Shiva. The Devanahalli police took him into custody at the international airport. The Criminal Investigation Department is now probing the case.

US stock market crashes today due to a growing $1.2 trillion AI scare trade that hit logistics and software stocks hard. The Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq each fell more than 1%. Investors are dumping Nvidia, Apple, and Amazon stocks. New data shows AI could replace 400% of logistics labor, fueling disruption fears. While S&P 500 tech names crash, money is moving to Walmart and Boeing. Traders now await Fridays CPI inflation report to see if the Fed will cut rates.

India will await the results of the Bangladesh elections. The nation will then review existing matters based on the electoral mandate. New Delhi has stated its support for free, fair, and inclusive elections in Bangladesh. India did not send observers despite receiving an invitation.

Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Bharat Bodhan AI Conclave 2026. This event sets the stage for integrating AI into education across India. The Bharat EduAI Stack will support AI-powered learning solutions. Several key partnerships and initiatives were announced. These include collaborations between IIT Bombay and Columbia University, and IIM Lucknow's AI Programme.

The Rajya Sabha witnessed a heated budget debate between the BJP and TMC. The BJP accused the Mamata Banerjee government of impeding development and allowing infiltration. The TMC countered by alleging discrimination against non-NDA states, citing a lack of focus on key welfare issues.

In a sharp rebuttal against Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Congress has rallied to defend farmers' interests. During a contentious 2013 WTO meeting, Sitharaman claimed the previous UPA regime failed to protect agricultural stakeholders. Anand Sharma, a former trade minister, countered her narrative, arguing that she misrepresented facts in Parliament.

During Zero Hour in the Rajya Sabha, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge raised concerns over caste-based discrimination at workplaces, citing recent incidents from Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Chandigarh. He said such practices continue despite constitutional guarantees of equality and highlighted a case where a Dalit woman cooks food at an Anganwadi centre in Odisha was refused by some families.

WWE Elimination Chamber 2026 will happen in Chicago at the United Center. The event is very important before WrestleMania. Two big Chamber matches will decide who gets title chances later. Famous stars like CM Punk, AJ Lee, Finn Blor, and Becky Lynch are part of the show. Many tickets are still available for fans to buy now.

Netflix stock NFLX today: Netflix shares hit a new 52-week low of $79, down 5%, as the streaming giant faces industry-wide pressure and intense competition. Despite a 23.71% annual stock decline, analysis suggests Netflix is undervalued, though a proposed acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's studios and HBO Max faces regulatory scrutiny and potential delays.

Charles Michel, a key figure in European politics, is set to address the ET NOW Global Business Summit. He previously led Belgium as Prime Minister and chaired the European Council. Michel navigated significant global challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine conflict. His insights on geopolitics and the EU's future will be a highlight of the two-day event.

In a recent briefing, S Paul Kapur, a US official, outlined the Trump administration's strategic approach to South Asia. The focus is on enhancing economic exchanges and defense collaborations with countries across the region.

The Congress on Thursday said it will respond to BJP MP Nishikant Dubeys notice seeking cancellation of Rahul Gandhis Lok Sabha membership and asserted that the Leader of Opposition and other members will continue to raise issues in Parliament.

In a significant political event, Bangladesh conducted its 13th parliamentary elections on Thursday, with voting taking place across 299 constituencies amid heightened security measures. Early indications point to a potential victory for the Bangladesh Nationalist Party.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell highlights climate action as a vital tool for global security and prosperity. He notes that despite global instability, investments in clean energy are growing rapidly. Renewables are now the leading electricity source, and global emissions have dropped. Stiell acknowledges progress but stresses the need for faster and fairer transitions.

The bond between India and Russia is on a steady ascent, fueled by vibrant trade, cultural collaborations, and strategic defense initiatives. Both countries are weaving their interests across multiple domains. The Russian foreign ministry expresses optimism about the continuation of energy partnerships with India. This alliance shows no signs of slowing down, as it evolves and expands across various spheres.

Hilary Duff has announced a major comeback to live touring with The Lucky Me Tour, her first full-scale global headlining tour in almost two decades. The tour will span seven countries and run from summer 2026 through early 2027, which includes a stop at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on July 20. The revelation arrives ahead of her sixth studio album, luck... or something, launching on February 20.

The Indian Air Force will train pilots of the UK's Royal Air Force. This marks a significant first. Three Indian Qualified Flight Instructors will go to RAF Valley in the UK. They will impart fast jet training to British pilots. This deployment is for two years. It strengthens defense ties between India and the UK.

Delhi Police questioned Penguin India representatives regarding the alleged leak of General M.M. Naravane's unpublished memoir. Investigators are probing a potential coordinated effort to bypass defence ministry clearances, examining digital trails and the publisher's delayed response to the unauthorized dissemination.

AI software company Elon Musk: Elon Musk's xAI is building Macrohard, a software company run entirely by artificial intelligence. These AI systems, called human emulators, can perform tasks faster than humans. The project is serious, with a trademark filed and AI employees already working. Idle Tesla cars will power this AI workforce, aiming for massive scale.

The Nasdaq fell 1.7% and the Dow Jones dropped 555 points today. The S&P 500 lost 1.2%. U.S. stock market trading turned sharply negative. Tech stocks led the selloff. Nvidia, Intel, Netflix, and Palantir shares declined as investors rotated into cyclical stocks. Strong U.S. jobs data reduced hopes for quick Federal Reserve rate cuts. Rising bond yield concerns pressured AI and growth stocks. Inflation data is now the key market trigger.

Indian apples from Himachal and Kashmir offer superior nutrition. Imported apples lose vital nutrients during long journeys and storage. Local varieties are fresher and support Indian farmers. Consumers can enjoy healthy, locally grown apples without paying extra for imported options. Choose desi for better health and local economy.

Quote of the Day by Abraham Lincoln signifies a deep commitment to integrity over achievement. It means that a persons true duty in life is not to guarantee victory or success, but to remain honest, principled, and faithful to their conscience.

An elderly woman in Kozhikode, Kerala, bravely stopped a scooty rider from using a footpath, an act that has gone viral. Her firm stance and subsequent recording of the incident led the rider to retreat, earning widespread online praise for her civic sense and courage. The incident highlights the growing problem of footpath encroachment across India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with newly-elected BJP councillors and civic body representatives from Kerala. He stated the state is looking to the BJP-NDA with great hope. Modi emphasized deepening the party's connect with people and furthering good governance. Elected members will work at the grassroots to address public challenges.

Logorrhea is a word that describes when someone talks too much without stopping. It is used when speech sounds fast, messy, or hard to understand. The term comes from old Greek words about speech and flow. Today, it is mostly used in a negative way to describe nonstop talking in conversations, arguments, or media.

Houston Valentines Day 2026: From museums and music halls to steak houses and skating rinks, Valentines Day in Houston blends romance with entertainment. With events spread across multiple neighbourhoods and price points, organisers say early reservations are advised as the city prepares for one of its busiest weekends of the year.

Over 60% of BRICS trade now settles in local currencies. That shift could slow fast. Russia is considering a return to the US dollar settlement system under a potential Trump economic deal. The proposal includes joint energy projects, natural gas investments, offshore oil, and critical minerals. A dollar comeback would reshape global finance. It could weaken BRICS de-dollarization efforts. This isn't just an trade deal; it's a peace lever. The Kremlin document suggests that these economic carrot

AI job risk warning: AI is transforming work at an unprecedented pace. HyperWrite CEO Matt Shumer warns of a major shift, comparing it to early pandemic days. AI is now writing code, testing applications, and even contributing to its own development. Many screen-based jobs face disruption. Professionals are urged to adapt by using advanced AI tools and building savings for potential rapid changes.

The Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre in Jorhat is embracing self-reliance by training indigenous dog breeds. This initiative aligns with the Union Home Ministry's directive. These dogs are being trained for crucial roles like tracking and detecting narcotics and explosives. This move marks a significant step towards utilizing local breeds for national security.