The Economic Times

A 21-year-old student suffered burns to her arm, neck, and stomach when gas-filled balloons exploded in a lift in Goregaon. The incident occurred when a delivery person carrying the balloons entered the lift with the student. Police have registered a negligence case against the shop owner for failing to provide safety instructions or equipment to his employee.

The Trump administration is reducing federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota. About 2,000 agents will remain. This move follows protests and lawsuits against the surge of agents. The administration aims for mass deportations. Cooperation from local sheriffs is cited as a reason for the reduction. More jail cooperation is sought for migrant transfers.

Steve McQueens Quote of the Day talks about change, courage, and starting something new. The quote reminds people to let go of the past and face the future. Steve McQueen was a famous Hollywood actor known for action movies, a tough image, and meaningful words that still inspire people today.

US stock market today: Dow jumps over 230 points while Nasdaq drops 150. S&P 500 stays flat as gold and silver hit fresh record highs. The Dow Jones hit a record 49,509.30 today. It gained 268.31 points. In contrast, the Nasdaq dropped 145.37 points. This split shows a major market rotation. Investors are leaving tech for value stocks. AMD plunged 14% on weak forecasts. This dragged down the semiconductor sector. Meanwhile, gold surged past $5,000. Silver jumped 7.42% to $89.48.

APP stock: AppLovin shares plummeted Wednesday as a sector-wide software selloff intensified. Investors are increasingly wary of AI's potential to disrupt the mobile advertising market, with new platforms like CloudX aiming to automate ad operations. This development casts a shadow over AppLovin's significant ad tech exposure, even as it anticipates strong earnings.

Matt Nagy spent the past three seasons in that role with Kansas City, including helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl in the 2023 season and reach the title game in 2024.

Elon Musk, one of the most prominent and richest tech leaders of Silicon Valley, is a business genius and always inspires people with his thoughts and insights. In one of his quotes, Musk talks about how you should focus on doing things better in life . The quote emphasises about developing a habit of continuous improvement and never settling for average performance.

India and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council bloc will sign terms of reference for free trade agreement talks. This marks a resumption of negotiations after earlier rounds in 2006 and 2008. The agreement aims to boost trade between India and countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

In 2025, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) reduced its institutional and core programme budget by over USD 80 million and for 2026, a further USD 113 million reduction is estimated, UN officials said.

Scientists warn that future Moon and Mars missions face serious reproductive health risks. Space radiation, microgravity, and stress may affect fertility and healthy development. Experts say humans are not ready for space reproduction yet. They call for more research, strong ethics rules, and global planning to protect astronauts as long space missions increase.

The Election Commission is organizing a national conference for state election commissioners on February 24. This marks the first such meeting in over two decades. Commissioners from all states and Union Territories will attend. The conference aims to enhance coordination between the Election Commission and state bodies. Discussions will cover electoral laws, voter eligibility, and technology.

Comedian and actor Dave Coulier, widely recognized for Full House, has revealed that he is in remission from two cancers: Stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma and HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer. Speaking on Good Morning America, he stated, Its been a roller coaster ride for sure. Im in remission with both cancers. And what a journey this has been.

Washington Post Layoffs 2026: The Washington Post slashed its Metro staff by 70% this Wednesday. Only 12 reporters remain from a team of 40. Owner Jeff Bezos ordered these deep cuts to offset $177 million in losses. The paper is shuttering its Sports and Books sections immediately. This strategic reset shifts focus toward federal politics and national security. It marks a retreat from local reporting. Subscriptions remain stalled well below the 3 million peak.

Did you know: Your brain is constantly renewing itself through a process known as phagocytosis, in which cells surround and break down smaller cells or molecules.

Elon Musk reacted briefly to Melinda French Gates' comments on Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein's newly released files. French Gates expressed sadness over painful times linked to her marriage. Bill Gates has denied allegations made in the documents. Musk's name also appears in the files, detailing Epstein's invitations to his island. Musk denies visiting Epstein's island or plane.

Lingayat and SC/ST MLAs are holding meetings in Bengaluru. They aim to pressure the AICC leadership for a Chief Minister post. They also seek more cabinet berths and important portfolios. These meetings signal renewed political activity. Observers see this as a counter to pressure from the Deputy CM's camp. The community leaders want fair representation in the government.

A significant 88% of individual taxpayers have opted for the new tax regime, with the government not planning a sunset clause for the old regime. The new regime offers lower tax rates and exemptions for those earning up to Rs 15 lakh annually. The Budget also proposes changes to MAT and STT to influence taxpayer behavior.

Ben Affleck is reportedly experiencing renewed confidence after his divorce from Jennifer Lopez, as speculations link him to model Brooks Nader. Sources indicate that the actor appears upbeat following a quiet period away from dating headlines, while Nader continues to be a high-profile figure in the fashion world. Affleck remains to maintain a close connection with ex-wife Jennifer Garner as they co-parent their children.

Google has warned that many Android phones are unsafe due to new malware and spyware threats. Phones running old Android versions no longer receive security updates. This puts over a billion users at risk worldwide. Google urges users to check their Android version and upgrade their device if it cannot get the latest updates.

Security forces have killed a suspected Pakistani terrorist in Jammu and Kashmir's Kishtwar district. This marks the fifth encounter in the Chatroo belt recently. The operation continues as forces hunt for a group of terrorists affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad. The intense pursuit has occurred despite challenging snow-bound conditions and difficult terrain.

In a significant diplomatic exchange, Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump connected via telephone on Wednesday, just ahead of Trumps planned visit to China in April. This engaging conversation comes months after their last dialogue in late November.

Defence PSU BEML has partnered with IISc Bengaluru and its innovation arm FSID for strategic research collaboration. This initiative aims to advance research in critical domains like aerospace, defence, and green technologies. The partnership, formalized through a Tripartite Master Research Agreement, will accelerate the development of next-generation technologies and foster indigenisation.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Rahul Gandhi are demanding answers from the Centre regarding excerpts from former army chief Gen MM Naravane's unpublished book. The book, reportedly withheld by the government, allegedly reveals the Modi government's failure to make decisive strategic calls during the 2020 China border standoff, leaving the armed forces to manage the crisis.

IRS Refund: If youre single with no children, your income level must be $19,104 or below. And if youre married filing jointly with three or more children, you must make $68,675 or below.

Quote of the day: Victor Hugos words remain relevant because they speak to a universal human need: to be seen and understood. The quotes simplicity allows it to cross cultural and temporal boundaries, making it accessible without diminishing its depth.

The study by Square Circle Clinic, a criminal laws advocacy group with the NALSAR University of Law in Hyderabad, found that an overwhelming majority of death sentences imposed by trial courts did not withstand scrutiny at higher judicial levels. Acquittals far outnumbered confirmations at both the high courts and Supreme Court levels.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a seasoned BJP leader and former RSS functionary, has been sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Manipur. Singh, a two-time legislator, previously served as the Speaker of the Assembly and a Cabinet Minister. His political journey began in 2013 when he joined the BJP. He also has a background in Taekwondo.

Gold and silver price today: Gold prices surged 2.7% to $5,071.79 on February 4, 2026. This move reclaimed the vital $5,000 psychological floor. Silver followed with an 8% jump to $89.92. Fresh U.S.-Iran tensions drove this safe-haven rally. J.P. Morgan now forecasts gold at $6,300 by year-end. They expect central banks to buy 800 tons in 2026. This debasement trade favors real assets over paper. Silver is targeting $125 amid a sixth year of supply deficits.

A CGI advertisement featuring a 3D highway billboard in Dubai has gone viral for its hyper-realistic visuals. Created for Nissan Middle East, the ad showcases a Patrol SUV driving through desert dunes before appearing to burst out of a roadside billboard and onto the highway, with sand seemingly pouring onto the road. Though entirely computer-generated, the video looks convincingly real, leaving viewers baffled.

India and the US maintained strong ties over the past ten months despite trade disputes. High-level officials from both nations engaged in regular meetings, fostering cooperation. Recent visits by US Congressmen and Senators underscored bipartisan support. Discussions focused on strengthening defense ties and strategic coordination, highlighting the importance of the relationship for regional stability and mutual benefit.

Modern life in 2026 is designed for convenience but often leads to chronic exhaustion. From digital overload and blue light disrupting sleep to decision fatigue and nutrient-poor diets, our energy is being zapped by invisible stressors. Understanding these six lifestyle factors is the first step toward reclaiming your daily vitality.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned on Wednesday due to vociferous protests by Opposition members. The House met for the day with Opposition members raising various issues and shouting slogans. Speaker Om Birla urged members to respect proceedings and maintain decorum. The adjournment occurred as the House was scheduled to hear Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address.

Everyone has monsters under the bed in their own minds. From imposter syndrome to secret financial stress, we all carry burdens that we assume are unique to us. Understanding that these struggles are universal is the first step toward self-compassion and deeper connection with those around us.

India faces a projected surge in cancer cases, potentially reaching 2.5 million by 2045. Health experts urge prioritizing prevention and early detection alongside expanding treatment capacity. While budget measures offer welcome relief for treatment costs, addressing advanced-stage diagnoses remains crucial for improving patient outcomes.

GeM CEO Mihir Kumar said about 45 per cent of public procurement orders are placed to MSMEs, higher than the mandatory requirement of 25 per cent.

Elon Musk has achieved a historic financial milestone. His net worth has now crossed $800 billion. This surge is due to a significant merger between his companies SpaceX and xAI. The combined entity is valued at over a trillion dollars. This event reshapes Musk's business empire. SpaceX is now his most valuable asset.

BJP leader Nitin Nabin alleged the Telangana government practices appeasement politics. He stated the government suppresses Telugu people and traditions. Nabin claimed temples faced attacks under Congress rule. He pointed to the Wakf Board's land holdings as evidence of government favoritism. Both BRS and Congress governments failed to deliver on promises. Nabin highlighted NDA's commitment to Telangana's development.

Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan has voiced concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, accusing commissions of potentially denying voters their right. He highlighted voter confusion and distress caused by the process, which aims to identify illegal migrants by checking place of birth.

Indian renewable energy players welcome the India-US trade deal. They believe it will restore stability in global trade and strengthen supply chains. The improved tariff environment will boost export competitiveness for Indian businesses. This move is seen as significant for the solar sector, enhancing price competitiveness and market access to the US.