The Economic Times

Quote of the day by John Locke: His philosophy, rooted in empiricism, posits that all knowledge stems from experience. His seminal work, 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,' emphasizes that our understanding is built upon sensory encounters, shaping our perception of the world. Locke's enduring influence extends to modern thought, impacting liberalism, education, and human rights.

The Trump administration is launching TrumpRx, a new online tool designed to help Americans find lower prescription drug costs. The website will direct consumers to pharmaceutical companies' direct-to-consumer sites for purchases, aiming to simplify access to discounted prices negotiated with manufacturers. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce healthcare expenses for voters.

Opus 4.6: AI firm Anthropic has launched Claude Opus 4.6, its most advanced artificial intelligence model. This new version is designed for complex financial research and enterprise tasks. It can analyze company data, create presentations, and debug code. The release follows Anthropic's earlier legal automation tool, which raised concerns about AI's impact on software businesses.

Finneas O'Connell has defended his sister Billie Eilish's recent Grammy Awards speech. Eilish criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating 'no one is illegal on stolen land' and 'f**k ICE'. Finneas called out 'powerful old white men' for their outrage, referencing their alleged connections to the Epstein files. Several celebrities also showed support for the cause.

Ready or Not 2: Here I Come brings back Grace in a new and more dangerous survival game. After escaping once, she is hunted again by powerful families fighting for control. The Ready or Not sequel shows a bigger world, higher risks, and a deadly chase where only one side can win.

Policyholder complaints against insurance companies, particularly for health covers, surged in FY25. Grievances in general and health insurance jumped 41% to 1,37,361. Standalone health insurers saw a 33% rise. Claims settlement issues, including repudiation and delays, were the primary cause. Life insurance complaints focused on survival claims and servicing. Irdai is addressing mis-selling concerns.

West Bengal's electoral roll revision has uncovered shocking anomalies. One individual in Birbhum's Nanoor is listed as the father of 389 children. In Howrah's Sankrail, 310 voters share a single parent. The Election Commission of India has written to the Chief Secretary regarding these and other discrepancies, demanding action by February 9.

The Pitt Season 2 Episode 5 release time, schedule and how to watch details confirm the next chapter of the HBO Max medical drama. The episode airs on February 5 in the US and February 6 globally. The story continues during a July 4 hospital shift, tracking doctors facing emergencies, workplace tension, and personal pressure in real time.

Bitcoin and the wider crypto market are facing a harsh winter as prices fall, confidence weakens, and attention shifts to other assets. Gold is winning as a safe choice, AI is pulling talent and money away, and big buyers may turn into sellers. Together, these warning signs make the current crypto downturn feel colder than before.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will boost Lakshmir Bhandar benefits from February 2026. This move aims to strengthen the financial standing of approximately 2.42 crore women. SC/ST women will receive an additional 500, bringing their total to 1,700. General category women will also get an extra 500, increasing their payout to 1,500.

Kazakhstan has not supported Pakistan's stance on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Pakistan claimed joint backing on UN resolutions. However, official Kazakh sources and news agencies have not released any statement referencing Kashmir. Documents from the visit focus on economic cooperation and commercial agreements. This clarifies Kazakhstan's position on the matter.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said adequate steps are taken from time to time to fill up vacancies under the ministry, including its attached offices and regulatory bodies.

New rules for television distribution platform audits are coming. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India has set clear deadlines and eased requirements for smaller operators. Infrastructure sharing norms are also updated. These changes aim to improve compliance and reduce audit complexities. The revised framework will be effective from April 1, 2026, bringing significant updates for broadcasters and distributors.

The National Company Law Tribunal has made headlines by overturning the insolvency proceedings against Alchemist Limited, spurred by the Enforcement Directorate's intervention that uncovered serious fraud and collusion issues. The tribunal determined that the insolvency mechanism had been exploited, with a notable 1,842-crore money laundering investigation concerning the Alchemist group still unfolding.

Drug makers now need government approval for any quality changes to medicines. This applies to alterations affecting a drug's identity, strength, quality, purity, or potency. The regulator is strengthening manufacturing standards through risk-based audits and more inspections. This ensures only safe and effective medicines reach consumers. Manufacturers must inform the drug regulator about changes in manufacturing, packaging, or shelf life.

BlackBerry is discussing its secure government communication technology with India. The company sees growing demand for military-grade systems due to global challenges. BlackBerry is also expanding its automotive software business in India. Its QNX operating system powers many vehicles globally and is being adopted by Indian car makers for advanced vehicles.

India prioritizes energy security for its vast population. The government's strategy focuses on diversifying energy sources based on market conditions and global dynamics. India maintains open options for crude oil imports from Venezuela and other regions, considering commercial viability. Energy engagement with Venezuela has a long history, with crude purchases resuming in 2023-24 after a pause.

IDBI Bank stake sale: The reserve price will be decided after receipt of the financial bids and before they are opened, said the people cited. This will only be known to a small group of government officials, they said. The reserve price will not be disclosed to the bidders, according to them.

India is easing import rules for foreign vehicles. A select number of certified cars and motorcycles can now enter without prototype testing. This move aims to simplify imports, especially for European models, following a trade deal. Importers will need compliance certificates. Specific emission reports are also required for certain vehicles.

Indian govt spending: To be sure, most of these savings have been redeployed in other programmes, and the central government's overall expenditure for the current fiscal is just 1 lakh crore lower than the initial target of 50.65 lakh crore.

Baby Girl, the Malayalam medical thriller starring Nivin Pauly, is set for its OTT release on Sony LIV. Directed by Arun Varma and written by BobbySanjay, the film follows hospital attendant Sanal as he gets entangled in the mysterious disappearance of a newborn. Despite its mixed reviews in theaters, the movie brings together a strong cast including Lijomol Jose, Sangeeth Pratap, and Abhimanyu Thilakan, and promises a suspenseful viewing experience for thriller fans.

Zutshis career began in 1995 at Hindustan Unilever, where she held key finance roles across business partnering, stewardship and functional expertise.

The Lok Sabha passed the motion of thanks on the President's address without debate or the Prime Minister's reply. Speaker Om Birla requested the Prime Minister not to attend the House citing potential disruptions. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi denied any plan to harm the Prime Minister.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is expediting solutions for light combat aircraft design challenges. The company's chief stated that exclusion from the advanced multirole combat aircraft program would not significantly impact growth. HAL anticipates substantial manufacturing orders for the light combat aircraft and its Mk2 version in the coming years.

In May 2025, the Centre had imposed limits on wheat stocks that wholesalers, retailers and processors can keep with them. The move was aimed at preventing hoarding and controlling prices.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha, accusing opposition parties of disrespecting the President and the Constitution. He highlighted India's progress and future aspirations, stating the nation is on a path to becoming a developed country.

India is entering a new growth phase powered by Artificial Intelligence. AI is transforming industries and energy systems, increasing power demand. However, AI also offers solutions for greater energy efficiency. India is well-positioned to leverage AI for autonomous operations, optimizing productivity and setting global benchmarks for energy optimization as it pursues growth.

India green bonds: The Centre will decide the precise amount of the sovereign green bond float in financial year 2027 in March when it finalises its borrowing plan for the next fiscal, but usually the project pipeline is readied for such funding well before.

Bollywood actor Rajpal Yadav surrendered at Tihar Jail after the Delhi High Court refused to grant him any further relief in multiple cheque-bounce cases linked to a loan taken for his film project. The court noted repeated breaches of undertakings and declined to extend the surrender deadline despite his offer to make partial payments. With the interim stay on his sentence lifted, Yadav will now serve the six-month imprisonment awarded by the trial court, with the court making it clear that any

Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are members of the GCC. The terms of reference (ToR) outline the scope and modalities of a proposed trade pact.

Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted the government's priority on law and order. Coordinated efforts have brought peace and stability to the state. Security forces have recovered numerous arms and explosives. Humanitarian measures, including direct benefit transfers and resettlement packages, are underway for displaced persons. The government plans continued resettlement and financial assistance.

New Delhi will host the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 next week. Corporate leaders, diplomats, and specialists will gather. Discussions will cover geopolitics, global trade, investment, and business transformation. International and Indian leaders will share insights on economic integration, technology, and healthcare. The summit promises a comprehensive outlook on global business dynamics.

ArcelorMittal anticipates a 2 percent rise in global steel demand this year, excluding China. The company expects steel production and shipments to grow in all regions by 2026. European mills are set to benefit from new trade measures. ArcelorMittal's sales saw a slight dip in 2025, but net income significantly increased.

Tata Power's Mundra power plant faced a significant loss of 800 crore. This occurred because the plant was shut for nearly six months. During this period, no capacity charges were received, while fixed costs continued. The company expects operations to resume shortly. This restart is crucial for Tata Power's overall generation capacity.

Warner Bros' film and television studios, along with its vast content library and franchises, are attracting interest from Netflix and Paramount Skydance. Netflix has put forward an offer of $82.7 billion to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently examining this proposal. A rival, hostile bid from Paramount Skydance is also under review by the department.

Ethereum price has dropped sharply and moved below the $2,000 level, worrying investors. Strong selling, weak buying interest, and poor market mood are adding pressure. Traders are now watching key support zones closely. The market remains volatile, and short-term direction is still unclear as caution dominates crypto trading sentiment.

The word impetuous captures the human tendency to act quickly under the influence of strong emotions rather than careful thought. It explains behavior driven by impulse, urgency, or passion, often leading to unexpected consequences. In modern life, the word applies to daily situations such as sudden career decisions, emotional conversations, and instant digital responses.

Pakistan's military claims a successful counter-terrorism campaign in Balochistan, reporting 216 terrorists killed while downplaying significant losses from a recent BLA attack. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif admitted the BLA is better equipped, raising concerns for China and the US regarding their investments in the region's resources.

A Reddit post by a jobseeker facing unemployment has gone viral after they said a recruiter rejected them from a basic office role, claiming the job would not be fulfilling enough. Living paycheck to paycheck and with their current company shutting down, the user questioned whether employers believe people are better off unemployed than taking available work. The post sparked widespread discussion, with many commenters saying the real issue was fear of the candidate being overqualified and seen

The aircraft remained airborne for about 10 to 11 minutes before making a second landing attempt. The flight landed safely, according to airport officials.

Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain acknowledged a setback in India relations during the interim government. He expressed optimism that the upcoming elected government will mend ties. The interim period saw a slowdown in bilateral progress. However, key negotiations were advanced. Bangladesh has reduced tariffs, easing the workload for the next administration.

ETH price crash: Ethereum's price has plunged below $2,000, its lowest in nearly a year, amid a wider crypto market crash. Founder Vitalik Buterin's recent sales, totaling thousands of ETH for privacy projects, add to selling pressure. Despite this, he remains bullish on Ethereum's long-term prospects, though technical indicators suggest further declines are possible.

India's e-commerce success hinges on execution, not just sales. Shiprocket emerged by solving complex logistics challenges. It connected warehousing, shipping, and settlements, transforming operations from manual to software-driven. This approach enabled small and mid-sized sellers to achieve national scale. Shiprocket's focus on India's unique constraints built a scalable system.