The Economic Times

At WEF Davos, legal and tech leaders said AIs real challenge is not control but trust, transparency and alignment with human judgment. They stressed adapting AI to existing legal frameworks and building India-specific models.

New-age technologies like AI are set to transform sectors such as agriculture and finance, boosting efficiency and innovation. However, experts say India must develop its own AI playbook to ensure inclusive, secure and sustainable growth.

The revised norms, issued on January 23, follow a review of detailed project reports (DPRs) submitted under PMAY (Urban) 2.0, which revealed inconsistencies in EWS pricing, built-up area calculations and documentation across projects. Based on directions issued by the State Level Appraisal Committee (SLAC) during its meetings held in August and October 2025, the state government decided to issue standardised guidelines to bring uniformity to project approvals.

On February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to unveil the Budget for the 2026-27 fiscal year. As the economy navigates a wave of external pressures, we can expect a focus on robust domestic strategies to sustain impressive growth. Controlling fiscal deficits will remain pivotal, and all eyes will be on the critical figures presented.

Miner Vedanta has embedded AI, automation, IoT, drones, digital twins, and predictive analytics into daily operations to drive measurable gains in safety, productivity, and resource efficiency. Tata Steel is leveraging AI to analyse workforce safety data, identifying critical safety insights including recurring root causes of incidents, flag high-risk zones, and monitor critical safety gaps.

Russia launched a massive overnight attack on Ukraine's energy system, causing widespread power outages and leaving over a million residents in Kyiv without electricity and heating amid sub-zero temperatures. The assault, which also affected other regions, occurred as U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine continued without compromise.

India and the European Union are on the verge of sealing a landmark free trade agreement, with both parties displaying a positive outlook on its potential benefits. This pivotal deal, culminating nearly two decades of discussions, promises to strengthen economic connections and reduce expenses for businesses and consumers alike.

West Bengal and Tamil Nadu emerged among the top recipients of unsung hero Padma Awards announced ahead of Republic Day 2026, with six and five awardees respectively. Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra received four awards each, while Jammu and Kashmir was conferred two. In total, 45 unsung Padma awardees were recognised across states and Union Territories.

Companies are raising concerns about incomplete retail data, which they say is influencing consumer buying habits. Businesses like Tata Consumer Products, ITC, AWL Agri Business, and DS Group have noted this issue and some are now conducting their own studies. NielsenIQ, a market research firm, stated it is working to improve its services. The company is expanding its relationships with retailers, refining its research methods, and boosting its ability to track online sales. NielsenIQ said these

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Manoj Kumar Agarwal said the Election Commission is in the process of making public the list of unmapped and logical discrepancy voters after it was uploaded on the ECI website.

Lenders have argued that the Stage 2 classification of crop loans should be linked to the crop season and pitched a classification similar to that of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans, which are linked to the agricultural crop cycle.

The Union home ministry announced 131 Padma Awards for 2026, comprising 5 Padma Vibhushan, 13 Padma Bhushan and 113 Padma Shri honours across fields such as arts, public affairs, science, sports, medicine and social work. Actor Dharmendra Singh Deol received the Padma Vibhushan posthumously, along with former Kerala chief minister VS Achuthanandan, classical violinist N Rajam, former Supreme Court judge KT Thomas and writer P Narayanan.

Several Hindi films are being banned from theatrical release in the UAE, a significant market for Bollywood box office revenue. Producers cite divisive geopolitical elements in these films as the reason for the bans, impacting potential earnings and the overall overseas performance of affected movies.

Companies that produce beverages, soft drinks, ice creams, air conditioners, and cooling personal care items are implementing diverse plans to meet anticipated summer demand. These strategies range from adjusting production schedules to managing inventory and timing retail promotions.

In a significant push for self-reliance, Indian state-owned enterprises are collaborating to establish a new container shipping line. This strategic venture, led by the Shipping Corporation of India and the Container Corporation of India, seeks to diminish the country's dependence on international shipping services for its extensive trade operations.

India's telecom landscape is gearing up for an influx of micro and small businesses, thanks to the extended Pro Tem Certification Scheme, which will slash certification costs. This change is anticipated to ignite growth and spark innovation within the national sector. Yet, international companies are raising alarms over possible security risks and delays.

Major Indian banks have begun halting payments for property installments in Dubai due to concerns over potential violations of foreign exchange regulations. This change may catch both buyers and social media influencers off guard, as awareness of the legal framework is limited.

India is revolutionizing its crude oil acquisition strategy, with a marked rise in the reliance on Middle Eastern sources. The import of Russian crude has plummeted, reflecting the nation's desire for more dependable and lower-risk energy supplies. This trend indicates a thoughtful recalibration in India's approach to energy sourcing.

JSW Steel is gearing up to pour in more than two lakh crore rupees over the next five to six years, a bold move set to elevate their steel production capacity by an impressive 50 percent.

The UK, France, and China show high bank credit-to-GDP ratios. This suggests substantial lending to businesses, individuals, and across borders. Germany and Japan also demonstrate high levels of credit penetration, aligning with financial systems that rely heavily on banks.

Microfinance lenders are showing signs of recovery after a prolonged bad loan cycle. Leading institutions like Bandhan Bank, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, and CreditAccess Grameen reported stable non-performing assets and improved margins. This performance suggests a normalization of business, offering relief to stakeholders and indicating a positive outlook for the sector.

S&P 500, Dow Jones, Nasdaq investors will look for a positive trading day in the U.S. Stock Market.

US Vice President JD Vance and economic adviser Peter Navarro had reportedly blocked a trade deal with India, according to a report, The deal, first announced by PM Modi in February 2025, is aimed to significantly boost bilateral trade between the two two countries but is yet to be finalised even after multiple rounds of negotiations.

The maximum number of bravery medals, at 45, have been given to personnel deployed in the Jammu and Kashmir operations theatre, followed by 35 from Naxal violence-affected areas, and five who are posted in the northeast region.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has flagged serious lapses in the electoral hearing process at Basirhat, West Bengal, and directed the Chief Secretary to suspend Sumitra Pratim Pradhan, AERO and BDO of Basirhat-II, and initiate disciplinary proceedings against him.

A routine company-wide Zoom meeting reportedly took an uncomfortable turn when a CEO opened the call by attributing his leadership role to divine guidance, according to a Reddit post by a former employee. The company, which had no religious affiliation, had scheduled the meeting to discuss project priorities, but the religious remarks shifted the focus and left many employees unsettled.

Indians are increasingly visiting sites of tragedy and conflict for reflection. This trend, known as dark tourism, sees people seeking understanding and emotional processing. Destinations like Jallianwala Bagh and the Union Carbide plant are gaining attention. Younger generations are particularly drawn to these experiences, seeking context and meaning in their travels. This segment is expanding within India's travel market.

Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to visit the ISS on the Axiom-4 mission, was awarded the Ashoka Chakra for his historic feat. Returning to India after his space odyssey, Shukla, once a shy boy inspired by Rakesh Sharma, now confidently shares his journey and experiences, inspiring many.

Social media is flooded with throwback posts from 2016, as users revisit a time that feels simpler and more optimistic online. The trend reflects not just nostalgia for fashion and pop culture, but a longing for an earlier internet before algorithms, pressure to perform, and constant visibility reshaped how people share and connect.

Anke Gowda, a 75-year-old former bus conductor from Karnataka, has been awarded the Padma Shri 2026 for creating Pustak Mane, Indias largest free-access library. Housing over two million books in 20 languages, including rare manuscripts and dictionaries, the library serves students, researchers, civil service aspirants, and even Supreme Court judges. Gowda devoted decades and most of his income to building this public resource, living simply with his wife within the library, and continues to exp

The Indian Army and Indo-Tibetan Border Police concluded a six-day joint training exercise, 'Agni Pariksha,' in Arunachal Pradesh. This initiative focused on enhancing inter-force combat synergy by familiarizing non-artillery personnel with artillery procedures and firing drills, fostering integrated combat capabilities for future battlefields.

A former Harvard University physicist has sparked debate after claiming that heaven may exist at the cosmic horizon, the outermost boundary of the observable universe. Drawing on Edwin Hubbles discovery of the universes expansion and Albert Einsteins theories of relativity, Dr Michael Guillen argues that this distant boundary is unreachable by humans and exists beyond time as we understand it. He links this idea to biblical descriptions of heaven as a realm above the physical universe, inhabited

Garena Free Fire Max players can snag free in-game items using redeem codes released regularly. These 12-character alphanumeric codes are time-sensitive and can only be used once. Players should visit reward.ff.garena.com to log in and enter the codes promptly to claim their rewards before they expire.

Delhi Police personnel are set to receive prestigious medals for gallantry, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions this Republic Day. The awards recognize acts of bravery, including confronting terrorists and gangsters, and highlight exemplary service in areas like forensic contributions and women's safety initiatives.

President Droupadi Murmu has approved Gallantry awards for 70 Armed Forces personnel. This includes the highest peacetime award, the Ashok Chakra, for Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla. He made history by visiting the International Space Station. Other awards include Kirti Chakras and Shaurya Chakras. Many brave soldiers are being honored for their courage and sacrifice.

According to the Meteorological Centre, Shimla, isolated spells of heavy rainfall and snowfall are very likely on January 27, particularly in the high-altitude districts of Chamba, Kullu, Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti.

A proposed free trade agreement between India and the European Union promises a significant boost for India's apparel exports. The pact offers a unique chance for the garment sector to gain zero-duty market access. This development is expected to drive employment, support small businesses, and enhance India's global standing in apparel manufacturing.

Rishabh Sharmas kurta collection blends classical artistry with bold styling. From regal velvets to contemporary drapes, his wardrobe proves tradition can be powerful, expressive, and undeniably statement-making.

Governors in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu may alter their Republic Day speeches. This follows recent assembly incidents where governors refused to read government-drafted speeches. The opposition-ruled states are now awaiting the governors' actions on Monday. The national flag will be hoisted as usual. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between state governments and their respective governors.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah stated HD Kumaraswamy will not become Chief Minister again. He believes the BJP would prevent it if their alliance wins. Kumaraswamy, however, expressed confidence, recalling a past prediction by Siddaramaiah that proved incorrect. He mentioned public support for his return as CM.

India celebrates its 77th Republic Day on January 26th, honoring the nation's sovereign, democratic journey and the values of its Constitution. The occasion is marked by a collection of messages, wishes, and statuses to share the patriotic spirit and renew commitments to justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.

President Donald Trump has approved federal emergency disaster declarations in South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Maryland, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Indiana, and West Virginia.

Bruce Springsteens Quote of the Day reflects on the emotional challenge of growing older and the struggle to preserve idealism after life experience takes away innocence. The quote highlights how adulthood often brings disappointment and realism, which can weaken belief in values and purpose. Drawing from themes that run through Springsteens life and music, the reflection encourages holding on to empathy, hope, and moral conviction even as reality becomes more complex.