The Economic Times

Thought of the day by Maurice Setters shares a quote about silver lining and gold. The explainer covers the meaning of the thought of the day, details about Maurice Setters, and why the quote still matters today.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has blocked servers and promotional channels linked to the 'Wingo' app, identifying it as a 'telecom mule' platform. The app was allegedly used to send fraudulent SMS messages from users' phones without consent. Citizens are warned against downloading or using such applications.

T20 cricket has changed how batsmen play. They now aim for big shots, taking calculated risks. This shift has also liberated bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are highlighted as India's bowling stars. They use their skills to take wickets. Their focus is on wickets, not just economy rate. India is fortunate to have them.

Receiving a job offer that is below expectations can be both confusing and frustrating, even when the organization is prestigious. A Redditor shared their experience of receiving an offer $15,000 lower than anticipated from a Big 4 firm, at the bottom of the mentioned salary range. While the position offered completely remote work and slightly better benefits, the salary matched their current salary.

The upcoming Union Budget 2026-27 is set to boost the social sector with new welfare schemes for vulnerable groups. Key initiatives include health observatories in eight states to combat diseases, community-managed tribal creches, and sports hubs in schools. The budget also focuses on employment generation, malnutrition, and infrastructure development in remote areas, while preserving tribal culture.

Lakshmi stands serene as elephants pour water over her. Water is not merely a decorative motif; it symbolises the monsoon. The elephants represent the return of movement, the restoration of economic life. The image is a visual metaphor: prosperity arrives when you have the strength and capability to navigate the monsoon of life, to rebuild paths and to reconnect markets. The elephants are not servants; they are partners in wealth creation.

A 27-year-old professional's Reddit post about his BS job sparked a debate on career comfort versus growth. While enjoying a low-stress, remote role, he questioned stagnation. The consensus advised leveraging job stability to acquire new skills and discreetly search for better opportunities, rather than quitting impulsively.

Catherine OHara: Beloved actress Catherine OHara, celebrated for her unforgettable roles over five decades, has passed away at 71 after a brief illness. Known for iconic performances in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and her Emmy-winning turn as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek, O'Hara left an indelible mark on comedy. Her manager confirmed her death, with details of the cause remaining undisclosed.

Sunetra Pawar is set to become the new Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The NCP legislative party will vote for her leadership on Saturday. Leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to propose her name. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Saturday evening. Discussions are ongoing regarding Ajit Pawar's former portfolios.

The Supreme Court has declared menstrual health a fundamental right under Article 21, mandating free biodegradable sanitary pads for girl students in all schools. States and UTs must also ensure functional, gender-segregated toilets with water and soap, and establish menstrual hygiene management corners. This ruling aims to uphold the dignity and right to education for adolescent girls.

The two NCP factions are unlikely to merge soon. A powerful section wants Sunetra Pawar to strengthen her hold before any merger. The Sharad Pawar faction pushed for a quick merger. A merger now could mean Sharad Pawar controls party affairs. This is not acceptable to the Sunetra Pawar camp.

Get ready for an in-depth analysis of Budget 2026 with ET NOW! Join us Sunday, February 1, starting at 7 am for preliminary insights before the Finance Minister takes the stage at 11 am. Our lineup of financial experts, including the insightful Swaminathan S Anklesaria Aiyar, will interpret the crucial announcements and fiscal strategies unfolding throughout the day.

Wealth quote of the day by Paul Collier, The greatest danger to the market economy is not recessions or bubbles, but the erosion of trust in the fairness of the system Economist Paul Collier warns the real threat to markets is declining trust in fairness. U.S. income inequality now favors the top 10 percent, while public confidence drops sharply. Colliers research links legitimacy to inclusive growth, corporate ethics, and policy reform. He offers data-backed solutions for equitable markets. Rea

Arab foreign ministers met in Delhi to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict, with a two-state solution and Gaza reconstruction on the agenda. Palestine's foreign minister suggested India could mediate, citing New Delhi's support and clear stance on international law. The meeting also addressed economic ties and the US President's peace board.

A new governmental initiative is on the horizon, focused on establishing a funding scheme to enhance energy storage viability. Designed to fortify grid stability and promote the swift integration of renewable resources, this plan encompasses both pumped storage projects and advanced battery systems.

In a bold stride towards economic empowerment, Regional Rural Banks are ramping up their financial support for agriculture and small enterprises. This initiative comes on the heels of a notable surge in net profits, coupled with an impressive capital to risk-weighted assets ratio, showcasing their financial resilience and commitment to fostering growth in rural landscapes.

The proposed investment marks the next phase of development at Raniganj East, where EOGEPL currently produces around 1 million standard cubic metres per day (MMSCMD) of natural gas, making it the largest CBM-producing block in India.

In a bold move towards economic revitalization, the government is preparing to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revamping public sector banks. This strategic plan is a cornerstone of the ambitious Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, aspiring to position these banks among the top 20 globally competitive financial institutions.

In an ambitious move, the World Bank Group has committed to funneling $8-10 billion each year into India over the next five years. This groundbreaking partnership pivots around enhancing job creation through the private sector.

Pilot duty rules: Sabari Roy Lenka, a former aircraft engineer, had moved the high court claiming that the regulator didn't have the authority to keep the rules in abeyance and, therefore, they must come into force immediately. The rules were meant to improve fatigue management of pilots, said Lenka.

Airtel: Airtel Africa company continued its $100 million share buyback programme, completing the first $45 million tranche in April 2025 and returning $36.2 million through 14.6 million shares purchased in the second tranche as of December 31, 2025.

Ruby Bhatia, Indias first video jockey and former Miss India Canada, was a familiar face on television in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She interviewed celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, hosted popular shows, and appeared in TV serials and films. Despite her success, Ruby chose to step away from fame at the age of 30, embracing spirituality and a grounded life.

Enamel protection is emerging as a critical focus in everyday oral care as dentists highlight rising cases of enamel erosion linked to modern, acid-heavy diets. Unlike cavities, enamel wear develops gradually and often goes unnoticed, making prevention essential. Experts now emphasise choosing toothpaste that goes beyond cleaning to actively strengthen and protect enamel. Advances in oral care science, such as enamel-focused formulations, are shifting oral health conversations from cosmetic bene

Indian Railways has achieved a significant safety upgrade, commissioning the Kavach automatic train protection system on a record 472.3 route kilometres in a single day. This expansion across three key sections, including Vadodara-Virar, enhances operational safety and reliability on high-density routes. The system's effectiveness was validated through a successful head-on collision test.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission will serve Gautam Adani with a civil fraud lawsuit. This allows the regulator's case against the Indian businessman to move forward. Lawyers for Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani agreed to accept the legal papers. This avoids a court ruling on how they should be served.

February SSI payments coming early: On January 30, 2026, the SSA will release $5 billion in SSI payments two days early. This shift affects 7.4 million Americans because February 1 falls on a Sunday. Recipients now see a $994 maximum individual payment following the 2.8% COLA hike. This early deposit ensures liquidity for low-income households. It prevents payment gaps during the weekend. Check your bank portal for these updated federal funds today.

Quote of the Day: Franz Kafka's timeless words offer a unique perspective on youth and beauty. His quote suggests that the ability to see beauty keeps one young at heart. Kafka, a 20th-century writer, explored themes of alienation and absurdity. His insights continue to resonate, reminding readers that perception shapes our experience of life and aging.

The Allahabad High Court has directed parties in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute to file objections by February 20. The court is examining applications related to the 18 suits seeking possession of land and temple restoration. Earlier, the court had dismissed challenges to the maintainability of Hindu worshippers' suits, deeming them not barred by relevant acts.

Fuddy-duddy is a fun English word for someone old-fashioned or cautious. It describes people who avoid new trends but are pleasant to be with. The word comes from Scottish duddy meaning ragged, and fuddy added for rhyme. Use it for friends or family who love slow, safe, traditional ways of living, like checkers or old clothes.

China's powerful PL-17 long-range missile is now visible in detail. This large missile is designed to strike high-value targets from afar. Its capabilities are prompting the US to develop its own advanced long-range air-to-air weapons. Further details about the PL-17 are expected as China may reveal more about this significant weapon system.

A viral Reddit post highlights tensions around workplace expectations after an employee was criticised for not returning to work following a car accident. The manager reportedly said handling emergencies like this shows a lack of commitment, citing her own experience of going to work after a similar incident. The post sparked widespread online debate, with many users questioning extreme work culture and emphasising the importance of employee safety and well-being.

The Justice Department has released over three million pages of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. These files are part of a law requiring the government to open its records on the financier and Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents include information about Epstein's abuse of young girls and his connections to powerful individuals.

Almost 600,000 jobs gone: A structural efficiency era has hit the 2026 labor market, with nearly 600,000 jobs cut in January alone. This surge reflects a 15% rise in layoff velocity as firms like Amazon and UPS trade human payroll for AI infrastructure. While tech giants report record profits, they are purging middle management to fund automation. This alent remix signals a permanent shift where entry-level white-collar roles are increasingly being replaced by AI agents.

The US has imposed sanctions on Iran's interior minister, Eskandar Momeni, for his role in repressing nationwide protests. This follows similar EU penalties targeting officials involved in the violent crackdown. The US also sanctioned an investor accused of embezzling oil revenue and others involved in money laundering, aiming to pressure Tehran's regime.

Dibrugarh is set to become Assam's second capital with the foundation stone laying for several key infrastructure projects. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, along with Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth Rs 1,715 crore.

Gold loans experienced the fastest growth, surging 128% year-on-year to Rs 3.83 lakh crore. Priority housing loans also saw significant expansion, rising 37% annually. Overall bank credit grew 14.5%, with industry credit showing a robust 13.3% increase.

US President Donald Trump has nominated former Federal Reserve official Kevin Warsh to replace Jerome Powell as the next Fed chair, bringing renewed attention to his personal and professional background. The spotlight has also shifted to Warshs wife, Jane Lauder, a billionaire heiress of the Este Lauder cosmetics empire. According to Forbes, Lauders net worth is estimated at around $2.7 billion, making her one of the worlds wealthiest individuals.

The three new digital infrastructure platforms launched under an AI-first theme, could add upto $1 million to the companys topline, Tata Communications chief executive Amur S Lakshminarayanan told ET.

State-owned NHPC is set to commence commercial operations for the third 250 MW unit of its massive 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project on Sunday, February 1, 2026. This significant milestone marks another step forward for India's largest hydroelectric undertaking, a run-of-river project costing approximately Rs 27,000 crore and situated on the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam border.

Demand for two-wheelers is seeing a boost from GST rate cuts. Bajaj Auto's Rakesh Sharma believes this trend will continue if inflation remains low. He highlighted that a customer's monthly income of Rs 40,000 makes even small price changes significant. However, rising fuel and rental costs could diminish these gains. Rupee devaluation is also a concern for sustained demand.

Lords Mark Industries Ltd has outlined a multi-state investment roadmap across clean energy, healthcare, and manufacturing following strategic engagements at the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos. The company has signed multiple MoUs with state governments including Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, covering projects in green hydrogen, solar energy, medical infrastructure, and manufacturing. With proposed investments exceeding 3,500 crore across various stages, these initiatives are expected to ge

Why are US stock market index futures Dow, S&P 500 and Nasdaq down now and who are biggest losers and gainers? US futures fell after Donald Trump named Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair pick. Precious metals dropped. Mining stocks declined. Asian markets slipped. Some stocks gained on earnings.