The Economic Times

US President Donald Trump said he did not watch the full video clip that showed former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama as apes before it was posted on his social media account and said he does not believe he made a mistake. He told reporters aboard Air Force One that he only saw the beginning of the video, which focused on alleged voter fraud, and then asked staff to upload it.

Italy hosted a spectacular Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Winter Olympics, themed 'Armonia,' celebrating sport, music, and tradition. Nearly 3,000 athletes paraded, and iconic performances captivated audiences. For those who missed the live event, NBC is offering a primetime rebroadcast tonight, with streaming available on Peacock.

Jane Street case: It has been suggested that the profit recorded by the group during the period reviewed by the Securities & Exchange Board of India (Sebi) should be liable to be taxed in India as capital gains.

IND vs USA T20 World Cup 2026 match start time, squads and how to watch live in US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, SA, UAE, Caribbean and worldwide details Indias opening match, teams, head-to-head record, venue, timing, streaming platforms, and tournament context for global viewers.

Caleb McLaughlin, who played Lucas in Stranger Things, has shared his view on Elevens fate. He believes Eleven did not survive the series ending. Other cast members, including Sadie Sink, agree with him. Fans are still debating the ending, which was designed to leave hope while keeping the truth unclear.

Actor Timothy Busfield has been indicted on four felony counts of criminal sexual contact of a child following allegations of unlawful sexual conduct involving 11-year-old twin boys. The incidents reportedly occurred while Busfield was directing on the set of the TV series The Cleaning Lady. Busfield denies the claims and is determined to clear his name.

Tesla is moving forward with Elon Musk's ambitious solar energy plans. The company is exploring multiple locations across the United States for manufacturing solar cells. Production at its Buffalo, New York, factory is set to expand. Tesla is also considering building a new facility in New York. Other states like Arizona and Idaho are also under review.

Canada and France are opening diplomatic consulates in Nuuk, Greenland. This move shows support for Denmark and the Arctic island. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand is attending the inauguration. France's consul general will work to deepen cooperation in cultural, scientific, and economic fields. This strengthens political ties with local authorities.

Asundexian reduced the chance of another stroke by 26% compared with placebo, when added to standard antiplatelet therapy such as Aspirin, Bayer said Thursday. The data adds to results released in November, and the company plans to submit the findings to regulators for approval.

Why is silver price rising by 7.6% and will it go above $76.64 or fall back? Silver surged to $76.64 per ounce after falling below $65 earlier. The rebound followed gold recovery, a softer dollar, and geopolitical concerns. Investors are tracking market volatility and CME margin changes for price direction.

The RBI is introducing a risk-based premium framework for deposit insurance, set to take effect from April 1, 2026. This new system will reward banks with stronger financial health and better governance with premium discounts of up to 33.3%, while riskier institutions will face higher charges.

The Reserve Bank of India is proposing to exempt smaller non-banking finance companies from registration. Firms with assets under one thousand crore rupees may no longer need central bank approval. This move aims to reduce compliance burdens for these entities. The RBI plans to issue draft guidelines for feedback soon. This could offer greater operational flexibility to smaller firms.

The Reserve Bank of India will now allow banks to lend directly to Real Estate Investment Trusts. This move aims to make financing more accessible and potentially cheaper for the sector. Currently, banks can only fund real estate projects, not land acquisitions.

An NIA team along with officials of the Jammu & Kashmir Police and CRPF personnel visited GMC Anantnag and checked the official documents of Adeel Rather, from whose locker a rifle was allegedly recovered. They also sought details of Umar Nabi, a doctor who worked at that hospital for some time and allegedly carried out the Red Fort blast on November 10. Fifteen people including Nabi were killed in the blast.

In the past week, the Tata Group-owned airline unveiled a brand-new Boeing 787 Dreamliner plane and a swanky lounge at its main hub at Delhi airport. The initiatives are the first visible results of the airline's efforts to transform itself from a once government-owned loss-making enterprise to a global competitor.

Indian couples are celebrating Valentine's Day with more spending and longer hotel stays. Bookings have surged, with many opting for experience-led short getaways. Couples are also choosing customized romantic experiences. This trend indicates a strong demand for leisure travel and unique celebrations.

FTA: India is actively participating in regional and plurilateral platforms to support diversified and sustainable supply chains, including the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), minister Jitin Prasada said.

Wipro has sought relaxation in requirement of Schedule M for specific categories like disinfectants. The product, Maxkleen, has been registered as a drug. The company has asked to allow them to manufacture the product without a drug licence.

Combining India's design expertise and fabrication incentives with Malaysia's mature chip assembly, testing, and packaging ecosystem, the collaboration aims to enhance competitiveness in the global market, an official said. Malaysia is among the few countries in Indo-Pacific region that has a well-established semiconductor ecosystem besides Taiwan, Singapore and Japan. Malaysia is a premier global hub for the semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging, with roughly 13% of the global market s

Bharti Airtel is set to boost its data centre capacity to around 1 gigawatt in the coming years. This expansion aims to capture a quarter of India's data centre market. The company is shifting its investment focus towards data centres and digital services. This strategic move comes as Airtel reports strong financial growth.

India-NZ FTA: Major exclusions include dairy products; vegetable products; sugar and sugar confectionery; and animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils.

India's imports from China saw a significant decline in 2024-25 across key sectors like fertilisers, chemicals, and iron and steel. Notably, mobile phone imports plummeted while exports surged dramatically, indicating a shift in trade dynamics. The government is actively implementing measures to address stakeholder concerns and safeguard national interests.

The boards of Power Finance Corporation and REC have given their in-principle approval for a merger. This move follows an announcement in the budget to restructure these public sector NBFCs. The merger aims to create a larger, more efficient lending institution. This will help finance India's growing power sector needs. Detailed proposals will be made after obtaining necessary approvals.

The government plans to boost highway construction via public-private partnerships, prioritizing the build-own-transfer model and asset monetization. With a significant budget increase for the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, India aims to strengthen its infrastructure to become the world's third-largest economy. Existing highways will also be monetized to further this goal.

The alleged financial irregularities came to the forefront following the rape and murder of a PGT doctor on the hospital premises in August 2024. Akhtar Ali, former deputy superintendent at RG Kar Hospital, had petitioned the Calcutta High Court for a CBI investigation into the alleged financial irregularities during the tenure of Ghosh at the hospital.

Expenditure of 564.72 crore has been incurred so far on the seven PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel (PM MITRA) parks, the textile ministry told Parliament.

A key participant in the deadly 2012 Benghazi attack, Zubayar Al-Bakoush, has been taken into U.S. custody and will face charges including murder and arson. The Justice Department announced the arrest, marking the first by the Trump administration related to the incident that killed four Americans and became a significant political issue.

Hootenanny is a simple word that can mean a small object or a fun music gathering. It became popular in the 1930s with folk musicians like Pete Seeger and later in the 1960s TV show Hootenanny. Today, it is used for friendly folk music parties where people sing, play instruments, and enjoy together.

The beta version of the MCP server currently offers seven data products, including the Periodic Labour Force Survey, Consumer Price Index, Annual Survey of Industries, Index of Industrial Production and National Account Statistics, with additional datasets set to be added in the coming months.

A joint panel will be formed by the corporate affairs ministry and CBDT by March-end. This initiative aims to align tax computation rules with accounting standards. The move will reduce compliance burdens for Indian companies. It also seeks to minimize litigation arising from differences between accounting and tax frameworks.

With the groundbreaking shift allowing complete foreign ownership in India's insurance sector, a new chapter unfolds. This initiative is designed to invigorate competition and broaden insurance access to rural and semi-urban populations.

IMFA expects annual output to grow from about 260,000 tonnes from existing facilities to around 400,000 tonnes in FY27.

A Member of Parliament has proposed mandatory 45-day leave for employees. This leave would be for caring for parents aged over 60. The proposal aims to support the 'sandwich generation'. India's senior citizen population is growing rapidly. The MP highlighted the need for children to be present for elderly parents' care. This initiative could support the growing silver economy.

The Supreme Court has issued a stern warning to the Telangana Assembly speaker. Contempt proceedings will commence if the speaker fails to decide on the disqualification pleas of ten BRS MLAs within three weeks. These MLAs had defected to the Congress party. The court emphasized the urgency of the matter. A decision is expected soon.

Uttar Pradesh politics is increasingly driven by caste ahead of the 2027 elections. Recent controversies and administrative decisions are accelerating caste consolidation. Parties are adapting their strategies, with the BJP attempting to balance Hindutva with caste outreach and the Samajwadi Party focusing on its Pichhda, Dalit, Alpsankhyak framework. Caste dynamics are set to dominate the state's political landscape.

Meghalaya Police has apprehended two individuals connected to a blast at an unauthorized coal mine. The incident in East Jaintia Hills district tragically claimed 18 lives. Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has ordered a thorough inquiry and promised strict legal action against those responsible. Rescue and relief operations are underway with multiple teams deployed.

Fresh violence erupted in Manipur's Kuki-inhabited areas after Kuki-Zo legislators joined the government. Protests turned violent in Churachandpur district, with clashes between mobs and security forces. Five people were injured. The Kuki-Zo Council declared a social boycott of MLAs involved in the government formation. The situation remains tense.

Audi has opened a new showroom in Hyderabad. This marks a significant expansion for the German luxury car maker in India. The state-of-the-art facility is Audi's second in the city. It reflects the brand's commitment to the growing Hyderabad market. Audi India is seeing strong momentum in Telangana. The brand's market share in the region is double its national average.

The Reserve Bank of India has maintained its policy rates. Bankers generally welcomed this decision and the announced regulatory and developmental policies. Initiatives to enhance customer protection, digital payment safeguards, and support for MSMEs are highlighted. These measures aim to strengthen the financial ecosystem and sustain credit flows.

Embassy Office Parks REIT: Indias largest office REIT leased 1.1 million sq ft across 22 deals during the quarter, taking its total leasing for the first nine months of FY26 to 4.6 million sq ft. The leasing traction was supported by new leases accounting for 0.8 million sq ft, signed at re-leasing spreads of 17%, with rentals averaging 5% above prevailing market levels.

Dish TV India faces a massive Rs. 7,203 crore licence fee demand from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, adding to ongoing legal battles. The company has also booked significant impairments on its investments, including those in new-age technologies and assets from Videocon d2h, impacting its net worth. Fines were also levied for SEBI norm non-compliance.

Western Railway will suspend local train services between Goregaon and CSMT for three months to reconstruct the BandraKhar railway bridge. This disruption is part of a 964.84 crore project to add fifth and sixth lines, aiming to boost efficiency and reduce congestion on the suburban network.

The 2026 Winter Olympics introduces Tina and Milo, stoats serving as the Olympic and Paralympic mascots. Designed by Italian students, Tina and Milo embody the Italian spirit that motivates them, joined by six snowdrop flowers named The Flo. Tina, born in the mountains but now city-based, signifies creativity and environmental care, while Milo, born without a paw, is resilient and playful.

Taylor Jenkins Reids quote of the day talks about tiredness, support, and rest. The quote reminds people that it is okay to stop when someone is there to help. Reid is a famous author known for emotional and powerful stories. Her words connect with readers who feel stressed and overworked.

A decisive crackdown in Gadchiroli district resulted in the elimination of seven Naxalites, spearheaded by their leader Prabhakar, who was valued at Rs 25 lakh. The operation, spanning three intense days, also claimed the life of a dedicated police personnel from gunfight injuries.

The Housemaid, starring Sydney Sweeney, is set to release on OTT in India from February 12, 2026. The erotic psychological thriller will be available for early access rent or purchase on platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google/YouTube, BookMyShow Stream, and Moviesphere+. Priced from Rs 499, the film follows a young woman who takes up a live-in job at a wealthy household, only to find herself trapped in a dangerous web of secrets and power.

Amazon AMZN stock price crash: Amazon shares tumbled significantly after the company announced a massive capital spending plan for 2026. Investors are worried about the escalating costs of artificial intelligence development. This spending surge comes as other tech giants like Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta also increase their investments. Analysts are closely watching the returns on these AI ventures.

ETs roundup of the wackiest whispers in corporate corridors