The Economic Times

President Donald Trump has avoided naming a successor for the 2028 Republican presidential race. He praised both Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump suggested the two could run together on a ticket. He noted differences in their styles but called them both highly intelligent and capable.

Canada's government is set to unveil a new automotive strategy. This plan will replace the current electric vehicle mandate with updated fuel efficiency standards and credits. Sources suggest popular incentives for electric vehicle buyers may also return. Auto industry leaders and some provinces have pushed for changes to existing sales targets.

CBSE CTET February 2026 Hall ticket: The CBSE will release the hall ticket for Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) 2026 soon on the official website ctet.nic.in. Based on past years' trends, the CTET admit card is likely to be released before the examination. Candidates need to log in using their application number and date of birth to download the CTET admit card 2026.

India has backed FORGE, a new critical minerals initiative launched in Washington DC. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the Critical Minerals Ministerial, a meeting of over 50 nations. Discussions focused on de-risking supply chains and reducing global overreliance on China. India's support for FORGE signals its commitment to global resource security and strategic partnerships.

LEGO and Netflix are joining forces for KPop Demon Hunters. The popular animated film will be transformed into LEGO sets. The first collection arrives in summer 2026, featuring the beloved character Derpy. More sets are planned for 2027. This collaboration follows the film's massive success on Netflix and its soundtrack's chart-topping achievements.

UPSC Notification 2026 Apply Online Now: The Union Public Service Commission has released the notification for the Civil Services and Indian Forest Service Examinations 2026, with applications open from February 4 to February 24, 2026. With 933 vacancies for the CSE, eligible graduates aged 21-32 can apply online for this highly competitive examination.

President Trump's unpredictable negotiating style, characterized by abrupt shifts and demands, is causing allies and adversaries to question his reliability. This approach, driven by electoral anxieties rather than strategic dealmaking, has led to strained relationships and a growing willingness to wait him out or turn away, impacting global partnerships and trade dynamics.

Tensions rise in Andhra Pradesh politics. The YSRCP has approached the National Human Rights Commission alleging law and order breakdown and human rights violations. This follows allegations of ghee adulteration in Tirupati laddoo and attacks on former ministers. A special committee will now examine the ghee issue. The government aims to restore the sanctity of Tirumala.

Warburg Pincus: Outside US, India is the largest PE destination for the firm, having deployed more than $10 billion since 1996 in over 80 companies.

Quote of the Day: Pablo Picasso believed art was essential for survival, not just decoration. His quote, Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life, highlights creativity's restorative power. This insight reminds us that engaging with art is a vital human need, offering renewal and reconnecting us to elemental truths amidst life's routines.

Pizza Hut is set to close 250 underperforming U.S. locations in the first half of 2026 as parent company Yum! Brands conducts a strategic review. This move comes as the pizza chain faces declining same-store sales and struggles against competitors like Domino's. The closures represent about 3 percent of Pizza Hut's U.S. footprint.

Global recession risk global recession risk: Global economic stability is at risk as BofA Securities warns a sharp US dollar decline could trigger recessionary shocks outside America. While central banks might intervene, a disorderly fall threatens trade and markets. Interestingly, the dollar is weakening despite stable US interest rates, suggesting a shift in its safe-haven status.

A 31-year-old unemployed man shared his career struggle on Reddit after failing to keep many jobs. He said poor performance, mistakes, and confusion at work ruined his confidence. With few skills and a tough job market, he asked for help. Internet users replied with practical, business-style advice on choosing simpler, structured work and planning a realistic career path.

President Donald Trump called his conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping excellent. They discussed trade, energy, Taiwan, Iran, and Russia's war in Ukraine. Trump highlighted their strong personal relationship. China stressed Taiwan remains its top priority. Trump claimed China agreed to increase US soya bean purchases.

Ladakh representatives met with the MHA in Delhi, engaging in heated discussions without reaching a conclusion. The MHA committed to another meeting within a month. Key demands for statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, and the release of Sonam Wangchuk were reiterated by the Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance.

Warburg Pincus leaders reflect on three decades in India, highlighting early successes and the evolving entrepreneurial landscape. They discuss navigating global economic complexities and the rise of AI. The firm emphasizes its consistent investment strategy and strong investor returns, focusing on value creation and partnering with talented entrepreneurs. India remains a key market for their continued growth and investment.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. They discussed formalizing a partnership on critical minerals. Trade, energy, defense, and technology were also covered. The leaders agreed on early meetings to advance shared interests. A trade deal was welcomed, reducing US tariffs on Indian goods. Jaishankar also met Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Lawmakers are seeking to inject an additional $70 billion into the agency to support U.S. President Donald Trump's critical minerals push, the Financial Times reported.

Mickey Lolich was a legendary baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. He became famous after his strong performance in the 1968 World Series. Known for his power and long innings, he set many team records and earned major awards. His career and life left a lasting mark on baseball and Tigers fans.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appeared before the Supreme Court. She argued a petition challenging electoral roll revisions. Analysts say this positions her as a protector of her people's rights. She is the first CM to argue her case personally. Social media is highlighting her actions.

Lok Sabha proceedings were disrupted for the third consecutive day as Congress MPs demanded Rahul Gandhi be allowed to quote from an unpublished memoir concerning the 2020 India-China clashes. Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Modi's directive to the former Army chief was do what you deem appropriate, implying a failure of duty. The House saw multiple adjournments amid the ongoing protest.

The Supreme Court has directed the Election Commission of India to exercise greater caution when issuing notices for minor name discrepancies. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee argued against the special intensive revision process. The court assured that genuine voters would not be excluded. The hearing will continue next week.

Bob Iger's leadership at Disney transformed the company. He acquired major entertainment franchises like Marvel and Lucasfilm. Iger also launched the successful streaming service Disney+. His strategy focused on owning content and finding new distribution methods. He is now handing over the reins to Josh D'Amaro.

Army forces neutralized three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Two infiltrators, including a top commander, were killed in Udhampur's Basantgarh forest. Arms and ammunition were recovered. In Kishtwar's Chatroo region, another terrorist was eliminated during an ongoing operation. The operations highlight continued efforts against terrorism in the region.

Michael Burry Bitcoin price (BTC USD) warning: Famed investor Michael Burry warns of a Bitcoin price crash triggering a 'death spiral'. He believes the digital currency is purely speculative. Further declines could strain corporate balance sheets and push Bitcoin miners toward bankruptcy. The crypto ecosystem faces potential lasting damage. This situation is unfolding now with significant implications.

Yumnam Khemchand Singh, a Meitei BJP leader, has been sworn in as the Chief Minister of Manipur. This development ends the President's rule in the state. Nemcha Kipgen, a Kuki-Zo BJP MLA, has taken oath as Deputy Chief Minister. Another Deputy Chief Minister, Losii Dikho, was also sworn in. The Kuki Inpi Manipur has rejected the new government's formation.

The phrase I dont wash my linen in front of people is a timeless idiom highlighting discretion and privacy. It suggests handling personal issues, family conflicts, or workplace concerns quietly rather than sharing them publicly. Just as one wouldnt display dirty laundry for everyone to see, this phrase urges emotional intelligence, respect for oneself, and boundaries in social interactions.

Mark your calendars for the ET Now Global Business Summit 2026 in vibrant New Delhi on February 13-14. This event unites influential business leaders to dissect pivotal issues, including investment landscapes and corporate leadership dynamics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on a significant visit to Malaysia on February 7-8. He will hold crucial discussions with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The visit also includes interactions with the Indian community and industry representatives. The 10th India-Malaysia CEO Forum is scheduled. Leaders will review bilateral cooperation, including trade, investment, and security.

Ladakh clashes: During the two-and-a-half-hour meeting chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, a first after last year's clashes, both groups demanded that jailed activist Sonam Wangchuk be freed and 70 other detainees be released unconditionally.

Greenland crisis: The EU put the votes on hold when Trump threatened a wave of new tariffs on European countries that objected to his aim to annex Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark. Trump abruptly withdrew that tariff threat after several days.

Financial Word of the Day: Hicksian demand refers to the quantity of a good a consumer would purchase after a price change, assuming their utility, or level of satisfaction, is kept constant. In simple terms, it measures demand driven only by substitution, not by changes in real income.

Silver prices dropped sharply after rising very fast in global markets. Heavy selling caused prices to fall within hours. Gold also moved down at the same time. Market tension, fast price swings, and investor profit booking increased volatility. Experts warn that precious metal prices can change quickly, so investors should stay careful in the short term.

Trump assassination attempt: Prosecutors had asked for life without parole, saying Ryan Routh is unrepentant and has never apologized. A defense attorney brought in for his sentencing asked for 27 years, noting that Routh is already turning 60.

Is ChatGPT down? ChatGPT experienced widespread outages on Wednesday afternoon, preventing users across the U.S. from loading responses or logging in. Downdetector reported a surge in issues starting Tuesday, with thousands flagging problems by Wednesday. OpenAI acknowledged the disruption and stated they are working on a mitigation, though a restoration timeline was not provided.

India's space agency ISRO is closely watching intense solar flares. These powerful bursts from the Sun can cause radio blackouts and affect satellite communications. Over 50 Indian satellites are under constant monitoring. Scientists are tracking potential impacts on Earth's atmosphere and technology. Further solar activity is expected from a growing sunspot. This could disrupt communication and navigation systems.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei warns that AI's rapid advancement poses a significant threat to jobs, potentially disrupting up to 50% of entry-level white-collar roles within 1-5 years. Unlike past automation, AI's speed, cognitive breadth, and general labor substitution capabilities could transform workplaces more deeply and quickly, necessitating a pragmatic approach to managing its consequences.