The Economic Times

Korean lover game: A residential society in Ghaziabad was left in shock after three young sisters died following a fall from their ninth-floor apartment early on Tuesday morning. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. The sisters, aged 16, 14 and 12, were found dead at the scene.

India's services sector showed strong recovery in January. New business surged, reaching its fastest pace since November. This growth was fueled by enhanced online presence and marketing efforts. International demand also contributed significantly. However, job creation remained nearly unchanged. Input costs increased, leading to higher service charges. Business confidence for the future is on the rise.

The Trump administration is set to launch a major initiative to secure critical minerals. This plan involves international purchase agreements and the creation of a substantial U.S. strategic reserve. The goal is to reduce reliance on China's control over these vital resources. Vice President JD Vance will address global officials on this significant development.

Today's hack of the day: Quickly discover which Government of India schemes you are eligible for using the one-stop myScheme portal. Enter your basic details and instantly view relevant central and state welfare programmes. This tool simplifies eligibility checks, saves time, and helps you access benefits more easily. Verify final details before applying through official government portals

From experimental drapes to soft glam silhouettes, Bollywoods new-age stars have made sarees feel modern, wearable, and social-media ready.

President Donald Trump wants to build a large arch in Washington D.C. He claims a desire for such a monument has existed for two centuries. However, historical records and experts dispute his claims. The eagles he mentioned are part of a bridge built long after the Civil War. Washington's closest arch was temporary.

Mumbai-Pune Expressway jam: A massive jam occurred on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway after a tanker carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned on the streets. The propylene gas is heavy and authorities immediately stopped the traffic as a precautionary measure. Containers of propylene can rupture if exposed to fire for a long period of time.

Japan Skiing Incident: An Australian man disappeared while skiing near a Japanese ski resort in Niseko, Hokkaido. He was skiing with friends when he vanished and was later found receiving CPR. Authorities are investigating the incident. The man was an employee at a lodging facility and was believed to be in his 20s.

K Meghachandra, the Manipur Congress leader, is making headlines by challenging the Governor in the High Court, demanding the dissolution of the remaining term of the 12th Legislative Assembly. The court, recognising the complexity of constitutional interpretations, has passed the case to a specialised Division Bench.

Karan Wahis casual style reflects comfort, confidence, and quiet refinement where everyday dressing feels intentional, relaxed, and consistently in sync with modern menswear sensibilities.

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla's mother was seriously injured in a suspected hit-and-run in Pune and requires surgery. Shehzad's brother, Tehseen Poonawalla, shared the CCTV footage of the incident on social media and alleged that his mother was deliberately attacked. Authorities have been urged to apprehend the perpetrator, with the family expressing outrage over the incident involving a senior citizen.

India-US Trade Deal: India and the US have agreed to a trade deal with reduced US tariffs on Indian goods. However, India's commitment to halt Russian oil purchases in exchange for lower US tariffs carries economic and political risks, Fitch's CeditSights noted. This shift could increase India's import costs and potentially fuel inflation, though sourcing Venezuelan crude might offer some cost benefits.

IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming: India and South Africa will clash in a crucial T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match on Wednesday, February 4. This fixture offers both defending champions India and South Africa a final opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and player combinations before the tournament officially begins. Fans can catch the live action on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

Ruling National Conference legislators protested in Jammu demanding statehood restoration and an end to violence against Kashmiris. Opposition parties dismissed the protest as a drama. The Speaker refused amendments on Article 370, 35A, and statehood. Meanwhile, a debate over establishing a National Law University triggered a Jammu versus Kashmir discussion.

NTA Jee Session 1 Response Sheet 2026: The NTA is expected to release the answer key for JEE Main today on their official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Students need to log in to the official website with need their application number and password to check the JEE Session 1 answer key. They can challenge the provisional answers till February 5, 2026.

Garena Free Fire Max players can get free items using redeem codes on February 4th, 2026. These codes are 12-character alphanumeric strings. Players must visit the official redemption site and log in to claim their rewards. Redeem codes are valid for a short time and can be used only once. Act fast to secure your in-game items.

Thousands of backers of Venezuela's former leader Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted in a deadly US military operation, marched in Caracas on Tuesday to demand his freedom. The law has not yet come before parliament, whose leader is the acting president's brother, Jorge Rodriguez, another staunch Chavista and Maduro backer.

Stephen Miran, a US Federal Reserve Governor, has resigned as an economist advisor to the Trump administration. This move fulfills a pledge made to the Senate during his confirmation. Miran was an asset to the White House economic team. President Trump had nominated Miran to the Fed's board. His dual role had raised concerns about the central bank's independence.

US warships have arrived off the coast of Haiti as the nation grapples with ongoing gang violence and political instability. The deployment, part of Operation Southern Spear, underscores the US commitment to Haiti's security ahead of the Presidential Transitional Council's mandate expiration. This action follows years of escalating crises and the collapse of government authority in much of the country.

Spain plans to ban children under 16 from social media. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the move to protect young users. Platforms will need strong age verification. This is part of a wider European effort to regulate online spaces. Spain aims to hold platforms accountable for harmful content and disinformation. The proposed ban is expected to be approved soon.

Uttar Pradesh rainfall: Many parts of the eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh are likely to see fog today and the weather is likely to remain dry throughout the region. Light spell of rain with thunderstorms is likely in Lucknow today. Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut are likely to see fog and mist during the early morning hours today.

Americans in Cuba face government-backed protests and entry denials. The US embassy warns of severe disruptions from power outages and fuel shortages. These issues stem from US actions blocking oil supplies. Cuba's national grid is unstable. Citizens are advised to conserve resources and prepare for significant challenges. Communication between Cuba and the US continues.

UGC Net 2025 Result: The results of UGC-NET are set to be declared on Wednesday, February 4 and candidates can check the results on the official website ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The UGC NET result will confirm eligibility for Assistant Professor posts, Junior Research Fellowship and Ph.D. admissions under the revised UGC guidelines.

India will stop buying Russian oil and increase energy imports from the United States. This agreement follows direct talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India also committed to significant investments in the US across various sectors. Sensitive Indian economic areas like agriculture and dairy have been protected in the trade deal.

NTA UGC NET Result 2026: The UGC NET December 2025 results are expected on February 4, 2026, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) releasing them on its official website. Candidates are advised to keep alternate links handy due to anticipated heavy traffic. The exam determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and Junior Research Fellowship.

Quote of the Day: Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio in Puerto Rico, has achieved global fame by embracing his true self. His music, blending reggaeton and trap, broke boundaries. He rejected expectations in genre, language, and fashion. His albums have topped charts and won prestigious awards. Bad Bunny's journey highlights the power of authenticity and self-ownership in challenging societal rules.

President Donald Trump has extended a key trade program for Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act will now run until December 31, 2025. This provides certainty for businesses. The program offers duty-free access to the US market for many African products. This extension comes amid ongoing diplomatic relations between the US and South Africa.

President Donald Trump signed a spending bill on Tuesday ending the four-day partial government shutdown sparked by Democratic opposition to funding for the federal agency carrying out his sweeping immigration crackdown. Trump, who presided over a record 43-day government shutdown last summer, had been pressuring Republicans to adopt the spending bill and end the closure which began on Saturday.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly killed in an armed attack at his Zintan residence. Four masked gunmen allegedly stormed his home, leading to a confrontation that resulted in his death. His political team is calling for an investigation into the incident.

A complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is now with lawmakers. It alleges she withheld classified information for political reasons. The complaint was filed months ago. Gabbard's office denies the allegations. Lawmakers have been pushing for the report. This comes as Gabbard faces scrutiny over her role in a Georgia election search.

Adani Defence and Aerospace is embarking on a strategic alliance with Italian aerospace expert Leonardo to produce helicopters in India. This initiative not only responds to the Indian armed forces' projected need for approximately 1,000 military choppers but also strives to fortify the nation's aerospace manufacturing landscape.

Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, is feared kidnapped after disappearing from her Arizona home. A ransom note reportedly demanding millions in Bitcoin has surfaced, with authorities treating the case as a criminal act. Investigators are working to recover deleted surveillance footage and are concerned for her well-being due to daily medication needs.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hailed the reduction in tariffs by the US as a game-changer for Indian exporters. This development is likely to fortify the Indian rupee and entice more international investments, positioning India as a key player on the global economic stage.

The US and India have inked a pivotal trade agreement with which both nations stand to gain. By slashing reciprocal tariffs on Indian exports, the deal safeguards vital sectors like agriculture and dairy.

AMD announced strong fourth quarter earnings and a positive first quarter outlook. Revenue reached a record $10.3 billion. Despite beating expectations, the company's stock saw a decline. AMD's data center and PC segments performed well. The company is also focusing on AI hardware and future technologies.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has revealed the company's plans to invest in OpenAI remained on track following recent reports that the deal had been stalled.

Nancy Guthrie's pacemaker stopped syncing with her Apple devices before her disappearance, a detail emerging as police shift focus to investigation. Authorities found her phone and watch inside her Arizona home. The 84-year-old's family is praying for her safe return, with blood and forced entry signs reported at the residence.

A Reddit user shared a layoff shock after her husband lost his job soon after parental leave. The couple recently bought a home and had a baby. With severance and limited savings, they face financial stress. Living in New York, they worry about unemployment limits and a weak job market.

Official-level meetings were held across sectors at regular intervals besides Quad Working Group meetings to keep momentum in ties. Several US Congressmen also undertook visits to India in recent months, showcasing bipartisan support for ties.

Tata Advanced Systems, L&T and Bharat Forge have been shortlisted to build next-gen AMCA fighter jets after technical evaluation. HAL is out, with the final winner to be chosen in three months.

Jill Biden's ex-husband, William Stevenson, 77, has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in the death of his wife, Linda Stevenson, 64. Police found Linda unresponsive in their Delaware home on December 28th following a domestic dispute. Stevenson, an author and former owner of the Stone Balloon, was previously married to Dr. Jill Biden.

Sergio Gor, who is among a small group of people considered part of Trump's inner circle, is understood to have conveyed Indian concerns and sentiments over the often tense negotiations, helping break the logjam and secure a breakthrough in the talks, they added.

Gold price again closer to $5,000 per ounce today. Gold futures surged nearly 7% on Feb. 3, jumping over $320 in one session and trading near $5,000 per ounce. Prices opened around $4,948 after closing near $4,653 a day earlier. Heavy central-bank buying, falling real yields, and geopolitical risk drove demand. Gold has now outperformed stocks over two years. Major banks see prices reaching $6,000 in 2026 as safe-haven flows accelerate.

The Indo-US trade deal gives India a clear tariff edge over China, eases pressure on MSME exports, boosts defence and energy ties, and strengthens supply-chain and tech partnerships amid global realignments.

Silver futures saw a sudden surge as prices jumped sharply in early trade. Strong buying interest returned after recent losses. Global cues, tariff cut hopes, and bullish expert views pushed silver higher. Investors are closely tracking silver prices now, as momentum is rising fast and long-term targets for the metal are being discussed.