The Economic Times
Elections 2026Global Business / The Economic Times
A Japanese town near Mount Fuji has cancelled its iconic cherry blossom festival due to overtourism. Badly behaved visitors caused traffic, litter, and trespassing, leading residents to declare a crisis. Authorities cited the need to protect the living environment and dignity of citizens after a decade of the popular event.
Spartacus: House of Ashur Finale Episode 10 release time, schedule, spoilers and how to watch details are now confirmed. The final episode airs on Starz on February 6, 2026. The story focuses on arena fights, power shifts, and outcomes for Ashur, Caesar, and the House of Ashur.
Quote of the day by John Locke: His philosophy, rooted in empiricism, posits that all knowledge stems from experience. His seminal work, 'An Essay Concerning Human Understanding,' emphasizes that our understanding is built upon sensory encounters, shaping our perception of the world. Locke's enduring influence extends to modern thought, impacting liberalism, education, and human rights.
The Trump administration is launching TrumpRx, a new online tool designed to help Americans find lower prescription drug costs. The website will direct consumers to pharmaceutical companies' direct-to-consumer sites for purchases, aiming to simplify access to discounted prices negotiated with manufacturers. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to reduce healthcare expenses for voters.
Opus 4.6: AI firm Anthropic has launched Claude Opus 4.6, its most advanced artificial intelligence model. This new version is designed for complex financial research and enterprise tasks. It can analyze company data, create presentations, and debug code. The release follows Anthropic's earlier legal automation tool, which raised concerns about AI's impact on software businesses.
Finneas O'Connell has defended his sister Billie Eilish's recent Grammy Awards speech. Eilish criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stating 'no one is illegal on stolen land' and 'f**k ICE'. Finneas called out 'powerful old white men' for their outrage, referencing their alleged connections to the Epstein files. Several celebrities also showed support for the cause.
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come brings back Grace in a new and more dangerous survival game. After escaping once, she is hunted again by powerful families fighting for control. The Ready or Not sequel shows a bigger world, higher risks, and a deadly chase where only one side can win.
West Bengal's electoral roll revision has uncovered shocking anomalies. One individual in Birbhum's Nanoor is listed as the father of 389 children. In Howrah's Sankrail, 310 voters share a single parent. The Election Commission of India has written to the Chief Secretary regarding these and other discrepancies, demanding action by February 9.
The Pitt Season 2 Episode 5 release time, schedule and how to watch details confirm the next chapter of the HBO Max medical drama. The episode airs on February 5 in the US and February 6 globally. The story continues during a July 4 hospital shift, tracking doctors facing emergencies, workplace tension, and personal pressure in real time.
Bitcoin and the wider crypto market are facing a harsh winter as prices fall, confidence weakens, and attention shifts to other assets. Gold is winning as a safe choice, AI is pulling talent and money away, and big buyers may turn into sellers. Together, these warning signs make the current crypto downturn feel colder than before.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will boost Lakshmir Bhandar benefits from February 2026. This move aims to strengthen the financial standing of approximately 2.42 crore women. SC/ST women will receive an additional 500, bringing their total to 1,700. General category women will also get an extra 500, increasing their payout to 1,500.
Kazakhstan has not supported Pakistan's stance on the Jammu and Kashmir issue. Pakistan claimed joint backing on UN resolutions. However, official Kazakh sources and news agencies have not released any statement referencing Kashmir. Documents from the visit focus on economic cooperation and commercial agreements. This clarifies Kazakhstan's position on the matter.
The Lok Sabha passed the motion of thanks on the President's address without debate or the Prime Minister's reply. Speaker Om Birla requested the Prime Minister not to attend the House citing potential disruptions. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi denied any plan to harm the Prime Minister.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is expediting solutions for light combat aircraft design challenges. The company's chief stated that exclusion from the advanced multirole combat aircraft program would not significantly impact growth. HAL anticipates substantial manufacturing orders for the light combat aircraft and its Mk2 version in the coming years.
In May 2025, the Centre had imposed limits on wheat stocks that wholesalers, retailers and processors can keep with them. The move was aimed at preventing hoarding and controlling prices.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Rajya Sabha, accusing opposition parties of disrespecting the President and the Constitution. He highlighted India's progress and future aspirations, stating the nation is on a path to becoming a developed country.
India is entering a new growth phase powered by Artificial Intelligence. AI is transforming industries and energy systems, increasing power demand. However, AI also offers solutions for greater energy efficiency. India is well-positioned to leverage AI for autonomous operations, optimizing productivity and setting global benchmarks for energy optimization as it pursues growth.
India green bonds: The Centre will decide the precise amount of the sovereign green bond float in financial year 2027 in March when it finalises its borrowing plan for the next fiscal, but usually the project pipeline is readied for such funding well before.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain are members of the GCC. The terms of reference (ToR) outline the scope and modalities of a proposed trade pact.
Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla highlighted the government's priority on law and order. Coordinated efforts have brought peace and stability to the state. Security forces have recovered numerous arms and explosives. Humanitarian measures, including direct benefit transfers and resettlement packages, are underway for displaced persons. The government plans continued resettlement and financial assistance.
New Delhi will host the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026 next week. Corporate leaders, diplomats, and specialists will gather. Discussions will cover geopolitics, global trade, investment, and business transformation. International and Indian leaders will share insights on economic integration, technology, and healthcare. The summit promises a comprehensive outlook on global business dynamics.
Warner Bros' film and television studios, along with its vast content library and franchises, are attracting interest from Netflix and Paramount Skydance. Netflix has put forward an offer of $82.7 billion to acquire Warner Bros Discovery. The U.S. Department of Justice is currently examining this proposal. A rival, hostile bid from Paramount Skydance is also under review by the department.
Ethereum price has dropped sharply and moved below the $2,000 level, worrying investors. Strong selling, weak buying interest, and poor market mood are adding pressure. Traders are now watching key support zones closely. The market remains volatile, and short-term direction is still unclear as caution dominates crypto trading sentiment.
The word impetuous captures the human tendency to act quickly under the influence of strong emotions rather than careful thought. It explains behavior driven by impulse, urgency, or passion, often leading to unexpected consequences. In modern life, the word applies to daily situations such as sudden career decisions, emotional conversations, and instant digital responses.
Pakistan's military claims a successful counter-terrorism campaign in Balochistan, reporting 216 terrorists killed while downplaying significant losses from a recent BLA attack. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif admitted the BLA is better equipped, raising concerns for China and the US regarding their investments in the region's resources.
Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain acknowledged a setback in India relations during the interim government. He expressed optimism that the upcoming elected government will mend ties. The interim period saw a slowdown in bilateral progress. However, key negotiations were advanced. Bangladesh has reduced tariffs, easing the workload for the next administration.
ETH price crash: Ethereum's price has plunged below $2,000, its lowest in nearly a year, amid a wider crypto market crash. Founder Vitalik Buterin's recent sales, totaling thousands of ETH for privacy projects, add to selling pressure. Despite this, he remains bullish on Ethereum's long-term prospects, though technical indicators suggest further declines are possible.
India's e-commerce success hinges on execution, not just sales. Shiprocket emerged by solving complex logistics challenges. It connected warehousing, shipping, and settlements, transforming operations from manual to software-driven. This approach enabled small and mid-sized sellers to achieve national scale. Shiprocket's focus on India's unique constraints built a scalable system.
Lone was responding to LGs address during the ongoing budget session of the J&K assembly in the winter capital of Jammu. Lone, who has served as a minister in the PDP-BJP government between 2015-18, said that LGs addressprepared by the ruling NC led government was an unemotional bureaucratic document written to make LG happy instead of the people of J&K.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has defended Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu. He accused the Congress of showing hatred towards Sikhs. Modi also spoke about MP C Sadanandan Master's speech. Master displayed his artificial limbs. The Prime Minister blamed the INDI alliance for violence. He stated that the attack on Master was due to ideological differences.
Silver price crash down 15% today: Silver collapsed 15% today while gold fell only 2%. Silver futures plummeted 15.30% today, crashing to $73.17 per ounce from Januarys $111 peak. This $11.23 intraday drop triggers massive liquidations. Gold also slipped 2.25% to $4,839. Silvers 135% annual gain remains despite this volatility. High industrial demand meets speculative selling. This price correction offers a strategic entry. Investors monitor the $70 support level closely. Market volume surged to
Opposition leaders staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha. This action followed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's response to the President's Address debate. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated the government prevented opposition leaders of the house from speaking. He condemned the alleged insults directed at opposition figures. The opposition decided to protest this denial of their right to speak.
Assam election: During an interaction with journalists, state BJP president Dilip Saikia said the party will be in the fray, riding on the plank of making a safe, developed and self-reliant Assam.
The Indian Army is removing colonial names from 246 roads, buildings, and facilities. This initiative honors India's heroes and military traditions. Many British-era names are being replaced with those of gallantry awardees and distinguished leaders. This move strengthens an identity rooted in India's history and ethos.
Volvo Cars shares crashed after the company reported weak earnings and warned of tough times ahead. Profits fell sharply, missing market hopes. Higher tariffs, weak car demand, and fewer EV benefits added pressure. Big banks also gave negative views. These worries together caused panic selling and a sharp fall in Volvos stock price.
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee is expected to hold interest rates steady at 5.25% amid supportive economic signals. Analysts anticipate a pause following cumulative rate cuts, with a focus on liquidity management and transmission of existing easing measures.
NVIDIA, Intel, Alphabet, Palantir, Qualcomm, and AMD stocks crashed today. AI stocks in free fall today. Alphabets projected $185 billion AI spend sparked a massive tech sell-off. The Nasdaq fell 1.7% today. Investors now demand real revenue, not just high costs. Job openings hit a four-year low of 6.54 million. Layoffs reached a 17-year January peak. NVIDIA and AMD shares plummeted as risk appetite vanished. This volatility signals a shift. The AI bubble isn't just leaking. It is being repriced
Replying to the debate in the Rajya Sabha on the motion of thanks on the President's address, PM Modi also took veiled digs at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.
US stock market big crash today: Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq fell today. Gold, silver, and crypto all trade deep in the red. The Nasdaq Composite plummeted 1.43% to close at 22,578.17. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 fell 1.08% to 6,808.63. The Dow Jones shed 385.81 points, a 0.78% drop. This crash was fueled by Alphabet's massive spending plans. The Google parent projected $185 billion in AI capital expenditures for 2026. This huge number scared investors. They now worry about long-term profit margins.

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