The Economic Times

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were disrupted for the third consecutive day as Congress MPs demanded Rahul Gandhi be allowed to quote from an unpublished memoir concerning the 2020 India-China clashes.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.

A 21-year-old student suffered burns to her arm, neck, and stomach when gas-filled balloons exploded in a lift in Goregaon. The incident occurred when a delivery person carrying the balloons entered the lift with the student. Police have registered a negligence case against the shop owner for failing to provide safety instructions or equipment to his employee.

The Trump administration is reducing federal immigration enforcement agents in Minnesota. About 2,000 agents will remain. This move follows protests and lawsuits against the surge of agents. The administration aims for mass deportations. Cooperation from local sheriffs is cited as a reason for the reduction. More jail cooperation is sought for migrant transfers.

Steve McQueens Quote of the Day talks about change, courage, and starting something new. The quote reminds people to let go of the past and face the future. Steve McQueen was a famous Hollywood actor known for action movies, a tough image, and meaningful words that still inspire people today.

US stock market today: Dow jumps over 230 points while Nasdaq drops 150. S&P 500 stays flat as gold and silver hit fresh record highs. The Dow Jones hit a record 49,509.30 today. It gained 268.31 points. In contrast, the Nasdaq dropped 145.37 points. This split shows a major market rotation. Investors are leaving tech for value stocks. AMD plunged 14% on weak forecasts. This dragged down the semiconductor sector. Meanwhile, gold surged past $5,000. Silver jumped 7.42% to $89.48.

APP stock: AppLovin shares plummeted Wednesday as a sector-wide software selloff intensified. Investors are increasingly wary of AI's potential to disrupt the mobile advertising market, with new platforms like CloudX aiming to automate ad operations. This development casts a shadow over AppLovin's significant ad tech exposure, even as it anticipates strong earnings.

Matt Nagy spent the past three seasons in that role with Kansas City, including helping the Chiefs win the Super Bowl in the 2023 season and reach the title game in 2024.

Elon Musk, one of the most prominent and richest tech leaders of Silicon Valley, is a business genius and always inspires people with his thoughts and insights. In one of his quotes, Musk talks about how you should focus on doing things better in life . The quote emphasises about developing a habit of continuous improvement and never settling for average performance.

India and the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council bloc will sign terms of reference for free trade agreement talks. This marks a resumption of negotiations after earlier rounds in 2006 and 2008. The agreement aims to boost trade between India and countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain.

In 2025, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) reduced its institutional and core programme budget by over USD 80 million and for 2026, a further USD 113 million reduction is estimated, UN officials said.

Scientists warn that future Moon and Mars missions face serious reproductive health risks. Space radiation, microgravity, and stress may affect fertility and healthy development. Experts say humans are not ready for space reproduction yet. They call for more research, strong ethics rules, and global planning to protect astronauts as long space missions increase.

The Election Commission is organizing a national conference for state election commissioners on February 24. This marks the first such meeting in over two decades. Commissioners from all states and Union Territories will attend. The conference aims to enhance coordination between the Election Commission and state bodies. Discussions will cover electoral laws, voter eligibility, and technology.

Comedian and actor Dave Coulier, widely recognized for Full House, has revealed that he is in remission from two cancers: Stage III non-Hodgkin lymphoma and HPV-related oropharyngeal tongue cancer. Speaking on Good Morning America, he stated, Its been a roller coaster ride for sure. Im in remission with both cancers. And what a journey this has been.

Washington Post Layoffs 2026: The Washington Post slashed its Metro staff by 70% this Wednesday. Only 12 reporters remain from a team of 40. Owner Jeff Bezos ordered these deep cuts to offset $177 million in losses. The paper is shuttering its Sports and Books sections immediately. This strategic reset shifts focus toward federal politics and national security. It marks a retreat from local reporting. Subscriptions remain stalled well below the 3 million peak.

Did you know: Your brain is constantly renewing itself through a process known as phagocytosis, in which cells surround and break down smaller cells or molecules.

Elon Musk reacted briefly to Melinda French Gates' comments on Bill Gates and Jeffrey Epstein's newly released files. French Gates expressed sadness over painful times linked to her marriage. Bill Gates has denied allegations made in the documents. Musk's name also appears in the files, detailing Epstein's invitations to his island. Musk denies visiting Epstein's island or plane.

Lingayat and SC/ST MLAs are holding meetings in Bengaluru. They aim to pressure the AICC leadership for a Chief Minister post. They also seek more cabinet berths and important portfolios. These meetings signal renewed political activity. Observers see this as a counter to pressure from the Deputy CM's camp. The community leaders want fair representation in the government.

A significant 88% of individual taxpayers have opted for the new tax regime, with the government not planning a sunset clause for the old regime. The new regime offers lower tax rates and exemptions for those earning up to Rs 15 lakh annually. The Budget also proposes changes to MAT and STT to influence taxpayer behavior.