The Economic Times

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled plans to boost India's services sector. A new committee will identify growth areas and assess technology's impact on jobs. The goal is to make India a global leader in services exports by 2047. This initiative aligns with the Viksit Bharat vision, aiming for inclusive growth through technological advancement.

Budget 2026: The Union Budget gives a significant boost to traditional wellness systems, with plans to train 1.5 lakh caregivers for yoga and Ayurveda services. Three new Ayurveda institutes will be set up, along with ten new allied health disciplines to train one lakh professionals. In addition, three new pharmaceutical education institutes and a network of 1,000 clinical trials have been proposed, underscoring the focus on healthcare skills and research.

India's Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced new support for the 'Orange Economy' in the Union Budget 2026-27. This includes setting up content creator labs in schools and colleges to boost the animation, visual effects, gaming, and comics sector. The government sees creativity-led sectors as key drivers for employment and economic growth.

Snoop Dogg, a renowned artist with an IQ of 147 and a net worth of $135 million, began his music career in 1992 after being discovered by Dr. Dre. His debut album, Doggystyle, released in 1993, achieved significant commercial success, selling millions worldwide. Snoop's assertion of being a 'threat' stems from his commitment to speaking truth and informed opinions.

The Union Budget proposes supporting professional institutions like ICAI and ICSI to develop short-term modular courses for skill enhancement and employability. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled a six-step growth plan, emphasizing manufacturing, traditional industries, MSMEs, infrastructure, security, and city economic regions to drive India's economic progress.

Budget news: India's new budget prioritizes manufacturing growth to boost the economy. The government aims to increase manufacturing's contribution to GDP and create jobs. Investments will target cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure. Reforms are planned to spur private investment and demand. India is also pursuing trade deals to counter global trade challenges. The nation is focused on long-term solutions for economic development.

Akshay Kumar refused to refund the fee after '8x10 Tasveer' movie flopped, claims producer Shailendra Singh, adding that he lost Rs 85 crore as the movie failed to perform at the box office. Singh said Akshay Kumar is money minded, a businessman first and an actor later. Akshay Kumar has a net worth of more than Rs 2,000 crores, as per Forbes, and is one of the richest actors in the industry.

MSMEs Budget news: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled significant support for MSMEs in Budget 2026, aiming to bolster their growth and employment generation. The budget also introduced measures to address rising gold prices, with the Finance Minister highlighting the government's commitment to stabilizing the market. These announcements come amidst a backdrop of global economic uncertainties and India's strong reliance on gold imports.

ISM 2.0 Union Budget 2026: India is launching the second phase of its semiconductor mission. This initiative aims to produce equipment and materials, design Indian intellectual property, and strengthen supply chains. Building on the success of the first phase, this expansion will focus on industry-led research and training centres.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a significant boost to public spending. Capital expenditure will rise to 12.2 lakh crore in FY2026-27. This move underscores a continued focus on infrastructure-led growth. The government will prioritize developing infrastructure in cities with populations over five lakh. This includes tier-2 and tier-3 cities that are emerging as key growth centers.

Serbian tennis sensation Novak Djokovic, a legend of the sport, has redefined modern tennis with his exceptional athleticism and mental fortitude. His record-breaking Grand Slam wins and extended reign as world No. 1 highlight a career marked by resilience and dominance. Djokovic's influence extends beyond the court, inspiring national pride and embodying professionalism.

Union Budget 2026: With the announcement of the 'Biopharma Shakti' initiative, India is gearing up to take the world stage in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed plans to inject Rs 10,000 crore into this sector over the next five years. This initiative will significantly enhance domestic production of biologics and biosimilars.

India is set to boost its rare earth capabilities. The government will support states like Odisha and Kerala to establish dedicated rare earth corridors. This move aims to reduce import dependence and build a complete domestic ecosystem. Initiatives include incentives for permanent magnet production and recycling of critical minerals.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Budget for 2026-27, emphasizing a commitment to reforms and the nation's journey towards becoming a Viksit Bharat. She also tabled the 16th Finance Commission report for tax revenue devolution. This marks Sitharaman's ninth consecutive budget, bringing her closer to Morarji Desai's record.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Union Cabinet has approved the Union Budget 2026-27, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman set to present it in the Lok Sabha. This marks Sitharaman's ninth Budget and the third for the current NDA government, presented amidst global economic uncertainties. The Budget will be delivered in a paperless format, continuing the trend initiated in previous years.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday arrived in Parliament ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27, which will be presented today by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Union Budget 2026 Speech PDF: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026, carrying the documents on a digital tablet inside a bahi-khata pouch, continuing the paperless format. Selected students will witness the presentation live and will also interact with Ministry of Finance officials, giving them valuable exposure to governance and policy-making.

Ram Charan twins baby news: Ram Charan and his wife Upasana Konidela are now parents to three as they welcomed twin baby boy and a girl. Last year, Upsana, an entrepreneur and philanthropist, found herself at the centre of a heated national debate after advising women students at IIT Hyderabad to freeze eggs to prioritise their careers and plan motherhood on their own terms. Upasana is the granddaughter of Prathap C Reddy, founder of Apollo Hospitals, and many accused her of promoting IVF and fe

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Episode 3 release time, schedule and how to watch details are now confirmed. The new episode titled The Squire streams on HBO Max and partner platforms worldwide. Here is the full release time, streaming platforms, episode list, and season update.

SynopsisJujutsu Kaisen Modulo Chapter 20 sees an aged, god-tier Yuji Itadori battle the extraterrestrial Simurians in 2086 Tokyo. As Yuka and Tsurugi Okkotsu face abduction threats, Yuji unleashes Black Flash on command to stop Dabura. Experience the ultimate shonen evolution in this high-stakes sequel.

Former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao faces questioning by the Telangana SIT today. The inquiry concerns alleged phone tapping during the previous BRS government. Rao will appear at his Hyderabad residence. The BRS has called for peaceful protests against the action. The case involves widespread unauthorized phone surveillance. Rao has raised legal objections regarding the questioning venue.

Senior YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu was arrested in Guntur after allegedly making disparaging remarks about Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The arrest followed high drama and protests. The YSRCP accused the ruling party of a murder attempt on Rambabu and alleged a breakdown of law and order in Andhra Pradesh. They sought intervention from central authorities.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met President Droupadi Murmu today. She will present her ninth Union Budget. The budget aims to sustain growth and maintain fiscal discipline. Reforms are expected to buffer the economy from global trade frictions. The budget faces global uncertainties and domestic pressures to boost consumption and job creation.

Budget 2026 Key Takeaways: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 today, outlining the government's economic direction for the fiscal year. Key announcements included significant changes to the income tax structure, with no tax up to Rs 12 lakh income in the new regime. The budget also focused on spurring agricultural growth, boosting manufacturing, and supporting MSMEs.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced major development plans for Dibang Valley district. A feasibility study will assess an Advanced Landing Ground at Anini. Projects include a community hall, a new road and a PWD office. A research center for medicinal plants will be established. Solar streetlights will be installed in Anini township.

Tariff: Trump last week said he would impose a 100% tariffs on Canada if it follows through on a trade deal with China.

A Sydney man has been charged with multiple offences, including stalking and procuring a child for prostitution, after allegedly impersonating a Disney casting agent. He is accused of offering fake film and TV roles in exchange for sexual favours to young actors. The accused, Gerard Vamadevan, was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court next week.

Weather Today: Delhi is under a yellow alert for Sunday with forecasts of rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds due to a western disturbance. Minimum temperatures dipped on Saturday, and while cloud cover may raise night temperatures on Sunday, they are expected to fall again by Thursday. Air quality has worsened to 'very poor'.

Unidentified individuals fired four rounds outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty's Mumbai residence in Juhu early Sunday. Police and crime branch teams are investigating the incident, which led to intensified security and a forensic team collecting evidence. No injuries were reported.

Venezuela: Less than a month after the United States ousted leader Nicolas Maduro on January 3, his former vice president Delcy Rodriguez has gone further than expected by critics toward restoring the rule of law, as sought by Washington.

The final global treaty restricting nuclear weapon deployment, New START, is set to expire on Thursday, leaving the US and Russia without limitations. Despite Russian President Putin's suggestion for a one-year extension, President Trump has remained largely silent, reportedly seeking to involve China in future arms control talks.

NASA is conducting a practice countdown for its new moon rocket. This test is crucial for the upcoming lunar flyby mission. Four astronauts will be the first to travel to the moon since 1972. The mission will see them orbit the moon and return to Earth. The earliest launch date is now February 8.

A vast release of documents connected to Jeffrey Epstein's investigations has revealed interactions between the financier and numerous powerful men, including Prince Andrew, Elon Musk, and Richard Branson. Many individuals have denied close ties or involvement in Epstein's alleged crimes, though some maintained friendships even after his notoriety as a predator.

A Reddit post shared about a new employee being put on a Performance Improvement Plan after just two weeks has sparked discussions about workplace norms. The employee fell seriously ill early, missed days, then got a short, vague PIP without proper metrics. Recruited by a former colleague, they felt blindsided after declining another offer.

Many people on Reddit say plumbing is one of the best jobs for young people. It gives steady income, job security, and chances to start your own business. Plumbing cannot be replaced by computers and is needed everywhere. This makes it a future-safe and reliable career compared to stressful office jobs in tech or finance.

A Reddit worker says he is underpaid despite long hours and heavy work. He claims his boss earns much more but refuses a raise. The worker compares his pay to the bosss childs school fees, making people angry online. The post spreads fast as users discuss low salaries, work pressure, and fairness at jobs.

External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government had seen eports of an email message from the so-called Epstein files that contained a eference to the Prime Minister and his visit to Israel. Beyond the fact of the prime minister's official visit to Israel in July 2017, the rest of the allusions in the email are little more than trashy ruminations by a convicted criminal, which deserve to be dismissed with the utmost contempt, Jaiswal said.

Sharad Pawar expressed unawareness of Sunetra Pawar's proposed Deputy CM swearing-in, signaling a rift within the family. He acknowledged stalled merger talks between NCP factions, hinting that senior leaders influenced Sunetra Pawar's decision, potentially derailing reunification efforts.

With Assembly elections imminent, the BJP is strategically identifying constituencies in Tamil Nadu for the upcoming polls. The party is seeking a larger seat share, focusing on areas like Coimbatore and Kanyakumari where it has strengthened its base and performed well in recent elections.

The Bihar government has transferred the investigation into a NEET aspirant's death to the CBI. This decision follows public outcry and criticism from the opposition. The 18-year-old student was found unconscious and later died. Initial reports suggested suicide, but a post-mortem raised concerns about assault. The state government's move is seen by some as an admission of failure.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Dera Sachkhand Ballan in Jalandhar on Sant Ravidas Jayanti, a significant move ahead of Punjab Assembly elections. This outreach targets the influential Ravidassia community, with the Dera impacting votes in numerous constituencies. The visit follows the Dera chief's Padma Shri award, while other parties also intensify their outreach efforts.

India and Arab Foreign Ministers reaffirmed zero tolerance for terrorism, vowing to strengthen joint efforts against all its forms and manifestations. They condemned cross-border terrorism and the misuse of technology by terrorist groups, expressing support for each other in confronting these threats. Both sides committed to decisive action against globally proscribed terrorists and their financiers.

Before Budget Day became a televised and social-media spectacle, Union Budget speeches were sober, number-heavy statements addressed to Parliament, not markets. Shantanu Nandan Sharma revisits pre-1991 Budgets to show how finance ministers blended hard fiscal choices with philosophy, geopolitics and dry humour. From war-time taxes to witty asides in the House, these speeches reveal the Budget as a human document, not just an economic one.

The Melania documentary released in 2026 has sparked major debate online. Critics gave it very poor ratings, while audience scores remained extremely high. Amazons expensive purchase and marketing plan added to the attention. The big difference between reviews has made people question how the film is being received and why opinions are so divided.

Newly-appointed Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar pledged to uphold her late husband Ajit Pawar's legacy, emphasizing his teachings on duty and commitment to the people. She expressed deep emotion accepting the responsibility, drawing inspiration from historical figures and the support of Maharashtra's citizens. Pawar aims to realize his vision for a just and developed state.

Nudiustertian is a rare and forgotten word that appears in old English writing. It has Latin roots and was first recorded centuries ago. The word is no longer used in daily speech, but writers and language lovers still mention it for interest and style. It highlights how English has changed over time and how some words slowly disappear.