The Economic Times

Surajkund Mela 2026 Dates: Faridabad's Surajkund Mela, now in its 39th edition, opens today, January 31, showcasing crafts and culture until February 15. Egypt is this year's partner nation, promising a vibrant spectacle with enhanced lighting and renovated grounds. Expect diverse arts, performances, and global cuisines at this annual cultural extravaganza.

Magha Purnima, a spiritually significant full moon day observed in early February 2026, marks the culmination of the holy month of Magha. Devotees observe fasting, take sacred baths in holy rivers, and offer prayers to Lord Vishnu and the Moon God. Charity and good deeds are strongly emphasised, as they are believed to multiply spiritual merit and bring divine blessings.

Two Indian wetlands, Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch, are now Ramsar sites. This brings India's total to 98. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the local communities and conservationists. These sites are vital habitats for many bird and animal species. The government reaffirms its commitment to biodiversity protection and ecosystem preservation.

Co-ord sets dominate celebrity wardrobes for their effortless polish, easy styling, and versatility perfect for travel days, red carpets, brunches, and statement appearances.

TN TET Result 2025 PDF: The Teacher Recruitment Board (TRB) has released the TN TET 2025 results and final answer key, announcing a 5% cut-off mark reduction for reserved categories. This move offers relief to many candidates, with eligibility certificates available online from February 2.

Delhis air quality in January 2026 has slightly worsened compared to last year, with an average AQI of 307 versus 306 in January 2025, according to CREA. This makes January 2026 the second-best since 2022, which had an average AQI of 279.

Howard Lutnick, President Donald Trumps commerce secretary, planned a visit to Jeffrey Epsteins private island in December 2012, documents released by the Justice Department show. Lutnick, who has said he cut ties with Epstein years earlier, emailed Epstein asking if he and his family could join a Caribbean lunch gathering.

Three teenage girls from Quebec have been rescued from a Richmond Hill home. Police acted on intelligence suggesting they were victims of sexual exploitation. A Toronto man and a teenage boy have been arrested and face human-trafficking related charges. Investigators believe there may be more victims. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has warned member states that the United Nations faces an imminent financial collapse due to unpaid dues and rigid budget rules, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

S&P 500 Dow Nasdaq January performance: US stocks ended lower Friday, with tech shares under pressure. Investors reacted positively to President Trump's nomination of Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair, boosting the dollar and Treasury yields. Gold and silver prices crashed after a year-long rally, with silver experiencing its worst day on record. Despite volatility, major indexes finished January higher.

Kevin Warsh has been nominated by President Donald Trump as the next chair of the US Federal Reserve and faces an early test as he seeks to deliver on promises of major policy change. Warsh has pledged to shrink the Feds balance sheet and argued that artificial intelligencedriven productivity gains will keep inflation low, creating room for lower interest rates. After three rate cuts late last year, the Fed paused in January amid persistent inflation and a steady labour market, with markets not

The Euro zone economy showed surprising strength at the end of last year. Growth exceeded expectations, defying trade tensions. Countries like Spain and Germany performed well. Inflation is stable, aligning with the European Central Bank's target. This economic resilience offers a positive outlook for the region's financial stability.

Gold silver prices: Silver's dramatic surge has pushed the gold-to-silver ratio to multi-year lows, significantly outperforming gold. This shift is attributed to broader economic and geopolitical uncertainties, coupled with robust industrial demand for silver. Analysts suggest this trend could continue, though individual investment decisions require careful consideration of risk.

Why are US stocks falling down and who are biggest losers and gainers? US stocks closed lower as investors reacted to President Donald Trumps Federal Reserve nominee, inflation data, and a sharp fall in gold and silver prices, while select tech and consumer stocks limited losses.

Catherine OHara cause of death: Beloved actress Catherine OHara has passed away at 71. Emergency services responded to a medical situation at her Los Angeles residence early Friday. She was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead hours later. Her agency stated she died after a brief illness. OHara was celebrated for her iconic roles in Schitts Creek and Home Alone.

A job seeker's year-long quest for a Finance Analyst position ended successfully. He applied to 250 jobs and sent 550 cold emails. His strategy involved tailored applications and contacting multiple people at companies. Crucially, he used LinkedIn Premium for cold outreach. This approach led to interviews and ultimately, an offer. His journey highlights the power of persistence.

Why is gold price nosediving by over 12% and will it go below $4,724 or rise again? Gold prices fell after the U.S. dollar strengthened following Kevin Warshs Federal Reserve nomination. Reduced safe-haven demand triggered heavy selling. Citi expects some risks to fade in 2026, keeping gold volatile around key levels.

The US Justice Department has released new Epstein files under a transparency law. Millions of records were shared online. The data includes documents, videos, and images linked to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Some details were removed to protect victims. The move aims to increase public trust and show what officials knew earlier.

Thought of the day by Maurice Setters shares a quote about silver lining and gold. The explainer covers the meaning of the thought of the day, details about Maurice Setters, and why the quote still matters today.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has blocked servers and promotional channels linked to the 'Wingo' app, identifying it as a 'telecom mule' platform. The app was allegedly used to send fraudulent SMS messages from users' phones without consent. Citizens are warned against downloading or using such applications.

T20 cricket has changed how batsmen play. They now aim for big shots, taking calculated risks. This shift has also liberated bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Varun Chakravarthy are highlighted as India's bowling stars. They use their skills to take wickets. Their focus is on wickets, not just economy rate. India is fortunate to have them.

Receiving a job offer that is below expectations can be both confusing and frustrating, even when the organization is prestigious. A Redditor shared their experience of receiving an offer $15,000 lower than anticipated from a Big 4 firm, at the bottom of the mentioned salary range. While the position offered completely remote work and slightly better benefits, the salary matched their current salary.

The upcoming Union Budget 2026-27 is set to boost the social sector with new welfare schemes for vulnerable groups. Key initiatives include health observatories in eight states to combat diseases, community-managed tribal creches, and sports hubs in schools. The budget also focuses on employment generation, malnutrition, and infrastructure development in remote areas, while preserving tribal culture.

Lakshmi stands serene as elephants pour water over her. Water is not merely a decorative motif; it symbolises the monsoon. The elephants represent the return of movement, the restoration of economic life. The image is a visual metaphor: prosperity arrives when you have the strength and capability to navigate the monsoon of life, to rebuild paths and to reconnect markets. The elephants are not servants; they are partners in wealth creation.

A 27-year-old professional's Reddit post about his BS job sparked a debate on career comfort versus growth. While enjoying a low-stress, remote role, he questioned stagnation. The consensus advised leveraging job stability to acquire new skills and discreetly search for better opportunities, rather than quitting impulsively.

Catherine OHara: Beloved actress Catherine OHara, celebrated for her unforgettable roles over five decades, has passed away at 71 after a brief illness. Known for iconic performances in Home Alone, Beetlejuice, and her Emmy-winning turn as Moira Rose in Schitt's Creek, O'Hara left an indelible mark on comedy. Her manager confirmed her death, with details of the cause remaining undisclosed.

Sunetra Pawar is set to become the new Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The NCP legislative party will vote for her leadership on Saturday. Leaders met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to propose her name. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Saturday evening. Discussions are ongoing regarding Ajit Pawar's former portfolios.

The Supreme Court has declared menstrual health a fundamental right under Article 21, mandating free biodegradable sanitary pads for girl students in all schools. States and UTs must also ensure functional, gender-segregated toilets with water and soap, and establish menstrual hygiene management corners. This ruling aims to uphold the dignity and right to education for adolescent girls.

The two NCP factions are unlikely to merge soon. A powerful section wants Sunetra Pawar to strengthen her hold before any merger. The Sharad Pawar faction pushed for a quick merger. A merger now could mean Sharad Pawar controls party affairs. This is not acceptable to the Sunetra Pawar camp.

Wealth quote of the day by Paul Collier, The greatest danger to the market economy is not recessions or bubbles, but the erosion of trust in the fairness of the system Economist Paul Collier warns the real threat to markets is declining trust in fairness. U.S. income inequality now favors the top 10 percent, while public confidence drops sharply. Colliers research links legitimacy to inclusive growth, corporate ethics, and policy reform. He offers data-backed solutions for equitable markets. Rea

Arab foreign ministers met in Delhi to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict, with a two-state solution and Gaza reconstruction on the agenda. Palestine's foreign minister suggested India could mediate, citing New Delhi's support and clear stance on international law. The meeting also addressed economic ties and the US President's peace board.

The US Securities and Exchange Commission will serve Gautam Adani with a civil fraud lawsuit. This allows the regulator's case against the Indian businessman to move forward. Lawyers for Adani and his nephew Sagar Adani agreed to accept the legal papers. This avoids a court ruling on how they should be served.

February SSI payments coming early: On January 30, 2026, the SSA will release $5 billion in SSI payments two days early. This shift affects 7.4 million Americans because February 1 falls on a Sunday. Recipients now see a $994 maximum individual payment following the 2.8% COLA hike. This early deposit ensures liquidity for low-income households. It prevents payment gaps during the weekend. Check your bank portal for these updated federal funds today.

Quote of the Day: Franz Kafka's timeless words offer a unique perspective on youth and beauty. His quote suggests that the ability to see beauty keeps one young at heart. Kafka, a 20th-century writer, explored themes of alienation and absurdity. His insights continue to resonate, reminding readers that perception shapes our experience of life and aging.

The Allahabad High Court has directed parties in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute to file objections by February 20. The court is examining applications related to the 18 suits seeking possession of land and temple restoration. Earlier, the court had dismissed challenges to the maintainability of Hindu worshippers' suits, deeming them not barred by relevant acts.

Fuddy-duddy is a fun English word for someone old-fashioned or cautious. It describes people who avoid new trends but are pleasant to be with. The word comes from Scottish duddy meaning ragged, and fuddy added for rhyme. Use it for friends or family who love slow, safe, traditional ways of living, like checkers or old clothes.

China's powerful PL-17 long-range missile is now visible in detail. This large missile is designed to strike high-value targets from afar. Its capabilities are prompting the US to develop its own advanced long-range air-to-air weapons. Further details about the PL-17 are expected as China may reveal more about this significant weapon system.

The Justice Department has released over three million pages of documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. These files are part of a law requiring the government to open its records on the financier and Ghislaine Maxwell. The documents include information about Epstein's abuse of young girls and his connections to powerful individuals.

Almost 600,000 jobs gone: A structural efficiency era has hit the 2026 labor market, with nearly 600,000 jobs cut in January alone. This surge reflects a 15% rise in layoff velocity as firms like Amazon and UPS trade human payroll for AI infrastructure. While tech giants report record profits, they are purging middle management to fund automation. This alent remix signals a permanent shift where entry-level white-collar roles are increasingly being replaced by AI agents.