The Times of India

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met EU ambassadors, emphasizing that stronger India-EU trade, mobility, and security ties will stabilize the global order. He highlighted cooperation on resilient supply chains and public goods like HADR and anti-piracy operations. The upcoming summit is expected to finalize an FTA, a defense partnership, and a mobility agreement.

An FIR in UP details a woman's alleged gang-rape under the guise of 'halala' after an instant triple talaq. The law banning triple talaq has been invoked, alongside provisions for rape and other offenses. This case highlights the legal grey area surrounding halala, a practice not recognized by Indian statutory law.

The Indian Patent Office has rejected AbbVie's patent application for its cancer drug Venetoclax, citing a lack of inventive step and no enhancement in therapeutic efficacy. This decision, if upheld, could allow for the entry of more affordable generic versions of the drug into the Indian market.

A Meitei man visiting his Kuki fiance in Churachandpur was abducted and shot dead on camera, sparking protests and an NIA probe. Graphic footage of the killing circulated widely. The incident occurred amidst ongoing ethnic tensions between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur, highlighting the fragile peace in the region.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit India from February 19-21 to strengthen the strategic partnership and discuss bilateral cooperation for the Global South. The leaders pledged to work together for UNSC reforms and peace in Gaza, with Lula also expected to attend the AI summit and a later BRICS summit.

India has strongly condemned the vandalism of its embassy in Zagreb by the Sikhs for Justice group, which attempted to replace the Tricolour with a Khalistan flag. New Delhi has officially raised the matter with Croatian authorities, demanding justice for the perpetrators and emphasizing the inviolability of diplomatic premises.

The Supreme Court has expedited the legal dispute over the Bhojshala Saraswati Temple cum Maulana Kamal Maula Mosque in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh. The court lifted its stay on the case pending with the MP High Court and decoupled it from the Places of Worship Act.

India's upcoming Census 2027 will collect detailed household information, including building materials, amenities like water and sanitation, and ownership status. For the first time since 1931, caste details will be gathered. The houselisting and housing phase runs April-September 2026, with population enumeration in February 2027.

The Supreme Court refused to stop the ED from accessing information from an I-PAC functionary's seized mobile phone, despite pleas of privacy violation. The court stated it knows how to protect innocent citizens. This comes as ED faced interruptions in Kolkata during a search, unlike in Delhi.

Tragedy struck in Ahmedabad as Congress MP Shaktisinh Gohil's nephew, Yashrajsinh Gohil, allegedly shot his wife Rajeshwari accidentally with a licensed revolver. Devastated by her death, he then reportedly took his own life. Police are investigating the incident, which occurred late Wednesday night in their apartment.

India's banks are seeing their deposit base struggle to keep up with surging commercial credit demand. While bank credit still dominates, its share in funding is shrinking as non-bank sources like NBFCs and bond markets gain prominence. This indicates a significant shift in how businesses are financed, with banks facing increasing pressure.

US regulators are seeking court permission to email summons directly to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and an executive, after India twice refused to serve them. The SEC alleges fraud and a bribery scheme. Adani Group denies the claims, vowing to fight them. India cited procedural issues and questioned the SEC's authority for the rejections.

IndiGo's net profit plummeted 78% to Rs 549 crore in the December quarter, impacted by Rs 577 crore in operational disruptions and Rs 1,000 crore from labour code provisions. Despite flight cuts and fare caps, total income rose 6.7% to Rs 24,541 crore, with the airline carrying 12.4 crore passengers in 2025.

US private equity firm General Atlantic is acquiring a minority stake in Indian snack food maker Balaji Wafers for over Rs 2,000 crore. This investment values the Rajkot-based company at approximately Rs 35,000 crore. The deal aims to support Balaji Wafers' expansion, innovation, and professional team development as it targets an IPO in five years.

Fintech giant PhonePe is preparing for its stock market debut, aiming to raise Rs 12,000 crore. Major investors Tiger Global and Microsoft are fully exiting their stakes as Walmart, the majority owner, reduces its shareholding. This move marks the first Indian venture from Walmart to go public, following a confidential IPO filing last September.

India's exports to the EU will continue to enjoy preferential tariffs on a specific list of products until December 2028, following a renotification by the European Union. While some benefits have been reduced, this extension offers continued support. Furthermore, a potential India-EU Free Trade Agreement, expected soon, is poised to boost several labor-intensive sectors.

Indian missions are being instructed by the PMO and commerce department to prioritize trade engagement with all countries, regardless of current export size. This strategic shift aims to diversify India's export basket and import sources, with embassies tasked with identifying and pursuing opportunities in markets of all scales to build future growth.

Heavy snowfall is expected in Kashmir Valley and Pir Panjal regions starting Friday. Two western disturbances will impact the weather for nearly a week. Authorities are preparing for the harsh winter spell. Moderate to heavy rainfall and snowfall are forecast for south and north Kashmir. High-altitude areas may receive significant snow. Farmers are advised to postpone agricultural activities.

Security forces engaged in an intense gun battle with terrorists in Kishtwar's Chatroo belt, continuing Operation Trashi-I. Searches were also intensified in border areas and localities with a high concentration of foreign nationals as a precautionary measure ahead of Republic Day.

US inflation stayed high in November, exceeding the Federal Reserve's target. This suggests policymakers will likely hold interest rates steady. Consumer spending showed strength, but economists warn of weakening fundamentals. The Fed is assessing earlier rate cuts and new trade pressures. Core inflation also remained elevated, indicating slow progress on price stability.

Congress has issued a strong directive to its Punjab leaders, demanding an end to public displays of internal discord and factionalism. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi emphasized unity for the 2027 assembly elections, assuring no immediate leadership changes. Leaders must raise concerns internally, not through media, to present a united front for victory.

The Bombay High Court sharply questioned the Maharashtra government's adherence to the rule of law, asking if the Chief Minister was too helpless to act against a minister whose son has evaded arrest for weeks. The court's remarks came after the police failed to apprehend the minister's son following the rejection of his pre-arrest bail plea.

Eternal founder Deepinder Goyal has returned over Rs 1,000 crore in unvested ESOPs, expanding the company's pool by 16% to aid talent retention. This move coincides with Goyal stepping down as Group CEO to become Vice Chairman, with Blinkit's Albinder Dhindsa taking over as Group CEO. Goyal will focus on long-term strategy and governance, while Dhindsa leads daily operations.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a productive phone call with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, emphasizing the crucial role of their nations in advancing the Global South's interests. Both leaders expressed optimism about scaling new heights in their strategic partnership and anticipate further collaboration, with President Lula expected to visit India soon.

US equities climbed on Thursday, recovering losses as President Trump eased tariff threats linked to Greenland. Major indices saw gains, extending a relief rally sparked by his softer tone at the World Economic Forum. Despite the rebound, indices remain lower for the week following earlier tariff concerns.

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma claims he was a victim of a rift between Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi during his Congress tenure. He also accused Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi and his wife of having links with Pakistan's ISI, emphasizing national security concerns.

The US economy experienced its fastest growth in two years during the July-September quarter, fueled by strong consumer spending and a surge in exports. Despite this robust GDP expansion, job creation remained subdued, and persistent concerns over the high cost of living continue to impact public confidence.

What can Union Budget 2026 do to help India deal with the negative impact of Trumps tariff policies? Times of India Online asked economists and experts and heres what they had to say:

India's exports to the EU face significantly higher import tariffs from January 1, 2026, as the EU suspends GSP benefits for 87% of Indian goods. This withdrawal ends preferential access, impacting price-sensitive sectors like garments and coinciding with the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, creating a double pressure on exporters.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal launched the 'Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna', offering free cashless medical treatment up to Rs 10 lakh to all 65 lakh families in the state. This universal healthcare cover, accessible to residents with Aadhaar and voter cards, includes over 2,500 procedures at government and select private hospitals.

A Delhi court has acquitted former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in two cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate. These cases stemmed from his failure to appear before the agency in connection with the Delhi excise policy probe. The ED had sought action against Kejriwal for not complying with multiple summons issued under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

Air quality in Delhi-NCR has improved significantly. The Commission for Air Quality Management has lifted Stage-III restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan. This means some construction and demolition activities can resume. However, measures under Stage-I and Stage-II remain in effect. Citizens are urged to follow guidelines to maintain better air quality.

Ten Army personnel were killed and 11 injured in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, after their vehicle fell into a gorge. In Noida, two more builders were arrested over a software engineer's death in a construction pit. Meanwhile, a Meitei man was shot dead by suspected Kuki militants in Manipur.

Education leaders are urging Budget 2026 to boost skilling, digital infrastructure, and higher education financing. They emphasize outcome-focused spending, particularly in rural areas, to solidify India's global education hub ambitions. Key calls include incentivizing 'Last-Mile Skilling,' improving classroom impact through digital tools, and implementing student-centric financing models for higher education.

Former US President Donald Trump launched his Board of Peace initiative at the World Economic Forum in Davos. India received an invitation to join this effort aimed at resolving global conflicts. However, India was not present on the stage during the unveiling. Several countries, including some from the Middle East and Asia, were listed as participants in the initiative.