The Economic Times

New York City is grappling with a tragic cold snap. At least ten individuals have succumbed to the extreme weather. Many were found on streets and park benches. Officials are increasing outreach and opening warming centers. Questions are being raised about whether more could have been done to safeguard the city's most vulnerable residents during the severe cold and snowstorm.

President Droupadi Murmu urged MPs to unite on national security, self-reliance, and unity, emphasizing these transcend political differences. She highlighted India's continuous journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047, citing welfare schemes and reforms under the Modi government. The President also lauded the nation's prowess in defense and its fight against terrorism.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Economic Survey 2025-26 in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. This survey offers insights into the economy's state and outlook. Other key events include the tabling of documents related to airport regulation and the presentation of eight Bills passed by Parliament. The Lok Sabha will also address urgent public matters.

Canadians are increasingly embracing domestic travel, with millions more trips taken within the country. This surge, driven by multicultural families and a desire for local experiences, coincides with a significant drop in travel to the United States. Higher costs and a renewed interest in local experiences are cited as key factors. Meanwhile, Canadians are also exploring international destinations beyond the US.

Some Amazon employees got a worrying calendar invitation on Tuesday and the invitation discussed upcoming job cuts and Project Dawn, an Amazon efficiency initiative. The email was sent by Colleen Aubrey, the Vice-President of Amazon Web Services. Aubrey joined Amazon in 2005 and has led multiple roles at the US technology giant.

Why is gold price nearing $5,600 and silver price around $120 mark? Prices rose as investors moved to safe assets. Central bank buying, U.S. policy signals, global tensions, and supply limits supported gains. Silver followed gold as demand and shortages lifted prices.

A 23-year-old man from Bridgewater is due in court today. He allegedly caused a disturbance at a KFC in Adelaide late last night. Police report he attacked three employees and bit an officer during his arrest. The officer sustained facial injuries. Staff were left shaken by the incident. Police swiftly intervened to ensure safety.

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar's mortal remains arrived in Baramati for his funeral. Preparations are underway at Vidya Pratishthan ground. Pawar, a prominent Nationalist Congress leader, died in a plane crash. Supporters gathered to pay their respects. His funeral procession will commence at 9 AM, with the cremation scheduled for 11 AM.

An FIR has been filed against actor Ranveer Singh in Bengaluru. He allegedly compared the Daiva deity to a ghost at a public event. Police registered the case under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complaint states the remarks were made during the IFFI closing ceremony in Goa. This action follows a complaint lodged against the actor.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minnesota received new directives. They are to avoid engaging with protesters. Operations will now focus solely on immigrants with criminal charges or convictions. This marks a shift to a more targeted enforcement approach. The move follows recent fatal shootings of citizens during protests.

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticizes Europe's trade with India. He states Europe indirectly funds Russia's war by importing refined fuel from India made with Russian crude. This comes as India and the EU finalize a significant free trade agreement. The deal, the largest for India, aims for shared prosperity.

Jaya Ekadashi 2026 Vrat Katha and time: Jaya Ekadashi is being observed on January 29, Thursday and this day is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. On this day, people keep a strict fast, perform puja, and chant mantras to please Lord Vishnu. The fast will end tomorrow, i.e. on January 30 during the designated 'Parana Time'.

The Trump administration is withdrawing from plans to set minimum prices for critical minerals projects. This decision stems from a lack of congressional funding and the challenges of market pricing. Officials have informed industry executives that projects must be financially independent. This marks a shift from previous commitments and could differentiate the U.S. from G7 partners discussing price support measures.

Federal immigration operations persist in Minneapolis and St Paul. President Trump made conciliatory remarks after speaking with Governor Walz and Mayor Frey. However, enforcement actions continued on city streets. Journalists faced obstruction while covering these operations. A man confronted Representative Ilhan Omar at a town hall. Federal courts are reviewing lawsuits challenging the crackdown.

Gold price biggest one-day dollar gain: Gold experienced its largest one-day dollar jump in history, soaring $235 an ounce as investors fled the tumbling US dollar for hard assets. This historic rally saw gold futures settle above $5,300, driven by a weak dollar, central bank demand, and market uncertainty. Silver also saw significant gains, reaching its second-highest settlement on record.

Delhi, Noida, Gurugram weather today: The IMD has issued a yellow alert for Delhi on Thursday and the temperature in the national capital is likely to plunge. Delhi may see partly cloudy sky and moderate fog during the morning hours today. Noida and Gurugram are also likely to see similar weather conditions. From February 1, the Delhi-NCR region may see light rainfall.

Federal troops sent to six US cities by the Trump administration have cost taxpayers nearly $500 million. Continued deployment could surpass $1 billion. Senator Jeff Merkley highlighted the significant expenditure. The White House claims these efforts have reduced crime. Legal challenges have arisen regarding the deployments. Costs for future deployments are also estimated.

America is returning a seized oil tanker to Venezuela. The vessel, named M/T Sophia, was apprehended earlier this month. This action is part of a broader US effort to intercept tankers linked to Venezuela. The tanker was carrying oil when it was intercepted. Details regarding the return remain undisclosed. The US has been actively seizing such vessels.

Diplomatic talks have commenced between the United States, Greenland, and Denmark. This engagement aims to de-escalate tensions following President Donald Trump's assertions regarding the Arctic territory. Senior officials are discussing security concerns in the Arctic. The United States has established a process for these discussions. Technical meetings are scheduled with Greenland and Danish officials.

Europe's energy chief voices alarm over reliance on US liquefied natural gas. Recent events have prompted the European Union to seek alternative suppliers. Canada, Qatar, and North African nations are now being considered. This shift comes as the bloc aims to reduce its dependence on any single energy source. Discussions are underway with potential new partners.

The European Union is set to exempt major gas suppliers including the United States and Qatar from new checks. This comes as the bloc finalizes its plan to ban Russian gas imports by late 2027. Countries like Norway, Britain, Algeria, and Nigeria will also receive this exemption.

US stock market today: US stock markets saw a mixed close as the US Federal Reserve held interest rates steady, citing solid economic expansion. Chip stocks surged on strong AI-driven earnings, with Seagate Technology and ASML showing significant gains. Investors now await key tech earnings from Microsoft, Meta, and Apple, while gold prices experienced a remarkable rally.

A government shutdown looms as Senate Democrats demand reforms from the Department of Homeland Security. They seek an enforceable code of conduct for immigration agents and identification requirements. Democrats vow to block funding unless these changes are made. The standoff threatens another shutdown, with Republicans divided on the demands. The situation remains uncertain as the deadline approaches.

United States and Mexico will begin formal talks on reforming the USMCA trade pact. Discussions will focus on stronger rules for industrial goods, critical minerals, and combating unfair trade practices. This review is mandated by the agreement itself. Tensions also rise with Canada over potential US tariffs and trade deals with China.

IBM stock price today: IBM shares surged over 7% after the tech giant announced robust fourth-quarter earnings, surpassing Wall Street's expectations. The impressive performance was fueled by a significant uptick in demand for its software services, particularly those leveraging artificial intelligence. This surge highlights IBM's strategic focus on AI as a key growth engine.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will deliver the keynote address at the ET NOW Global Business Summit 2026, focusing on India's expanding global footprint and its path to becoming the world's third-largest economy by 2030. The summit, themed 'A Decade of Disruption, A Century of Change,' will explore India's role as an innovation capital, building on its manufacturing and technology advancements.

Is silver price dream run over and will it start to fall now? Spot silver remained stable after hitting record highs. Gold, platinum, and palladium also rose as geopolitical tensions and Federal Reserve policy influenced global precious metal markets. Investors track future moves for silver and gold.

Gold has reached $5,400 per ounce amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions. Investors are watching closely as the Federal Reserve keeps interest rates steady. Analysts predict gold could rise to $6,000 sooner than expected. This story explains the factors behind the record rally and what investors should consider next.

TSLA stock price: Tesla shares surged following a $2 billion investment in Elon Musk's AI venture, xAI, and confirmation of its Cybercab robotaxi production this year. This strategic pivot towards AI and robotics underpins the company's substantial valuation, though analysts express caution regarding ambitious timelines and the core EV business's recent revenue decline.

The Pitt Season 2 Episode 4 release time, schedule and how to watch explains when the new episode airs, where to stream it, full season schedule, global timings, story update, and viewing options for HBO Max subscribers.

Meta stock price: Meta stock soared after a robust earnings report and a significant increase in planned spending for artificial intelligence. The company is heavily investing in AI and data centers, mirroring rivals. Despite some setbacks in its Reality Labs and AI model development, Meta is pushing forward. Regulatory challenges and competition from other tech giants remain key concerns.

Sentenced to Be a Hero Episode 4 release time, schedule, what to expect and how to watch details are now confirmed. The episode will stream on January 29, 2026. The story moves to Murid Fortress and reveals new information about Goddess Teoritta and the plans of the military and the temple.

MSFT stock price: Microsoft shares declined in extended trading despite a strong second-quarter earnings beat, as investors prioritized rising AI-related costs over headline figures. The company reported robust cloud revenue and highlighted its expanding AI business, but acknowledged capacity constraints and increased future capital expenditures, impacting investor sentiment.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5 release time, what to expect and how to watch details the global release schedule, streaming platforms, recap of Episode 4, and story focus on Yuji, Megumi, and Kinji Hakari as the Culling Game setup continues.

Fed meeting today: The US Federal Reserve has kept its key interest rate unchanged at 3.50% to 3.75%. Policymakers voted 10-2 to maintain the current rate. Strong economic growth and high inflation are cited as reasons for the decision. Future rate adjustments will depend on incoming economic data. The US Dollar saw support, while equity markets showed mixed movements.

Recent graduates with tech degrees are facing unexpected job market struggles, with one user detailing over 500 applications leading to only two interviews and a return to restaurant work. This experience resonates with many, highlighting a perceived collapse in job opportunities despite strong academic backgrounds and internships.

A sudden all-hands meeting worried employees after a Sunday night email from the CEO. The meeting later revealed the company was acquired, raising fears of job cuts. Workers noticed unclear messages from leadership and mixed signals on job safety. Many employees, especially new hires, are now seeking advice on what to do next.

Taylor Swift feels her privacy has been impacted. Private text messages between Swift and Blake Lively were released. This happened during Lively's legal dispute. Swift is reportedly trying to stay away from the drama. The messages were shared publicly without her consent. This situation has caused strain on their friendship. Other celebrities have also seen their texts revealed.

Shirley Raines, the beloved TikTok star known as Miss Shirley, has passed away at 58. Her non-profit, Beauty 2 the Streetz, announced her death. Raines dedicated her life to serving homeless communities in Los Angeles and Nevada. She provided hair, makeup, food, and clothing, empowering thousands with dignity and respect.

The Election Commission of India has appointed West Bengal's state home secretary and commissioner of police-Howrah as central observers. They will attend a briefing in New Delhi on February 5 and 6. Officers absent from this meeting face disciplinary action. Meanwhile, West Bengal is distributing hearing notices for voter list updates.

India and the European Union have concluded Free Trade Agreement negotiations. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal addressed concerns regarding the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and the automotive sector. The agreement aims to boost 'Make in India' initiatives and create mutual benefits. Discussions also covered services and product safety standards. The pact is expected to strengthen trade routes and foster economic growth.