The Economic Times

Negotiators from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States are meeting in Abu Dhabi. They aim to advance talks to end the four-year war. Recent Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy grid cast a shadow over the discussions. The main disagreement centers on the future of eastern Ukrainian territory. Russia demands troop withdrawal and recognition of seized land.

Today's word of the day 'hornswoggle' means to trick or deceive someone, often in a clever or amusing way.' We explore its mysterious American slang roots and how it adds a playful tone to everyday tales of being fooled.

A crucial meeting of the High-Powered Committee for Ladakh is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon in New Delhi. Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, will lead discussions on protecting Ladakh's unique culture and language. The committee will also address land and employment protections, and empower local councils. This meeting follows previous deliberations on constitutional safeguards for the region.

Temprature Cuba: Cuba experienced a historic cold snap on January 3. A weather station in Matanzas province recorded zero degrees Celsius, a first for the island. This freezing temperature is the lowest ever officially documented. Unusually cold conditions affected many parts of the country. Frost was reported on crops, a rare sight.

Gold and silver import prices have been reduced by India's government. This action lowers the customs duty on these precious metals. The move comes as global prices for gold and silver are near record highs. India is a major consumer of gold and the largest market for silver. The government typically revises these prices every two weeks.

World Cancer Day 2026, observed on February 4, will bring people across the globe together in the fight against cancer. The theme, United by Unique, highlights the importance of personalised care for every patient. Early detection, healthy lifestyle habits and accessible treatment remain crucial in improving survival rates. Awareness can truly save lives. Simple actions, such as sharing information or supporting campaigns, can make a real difference. Above all, the day promotes hope, compassion

India and the European Union have concluded a Free Trade Agreement, a pact of major geoeconomic significance covering one-third of global trade. While ratification is likely, the process is expected to be protracted and politically contested due to potential concerns over sensitive sectors and regulatory standards.

Pakistan's T20 World Cup journey faces a significant hurdle. A government decision to forfeit their match against India could jeopardize their progress. The team must win all their remaining group games to stay in contention. Despite recent victories against Australia and South Africa, this political decision adds immense pressure.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee plans to argue her own case in the Supreme Court. She is challenging the Election Commission's special intensive revision of voter rolls. This move could make her the first sitting chief minister to personally advocate in court. The Election Commission has been directed to ensure transparency and voter accessibility in the revision process.

BJP Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla's mother was seriously injured in a suspected hit-and-run in Pune and requires surgery. Shehzad's brother, Tehseen Poonawalla, shared the CCTV footage of the incident on social media and alleged that his mother was deliberately attacked. Authorities have been urged to apprehend the perpetrator, with the family expressing outrage over the incident involving a senior citizen.

IND vs SA T20 World Cup 2026 Live Streaming: India and South Africa will clash in a crucial T20 World Cup 2026 warm-up match on Wednesday, February 4. This fixture offers both defending champions India and South Africa a final opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and player combinations before the tournament officially begins. Fans can catch the live action on Star Sports and JioHotstar.

Ruling National Conference legislators protested in Jammu demanding statehood restoration and an end to violence against Kashmiris. Opposition parties dismissed the protest as a drama. The Speaker refused amendments on Article 370, 35A, and statehood. Meanwhile, a debate over establishing a National Law University triggered a Jammu versus Kashmir discussion.

NTA Jee Session 1 Response Sheet 2026: The NTA is expected to release the answer key for JEE Main today on their official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. Students need to log in to the official website with need their application number and password to check the JEE Session 1 answer key. They can challenge the provisional answers till February 5, 2026.

Garena Free Fire Max players can get free items using redeem codes on February 4th, 2026. These codes are 12-character alphanumeric strings. Players must visit the official redemption site and log in to claim their rewards. Redeem codes are valid for a short time and can be used only once. Act fast to secure your in-game items.

Thousands of backers of Venezuela's former leader Nicolas Maduro, who was ousted in a deadly US military operation, marched in Caracas on Tuesday to demand his freedom. The law has not yet come before parliament, whose leader is the acting president's brother, Jorge Rodriguez, another staunch Chavista and Maduro backer.

Stephen Miran, a US Federal Reserve Governor, has resigned as an economist advisor to the Trump administration. This move fulfills a pledge made to the Senate during his confirmation. Miran was an asset to the White House economic team. President Trump had nominated Miran to the Fed's board. His dual role had raised concerns about the central bank's independence.

US warships have arrived off the coast of Haiti as the nation grapples with ongoing gang violence and political instability. The deployment, part of Operation Southern Spear, underscores the US commitment to Haiti's security ahead of the Presidential Transitional Council's mandate expiration. This action follows years of escalating crises and the collapse of government authority in much of the country.

Spain plans to ban children under 16 from social media. Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez announced the move to protect young users. Platforms will need strong age verification. This is part of a wider European effort to regulate online spaces. Spain aims to hold platforms accountable for harmful content and disinformation. The proposed ban is expected to be approved soon.

The traffic on Mumbai-Pune Expressway took a major hit on Tuesday evening after a tanker carrying highly flammable and heavy propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi tunnel. The jam continued for more than 12 hours and thousands of commuters were stranded deprived of food, water and toilet facilities. The accident occurred around 5 pm, following which traffic from Pune towards Mumbai was immediately stopped as a precautionary measure due to the hazardous nature of the gas.

The World Trade Organization faces an existential crisis. Reform is crucial for its survival. Ministers will meet in Cameroon next month to discuss overhauling the global trade body. The organization's effectiveness is questioned due to consensus rules and a crippled dispute system. A reform work plan will be presented for endorsement. The urgency for change is palpable.

Eight opposition MPs face suspension from Lok Sabha for the budget session. This follows an uproar and paper throwing incident. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticizes the move, stating every member's voice matters in a democracy. The suspensions occurred after a debate involving Rahul Gandhi and border tensions with China. The government cited rule violations for the action.

Security forces are preparing for a final assault on two Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists cornered in a natural cave in Udhampur's Ramnagar. After an intense gunfight on Tuesday, one terrorist was injured and retreated into the cave with his accomplice. The area remains under a tight cordon, with drones used for surveillance, as the terrorists refuse to surrender.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to reply to the motion of 'Thanks to the President's address' during the ongoing Budget Session on Wednesday. The Budget Session will conclude on April 2. Standing Committees will examine Demands for Grants during a recess.

RBI Monetary Policy Committee February 2026: The Reserve Bank of India is likely to hold interest rates steady this week. Focus will be on ensuring previous rate cuts benefit borrowers. A recent trade deal with the U.S. reduces the need for immediate economic stimulus. India's economy is performing well, with growth forecasts remaining strong. Analysts anticipate measures to support the bond market.

Marie Curie's timeless quote, Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves, offers a powerful reminder of inner strength. Her own life, marked by significant challenges and groundbreaking scientific achievements, exemplifies the profound impact of resilience and self-belief in overcoming adversity.

Uttar Pradesh rainfall: Many parts of the eastern and western parts of Uttar Pradesh are likely to see fog today and the weather is likely to remain dry throughout the region. Light spell of rain with thunderstorms is likely in Lucknow today. Noida, Ghaziabad, Meerut are likely to see fog and mist during the early morning hours today.

Americans in Cuba face government-backed protests and entry denials. The US embassy warns of severe disruptions from power outages and fuel shortages. These issues stem from US actions blocking oil supplies. Cuba's national grid is unstable. Citizens are advised to conserve resources and prepare for significant challenges. Communication between Cuba and the US continues.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of Libya's former ruler, has died at 53. He was once heir apparent, then faced captivity after the 2011 uprising. Gaddafi later sought a presidential comeback, a move that complicated Libya's election efforts. His life spanned crushing dissent and seeking reform. Details of his death remain unclear.

India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. They discussed strengthening the India-US economic partnership and strategic cooperation. Discussions also covered securing supply chains and national security. Jaishankar also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. They welcomed a trade deal and discussed formalizing cooperation on critical minerals exploration and mining.

UGC Net 2025 Result: The results of UGC-NET are set to be declared on Wednesday, February 4 and candidates can check the results on the official website ugcnet.nta.nic.in. The UGC NET result will confirm eligibility for Assistant Professor posts, Junior Research Fellowship and Ph.D. admissions under the revised UGC guidelines.

India will stop buying Russian oil and increase energy imports from the United States. This agreement follows direct talks between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. India also committed to significant investments in the US across various sectors. Sensitive Indian economic areas like agriculture and dairy have been protected in the trade deal.

NTA UGC NET Result 2026: The UGC NET December 2025 results are expected on February 4, 2026, with the National Testing Agency (NTA) releasing them on its official website. Candidates are advised to keep alternate links handy due to anticipated heavy traffic. The exam determines eligibility for Assistant Professor posts and Junior Research Fellowship.

Quote of the Day: Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio in Puerto Rico, has achieved global fame by embracing his true self. His music, blending reggaeton and trap, broke boundaries. He rejected expectations in genre, language, and fashion. His albums have topped charts and won prestigious awards. Bad Bunny's journey highlights the power of authenticity and self-ownership in challenging societal rules.

President Donald Trump has extended a key trade program for Africa. The African Growth and Opportunity Act will now run until December 31, 2025. This provides certainty for businesses. The program offers duty-free access to the US market for many African products. This extension comes amid ongoing diplomatic relations between the US and South Africa.

President Donald Trump signed a spending bill on Tuesday ending the four-day partial government shutdown sparked by Democratic opposition to funding for the federal agency carrying out his sweeping immigration crackdown. Trump, who presided over a record 43-day government shutdown last summer, had been pressuring Republicans to adopt the spending bill and end the closure which began on Saturday.

ChatGPT outage: Many users in the US reported an outage with OpenAI's chatbot OpenAI and logged complaints with Downdetector. However, no such issue was faced in India. OpenAI acknowledged the outage and said they have identified that users are experiencing elevated errors for the impacted services, and they are monitoring the recovery.

India and the US have agreed on a trade deal. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington DC. They discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation on critical minerals exploration and mining. The leaders also emphasized the importance of their democracies working together. Discussions covered trade, energy, defense, and technology.

President Trump signed a funding deal with Senate Democrats, ending the partial US government shutdown. The legislation provides full-year funding for most federal agencies through September, but the Department of Homeland Security faces a two-week deadline for further negotiation on immigration reforms. This deal overcomes opposition from both parties amid a dispute over the administration's immigration policies.

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly killed in an armed attack at his Zintan residence. Four masked gunmen allegedly stormed his home, leading to a confrontation that resulted in his death. His political team is calling for an investigation into the incident.

A complaint against Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard is now with lawmakers. It alleges she withheld classified information for political reasons. The complaint was filed months ago. Gabbard's office denies the allegations. Lawmakers have been pushing for the report. This comes as Gabbard faces scrutiny over her role in a Georgia election search.

Adani Defence and Aerospace is embarking on a strategic alliance with Italian aerospace expert Leonardo to produce helicopters in India. This initiative not only responds to the Indian armed forces' projected need for approximately 1,000 military choppers but also strives to fortify the nation's aerospace manufacturing landscape.

Nancy Guthrie, mother of Savannah Guthrie, is feared kidnapped after disappearing from her Arizona home. A ransom note reportedly demanding millions in Bitcoin has surfaced, with authorities treating the case as a criminal act. Investigators are working to recover deleted surveillance footage and are concerned for her well-being due to daily medication needs.

Chipotle's stock dropped significantly after the company projected no sales growth for 2026. This cautious outlook overshadowed better-than-expected earnings and revenue for the last quarter. A decline in customer traffic and ongoing economic pressures on consumers are key concerns. The company's forecast signals a challenging year ahead for CMG.

AMD announced strong fourth quarter earnings and a positive first quarter outlook. Revenue reached a record $10.3 billion. Despite beating expectations, the company's stock saw a decline. AMD's data center and PC segments performed well. The company is also focusing on AI hardware and future technologies.