The Economic Times

Tension grips Kokrajhar and Chirang districts in Assam following a mob attack. One person died and four were injured on suspicion of cattle theft. Protests erupted with highway blockades and tyre burning. Internet services are suspended and prohibitory orders are in effect. Over 27 arrests have been made.

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi walked out of the assembly Tuesday. He refused to deliver the customary address. The Governor's office cited misleading statements in the government's prepared speech. Chief Minister MK Stalin condemned the walkout.

Word of the day: Flibberigibbet is a lively English term used to describe someone who is overly talkative, flighty, or frivolous in character. Originating in sixteenth-century England, the word primarily refers to a mischievous spirit before developing into a humorous name for a chatterbox. Its playful sound shows the personality it explains, making it particularly memorable.

Thomas Hardy's quote, Life is a physiological fact, and the rest is misinterpretation, from 'Jude the Obscure' highlights how societal constructs, not life itself, cause suffering. This timeless observation resonates today, reminding us that human-imposed expectations often complicate our existence and distort our pursuit of happiness and purpose.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning a visit to Malaysia in early February. This trip is part of India's outreach to Southeast Asia. The visit follows a previous missed opportunity due to domestic commitments. India and Malaysia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year.

Nitin Nabin begins his tenure as BJP president with a focus on youth inclusion in politics. He assures party workers that dedication and loyalty will be recognized. Nabin emphasizes the party's commitment to its core ideology. Immediate plans include strategy meetings for upcoming assembly elections in five states.

President Donald Trump is reportedly constructing a secret White House bunker. This underground facility is designed to survive a nuclear attack. The project involves modern technology and replaces an older complex. National security concerns have been cited for its classified nature. Other secure government bunkers exist across the United States.

President Trump acknowledged potential billions in tariff refunds if the Supreme Court rules against his administration. He also defended his economic record, attacked Biden's immigration policies, and made unsubstantiated claims about financial crimes in Minnesota. Trump expressed confidence in future overseas reception and touted his administration's accomplishments.

UAE President Md Bin Zayed's visit to New Delhi focused on defense and economic ties. Both nations aim to connect micro, small, and medium enterprises. Initiatives like Bharat Mart and Bharat-Africa Setu will promote MSME products across regions.

Brookfield Private Equity CEO Anuj Ranjan states the era of easy money is over, emphasizing operational improvements for business resilience and returns. He highlights digitalization, AI's industrial applications, and de-globalization as key investment themes, with significant opportunities emerging in India's industrial and manufacturing sectors.

Businesses must adapt to a changing world. Agility, attracting young talent, and innovation are key for growth. Generative AI offers potential but companies are cautious. Geopolitics, energy, and AI are reshaping global business. Renewable energy adoption continues despite global slowdown. The UAE is emerging as an AI hub. Gen Z demands proof over promises.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced new rules mandating the clearance of all unpaid user fees for vehicle ownership transfers, fitness certificate renewals, and national permits. These amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, aim to boost fee compliance and electronic toll collection efficiency on national highways.

Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, predicts artificial general intelligence will transform science and health within a decade, ushering in an era of abundance. He notes China's progress in AI capabilities but highlights its current lack of frontier innovations. Hassabis also discusses AI's impact on jobs and energy, emphasizing potential benefits and new opportunities.

The Delhi High Court is championing a new vision for tax governance, urging authorities to focus on fairness and the larger picture rather than merely chasing revenue. This pivotal recommendation is seen as essential for streamlining the business climate in India, encouraging growth and investment.

A worker quit her job after being treated unfairly by her boss during a family emergency. Soon after she left, the company faced major work problems and delays. Her story shows how skilled employees are often ignored until they are gone, raising an important question about respect, value, and peace at work.

Harry Styles has announced his new single, Aperture, the lead track from his upcoming fourth album, Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally, scheduled to debut on March 6. The track will drop on January 23 and signifies Styles first new music in four years. He teased the single on Instagram writing the caption: Aperture. Jan 23, 00:00 UK.

India plans to significantly boost textile exports to $100 billion by 2030. The strategy involves increasing shipments to Free Trade Agreement partners and focusing on premium products like handlooms and silk. New districts will be developed to join the export ecosystem. This initiative aims to expand India's global market share in textiles.

Wealth Quote of the Day by Paul M. Romer, Growth springs from better recipes, not just from more cooking Paul M. Romers famous wealth quote explains why innovation, not effort alone, drives lasting economic growth. The Nobel laureate shows how ideas fuel productivity, shape US policy debates, and matter amid global tensions. From technology markets to geopolitics involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Romers insight reveals why better ideas, smarter incentives, and knowledge investment define moder

The European Union is on the brink of a landmark trade agreement with India, potentially linking a consumer base of two billion individuals. In a bid to strengthen these negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit India shortly. This strategic move reflects the EU's goal of broadening its global trade horizons and fostering international collaboration.

President Trump and his aides are openly displaying contempt for European leaders, mocking their efforts to block his Greenland seizure and dismissing their opinions. Trump's administration views Europe as weak and bureaucratic, a sentiment amplified by his dismissive remarks and social media posts targeting leaders like Macron and Starmer.

S&P 500 Dow Nasdaq down today: US stocks tumbled Tuesday, led by a sharp decline in technology shares. President Trump's escalating trade war threats towards Europe significantly dented investor confidence. AI chipmakers and major tech giants like Nvidia, Tesla, and Apple experienced notable drops, fueling concerns about a potential AI bubble and prompting a rotation out of riskier assets.

Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis, a word famous for its length, describes a lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust, particularly volcanic ash. Coined in 1935 by Everett M. Smith, it's a linguistic curiosity rather than a medically diagnosed condition. The word highlights the extremes of technical language and humanity's love for linguistic boundaries.

Bill Callahan has released his new single, Stepping Out for Air, ahead of his forthcoming album My Days of 58, set for February 27th. The track showcases his intense baritone voice along with a relaxed horn section, spotting a calming, introspective tone. Callahan explained its feel as someone on the couch playing and reflected, I held on to the song I like this song. It feels good.

The Enforcement Directorate has searched 21 locations in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. This action is part of a money laundering investigation. The probe concerns alleged theft of gold and temple assets from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple. Officials of the Travancore Devaswom Board and private individuals are under scrutiny.

The Supreme Court will review if the Enforcement Directorate has the legal standing to file petitions in high courts. This comes after Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments challenged an order upholding the ED's right. The Kerala High Court had previously stayed a state inquiry into alleged central agency overreach in a gold smuggling case.

Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel is in Assam to prepare for state polls and form alliances. He criticized Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, accusing him of corruption. Baghel stated that Sarma's tenure marks the beginning of the end for BJP governments in the state. The Congress is in talks with like-minded parties for electoral partnerships.

India has decided to withdraw families of its officials stationed in Bangladesh due to the prevailing security situation. This precautionary measure comes just weeks before Bangladesh's parliamentary elections. The Indian High Commission and other posts in Bangladesh will remain operational.

Silver prices are trading near $95 per ounce, marking the strongest rally in modern history. The metal is now up nearly 230% from early-2025 lows near $28. On January 19, 2026, spot silver hit a record $94.67, outperforming gold with a 6.30% daily jump. Driven by solar energy demand and safe-haven buying, silver is now the worlds top-performing commodity of the year.

Filing taxes early in 2026 can help people get their tax refund faster and lower the risk of fraud. The IRS allows early filing, so waiting until April is not required. Experts say early filing can reduce stress, protect personal information, and help people use their refund money sooner.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick projected first-quarter 2026 GDP growth exceeding 5%, attributing current economic limitations to high interest rates. He also cautioned the EU against retaliating against President Trump's threatened tariffs concerning Greenland, predicting a resolution similar to past trade disputes.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted over 600 points Tuesday as President Trump escalated trade tensions with Europe. Markets reacted sharply to the new 10% tariff on eight European nations, set to begin February 1, 2026. Trump warned these duties will jump to 25% on June 1 unless a deal is reached for the U.S. to purchase Greenland. The European Union, led by Ursula von der Leyen, is weighing retaliation. Proposed responses include $108 billion in counter-tariffs and tougher trade measure

Thousands are set to walk out of work and school across America. This coordinated protest marks one year of President Donald Trump's second term. Organizers aim to disrupt daily routines to highlight concerns over immigration, transgender policies, and government surveillance. The movement, called 'Free America', seeks to pressure the administration through widespread action.

Pakistan has extended its airspace ban for Indian aircraft. The restriction will now remain in effect until February 24. This ban impacts all India-registered aircraft and those operated by Indian airlines. The closure applies to both Karachi and Lahore flight information regions.

INTC Intel stock price: Intel shares surged over 5% on Tuesday following analyst upgrades from HSBC and Seaport Research Partners, sparking renewed investor interest. Seaport raised Intel to 'Buy' with a $65 target, citing market share recovery potential and the 18A process. HSBC upgraded to 'Hold' with a $50 target, highlighting AI demand for server CPUs.

While Europe publicly criticizes President Trump's Greenland ambitions, private messages reveal a softer tone. French President Macron, in a text message, expressed confusion over the Greenland issue while proposing collaboration on other fronts. Trump's public release of these private communications highlights his unconventional diplomatic approach.

Book of the day: Markovitss novel stands out for its unflinching focus on the inner life of a man navigating the universal terrain of ageing, loss and hope.

Diabetes risk: Top nutrition experts question the protein push, saying Americans already consume more protein than they need, and theres no new evidence that people need to drastically ramp up consumption.

U.S. stock markets moved lower as major companies faced heavy selling. The S&P 500 slipped after several days of losses, causing a huge drop in total market value. Big technology stocks played a key role in the fall. Experts used a Greenland value comparison to explain how large the market decline has been.

A$AP Rocky has officially announced the Dont Be Dumb World Tour in celebration of his latest studio album, Dont Be Dumb. The 42-date tour will be introduced on May 27 at the United Center in Chicago and travel across major cities in North America before ending the U.S. leg on July 11 in Newark, New Jersey.

European leaders in Davos are seeking a united front against Donald Trump's global gambit, with calls to resist he law of the strongest. CEOs warn against emotional responses to U.S. actions, while European officials emphasize independence and defending industries. Meanwhile, Ukraine's President Zelenskiy awaits U.S. commitment on security guarantees and reconstruction plans.

At workplaces, informal norms can be harder to navigate than formal rules, particularly in small teams where closeness is prized. New employees often feel compelled to overcompensate, mistaking compliance for acceptance.