The Economic Times

India and the European Union are nearing a significant Free Trade Agreement. Ambassadors from EU nations, including Italy, Estonia, and Malta, are optimistic about its conclusion. This deal is expected to boost trade and strengthen defense and strategic ties.

Valentines Day 2026 encourages a look back at the love stories that shaped history. Kahlo and Rivera stand as a reflection that romance is not always gentle or uncomplicated.

Captain Suryakumar Yadav led the recovery with an unbeaten 82 off 37 balls, while Ishan Kishan struck 76 off 32 deliveries. Shivam Dube added a quick 36 off 18 balls.

The word sacrosanct signifies something so important or respected that it cannot be questioned, altered, or interfered with. Originating from the Latin sacrosanctus, meaning holy or inviolable, it was used in ancient Rome to refer to laws, rituals, and sacred places. Today, it is applied to values, principles, customs, and guidelines that are served as untouchable.

The Election Commission of India has mandated FIRs and legal action against negligent Booth Level Officers during the SIR process. District Election Officers are instructed to suspend and initiate departmental proceedings for insubordination or dereliction of duty. West Bengal's CEO cautioned DEOs against delays in filing FIRs for law and order issues during Bengal SIR.

Tesla Autopilot: Tesla has phased out its basic Autopilot driver-assistance feature, urging customers to adopt the more advanced Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology. This strategic shift follows California regulators' scrutiny over misleading marketing claims. The company is also introducing a new $99 monthly subscription for FSD, replacing the previous one-time purchase option.

India offered a ray of hope, and its political and business leaders made a strong pitch for the world to do business in India and with India.

Indias states fiscal deficit has widened to 3.3 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2025. This increase stems from states borrowing more under a central government scheme for capital investment. Capital expenditure remains a focus, budgeted at 3.2 percent of GDP in fiscal year 2026.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, world leaders savored an array of Indian dishes that brought a taste of India to Switzerland. Masala chai and crispy samosas were top favorites, while the aromatic biryanis delighted palates. The Tata group and HCL Tech tantalized attendees with traditional tea offerings, and Akshaya Patra delighted guests with complimentary khichdi.

Silver prices made history today, hitting a record $100.29 per ounce. This milestone marks a 40% surge in early 2026. Global supply shortages and high industrial demand from AI data centers drive this rally. Simultaneously, spot gold reached a new peak of $4,967. Investors are pivoting to hard assets amid rising geopolitical tensions. Goldman Sachs now forecasts gold hitting $5,400 by year-end. This era defines a massive structural shift for precious metals.

Former Olympic snowboarder Ryan Wedding has been arrested after years on the run as one of the FBIs Ten Most Wanted fugitives. Officials allege he led a massive cocaine trafficking network across North and South America, producing billions in illegal activities. Once a representative of Canada at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Weddings life allegedly changed from professional sports to organized crime.

Apple iOS 26.3 features: Apple's iOS 26.3 update is coming soon. It will prepare for encrypted RCS messaging between iPhones and Android phones. A new tool will help users transfer data from iPhone to Android. Weather wallpapers will get a dedicated section. More security fixes are also expected. This update follows critical patches in iOS 26.2.

The Indian military is showcasing a Republic Day tableau themed on Operation Sindoor. This display highlights the nation's joint military power and self-reliance. It features key defence platforms and celebrates India's victory and the synergy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Ancient Greek philosopher Parmenides argued that sensory experience is deceptive, advocating for reason as the sole path to truth. He challenged ingrained beliefs, urging individuals to question assumptions and move beyond habit. This ancient wisdom remains relevant today, reminding us to think critically amidst overwhelming information.

Savannah Guthrie is making a comeback to the TODAY show after vocal cord surgery performed in late 2025. During a video call with her co-hosts on January 20, she shared her progress, stating, This is my new voice! She intends a brief appearance on January 23 before officially rejoining the anchor desk on January 26. She updated fans on social media, showing gratitude for their support.

The prime minister was addressing a function to celebrate Parakram Diwas, the birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

BTC USD Bitcoin price crash today: Bitcoin faces renewed pressure as its price drops. Economist Peter Schiff blames Wall Street's involvement for the cryptocurrency's struggles. This comes as gold and silver soar to record highs, showing a stark contrast. Schiff notes Bitcoin performed best when few owned it. Now, priced in gold, Bitcoin is down over 50% since its 2021 peak.

Intel stock ($INTC) suffered a massive 16.20% crash today. The decline wiped out over $30 billion in market value. This happened despite Intel beating Q4 2025 estimates with $13.7 billion in revenue. The company also posted a surprise non-GAAP EPS of $0.15. The real damage came from a weak Q1 2026 outlook. Intel expects revenue between $11.7 billion and $12.7 billion. This midpoint is far below the $12.5 billion analysts wanted. Investors were also spooked by a projected breakeven profit for the

Manipur government offers Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia to the family of Mayanglangbam Rishikanta Singh. Singh was shot dead in Churachandpur. His family demands the arrest of those responsible before accepting the body. The incident occurred on January 21. The case is being handed over to the NIA for investigation.

U.S. business activity remained steady in January, with new orders improving but offset by a sluggish labor market and concerns over rising costs due to import tariffs. Elevated price measures suggest inflation could persist, as businesses absorb some tariff duties. Exports also hit a nine-month low, impacting overall business confidence.

US stock market crashes today: US stocks fell Friday as the Dow dropped 342 points to 49,041. The S&P 500 slipped 0.20% to 6,899, while the Nasdaq edged down to 23,420. Weak guidance and a quarterly loss at Intel Corporation, whose shares sank nearly 15%, dragged tech lower. Gold jumped above $4,940 and silver rose over 3% as investors moved into safe havens.

US President Donald Trump made a significant impact at the World Economic Forum in Davos. His visit drew attention away from business topics like AI and renewable energy. Trump's foreign policy discussions and his proposed 'Board of Peace' initiative were central. He also reversed a decision on tariffs. Technology leaders like Elon Musk and Jensen Huang also participated.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidus concerns over the VB-G RAM G Act are politically important and have implications for CentreState relations, as they come from a key BJP ally. He said Naidus objections to the revised funding pattern support Opposition claims that the law shifts financial burden to states and weakens cooperative federalism.

Wealth quote of the day by Jack Ma: When you have $1 million, thats your money. When you have $20 million, you start to have a problem. When you have $1 billion, thats not your money. Thats the trust society gave you. Jack Mas journey from a rejected English teacher to a tech visionary is a masterclass in grit. In 2026, his wealth reflects societal trust, not just profit. With a net worth exceeding $31 billion, Ma now guides Alibabas $53 billion AI expansion. He transforms past failureslike ten

India's key climate resilience program for farming, NICRA, is at a crucial point. It needs a clear strategy and future vision. A new digital platform, ACASA-India, was launched to help farmers plan for climate challenges. The program has shown success in boosting resilience and productivity.

Artificial intelligence and robotics are transitioning from experimental pilots to practical operational systems across industries. Companies are now adopting automation to address real-world pressures like rising costs and staffing gaps, focusing on technologies that solve specific problems and integrate seamlessly into existing workflows, delivering tangible utility over theoretical transformation.

India will be the partner country at Gulfood 2026 in Dubai. Over 160 exhibitors from 25 states will showcase Indian agri-exports. This participation aims to boost India's processed foods, frozen products, and pulses trade. The event highlights region-specific agri-products and GI-tagged items. India's presence spans a large exhibition space, doubling last year's footprint.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is betting on humanoid robots as a major driver of the companys future growth. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, he said Teslas Optimus robots are already performing simple factory tasks, with more advanced capabilities expected by the end of 2026.

A tech professional, laid off unexpectedly, secured a new role with a 50% salary increase within a month. He focused on upskilling in in-demand technologies and treated job applications as a full-time endeavor. Despite rejections, consistent effort and learning from weaknesses led to a significant career advancement.

Floyd Vivino, widely known as Uncle Floyd, has died at 74, leaving behind a legacy as a comedian, musician, and television figure who became a fixture of New Jersey culture. His brother Jerry revealed the news on social media, citing, Rest in peace big brother. You will be missed, but always remembered by friends, family and your loving fans. Popular for The Uncle Floyd Show, which broadcasted from 1974 to 2001, Vivino entertained viewers with music, comedy, and offbeat charm.

Delhi Metro will commence services at 3 am on January 26 to aid Republic Day attendees. Trains will run every 15 minutes until 6 am, after which regular services resume. Parking at metro stations will be open, but Namo Bharat stations on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor will have enhanced security and temporary parking closures.

Trump Greenland plan: US President Donald Trump has reportedly proposed a plan to gradually gain influence over Greenland, potentially offering residents up to $1 million each to support joining the United States. This proposal follows discussions with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, outlining a framework for future cooperation and potential US military operations in the Arctic island.

President Donald Trump has launched the Board of Peace, an international organization formed in Davos. He believes this new body will help the United Nations achieve its potential, particularly in Gaza. Several countries have joined the Charter of the Board of Peace.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi took note of the submissions of lawyer Ashwini Upadhyay and issued notices to various Union ministries, including the home affairs, finance, law and justice and corporate affairs.

Global finance leaders at Davos pushed back on Mark Carney's narrative of a world order rupture, suggesting instead a period of change and adaptation. While acknowledging increased uncertainty and the need for national resilience, they emphasized identifying weaknesses and developing alternative strategies rather than a complete breakdown of international agreements.

The European Commission plans to extend a six-month suspension on a 93-billion-euro retaliatory trade package against the U.S. This move comes after the U.S. removed tariff threats, allowing the EU to focus on implementing a joint trade statement. The suspended measures, originally prepared last year, can be reactivated if needed in the future.

On January 28, 2026, Social Security will deliver payments up to $5,181. This final January wave hits accounts for those born after the 20th. It features the new 2.8% COLA increase. Meanwhile, SSI recipients get a second check on January 30. This early February payment arrives early because the 1st falls on a weekend. These adjustments help 74 million Americans fight inflation. Check your my Social Security portal for exact totals.