The Economic Times

India's foreign exchange reserves experienced a significant surge, reaching $709.41 billion in the week ending January 23, 2026. This represents an $8 billion increase from the preceding week. The Reserve Bank of India actively monitors the foreign exchange market and intervenes to ensure stable conditions, aiming to curb excessive rupee volatility.

Why is gold price falling below $5,000 mark and will it rise again or continue to dip? Gold prices fell over 7 percent after hitting record highs. Dollar strength, profit booking, and expectations around the next Federal Reserve chair drove prices lower despite strong monthly gains.

A wealthy young man defied his mother's objections to social status and proposed to his sandwich seller girlfriend of two years. He reminded his mother of their family's humble beginnings, declaring, Keep your society. My love comes first. The public proposal has sparked widespread discussion on love, class, and character.

President Trump is set to name Kevin Warsh as the new Federal Reserve chief. Warsh, a former Fed official, has shifted his views to support Trump's push for interest rate cuts. This move comes amid Trump's ongoing criticism of current Fed Chairman Jerome Powell. Warsh's appointment requires Senate confirmation and faces potential scrutiny.

Kolkata police have arrested two senior officials from a momo manufacturing unit following a devastating fire that engulfed the premises and two godowns. The arrests of the unit's manager and deputy manager come days after the owner of a linked decorator company was taken into custody.

Europe's crisis fund, the European Stability Mechanism, may now lend billions for defense. This move aims to bolster military strength amid geopolitical turmoil. Countries could access funds for defense spending without strict economic conditions. This repurposes a fund initially created during the euro zone debt crisis. The initiative could particularly benefit smaller nations bordering Russia.

Quote of the day by Gina Carey resonates because it reflects a lived philosophy rather than a motivational abstraction. Her career demonstrates how confidence, adaptability and persistence can coexist with creativity and generosity.

India is updating its economic data base years. This move will boost the quality of information for artificial intelligence and machine learning. Policymakers will get more accurate economic pictures. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation is already using AI internally. This ensures data is ready for advanced analysis.

India's fiscal deficit for April to December, or the first nine months of this fiscal year, was at Rs 8.55 lakh crore, equivalent to 54.5% of annual estimates, narrowing from the previous year's 56.7%. The government aims to narrow the fiscal gap to 4.4% of GDP in this financial year from 4.8% a year earlier.

US President Donald Trump asked Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Kyiv for a week until February 1, the Kremlin said Friday, without mentioning when the request was made. I can say that President Trump did indeed make a personal request to President Putin to refrain from striking Kyiv for a week until February 1 in order to create favourable conditions for negotiations, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. bur/ach

A content creator's experiment selling Maggi noodles in the mountains has gone viral. He claimed to earn Rs 21,000 in a single day. The video sparked excitement and discussions about roadside stall earnings. However, a reality check revealed costs that reduce the profit. The story highlights demand for comfort food and the realities of such ventures.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced that the EU-India free trade agreement will allow Assam tea to reach European countries without tariffs. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promoted Assam tea across the European bloc. The pact aims to boost tea exports. Shah thanked tea garden workers for their contribution to Assam's identity and economy.

OPEC+ is expected to maintain its current oil production policy for March. Sources indicate no changes are likely when the group meets on Sunday. Brent crude prices have surged to their highest point since August. This comes amid concerns of potential U.S. military action against Iran and disruptions in Kazakhstan's oilfields. The group pumps half the world's oil.

The Supreme Court has refused to alter the bail conditions set by the Madras High Court for YouTuber Savukku Shankar. Justices Dipankar Datta and Satish Chandra Sharma dismissed Shankar's plea, noting his repeated appearances before the court.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth consecutive Union Budget on Sunday. This marks a historic achievement, making her the longest-serving finance minister in India's continuous history. She has guided the economy through significant challenges. Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledged this milestone. This event will be recorded in India's parliamentary history.

In a tragic incident, a couple and their three children allegedly consumed poison at their house in Greater Noida's Ecotech 3 area. While the couple could not be saved, the children are undergoing treatment at a hospital in Delhi. Preliminary investigations suggest the couple may have consumed poison due to domestic issues.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's China visit brings visa and whisky deals. Other Western leaders also visit Beijing, seeking trade benefits amid US pressure. These trips reveal China's economic strength and Western nations' limited options. Beijing uses these visits to project itself as a reliable global partner. China's export growth poses risks to Western industries.

BJP leader CR Kesavan strongly criticized former Vice President Hamid Ansari's statement that Mahmud Ghazni was an Indian, not a foreign invader. Kesavan questioned Congress and Rahul Gandhi's stance on this view. He accused the Congress of downplaying Ghazni's brutal raids on Hindu temples and people.

Authorities have disrupted the Wingo app's operations. Command-and-control servers were geo-blocked. Four Telegram channels and over 50 YouTube videos promoting the app were also blocked. The app is a 'telecom mule as a service' platform. It sends fraudulent SMS messages from users' phones without their knowledge.

Word of the Day: Psithurism reflects that not all meaningful experiences are loud or urgent. Some exist only if we pause long enough to notice them. As a Word of the Day, it enriches vocabulary not by complexity alone, but by sensitivity.

The Supreme Court has mandated free biodegradable sanitary pads for all girl students in private and government schools. The court also ordered separate toilets for boys and girls in every school. Disabled-friendly toilets will be a requirement for all educational institutions. Failure by private schools to comply will lead to de-recognition. Governments will be held accountable for ensuring these facilities.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is open to a ceasefire if Russia stops attacking energy infrastructure. The United States has proposed a de-escalation opportunity, though no formal truce is in place. Russia continues its attacks, with no comment on an energy ceasefire. Temperatures in Kyiv are forecast to plummet, making energy security critical.

Ajit Pawar was actively planning a merger of the Nationalist Congress Party factions. A close aide revealed Pawar confided this plan just days before his death. Another leader echoed this sentiment, stating Pawar's wish must be respected. Both factions had allied in recent civic polls, indicating Pawar's vision for unity. Steps will be taken to fulfill his final wish.

Sharda Khedkar and Amol Goge of the BJP have been elected as the new mayor and deputy mayor of the Akola Municipal Corporation. The election saw Khedkar secure 45 votes against her opponent's 32. The Akola Shehar Sudhar Aghadi, a coalition of parties including the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP factions, supported Khedkar's victory.

Pakistan secured a 22-run victory over Australia in the first T20, taking a 1-0 series lead. Saim Ayub starred with an all-round performance, earning Player of the Match. The match also saw a viral moment with the third umpire's amusing English during a Babar Azam review, providing unexpected comic relief for fans.

Haryana Police issued nearly five lakh traffic challans on NH-44 in 2025. CCTV and ANPR cameras on the Ambala-Sonipat section significantly improved road safety. Initially, around 50,000 challans were issued monthly, now reduced to 30,000. This technology also aids crime control. Drivers are urged to follow traffic rules for collective safety.

Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna starrer spy thriller Dhurandhar has made its OTT debut on Netflix but the fans are disappointed. Fans have accused Netflix of muting dialogues, censoring abusive language and chopping off nearly 10 minutes from the film, leaving them upset. Dhurandhar scored a big win at the Box Office and earned more than Rs 1,000 crores.

TS TET 2026 Response Sheet Download: The Telangana Department of School Education has released the provisional TS TET 2026 answer key on tgtet.aptonline.in. Candidates can raise objections to the key until February 1, 5 pm. The exam was conducted from January 3 to January 20, with Paper I for Classes 1-5 and Paper II for Classes 6-8.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has lauded Rahul Gandhi. He described Gandhi as a sincere leader and a strong voice against communalism. Tharoor stated that Gandhi speaks against hatred and divisiveness. This comes after Tharoor met with party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. He had previously expressed grievances regarding his treatment in Kerala.

US President Donald Trump has voiced strong concerns regarding Britain's engagement with China. He described the dealings as very dangerous for the UK. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently in Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump also extended his warning to Canada, suggesting it is doing poorly and China is not the solution.

Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati has challenged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. He demands a ban on cow meat export and the declaration of the cow as 'Rashtra Mata'. This comes after he was prevented from taking a holy dip at the Sangam. The seer left the Magh Mela ground after an 11-day protest.

Mumbai Police apprehended a taxi driver for allegedly defrauding a US tourist. The driver charged an exorbitant 18,000 for a mere 400-metre trip from Mumbai International Airport to a hotel. The incident came to light after the tourist shared her experience on social media. Police registered a case and arrested the accused driver swiftly.

India's Union Budget will prioritise reducing the debt-to-GDP ratio. This shift from fixed fiscal deficit numbers aligns with the revised FRBM Act. The government aims to bring the central government debt to GDP to around 501 per cent by March 2031. This strategy offers flexibility for growth-enhancing expenditures and fiscal transparency. The roadmap for the next six years is set.

A study from AIIMS New Delhi has found that 30-minute sunlight therapy, followed by routine, could aid in stroke recovery, improve the quality of life of patients and also help in better sleep and mood. Patients who suffered a moderate stroke were given standard medical treatment with sunlight exposure for alternate 15 days, and the results showed that this therapy could help in stroke rehabilitation.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah criticized Rahul Gandhi for refusing to wear a gamosa presented by President Droupadi Murmu. Shah stated this showed disrespect to North East culture. He also accused the Congress of fueling conflict and using infiltration for vote bank politics. Shah asserted that the BJP government has stopped infiltration in Assam and will deport illegal immigrants.

India and the European Union have concluded negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement. This landmark deal is expected to boost India's economic growth and create new opportunities. The agreement provides significant market access for Indian exports, particularly in the textile sector. It aims to increase investment and generate jobs, positioning India as a key global trading partner.

Security forces are intensifying a major anti-terror operation in Kishtwar district. The operation targets three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists. Mobile internet services are temporarily suspended in the area. The operation began on January 18. A soldier was killed and seven were injured in an earlier encounter. Forces continue their hunt despite heavy snowfall. Another search is underway in Poonch district.

A Deputy Superintendent of Police in Odisha has been ordered to change his bright red hair back to its natural color. Photographs of the officer in uniform with the striking hair shade circulated widely online. The police headquarters issued a formal warning emphasizing discipline and public decorum.

A 12-year-old boy was discovered deceased in Shastri Park, Delhi. The child sustained severe injuries indicating a brutal assault. Police have named the mother's live-in partner as the primary suspect in this tragic incident. The investigation is ongoing, with forensic teams collecting evidence from the scene. The boy's father had passed away previously. A murder case has been registered.

Israeli forces conducted overnight strikes in Rafah, Gaza. Three terrorists were eliminated. This occurred while a fragile ceasefire remains in place. The US-brokered truce has been active for over three months. Both sides have accused each other of violations. The military stated its forces are deployed according to the agreement.

Ex-servicemen found new career paths at a Guwahati job fair organized by DGR. Over 50 companies offered around 700 jobs. Meanwhile, Assam Petrochemicals Limited partnered with Deendayal Port Authority for a major e-methanol project in Gujarat. This initiative marks Assam's growing role in national projects.

Samsung Galaxy S26 price and launch date: Samsung's upcoming Galaxy S26 series is poised for a debut in February, with leaks indicating increased base storage across the lineup. While this may lead to price hikes in some European markets, the Galaxy S26 Ultra could see a surprising price decrease. Other regions like South Korea and the US are also expected to see pricing adjustments.