The Economic Times

Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is confident the 2026-27 Union Budget will be a good one. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her ninth budget on February 1. The budget aims to sustain growth and maintain fiscal discipline. It will address global trade frictions and domestic economic pressures. This budget presentation is a historic first for India.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to the Chief Electoral Officer raising serious concerns. She alleges that observers are manipulating data during the voter roll revision process. Banerjee claims this is a backdoor mechanism to exclude eligible voters. She questions the unilateral appointment of thousands of micro-observers. The Chief Minister states these actions undermine democratic ethos and federalism.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah firmly stated that the Siliguri Corridor, or 'Chicken's Neck', is Indian territory and will not be threatened. He criticized the 'INDIA' alliance for allegedly trying to secure the release of individuals who raised slogans about cutting off the corridor, noting the Supreme Court rejected their bail plea.

The Baloch Liberation Army has launched a major offensive across Balochistan. Attacks targeted military and administrative sites in 14 cities. The group claims to have neutralized 84 Pakistani personnel and taken 18 captive. Several government properties were destroyed. The operation, named Herof Phase II, is ongoing and aims to disrupt enemy operations. BLA fighters have consolidated positions in key areas.

Equipped with advanced guidance and control systems, BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or land.

Jim Morrison was a famous rock singer, poet, and the lead singer of The Doors. He was known for deep thoughts, strong lyrics, and a bold stage image. His ideas about fear and freedom still inspire people today. Even after his early death, his music, words, and legacy remain important in rock history.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced he will file over 100 cases against writer Harsh Mander. This comes after Mander filed a complaint against Sarma for alleged hate speech targeting Bengali-speaking Muslims. Sarma also accused Mander of damaging the NRC process in Assam. He stated he has sufficient material to pursue these cases against Mander.

India and the US are making significant progress on a bilateral trade agreement, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal expressing optimism for a swift conclusion and good news soon. Both nations are committed to finalizing the pact, with discussions also covering critical minerals and defense. Recent high-level meetings indicate a renewed push to seal the deal.

Wall Street tips: What's happened is that a handful of companies, like Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet and Apple, have been driving stock returns. They, and a handful of other tech giants, including Amazon, Broadcom, Meta and Tesla, have become so valuable that their shares dwarf the rest of the market.

Grady Demond Wilson, famed for his portrayal of Lamont Sanford on NBCs Sanford and Son, has passed away at 79 due to complications from cancer. Confirmed by his son, Demond Wilson Jr., the actor died at his Palm Springs home. Wilsons career spanned decades, which includes roles in Baby Im Back!, The New Odd Couple, and the 1993 film Me and the Kid.

Speculation has been rife that the three countries were intent on forming a powerful alliance amid soaring tensions in the region, following Israeli air strikes in Doha over the summer targeting Hamas officials that preceded Iran's bombing of a US air base in Qatar.

On the eve of the presentation of the Union Budget, Sibal said the aim of a budget is to increase pleasure and reduce the pain of the poor but he doubts whether this would happen as this has not been reflected in any of the budgets of the last 11 years.

Union Minister Piyush Goyal does not anticipate a merger between the two Nationalist Congress Party factions. He noted the NCP, part of the Mahayuti government, has performed well. Goyal stated the NCP leadership is with Ajit Pawar and now Sunetra Pawar. Praful Patel is the national president.

CJ Roy, the Confident Group founder, built a significant business empire. His ventures spanned real estate, hospitality, and more across India, the UAE, and the US. Roy was also the Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic. His group completed over 150 projects. Roy was known for his luxury lifestyle and substantial wealth.

Many Americans are facing surprise tax bills in 2025 because they underestimated taxable income. New tax rules, side hustles, and online earnings are changing how much people owe. Some income has no tax taken out early, leading to shock bills later. Experts warn better planning is needed to avoid penalties and unexpected IRS notices.

Rumors linking Kendall Jenner and NFL quarterback Joe Burrow made the headlines after a viral image and Jenners Super Bowl Fanatics Sportsbook ad sparked online speculation. Fans took her jokes about dating basketball players and betting on football as clues toward a fresh romance. The buzz elevated following her tiger-print Tonight Show dress, believed by some to reference the Bengals.

A partial government shutdown has begun. This is due to a disagreement over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Lawmakers aim to pass funding legislation quickly. This will end the shutdown. Several federal agencies and programs will continue to operate. Nutrition assistance programs will be unaffected.

BJP Tamil Nadu election-in-charge Goyal said victory in the forthcoming assembly elections in the state for the BJP will not be difficult. There is no need for the BJP to woo actor Vijay in Tamil Nadu polls as superstars come and go with no impact on the elections, he added.

Oxford's 2024 word of the year, 'brain rot,' describes the mental fog from excessive social media scrolling. Experts warn this habit can reduce grey matter, impacting memory, focus, and decision-making. Replacing mindless scrolling with real-world activities like exercise and social interaction can help restore cognitive function and prevent lasting effects.

Moltbook is a new AI-only social network where thousands of bots talk, argue, and share ideas without human control. The platform shows how advanced AI agents have become and why experts are paying attention. While many find it interesting and funny, others warn it could raise security risks and future concerns as AI systems grow more independent.

Jaishankar while delivering opening remarks at the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting said that impact of the developments in the Middle East are felt even in India.

The marriage tax penalty happens when married couples pay higher state income taxes filing jointly than they would as two single filers. Although federal law minimized this issue, several states still apply tax brackets and deductions that disadvantage married households. The penalty mainly impacts couples with similar incomes, sometimes costing thousands of dollars yearly depending on location.

U.S. Weather Forecast: Most of the snow will be confined to the Delmarva, New Jersey and southeast New England coasts, as well as eastern Long Island in New York. As the storm strengthens, high winds along the coast will create harsh conditions.

Gold rate prediction: Central banks around the world have been buying gold at a rapid pace, reinforcing its reputation as a place to park value during periods of uncertainty.

Commodity markets saw extreme volatility, with silver crashing 30% and gold 15%. Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath warns similar events can hit equity markets. He highlights the dangers of leverage and advises trading only with affordable funds. Such market movements can lead to significant losses for traders and brokers. Investors are urged to manage risk strictly.

Best wishes to Sunetra Pawar Ji as she begins her tenure as Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra, the first woman to hold this responsibility, Modi said in a post on X.

India experienced a significant 31.5% rainfall deficit in January, with severe shortfalls in East, Northeast, and Central regions. Northwest India also saw less rain. Meanwhile, temperatures across the nation remained warmer than usual, continuing a recent trend of elevated winter warmth. This unusual weather pattern is highlighted by the IMD's latest report.

The Pentagon Pizza Index is a viral theory suggesting pizza demand around the Pentagon areas may rise before significant political or military developments. Emerging from Cold War-era anecdotes, it received attention through stories of late-night orders during crises. In the digital era, social media accounts and dashboards currently analyze public foot-traffic details from pizza locations near the Pentagon.

The 2026 partial government shutdown started after Congress missed a spending deadline. Several major U.S. departments are affected, while lawmakers argue over immigration policy changes. The Senate passed a funding deal, but the House must still approve it. Until then, some government services remain limited and uncertain.

Flax seeds have long been celebrated as a superfood, and powdered flax seeds are even easier to include in your daily diet.

A Special Investigation Team has been formed to probe the death of Confident Group owner CJ Roy. Roy allegedly shot himself at his office while Income Tax officials were present. Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara directed the police to investigate the matter. Roy, a real estate tycoon, was reportedly cooperating with authorities after returning from abroad.

Israel launched heavy airstrikes in Gaza on Saturday, resulting in 26 deaths. Attacks targeted a Hamas police station and civilian areas sheltering displaced Palestinians. The strikes followed an incident where Israeli forces engaged gunmen emerging from a tunnel. Both sides are trading blame for truce violations. The Rafah border crossing is expected to reopen Sunday.

The death toll from a landslide on Indonesia's main island of Java a week ago rose to 53 on Saturday, a rescue official said, with 10 people still missing. They had recovered and identified 53 bodies by Saturday, said Ade Dian Permana, the head of the local search and rescue agency, up from a previous toll of 44.

Hollywood star Jennifer Lawrence, known for her honesty, shared a powerful quote. She believes doing the right thing is less stressful than the wrong path. While the wrong way seems easy, it brings hidden costs like guilt and anxiety. Choosing integrity, though initially difficult, leads to peace of mind. This principle simplifies life and makes the journey lighter.

Sunetra Pawar has made history as Maharashtra's first woman Deputy Chief Minister. This marks a major shift from her social work background to the center of state power. Her rise follows the passing of her husband, Ajit Pawar. Pawar's journey began with her Lok Sabha contest in Baramati and her subsequent Rajya Sabha nomination.

Sunetra Pawar oath taking ceremony: Sunetra Pawar has been sworn in as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister. She is the first woman to hold this significant post in the state. This appointment follows the recent passing of her husband, Ajit Pawar. The Nationalist Congress Party leadership made this decision. Sunetra Pawar is currently a Rajya Sabha MP. The Baramati Assembly seat is now vacant.

India Post has begun registrations for 28,740 Gramin Dak Sevak positions nationwide for the 2026 cycle. Applications are open for Branch Post Master, Assistant Branch Post Master, and Gramin Dak Sevak roles. The entire process is online, with applications closing on February 14, 2026. Selection is based on Class 10 marks. This is a significant opportunity for many.

Iranian army chief Amir Hatami on Saturday warned the United States and Israel against an attack, saying his country's forces were on high alert following Washington's heavy military deployments in the Gulf. The deployment has raised fears of a possible direct confrontation with Iran, which has warned it would respond with missile strikes on US bases, ships and allies -- notably Israel -- in the event of an attack.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of delaying land for border fencing. He promised that all border fencing work will be completed within 45 days after the BJP comes to power in Bengal following the upcoming assembly polls.

President Donald Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve. Warsh has strong ties to Trump and Wall Street. However, his plans for aggressive interest rate cuts and significant changes at the Fed face challenges.

Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan has stated he is not keen to contest the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections. He wishes the party to decide his role. Muraleedharan plans to focus on party work in Thiruvananthapuram. He also commented on posters supporting his candidature and challenged the Education Minister's remarks. The UDF will field a new candidate to defeat rivals.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Principal Bench, New Delhi, has expressed serious concern over the continued groundwater extraction by several cricket stadiums across the country to irrigate cricket grounds, despite earlier directions to shift to treated sewage water.

Addressing the BJP Karyakarta Sammelan in North 24 Parganas, Shah criticised the Mamata government over the deteriorating law and order situation, extortion and coercive control exerted by her group and infiltrators in West Bengal, and their impact on national security and electoral integrity.

Sunetra Pawar has been unanimously elected as the new leader of the Nationalist Congress Party. She is scheduled to be sworn in as Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister today. This appointment marks a historic moment as she becomes the first woman to hold this significant position in the state. The party leadership aims for continuity and stability following this decision.

Construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya is set for completion by April 30. The project's total cost is estimated at Rs 1,900 crore. Key construction firms Larsen & Toubro and Tata Consultancy will conclude their work by this date. All paperwork and payments will also be finalized.