The Economic Times

Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget for FY 2026-27. This marks her ninth consecutive budget. The Finance Minister carried her traditional 'bahi-khata'. The budget outlines estimated receipts and expenditures. It also includes fiscal policy statements. The Finance Bill, 2026, was introduced. The Economic Survey for FY 2025-26 was previously tabled. It projected strong GDP growth.

The West Bengal government has made significant changes in its IPS cadre. Twenty-two officers have been transferred and given new responsibilities. Key positions like Kolkata Police Commissioner and Director General of Police have seen new appointments. These reshuffles impact various districts and specialized units across the state.

New documents expose Jeffrey Epstein's deep ties to the world's wealthiest and most powerful. These revelations contradict years of denials from figures in Hollywood, Wall Street, and Washington. The records show ongoing interactions and financial links even after Epstein's 2008 conviction. This ongoing drip of information highlights the persistence of his connections with global elites.

India U19 vs Pakistan U19 Live Streaming: India faces Pakistan in a crucial ICC U19 World Cup Super Six match on Sunday. A win will secure India's semi-final spot, while Pakistan must win by a significant margin to stay in contention. Both teams have key players to watch in this high-stakes encounter.

Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, President Donald Trump has announced that the U.S. is initiating conversations with Cuba. This comes as his administration enforces tighter control over vital oil resources destined for the island, aligning with actions taken against both Venezuela and Mexico. Trump suggests that these pressures will entice Cuba to the discussion table, igniting aspirations for potential liberation.

President Donald Trump expressed confidence in his Federal Reserve nominee Kevin Warsh. Trump believes Warsh can secure votes from some Democrats in the Senate. He anticipates Warsh will lower interest rates if confirmed. Trump described Warsh as a high-quality person. Senate confirmation is expected to be smooth.

Navjot Kaur Sidhu has quit the Congress party. She leveled serious accusations against Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Sidhu alleged Warring damaged the party and worked with the Aam Aadmi Party for personal gain. She also claimed Warring protected senior leaders while targeting her. Sidhu stated she has evidence against Warring but chose to leave the party instead.

Delhi's air quality is in the 'very poor' category today. Isolated thunderstorms with lightning and gusty winds are expected. Many airports across North and Central India experienced fog. Other major Indian cities show varied air quality. Delhi's AQI was 318 this morning. Yesterday, it was 271.

TV actresses embrace pastels for their versatility, elegance, and timeless appeal, effortlessly blending softness with strong fashion statements across festive, casual, and red-carpet looks.

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced major development plans for Dibang Valley district. A feasibility study will assess an Advanced Landing Ground at Anini. Projects include a community hall, a new road and a PWD office. A research center for medicinal plants will be established. Solar streetlights will be installed in Anini township.

Tariff: Trump last week said he would impose a 100% tariffs on Canada if it follows through on a trade deal with China.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India is likely to source its oil from Venezuela rather than Iran, as Washington continues to push its partners to cut ties with Tehran.

US storms: About 240 million people were under cold weather advisories and winter storm warnings, a forecaster said. The frigid cold was expected to plunge as far south as Florida. Some areas unaccustomed to snow were bracing for several inches to fall by Sunday.

India's Union Budget for FY2026-27 is projected at Rs 54.1 lakh crore, a 7.9 per cent increase. This signals a calibrated fiscal consolidation path. The fiscal deficit is targeted at 4.16 per cent of GDP. Strong real economic momentum supports this budget. GST reforms are boosting urban demand and growth.

A Sydney man has been charged with multiple offences, including stalking and procuring a child for prostitution, after allegedly impersonating a Disney casting agent. He is accused of offering fake film and TV roles in exchange for sexual favours to young actors. The accused, Gerard Vamadevan, was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court next week.

Weather Today: Delhi is under a yellow alert for Sunday with forecasts of rain, thunderstorms, lightning, and strong winds due to a western disturbance. Minimum temperatures dipped on Saturday, and while cloud cover may raise night temperatures on Sunday, they are expected to fall again by Thursday. Air quality has worsened to 'very poor'.

Unidentified individuals fired four rounds outside filmmaker Rohit Shetty's Mumbai residence in Juhu early Sunday. Police and crime branch teams are investigating the incident, which led to intensified security and a forensic team collecting evidence. No injuries were reported.

Uttarakhand's winter pilgrimage is gaining momentum, with over 34,000 pilgrims visiting the winter seats of Char Dham shrines since their closure. This initiative, promoted by Prime Minister Modi, has replaced winter desolation with bustling activity, attracting visitors for its holy sites and natural beauty, boosting local employment.

Budget 2026: The government is likely to aim for a fiscal deficit at 4.2% of GDP for 2026-27, down from 4.4% this fiscal year. Gross borrowing is expected to rise to between Rs 16 lakh crore and Rs 16.8 lakh crore ($174 billion-$183 billion) from Rs 14.6 lakh crore this year.

Union Budget 2026 Live Telecast Channels: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present the Union Budget 2026-27 on Sunday, February 1, at 11 am IST. The speech, her ninth consecutive, will be live-streamed for free on official platforms like Sansad TV and PIB's YouTube channels. Full budget documents will be available online post-presentation.

India and Arab League nations have agreed to deepen ties, advocating for a sovereign Palestine state alongside Israel and emphasizing UN Charter principles. Both sides condemned cross-border terror, vowing collective action against its infrastructure and financing, and reaffirmed support for India in confronting terrorism.

Melbourne is set for a historic Australian Open 2026 final as 38-year-old Novak Djokovic faces 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic seeks his 11th Melbourne title and 25th Grand Slam, while Alcaraz aims for his maiden Australian Open crown and a career Grand Slam sweep. Their compelling rivalry continues on Sunday, with both players determined to claim the prestigious trophy.

Indian captain Suryakumar Yadav shared positive news about injured all-rounder Washington Sundar. Sundar has nearly resumed bowling and batting. This comes after he missed the T20I series against New Zealand due to a side strain. India won the series 4-1. Sundar's return to the team is anticipated soon.

India Budget 2026 Speech Time: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present India's Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday, February 1, at 11 am IST. This marks her ninth consecutive Budget, a historic first. The speech, lasting 1-1.5 hours, will outline government spending, tax proposals, and policy priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

Traditionally, Part A of the budget speech has carried the bulk of the policy announcements and economic details, while Part B was essentially focused on tax-related announcements. In a departure from the practice followed over the past decades, the FM is expected to devote considerable time and emphasis to Part B.

A job seeker shared a viral Reddit post about struggling to get hired for months. After learning a smart interview prep method from a friend, things changed fast. The strategy focuses on using job descriptions to guide answers. Many readers say the advice feels useful, simple, and helpful for todays tough job market.

A Reddit post from a software engineer laid off twice in eight months has sparked discussion about tech job insecurity. The worker lost a dream position just before surgery, took lower-paid AI annotation work, then experienced another headcount cut despite strong performance. Frustration, anxiety, and doubts about being in tech dominate the story.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman faced backlash for stating women cannot lead his party, equating modernity for women with prostitution. He later claimed his X account was hacked after deleting the controversial post. Rahman cited biological differences and cultural barriers for the party's lack of female parliamentary candidates.

Indian Police Service officers from the 2011 batch onwards must now serve two years as Superintendent of Police or Deputy Inspector General on central deputation. This new rule applies for empanelment as Inspector General at the Centre. The move aims to fill vacancies and ensure senior officers gain adequate ground-level experience.

A historic Australian Open final pits 22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, aiming for a career slam, against 38-year-old Novak Djokovic, seeking to become the oldest major champion. Both stars overcame epic semifinal battles, showcasing their shared hunger for victory. Their contrasting styles and past encounters set the stage for a compelling clash.

Bitcoin price dropped under $81,000 as market fear increased. Global tensions, U.S. political uncertainty, and low weekend trading pushed investors away from risky assets. Interest in Bitcoin ETFs also slowed, adding pressure. Traders are now watching key price levels to see if buyers return or if selling continues.

In a historic moment for Maharashtra, Sunetra Pawar stepped into the role of the state's first female deputy chief minister after taking her oath on Saturday. The ceremony, led by Governor Acharya Devvrat, saw the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

At a high-profile rally, Union Home Minister Amit Shah confidently asserted that the BJP is poised to clinch victory in the 2026 West Bengal elections with a resounding 50% of the vote. He committed to completing border fencing within a mere 45 days of taking office, emphasizing the crucial nature of tackling infiltration as a pressing national security concern.

India reaffirmed its support for Palestine and ongoing peace initiatives. Prime Minister Modi met with Arab foreign ministers, highlighting strong historical ties. External Affairs Minister Jaishankar stressed the need to fight terrorism and expand cooperation in digital infrastructure, space, and start-ups. Discussions also covered counter-terrorism and parliamentary exchanges, aiming to deepen India-Arab partnerships.

As Manipur approaches the one-year mark of President's Rule, a wave of solidarity is sweeping through the state as citizens come together in the pursuit of peace and unity. Talks are underway aimed at establishing a popular government soon.

Benjamin Franklins famous quote, Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning traces his journey from humble beginnings to becoming a Founding Father, inventor, and thinker transformed by self-education. It features how Franklin viewed success as a continuous process rather than a final destination. It connects this belief to modern life, where continuous learning and adaptation is significant.

Elena Rybakina has claimed her second Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. She defeated top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in a thrilling three-set match. This victory marks a significant achievement for Rybakina, capping a strong run of form. Her quiet celebration reflected her understated journey through the tournament. Sabalenka faced disappointment after a strong start.

A recent incident in north Delhi, initially blamed on a dog attack, was later revealed to be hypothermia, highlighting the public's tendency to scapegoat stray dogs. Despite a large street dog population and numerous bites, the debate over their management remains unresolved, with activists advocating for sterilization and vaccination as the proven solution.

Mariah Carey, the Queen of Christmas, was honored at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala for her enduring contributions to music and philanthropy. The occasion featured cross-genre performances of her legendary tracks, including Jennifer Hudsons medley of hits and Foo Fighters with Taylor Momsen performing tracks from Careys 1995 secret grunge album, Someones Ugly Daughter. Carey sang along, smiling throughout the night.

India has strongly dismissed a mention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the Jeffrey Epstein files. The Indian government stated the reference is merely the ramblings of a convicted criminal. These files were recently released by US authorities. The Prime Minister had an official visit to Israel in July 2017.

India's ambitious USD 2 trillion export goal is now projected for around 2032. Global uncertainties and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic have shifted the timeline from the initial 2030 target. Minister Piyush Goyal expressed confidence in achieving this milestone. Free trade agreements are expected to boost opportunities for domestic exporters, attracting investors through stability and predictability.

Word of the Day: Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia is the fear of the number 666, a figure widely associated with superstition and biblical symbolism. The word originated from Greek roots: hexakosioi (six hundred), hexekonta (sixty), hexa (six), and phobos (fear), forming a precise term for a certain phobia. Its origins are religious and cultural, arriving from the Book of Revelations depiction of 666 as the number of the beast.

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.