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Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held discussions with an eight-member Japanese delegation. The meeting focused on enhancing cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Japan's Yamanashi prefecture. Key areas of collaboration included clean energy, green hydrogen, innovation, and industrial development. Both sides expressed commitment to strengthening the partnership. Discussions also touched upon cultural ties and Buddhist heritage tourism.
V Srinivasan, husband of Indian Olympic Association President P T Usha, passed away early Friday. He was 67. Srinivasan collapsed at his home and was rushed to a hospital where he could not be revived. A former central government employee, he was a constant support throughout Usha's career. The couple have a son, Ujjwal.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath met a Japanese delegation from Yamanashi prefecture. Discussions focused on strengthening the strategic partnership between India and Japan. Cooperation in clean energy, particularly green hydrogen, was a key area. The meeting also explored innovation, capacity building, and sustainable industrial development. Both sides expressed interest in deepening ties through cultural exchange and tourism.
The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a statement on India's Nipah Virus outbreak on Thursday after the country confirmed two cases of infection this month in West Bengal. The international agency affirmed that the national, regional, and global risk remains low and does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions.
President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Friday. He will also attend a policy meeting later that day. The White House schedule did not provide specific details. Trump earlier indicated he would announce his pick for Federal Reserve Chair on Friday. It remains unclear if these events concern the Fed nominee.
A 27-year-old Delhi SWAT commando Kajal Chaudhary was brutally assaulted with a heavy dumbbell by her husband in West Delhi, and she died of injuries. Her brother recounted hearing her screams during a phone call with her husband. Ankur allegedly dialled Nikhil again to tell him Kajal was dead and called him to the hospital. Kajal was four months pregnant when the incident happened.
Forget flashy logos and maximalist bling; 2026 is the year Bollywood embraced quiet luxury. From Sonam Kapoor to Gen-Z stars, India's elite are choosing understated elegance, timeless pieces, and wealth that whispers, not screams.
When Virat Kohli spoke about eating simple, repetitive meals, it wasnt about restriction, it was about discipline, performance, and understanding how food fuels the body.
Gold and silver prices are soaring to unprecedented levels, signaling deep global economic unease. This surge, driven by central bank buying and geopolitical uncertainty, suggests a growing distrust in traditional financial systems. Silver's rise also points to significant investment in future technologies, indicating a world bracing for both instability and transformation.
Speaking at the Hudson Institute, which promotes American leadership for a secure, free, and prosperous future, he emphasised that while the initial ucleus focused on manufacturing hubs such as Japan and South Korea, expanding into India is essential to secure the broader supply chain, including critical minerals and AI infrastructure.
Ajit Pawar was reportedly very keen on merging the two factions of the Nationalist Congress Party. A close associate revealed that Pawar had confirmed the merger process was complete and imminent. This development was expected to occur within days. The alliance between the factions had already been successful in recent polls.
Steve Jobs, the visionary behind Apple Inc., transformed personal technology. His creations like the Macintosh, iPod, iPhone, and iPad changed how people use devices. Jobs also led Pixar Animation Studios, producing hit films. His intense leadership and pursuit of perfection built influential companies. His legacy continues to inspire innovators and business leaders worldwide.
Is Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan losing his permanent vision? Imran Khan's party PTI, has claimed that the founder's health is in a severe condition, adding that he is suffering from a serious eye condition that could lead to permanent loss of vision if not treated on time. Meanwhile, Pak minister said Imran Khan underwent an eye surger,y and he is in good condition. The PTI has also alleged that Imran Khan was secretly transferred to Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences.
Business leader Adar Poonawallas wife, Natasha Poonawalla, is a masterclass in audacity, blending couture, craftsmanship, and creativity to create looks that command global attention.
Alberta separatists are gaining momentum following the 2025 Liberal election victory, fueled by frustrations over federal environmental policies and perceived unfair taxation. While Premier Danielle Smith opposes separation, her government has allowed a petition for a potential independence referendum, with 28% of Albertans reportedly favoring leaving Canada.
Dozens of students fell ill after eating mid-day meals in Sangareddy, Telangana and Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. In Sangareddy, 22 students were hospitalized with stomach pain after consuming sambar and rice. Meanwhile, over 33 students in Coimbatore experienced vomiting and severe stomach pain. Authorities are investigating both incidents, raising concerns about food safety in government schools.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visited China, highlighting the UK's substantial contributions. He met with top Chinese leaders, securing agreements including visa-free travel for Britons. China also agreed to reduce tariffs on British whisky. These developments aim to boost UK economic growth, with major companies like AstraZeneca announcing significant investments in China. The visit signifies a move towards closer ties.
President Trump is reportedly preparing to nominate former Fed governor Kevin Warsh as the next Federal Reserve chair. Warsh, who visited the White House on Thursday, previously served on the central bank's Board of Governors and has advised Trump on economic policy. Markets reacted to the news with stocks falling and Treasury yields rising.
US President Donald Trump has cautioned close ally Britain against engaging with China. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is currently in Beijing for talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump also stated it is dangerous for Canada to do business with China. This comes as Western leaders seek to improve relations with Beijing.
India will host the 2nd India-Arab Foreign Ministers' Meeting on January 31, preceded by senior officials' talks today. The meeting highlights growing India-Arab ties across trade, energy, education and culture, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 240 billion and strong cooperation through the League of Arab States.
EU foreign ministers designated Iran's IRGC as a terrorist organisation, citing violent crackdowns and security concerns. Israel welcomed the move, while Iran called it a strategic mistake. The decision eases legal action against IRGC members and comes alongside new EU sanctions over human rights abuses and Iran's missile and drone programmes.
Virat Kohli's Instagram account disappeared on Friday, triggering speculation online. Fans noticed that Virat Kohli's Instagram account was not appearing when users tried to search for it, leaving them concerned and puzzled. The cricketer's Instagram account was back again on Friday morning.
America has eased sanctions on Venezuela's oil sector. This follows reforms allowing American companies to re-enter the industry. Venezuela's acting president hailed the move as historic. The United States is now in charge of Venezuela's oil. Millions of barrels of oil will be sold at market price. This reform aims to revive Venezuela's economy and restore dignity.
Apple anticipates robust revenue growth for the March quarter. Strong iPhone demand in China and India fuels this optimism. However, memory chip shortages may impact production. The company also acquired an AI startup. Apple's performance in key markets shows resilience. Investors are watching closely as Apple navigates these dynamics.
Republicans in the House of Representatives are pushing for significant changes to America's voting laws. These proposals include requiring photo identification and proof of citizenship for voters. The legislation also seeks to ban universal mail-in voting and ranked-choice voting. These measures are intended to enhance election integrity and voter confidence.
Delhi weather today: Delhi, Noida and Gurugram will witness light rain and thunderstorms on February 1, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted in its latest weather bulletin. Delhi on Saturday might receive very light rain with thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds towards night. On Friday, Noida might experience dense fog.
Donald Trump, his sons, and his company are suing the IRS and Treasury Department. They seek $10 billion in damages. The lawsuit stems from the 2019 and 2020 disclosure of tax returns to media outlets. Plaintiffs allege the agencies failed to prevent leaks by a former contractor. They claim reputational and financial harm resulted from the disclosures.
A US aircraft carrier strike group has arrived in the Middle East. This provides President Trump with new military options against Iran. However, these choices carry significant risks of retaliation from Tehran. The President's shifting messages about his goals have raised questions about the mission's true objective. Oil prices have surged amid these heightened tensions.
US authorities are probing claims that Meta employees accessed private WhatsApp messages. Former contractors allege they and Meta staff had broad access to encrypted chats. This contradicts Meta's public statements about WhatsApp's security. A whistleblower complaint also highlights these concerns. The investigation is ongoing, with Meta denying the allegations.
The Trump administration has eased sanctions on Venezuela. A new license allows US oil companies to export, sell, store, and refine Venezuelan crude. This move aims to revive Venezuela's oil sector. However, restrictions apply, including a ban on transactions with Chinese-tied entities. The US will control future sales and hold proceeds.
S&P 500, Nasdaq, Dow Jones today: US stocks closed mixed as disappointing Microsoft earnings and Federal Reserve news impacted markets. Tech stocks, particularly software, faced significant declines amid AI disruption fears. While the Dow Jones saw modest gains, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dipped. Investors now await Apple's results, with political uncertainty also adding to market jitters.
President Donald Trump will announce his choice for the next Federal Reserve Chair on Friday. This comes as speculation intensifies over who will lead the U.S. central bank. Trump has been vocal about his desire for lower interest rates. Several candidates are reportedly on a shortlist, with a focus on those who agree with the President's economic views.
President Donald Trump is set to reveal his choice for the next Federal Reserve Chair. The announcement is scheduled for Friday morning. This decision will shape the future of the nation's central bank. The public awaits the name of the individual who will succeed Jerome Powell. This is a significant development for the US economy.
Elon Musk's SpaceX and xAI are reportedly in talks for a merger. This combination aims to unite SpaceX's rockets, Starlink satellites, X social media, and Grok AI. The move precedes a major public offering planned for later this year. This strategic integration could significantly boost SpaceX's efforts in the competitive AI landscape and space-based data centers.
Venezuela's lawmakers have approved a major oil law reform. This move aims to boost oil and gas production and attract foreign investment. The changes include lower taxes and increased power for the oil ministry. This reform follows years of strict nationalization. The U.S. has also eased sanctions on Venezuela's energy industry.
National shutdown January 30: A nationwide protest is planned for January 30. Americans are urged to skip work, school, and shopping. This action aims to protest recent fatal encounters involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. The movement builds on earlier protests in Minnesota. Celebrities and student groups are supporting the shutdown.
Denton ISD school closure: North Texas schools are reopening Friday after winter weather. Dallas, Plano, and Frisco ISDs will operate normally. Some districts like Krum ISD remain closed. Peaster ISD and Weatherford College have delayed starts. Students are advised to travel with caution. This marks a return to routine for many after days of disruption.
Sandisk stock surged over 14% after reporting blockbuster fiscal second-quarter results, with adjusted earnings per share soaring 404% year-over-year to $6.20 on $3.03 billion in sales. The company's strong performance was driven by a 76% increase in data center sales, fueled by the AI boom. Sandisk also provided an optimistic third-quarter outlook, exceeding Wall Street expectations.
AAPL Apple stock price today: Apple's first-quarter earnings soared past expectations, driven by record iPhone sales and a significant rebound in China. The tech giant reported robust revenue and profit, with its services division also performing strongly. Despite some segment challenges, Apple's strategic AI investments and strong market performance in key regions are bolstering investor confidence.
Liftoff Mobile IPO: Liftoff Mobile is preparing for its public debut, aiming for a valuation up to $5.17 billion. The mobile app marketing firm plans to raise as much as $762 million. This move signals a revival in the US IPO market after a slowdown. Liftoff, backed by Blackstone, will list on Nasdaq under the ticker LFTO.
Great Falls earthquake: A 4.2 magnitude earthquake jolted near Great Falls, Montana, on January 29, 2026, at 12:41 p.m. local time. The shallow tremor, originating about 7.5 miles north-northeast of Malmstrom Air Force Base, caused light to weak shaking across nearby communities. While no injuries or damage were reported, the event highlights Montana's seismic activity, though rare.
Police arrested a shopkeeper in Dehradun for assaulting two Kashmiri brothers. The incident occurred during an argument over goods. One brother sustained a head injury. Both are stable. The brothers were visiting their father for the holidays. A case has been registered and further investigation is ongoing.

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