Leasing residential flats does not automatically bar consumer-protection claims; focus is on the purchaser's dominant commercial purpose.
A purchaser's exclusion from "consumer" status due to leasing depends on whether the dominant purpose of purchase was profit-generating commercial activity; the onus of proving such a commercial purpose and a close nexus to profit lies on the party asserting the exclusion, and mere leasing does not ipso facto demonstrate that dominant commercial intention.

Bharat Taxi launch: cooperative, driver-owned ride-hailing with zero-commission fares and direct profit sharing.
A driver-owned ride-hailing platform registered as a multistate cooperative implements a zero-commission, surge-free fare model that keeps Rs 20 per Rs 100 as the platform share (owned by drivers) and channels Rs 80 directly to drivers, pairs collective ownership with mandated social-security measures, and will expand from initial pilot regions to nationwide operation within three years.

Housing completion, modification of sports board ban, and dearness allowance directed for past service period.
Orders addressed completion of 16 stalled housing projects by a state contractor for an insolvent developer; modification permitting a sports administrator's board association; direction to pay dearness allowance for 2008-2019 as a legally-enforceable right; adjournment of an NSA detention challenge; upholding of a legislative election. The court authorised the civil service commission to flag delays in senior police appointment proposals, called for fresh hearing of retrospective environmental clearance challenges, and listed petitions on election challenges and deregistration for parties promising pre-poll freebies.

European Central Bank holds deposit rate at 2% as growth stays resilient and inflation sits below target.
The European Central Bank kept its deposit rate at 2 percent as lower rates, low unemployment and easing energy costs supported resilient eurozone growth, while inflation fell to 1.7 percent. A US EU tariff deal reducing trade uncertainty and anticipated higher public spending in Germany, plus France's budget resolution via special powers, contribute to forecasts that rates may remain unchanged into 2027 absent stronger growth.

Silver and gold plunged amid a global selloff as a stronger dollar and Chinese futures liquidations intensified the rout.
Silver and gold fell sharply as a stronger US dollar, hawkish Fed remarks and reduced safe haven demand triggered a global selloff; international pressures, notably a steep decline in Shanghai silver futures and forced liquidations at a major Chinese silver futures fund, intensified the rout and transmitted additional downward pressure to domestic precious metal prices.

Manipur finances: state resources and tax collection rose, excise revenues and security funding increased, boosting resettlement and anti-narcotics efforts.
State resources rose from Rs 1,443 crore to Rs 2,087 crore between 2023-24 and 2024-25, with own tax collections improving markedly (Rs 1,254 crore by October 2025 versus Rs 608 crore in October 2024). Phased lifting of prohibition is expected to boost excise duty. The administration pursues a zero tolerance policy on narcotics-destroying illicit poppy cultivation and seizing drugs-and has secured Rs 196.61 crore for security and smart policing plus over Rs 54 crore for police infrastructure, while targeting resettlement of more than 10,000 IDP households.

India-EU and India-US FTAs expected to boost manufacturing, exports, investment and job creation in key sectors.
NDA leaders in Kerala endorsed the economic effects of India's Free Trade Agreements with the US and EU, arguing the accords will expand market access, boost manufacturing and exports in electronics, semiconductors, apparel and footwear, attract investment, spur startups and job creation, and position India as a competitive supplier. They criticised the state government's development record and opposition resistance. An industry representative denied any improper link to an enforcement notice, characterised inspections as routine, and said alleged violations must be proven in court.

Rajasthan's stone industry: investor-friendly policies, single-window clearances and infrastructure to boost value addition and exports.
The state announced an investor-friendly, policy-stable initiative for the stone industry centred on a single-window clearance, simplified procedures, stronger industrial infrastructure and improved logistics to facilitate business setup, value addition and access to global markets.

SaltDiscovery Media Group launches Brand Communion to cover branding, marketing, and consumer behaviour with multilingual plans.
SaltDiscovery Media Group celebrated five years and launched Brand Communion, an English-language flagship focused on brands, marketing, public relations, consumer behaviour, and corporate storytelling for India and the Eurasian market, with plans for multilingual expansion; the group emphasised responsible journalism, intent to bolster research and analytics, expand its global contributor network in 2026, and to broaden its publishing portfolio including the forthcoming Business Journal Live.

KaarTech named among India's Top 50 Best Workplaces in IT & IT BPM for commitment to trust and people first culture.
KaarTech was named one of India's Top 50 Best Workplaces in IT & IT BPM for 2025 by Great Place to Work India, attributed to a people first culture emphasising trust, inclusion, innovation, and strong employee experience, with the company's global operations, SAP S/4HANA engagements, proprietary IP (KTern.AI), and industry awards presented as contextual support for its workplace practices.

Urban India protein deficiency survey finds 60% not consuming protein daily; affordability and awareness are key barriers.
A nationwide urban survey of over 207,000 respondents finds roughly 60% of urban Indians do not consume protein-rich foods daily and that major knowledge gaps exist about recommended protein intake and symptoms of deficiency. Affordability, not availability, is the principal barrier, with taste and dietary restrictions also limiting consumption. The release reports industry responses including a high-protein milk product and a partnered awareness campaign aimed at improving protein access and literacy.

Bank of England keeps interest rate at 3.75%, forecasts inflation toward 2% and signals possible further cuts.
The Bank of England maintained its policy rate at 3.75 per cent with the Monetary Policy Committee narrowly split (five to hold, four to cut). Accompanying forecasts project inflation falling toward the 2 per cent target from 3.4 per cent, and the Bank signalled scope for further reductions in the Bank Rate later in the year provided inflation declines as projected.

India Art Fair 2026 spotlights BMW's decade-long cultural partnership and Afrah Shafiq's immersive commissioned installation.
BMW Group India returns as presenting partner of India Art Fair 2026, operationalising its decade-long cultural sponsorship through the "The Future is Born of Art" Commission; the 2026 Commission, themed "Crafting in Continuum," is awarded to Afrah Shafiq for an immersive fac ade installation that combines textile traditions with an interactive Augmented Reality experience, while BMW also presents the limited-run Concept Speedtop in a collectors' showcase.

Cloud decision intelligence platform Cloudeva.ai opens public preview for multi-cloud governance and accountable change management.
Cloudeva.ai provides a decision layer over existing infrastructure, finance, and security tooling that interprets cloud changes through business, financial, and regulatory context to produce auditable, explainable decisions about who changed what and why. The public preview enables real-environment testing, governance workflow design for regulated operations, and direct collaboration with the founding team to address multi-cloud governance, accountability, auditability, and operational risk.

India-US trade deal nearing completion, poised to expand economic ties alongside critical mineral, defence and energy cooperation.
India and the United States are concluding a bilateral trade agreement, with final detailing imminent and completion expected very soon, which is said to open a new phase in bilateral economic relations. Concurrently, critical mineral cooperation is advancing rapidly and further engagement on strategic issues, defence and energy is anticipated, reflecting coordinated expansion of economic and security cooperation and sustained diplomatic momentum toward finalising the partnership.

Elan Group awards Leighton Asia a INR 1000 crore LoI to construct Elan The Mark mixed use development.
Elan Group issued a Letter of Intent for INR 1000 crores to Leighton Asia to undertake construction of 'Elan The Mark' in Sector 106, Gurugram, covering nearly 5.5 million sq.ft. of built up area across current and future phases and including comprehensive civil, structural and MEP works for a mixed use component within an approximately 50 acre integrated township.

Nisschal Zaveri performance 'Whispers of the Infinite' at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, free public concert Feb 6, 2025.
Nisschal Zaveri will present Whispers of the Infinite - Spring Edit, a ghazal and poetry programme at Kala Ghoda Arts Festival on February 6, 2025, at Cross Maidan, Mumbai; the minimalist performance features a ghazal band (tabla, sarangi, 12-string guitar, bass, keyboard, percussion), is free and open to the public, and is published as a press release with a disclaimer that the distributing agency takes no editorial responsibility.

PhysicsWallah celebrates 100+ CLAT admits, highlighting affordable, accessible online legal education and inclusive prep tools.
PhysicsWallah emphasized that its online CLAT preparatory model-combining interactive lectures, 24/7 faculty support, rigorous mock tests, mentorship, tech-enabled delivery and physical centres-expands access to legal education by making preparation affordable and inclusive for students from Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns, persons with disabilities, and those facing socio-economic hardships, enabling them to secure admissions to National Law Universities.

Mastiii 4: an adult Bollywood comedy on ZEE5 about a "Love Visa" week that sparks farcical marital chaos.
Mastiii 4 is an adult-oriented Hindi comedy on a streaming service centred on three married men who use a recurring "Love Visa" week of sanctioned freedom to pursue extramarital amusements; their lies and deceptions produce escalating misunderstandings and farcical chases when the wives assert their own independence. The film depends on ensemble comic chemistry, cameos, vibrant UK locations, brisk editing, and musical numbers to amplify loud, sexualized humour and situational slapstick, prioritising accessible entertainment over thematic depth.

Nava Limited posted strong quarterly profit growth, funded by MEL dividends and enabling a US$50M share buyback.
Nava Limited reported improved consolidated income and significant QoQ net profit growth driven by Energy operational performance, higher metals volumes and disciplined cost management; MEL realised arrears and continued dividend distributions enabling Nava Global's US$50 million buyback. The release outlines progressing capacity projects (MEL 300 MW expansion, 100 MW solar, agriculture and sugar projects), strong standalone revenue and profit growth, and emphasizes cash-flow discipline, dividend flows between group entities, and related capital-allocation measures.