India-EU free trade agreement to expand market access and forge security, mobility and innovation partnerships.
The India-EU free trade agreement creates a framework to expand market access, facilitate trade and investment, boost manufacturing, services, agriculture and small industries, and strengthen supply chains while fostering innovation partnerships. Parallel to the FTA, a security and defence partnership will deepen cooperation in counter terrorism, maritime security, and cybersecurity and enable co development and co production in defence. A five year strategic agenda will guide closer collaboration on Indo Pacific engagement, multilateral reform, a rules based international order, and complementary mobility and science and technology frameworks.

Opposition demands discussion on MGNREGA, SIR and the economy; government failed to circulate Budget session agenda.
Opposition demanded structured debate in the Budget session on the scrapping of MGNREGA, the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, foreign policy and the economy, and criticised the government for not circulating the tentative legislative agenda. They sought restoration of MGNREGA, scrutiny of SIR procedures, release of withheld state funds, and discussion of Centre-state relations. The government said the list of business is provided after the President's address and declined separate debate on VB G RAM G and SIR, noting both had already been debated.

Banking operations disrupted by nationwide bank unions' strike demanding implementation of a five day work week.
Nationwide strike by the United Forum of Bank Unions disrupted branch banking operations as unions demanded immediate implementation of a five-day work week; roughly eight lakh public sector bank employees participated, affecting cheque clearance, cash transactions, bill trading and treasury functions while digital channels remained operational. The action followed a failed conciliation meeting and reflects union claims that a prior agreement to extend weekday hours and declare remaining Saturdays as holidays has been pending government approval, and that declaration of all Saturdays as holidays was agreed in the 12th Bipartite Settlement.

Tata Power launches affordable IoT home automation device and scales nationwide retail expansion to reach mass households.
Tata Power is launching an affordable IoT-enabled converter and expanding retail home automation under 'EZ Home 100 Cities, 1 Purpose', targeting one crore households and growth from nine to 100 cities; the Rs 2,500 device automates up to three appliances via a mobile app, works with limited or no internet, suits new and existing homes without major electrical modifications, and supplements a 50-product portfolio largely imported but quality-monitored by Tata Power.

Gold and silver hit record highs as safe haven demand and geopolitical tensions drive sharp price rallies.
Gold and silver reached record domestic and international prices driven by safe haven investor demand, geopolitical and trade tensions, and a weaker dollar, with silver also supported by industrial demand; analysts warned of possible near term profit booking while the broader upward bias remains if global risk sentiment stays fragile.

Odisha farmers' distress and worsening law and order to be raised in Parliament alongside statewide agitation.
The BJD will raise in Parliament farmers' distress-including seed and fertiliser shortages, deficient paddy procurement and alleged non-payment at announced rates-alongside demands for special status, coal royalty revision, unemployment and alleged recruitment irregularities; it will also press law-and-order concerns including increased crimes against women and communal attacks, and raise the Mahanadi water dispute and Polavaram project, coordinated with a fortnight-long statewide agitation.

GST deputy commissioner resigns over religious leader's remarks, citing service rules and support for constitution and elected leadership.
A state GST deputy commissioner resigned citing objectionable remarks by a religious leader, framing his resignation as support for the Constitution and elected leadership and invoking Uttar Pradesh service rules to limit his opposition to conduct against the state or its head to actions within his constitutional and service boundaries.

India-EU Free Trade Agreement grants preferential access for over 99% of Indian goods and includes mobility and defence pacts.
India and the European Union finalised a Free Trade Agreement providing preferential market access for over 99% of Indian goods, aimed at boosting exports and supporting farmers, MSMEs, manufacturing, services and skilled professionals. The instruments include a mobility pact for Indian talent and a security and defence collaboration pact; 13 pacts and a five year strategic agenda were announced. Formal signature requires bilateral legal scrubbing and may take at least six months.

India-EU FTA likely implemented in 2026; 93% of Indian exports to EU to gain duty-free access.
The India-EU free trade agreement, concluded after over two decades of negotiation and described as comprehensive, is anticipated to enter into force in calendar 2026 after expedited legal review, granting duty-free access to about 93% of Indian shipments to the EU, reducing import costs for certain high-value goods, and creating expanded market and investment opportunities while leaving specified sensitive issues outside the liberalising commitments.

Governor's letter seeking speech visuals leaked before the Speaker received it, who refuses to reply unless given the original.
Governor requested audiovisual records after the Assembly adopted the Cabinet-approved speech as the official record rather than the delivered address; the letter was marked highly confidential but reached the media before the Speaker. The Speaker said he will not reply unless the Governor's office delivers the original letter directly and asked that the Governor's office investigate the apparent leak.

DeepSnitch AI presale shows strong traction-$1.3M raised, 140% rally, staking and VIP boosts may drive listing liquidity.
Grayscale filed for a spot BNB ETF to give U.S. investors regulated exposure to BNB, highlighting BNB's central role in the Binance ecosystem. DeepSnitch AI has raised over $1.3 million, shipped AI market intelligence tools, recorded a 140% presale rally, and removed over 31 million tokens via staking; VIP bonus codes materially increase allocations, and these factors are presented as drivers that could produce rapid repricing and liquidity if DSNT attains a Tier 1 exchange listing. A risk disclosure cautions on the high volatility of crypto trading.

Human Cocaine film depicts organised crime and human exploitation and releases theatrically on January 30, 2026.
Human Cocaine, releasing theatrically on January 30, 2026, depicts an underworld of organised crime and drug trafficking centered on a highly priced variant of cocaine produced through disturbing methods, foregrounding human exploitation, captivity and survival through stark visuals and intense performances.

Retrouvailles 2026 places India at the centre of the luxury wedding industry, driving global destination demand and partnerships.
Retrouvailles 2026 convened over 450 industry leaders and international delegates at Anantara Jewel Bagh, Jaipur to position India as a central hub for global luxury weddings by focusing on cross-border partnerships, large-scale experiential celebrations, operational collaboration among planners and production teams, and the strategic use of heritage venues combined with contemporary luxury to meet evolving client expectations and complex logistics.

Blood donation drive collected 5,000 units from volunteers, reinforcing community blood supply and ongoing donation efforts.
A voluntary blood donation drive coordinated by Tarun Mitra Mandal and organised by HAB Pharma collected 5,000 units from 5,000 donors, marking the third consecutive annual drive in Mumbai and contributing to a long-term partnership that has amassed over 200,000 units. The event involved 50 hospitals, followed national blood donation and safety guidelines, and was overseen by qualified medical staff; organisers plan to continue similar drives to reinforce voluntary donation culture and local blood supply.

Gullak launches a jeweller savings scheme marketplace with CaratLane, enabling consolidated saving and jewellery redemption.
A digital jeweller savings scheme marketplace aggregates multiple jeweller savings plans for side by side discovery, selection, automated micro savings via UPI autopay and round ups, and redemption of accumulated digital gold as jewellery or cash through partner jewellers. Initial onboarding includes CaratLane, with additional jewellers planned, while Gullak and partner jewellers co create product offerings to scale customer acquisition and standardized redemption channels.

Crompton recognised as world's No.1 ceiling fan brand; global leadership driven by sales, R&D and advanced fan technologies.
Crompton was recognised by Euromonitor International as the world's No.1 ceiling fan brand based on global retail unit sales for 2024 using proprietary Passport data, desk research, company disclosures and expert interviews. The company attributes leadership to scale (over two crore fans sold annually), sustained R&D investment (200+ experts; over Rs.100 crore annually), proprietary technology platforms (X Tech and Nucleus), advances in Induction and BLDC motor technologies, and product features such as Anti Dust, Air 360 airflow and SilentPro noise reduction.

Aster DM Healthcare merger to convene shareholder and creditor meetings for approval, targeting completion by Q1 FY2026-27.
An order has been issued to convene shareholders and unsecured trade creditors meetings to approve the scheme of merger between Aster DM Healthcare and Quality Care India, with meetings to be fixed between February 27, 2026 and March 13, 2026. The transaction has obtained competition clearance and no-objection letters from stock exchanges, and completion is targeted by Q1 FY2026-27, subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions precedent.

L'Oreal Professionnel launches Global Creative Contributors to co develop content, education, and tools empowering hair professionals worldwide.
L'Oreal Professionnel has launched the Global Creative Contributors program, appointing selected hairstylists and industry experts as long term creative partners to co develop content, professional events, and education. Contributors-chosen for technical excellence and diverse expertise-will collaborate with the brand's scientific and technological resources to translate innovation into practical tools, decode trends, and provide training and mentorship aimed at empowering and upskilling hair professionals worldwide.

India-EU FTA expands market access, strengthens trade ties, and boosts maritime and cybersecurity cooperation to reduce strategic dependency.
India-EU Free Trade Agreement is a comprehensive economic partnership intended to expand market access across a combined market of roughly two billion people, strengthen bilateral trade and investment through tariff and market-entry mechanisms, and enhance resilience by reducing strategic dependency. The agreement also prioritises sectoral cooperation in maritime affairs and cybersecurity to secure trade flows and critical infrastructure.

Ladera Technology opens Singapore regional headquarters to drive AI-led enterprise transformation and SAP Gen AI integration.
Ladera Technology opened a Singapore regional headquarters to serve as a Centre of Excellence for Generative AI and Data Engineering, focusing on SAP Gen AI integration, AI-driven digital transformation with attention to business value and risk governance, and support for Global Capability Centres while expanding workforce and partnering with local technology and government initiatives.