Facebook Timeline becomes compulsory while some jobs become temporary. Europe grows an e-conscience and Capt. Schettino a regular one. 

1. Global banks cutting jobs in India

HSBC, CitiBank, BofA and other global banks firing in their India offices at the fastest pace since 2008. Slow business and restructuring in parent companies has led to scores of employees being shown the door with more pink slips on the way.

Details, commentary and analysis on The Economic Times.

2. Europe considers new laws on Internet piracy

Europe too is looking to go the SOPA/PIPA way with new laws that could have a serious impact on companies that deal in personal information.

The whole story at The International Herald Tribune.

3. Captain ship-wreck finally acknowledges his mistake

Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia, has admitted that his mistake led to the ship running aground. He has, however, denied that the ship was going too fast.

Schettino’s statements at CNN.

4. RIM share prices tank with leadership shake-up

The new CEO of Research in Motion, Thorsten Heins, was greeted by an 8.5 percent drop in share prices. Heins, however, was positive and played down the drop in US market-share over the past year.

Great read at The Huffington Post.

5. Facebook to shove timeline down your throat

Timeline profiles will now be compulsory on Facebook with everyone getting the new profile in the coming weeks. So, like it or hate it, you are going to have to live with it.

More on MSNBC.

And a very happy Republic Day to everyone.

Yesterday’s Hit List here