The Economic Times

Spondulicks, an old-fashioned slang term from the 19th century, humorously refers to money or funds. While rarely used in modern Canadian conversation, it appears in multiple contexts, including informal, creative, and historical, adding a lighthearted, comedic, and retro feel. This colourful term is best suited for casual storytelling and humorous writing.

The Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's tariffs, a significant blow to his expansion of presidential power. Despite Trump's furious reaction and plans for new tariffs, the ruling creates uncertainty for the federal budget and raises questions about refunding over $100 billion in collected duties.

An earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale shook Pakistan on Saturday. The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. Pakistan's location makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity. Regions like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan are particularly at risk due to their proximity to major fault lines.

Croma is offering massive discounts on Apple iPhones. The latest iPhone 17 is available for under Rs 45,000 and the iPhone 16 is priced below Rs 40,000. These deals combine bank cashback, coupon discounts, and exchange bonuses. The sale runs from February 20 to March 8.

The committee will be chaired by party Treasurer TR Baalu. Other members of the panel include Principal Secretary KN Nehru, Deputy General Secretaries Tiruchi Siva and A Raja, Organising Secretary RS Bharathi, and High-Level Executive Committee members EV Velu and MRK Panneerselvam.

Swiss drugmaker Novartis AG is selling its 70.68% stake in its Indian unit for Rs 1,446 crore to a consortium led by ChrysCapital. This divestment aligns with Novartis' strategy to become a pure-play innovative medicines company, while it maintains a significant presence in India through its wholly owned subsidiary.

Comic actor Rajpal Yadav has been in the news after surrendering to Tihar Jail in a Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case. He was recently granted interim bail to attend his niece's wedding. The actor opened up about his time in jail, expressing gratitude for support. His wife, Radha, thanked industry colleagues and well-wishers. Read on!

Embraer, the Brazilian aerospace giant, has set its sights on securing 200 aircraft orders for manufacturing jets in India. They envision a state-of-the-art final assembly line operational by 2028, but have a backup plan of establishing a completion center if order timelines slip.

Mumbai Crime Branch issued a Look Out Circular against Harichandra, alias Harry Boxer, a suspected Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, for extorting Rs 20 crore from actor Ranveer Singh. This follows a threatening voice note and is linked to a broader probe into intimidation campaigns targeting Bollywood personalities, including a recent firing incident outside Rohit Shetty's residence.

An Indian graduate in the US, facing a tough job market post-Master's, expressed dismay over a meager salary hike and a role titled 'Business Automation Analyst' instead of Software Engineer. His concerns about immigration status and future career prospects sparked a widespread online debate, with many advising patience and continued job searching.

Neesha Singh was a familiar face in the 80s and 90s Indian entertainment. She gained fame through advertisements and films like Bazaar and Ankush. Her television roles in Buniyaad and A Mouthful of Sky made her a household name. The actress then left showbiz at her peak for family life. Read on!

Indian exporters are observing developments after the US Supreme Court invalidated President Trump's tariffs. While this ruling offers potential refunds for duties paid, exporters remain cautious. They anticipate new tariffs may be introduced through different legal avenues. Clarity on the future trade landscape is expected next week. This situation could impact ongoing trade negotiations and existing export orders.

Dubai transforms during Ramadan. Workdays shorten, and the city's rhythm shifts. Evenings come alive with corporate iftars and suhoor gatherings. Hotels offer special menus and tents. Retailers provide significant discounts on essentials. Banking and auto sectors also present attractive deals. The focus moves from profit to seasonal giving.

ICICI Bank Global Markets said the chances of a policy rate hike are low due to benign core inflation and expects a prolonged pause in rates through 2026-27, with the focus shifting to regular durable liquidity infusion to support monetary transmission.

Consumer electronics makers are cutting product specifications and features to manage a sharp rise in memory chip prices driven by global AI infrastructure demand, a trend similar to shrinkflation in FMCG. Counterpoint Research said memory prices have surged 8090% quarter-on-quarter since November 2025, prompting brands to reduce memory configurations, hardware features and trade margins instead of raising prices repeatedly.

The U.S. Trade Representative will launch new Section 301 investigations into major trading partners and sectors like pharmaceutical pricing. This follows a Supreme Court decision striking down certain tariffs, with the administration confident that Trump-era trade deals will remain intact. New probes will examine issues including industrial overcapacity, forced labor, and digital goods discrimination.

Actor Eric Dane, famous for Grey's Anatomy and Euphoria, has died at 53. He bravely fought ALS, a condition he revealed last year. Before his passing, the actor shared a touching video message for his daughters, Billie and Georgia. In it, he imparted life lessons to them. Read on to know about them.

A Bengaluru couple's career crossroads, shared online, sparked debate. The wife, earning 21 lakh annually in IT, is considering a government bank PO role offering 9 lakh, prioritizing stability over high pay. This decision highlights a growing trend of professionals re-evaluating demanding corporate careers for better work-life balance, though concerns about income reduction and exam uncertainty remain.

Government sources said an initial reading of the US Supreme Court ruling striking down President Donald Trumps global reciprocal tariffs effectively nullifies the 25% levy on India, with New Delhi awaiting an official White House response.

The Supreme Courts decision to strike down many of Donald Trumps tariffs has cast uncertainty over several recent U.S. trade deals that had fixed duties at around 1520% in exchange for investment and trade concessions. While Trump said some agreements would remain, he also announced a new 10% global tariff under a different legal authority, creating fresh ambiguity for partners.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan with his threats of 200 per cent tariffs as he argued against the US Supreme Court ruling to invalidate his reciprocal tariffs.

The US has imposed a 10% global tariff, impacting India as part of its trade deal, following a Supreme Court ruling that limited President Trump's authority under the IEEPA.

The U.S. Supreme Court declared tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump illegal. The court did not specify how the government should refund an estimated $175 billion. Importers may need to sue individually for refunds. This process could be complex and lengthy, potentially impacting smaller businesses. Some companies are selling their refund claims to investors.

Two new films, Do Deewane Seher Mein and Assi, released on February 20. Do Deewane Seher Mein, starring Mrunal Thakur and Siddhant Chaturvedi, took a slight lead on its opening day. Assi, featuring Taapsee Pannu, also opened to modest numbers. Both films are now looking to the weekend for increased audience interest and box office growth. Read on!

US trading partners that have reached tariff deals with President Donald Trump's administration will now also face a 10 percent duty, despite higher levels they may have agreed on previously, the White House said Friday. This is, however, only temporary as the administration will be pursuing other legal authorities to implement more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates, a White House official told AFP. aue-bys/mlm

The White House has announced an end to certain tariff actions. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. These tariffs were imposed under a law meant for national emergencies. The additional duties will no longer be collected. This executive order marks a significant shift in trade policy.

President Donald Trump is weighing limited military strikes to pressure Iran into agreeing to a new nuclear deal, even as experts warn that bombing during negotiations could derail diplomacy and trigger retaliation, risking a wider Middle East conflict.

IRS tax refund 2026 update: IRS processed 20.6 million tax returns through February 6, down 12.3% year over year, while the average tax refund rose to $2,290, up 10.9%. The 2026 tax season started slower. Tax refunds are now arriving for early filers. E-file and direct deposit refunds usually come within 21 days. Paper tax returns can take six to eight weeks. Use Wheres My Refund? on IRS.gov to check refund status daily.

Zero new $1,390 stimulus check is approved for February 2026. The Internal Revenue Service confirms no new federal stimulus payment exists. Congress has not authorized any $1,390 IRS direct deposit. Viral posts about an IRS stimulus check 2026 are false. Current payments are regular tax refunds, Earned Income Tax Credit, or Child Tax Credit refunds. Always verify IRS payment status at IRS.gov to avoid tax scams.

Eighty-four-year-old Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 21 days in Tucson. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff confirm a suspected kidnapping. Doorbell camera footage shows a masked man. Blood DNA matched Nancy. Her pacemaker signal dropped minutes later. The suspect is 59 to 510, average build, facial hair. He may carry a backpack and handgun. Police now seek a Tucson man missing three weeks.

Millennials are changing how people invest money. They use mobile apps, start investing early, and take more risks like crypto. They also plan many income sources and choose investments based on their values. Experts say their biggest lesson is simple: use technology to invest easily, ignore daily market noise, stay disciplined, and focus on long-term financial growth.

The new $25,000 tip tax deduction applies from 2025 through 2028. File IRS Schedule 1-A to claim it. Only voluntary tips qualify. Income limits apply. Phaseout starts at $150,000 single and $300,000 joint. Maximum deduction is $25,000 per return. Mandatory gratuities do not qualify. Proper documentation is required. Payroll taxes still apply.

Ancient carvings unveil the stories of yesteryears, while today's graffitilike Cikai Korran's expressive words in Egyptmight serve as the historical chronicles of tomorrow. In an era dominated by digital interactions, tangible traces of our culture are fading. This street art could stand as a bridge, connecting us to future societies.

John Lennon's iconic lyrics, All we are saying is give peace a chance and Imagine all the people living life in peace, continue to resonate globally. These powerful messages, born from a turbulent era, fused art with activism, urging compassion over conflict.

President Donald Trump has ordered the release of government files concerning aliens and unidentified flying objects. This move follows his criticism of former President Barack Obama's remarks on extraterrestrial life. Trump stated the release is due to public interest. The Pentagon has found no evidence of alien visitation or government cover-ups. This development continues to fuel public fascination with UFOs.

India's private sector activity accelerated in February. The HSBC Flash Composite Output Index reached a three-month high. Manufacturing output saw sharper expansion, boosting overall growth. New orders and overseas demand supported this upturn. Businesses are optimistic about future activity. Employment growth also touched a three-month high as firms stepped up hiring.

India's core sector growth slowed to 4% in January. Energy industries saw moderated momentum. Infrastructure sectors like cement and steel remained strong, reflecting economic investment. Electricity generation eased. Refinery products output was flat. Crude oil and natural gas production contracted. Coal and fertiliser output also saw slower growth. This slowdown is expected to impact overall industrial production.

India's merchandise trade indices have a new base year, 2022-23, replacing the old 2012-13. This update reflects significant economic shifts and evolving trade patterns. The revised indices offer a more accurate picture of exports and imports. They are crucial for economic analysis and policy decisions. This revision enhances the relevance and reliability of trade data for all users.

India has extended insurance cover for ships arriving at its ports. Four Russian insurance companies, including Soglasie and UGORIA, will now provide protection until March 20. This cover is crucial for vessels transporting valuable cargo like crude oil. Other Russian insurers have permissions extending to 2030 and 2029. UAE-based Sun UW MGA also received a similar extension.

President Trump announced a 10% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, shifting from the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) after a Supreme Court ruling. This new measure, permitted for temporary import surcharges due to international payments problems, can last up to 150 days and be up to 15%.

The Supreme Court has delivered a surprising verdict, striking down President Trump's tariffs on imported goods. The justices concluded that he had exceeded his legal authority under a specific statute, which led to taxes on products from a range of countries, such as South Korea, Japan, and the European Union.

Peak XV Partners has launched its first independent fund, securing $1.3 billion. This capital will support startups in India and across the Asia-Pacific region. The firm, formerly part of Sequoia Capital, will deploy funds through three separate vehicles. This new fund continues Peak XV Partners' two-decade legacy of backing innovative companies.

Vedanta's aluminium business expects slower growth in production and earnings. Earlier projections for EBITDA to exceed $4 billion this fiscal year have been revised. The company now anticipates EBITDA of $2.7 billion in the current fiscal. Projections for FY27 and FY28 are $3.6 billion and $4.1 billion respectively. This indicates a revised outlook for the business's financial performance.

US stock market surging big today: The Dow Jones Industrial Average jumped 120 points to 49,515, while the S&P 500 rose 0.57% to 6,900 and the Nasdaq surged 0.85% to 22,875 in a strong US stock market rally today. Investors reacted to the Supreme Court blocking major Trump tariffs. Amazon stock gained over 2%. Nvidia stock climbed more than 1%. The Magnificent Seven stocks led gains as lower trade risk boosted tech and retail shares.

In January, India's economic landscape showcased resilience, with industrial production and service sectors experiencing consistent growth. Publicly traded companies noted impressive sales figures, particularly within the manufacturing domain. Anticipated trade agreements with the European Union and the United States are poised to enhance export potential. Investment enthusiasm remains robust, and inflation levels stay aligned with targets.