The Economic Times

The Election Commission has directed 22 states and Union Territories to finalize preparations for a Special Intensive Revision of voter lists. This crucial exercise is slated to commence in April. Once completed nationwide, all states and UTs will be covered. This initiative aims to ensure accurate and updated electoral rolls across the country.

Tata Motors has launched attractive customer schemes for February 2026 across its passenger vehicle range. These offers, including cash discounts and exchange bonuses, aim to boost sales for both new buyers and those looking to upgrade. Benefits vary by model and manufacturing year, with significant savings available on popular models like the Altroz and Nexon.

India and the UAE are boosting investment and cooperation. Prime Minister Modi met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. They discussed increasing UAE sovereign wealth fund investments in India. Both leaders welcomed new initiatives in health, technology, and insurance. This visit reinforces the strong India-UAE strategic partnership.

Prepare for a rare celestial spectacle as a total lunar eclipse graces the skies early Tuesday, March 3, 2026. This 'Blood Moon' event, the last visible globally until 2029, offers a stunning copper-red hue during its 58-minute totality. NASA has released detailed maps for optimal viewing across U.S. time zones.

India is seeking enhanced collaboration with Switzerland in research, biotechnology, and pharmaceuticals. This move aims to bolster economic relations between the two nations. Swiss investments are also being encouraged in areas of Switzerland's technological expertise.

Speculations regarding Nicole Kidmans potential new romance with MGM Resorts chairman Paul Salem have reportedly disturbed her ex-husband, Keith Urban. Sources suggest that while the two share social circles and have met twice, there is currently no romantic relationship. Urban is reportedly frustrated, feeling protective of his family and unsettled by media rumors.

In 2026, Social Security has some new changes that many people did not notice. The earnings limit for working retirees went up, the wage tax cap increased, and the money needed to earn work credits became higher. These updates may affect workers, part-time earners, and people planning retirement, so it is important to stay informed about yearly Social Security rules.

Iran and the United States are increasing military presence amid stalled nuclear talks. Iran is conducting drills with Russia in the Gulf of Oman. The US has moved an aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, closer to the Mediterranean. These actions highlight rising tensions between the two nations. Meanwhile, Iran faces domestic unrest following protests.

European banks could face 4-6 billion euros in digital euro implementation costs over four years, according to ECB policymaker Piero Cipollone. The central bank's setup costs are estimated at 1.3 billion euros. Banks will recoup expenses via merchant fees, while merchants will benefit from a cap on these charges.

Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, stemming from his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. This follows a period of controversy, including a disastrous BBC interview and a civil lawsuit from an Epstein victim. The former prince has denied wrongdoing but has been stripped of military titles and royal duties.

Assam's assembly has approved an interim budget of over Rs 62,000 crore for the 2026-27 fiscal year. This move comes just months before the state goes to polls. The Finance Minister presented the Assam Appropriation (Vote on Account) Bill, 2026-27, which received unanimous support. Flagship government schemes are set to continue. Assam is reportedly the fastest-growing state in India.

A video from Mumbai has gone viral showing an elderly woman washing cars on the street to earn a living. A passerby, moved by her hard work, dirtied his own car so she could clean it and later surprised her with money, a saree, and a hug. He shared the clip with the caption Maa se bada koi yodha nahi hota, calling mothers the greatest warriors.

ICICI Prudential Life Insurance faces a significant tax demand of Rs 984 crore. An appellate order upheld the demand, which relates to input tax credit reversal. The company plans to file a further appeal. Despite the large sum, ICICI Prudential Life states there is no immediate impact. This development concerns tax liabilities from July 2017 to July 2022.

Many taxpayers may face refund delays this tax season because the IRS is changing how it sends money. Direct deposit is now the main method, and paper checks are being stopped. If bank details are missing or wrong, refunds can get frozen for weeks. To avoid delays, taxpayers should give correct bank information and check their IRS account regularly.

Wells Fargo will pay $56.85 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging credit score harm due to misreported COVID-19 mortgage forbearances. The settlement, awaiting court approval on April 17, aims to compensate eligible California homeowners who received a CARES Act forbearance and had their accounts inaccurately reported.

President Trump hosts a global meeting for his Board of Peace. The focus is on rebuilding Gaza and forming an international security force. Over two dozen nations are attending. Some countries remain hesitant about the initiative. Discussions will also cover disarming Hamas. The plan aims for lasting peace in the region.

Jaya Bachchan's softer side emerged when she aided director Tigmanshu Dhulia. Dhulia faced threats and opposition while filming 'Haasil' at Allahabad University. The university authorities believed the movie portrayed student politics negatively. Bachchan intervened by contacting Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh. This helped resolve the conflict, though the word 'Allahabad' was banned from the film.

According to the Ministry of Defence release, RTRS is a specialised dynamic test facility being used extensively for high-speed aerodynamic and ballistic evaluations.

Ramadan 2026 is set to begin in India on February 19, with the first Roza observed on this date. Muslims will commence their pre-dawn Sehri meal at approximately 5:36 AM and break their fast with Iftar at 6:15 PM. The sacred month is expected to conclude around March 20, leading to Eid al-Fitr.

Dal, or lentils, is a staple in Indian households and is not only nutritious but also versatile. Packed with protein, fibre, and essential nutrients, dal can be transformed into a variety of tasty snacks.

Why are BTC, ETH and XRP prices down today and will Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple finally rise or continue to fall? The crypto market declined after Federal Reserve policy signals, stronger dollar, liquidations and macro uncertainty. Bitcoin, Ethereum and XRP fell. Investors now watch inflation data, Fed rate outlook and liquidity conditions to predict crypto market recovery or further decline.

Gurugram-based MeMeraki, a startup championing traditional Indian art, has secured 1 crore funding on Shark Tank India from four investors for a 4% equity stake. The company, which connects over 500 artisans with global customers, plans to use the investment to enhance its technology, expand enterprise collaborations, and improve artisan training, aiming to scale its unique model for cultural projects.

Assam Chief Minister Biswa Sarma joined daily wages of tea garden workers in the state if the ongoing negotiations with stakeholders become fruitful.

Renault is bracing for a tighter financial future, forecasting lower profit margins by 2026. Following a 15% fall in operating profit last year, the French automaker faces mounting pressure from Chinese upstarts and traditional rivals alike. In response to this competitive squeeze, Renault is committed to slashing costs and unveiling new car lines.

Jerry Seinfeld's iconic quote, If a book about failures doesn't sell, is it a success? delves into the paradox of success and failure. It highlights how the outcome of a venture can ironically reflect its subject matter, prompting a reevaluation of how we define achievement and recognize the inherent value and lessons within perceived failures.

India's exports to EU: Of India's USD 19.3 billion in global automotive exports during the first nine months of 2025-26, the EU's share rose to 11.6 per cent from 9.8 per cent in April-December 2024, the data showed.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai hailed AI as the iggest platform shift of our lifetimes at the India AI Impact Summit, envisioning hyper progress for emerging economies. He highlighted AI's role in scientific breakthroughs like AlphaFold and Google's significant investments in India, including a coastal AI hub.

Filmmaker Vikram Bhatt received bail. India's AI Summit saw Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw unveil new commitments. An earthquake struck Iran, and a gas leak in Karachi caused fatalities. Eight skiers died in a California avalanche. Harmanpreet Kaur became the most capped player in women's cricket. Moderna's flu shot faces FDA review. Bank of America offers art consulting.

The University of Western Australia has secured over 1.16 lakh sq ft of office space in Mumbai's Waterstones building for its first Indian campus. This move signifies a growing trend of foreign universities opting for centrally located Grade-A office spaces to establish their presence in India, leveraging urban connectivity and proximity to student populations.

A former British prince, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The investigation centers on allegations of sharing trade information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. This development follows years of controversy surrounding his association with Epstein and comes after the prince stepped back from royal duties.

New research from JPMorganChase Institute reveals that tariffs paid by midsized U.S. businesses tripled last year, forcing companies to absorb costs through higher prices, reduced hiring, or lower profits. This indicates significant economic disruption from the Trump administration's trade policies, with some businesses shifting supply chains away from China.

Germany may buy more American F-35 fighter jets. This comes as a joint fighter jet project with France faces significant challenges. The potential purchase signals a shift in Germany's defense strategy. The F-35s will eventually replace older Tornado jets. The future of the Franco-German project remains uncertain.

Why are gold and silver prices rising now and will precious metals hit new highs or fall back? Gold and silver prices increased as US Iran tensions, Federal Reserve policy outlook, inflation expectations, and interest rate decisions influenced demand. Investors tracked economic data and supply levels to understand precious metals outlook and future price direction.

The Union government has reduced the number of districts affected by Left Wing Extremism to seven. This development aligns with the goal to end the Naxal menace by March 2026. A recent review by the Ministry of Home Affairs led to this new classification. The government continues its efforts to address security and development in these regions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the MANAV vision for AI, emphasizing a human-centric approach focused on morality, accountability, national sovereignty, accessibility, and validity. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the acronym, calling it an Acronym Infection. Modi asserted India's belief in democratizing AI for global welfare, not fearing it but seeing opportunity.

Ex-Prince Andrew arrested: Former British royal Prince Andrew, born Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking a dramatic turn in the controversy surrounding his ties to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.

A major GST evasion scam has been uncovered in India's restaurant sector. AI analysis of billing data revealed suppressed sales worth thousands of crores. The Income Tax Department's investigation found widespread manipulation of sales records. This probe, spanning several financial years, highlights significant tax evasion. The scale of the scam suggests potential evasion could be much larger across the industry.

Anuj Gandhi has stepped into the role of Chief Business Officer for Digital Entertainment Services at Jio Platforms, where he will take the helm of JioTV and JioTV+. His new responsibilities also encompass steering the OS strategy for Jio TeleOS, with a keen focus on content planning and strategic partnerships.

Tamil Nadu elections: DMDK's move came amidst reports that the opposition AIADMK was also actively wooing the party to its led NDA. Key NDA constituent BJP slammed DMDK, saying while it has boarded a sinking ship, Vijayakanth's athma (soul) will not forgive the party for forging ties with the DMK.

In an exciting leap for Earth observation, Bengaluru's GalaxEye is set to unveil Mission Drishti. Armed with NVIDIA's Jetson Orin technology, this satellite will provide swift data analysis of our planet.

CAA protests: The CAA seeks to grant citizenship to migrants belonging to Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Christian, Jain and Parsi communities who came to the country from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan on or before December 31, 2014.

The Hunting Party: The Melissa Roxburghled thriller The Hunting Party, created by JJ Bailey, has climbed Netflixs U.S. charts following the arrival of its first season on the platform. While Season 1 is now broadly accessible, fans hoping to watch the newest episodes.

Denzel Washingtons widely shared quote, If you have an enemy, then learn and know your enemy, don't just be mad at him or her, highlights the importance of understanding conflict instead of reacting with pure emotion. The advice, often linked to principles similar to The Art of War, reflects the actors disciplined approach to both life and career.

Mukta Arts is embarking on a vibrant journey with Green Gold Animation, combining their strengths to reimagine the timeless tales from Muktas cherished film library. The aim? To enchant a fresh audience with engaging animations.