The Economic Times

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.

The government mandated a blue line on antibiotic packaging to curb misuse. However, pharmaceutical companies argue this will disrupt operations and finances. They believe the measure lacks scientific backing and global alignment. Industry associations are urging the government to withdraw the notification. Existing regulations already address antimicrobial resistance concerns.

Kerala's inland waterways development reaches a milestone. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the first phase of the Akkulam-Chettuva Water Way. This project is part of the West Coast Canal Renovation. It aims to boost logistics and tourism across the state. The inauguration will also feature the Chilakoor Tourism Project. Several other development initiatives will be launched.

What will happen to those concessions? The joint statement announced Zero tariff on many goods that the US will export to India; that India intends to import $500 billion worth of goods from the US; that India will not buy Russian oil; that India will address the non-tariff barriers to US goods, and so on. What will happen to those promises? An Indian team is now in the US to finalise the text of the Framework Agreement. What will the team do now?, P Chidambaram asked.

Starbucks India is expanding its presence with new stores and innovative products. The company is focusing on growth in the Indian market, which is a top global priority. This expansion continues despite current losses and a competitive landscape. Starbucks aims to strengthen its position in India as it seeks new avenues for global growth.

Seven individuals have filed complaints against the Chief Electoral Officer in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district. They allege harassment during the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. A legislator claims thousands of names, predominantly Muslim, were recommended for deletion to disenfranchise voters.

TCE, a 63-year-old company which has designed the new Parliament building, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train and the Ayodhya temple, focuses only on design and engineering consultancy.It operates under the owner's engineer and project consultant (OEPC) model.

The Supreme Court has ordered judicial officers to oversee the SIR process in Bengal. A meeting is set for Saturday to finalize arrangements. The court also allowed the publication of the voters' list by February 28, with supplementary lists to follow. Both Trinamool Congress and BJP have welcomed the verdict.

Uber Eats, Workday and Bet365 down and when will it be back up is trending as users report outages. Many say apps are not loading and services are not working. Reports show issues in the United States. Users see errors and failed loading. Companies have not confirmed full restoration timelines yet for users.

The bank has quantified the amount involved at 38.95 crore, representing the principal sacrifice under the resolution plan implemented for RCFL, people privy to the complaint details told ET.

Vedanta Resources has raised $350 million from global banks. This financing will cover upcoming debt payments and interest costs. The deal involves lenders like First Abu Dhabi Bank, Mashreq Bank, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, and JPMorgan. Twin Star Holdings, a family trust, is the guarantor. This move strengthens Vedanta's credit profile after a period of stress.

President Donald Trump has confirmed that tariffs on India will stay at 18 percent. This decision comes after a recent legal challenge to his wider tariff policies. India will not see any immediate changes to the current trade terms. Washington aims to keep country-specific tariff arrangements in place. This approach maintains pressure on trading partners while respecting existing agreements.

Trumps immediate response to the Supreme Court tariff ruling: $160 billion in tariffs vanished instantly following a landmark 6-3 Supreme Court ruling. The Court blocked President Trumps use of IEEPA for global trade taxes. In response, Trump signed a 10% global tariff under Section 122. He slammed disloyal justices as unpatriotic during a live briefing. This legal pivot targets a 150-day trade window. Markets now brace for massive federal refunds and renewed economic volatility.

The Rs 1 lakh crore Fund will see cities proposing different projects to the state government and then competing against each other to tap into this fund. The Centre has earmarked Rs 20,000 crore per year for the next five years. The state governments will match up the Centre's share and the remaining will be raised from the market, either as bank loans or through private participation or through municipal and citizen bonds.

Sibilance is a hissing sound in language. It occurs when 's', 'sh', or 'z' sounds repeat. This technique adds mood to poetry and affects clarity in public speaking. Sound engineers manage sibilance in audio. The word itself echoes its meaning. Understanding sibilance reveals the musicality of words beyond their literal sense.

A hardworking employee shared online that they felt very sad after not getting a promotion even after strong performance and extra training. The company chose another worker and hired someone from outside. This made the employee feel tired and unsure about their future there. Many people online advised them to explore new job options and understand their true career value.

Indian online money gaming companies face uncertainty after a betting ban. They are seeking government clarity on overseas investments and partnerships. Firms want to know if past investments are valid and if they can support foreign platforms. This clarity is crucial for their survival and future business beyond India's borders.

The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court order, backing Mumbai Polices FIR against Rashmi Saluja and citing ample incriminating material gathered by the ED in the ESOP case.

New laws like the I-T Act and Labour Codes are creating uncertainty for employers. Companies face challenges in understanding new rules for compensation and data handling. These changes could alter salary structures and increase legal risks. Businesses are seeking expert advice to prepare for upcoming deadlines and ensure compliance with evolving regulations.

Among the seven districts across the Himalayan states, two districts are in J&K -- Kishtwar and Ramban. The IMD plans to instal four additional doppler weather radars and 34 automatic weather stations and snow gauges in J&K in addition to the existing three X-band radars in Srinagar, Jammu and Banihal.The new radars are proposed at Doda, Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla to strengthen early warning and weather service delivery, chief minister Omar Abdullah said.

President Donald Trump signals defiance after the Supreme Court struck down his tariff policy. He plans to use other legal avenues to advance his trade agenda. Trump announced immediate steps to impose a 10% global tariff and launch new investigations. This indicates a policy shift rather than a retreat, potentially leading to renewed trade tensions.

A consortium including WaveRise Investments, ChrysCapital, and Two Infinity Partners is set to acquire a significant stake in Novartis India. This move is part of Novartis's strategy to divest its stake. The transaction is expected to conclude in the third quarter of 2026. Novartis will continue its operations in India through Novartis Healthcare.

In a significant development in defense collaboration, India has urged France to prioritize local production of weaponry linked to the Rafale fighter jets. This initiative seeks to enhance the 'Make in India' vision by fostering the domestic manufacturing of critical missiles such as the Meteor and SCALP.

In a bold statement at the World AI Impact Summit in Delhi, Youth Congress members staged a daring protest, shedding their shirts to symbolize transparency and accountability. Their demonstration was a reaction to Prime Minister Modi and the controversial India-US trade agreement. Armed with striking slogans and vibrant posters, the activists caught attention, though some were met with police detentions.

US Supreme Court has ruled against President Donald Trump's tariffs. This decision allows for refunds on certain duties imposed on goods from Brazil and India. The US Chamber of Commerce welcomed the ruling. Businesses that directly paid these tariffs may be eligible for reimbursement. This move is expected to lower costs for families and support economic growth.

The Supreme Court has declined a public interest litigation. The plea sought a ban on establishing mosques named Babur or Babri Masjid. The court refused to entertain the petition. The petitioner subsequently withdrew the plea. The case highlighted concerns about naming religious structures after invaders.

The US Supreme Court has ruled against President Trump's trade tariffs. This decision could lead to over 175 billion dollars in refunds for collected duties. The court stated the President exceeded his authority in imposing these tariffs. This ruling impacts a key part of Trump's economic strategy. Businesses faced uncertainty and rising costs due to these tariffs.

Music composer A.R. Rahman will credit the Junior Dagar Brothers for their contribution to the song 'Veera Raja Veera' from 'Ponniyin Selvan: II'. The Supreme Court recorded this submission. The credit acknowledges the Dagarwani tradition and the original 'Shiv Stuti' recording. This resolution follows a legal dispute. The modified credit will appear on platforms soon.

What is ADIZ and why were Russian fighter jets spotted near Alaska? NORAD detected Russian Tu-95, Su-35, and A-50 aircraft in Alaska ADIZ. US responded with F-16 and F-35 jets. The aircraft stayed in international airspace. ADIZ helps identify aircraft before sovereign airspace entry. Such incidents happen regularly, officials confirmed Friday.

During a recent gathering, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra voiced her staunch disapproval of the BJP administration in Assam. She raised alarm over the escalating violence against women and the dire job situation facing young people.

Governor Gavin Newsom urged the Trump Administration to issue immediate refund checks with interest to American families and businesses following the Supreme Court's ruling that President Trump's tariffs were illegal. The Court confirmed that the President lacked the authority to impose these tariffs, which cost families an average of $1,751 last year.