The Economic Times

A Reddit user shared how he was fired suddenly from his job due to performance issues and sick leaves. The job loss left him stressed and unsure about his future. He asked for help online and received kind advice. Many people reminded him that getting fired is common and not the end.

Nearly 20% of employers now end employment immediately after a worker resigns to protect digital data. This is not a firing. It is a security protocol. Tell recruiters you resigned voluntarily. Explain the company accelerated your departure date. This is common in government and tech roles. Use your resignation letter as proof. It shows professional intent. Your record remains clean.

The CBI has opposed petitions by Lalu Prasad Yadav, Rabri Devi, and Tejashwi Yadav in the Delhi High Court. They are challenging charges framed in the IRCTC scam case. The agency stated it was a corruption case involving quid pro quo. The alleged conspiracy led to losses for the exchequer.

Heated Rivalry, the Canadian queer sports romance series, will stream in India. The show follows rival ice hockey players Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, whose fierce on-ice rivalry turns into a secret romance. Adapted from Rachel Reids Game Changers novels, the series explores love, rivalry, and the challenges of being queer in professional sports.

According to February horoscope readings, three zodiac signs stand out for experiencing marked gains in relationships, personal stability and self-confidence.

ETs roundup of the wackiest whispers in corporate corridors.

Following the devastating crash of a Learjet 45, which claimed the lives of Maharashtra's Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and four others, the DGCA is stepping up safety measures by launching a comprehensive audit of non-scheduled flight operators. The assessment started on February 4 and will last until February 25, amid ongoing investigations into the tragic event.

Russias crude exports remain steady despite pressures, but steep discounts are slashing revenues. Shipments averaged 3.33 million barrels a day in the four weeks to Feb. 8, slightly up from the previous period but down 540,000 barrels from pre-Christmas levels. Revenue fell to a five-year low in January due to weaker prices, higher discounts, and currency effects.

The Reserve Bank of India has announced that Tata Motors Finance and Piramal Enterprises have surrendered their registration certificates. Six other non-banking finance companies also surrendered their licenses. The central bank is now seeking public comments on proposed amendments to exempt certain NBFCs from registration.

Over Rs 72,000 crore in unclaimed bank deposits are held by the RBI's DEA Fund by January 2026. Steps are being taken to help people find their lost money. The government is also boosting cooperative banks and infrastructure investment. Unsecured personal loans have also seen an increase.

Thought of the day: Van Dykes words encourage mindfulness and emotional awareness. They invite readers to recognise why certain days feel endless and others vanish in an instant. More importantly, they suggest that love, whether expressed through relationships, service or compassion, creates moments that outlast time itself.

An Indian defense firm has patented a new fixed-wing tactical drone, integrating precision strike and surveillance capabilities. This versatile unmanned system is designed for modern battlefield demands, offering enhanced operational readiness, reduced risk to personnel, and swift intelligence gathering. Its design emphasizes longer range, higher endurance, and adaptability for various strategic roles, bolstering India's indigenous defense strength.

Top immigration officials face Congress Tuesday. They will answer questions on enforcement actions in US cities. Recent events have drawn criticism. Agencies are under scrutiny for policies affecting immigrants and protesters. Officials will speak as public support for the immigration vision declines. Funding for these agencies remains a point of contention.

February 2026 Social Security payments: Over 71 million Americans are tracking their bank accounts this week. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is currently distributing the first mid-month wave of payments. Thanks to the 2.8% COLA increase, these checks are the largest in history for many households. The payment arriving Wednesday, February 11, is specifically for beneficiaries born between the 1st and 10th of any month.

Amid mounting pressure, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is under fire for his recent associations. Newly uncovered documents reveal a visit to Jeffrey Epstein's infamous island, contradicting his previous assertions of severing ties. Lutnick maintains that his interactions with Epstein were insignificant and defended his stance during a Senate committee hearing.

Promise Day 2026 Wishes: Promise Day 2026 arrives as a significant occasion. It emphasizes love's strength through trust and commitment. The day encourages making sincere promises. These pledges are vital for a lasting bond. Readers are invited to celebrate love with heartfelt vows. The focus remains on actions that prove true love. This day marks a future of shared journeys.

DWTS Con 2026 is the first-ever Dancing With the Stars fan convention. It will be held in Palm Springs and will bring judges, pro dancers, celebrity guests, and past winners together. Fans can enjoy live dance shows, panels, photo moments, and special experiences that celebrate the long history of the popular TV dance show.

Target layoffs 2026: Target is cutting 500 jobs as new CEO Michael Fiddelke reshapes the company. These layoffs aim to improve the in-store guest experience and drive growth. The retailer will consolidate store districts and streamline its supply chain. Savings will be redirected to store operations and employee training. Leadership changes are also underway as Target works to revive sales.

Jairam Ramesh, a prominent figure in Congress, openly challenges the latest India-US trade pact, claiming that the interpretation from Washington doesn't align with the assertions made by the Indian administration. He believes India has made significant concessions without reaping appropriate rewards. Additionally, he points out that Indias dominance in textile exports has waned compared to Bangladesh.

Sachin Tendulkar personally invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to his son Arjun Tendulkar's wedding to Saaniya Chandok. Arjun, who was recently traded to Lucknow Super Giants for the IPL, has had a developing career in the league and represents Goa in domestic cricket. Saaniya Chandok comes from a prominent business family and shares a close bond with the Tendulkar family.

Olympic medals hold significant value beyond their metal composition. While gold medals are primarily silver with a gold coating, and silver medals are solid silver, their true worth lies in the prestige and opportunities they provide. U.S. athletes now benefit from tax exemptions on prize money.

IndiGo confirms it has enough staff for smooth flights as temporary pilot duty rule relaxations conclude. The airline faced major disruptions in December, leading to flight cancellations and delays. The regulator, DGCA, had provided temporary relief to IndiGo to stabilise operations. IndiGo has now integrated new rules into its planning and assures stable operations across its network.

Uttar Pradesh's Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath firmly stated that the Babri structure is not destined for revival. He emphasized the importance of adhering to Indian law for anyone contemplating such endeavors. Critically, Adityanath pointed out a pattern among individuals who only seek the blessings of Lord Ram during crises, alluding to the 1990 Ayodhya incident involving police action against pilgrims.

Did you know? The official average colour of the universe is known as Cosmic latte, a warm, creamy beige born from light billions of years in the making

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath declared the Babri structure will never be rebuilt. He asserted that doomsday will not arrive. The Supreme Court had previously ruled on the Ayodhya dispute, backing a Ram temple construction. Hindus believe a Ram temple existed at the site before the mosque. The mosque was destroyed in 1992.

Bollywood icon Ranveer Singh has found himself in a precarious situation after receiving a menacing voice note threat on WhatsApp from unknown sources. Investigators are looking into potential ties to the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang, indicating possible extortion motives.

NITI Aayog has released 11 reports outlining a policy roadmap for sectors such as transport, industry, power, agriculture, buildings, waste and critical minerals to support Indias transition to clean energy while sustaining economic growth and meeting the Net Zero target by 2070.

Shubham Vaidkars story gained attention after a viral Instagram video showed the sharp contrast between his past as a civil engineer and his present as a high-fashion model in Paris. Born and raised in India, he completed a civil engineering degree and worked a stable job before quitting within six months to pursue modelling full-time.

Parliament debated the general budget. Opposition members raised concerns about rising unemployment and wealth disparity. They pointed to the rich accumulating more wealth while the poor remain deprived. The ruling BJP countered by emphasising increased fund allocations for projects and their timely completion. Discussions also touched upon economic policies and their impact on citizens.

In a groundbreaking move, India and the European Union are gearing up to cement a pivotal free trade agreement that stands to link nearly a quarter of the global economy. This union of two major economic powers forms a dynamic market for over two billion individuals.

Fat Tuesday does not fall on a fixed date, as its timing is tied to Easter. Since Easter changes each year, it also determines the dates of Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, and the 40-day Lenten season that follows.

Social Security payments will increase in 2026 due to a 2.8% cost-of-living adjustment. This raise is meant to help retirees manage higher prices caused by inflation. The exact dollar increase will depend on each persons current benefit and the age they started collecting Social Security. Some retirees will see bigger monthly gains than others.

Bank Strike: Banking services may see limited disruption on February 12, 2026. The State Bank of India has announced a nationwide bank strike. Customers are advised of potential impacts. This action by the country's largest public sector bank will affect operations. Work is expected to be impacted to a limited extent during the strike.

XRP price analysis: XRP's calm price action hides growing holder stress, with on-chain data revealing increased exchange inflows and selling at a loss, mirroring 2022 bearish conditions. Metrics like SOPR and realized price suggest potential panic selling, despite some optimistic price outlooks. Broader market weakness and seasonal trends also contribute to the pressure.

India's Defence Secretary met with Seychelles' Chief of Defence Forces and Minister for Foreign Affairs to bolster defense cooperation. Discussions focused on enhancing bilateral engagement, maritime security, and upcoming joint military exercises like 'Lamitye 2026'. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

NASA has rescheduled the launch of four astronauts to the International Space Station for this Friday, overcoming past weather challenges. The Crew-12 mission will elevate aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as the new crew prepares to take the reins from Crew-11.

US stock market today: The Dow surged 272 points to hit a record 50,407 today. This gain came as retail sales stalled at 0.0%. Investors now expect lower interest rates. The S&P 500 slipped 0.09% and the Nasdaq fell 0.42%. Stagnant consumer spending shifted money into stable companies. This soft landing data fuels hope for a Fed pivot. Market eyes now turn to Wednesday's critical January jobs report for more direction.

CBSE will implement On-Screen Marking for Class 12 answer sheets starting in 2026, aiming for enhanced accuracy and efficiency. This digital evaluation process will eliminate totalling errors and reduce manual intervention, with Class 10 answer scripts continuing to be assessed physically. Schools must meet specific technical requirements to support this transition.

Bharti Airtel said it has flagged more than 71 billion spam calls and 2.9 billion spam messages since launching its AI-based spam filter in 2024. The telecom operator has also blocked over 800,000 fraudulent links across its network and platforms like WhatsApp, leading to a 70% drop in scam incidents for its users compared with other networks, according to the company.

Tata AutoComp Systems Ltd is expanding its manufacturing capabilities. The company plans to establish several new plants across India this year. This move aims to strengthen its presence and capacity. These new facilities will help meet future automotive industry needs. The expansion supports OEM partners and evolving platform requirements. Sanand remains a key manufacturing hub for the company.

The Reserve Bank of India is proposing new lending rules for urban cooperative banks. These banks may soon be allowed to increase unsecured loans to 20 percent of their total assets. Individual loan limits will also be enhanced. Public feedback on these draft proposals is invited until March 4, 2026. This move aims to strengthen the banking sector.