The Economic Times

Mendacious means deliberately lying. It is a precise word for intentional deception. The term highlights conscious dishonesty, not simple mistakes. It is used in journalism and legal writing. Mendacious carries a negative tone, suggesting a breach of trust. The word comes from Latin and means deceitful. It helps distinguish error from intentional falsehood.

Weather update today: The IMD has forecast light rain for Delhi, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for Wednesday. Snowfall has been predicted for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The weather department has issued a fog alert for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. For Delhi, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for today.

The father of Dwarka accident accused has spoken out after his son was accused in a fatal Dwarka crash. He denied the claims that his children were making reels. He also stated that the Scorpio involved is part of his commercial vehicle business, and the challans issued against the car were not because of his son but by the driver.

YouTube experienced a global disruption affecting its video platform. An issue with the recommendation system prevented videos from appearing. YouTube confirmed the problem is resolved. Platforms including YouTube.com, the app, Music, Kids, and TV are back to normal. Millions of users reported issues, particularly in the US and India. The mobile app saw the most complaints in India.

The Maharashtra government has rescinded its resolution. This resolution had previously granted a 5% reservation for the Muslim community. The quota applied to admissions in educational institutions. It also covered recruitment in government and semi-government jobs. This withdrawal marks a significant policy shift by the state administration.

Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of V D Savarkar, has taken legal action in Pune, targeting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments. In a defamation suit, Savarkar is seeking voice recordings from Gandhi, who purportedly accused his granduncle of advocating violence against a Muslim man.

YouTube outage memes: As YouTube suffered a global outage today, with users getting 'something is wrong' error message, many users rushed to social media to share memes and hilarious GIFs. One user wrote that YouTube is partially down and its my bedtime. While YouTube services gradually resumed, the internets reaction showed no signs of slowing down

Delhi Weather today: The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Delhi today and has warned of light rain and thunderstorms. On Tuesday, the capital remained unseasonably warm, with the maximum temperature settling at 30.9C, about 6.5 degrees above the seasonal average, according to the IMD. Similar weather conditions have been predicted for Noida and Gurugram too.

A widespread YouTube outage left hundreds of thousands of users globally unable to watch videos, sparking significant frustration. Reports of issues began Tuesday evening in the US and rapidly escalated, with over 355,000 users reporting problems by 7:18 pm CT. The disruption, tracked by Downdetector, saw videos stopping mid-playback and the platform failing to load, with #YouTubeDOWN trending on X.

US forces struck three boats in Latin American waters, targeting alleged drug smugglers. Eleven people died in the attacks. This campaign has resulted in at least 145 deaths since September. The US military released videos of the destroyed vessels. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of these strikes, especially as fentanyl often travels overland.

Youtube something went wrong: Many users are facing an outage with YouTube and they are getting 'Something is Wrong' error message when they are trying to access the app. You should try to refresh the page, restart your device and check your internet connection to try and fix 'something is wrong' error message on YouTube.

Millions are experiencing a major YouTube outage, with reports of disruptions starting around 7:45 PM ET and escalating quickly. DownDetector shows nearly 300,000 users reporting issues, primarily affecting the core YouTube service. While YouTube TV also saw spikes, the exact cause remains unknown, leaving viewers waiting for an official update on service restoration.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed a significant property tax increase. This measure is a last resort if Governor Kathy Hochul does not agree to raise income taxes on wealthy individuals. The proposed hike could impact millions of homes and businesses. Mamdani aims to address a substantial budget deficit. Negotiations with the City Council are ongoing.

Japan will invest $36 billion in three U.S. projects, including a $33 billion natural gas power plant in Ohio and a $2.1 billion oil export terminal in Texas. A synthetic industrial diamond factory in Georgia, valued at $600 million, will also be established. These investments are the first under Japan's $550 billion U.S. pledge.

In 2026, Americans lose 239 hours annually to traffic. A 90-minute commute steals 700 hours yearly. This ime tax slashes your effective hourly wage. Switching to a 10-minute commute boosts mental health and work-life balance. Even a $2,000 pay cut saves money on fuel and vehicle wear. Shorter trips reduce burnout risk and increase productivity. Prioritize career growth by reclaiming your time. Small moves yield massive lifestyle gains.

Word of the Day: Quiddity meaning is the essential nature of something. It answers the question, what makes a thing what it is. Quiddity pronunciation is KWID-ih-tee. The word comes from Latin quidditas, meaning whatness. Used in philosophy and law, it signals depth and clarity. Learning rare English vocabulary boosts writing skills, exam scores, and professional credibility in todays competitive knowledge economy.

More than 71 million Americans receive Social Security benefits each month. The Social Security SSDI payment for February 2026 goes out on Wednesday, February 18. This payday covers beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th. The Social Security Administration follows a three-Wednesday schedule. SSI recipients will also get an early March payment on February 27 because March 1 falls on a Sunday. This is not a bonus.

Quote of the day by Theophrastus: Theophrastus, Aristotle's successor, emphasized time as life's most valuable asset, surpassing material wealth. His philosophy highlights that how we spend our finite hours reveals our values and character. This ancient insight encourages mindful living, urging individuals to invest time in meaningful pursuits for a more fulfilling existence.

40 MPH wind gusts and 15% relative humidity have triggered a Fire Weather Watch in Lansing for Wednesday, according to NWS Chicago. The alert runs from morning through evening. Southwest winds will range from 15 to 25 MPH, increasing wildfire risk. Dry air and dormant grass create critical fire weather conditions. Officials warn rapid fire spread is possible. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged across the Chicago area.

China's ambitious tree-planting program has transformed the Taklamakan Desert, once known as The Place of No Return, into a functioning carbon sink. Satellite data reveals measurable photosynthesis and carbon absorption, demonstrating a remarkable environmental shift. While water availability and heat absorption pose challenges, the project offers hope for desertification reversal.

Shrinking Season 3 Episode 4 release time, what to expect and how to watch worldwide is now confirmed. The episode streams February 18, 2026, on Apple TV Plus. Jimmy speaks at Gaby class, Paul faces Parkinson changes, and Gerry returns. Viewers worldwide can stream the episode using an Apple TV Plus subscription.

The U.S. government is backing prediction market platforms in a major legal fight with several states. The dispute is about who should control these online betting-style markets federal regulators or state gambling authorities. The outcome could change how sports betting, online prediction trading, and digital event contracts are regulated across the country in the future.

Five people were injured in a New York church explosion Tuesday morning in Boonville, Oneida County. One firefighter remains in critical condition. The blast happened around 10:30 a.m. at Abundant Life Fellowship Church. Thick black smoke filled the sky. Police say no sign of criminal activity. Investigators are probing a possible propane or gas leak. The church suffered severe structural damage. The cause remains under active investigation.

The Supreme Court is noticing a worrying trend of lawyers using artificial intelligence to draft court petitions. Judges have encountered cases where AI tools have cited judgments and quotations that are either incorrect or do not exist. This raises serious questions about the accuracy and reliability of AI-assisted legal drafting.

US stock market crashes today as the Dow Jones falls 114 points to 49,386. The S&P 500 drops 0.25%. The Nasdaq slips 0.35%. Bitcoin tumbles 2.19% to $67,326. Gold plunges 3.21% to $4,884. Oil prices weaken. Tech stocks trade mixed. Investors react to inflation data, AI concerns, and Federal Reserve rate cut uncertainty. Market volatility spikes across stocks, commodities, and crypto.

The Supreme Court will hear appeals in April regarding the fodder scam convictions. This includes appeals against the Jharkhand High Court's decision to suspend the sentence of former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Prasad and other convicts. The court noted the advanced age of the accused. Cases where respondents have died will be closed.

Ancient Greek philosopher Diogenes of Sinope taught that insults reflect the speaker's flaws. He believed true dignity comes from within. His philosophy remains relevant today, especially in online interactions. Diogenes lived a simple life, rejecting material possessions. He emphasized self-sufficiency and independence from external validation. His teachings highlight that one's honor is not diminished by others' words unless accepted.

Indian courts are pushing business families towards mediation for dispute resolution. This approach aims to protect family ties and business value. Recent court directives highlight the benefits of negotiated settlements over lengthy legal battles. Experts advocate for formal family agreements to prevent future conflicts. Mediation offers a private avenue to address complex issues involving legacy and control.

The federal government will deposit $1,000 per child into new Trump Accounts starting in 2026. This is a one-time government payment. It is not automatic. Parents must open the account and claim it through their tax filing. Eligible children must be U.S. citizens with Social Security numbers and born between 2025 and 2028. The money will be invested for long-term growth. Annual contributions up to $5,000 will be allowed.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is seeking expert help to recover data from the crashed Learjet 45's cockpit voice recorder. Both recorders were severely damaged by intense heat and fire. The CVR, made by Honeywell, is undergoing examination. This investigation aims to understand the cause of the accident that claimed five lives, including Maharashtra's deputy chief minister.

NCP leaders met Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. They demanded a CBI probe into the aircraft crash that killed Ajit Pawar and four others. The Chief Minister assured the state government will write to the Union Home Ministry. This request seeks a CBI investigation into all angles of the crash. The move follows allegations of conspiracy behind Ajit Pawar's death.

Tarique Rahman has taken oath as Bangladesh's new Prime Minister. This marks a significant political shift after two decades. Rahman's government faces the challenge of governance experience. India's Lok Sabha Speaker attended the ceremony, signaling hopes for stronger bilateral ties. The new government is expected to foster inclusive politics. Several international dignitaries were also present.

Heartreachment is a modern expressive word that states a deep emotional influence that reaches directly into the heart. It refers to moments, actions, or words that create lasting emotional resonance rather than brief reactions. The term blends familiarity and intuition, making its meaning easy to grasp even on first encounter. Heartreachment applies to daily life experiences, from personal conversations to powerful art and storytelling.

Bumfuzzle is a rare English word that means to confuse or puzzle someone. It is mostly used in casual talking, not formal writing. The word comes from old dialect words and has been used for more than 100 years. People often use it when something is very hard to understand or makes their mind feel mixed up.

The Supreme Court has expressed its reservations about the feasibility of tracking every violent event unfolding in West Bengal, suggesting that a petitioner should turn to the Calcutta High Court for possible recourse. The case highlights allegations surrounding the killings of BJP workers post the 2018 local body elections.

A recent online discussion reveals young professionals are struggling with the 9-to-5 office grind. An economics graduate shared his dissatisfaction with his filing clerk role, sparking a flood of advice. Many resonated with the feeling of burnout and disillusionment. Suggestions ranged from remote work to pursuing trades. The conversation highlights the search for fulfillment beyond traditional office structures.

India has emerged as a strong voice for the Global South. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated India is shaping global discussions and contributing to a more balanced world. The nation offers practical solutions to global challenges. India's progress is rapid and sustainable. Its digital infrastructure ensures welfare benefits reach citizens efficiently.

India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met with France's Catherine Vautrin. Discussions focused on increasing local manufacturing for Rafale fighter jets. India also wants French support for setting up engine maintenance facilities. A renewed 10-year defense pact will boost training and technology cooperation between the nations.

The Karnataka High Court has dismissed a defamation case against Rahul Gandhi. The case was filed by the BJP over a Congress campaign. The court stated continuing the proceedings would be an abuse of law. Rahul Gandhi had reposted campaign material on social media. This campaign targeted the then BJP government with allegations of corruption.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla met Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He conveyed a special invitation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The invitation is for Rahman, his wife, and daughter to visit India. This visit can be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. Prime Minister Modi expressed confidence in Rahman's leadership.

A 2004 study published in Sleep and Hypnosis found that sleeping on the left side is connected to more nightmares, affecting around 41 percent of participants compared to 14.6 percent of right-side sleepers. The study analyzed 63 people, asking them to sleep on either side and then report dream experiences. Interestingly, left-side sleepers reported generally better sleep overall despite more bad dreams. Right-side sleepers experienced fewer nightmares but lower-quality rest.

Veteran actor Pravina Deshpande has passed away at the age of 60. She was undergoing treatment for multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer. Deshpande had a notable career in Hindi and Marathi entertainment, appearing in films like Ready and Ek Villain. She also featured in popular television shows. Her contributions spanned films, television, theatre, and web series.

Midterm elections 2026: Political forecasts indicate a shifting landscape for the 2026 midterms, with Republican Senate win probabilities dropping to 60% while Democrats are favored to win the House at 83%. Democrats are expanding their strategy into competitive districts, and key Senate races in Texas and Michigan are intensifying, focusing on economic issues and candidate endorsements.

Many office employees feel tired and sleepy after lunch, which affects their focus and meeting participation. People shared easy tips like eating lighter food, walking outside, drinking water, standing while working, and taking short rest breaks. These simple daily habits can boost energy levels, reduce afternoon tiredness, and help workers stay active, productive, and more focused throughout the day.