The Economic Times

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Prince Andrew, the younger brother of King Charles, has been arrested. Police took him into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office. This action stems from his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. Reports indicate police arrived at his estate in eastern England. The allegations involve passing confidential government documents. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Sam Altman, the tech billionaire, in his quote, said no matter how successful you are, the haters will never go away. The quote by OpenAI CEO means that people who become successful in life or try to do something new, others may not always be liked by others. The quote reminds us that growth brings attention, and attention brings opinions. Stay focused on your goals rather than chasing universal approval.

The Supreme Court has reserved its decision on a plea by AIADMK leader Saidai S Duraisamy. This plea challenges a Madras High Court ruling that dismissed his election petition. The petition was against Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin concerning alleged corrupt practices during the 2011 Assembly polls.

Bengaluru professional's viral Reddit post detailing their decision to quit corporate life due to burnout, poor work-life balance, and city challenges has ignited widespread discussion. The user cited traffic, inflation, and infrastructure issues as key factors, prompting varied responses from empathy to cautionary advice on entrepreneurship.

West Bengal election: Sharma had repeatedly voiced support for the demand for a separate Gorkhaland state, arguing that the Darjeeling Hills require focused administrative attention and development.

In the early hours of Thursday, a suspected gas explosion in a residential building in Karachi claimed atleast 16 individuals, including several children. The tragedy struck during Sehri in the Old Soldier Bazar area. As rescue teams sift through the rubble of the partially collapsed structure, hopes of finding survivors remain.

India-Israel defence ties: The International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) within Israel's Ministry of Defense (IMOD) have facilitated meetings between leading Indian and Israel defence industries leading to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The Delhi High Court will hear the Enforcement Directorate's challenge to a trial court's decision. The trial court refused to accept the ED's chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. This case involves allegations of money laundering related to the National Herald newspaper. The High Court has given the respondents time to file their responses.

Ahead of the 2026 West Bengal elections, political parties are using allegations of secret deals, termed 'setting', to shape voter perception. Rival parties accuse each other of covert alliances, influencing campaign narratives and strategies. This tactic, fueled by past instances and ongoing investigations, has become a key element in the state's political discourse.

T20 World Cup Super 8 India Matches: The Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is now set. Eight teams have qualified and are divided into two groups. India and Pakistan lead Group A, while Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe advanced from Group B. West Indies and England topped Group C, and South Africa and New Zealand qualified from Group D.

US officials may be overconfident about oil prices in a potential US-Iran conflict. Despite last years limited impact on oil after Trump bombed Iranian nuclear facilities, past stability doesnt guarantee future calm, experts warn. High US shale output, strategic reserves, improved Middle East ties, and resilient global markets have reduced the war premium, but risks remain.

Nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, Jim Corbett National Park is Indias oldest national park and one of the countrys most celebrated wildlife destinations.

Tripunithura MLA K Babu announced his decision to step down from electoral politics. He will not contest the upcoming Assembly elections for personal reasons. Babu has a long political career, having contested seven Assembly elections since 1991 and won six. He served as Ports Minister and initiated key projects like the Vizhinjam International Seaport.

Bangladesh's new Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is being mocked by the Opposition 11-party alliance led by Jamaat-e-Islami as an 'engineer'. The opposition has accused him of tampering with the poll results. Memes and jokes about Tarique Rahman have flooded online with AI images showing him dressed in construction helmets and safety vests.

Galgotias University faces new allegations regarding a drone soccer system, claimed as an in-house innovation but reportedly resembling commercially available South Korean models. This follows controversy over a robot dog also presented as indigenous. Social media users and the Youth Congress have questioned the university's claims, highlighting similarities to existing products and raising concerns about transparency at national innovation events.

The Supreme Court of India has delivered a rebuke against the prevalent culture of freebies. The judges said that such initiatives hinder economic progress and stifle development.

Reckitt is driving a national movement to enhance India's sanitation economy by fostering sanitation entrepreneurs and modernizing school sanitation. The company is also generating crucial evidence to address the significant life expectancy gap faced by sanitation workers, aiming for longer, healthier, and more dignified lives for them.

A techie, who returned from Canada, hacked his pregnant ex-wife to death in Hyderabad as he was reportedly frustrated over a pending domestic violence complaint that prevented him from returning abroad. Mahesh carried two knives, a drilling machine, chainsaw and petrol in his bag when he barged into the house of Sunitha and stabbed her head repeatedly. Police said he also held a grudge as Sunita re-married after taking a divorce from Mahesh in 2024.

Mamata Banerjee said that Prime Minister Modi used the prefix 'Swami' in the message while Ramakrishna Paramahamsa is widely known as 'Thakur'.

Leo Tolstoy, a renowned novelist and philosopher, championed intellectual courage and freethinking. His writings, including War and Peace and Anna Karenina, explored profound human themes. Tolstoy's later spiritual transformation led him to advocate for nonviolence and simple living, influencing global leaders and emphasizing the importance of questioning assumptions for true understanding and societal progress.

Assam assembly polls: Assam is going to assembly elections early March-April this year. Union Home minister Amit Shah is likely to visit Assam on February 20 in different programmes.