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The Economic Times

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Could you be affected? Millions could lose bank access heres what you need to know

Over 5% of U.S. households already lack full banking access, and the Trump executive order debanking millions Americans impact could sharply increase that number. The proposal pushes banks to verify citizenship for every account holder. This move directly affects millions with missing or outdated documents. Experts warn sudden account checks may trigger closures. The policy ties to stricter immigration enforcement in 2025. However, critics say it may disrupt legal citizens more than illegal acti

16 Apr 2026 3:39 am
What is Bab el-Mandeb? The critical trade route Iran threatens to shut down

The Iran Red Sea trade threat has intensified sharply, with tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz falling below 10% of its normal daily volume. This is a critical global chokepoint. The crisis is escalating fast. Iran has warned it may expand disruption into the Red Sea and nearby routes. The U.S. blockade ordered by Donald Trump has increased tensions further. Global oil supply is at risk. Shipping costs are rising. Markets are reacting. The Iran Red Sea trade threat now signals deeper in

16 Apr 2026 3:00 am
Persian Proverb of the Day: 'When you let go of yourself, you return to your real self'here's a Persian proverb to ponder today

Rumi's profound wisdom suggests that releasing the ego and its attachments allows us to return to our authentic selves. This Persian saying highlights how pride, insecurity, and social expectations obscure our true nature. By letting go of the constructed self, we reconnect with sincerity, compassion, and inner peace, finding strength not in accumulation but in release.

16 Apr 2026 2:29 am
US airlines raise checked bag fees to $45 as travel costs climb and passengers face new normal charges

US airlines have increased checked bag fees, making air travel more expensive for passengers. Major carriers say rising fuel and operating costs are the reason. Experts say these fees will likely stay high or increase further. Travelers now face higher costs unless they use credit cards, loyalty status, or bundle fares that include baggage.

16 Apr 2026 1:47 am
African proverb of the day: 'A roaring lion kills no...' Life lessons on work culture, human nature, success and why proper execution is better than bragging about plans

African proverb of the day explains the meaning of the proverb A roaring lion kills no game and why it remains relevant in work culture, leadership, productivity, and personal success. The proverb teaches that talking about plans does not create results, while quiet execution leads to achievement. This explainer shares lessons on action over words, discipline, focus, strategy, and human behavior while highlighting the importance of silent work and real outcomes.

16 Apr 2026 1:39 am
Latin Proverb of the Day: 'The eagle does not catch flies'ancient wisdom for modern focus

A Latin proverb, 'Aquila non capit muscas,' teaches a timeless lesson. It means the eagle does not catch flies. This ancient wisdom advises people of importance to focus on significant goals. They should avoid getting caught up in petty disputes or minor distractions. This principle remains highly relevant in today's busy world.

16 Apr 2026 1:35 am
Northern Lights tonight across 18 U.S. statesare you in the visibility zone? Check peak timings, locations, and viewing conditions

The Northern Lights tonight could reach up to 18 U.S. states, driven by rising geomagnetic activity, according to the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Solar wind shifts are pushing the aurora borealis visibility farther south than usual this week. Peak viewing is expected between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time. Clear, dark skies will boost chances significantly. This rare April 2026 aurora event offers millions a chance to witness vivid green and purple skies without traveling far north.

16 Apr 2026 1:19 am
Quote of the day by Clint Eastwood: 'You always want to quit while you are ahead. You don't want to be like a...' - lessons on success, balance, self-awareness and knowing when to walk away by Gran Torino and Escape from Alcatraz actor

Quote of the day by Clint Eastwood: His words highlights the importance of knowing when to step away while youre still ahead. It reflects on timing, self-awareness, and protecting success before performance declines. The message offers a simple but powerful reminder about making smart decisions in both life and career moments.

16 Apr 2026 1:18 am
Chinese proverb of the day: 'Large chickens dont eat...' Life lessons on human nature, success and why focusing on the big picture is vital

Chinese proverb of the day highlights the meaning of Large chickens dont eat small rice. The saying explains why people with big goals avoid small matters. It shows lessons about focus, success, and human nature. The proverb also connects with other Chinese sayings that teach patience, preparation, and steady growth in daily life and work.

16 Apr 2026 1:18 am
India plans special NCLT bench for cross-border insolvency cases to speed up resolutions

India plans to set up a special NCLT bench with trained members to handle cross-border insolvency cases once new rules under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code are notified. The move, based on a modified UN model law, aims to speed up resolution and improve coordination with foreign courts.

16 Apr 2026 12:53 am
Govt's wheat procurement to drop 69% due to delayed arrivals

Wheat procurement is set to drop significantly in the 2026-27 marketing year. Unseasonal rains delayed grain arrivals and affected quality. This has led to a sharp decline in current procurement figures compared to last year. The government has approved some wheat and wheat product exports after assessing domestic supply and prices.

16 Apr 2026 12:48 am
WPI inflation hits 38-month high of 3.9% in March as soaring energy, crude prices amid West Asia war drive up costs

India's wholesale inflation reached a 38-month peak of 3.9% in March. This surge was fueled by rising costs of crude oil, energy, and manufactured goods. Experts anticipate further increases due to ongoing global tensions. Supply disruptions also contributed to higher input prices across various sectors. Retail inflation also saw a slight uptick.

16 Apr 2026 12:43 am
Tata Trust row deepens as Mehli Mistry seeks administrator for SDTT

Mehli Mistry, removed from Tata Trusts, has filed a complaint with the Maharashtra Charity Commissioner. He seeks an administrator for the Sir Dorabji Tata Trust. Mistry challenges the positions of Noel Tata, Venu Srinivasan, and Vijay Singh. He alleges procedural violations and conflicts of interest. Mistry previously contested Srinivasan and Singh's roles in another trust.

16 Apr 2026 12:41 am
Amazon fire TV stick lawsuit: Claims company bricked old devices to push new sales

Amazon is facing a lawsuit over Fire TV Stick devices, with claims that it stopped software updates for older models to push users to buy new ones. Users reported lag, freezing, and device failure after support ended. The case raises concerns about bricking and transparency in tech products. Regulators are also reviewing whether ending updates without clear warning is unfair to consumers.

16 Apr 2026 12:38 am
Cannot absorb hike in wages: Noida exporters

Noida apparel exporters warn wage hikes and labour unrest may disrupt shipments, as rising costs and pressure from global buyers threaten orders, risking a shift to competing markets like Bangladesh and Vietnam.

16 Apr 2026 12:35 am
Anthropics Claude Opus 4.7: The AI is so powerful its spooking web design tools

Anthropic's rumored Claude Opus 4.7 is poised to revolutionize web design by generating websites and prototypes from simple text prompts. This potential shift has already impacted design-focused stocks like Figma and Adobe, as investors anticipate AI-driven automation in the creative space. The new model could democratize design, allowing non-technical users to build digital products with ease.

16 Apr 2026 12:34 am
How much do 2026 tax penalties cost if you file late IRS interest rates and monthly fees explained

Missing the April 15 deadline in 2026 can cost you up to 25% in penalties alone. The 2026 tax penalties cost late filing starts at 5% per month on unpaid taxes. Even one day late can trigger charges. Interest begins immediately and compounds daily near 7%. Costs rise faster than most expect. If you dont file taxes in 2026, the IRS adds both penalties and interest together. Filing late is more expensive than paying late. Acting early reduces total tax debt and protects your finances from rapid es

16 Apr 2026 12:30 am
Minorities see TVK as genuine ally: Arunraj

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam leader KG Arunraj claimed that minority voters who traditionally supported the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are shifting towards TVK, alleging a perceived compromise in DMKs stance toward the BJP. He argued that voters are reassessing their political choices amid concerns over governance and administrative actions ahead of elections.

16 Apr 2026 12:28 am
India trade delegation to visit US for BTA talks, first in-person meeting since October

An Indian trade team led by Darpan Jain will visit the US from April 2022 for talks on a bilateral trade agreement, the first in-person meeting since October. Officials said the deal is being recalibrated amid changing tariff conditions, while India also rejected US allegations in a Section 301 probe.

16 Apr 2026 12:28 am
Centre to redraw Lok Sabha and Assembly constituencies but may avoid allocation to allay fears

New Delhi is set to redraw Lok Sabha and assembly constituencies using the 2011 Census. However, seat allocation among states will not change. Parliament will decide on a uniform increase in total seats, maintaining the current inter-state balance. This move aims to address concerns about political weight shifting. The expansion is linked to women's reservation, potentially increasing women MPs significantly.

15 Apr 2026 11:55 pm
BRS, YSRCP punch a hole in Centre's delimitation move

Southern parties BRS and YSR Congress have raised concerns over the bill, questioning its linkage to the 2011 Census for delimitation. K. T. Rama Rao warned it could penalise southern states, while YSRCP backed womens reservation but called for fair regional seat distribution within states.

15 Apr 2026 11:53 pm
Naveen Patnaik opposes delimitation exercise

BJD chief Naveen Patnaik opposes the proposed delimitation exercise. He supports the women's quota but warns the Centre's legislative package may dilute Odisha's political voice. Patnaik states the expansion of Lok Sabha seats could decrease Odisha's relative representation. He urges Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi to take a strong stand against this.

15 Apr 2026 11:49 pm
US 301 probes: India denies allegations, seeks termination of both investigations

India has rejected allegations by the US Trade Representative under its Section 301 probe, denying claims of structural excess capacity in sectors such as petrochemicals and textiles. It argued that its $42 billion trade surplus with the US is a macroeconomic outcome shaped by multiple factors and not due to unfair practices.

15 Apr 2026 11:42 pm
Choudhary starts with call to fight corruption

Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as Bihars Chief Minister, becoming the first BJP leader to hold the post, with Vijay Choudhary and Bijendra Yadav appointed as deputy CMs. Senior leaders including Nitish Kumar attended the ceremony. Choudhary, who currently holds key portfolios including home, has called for a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and stressed continuity in governance, with a cabinet expansion planned later.

15 Apr 2026 11:42 pm
New domain in modern warfare? Chinas deep-sea cable cutter test at 3,500 meterswhere most internet cables liecould give America an an internet blockade at China will

China deep-sea cable cutter test at 3,500 meters is now a proven capability. Over 95% of global internet traffic moves through submarine cables. Most lie at 1,500 to 4,000 meters. China has now tested a deep-sea cable cutter at 3,500 meters. This is the same critical zone. The system uses an electro-hydrostatic actuator. It blends electric power with hydraulic force and precision control. It can cut armored undersea cables under extreme pressure. China began this work around 2024. It reached rea

15 Apr 2026 11:41 pm
Central forces tried to check my car, says Mamata

Mamata Banerjee alleged that central forces attempted to search her car near Kolkata airport and accused Union leaders of misusing security vehicles, questioning why only Trinamool leaders were being targeted during checks. The Election Commission denied any such VVIP search, while Banerjee also accused the BJP and central agencies of harassment ahead of elections, urging voters to respond politically.

15 Apr 2026 11:31 pm
Quote of the day by Reese Witherspoon: 'If you are not yelling at your kids, you are not spending...' Life lessons on parenting, love and human nature by Academy Award winning American actor known for playing lead role in Legally Blonde movie series

Quote of the day by Reese Witherspoon is gaining attention online as people discuss parenting, life lessons and human nature. The quote speaks about time spent with children and how daily family life works. Many readers are sharing the quote and connecting it to real experiences. This explainer covers the quote meaning, relevance, career journey of Reese Witherspoon, and lessons people can learn from her words today.

15 Apr 2026 11:06 pm
IPL 2026: RCB beat LSG by 5 wickets

RCB registered a dominant five-wicket win over LSG in their IPL clash in Bengaluru on Wednesday. Bowling first, RCB restricted LSG to 146, with Rasikh Salam Dar taking 4/24 and strong support from Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Krunal Pandya. In reply, Virat Kohli anchored the chase with 49 as RCB comfortably overhauled the target in 15.1 overs to seal the victory.

15 Apr 2026 11:03 pm
Income Tax deadline extension: On Tax day, are tax payers really receiving IRS refunds of $5,000, $8,000, $11,000? Here's reality check

Income Tax cuts: White House boasted that average refunds were projected to rise by at least $1,000. But currently, the average refund amount is $3,462, according to the latest IRS data.

15 Apr 2026 11:00 pm
Nashik sexual harassment case: 'Male accused acted like organised gang to target female colleagues'

Police in Nashik have registered nine FIRs over alleged sexual harassment and attempted religious conversion at a local branch of Tata Consultancy Services, with investigations indicating that seven male employees acted in a coordinated manner to target female colleagues. Eight accused, including a female operations manager, have been arrested, while another woman is absconding, and HR officials are accused of discouraging complaints. Sandeep Karnik said a special investigation team is probing t

15 Apr 2026 10:59 pm
Japan will provide support worth about $10 billion to help strengthen energy supply in Asia

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said attacks on merchant vessels are completely unacceptable, stressing Indias commitment to secure maritime routes at the AZEC Plus meeting hosted by Japan. Amid tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, Japan announced a $10 billion energy support package to strengthen Asias supply chains. Leaders emphasised safe shipping, stable oil access, and coordinated efforts to safeguard regional energy security and economic stability.

15 Apr 2026 10:54 pm
Tata Group presence in UP to more than double: Chairman Chandrasekaran

Tata Group's presence in Uttar Pradesh is set to more than double. The state is poised to become a major manufacturing and export hub. Tata Motors aims to produce two million vehicles in five years. Tata Consultancy Services will double its workforce. The group is expanding into new sectors and social development initiatives.

15 Apr 2026 10:51 pm
Hormuz shipping muted as US blockade takes hold: Tracking data

A trickle of ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz Tuesday and Wednesday as a US blockade appeared to further curb traffic in the trade route already paralysed by Iranian forces, marine tracking data showed. Here are the latest developments in the strait, - US blockade enforced - The US military said the blockade of vessels either departing or destined for Iranian ports had been fully implemented during the first 48 hours.

15 Apr 2026 10:50 pm
Why Dow Jones crashes today while Nasdaq is gaining: US stock market in doldrums as Dow falls 200 points while S&P 500 and Nasdaq stay in green

US stock market today shows explosive moves as top gainers surge over 600% while select losers drag sentiment slightly. The Dow Jones Industrial Average has slipped nearly 200 points to 48,339, while the Nasdaq Composite surged close to 0.8% and the S&P 500 stayed in the green. While the Dow is packed with cyclical and multinational companies sensitive to global risks, the Nasdaq is dominated by AI-driven and tech firms that continue to attract strong inflows. Add to that easing oil prices and o

15 Apr 2026 10:47 pm
India achieves record exports of USD 860 billion in 2025-26: Piyush Goyal

India has set a new export record, reaching $860 billion in shipments for the fiscal year 2025-26. This achievement surpasses the previous year's $825 billion. The nation's exports demonstrate resilience against global challenges. Nine new trade agreements are expected to boost this growth further, opening new markets and opportunities across various sectors.

15 Apr 2026 10:46 pm
Iran trolls Trump as powerfool man, applies to be Italys new ally after Meloni rift

Iran viral post Italy news is trending after Iran joked about replacing the US as Italys partner. The post mocked Donald Trump and praised shared culture with Italy. Giorgia Melonis criticism of Trump added to the issue. The story shows rising tensions, humour in diplomacy, and strong reactions in Europe over political statements and global relations.

15 Apr 2026 10:39 pm
What is the psychology of individuals with extremely high IQs? Inside the minds of geniuses

The psychology of people with extremely high IQs reveals a nuanced picture. While they possess remarkable cognitive abilities, they also face unique emotional and social challenges.

15 Apr 2026 10:34 pm
'Difficult to declare millions of beliefs wrong': SC hears PIL limits in Sabarimala case debate

The Supreme Court is examining the permissibility of public interest litigations concerning religious practices. A nine-judge bench is hearing cases on women's entry into religious sites like Sabarimala. The Travancore Devaswom Board argues PILs should not interpret religious customs. The court acknowledges the difficulty in declaring beliefs of millions as wrong. The hearing continues.

15 Apr 2026 10:32 pm