The Economic Times

IDFC Bank Fraud: Four individuals, including two former IDFC First Bank employees, have been arrested in a Rs 590-crore fraud case involving Haryana government accounts. The bank has repaid Rs 583 crore to affected departments. The investigation is ongoing, with a Special Investigation Team formed to probe alleged financial irregularities and collusion.

India sugar output: The third advance estimate, released after an executive committee meeting, follows a second projection of 34.35 million tonnes. Output last year was 29.62 million tonnes.

New York City continues to experience lingering snow showers after a record-breaking blizzard that dropped up to 27 inches across the region. NYCEM has activated emergency plans, urging residents to avoid non-essential travel while deploying thousands of sanitation workers and plows. Additional snow, up to 1-3 inches, is expected Wednesday morning, accompanied by gusty winds and frigid temperatures.

About $80 billion in Trump tariffs were collected during the U.S.China trade war. Now, a new Trump tariff refund checks bill in Congress could return part of that money to Americans. Lawmakers acted after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled key tariffs unlawful. That decision opened the door for refunds with possible interest. If passed, eligible businesses and potentially households could receive direct payments. Average estimates range near $500 to $600 per household, depending on distribution rules.

Fertiliser subsidies in India are at present primarily transferred to companies rather than directly to farmers. Though the government implemented a DBT system in 2018, the subsidy is released to fertiliser manufacturers only after verified retail sales to farmers.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 focuses on the Culling Game arc, widely regarded as one of the mangas most gripping storylines. It brings in new characters, intricate game-like rules, and escalating battles between sorcerers and powerful curses.

Biocon Limiteds Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw has challenged Indias technology professionals to apply their expertise to civic issues, questioning the value of tech talent without civic sense. She urged innovators to focus on creating cleaner cities, better-managed traffic and stronger infrastructure, drawing comparisons with Chinas use of technology in public services.

Crypto market rally: Crypto markets experienced renewed energy overnight, with Bitcoin trading near $66,000 after a sharp swing. Layer-1 tokens and other altcoins like VIRTUAL and ETHFI saw significant rallies, indicating a broader risk appetite. Technical indicators suggest consolidation, while derivatives markets show capital rotating away from gold-linked futures.

President Donald Trump delivered his State of the Union address. His focus now is on ensuring his message of economic success and a secure America connects with voters. He will travel to Texas to discuss economy and energy policies. Republicans aim to use these themes for the upcoming elections. Trump is known for commanding attention in the current media landscape.

Katherine Hartley Short, the 42-year-old daughter of actor and comedian Martin Short, passed away on February 23, 2026, in Hollywood Hills. Authorities confirmed her death was ruled a suicide following a self-inflicted gunshot wound. A family statement expressed profound grief and stated her as someone who brought light and joy into the world. Katherine worked as a licensed clinical social worker and supported mental health initiatives.

Quote of the Day by Frank Sinatra:: Frank Sinatra, a legendary American singer, left behind a powerful message about facing life without fear. His words inspire courage and self-belief, urging individuals to overcome obstacles. Sinatra's own journey, from humble beginnings to global stardom, exemplifies this spirit. His enduring legacy continues to motivate millions worldwide.

Fibre Guide: Dietary fibre is essential for healthy digestion, balanced blood sugar and heart health. Dr Saurabh Sethi, a gut health specialist, has highlighted top fibre-rich foods such as chia seeds, flax seeds and lentils. These foods nourish beneficial gut bacteria and support overall wellbeing. White bread ranks poorly due to the refining process, which removes much of its fibre. Prioritising whole, plant-based foods is an effective way to increase daily fibre intake.

Barron Trump's choice of a blue tie at the State of the Union address sparked viewer reactions, with many expecting red for solidarity. Additionally, his tie knot drew criticism, with some viewers suggesting he needed assistance. Barron, currently a sophomore at NYU's Stern School of Business, attended the event with his family.

Nvidia (NVDA) Q4 earnings today: Nvidia reports Q4 earnings today, February 25 and $65.7 billion is on the line. Wall Street expects EPS of $1.53, up 72% year over year. Revenue growth stands at 67%. Blackwell GPU orders have crossed $350 billion. Hyperscaler capex Microsoft, Google, Meta, Amazon hit $600 billion for 2026. Every dollar flows toward Nvidia chips. The AI infrastructure buildout is not slowing. Tonight's Jensen Huang guidance for Q1 FY2027 is the real market mover. Options trade

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Israel for a significant state visit. He received a warm welcome from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The visit aims to further strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Israel. Discussions will cover cooperation in technology, agriculture, defense, and trade. Both leaders will also exchange views on regional and global issues.

RBI MPC member Saugata Bhattacharya says a rate hike is negligible despite inflation risks from crude, metals and weather. He sees no economic overheating, notes improving credit growth and steady consumption, and expects inflation to near 4%. He adds new GDP and CPI series will better reflect Indias economy.

Students at IIM Nagpur boycotted exams protesting disciplinary action. First-year students were barred from mid-term examinations after attending an overnight party off campus. The institute cited unauthorized absence and violation of rules. Students alleged harsh punishment and discriminatory conduct. The administration stated disciplinary measures were necessary for safety and responsibility. The matter is under review.

CoRover AI has launched Kanha Ji, a screen-free voice-first AI companion for children aged 0-7. Designed to foster learning and emotional well-being, the device engages children through conversation and adapts to their interests. Parents can monitor interactions and set controls via a linked app, ensuring a safe and enriching experience.

An Indian entrepreneur has sold his Swedish microgreens company and returned to India, citing a hostile and dysfunctional immigration system. Abhijith Nag Balasubramanya described his experience with the Swedish Migration Agency as a masterclass in systemic dysfunction, leading to his forced departure.

A viral video by Dolesh reveals the financial realities for Indian software engineers in Japan. Freshers earn around 3 million yen annually, approximately 17 lakh rupees. After a few years, this can increase to 4.5 to 5 million yen, nearly 30 lakh rupees. However, significant tax deductions of around 3 lakh rupees annually impact their savings.

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday, hoping to bolster ties with his country's largest trade partner and high-tech rival as Europe's biggest economy struggles. China, the world's number two economy, overtook the United States last year to become Germany's biggest trade partner, but Berlin also regards the Communist Party-run state as a systemic rival to the West.

Quote of the day: Edgar Allan Poe remains a towering figure in American literature, proof that those who dare to dream consciously can reshape the boundaries of storytelling and thought.

Zimbabwe has halted talks on a major health deal with the United States. The nation expressed concerns over sharing sensitive health data without guaranteed access to resulting medical innovations. This led to the US announcing a wind-down of its health assistance to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe stated this reflects Africa's maturation as a geopolitical actor seeking equal partnerships.

The Union Cabinet has approved changing the states official name from Kerala to Keralam. CPI(M) leader John Brittas emphasised that this is a formal, linguistic correction and will not alter how people from the state are identified. Malayalees, often informally called Mallus, will retain their existing demonyms.

Nepal's soybean oil exports to India saw a massive jump in 2025. Duty-free access allowed Nepal to send record amounts of refined oil to India. This surge helped Nepal's total exports to India double. However, it created challenges for Indian refiners who pay import duties. Nepal's share of India's soybean oil imports increased significantly.

Sri Lanka faces New Zealand in a critical T20 World Cup Super Eight match at the R. Premadasa Stadium. Both teams are under pressure, with Sri Lanka aiming to recover from a significant loss to England. The pitch offers a balanced contest, and dew may favor the chasing side later in the evening.

BMC Budget 26-27: Mumbai's civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, has proposed a significant budget of over Rs 80,000 crore for the upcoming financial year 2026-27. This marks a notable increase in spending, particularly for capital projects. The corporation anticipates higher revenue income compared to previous estimates. Property tax is expected to contribute substantially to the BMC's finances.

The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa, is set to welcome a new director. Art historian Christophe Leribault will take charge. He faces the significant task of guiding the world's largest museum through a crisis. This follows the audacious theft of the French crown jewels in October. The appointment is expected to be officially confirmed soon.

China is ramping up support for its semiconductor sector by expanding the list of encouraged imports to include chip design services and equipment R&D and maintenance. This policy update, replacing the 2019 catalogue, underscores Beijings push to strengthen its position in a strategically vital tech industry.

Rustem Umerov, Ukraines lead negotiator, is set to meet US envoy Steve Witkoff in Geneva on Thursday as part of preparations for anticipated trilateral talks with Russia in early March, Kyiv announced. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the discussions will focus on advancing efforts toward a potential peace deal, as well as prisoner-of-war exchanges and a proposed reconstruction prosperity package for Ukraine.

An Islamabad High Court judge was removed after he was found to have a fake law degree. University records revealed impersonation and cheating, leading to his ban and subsequent attempts to use another student's identity. The court rejected his delay tactics, finding his entire legal education record fabricated.

Blessed is he who has acquired a wealth of divine wisdom, but miserable he in whom there rests a dim opinion concerning the Gods, Empedocles said in one of his quotes. The quote means that real wealth comes from divine spirituality and not money or wealth. You can use this quote in spirituality by focussing on inner wisdom, practising reflection and using it as a meditation thought.

According to an official statement issued by Madras Medical College and the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, Nallakannu was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on February 1 due to health complications.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that Pakistani airstrikes carried out on the night of February 2122 in Afghanistan resulted in civilian casualties. According to initial findings, at least 13 civilians, including women and children, were killed and seven others injured in strikes targeting the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar Province.

Word of the Day: Tenebrous is a long, dramatic and atmospheric word. Rooted in Latin expressions of darkness, it conveys both physical gloom and intellectual ambiguity.

The Maharashtra government is intensifying its campaign against illegal moneylenders, moving to tighten provisions under the Money-Lending Regulation Act. The push comes after a shocking case from Chandrapur, where a farmer reportedly sold a kidney to secure a loan. Six unregistered lenders have been arrested in connection with the incident.

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to Delhi Police regarding a plea by former MLA Alka Lamba. She seeks to quash an FIR filed against her. The case relates to a protest for women's reservation in 2024. A lower court had previously framed charges against her. The High Court is now seeking a response from the police.

Police in Uttar Pradesh's Muzaffarnagar have arrested two sisters for murdering their 60-year-old father. Upset over the constant taunts and discrimination between sons and daughters, the two decided to kill their father. While the 16-year-old held his legs tightly, the elder one slit his throat with a kitchen knife, according to police.

In the Indian culinary tradition, salads are evolving from simple side relishes into hearty, standalone meals. By combining plant-based proteins, fiber-rich grains, and traditional tempering, these dishes provide sustained energy without the post-meal slump. Here is the story of seven Indian salads that are satisfying enough to be your main course in 2026.