The Economic Times

An employee with many years at one company is facing a tough career choice as layoffs are expected. The person must decide between trying for a difficult new role or waiting for a severance package. Online users shared mixed advice about job safety, money support, and the current slow hiring market, making the decision very stressful and confusing.

SNAP recipients in Idaho, Oklahoma, and Louisiana now face restrictions on purchasing junk food, including soda, energy drinks, and candy. These states join others implementing similar waivers, part of the Trump administration's Make America Healthy Again initiative. Additional states are set to enact these purchase limitations in 2026.

India on Thursday said the February 7 joint statement with the US remains the basis for the proposed interim trade agreement and that recent changes in the White House fact sheet reflect shared understandings between the two sides.

Wealth quote of the day by John Jack Bogle, Don't look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack! In 2026, Vanguard manages $9.3 trillion, proving index funds dominate wealth building. John Bogle's uy the haystack quote remains the gold standard for passive investing. Over 92% of active managers fail to beat the market. You save thousands by avoiding high fees. Stop searching for single stocks. Buy low-cost index ETFs instead. Lower costs equal higher retirement returns. It is simpl

NYT Connections hints: Introduced as part of The New York Times growing lineup of word games, Connections tasks players with sorting 16 seemingly unrelated words into four sets of four, each linked by a common theme.

A new film, 'Shatak,' narrated by Ajay Devgn, chronicles 100 years of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), detailing its origins, ideology, and socio-cultural impact. The trailer offers a glimpse into the organization's journey since its founding in 1925 by Dr. Keshav Baliram Hedgewar. The movie is set for a theatrical release on February 20, 2026.

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a person's caste remains unchanged by birth, even if they convert to another religion or get married. This observation came while the court was hearing a criminal appeal. The appellants had argued that a woman lost her caste status after marrying into a different community.

A nationwide strike called by trade unions on Thursday saw a muted impact. Most services like public transport and banks operated normally. Some states experienced minor disruptions and demonstrations. Trade unions claimed widespread participation, while traders reported normal business. The strike aimed to protest alleged anti-worker policies.

Quote of the Day by Abraham Lincoln signifies a deep commitment to integrity over achievement. It means that a persons true duty in life is not to guarantee victory or success, but to remain honest, principled, and faithful to their conscience.

An elderly woman in Kozhikode, Kerala, bravely stopped a scooty rider from using a footpath, an act that has gone viral. Her firm stance and subsequent recording of the incident led the rider to retreat, earning widespread online praise for her civic sense and courage. The incident highlights the growing problem of footpath encroachment across India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with newly-elected BJP councillors and civic body representatives from Kerala. He stated the state is looking to the BJP-NDA with great hope. Modi emphasized deepening the party's connect with people and furthering good governance. Elected members will work at the grassroots to address public challenges.

Logorrhea is a word that describes when someone talks too much without stopping. It is used when speech sounds fast, messy, or hard to understand. The term comes from old Greek words about speech and flow. Today, it is mostly used in a negative way to describe nonstop talking in conversations, arguments, or media.

Houston Valentines Day 2026: From museums and music halls to steak houses and skating rinks, Valentines Day in Houston blends romance with entertainment. With events spread across multiple neighbourhoods and price points, organisers say early reservations are advised as the city prepares for one of its busiest weekends of the year.

Over 60% of BRICS trade now settles in local currencies. That shift could slow fast. Russia is considering a return to the US dollar settlement system under a potential Trump economic deal. The proposal includes joint energy projects, natural gas investments, offshore oil, and critical minerals. A dollar comeback would reshape global finance. It could weaken BRICS de-dollarization efforts. This isn't just an trade deal; it's a peace lever. The Kremlin document suggests that these economic carrot

AI job risk warning: AI is transforming work at an unprecedented pace. HyperWrite CEO Matt Shumer warns of a major shift, comparing it to early pandemic days. AI is now writing code, testing applications, and even contributing to its own development. Many screen-based jobs face disruption. Professionals are urged to adapt by using advanced AI tools and building savings for potential rapid changes.

The Trump administration is ending a controversial immigration operation in Minnesota following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents. The operation, which deployed 3,000 agents, faced nationwide protests and backlash. In response, the administration is shifting to more targeted enforcement and will equip agents with body cameras.

The Madras High Court has directed cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni to pay Rs 10 lakh by March 12 for transcribing a CD related to his case against retired IPS officer Sampath Kumar.

A United Nations report has acknowledged India's concerns about cross-border terrorism. The report highlights the role of Jaish-e-Mohammed in the 2025 Red Fort blast. This attack claimed 15 lives. The group's women-only wing, Jamaat ul-Muminat, is also mentioned. India has consistently raised concerns about Jaish-e-Mohammed's activities.

Karnataka industries minister M B Patil announced an increase in Floor Area Ratio for industrial plots. The FAR has been raised from 65% to 75%. This move aims to boost industrial growth and real estate activity. Entrepreneurs will require less land for construction. Farmers may also benefit indirectly. The revised norms allow for employee housing and relaxed parking requirements.

A major fire erupted in an Ahmedabad office complex on Thursday. Over 100 people were safely rescued from the 11-storey building. The blaze started on the fourth floor of a real estate office. Firefighters worked for an hour to control the flames. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident.

The Assam Rifles Dog Training Centre in Jorhat is embracing self-reliance by training indigenous dog breeds. This initiative aligns with the Union Home Ministry's directive. These dogs are being trained for crucial roles like tracking and detecting narcotics and explosives. This move marks a significant step towards utilizing local breeds for national security.

Brazil President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will visit India starting February 18. He will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. President Lula will also attend the AI Impact summit. This visit aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between India and Brazil. Discussions will cover bilateral, regional, and global issues.

A 60-year-old man, Jeevan Singh, was arrested in Pune after a year-long manhunt for allegedly posing as a monk to burgle Jain temples across Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Karnataka. Police tracked him through over 200 CCTV cameras, uncovering a pattern of thefts that funded his property purchases.

Many homeowners in the US can get money from a trash service settlement. BFI Waste Services agreed to pay $40 million after claims it raised prices too much. People with written contracts who paid extra charges during certain years may qualify. The payment amount depends on claim details, and customers must apply before the deadline to receive money.

XO, Kitty Season 3 release date, cast, plot and episode titles are now confirmed by Netflix. The new season premieres on April 2, 2026. It will include eight episodes. Kitty returns to KISS for senior year and faces relationship decisions, family ties, and future plans.

Seattle Police Officer Kevin Dave was driving at 74 mph on the way to a report of a drug overdose call. The student was thrown 100 feet when she was struck by the speeding police patrol vehicle.

US stock market today: The Dow Jones hit 50,330.70 today as a shock 130,000 jobs gain reshaped Wall Street. Hiring surged past forecasts. The unemployment rate fell to 4.3%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq followed the green trend. Growth optimism is high. However, Gold dropped to $5,084 as interest rate cut hopes faded. Bitcoin defied the dip, gaining to $67,813. Investors now wait for Friday's CPI inflation report to signal the Fed's next move.

A Guwahati court has issued a show-cause notice to Congress leaders Gaurav Gogoi, Jitendra Singh, and Bhupesh Baghel. This follows allegations of corruption made against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. The court has also restrained the leaders from making further defamatory statements. Sarma had filed a Rs 500 crore defamation suit against them for these claims.

Karnataka has sanctioned 25 crore to set up 2,500 coffee kiosks, called Akka Cafes, to be run by women entrepreneurs trained through self-help groups, Industries Minister M B Patil said. The initiative aims to strengthen the coffee value chain and support economic empowerment through job creation.

New unemployment benefit applications in America saw a smaller drop than anticipated last week. Winter storms and seasonal factors are believed to have caused this. Job growth did accelerate in January, but the labor market is described as 'low hire, low fire'. Continuing claims also rose.

The Sangtam Naga tribal body has passed a resolution to protect pangolins. This is a significant step for conservation in Northeast India. The resolution reinforces the prohibition of pangolin hunting and trade. It strengthens community accountability mechanisms. This initiative is part of a project countering pangolin trafficking. It highlights the growing strength of community-led conservation efforts.

Quote of the day by Dalai Lama highlights a strong life lesson. The message, If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito, explains how even small actions can create impact. Here is the quote of the day meaning and background of the 14th Dalai Lama.

Pennsylvania has enacted a new law mandating cursive handwriting instruction in its schools. Proponents argue this move, supported by cognitive studies, enhances memory, language, and critical thinking skills, while also preserving historical connections. Governor Josh Shapiro celebrated the bill's signing, acknowledging his own cursive practice. This initiative aims to equip students with valuable academic and personal development tools.

Angelina Jolies Quote of the Day talks about how difficult times can make people stronger. The famous actress believes that both good and bad experiences shape our personality. She says facing problems helps us learn important life lessons and grow with maturity. The quote gives a simple message that challenges in life can help people become better and stronger.

Texas property tax reform: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott unveiled a five-point property tax reform plan, aiming to limit local government spending growth and require supermajority voter approval for tax hikes. The proposal also includes potentially eliminating school property taxes for homeowners, a move that has raised questions about financial sustainability.

India and Canada have agreed to appoint liaison officers in each others countries to improve information sharing and coordination on security issues, including crimes and drug trafficking, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

Rahul Gandhi has declared he will continue to advocate for farmers. This comes amid reports of a potential privilege motion against him. Gandhi stated he will fight for farmers regardless of any legal action. He criticized trade deals he believes harm farmers and food security. Gandhi vowed to oppose the Modi government's actions impacting food providers.

A viral AI-generated clip featuring digital Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt fighting has Hollywood on edge. Created with a simple two-line prompt on ByteDance's Seedance 2.0, the hyper-realistic video raises serious concerns about likeness rights, democratized filmmaking, and the future of creative ownership.

More than 71 million Americans receive monthly benefits from the Social Security Administration. Millions receive two SSI payments this February 2026. The first arrived February 2. The second lands February 27. This happens because March 1 falls on a Sunday. It is not a bonus stimulus. All checks now include the 2.8% COLA increase. This adjustment counters 2026 inflation. Verify your specific date via the SSA My Account portal. Budget carefully for the upcoming March gap.