The Economic Times

Delhi's liquor policy faces another extension as a new policy remains under formulation. Officials suggest the current policy, set to expire soon, might be prolonged until March 2027. This repeated delay creates market uncertainty for the industry. The government aims to modernise state-run liquor vends.

President Donald Trump is escalating tensions with Iran, a move that could impact upcoming midterm elections. His administration is preparing for potential military action, even as aides urge a focus on domestic economic issues. This foreign policy stance risks alienating voters concerned about inflation and the cost of living.

OpenAI identified Jesse Van Rootselaar's account for violent activities in June 2025. The company considered alerting the Royal Canadian Mounted Police but did not find a credible threat. After the school shooting, OpenAI employees contacted the RCMP with information. The investigation into Van Rootselaar's digital and physical activities is ongoing.

Telangana's Chief Electoral Officer, C Sudarshan Reddy, is launching a comprehensive training initiative for field officials ahead of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. This initiative underscores the importance of precise voter list creation and upkeep.

The political discourse in Bengal has sunk to unprecedented depths, where humor and cleverness have given way to personal insults and harsh confrontations. Politicians across the spectrum are being called out for fostering this toxic atmosphere. With the 2026 assembly elections looming, it's crucial to bring back reasoned discussions and a sense of respect for differing ideologies.

The Goa Maritime Conclave 2026 has begun. Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi opened the event. Delegates from 14 Indian Ocean nations are present. They will discuss drug trafficking and illegal fishing. Regional stability is impacted by these issues. Operational coordination and synergy are needed.

Uttar Pradesh's farmers are receiving a vital boost as Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announces the release of Rs 285 crore, benefitting more than 2.51 lakh families. This financial support is aimed at compensating crop losses through initiatives like the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana and Mukhyamantri Krishak Durghatna Kalyan Yojana.

Himachal Pradesh faces a significant financial challenge. The state anticipates a Rs 10,000 crore revenue deficit. This comes after the Union Government stopped the Revenue Deficit Grant. The state government is implementing new policies. These include reforms in toll collection and excise. Entry fees for vehicles are also revised.

The defeat against Australia was Oman's 10th consecutive defeat at the T20 World Cup. They first qualified for the multi-nation T20 tournament in the 2016 edition, where they finished their campaign with a win in three group stage matches.

A US Supreme Court decision on President Trump's trade tariffs brings new uncertainty for European companies. While some tariffs are struck down, businesses fear new ones could emerge. Italian wine and German chemical firms face ongoing trade instability. Experts suggest this ruling complicates rather than resolves tariff issues, impacting global trade relations.

Following a protest by the Indian Youth Congress at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, the BJP launched demonstrations in several cities. Party members condemned the Youth Congress' actions as shameful and demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi and Congress leadership.

Defeated candidates in Telangana are reportedly demanding the return of cash and gifts distributed during the municipal election campaign. Clashes have surfaced in several districts as candidates approach voters after losing. Some candidates had allegedly distributed money and household items before the February 11 polling. Residents, however, state they did not ask for these items and find the demand unreasonable.

Rahul Gandhi criticizes PM Modi's trade deal after a US Supreme Court ruling. Priyanka Chaturvedi questions India's rushed agreement. The court struck down Trump-era tariffs. India faces a 10% tariff on trade, while US imports remain at 0%. China benefits from cheaper Russian oil, but India's leverage is gone.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appeared in a Thane court today. He provided a new surety in a defamation case. The case was filed by an RSS activist. The court required a new guarantor as the previous one passed away. Gandhi presented Harshwardhan Sapkal as the new surety.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is on a State Visit to India. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met the President and discussed strengthening the Strategic Partnership. President Lula received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The visit includes a large delegation of Brazilian ministers and CEOs, aiming to boost bilateral relations and attract investments.

NASA Artemis Rocket launch: NASA is poised to achieve a major technical or exploratory milestone on March 6, 2026, that has not been replicated since the conclusion of the Apollo program over five decades ago.

Spondulicks, an old-fashioned slang term from the 19th century, humorously refers to money or funds. While rarely used in modern Canadian conversation, it appears in multiple contexts, including informal, creative, and historical, adding a lighthearted, comedic, and retro feel. This colourful term is best suited for casual storytelling and humorous writing.

The Supreme Court struck down many of President Trump's tariffs, a significant blow to his expansion of presidential power. Despite Trump's furious reaction and plans for new tariffs, the ruling creates uncertainty for the federal budget and raises questions about refunding over $100 billion in collected duties.

An earthquake measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale shook Pakistan on Saturday. The tremor occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers. Pakistan's location makes it highly susceptible to seismic activity. Regions like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan are particularly at risk due to their proximity to major fault lines.

Croma is offering massive discounts on Apple iPhones. The latest iPhone 17 is available for under Rs 45,000 and the iPhone 16 is priced below Rs 40,000. These deals combine bank cashback, coupon discounts, and exchange bonuses. The sale runs from February 20 to March 8.

The committee will be chaired by party Treasurer TR Baalu. Other members of the panel include Principal Secretary KN Nehru, Deputy General Secretaries Tiruchi Siva and A Raja, Organising Secretary RS Bharathi, and High-Level Executive Committee members EV Velu and MRK Panneerselvam.

Delhi is on high alert following intelligence warnings of a terror threat near the Red Fort. Terrorists may target a temple in Chandni Chowk. The Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba is reportedly planning an IED attack. This potential strike aims to avenge a recent mosque blast in Pakistan. Prominent religious sites across India are also on the group's radar.

Taiwan is closely watching a US Supreme Court decision on tariffs. The Trump administration has imposed a flat 10% global tariff. Taiwan's government believes the initial impact on the island will be limited. They will maintain close communication with the United States to understand implementation details and respond accordingly.

Kolkata's economy remains robust, ranking high in GDP despite perceptions of decline. While West Bengal's share of national GDP has fallen since the 1960s, the city continues to be a significant economic hub. Data shows Kolkata's GDP surpasses that of Bengaluru and Chennai. This highlights a shift in India's economic landscape over decades.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis condemned the Indian Youth Congress protest at the India AI Impact Summit. He stated the protest defamed the nation on a global stage. Youth Congress workers staged a shirtless protest against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They accused the Prime Minister of compromising the country's identity. Police detained the protesters.

Mumbai Crime Branch issued a Look Out Circular against Harichandra, alias Harry Boxer, a suspected Lawrence Bishnoi gang member, for extorting Rs 20 crore from actor Ranveer Singh. This follows a threatening voice note and is linked to a broader probe into intimidation campaigns targeting Bollywood personalities, including a recent firing incident outside Rohit Shetty's residence.

Congress MP Jairam Ramesh criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the timing of the India-US trade deal announcement on February 2, alleging it reflected desperation and was used as a political diversion.

Dubai transforms during Ramadan. Workdays shorten, and the city's rhythm shifts. Evenings come alive with corporate iftars and suhoor gatherings. Hotels offer special menus and tents. Retailers provide significant discounts on essentials. Banking and auto sectors also present attractive deals. The focus moves from profit to seasonal giving.

The U.S. Trade Representative will launch new Section 301 investigations into major trading partners and sectors like pharmaceutical pricing. This follows a Supreme Court decision striking down certain tariffs, with the administration confident that Trump-era trade deals will remain intact. New probes will examine issues including industrial overcapacity, forced labor, and digital goods discrimination.

Britain's government is considering a law to remove Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession. Police are investigating his past actions, questioning former protection officers. This follows revelations from Jeffrey Epstein's files. King Charles has already stripped Andrew of his titles. Public opinion strongly supports his removal from the succession.

Iran and the United States are rapidly approaching military conflict as diplomatic hopes fade over Tehran's nuclear program. Both sides are entrenched, with Washington escalating military deployments and Israel preparing for potential joint action. Regional officials and analysts believe a confrontation is increasingly likely, with significant implications for the Middle East.

US President Donald Trump reiterated his claim of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan with his threats of 200 per cent tariffs as he argued against the US Supreme Court ruling to invalidate his reciprocal tariffs.

The U.S. Supreme Court declared tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump illegal. The court did not specify how the government should refund an estimated $175 billion. Importers may need to sue individually for refunds. This process could be complex and lengthy, potentially impacting smaller businesses. Some companies are selling their refund claims to investors.

US trading partners that have reached tariff deals with President Donald Trump's administration will now also face a 10 percent duty, despite higher levels they may have agreed on previously, the White House said Friday. This is, however, only temporary as the administration will be pursuing other legal authorities to implement more appropriate or pre-negotiated tariff rates, a White House official told AFP. aue-bys/mlm

The White House has announced an end to certain tariff actions. This comes after the Supreme Court ruled against President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs. These tariffs were imposed under a law meant for national emergencies. The additional duties will no longer be collected. This executive order marks a significant shift in trade policy.

President Donald Trump is weighing limited military strikes to pressure Iran into agreeing to a new nuclear deal, even as experts warn that bombing during negotiations could derail diplomacy and trigger retaliation, risking a wider Middle East conflict.

Quote of the day by Paulo Coelho: Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about un-becoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place. Over 320 million books sold worldwide, Paulo Coelho remains a global voice on self-discovery, personal growth, and life purpose. His quote on un-becoming challenges hustle culture and burnout trends rising in 2026. It urges authenticity over reinvention. The author of The Alchemist refr

The Supreme Court has limited President Trump's tariff authority. This decision creates economic uncertainty and raises questions about his promises for revival. The ruling prolongs trade chaos through the midterm elections. Trump criticized the justices, calling them unpatriotic. He plans to use other laws to impose new tariffs, potentially impacting global trade.

IRS tax refund 2026 update: IRS processed 20.6 million tax returns through February 6, down 12.3% year over year, while the average tax refund rose to $2,290, up 10.9%. The 2026 tax season started slower. Tax refunds are now arriving for early filers. E-file and direct deposit refunds usually come within 21 days. Paper tax returns can take six to eight weeks. Use Wheres My Refund? on IRS.gov to check refund status daily.

Zero new $1,390 stimulus check is approved for February 2026. The Internal Revenue Service confirms no new federal stimulus payment exists. Congress has not authorized any $1,390 IRS direct deposit. Viral posts about an IRS stimulus check 2026 are false. Current payments are regular tax refunds, Earned Income Tax Credit, or Child Tax Credit refunds. Always verify IRS payment status at IRS.gov to avoid tax scams.

Eighty-four-year-old Nancy Guthrie has been missing for 21 days in Tucson. The FBI and Pima County Sheriff confirm a suspected kidnapping. Doorbell camera footage shows a masked man. Blood DNA matched Nancy. Her pacemaker signal dropped minutes later. The suspect is 59 to 510, average build, facial hair. He may carry a backpack and handgun. Police now seek a Tucson man missing three weeks.