The Economic Times

What happened to Lil Poppa? Jacksonville rapper Janarious Mykel Wheeler dead at 25: The Fulton County Medical Examiner confirmed death at 11:23 a.m. ET on February 18. His last single had dropped five days earlier. A New Orleans show was still on the calendar.

Lil Poppa top songs surge after death at 25: Forensic data confirms Jacksonville rapper Lil Poppa (Janarious Mykel Wheeler) died at 11:23 AM ET on February 18, 2026. He was only 25 years old. The CMG artist passed in Fulton County, Georgia. His top hits like Eternal Living and Love & War are now surging. This melodic trap pioneer left a massive legacy. Fans worldwide are mourning his sudden death. The official autopsy results are still pending.

Quote of the day by Yoko Ono: Yoko Ono shares a powerful quote on creative freedom. She believes an empty mind is crucial for original thought, achieved through simple, present-moment activities like observing nature. Ono's lifelong dedication to avant-garde art and activism continues to inspire globally. Her journey from Tokyo to New York shaped her unique artistic vision.

Is Lil Poppa dead? Yes. Forensic data confirms Janarious Mykel Wheeler died at 11:23 AM ET on February 18, 2026. He was only 25 years old. The Jacksonville rapper was found in Fulton County, Georgia. This CMG artist recently released Out of Town Bae. His sudden passing has shocked the hip-hop community. Fans now await the official autopsy. The Jacksonville music scene mourns a true melodic pioneer.

Trump Air Force One repaint: The $5.3 billion Air Force One replacement program is moving forward in 2026. President Donald Trump is updating the Air Force One paint scheme to a darker navy and red design. The U.S. Air Force says repainting is part of scheduled maintenance. No separate repaint cost is added. The new VC-25B jets are delayed until at least 2028. Engineers previously reviewed overheating risks tied to darker colors during testing and redesign.

Quote of the day: Nobel Prize winner Hermann Hesse wrote in Demian, The bird fights its way out of the egg. Today, searches for Hermann Hesse quotes, meaning of Demian quote, and quotes about personal growth and transformation are rising. The message is clear. Real change hurts. Personal growth needs disruption. Rebirth requires breaking old identities. That truth keeps Hesse relevant in modern self-discovery debates.

Christy Carlson Romano shared an emotional update after a cancer screening showed a worrying result. She said family cancer history made her take the test. The actress is now waiting for a PET scan and feels scared but hopeful. She also told fans to stay positive and go for regular health checkups to detect problems early.

Quote of the Day: Beyonc's powerful quote, Dont try to lessen yourself for the world; let the world catch up to you, encapsulates her career of reinvention and excellence. Her journey from Destiny's Child to a record-breaking solo artist demonstrates a consistent refusal to shrink, urging authenticity and self-respect. This philosophy underscores her enduring impact and inspires others to trust their path.

Goldman Sachs CEO owns Bitcoin BTC USD: Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon revealed he holds a very, very limited amount of Bitcoin, marking a cautious personal step into digital assets. While still an observer, Solomon noted that evolving regulations are making traditional firms more open to crypto involvement. He emphasized the importance of thoughtful regulation for the future of finance.

WTI crude oil jumped 4.4% to $65.01 as fears of a U.S.Iran war intensified. Brent crude climbed near $69. Over 150 U.S. military cargo planes and dozens of fighter jets have moved into the Middle East, signaling possible escalation within days. Israel is reportedly preparing for conflict. Oil markets are reacting fast. Investors are watching geopolitical risk, Strait of Hormuz threats, and global energy supply disruption closely.

Maharashtra's Congress party has labelled the state government's decision to cancel a 2014 order granting reservation to Muslims as an act of vengeance. The government maintains the move is merely procedural, as the quotas were not effectively in place. The Nationalist Congress Party (SP) also opposes the cancellation.

Galgotias University is under fire for presenting a Chinese robot as its own at the AI Impact Summit. The Uttar Pradesh government may investigate the university. The university has apologized for the misinformation. It has withdrawn from the summit. The incident caused embarrassment for the Indian government hosting the event.

Federal Reserve officials kept interest rates unchanged at their January meeting. However, opinions diverged on future policy. Some policymakers indicated potential rate hikes if inflation remains high. Others debated when further rate cuts might be appropriate. Investors anticipate rates will stay steady until June. The next meeting is in March.

In a major step forward, the Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs has established a pivotal advisory committee aimed at streamlining corporate compliance regulations. This new panel is set to enhance the ease of electronic submissions under the Companies Act, 2013, with a focus on minimizing regulatory challenges.

India is preparing a plan to use land owned by HMT Ltd for artificial intelligence clusters. HMT has a large land bank across several states. Investment plans of around 10,000 crore are being drawn up for these AI clusters. The government is considering a report on HMT's revival. This initiative aims to clear worker and statutory dues.

The National Investigation Agency has apprehended Moideenkutty P, a Popular Front of India coordinator, at Cochin International Airport. He was absconding for three years in a case involving the banned organization. The NIA's investigation revealed a conspiracy to create communal division and establish Islamic rule in India. Accused were trained in weapons handling and fundraising for terrorist acts.

IRS has ended its free Direct File tax website after less than two years. The government said the program was costly and not many taxpayers used it. Even though this tool is gone, Americans still have other free ways to file taxes online or get help. These include IRS partner software, simple fillable forms, and volunteer tax assistance services.

Bilal Erdogan, son of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, arrived in Dhaka. He was accompanied by former footballer Mesut Ozil and TIKA chairman Abdullah Aaron. The delegation inaugurated a new medical center at Dhaka University. This project was funded by TIKA. The visit follows the swearing-in of the Tarique Rahman-led government. Erdogan will also visit Rohingya refugee camps.

Visa and Mastercard process more than 95 percent of card payments in the UK, according to the Payment Systems Regulator.

India dominated the opening round of the World Cup. However, the batting unit has not always fired on all cylinders. Abhishek Sharma's form is a concern. Suryakumar Yadav and Ishan Kishan have played crucial innings. India needs its batting to find fluency for the Super 8s. This will ease pressure on the bowlers.

Paris prosecutors have launched two new probes into potential sex abuse and financial crimes connected to Jeffrey Epstein. This action follows the release of millions of Epstein's files by US authorities. Investigators are urging potential victims to come forward and share their accounts. Old investigations are also being revisited in light of new revelations.

India and the UK are partnering to advance AI development. Both nations are committed to establishing shared values in AI. Collaboration will focus on infrastructure, including chips, and the development of efficient language models. This partnership aims to leverage the strengths of both countries to push AI frontiers.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared in a Los Angeles court for a significant social media addiction trial. He will testify regarding claims that platforms like Instagram contributed to a young woman's depression and suicidal thoughts. This case is a bellwether trial, potentially impacting thousands of similar lawsuits against tech giants. Meta maintains its commitment to youth safety.

Major American companies are now removing environmental targets from executive pay. This follows a similar trend with diversity goals. Apple, Starbucks, and Salesforce are among those making these changes. Experts suggest this could slow corporate action on climate issues. Some companies, however, maintain these links, citing long-term commitments and regulatory demands.

Job offer negotiation advice: A job seeker faced a difficult situation with a recruiter from a big tech firm. The recruiter demanded proof of another job offer. This led to a disrespectful exchange. The candidate sought advice online. Many users found the recruiter's behavior unusual. The incident highlights issues in recruiting practices and candidate treatment.

India's engineering talent is rapidly becoming AI talent. The nation contributes to all aspects of artificial intelligence, from data to hardware and algorithms. Innovation is key for the AI ecosystem. Government support is crucial for long-term growth. AI research and product development are now closely linked, with breakthroughs quickly impacting millions.

The average IRS tax refund is $2,290 in 2026. That is up 10.9% year over year. The Internal Revenue Service has already paid out $16.9 billion this tax season. Direct deposit refunds average $2,388. Over 22.4 million tax returns have been filed. IRS.gov traffic is up 35%. Bigger tax refunds are putting more money into US households early. New 2025 tax law changes are driving higher payments.

Emerging tech whiz Raul John Aju champions pragmatic AI advancements for India. He cautions against trying to outsize global tech behemoths, advocating instead for the nation to harness AI in tackling pressing issues like education, agriculture, and defense. With his initiative, Thinkraft Academy, he provides complimentary AI learning opportunities, showcasing a need for widespread educational access.

Hilary Duff has added a second Madison Square Garden concert after overwhelming demand caused her initial New York City date on The Lucky Me Tour to sell out rapidly. The additional show provides fans another opportunity to experience Duffs long-awaited return to large-scale touring, which supports her forthcoming album Luck... or Something.

Former Ukraine army chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi has spoken about serious disagreements with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He alleges an intimidation attempt on his office. These disputes arose over war strategy, including a failed 2023 counteroffensive. Zaluzhnyi was later removed and appointed ambassador to Britain.

In a dramatic turn of events, fugitive entrepreneur Vijay Mallya has communicated to the Bombay High Court that he is unable to set foot in India. Bound legally to the United Kingdom, Mallya's Indian passport has been revoked amid serious allegations of fraud and money laundering.

Ukraine and Russia peace talks in Geneva concluded without progress. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Moscow of delaying U.S.-mediated efforts to end the four-year conflict. Russian forces continue their advance, impacting Ukraine's power grid. Delegations met for two days, with discussions focusing on eastern territory and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. No date for future talks was set.

In an urgent legal maneuver, the Enforcement Directorate has petitioned a court to label Nehal Modi as a fugitive economic offender. Accused of orchestrating a pivotal role in the Punjab National Bank scandal, he allegedly funneled an astonishing amount of money overseas. Furthermore, the agency alleges he engaged in the destruction of evidence and witness intimidation.

The Supreme Court has addressed a public interest litigation concerning racial violence against people from India's northeast. The plea followed a racially motivated murder. The court urged the Attorney General to look into the issues. A mechanism for regional divisions was a concern. The bench acknowledged vital questions for preventing group-based violence.

The Supreme Court witnessed a heated exchange between the Enforcement Directorate and the West Bengal government. Arguments centered on allegations of obstruction during recent searches. The state questioned the maintainability of the ED's plea. The court adjourned the matter for further consideration. Previously, notices were issued to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and others.

A recruiter shared online that many hiring managers do not hire the perfect candidate they ask for. Instead, they often choose people who speak well in interviews and show confidence. Experts say job descriptions are like wish lists. This means job seekers should still apply even if they do not meet every requirement because skills, learning ability, and communication matter more.

Ajit Pawar death: NCP-SP leader Rohit Pawar has raised serious allegations regarding the VSR aircraft crash that claimed Ajit Pawar's life. He claims TDP leaders have ties with VSR and questions the aviation minister's statements. Pawar alleges document fudging and the owner's escape. He also points to an insurance angle and doubts the black box damage claim. An investigation is demanded.

DeepSeek V4 features and upgrades: DeepSeek is poised to launch its V4 AI model around the Lunar New Year, aiming to reclaim technical leadership after a significant market share decline. The new model boasts four major innovations, including an upgraded context window and efficient memory management, as the company pivots towards a China-focused ecosystem.

A recent study examines why, despite decades of searching, no alien signals have been detected. Using computer simulations, scientists modeled hypothetical extraterrestrial signals and discovered that the expected number of detectable transmissions is implausibly large, surpassing the number of habitable planets in the area. The results indicated that advanced alien life is likely rare or situated far from Earth.

More than 71 million Americans receive Social Security benefits each month. The March 2026 Social Security payment schedule is now active. SSI, SSDI, and retirement benefits follow the official SSA payment calendar. Payments are sent by birth date groups. Direct deposit remains the fastest option. The Social Security Administration confirms no delays this month. Beneficiaries should check My Social Security accounts for updates. This SSA schedule helps retirees plan finances confidently.

The upcoming Rajya Sabha elections on March 16 will likely see the ruling NDA gain a slight edge. Based on current state assembly numbers, the NDA is projected to increase its seats. The opposition INDIA bloc may see a reduction in its representation.

Authorities are pursuing a new lead in the search for Nancy Guthrie. Security footage may show a pinky ring on the suspect's hand. This comes after DNA from a found glove did not match any records. Guthrie's family has been cleared. Investigators believe the abduction was targeted. The search for the 84-year-old continues.

The United States is building a major force of naval and air assets in the Middle East, potentially setting the stage for a sustained military campaign against Iran. The United States had two of the massive warships in the region in June last year when it targeted three Iranian nuclear sites during Israel's 12-day campaign of strikes on Iran.

Taylor Swift has been named the best-selling global artist of 2025 by the IFPI. This marks her sixth time receiving this prestigious award. Her album 'The Life of a Showgirl' achieved record-breaking first-week sales. Swift also garnered attention with her documentary 'The End of an Era'. She demonstrated widespread engagement across streaming, physical, and digital formats.