Many taxpayers are facing a frustrating wait for their tax refunds as nearly 24 lakh income tax returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025–26 have been pending for more than 90 days. According to the Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, as of February 4, 2026, out of 8.79 crore ITRs filed, approximately 24.64 lakh were yet to be processed, leaving millions of individuals waiting for their refunds. The large backlog has triggered concerns, especially for senior citizen

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephone conversation with Mauritian Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the special and historic relationship between India and Mauritius. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding development cooperation, and ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, underscoring the strategic significance of the island nation in India’s foreign pol

Berlin’s main airport remained closed on Friday as dangerous black ice and freezing weather conditions made flight operations unsafe, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers and forcing airlines to cancel or delay services across the region. Airport authorities said persistent ice on runways and taxiways had made it impossible for aircraft to safely take off or land, with no immediate timeline for when normal operations could resume. The disruption began a day earlier

Bitcoin, the world’s largest cryptocurrency, faced a dramatic price drop on February 6, 2026, hitting an intraday low of $60,008.52 during volatile trading. This marks the lowest point for Bitcoin since October 2024. The decline occurred amid a broader selloff across global markets, especially in technology stocks, metals, and other riskier assets, raising concerns about whether Bitcoin could fall below the $60,000 mark in the coming days. After touching this 16-month low, Bitcoin

As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes industries and job markets, higher education, especially in the UK, is undergoing a transformation to adapt to new skill demands. In 2026, universities are increasingly focusing on practical skills and AI literacy to ensure graduates are ready for the workforce. This shift away from traditional degrees is a response to the growing need for hybrid capabilities that blend human insight with machine intelligence. The UK, in particular, faces a r

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will announce its latest monetary policy decision today, February 6, 2026, with markets largely expecting the central bank to keep the repo rate unchanged. This announcement follows a series of rate cuts, with the last one made in December 2025, reducing the repo rate from 5.50% to 5.25%. Experts predict that the RBI will maintain a pause in rate cuts as it assesses the impacts of the previous changes on inflation and growth. RBI Governor Sanjay Malho

A Turkish Airlines passenger aircraft carrying 236 people was forced to divert and make an emergency landing on Wednesday afternoon after its right engine caught fire shortly after takeoff from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu, officials confirmed. The incident triggered a brief operational halt at the airport and prompted swift coordination between air traffic control and emergency services to ensure the safety of everyone onboard. The wide-body Airbus A330-303, operati

A United States Navy fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone after it approached an American aircraft carrier operating in the Arabian Sea, according to US Central Command, marking the latest escalation in a period of heightened military tensions across the Middle East. The incident occurred as the unmanned aircraft moved toward the USS Abraham Lincoln with what officials described as unclear intent, despite attempts by US forces to deter it. Military authorities said the drone “ag

The number of reported sightings of rogue drones operating near military installations in the United Kingdom has more than doubled over the past year, raising fresh concerns over national security and prompting the government to consider significant changes to military powers. Official figures show that incidents increased from 126 in 2024 to 266 in 2025, representing a rise of more than 100 per cent and highlighting what ministers describe as an evolving and increasingly complex threat envir

Nvidia shares declined on Monday as uncertainty surrounding the chipmaker’s potential investment in OpenAI weighed on investor sentiment. The stock slipped in early trading after reports suggested that previously announced plans involving a massive financial commitment to the artificial intelligence company may not yet be finalized. The market reaction underscored growing sensitivity around large-scale AI investments and the evolving relationships among major technology players. T

The artificial intelligence revolution is rapidly transforming the global landscape, reshaping industries, economies, and educational systems at an unprecedented pace. Recognizing the urgency of adapting to this technological shift, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken a decisive step by launching what is set to become India’s first dedicated Artificial Intelligence university. The university is scheduled to begin operations in Amaravati from February 19, marking a significant milestone

As the Union Budget 2026 draws closer, India’s gems and jewellery industry has stepped up its demands for policy reforms aimed at reviving demand, supporting employment and improving transparency. Industry leaders believe the upcoming Budget can play a decisive role in restoring consumer confidence at a time when global trade uncertainty and high prices have made buyers cautious. With jewellery being both a cultural and economic mainstay, the sector is urging the government to adopt growth-

Silver prices in India have surged to a historic high, crossing the Rs 4 lakh per kilogram mark in futures trading and pushing up spot prices across major cities. The sudden spike has caught many buyers by surprise, especially as silver was trading at much lower levels just weeks ago. The rally has been sharp and swift, making silver one of the strongest-performing commodities in recent times and raising questions among consumers and investors about whether prices will continue to rise or cor

The Indian rupee weakened to a fresh all-time low of 91.99 against the US dollar on January 29, extending its recent slide amid persistent pressure from global and domestic factors. The currency has now fallen 2 percent so far this year and nearly 5 percent since the United States imposed higher tariffs on Indian merchandise exports. The sharp decline reflects continued weakness in foreign capital inflows and a surge in corporate demand for dollar hedging, which have outweighed the positive i

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has launched an internal review following the upload of sensitive contracting documents to a public version of ChatGPT by its acting director, according to officials familiar with the matter. The incident, which occurred last summer, triggered multiple automated security alerts within the Department of Homeland Security and has renewed scrutiny around the use of artificial intelligence tools inside federal agencies. The documen

Keurig has issued a voluntary recall of more than 80,000 decaf coffee pods after discovering that the products may contain caffeine. The recall applies specifically to K-Cup pods labeled as McCafe Premium Roast Decaf Coffee, with a best-by date of November 17, 2026, and a UPC code of 043000073438. Consumers who purchased these pods are advised to check their inventory, as the product may not meet its labeled decaf specifications. The recall was initially announced on December 6, 2025,

Southwest Airlines passengers completed their final boarding-day routines under the carrier’s open seating model on Monday, closing a chapter on a system that defined the airline for more than five decades. Beginning Tuesday, Southwest officially transitioned to assigned seating, a move that places the Dallas-based airline closer to industry norms followed by most major U.S. carriers. Under the new approach, customers flying Southwest will receive designated seat assignments and m

United Parcel Service announced Tuesday that it plans to eliminate approximately 30,000 positions during the current year as the company continues to wind down its longstanding business relationship with Amazon and executes a broader, multi-year turnaround strategy. The workforce reduction is expected to be driven primarily by lower shipping volumes connected to the gradual exit from Amazon-related operations. Speaking during a conference call with analysts following the release of