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

In a major step towards enhancing India's pandemic preparedness, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is rolling out an AI-enabled pathogen surveillance tool under the National One Health Mission (NOHM). This innovative system aims to monitor emerging and novel pathogens to predict and track diseases before they spiral into full-blown outbreaks. The focus is on early detection of zoonotic diseases, viral diseases, bacterial infections, and even parasitic threats that can have far-rea

The controversy surrounding the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, titled Four Stars of Destiny, has deepened following two posts by Penguin India, three years apart. The row began when Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the book during the Budget Session of Parliament. Gandhi was seen holding a copy of the book, which has yet to be published and is still awaiting clearance from the Defence Ministry. The confusion stems from a Decem

The Indian government has issued a new directive requiring the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram to be sung or played at all official ceremonies and state functions. The rendition, lasting approximately three minutes and ten seconds, will now be mandatory during significant events, including the unfurling of the Tricolour, the arrival of the President at formal gatherings, and before and after their speeches. The government’s decision aims to ensure uniformity and consi

China has said it understands and respects India’s aspiration for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, marking a notable shift in tone as the two Asian powers work to stabilise relations after several years of tension. The statement came during high-level diplomatic talks in New Delhi and is being viewed as a cautious but significant gesture aimed at rebuilding trust between the neighbours. China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu conveyed the po

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube are facing serious allegations in a closely watched trial that began Monday in California, with plaintiffs accusing the companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to be addictive for children. The case marks one of the first times a jury has been asked to directly assess whether major technology companies can be held legally responsible for the mental health consequences their products may have on you

Big technology stocks traded unevenly on Monday as investors attempted to stabilize after a turbulent week that erased more than $1 trillion in combined market value across the sector. While several large-cap names posted gains on renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and cloud demand, others slipped as concerns lingered over rising capital expenditure and broader market volatility. Oracle led the advance, climbing about 9 percent after receiving an upgrade from D.A. David

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

A 37-year-old Indian-origin information technology professional was killed after unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in at a shopping centre parking lot in Toronto, according to Canadian police officials. The victim, identified as Chandan Kumar, hailed from Bengaluru Rural district in Karnataka and had been living in Canada for the past six years while working with a private technology company. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 7, when poli

A growing body of scientific evidence is prompting doctors and public health experts to rethink how diabetes is diagnosed in India. A major new review published in The Lancet Regional Health has raised serious concerns about the accuracy of glycated haemoglobin, or HbA1c, the test most commonly used worldwide to diagnose and monitor diabetes. According to the authors, relying solely on HbA1c may sig

Amid mounting uncertainty surrounding his much-anticipated film Jana Nayagan, actor-turned-politician Vijay made a notable public appearance at a high-profile wedding in Chennai on Sunday, drawing widespread attention from fans and political observers alike. The appearance comes at a time when speculation continues to swirl around both the film’s delayed release and Vijay’s political future in T

Actor Sonam Kapoor marked her baby shower with signature elegance, hosting an intimate godh bharai ceremony at her Mumbai residence as she awaits her second child with husband Anand Ahuja. Known for setting fashion benchmarks, Sonam once again demonstrated how maternity style can be both rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern. The celebration was thoughtfully curated, reflecting Sonam’s preference for understated luxury over extravagance. Surrounded by close friends, family,

Several schools in the national capital were placed on high alert on Monday after bomb threat emails were sent to their official email IDs, triggering swift action from security agencies. According to officials, at least ten schools across different parts of Delhi received the threatening emails within a short time window, prompting immediate deployment of police teams, fire services, and bomb disposal squads to conduct thorough security checks on school premises. As per the informa

A tragic incident from Uttar Pradesh has reignited concerns over the health risks linked to excessive online gaming after a 22-year-old youth allegedly died from a brain haemorrhage triggered while playing a game on his mobile phone. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on gaming addiction and its potential impact on both physical and mental health, especially among young adults. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Kaif, was a resident of the Khairnagar area of Meerut.

A high-profile Lamborghini crash in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur has triggered widespread controversy after police registered an FIR that does not mention the name of the alleged driver, despite videos clearly showing him stepping out of the luxury vehicle. The incident, which occurred on Sunday evening, has raised serious questions about preferential treatment, transparency in policing, and public safety, particularly when influential individuals are involved. According to police accou

Pakistan has signaled a possible change in its stance regarding the highly anticipated India vs Pakistan clash at the T20 World Cup 2026, but only if certain conditions are met. According to reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board has conveyed three specific demands to the International Cricket Council, stating that it would consult the Pakistani government about reversing the boycott of the February 15 fixture only if the ICC agrees to these terms. The match is scheduled to be played at a neutra

Syria and Saudi Arabia have signed a series of major economic and infrastructure agreements aimed at accelerating Syria’s post-war reconstruction and strengthening bilateral ties, marking one of the most significant rounds of cooperation between the two countries in recent years. Officials said the deals span aviation, telecommunications, energy, and development projects, with billions of dollars expected to flow into key sectors of the Syrian economy. The agreements include the l

A new white paper has underscored the deep and lasting contribution of the Indian diaspora to modern Britain, describing the community as the country’s most economically successful migrant group and a central force in national growth. The report, launched at the House of Lords on 5 February, traces decades of migration and documents how successive generations of Indian migrants have supported Britain’s recovery, innovation and competitiveness across multiple sectors of the economy.