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

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

An Iranian man has reportedly taken his own life after recording and sharing a video message in which he appealed directly to former US President Donald Trump to halt any diplomatic engagement with Iran’s current leadership. The man, identified by activists and Iranian media as Pouria Hamidi, was from the southern port city of Bushehr. His death has drawn renewed attention to ongoing political tensions inside Iran and the wider international debate surrounding Tehran’s relations with Wash

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

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

The United States announced a new round of sanctions on Friday targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical trade, hours after indirect diplomatic talks between Tehran and Washington concluded in Oman, underscoring the fragile balance between pressure and engagement as both sides attempt to manage tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear programme. The measures, unveiled by the US State Department, apply to 15 entities and 14 vessels that officials say are linked to Iran’s so-called shad

On February 6, 2026, a suicide attack rocked the Tarlai Imambargah, located in Islamabad’s Shehzad Town area, during the Friday prayers. At least 31 people were killed, and 169 others sustained injuries in the blast, which targeted a Shia Muslim gathering. The explosion occurred just as worshippers were deep into their prayers at the mosque. Disturbing videos from the site showed severe devastation, with severed limbs and debris scattered across the area. Locals and family members of the vi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s 175-run spectacle in the U19 World Cup final has now become one of the most remarkable performances in cricket history. On February 6, 2026, at the Harare Sports Club in Harare, the young Indian cricketer turned heads with his explosive batting against England. The left-handed batsman reached his century in just 58 balls, making him the fastest to score a ton in a U19 World Cup final. As the match progressed, Sooryavanshi continued to dominate, eventually smashing 175

A tragic explosion occurred at a mosque in Islamabad, Pakistan, during Friday prayers, resulting in multiple injuries. The blast took place at the Tarlai Imambargah, located in the Shehzad Town area of Islamabad. Local media reports confirmed the incident, detailing that several people were injured as a result of the explosion. Police and rescue services have swiftly arrived at the scene, initiating rescue operations to assist the victims and prevent further casualties. As investiga

Gwadar, a port in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has become a focal point for geopolitical tensions, local unrest, and external influence, especially from China. Originally a fishing settlement on the Arabian Sea, it is now home to Pakistan's third-largest port, which plays a crucial role in the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The strategic location of Gwadar, near the Strait of Hormuz, has made it a highly coveted asset for various powers. What is most remarkable about

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

Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has reportedly urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to reconsider its decision to boycott the India-Pakistan match in the 2026 T20 World Cup. In a formal letter sent to the PCB, SLC expressed concerns over the severe financial losses that could result from the boycott. The India-Pakistan fixture is one of the most lucrative matches in world cricket, drawing massive global viewership and contributing significantly to the revenue generated during International Cricket

Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is preparing to introduce a Senate resolution that would formally condemn and seek the reversal of a proposed sale of 500,000 advanced artificial intelligence chips annually to the United Arab Emirates, arguing the transaction could threaten U.S. national security and raise serious ethical questions about conflicts of interest. The measure is expected to be brought to the Senate floor on Thursday, where Warren plans to call for lawmakers to block the exp

Ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav addressed concerns over Pakistan's threat to boycott their scheduled group-stage clash. Yadav firmly stated that India's preparations for the match remain unchanged, regardless of Pakistan's stance on participation. During a captain's meet ahead of the tournament, Suryakumar emphasized that India's focus remains on the game. "Our mindset is very clear. We haven’t said no to playing them; they are the ones who??

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

Tensions between Iran and the United States intensified this week after the US military shot down an Iranian drone that it said approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in an aggressive manner in the Arabian Sea. The incident came as both sides exchanged sharp warnings and cautious signals about a possible return to nuclear diplomacy, underscoring the fragile balance between confrontation and negotiation in the region. According to US officials, the drone was intercepted

The tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, have raised serious concerns about the influence of online gaming on young minds. The sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, tragically ended their lives by jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building in the early hours of February 4, 2026. The girls were reportedly addicted to a task-based Korean gaming app, which assigned them a series of challenges to complete. According to their father, Chetan Kumar, he had no knowledge

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