Residents of St Petersburg were treated to a rare celestial display early Monday, February 2, as a phenomenon known as "paraselene" created the optical illusion of four moons appearing simultaneously in the night sky. Local meteorologists confirmed that the rare occurrence was caused by specific atmospheric conditions involving ice crystals, rather than any astronomical shift.
Ahead of Budget 2026, the middle class anticipates a hike in the standard deduction to INR 1 lakh. Last year, FM Sitharaman made history by announcing zero tax for income up to INR 12 lakh under the New Regime. As the new Income Tax Act nears, taxpayers hope for further slab revisions and NPS benefits. Catch live news updates on the new Income Tax slabs and rates 2026 here.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is set to make history today, February 1, presenting her ninth consecutive Union Budget on a rare Sunday session. The 2026-27 roadmap is likely to focus on middle-class tax relief, infrastructure, and job creation. LatestLY brings to you live news updates on the Budget 2026, including the new income tax slabs and rates.
The gold rate in India showed signs of stabilisation on Monday, February 2, following the massive "flash crash" witnessed at the end of last week. Check the current gold rates in major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Srinagar, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bhopal, Lucknow, Noida, Ghaziabad, and Gurugram.
The price hike, which ranges from Rs 22 to Rs 55 depending on the brand and stick length, comes as the government transitions away from the previous GST compensation cess mechanism. Cigarettes measuring 76 mm in length are expected to see a price jump of Rs 50 to Rs 55 per pack of 10.
Taxpayers and retail traders took to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to express their reactions on Union Budget 2026, using funny memes, viral film clips and humor to navigate the fiscal updates. The online response centered largely on the perceived lack of relief for the middle class and new tax hikes affecting the financial markets.
February 2026 is trending as a "Perfect Month" due to its rare, symmetrical 4x7 calendar grid. Starting on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday, the 28-day month features exactly four of every weekday with no spillover dates. This satisfying alignment won't happen again until 2037. Scroll below to know more.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman today presented her record ninth consecutive Union Budget, outlining a roadmap focused on healthcare access, domestic manufacturing, and energy transition. The 2026–27 Budget advances the Viksit Bharat vision, offering relief for cancer patients and digital tech users, while tightening levies on sin goods and speculative activities to boost revenue.
In the Union Budget 2026, FM Nirmala Sitharaman proposed reducing the Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) from 15 per cent to 14 per cent and treating it as a final tax from April 1, 2026. This landmark shift aims to simplify corporate tax by ending the complex MAT credit carry-forward system, which previously allowed firms to offset taxes for 15 years.
In Budget 2026, Nirmala Sitharaman focused on stability, maintaining current tax slabs while slashing TCS on foreign travel to 2%. Key highlights include a 4.3% fiscal deficit target and the transition to the New Income Tax Act on April 1. Investors saw a hike in STT on futures, while the middle class continues to enjoy zero tax up to INR 12.75 lakh.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget 2026 on February 1, marking her ninth consecutive Budget speech under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The 2026 Budget also made history as the first Union Budget presented on a Sunday.
Silver prices in India traded largely steady with a slight upward bias on Sunday, February 1, 2026, after easing from record highs in the previous session. Following profit booking earlier this week, the white metal continued to consolidate at elevated levels, supported by firm global cues, safe-haven demand and consistent industrial consumption.
Plan your banking tasks for February 2026! According to the RBI, banks in India will be closed for 9 to 12 days this month. Key holidays include Losar, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Jayanti, and Statehood Day, plus all Sundays and the 2nd and 4th Saturdays. While branches pause, digital banking like UPI remains active 24/7. Scroll to see full list of bank holidays in February.
The explosion took place in a central area of the Bandar Abbas port city in Iran, primarily affecting a multi-story building and several adjacent shops. Initial reports from local emergency services indicate that the force of the blast blew out windows and collapsed walls within a several-block radius.
The lunar event is expected to reach its peak illumination in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, 2026, offering high visibility provided weather conditions remain clear. As the second full moon of the year, it will appear situated in the constellation Leo, rising in the east around sunset and remaining visible until dawn.
The CPR sector, which contributes over 10% to India’s GDP and employs approximately 8% of the workforce, is currently at a critical juncture. Following a period of input cost volatility and geopolitical tensions, industry stakeholders are urging Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to prioritize 'consumption revival' in Budget 2026.
A private bus driver was arrested after allegedly assaulting a passenger who cautioned him against rash driving, an incident that occurred at the busy Trichy bus stand and later sparked outrage after a video went viral on social media.
Newly released documents from the investigation into late financier Jeffrey Epstein contain an allegation involving US President Donald Trump, which the US Department of Justice has firmly dismissed as “untrue and sensationalist.”
The United States will add around 65,000 additional H-2B seasonal guest worker visas for 2026, according to a notice published in the Federal Register. The move is aimed at helping employers facing severe financial hardship due to a shortage of domestic workers.
Silver prices in India traded mixed but largely stable on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after witnessing some profit booking following the sharp rally earlier this week that pushed the white metal above the INR 4 lakh per kg mark.
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