NEW DELHI: Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Sunday accused the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of indulging in “money laundering”, questioned its sources of income and asked why it was not paying taxes.Addressing a gathering at an event here, Kharge alleged financial irregularities and sought greater accountability from the organisation.“It (RSS) has a network of more than 2,500 organisations, they are from America, England. They take money from them. I am telling — that these people are into money laundering,” he said.Questioning the source of its funds, he added, “they want us to be good citizens, pay income tax, but they want to remain free. How is it possible. We will have to question this.”Kharge said the same law and Constitution applicable to everyone in the country should apply to the RSS as well. Later, speaking to reporters, he pointed out that the RSS is an unregistered organisation and asked whether “they are above law or Constitution.”“It is good that all organisations should come under the ambit of law and constitution, whether it is RSS or any other organisations. Are they above law and constitution. Mohan Bhagwat (RSS chief) says it (RSS) is a body of individuals. So is Bangalore Club, have they not registered? Are they not paying taxes?” he further asked.Stating that his question is why the RSS was unregistered, he said, “Where is their Guru Dakshina (donation) coming from.”Kharge said, “If we ask about the source of RSS money, they tell us that we will get Guru Dakshina. However, when I did some research, according to them, Guru Dakshina means ‘flag’. So, tomorrow morning, if I also hoist the blue flag and collect money, I will ask the government and them (RSS) whether they will agree. Thus, no one can escape baseless words. From now on, I will not give up until this RSS organisation is registered under the Constitution and the law.““Who is paying it? Why is it (RSS) not paying tax? When every rupee of others is being accounted for, why is there no accountability for their (RSS) money,” he asked.Kharge also took a swipe at the organisation over patriotism, saying, “RSS did not hoist the national flag in their office for 52 years. They teach us about patriotism.”“Ramayana, written by Valmiki, is different; what is happening now is different. Politicians and religious leaders are talking about religion as they wish. No religion incites violence. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who says that one should have three children, is not getting married. However, he talks about raising other people’s children. Thus, the BJP is constantly saying things outside and inside, and is sending the children of the poor to the streets,” Kharge said.Meanwhile, Kharge launched a sharp attack on the demand to confer the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar, asking why a person who, according to him, “worked against Bharat” should receive the country’s highest civilian honour.In a post shared on X, Kharge posted a long list of questions targeting Savarkar’s role during the freedom struggle. His attack came in response to comments made by RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat on February 8, at a two-day lecture series titled ‘100 Years of Sangh Journey – New Horizons’. Addressing questions over the delay in honouring Savarkar, Bhagwat said the award would elevate the prestige of the Bharat Ratna itself. Bhagwat further said that he was not on the decision-making committee but would raise the issue if given the chance.

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The United States is observing Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 16, a federal holiday honouring the country’s presidents, especially George Washington. As Americans mark the occasion, one of the common question is what services, like Banking, etc., remain open and what’s shutdown.Since Presidents Day is one of the official federal holidays in the US, several essential services, including government offices and financial institutions, suspend regular operations. Customers planning in-person banking or financial transactions may face closures and delays.

Bank operations on Presidents Day

Bank branches across the US will remain closed, as financial institutions observe the federal holiday. Major banks such as Capital One, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, Chase, Truist and Citibank will not operate their physical branches on Monday.However, customers can continue using digital banking services. Online banking platforms, mobile apps and ATMs will remain functional, allowing users to check balances, transfer funds and withdraw cash. Normal branch operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, Feb. 17.

What else is closed

Apart from banks, Several other services will be unavailable on Presidents Day. Government offices and post offices will remain closed, and there will be no regular mail delivery. Financial markets, including the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq, will also remain shut in observance of the holiday.Most public schools and federal institutions will be closed as well, although policies may vary by district and university. Meanwhile, grocery stores, retail outlets and restaurants are generally expected to remain open and operate during regular business hours.Presidents Day, officially known as Washington’s Birthday, was established in 1879 to honour Washington and is now widely recognised as a day to celebrate all US presidents.

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar on Sunday stoked a fresh controversy after lauding Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and expressing hope for the return of the Left government in the upcoming assembly elections.This comes as the Congress seeks a return to power in Kerala in the polls scheduled for May this year.Speaking at an international seminar titled “Vision 2031: Development and Democracy”, Aiyar asked Vijayan to “pick up the baton that the Congress has dropped.”He added that it may appear ironic that the state which has made the most commendable progress towards that goal is Kerala, ruled by a “Marxist-Leninist party”.“I do not know whether this is a compliment or an insult, but I deeply regret the absence of my party colleagues on this occasion, which is a state occasion and therefore a national occasion. While Kerala is the first state in panchayati raj in practice, it ranks only second in law,” Aiyar said.“So, in the presence of the chief minister, who I am confident will continue in office, I renew my plea — to reinforce Kerala as the best panchayati raj state in the country. State laws should be amended based on practical experience, Thomas Isaac’s insights, the five-volume report I chaired, and the note on district planning by V K Ramachandran circulated by the Planning Commission when it truly supported panchayati raj,” he added.“Therefore, I must fall at your feet, Chief Minister Vijayan, and request you to pick up the baton that the Congress has dropped. Thank you, and may Kerala prosper,” he further said.Vijayan described Aiyar’s remarks as “charismatic words” that resonated with the current context.In a social media post about the Vision 2031 International Conference, he said Aiyar’s observations reflected the contemporary scenario and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening grassroots democracy.“We stand united in the belief that democracy flourishes only when power resides with the people. We will continue to strengthen our local bodies as the heartbeat of growth,” the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader said.‘No connection whatsoever with the Congress’Meanwhile, Aiyar’s remarks did not go down well with the Congress leadership.Congress national spokesperson Pawan Khera sought to distance the party from Aiyar’s comments, saying he has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years.In a post on X, Khera said Aiyar “speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity”.“Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity,” Khera said.Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh also rubbished Aiyar’s remarks and said that the United Democratic Front (UDF) is set to return to power in Kerala.“Let there be no doubt. The people of Kerala will bring the UDF back for more responsible and responsive governance. They also know the LDF and BJP are covert partners,” he said.

MUMBAI: What began as a celebratory journey for the Yadav family ended in devastation after a Metro-4 viaduct segment collapsed on LBS Road in Mulund. Ramdhan Yadav (50), sarpanch of Barsathi village in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, died on the spot, while two relatives — Mahendra Yadav (52) and Rajkumar Yadav (25) — remain hospitalised with severe injuries.The accident cast a shadow over a family wedding that had brought several relatives to Mumbai. By Sunday, grief had given way to anger. The family questioned why they should accept compensation “far below accountability” if the authority planned to levy heavy penalties on those responsible. “If fines worth crores can be recovered from the contractor, why should the family settle for anything less than justice?” asked Sarvesh Yadav, a relative.The family asked: If MMRDA would recover Rs 5 crore in fines from the contractor, why should they accept anything less than Rs 1 crore?Ramdhan Yadav is survived by three daughters aged 24, 16 and 12. The relatives refused to accept the body of the deceased, Ramdhan Yadav (50), until press time, as their demand remained unmet. “His body is the proof of the tragedy on us. Once we take his body back to our village and proceed with cremation, we will be left on our own,” said Sarvesh Yadav, a relative.By evening, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) announced a compensation package of Rs 35–40 lakh, comprising Rs 15 lakh financial aid, an insurance payout of Rs 15–20 lakh, and Rs 5 lakh ex gratia. The family, however, continued to press for a government job for the immediate kin and enhanced compensation.At Upasani Hospital, relatives kept vigil outside the intensive care unit. Rajkumar, an autorickshaw driver, underwent surgery but had not regained consciousness. Family members said his leg injuries were extensive and his upper body had also suffered severe trauma. Mahendra, though conscious, sustained broken ribs and remains in critical condition. Hospital authorities did not issue a medical bulletin, and media access to doctors was restricted.Investigators said a large concrete parapet segment fell onto an autorickshaw and a car passing below. The impact mangled both vehicles, leaving bystanders stunned.MMRDA termed the incident a case of prima facie negligence, citing lapses by contractor RAJV–Milan Infra, its sub-contractor, and inadequate supervision by the general consultant DB–Hill–LBG consortium. A detailed technical probe has been initiated to determine the precise cause and fix responsibility. An executive engineer has been suspended pending inquiry.Five individuals linked to the contractor and consultant were arrested and remanded to three-day police custody by a Dadar holiday court. Police said they are also searching for a welder and a project consultant believed to be connected to the work at the site.In an extraordinary safety response, MMRDA ordered a special intensive inspection across the entire Wadala–Kasarvadavali Metro-4 corridor. The multi-disciplinary team will conduct day-wise documentation of structural conditions and corrective measures over the next three to four days. Officials said any component found unsafe or non-compliant would be secured, rectified, or removed, with work at affected locations suspended until written clearance is granted.For the Yadav family, however, the official actions offer little solace. “We came to Mumbai for a wedding,” said one relative quietly outside the hospital. “We are now planning a funeral.”

Stock market today: After deep cuts towards the end of last week, Nifty50 and BSE Sensex, opened in red on Monday. While Nifty50 was below 25,450, BSE Sensex dropped over 100 points in opening trade. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,434.35, down 37 points or 0.14%. BSE Sensex was at 82,520.90, down 106 points or 0.13%.Last week, Nifty and Sensex closed in red, with benchmark indices slipping about 1% as concerns over artificial intelligence-led disruption and heavy selling in technology stocks weighed on investor sentiment. Analysts said that with technology shares undergoing repricing and uncertainty surrounding AI-driven disruption persisting, investors should adopt a selective and risk-managed investment approach.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The IT sell-off last week will continue to weigh on markets in the near-term. The mild recovery in IT ADRs on Friday is unlikely to support IT stocks. Institutions are likely to continue selling IT stocks and switch to sectors like financials, automobiles, capital goods, telecom and pharma where there is good earnings growth visibility. Brent crude is delicately balanced at around $68 on the concerns surrounding the geopolitical tensions between US and Iran. This has to be closely watched. Investors can use the current volatility in the market to churn portfolios in favour of growth sectors like those mentioned earlier. Overall, the market prospects for 2026 appear good since fundamentals are improving and valuations have turned reasonable in tune with long-term averages. Mid and small caps, though relatively overvalued, are reporting better-than-expected earnings.”In the United States, the S&P 500 ended marginally higher on Friday after inflation data indicated easing price pressures. However, the Nasdaq finished lower as major technology and communication services stocks declined amid continuing concerns about the potential impact of artificial intelligence on existing business models.Asian markets traded in a narrow range, alternating between modest gains and losses. Softer US inflation data strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve could lower interest rates later this year, helping stabilize sentiment after recent volatility linked to AI-related disruption fears.Foreign portfolio investors remained net sellers, offloading equities worth Rs 7,395 crore on Friday. Domestic institutional investors, in contrast, were net buyers, purchasing shares worth Rs 5,554 crore, according to exchange data.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

After we reported that Hiba Nawab is in advanced talks to headline a supernatural thriller, we have now learnt of another major development. The makers have finalised Shashank Vyas to star in the show. Last seen in Roop – Mard Ka Naya Swaroop, which ended in May 2019, Shashank has been away from the small screen for nearly seven years. A source associated with the show informs, “The thriller will feature two male leads alongside Hiba, and we are happy to have Shashank Vyas on board as one of them. He fits the role perfectly and will be seen in a character unlike any he has played before.” Shashank became a household name as Jagya in Balika Vadhu. He was recently seen in the web series Citadel: Honey Bunny.In a chat with us a few years ago, while speaking about his break from television, he had shared, “Whatever identity I have today is because of TV, and that will always remain. Balika Vadhu is a cult show, and Jagya is a character people will always remember. But I am a creative person, and that means I like to experiment. I had become very comfortable on television. I feel that if I stay in my comfort zone, I am making a mistake. It means I am not allowing myself to grow. During Balika Vadhu, even the technicians would tell me that I would move on to films. Yet I continued to do shows after that. Then you start thinking about money, which is important, but one can also get stuck in that cycle.” The actor had also mentioned that he received several offers during his break, but his focus was on films and OTT projects. He said, “I won’t say I got too many offers, but I definitely didn’t get too few either. Almost every channel or production house approached me for shows. I even discussed one such offer with my father. The makers understood why I didn’t want to return to TV at that time. There are many ways to earn money, so why did I choose acting? I chose it because it is my passion. I don’t know anything apart from this, so I want to grow, make mistakes, and learn. If I am not growing somewhere, then what is the point of staying there?”

The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Group C action remains at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata for a fascinating encounter between England and tournament debutants Italy. England, the two-time champions, enter this match following a vital five-wicket victory over Scotland that kept their Super 8 hopes alive. Italy, meanwhile, is riding the highest wave in their cricketing history after securing a stunning 10-wicket victory over Nepal, their first-ever win in a World Cup. While on paper this looks like a mismatch, the ‘Azzurri’ have shown they have the spirit to challenge the established order.

ENG vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 16 (Monday); 3:00 pm IST / 9:30 am GMT
• Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata

ENG vs ITA, Head-to-Head Record

Matches played: 0 (This is their first international meeting).

Eden Gardens Pitch Report

Eden Gardens has lived up to its reputation as a high-scoring venue this tournament, but it has offered a balanced battle. The surface generally provides good pace and carry for the fast bowlers early on, but the abrasive nature of the pitch means spinners like Adil Rashid and Italy’s Crishan Kalugamage will find purchase in the middle overs. The average score at this venue in the 2026 World Cup has been around 170. Since this is an afternoon game, the dew factor will be negligible, making the pitch likely to slow down slightly in the second innings. The captain winning the toss will probably elect to bat first to set a tall target on a fresh surface.

Team dynamics and key players

England: Harry Brook’s side has been somewhat inconsistent but showed grit in their chase against Scotland. Tom Banton (63* vs Scotland) has been the anchor, while Phil Salt and Jos Buttler remain the most explosive opening pair in the group. Their bowling is their biggest asset; Jofra Archer has regained his express pace, and Adil Rashid remains a master of subcontinental conditions. England needs a dominant win here to boost their Net Run Rate and secure a top-two spot in Group C.

Italy: The Italian squad is a mix of professional experience and inspired local talent—famously highlighted by Crishan Kalugamage, a pizza chef by trade who took 3/18 to dismantle Nepal. Captain Harry Manenti leads a resilient side bolstered by the experience of JJ Smuts and Grant Stewart. After their clinical 10-wicket chase, Italy will look to their openers Justin Mosca and Anthony Mosca to brave the initial burst from the English pacers. Their goal will be to take the game deep and capitalize on any nerves in the England camp.

Squads

England: Harry Brook (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Jofra Archer, Tom Banton, Jacob Bethell, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton, Adil Rashid, Phil Salt, Josh Tongue, Luke Wood

Italy: Wayne Madsen (captain), Marcus Campopiano, Gian Piero Meade, Zain Ali, Ali Hasan, Crishan Jorge Kalugamage, Harry Manenti, Anthony Mosca, Justin Mosca, Syed Naqvi, Benjamin Manenti, Jaspreet Singh, JJ Smuts, Grant Stewart, Thomas Draca

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Ishan Kishan joins Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir’s elite list after explosive 77 vs Pakistan

ENG vs ITA, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• England wins the toss and bats first
• England powerplay score: 55-65 (6 overs)
• England total score: 195-205

Case 2:

• Italy wins the toss and bats first
• Italy powerplay score: 35-45 (6 overs)
• Italy total score: 130-140

Match result: England to win the contest.

Also READ: ‘Sanju Samson should have played’: Fans troll Abhishek Sharma after he falls for a 4-ball duck during IND vs PAK T20 World Cup 2026 clash

Silver prices dropped by 2 per cent to Rs 2.5 lakh per kilogram in the national capital on Monday, while gold recorded a gain of Rs 700 per 10 grams.

Data from the All India Sarafa Association showed that silver fell by Rs 5,000, or 1.96 per cent, to Rs 2,50,000 per kilogram, inclusive of all taxes, compared with Rs 2,55,000 per kg in the previous session on Friday.

In contrast, gold of 99.9 per cent purity climbed Rs 700 to Rs 1,59,200 per 10 grams, inclusive of all taxes, up from Rs 1,58,500 per 10 grams at the last close.
“Silver began the week on a softer note, as investors booked profits after the weekend’s rally. However, ongoing central bank purchases, heightened safe-haven demand amid the correction in tech and AI stocks, and a weaker dollar index have helped cushion the downside,” Gaurvav Garg, Research Analyst, Lemonn Markets Desk, said.

NEW DELHI: India’s emphatic triumph over arch-rivals Pakistan in the ICC T20 World Cup wasn’t just another win — it was, in Sachin Tendulkar’s words, a takeover scripted in the powerplay itself.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The batting icon summed up the night’s defining phase in a post on X. “The powerplay was where India took the game away from them. Ishan Kishan in the first innings, and the clinical bowling we saw in the second innings, made all the difference. We were always in the driver’s seat. India rocked it tonight,” he wrote.

That early surge came despite a shaky start. After Abhishek Sharma fell for a duck, Kishan unleashed a counterattack, smashing a brutal 77, off just 40 balls, that shifted momentum instantly. Tilak Varma added a steady 25, before skipper Suryakumar Yadav (32), along with Shivam Dube (27) and Rinku Singh (11 not out), delivered a composed finish to lift India to 175/7. Saim Ayub (3/25) was Pakistan’s standout bowler with three wickets.If Kishan seized the initiative, India’s bowlers sealed the verdict. Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah and Axar Patel tore through the top order, reducing Pakistan to 34/4 inside powerplay. Usman Khan fought alone with 44, but Varun Chakaravarthy and the rest ensured Pakistan were bundled out for 114 in 18 overs.Former opener Virender Sehwag didn’t hold back either. “Ishan Kishan played like a real Dhurandhar. Among all minnows Pakistan looked like the easiest to beat for Bharat because of their 17th century approach to T-20 cricket, and they have taken a proper beating as usual. Full kambal kuttai,” he posted.The crushing win pushed India to a dominant 8-1 head-to-head record in tournament history and secured their Super 8 spot with three straight victories.