The ET GenAI Hackathon 2026 has announced the results of its Idea Submission phase, with the shortlist finalised after evaluating entries from more than 54,000 builders across India. Shortlisted teams now advance to the Prototype Development Phase
The fast-expanding war between the United States, Israel, and Iran has captured global attention largely because it is disrupting oil and gas supplies from the Persian Gulf. Yet another resource is now emerging as far more critical to the survival of the region’s societies. Water
Indian technology stocks have seen an unprecedented rout over the past few weeks over fears of artificial intelligence upending the traditional outsourcing model that powers the country's $300bn (£223bn) back-office industry. The sell-off - part of a global correction in traditional software and
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) on Monday managed an easy victory in the biennial polls to five Rajya Sabha seats in Bihar, with its candidates including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and BJP national president Nitin Nabin
Star Brazilian forward Neymar didn’t receive a call-up to the national team squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, although striker Endrick found a spot. With this snub, Neymar’s hopes of playing at the upcoming FIFA World Cup have received a massive blow
Fact-checking Trump's longest ever State of the Union
President Donald Trump delivered his longest speech to Congress - lasting one hour 47 minutes - and told US lawmakers that the "country is winning again" as he touted his administration's achievements.
The US economy and affordability were key themes in the address - which was the longest in decades. Trump also made claims about illegal immigration as well as ending a series of wars around the world.
BBC Verify has looked into them.
Prices are still rising but the rate of inflation has slowed since Trump took office at the start of last year.
It was 2.4% in the 12 months to January 2026 - down from 3% over President Biden's final year in office.
Prices rose significantly during Biden's first two years in office, peaking at 9.1% in June 2022, following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which contributed to inflation across the globe.
Trump reeled off a list of grocery items including beef, claiming the price of it "which was very high, is starting to come down significantly".
Beef prices did fall slightly last month, but they had increased 15% in the 12 months to January 2026.
He also highlighted egg prices which have fallen by 34% over the past 12 months.
Overall grocery prices increased 2.1% in the 12 months to January 2026.
And some Trump policies have been blamed for adding to inflation - economists at Harvard University have estimated that Trump's tariffs (import taxes) in 2025 lifted the overall US rate of consumer price inflation (relative to where it would otherwise have been) by around 0.92 percentage points in January.
As of 24 February, the national average price for a gallon of gasoline - or petrol - in the US is $2.95, according to the Automobile Association (AAA).
The only state we could find anywhere near $2.30 a gallon - on the website - is Oklahoma with an average price of $2.37 a gallon. That is the state with the lowest average price listed by the AAA.
During Trump's speech, the website GasBuddy said drivers could buy gasoline at below $2 per gallon - at four stations (out of an estimated 150,000) in the US.
That claim is correct but there is additional context.
More than 158 million people were employed as of January 2026, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) - the highest figure on record.
But the population is the biggest on record - at more than 342 million people.
The percentage of people 16 or older employed in the US was 59.8% in January this year, slightly down from 60.1% in January 2025 when Biden left office.
And the unemployment rate is actually slightly up under Trump - from 4.1% in December 2024 (Biden's last full month in office) to 4.3% in January 2026.
There is no publicly available evidence to support a figure this big.
A White House website tracks "new investment in U.S. manufacturing, technology, and infrastructure" since Trump returned to office.
Its latest total - updated overnight - is $9.7tn (£7.2tn), still a big figure but much less than the president claims.
Greg Auclair, a statistician at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, told BBC Verify that there has been an uptick in foreign investment in the US over the past year.
But he cautioned that the White House tracker "includes pledges that may not materialise". He cited the EU trade deal, as an example, which has been put on ice because of Trump's latest tariff threats.
Trump returned to this familiar claim as he appealed to lawmakers to pass stricter voter ID requirements to "stop illegal aliens from voting".
However, there is no evidence of "rampant" voter fraud in US elections. It does happen but the data suggests it is rare.
A total of 1,620 proven electoral fraud cases across the US have been recorded in a database by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation. The list runs from 1982.
BBC Verify looked into claims of illegal immigrants voting in the build-up to the 2024 US election and, again, studies have suggested cases are rare.
For example, the Brennan Center for Justice - a liberal-leaning think tank - looked at 12 states in the 2016 election. It found that of 23.5 million votes counted, only 30 suspected incidents of non-citizens voting were referred for further investigation.
If he was referring to migrants released from custody - once they've crossed into the US - then this is correct.
A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release from earlier this month stated that "for the ninth consecutive month, U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into the United States".
Border Patrol has still been recording several thousand illegal crossings each month under Trump, with the latest figures showing 6,070 apprehensions at the southwest border in January 2026.
But that's still a significant drop from the same period two years ago under former president Joe Biden, when 124,215 apprehensions were recorded in January 2024.
The White House lists the "wars" as ones between: Israel and Hamas, Pakistan and India, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Thailand and Cambodia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, Egypt and Ethiopia and Serbia and Kosovo.
Although, Trump can claim credit for brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, it is not correct to say he has ended eight wars.
A number of these "wars" had lasted just days, although were the result of long-standing tensions.
But in one case, the "war" between Egypt and Ethiopia was a dispute over the building of a dam and there was no actual fighting to end.
There has also been fighting between Rwanda and the DRC, after the two sides signed a peace agreement in Washington.
India also played down the US role in ending its brief conflict with Pakistan.
What do you want BBC Verify to investigate?
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Trump’s 10% tariff hits Indian exports Trump's new global tariff comes into effect at 10% Trump Organization unveils plan for US Senate Democrats introduce bill to force refunds of Trump tariffs deemed illegal FedEx sues for Trump tariff refund Trump says US Supreme Court ruling expanded his tariff powers Rupee strengthens against US dollar amid Trump tariff tantrums What now for Asia after Trump's tariffs struck down Armed man killed after entering secure perimeter of Trump's residence PM Modi didn’t see Trump as Nobel-worthy
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has said Sunrisers Leeds' signing of Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed "indirectly contributes to the deaths of Indian soldiers and civilians". Gavaskar's comments are the most high-profile criticism of Sunrisers' deal for Abrar at last week's Hundred auction
5 hours ago
The US artificial intelligence (AI) firm Anthropic is looking to hire a chemical weapons and high-yield explosives expert to try to prevent "catastrophic misuse" of its software. In other words, it fears that its AI tools might tell someone how to make chemical or radioactive weapons
5 hours ago
If one wants to explore the many debates and controversies surrounding the Congress and its role in shaping India’s political trajectory, there may soon be a new address in the capital to turn to. At 3, Safdarjung Lane, the official residence of Nishikant Dubey — the Bharatiya Janata Party MP
5 hours ago
Chelsea have been handed a Premier League record fine of £10.75m and a suspended transfer ban. It was a result of the club making secret payments to unregistered agents and third-parties over transfers between 2011 and 2018. But it could have been a lot worse
5 hours ago
Kerala Congress (M), BDJS announce names of 12 candidates eachKerala Congress (M) and BDJS announced candidates for the upcoming assembly polls, including KC(M) chairman Jose K Mani from Pala and 12 others from BDJS. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:36 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Iran’s National Security Chief Ali Larijani on Monday penned a note to Muslim countries, questioning their lack of support for Tehran as the US-Israeli war is now entering its third week with no clear end in sight, disrupting global energy supplies and raising fears of a spike in global inflation
5 hours ago
Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi expressed strong displeasure over Dr. Asif Nazar being considered for the Lahorighat Assembly ticket, citing Nazar's alleged association with an individual charged in an attack on Bordoloi. Bordoloi wrote to AICC General Secretary Jitendra Singh
5 hours ago
A sessions court in Gujarat’s Gir Somnath district on Monday convicted five persons and acquitted 35 others in connection with a 2016 case in which seven Dalits were assaulted in the town of Una, The Indian Express reported. Additional Sessions Judge Jignesh Pandya of the court in Veraval
5 hours ago
It's Hollywood's biggest night. The 98th Academy Awards featured emotional speeches, comical relief and a bevy of backstage fun. But it was perhaps a night to forget for Timothée Chalamet. As well as losing out to Michael B Jordan for best actor and One Battle After Another for best picture
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump on Monday said more than 30 mine laying ships of Iran have been destroyed which has affected Tehran’s capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. “We are hammering their capacity to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz with more
5 hours ago
Love Horoscope Today for March 17, 2026: A spontaneous moment could lead to a meaningful connectionLove Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Find daily astrological predictions for all sun signs. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:28 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link Aries: Mars is pushing you to
5 hours ago
Dubai arrests Iranian drone strike survivors after they sent explosion photos to loved ones3 foreigner nationals who survived drone strike in Dubai have been arrested after sending photos of the explosions to family members. Updated on: Mar 16
5 hours ago
‘Firms need to move to adaptive, energy-efficient AI models’Sarah Hooker is convinced that the future lies in AI systems that use less computing power, cost less to run and can adapt to the needs of users. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 6:58 AM IST By Shweta Taneja Share via Copy link In the last
5 hours ago
Baghdad witnessed a significant drone and rocket attack on the U.S. embassy early Tuesday. This incident marks the most intense assault since the commencement of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. Iraqi security forces have heightened their presence across the capital. The Green Zone
5 hours ago
Russell Wilson trade update: Chiefs hand a shock to Giants QB with Justin Fields move Published on: Mar 17, 2026 5:03 AM IST By Khushi Arora Share via Copy link New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) waves to fans after the game against the Dallas Cowboys (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
5 hours ago
![London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/chelsea-fined-and-faces-supended-transfer-ban-by-premier-league.webp?height=520)
London [UK], March 17 (ANI): The Premier League has completed a disciplinary process with Chelsea FC in respect of historical breaches relating to Financial Reporting and Third Party Investment.In 2022, Chelsea FC’s current owners voluntarily reported to the League that they had evidence of
5 hours ago
A Bengaluru-based cafe has drawn attention on social media after adding a 5 per cent “Gas Crisis Charge" to a customer’s lemonade order, sparking debate on social media platform X. The unusual fee, applied on a bill for two mint lemonades, has left many users amused and some questioning its
5 hours ago
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.Still using an older laptop? These Intel 13th Gen laptops show what modern performance feels likeIntel 13th Gen laptops bring improved performance
5 hours ago
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that he is planning to delay a high stakes visit to China later in March by about a month because of the Iran war. "We've requested that we delay it a month or so," he told reporters at the White House
5 hours ago
LDF ally ISJD, UDF ally RSP name candidates for four seats eachThe ISJD and RSP announced their candidates for Kerala Assembly polls, with ISJD's K Krishnankutty retiring from politics and RSP seeking assembly representation. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:30 AM IST By Vishnu Varma
5 hours ago
Horoscope Today, March 17, 2026: Operational strategies at work need refinementHoroscope Today: Read the astrological predictions for each zodiac sign based on an expert's guidance on March 17, 2026. Published on: Mar 17, 2026 7:19 AM IST By Dr Prem Kumar Sharma
5 hours ago
The report from Elara Capital said retail gasoline and diesel prices “could be fully protected through excise cuts until roughly $110/bbl, beyond which price hikes on diesel and gasoline would become inevitable”. Also Read :Fino Payments Bank Shares Fall To 52-Week Low Amid Probe Reports;
5 hours ago
Punjab Assembly session: House passes motion against LoP Bajwa over ‘band player’ remarkThe Punjab assembly condemned opposition leader Partap Singh Bajwa for alleged derogatory remarks about a minister, leading to chaos and a walkout by Congress. Published on: Mar 17
5 hours ago
More than a thousand citizens in Ladakh's Leh and Kargil regions rallied on Monday, echoing calls for statehood and adherence to the Sixth Schedule. Leaders from the Apex Body Leh alongside the Kargil Democratic Alliance expressed their discontent regarding the central government's stance
5 hours ago
Menstrual pain is often dismissed as an inevitable part of being a woman. But when cramps become debilitating, interfere with daily life or are accompanied by chronic pelvic discomfort, they may signal something more serious. One such condition is endometriosis – a long-term disorder affecting
5 hours ago
Khushbu Sundar comes out in support of Trisha amid her viral pics with Vijay: ‘She is one of the most dignified women’Khushbu Sundar has addressed the online chatter surrounding the public appearance of Vijay and Trisha Krishnan, after the divorce petition filed by Sangeeta. Mar 17, 2026
5 hours ago
Rex Culpepper's fiancee pays sweet tribute after tragic bike accident death: ‘I don’t regret' Published on: Mar 17, 2026 4:55 AM IST By Yash Nitish Bajaj Share via Copy link Former Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper died after an accident on Saturday (Instagram/Rex Culpepper) Rex Culpepper
5 hours ago
