Perseus Mining’s

PRU

3.71%

increase; green up pointing triangle chief executive said the gold producer is focused on developing its own growth options after a failed bid for Predictive Discovery

PDI -3.76%

decrease; red down pointing triangle and has no current plans to sell its stake in the Africa-focused explorer.

Australia-listed Perseus in December offered to buy Predictive Discovery in a deal valuing the explorer at more than US$1.3 billion. The proposal was later overtaken by a merger deal with Canada’s Robex Resources.

Bitcoin hovered around the $68,000 mark on Saturday, demonstrating strong resilience and renewed bullish momentum despite fresh U.S. tariff developments. The cryptocurrency was trading at the $67,830 level.

In the past 24 hours, Bitcoin and Ethereum have been up 0.12% and 0.42%, respectively. Among the major altcoins, XRP, BNB, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, Cardano, and Hyperliquid gained over 3%. The global crypto market capitalisation went up 0.31% to $2.33 trillion, according to CoinMarketCap.

Also Read | NFO Insight: Will TIDE investment strategy of this tech mutual fund help you navigate market volatility?

Nischal Shetty, Founder, WazirX, said price action suggests growing buyer confidence, with RSI trending toward recovery levels and momentum building toward a potential breakout above immediate resistance.

Although some Moving Averages (MA) remain neutral, improving sentiment points to strengthening structure. Ethereum is holding firm around $1,960, consolidating constructively as MACD flattens and momentum stabilises, positioning for a possible upside move, Shetty further said.

In the past week, Bitcoin and Ethereum edged down 1.31% and 4.27%, respectively. Among the major altcoins, XRP, BNB, Solana, Tron, Dogecoin, and Cardano gained over 3%, and Hyperliquid slipped 3.25%.
Riya Sehgal, Research Analyst, Delta Exchange, said Bitcoin is currently trading near $68,000, attempting to break through resistance at $68,000–$68,500. On the hourly chart, price has bounced from the $65,500–$66,000 support zone but remains under key moving averages.
Also Read | Top sectors that witnessed high levels of buying by mutual funds in January

Shetty added that a break below the February 12 low could lead to a larger pullback toward $62,000–$64,000. Ethereum shows a similar setup, consolidating near $1,967 with support around $1,960 and resistance at $1,991–$2,000. Sustained strength above $2,000 could signal a short-term trend reversal.

Since Oct. 10, roughly $8.5 billion has flowed out of US-listed spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds. Bitcoin has fallen more than 40% even as stocks and precious metals have found buyers, as reported by Bloomberg.

Apple appears poised to refresh its beloved iPad mini lineup in the coming months, with industry reports and supply chain leaks pointing to a potential announcement as early as March 2026. While no official event has been confirmed beyond a “special Apple experience” scheduled for March 4 in New York, London and Shanghai, analysts widely expect the ultraportable tablet to headline the refresh, possibly alongside updated MacBooks and other surprises.

The current iPad mini, powered by the A17 Pro chip and featuring an 8.3-inch Liquid Retina display, launched in October 2024 with pre-orders opening immediately and availability starting October 23. Priced from $499 for the 128GB Wi-Fi model, it introduced Apple Intelligence support, compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro and doubled base storage from prior generations. In 2026, the device continues to hold strong appeal for users seeking a compact, powerful tablet for reading, note-taking and media consumption.

However, anticipation builds for the next iteration — tentatively dubbed iPad mini 8 — amid conflicting rumors on timing and features. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman and supply chain sources like Instant Digital suggest a launch window in the second half of 2026, potentially fall, while earlier speculation from Tom’s Guide and others floated an early 2026 debut alongside spring iPhone updates like the rumored iPhone 17e. Recent MacRumors reports, dated February 17, 2026, indicate no firm date but note a possible tie-in with new iPad Air models in the first half of the year.

Key upgrades expected include a shift to OLED display technology, a major leap from the current LCD panel. Multiple sources, including ET News, ZDNET Korea and Display Supply Chain Consultants, confirm Samsung Display has begun developing OLED panels for the iPad mini, with mass production slated for late 2025. This would deliver deeper blacks, higher contrast, better energy efficiency and potentially ProMotion 120Hz refresh rates — features previously reserved for iPad Pro models. Bloomberg has suggested the OLED iPad mini could arrive as soon as 2026, possibly before the iPad Air gets the same treatment in 2027.

Performance upgrades are also on the table. If launched early in 2026, the device could feature an A19 Pro chip for enhanced CPU/GPU speeds and Neural Engine capabilities, boosting Apple Intelligence features like on-device AI processing. A later 2026 release might incorporate the even more advanced A20 Pro. Additional rumored enhancements include improved water resistance — a first for iPad mini — and continued support for accessories like Apple Pencil Pro and Magic Keyboard Folio.

Pricing remains a point of speculation. The current model starts at $499, but Bloomberg analysts have warned the OLED transition and other premium features could push the base price up by $100 or more, potentially to $599. This would align with Apple’s strategy for display upgrades in flagship lines but could face pushback from budget-conscious buyers competing against cheaper Android tablets.

The iPad mini’s enduring popularity stems from its pocketable 8.3-inch form factor, all-day battery life and full iPadOS experience in a device that fits easily in bags or large pockets. It appeals to students, professionals and casual users who prefer something smaller than the standard iPad or iPad Air. In 2026 reviews and forums, owners praise its portability for travel, e-reading and creative work, though some lament the lack of OLED and higher refresh rates compared to Pro models.

Apple’s March 4 event, described as an in-person “experience” rather than a streamed keynote, has fueled speculation of staggered launches. Past March announcements have included iPads, MacBooks and accessories, setting precedent for spring hardware drops. If the iPad mini refreshes then, pre-orders could begin immediately via apple.com and the Apple Store app, with shipping in late March or early April — mirroring the 2024 pattern.

For now, the current iPad mini remains available for purchase starting at $499, with trade-in options and financing through Apple Card. It runs iPadOS 18 (and upcoming updates) with robust Apple Intelligence integration for writing tools, image generation and more.

As leaks intensify, fans monitor supply chain reports from Samsung and display analysts for confirmation. Whether the next iPad mini arrives in spring or fall, expectations are high for a device that combines the series’ signature compactness with modern display and performance upgrades.

Consumers eager for the latest should watch Apple’s channels closely in the coming weeks. Pre-orders, when they open, are expected to sell out quickly given the model’s cult following and long-awaited refinements.

If GIFT Nifty is any indicator of what lies ahead for the stock markets, investors can expect fireworks when trading resumes on Monday following the US Supreme Court’s Friday decision striking down Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs. The GIFT Nifty settled 320 points, or 1.25% higher, at 25,886.

Investors should watch out for export-facing sectors like gems and jewellery, textiles, marine products and pharma, where the US administration had imposed a 100% tariff on patented and branded drugs, and the auto sector.

Kranthi Bathini, Director – Equity Strategy at WealthMills Securities, called this a big sentiment booster for Indian markets while a blow to the Trump administration. His tariffs created a lot of uncertainty and ambiguity for the world, he added.

He, however, cautioned investors to watch the developments over the next few days and what the Trump administration will do as a “face saving” measure. He said that Trump weaponised tariffs and even the 10% global tariff must also be vetted by the US Congress. Since trade does not come under the purview of emergency measures, his follow-up decisions will also be subject to scrutiny, he opined.

Following the SC decision, Trump signed documents to impose a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, which he said will be “effective almost immediately.”

“It is my Great Honor to have just signed, from the Oval Office, a Global 10% Tariff on all Countries, which will be effective almost immediately,” he said in a post on Truth Social.
While the 18% tariff burden is likely off India’s back, more details will emerge in due course. But the new global tariff of 10% applies on Indian goods for now. An ANI report quoting a White House official said that India will have to pay 10% until another authority is invoked. “Yes, 10% until another authority is invoked.”Market veteran Gurmeet Chadha also welcomed the US Supreme Court’s decision, saying, “Supreme Court ruling on tariffs is welcome news especially for under-owned markets like India. This is also a political setback with midterms approaching and low approval ratings.”

“Focus will shift on boosting the economy, lowering inflation. Means lesser global uncertainty and flip-flops,” the Managing Partner and CIO at Complete Circle Consultants said in a tweet.

Also read: Trump made tariffs central to his presidency. Chaos may come next

SC ruling on India: what it means for markets?

“Removal of reciprocal tariffs will free about 55% of India’s exports to the US from 18% duty, leaving them subject only to standard MFN tariffs,” Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) analysis said, as reported.

According to the think tank, Section 232 tariffs will continue, 50% on steel and aluminium and 25% on auto components. Meanwhile, products accounting for roughly 40% of export value, including smartphones, petroleum products and medicines, will remain exempt from US tariffs, the report said further, citing the GTRI analysis.

So, investors should track movement of metal stocks for likely disappointment while monitoring the EMS and generic pharma space as well.

Reacting to the ruling, frontline indices on Wall Street also ended higher, with the Dow 30 closing with gains of 0.5%. The S&P 500 index and Nasdaq Composite finished with an uptick of 0.70% and 0.90%.

Also read: US Supreme Court ruling overturning Trump tariffs could spook bond vigilantes

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

TOKYO—Japan’s consumer prices rose at a slower pace in the first month of 2026, giving the central bank more breathing room to consider its next step.

Consumer inflation, excluding volatile fresh food prices, climbed 2.0% in January from a year earlier, compared with December’s 2.4% rise, government data showed Friday.

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This article was written by

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Veteran actor Tim Curry, renowned for his chilling portrayals of villains across film, television and theater, has shared one of his biggest career disappointments: he desperately wanted to play Hannibal Lecter in the 1991 psychological thriller “The Silence of the Lambs” but was never even considered for the part.

In a candid interview with The Academy’s YouTube channel, released earlier this month and gaining renewed attention in February 2026 amid discussions of his memoir “Vagabond,” the 79-year-old Curry reflected on his five-decade career. He singled out the iconic cannibalistic psychiatrist role, originated by Anthony Hopkins, as a missed opportunity that still lingers.

“One of my great regrets is that I read the script of ‘Silence of the Lambs’ and I desperately wanted to play Hannibal Lecter,” Curry said. “My agent couldn’t get me in the room, but Tony Hopkins did a great job.”

The admission highlights Curry’s affinity for complex, menacing characters — a specialty that has defined his legacy. From the flamboyant mad scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter in “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” (1975) to the terrifying Pennywise the Dancing Clown in Stephen King’s “It” miniseries (1990), Curry has built a reputation for infusing villains with charisma, menace and dark humor. His voice work, including Scar in early considerations for Disney’s “The Lion King” (1994, ultimately voiced by Jeremy Irons) and other animated antagonists, further cements his status as a go-to for sinister roles.

Curry’s revelation about Lecter comes at a time when he’s been more open about his life and career. Following a severe stroke in 2012 that left him with partial paralysis and speech challenges, Curry has made rare public appearances and released his memoir “Vagabond” in late 2025. The book and recent interviews, including one with The Academy hosted in a discussion format, offer glimpses into his process and regrets.

Hopkins’ performance as Lecter earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor and became one of cinema’s most enduring villains, known for his calm demeanor, intellectual brilliance and chilling politeness. Curry acknowledged the role’s perfect fit for Hopkins while expressing personal longing to explore the character’s psychological depth.

“It’s so easy for me to see that Anthony would be brilliant in it,” Curry added in the interview clip, which has circulated widely on social media and fan forums. “But I read the script early, and I thought, ‘This is something I could really sink my teeth into’ — no pun intended.”

The “Silence of the Lambs” script, adapted by Ted Tally from Thomas Harris’ novel, attracted top talent. Director Jonathan Demme initially considered actors like Sean Connery (who declined) and others before settling on Hopkins, whose audition reportedly sealed the part quickly. Curry’s agent at the time couldn’t secure an audition, underscoring the competitive nature of high-profile casting in the early 1990s.

Fans have long speculated about Curry in villainous roles he never played. He auditioned for the Joker in “Batman: The Animated Series” (ultimately voiced by Mark Hamill) and was considered for parts in films like “Home Alone 2: Lost in New York” (as a burglar) and even early talks for “Jurassic Park.” In the same Academy interview, Curry touched on other near-misses, including animated and live-action opportunities that slipped away.

Despite the regrets, Curry’s body of work remains formidable. His portrayal of Pennywise terrified a generation, while his turn as the Lord of Darkness in Ridley Scott’s “Legend” (1985) showcased elaborate makeup and commanding presence. Roles in “Clue” (1985) as the eccentric Wadsworth and “Muppet Treasure Island” (1996) as Long John Silver added comedic flair to his villain repertoire.

Recent coverage, including pieces in the New York Post and Yahoo Entertainment published Feb. 8-10, 2026, amplified Curry’s comments, with headlines emphasizing the “great regret” angle. Social media reactions poured in, with fans praising what Curry might have brought to Lecter — a blend of theatricality and quiet menace that could have rivaled Hopkins’ subtlety.

Curry’s health updates remain positive in recent years; he uses a wheelchair but continues to engage with fans through voice work and selective interviews. His memoir details the stroke’s impact and his resilience, offering context to why such reflections resonate now.

The Lecter revelation serves as a reminder of Hollywood’s “what ifs” — roles that define legacies yet sometimes go to others. For Curry, the part represents untapped potential in a career already packed with unforgettable antagonists.

As fans revisit “The Silence of the Lambs” and Curry’s classics, his honest admission adds another layer to his enduring appeal: even icons have dreams that didn’t come true.