The Economic Times
Elections 2026Company / The Economic Times
Union Home Minister Amit Shah praised the CRPF's 87 years of service. He noted over 2,270 jawans sacrificed their lives for the nation. Shah highlighted the force's success in restoring peace in Jammu and Kashmir, Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas, and the Northeast. He stated these regions are now growth engines, a testament to CRPF's dedication.
Quote of the day by Chuck Palahniuk: Author Chuck Palahniuk's quote highlights creating a legacy over living forever. His life, marked by tragedy and a career shift from mechanic to writer, deeply influenced his work. Fight Club became a cultural phenomenon. Palahniuk's fiction explores connection and the human condition, offering profound insights for readers.
Paris was in talks with EU counterparts and the European Commission over U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose a flat global tariff of 10% after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that many of the existing tariffs he had levied on trading partners were illegal, Forissier said.
A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms Finale Episode 6 release time and how to watch worldwide is confirmed. Episode 6 releases February 22, 2026, on HBO Max, Sky Atlantic, and JioHotstar. The finale titled The Morrow ends season 1 after six episodes and follows events from episode 5 Trial of Seven battle.
Former India cricketer Shikhar Dhawan wed his girlfriend Sophie Shine on February 21. The couple had publicly announced their relationship in May 2025. Sophie Shine is an Irish social media personality and works with Da One Sports and the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation. Dhawan previously divorced Ayesha Mukherjee and has not seen his son Zoravar in two years.
Indict meaning: The word indict means to formally charge someone with a crime. This happens when a grand jury finds enough evidence to proceed with a court case. An indictment does not mean guilt. It signals a formal legal step in the justice process. Understanding indict helps readers follow legal reporting. The case moves toward trial after an indictment.
The Night Agent Season 4 renewal and Season 3 ending explained shows how Netflix opened a writers room, planned filming, and set future stories. Season 3 exposed corruption, cleared Peters name, and revealed character fates. The report explains renewal signals, ending events, and what may happen next in the series.
A US Supreme Court ruling against President Trump's tariffs brings fresh global trade uncertainty. While some tariffs are struck down, analysts expect new measures. Bilateral trade deals may face review. Countries are adapting to trade shifts. Global growth remains resilient. The situation promises ongoing trade policy adjustments.
NASA has confirmed that a rare planetary parade featuring six planetsMercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiterwill occur in the evening sky throughout late February 2026. The alignment is expected to reach its visual peak shortly after sunset on February 28, offering a spectacular display for both naked-eye observers and telescope enthusiasts.
India's six-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan is now overseeing ski mountaineering's Olympic debut in Italy. Having grown up in the Himalayas, Keshavan's experience in sports development and his athlete profile led to his selection for the organizing committee. He believes the sport's minimal infrastructure needs make it ideal for India's mountainous terrain.
Jim Corbett National Park offers a legendary wilderness experience, combining historic tiger conservation with the unique opportunity to stay inside the forest. This story explores seven reasons to visitfrom the vast Dhikala grasslands and diverse birdlife to the thrill of tracking the Royal Bengal Tiger in its ancestral home.
Supreme Court tariff ruling impact on US households: The Supreme Court declared President Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, ruling they violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. These tariffs, which generated billions, were found to have cost American households up to $2,400 annually. The decision offers potential savings for consumers as inflation shows a slight decline.
West Bengal is conducting fresh hearings for logical discrepancies and unmapped cases across all 294 assembly constituencies, following a Supreme Court directive. The exact number of cases will be finalized after verification by Saturday midnight. The state will also see the deployment of 480 companies of central forces in two phases ahead of the assembly polls.
Winter snow storm weather forecast: The storm is expected to take shape overnight Saturday, with snow picking up through the day Sunday and lasting through Monday.
Jharkhand's economy is set for growth. Projections show a 5.96 percent expansion in the 2026-27 fiscal year. This follows an estimated 6.17 percent growth in the previous year. Per capita income is expected to surpass one lakh rupees. The state's Gross State Domestic Product is also on an upward trajectory. These figures highlight a positive economic outlook for Jharkhand.
A Rapido driver with Master's degrees in Mathematics and a B.Ed., who spent years preparing for teaching exams, now drives for a living, highlighting the struggles of educated youth. This story, shared on X, resonates with others facing unemployment despite qualifications, as gig work becomes a survival necessity for many.
Ukrainian drones targeted a key state-owned missile factory in Russia's Udmurt Republic, reportedly the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant. The attack, occurring over 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine, resulted in 11 injuries and damage to the industrial site. The plant is known for producing Iskander ballistic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Word of the day today: Marginalia refers to notes or markings written in the margins of a text, as well as minor details surrounding a larger subject.
Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai K stated the party is prepared for seat-sharing talks with the DMK for the 2026 Assembly elections. The INDIA bloc is strengthening. The DMK has formed a committee for alliance discussions. The upcoming polls are anticipated to be a three-way contest with actor Vijay's party entering the fray. The DMK-led alliance aims to secure victory.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a firm stance on illegal immigrants. He stated they will be removed from electoral rolls and expelled from India within five years. Shah asserted that just as India can be free of Naxals, it can also be free of infiltrators. He also mentioned Assam's potential to become an industrial hub in the coming years.
In a pivotal move for the upcoming elections, West Bengal is preparing to welcome a robust contingent of 480 Central Armed Police Force companies. Arriving in waves between March 1 and March 10, these forces will focus on maintaining law and order, fostering voter confidence, and securing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at strategic locations.
The Supreme Court has mandated strict adherence to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, effective April 1. Uneven compliance across India necessitates immediate action. Elected representatives will lead source segregation education. District collectors will oversee implementation and report non-compliance. Fines and criminal prosecution await violators. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to ensure a waste-free India.
Punch monkey update: Punch-kun, a seven-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, has finally broken through the barriers of social rejection. After capturing global attention for clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy following abandonment by his mother, a viral video now shows the infant being drawn into a deeply reassuring embrace by an adult monkey named Onsing.
As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, many citizens who left in search of safety face an unexpected wait to return home. Today, a significant number are thriving in Poland and Turkey, crafting new beginnings amidst adversity. While some children embrace their new surroundings, parents find themselves yearning for the day they can reunite with loved ones.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fulfilled a court requirement by presenting Harshwardhan Sapkal as his new surety. This action follows the passing of the previous guarantor, Shivraj Patil. The legal formality relates to a 2014 defamation case filed by an RSS activist. Gandhi appeared in person to complete the process.
Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, succeeding the retiring industry veteran Phil Spencer. Reporting directly to Satya Nadella, Sharma is tasked with steering the gaming giant through a landscape increasingly defined by artificial intelligence, cloud gaming, and the ongoing integration of Activision Blizzard.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge commented on the India AI Impact Summit protests. He felt the Indian Youth Congress protest was not in the right spirit. However, he added the BJP should be embarrassed by alleged Chinese products shown at the event. Kharge also described the summit as chaotic. Protests by the Youth Congress led to detentions.
Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late Ajit Pawar, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He requests Civil Aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu to step down. This is until an inquiry into the January 28 plane crash is finished. Pawar claims serious questions surround the aircraft's owner, VSR, and its links to Naidu.
A political tussle is underway in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi over a Rajya Sabha seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut indicated that discussions will occur if Sharad Pawar expresses a desire to contest. The opposition alliance faces a challenge in securing its single winnable seat.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly criticized the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi. This follows a protest by the Congress's youth wing at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi labeled the protest as treason. He stated that the youth wing members attempted to damage India's image before foreign guests.
KHxRK Reunion: Indian cinema is bracing for a tectonic shift as Red Giant Movies officially unveils the first glimpse of the monumental project KH x RK Reunion. Bringing together the two biggest titans of Tamil cinema, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan and Superstar Rajinikanth, the film is set to be directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Produced by Inban Udhayanidhi, the project features a powerhouse technical crew including music by Anirudh Ravichander and cinematography by Rajiv Menon.
India's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir is now operational. Afcons Infrastructure Limited persevered through project delays and legal challenges. The company's commitment ensured the bridge's completion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar rail section featuring this engineering marvel. The bridge stands as a testament to Indian engineering prowess.
The US Supreme Court has ruled President Trump's global tariffs unlawful. Senator Chuck Schumer has declared these tariffs illegal and insists the collected money must be returned. He criticizes Trump's reaction and his attempts to reimpose similar tariffs. Schumer states that if tariffs are illegal, the money will be sought through legal channels.
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, marked International Mother Language Day with a heartfelt tribute to the importance of preserving all languages. In her address, she articulated her belief in the need for equal reverence for every tongue.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated Naxalism will be eliminated by March 31, 2026. He addressed the 87th CRPF Day Parade in Guwahati. Shah highlighted the CRPF's success in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and against Maoists. He praised the force for Operation Black Forest. The minister noted significant progress in previously troubled regions.
Rajasthan's electoral rolls have been updated. The Election Commission published the final list with over 5.15 crore voters. This revision process involved many officials and political parties. The gender ratio has improved. Young voters have also increased. The final list for Anta constituency will be published later. This is part of a nationwide revision.
Prime Minister Modi and Brazilian President Lula held talks, highlighting the strong India-Brazil partnership. Both nations are committed to increasing bilateral trade beyond $20 billion. They also agreed on the importance of inclusive technology for fair progress. President Lula's visit, with a delegation of top CEOs, signals a renewed focus on expanding investment and partnership opportunities between the two countries.
A 15-year-old Class 10 student in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly died by suicide on Friday evening following severe mental distress over her performance in the CBSE Mathematics exam held on February 17. While the students family attempted to counsel her, the overwhelming pressure of the high-stakes examination led to the tragic incident in the Friends Colony area.
Emily Blunt observes that modern impatience, fueled by instant gratification, leads people to quit jobs, marriages, and studies. This tendency to seek exits over solutions overlooks that true commitment involves enduring difficulty and believing in long-term rewards. Choosing to stay committed offers depth, endurance, and purpose in a fast-paced world.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in New Delhi. President Lula received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The visit included delegation-level discussions and meetings with key ministers. President Lula also paid respects at Rajghat.
Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has officially announced the legal end of his four-year marriage to Ishani Johar. In a deeply personal social media post shared on February 20, 2026, the 26-year-old athlete reflected on the years of lessons and the 15-month legal process that led to this resolution.
The detention of Prince Andrew has thrown the British monarchy into turmoil, a crisis not seen since the abdication drama of 1936. In the face of this turmoil, King Charles III asserts his commitment to royal responsibilities. With the public demanding transparency and justice, the royal family is actively seeking to separate itself from the controversy.
In an effort to energise grassroots support, the DMK's women's wing is set to embark on an ambitious door-to-door campaign from February 23, targeting key constituencies ahead of the critical Assembly elections. This campaign invites party members to shine a spotlight on the government's welfare initiatives, such as the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme and available tractor subsidies.
The US tariff wall just lost its teeth. With courts scrapping sweeping duties and a shaky 10% stopgap in place, the urgency behind trade deals fades -- giving India a rare moment to pause, reassess, and renegotiate from firmer ground.

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