The Economic Times

Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib, president of the Indian Youth Congress. Gandhi stated the police action shows dictatorial tendencies and cowardice. He affirmed that peaceful protest is a democratic legacy. Gandhi declared his support for the arrested comrades. He emphasized that revealing truth to power is patriotism.

India's asset monetisation initiative, NMP 2.0, is set to boost the economy significantly. The plan aims to unlock value from public assets, generating substantial investment. This initiative is projected to increase India's GDP by around Rs 40 lakh crore over the next decade. It will drive infrastructure development and encourage private sector participation, strengthening the nation's economic growth prospects.

India has launched PRAHAAR, its first national counter-terrorism strategy. This unified approach coordinates intelligence, policing, diplomacy, and technology. It aims to detect threats early, respond swiftly, and build resilience. PRAHAAR signals India's commitment to confronting evolving threats like cross-border networks and online radicalisation with a coordinated national effort. The strategy prioritises prevention and global cooperation.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Calcutta High Court to deploy civil judges to handle claims and objections from nearly 80 lakh people in West Bengals SIR of electoral rolls. Citing a trust deficit between the Mamata Banerjee government and the Election Commission, the court directed the HC to depute serving and former judicial officers. About 250 judges began work on February 23, ahead of the final rolls scheduled for February 28.

Canada is seeking to strip Tahawwur Rana, linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, of his citizenship. Officials claim Rana misrepresented his residency when applying. He was extradited from the US to India in April 2025. The Federal Court will make the final decision on the revocation. This action highlights Canada's commitment to maintaining citizenship integrity.

President Donald Trump imposed temporary 15% tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act after the Supreme Court struck down earlier duties. The move, justified as addressing a balance-of-payments deficit, has drawn skepticism from economists who say no such crisis exists. Legal experts argue the tariffs could face fresh challenges, noting the administration previously dismissed Section 122 as inapplicable to trade deficits.

A shocking scam targeted young men across India. Fraudsters promised large sums of money and property for impregnating women. Victims were asked to pay various fees before the scammers disappeared. Similar rackets have surfaced previously, using deceptive names and social media. The sole aim was to collect money from unsuspecting individuals.

India has quietly raised the cost of exporting -- halving RoDTEP rebates that refund embedded taxes -- at a time when global demand is weak and competition is tightening, squeezing margins and testing exporters pricing power.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved 5,000 houses for internally displaced persons in Manipur. These homes will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin. The approval follows a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The minister assured full support for peace and normalcy in the state.

The Union Cabinet is set to consider a proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam, a largely symbolic but politically significant move ahead of state elections. The push follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2024 after an earlier draft was returned by the Union Home Ministry. The proposal has drawn rare cross-party backing, with BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar supporting Vijayans effort, arguing the change would restore the states original linguistic and cultural

US President Trump enacted a new 10% global tariff, a day after the Supreme Court struck down his previous duties. This move, authorized under the 1974 Trade Act, aims to maintain his trade policy despite growing uncertainty among major trading partners like India and the EU, who have paused trade talks.

Andhra Pradesh is considering a special law for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to enhance powers against rule violators, mirroring the Golden Temple's legislation. Concurrently, TTD is deploying an advanced Rs 25 crore food testing lab with e-tongue and e-nose technology to ensure stringent quality checks for ghee and other prasadam ingredients, addressing recent controversies.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra went out to take a selfie after the blizzard in New York in 2026 after being stuck. He met a mini snowman and shared a deeper message about the storms of life. He said in a tweet that this small citizen is a proof that even natures tantrums can leave behind something playful.

An Indian-origin entrepreneur in Dubai lost a top employee after denying a flexible work request. The employee, who commuted two hours daily, realized she wasn't trusted. This experience led the co-founder to embrace flexible work, finding it improved productivity and wasn't abused.

Mexico Travel Alert: Australians are urged to reconsider travel to Mexico. Violence has surged following the death of a powerful drug cartel leader. Security incidents are spreading across Jalisco state, including major cities. Other regions also report violence. Australians should stay alert and monitor official updates. The situation remains volatile.

Kerala weather: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has warned of rainfall and thunderstorms in Kerala and its districts. Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam, Wayanad, Kollam and other districts of the southern state are likely to receive showers, the IMD has said in its forecast. Kerala is likely to see rainfall for the next few days.

Mumbai Pune Expressway toll return: Motorists stuck in a 33-hour traffic jam on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway will receive a full refund of 5.16 crore. The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation will automatically credit FASTag accounts for tolls collected after a gas tanker accident halted traffic. This decision offers relief and demonstrates FASTag system accountability during emergencies.

Days after a shirtless protest at Bharat Mandapam, Uday Bhanu Chib, chief of the Indian Youth Congress, was arrested, marking the sixth detention in the case. Activists allegedly entered the AI Impact Summit using QR codes and revealed slogan-printed T-shirts targeting the government and the India-US trade deal. The BJP demanded an apology from Rahul Gandhi, while Priyank Kharge called the protest ill-timed but flagged separate controversies.

Garena Free Fire Max players can get free items using redeem codes. These codes are 12 characters long and expire quickly. Players must use them fast to claim rewards. The article provides codes for February 24, 2026. To redeem, visit the official Garena website, log in, and enter the code. Rewards will be credited to your account.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has allocated an initial 50 companies of the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) to Tamil Nadu. This proactive security measure is in preparation for the 2026 state assembly elections, with the CAPF expected to be inducted on March 10, 2026, for area domination and confidence-building.

Palau is set to get its first Open RAN network. This historic move will bring secure 4G and 5G connectivity nationwide. Three US companies will help build the network. The Quad partnership is providing USD $20 million for this project. This initiative aims to boost digital infrastructure and create new commercial opportunities.

India and Canada are boosting security cooperation. Discussions between National Security Advisors have led to an action plan. This includes tackling fentanyl smuggling, organised crime, and cyber threats. Liaison officers will be established to improve communication.

India next match T20 World Cup: India will face Zimbabwe in a crucial ICC Men's T20 World Cup Super 8 match on February 26 in Chennai. A win is vital for India to advance towards the semifinals, while Zimbabwe aims to cause an upset. The game is expected to heavily feature spinners at the Chepauk stadium.

Chris Baghsarian search update: Human remains believed to be those of kidnapped grandfather Chris Baghsarian were found near a Sydney golf club. The 85-year-old was abducted from his home on February 13 in a suspected case of mistaken identity, with authorities believing he was targeted due to links to the Alameddine crime family.

Chinas commerce ministry imposed export controls on 20 Japanese entities, including Mitsubishi Corporation, and added 20 more, such as Subaru Corporation, to a watch list over alleged military ties. Beijing cited national security concerns, saying the measures target dual-use items and not normal trade, amid rising tensions between the two countries.

George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, was an English writer known for his political insight. His works like Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four critique totalitarianism. Orwell's concepts like Big Brother remain influential. His quote highlights that true liberty means speaking uncomfortable truths, even if unpopular. This underscores his legacy as a key 20th-century political writer.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit India, Australia and Japan to deepen trade ties and cut reliance on the US amid rising tariff tensions with President Donald Trump. The trip includes talks on trade, defense, AI and clean energy, and comes as Canada seeks to double its non-US exports despite strained ties with India.

Rain in Telangana today: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has sounded an orange alert for Hyderabad today, warning of rainfall along with thunderstorms and surface winds. The IMD has also issued an alert for thunderstorms for 17 districts of Telangana on Tuesday. Sangareddy, Suryapet, Khammam, Rangareddy are also likely to receive rainfall today.

Iran faces U.S. military pressure but refuses to yield on its nuclear program and weapons. Experts believe this standoff makes conflict almost inevitable. Iran's leaders prioritize ideology and sovereignty over immediate survival. Talks are ongoing, but a compromise remains elusive. The situation highlights a significant perception gap between the two nations.

Impignorate is a rare English word that means to give something valuable as security to borrow money. The word comes from the old Latin language and has been used for many years. People usually use it when talking about pawn shops or loans. It simply describes pledging an item until the money is paid back.

American country singer Charley Crockett has cancelled his entire Canadian tour after being denied entry into the country twice due to a 2016 felony conviction for marijuana distribution. Border officials in Vancouver and Kelowna refused him entry, prompting the cancellation to avoid jeopardizing future travel. Crockett apologized to fans and promised to return soon.

India is actively pursuing stronger economic ties with Canada and the United Kingdom. Discussions are underway for comprehensive economic partnership agreements. These agreements aim to significantly boost bilateral trade and investment. Regular engagements are planned to build sustained momentum in these crucial partnerships. New avenues for collaboration are expected to unfold, benefiting both nations.

U.S. airlines plan to add flights Tuesday after a powerful winter storm disrupted operations across the Northeast, causing over 8,000 cancellations and delays. Carriers including United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines aim to resume services as conditions improve. Cancellation rates are expected to fall from 19% Monday to 7% Tuesday, though recovery efforts continue amid lingering weather challenges.

Global firm FedEx has sued for a refund of tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. The U.S. Supreme Court recently declared these tariffs illegal. This move is expected to trigger many lawsuits seeking billions in refunds. Trade attorneys anticipate a wave of claims following the court's decision. The process for recovering these funds is still being determined.

Donald Trump is expected to host the traditional lunch on Tuesday with anchors from the five main networks: NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox and CNN. Officials said Trump also invited guests from new media outlets.

President Donald Trump denied reports that top US general Dan Caine warned against striking Iran, insisting the US would easily win any war. Media outlets reported concerns over casualties and prolonged conflict, but Trump dismissed them as false. While threatening military action if nuclear talks fail, he said he prefers a deal. Further US-Iran negotiations are scheduled this week.

Mexico's army has killed drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho. His death triggered widespread violence across the country. Roadblocks and fires erupted as cartel fighters retaliated. Over 70 people died in the operation and its aftermath. Security forces continue their battle with cartel gunmen. Many fear further violence as the nation remains on edge.

FedEx has filed a case to get back tariff money from the U.S. government after a court ruling against Trumps trade policy. The decision has also encouraged many big companies to demand refunds. The case may affect billions of dollars already collected. The situation has created uncertainty about future tariffs and how the government will handle the money.

A US judge has stopped the Justice Department from releasing a prosecutor's report on Donald Trump's classified documents case. The judge ruled that releasing the report would be unfair to Trump and his associates. The case involved allegations of illegally storing national defense documents. The judge also questioned the special counsel's appointment.

Gold, seen as a safe store of value during economic and geopolitical uncertainty, also tends to perform well when interest rates are low.

U.S Stock Market today: On Wall Street, big losses hit companies under suspicion of getting undercut by AI-powered rivals. Investors have been sharply and suddenly punishing stocks of such companies recently.

Celebrity doctor Peter Attia stepped down from his new role at CBS News after his past messages with Jeffrey Epstein were revealed in government files. The messages created backlash and led to his apology and resignation. Attia says he did nothing illegal and had no role in Epsteins crimes. The controversy also made him leave another company position.

Love Is Blind Season 10 Episodes 10 and 11 release time, schedule, what to expect and how to watch is confirmed for February 25, 2026, on Netflix. Six couples enter the wedding phase. The episodes show ceremonies, relationship decisions, and possible breakups. Global streaming timings and viewing details are now available for audiences.

Sean Connery was a very famous actor from Scotland who became a global star after playing James Bond in movies. He started from a poor background, did many small jobs, and slowly entered acting. His Bond films made him popular worldwide. Later, he acted in many big movies, won major awards, and became one of the most respected actors.

Mortgage rates have dropped below 6%, making home loans cheaper for buyers. Lower rates can reduce monthly payments and bring more people back to the housing market. However, home prices remain high and supply is still limited. Experts say rates may move slowly, so buyers should not wait too long expecting perfect conditions in the housing market.

The Voice Season 29 release time, judges and how to watch is confirmed. The show premiered February 23, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on NBC. Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine returned as coaches. Episodes stream next day on Peacock. The season includes Triple Turn, Super Steal, and All-Star Competition format changes.