The Economic Times
Elections 2026Company / The Economic Times
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin proposes amendment to the Constitution to strengthen federalism. While tabling the first part of Justice Kurian Joseph committe report, he said that federalism was about trust and autonomy.
A chartered accountant in Gurugram allegedly killed his pregnant wife by slitting her throat with scissors after they celebrated Valentine's Day together. Anshul, who has now been arrested, tried to pass the incident as a robbery-cum-murder. Mahak and Anshul had tied the knot just five months ago, and over faught as Anshul suspected her character.
Julia Roberts on Hinduism: Julia Roberts' interest in Hinduism began with a photograph of Neem Karoli Baba, sparking a profound spiritual curiosity. Her understated journey, marked by a visit to his ashram and naming her production company Red Om Films, reflects India's enduring appeal to global seekers for deeper meaning and expanded understanding.
India is embarking on a new era of responsible AI implementation, as highlighted by Lt Gen Vipul Singhal's call for robust human oversight. This initiative focuses on establishing clear roles for AI, ensuring that human judgment plays a pivotal role in decision-making. Recognizing AI systems as critical components of military assets, they will undergo stringent testing protocols.
56 Days release time, schedule and how to watch is now confirmed for Prime Video viewers worldwide. The series launches February 18 with all eight episodes. Fans can stream at local release times in the US, UK, India, and other regions. The story follows Ciara and Oliver and a police investigation.
European Central Bank President Christine Lagarde may step down early. This move could allow French President Emmanuel Macron to influence the selection of her replacement. Lagarde's term officially ends in October 2027. Concerns exist about the far-right winning the French presidential race in 2027. This could complicate the choice for Europe's top financial role.
The Supreme Court adjourned the hearing related to accusations of obstruction against West Bengal government to March 18. A bench of Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Viswanathan deferred the matter after Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that a rejoinder will be filed during the day.
A routine bail hearing at the Supreme Court of India took an unusual turn when a bench led by Justice Vikram Nath expressed skepticism over the existence of Vanuatu, comparing it to the self-proclaimed nation of Kailasa. The defendant, an accused in a cheating case, claimed citizenship of this Pacific island nation, prompting the bench to observe, There is no country like that. Vanuatu is a sovereign archipelago of 83 islands.
BSP chief Mayawati dismisses alliance rumors for the 2027 Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections. She states the party will contest independently, citing past negative experiences with alliances. Mayawati alleges artificial intelligence is used to spread fake news. She urges party workers to focus on forming a majority government. Mayawati also addressed her Delhi bungalow allotment, calling it a security matter.
A new fossil discovery in Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, is changing scientific views on early plant-eating animals. Named Tyrannoroter heberti, this creature lived about 315 million years ago. It possessed unique teeth for grinding tough vegetation. This finding suggests that four-legged animals started eating plants earlier than previously thought.
The BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari claims that JUP founder Humayun Kabir received 50% funding for mosque modelled on Babri Masjid from Bangladesh. In response, Adhikari hit back saying Adhikari has lost his sanity and added that his visit was personal in nature.
Quote of the day by Pablo Picasso: Pablo Picassos quote, I am always doing that which I cannot do, in order that I may learn how to do it, embodies the spirit of growth and creative exploration. This mindset encourages us to embrace challenges and step into the unknown, as genuine learning arises from pushing beyond our present capabilities.
Galgotias University has been asked to vacate its stall at the AI Summit in Delhi after it reportedly displayed a Chinese robotic dog labeled Orion as their own innovation. The users were quick to point out the clip online after the video of the AI-powered Chinese robodog surfaced. The University has now issued a clarification saying that Galgotias has not built this robodog, nor have we ever claimed to.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has called the AI Summit a disorganized PR spectacle. He alleged that Chinese products were displayed at the event. This comes amid controversy over a robotic dog at the summit. Critics claim it was a Chinese-made product, not an Indian innovation.
Borah had resigned from the Congress on Monday, but the party's top leadership did not accept his resignation, making attempts to persuade him to take it back. Following this, he sought time to reconsider his decision.
In West Bengal, the newly launched Yuva Sathi initiative is making waves, promising unemployed youth a monthly stipend of Rs 1,500. Registration centers are buzzing with activity as eager applicants line up to grab this opportunity.
Amidst an escalating electoral crisis, West Bengal officials have taken significant action by filing FIRs against five government employees linked to irregularities in the voter registration process. This comes in response to an ultimatum from the Election Commission demanding immediate revisions. The accused face serious allegations of negligence and potential data security risks.
The farmers' organisation Samyukt Kisan Morcha has expressed strong opposition to the India-US trade deal, deeming it harmful to the agricultural community. They are calling for an urgent cancellation of the agreement. As the Budget session approaches, a series of public gatherings will take place across the country to rally support.
Day 12 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has been dubbed Teams Day, featuring a packed schedule of nine medal events across six sports. Despite early disruptions caused by heavy snowfall in northern Italy, which forced the rescheduling of several snowboarding events, the stage is now set for the Men's and Women's Snowboarding Slopestyle Finals at Livigno Snow Park.
Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of having links with anti-India forces, calling him a threat to national security and alleging he met Naxalites, extremists and figures such as George Soros during visits in India and abroad.
A senior U.S. official said new data suggests China may have conducted an underground nuclear test in June 2020 at the Lop Nor site, based on a seismic event recorded in Kazakhstan that he described as consistent with an explosion and not mining activity or an earthquake.
Big Bash League: Cricket Australia is exploring hosting a Big Bash League match in India, with Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium a top contender. This strategic move aims to tap into the Indian market, with discussions already underway with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The final decision rests with the BCCI, potentially paving the way for a historic BBL fixture abroad.
Partap Singh Bajwa, leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly, has raised concerns. He stated that a proposed Indo-US trade agreement could negatively impact Punjab's farmers. Bajwa also warned that replacing MGNREGA with a new scheme might weaken rural employment guarantees. He urged both the central and state governments to protect farmers and laborers in policy decisions.
Biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats in 10 states are scheduled for March 16, 2026. The Election Commission of India has set the dates for nominations, scrutiny, and withdrawals. Polling will occur on March 16, with vote counting the same day. The entire process concludes before March 20, 2026. These elections fill seats as terms expire in April 2026.
Anupama Parameswaran celebrates her birthday as one of South Indian cinemas most admired actresses. Her journey began with Premam and soon expanded across Telugu, Tamil and Kannada cinema. She has delivered memorable performances in films such as A Aa and Karthikeya 2. Beyond acting, Parameswaran also explored filmmaking by working as an assistant director, reflecting her deeper interest in the craft of cinema. Her career continues to be defined by consistency, versatility and a steady artistic
Princess Diana was a cherished member of the British royal family. Her grace and empathy made her a global icon. She championed humanitarian causes, drawing attention to critical issues. Diana's direct connection with people earned her the title 'the People's Princess'. Her life and legacy continue to inspire compassion worldwide.
Actor Rajpal Yadav has been temporarily released from Tihar Jail after submitting 1.5 crore in cheque bounce cases. Businessman Madhav Gopal Agrawal loaned 5 crore to Yadav for his 2012 film, leading to a 14-year legal dispute over repayment. Agrawal seeks to recover his money after multiple agreements and dishonoured cheques.
Ash Wednesday 2026 Quotes: Ash Wednesday, observed on February 18, 2026, initiates the Christian season of Lent. This day involves church services where ashes are applied to foreheads as a symbol of repentance and spiritual renewal. The ashes, made from burnt palm branches, serve as a reminder of mortality and the call for forgiveness and faith.
A passenger's ordeal on a Qantas flight, where projectile vomiting contaminated the cabin during taxi, has led to a full refund after initial rejection. The airline cited an internal routing error for the initial denial, emphasizing it doesn't reflect a policy against compensating for such biohazard incidents. This case highlights evolving airline accountability for passenger welfare.
Three new cheetah cubs have been born at Kuno National Park. The mother, Gamini, is a cheetah from South Africa. This event marks a significant milestone for Project Cheetah. The birth brings the total number of cheetahs in India to 38.
Spain's President Pedro Sanchez is in India for the AI Impact Summit 2026. He was welcomed by Minister Jayant Singh. This visit strengthens India-Spain relations. The summit brings global leaders together to discuss artificial intelligence. It focuses on people, planet, and progress. The event highlights India's commitment to AI for global welfare.
Delhi AI Summit Traffic Advisory: If you are in Delhi today, then you must avoid Sardar Patel Marg, Janpath, Rajesh Pilot Marg and other roads located in Central Delhi, specifically in the Lutyens Delhi area. Commuters are advised to take APJ Abdul Kalam Marg, Rafi Marg, and others as they would be heavy traffic due to the AI Summit. Entry into the venue will be restricted after 4 pm as part of security arrangements, and vehicle movement around the convention complex is likely to be regulated.
A 13-minute flight from Allahabad to Naini 115 years ago marked India as the birthplace of global airmail. This historic event is celebrated as World Airmail Day. Collector Piyush Khaitan has dedicated years to studying materials from this pioneering flight, including rare Black Cachet markings.
Mendacious means deliberately lying. It is a precise word for intentional deception. The term highlights conscious dishonesty, not simple mistakes. It is used in journalism and legal writing. Mendacious carries a negative tone, suggesting a breach of trust. The word comes from Latin and means deceitful. It helps distinguish error from intentional falsehood.
Weather update today: The IMD has forecast light rain for Delhi, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan for Wednesday. Snowfall has been predicted for Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The weather department has issued a fog alert for Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. For Delhi, the IMD has issued a yellow alert for today.
The father of Dwarka accident accused has spoken out after his son was accused in a fatal Dwarka crash. He denied the claims that his children were making reels. He also stated that the Scorpio involved is part of his commercial vehicle business, and the challans issued against the car were not because of his son but by the driver.
YouTube experienced a global disruption affecting its video platform. An issue with the recommendation system prevented videos from appearing. YouTube confirmed the problem is resolved. Platforms including YouTube.com, the app, Music, Kids, and TV are back to normal. Millions of users reported issues, particularly in the US and India. The mobile app saw the most complaints in India.
The Maharashtra government has rescinded its resolution. This resolution had previously granted a 5% reservation for the Muslim community. The quota applied to admissions in educational institutions. It also covered recruitment in government and semi-government jobs. This withdrawal marks a significant policy shift by the state administration.
Satyaki Savarkar, the grandnephew of V D Savarkar, has taken legal action in Pune, targeting Congress chief Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments. In a defamation suit, Savarkar is seeking voice recordings from Gandhi, who purportedly accused his granduncle of advocating violence against a Muslim man.
YouTube outage memes: As YouTube suffered a global outage today, with users getting 'something is wrong' error message, many users rushed to social media to share memes and hilarious GIFs. One user wrote that YouTube is partially down and its my bedtime. While YouTube services gradually resumed, the internets reaction showed no signs of slowing down
Delhi Weather today: The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for Delhi today and has warned of light rain and thunderstorms. On Tuesday, the capital remained unseasonably warm, with the maximum temperature settling at 30.9C, about 6.5 degrees above the seasonal average, according to the IMD. Similar weather conditions have been predicted for Noida and Gurugram too.
A widespread YouTube outage left hundreds of thousands of users globally unable to watch videos, sparking significant frustration. Reports of issues began Tuesday evening in the US and rapidly escalated, with over 355,000 users reporting problems by 7:18 pm CT. The disruption, tracked by Downdetector, saw videos stopping mid-playback and the platform failing to load, with #YouTubeDOWN trending on X.
US forces struck three boats in Latin American waters, targeting alleged drug smugglers. Eleven people died in the attacks. This campaign has resulted in at least 145 deaths since September. The US military released videos of the destroyed vessels. Critics question the legality and effectiveness of these strikes, especially as fentanyl often travels overland.
Youtube something went wrong: Many users are facing an outage with YouTube and they are getting 'Something is Wrong' error message when they are trying to access the app. You should try to refresh the page, restart your device and check your internet connection to try and fix 'something is wrong' error message on YouTube.
Millions are experiencing a major YouTube outage, with reports of disruptions starting around 7:45 PM ET and escalating quickly. DownDetector shows nearly 300,000 users reporting issues, primarily affecting the core YouTube service. While YouTube TV also saw spikes, the exact cause remains unknown, leaving viewers waiting for an official update on service restoration.
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has proposed a significant property tax increase. This measure is a last resort if Governor Kathy Hochul does not agree to raise income taxes on wealthy individuals. The proposed hike could impact millions of homes and businesses. Mamdani aims to address a substantial budget deficit. Negotiations with the City Council are ongoing.
Japan will invest $36 billion in three U.S. projects, including a $33 billion natural gas power plant in Ohio and a $2.1 billion oil export terminal in Texas. A synthetic industrial diamond factory in Georgia, valued at $600 million, will also be established. These investments are the first under Japan's $550 billion U.S. pledge.

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