The Economic Times

Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka has ignited a viral debate over the environmental and aesthetic trade-offs of large-scale renewable energy. Sharing a video of Chinese mountains entirely carpeted in solar panels, Goenka questioned whether the shift to clean power should come at the cost of our landscapes.

A 70-year-old woman named Deepali Ghosh runs a small rice shop in Bengal alone. Her dedication after her husband's passing has captured the internet's attention. Despite challenges, she continues to work with dignity. An online appeal aims to help her rebuild the shop and improve her living conditions. Her story highlights strength and resilience.

India US trade deal: This reduction in duty will enhance competitiveness of Indian products, expand market access, and help farmers and exporters increase volumes, thereby strengthening India's agricultural trade surplus with the US.

Delhi Lok Adalat date: If you have missed your registration for Delhi Lok Adalat, scheduled for February 14, Saturday, you can check for walk-in settlements. Apart from the court premises, you can also check at schools and community centres for token registration. The Lok Adalat will be held across seven court complexes in the national capitalPatiala House, Karkardooma, Tis Hazari, Saket, Rohini, Dwarka and Rouse Avenue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah honored Swami Dayanand Saraswati on his 202nd birth anniversary. Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj and championed social reform, education, and Vedic values. His efforts for Swaraj, Swadeshi, and self-reliance continue to inspire the nation. He also advocated for women's education and the abandonment of social evils.

Bangladesh Elections 2026: Country is holding its 13th Parliamentary elections. Voters in Dhaka's Gulshan area reported an orderly and peaceful voting environment. Long queues indicated strong enthusiasm for the democratic process. This election marks a significant moment for the nation. Vote counting begins today, with results announced tomorrow. Nearly 127 million eligible voters are participating.

Bharat Bandh today: Workers across India observed a day-long strike on Thursday, protesting government policies they describe as anti-worker and pro-corporate. The strike affected banking, insurance, postal and transport services in several states. Trade unions are demanding the scrapping of the four labour codes and the withdrawal of other proposed legislation. Farmers unions also joined the protests in various regions. The action aims to mobilise 30 crore workers as part of a nationwide genera

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly consolidating his daughter Kim Ju Ae's position as successor, with intelligence suggesting she is already providing policy input and is treated as the de facto second-highest leader. Her attendance and role at an upcoming Workers' Party meeting will be closely watched for further signs of her ascent.

Rajpal Yadav surrendered to Tihar Jail in connection with multiple cheque-bounce cases. His wife said the film industry has been supportive during this difficult time. Yadav had borrowed Rs 5 crore in 2010 to finance a film that later failed at the box office, which led to mounting debt. Several personalities from the film fraternity have since offered assistance. Actor Sonu Sood signed him for a new film and provided an advance, stressing that it was about dignity, not charity.

Priya Sachdeva Kapur has initiated a Rs 20 crore civil defamation lawsuit in the Delhi High Court. The suit targets her sister-in-law, Mandhira Kapur Smith, and a podcaster. Kapur alleges that statements made publicly have damaged her reputation. This legal action follows a criminal defamation complaint already filed. The disputes are linked to family trust and estate matters.

Mamta Mohandas's career navigates the unpredictable entertainment industry, marked by a challenging debut and struggles for recognition. Despite personal health battles with cancer and a brief marriage, her resilience shone through, leading to a breakthrough in playback singing and steady growth as an actor.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 continues its run through the Winter 2026 anime season, with Episode 7 marking a major turning point in the Culling Game arc. Titled Tokyo No. 1 Colony, Part 1, this installment follows Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro as they officially enter the deadly colonies to hunt for Hiromi Higuruma and save Tsumiki. Scheduled for a global release on February 12, 2026, the episode is expected to be a banger following the intense Yuji vs. Kinji Hakari showdown in the previous week

Odisha anti-Maoist operation: ADG (Anti-Naxal Operations) Sanjeeb Panda said Odisha Police are optimistic about meeting the March 31 deadline for declaring the state, as well as the country 'Naxal-free'.

Two people died after a car rammed into a truck near Ghazipur Toll Plaza on the Delhi-Meerut Expressway on Thursday morning. Investigation is underway and further details are awaited.

Analysts claim solar panel installations have peaked, exceeding International Energy Agency targets. However, a surge in silver prices, driven by solar's industrial demand and new technologies, suggests the boom may continue. Despite efforts to reduce silver use, its price spike indicates ongoing growth in solar energy.

Bangladesh is voting in its 13th parliamentary elections today. Millions of voters are heading to polling stations. The nation is also holding a referendum on the National Charter 2025. Key political leaders have cast their votes. The results will be announced tomorrow. This election marks a new political phase for the country.

Federal judges in upstate New York appointed a new U.S. attorney. The White House fired him hours later. This marks a clash between the Trump administration and the judiciary. The appointed attorney had over 50 years of experience. The administration previously stated it would fire prosecutors chosen by judges. The situation raises questions about judicial recourse.

Tarique Rahman, a leading prime ministerial hopeful, has called on citizens to vote. He believes casting ballots will thwart alleged conspiracies aiming to disrupt the elections. These elections mark a significant moment following a 2024 uprising. Rahman expressed his hope for a new era of democracy in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh heads to the polls on February 12 in a key election. Two major coalitions are vying for power. The BNP-led alliance appears to have an edge according to opinion polls. The Jamaat-e-Islami's 11-party coalition is also a significant contender. Voters will decide the nation's future leadership and policy direction.

Shafiqur Rahman, chief of Bangladesh's Islamist-led coalition, has issued a strong warning. His influential party will contest any vote rigging allegations in the country's crucial elections. Rahman emphasized the importance of democratic rights and urged citizens to participate. The National Citizen Party also called for a free and fair vote.

An 18-year-old woman, Jesse Van Rootselaar, with a history of mental health issues, killed her mother and stepbrother before fatally shooting five students and a teacher at her former school in Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia. Van Rootselaar died by suicide, and police confirmed she acted alone in the attack, one of Canada's deadliest school shootings.

Carrier, a US air conditioning firm, views India as a key export hub for developed nations. This strategic shift is influenced by the global AI race, which is reshaping supply chain norms. The company is expanding its solutions for India's growing infrastructure needs, including airports and data centers.

Actor James Van Der Beek has died at 48 after a battle with colorectal cancer. His wife, Kimberly, confirmed the news, sharing his peaceful passing and requesting privacy for their family. The couple, married in 2010, shared six children, and a GoFundMe has been established to support them. Read on!

Dev Accelerator has secured a massive 27-storey office tower in Ahmedabad. This deal, valued at over Rs 850 crore, is the largest coworking transaction in India. The agreement is structured as a development management deal. The project is currently under construction and will be ready in about 2.5 to three years.

Zydus Lifesciences and its US subsidiary have settled patent litigation with Astellas Pharma over Astellas' Myrbetriq. Zydus will pay Astellas $120 million upfront and a per-unit licensing fee on generic Mirabegron sales until September 2027. This agreement resolves all disputes and allows Zydus to continue marketing its generic version in the US.

EU leaders will converge on a Belgian castle on Thursday as the bloc seeks ways to punch its economic weight on the global stage -- faced with threats from China and the United States, and hamstrung by its own divisions. Macron also renewed a call for joint EU debt -- a divisive idea among European capitals -- as the only way to compete with China and the United States.

Senior DGCA officials have visited the site of a recent plane crash near Baramati. The incident tragically claimed the lives of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others. Officials reviewed CCTV footage and videos from the crash. The investigation into the accident is ongoing. The Black Box has been recovered. The probe aims to determine the sequence of events.

Actor Rajpal Yadav has begun a six-month jail term after the Delhi High Court dismissed his appeal in a decade-long cheque bounce case. The legal battle stems from a Rs 5 crore loan for a film venture, which escalated to Rs 9 crore.

BJP MPs Manoj Tiwari and Chandra Prakash Joshi will present the Fourth Report (in Hindi and English) of the Committee on Petitions on the representation of Parameswaran Krishna Iyer concerning the levying of penal charges for non-maintenance of minimum balance in bank accounts.

Actor Aayush Sharma has reportedly received a threat email. The sender claims to be part of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. This follows a similar threat to actor Ranveer Singh via WhatsApp. Police are investigating both incidents. Last week, shots were fired at filmmaker Rohit Shetty's residence. Authorities suspect extortion motives.

Beijing has intensified its rhetoric surrounding Taiwan, asserting its claim over the island which remains a central point of tension globally. Xi Jinping has confidently stated that reunification is not just a goal but an inevitability. Taiwan's crucial position in the tech supply chain, particularly in chip production, makes it even more significant.

Rajpal Yadav faces a tough legal and financial crisis after a cheque bounce case linked to his film Ata Pata Laapata. Sent to Tihar Jail, he struggles with heavy debt after the films failure. Friends and industry members defend his honesty, hoping he overcomes this setback and returns stronger. Read on!

India's trade surplus with the United States is projected to exceed 90 billion US dollars annually. This surge is driven by a significant rise in Indian exports to the US, potentially crossing 100 billion US dollars. Simultaneously, imports from the US are also expected to increase.

Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized the India-US Interim Trade Agreement. He claims the deal jeopardizes the future of 140 crore Indians, impacting jobs, farmers, and energy security. Gandhi alleges Prime Minister Modi made concessions under pressure, citing Epstein files and the Adani case. BJP members plan to file a privilege notice against Gandhi for misleading the house with baseless allegations.

Adani Power has established Adani Atomic Energy Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary, to generate, transmit, and distribute nuclear power. This move follows the recent passage of the SHANTI Bill, allowing private sector participation in India's nuclear energy sector. The company plans to replace its entire thermal capacity with nuclear power in the coming years.

President Trump is boosting coal power. The Pentagon will now purchase electricity from coal plants. Six coal plants will receive $175 million for upgrades. This move aims to support the coal sector amidst a shift away from fossil fuels. The administration is also easing regulations on coal plants and delaying closures.

Hug Day 2026: What day is today in Valentine Week? In case, you are wondering, then you should know on February 12, people celebrate Hug Day. On Hug Day, people express their feelings and emotions through warm and comforting hugs. Hugs offer numerous benefits- from reducing stress to promoting overall well-being.

The FAA abruptly closed El Paso airspace for 10 days, later reduced to hours, after the Pentagon deployed an anti-drone laser without FAA coordination. This action stranded travelers and caused significant disruption, prompting calls for explanations from officials regarding the lack of inter-agency communication.

Karachi witnessed a violent Wednesday night with four separate firing incidents. At least four people lost their lives and five others sustained injuries across the city. Incidents included fatal shootings in Memon Goth and a youth critically injured during a robbery attempt. Elsewhere, a firing incident in Delhi Colony also reported injuries. Investigations are underway for all these events.

Ranveer Singh is reportedly refusing to pay 40 crore to Farhan Akhtar. This compensation is for the Don 3 project that collapsed. Singh argues he never took payment. He cites past experiences where he received no money for shelved films. Singh also mentioned Shah Rukh Khan's potential involvement. He believes he should not pay if he never received funds.

Russia is trying to completely block WhatsApp. This move aims to promote local apps and increase government control over the internet. Russian authorities are pushing a rival app called MAX. WhatsApp states this is an effort to drive users to a state-owned surveillance app. The company is working to keep users connected. An agreement depends on Meta fulfilling Russian legislation.

Delhi's air quality has returned to the 'very poor' category. The Air Quality Index rose to 305 on Wednesday. This follows a brief improvement due to light rain. Weather analysts predict back-to-back western disturbances around February 17 or 18. These may bring scattered rain to parts of North India.

The Supreme Court has requested a progress report and procedural protocol details from the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) regarding the 2025 Air India Ahmedabad crash. The Solicitor General assured the court the investigation is nearing completion and a report will be submitted within three weeks, emphasizing adherence to international standards and cautioning against premature conclusions.

Attorney General Pam Bondi passionately defended Donald Trump during a combative hearing, aggressively deflecting questions about the Jeffrey Epstein files. She accused Democrats of using the issue to distract from Trump's successes, while Republicans sought to focus on law enforcement. Bondi's handling of the Epstein files has drawn criticism for haphazard redactions and a perceived politicization of the Justice Department.

JEE Mains Result 2026 Date and Time: The results of JEE Mains Result 2026 have been postponed by the NTA and now the results will now be declared on February 16. NTA is going to release the final answer key for JEE Main 2026 Session 1 on their official website jeemain.nta.nic.in. The JEE Main result 2026 will consist of candidate details, scores, ranks, percentile and other details.

Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette series is based on a true story. The Hulu and FX series explores the romance, marriage, and tragic end of JFK Jr. and Carolyn Bessette. The show stars Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon and releases February 12, 2026.