The Economic Times

A journalist shared an anecdote about Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai. The incident occurred around the birth of Aishwarya's daughter. The journalist chose not to ask Salman about Aishwarya's child. Instead, she inquired about his feelings on becoming an uncle. Salman responded with warmth and well wishes for the family. His reaction was positive and unexpected.

Indian exporters face uncertainty after rapid US tariff shifts. Businesses are adjusting strategies amid fluctuating duties. Companies previously offered steep discounts to retain American buyers. This volatility is now seen as a new normal. Exporters are concerned about future negotiations and potential shared burdens with US buyers. The situation impacts retailers and brands, requiring constant cost recalculations.

The final week of February brings a big slate of OTT releases, featuring everything from Telugu emotional dramas and horror thrillers to international black comedies and war biopics. Viewers can anticipate new content across platforms like ETV Win, JioHotstar, Sun NXT, ZEE5, and Netflix, with releases spanning February 23 to March 1. Read on!

Rashmika Mandanna has officially confirmed her wedding to Vijay Deverakonda. Years of fan speculation have now come to an end. The couple, affectionately known as Virosh by fans, will tie the knot soon. This announcement follows persistent rumours about their relationship and upcoming marriage. Mandanna's confirmation brings closure to the long-standing public interest in their union.

Addressing a public rally in Vellore, Vijay remarked that the political fight in the state is between TVK and DMK, while emphasising that Tamil Nadu is Vijay, Vijay is Tamil Nadu, while drawing reference from the famous remarks from ex-Assam Chief Minister DK Baroah, in which he had said India is Indira, Indira is India, hailing the politcal legacy of former India Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport now offers affordable refreshments with the launch of the first Udaan Yatri Caf. E-inaugurated by the Union Civil Aviation Minister, this initiative brings down the cost of tea to just 10 and snacks to 20, making airport amenities accessible to all passengers.

Balrampur Chini Mills has taken a step by securing its inaugural institutional order for eco-friendly bioplastic products. The Lucknow Cantonment Board will soon receive sustainable items including compostable garbage bags, PLA bottles, and pens. This venture into bioplastics signals a new era for the company, with its PLA production facility set to commence operations shortly.

A disturbing incident in Malviya Nagar, New Delhi, has brought the issue of racial prejudice back into the spotlight after three young women from Arunachal Pradesh were allegedly subjected to derogatory remarks on February 20, 2026. The altercation, which reportedly began as a minor disagreement over an air-conditioner installation at their rented residence, escalated into verbal abuse targeting their Northeastern identity and character.

Nexus Select Trust, backed by Blackstone, is partnering with Runwal Enterprises for a new retail mall in Dombivli. This 7.30 lakh sq ft development represents Nexus's first venture into an under-construction retail project. The mall will be part of the Runwal Garden City township, offering a ready customer base.

Women in India aspire to leadership roles, but corporate progress is slowing. Many companies report no increase or a decline in women leaders. The mid-career stage sees women exiting the workforce. Perceptions of promotion fairness have decreased. Strengthening promotion pathways and addressing mid-career attrition are crucial for future diversity gains.

TVK head Vijay has thrown down the gauntlet against Tamil Nadu's Chief Minister MK Stalin, asserting that corruption has become Stalin's closest friend. He accused the CM of constructing a facade of integrity while failing to deliver on his promises to the citizens.

India's M&A market is entering a mature, high-value phase, with billion-dollar deals becoming more frequent. Economic growth, regulatory shifts, and capital market evolution are driving this trend, evidenced by a surge in large transactions and increased involvement of domestic advisory firms and banks in significant mandates.

Wedding bells are ringing for Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda as they head to Udaipur for their celebrations after nearly eight years together. Fans are reminiscing about their adorable public moments, from a spontaneous hand kiss to playful interactions and coordinated fashion choices. Read on!

India and France have updated their tax treaty. This agreement changes how dividends are taxed between the two nations. French companies with large stakes in Indian firms will see a lower tax on dividends. However, smaller French shareholdings in India will face a higher dividend tax. These changes aim for clearer tax rules and better cooperation.

Last year, Gurugram's luxury real estate market experienced an unprecedented surge, with home sales over Rs 10 crore skyrocketing by 80 percent, reaching an astounding Rs 24,120 crore. This remarkable increase in sales and prices marks a pivotal moment as Gurugram's luxury sector outpaced Mumbai for the first time.

Security forces have eliminated three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists in Kishtwar. This operation spanned 326 days in challenging terrain. The Army described the killings as a significant blow to the terror network. Technology played a key role in tracking the militants. One of the slain terrorists was identified as Saifullah, a self-styled commander believed to have masterminded previous attacks.

The Supreme Court has turned down Subramanian Swamy's request, which sought to contest the Andhra Pradesh government's move to revisit a Special Investigation Team report regarding the infamous Tirumala laddu controversy. The court clarified that there is no inherent discord between the ongoing administrative and criminal investigations, allowing both inquiries to operate concurrently, while deeming the petitioner's fears as baseless.

AIADMK's Edappadi K Palaniswami has unleashed a sharp critique on Chief Minister M K Stalin, urging him to refrain from speaking about betrayal. He accused the ruling DMK of mismanaging key issues, notably the Katchatheevu islet controversy that has left fishermen in distress.

IDFC First Bank is currently delving into a potential 590 crore fraud case linked to its Chandigarh branch. The alarm was raised when various departments within the Haryana government detected irregularities in their financial statements. This revelation has prompted a thorough investigation from multiple agencies, coupled with a comprehensive forensic audit.

The Supreme Court has instructed the Delhi High Court to fast-track Leena Paulose's bail application. Paulose finds herself at the center of a high-profile extortion scandal worth Rs 200 crore, allegedly entangled with Sukesh Chandrashekar.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah detailed Bharat Taxi's cooperative model. Drivers can become shareholders with a small investment. The platform aims for profit sharing with drivers after an initial period. This model ensures drivers are owners and benefit from earnings. Bharat Taxi prioritizes strengthening drivers through ownership and structured income, not just profit maximization.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government is closely monitoring gold prices, noting that while the metal usually sees seasonal demand during festivals, prices have not crossed certain limits and are not at alarming levels. She said India relies heavily on imported gold as domestic production is limited, and household demand typically rises during festive periods, with global central bank purchases also contributing to price spikes.

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin criticised India's playing 11 combination and Axar Patel's omission from the team in their Super 8 fixture against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Kerala is set to transform its maritime sector with a Rs 2,000 crore logistics master plan at Vizhinjam International Seaport. The state government has signed agreements with Indian Oil Corporation, Container Corporation of India, and Central Warehousing Corporation. This initiative will establish bunkering facilities, rail-linked infrastructure, and a multimodal logistics park.

NYC Snow storm: Forecasters have significantly increased their snowfall predictions for New York City and the surrounding mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions as a powerful winter storm comes into sharp focus this weekend. Initially considered an outlier, meteorological models abruptly shifted Friday afternoon toward a much more severe outlook, with 6 to 12 inches of snow now expected in and around NYC.

IndiGo has issued a travel advisory warning of potential disruptions to flights in and out of Dubai due to adverse weather. Passengers are advised to check their flight status and expect longer waiting times. The airline's teams are deployed to assist travelers and minimize delays.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered a multi-year partnership with ServiceNow to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across business functions. Under the deal, TCS will build solutions on the ServiceNow platform using trusted AI and a unified governance model to make workflows more efficient, proactive and insight-driven, as part of its AI-led autonomous business solutions portfolio.

Prime Minister Modi has appealed directly to the people of West Bengal. He invokes historical figures and the dream of 'Sonar Bangla'. The letter highlights central government welfare schemes and contrasts them with the state's current condition. Modi promises development, job opportunities, and security.

Kerala Minister P. Rajeev has accused the Congress party of playing a double game. He points out that while they criticise Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's mass messaging, they overlook similar outreach initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This, he argues, is a clear case of selective outrage.

The UN Human Rights Council has elected Indonesias Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, as its president for a one-year term ending 31 December 2026. Nominated by the Asia-Pacific Group, he will lead the Council during its 20th cycle, marking two decades since its establishment in 2006.

Actress Sargun Mehta has strongly refuted ongoing pregnancy rumors. She stated on social media that these reports are baseless fabrications. Mehta expressed frustration over the persistent speculation. She urged media outlets to verify such personal news before publishing. The actress and her husband Ravi Dubey have been married since 2013.

CTET February 2026 answer key is yet to be released by CBSE. Candidates can expect the provisional key between February 18-23, following past trends. A window will open for challenges, requiring a Rs 1,000 fee per question. Stay tuned to ctet.nic.in for updates and download instructions.

The Reserve Bank of India has stated there is no systemic risk following a fraud case at IDFC First Bank involving approximately Rs 590 crore in Haryana government accounts. The bank has suspended four officials and is pursuing legal action for recovery, while Haryana has de-empanelled IDFC First Bank for government operations.

After years of speculation, Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna have officially confirmed their wedding, set to be known as 'The Wedding of VIROSH.' A resurfaced 2024 interview reveals Rashmika's emphasis on core values in a partner, qualities now seen as foundational to their long-standing relationship. Read on!

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has overturned key tariff plans, plunging trade policy into fresh uncertainty. Businesses now face difficult decisions regarding pricing and investment. This situation echoes past unpredictability, impacting economic planning. Officials hope for clearer rules to foster stable trade and investment environments. The U.S.

Saudi Aramco is preparing to export its first cargo of ultra-light crude oil from the Jafurah gas plant. Several cargoes have already been sold to major US companies and an Indian refiner. This marks a significant step for Aramco's expansion into global natural gas markets.

WhatsApp is currently developing a highly anticipated schedule message feature similar to the functionality found in Google Messages. Discovered in the latest iOS beta update (version 26.7.10.72), this tool will allow users to compose messages and set a precise date and time for automatic delivery. WhatsApp has recently improved group dynamics by rolling out a Group Message History feature to provide context for new members.

Indias banking sector earnings are expected to rebound strongly, growing about 17% CAGR over FY27-28, after a modest 3% growth in FY26, according to an IIFL Capital report. The recovery will be driven by faster loan growth, improving net interest margins, and stable asset quality, with earnings revisions turning positive and signalling an inflection point for the sector.

India sees a surge of skilled professionals returning home. Anupam Mittal highlights this reverse migration, noting that top talent now prefers cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. This shift is fueled by India's robust digital ecosystem and strong work cultures. The country now cultivates its own talent, moving past a past reliance on foreign opportunities.

Holi Date 2026: Get ready for Holi in March 2026! Holika Dahan lights up the night of March 3rd, followed by the vibrant 'Festival of Colours' on Wednesday, March 4th. This ancient Hindu celebration signifies the triumph of good over evil, welcomes spring, and fosters unity. Join the joyous festivities marking the end of winter and the arrival of new beginnings.

An Indian software engineer earning 18 lakh annually in Bengaluru faced slow wealth accumulation due to high expenses. He pursued a $75,000 master's in the US, financed by a loan. Post-graduation, his $145,000 salary allowed him to repay the debt in 20 months and now he saves $100,000 annually.

DMK leaders met with Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League for seat sharing. MMK requested five seats. Naam Tamilar Katchi announced all 234 candidates. AIADMK revealed five election promises. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are approaching. DMK won the 2021 polls.

Air India has cancelled flights to and from New York and Newark for February 24. Heavy snowfall from a blizzard disrupted airport operations. The airline is assisting affected passengers. Travelers should contact the 24x7 call centre or check the official website for updates on rescheduling and travel arrangements. Safety of passengers and crew remains the priority.

Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda are set to marry in Udaipur, Rajasthan, at the secluded luxury property. The intimate 'Wedding of Virosh' will reportedly host around 100 guests, primarily family and close associates, with no major film superstars expected. The venue is fully booked from February 25-28, indicating the celebration dates. Read on!

Godrej Properties is developing a large housing project in Thane, Mumbai. The 18-acre land parcel is expected to generate over Rs 7,500 crore in revenue. This expansion is part of the company's growth strategy. Thane is a key location in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. This will be Godrej Properties' fourth project in Thane.