The Economic Times

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.

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd signed an MoU with Frances Port of Marseille Fos to expand cooperation in trade facilitation, port innovation and energy transition. The partnership proposes setting up an IMEC Ports Club to improve coordination among ports along the IndiaMiddle EastEurope Economic Corridor route and strengthen connectivity between India and the European Union.

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.

India critical mineral policy: India is cashing in on the growing e-waste sector -- pulling critical minerals like lithium and cobalt, which are needed to make everything from smartphones to fighter jets and electric cars, from everyday electronics.

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.

Mercy, a new science-fiction thriller, is now streaming in India, but with a twist. Chris Pratt plays a detective accused of murder. He has 90 minutes to prove his innocence to an advanced AI judge. The film unfolds in real-time, revealing conspiracies. The movie has been directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

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.

Salim Khan health update: Veteran screenwriter was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on February 17, 2026. Family and friends expressed concern. Salman's former girlfriend, Somy Ali, shared personal memories of him. The family members visited the hospital, including his long-time friend Javed Akhtar. Read on to know more about his health.

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

The upcoming inauguration of the Namo Bharat rapid rail and Meerut Metro is set to significantly boost real estate activity. Property prices near stations have already seen substantial increases. This new transport system will reduce travel times, enhance connectivity, and foster new residential and commercial hubs.

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.

Actor Sidharth Malhotra's father, Sunil Malhotra, has passed away. Sunil was a former Merchant Navy captain and a significant figure in Sidharth's life. He is remembered for his honesty and integrity. Sidharth often referred to his father as his first hero and silent guide. The family is mourning the loss of a strong and dignified spirit.

Warner Bros. Discovery is again considering an offer from Skydance-owned Paramount. This comes as Warner continues to support its deal with Netflix. Talks with Paramount will last for seven days. Warner's board still recommends shareholders approve the Netflix merger. A vote on the Netflix deal is scheduled for March 20.

This week's OTT line-up brings exciting new South content. From a heartwarming puppy story to underground wrestling in Kochi and gripping crime thrillers, there's something for everyone. Platforms like Netflix, ZEE5, and JioHotstar are releasing Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada titles. Get ready for a weekend filled with fresh entertainment. Read on!

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.

In 2026, Americans lose 239 hours annually to traffic. A 90-minute commute steals 700 hours yearly. This ime tax slashes your effective hourly wage. Switching to a 10-minute commute boosts mental health and work-life balance. Even a $2,000 pay cut saves money on fuel and vehicle wear. Shorter trips reduce burnout risk and increase productivity. Prioritize career growth by reclaiming your time. Small moves yield massive lifestyle gains.

Major overseas investors are reportedly withdrawing or reviewing their involvement in India's Ratnagiri Refinery project. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company is said to have exited, and Saudi Aramco is seeking revised terms. This comes as the project faces significant delays, primarily due to land acquisition issues.

Distributors said select packs of everyday items, from detergents and hair oils to chocolates, noodles and cereals, have started reaching store shelves with higher price tags this quarter.

Word of the Day: Quiddity meaning is the essential nature of something. It answers the question, what makes a thing what it is. Quiddity pronunciation is KWID-ih-tee. The word comes from Latin quidditas, meaning whatness. Used in philosophy and law, it signals depth and clarity. Learning rare English vocabulary boosts writing skills, exam scores, and professional credibility in todays competitive knowledge economy.

India and France elevated their relationship to a 'special global strategic partnership,' pledging enhanced cooperation in defense, AI, and clean energy. The leaders virtually inaugurated a Tata Airbus facility for helicopter manufacturing and export, underscoring a commitment to 'Make in India' and bilateral innovation.

More than 71 million Americans receive Social Security benefits each month. The Social Security SSDI payment for February 2026 goes out on Wednesday, February 18. This payday covers beneficiaries born between the 11th and 20th. The Social Security Administration follows a three-Wednesday schedule. SSI recipients will also get an early March payment on February 27 because March 1 falls on a Sunday. This is not a bonus.

Quote of the day by Theophrastus: Theophrastus, Aristotle's successor, emphasized time as life's most valuable asset, surpassing material wealth. His philosophy highlights that how we spend our finite hours reveals our values and character. This ancient insight encourages mindful living, urging individuals to invest time in meaningful pursuits for a more fulfilling existence.

40 MPH wind gusts and 15% relative humidity have triggered a Fire Weather Watch in Lansing for Wednesday, according to NWS Chicago. The alert runs from morning through evening. Southwest winds will range from 15 to 25 MPH, increasing wildfire risk. Dry air and dormant grass create critical fire weather conditions. Officials warn rapid fire spread is possible. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged across the Chicago area.

China's ambitious tree-planting program has transformed the Taklamakan Desert, once known as The Place of No Return, into a functioning carbon sink. Satellite data reveals measurable photosynthesis and carbon absorption, demonstrating a remarkable environmental shift. While water availability and heat absorption pose challenges, the project offers hope for desertification reversal.

Shrinking Season 3 Episode 4 release time, what to expect and how to watch worldwide is now confirmed. The episode streams February 18, 2026, on Apple TV Plus. Jimmy speaks at Gaby class, Paul faces Parkinson changes, and Gerry returns. Viewers worldwide can stream the episode using an Apple TV Plus subscription.

The U.S. government is backing prediction market platforms in a major legal fight with several states. The dispute is about who should control these online betting-style markets federal regulators or state gambling authorities. The outcome could change how sports betting, online prediction trading, and digital event contracts are regulated across the country in the future.

Five people were injured in a New York church explosion Tuesday morning in Boonville, Oneida County. One firefighter remains in critical condition. The blast happened around 10:30 a.m. at Abundant Life Fellowship Church. Thick black smoke filled the sky. Police say no sign of criminal activity. Investigators are probing a possible propane or gas leak. The church suffered severe structural damage. The cause remains under active investigation.

In a reassuring move for concerned parents, Nestle India highlights that its range of infant formula brands, including Nan Pro, Lactogen, and Nan Grow, are produced locally. This statement comes in the wake of international investigations into baby milk contamination.

Consumer preference is shifting towards higher-powered, premium motorcycles, with bikes 125cc and above now comprising 26% of sales in the first 10 months of FY26, up from 22.1% in FY20. This trend is fueled by improving affordability and evolving consumer aspirations, benefiting manufacturers like Royal Enfield and TVS Motor.