The Economic Times

Clashes erupted between JNU students and police during a march towards the Ministry of Education, resulting in injuries to both sides. Police claim protesters assaulted them, leading to an FIR, while students allege excessive force and damage to an Ambedkar portrait. Several students, including union leaders, were detained.

The U.S. plans to process 4,500 white South African refugees monthly, significantly exceeding its stated goals, by establishing a modular processing village on embassy property in Pretoria. This ambitious target faces administrative backlogs, temporarily halting all refugee travel. The initiative follows a previous raid on a processing site in Johannesburg.

Uttar Pradesh has secured a Rs 200 crore investment from German railway infrastructure company RAILONE GmbH. Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya signed an MoU during a visit to Germany, aiming to enhance modern rail infrastructure and global partnerships in the state. This collaboration will provide access to advanced technology and international expertise.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has set March 10 as the new deadline for finalising the NDA's seat-sharing agreement for the upcoming assembly polls. Discussions with allies AGP and BPF are ongoing, with the CM aiming for a complete announcement by the new target date.

Karnataka government will proceed with recruitment under the existing 50% reservation cap due to a stay on the enhanced quota. The Cabinet discussed the impact of the High Court's interim stay on the 2022 Act, which aimed to increase reservation from 50% to 56%. Recruitment will follow pre-December 28, 2022, reservation orders and roster points.

Meta Platforms has reportedly secured a multi-billion dollar deal to rent Google's artificial intelligence chips for AI model development. This move follows Meta's recent agreements with AMD and Nvidia for AI chip acquisitions, underscoring the intense industry-wide investment in AI infrastructure. Google is also exploring TPU sales and joint ventures to capitalize on AI demand.

Ten Cubans, armed with weapons and explosives, arrived in Cuban waters aboard a stolen speedboat, intending to infiltrate for terrorist purposes. The Cuban coast guard engaged them, resulting in four deaths and six wounded. The incident raises questions about the group's motives and whether the Cuban government had prior knowledge of the plot.

Pakistan bombed Kabul and Kandahar after Afghan forces attacked Pakistani border troops in retaliation for earlier deadly air strikes. Both militaries reported dozens of soldiers killed in the escalating border violence, which has seen multiple Pakistani strikes and clashes in recent months. The Taliban government confirmed the air strikes but reported no casualties.

The regulator updated its civil aviation requirements on ticket refunds on February 24, introducing what it termed a look-in option a 48-hour period after booking during which travellers can make changes without penalty. The revised rules will come into force on March 26. DGCA has however affixed certain conditions for passengers.

This stems from a Delhi High Court order that has stayed the tax offices demand that Rajiv Saxena, the Dubaibased businessman who was extradited to India in January 2019 in connection Forced Stay? No BMA, says Court I-T Dept cant blindly impose law on involuntary residents in India to get foreign asset info with the AgustaWestland case, must share the details of his foreign assets.

Netflix has withdrawn its bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, deeming the acquisition financially unattractive after Paramount Skydance raised its offer. Paramount's revised $31-a-share proposal is now considered superior, though the deal faces potential antitrust scrutiny and political concerns.

Anthropic has refused a Pentagon deal over how its AI can be used. The company wants strict limits so its technology is not used for surveillance or autonomous weapons. Talks are still going on, but tension is high as the government pushes for wider access. The situation shows a growing conflict between AI safety rules and national security needs.

Block stock went up after the company announced big layoffs. The firm plans to cut thousands of jobs to save money and work faster using AI tools. Leaders say the changes will help future growth. The company also shared its latest earnings report, showing stable performance while it prepares for major workforce and business changes ahead.

PLI scheme 2.0: The government is in talks with smartphone makers for a new incentive scheme as the current production-linked incentive ends next month. Officials are considering an exception to the general rule of single-round incentives due to changing circumstances, including the zeroing of fentanyl tariffs on China and a persistent manufacturing cost disadvantage for Indian players.

Titan MD Ajoy Chawla attributes bolstered consumer demand to the online betting ban, GST rationalization, income tax slab relaxation, and increased infrastructure investment. He noted that while gold buying volumes in terms of customers remain flat, grammage has seen a decline, mirroring industry trends.

Dell stock is rising because the company expects very strong demand for AI servers. Big tech companies are spending huge money on AI infrastructure, which helps Dell get more orders. The company also gave higher sales and profit forecasts than expected. Even though chip costs are rising, Dell believes AI demand will keep growing and support its future business.

Hillary Clinton gave a private statement in the Epstein investigation, but the hearing paused after a photo leak online. The picture was shared by Benny Johnson and linked to Lauren Boebert, causing a big political fight. Clinton denied any connection to Epstein and said she never met him, while lawmakers argued over rules and transparency in the case.

The Washington Post is facing serious money problems in 2025 after losing over $100 million. The company is cutting many jobs and trying to reduce costs. Leaders say they want to focus on strong and different journalism. The changes come as the news industry faces falling readers, lower revenue, and big challenges in the digital world.

Google rolled out the Nano Banana AI image editor in August, which quickly became a viral sensation, attracting 13 million first-time users to the Gemini app in just four days in September.

Music is emerging as a valuable asset class with singers and composers launching their own labels to make more in royalty payments.

National Asset Reconstruction Company of India (NARCL) plans to bid approximately 900 crore for Videocon Oil Ventures' (VOVL) stressed debt, which has admitted claims of 30,640 crore. After months of negotiations and addressing complexities, the bad bank has formalized its offer, potentially leading to a Swiss Challenge process.

India's branded hospitality sector is poised for significant expansion, projected to reach $45.4 billion by 2030, driven by a 13.4% CAGR. A substantial 38% growth in operational rooms is anticipated by 2029. Tier-2 and tier-3 markets show immense potential, with over 40% of hotel searches originating from these regions, highlighting underserved opportunities amidst massive infrastructure development.

Indian banks are bracing for higher funding costs on certificates of deposit and large-ticket deposits, as robust year-end credit demand collides with a liquidity squeeze. With the credit-to-deposit ratio at a record high, lenders see borrowing rates staying elevated at least until March, complicating efforts to sustain strong loan growth while protecting margins.

Why is oil price surging now by $1 and will it continue to rise or finally drop? Oil prices increased during a volatile session as the United States and Iran held nuclear talks in Geneva. Brent crude and WTI futures moved higher as markets reacted to developments.

IndiGo's international freight increased 5.3% in the first nine months of FY26, while domestic freight grew 7.1%, boosting total freight by 6% from a year earlier, according to Airports Authority of India data.

Megyn Kelly believes Savannah Guthrie's latest plea about her missing mother, Nancy, revealed a crucial detail: Nancy was taken from her bed in the dark of night. This statement, made on day 24 of the suspected kidnapping, suggests new information has come to light regarding the February 1 incident in Tucson, Arizona.

Troubled automaker Stellantis, behind brands like Jeep and Fiat, announced Thursday a net loss of 22.3 billion euros ($26.3 billion) for last year, blaming a lack of demand for electric vehicles. Stellantis' revenue fell only by two percent to 153.5 billion euros last year while its sales actually rose from 5.41 million vehicles in 2024 to 5.48 million last year.

Ukrainian and US officials met in Geneva to advance post-war reconstruction plans even as Russia launched 420 drones and 39 missiles in fresh strikes on critical infrastructure. With peace talks stalled, Kyiv seeks $800 billion over a decade for rebuilding. Discussions also covered potential trilateral talks with Moscow aimed at ending the five-year war.

Crocs, the US clog-maker, entered India in 2007 and currently holds five factories here, growing from two in 2023. The company said India remains under consideration for capacity expansion amid tariff volatility and sourcing shifts.

Indian Hotels Company Ltd has approached the Delhi High Court. It seeks exemption from paying licence fees to the New Delhi Municipal Council. The company claims force majeure due to Covid-19 and pollution restrictions. These issues impacted hotel operations between 2020 and 2022. The court suggested mediation for dispute resolution. The next hearing is scheduled for April 23.

Puma has cancelled its dividend and anticipates an annual loss in 2026. Chief Executive Arthur Hoeld is leading a turnaround for the German sportswear brand. China's Anta is becoming a strategic investor, acquiring a 29% stake. Puma expects an operating loss between 50 million and 150 million euros in 2026.

A Chinese company, Henan Kuangshan Crane Co., Ltd., made global headlines by offering 180 million yuan (US$26 million) in year-end bonuses. Employees were invited on stage to count stacks of cash and take home whatever they could carry. Videos went viral, showing workers struggling to hold bundles of notes while cheering. Chairman Cui Peijun, who owns nearly 99% of the company, canceled planned gifts and distributed cash directly, citing employees financial burdens.

Online posts claim Earths gravity will vanish for seven seconds on August 12, 2026, allegedly causing catastrophic damage and 40 million deaths. The speculation suggests NASA is managing the threat through a secret initiative called Project Anchor and even cites an accurate time for the event. NASA has addressed the theory.

Vineet Jain, managing director of The Times Group, received the 'Lifetime Contribution to Media' award from the All India Management Association. Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan presented the honour in New Delhi. The award recognizes Jain's significant impact on the media industry.

India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy will soon create opportunities for ancillary market players in the clean energy sector. This initiative aims to improve grid management through services like frequency control and voltage support. The Central Electricity Authority is developing a paper on this subject. This move will help integrate more renewable energy into the grid.

Indian Railways has launched a new Rail Tech policy to encourage innovation. This policy aims to involve startups and industry in developing solutions for railway challenges. Grants for prototype development and trials have been significantly increased. The initiative seeks to improve safety and efficiency across the railway network. Successful innovations may also be exported.

Indian exporters need faster and more reliable customs procedures. Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava emphasized this need as India expands its global trade. He stated that customs administration facilitates economic growth and enhances competitiveness. The reforms focus on trust in stakeholders and technology. This shift aims for partnership and cooperation with industry.

Out of the total suggestions, about 450 suggestions are relevant and have been picked up by the department for further deliberation. These are from professionals, industry chambers, and tax experts. The suggestions asked for further simplification of tax forms and renaming tax returns based on its utility.

India's financial watchdog, NFRA, has inspected ten major audit firms. These include EY, KPMG, Deloitte, PwC, Grant Thornton, and BDO. Findings will be released by March end. Inspections focus on audit quality and governance. Some firms show improvement in processes. However, areas like audit independence still need attention.

Mortgage rates have dropped below 6%, giving home buyers some relief after years of high costs. Lower rates mean smaller monthly payments and may bring more people back into the housing market. However, rates can change quickly, so buyers should focus on their budget, credit score, and long-term plans before deciding when to lock a mortgage rate.

ET has learnt that Cabinet notes to operationalise these proposals are under preparation, with approvals targeted in the May-June window.

An Election Commission of India delegation is currently in Chennai, conducting a comprehensive review of election arrangements in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. After meeting representatives from multiple political parties, the Commission reiterated its directive to Puducherry officials to rigorously enforce the rulesparticularly against the distribution of money, alcohol, and drugs to sway voters.

Physicists have finally solved the mystery behind the squeaky sound of basketball sneakers. High-speed imaging revealed that the noise is caused by rapid 'opening slip pulses' traveling along the rubber sole. Ridged surfaces on the shoes confine these pulses, creating the consistent, musical squeak heard during games.

The Enforcement Directorate has secured prosecution sanction orders against former Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram. These orders pertain to alleged money laundering offenses in the Aircel Maxis and INX Media cases. The agency's probe revealed FIPB approval was granted during Chidambaram's tenure. Illegal gratification was allegedly received through entities linked to his son, Karti P Chidambaram.

A goods train with 50 wagons was found to be speeding at 75 kmph, exceeding the 60 kmph limit, while descending the Palasdari and Karjat railway stations on the Mumbai-Pune route. Central Railway has ordered a probe into this major safety lapse, suspecting crew failure to control the train despite functioning brakes.

Moulin Rouge Broadway: Megan Thee Stallion is set to make her Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre for a limited engagement from March 24 to May 17, 2026. She will feature Zidler, becoming the first female-identifying performer to play the role in any production worldwide.

Renowned defence analyst and retired Indian Army officer Major Maroof Raza has passed away. He was widely recognized for his sharp insights on national security, counter-insurgency, and India-Pakistan relations, becoming a familiar face on television debates. His extensive military background and academic fellowships lent significant credibility to his impactful strategic commentary.