The Economic Times

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited an innovation exhibition in Israel. He invited Israeli technology companies to invest in India. He urged them to partner with India's talented youth. The exhibition showcased advancements in AI, healthcare, and agriculture. This visit strengthens India-Israel innovation and technology ties. Both nations aim to build solutions for global challenges.

The RBIs recent liquidity infusion, which has pushed overnight rates below the repo rate to ease funding stress, is seen by bankers as a temporary, tactical move rather than a policy shift. With surplus liquidity rising above comfort levels and short-term rates cooling, the central bank is expected to maintain this stance only until March before likely absorbing excess cash and restoring its usual liquidity framework.

Cargill India is investing Rs 300 crore to build a new dairy feed plant in Punjab. This expansion aims to boost its presence in Southern and Eastern India. The facility will enhance supply reliability and farm profitability for dairy farmers. It will also create significant local employment.

A year after ties froze over the Nijjar controversy, Canada is quietly changing tone as Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to land in India with a reset agenda dialling down past allegations, and pivoting toward trade, tech, and energy partnerships.

Apple is in talks with ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank, along with Visa and Mastercard, to launch Apple Pay in India around mid-2026, though the timeline is not final. The service is expected to support UPI as well as card payments, entering a market dominated by Google Pay, PhonePe, Amazon Pay and Paytm.

Actor R. Madhavan's Rs 115 crore wealth stems from a middle-class approach. He prioritizes real estate investment, caution, and long-term planning. His philosophy emphasizes family welfare and steady progress over risky ventures. This grounded approach guides his financial decisions. Madhavan recently starred in the successful espionage thriller Dhurandhar, proving his continued relevance.

Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati has accused the Samajwadi Party of political theatrics. She stated the SP has historically opposed Dalits, OBCs, and the Bahujan community. Mayawati alleged the SP's move to observe 'PDA Day' on Kanshi Ram's birth anniversary is an attempt to gain votes.

AIIMS has opened registrations for NORCET 10, with the application deadline set for March 16, 2026. The recruitment process includes a Preliminary Exam on April 11, 2026, and a Mains Exam on April 30, 2026. Eligibility requires a B.Sc. Nursing, Post Basic B.Sc. Nursing, or GNM qualification, with an age limit of 18-30 years.

A heated exchange erupted on social media between Mahua Moitra, Trinamool Congress MP, and Electoral Roll Observer C S Murugan over allegations concerning the role of micro-observers in electoral roll revisions. The controversy began on 18 February when Moitra accused Murugan of overstepping his mandate by sending incorrect directions to micro-observers via WhatsApp, sharing a post referencing a film character and dubbing him 'Quick Gun Murugan.'

Menaka, a young tech professional, faced a sudden and severe neurological illness. Doctors diagnosed her with Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis. After intensive treatment, a flicker of movement in her toe signaled hope. She gradually regained strength and consciousness. Weeks later, Menaka walked out of the hospital, a testament to her resilience and medical care.

Samsung S26 Ultra vs S25 Ultra vs Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max: Following the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, the premium smartphone market has entered a new phase of competition. This comparison breaks down the hardware specifications, camera systems, battery capacities, and pricing of the Galaxy S26 Ultra against its predecessor, the Galaxy S25 Ultra, and its primary competitor, the Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max.

March 2026 promises a vibrant Hindu calendar. The month begins with Holi, the festival of colours, followed by Rang Panchami. Devotees will celebrate the Hindu New Year with Gudi Padwa and Ugadi. Chaitra Navratri and Rama Navami mark significant religious observances.

Ajit Pawar plane crash: NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar and his cousin Yugendra Pawar approached Baramati police seeking an FIR against aircraft operator VSR Ventures over the January 28 crash that killed Ajit Pawar, citing alleged criminal negligence flagged by the DGCA and accusing authorities of delaying action.

V. K. Sasikala will reveal her new political party's name within a week. She aims for her outfit to play a significant role in the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly elections. Sasikala recently unveiled a new party flag, marking her return to politics after a hiatus.

Tamil Nadu Polls: AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami pitched his partys promise of Rs 10,000 one-time relief to families as a stronger alternative to the DMK governments Rs 5,000 payout, accusing Chief Minister M K Stalin of burdening people with inflation and higher taxes and timing welfare disbursals out of fear of defeat ahead of the Assembly elections.

The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal has upheld a class action lawsuit against Jindal Poly Films. Minority shareholders had filed the suit claiming Rs 2,500 crore in damages. This ruling could significantly impact minority shareholder rights in India. Other shareholders can now join the lawsuit. The Securities and Exchange Board of India is also investigating Jindal Poly Films.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will visit India from February 27 to March 2, 2026, on his first official trip, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He will begin in Mumbai with business meetings and interactions with CEOs, investors and industry leaders, before heading to New Delhi for delegation-level talks with Modi at Hyderabad House.

Hugh Jackman, renowned for his diverse roles, shares a profound insight on aging. He acknowledges that with age comes increased awareness of failure, both in others and oneself. Jackman emphasizes that maintaining a childlike fearlessness is achieved by persisting, not by avoiding mistakes, but by continuing to move forward despite them.

Om Birla, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, has reconstituted the three-member inquiry committee tasked with examining the grounds for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma.

William Shakespeare's famous quote paints life as a grand play. People are actors, entering and exiting the world. Throughout their lives, individuals play many roles. This perspective shows how identities change with age and experience. It also reminds us that all phases of life are temporary. Understanding this fosters empathy for everyone's journey.

Financial expert CA Nitin Kaushik reveals a wealth-building blueprint for professionals struggling with month-end cash flow. His percentage-based income division strategy prioritizes essential spending, health, and an emergency fund, while allocating a significant portion to savings and investments. This disciplined approach, he argues, is key to financial growth, not just a high salary.

Markets reacted to a fictional AI scenario predicting cheap software production, causing IT sector jitters. Anand Mahindra offered a balanced perspective, suggesting AI will pressure service providers but elevate capable firms. He emphasized that while AI drives efficiency, complex needs like data security and integration will ensure IT services remain crucial.

Navin Polishetty's journey from unnoticed background actor in commercials to a bankable Telugu star highlights years of perseverance. His early struggles in Mumbai, including a fleeting appearance in a Ranveer Singh ad, paved the way for his eventual success.

Bill Gates admitted to two affairs with Russian women at the town hall on Tuesday. He had an affair with a Russian bridge player who met me at bridge events, and one with a Russian nuclear physicist whom he met through business activities, the 70-year-old tech titan said. He denied his involvement in the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein and said he did nothing illicit.

Spencer Pratt's new memoir details a nightclub incident where he deliberately provoked Heidi Montag by engaging with multiple women, an act he now calls a pity party that nearly destroyed their relationship. Montag's swift response of changing her phone number underscored the deep hurt caused, though the couple ultimately reconciled, with Pratt framing the event as a pivotal learning moment.

Today's word of the day 'metonymy' is a rhetorical device in which a word associated with something is used to represent the thing itself. This 'Word of the Day' explores its Greek origin, classic examples from literature and media, and its everyday presence in headlines and conversation.

Yes Bank has tightened security measures after detecting unusual transaction declines on its Multi-Currency Prepaid Forex Card issued with BookMyForex. Fraudulent attempts occurred at 15 Latin American merchants where two-factor authentication is not mandatory. Transactions worth $0.28 million were approved for 5,000 customers, while 688 unauthorised attempts were blocked. The bank has restricted certain overseas e-commerce transactions and is initiating chargebacks to prevent customer losses.

Nepal prepares for national elections on March 5. Nearly 19 million voters will choose a new assembly. Key issues include corruption and job creation. Foreign relations with India and China are also important. Prominent contenders for prime minister include Balendra Shah, K.P. Sharma Oli, Gagan Thapa, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal. The nation anticipates a significant political shift.

Garena Free Fire Max players can snag free in-game items using 12-character alphanumeric redeem codes, released regularly. These codes are time-sensitive and can only be used once. To claim rewards, visit the official redemption site, log in, and enter the code promptly before it expires.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un appeared with his daughter Ju Ae at a military parade. They wore matching leather jackets, a symbol of leadership. This appearance fuels speculation that Ju Ae is being prepared as the next in line to lead North Korea. Her status has been elevated with recent public outings.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed the Full Dress Rehearsal for the upcoming Vayushakti 26 exercise at Pokhran, effectively validating all operational parameters, officials said on Thursday.

They have been urged to stay vigilant against cyber fraudsters who are making fake phone calls and sending SMS/WhatsApp messages in the name of Railway officials, seeking personal and financial details on the pretext of PPO updates, KYC verification, and additional pension benefits.

Bengaluru-based CA Meenal Goel experienced panic, not celebration, upon landing her first client. Months of rejection preceded this milestone, leading to self-doubt about her abilities. The client's approval and request for more work shifted her perspective. The article highlights that readiness is often a myth, and showing up to deliver value is crucial for initial breakthroughs.

A 24-hour standoff between Delhi and Himachal Pradesh Police on a Shimla highway concluded early Thursday after a dramatic confrontation over the arrest of three Youth Congress activists. The dispute involved barricades, counter-FIRs, and midnight court appearances, ultimately ending with the Delhi team leaving with the accused after sharing a seizure memo.

India will get its first amorphous electrical steel manufacturing plant at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh. Proterial India will invest Rs 1,350 crore to manufacture advanced amorphous metal electrical steel (Metglas) in partnership with Shirdi Sai Electricals. This material, used in distribution transformers, reduces core losses by 20-30%, significantly improving energy efficiency and curbing substantial annual electricity losses in India.

TV broadcasters are set to raise channel package prices by about 10 percent. This move aims to manage increasing content costs. Distribution platform operators are expected to resist these hikes. Viewers are moving to cheaper options like DD Free Dish and streaming services. This situation creates commercial tension between broadcasters and distributors.

Korean hip-hop pioneer Artisan Beats, born Seo Jae-min, has passed away at 47. Revered for his production and artistic vision, he was a foundational figure in the nation's underground rap scene. Associated with collectives like Bulhandang and Da Crew, his sudden demise has deeply impacted the music community, with tributes highlighting his enduring legacy.

Saudi Arabia has banned poultry and egg imports from 40 nations, including India. This move aims to protect public health and food safety. Some bans have been in place since 2004. The authority will review the list based on global health developments. Processed poultry products meeting health requirements are exempt.

An ISIS case accused in Mumbai claims two individuals posing as Army officers offered to drop his trial if he joined a covert operation. The court has sought responses from the NIA and police regarding this alleged impersonation and interference with justice. The accused refused entry and alerted authorities, leading to the individuals being taken to the police station.

Amalaki Ekadashi Feb 2026 Date: Amalaki Ekadashi falls on February 27, 2026, Friday. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, on Amalaki Ekadashi, devotees undertake strict fasts and offer prayers, believing it purifies sins and grants salvation. The Ekadashi begins tomorrow at 12.33 am and ends on 10.23 pm the same day.

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali's family has clarified that he was not admitted to hospital due to a cardiac emergency. He underwent a routine health check-up and is in stable condition. Bhansali continues to work on his upcoming film 'Love & War'. The movie's production timeline and budget have reportedly increased. The film stars Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, and Vicky Kaushal.

Newly released Justice Department documents detail how Jeffrey Epstein cultivated relationships with Microsofts top executives, gaining access to internal discussions including CEO succession plans. The files outline his links to figures such as Bill Gates, Nathan Myhrvold and Reid Hoffman, and reveal how he leveraged those connections even after his 2009 conviction.

India and Germany are boosting climate adaptation efforts. A new German grant of up to 20 million Euros will support India's National Adaptation Plan. This funding will enhance resilience in forests, ecosystems, and biodiversity across key regions. The initiative focuses on ecosystem-based approaches and innovative financing. Both nations recognize adaptation as a crucial part of climate policy.

Voters in Manchester cast ballots Thursday in a key by-election. Labour leader Keir Starmer faces a challenge as polls indicate a close contest. The vote is seen as a test for Starmer following recent policy shifts and an ambassadorial appointment. Labour aims to present the election as a choice between their party and Reform UK.

Lunar Eclipse 2026 Time: Skywatchers will witness the first lunar eclipse of 2026 in the early hours of March 3, when the Moon will turn a striking copper-red colour. It will be visible in India and other Asian countries. The Sutak timings in India begin from 06:23 AM. You can observe a lunar eclipse without any special equipment.

A massive storm has left parts of the Northeast buried in snow and facing widespread power outages. Residents are struggling with unplowed streets and impassable conditions. Emergency crews are working around the clock to restore power and clear roads. The severe weather has impacted daily life, causing school closures and travel disruptions across several states.