The Economic Times

Word of the day today: Marginalia refers to notes or markings written in the margins of a text, as well as minor details surrounding a larger subject.

Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai K stated the party is prepared for seat-sharing talks with the DMK for the 2026 Assembly elections. The INDIA bloc is strengthening. The DMK has formed a committee for alliance discussions. The upcoming polls are anticipated to be a three-way contest with actor Vijay's party entering the fray. The DMK-led alliance aims to secure victory.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a firm stance on illegal immigrants. He stated they will be removed from electoral rolls and expelled from India within five years. Shah asserted that just as India can be free of Naxals, it can also be free of infiltrators. He also mentioned Assam's potential to become an industrial hub in the coming years.

In a pivotal move for the upcoming elections, West Bengal is preparing to welcome a robust contingent of 480 Central Armed Police Force companies. Arriving in waves between March 1 and March 10, these forces will focus on maintaining law and order, fostering voter confidence, and securing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at strategic locations.

The Supreme Court has mandated strict adherence to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, effective April 1. Uneven compliance across India necessitates immediate action. Elected representatives will lead source segregation education. District collectors will oversee implementation and report non-compliance. Fines and criminal prosecution await violators. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to ensure a waste-free India.

Punch monkey update: Punch-kun, a seven-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, has finally broken through the barriers of social rejection. After capturing global attention for clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy following abandonment by his mother, a viral video now shows the infant being drawn into a deeply reassuring embrace by an adult monkey named Onsing.

As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, many citizens who left in search of safety face an unexpected wait to return home. Today, a significant number are thriving in Poland and Turkey, crafting new beginnings amidst adversity. While some children embrace their new surroundings, parents find themselves yearning for the day they can reunite with loved ones.

India is closely watching the impact of a recent US Supreme Court decision on tariffs. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce confirmed it is studying the ruling that struck down President Trump's reciprocal tariffs. The US Administration has also announced some steps. India is analyzing these developments to understand their consequences for trade.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari emphasized the urgent need for affordable housing, urging construction designs to align with people's purchasing power. Speaking at a design event, he highlighted real estate's job creation and revenue generation potential, stressing that reducing production costs through innovation and research is paramount for the sector's growth and accessibility.

Motherson Group is on track to reach its $108 billion revenue goal by 2030. The company is diversifying its business beyond auto components. New ventures include consumer electronics, medical equipment, and manufacturing parts for drones.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fulfilled a court requirement by presenting Harshwardhan Sapkal as his new surety. This action follows the passing of the previous guarantor, Shivraj Patil. The legal formality relates to a 2014 defamation case filed by an RSS activist. Gandhi appeared in person to complete the process.

Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, succeeding the retiring industry veteran Phil Spencer. Reporting directly to Satya Nadella, Sharma is tasked with steering the gaming giant through a landscape increasingly defined by artificial intelligence, cloud gaming, and the ongoing integration of Activision Blizzard.

The 79th BAFTA Film Awards are set for February 22, 2026, at London's Royal Festival Hall. Indian viewers can catch the live stream online. Alia Bhatt, Cillian Murphy, and Kate Hudson are among the presenters, with Alan Cumming hosting. Read on to know more about the prestigious award show.

Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge commented on the India AI Impact Summit protests. He felt the Indian Youth Congress protest was not in the right spirit. However, he added the BJP should be embarrassed by alleged Chinese products shown at the event. Kharge also described the summit as chaotic. Protests by the Youth Congress led to detentions.

Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late Ajit Pawar, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He requests Civil Aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu to step down. This is until an inquiry into the January 28 plane crash is finished. Pawar claims serious questions surround the aircraft's owner, VSR, and its links to Naidu.

A Reddit user reported a workplace incident where a supervisor allegedly ignored a moment of silence for a deceased colleague. Despite a public address announcement and visible tributes, she continued working and urged the user to do the same, citing unawareness which the user found unbelievable.

A political tussle is underway in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi over a Rajya Sabha seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut indicated that discussions will occur if Sharad Pawar expresses a desire to contest. The opposition alliance faces a challenge in securing its single winnable seat.

A longtime supervisor with over fifty years of service was abruptly dismissed after a company acquisition, following a Performance Improvement Plan for issues beyond his control. This move, perceived as a tactic to avoid severance, left employees feeling betrayed and concerned about the loss of institutional expertise and future job security.

Nikolai Gogol, the 19th-century Ukrainian-born novelist, once wrote, The human obsession with purpose is merely a distraction from the absurdity of existence. His words suggest that constantly chasing meaning can blind us to lifes unpredictable and sometimes chaotic nature. Through his stories, from Evenings on a Farm near Dikanka to Dead Souls and The Overcoat, Gogol explored ordinary people navigating absurd social systems, showing how obsession with status or purpose often misses the point.

A disgruntled Reddit user highlighted a low salary offer for a trainee recruiter role in Bengaluru. The recruiter defended the offer by mentioning others earning less. This sparked a debate on wage standards and urban living costs. Many users supported the candidate's decision to decline the offer, raising concerns about the company's work culture.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly criticized the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi. This follows a protest by the Congress's youth wing at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi labeled the protest as treason. He stated that the youth wing members attempted to damage India's image before foreign guests.

KHxRK Reunion: Indian cinema is bracing for a tectonic shift as Red Giant Movies officially unveils the first glimpse of the monumental project KH x RK Reunion. Bringing together the two biggest titans of Tamil cinema, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan and Superstar Rajinikanth, the film is set to be directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Produced by Inban Udhayanidhi, the project features a powerhouse technical crew including music by Anirudh Ravichander and cinematography by Rajiv Menon.

India's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir is now operational. Afcons Infrastructure Limited persevered through project delays and legal challenges. The company's commitment ensured the bridge's completion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar rail section featuring this engineering marvel. The bridge stands as a testament to Indian engineering prowess.

The US Supreme Court has ruled President Trump's global tariffs unlawful. Senator Chuck Schumer has declared these tariffs illegal and insists the collected money must be returned. He criticizes Trump's reaction and his attempts to reimpose similar tariffs. Schumer states that if tariffs are illegal, the money will be sought through legal channels.

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, marked International Mother Language Day with a heartfelt tribute to the importance of preserving all languages. In her address, she articulated her belief in the need for equal reverence for every tongue.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated Naxalism will be eliminated by March 31, 2026. He addressed the 87th CRPF Day Parade in Guwahati. Shah highlighted the CRPF's success in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and against Maoists. He praised the force for Operation Black Forest. The minister noted significant progress in previously troubled regions.

Rajasthan's electoral rolls have been updated. The Election Commission published the final list with over 5.15 crore voters. This revision process involved many officials and political parties. The gender ratio has improved. Young voters have also increased. The final list for Anta constituency will be published later. This is part of a nationwide revision.

Quality Care India Limited is set to invest Rs 600 crore in a new 350+ bed multi-speciality hospital in Nagpur. The facility, to be developed on Maha-Metro land near Kasturchand Park Metro Station, aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Central India. This project, a public-private partnership, is expected to create over 1,500 jobs and enhance regional healthcare capacity.

Prime Minister Modi and Brazilian President Lula held talks, highlighting the strong India-Brazil partnership. Both nations are committed to increasing bilateral trade beyond $20 billion. They also agreed on the importance of inclusive technology for fair progress. President Lula's visit, with a delegation of top CEOs, signals a renewed focus on expanding investment and partnership opportunities between the two countries.

William Faulkner, a Nobel laureate, championed self-improvement, urging individuals to aim beyond perceived capabilities. His quote, Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Do not bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be better than yourself, emphasises surpassing personal limitations over external comparison.

Veteran filmmaker MM Baig passed away earlier this week in Mumbai. His body was discovered in his residence after neighbors raised concerns. Baig was instrumental in shaping Hrithik Roshan's early career and directed the film 'Chhoti Bahoo'.

A 15-year-old Class 10 student in Etawah, Uttar Pradesh, allegedly died by suicide on Friday evening following severe mental distress over her performance in the CBSE Mathematics exam held on February 17. While the students family attempted to counsel her, the overwhelming pressure of the high-stakes examination led to the tragic incident in the Friends Colony area.

Emily Blunt observes that modern impatience, fueled by instant gratification, leads people to quit jobs, marriages, and studies. This tendency to seek exits over solutions overlooks that true commitment involves enduring difficulty and believing in long-term rewards. Choosing to stay committed offers depth, endurance, and purpose in a fast-paced world.

Global pop sensation Shakira is set to return to India for a two-city tour in April 2026, performing in Mumbai and Delhi. Her upcoming concerts highlight her enduring inspiration, particularly her quote, In this place to earn the place you have to fight for it, talking about the necessity of hard work and persistence for success. Read on!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in New Delhi. President Lula received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan. The visit included delegation-level discussions and meetings with key ministers. President Lula also paid respects at Rajghat.

Banco do Brasil aims to boost India-Brazil trade to 100 billion dollars. President Tarciana Medeiros highlighted the bank's role as a strategic bridge. Key sectors for growth include agribusiness, energy, mining, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Collaboration in fintech, digital payments, and green finance is also a focus. This partnership seeks to strengthen economic ties and promote development between the two nations.

Indian leg-spinner Rahul Chahar has officially announced the legal end of his four-year marriage to Ishani Johar. In a deeply personal social media post shared on February 20, 2026, the 26-year-old athlete reflected on the years of lessons and the 15-month legal process that led to this resolution.

The detention of Prince Andrew has thrown the British monarchy into turmoil, a crisis not seen since the abdication drama of 1936. In the face of this turmoil, King Charles III asserts his commitment to royal responsibilities. With the public demanding transparency and justice, the royal family is actively seeking to separate itself from the controversy.

In an effort to energise grassroots support, the DMK's women's wing is set to embark on an ambitious door-to-door campaign from February 23, targeting key constituencies ahead of the critical Assembly elections. This campaign invites party members to shine a spotlight on the government's welfare initiatives, such as the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme and available tractor subsidies.

Bengaluru and Goa are set to be connected by a Vande Bharat Express, with a proposal submitted to the Railway Board. The premium train will operate six days a week, but terrain in the Western Ghats may force speeds as low as 30 kmph, impacting overall travel time despite its high-speed capabilities.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were holding talks in New Delhi on Saturday, seeking to boost cooperation on critical minerals and rare earths. With China holding a near-monopoly on rare earths production, some countries are seeking alternative sources.

The US tariff wall just lost its teeth. With courts scrapping sweeping duties and a shaky 10% stopgap in place, the urgency behind trade deals fades -- giving India a rare moment to pause, reassess, and renegotiate from firmer ground.

Canadian singer The Weeknd, born Abel Makkonen Tesfaye, has achieved global recognition for his unique musical style and acting roles. Known for his impactful lyrics and ability to evoke strong emotions, he champions creative freedom in art. The artist believes that the power to make people feel is the ultimate measure of true artistry.

A 35-year-old employee, Pawan Kumar, died instantly in a massive explosion at a pharmaceutical chemical unit in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri, Telangana. The blast occurred during chemical mixing. This incident follows two other fires and explosions in the same district this month. Fire services responded to control the situation. Investigations into the exact causes are ongoing.

Governor JB Pritzker sent Donald Trump an invoice Friday demanding nearly $9 billion in tariff refunds for Illinois families after the US Supreme Court ruled the president's much-touted levies are illegal. Earlier Friday, California Governor Gavin Newsom said the money Trump's tariffs had raised came from US voters' pockets -- and should be refunded.

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a panel organised by RUSSOFT Association and Akis Tech highlighted a joint India-Russia vision for human-centric, inclusive and trusted AI. The session, moderated by Valentin Makarov and Alok Kumar, brought together officials, academics and industry leaders from both countries to discuss AIs role in future development.