The Economic Times

Defending champions India face Zimbabwe in a must-win T20 World Cup match. India needs a significant victory to boost their net run rate after a heavy defeat. Top-order batting frailties must be addressed. The team looks to Chepauk's pitch for a better performance. India's bowling attack remains strong.

A tourist from Bhopal tragically lost his life in a road accident in North Goa. His family's car was hit from behind by a rented Mahindra Thar SUV. The incident occurred at the Happy Bar junction in Assagao. The victim died at the spot. Other family members sustained minor injuries. A baby in the car was unharmed.

Dog Lick sepsis treatment: After a UK woman lost her limbs and suffered multiple cardiac arrests after a casual dog lick caused sepsis on a small cut, concerns have been raised about the infection. Dog lick sepis symptoms include fever, chills, low blood pressure. You should immediately consult a doctor when you develop fever and swelling increases. You can prevent the infection by avoiding letting dogs lick open wounds and cleaning any licked area with soap and water.

A new book challenges the term 'Middle East', calling it an outdated imperial label. It proposes 'West Asia' to describe a region now deeply connected to Asia. This shift demands a new U.S. strategy focused on building order and partnerships. India's role is highlighted as a key player in this evolving geopolitical landscape.

President Donald Trump made several claims during his State of the Union address. Fact-checkers have examined these statements. The economy, job growth, foreign wars, tariffs, medicine prices, crime rates, immigration, taxes, elections, and historical events were among the topics discussed. Many of Trump's assertions were found to be exaggerated or inaccurate.

Congress has strongly criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel. The party alleges the Prime Minister is showing moral cowardice by embracing Israeli Premier Benjamin Netanyahu. Congress leaders stated that Gaza has been reduced to rubble and illegal settlements are expanding. They recalled India's past solidarity with Palestine. The Prime Minister's visit aims to boost defense and trade cooperation.

New York flights cancelled: Thousands of flights were cancelled and delayed at the New York airports as a historic blizzard threatens to bury the region in at least two feet of snow. You can expect more cancellations and delays on Wednesday and passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for the latest updates. No respite in the weather is expected as of now.

Today's word of the day 'exculpatory' means serving to show that someone is not guilty or not at fault.

BSNL Director Vivek Banzal Prayagraj Visit protocol: A planned visit by a senior BSNL director to Prayagraj has been cancelled. This follows an internal office order detailing arrangements for personal items like underwear and soap that went viral on social media. Nearly 50 officials were assigned tasks for the visit. BSNL stated norms were not followed and action has been taken.

The right to have children faces modern challenges. Economic pressures and societal support systems impact parenthood decisions. Lee Kuan Yew believed everyone has a right to reproduce. However, unequal conditions shape outcomes. Strengthening education and opportunity, not restricting rights, is key. This approach addresses demographic concerns by improving systems for all.

Garena Free Fire Max players can get free items using redeem codes. These codes are 12-character alphanumeric strings. They are valid for a short time and can be used only once. Players should redeem them quickly. The article provides redeem codes for February 25, 2026.

Bill Gates addressed Gates Foundation employees about his past association with Jeffrey Epstein. He acknowledged it was a mistake to spend time with Epstein and involve foundation executives. Gates stated he did nothing illicit and did not spend time with Epstein's victims. The foundation confirmed Gates took responsibility for his actions during a town hall meeting.

ICSI Result time: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India will announce CS Executive and CS Professional December 2025 exam results today. Candidates can check their scorecards on the official website, icsi.edu. The CS Professional results are expected at 11 am, followed by the CS Executive results at 2 pm. These examinations were held offline in December 2025.

US President Donald Trump delivered the longest-ever State of the Union address on Tuesday, beating Bill Clinton's 2000 record of one hour and 20 minutes. Republican Trump also smashed his own 1 hour and 40 minute record for a presidential speech to Congress, which he set last March in an annual address that was not technically a State of the Union. dk/mlm

RJ Princy Parikh has been a victim of serious online abuse and received rape threats and body-shaming comments after she posted a reel with cricketer David Miller. Princy Parikh posted a reel with Miller after India lost the match to South Africa in the T20 World Cup. Parikh had to remove the reel from Facebook, and she said she would file a police complaint.

Author Rachel Reid has postponed the release of her upcoming novel Unrivaled to June 1, 2027, citing a busy schedule and worsening Parkinson's symptoms. Reid expressed her commitment to delivering the best possible book, with writing progressing well. Fans can anticipate further announcements this week, potentially easing the disappointment of the delay.

Rinku Singh Family Emergency: Indian batter Rinku Singh has left the national camp. His father's health has worsened, and he is on ventilator support. This development casts doubt on Rinku's availability for the upcoming T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe. The team management is monitoring the situation closely. Other players are preparing for the crucial game.

Vijay Kumar, a relative of the patient Sanjay Kumar and his wife Archana Devi, stated that a fire broke out at his hotel, causing burn injuries while trying to escape. Upon consultation, the doctor advised the family to avoid road travel to transfer him to Delhi as he could collapse midway. The total cost for the Air Ambulance was around Rs. 8 lakh.

A designated survivor, typically a low-profile Cabinet secretary, is kept away during major government events like the State of the Union to ensure leadership continuity. This Cold War-era practice, dramatized in fiction, involves a sobering readiness for unthinkable tragedy, though daily realities are less dramatic. Officials describe focused minds and enhanced prayers against such an event.

Amrapali Dubey's alleged relationship rumours with her Bhojpuri actor Nirahua, have once again gained traction on social media. Amrapali Dubey is one of the highest-paid Bhojpuri actors who started her career in 2014. Prior to movies, she was seen in a Hindi serial, Rehna Hai Teri Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein. She made her debut with Dinesh Lal Yadav, aka Nirahua, in the movie Nirahua Hindustani (2014).

President Donald Trump declared America is back, bigger, better, richer and stronger. He called his first year a historic revival and a turnaround for the ages. Trump contrasted this with what he inherited, a nation in crisis. This speech previews the Republican Party's message for upcoming elections. Recent polls show voter skepticism.

Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin revealed he was confined for 18 months. He was denied travel for medical needs, disrupting presidential traditions. Shahabuddin alleged attempts to mentally break him and force his resignation. He stated there was a plot to unconstitutionally replace him. Diplomatic and military support helped him remain in office.

Comedian Martin Short's eldest daughter, Katherine Hartley Short, has passed away at 42. Reports suggest her death was by suicide. This loss follows previous family tragedies for the entertainer. Katherine had built a career as a clinical social worker in Los Angeles. The family is requesting privacy during this difficult time.

A video is going viral online that shows a girl being pulled out of a car and thrown into a drain, with many users claiming the incident happened after a late-night party. Many claimed online that the girl was first befriended on Instagram, exploited and then was thrown into the drain. But the reality is far from different as the clip is from a Bollywood movie 'Mom'.

India and Israel convened their 10th Counter Terrorism Joint Working Group meeting in New Delhi. Both nations strongly condemned terrorism in all its forms. They reaffirmed their commitment to zero tolerance and pledged to bolster bilateral and multilateral cooperation. Discussions focused on emerging threats like drone and AI misuse. Enhanced law enforcement and judicial cooperation were also prioritized.

Morgan Freeman is a celebrated American actor and narrator. He began his career in theatre and gained fame on television. Freeman is known for his roles in iconic films like The Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby. He also won an Academy Award for his acting. His deep voice makes him a sought-after narrator for documentaries.

India abstained from a United Nations vote demanding an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. The resolution, introduced by Kyiv, received 107 votes in favour. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the nations that supported the call for peace. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also marked the fourth anniversary of the invasion, condemning the war and reiterating calls for a ceasefire.

Donald Trump will give his 2026 State of the Union speech to Congress. The speech is expected to be long because he plans to talk about many important issues. These may include the economy and future government policies. His past speeches were also long, and one of them became the longest address to Congress in many years.

Recent cartel violence in Jalisco, Mexico, raises doubts about Guadalajara hosting World Cup games. The killing of cartel leader El Mencho triggered widespread bloodshed. Despite government assurances of safety, residents express concerns about security and investment priorities.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul is demanding a $13.5 billion refund of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The U.S. Supreme Court recently invalidated these tariffs. Governor Hochul stated the tariffs cost New York households significantly and harmed small businesses. Other Democratic governors have also called for refunds.

French beauty giant L'Oreal, UK-based Dyson and contact lens maker Bausch + Lomb have sued for refunds of tariffs imposed under US President Donald Trumps emergency trade measures, after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the duties unlawful. They join firms including FedEx and Costco, as up to $175 billion in collections faces potential refunds.

Iran's top diplomat believes a deal with the United States is close. Fresh talks are scheduled in Geneva this week. Iran is ready to negotiate with honesty for a fair agreement. The U.S. also prioritizes diplomacy but is prepared for other actions. Iran has proposed sending enriched uranium abroad.

Discord has delayed its age check plan after many users complained about privacy and data safety. The company says it still plans to bring age verification later in 2026 to follow new child safety rules in many countries. Discord is also working on easier ways to verify age without using face scans or ID documents.

Katherine Hartley Short, daughter of actor Martin Short, has died at age 42. Her family shared the sad news and asked for privacy. She worked as a social worker in Los Angeles and mostly stayed away from the public eye. Police responded to a call at her home, and officials say the exact cause and circumstances of her death are still unclear.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran sought to postpone his reappointment for a third term. A board meeting revealed differing views, notably from Tata Trusts chairman Noel Tata. Concerns were raised about the performance of group businesses like Air India and newer ventures. Chandrasekaran proposed the deferral to ensure alignment between Tata Sons and Tata Trusts.

PayPal stock jumped after news that Stripe may try to buy the company. Reports said Stripe showed early interest, but nothing is final yet. Investors quickly bought shares after the rumor, which pushed the stock price higher. Both companies have not confirmed anything, and experts say it is still too early to know if a real takeover deal will happen.

The US government is putting pressure on AI company Anthropic over military use of its technology. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a deadline for the company to allow its AI to be used in legal defense work. Anthropic is worried about safety risks, especially AI weapons and surveillance. The issue shows growing tension between national security needs and AI ethics.

Lickspittle is an old English word that means a person who flatters powerful people too much. It describes someone who always agrees just to gain benefits or stay safe. The word comes from lick and spit, showing extreme praise. It is often used in politics, workplaces, and daily life to talk about people who behave like yes-men.

Anthony Quinn's bold declaration, A big talent steals, a small talent borrows. I steal, challenges notions of artistic originality. His life and career exemplified this philosophy, marked by absorbing influences and transforming them with fearless intensity into powerful, unforgettable performances.

Tim Cook CIA briefing China Taiwan 2027 threat: Apple CEO received a classified CIA briefing in July 2023, warning of a potential Chinese move on Taiwan by 2027. The briefing highlighted the global reliance on Taiwan's advanced chip production, a critical factor for Apple and the tech industry.

Kansai International Airport has gone 30 years without a lost baggage incident, earning the Worlds Best Airport for Baggage Delivery award multiple times. Handling up to 30,000 bags everyday, the airport uses a combination of sensors, conveyor belts, and manual oversight to ensure luggage safety. Staff align handles for passenger convenience and personally offer fragile items.