The Economic Times

Pakistan's patience with Afghanistan has ended. The nation has declared an 'open war' following escalating cross-border attacks. Pakistan's defense minister accused the Taliban of harboring terrorists and turning Afghanistan into an Indian colony. Pakistan has launched airstrikes in response to Afghan attacks. The situation remains tense as both nations engage in military action.

Former president Bill Clinton is set to testify before the Republican-led House Oversight Committee over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, following Hillary Clintons closed-door deposition. Democrats accuse Republicans of weaponizing the probe to target political rivals, while urging scrutiny of Donald Trumps own ties to Epstein.

West Bengal's final electoral list is set for publication on Saturday. This list will feature over 60 lakh names marked for adjudication and also include deleted electors. Supplementary lists will be released in phases after the polls are announced. The Calcutta High Court is also reviewing judicial officer appointments and adjudication processes.

Ahead of his 73rd birthday on March 1, MK Stalin, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and president of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, urged party workers to immediately begin preparations for the 2026 legislative assembly elections. He said the best birthday gift would be ensuring the DMK returns to power for a seventh term, highlighting the achievements of the governments Dravidian Model welfare schemes.

In a surprise result in England, the Green Party won the Gorton and Denton special election, dealing a setback to Prime Minister Keir Starmer as Labour Party slipped to third in a long-held stronghold. Green candidate Hannah Spencer secured 14,980 votes, defeating Reform UKs Matthew Goodwin and Labours Angeliki Stogia. The upset in Greater Manchester underscores growing fragmentation in Britains political landscape.

New movies and series arrive on OTT platforms this Friday. Accused on Netflix explores a gynaecologist's struggle with accusations. Secret Stories Roslin on JioHotstar is a Malayalam thriller about a teenager's nightmares. Black Phone 2 continues its supernatural horror on JioHotstar. Monarch Legacy of Monsters Season 2 expands the Monsterverse on Apple TV+.

The viral rumor about Shoaib Malik preparing for a fourth marriage to Pakistani actress Vaneeza Sattar has sparked massive curiosity online. Vaneeza Sattar is a Pakistani model and actress and hails from Karachi. She completed her graduation at Karachi University. According to unverified claims, the two are reportedly tying the knot on February 27.

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake shook Nepal's Sankhuwasabha district early Friday. The tremor was centered near the Sankhuwasabha-Taplejung border. It was felt in nearby districts including Bhojpur, Panchthar, and Tehrathum. No casualties or damage have been reported so far. The earthquake occurred at 3.18 am.

Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam has joined the DMK party after his expulsion from AIADMK. This move follows AIADMK leader Edappadi Palaniswami's decision to welcome T.T.V. Dhinakaran into the NDA, a move Panneerselvam reportedly opposed. Panneerselvam's supporters believe joining the DMK is the only way to challenge Palaniswami.

In Bengaluru, the power struggle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka has intensified after supporters of Deputy CM D K Shivakumar held a strategy meeting led by MLA H C Balakrishna to push for his elevation as chief minister. Around 40 MLAs reportedly attended and urged the party high command to end leadership uncertainty, saying the issue is hurting them politically. The move comes amid ongoing speculation about a power-sharing pact with CM Siddaramaiahwhich Shivakumar has hinted existed bu

Pakistan's Defense Minister has declared an open war with Afghanistan. This follows recent cross-border attacks and airstrikes by both nations. Pakistan alleges Afghanistan has become a haven for global militants and is exporting terrorism. The minister stated Pakistan's patience has run out. This escalation threatens a fragile ceasefire. Pakistan has hosted millions of Afghan refugees for decades.

Garena Free Fire Max players can get free items using redeem codes. These codes are 12 characters long and are released often. Players should use them quickly as they expire. The article provides codes for February 27, 2026. To redeem, visit the official website, log in, and enter the code. Rewards will then be confirmed.

Pakistan Afghanistan war news: Afghan forces claim to have shot down a Pakistani F-16 fighter jet that entered their airspace, with a viral video showing alleged wreckage. Pakistan confirmed strikes on militants but denied aircraft losses amid escalating tensions and accusations of harboring militant groups.

Brady Tkachuk returned to the Ottawa Senators with a rough start. He suffered a bloody nose and received a misconduct penalty after a hit from Detroit Red Wings player Simon Edvinsson. Tkachuk also addressed a controversial AI-generated TikTok video. He clarified the video was fake and did not represent his views.

Immanuel Kant, a renowned German philosopher, believed all knowledge stems from experience. He argued that our senses gather information, but the mind actively organizes and interprets it. This foundational idea shaped subsequent philosophy. Kant's insights highlight the interplay between encountering the world and our internal mental processes. His work remains influential.

Rinku Singh's father KhanChand Singh used to work as an LPG cylinder delivery man in Aligarh. He used to beat Rinku Singh for playing cricket and not paying attention to his students. But when he came to see a match where Rinku was awarded the man of the match, his perspective changed. When Rinku Singh's father saw he was getting paid for playing cricket, he understood he was serious.

Vote counting is underway for Jharkhand's 48 urban local bodies, with results for ward councillors expected soon. Polling for mayors and chairpersons also took place on February 23, with over 63% voter turnout. Counting for most ULBs should conclude Friday night, though Dhanbad may extend to Saturday.

Japanese tech firm NTT Data plans to hire 5,000 employees in India this year, driven by a doubling of large IT contracts exceeding $100 million. The company is also investing $1.5 billion in four new data centers in India, a move supported by government tax holidays and the country's significant data presence with limited capacity.

An explosive was thrown at the home of KSU district secretary Bithul Balan in Thodannur, Kozhikode. This incident occurred early Friday morning. Balan was arrested after Health Minister Veena George was allegedly injured during a protest. The attack caused damage to Balan's residence.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to chair a high-level meeting on India-Nepal border issues in Purnea, Bihar. This follows his earlier call for action against encroachments and infiltration in border areas. Shah's visit to the Seemanchal region highlights concerns over regional security and demographic changes.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the cast of the popular Israeli series Fauda during his visit to Israel. He shared a selfie with the actors, noting the show's popularity in India. The meeting offered a cultural break during high-level talks. Actor Lior Raz expressed his honor and praised India's support for arts.

Iran and the United States held indirect talks on Tehran's nuclear program. No deal was reached, increasing the risk of war. Oman mediated the discussions. Iran insists on enriching uranium and lifting sanctions. The US seeks to constrain Iran's nuclear activities. Technical talks will continue next week. The situation remains tense.

Rinku Singh Father death reason: Rinku Singh's father Khanchand Singh has died after battling Stage-4 Liver cancer. The update was shared by Harbhajan Singh on X. Rinku Singh's father was undergoing treatment at the Yatharth Hospital in Greater Noida and was put on a ventilator support after his health worsened.

Apple's big 2026 launch event begins Monday morning. Tim Cook's teaser hints at new products. A budget MacBook is expected to be a highlight. Other devices like the iPhone 17e and new iPads are also anticipated.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk has refuted an AI-generated White House video that falsely depicted him making derogatory remarks about Canada. Tkachuk clarified that the voice and words in the fabricated clip were not his own. He also denied claims of him shouting to close the Canadian border during a call with Donald Trump.

A tragic incident unfolded in Queensland where parents face manslaughter and drug trafficking charges. Their three-year-old son, Caden Case, died after a car crash on the Gold Coast in 2025. The child was brought to a police station but could not be saved. Investigations revealed the mother was driving. Both parents have been charged with serious offences.

Yesterday's cricket match results: India played an explosive innings against Zimbabwe, scoring 256 for 4 and smashing 17 sixes, a record in the tournament. India registered the highest opening partnership of the T20 World Cup 2026, surpassing the 25-run mark for the first time in six matches. India dominated the game with very few dot balls and a strong finish at the end, which has ended the strike-rate criticism. This powerful performance brought back their attacking confidence and kept their s

Taiwan's Ministry of Defence reported significant activity from China's People's Liberation Army. Multiple aircraft and naval vessels were detected operating near Taiwan. Many of these sorties crossed the median line into Taiwan's air defence identification zone. This comes amid ongoing tensions and a recent diplomatic dispute between Japan and China over export restrictions.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the nation's armed forces possess the capability to defeat any aggressors. This declaration follows air strikes conducted on neighboring Afghanistan. Sharif emphasized the unified support of the entire nation for its armed forces. The statement highlights Pakistan's readiness to respond to any perceived threats.

The Federal Aviation Administration has restricted flights near Fort Hancock, Texas, after lawmakers said the Pentagon likely used a high-energy laser system to accidentally shoot down a US Customs and Border Protection drone near the Mexican border. The airspace curbs, which allow limited emergency exceptions, are set to remain until June 24.

Yesterday's match results: India got a big boost after South Africa crushed the West Indies by 9 wickets in their second Super 8s match of the ICC Mens T20 World Cup 2026. South Africa beating West Indies removed one major hurdle from Indias semifinal race and made the path much clearer. India defeated Zimbabweby 72 runs.

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan addressed the 21st convocation at Kashmir University. He called for shedding colonial mindsets to foster Swadeshi innovation. Radhakrishnan highlighted India's growing entrepreneurial ecosystem and global acceptance of its innovations.

Synopsis - Abibliophobia is a funny word that means fear of running out of books to read. It is made from Greek roots and sounds scientific, but it is mostly used in a humorous way. The word became popular in modern times, especially online. Many book lovers use it to describe their strong love for reading.

Hollywood star Jim Carrey was honored at France's Csar Awards. He accepted the prestigious award with an emotional speech delivered entirely in French. Carrey spoke about his acting journey and his family's historical ties to France. The actor, known for his iconic roles, received a standing ovation from the audience. This recognition highlights his significant contributions to cinema.

The IMF approved an $8.1 billion loan for Ukraine, anchoring a $136.5 billion international support package to maintain economic stability and public spending. This funding aims to address a significant budget shortfall and bolster reconstruction efforts, with the World Bank estimating rebuilding costs at $588 billion. Donor countries also agreed to extend Ukraine's debt standstill.

Sajid Akram and Naveed Akram, accused in the 2026 Sydney Hanukkah mass shooting, previously tried to travel to Afghanistan. Their journey was halted in Kyrgyzstan. Investigations are examining these travel plans. The initial probe found no evidence of training for the attack. Naveed Akram appeared in court after being wounded and his father killed by police.

A gas cylinder leaked in Raoji Bazaar Police Station area on Thursday. Firefighters cooled the cylinder with water to contain the ammonia gas. The situation is now under control. A scrap shop owner is facing legal action for attempting to cut the cylinder. Some individuals experienced breathing difficulties, and one woman was hospitalized but is stable.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump at the White House to discuss housing and the detention of a Columbia University student. Mamdani reported a productive meeting, noting Trump's assurance of the student's imminent release. Both leaders share a focus on housing affordability, a key issue for Mamdani's mayoral victory and a pledge from Trump.

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.

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.

India's vast data is a strategic asset, not free export for Silicon Valley. To become an AI superpower, the nation needs to invest in talent and compute, while leveraging its data for domestic AI development. This approach can democratize AI, create local jobs, and prevent foreign tech dominance, ensuring value stays within India.