The Economic Times

Mahashivratri 2026: Maha Shivaratri 2026 arrives on February 15th. This sacred festival honors Lord Shiva with night-long worship, fasting, and prayers. Devotees will perform Rudrabhishek, a ritual seeking blessings for health and prosperity. The night offers a chance for spiritual purification and inner transformation. Special puja timings are detailed for this auspicious occasion.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Friday announced that Rs 617.98 crore has been approved for 10 road development projects in Assam under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) scheme, along with Rs 129.74 crore for 16 bridge projects under the CRIF Setu Bandhan scheme.

Sonys February 12, 2026, State of Play delivered a nostalgic punch and a glimpse into the future of gaming. The showstopper was the double-reveal for the God of War franchise: a ground-up remake of the original Greek Trilogy is in early development, while a brand-new 2D action-platformer, God of War: Sons of Sparta, was shadow-dropped and is available to play right now. Other major headlines included the announcement of a John Wick game featuring Keanu Reeves, the sequel Kena: Scars of Kosmora,

Zimbabwe faces a major setback as veteran wicketkeeper-batter Brendan Taylor is out of the T20 World Cup. Taylor sustained an injury during a group match earlier this week. He retired hurt after scoring 31 runs against Oman. The exact nature of his injury remains unclear. Captain Sikandar Raza confirmed Taylor's absence.

Playback singer Dhvani Bhanushali follows a disciplined Pilates routine to maintain strength, flexibility, and core stability, supporting overall fitness, wellness, and physical balance essential for her active lifestyle.

Opposition MPs protested demanding Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri's resignation. This follows Rahul Gandhi's claims of Puri's links to Jeffrey Epstein files. Puri refuted the allegations, calling them baseless and stating any contact was official and unrelated to abuse claims. The minister highlighted his service and contrasted it with Gandhi's actions.

Counting is underway for Telangana Municipal elections. The ruling Congress party is currently leading over the BRS and BJP. Results from 2,582 wards in 116 municipalities are being tallied. This election outcome is seen as a key indicator of popularity for all parties. Over 73 percent of voters participated. Security is tight at counting centers across the state.

Indian opener Abhishek Sharma is expected to be fit for the T20 clash against Pakistan on Sunday. Sharma missed the game against Namibia due to a stomach infection. Spinner Varun Chakravarthy stated Sharma is recovering well and has resumed practice. His readiness will be assessed during a training session in Colombo. India remains unbeaten in the tournament.

The multilateral economic cooperation system that underpinned the creation of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund at the end of World War II has come under pressure amid a backlash against globalization in the Trump era.

Yami Gautams suit wardrobe proves elegance doesnt need excess, just refined silhouettes, calming colors, and effortless confidence.

Mahashivratri 2026: Mahashivratri 2026 will be observed on February 15, Sunday. Different zodiac signs must donate, perform puja and do remedies to please Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri. While Geminis must offer ganga water with honey, Libras must perform abhishek with milk, water, and perfume. Leos must perform abhishek with saffron-infused water

Dubey earlier wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla urging the House to constitute a dedicated Parliamentary Inquiry Committee to investigate Rahul Gandhi's unethical conduct following his recent speech in Parliament.

India's PM Modi signaled a diplomatic shift towards Bangladesh Nationalist Party's Tarique Rahman before his election win. Rahman, now poised to be PM, champions an economy-based foreign policy and Bangladesh First approach, prioritizing national interests. This marks a new phase in Dhaka-New Delhi relations, moving towards mutual respect and equality over dependency.

Rashami Desai consistently stuns with her impeccable fashion sense. Let's explore her mesmerizing wardrobe that showcases elegance, boldness, and contemporary style in every look.

Tamil Nadus Chief Minister M K Stalin has recently distributed Rs 5,000 to a remarkable 1.31 crore women through the Kalaignar Women's Entitlement scheme. With a keen eye on the forthcoming Assembly elections, he has promised to boost the monthly allowance to Rs 2,000 for beneficiaries if his DMK party wins.

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has accused Rahul Gandhi of damaging India's image. Scindia stated that Gandhi's constant criticism on every platform will not benefit Congress or himself. He highlighted India's progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Gandhi had alleged that Modi sold out the country and farmers through an India-US trade deal, claiming a 'chokehold' by Donald Trump.

Soft pastels, delicate lace, and subtle embroidery define Lisas spring looks. Her Sher Singh collaboration blends global minimalism with Indian details, styled effortlessly using boots and structured layers.

O Romeo is releasing today in theatres, and the movie has brought back attention to real Mumbai gangster Hussain Ustar, who refused to bow to Dawood Ibrahim. In the movie, Shahid Kapoor plays the role of Hussain Ustar,a and the movie O'Romeo is based on the life of Hussain Ustara and Sapna didi, who were both on a mission to kill Dawood Ibrahim.

Angus Taylor has been elected the new leader of the Liberal Party. He secured victory over Sussan Ley in a partyroom vote. Following the result, Ley announced her resignation from parliament. Taylor's election marks a significant shift for the party. He has outlined his vision for an Australia-first approach. Ley's departure will trigger a by-election in her seat.

Tarique Rahman, heir to a powerful dynasty, is poised to lead Bangladesh after his party's decisive election victory. Returning from 17 years of exile, Rahman, who faced corruption charges and a life sentence, now aims to steer the nation of 170 million towards stability and reform.

McDonald's Australia is extending its breakfast service starting February 13, 2026. This change follows a review of their breakfast operations. Additionally, a new limited-edition Honey Sriracha Big Brekkie Range is being introduced. This range includes a burger, McMuffin, and McWrap with a sweet and spicy flavour. Delivery orders must be placed before 10:30 AM.

In January alone, the volume of outbound mergers and acquisitions from Greater China approached $12 billion, the most for the first month of a year since 2017. The shopping list included high-profile names like German sports brand Puma SE and Canadian miner Allied Gold Corp.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on the BNP's decisive victory in Bangladesh's parliamentary elections. Modi affirmed India's continued support for a democratic Bangladesh and expressed eagerness to collaborate on shared development goals. The BNP secured a clear majority, marking a significant political shift in Dhaka.

Bangladesh's opposition BNP has secured a decisive majority in the country's first parliamentary election since the 2024 uprising, positioning acting chairman Tarique Rahman at the center of power. This historic victory marks a break from Sheikh Hasina's long dominance, with Rahman's return from exile re-energizing the party and reshaping the political landscape.

Friday the 13th: Friday the 13th is considered unlucky in many Western cultures and is considered superstitious too. Though its origins are not exactly known, in 2026 it will come three times. Many people celebrate the day by getting discounted flash tattoos, a tradition popularized in the 1990s. Other ways to observe the day include watching horror movies or testing out common superstitions.

The scope of the India-Kuwait Dialogues will be varied its future editions are expected to feature speakers from different fields, including policymakers, investors, innovators, artists, thought leaders, chefs, fashion and jewellery designers, authors, sports and film personalities.

Tarique Rahman, heir to a powerful political dynasty, is poised to lead Bangladesh after his party BNP claimed election victory. Returning from 17 years in exile, the 60-year-old BNP leader aims to surpass his parents' legacy, despite past corruption allegations. His return follows the downfall of the previous regime and his mother's recent death.

Why is silver price falling by 11% and will it drop below $76.60 or move upwards again? Silver dropped sharply amid market sell-offs, tech stock weakness, and Fed rate expectations. Analysts weigh US inflation, labour data, and global demand. Investors watch CPI and retail buying for the next trend.

Rajpal Yadav will continue to remain in jail in the Rs 9 crore cheque bounce case. Amid the actor-comedian's financial troubles, the spotlight is back on the 2012 movie 'Ata Pata Laapata' for which he took loans of around Rs 5 crore but failed to repay the amount later. The movie featured a strong ensemble cast including Om Puri, Asrani, Govind Namdev, Dara Singh and Ashutosh Rana.

Ruemmler and representatives for Goldman said for years that she had a strictly professional relationship with Epstein, a convicted sex offender. But emails, text messages and photographs released late last month showed Ruemmler requesting and accepting gifts from Epstein, advising him on how to avoid unflattering media scrutiny and discussing her dating life.

Bangladesh has elected a new government, marking a significant shift. The outcome will influence India and China's regional strategies. The nation's youth sought change, and the new leadership faces the challenge of delivering reforms. This election could redefine South Asia's strategic landscape and determine the country's stability.

According to the govt, a total of 82 projects costing Rs 4703.81 crores have been sanctioned under NESIDS during the last two financial years, i.e., FY 2023-24, FY 2024-25, and the current FY 2025-26, as of January 31, 2026. The State-wise details of the projects sanctioned under NESIDS are annexed.

Trump's move represents the most sweeping climate change policy rollback by the administration to date, after a string of regulatory cuts and other moves intended to unfetter fossil fuel development and stymie the rollout of clean energy.

Splendiferousness refers to the state of being exceptionally splendid, luminous, or charmingly impressive.The word carries a playful tone while expressing grandeur and visual charm. Rather than offering a plain description, it includes emotion and enthusiasm to language. Often used in creative contexts, splendiferousness suits storytelling, celebrations, and moments filled with wonder.

Taiwan tariff deal: The agreement comes as the U.S. remains reliant on Taiwan for its production of computer chips, the exporting of which contributed to a trade imbalance of nearly $127 billion during the first 11 months of 2025, according to the Census Bureau.

What is NYC Polymarket free grocery store and where is it located? The prediction market company Polymarket opened a free grocery pop-up in Manhattans West Village. Shoppers lined up for free food and essentials. The event comes as prediction markets face scrutiny from regulators.

India's defence ministry has greenlit the purchase of 114 Rafale fighter jets, with most to be manufactured domestically. This significant acquisition, alongside other major defence deals totaling Rs 3.6 lakh crore, will bolster the Indian Air Force's capabilities. The approval also includes SCALP missiles and additional P8I maritime aircraft. These procurements aim to enhance India's defence readiness and strategic reach.

Thought of the day by Don Herold shares a line on work and delay. The quote says work is the greatest thing in the world, so we should save some of it for tomorrow. This Thought of the day today explains balance and rest.

Isabella Duric, 23, went viral on TikTok after writing a love note to a cute guy seated behind her on a Virgin Australia flight from Sydney to Melbourne. Acting on a dare from her companions, Duric tossed a handwritten note with her number, Instagram, and Snapchat info, but the man didnt notice it. She later used a phone message reading OPEN THE NOTE to finally alert him, leading to a brief text exchange.

What is SAVE Act and how will it affect married women? The US House passed the SAVE Act with new proof of citizenship rules for voter registration. Lawmakers debate how it may impact married women, passport holders, and mail-in voters. The bill now moves to the Senate.

Why are aluminium, copper, nickel and tin prices going down today and will base metals continue to fall or rise again? Prices fell after early gains as stock markets dropped, U.S. data reduced rate cut hopes, and China demand slowed before Lunar New Year.

Quote of the day by Diogenes the Cynic: The ancient Greek philosopher and archetype of Cynicism, advocated for listening more than speaking, using a simple anatomical observation as a metaphor. His philosophy emphasized self-sufficiency, simplicity, and challenging societal norms, demonstrating that happiness and independence are achievable through intentional living and minimal circumstances.

Apple stock dropped after news that its new AI Siri is getting delayed. Investors expected the launch earlier, but reports say it may now come later in 2026. Some features could take even more time. Experts say this delay may affect investor confidence and future plans, while Apple is still focusing on privacy and improving its AI technology.