The Economic Times

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin criticised India's playing 11 combination and Axar Patel's omission from the team in their Super 8 fixture against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

NYC Snow storm: Forecasters have significantly increased their snowfall predictions for New York City and the surrounding mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions as a powerful winter storm comes into sharp focus this weekend. Initially considered an outlier, meteorological models abruptly shifted Friday afternoon toward a much more severe outlook, with 6 to 12 inches of snow now expected in and around NYC.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered a multi-year partnership with ServiceNow to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across business functions. Under the deal, TCS will build solutions on the ServiceNow platform using trusted AI and a unified governance model to make workflows more efficient, proactive and insight-driven, as part of its AI-led autonomous business solutions portfolio.

Prime Minister Modi has appealed directly to the people of West Bengal. He invokes historical figures and the dream of 'Sonar Bangla'. The letter highlights central government welfare schemes and contrasts them with the state's current condition. Modi promises development, job opportunities, and security.

Kerala Minister P. Rajeev has accused the Congress party of playing a double game. He points out that while they criticise Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's mass messaging, they overlook similar outreach initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This, he argues, is a clear case of selective outrage.

The UN Human Rights Council has elected Indonesias Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, as its president for a one-year term ending 31 December 2026. Nominated by the Asia-Pacific Group, he will lead the Council during its 20th cycle, marking two decades since its establishment in 2006.

CTET February 2026 answer key is yet to be released by CBSE. Candidates can expect the provisional key between February 18-23, following past trends. A window will open for challenges, requiring a Rs 1,000 fee per question. Stay tuned to ctet.nic.in for updates and download instructions.

A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision has overturned key tariff plans, plunging trade policy into fresh uncertainty. Businesses now face difficult decisions regarding pricing and investment. This situation echoes past unpredictability, impacting economic planning. Officials hope for clearer rules to foster stable trade and investment environments. The U.S.

WhatsApp is currently developing a highly anticipated schedule message feature similar to the functionality found in Google Messages. Discovered in the latest iOS beta update (version 26.7.10.72), this tool will allow users to compose messages and set a precise date and time for automatic delivery. WhatsApp has recently improved group dynamics by rolling out a Group Message History feature to provide context for new members.

India sees a surge of skilled professionals returning home. Anupam Mittal highlights this reverse migration, noting that top talent now prefers cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. This shift is fueled by India's robust digital ecosystem and strong work cultures. The country now cultivates its own talent, moving past a past reliance on foreign opportunities.

Holi Date 2026: Get ready for Holi in March 2026! Holika Dahan lights up the night of March 3rd, followed by the vibrant 'Festival of Colours' on Wednesday, March 4th. This ancient Hindu celebration signifies the triumph of good over evil, welcomes spring, and fosters unity. Join the joyous festivities marking the end of winter and the arrival of new beginnings.

DMK leaders met with Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League for seat sharing. MMK requested five seats. Naam Tamilar Katchi announced all 234 candidates. AIADMK revealed five election promises. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are approaching. DMK won the 2021 polls.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra lauded nearly 30,000 women farmers in Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh, for their role in enhancing food security. These women are successfully employing regenerative agriculture, growing diverse vegetables that nourish over 100,000 people daily and transforming into confident food producers and entrepreneurs.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will stop collecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act from 12:01 a.m. EST Tuesday, following the Supreme Court ruling that declared them illegal.

Gamers are buzzing about Grand Theft Auto VI. A leaked price of nearly $100 USD for the Xbox version has caused a stir. This could make it one of the most expensive games ever. The game is set to launch in November 2026. It promises a vast Florida-inspired world and a female protagonist named Lucia.

Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new Chief Executive Officer of its gaming division. She will lead Xbox and the company's future gaming vision. This move comes at a crucial time with the highly anticipated release of GTA 6 later this year. Sharma's leadership is expected to drive innovation and expansion for Xbox in the competitive gaming market.

Jane Austen, a renowned English novelist, penned timeless tales of British society. Her works, including Pride and Prejudice and Emma, explored love, class, and economic security. Austen published anonymously, gaining recognition posthumously. Her novels continue to captivate readers with realistic characters and sharp insights into human connections. She remains a beloved figure in literary history.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held meetings in Singapore to attract sovereign investment. He discussed opportunities in data centres, logistics, and renewable energy. Adityanath met with leaders from GIC and DBS Group. The visit aligns with the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. High-level meetings with Singapore's political leadership are also scheduled.

Apple is set for a busy early March 2026 with multiple product reveals. Expect new MacBooks, the iPhone 17e, and updated iPads. Special 'Apple Experience' sessions are planned in major cities. Inventory shortages hint at imminent launches.

Security agencies are conducting a thorough search at Army Public School in Delhi Cantonment. The school received a bomb threat email this morning. Authorities are working to trace the email's origin. The campus has been vacated as a precautionary measure. Teams from Delhi Police, bomb disposal, dog squad, and fire department are on site.

The Indian cricket team management is contemplating significant changes to the batting lineup. Following a loss, consideration is being given to dropping underperforming players. The team may also alter its strategy of having too many left-handed batters at the top of the order. These adjustments are being discussed ahead of crucial upcoming matches.

Sarah Baloch Video: A new viral video scam is spreading rapidly across India. Messages falsely link Pakistani influencer Sarah Baloch to an Assam incident. This is a phishing trap designed to steal personal data and install malware. Users are urged to avoid clicking suspicious links and to report such messages immediately. Protecting your devices and information is crucial.

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. Players can visit reward.ff.garena.com to log in and redeem their codes promptly to claim rewards.

The ruling DMK has initiated seat-sharing discussions with its allies for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Congress leader K C Venugopal met with Chief Minister M K Stalin to discuss the party's expectations and desired constituencies. These talks follow earlier discussions between DMK leader Kanimozhi and Rahul Gandhi. The DMK also held parleys with the IUML regarding seat allocation.

India and Japan will hold their seventh Joint Military Exercise Dharma Guardian in Uttarakhand from February 24 to March 9, 2026. The exercise will focus on joint urban warfare and counter-terrorism operations. Troops will refine planning and practice specialized combat skills. This event reinforces the growing defense partnership and shared commitment to regional security between the two nations.

Maharashtra's legislative session commences without a Leader of Opposition in either house. This unprecedented situation raises concerns about democratic checks and balances. The opposition criticizes the move, calling it a threat to constitutional roles. The absence follows no single opposition party meeting the strength requirement for the post. A key resignation further complicated the council's situation.

Apple may introduce a new deep red color for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. This follows the success of Cosmic Orange on the iPhone 17 Pro. The company is evaluating this shade as the main finish for the 2026 Pro models. Other rumored colors might be variations of red. The foldable iPhone will likely feature classic, muted colors.

Maharashtra government has asked Union Home Minister Amit Shah for a CBI probe into the plane crash that killed Deputy CM Ajit Pawar. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the request, assuring that all doubts will be cleared. The DGCA is also auditing the aircraft company.

Veteran politician Mukul Roy has passed away at the age of 71. Roy was a key figure in West Bengal politics, co-founding the Trinamool Congress and later joining the Bharatiya Janata Party. He served as Union Railway Minister. His political journey saw significant shifts, impacting the state's political landscape for decades. Roy's contributions were pivotal in shaping contemporary Bengal.

The India Meteorological Department has issued a yellow alert for several Telangana districts, predicting light to moderate rainfall with thunderstorms and lightning over the next two days. A strengthening weather system over the Bay of Bengal is expected to bring moisture-laden winds, leading to increased rain activity across the state, including Hyderabad.

United States intelligence aided Mexico in a raid that killed drug lord El Mencho. He led the Jalisco New Generation Cartel. The operation took place in Tapalpa, Jalisco. Three other cartel members died, and two were arrested. The killing led to widespread retaliatory violence across Mexico. Highways were blocked and businesses torched.

According to a post on X, the Taiwanese MND stated that no Chinese military aircraft were detected during the timeframe, as there was an absence of PLA aircraft operating around the territory.

Veteran politician Mukul Roy passed away at 70 due to cardiac arrest. Roy had a long political career, serving as Union Railway Minister and holding key positions in the Trinamool Congress. He also switched to the BJP before returning to TMC. His political journey saw significant shifts and legal challenges regarding his legislative status.

The Indian Embassy in Mexico has issued an urgent advisory for Indian nationals to shelter in place. This follows escalating violence across several Mexican states. The unrest began after the killing of cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera, alias 'El Mencho'. The embassy urges citizens to remain indoors and monitor local media for updates.

Countries hit hardest by former President Donald Trumps tariffs are now emerging as winners after the US Supreme Court struck down his emergency levies. China, India, and Brazil, among others, will see lower tariff rates for shipments to the US. While Trump had planned a 15% global tariff, economists calculate the effective rate will average about 12%, the lowest since the initial Liberation Day tariffs in April.

NASA is rolling back its Artemis II Moon rocket and spacecraft from the launch pad. An issue with helium flow to the rocket's upper stage requires diagnosis. The integrated Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building. This move aims to preserve the April launch window. Further updates will be provided soon.

A UK court banned Oatly from using the word 'milk' in its slogan. This ruling sparks a global discussion on plant-based product labeling. Australia is now considering similar restrictions. The Australian government plans to tighten labeling standards for plant-based foods. This aims to help consumers differentiate between traditional and alternative protein products.

Mexico's most wanted cartel boss, Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, known as El Mencho, was killed by security forces. This triggered widespread fires and violence across the nation. Cartel operatives retaliated in a show of force. The operation is a major victory for Mexico's anti-cartel offensive. The country faces a tense period with potential for further unrest.

Protests have reignited on Iranian university campuses. Students are demonstrating against the government. This comes as Iran faces potential conflict with the United States. The demonstrations mark a resurgence of dissent. Security forces previously suppressed earlier unrest. Many Iranians are preparing for possible war. Talks between Iran and the US are ongoing.

Pakistan launched airstrikes in Afghanistan hitting seven locations. These strikes targeted militant camps in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. Islamabad stated the action was a response to recent suicide attacks. The government blamed handlers in Afghanistan for orchestrating these bombings. The operation aimed to neutralize militants linked to TTP and Daesh. Tensions remain high along the border.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been reelected as the top official of the ruling Workers' Party. Delegates credited him for strengthening the nation's nuclear capabilities and its position in the region. This move signals a continued focus on military development and economic self-reliance. Kim is expected to outline future political and military objectives for the country.

New York City is bracing for a major winter storm. The government is deploying more plows, salters, and outreach teams. This storm is expected to bring blizzard conditions with wind, snow, and coastal flooding. Public schools will be closed. A travel ban is in effect for city roads.

BAFTA 2026 awards video: John Davidson is known for speaking openly about living with Tourette's syndrome. Alan Cumming stopped the awards night twice to speak to the audience.