The Economic Times

Bihar Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha has vowed to enforce rules banning meat, fish, and poultry sales near religious and educational institutions, citing moral and safety concerns. Critics argue the move may target specific communities and urge practical solutions like designated retail zones instead of symbolic crackdowns.

Chaos erupted in the Bihar Assembly after RJD MLAs protested a police lathi charge on village chowkidars, accusing the government of ruling through force. An angry Nitish Kumar hit back, defending his administrations record and attacking the oppositions past governance, triggering a heated exchange that briefly disrupted proceedings before ministers assured talks with protesters to address their demands.

Iran is close to finalising a deal with China to acquire advanced CM-302 supersonic anti-ship missiles, a move that could significantly boost Tehrans naval strike capability and threaten United States forces in the region. Negotiations, underway for at least two years, accelerated after last years Israel-Iran conflict, with senior Iranian officials travelling to Beijing as talks neared conclusion. The potential transfer comes as Washington amasses major naval assets near Iran and Donald Trump wa

Quote of the day by Audrey Hepburn shows that true elegance lies not only in appearance or achievement, but in generosity of spirit.

The Kerala High Court has raised concerns about the film 'The Kerala Story 2 - Goes Beyond'. The court believes the movie misrepresents Kerala and could incite communal disharmony. Producers have agreed to withdraw teasers. The court will decide on February 27 whether to watch the film before its release. Arguments continue on pleas seeking to quash the film's certification.

The Union Cabinet has approved significant infrastructure and policy initiatives totaling Rs 12,236 crore. Key approvals include major railway projects, a new terminal at Srinagar airport, and an Ahmedabad Metro extension. Power sector reforms and an increased MSP for raw jute were also sanctioned. Additionally, the Cabinet approved the proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held discussions with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on the states recovery efforts. Sitharaman pledged comprehensive assistance for reviving Manipurs economy and supporting the rehabilitation of people displaced by ethnic clashes.

Top Maoist commander Thippiri Tirupati, known as Devuji, surrendered to Telangana police. He was a key strategist and Central Committee member of the banned CPI (Maoist) outfit. Devuji, along with another Central Committee member Malla Raji Reddy and two other ultras, laid down their arms. Devuji operated from Maad in Chhattisgarh state.

A 17-year study by IIT-Kanpur warns that parts of Kanpur and Prayagraj face serious damage risk from a strong earthquake due to highly liquefiable, water-saturated alluvial soil along the Ganga belt. Researchers found loose sandy layers extending up to 3040 metres deep in some pockets, which could destabilise buildings and infrastructure during intense tremors.

Keralam Meaning: The Union Cabinet has approved renaming Kerala to Keralam, aligning its English name with local Malayalam pronunciation. This move, driven by a long-standing linguistic demand, emphasizes the state's identity rooted in Kera (coconut) and Alam (land). The proposal, gaining traction ahead of elections, now awaits parliamentary approval to officially change constitutional records.

Mushrooms, a type of edible fungus, must be washed properly before cooking as they can carry dirt, debris or pesticide residue. While selecting mushrooms, you must choose fresh and firm mushrooms, just rinse them with water, wipe them with a damp cloth, trim stems and dry them thoroughly. Following these steps will help preserve the texture and flavour of mushrooms.

Chhattisgarh's Finance Minister OP Choudhary unveiled a Rs 1.72 lakh crore budget for 2026-27. The budget prioritizes inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and investment. Key initiatives include the Rani Durgavati Scheme for girls and significant allocations for barrages, education cities, and medical colleges. The plan aims to boost employment and accelerate the state's development journey.

A viral video reignited the Hulk vs. Juggernaut debate, highlighting Juggernaut's mystical unstoppable force and Hulk's strength that grows with rage. While Juggernaut often has an edge in base forms, a fully enraged Hulk's superior power potential could lead to his victory in a devastating clash.

The Union Cabinet has approved renaming Kerala to Keralam. This move fulfills a long-standing demand to restore the state's historical Malayalam name. The decision follows a unanimous resolution by the Kerala Legislative Assembly. State BJP chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar supports the initiative, citing civilisational and linguistic heritage. The renaming is symbolic and will not alter administrative structures.

Tata Sons chairman N Chandrasekaran sought to postpone his reappointment discussion. Disagreements arose during a board meeting concerning losses in the group's new ventures. Noel Tata, chairman of Tata Trusts, raised concerns about these investments. Other board members supported Chandrasekaran, citing the nature of greenfield projects. The discussion was deferred for broader consensus.

Earthquakes can shake areas much farther than expected, defying the simple rule that distance equals less shaking. Old, cold rock in the eastern US transmits seismic energy better than warmer, fractured rock. Additionally, fault rupture direction and soft ground can amplify tremors, impacting how earthquakes are felt and influencing preparedness.

Maharashtra's BJP-led government has ended dry days on Holi, Muharram, and Gandhi Jayanti, allowing liquor stores to remain open. This decision aims to curb illegal liquor sales and black marketing that often surge during these festivals. The updated policy, effective immediately, aligns with existing licensing rules.

The Union Cabinet met for the first time at the new Prime Minister's Office complex, Seva Teerth. This marks a symbolic and strategic shift in governance. The government views the new workplace as a representation of a 'New India'. Decisions made here will prioritize public service and constitutional values.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has announced a strict crackdown on narcotics, adopting a zero-tolerance stance toward drug-related crimes. All such offenses will now be prosecuted under the powerful MCOCA statute. Courier companies found aiding or enabling illicit drug deliveries will face charges as co-accused rather than being treated as mere intermediaries.

The Greater Bengaluru Authority has uncovered Rs 688 crore in property tax evasion across over 23,000 properties through GPS-based surveys. Notices have been issued to tens of thousands of owners, with seven properties auctioned to recover Rs 437 crore in arrears. The drive aims for transparency and accountability in tax collection.

A viral post detailing monthly expenses in France has ignited a global conversation on social media about the cost of living. Users on X are now sharing breakdowns from various countries, including Singapore, India, and the Netherlands, comparing affordability and sparking widespread discussion.

A locally adopted Army dog named Tyson bravely continued a counter-terror mission in Jammu and Kashmir despite a leg injury. He located a terrorist hideout, enabling security forces to eliminate three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants. Tyson is recovering well after being airlifted for medical treatment.

The iQOO 15R has launched in India, featuring flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor and a large 7,600mAh battery. It boasts a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and 5,000 nits peak brightness. The device offers a 50MP dual rear camera system and 100W fast charging.

Nidhi Chhibber has taken over as the Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog. She holds the additional charge following the completion of BVR Subrahmanyam's three-year term. Chhibber is also the Director General of the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office. This transition marks a new phase for the NITI Aayog leadership.

2026 Women's Day theme: International Women's Day 2026 will be celebrated on March 8, as per the annual custom. This year's theme for IWD is Rights, Justice, Action for all women and girls. Apart from the theme, the United Nations is also focussing on 'Give to Gain' campaign, meaning when we give, we gain.

Former West Indies umpire Steve Bucknor has admitted a mistake. He gave Sachin Tendulkar out LBW in the 2003-04 Brisbane Test. This controversial decision is still discussed today. Bucknor now says the ball would have missed the stumps. The admission revisits a significant moment in cricket history. It highlights the impact of umpiring calls.

Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat has strongly criticized Rahul Gandhi's remarks regarding the India-US trade deal. Shekhawat stated that Gandhi's accusations of the government selling out the country and wiping out farmers are inappropriate. He questioned the repeated nature of these statements, suggesting they tarnish India's global image.

Shahid Kapoor's fitness philosophy emphasizes discipline and routine over extreme transformations, focusing on achievable and sustainable health. His approach includes a calm morning routine, functional workouts for injury prevention, a disciplined vegetarian diet, and prioritizing quality sleep for optimal performance and recovery.

Beauty trends in 2026 are moving beyond makeup-focused routines toward long-term skin health.

Jharkhand on Tuesday tabled a Rs 1.58 lakh crore budget for 202627, up from Rs 1.45 lakh crore this fiscal. Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore said it aims to support the poor, farmers, tribals and women.

A new NCERT textbook for class 8 reveals significant challenges within India's judicial system. Corruption, a massive backlog of cases, and a shortage of judges are identified as key issues. The book emphasizes that these problems disproportionately affect the poor, hindering their access to justice.

A recent viral claim suggests Bollywood hit 'Dhurandhar' shares striking plot similarities with the 1998 cult classic 'Satya'. An X user highlighted parallels in character arcs and specific scenes, sparking debate online. While some agree, others argue these are common crime drama tropes. Meanwhile, anticipation builds for 'Dhurandhar 2'.

Rahul Gandhi has strongly condemned the arrest of Uday Bhanu Chib, president of the Indian Youth Congress. Gandhi stated the police action shows dictatorial tendencies and cowardice. He affirmed that peaceful protest is a democratic legacy. Gandhi declared his support for the arrested comrades. He emphasized that revealing truth to power is patriotism.

India's asset monetisation initiative, NMP 2.0, is set to boost the economy significantly. The plan aims to unlock value from public assets, generating substantial investment. This initiative is projected to increase India's GDP by around Rs 40 lakh crore over the next decade. It will drive infrastructure development and encourage private sector participation, strengthening the nation's economic growth prospects.

India has launched PRAHAAR, its first national counter-terrorism strategy. This unified approach coordinates intelligence, policing, diplomacy, and technology. It aims to detect threats early, respond swiftly, and build resilience. PRAHAAR signals India's commitment to confronting evolving threats like cross-border networks and online radicalisation with a coordinated national effort. The strategy prioritises prevention and global cooperation.

The Supreme Court has allowed the Calcutta High Court to deploy civil judges to handle claims and objections from nearly 80 lakh people in West Bengals SIR of electoral rolls. Citing a trust deficit between the Mamata Banerjee government and the Election Commission, the court directed the HC to depute serving and former judicial officers. About 250 judges began work on February 23, ahead of the final rolls scheduled for February 28.

Canada is seeking to strip Tahawwur Rana, linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, of his citizenship. Officials claim Rana misrepresented his residency when applying. He was extradited from the US to India in April 2025. The Federal Court will make the final decision on the revocation. This action highlights Canada's commitment to maintaining citizenship integrity.

President Donald Trump imposed temporary 15% tariffs under Section 122 of the Trade Act after the Supreme Court struck down earlier duties. The move, justified as addressing a balance-of-payments deficit, has drawn skepticism from economists who say no such crisis exists. Legal experts argue the tariffs could face fresh challenges, noting the administration previously dismissed Section 122 as inapplicable to trade deficits.

A shocking scam targeted young men across India. Fraudsters promised large sums of money and property for impregnating women. Victims were asked to pay various fees before the scammers disappeared. Similar rackets have surfaced previously, using deceptive names and social media. The sole aim was to collect money from unsuspecting individuals.

India has quietly raised the cost of exporting -- halving RoDTEP rebates that refund embedded taxes -- at a time when global demand is weak and competition is tightening, squeezing margins and testing exporters pricing power.

Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved 5,000 houses for internally displaced persons in Manipur. These homes will be built under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin. The approval follows a meeting with Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh. The minister assured full support for peace and normalcy in the state.

The Union Cabinet is set to consider a proposal to rename Kerala as Keralam, a largely symbolic but politically significant move ahead of state elections. The push follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Kerala Legislative Assembly in 2024 after an earlier draft was returned by the Union Home Ministry. The proposal has drawn rare cross-party backing, with BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar supporting Vijayans effort, arguing the change would restore the states original linguistic and cultural

US President Trump enacted a new 10% global tariff, a day after the Supreme Court struck down his previous duties. This move, authorized under the 1974 Trade Act, aims to maintain his trade policy despite growing uncertainty among major trading partners like India and the EU, who have paused trade talks.

Andhra Pradesh is considering a special law for Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) to enhance powers against rule violators, mirroring the Golden Temple's legislation. Concurrently, TTD is deploying an advanced Rs 25 crore food testing lab with e-tongue and e-nose technology to ensure stringent quality checks for ghee and other prasadam ingredients, addressing recent controversies.