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Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
NASA has confirmed that a rare planetary parade featuring six planetsMercury, Venus, Neptune, Saturn, Uranus, and Jupiterwill occur in the evening sky throughout late February 2026. The alignment is expected to reach its visual peak shortly after sunset on February 28, offering a spectacular display for both naked-eye observers and telescope enthusiasts.
India's six-time Winter Olympian Shiva Keshavan is now overseeing ski mountaineering's Olympic debut in Italy. Having grown up in the Himalayas, Keshavan's experience in sports development and his athlete profile led to his selection for the organizing committee. He believes the sport's minimal infrastructure needs make it ideal for India's mountainous terrain.
Jim Corbett National Park offers a legendary wilderness experience, combining historic tiger conservation with the unique opportunity to stay inside the forest. This story explores seven reasons to visitfrom the vast Dhikala grasslands and diverse birdlife to the thrill of tracking the Royal Bengal Tiger in its ancestral home.
Supreme Court tariff ruling impact on US households: The Supreme Court declared President Trump's tariffs unconstitutional, ruling they violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. These tariffs, which generated billions, were found to have cost American households up to $2,400 annually. The decision offers potential savings for consumers as inflation shows a slight decline.
Ditch the processed supplements for these seven high-protein Indian smoothies. Using natural staples like Sattu, Paneer, Makhana, and Amaranth, this story reveals how to achieve your 2026 fitness goals with whole foods. These powder-free recipes offer superior digestion, muscle recovery, and authentic flavors straight from the Indian kitchen.
New Zealand vs Pakistan Live Streaming: Pakistan faces New Zealand in their Super 8 T20 World Cup 2026 opener on February 21st in Colombo. Both teams, having finished second in their groups, are in Group 2 with Sri Lanka and England. A strong start is vital for both sides as they aim to advance in the tournament.
Quote of the day by Jimi Hendrix: Jimi Hendrix, a revolutionary guitarist, believed love's power over power's love would bring world peace. His short but impactful career redefined rock music with hits like 'Purple Haze'. Hendrix's journey from humble beginnings to global icon is explored. His enduring legacy continues to inspire musicians worldwide.
West Bengal is conducting fresh hearings for logical discrepancies and unmapped cases across all 294 assembly constituencies, following a Supreme Court directive. The exact number of cases will be finalized after verification by Saturday midnight. The state will also see the deployment of 480 companies of central forces in two phases ahead of the assembly polls.
Winter snow storm weather forecast: The storm is expected to take shape overnight Saturday, with snow picking up through the day Sunday and lasting through Monday.
A Rapido driver with Master's degrees in Mathematics and a B.Ed., who spent years preparing for teaching exams, now drives for a living, highlighting the struggles of educated youth. This story, shared on X, resonates with others facing unemployment despite qualifications, as gig work becomes a survival necessity for many.
Ukrainian drones targeted a key state-owned missile factory in Russia's Udmurt Republic, reportedly the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant. The attack, occurring over 1,400 kilometers from Ukraine, resulted in 11 injuries and damage to the industrial site. The plant is known for producing Iskander ballistic missiles and intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Kerala's final voter list is out with over 2.69 crore electors. The Election Commission of India published the updated roll after a Special Intensive Revision exercise. This revision saw the removal of nearly 9 lakh voters. The new list includes over 1.31 crore male and 1.38 crore female voters. Transgender voters are also listed.
India secured a 2-1 series victory over Australia in the Women's T20I. Smriti Mandhana's strong batting performance led India to a total of 176. Australia's chase fell short, with bowlers Shreyanka Patil and Shree Charani taking crucial wickets. Ashleigh Gardner scored a fifty for Australia. India's bowlers restricted Australia to 159 runs.
The Red Fort complex in Delhi will now be open to visitors seven days a week, including Mondays. Previously, the UNESCO World Heritage Site was closed on Mondays. An order issued by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) on February 13 has already come into effect, with the fort open on February 16.
The Bombay High Court has prohibited the unauthorized use of actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha's name, images, and his iconic Khamosh dialogue online. The court ruled that these attributes are exclusively associated with Sinha's persona, protecting his personality rights against digital exploitation and AI-generated content. All infringing online material must be removed.
Word of the day today: Marginalia refers to notes or markings written in the margins of a text, as well as minor details surrounding a larger subject.
Tamil Nadu Congress President Selvaperunthagai K stated the party is prepared for seat-sharing talks with the DMK for the 2026 Assembly elections. The INDIA bloc is strengthening. The DMK has formed a committee for alliance discussions. The upcoming polls are anticipated to be a three-way contest with actor Vijay's party entering the fray. The DMK-led alliance aims to secure victory.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a firm stance on illegal immigrants. He stated they will be removed from electoral rolls and expelled from India within five years. Shah asserted that just as India can be free of Naxals, it can also be free of infiltrators. He also mentioned Assam's potential to become an industrial hub in the coming years.
In a pivotal move for the upcoming elections, West Bengal is preparing to welcome a robust contingent of 480 Central Armed Police Force companies. Arriving in waves between March 1 and March 10, these forces will focus on maintaining law and order, fostering voter confidence, and securing Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) at strategic locations.
The Supreme Court has mandated strict adherence to Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026, effective April 1. Uneven compliance across India necessitates immediate action. Elected representatives will lead source segregation education. District collectors will oversee implementation and report non-compliance. Fines and criminal prosecution await violators. Public awareness campaigns will be launched to ensure a waste-free India.
Punch monkey update: Punch-kun, a seven-month-old macaque at the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens, has finally broken through the barriers of social rejection. After capturing global attention for clinging to a stuffed orangutan toy following abandonment by his mother, a viral video now shows the infant being drawn into a deeply reassuring embrace by an adult monkey named Onsing.
As the conflict in Ukraine drags on, many citizens who left in search of safety face an unexpected wait to return home. Today, a significant number are thriving in Poland and Turkey, crafting new beginnings amidst adversity. While some children embrace their new surroundings, parents find themselves yearning for the day they can reunite with loved ones.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday accused the Congress party of allowing illegal infiltration that altered Assam's demographics, asserting that the BJP will free Assam from the sin committed by the previous regime.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has fulfilled a court requirement by presenting Harshwardhan Sapkal as his new surety. This action follows the passing of the previous guarantor, Shivraj Patil. The legal formality relates to a 2014 defamation case filed by an RSS activist. Gandhi appeared in person to complete the process.
Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new Executive Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, succeeding the retiring industry veteran Phil Spencer. Reporting directly to Satya Nadella, Sharma is tasked with steering the gaming giant through a landscape increasingly defined by artificial intelligence, cloud gaming, and the ongoing integration of Activision Blizzard.
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge commented on the India AI Impact Summit protests. He felt the Indian Youth Congress protest was not in the right spirit. However, he added the BJP should be embarrassed by alleged Chinese products shown at the event. Kharge also described the summit as chaotic. Protests by the Youth Congress led to detentions.
Rohit Pawar, nephew of the late Ajit Pawar, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He requests Civil Aviation minister K Ram Mohan Naidu to step down. This is until an inquiry into the January 28 plane crash is finished. Pawar claims serious questions surround the aircraft's owner, VSR, and its links to Naidu.
A political tussle is underway in Maharashtra's Maha Vikas Aghadi over a Rajya Sabha seat. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut indicated that discussions will occur if Sharad Pawar expresses a desire to contest. The opposition alliance faces a challenge in securing its single winnable seat.
The man who was shot dead on Family Day in an Alberta neighbourhood has been identified. The autopsy report has revealed key details about the shooting incident victim. Separately, a youth has been placed on a peace bond concerning alleged ties to the 764 Network. This follows a similar case in New Brunswick.
Millions of Australians are facing severe weather with intense rainfall and dangerous flash flooding expected across Queensland and parts of the Northern Territory. The Bureau of Meteorology has issued multiple warnings as a tropical low strengthens, bringing heavy falls and risks to communities and livestock. Residents are urged to stay informed and take safety precautions.
India's Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi announced that any joint maritime mechanism in the Indian Ocean Region will be built on consensus. He highlighted India's commitment to supporting partner nations in capacity building. The Goa Maritime Conclave discussed enhanced cooperation, including a potential joint task force.
Serbia has advised its citizens in Iran to depart immediately. This comes as the United States considers military action against Iran's nuclear activities. Tensions are high, prompting Serbia to issue a strong travel warning. Citizens already in Iran are urged to leave as soon as possible for their safety.
French President Emmanuel Macron lauded the U.S. Supreme Court's decision on President Trump's tariffs, emphasizing the importance of checks and balances within democracies. He stated that having a Supreme Court and upholding the rule of law are beneficial.
The Bharatiya Janata Party has strongly criticized the Congress party and Rahul Gandhi. This follows a protest by the Congress's youth wing at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi labeled the protest as treason. He stated that the youth wing members attempted to damage India's image before foreign guests.
KHxRK Reunion: Indian cinema is bracing for a tectonic shift as Red Giant Movies officially unveils the first glimpse of the monumental project KH x RK Reunion. Bringing together the two biggest titans of Tamil cinema, Ulaganayagan Kamal Haasan and Superstar Rajinikanth, the film is set to be directed by Nelson Dilipkumar. Produced by Inban Udhayanidhi, the project features a powerhouse technical crew including music by Anirudh Ravichander and cinematography by Rajiv Menon.
India's highest railway bridge over the Chenab river in Jammu and Kashmir is now operational. Afcons Infrastructure Limited persevered through project delays and legal challenges. The company's commitment ensured the bridge's completion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Katra-Srinagar rail section featuring this engineering marvel. The bridge stands as a testament to Indian engineering prowess.
The US Supreme Court has ruled President Trump's global tariffs unlawful. Senator Chuck Schumer has declared these tariffs illegal and insists the collected money must be returned. He criticizes Trump's reaction and his attempts to reimpose similar tariffs. Schumer states that if tariffs are illegal, the money will be sought through legal channels.
Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, marked International Mother Language Day with a heartfelt tribute to the importance of preserving all languages. In her address, she articulated her belief in the need for equal reverence for every tongue.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah stated Naxalism will be eliminated by March 31, 2026. He addressed the 87th CRPF Day Parade in Guwahati. Shah highlighted the CRPF's success in Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, and against Maoists. He praised the force for Operation Black Forest. The minister noted significant progress in previously troubled regions.
Rajasthan's electoral rolls have been updated. The Election Commission published the final list with over 5.15 crore voters. This revision process involved many officials and political parties. The gender ratio has improved. Young voters have also increased. The final list for Anta constituency will be published later. This is part of a nationwide revision.
The UGC has identified 32 fake universities operating across 12 Indian states, with Delhi and Uttar Pradesh having the highest numbers. Students and parents are warned to avoid these institutions as their degrees are invalid for employment and higher education. These universities lack recognition and the authority to award degrees.
Following a Supreme Court ruling, President Trump has shifted his trade strategy, replacing emergency tariffs with a temporary global import duty under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. New investigations under Sections 301 and 232 will now underpin more procedurally constrained, yet still potent, tariff actions.

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