Top News / The Economic Times
New Delhi has strongly condemned Turkish President Erdogan's comments on Kashmir, which he made during his recent visit to Pakistan. India reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of the country and stated that such remarks are unacceptable.
Some Meta executives are currently trying to get some sweet bonus deals from Mark Zuckerberg and they have been largely successful in this attempt as some of them have received 200 per cent bonuses for themselves.
USDA has suspended the 1890 National Scholars Program, a key scholarship for students at historically Black land-grant universities (HBCUs). This program provided full financial support for students in agriculture and related fields, helping those from underserved communities. While the USDA has not given a clear reason, the suspension has sparked concerns among educators and lawmakers. Many fear this could limit opportunities for Black students in agriculture. With no timeline for reinstatement
The UP Board has rescheduled the February 24 exams in Prayagraj to March 9 due to Maha Kumbh Mela traffic restrictions. This change affects only Prayagraj students, while exams in other districts will proceed as initially planned. Ayodhya and Varanasi have arranged special travel routes for students on February 24.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Union Commission, will visit New Delhi on February 27-28 with the College of Commissioners. This marks her first official trip to India since her election in 2024. The visit signifies growing momentum in EU-India relations amid global concerns over US tariffs, as announced on social media platform X.
Irfan Pathan believes India's ability to handle pressure situations gives them an advantage against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy match. He highlights India's recent strong performances and mentions key players like Mohammed Shami and Shubman Gill as crucial to India's success. Pathan also shares his excitement about playing under Sachin Tendulkar in the International Masters League.
Chinese scientists have discovered a new coronavirus in bats called HKU5-CoV-2. It has similarities to SARS-CoV-2 and can infect human cells. The virus belongs to the MERS-related group of coronaviruses. The potential for HKU5-CoV-2 to spillover to humans is being investigated. Currently, no vaccine exists against MERS.
Elon Musk faced backlash for insulting Danish astronaut Andreas Mogensen during a dispute over claims that NASA astronauts were stranded in space for political reasons. Mogensen and the astronauts in question denied this claim. The argument escalated when Musk used a derogatory term, prompting further criticism from the disabled community.
With the SEC planning to withdraw an old case against the exchange, Coinbase shares gained on Friday. The 2021 lawsuit aimed to classify Coinbase as a stock exchange, and its dismissal could provide a significant boost to the cryptocurrency sector. Analysts believe this development will strengthen investor confidence and fuel further growth for Coinbase.
The RBI has proposed eliminating foreclosure charges or pre-payment penalties on all floating rate loans for individuals and MSEs, including for business purposes. The draft circular stipulates no charges or penalties for foreclosing/prepaying these loans, aiming to enhance responsible lending practices.
Crypto market today, February 21, 2025, shows Bitcoin (BTC) trading at $98,090 with a slight gain of 0.96%, while Ethereum (ETH) holds at $2,728.71. Solana and Dogecoin emerge as top gainers, while XRP struggles with a 0.5% drop. The market reacts to political shifts, regulatory updates, and Coinbase's SEC victory. Investors are closely watching Bitcoins movement towards $99,000 and Ethereums steady performance.
South Africa clinched a comprehensive 107-run victory over Afghanistan in their Champions Trophy clash. Ryan Rickelton led the charge with a century, while pacers Lungi Ngidi and Kagiso Rabada dismantled the opposition. The Proteas amassed 315/6 before dismissing Afghanistan for 208 runs.
Sportz Village has launched PathwayZ36 to identify and nurture young sporting talent across India through its school and grassroots programmes. This initiative aims to build a strong pipeline of national and international athletes, with a focus on preparing them for success at the 2036 Olympics and beyond.
A Rapido driver in Gurugram, named Vikas, helped deliver a baby in his cab when a passenger went into labor. Despite the emergency, Vikas remained calm, assisted in the birth, and drove the mother and child to the hospital, charging only the standard fare. Rohan Mehra, the passenger, shared the incident on Reddit, sparking a call to recognize Vikas' kindness.
Donald Trump stated that it's non-essential for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to attend negotiations aimed at ending the war with Russia. Tensions increased as Trump labeled Zelensky a 'dictator' and inaccurately claimed Ukraine initiated the conflict, following complaints from Kyiv about being excluded from talks.
The International Masters League (IML) will begin with a match between India Masters and Sri Lanka Masters on February 22. The tournament, featuring key players from the 2011 ICC World Cup final, has secured notable sponsors and will be broadcasted live on JioHotstar and Colors Cineplex.
SEC is reportedly dropping a lawsuit against Cryptocurrency giant Coinbase.
Infosys has launched a 230-member Project Development Centre in Guwahati, marking Assam as an emerging tech hub. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma anticipates investments exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore from the upcoming summit, with substantial contributions to infrastructure and varied sectors such as aviation, power, and healthcare.
Anthony Martial has scored 9 goals and 2 assists for AEK Athens in just 19 appearances, delighting his fans. A source close to the club claimed that the French forward's performance at Manchester United was impacted by the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. The pressure led to injury problems.
Microsoft's Satya Nadella has recently claimed a major breakthrough in quantum computing with its new Majorana 1 chip. However, some critics are arguing that evidence of such an achievement is currently missing
Barron Trump continues to gather attention at the New York University. After Kaya Walker, president of the NYU College Republicans, resigned after making bizarre remarks about US President Donald Trump's youngest son, College Republicans hailed him as 'future of the conservative movement'. Barron Trump raised eyebrows due to his mysterious behaviour at the NYU campus.
Ashley St. Clair, a MAGA influencer, has claimed she secretly gave birth to Elon Musk's thirteenth child. Their flirtatious exchanges reportedly began in May 2023. This claim follows a series of messages between them about natalism and homeschooling. Musk has not publicly acknowledged the claim. Despite the controversy, Musk continues to focus on his other endeavors.
Consumers in the UK who have bought Irish blended cheese are being advised to return certain JOD Food Products with expiry dates in May 2025 due to potential contamination with the harmful bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. This bacterium can cause flu-like symptoms, including high fever, muscle aches, chills, nausea and diarrhoea. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has released a full list of 18 affected products.
Lawmakers in Montana are advancing legislation to impose stricter penalties on businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Montanas House Bill 536 proposes revoking business licences and permitting lawsuits. A similar bill has been passed in Indiana. Proponents argue that these measures protect American workers and strengthen border security, while critics warn of enforcement challenges and potential cuts to essential services.
Tara McAulay, CEO of Pharos Fund and former co-founder of Alameda Research, warns traders about a potential market crash in Bitcoin. She draws parallels with the 2020 meltdown. McAulay cites rising leverage ratios and declining trading volumes as red flags. She advises caution as the market may already be in the early stages of a bear market.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the unity and mutual enrichment of Indian languages at the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan, countering language-based divisive attempts. The event in Delhi celebrated both Marathi's classical language status and significant milestones like the centenary of the RSS.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's thoughtful gestures towards Sharad Pawar during the 98th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sammelan, where he assisted Pawar to his seat and offered him water, were warmly received by the audience. Modi acknowledged that he attended the event at Pawars invitation, highlighting their respectful interaction.
High-level US-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia over the Ukraine war have sparked concerns regarding the control of Ukraine's rare earth minerals. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had initially offered these minerals to the US in exchange for security guarantees but later refused to finalize the deal.
The Supreme Court criticized the Delhi High Court for issuing lengthy anticipatory bail orders, likening them to implicit convictions. This comment arose during the hearing of physician Aadhar Khera's bail plea, where he was denied relief in a 34-page order. The bench requested a response from Delhi Police and provided Khera with temporary protection from arrest.
NITI Aayog's committee, chaired by V K Paul, aims to transform AIIMS New Delhi into a top medical research and practice institution. The focus includes streamlining patient inflow, enhancing transparency, and ensuring financial sustainability. Additionally, efforts are underway to improve accessibility to indigenous treatments for rare disease patients in India.
OpenAI-ChatGPT has reportedly removed suspected malicious China and North Korea users.
The TV show 9-1-1 returns on March 6, 2025, with episodes focusing on Maddie's kidnapping, Buck's emotional struggles and Eddie's possible move. Bobby and Athena work on rebuilding their home.
Elon Musk and veteran astronaut Andreas Mogensen were exchanged in a heated debate on X after the latter called the tech mogul out for 'lying' about NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore. Andreas Mogensen called out SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for claiming Joe Biden abandoned Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore in space for political reasons. Musk was quick to counter, calling Mogensen an idiot and retarded.
Meghan Markle's new lifestyle brand, As Ever, has received criticism for sharing its name with an existing clothing company. The small brand, founded in 2017, has responded publicly, while social media users criticize Markle for failing to check trademark conflicts.
As per the Aayogs Annual Report 2024-25, released on Friday, the visioning exercise has been launched in the states of Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh. To facilitate this process, dedicated teams have been constituted within NITI Aayog to assist in the preparation of the vision documents, it said.
A Mumbai court extended police custody for Hitesh Mehta, the main accused in the Rs 122 crore New India Cooperative Bank embezzlement case, until February 28. Former bank CEO Abhimanyu Bhoan was also remanded. Mehta, Paun, and Bhoan face charges of criminal breach of trust and conspiracy, and the Economic Offences Wing is investigating.
As per the statement issued by the ministry of labour and employment on Friday, India, under the labour and employment secretary Sumita Dawra, held bilateral discussions with ILO, OECD and Germany regarding skill gap mapping feasibility study, its work plan and time-lines. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the first employment working group meeting of G20 nations in South Africa.
Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung held an inconclusive meeting with the Arunachal Christian Forum regarding the implementation of the Freedom of Religion Act, 1978. Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured that the Act is to preserve the state's cultural heritage and not against any religion.
Meta Platforms and AppLovin stocks have surged significantly in 2023 with Meta up 510% and AppLovin up 4,700%. Meta is expanding into AI technologies, while AppLovin is focusing on its adtech business. These companies are now strong candidates for stock splits, and analysts recommend buying their stocks for future gains, as per The Motley Fool..
Austin FC vs Sporting Kansas City: The highly anticipated match kicks off the Major League Soccer season for both teams, setting the stage for an exciting opener. Austin FC enters the match with momentum after securing a solid home victory, while Sporting Kansas City aims to bounce back following a string of disappointing losses.
Apple TV+ has released the trailer for Dope Thief, an eight-episode series starring Brian Tyree Henry. The thriller follows two con artists, who pose as DEA agents but get caught in a dangerous drug network. The show premiered on March 14, 2025, with weekly episodes until April 25, 2025.
The Donald Trump administration is reportedly seeking to remove members of the independent board overseeing the US Postal Service, a move seen as a key step towards its potential privatisation. As one of the largest employers in the country, with a workforce of around 600,000, the USPS plays a major role in mail delivery and logistics. The White House, however, has denied any plans to privatise the agency.