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Elections 2026Top News / The Economic Times
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal has voiced his strong disapproval of the forthcoming film 'Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond'. He argues that the film aims to insult and fracture the unity of Kerala by concocting narratives about people coerced into eating beef.
Allu Arjun's Hyderabad mansion in Jubilee Hills is a serene, all-white sanctuary, a stark contrast to his on-screen persona. This Rs 100 crore, 8,000 sq ft residence boasts contemporary architecture, minimalist interiors, and personal touches, including a family lounge and a tranquil poolside. The star is gearing up for major upcoming projects.
An Indian startup, General Autonomy, has introduced PARAM, a robot dog built entirely in India. This comes after Galgotias University faced criticism for displaying a Chinese-made robot at an AI summit. PARAM, powered by Nvidia components, showcases India's growing capabilities in robotics. The startup aims to revolutionize factory automation with its indigenous technology.
T20 World cup: After crucial cameos on tricky pitches against Namibia and Pakistan, Dube overcame a slow start to provide much-needed momentum to India's innings in the middle overs against the Netherlands here on Wednesday.
NMMS Class 8 result 2026: National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship (NMMS) results for the 2025-26 academic year are being released nationwide. Several states, including Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, have already published their lists, with more expected soon. Students can check their personal details, scores, and qualifying status online via state portals.
Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna's wedding rumours have garnered attention as his Hyderabad residence in Jubilee Hills was seen decorated with lights. Reports suggest that two are reportedly set to get married in Udaipur on February 24. Amid the ongoing speculation, an invitation card of the wedding is also making the rounds on social media.
Australia's T20 World Cup aspirations were cut short, as they bowed out during the group phase after setbacks against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. This marks a disheartening first since 2009 for the kangaroos, who will return home to digest this challenging experience and ensure a thorough analysis of their performance.
Frequently searched under terms such as healthy sprout recipes, benefits of sprouts and high-protein vegetarian meals, sprouted ingredients feature in both traditional dishes and modern health-focused adaptations.
Young Australians face substantial retirement fund losses by ignoring their superannuation. Many do not check their accounts or know their fund manager. Even small fee differences can cost thousands. Experts urge engagement with super from the start of work. Understanding super boosts savings. This is crucial as balances reach record highs.
The CTET 2026 exam concluded on February 7-8, with candidates now anticipating the provisional answer key's release between February 18-23. Following a brief window for objections, the final answer key and results are expected in late February or early March, as per past trends.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the birth anniversary of Swami Ramakrishna Paramahansa, emphasising the lasting impact of the spiritual icons visionary ideas. Born in 1836, Ramakrishna Paramahansa was known for his messages of interfaith harmony.
Piyush Dhamnodiya, a 24-year-old MBA student from Indore who allegedly raped and killed his girlfriend, showed no remorse and smirked at the media personnel when he was asked why he committed the crime. Piyush killed her girlfriend and abused her corpse. The police even revealed that he drank next to the woman's dead body and even tried to speak to her spirit by attempting occult rituals.
Eleven Class 10 students in Gurgaon missed their CBSE mathematics exam after Educrest International School allegedly failed to provide admit cards and lacked valid CBSE affiliation. Police have filed a case against four school officials for cheating and misrepresentation following parent protests.
Indonesian and U.S. companies have signed 11 preliminary deals, totaling a massive $38.4 billion, according to the Indonesian government. This development is happening just before both nations are expected to finalize a tariff agreement.
India is hosting its first global AI summit, welcoming leaders from 118 countries. Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw detailed a five-layer AI strategy. The focus is on democratizing technology and making its benefits accessible to all. India is developing specialized AI models and investing in compute infrastructure. The nation aims to be a trusted global AI hub, aligning progress with development.
Galgotias University is under fire. Claims of developing a soccer drone independently are being questioned. Social media users suggest the drone resembles a commercial model. This controversy follows similar questions at an AI summit. The university is a private institution in Greater Noida, part of the Galgotias Education Group.
Overcrowding at Shiv Janmasthan atop Shivneri Fort in Junnar, Pune, led to injuries among devotees. One devotee slipping caused a chain reaction on the stairs, resulting in three individuals sustaining injuries. Emergency services quickly transported the injured to the Junnar government hospital for ongoing treatment.
Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei highlighted India's crucial role in artificial intelligence. He stated India can lead in addressing AI's economic, societal, and security challenges. Amodei emphasized India's importance in managing both AI's potential benefits and its inherent risks. The company is also expanding its operations in India.
Iran earthquake: An earthquake of magnitude 5.5 struck southern Iran, the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) said on Thursday.
Vivo V70 Elite and Vivo V70 price: Vivo unveils its V70 Series 5G in India today. The launch features the Vivo V70 and Vivo V70 Elite. These smartphones boast upgraded processors and Zeiss-backed cameras. Expect slim bezels and impressive displays. Pricing starts from Rs. 45,999. The devices will be available for purchase soon after the official announcement.
Pakistani national Seema Haider welcomed her sixth child just 11 months after giving birth to a baby girl. Reports suggest that Seema Haider, who entered India illegally via Nepal in 2023, welcomed a baby boy at a hospital in Greater Noida. She crossed the border illegally to be with Sachin Meena, a Uttar Pradesh man whom she met while playing PUBG online.
Galgotias University faced backlash at the India AI Impact Summit after showcasing a robotic dog, later identified as a Chinese-made product, leading to their stall being vacated. A thermocol 'AI plane' model left behind also went viral, drawing mockery and highlighting issues of attribution and optics at the event.
The India AI Impact Summit 2026 continues on Day 4 with prominent global figures. Leaders like Ashwini Vaishnaw, Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Dario Amodei, and Sundar Pichai will deliver keynotes. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and French President Emmanuel Macron are also scheduled. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the summit.
The U.S. military has significantly bolstered its forces near Iran, deploying two aircraft carrier strike groups and numerous warships. This buildup, including advanced fighter jets and drones, raises questions about President Trump's potential military objectives. Additional air defenses have also been sent to protect troops in the region.
Google Pixel 10a price in India: Google Pixel 10a has been launched in India at a price of Rs 49,999. The new Google Pixel 10a is backed by a 5,100mAh battery and has AI-powered photography tools. Pixel 10a has the best camera under $500 with a 48MP main camera and a 13MP ultrawide camera. Google Pixel 10a will go on sale from March 6 and the tech giant is also offering cashback offers.
Pugnacious means someone ready for a fight or argument. This word describes a combative nature. It is used for people who like to argue. The word comes from Latin for fighting. It is used in journalism and sports. It helps describe public figures. It can imply toughness. The word is useful for describing a fighting attitude.
Jay Pawar, son of the late Ajit Pawar, is calling for a thorough investigation into the air crash that killed his father. He expressed doubts about the destruction of the aircraft's black box. Pawar also requested a ban on VSR Ventures, the company operating the plane. This comes as other political leaders also seek a CBI probe into the incident.
Neha Singh Galgotias: Neha Singh, a faculty member at the Galgotias University, is at the centre of a controversy after a video went viral in which she can be seen introducing RoboDog as 'Orion' at the AI Summit. Neha Singh came under scrutiny after claims were made about the RoboDog being developed indigenously. Before joining Galgotias, Neha Singh worked at Sharda University and now her LinkedIn bio says open to work.
India is set to retain its top tech talent and foster its own artificial intelligence capabilities. Surya Ganguli, a Stanford expert, highlights the significant contributions of Indian-origin scientists in the US. He believes India's young population possesses immense talent. The nation is now positioned to grow sovereign AI. Sensible regulation is encouraged to support innovation without stifling it.
US President Donald Trump's statement about discussing arms sales to Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping has sparked worry in Taipei. Experts suggest this may breach long-standing US foreign policy. Trump's remarks could set a concerning precedent for future arms deals. Taiwan's government has not yet responded. The island relies on US support amid China's territorial claims.
Yesterday cricket match result: Shivam Dube's explosive 66 and Varun Chakravarthy's 3/14 guided India to a 17-run victory over the Netherlands, securing an unbeaten finish in Group A of the T20 World Cup. Dube's all-round performance earned him player of the match. India now advances to the Super 8 stage, facing South Africa next.
India has joined over 100 nations in condemning Israel's actions in the West Bank. New Delhi endorsed a United Nations statement denouncing Israeli measures to expand its presence. These actions are described as violating international law and hindering peace. The statement calls for an immediate reversal of such unilateral decisions.
Eight skiers perished in a devastating avalanche in California's Sierra Nevada mountains. One more skier is presumed dead. This incident marks one of the deadliest avalanches in United States history. Rescue teams faced extreme weather conditions to reach survivors. Avalanche danger was widely forecast before the tragedy.
Ramadan 2026: Ramadan, also referred to as Ramzan, Ramzaan, or Ramazan, begins in India on Thursday, February 19, following the moon sighting. During this holy month, Muslims across the world recite Ramadan Sehri, Iftar and Roza Dua. Here we have compiled Suhoor, Iftar and Roza Dua with their meanings, translation and significance.
Nestle is exploring options for a smaller presence in the ice cream sector. This includes potentially reducing its stake in Froneri, a joint venture. Nestle might also sell some of its wholly-owned ice cream operations to Froneri. Froneri, a major ice cream maker, secured investment in October. PAI Partners could increase its stake, or another investor might buy Nestle's share.
U.S. forces are rapidly building up in the Middle East, presenting President Trump with the option of military action against Iran as soon as this weekend. Despite indirect talks, the U.S. continues military preparations, while Israel, also on heightened alert, pushes for action against Iran's nuclear program and missile capabilities.
The US Justice Department is speaking with major cinema chains about a possible sale of Warner Bros Discovery. This is to understand how a sale might affect movie releases and the public. Warner Bros recently rejected a bid from Paramount Skydance. A vote on Netflix's offer is scheduled for March 20.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supports stricter controls on social media for children. He highlights the dangers of fake news and online manipulation. Germany's ruling coalition is considering new rules. Other European nations are also exploring similar restrictions. This move follows Australia's lead in protecting young users online. The government is actively investigating potential harm to youth.
The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal, freedom.gov, to allow users globally to access content banned by their governments, including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda. This initiative aims to counter censorship, though it may strain U.S.-European ties and potentially encourage citizens to defy local laws. Officials have reportedly raised concerns about the plan.
Tata Trusts, the majority shareholder of the Tata Group holding company, had already passed a unanimous resolution in October last year to reappoint Chandrasekaran in an executive role. Separately, the top management of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) will make a presentation to the Tata Sons board next week on its artificial intelligence pivot.
Lil Poppa's net worth was estimated at $1.5 million to $3 million. He had 247 million Spotify streams. His YouTube channel had 602 million views. His daily stream count was 184,316. His CMG deal included Interscope distribution. His 20-city tour grossed an estimated $500,000 to $1.5 million. He died February 18, 2026. His estate, royalties, and unfinished album now belong to his three-year-old son PJ.
Does Lil Poppa have kids? Lil Poppa has one confirmed child. His name is PJ. Born June 2022. Mother is Toie Roberts. She is 23. She is Rick Ross's eldest daughter. Rick Ross called himself Gucci Grampa at the baby shower. PJ is three years old. His father died February 18, 2026. One son. No father. A grandfather worth $150 million.

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