The Economic Times

India is closely watching rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan after cross-border strikes pushed the neighbours toward possible escalation. The crisis comes as New Delhi deepens ties with the Taliban through aid, development and investment outreach. A wider conflict could destabilise the region and derail Indias growing strategic and economic engagement with Kabul.

An Alberta woman received an eight-year prison sentence for manslaughter in the death of eight-year-old Nina Napope, whose body was found in a hockey bag. The case saw public outrage and a dispute between police and prosecutors over a plea deal. The victim suffered multiple injuries and sepsis, with her abuser showing wilful blindness to her suffering.

India and Austria are deepening ties through discussions on trade, technology, and peacekeeping. Building on recent high-level meetings, Austria is also attracting more Indian students to its universities. Both countries seek to expand economic and cultural exchanges, with regular official consultations sustaining momentum and enhancing bilateral engagement.

Congress is in talks with DMK regarding seat sharing for upcoming elections in Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, Chief Minister MK Stalin declared DMK will not yield to the BJP. He criticized the BJP and AIADMK. Stalin urged party workers to aim for a significant victory, targeting 200 seats. DMK has appointed seven lakh booth agents across the state.

National Science Day 2026: National Science Day 2026 is observed in India every year on February 28 to honour the scientific discovery made by Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman (C.V. Raman). The Raman Effect explains how light changes when it passes through a clear material. This year's theme is Women in Science: Catalyzing Viksit Bharat.

US President Donald Trump expressed strong positive relations with Pakistan. He praised its leadership and stated the country is performing exceptionally well. Meanwhile, a US State Department official conveyed condolences for recent conflict casualties. The US also affirmed support for Pakistan's right to defend itself against Taliban attacks. The situation remains under close observation.

The United Nations is deeply concerned by escalating violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan. UN chief Antonio Guterres has called for an immediate end to the fighting. He urged both sides to resolve differences through diplomacy. Humanitarian officials are worried about the impact on civilians and infrastructure. Years of conflict have left millions needing aid.

The Rajya Sabha elections in Odisha are heating up. The Congress party suspects horse trading for the fourth seat. They propose that the BJD and Congress support an independent candidate of eminence. This move aims to prevent unethical practices in politics. The Congress will soon reveal its choice for the candidate.

Actor Robert De Niro has sharply criticized Donald Trump. He warns of an internal crisis facing the United States. De Niro urges peaceful public resistance before the midterm elections. He believes the polls are crucial for the country's future. The goal is to remove Trump from office. This ongoing feud has seen strong exchanges between the two.

A Duty Magistrate at Patiala House Court granted bail to Indian Youth Congress President Udai Bhanu Chib after a late-night hearing at her residence in the AI Summit protest case. Chib was produced before the magistrate around 12.30 am after completing four days of police custody.

Two teenage boys have been arrested and charged following a machete attack on a 54-year-old man at Sydney's Bondi Beach. The incident reportedly began with an argument over an e-bike, escalating to a physical confrontation where the man sustained stab wounds. Both youths face multiple charges and were refused bail.

Anthropic PBC, one of the fastest-growing AI startups, faces a major setback after the Trump administration ordered federal agencies to stop using its software and the Pentagon labelled it a supply-chain risk.

Student protests continue on Iranian university campuses seven weeks after a government crackdown. Demonstrations have occurred at multiple universities, with students expressing anger and confusion. The government has warned students against crossing a ed line and threatened punishment. Many universities have moved classes online to prevent gatherings. Fears of further repression are rising amid these ongoing campus movements.

Anthropic said on Friday it will challenge in court the Pentagon's decision to declare the AI firm a supply-chain risk, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump also directed every federal agency to stop work with the company.

Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are in open war. Pakistan bombed Taliban forces after retaliatory attacks. The United States supports Pakistan's right to self-defense. The Taliban have failed to uphold counterterrorism commitments. Terrorist groups use Afghanistan as a launching pad for attacks. Both sides reported heavy losses in the fighting.

President Trump is unhappy with Iran nuclear talks. U.S. envoys held inconclusive discussions in Geneva. American forces are gathering in the region. Trump has threatened military action if Iran does not agree to a deal. Oman's Foreign Minister believes a deal is within reach. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans a trip to Israel.

Paramount's David Ellison has successfully acquired Warner Bros. Discovery. Ellison's company outbid Netflix in a surprising turn of events. This massive deal creates one of the largest entertainment empires globally. Paramount and Warner Bros. announced their merger agreement. The transaction is valued at $110 billion. This marks a significant victory for Ellison in the competitive media landscape.

Fifteen people were killed and at least 30 injured after a Bolivian Air Force Hercules aircraft crashed in El Alto near the capital La Paz on Friday evening, according to television reports.

US President Donald Trump hints at a 'friendly takeover' of Cuba. He states the Cuban government is in 'big trouble' and talking with the US. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is reportedly handling the issue at a high level. Trump believes this change could be positive for Cubans wanting to return home. The Cuban government denies high-level talks.

Former President Bill Clinton appeared before Congress to discuss his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Clinton stated he observed no wrongdoing during their interactions. His testimony marks a significant congressional event. Democrats called for President Donald Trump to also testify. Republicans declined this request. Epstein died in jail in 2019.

Satellite imagery revealed a surge in U.S. military aircraft at Saudi Arabias Prince Sultan Airbase in February, including refuelling tankers and AWACS planes, as Washington increased forces amid tensions with Iran. Aircraft numbers rose from 27 to 43 before slightly declining. Saudi Arabia said it would not allow strikes on Iran from its territory. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran nuclear talks mediated by Oman showed limited progress despite looming strike threats.

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have stated their willingness to negotiate following Pakistani airstrikes on their forces. Pakistan launched attacks on major Afghan cities, marking the first direct targeting of the government over allegations of harboring militants. The conflict has escalated, with both sides reporting casualties.

The US administration has barred government agencies from using AI tools made by Anthropic after a dispute over military access to its technology. The Pentagon also labelled the company a supply chain risk, a step that could block defence contractors from working with it.

The Trump administration has ordered all U.S. government agencies to stop using artificial intelligence technology from Anthropic and imposed penalties on the company after a dispute over military access to its AI tools.

Indian company boardrooms are now prioritizing artificial intelligence adoption. Leaders are discussing strategies to integrate AI for improved efficiency and a competitive advantage. This shift is evident across various sectors, including manufacturing and digital-native industries. Companies are seeking clear roadmaps for AI implementation and measurable business outcomes. Dedicated units are being established to drive this technological transition.

LaTroy Lewis, recently hired by the Atlanta Falcons, was dismissed following sexual assault allegations from his time at the University of Michigan. The Falcons cited ongoing investigations. Details include Lewis family background, social media changes, law enforcement involvement, and the victims account. The University of Michigan also issued a formal statement.

What does Warner Bros and Paramount $110 bn deal say and what did Bruce Campbell say at townhall? Warner Bros Discovery has signed a $110 billion agreement with Paramount Skydance after Netflix declined to match the offer. The deal includes debt, streaming plans, and regulatory review in California and the European Union.

Why has Atlanta Falcons fired LaTroy Lewis and has football coach made social media accounts private? The team dismissed the assistant coach after sexual assault allegations surfaced. The case involves claims from his Michigan tenure, a police investigation, and questions about social media activity.

Who is LaTroy Lewis and what does Atlanta Falcons statement say? The Atlanta Falcons fired assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis after sexual assault allegations surfaced. The team issued a short statement. The case links to Michigan, Sherrone Moore, and an ongoing police investigation.

Elizabeth Taylor's life, marked by public scrutiny and personal scandals, offered profound insights into human relationships. Her quote, You find out who your real friends are when you're involved in a scandal, highlights how adversity tests loyalty, revealing true friends who stand by you during difficult times.

Ripple is decentralizing XRP Ledger development funding, empowering independent organizations and venture partners. This strategic shift aims to foster a more distributed ecosystem and address concerns about Ripple's influence. New initiatives and upcoming features like XRP staking and a lending market are expected to revitalize the platform's DeFi sector.

Demi Moore's appearance at Milan Fashion Week in an all-black leather outfit sparked online discussion. While her dramatic look garnered attention, many fans expressed concern over her noticeably slim and fragile appearance, drawing comparisons to Victoria Beckham. Her recent acclaimed performance in The Substance was also highlighted.

A long-lost portrait of Richard Carrington, the 19th-century British astronomer behind the largest recorded solar storm, has been discovered. Carrington documented the first observed solar flare in 1859, linking solar activity to geomagnetic disturbances on Earth. The photo, originally owned by his friend Charles Vincent Walker, confirms Carringtons image and has now been added to the RAS archives. This discovery connects the human story to the scientific legacy of space weather research.

The Traitors Season 5 renewal, release date, host, cast and how to watch update confirms the series will return. Peacock renewed the show for season five. Alan Cumming will host again. The release date is not announced. All seasons stream on Peacock.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, speaking at Srinagar's Jama Masjid, asserted that West Asian stability hinges on justice for Palestinians, warning that US military build-up signals a potential attack on Iran. He also expressed concern over the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan during Ramzan, urging dialogue and adherence to the Prophet's teachings for peaceful resolution.

The Trinamool Congress has announced its candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. State minister Babul Supriyo, former Bengal DGP Rajeev Kumar, advocate Menaka Guruswamy, and actor Koel Mallick will represent the party. The Trinamool Congress expressed hope that these individuals will uphold the party's legacy and commitment to Indian rights and dignity.

Afghanistan and Pakistan are engaged in military clashes along their border. Both nations report inflicting significant damage on each other's positions. Afghanistan's government has stated a desire for dialogue to resolve the conflict. Iran has offered to mediate between the two neighboring countries. The situation remains tense as both sides claim casualties and territorial gains.

Bangladesh Army sees significant top-level reshuffles. New officers are appointed to key positions, including Quartermaster General. This follows recent meetings between Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and the army chief. These changes come after a previous reshuffle less than ten days prior. The appointments signal a shift in the military's top brass.

Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged the BJP's involvement in Arvind Kejriwal's acquittal in the Delhi excise case, calling it a predictable script ahead of elections. He claimed cases against Congress leaders would escalate while those against AAP and other 'convenient allies' would cool down, accusing the BJP of using agencies as electoral tools.

The Bharatiya Janata Party has described Arvind Kejriwal's discharge in the Delhi excise policy case as a technical matter. It will issue a structured response after a thorough review of the court's judgment. The BJP noted evidence destruction in the case, and said the investigation agency will determine its next steps on technical grounds.

Word of the day: Diaphanous means light, delicate, and almost transparent. It often describes sheer fabric, soft light, or thin mist. The word comes from Greek, meaning to show through. Pronunciation: die-AF-uh-nus. In 2026, the usage of diaphanous has expanded beyond poetry into technical fields like UI/UX design and architecture.

Modern satvikism within Hinduism risks fracturing the tradition by elevating purity and order as absolutes. While it prizes cleanliness, it can entrench social hierarchy and contribute to environmental harm as rituals shift to modern, polluting materials.

A special CBI court ruled that issues related to election funding fall within the Election Commission's domain. State police, the CBI, or the ED cannot investigate these matters in isolation. Criminal law cannot substitute for remedies under election law. Permitting probe agencies to intrude into electoral affairs risks criminalizing political competition. The ruling safeguards fair elections and upholds constitutional democracy.