The Economic Times

Veteran Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin criticised India's playing 11 combination and Axar Patel's omission from the team in their Super 8 fixture against South Africa in the ongoing T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

NYC Snow storm: Forecasters have significantly increased their snowfall predictions for New York City and the surrounding mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions as a powerful winter storm comes into sharp focus this weekend. Initially considered an outlier, meteorological models abruptly shifted Friday afternoon toward a much more severe outlook, with 6 to 12 inches of snow now expected in and around NYC.

England and Pakistan face off in the T20 World Cup Super Eights. Both teams will depend on their spinners on the Pallekele pitch. England aims to continue their winning momentum after a strong start. Pakistan seeks a crucial win after their opener was washed out. The match promises a strategic battle between bat and ball.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has entered a multi-year partnership with ServiceNow to accelerate enterprise AI adoption across business functions. Under the deal, TCS will build solutions on the ServiceNow platform using trusted AI and a unified governance model to make workflows more efficient, proactive and insight-driven, as part of its AI-led autonomous business solutions portfolio.

Prime Minister Modi has appealed directly to the people of West Bengal. He invokes historical figures and the dream of 'Sonar Bangla'. The letter highlights central government welfare schemes and contrasts them with the state's current condition. Modi promises development, job opportunities, and security.

Kerala Minister P. Rajeev has accused the Congress party of playing a double game. He points out that while they criticise Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's mass messaging, they overlook similar outreach initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This, he argues, is a clear case of selective outrage.

The UN Human Rights Council has elected Indonesias Ambassador Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro, Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, as its president for a one-year term ending 31 December 2026. Nominated by the Asia-Pacific Group, he will lead the Council during its 20th cycle, marking two decades since its establishment in 2006.

CTET February 2026 answer key is yet to be released by CBSE. Candidates can expect the provisional key between February 18-23, following past trends. A window will open for challenges, requiring a Rs 1,000 fee per question. Stay tuned to ctet.nic.in for updates and download instructions.

Sepsis dog lick: A woman survived a severe infection, leading to the amputation of both hands and legs, after her pet dog licked a minor wound. Doctors suspect the bacteria Capnocytophaga canimorsus entered her bloodstream, triggering sepsis within hours. She spent 32 weeks in hospital, enduring multiple cardiac arrests and life-saving surgeries.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the NDA office in Kochi. He stated Kerala needs a government that can drive prosperity and implement central government initiatives. Rijiju expressed hope for brighter days for Kerala's people with the NDA as the right alternative. He believes the people are ready for a change from the LDF and UDF.

India faces a tough path to the T20 World Cup semi-finals following a significant loss to South Africa. The team must deliver two strong performances in their remaining Super Eight matches. Their net run-rate is severely impacted, making qualification dependent on winning convincingly and other results.

Today's word of the day 'cornucopia' refers to a horn-shaped symbol of abundance and, more commonly today, to an overflowing supply of something.

A council of Sanskrit scholars, the Kashi Vidvat Parishad, has raised objections to the 'Masane Ki Holi' tradition in Varanasi. They claim the practice of playing with ashes at cremation grounds does not align with ancient scriptures. Organisers, however, defend the custom, citing religious texts and historical revival.

Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha, while talking to the media, said, This is a new initiative of the new government. The changing face of Bihar is clearly visible. We held a meeting under the Urban Development Department. We took seriously the issues raised in the meeting with intellectuals under the Jankalyan Samvad.

ufotable has unveiled the logo for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle II, the second film in the trilogy. The studio also teased upcoming projects including the Genshin Impact anime and Witch on the Holy Night, slated for 2026. New details for the Tales of series will be shared on April 3.

Fans are buzzing after Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda announced 'The Wedding of Virosh,' a term coined by their followers. The couple expressed gratitude for the fan-given name, dedicating their union to their supporters. While the wedding date remains unconfirmed, reports hint at a February 26, 2026 ceremony in Udaipur, followed by a Hyderabad reception.

Turning 50 often brings health challenges, but these Bollywood stars show that strength, energy, and glow can be maintained with disciplined habits, balanced diets, and consistent routines.

A fatal two-vehicle collision on Route 133 in Shediac resulted in the death of a 45-year-old man. The incident occurred after a truck, previously observed speeding and evading a traffic stop, crossed the center line. The truck driver sustained injuries and was arrested for dangerous driving causing death and flight from police.

With a victorious T20I series under their belt, India steps into the ODI arena against Australia, riding a wave of confidence. The psychological advantage of being the world champions looms large, especially as they prepare to honour Alyssa Healy in her final ODI outing.

In the grand finale of the Ranji Trophy, the tag of favourites is attached to Karnataka. With a legacy of triumphs, Karnataka stands as the team to beat, while the spirited Jammu and Kashmir hopes to secure a historic victory.

Samsung is enhancing its Galaxy AI strategy by adding Perplexity as a new AI agent. This move allows users to access Perplexity using Hey, Plex on upcoming devices like the Galaxy S26 series. Samsung aims to create a multi-agent ecosystem where users can choose the best AI for specific tasks.

WhatsApp is currently developing a highly anticipated schedule message feature similar to the functionality found in Google Messages. Discovered in the latest iOS beta update (version 26.7.10.72), this tool will allow users to compose messages and set a precise date and time for automatic delivery. WhatsApp has recently improved group dynamics by rolling out a Group Message History feature to provide context for new members.

India sees a surge of skilled professionals returning home. Anupam Mittal highlights this reverse migration, noting that top talent now prefers cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. This shift is fueled by India's robust digital ecosystem and strong work cultures. The country now cultivates its own talent, moving past a past reliance on foreign opportunities.

Holi Date 2026: Get ready for Holi in March 2026! Holika Dahan lights up the night of March 3rd, followed by the vibrant 'Festival of Colours' on Wednesday, March 4th. This ancient Hindu celebration signifies the triumph of good over evil, welcomes spring, and fosters unity. Join the joyous festivities marking the end of winter and the arrival of new beginnings.

DMK leaders met with Manithaneya Makkal Katchi and Indian Union Muslim League for seat sharing. MMK requested five seats. Naam Tamilar Katchi announced all 234 candidates. AIADMK revealed five election promises. The Tamil Nadu Assembly elections are approaching. DMK won the 2021 polls.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Israel on February 25-26, aimed at enhancing security and defense collaborations. This journey will pave the way for groundbreaking collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and cybersecurity.

iQOO 15R launch: iQOO is preparing to launch its latest high-performance smartphone, the iQOO 15R, in India on February 24, 2026. Positioned in the competitive mid-to-high-end segment, the device focuses heavily on raw processing power and extreme battery longevity.

Academicians have strongly condemned a recent protest by the Indian Youth Congress at the AI Impact Summit. They stated the demonstration was ill-conceived and regrettable, damaging India's global standing. The event showcased India's technological prowess and attracted significant investment. Such actions undermine national prestige on an international stage.

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra lauded nearly 30,000 women farmers in Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh, for their role in enhancing food security. These women are successfully employing regenerative agriculture, growing diverse vegetables that nourish over 100,000 people daily and transforming into confident food producers and entrepreneurs.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection will stop collecting tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act from 12:01 a.m. EST Tuesday, following the Supreme Court ruling that declared them illegal.

Gamers are buzzing about Grand Theft Auto VI. A leaked price of nearly $100 USD for the Xbox version has caused a stir. This could make it one of the most expensive games ever. The game is set to launch in November 2026. It promises a vast Florida-inspired world and a female protagonist named Lucia.

Microsoft has appointed Asha Sharma as the new Chief Executive Officer of its gaming division. She will lead Xbox and the company's future gaming vision. This move comes at a crucial time with the highly anticipated release of GTA 6 later this year. Sharma's leadership is expected to drive innovation and expansion for Xbox in the competitive gaming market.

Jane Austen, a renowned English novelist, penned timeless tales of British society. Her works, including Pride and Prejudice and Emma, explored love, class, and economic security. Austen published anonymously, gaining recognition posthumously. Her novels continue to captivate readers with realistic characters and sharp insights into human connections. She remains a beloved figure in literary history.

South Africa defeated India by 76 runs in a T20 World Cup Super Eights match. David Miller's strategy to counter bowler Varun Chakravarthy proved effective. Miller focused on intent and trusting the line against Chakravarthy. He emphasized sticking to basics and seizing opportunities in high-pressure situations.

In a significant development, the Delhi Police have apprehended their fifth suspect linked to the shirtless protest staged by the Indian Youth Congress. The accused, identified as Jitendra Yadav was taken into custody in Gwalior. The demonstration took place last week during the AI Impact Summit, with participants shedding their shirts to display anti-government messages and objections to a controversial trade agreement.

Delhi experienced a cool morning with a minimum temperature of 11.8 degrees Celsius. Warmer days are anticipated. However, the city's air quality remains poor. The Air Quality Index is at 207. This poor air quality is expected to continue for the next three days. The subsequent six days also forecast air quality in the poor to moderate range.

The LDF government in Kerala has achieved a significant milestone by completing five lakh houses under the LIFE Mission. This initiative aims to eradicate homelessness across the state. The project, launched in 2016, has seen substantial financial investment. The scheme provides financial aid for house construction to families. This housing program is recognized as a model for the nation.

The BAFTA Film Awards experienced two brief interruptions as host Alan Cumming addressed disruptions from nominee John Davidson, who has Tourette's syndrome. Davidson's involuntary vocal tics, including expletives, were picked up by microphones during the live broadcast, causing distractions. Cumming apologized to the audience for any offense, explaining the sounds were unintentional.

India's High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, has expressed optimism that India and Canada could conclude a comprehensive trade agreement within a year, despite past delays in negotiations, The Canadian Press reported.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath held meetings in Singapore to attract sovereign investment. He discussed opportunities in data centres, logistics, and renewable energy. Adityanath met with leaders from GIC and DBS Group. The visit aligns with the India-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. High-level meetings with Singapore's political leadership are also scheduled.

Apple is set for a busy early March 2026 with multiple product reveals. Expect new MacBooks, the iPhone 17e, and updated iPads. Special 'Apple Experience' sessions are planned in major cities. Inventory shortages hint at imminent launches.

Security agencies are conducting a thorough search at Army Public School in Delhi Cantonment. The school received a bomb threat email this morning. Authorities are working to trace the email's origin. The campus has been vacated as a precautionary measure. Teams from Delhi Police, bomb disposal, dog squad, and fire department are on site.

Sarah Baloch Video: A new viral video scam is spreading rapidly across India. Messages falsely link Pakistani influencer Sarah Baloch to an Assam incident. This is a phishing trap designed to steal personal data and install malware. Users are urged to avoid clicking suspicious links and to report such messages immediately. Protecting your devices and information is crucial.