The Economic Times

Thandai, a traditional Indian beverage, is intrinsically linked with the vibrant festival of Holi, symbolizing spring's arrival and communal joy. This chilled, spiced drink, prepared with milk, nuts, and aromatic spices, is a staple at Holi gatherings, often enhanced with bhaang in some regions.

Who is Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's son Mojtaba Khamenei, new supreme leader of Iran? After the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US Israel attack, Irans Assembly of Experts has reportedly chosen Mojtaba Khamenei amid US Iran war tensions and political uncertainty.

Quote of the day by Kate Hudson: Actress Kate Hudson emphasizes the choice between supporting or competing with other women, warning that competition leads to misery. Her message highlights the benefits of collaboration, fostering positive relationships and shared success. Hudson's own journey includes a successful acting career, entrepreneurship with Fabletics, and authorship.

Longevity means living long with good health and happiness. Ancient thinkers like Pythagoras also spoke about it. He shared simple advice about balance and friendship for a better life. His message shows that long life is not only about medicine, but also about habits, lifestyle, and strong relationships that support mental and personal growth over time.

Will UAE attack Iran now as US consulate in Dubai witnesses fire after drone strike? A drone strike caused a fire near the US Consulate in Dubai. UAE confirmed interceptions and reserved the right to respond. Iran signaled a long war.

French President Emmanuel Macron declared United States and Israel military actions in Iran were outside international law. However, he placed the main blame on Iran. Macron cited Iran's nuclear program, support for regional groups, and orders to shoot its own citizens. These operations are not approved by France.

Selena Gomez confirmed that Taylor Swift's song Dorothea from the album Evermore was written about her, reflecting their shared journey growing up in the spotlight. Gomez also revealed an unreleased Swift song titled Family was inspired by their 17-year friendship, highlighting their enduring bond through life's milestones.

IRS tax refund 2025 numbers are showing higher average payments this year. President Trump said this would be the biggest refund season after new tax cuts under OBBBA. Early numbers were low, but refunds increased after more returns were processed. Many Americans are waiting for bigger refunds as living costs remain high across the country.

Banijay Group and All3Media are merging their entertainment production businesses. This creates one of Europe's largest multimedia production groups. The combined entity will have revenues over 4.4 billion euros. Banijay CEO Francois Riahi stated size is crucial in the industry. The deal strengthens Banijay's global content position. It is expected to close by fall 2026.

United States President Donald Trump has ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation to offer political risk insurance and financial guarantees for maritime trade in the Gulf. This move aims to ensure the free flow of energy to the world. The United States Navy may also escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz if needed.

French prophet Nostradamus, the 16th-century seer, remains to fascinate with his cryptic quatrains. His 1555 work, The Prophecies, includes 942 passages, many of which are reinterpreted in modern contexts. Among the most discussed are: Seven months great war, people dead through evil/ Rouen, Evreux the King will not fail, connected to potential global conflicts.

F-47 rumoured design features, speed and performance: A brief CGI glimpse in a Pratt & Whitney video has ignited global speculation about the elusive F-47 fighter, the intended successor to the F-22 Raptor. The revealed design, featuring a tailless delta wing, hints at advanced capabilities like superior stealth and a longer combat radius, potentially outshining its predecessor.

India has formed a special group to watch the West Asia situation daily. This group will check how the crisis affects shipping and trade. It will also look at export and import risks. The government aims to keep trade stable for Indian businesses. The group will work with ministries and trade partners.

France is bolstering its presence in the Middle East. President Emmanuel Macron has ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to the Mediterranean. This move aims to safeguard allied assets during the ongoing conflict. Rafale fighter jets and air-defense systems are already deployed. Additional air-defense assets and a frigate will also reach Cyprus to support the European Union member.

West Asia crisis deepens luxury slowdown as Richemont and Zegna face risks. Israel-US strikes on Iran shut airspace and key hubs like Dubai and Doha, disrupting travel, retail and business.

Will AWS go down again as drones hit Amazon Web Services data centers, facility in Gulf amid US-Israel-Iran war? Amazon confirmed drone strikes damaged UAE and Bahrain sites. The incident disrupted cloud services in parts of the Middle East and raised concerns over data security and outages.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has strongly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trump stated Starmer's reaction to U.S. strikes on Iran was not like Winston Churchill. He also expressed disappointment over the Chagos Archipelago issue. This comes as Britain navigates its relationship with the U.S. amid regional tensions. Public opinion in Britain shows opposition to the U.S. strikes.

Offices across Dubai and Abu Dhabi gradually began preparing to resume in-person work after missile attacks moved employees into remote operations, signalling resumption of activity in the country's financial and business engines.

America has taken decisive action against Iran, focusing on dismantling its military powers and government figures. Leaders emphasize that Iran's future repercussions are beyond Americas responsibility. This strategy contrasts sharply with earlier military efforts. The aim is for the citizens of Iran to navigate their own future.

Apple has launched its M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, featuring a new Fusion Architecture that combines two dies for enhanced performance. These chips boast an 18-core CPU and a next-generation GPU with Neural Accelerators, significantly boosting AI, graphics, and multithreaded capabilities for the latest MacBook Pro.

New York City will start free 2-K child care next year for some families. The first 2,000 seats will open for application in early summer. Children must turn 2 in 2026 and live in selected districts. More seats are planned later. The goal is to expand free child care citywide within four years under Mayor Mamdanis plan.

A Special NIA court in Jammu has sought assistance from China. This is for tracing a mobile phone linked to the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack. The device was supplied to a Chinese distributor. Information is crucial for establishing the chain of custody and user details.

China has called for an immediate halt to military operations in the Strait of Hormuz. The vital shipping route for oil and gas has seen passage halted by several international shipping groups. China emphasizes the importance of energy security for the global economy. The nation will implement necessary measures to safeguard its own energy supplies.

US Treasury yields surged as the US-Iran conflict escalated, pushing oil prices higher and raising inflation concerns. The benchmark 10-year Treasury yield surpassed 4%, a departure from typical safe-haven demand. Rising energy costs and manufacturing price pressures are now key drivers of market volatility.

Iran has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and halt its conflict with Israel and the United States. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei stated the council has the power to act if it chooses. He emphasized that no obstacles prevent the council from taking action, only its own will.

Why didn't US avert stock market Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq crash today like UAE? Wall Street fell as oil prices surged after Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz threat. Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq declined amid inflation fears, rising 10 year Treasury yield, VIX spike and global selloff.

Prime Minister Modi has engaged with eight West Asian leaders in 48 hours. Discussions focused on the escalating conflict and the welfare of the Indian community. Leaders from Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait were among those contacted. The Prime Minister expressed solidarity and concern over recent attacks. India has urged restraint and prioritized civilian safety in the region.

President Emmanuel Macron addresses the nation on the Iran war's impact. France is increasing its military presence in the Middle East. This move aims to safeguard French citizens and bases. Fighter jets are deployed in the UAE. A French base in the UAE was hit by a drone. France is taking steps to protect its interests in the region.

India must remain cautious as the West Asia conflict escalates. Iran's retaliation strategy targets Gulf nations, posing risks to millions of Indians residing there. The Strait of Hormuz blockade threatens India's crude oil supply. The situation demands careful navigation for India's safety and economic stability.

Quote of the Day: Over 90% of Fortune 500 companies run management systems built on Peter Drucker's principles. That single data point tells you everything. Drucker did not just write about business. He built the intellectual architecture that modern business runs on. Yet of all the sentences he wrote across 39 books and hundreds of essays, this one quote of the day keeps rising to the top of leadership searches in 2026 because it solves the exact problem every CEO, founder, and team leader fac

As Holi celebrations commence, safeguarding electronic devices from water and coloured powders is crucial. Simple measures like using waterproof pouches, avoiding wet zones, and employing sturdy cases can prevent damage. Remember to back up data and know how to handle a wet phone to ensure your gadgets survive the festivities.

The United Nations is urgently calling for an end to the escalating war in the Middle East. Fear and panic are spreading rapidly across the region and beyond. UN human rights chief Volker Turk expressed deep shock at the impact on civilians.

India has voiced serious concern over recent events in West Asia and military strikes on Iran. The Shanghai Cooperation Organization issued a statement reflecting this, emphasizing peaceful resolution through dialogue. Member states expressed solidarity with Iran and called for restraint to prevent further escalation. The statement also urged the UN to address threats to international peace and security.

The United States made a otally stupid decision to attack Iran while in negotiations, and betrayed Gulf nations by trashing their diplomatic efforts, Tehran's UN ambassador said Tuesday. It was a totally stupid decision.

President Trump has threatened to cut off all trade with Spain after the country denied the U.S. access to its bases for strikes against Iran. Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with Spain's defense spending and criticized the UK's stance on the conflict.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to speak out. Gandhi questioned if Modi supports assassinating heads of state to shape the world order. He referenced the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei. Gandhi stated that silence diminishes India's global standing. He emphasized India's foreign policy must remain consistent with sovereignty and peaceful dispute resolution.

The BJP has announced nine candidates for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. Nitin Nabin and Shivesh Kumar are nominated from Bihar. Rahul Sinha will contest from West Bengal. Laxmi Verma is the candidate from Chhattisgarh. Manmohan Samal and Sujit Kumar are nominated from Odisha. Sanjay Bhatia will represent Haryana. Jogen Mohan and Terash Gowalla are the nominees from Assam.

Israel and the United States struck Iran due to its restarted nuclear program. Prime Minister Netanyahu stated Iran was building underground sites to shield its missile and nuclear programs. He believes action was urgently needed to prevent future options.

OIC covertly endorsing actions of the Epstein gang: PDP President

Kashmir remains under restrictions for a second day. Protests erupted following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Educational institutions are closed until March 7. Mobile internet is restricted to 2G. Security forces are maintaining calm, especially in Shia-dominated areas. Authorities are monitoring the law and order situation closely.

A Georgia jury convicted Colin Gray, father of the accused Apalachee High School shooter, on 27 counts, including second-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter. Prosecutors argued Gray ignored warning signs and allowed his son access to firearms despite clear risks. Defense attorneys maintained Gray had no knowledge of any planned attack.

The deadlock centres on seat numbers. The DMK continues to stand by its composite offer of 25 assembly seats to the Congress, the same allocation as in 2021, along with one Rajya Sabha berth. However, the Congress has found this proposal unacceptable.

India's defence ministry has finalized deals worth over 5,000 crore. Six Advanced Light Helicopters will join the Indian Coast Guard. These choppers offer advanced maritime security capabilities. The Indian Navy will receive Surface-to-Air Vertical Launch-Shtil missiles from Russia. These missiles will bolster the navy's air defence on frontline warships. The acquisitions enhance India's maritime security and defence readiness.

Chase Pistone was a former NASCAR driver who died at 42. He came from a famous racing family and was the grandson of Tiger Tom Pistone. Chase started racing as a child and won many Legend Car events. He later competed in NASCAR series and also worked as a car builder. His death was confirmed by his brother Nick Pistone.

The move seeks to institutionalise sustained public engagement as a core pillar of pollution control strategy across Delhi-NCR, shifting focus from seasonal firefighting to year-round behavioural change and awareness.