Times of India

An Australian couple had to sit next to a deceased passenger on a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne to Doha. The crew could not move the body to business class, leaving the couple beside the corpse for four hours. Qatar Airways has apologised for any distress caused. There should be a protocol to handle such situations better, the couple said.

Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy announced his candidacy for Ohio governor, proposing that high school seniors pass the civics test required for US naturalization to foster patriotism. Ramaswamy, a former GOP presidential candidate, received endorsements from Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Despite being considered for a role alongside Musk, he chose to pursue the Ohio governorship.

US Vice President JD Vance recounted a confrontation with a Ukrainian-American man, emphasizing that immigrants should prioritize the interests of the United States. Vance highlighted the importance of assimilation and valuing America as their primary country. He applauded immigrants who understand this perspective, stressing that they should look out for the US interests first.

Steve Smith Sr., a former NFL star and Hall of Fame candidate, faces allegations of an affair with Ravens band member Nicole Martinez, as revealed by her husband's Facebook post. The scandal has quickly gone viral, posing potential risks to Smith's long-standing reputation.

Delhi government incurred a revenue loss exceeding Rs 2,000 crore due to the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, as per CAG's report. The policy, which was later withdrawn, faced issues like monopoly risks and improper license allocations, leading to significant financial discrepancies.

Mahashivratri, the Great Night of Lord Shiva, will be celebrated on February 26, 2025. This spiritually significant night is marked by devotion, fasting, and meditations worldwide. Observances include various puja timings and chanting mantras to invoke Lord Shiva's divine energy and blessings.

Foreign funds have sold over Rs 2 lakh crore worth of Indian stocks since October last year, driven by weak earnings growth, falling rupee returns, and US market resilience. Market players note that India is not currently attractive enough for foreign investments, and higher US bond yields are also affecting their decisions.

Tata Capital's board has approved plans for an IPO to list by September, comprising fresh shares and stake-sale, potentially valued at $1.7 billion. This move complies with RBI's mandate for 'upper-layer' NBFCs. Tata Sons, holding 93% of Tata Capital, plans to sell shares to support other ventures, while maintaining a significant stake post-listing. A rights offering worth Rs 1,504 crore has also been approved.

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Indonesia’s Sulawesi island early Wednesday, as reported by the USGS. The quake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometers, with no immediate damage or casualties. Indonesia’s meteorological agency recorded a 6.0 magnitude and stated that there is no tsunami risk. Indonesia frequently experiences earthquakes due to intense seismic activity.

The RBI has eased restrictions on lending to non-bank finance companies and microfinance institutions by lowering risk weights for bank credit. This move aims to boost lending capacity and support economic growth, reversing the slowdown observed after previous regulatory measures.

Israel struck military sites in southern Syria, hitting command centres and weapons facilities. At least two people died in these airstrikes. The action follows Prime Minister Netanyahu's call for the demilitarisation of southern Syria and the defense against HTS and the new Syrian army. Syrian condemnation and international appeals against Israeli aggression ensued.

Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaava', directed by Laxman Utekar, has made significant box office strides, grossing ₹365.25 crore in India after 12 days. The film, depicting the valor of Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, saw a strong opening and maintained a steady pace.

A petition with over 250,000 signatures is calling for the revocation of Elon Musk's Canadian citizenship. The billionaire is accused of undermining Canada's sovereignty and supporting US President Donald Trump. Canadian lawmaker Charlie Angus initiated the petition to address concerns over Musk's political activities.

A Delhi court has sentenced former Congress MP Sajjan Kumar to two life terms for murdering a Sikh man and his son during the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Despite the brutal nature of the crimes, mitigating factors such as Kumar's age and health led the judge to opt for life imprisonment instead of the death penalty. Kumar is already serving another life sentence for similar crimes.

Prayagraj hosted Maha Kumbh for 45 days, attracting over 64 crore pilgrims. The confluence ends with Maha Shivratri snan and a farewell at Kashi Vishwanath temple in Varanasi. Naga sadhus will offer prayers, and soon the temporary settlements will be dismantled.

AIIMS doctors successfully removed a 15 kg ‘parasitic twin’ from a 17-year-old boy from Unnao, UP. The complex surgery took 2 to 2.5 hours, involving multidisciplinary specialists. The boy, previously isolated and facing emotional difficulties, is recovering well, with prospects for a normal life.

The Supreme Court has reversed the Bihar Legislative Council's expulsion of RJD leader Sunil Kumar Singh for mocking Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, deeming the punishment excessive. The court reinstated him with a suspension period and emphasized proper conduct and respect in legislative proceedings.

The Supreme Court has sentenced a man to life imprisonment based on the testimony of his seven-year-old daughter. The court highlighted that child witnesses hold the same credibility as others if reliable, and their testimonies should be evaluated with caution and care.

Foreign affairs adviser Md Touhid Hossain responded to Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar's concerns about attacks on minorities in Bangladesh, stating that such issues should not concern India and emphasized mutual respect. He stressed that how India treats its minorities is New Delhi's internal matter and expressed a desire for a relationship with India built on mutual understanding and respect.