International Women's Day (IWD) 2026, celebrated on March 8, continues to be a significant occasion worldwide, honoring the achievements of women while advocating for faster progress towards gender equality. The United Nations has designated the official theme for this year as "Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls." This theme highlights the persistent legal gaps women face globally and calls for real, enforceable actions to bridge those gaps.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts has elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader of Iran. This transition, which occurred under significant pressure from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), marks a controversial father-to-son succession that goes against the Islamic Republic’s long-standing criticism of hereditary monarchy. Mojtaba, the second-eldest son of Ali Khamenei, has been long speculated as a potential successo

Farah Pahlavi has described the death of Ali Khamenei as historically significant but cautioned that it would not automatically dismantle Iran’s political system. Speaking to AFP on Tuesday, March 3, the former empress said that while Khamenei had been central to the architecture of power within the Islamic republic, the passing of a single individual does not necessarily signal the collapse of an entrenched system. Pahlavi, who has lived in exile in Paris since the 1979 revolutio

The 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections are shaping up to be another fierce political battle, and one of the most anticipated matchups could involve BJP's Suvendu Adhikari challenging Mamata Banerjee in her Bhabanipur stronghold. This seat, a major center of Mamata's power since 2011, could be the stage for a dramatic showdown between the two political rivals. The stage for this high-stakes contest was set during the 2021 West Bengal Assembly election, when Suvendu Adhikari, once a

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a major digital milestone as his official YouTube channel surpassed 30 million subscribers, making him the most followed world leader on the platform. The achievement highlights the Prime Minister’s unmatched global digital presence and reinforces his dominance across social media platforms. According to official sources, the subscriber count places Narendra Modi well ahead of other prominent international leaders. Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who holds the second-highest subscriber base among world leaders on YouTube, has only about one-fourth of Modi’s subscribers. Similarly, US President Donald Trump trails far behind, with Modi reportedly having more than seven times the number of subscribers. The Prime Minister’s strong presence on YouTube reflects his strategic use of digital platforms to connect directly with citizens in India and audiences worldwide. His channel features speeches, policy announcements, live event broadcasts, campaign messages, and cultural highlights, drawing millions of views regularly. The content appeals not only to domestic supporters but also to the Indian diaspora and global viewers interested in India’s political landscape. Within India, Modi’s digital reach also surpasses that of his political rivals. His YouTube subscriber base is around three times larger than that of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. It is also more than four times higher than the subscriber counts of the Aam Aadmi Party and the Indian National Congress when considered individually. This gap underscores the Bharatiya Janata Party leader’s commanding influence in the digital political arena. The YouTube milestone comes just weeks after Modi became the first world leader to cross 100 million followers on Instagram. Having joined the platform in 2014, his Instagram account has evolved into one of the most engaging profiles among global political figures. Over the past decade, he has consistently leveraged visual storytelling, behind-the-scenes moments, diplomatic engagements, and public outreach initiatives to maintain high engagement rates. Political analysts note that Modi’s digital strategy has played a crucial role in shaping modern political communication in India. By effectively utilizing social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram, he has managed to bypass traditional media channels and communicate directly with the public. With 30 million YouTube subscribers and 100 million Instagram followers, Narendra Modi continues to set new benchmarks for digital engagement among world leaders. The milestone not only reflects his popularity but also signals the growing importance of online platforms in global politics and governance.

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna’s wedding reception, set for March 4 in Hyderabad, will be an invite-only event. The decision comes after consultations with local authorities who advised a tighter guest list to manage public excitement and ensure safety. The couple, who has garnered immense public attention for their relationship, made the announcement in an official statement, expressing their gratitude to fans for their love and support. The reception was initially plann

Official media in Iran has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announcing a 40-day period of national mourning across the country. The announcement was made through state television, which reported that the senior leader died following recent military strikes carried out by the

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has achieved a major milestone in the digital world, becoming the first world leader to amass 100 million followers on Instagram. This unprecedented achievement highlights his dominant presence on social media platforms and marks him as one of the most influential global political figures online. Since joining Instagram in 2014, PM Modi’s account has grown significantly, providing glimpses into his official engagements, international visits, cultural m

In a historic move for Maharashtra politics, Sunetra Pawar, the wife of the late Ajit Pawar, was unanimously elected as the National President of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). The decision came at the party's national executive meeting, held on Thursday, where senior NCP leader Praful Patel delivered an emotional speech and formally proposed her name. The proposal was met with overwhelming support from all leaders and delegates present at the convention, officially marking Sunetra Paw

In a heated discussion in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly today, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged ghee adulteration in Tirumala Laddus. Kalyan emphasized that while he did not directly blame the previous Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for the adulteration, the responsibility lies with the TTD governing body and its allocated board. Kalyan clarified that he never accused Jagan personally of being behind the adulteration. Howev

Microsoft on Friday announced the appointment of Indian-origin executive Asha Sharma as executive vice president and chief executive of its gaming division, marking a significant leadership transition for the Xbox business. The move signals a strategic shift as the company looks to strengthen its position in the competitive gaming industry and sharpen its focus on core console experiences. Sharma will succeed long-time Xbox head Phil Spencer, who is retiring after an extensive 38-year tenure

Bill Gates has withdrawn from delivering the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, sparking widespread attention and speculation across global tech and political circles. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation confirmed the sudden decision, stating that Gates would skip the summit “after careful consideration,” just one day after publicly confirming his participation. The event, being held at Bharat Mandapam, is one of India’s most significant gatherings focused on artifi

Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p

Authorities said the collision occurred at approximately 2 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the tollway near Royal Lane. Preliminary findings from DPS troopers indicate that a Hyundai Tucson was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when it collided head-on with a Land Rover Velar. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles and prompted an immediate emergency response. The driver of the Hyundai Tucson was transported to a local hospital following the crash but was l

New Delhi is set to host a major international gathering of technology executives, political leaders and policy experts as the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 begins in the national capital from February 16 to 20. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that delegations from more than 45 countries will attend the high-level event, positioning the summit as one of the largest global forums focused on artificial intelligence and digital policy. Among the notable participants is Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, along with senior officials from several international organisations. The presence of global leadership underscores the summit’s growing significance as countries seek to collaborate on the opportunities and challenges posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies. The summit’s framework is built around three central themes—People, Planet and Progress—reflecting India’s stated aim of shaping artificial intelligence governance that promotes inclusive growth, environmental sustainability and technological advancement. Officials said the agenda will focus on balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring that digital transformation benefits both developing and developed economies. Several heads of state and government are scheduled to attend at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders expected to participate include Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Emmanuel Macron of France, Pedro Sánchez of Spain and Dick Schoof of the Netherlands, among others. Additional representation will come from vice presidents, crown princes and senior ministers, highlighting broad geographic participation across Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Beyond government delegations, the event will draw prominent figures from the global technology sector. Executives expected to attend include Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Demis Hassabis of DeepMind, Brad Smith of Microsoft and Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm. Their participation is expected to add industry insight into emerging AI trends, research and investment. According to officials, the summit will facilitate discussions on responsible AI governance, innovation ecosystems, digital public infrastructure and climate-conscious technology. Sessions are also planned on equitable access to emerging tools, reflecting concerns that technological gaps could widen inequalities between regions. Organisers have described the India-AI Impact Summit as a platform designed not only for dialogue but also for measurable outcomes. By encouraging collaboration between policymakers, startups and multinational firms, the event aims to generate partnerships and frameworks that support economic growth, social development and the sustainable use of artificial intelligence. With a strong international presence and a broad agenda, the summit is expected to reinforce India’s role as an influential player in shaping global AI policy while promoting cooperation on the future of the digital economy.

The political arena in Telangana has once again been marred by a fiery exchange between BRS working president KTR and Telangana Congress leader, Revanth Reddy. Known for their often vocal and charged confrontations, political leaders in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been engaging in increasingly aggressive verbal exchanges, and KTR’s latest remarks have once again brought the issue to the forefront. At a recent BRS roadshow, KTR used highly provocative language while discussing Revanth Reddy, openly mocking the Telangana chief minister. “Ee Revanth Reddy gaadu emi peekaledu… vaadoka pottodu, inthe untadu,” KTR said, referring to Revanth's height in a demeaning manner. His speech grew more intense when he added, “Orei pottoda (Revanth) inkosaari BRS vasthe neeku untadi ra… mamulga undadu,” further escalating the verbal clash. KTR also resorted to using terms like “Howlagaallu” and other derogatory words aimed at not just Revanth but also other Congress leaders. This aggressive and provocative language is becoming a defining feature of the political discourse in the region, as both KTR and Revanth have consistently made headlines for their charged and over-the-top rhetoric. While such exchanges may be seen as a tool for political one-upmanship, the increasingly hostile tone of their debates is raising concerns among the public. Some even argue that such language is inappropriate, especially in a family setting, as it may prompt parents to restrict their children's access to political discussions on TV due to the nature of the rhetoric. Using such language against a Chief Minister is widely considered regressive, and critics argue that it reflects poorly on the state’s political environment. As Telangana's political culture continues to be defined by such verbal spats, many hope for a shift toward more constructive and respectful dialogue. However, as things stand, the aggressive political equilibrium currently in play only seems to deepen divisions, setting a concerning precedent for the future of the state’s politics.

A tragic incident from Uttar Pradesh has reignited concerns over the health risks linked to excessive online gaming after a 22-year-old youth allegedly died from a brain haemorrhage triggered while playing a game on his mobile phone. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on gaming addiction and its potential impact on both physical and mental health, especially among young adults. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Kaif, was a resident of the Khairnagar area of Meerut.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, achieved a remarkable financial milestone in Q4 2025, surpassing $400 billion in revenue for the first time in its history. The key growth driver behind this success has been Google's expanding AI capabilities, particularly through its full AI stack, with Gemini 3 leading the charge. Sundar Pichai, CEO of both Alphabet and Google, highlighted how the company's growth was primarily fueled by advancements in AI, with Gemini 3 seeing massive engagem

The tragic deaths of three sisters in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, have raised serious concerns about the influence of online gaming on young minds. The sisters, aged 12, 14, and 16, tragically ended their lives by jumping from the ninth floor of their residential building in the early hours of February 4, 2026. The girls were reportedly addicted to a task-based Korean gaming app, which assigned them a series of challenges to complete. According to their father, Chetan Kumar, he had no knowledge

United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Wednesday, marking his first public appearance since the capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro earlier this month. Rubio outlined the administration’s approach toward Venezuela, defended the operation that led to Maduro’s detention, and emphasized the strategic concerns the United States has regarding the region. His testimony came amid scrutiny from senators on both sides of the ai