Times of India

CBSE Class 10, 12 Board Exam Dates 2026: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has announced the dates for the Class 10 and 12 board exams 2026, starting in mid-February. Approximately 26.60 lakh Class 10 students and 20 lakh Class 12 students will participate. Results are expected in April and May, respectively.

A five-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh is critically injured after allegedly being raped by a 17-year-old neighbor. Medical team stabilized her condition with emergency surgery. Severe bite marks and internal trauma required extensive medical intervention. The accused has been apprehended, and protests demand the death penalty.

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has adopted Salesforce's Slack for team communications. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting its potential to improve government efficiency. Benioff also praised Musk's AI chatbot Grok-3 for its impressive performance.

The Ministry of Education refuted claims by Sam Pitroda regarding a hacking incident during a virtual session at "IIT Ranchi," which does not exist. The ministry clarified that Pitroda was not invited to any event by IIIT Ranchi, condemning his remarks as an attempt to malign IIT's reputation and warning of legal consequences.

Afghanistan's victory over England has propelled them to just one point shy of Group B leaders South Africa and Australia, setting up a crucial match against Australia. The outcomes of the last two Group B matches will determine the two semifinalists, with the possibility of net run-rate playing a decisive role.

Stock market today: BSE Sensex and Nifty50, the Indian equity benchmark indices, opened in green on Thursday. While BSE Sensex was above 74,700, Nifty50 was near 22,600.

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek urged European regulators to penalize Apple for allegedly bypassing the EU's Digital Markets Act. He accused Apple of delaying compliance to hinder competition. The issue concerns Apple's restrictions on alternative app stores. Potential fines could reach 10% of Apple's global revenue. This follows an earlier €1.8 billion fine against Apple.

Elon Musk has supported Jeff Bezos' decision to focus The Washington Post's opinion section exclusively on personal liberties and free markets. Bezos' announcement marks a significant editorial shift for the newspaper, emphasizing the importance of these principles in today's media landscape.

US President Donald Trump introduced a new visa program offering a $5 million 'gold card' with a pathway to citizenship. The initiative aims to replace the EB-5 visa and attract wealthy individuals to boost the US economy. Trump expects significant revenue generation from the program.

Afghanistan's victory over England in the Champions Trophy puts pressure on South Africa and Australia for the semifinal spots in Group B. Ibrahim Zadran's 177 and Azmatullah Omarzai's five-wicket haul were the highlights of Afghanistan's upset victory.

Elon Musk defended his cost-cutting measures as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during a meeting with President Trump, despite receiving death threats. Musk highlighted the necessity of budget cuts to prevent national bankruptcy, while Trump and his Cabinet largely supported Musk's aggressive federal spending reductions.

The NFL has revived a taunt at the Scouting Combine based on Patrick Mahomes' 4.80-second 40-yard dash from 2017. Despite his Super Bowl successes, Mahomes remains a target for lighthearted teasing. The combine welcomes over 300 prospects aiming to improve their draft prospects.

Matthew Perry's death in October 2023 was due to the acute effects of ketamine, with 27 doses administered over three days. His assistant and several others, including doctors and an alleged drug dealer, are charged in connection with his accidental death. Trials are forthcoming for the accused.

India strongly criticised Pakistan at the UN human rights council, branding it a 'failed state' that thrives on instability and survives on international aid. Indian diplomat Kshitij Tyagi condemned Pakistan's falsehoods, its focus on Kashmir, and alleged human rights abuses, urging Islamabad to address its internal governance issues.

Australia's Mitchell Starc attributes his Champions Trophy absence to ankle soreness and unspecified personal views. Ahead of the Test Championship final and tours, Starc emphasizes fitness recovery. As the lone constant in recent matches, he'll play for Delhi Capitals in the IPL before the next series.

SpaceX launched the Athena lander on its third Moon mission of 2025, marking Intuitive Machines' second attempt at a lunar touchdown. The IM-2 mission aims to explore lunar ice deposits near the Moon's south pole, supporting Nasa's Artemis programme planned for later this decade.

Vicky Kaushal's 'Chhaava', directed by Laxman Utekar, became 2025's highest opener with a collection of Rs. 31 crores on day 1. Currently, the film is nearing the ₹400 crore mark at the Indian box office, having grossed ₹385 crores in 13 days. Aiming for further success, 'Chhaava' is set for a Telugu release on March 7.

Thursday saw a tense exchange between Hamas and Israel as four Israeli hostages' bodies were returned, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners were released. With the ceasefire's first phase concluding and its future uncertain, both sides navigate complex negotiations amid a humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

The Trump administration is making significant reductions to foreign aid contracts, slashing over 90% of USAID contracts and cutting $60 billion in global assistance. This decision follows a 90-day review of international aid programmes by USAID and the State Department. The cuts leave few projects intact, prompting legal efforts by advocates to preserve them.

Cabinet has approved amendments to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill with changes recommended by the Parliamentary panel, clearing its path for discussion in the budget session. The bill includes recognition of existing 'Registered Waqf by User' only and ensures broader representation in waqf boards.