Times of India

On February 23, India and Pakistan will face off in the Champions Trophy 2025 in Dubai, which is expected to be highly anticipated by cricket fans. The tournament, initially planned for Pakistan, will use a hybrid model due to India's refusal to travel. Following the tense buildup, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasised the significance of defeating India.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge urged party members to support those committed to its ideology and warned against unreliable members. He emphasized accountability for future poll results and acknowledged the need for new leadership. Kharge criticized the Modi government on several fronts and highlighted Congress's strong effort in the Delhi elections despite lacking resources.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav criticized West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee for her 'Mrityu Kumbh' remark, calling it an insult to Hindu Dharma and demanding an apology. Similarly, MP minister Krishna Gaur also condemned Banerjee's statement. Banerjee had expressed her respect for the Maha Kumbh but criticized the inadequate arrangements leading to stampedes at the event.

LIC has launched the Smart Pension Plan, a non-linked, non-participating scheme offering savings and immediate annuity benefits for individuals and groups. The plan allows for flexible annuity payment options and provides special benefits for NPS subscribers.

Former Pakistan spinner Saqlain Mushtaq criticized India's refusal to travel to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy, suggesting that India should be taught a lesson for its attitude. He recounted a personal experience of visa issues, emphasizing the need for the International Cricket Council and Pakistan Cricket Board to take a firm stance.

On February 28, 2025, a rare planetary parade will occur, with all seven solar system planets aligned on one side of the Sun. This unique event, visible once again only in 2040, offers skywatchers an extraordinary opportunity. While Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Uranus are easier to spot, viewing Saturn, Mercury, and Neptune may require telescopes.

In Kerala's Pathanamthitta district, Radhakrishna Kurup filed a complaint against his neighbor Anil Kumar due to a rooster crowing at 3 am, disturbing his sleep. Officials investigated, confirmed the noise issue, and ordered Kumar to relocate the poultry shed within 14 days to resolve the disturbance, ensuring Kurup's peace.

President Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk accused Joe Biden of leaving Nasa astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore stranded on the ISS for political reasons. Although delayed due to issues with Boeing's Starliner, SpaceX successfully sent a capsule to rescue them. The astronauts denied feeling abandoned despite the prolonged stay.

Infosys has announced performance bonuses averaging 80% of the target for the quarter ending December, with delivery and sales staff seeing a reduction of up to 10 percentage points.

Starting in 2026, CBSE will implement twice-yearly board exams for class X, allowing students to improve scores without the pressure of a single high-stakes test. This aligns with the National Education Policy 2020, promoting flexibility and competency-based evaluations. Additionally, the CBSE Global Curriculum will be introduced for 260 foreign schools from 2026-2027.

The Champions Trophy returns after over seven years, with Pakistan hosting and defending their 2017 title, while Indian legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma aim for another triumph in an ICC tournament in the twilight of their careers. The competition will witness eight teams competing at four venues in Pakistan and Dubai.

Stock market recommendations: Mehul Kothari of Anand Rathi Shares and Stock Brokers recommends buying ONGC, Tata Motors, and Sundaram Finance stocks today. ONGC is suggested for an upside to ₹248, Tata Motors to ₹755, and Sundaram Finance to ₹5200, with specific stop-loss levels advised for each stock.

Seven senior students from Kariavattom government college were suspended for attacking a first-year biotechnology student. Based on the college principal's report, the police invoked Section 4 of the Kerala Prohibition of Ragging Act, 1998. The accused students were booked under various sections by Kazhakkoottam police.

The White House released a video titled 'ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight,' showing shackled immigrants boarding a deportation flight from Seattle, sparking notable reactions from the public and figures like Elon Musk. The video, originally posted by ICE, highlights the deportation process of undocumented immigrants under Trump's immigration policy.

A federal judge has rejected a request to halt Elon Musk's efforts to cut federal jobs and access sensitive agency data. This decision supports President Trump's initiative to reduce government spending, despite significant opposition from Democrat-led states and concerns over Musk's influence.

The Champions Trophy begins today with Pakistan facing New Zealand in Karachi. The tournament, last held in 2017, has the defending champions hosting the event. Matches will take place across three cities in Pakistan, while the Indian team is set up in Dubai after their refusal to travel to Pakistan.

Isro, in collaboration with the Central Manufacturing Technology Institute, developed a 10-tonne vertical planetary mixer, the largest globally for solid propellants. This indigenous mixer will enhance the production of solid rocket motors, playing a crucial role in India’s space transportation systems. The mixer improves efficiency and safety in production and marks a significant step towards self-reliance in the space sector.