Bitcoin plunges amid tech-led market sell-off after Treasury says it lacks authority to order banks to buy crypto.
A U.S. Treasury statement that it lacks authority to compel banks to buy cryptocurrencies coincided with an up-to-8% drop in bitcoin and a tech-led equity sell-off. South Korea's Kospi tumbled nearly 4%, large technology and semiconductor stocks posted steep losses while some AI-related firms rose, and commodities and currencies showed concurrent repricing as investors adjusted risk exposure.

Horse Powertrain enters India offering hybrid and low emission powertrains to help OEMs meet emissions and fuel efficiency targets.
Horse Powertrain offers modular hybrid and low emission powertrains aimed at enabling OEMs to meet emissions and fuel efficiency requirements without immediate full electrification, emphasising multi fuel capability, retrofit REEV generator units, hybrid transmissions, and localised supply chain collaboration linked to the proposed India-EU FTA.

Merck Foundation provides 258 oncology scholarships to train multidisciplinary cancer care teams across 34 countries.
Merck Foundation's Cancer Access Program awarded 258 scholarships to healthcare providers from 34 countries to expand oncology capacity through one year clinical fellowships across multiple oncology sub specialties and one and two year postgraduate diploma and master's programs, with academic partnerships for credentialing and a stated objective of creating the first locally trained oncologists and multidisciplinary cancer care teams in several underserved countries.

TriNano's solar nano-coating boosts panel output 4%, halves cleaning needs, saves water and extends panel life.
TriNano's patented 3D Quantum Cladding Nano Coating, applicable to Greenfield and Brownfield solar installations, increases panel energy output by 4%, reduces cleaning requirements by ~50%, and lowers operating temperature to extend panel life by 2-3 years, yielding higher generation from existing hardware while conserving water and improving carbon and land-use efficiency.

POVA Curve 2 smartphone combines powerful performance, intelligent connectivity and slim spacecraft-inspired design launching Feb 13.
POVA Curve 2 is announced as a new smartphone model emphasising high performance, sustained connectivity and an ultra-slim ergonomic form factor, with launch scheduled for February 13; the release highlights a "Design 2.0" with rounded double curves, a triangular camera module inspired by spacecraft thrusters, and intelligent connectivity engineered for stability in challenging conditions.

Translational research collaboration expands to include pharmacology services and licensed gene edited cell lines for preclinical workflows.
The alliance expands access to humanized and engineered research models with added pharmacology services and licensing of gene edited reporter and stable cell lines, enabling end to end preclinical workflows from target validation through pharmacological evaluation. Operations are supported by AAALAC International accreditation and OECD GLP compliance, with dedicated SPF breeding and vivarium infrastructure emphasising biosafety and animal welfare.

Mumbai Pune Expressway: Raj Thackeray urges toll refund and demands an action plan for disaster preparedness.
The Mumbai Pune Expressway closed for 33 hours after a tanker accident, highlighting failures in disaster preparedness and maintenance on the tolled access controlled route. The statement demands a public action plan setting out immediate clearance and mitigation measures, transparency of remedial responsibilities, and a toll refund for motorists affected during the incident.

Messi exhibition opens in Mumbai and Bengaluru offering immersive AI-driven zones, recreated match moments and merchandise.
An interactive exhibition, 'The Messi Experience World Tour', produced by BookMyShow Live, will open in Mumbai on March 20 and in Bengaluru from June 19 at Century Mills and Bhartiya City Mall respectively. The 75-minute walkthrough covers nine themed zones combining artificial intelligence, immersive environments and recreated match moments, offering interactive training simulations, previously unseen content, an official merchandise store and a fan activation zone.

Obesity awareness campaign promotes science-led medical consultation and destigmatisation while advising professional medical advice.
Cipla's 'Win Over Weight' campaign reframes obesity as a chronic health condition, promoting science-led medical consultation and lifestyle support while emphasising destigmatisation and everyday functional outcomes. The release contains a compliance disclaimer stating the information is for general awareness, not a substitute for professional medical advice, not intended to promote products or treatments, and advises consulting a registered medical practitioner. It also asserts proprietary rights in the "CIPLA" mark and logo and distinguishes the material from advertising.

Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi not allowed to speak on the Motion of Thanks, prompting united opposition protests.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha was blocked from speaking on the Motion of Thanks to the President's address, prompting unified opposition protests that the denial curtailed parliamentary debate; opposition leaders demanded the LoP and other opposition members be allowed to speak, yet the Lok Sabha proceeded to vote down opposition amendments and passed the Motion of Thanks by voice vote without the Prime Minister's customary reply amid sustained demonstrations and suspensions.

ActivityKidz aggregates verified info and deals for children's entertainment venues, simplifying weekend planning for parents.
ActivityKidz aggregates verified, regularly updated information on children's entertainment venues-covering opening status, timings, pricing, age suitability and new openings or closures-and offers deals to connect venue footfall needs with parents seeking value across Gurugram and the wider Delhi NCR, with plans to expand to other Indian cities.

Emami re-deploys resources to rural markets with small sachets and expects a lower effective income tax rate.
Emami is redeploying resources to rural markets using low unit SKUs and sachets at Rs 1, 2, 5 and 10 to drive volume growth; shampoo sachets are a near term focus. Operationally, it has engaged a consultancy to transform supply chain for omni channel and quick commerce-where sales now constitute 20% of e commerce-and has shifted media spend toward digital. Following Union Budget amendments, the company expects its standalone effective income tax rate to decline to 25% from 35% in FY 2026-27.

State government's commitment to protecting democratic and fundamental rights amid electoral roll revision controversy and development plans.
The Governor affirmed the state government's commitment to protecting democratic and fundamental rights while addressing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls - a process contested as risking large-scale voter exclusion yet defended as enhancing transparency and accuracy. The address also outlined economic policy priorities: six economic corridors and the forthcoming Tajpur port as measures to strengthen the marine ecosystem and generate employment, and noted partisan tensions in the assembly during the ceremonial exit.

Supreme Court actions: petition challenging Bihar elections and authorization for UPSC to flag DGP appointment delays.
A party has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the Bihar Assembly elections and seeking fresh polls, constituting an election challenge. The Supreme Court also took note of delays by several states in submitting proposals for Director General of Police appointments and authorised the Union Public Service Commission to bring such failures to the Court's attention, establishing a mechanism for reporting and judicial oversight of state compliance with appointment procedures.

Meridian Schools Hyderabad partnered with HOAG to deliver a five-chapter immersive leadership programme for students aged 11-17.
Meridian Schools Hyderabad entered a formal partnership with HOAG to implement the HOAG Leadership Lab across multiple campuses, delivering five mentor-led, two-day immersive chapters during the academic year to over 1,200 students aged 11-17, using experiential simulations and reflective practices to develop leadership, resilience, ethical judgment and future-ready skills within Meridian's holistic curriculum.

Pune Mundhwa land sale under probe; report pending, extension granted and no clean chit yet, while critics cite conflicts.
The Kharge led five member committee has not submitted its report on the Mundhwa land sale; an eight day extension was granted and no clean chit can be given pending formal submission. The probe focuses on alleged procedural lapses in registration-valuation, documentation and officials' roles-and on an alleged Rs 21 crore stamp duty exemption. The panel includes senior revenue and registration officials; activists allege delays and conflicts of interest. The government states action will follow after the report is formally received.

Dugarajapatnam port land acquisition: Rs 544.3 crore sanctioned to acquire 2,170.7 acres for port and cluster.
The government accorded administrative sanction of Rs 544.3 crore to acquire 2,170.7 acres for the Dugarajapatnam Green Field Port and Shipbuilding Cluster, with APMB to mobilise funds; RITES prepared the technical feasibility report. The land comprises 1,932 acres of patta land and habitation and 239 acres of government land across identified villages in Vakadu and Kota mandals.

Sabarimala gold loss: Unnikrishnan Potty granted statutory bail after charge sheet delay made him eligible.
Statutory bail was granted to Unnikrishnan Potty in the second Sabarimala gold loss case because the Special Investigation Team failed to file a charge sheet within 90 days of his arrest, making him eligible for statutory bail; Potty had earlier obtained statutory bail in a related gold loss case and will be released from custody.

Bhutan-Sikkim trade collaboration seeks institutional linkages and private sector engagement to boost cross-border MSME growth.
Discussions between the Bhutan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Sikkim's Commerce and Industries Department focused on cross-border cooperation to enhance industrial development, investment in priority sectors, market linkages and MSME growth, with emphasis on institutional linkages, policy dialogue and private sector engagement to operationalise regional trade and knowledge partnerships.

Director Shadaab Mirza's Coolie Ki Diamond Dulhaniya hits 75 million views in 30 days, marking major digital success.
Shadaab Mirza's Coolie Ki Diamond Dulhaniya reached 75 million views in 30 days on Kuku TV, with a promotional reel exceeding 8 million views; production by Kusum Communications and Ritu Vaidya included a custom-built Mira Road railway station set and marked Mirza's channel directorial debut, followed by additional vertical shows and an OTT project.