Temple entry: court says ceremonial guest entry by non-Hindus isn't a statutory violation and rules must align with the Act.
Permissive ceremonial entry by non Hindus as guests is distinct from a right of entry and cannot be treated as a violation of the parent Act; Rule 3(a)'s prohibition on non Hindu entry appears inconsistent with the Act's object, and subordinate rules that conflict with the Act should be reconsidered, amended or modified to align with legislative intent, constitutional values and social harmony after consultation with relevant stakeholders.

HCLTech named to Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list for IT services and innovation.
HCLTech was named to Fortune's 2026 World's Most Admired Companies list in IT services based on a survey of over 3,000 executives, board members and analysts evaluating nine parameters such as quality of management, innovation, global competitiveness, talent attraction and social responsibility; the release highlights HCLTech's AI focus, global scale and consolidated revenues.

Sonata Software reports consolidated PAT growth, a one time labour code expense and a quarterly interim dividend declared.
Consolidated PAT before exceptional item rose 6.1% QoQ to INR 127.5 crore and 21.4% YoY, with consolidated revenue growth led by Domestic Products & Services and steady International IT Services. An exceptional one time employee benefit expense of INR 31.3 crore was recognised under the new Labour Codes, reducing PAT post exceptional item to INR 104.4 crore. The company declared a quarterly interim dividend of INR 1.25 per share and reported key operating metrics including EBITDA, DSO, ROCE, RONW, cash balances and segmental performance.

CHANDO 4-Butylresorcinol (577) research shows targeted microRNA inhibition reduces melanin and brightens Asian skin with high tolerability.
CHANDO identified that a specific microRNA drives UV-induced pigmentation by regulating MITF, TYR, and TYRP1, and reported that 4-Butylresorcinol (577) inhibits this microRNA's abnormal expression to reduce melanin overproduction; laboratory and clinical testing showed reductions in dark spots and sallowness with high tolerability, and 577 has been incorporated into CHANDO's Cellcrystal Whitening Radiance Series.

Angel Yeast Indonesia project trains local workers and pairs a 20,000 ton yeast plant with wastewater treatment and fertilizer reuse.
Angel Yeast's Indonesia project deploys a six month training program to prepare 29 local employees to commission and operate a Lampung facility comprising a 20,000 ton annual yeast line, a 3,500 ton/day wastewater treatment unit, and a 20,000 ton organic fertilizer plant. The plan emphasises local molasses sourcing, by product repurposing into animal feed, conversion of treated wastewater to fertilizer, technology transfer, workforce development, and a circular economy approach to reduce waste and support regional value chains, with commissioning targeted for 2027.

Dubstep's Love on Loop campaign awards purchasers on Instamart prizes based on maximum Dubstep spend during the campaign.
A promotional campaign, Love on Loop, makes Swiggy users who purchase eligible Dubstep products on Instamart eligible to win prizes based on maximum spends during the campaign: nine INR 3,000 dinner vouchers and one grand prize of air tickets for two to Goa plus a potential meet-and-greet, all subject to availability and terms. The promotion is exclusive to Instamart and tied to the launch and marketing of the limited edition Dubstep Buzz X12 Wireless Earbuds - Love Edition, with product features and quick-commerce delivery highlighted to facilitate participation.

Female genital mutilation: Merck Foundation and African First Ladies promote education, media outreach, awards and scholarships to end FGM.
Merck Foundation and African First Ladies marked the International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM through a dedicated episode of their pan African TV program, the More Than a Mother Awards to recognise media raising awareness, and the Educating Linda scholarship program funding secondary education for high performing, underprivileged girls across numerous African countries, using media, storybooks, animation, songs, and school material distribution to promote education as the core strategy to end FGM and related harms.

Embassy REIT reports 17% revenue growth and declares distributions while evaluating acquisition of a Bengaluru office asset.
Embassy REIT delivered 17% YoY revenue growth and 19% NOI growth in Q3 FY2026, declared distributions of Rs. 613 crores (Rs. 6.47/unit), reported 4.6 msf year to date leasing with c.94% portfolio occupancy, and received an invitation to offer to acquire the 0.4 msf Embassy Zenith in Bengaluru while continuing redevelopment and acquisition activity within its development pipeline.

Shikshagraha announces 2026 awards honoring grassroots education leaders with grants, mentorship and partnerships to reach millions.
Shikshagraha announced the 2026 Shikshagraha Awards granting multi-year monetary support, mentorship, national visibility and policy engagement to three grassroots education leaders to help scale practitioner-led improvements. Concurrently, Shikshagraha and the Childaid Network Foundation formed a strategic partnership to combine regional implementation experience and national convening power with an explicit goal of mobilising partners and government relationships to reach two million children.

Kennametal India reports Q2 growth; PBT includes a one-time cost tied to new labour codes impact.
Implementation of new labour codes generated a one-time cost of ?34 Mn disclosed in Kennametal India Limited's Q2 FY26 results, incorporated into reported Profit Before Tax of ?353 Mn as a discrete, non-recurring impact on the period's financials.

PM visit rescheduled; BJP plans large rally, ally talks and notes tax penalty confirmation and temple appearance.
Prime Minister's visit to Madurai was rescheduled to March 1 with a major BJP rally planned at Mandela Nagar and a likely visit to Tirupparankundram Murugan temple; the state BJP highlighted local anguish over inability to light the Karthigai Deepam despite a favourable court ruling, criticised actor-politician Vijay after confirmation of an income-tax fine, and formed a two-member committee to hold talks with potential allies.

India-US interim trade agreement protects sensitive agricultural and dairy products from duty concessions to safeguard rural livelihoods.
The interim India-US trade framework reduces US tariffs on Indian goods while India will not grant import duty concessions on specified sensitive agricultural and dairy products-including maize, wheat, rice, soya, poultry, milk, cheese, ethanol (fuel), tobacco, certain vegetables and meat-to protect small and marginal farmers and rural livelihoods, consistent with India's practice of excluding certain agricultural sectors from tariff liberalisation and using tariffs, phased reductions and quota mechanisms elsewhere.

Interim trade agreement framework will cut import duties to boost two way trade and support manufacturing and farmers.
An interim trade agreement framework between India and the United States will reduce import duties on specified goods to boost two way trade and market access, while supporting domestic production initiatives and protecting agricultural interests; it also promotes innovation, technology partnerships and supply chain resilience to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs, MSMEs, startups, fishermen, women and youth.

Film Godan spotlights Gau Mata to connect youth with culture and Sanatan Dharma through scientific and social messaging.
The film Godan is dedicated to Gau Mata and presents her significance through Indian culture, Sanatan Dharma, and scientific explanation, using true incidents to convey a social and spiritual message aimed at connecting youth with cultural roots. The release highlights a shifting film industry exploring diverse subjects and records public acknowledgements of support from multiple state chief ministers and religious leaders, with a disclaimer that the press material was supplied under arrangement and the distributor disclaims editorial responsibility.

India US interim trade agreement reduces bilateral tariffs, expands market access, and ties concessions to stopping Russian oil imports.
A framework for an Interim Trade Agreement sets reciprocal tariff adjustments and prompt implementation toward a Bilateral Trade Agreement, reducing US duties on many Indian goods to 18% and requiring India to eliminate or lower tariffs on specified US industrial and agricultural products. The joint statement conditions concessions on India's commitment to cease direct or indirect imports of Russian oil, with the US reserving the right to reimpose a 25% additional duty if that commitment is breached.

India US interim trade pact reduces US tariffs to 18% and expands market access while addressing non tariff barriers.
An interim trade framework commits the US to lower tariffs on covered Indian goods to 18% and to remove an additional 25% duty, while India will eliminate or reduce duties on US industrial and many agricultural products, protect specified sensitive agricultural and dairy items, undertake significant purchase commitments of US goods, and address long-standing non-tariff barriers with provisions for tariff rate quotas, negotiated sectoral outcomes, and discussions on standards and conformity assessment.

Presidential social media post depicting the Obamas as primates was deleted after bipartisan backlash and raised vetting concerns.
A presidential social media post depicting the Obamas as primates was deleted after bipartisan backlash; the White House blamed a subordinate and defended the account while the president declined to apologise. The episode raised questions about social media governance, vetting procedures, staff responsibility for content dissemination, and the use of dehumanising racial tropes in political messaging.

Affordable rental housing: state to convert vacant government buildings into rental units under PMAY-U 2.0 guidelines.
The government has instructed departments to identify vacant state-owned urban buildings for conversion into affordable rental housing under the Odisha Urban Housing Mission. Implementation follows PMAY-U 2.0: conversions or new rental housing may be carried out by public agencies or via public-private partnership, with cost recovery through rents. Local authorities will set initial rents by survey and may permit biennial increases of 8% up to a 20% aggregate cap over five years to maintain affordability.

Iran-US talks in Oman focused on nuclear negotiations amid US military deterrence and new sanctions plus potential import tariffs.
Indirect Oman talks focused on a framework for further negotiations limited to Iran's nuclear programme, with Iranian insistence on dialogue without threats and US military presence underscoring deterrence. Simultaneously the US imposed sanctions targeting a shadow fleet, trading firms and executives, froze assets in US jurisdictions, and issued an executive order authorizing potential import taxes on goods from countries buying Iranian oil, removable if purchasers align with specified US security and policy interests.

Interim trade agreement with the US aims to bolster Make in India, expand jobs, and deepen investment and technology ties.
An interim trade agreement framework with the United States is intended to bolster Make in India by opening opportunities for farmers, entrepreneurs, MSMEs, startups and fishermen, and by generating employment for women and youth. The framework emphasizes deepening investment and technology partnerships to promote innovation, and strengthening resilient, trusted supply chains to contribute to economic growth.