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Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman Passed AwayOn February 16, 2026, Renowned American documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman passed away at the age of 96 in Massachusetts, the United States of America (USA). He was born on January 1, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts.In 2016, he received an Honorary Academy Award (Oscar) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to documentary filmmaking.About Frederick Wiseman:Profile: He was an American documentary filmmaker and was widely regarded as a master of observational filmmaking.Career: Over a career spanning more than five decades, he directed over 40 documentaries focusing on institutions such as schools, hospitals, courts, libraries, police departments, and cultural organizations.Notable Works: He was best known for his influential documentaries such as Titicut Follies, High School, Welfare, Juvenile Court, Boxing Gym, La Danse, Central Park, and Crazy Horse. He also directed ‘The Last Letter’, his only fiction feature film.
Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman Passed AwayOn February 16, 2026, Renowned American documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman passed away at the age of 96 in Massachusetts, the United States of America (USA). He was born on January 1, 1930, in Boston, Massachusetts.In 2016, he received an Honorary Academy Award (Oscar) from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to documentary filmmaking.About Frederick Wiseman:Profile: He was an American documentary filmmaker and was widely regarded as a master of observational filmmaking.Career: Over a career spanning more than five decades, he directed over 40 documentaries focusing on institutions such as schools, hospitals, courts, libraries, police departments, and cultural organizations.Notable Works: He was best known for his influential documentaries such as Titicut Follies, High School, Welfare, Juvenile Court, Boxing Gym, La Danse, Central Park, and Crazy Horse. He also directed ‘The Last Letter’, his only fiction feature film.
Oscar-Winning Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman Passed AwayOn February 16, 2026, Renowned American documentary filmmaker Frederick Wiseman passed away at the age of 96 in Massachusetts, the United States of America (USA). He was born on January 1, 1930, in...
First Indigenous Cadet Training Ship ‘Krishna’ Launched at L&T Kattupalli, Chennai In February 2026, the first indigenously designed and built Cadet Training Ship (CTS) ‘Krishna(Yard 18003)’ of the Indian Navy(IN) was launched at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli near Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).It was launched by Anupama Chauhan, President of Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA) in the presence of General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other senior officials of the Indian Armed Forces and M/s L&T Shipbuilding.About CTS Krishna :Name: The newly inaugurated ship, the first of the three CTS under construction at M/s L&T, is named after River Krishna, India’s 3rd longest river.Key Specifications: 122 meter(m)-long Krishna ship, with maximum speed of nearly 20 knots, has displacement of 4,700 tonnes and endurance of nearly 60 days at sea.Key Functions: These ships are mainly designed to provide basic training to Naval cadets that will include seamanship, navigation drills, ship handling and practical exposure to life on board a navy vessel.
First Indigenous Cadet Training Ship ‘Krishna’ Launched at L&T Kattupalli, Chennai In February 2026, the first indigenously designed and built Cadet Training Ship (CTS) ‘Krishna(Yard 18003)’ of the Indian Navy(IN) was launched at Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipbuilding facility at Kattupalli near Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN).It was launched by Anupama Chauhan, President of Defence Wives Welfare Association (DWWA) in the presence of General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other senior officials of the Indian Armed Forces and M/s L&T Shipbuilding.About CTS Krishna :Name: The newly inaugurated ship, the first of the three CTS under construction at M/s L&T, is named after River Krishna, India’s 3rd longest river.Key Specifications: 122 meter(m)-long Krishna ship, with maximum speed of nearly 20 knots, has displacement of 4,700 tonnes and endurance of nearly 60 days at sea.Key Functions: These ships are mainly designed to provide basic training to Naval cadets that will include seamanship, navigation drills, ship handling and practical exposure to life on board a navy vessel.
First Indigenous Cadet Training Ship ‘Krishna’ Launched at L&T Kattupalli, Chennai In February 2026, the first indigenously designed and built Cadet Training Ship (CTS) ‘Krishna(Yard 18003)’ of the Indian Navy(IN) was launched at Larsen & Toubro (L&...
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Tarique Rahman Sworn in as 11th PM of BangladeshOn 17th February 2026, Tarique Rahman, the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh after the formation of a new government following the 2026 general elections. He became the first PM of Bangladesh following the July Revolution.Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ended the 18-month interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, who served as Chief Adviser from August 2024 to February 2026 and resigned on 16 February 2026.Bangladesh Transition 2026:Oath: The swearing-in ceremony held at the Bangabhaban (Presidential Palace) in Dhaka, where the oath of office was administered by Mohammed Shahabuddin, President of Bangladesh.Alongside the PM, 25 cabinet ministers and 24 state ministers took their oaths.Electoral Mandate: In the 2026 general elections, the BNP and its allies won 212 of 299 seats in the 13th parliamentary polls, which recorded a 59.44% voter turnout.The Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies secured 77 seats, the National Citizen Party (NCP) won 6 seats, and Independents claimed 7 seats.
Tarique Rahman Sworn in as 11th PM of BangladeshOn 17th February 2026, Tarique Rahman, the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh after the formation of a new government following the 2026 general elections. He became the first PM of Bangladesh following the July Revolution.Tarique Rahman’s swearing-in ended the 18-month interim administration led by Muhammad Yunus, who served as Chief Adviser from August 2024 to February 2026 and resigned on 16 February 2026.Bangladesh Transition 2026:Oath: The swearing-in ceremony held at the Bangabhaban (Presidential Palace) in Dhaka, where the oath of office was administered by Mohammed Shahabuddin, President of Bangladesh.Alongside the PM, 25 cabinet ministers and 24 state ministers took their oaths.Electoral Mandate: In the 2026 general elections, the BNP and its allies won 212 of 299 seats in the 13th parliamentary polls, which recorded a 59.44% voter turnout.The Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies secured 77 seats, the National Citizen Party (NCP) won 6 seats, and Independents claimed 7 seats.
Tarique Rahman Sworn in as 11th PM of BangladeshOn 17th February 2026, Tarique Rahman, the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), was sworn in as the 11th Prime Minister (PM) of Bangladesh after the formation of a new government follo...
Union Minister Rajnath Singh Felicitates ‘Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award 2026’ in Coimbatore, TNIn February 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), felicitated distinguished individuals with the inaugural Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award during the Mahashivaratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN).About Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award:Institution: The award, was launched in 2026 by the Isha Foundation under Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, is a national-level honour presented annually.Categories: Presented across seven key categories including Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Sports, National Security, Corporate Leadership, Literature, and Community Welfare.2026 Awardees: Nambi Narayanan and A. S. Kiran Kumar were honoured for space research, Alarmel Valli and N. Rajam for contributions to classical arts, Vikram Sampath for literature, Saina Nehwal for sports, and the Indian Armed Forces for service during Operation Sindoor.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh Felicitates ‘Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award 2026’ in Coimbatore, TNIn February 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), felicitated distinguished individuals with the inaugural Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award during the Mahashivaratri celebrations at the Isha Yoga Centre, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (TN).About Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award:Institution: The award, was launched in 2026 by the Isha Foundation under Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, is a national-level honour presented annually.Categories: Presented across seven key categories including Science and Technology, Arts and Culture, Sports, National Security, Corporate Leadership, Literature, and Community Welfare.2026 Awardees: Nambi Narayanan and A. S. Kiran Kumar were honoured for space research, Alarmel Valli and N. Rajam for contributions to classical arts, Vikram Sampath for literature, Saina Nehwal for sports, and the Indian Armed Forces for service during Operation Sindoor.
Union Minister Rajnath Singh Felicitates ‘Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Award 2026’ in Coimbatore, TNIn February 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD), felicitated distinguished individuals with the inaugural Bhavya Bharat Bhushan Awa...
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Reliance Consumer Products Forms Majority-Owned Joint Venture with Nigeria’s TGI GroupIn February 2026, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), signed a definitive agreement to form a majority-owned joint venture with Tropical General Investments Group (TGI Group), Nigeria.The partnership marks a significant step in RCPL’s global expansion strategy and is subject to customary regulatory and legal approvals.Joint Venture Overview:Market Entry: Under the joint venture, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) will introduce a wide range of its Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products in Nigeria by leveraging TGI Group’s manufacturing capabilities and distribution network.TGI Profile: Established in 1980, TGI Group is a Lagos-based multinational conglomerate operating across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia in multiple sectors.RCPL Profile: Established in 2022, RCPL is the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries Limited, which reported revenue of USD 125.3 billion in Financial Year 2024–25.
Reliance Consumer Products Forms Majority-Owned Joint Venture with Nigeria’s TGI GroupIn February 2026, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), signed a definitive agreement to form a majority-owned joint venture with Tropical General Investments Group (TGI Group), Nigeria.The partnership marks a significant step in RCPL’s global expansion strategy and is subject to customary regulatory and legal approvals.Joint Venture Overview:Market Entry: Under the joint venture, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL) will introduce a wide range of its Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) products in Nigeria by leveraging TGI Group’s manufacturing capabilities and distribution network.TGI Profile: Established in 1980, TGI Group is a Lagos-based multinational conglomerate operating across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia in multiple sectors.RCPL Profile: Established in 2022, RCPL is the FMCG arm of Reliance Industries Limited, which reported revenue of USD 125.3 billion in Financial Year 2024–25.
Reliance Consumer Products Forms Majority-Owned Joint Venture with Nigeria’s TGI GroupIn February 2026, Reliance Consumer Products Limited (RCPL), the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) arm of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), signed a definitive agr...
Air India and Lufthansa Group Sign MoU to Strengthen India–Europe Air ConnectivityIn February 2026, Air India and the Lufthansa Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the formation of a joint business partnership aimed at enhancing air connectivity between Air India and Lufthansa Group’s carriers and subsidiaries, including Air India Express, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), and other affiliated airlines.Partnership Framework:Alliance Membership: Both airlines are members of the Star Alliance and currently cooperate through codeshare agreements and alliance-based coordination.Integration Scope: The agreement establishes a framework for deeper integration through coordinated flight schedules, joint route planning, aligned sales and commercial strategies, loyalty programme integration, and enhanced Information Technology (IT) and customer experience systems.
Air India and Lufthansa Group Sign MoU to Strengthen India–Europe Air ConnectivityIn February 2026, Air India and the Lufthansa Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the formation of a joint business partnership aimed at enhancing air connectivity between Air India and Lufthansa Group’s carriers and subsidiaries, including Air India Express, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, ITA Airways, Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), and other affiliated airlines.Partnership Framework:Alliance Membership: Both airlines are members of the Star Alliance and currently cooperate through codeshare agreements and alliance-based coordination.Integration Scope: The agreement establishes a framework for deeper integration through coordinated flight schedules, joint route planning, aligned sales and commercial strategies, loyalty programme integration, and enhanced Information Technology (IT) and customer experience systems.
Air India and Lufthansa Group Sign MoU to Strengthen India–Europe Air ConnectivityIn February 2026, Air India and the Lufthansa Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore the formation of a joint business partnership aimed at enhanci...
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IDFC First Bank Launches FD-Linked Credit Card ‘Hello Cashback Credit Card’On February 16, 2026, IDFC First Bank launched ‘Hello Cashback Credit Card’, a Fixed Deposit (FD)-backed credit card, designed especially for first-time users and people with no credit history.About Hello Cashback Credit Card:Access: It includes no eligibility conditions such as credit score or income proof. Customers can avail it by opening a minimum FD of Rs.10,000 and the credit limit is set at 100% of the FD value.Key Features: It also integrates standard credit card functionalities, including contactless payments, Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) conversion options, and enhanced security features.Rewards: The card offers tiered online cashback of 3% on the first Rs.10,000 of online spending on a billing cycle and 5% on spends beyond Rs.10,000, along with 1% cashback on Unified Payment Interface (UPI) payments made through IDFC FIRST Bank applications(app).Joining Fees: The card requires a Rs.1000 joining fee, waived until March 31, 2026, and an annual fee of Rs.1,000 which is fully waived on annual spends of Rs.2 lakh or more and 50% waived on Rs.1 lakh spends.It also includes benefits such as Rs.2 lakh personal accident cover of Rs.25,000 purchase protection and fuel surcharge waivers.
IDFC First Bank Launches FD-Linked Credit Card ‘Hello Cashback Credit Card’On February 16, 2026, IDFC First Bank launched ‘Hello Cashback Credit Card’, a Fixed Deposit (FD)-backed credit card, designed especially for first-time users and people with no credit history.About Hello Cashback Credit Card:Access: It includes no eligibility conditions such as credit score or income proof. Customers can avail it by opening a minimum FD of Rs.10,000 and the credit limit is set at 100% of the FD value.Key Features: It also integrates standard credit card functionalities, including contactless payments, Equated Monthly Installment (EMI) conversion options, and enhanced security features.Rewards: The card offers tiered online cashback of 3% on the first Rs.10,000 of online spending on a billing cycle and 5% on spends beyond Rs.10,000, along with 1% cashback on Unified Payment Interface (UPI) payments made through IDFC FIRST Bank applications(app).Joining Fees: The card requires a Rs.1000 joining fee, waived until March 31, 2026, and an annual fee of Rs.1,000 which is fully waived on annual spends of Rs.2 lakh or more and 50% waived on Rs.1 lakh spends.It also includes benefits such as Rs.2 lakh personal accident cover of Rs.25,000 purchase protection and fuel surcharge waivers.
IDFC First Bank Launches FD-Linked Credit Card ‘Hello Cashback Credit Card’On February 16, 2026, IDFC First Bank launched ‘Hello Cashback Credit Card’, a Fixed Deposit (FD)-backed credit card, designed especially for first-time users and people with ...
RBI Approves Airtel Money to operate as Type-II NBFC-NDOn February 17, 2026, Airtel Money, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, received a Certificate of Registration(CoR) from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Type II – Non-Deposit Taking Non-Banking Financial Company – Investment and Credit Company(Type‑II NBFC‑ND (ICC)).Key Details: Regulatory Basis: The certificate was issued under Section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934.Deposit Restrictions: Being a non-deposit taking NBFC, Airtel Money is prohibited from accepting public deposits, ensuring adherence to RBI’s prudential norms.Permitted Operations: The company is authorised to engage in credit and investment-related activities, including lending and financial transactions, without soliciting deposits from the public.
RBI Approves Airtel Money to operate as Type-II NBFC-NDOn February 17, 2026, Airtel Money, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, received a Certificate of Registration(CoR) from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Type II – Non-Deposit Taking Non-Banking Financial Company – Investment and Credit Company(Type‑II NBFC‑ND (ICC)).Key Details: Regulatory Basis: The certificate was issued under Section 45-IA of the RBI Act, 1934.Deposit Restrictions: Being a non-deposit taking NBFC, Airtel Money is prohibited from accepting public deposits, ensuring adherence to RBI’s prudential norms.Permitted Operations: The company is authorised to engage in credit and investment-related activities, including lending and financial transactions, without soliciting deposits from the public.
RBI Approves Airtel Money to operate as Type-II NBFC-NDOn February 17, 2026, Airtel Money, a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel, received a Certificate of Registration(CoR) from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to operate as a Type II – Non-Deposit Taking Non-Ba...
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DFS Released Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Incentive Scheme at Chintan ShivirIn February 2026, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), released a report titled ‘Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Incentive Scheme for Promotion of RuPay Debit Card and low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant) transactions’ during the Chintan Shivir held on February 13- February 14, 2026, at Coorg in Karnataka.The report assesses the effectiveness of the Government of India (GoI)’s incentive framework in promoting digital payments, bolstering payment infrastructure, and driving financial inclusion nationwide.About Social Impact Analysis:Conducted by: Social Impact Analysis, an initiative led by the DFS, has been conducted by Ipsos Research Pvt. Ltd, as the independent 3rd-party research agency in consultation with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).UPI Dominance: The report revealed that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the most preferred mode of transaction which accounts for 57% of total payment transactions, exceeding cash transactions at 38%.Surge in Digital Transactions: As per the report, the digital transactions surged nearly 11 times between 2021 and 2025, with UPI’s share in total digital transactions increasing to 80%.
DFS Released Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Incentive Scheme at Chintan ShivirIn February 2026, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), released a report titled ‘Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Incentive Scheme for Promotion of RuPay Debit Card and low-value BHIM-UPI (Person-to-Merchant) transactions’ during the Chintan Shivir held on February 13- February 14, 2026, at Coorg in Karnataka.The report assesses the effectiveness of the Government of India (GoI)’s incentive framework in promoting digital payments, bolstering payment infrastructure, and driving financial inclusion nationwide.About Social Impact Analysis:Conducted by: Social Impact Analysis, an initiative led by the DFS, has been conducted by Ipsos Research Pvt. Ltd, as the independent 3rd-party research agency in consultation with the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).UPI Dominance: The report revealed that Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has emerged as the most preferred mode of transaction which accounts for 57% of total payment transactions, exceeding cash transactions at 38%.Surge in Digital Transactions: As per the report, the digital transactions surged nearly 11 times between 2021 and 2025, with UPI’s share in total digital transactions increasing to 80%.
DFS Released Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Incentive Scheme at Chintan ShivirIn February 2026, the Department of Financial Services (DFS) under the Ministry of Finance (MoF), released a report titled ‘Socio-Economic Impact Analysis of Incentive S...
India’s First National Biobank for LSDs Launched in Ahmedabad, GujaratIn February 2026, Government of India (GoI) launched India’s first government-supported National Biobank dedicated to Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) at the Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology (FRIGE), Institute of Human Genetics, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.About Biobank: It is a central repository that collects, stores, and manages biological samples and related data such as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), blood, plasma, and urine, so researchers can use them to study diseases and develop treatments.It includes samples and data from 530 patients collected over a 17-year period from 2008 to 2025.About LSDs: LSDs are rarely inherited metabolic diseases caused by enzyme deficiencies in cells. The toxic substances build up inside cells and damage organs such as the brain, liver, spleen, and skeleton, without the necessary enzymes.About National Biobank: The biobank is expected to advance research, help develop new diagnostics, drug targets, and therapies, and provide a centralized national resource for clinical, enzymatic, and genomic data.Collaboration: A collaborative initiative has been launched with the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bengaluru(Karnataka), to utilise biobank-derived samples for developing human stem cell–based disease models aimed at studying and understanding rare genetic disorders.
India’s First National Biobank for LSDs Launched in Ahmedabad, GujaratIn February 2026, Government of India (GoI) launched India’s first government-supported National Biobank dedicated to Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) at the Foundation for Research in Genetics and Endocrinology (FRIGE), Institute of Human Genetics, in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.About Biobank: It is a central repository that collects, stores, and manages biological samples and related data such as Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), blood, plasma, and urine, so researchers can use them to study diseases and develop treatments.It includes samples and data from 530 patients collected over a 17-year period from 2008 to 2025.About LSDs: LSDs are rarely inherited metabolic diseases caused by enzyme deficiencies in cells. The toxic substances build up inside cells and damage organs such as the brain, liver, spleen, and skeleton, without the necessary enzymes.About National Biobank: The biobank is expected to advance research, help develop new diagnostics, drug targets, and therapies, and provide a centralized national resource for clinical, enzymatic, and genomic data.Collaboration: A collaborative initiative has been launched with the Tata Institute for Genetics and Society (TIGS), Bengaluru(Karnataka), to utilise biobank-derived samples for developing human stem cell–based disease models aimed at studying and understanding rare genetic disorders.
India’s First National Biobank for LSDs Launched in Ahmedabad, GujaratIn February 2026, Government of India (GoI) launched India’s first government-supported National Biobank dedicated to Lysosomal Storage Disorders (LSDs) at the Foundation for Resea...
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