NEW DELHI: In a rapidly reshaping global economy, strategic sovereignty has emerged as a guiding imperative, as nations navigate global supply chains while safeguarding critical capabilities in an increasingly fragmented world, global business leaders said. During a panel discussion, KPMG India CEO Yezdi Nagporewalla, global leaders across new age economy, technology and defence, financial inclusion, and consumer sectors, discussed the challenges and opportunities of operating in a fragmented global economy.Highlighting the core of strategic sovereignty in a world of global supply chains, General Atomics Global Corporation CEO Vivek Lall, chief executive of, said, “It is about reducing vulnerability to geopolitical choke points, whether in energy, technology, manufacturing, logistics, or data. Strengthening domestic capabilities while building trusted international partnerships is critical, and it is equally important to develop resilience against any potential choke points. As the global community moves forward, the underlying theme is going to be human resource training and human resource knowledge, capabilities. This is often underemphasized, but at the root of strategic sovereignty is a strong focus on human resource development.”Talking about how strategic sovereignty is reshaping the flow of global capital, Kishore Moorjani CEO – Alternatives, Private Funds CapitaLand Investment said, “Perhaps there’s no better place to see that in action than in India. When the country began liberalising over 30 years ago, it was hungry for capital and attracted significant foreign institutional investment. While FII capital is important, it can be fickle. Today, the situation has reversed: capital is chasing India… We respect the sovereignty of the markets we operate in and align our investments accordingly. We come to build India, not just trade.”Discussing the role of financial institutions in building national resilience, Mary Ellen Iskenderian, president & CEO of Women’s World Banking, said, “True economic resilience depends on inclusive access to savings, credit, insurance, and digital payments. Financial inclusion strengthens households and communities, particularly in the face of climate shocks and economic volatility, reinforcing national stability from the ground up.”On the question of how consumer brands maintain core identity while navigating local cultures, regulations, and consumer expectations, Mike Jatania, CEO and chairman The Body Shop & co-founder of Aurea, said: “For brands operating across borders, maintaining identity while respecting national priorities is essential. If your brand has a clear purpose and core values, it can adapt locally without losing its identity. Purpose, transparency, and trust are economic currency.”

NEW DELHI: Driven by structural reforms, entrepreneurial energy and a forward-looking approach to debt and development, India’s post-Covid expansion has been among the most consistent for any major economy, with expectations remaining strong for the medium term, Yann Le Pallec, president, S&P Global Ratings said on Saturday. “In our latest report, we explored how India is navigating a new global reality and what we found was a story of resilience, but also one of ambition which is at the core of Viksit Bharat 2047,” Le Pallec said, while highlighting India’s sustained commitment to fiscal discipline, targeted public investments and credible policy frameworks that have enhanced confidence in the country`s long term growth trajectory.Pointing to the link between trust, transparency, confidence and capital flows in a rapidly changing world economy, he said that few economies understand better than India that the “price of trust is truly the price of growth” and when trust breaks down, the cost of capital becomes a tax on progress. Referring to the growing depth of India’s domestic bond market and rising foreign participation, Le Pallec said inclusion of Indian govt bonds in global indices can significantly increase overseas investment and expand funding opportunities for domestic companies over coming years. Such developments, he said, strengthen the country’s financial ecosystem and support long-term growth.“This evolving distribution of trust aligns with the broader structural shift in the global economy. The centre of the global economy continues to move east. Emerging markets are expected to represent two-thirds of global growth this year, a trend which is supported by domestic policy predictability at a time when global uncertainty is rising,” he said. Le Pallec stressed that trust has always been at the heart of financial systems as credit ratings were created to help investors assess risk in emerging industries. Over time, standardised ratings became an important benchmark for global investors, enabling informed decisions and greater transparency during periods of uncertainty, including major economic downturns.According to Le Pallec, the role of credit ratings has remained largely unchanged in principle, providing independent assessments of risk, but the environment around them has transformed dramatically as global markets today face rising geopolitical uncertainties, shifting trade rules and changing policy dynamics, all of which influence the way trust is formed and maintained.He said that the global order built on predictable trade and policy frameworks is undergoing structural change. As trust weakens in certain relationships, countries and investors are increasingly focusing on diversification. This includes reducing exposure to concentrated risks, seeking new partnerships and strengthening domestic financial systems. While these adjustments may increase costs in the short term, he suggested they can also provide long-term resilience.

NEW DELHI: Ahead of next week’s AI Impact Summit, Union information technology minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday said that investments in the infrastructure layer of artificial intelligence may top $200 billion with commitments of around $90 billion already received.“We are working on all five layers of the AI stack. Conventionally, our strength has been providing IT services. Now, we have to convert this into providing AI-based services. The IT industry too has worked in recent years on this changing business model. It has invested in creating new tools and reskilling their workforce, so they can provide AI services,” Vaishnaw said, while addressing the ET NOW Global Business Summit.He added that after the UK, South Korea and France, India is set to host the biggest AI Impact summit next week, with more than 20 Heads of State and govts attending the event. “At the summit, we will be launching our bouquet of sovereign models. On so many parameters, the models are better than Open AI, Gemini Pro and Deep Seek, giving us confidence that India can develop models on very frugal resources,” said the minister, who is also in charge of railways and information and broadcasting ministries.Highlighting the development in the third layer of AI stack, Vaishnaw stressed that progress in semiconductor development — the “chip layer” — had been significant, with startups and research teams developing cutting-edge solutions that are expected to bear fruit in the coming years.Vaishnaw also noted electronic goods will be among the top two exported goods soon. “One of the key things Europeans wanted from India was electronic goods in the FTA. They wanted electronic items of all kinds for their industry and consumers, because we are a trusted country. India will become a trusted partner in the semiconductor and electronics value chain,” Vaishnaw said. The minister said AI is set to outpace all previous industrial revolutions and technological shifts, necessitating the need for industry and society to remain prepared for this swift transformation, as India’s coordinated push across talent, models, chips and applications will help position the country at the forefront of the global AI revolution. Sharing the progress on the first bullet train project, Vaishnaw said that the first section between Mumbai and Ahmedabad will open in 2027. He also said that the proposed Bengaluru–Chennai corridor could reduce travel time to just 73 minutes, thus bringing the two cities much closer and boosting economic activity. “Our engineers have really lived up to the challenge. Our industry too has gone through that learning curve and is practically self-sufficient in the entire high speed train technology. That is why Prime Minister Modi has announced seven new bullet train corridors, which will connect large parts of the country and transform the entire transportation industry. We are also going to standardise the entire system so that anyone in the world can come and participate. We will have a large role for the industry as well,” he added. On wider railway reforms, Vaishnaw said the ministry is working on “52 reforms in 52 weeks” in 2026, with two new reforms slated to be announced on the same day. Seven reforms have already been implemented and the rest are in progress.“These changes aim to improve overall travel experience, especially for daily passengers belonging to the low- and middle-income families. They remain our most important customers in the railways. We have been able to reduce accidents by about 90%. We want to further reduce it,” he said.

BENGALURU: A discreet outing plan, dodging parents’ calls, and a sudden end in a pre-dawn crash. Grief-stricken families of the six deceased boys followed a familiar script of keeping strict vigil on their children and checking on them every now and then through the night so that the kids are preparing for approaching exams. What they were not prepared to receive were phone calls from police with the most tragic and shocking one-line news: “Please come and identify your child’s body.”Around 11am Friday, grieving parents gathered at MVJ Hospital, near Hoskote, in shock and disbelief, refusing to accept the harsh reality that their sons were killed in the XUV crash hours earlier. For most families, the call from police shook them. The families had thought their children were in their rooms at home. It was only when the parents walked into their children’s rooms they realised something was amiss: beds were empty, phones unanswered. Their planned late-night joyride had been kept a secret from their parents. Four families TOI spoke to said they had no clue their sons had slipped out before dawn.

Bharath’s family had vague inkling, though: one of his elder sisters recalled he had casually mentioned something about stepping out after 5am to eat Hoskote biryani at a shop. He left much earlier than expected, without informing anyone. Their father was out of station for work when the accident occurred, leaving the sisters to confront the loss alone for a while. “He was like my baby,” one sister said, breaking down.Also read: ‘Teen driving at 160 kmph’: How speeding SUV triggered chain collision on BengaluruAccording to police sources, Ashvin Nayar’s mother knew of the plan and had asked him not to go. She checked on him three times during the night. The third time, however, he was not found at home. She called him, but there was no response. Hours later, she received a call from police, asking her to identify her son’s body. Ashvin’s autopsy was delayed as his father, who works in Mumbai, had to return to Bengaluru.Ayan, whose father’s car was involved in the crash, had followed a routine that gave no hint of the night ahead. Sources said his mother made him sit down and complete studies. Both went to sleep. Some time later, Ayan is believed to have taken the keys and driven out in the new car, purchased barely six months ago. A neighbour said, “Ayan knew how to drive, but his parents wouldn’t even allow him to sit in the driver’s seat.“When Mohammed Farhan Shaik’s mother noticed he was not in bed, she called him. “He told me he would be back in 10 minutes. So I kept quiet.” She waited and waited. And the call she never imagined came at 11am — from police.

In a delightful break from the intense rivalry of the T20 World Cup 2026, the ICC’s official Instagram handle recently shared a viral gem that has cricket fans smiling. The video features popular sports presenter Grace Hayden hilariously channeling her ‘inner Haydos’ by perfectly imitating the signature batting mechanics of her father, the legendary Australian opener Matthew Hayden.

Sports presenter Grace recreates father Matthew Hayden’s famous batting technique in hilarious fashion

The video captures Grace leaning into the family genes with surprising accuracy and a sharp sense of humor. Rather than just a casual pose, she hilariously recreates the specific mannerisms that once haunted the world’s best fast bowlers. Grace funnily replicates the ‘big burly Queenslander’ walk, taking those iconic two steps down the track that her father used to neutralize swing and turn.

She nails the wide, imposing base and the high back-lift, capturing that exact moment where Matthew would “look down” the pitch to dominate the bowler’s psyche. With comedic timing, she mimics the violent flourish of the bat and the follow-through of the lofted drive over long-on, a shot that Matthew famously used to dismantle attacks during the T20 World Cup.

Here’s the video:

pic.twitter.com/TT3tO2QYMf

— Blablabla (@Bhaukal_ba1) February 14, 2026

Also READ: Glamorous cricket presenter Grace Hayden reacts after fake social media account impersonate her

While she may be the daughter of a cricketing icon, Grace Hayden has carved out a distinct and powerful identity in the broadcasting world through her own merit and digital savvy. Her journey into the spotlight accelerated in 2023 with her debut on Star Sports, where her natural charisma and deep technical knowledge of the game made her an instant hit during the IPL and the ODI World Cup. Beyond traditional TV, Grace has built a massive digital empire:

• The Digital Powerhouse: With around 724K followers on Instagram, she is a major influencer who blends high-fashion aesthetics with behind-the-scenes cricket insights.
• YouTube and “Game On”: Her popular YouTube channel, particularly her podcast series ‘Game On with Grace,’ has become a go-to platform for unfiltered conversations with global stars like Jason Holder and rising talents from the USA and Canada.
• Fan Connection: Grace is renowned for her ‘old school’ preparation, often seen with handwritten notes, and her ability to build genuine rapport with players, making her one of the most relatable and respected young voices in the T20 World Cup 2026 media contingent.

Also READ: 7 most stunning pics of Delhi Premier League’s sports presenter Grace Hayden

Nepal captain Rohit Paudel leaves the field after being dismissed by Crishan Kalugamage of Italy during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match between Nepal and Italy at Wankhede Stadium on February 12, 2026 in Mumbai, India. (Photo/Getty Images)

Nepal head coach Stuart Law criticised his team after their 10-wicket loss to Italy in the T20 World Cup, saying the players had “not shown commitment” and must block out “nonsense” on social media to focus on cricket.Nepal had earlier pushed two-time champions England in a high-scoring match but failed to carry that performance forward. Against tournament debutants Italy, they were beaten without taking a wicket.Law said social media plays a major role in the lives of Nepal’s players but can become a distraction during a global event.

“Social media is a massive part of the Nepalese culture,” Law told reporters when asked what steps he had taken to ensure dressing-room discussions translated into on-field performances, especially after the contrasting nature of Nepal’s first two outings.“If we’re focusing on what we’re doing on social media, (or) on what people are saying about us on social media, and not focusing about what the team needs (or even) what the teammates are saying, and (what) the game requires, you’re distracted from your actual job,” said Law.“I’m trying to strike a happy medium with the players so (as to) make sure they’re focused on their cricket, number one, and the rest of the nonsense that I call it.“It’s a difficult one (call) because I know a lot of players rely on it to gain endorsements and sponsorship, etc. But I also think that the World Cup cricketers — I’ve tried to explain to them — that if we keep winning games at cricket, your likes will go up anyway,” he said.Law added that success on the field would automatically improve their reach online.“You don’t have to keep showing your face. If you show that cricket in Nepal is going forward and we’re winning games at cricket, your attraction on social media will go through the roof,” Law said, revealing his message to the players.“I’ve said that to the boys today, get that away from cricket. Do it away from cricket. When you’re at cricket, do your cricket. Maybe the distraction from the heist of nearly beating England, and the people from around the world at cricket (including) the greats of the game… (all) that is nice to hear, but you’ve still got to remember we lost,” Law said.He said the drop in performance against Italy reflected a lack of focus and mental strength.“To go from that high (against England) to then go to the extreme low four days later, that’s not showing mental toughness,” he said.“That’s not showing commitment to your team, to your country, to your family, et cetera, to your teammates. We need to make sure that we understand that we need to do that better.”Law also confirmed that captain Rohit Paudel had a stomach issue but is expected to play on Sunday.“There’s been a bit of fever going around the World Cup, some stomach issues, etc. But he had a fever last night. He took medicine. He should be fine for tomorrow (Sunday),” Law said.

IMPHAL: In villages across the foothills near western Imphal, young men have spent nearly three years taking turns through the night, standing at the edge of their settlements with sticks and torches after elders decided vigilance was no longer optional. In Kuki villages, night patrols began almost immediately after clashes erupted on May 3, 2023. In Naga-majority ones, they intensified after tensions flared in Litan this week.Some of these youngsters were brought to Assam Rifles’ New Keithelmanbi Garrison earlier this week after finishing guard duty that morning, reports Vishant Agarwala. They are footballers. From Monday to Thursday, 13 teams – eight Naga, three Meitei and two Kuki – from nearby villages gathered at the garrison’s uneven, dusty football ground for Assam Rifles’ Foothills Football Tournament, organised under Operation Sadbhavana.Keithelmanbi lies along the seam where the Imphal Valley rises into the surrounding hills, a geography that has hardened into buffer zones and guarded perimeters. The teams were named after nearby villages. But even a distance of 4km can carry more meaning than it suggests. The Kuki teams – including Haibung FC which reached Thursday’s final – crossed the buffer zone for the first time since May 2023 in Assam Rifles buses with guards.Football has often mirrored deeper fractures within societies already under strain. The 1990 clash between Dinamo Zagreb and Red Star Belgrade came to symbolise Yugoslavia unravelling. The so-called “Football War” between El Salvador and Honduras in 1969 entered history as an example of how a match can ignite terrain already primed for conflict. In those instances, football did not invent grievance, it amplified it.In Keithelmanbi, football was asked to restrain. The organisers approached the tournament with caution. Senior Assam Rifles officers addressed the teams before kickoff and made the terms clear: play in the spirit of the sport; any attempt to injure an opponent would result in an immediate red card; an extremely severe offence would lead to disqualification of the entire team. “Refereeing is always contentious, so we used soldiers from outside the northeast,” an officer told TOI. Security personnel lined the perimeter. From the commentary area, a Hindi voice narrated play and returned to one appeal whenever tackles grew heavy: “Khel ki sadbhavana banaye rakhein. Referee ke nirnay ka paalan karein.” Maintain the game’s spirit. Referee’s decision is final.The first semifinal at 8am on Wednesday featured two 100% Meitei teams – New Keithelmanbi Team B and KTYWA Keinou. The second carried a heavier backdrop. Khonglong Naga Youth Club faced Haibung FC. Days earlier, violence had flared between Kukis and Nagas about 100km away in Litan in Ukhrul district. Though Khonglong’s village had not suffered direct damage, anxiety spread quickly. Naga youngsters too began night patrols. Families hesitated before allowing the team travel. “People were worried,” one Khonglong player said. “But if we stop meeting completely, that is not good for the future.”On the pitch, there was no spillover. Haibung dominated in a largely one-sided contest. When the match ended, the handshake was steady and unforced. It set up a final few had predicted – the first Kuki-Meitei football match since May 3, 2023.Haibung’s story explains why reaching the final carried weight beyond sport. The squad’s average age is 19. Instead of focusing on training, many found themselves playing night sentries. “For our own safety,” one said. “That doesn’t mean we want to fight another community.” “We don’t sleep properly on those days,” another player said quietly. “But it is our responsibility.” They were excused from duty for the duration of the tournament.Haibung coach Ngamgoulen (30) had returned from Delhi, where he had been preparing for the Manipur civil services exams, on April 28, 2023. Within weeks, his village was attacked five times. His cousin Nilson Kuki’s house burned down. Movement became restricted. Reaching the nearest airport required crossing a buffer zone. With routes to Imphal airport blocked, residents travelled via Aizawl or Dimapur. Gogo, as he is known, did not leave his village. “As the younger brother of the village chief, it was my duty to be there for my people.” His belongings remain in Delhi.Haibung defender Seiminthang Haokip (20) now lives in a relief camp after his village was burned down twice and is still waiting for the next stage of his Territorial Army application. Fullback Thangkhopao Singsit (21) had been preparing for CDS examinations when his village was attacked in July 2023, leaving three villagers dead and one still missing.Goalkeeper Chongouman Kipgen (21) ran a private school with his father that employed teachers from Meitei, Kuki, Naga and smaller tribes, and they were in the process of starting another school before the conflict made coexistence impossible. Midfielder Thangminsei Kipgen (19) teaches at the only functioning community-run school in the area, managed by Kuki Students’ Organisation, after most qualified teachers left the state.By the time the final began, the stands were full. Villagers had been brought in Army vehicles under armed escort, joining elders and locals. Senior Assam Rifles officers were present.The first half was intense. New Keithelmanbi was in control. By halftime, the Meitei side had built a 3-0 lead. Haibung regrouped during the break and scored two goals soon after the match resumed. Midway through the second half, a tackle triggered protests and brief shoves before Assam Rifles personnel intervened. The commentator’s reminder – “khel ki sadbhavana banaye rakhein” – returned. The game concluded 5-2 in favour of New Keithelmanbi. There were five yellow cards in the match.When the final whistle blew, players formed a line and shook hands without hesitation. The exchange was brief and routine. “We just played,” one said afterwards. Security personnel remained until the teams dispersed. The Meitei side returned toward the valley. Haibung FC boarded Assam Rifles buses and travelled across the buffer zone under armed escort – to villages where night patrols would resume.

Karan Kundrra has often spoken candidly about love and on Valentine’s Day as he talks about his relationship with Tejasswi Prakash, there’s an unmistakable sense of certainty and comfort. Looking back at how their bond began, Karan shared that neither of them had anticipated where their journey would lead. “When we met each other, we didn’t know that we would be together, that we would date and fall in love,” he said, adding that despite the years gone by, the feelings remain unchanged.Karan and Tejasswi met on Bigg Boss 15, where their friendship slowly turned into love amid the pressures of the reality show. Reflecting on what makes their relationship work, Karan said, “I still look at her and I’m like, yeh kya ladki hai. She is still the same girl that I met. Every day something happens and I am reminded why I fell in love with her. We fell in love for the right reasons. We still have the same amount of fun, and we still like doing similar things together.”

Having spent four years together, including sharing the intense experience of reality television, Karan believes that understanding each other’s emotional rhythms has been key. “She understands my mood. I know kab yeh phatne wali hai. I know when she is comfortable and when she is not,” he said. “When you’ve done a reality show together, you’ve seen the extreme sides of each other.” Interestingly, Karan also finds inspiration in long-term relationships around him. Like his Splitsvilla X6: Pyaar Ya Paisa co-host Sunny Leone, and her husband Daniel Weber. He shares, “When I see Daniel and Sunny together, it makes me feel that I want to be somebody like that for my girlfriend.” Watching them as parents has had a deep impact on him. “Ab meri woh stage ho gayi hai jahan main dekh raha hoon how they are with their kids. You keep getting inspired,” he added.

NEW DELHI: The Indian Army has started a major recruitment drive for Agniveer roles this year, offering over 25,000 positions across the country. The application process is now open following the release of an official notification for 2026-27. The last date to apply is April 1.When the Agnipath scheme was launched on June 14, 2022 — recruitment was for a period of four years — a total of 46,000 vacancies were opened for recruitment that year to the Army, Navy and Indian Air Force. Out of this, 40,000 vacancies were for the Army and the rest for the Navy and the IAF. With the first batch completing their four-year term by late 2026, and more retirements on the way, the Army is accelerating hiring to stabilise manpower. In a bid to reduce a shortfall of nearly 1.8 lakh soldiers, the Army is looking to increase vacancies for recruitment of Agniveers to over 1 lakh every year, from the existing 46,000.For 2026 recruitment, selected candidates will receive a specially structured monthly salary starting at Rs 30,000 in the first month. This amount will increase by Rs 5,000 each subsequent year, reaching Rs 40,000 by the fourth year. After contributing 30% to the Agniveer Corpus Fund, the in-hand salary will range from Rs 21,000 in the first year to Rs 28,000 in the fourth year. The govt will match this contribution annually.The 25,000 posts are across several categories such as general duty (GD), technical, clerk/storekeeper technical, tradesman, soldier pharma, soldier technical nursing assistant and women mlitary police. The registration process that started on Feb 13 will continue till April 1. The selection procedure will be carried out in three phases— a computer-based test (CBT), a recruitment rally, and finally, document verification.