The United States moved more than 50 fighter jets toward the Middle East in the past 24 hours as Washington and Iran held high-stakes nuclear talks. The aircraft include F-22, F-35, and F-16 jets, along with several refueling planes tracked by social media accounts that monitor military flights. Flight tracking data in recent days also showed unusually heavy movement of US airpower toward bases in Europe and the Middle East, according to open-source flight tracking data, cited by Times of Israel.The military buildup also includes continued deliveries of US air defense systems to the region, according to a US official, cited by CNN. Several American units already deployed in the Middle East that were due to rotate out in the coming weeks have had their deployments extended, a source familiar with the matter said. Flight-tracking data shows dozens of US military cargo planes have carried equipment from the United States to Jordan, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in recent weeks, with more than 250 US cargo flights into the region recorded overall.Some of the aircraft moved are the same types used in last June’s Operation Midnight Hammer on Iranian nuclear facilities, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.The deployments come as Washington and Iran held a second round of talks in Geneva over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said the meeting produced agreement on “guiding principles” for future negotiations, with both sides planning to exchange draft texts for a potential deal. No timeline has been set for the exchange or for further talks.“We have reached understandings on the guiding principles, but the drafting and writing phase of the agreement will be more difficult,” he said, as quoted by CNN. “Right now we have a much clearer picture of what work needs to happen and what work needs to continue of course both sides still have work to do to get closer together but at least now we have a framework and a clearer path to go on.”The Trump administration is demanding that Iran agree to a new nuclear accord prohibiting uranium enrichment. President Donald Trump has threatened military action for weeks, initially warning Iranian leaders last month that he was prepared to order an attack if the government did not stop killing protesters. The first round of talks on Feb. 6 was held in Oman and conducted indirectly, with SUVs flying the American flag entering the palace venue only after it appeared Iranian officials had left.

Team Australia (Pic credit: ICC)

Australia’s shock group-stage exit from the T20 World Cup has sparked widespread outrage, with critics tearing into their bowling depth and branding the campaign “shambolic,” while former spinner Brad Hogg delivered the most damning verdict: “We probably deserve what we’ve got at this stage.” Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!The 2021 champions were eliminated in Sri Lanka on Tuesday after Zimbabwe sealed qualification when their match against Ireland was washed out, leaving Australia stranded and unable to catch up in the points table.

The abrupt exit marks a stunning collapse for one of the tournament heavyweights, undone by injuries, questionable selections and a dramatic dip in performances. The absence of pace trio Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and retired T20 spearhead Mitchell Starc left the attack badly exposed. The Australian said the bowling unit was a “shadow of former glories,” adding that players central to previous success “have fallen off a cliff when the stakes are at their highest.”Australia’s campaign spiralled further amid fierce criticism of selection decisions, particularly the handling of Steve Smith. Despite strong form, Smith was initially overlooked and only added later as cover. “We still haven’t had a compelling answer as to why he wasn’t yet in Colombo,” the newspaper wrote, questioning why a proven performer against spin was missing during the crucial defeat to Zimbabwe and later left out again as the middle order collapsed against Sri Lanka.

Hogg said the problems exposed deeper structural concerns. “We don’t have that bowling depth, and that’s really shown,” he told Talksport, warning that selectors must urgently rethink the future. “They’ve got to look at their depth of bowling… what’s our next generation going to look like?”Adding to the humiliation, British broadcaster Piers Morgan mocked Australia’s exit, posting sarcastic condolences online.

Stock market today (AI image)

Stock market today: Indian equity benchmarks opened flat in trade on Wednesday. While the 50-share index Nifty was near 25,700, the 30-share BSE Sensex was down marginally. At 9:16 AM, Nifty50 was trading at 25,716.35, down 9 points or 0.035%. BSE Sensex was at 83,438.94, down 12 points or 0.014%.Experts believe that the stock market is likely to remain steady with a positive undertone in the near term, supported by global trends.Dr. VK Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Investments Limited says, “The better-than-expected Q3 results and indications of continuing momentum in earnings growth, going forward, are positive factors that will keep the market resilient. The volatility in IT stocks may continue, in response to incoming news relating to the sector. Overall, IT stocks may remain weak since uncertainty surrounding the sector is huge and large institutional investors are unlikely to invest big time in IT stocks, unless valuations become compelling. There can be churns away from IT towards other sectors like banking and financials, automobiles, telecom, pharmaceuticals etc where there is good earnings visibility.”“This is the time to gradually increase exposure to equity. But many retail investors are increasing investments in gold and silver ETFs, which is a risky game in the present context. Early signs of a shift in the investment strategy of FIIs are visible now. In the cash market, FIIs have been buyers in eight out of the last thirteen trading days. This trend and improving prospects for corporate earnings bode well for the market.“US equities ended marginally higher after a weak start to the session, helped by a rebound in technology stocks and support from financial shares. The recovery followed earlier volatility as investors assessed the outlook for artificial intelligence after recent turbulence that had pulled major indices away from record levels.Asian markets also posted modest gains in thin holiday trading. Investor sentiment remained cautious as markets continued to digest recent swings in global equities linked to concerns around AI-driven disruptions.(Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 10 Mathematics examination today, February 17, 2026, in both Standard and Basic formats. Early reactions from students and teachers indicate a noticeable difference in difficulty levels between the two papers. While the Standard paper was largely balanced and manageable, the Basic paper drew criticism for being lengthy and challenging.CBSE Class 10 Maths Basic Paper 2026: Check and download question paper, students call it moderately difficultPrincipal Dr. Alka Kapur of Modern Public School shared with TOI, “The Standard paper was balanced, well-structured, and manageable within the allotted time, while the Basic paper was relatively tough and lengthy, with graph-based questions proving particularly challenging.” Several teachers across India also shared their analyses. Manpreet Kaur, TGT Mathematics at Global Indian International School, noted, “The Grade 10 Mathematics board exam paper was balanced and prepared according to the prescribed board pattern. Overall difficulty was easy to moderate. Most questions were concept-based and straightforward, though a Triangles question and a Probability question were tricky. Time management was important, but well-prepared students could attempt most questions confidently.”CBSE Class 10 Maths Standard Paper 2026: Check and download question paper, students find it difficultSimilarly, Suneeti Sharma, TGT Mathematics at Global Indian International School, said, “The paper was moderate in difficulty, with some sections leaning toward easy. Case-study and application-based questions, particularly from Trigonometry, required careful thinking. Students who had practised NCERT examples thoroughly found the paper manageable.” From JAIN International Residential School, Bengaluru, Vamanrao S Patil and Benasir P A described the paper as “moderate and largely NCERT-focused. While MCQs and two-mark questions were accessible, Section D and the case-based Section E required deeper analysis, careful reading, and effective time management.”Shaifali Bhatt, HOD Mathematics at DPS Sector 45, shared her expert view on the exam: “The Class X Mathematics examination, both Standard and Basic, was well-structured and strictly aligned with the NCERT curriculum. The paper was balanced in difficulty, covering all key concepts fairly. Importantly, no questions were outside the prescribed syllabus, and both papers maintained consistency in structure and conceptual clarity, effectively assessing students’ understanding and application skills without being unpredictable.” Students also expressed their views. Abhhisek Sen, a Class 10 student, said, “The paper set 430/2/2 was extremely lengthy and also difficult, especially when it is a Basic paper. CBSE should shed its ego and reconduct the exam and this time must set the difficulty level equivalent to basic level.”Teacher Sanjay Sharma from Yamuna Vihar added, “The Basic paper demanded extensive calculations, whereas the Standard paper tested conceptual clarity without being overly lengthy.”Competency-Based Questions Test Conceptual ClarityOne of the key highlights of this year’s paper was the presence of competency-based questions. Teachers noted that these questions required students to apply concepts rather than rely solely on memorisation.“The competency-based questions were thoughtfully framed. They tested students’ understanding of concepts in real-life contexts,” said Mr. Abhishek Mehra, PGT Mathematics. “CBSE is clearly moving towards assessing application skills.”In particular, some word problems and case-study based questions required step-by-step reasoning. Students who had practised exemplar problems reportedly found these manageable.Challenging Areas: Circles and Lengthy MCQsWhile the overall paper was accessible, early reviews of the Mathematics Basic paper highlighted that a few questions from the ‘Circles’ chapter posed challenges. Some students felt that these questions required deeper conceptual understanding.“I was slightly confused in one of the questions from Circles, but after re-reading it, I could attempt it,” said another student from Yamuna Vihar.Additionally, a section of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) was described as lengthy. Though not necessarily difficult, these questions required time and careful calculation. Time management, therefore, played an important role. Another student from Mumbai told TOI, “Section E was difficult while the rest of the paper was moderate. Many students looked tense, and some were even crying after coming out of the exam hall.”What Lies AheadWith Mathematics marking the beginning of the board exams, students seem relieved and hopeful about the upcoming subjects. As the board exams progress, expert analyses and actual question papers are expected to be out soon.On the whole, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) Class 10 Maths Paper 2026 has been termed as moderately difficult, with a mix of direct and application-based questions. Although some students found the paper manageable with proper preparation, certain parts of the paper demanded a better understanding of concepts and time management. Despite its difficulties, the paper was found to be fair and in line with the syllabus, marking a steady start to this year’s board exams.In conclusion, while the Standard paper was largely fair and student-friendly, the Basic paper challenged many learners. Competency-based and application-driven questions tested conceptual understanding and time management. Students and educators alike are now analysing both papers to gauge performance and prepare for upcoming subjects.

It’s a high-stakes Wednesday in Colombo for the Men in Green. Following a bruising 61-run defeat to arch-rivals India, Pakistan find themselves in a must-win territory. With two wins and one loss, Salman Ali Agha’s side needs a clinical performance to secure their spot in the Super Eights and avoid a repeat of their 2024 heartbreak.

Namibia, meanwhile, have shown they aren’t here just to make up the numbers. While they’ve struggled against the heavyweights in Group A, Gerhard Erasmus’s men are notorious for being giant-killers in tournament play. With nothing to lose and a chance to play spoiler, they’ll be looking to exploit any lingering nerves in the Pakistan camp.

PAK vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Match Details

• Date and Time: February 18 (Wednesday); 3:00 pm IST / 9:30 am GMT
• Venue: Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo

PAK vs NAM, Head-to-Head Record (T20Is)

Matches played: 1 | Pakistan won: 1 | Namibia won: 0

Sinhalese Sports Club Pitch Report

The surface at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo generally offers a contest that changes character as the match unfolds. Early on, batters benefit from true bounce and a quick outfield, turning the Powerplay into a productive phase where clean hitting and stroke-play are rewarded. As the innings wears on, however, the pitch tends to lose pace, with dry areas beginning to assist turn and grip.

That gradual slowdown often shifts the balance towards the spinners, who become increasingly influential through the middle overs and at the back end. Tournament trends indicate that while teams have often preferred chasing, a first-innings score in excess of 170 can become tough to overhaul once the surface starts breaking up. Adding another layer to the contest, dew is forecast to play a part, which may tempt captains winning the toss to field first and take advantage of potentially easier batting conditions later on.

Also READ: Top 5 youngest centurions in T20 World Cup history ft. Yuvraj Samra

Squads: 

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq

Namibia: Louren Steenkamp, Jan Frylinck, Jan Nicol Loftie-Eaton, Gerhard Erasmus (c), JJ Smit, Zane Green (wk), Ruben Trumpelmann, Dylan Leicher, Willem Myburgh, Bernard Scholtz, Max Heingo, Malan Kruger, Alexander Volschenk, Jack Brassell, Jan Balt

PAK vs NAM, T20 World Cup 2026: Today’s Match Prediction

Case 1:

• Pakistan wins the toss and bowls first
• Namibia powerplay score: 40-50 (6 overs)
• Namibia total score: 160-170

Case 2:

• Namibia wins the toss and bowls first
• Pakistan powerplay score: 45-55 (6 overs)
• Pakistan total score: 170-180

Match result: Team bowling first to win the contest. 

Also READ: Yuvraj Samra’s ton goes in vain as Glenn Phillips steers New Zealand to dominant win over Canada in T20 World Cup 2026

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NEW DELHI: Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat on Tuesday reiterated that Hindu families should consider having at least three children.Addressing a social-harmony meeting at the Saraswati Shishu Mandir in Lucknow, Bhagwat expressed concerns over what he described as a declining Hindu population and called for uniting and empowering the Hindu society.“There is a need to unite and empower Hindus. There is no threat to us but vigilance is necessary,” Bhagwat said.Raising concerns over infiltration, Bhagwat said infiltrators should be “detected, deleted and deported”, and should not be provided employment.He also said Hindu families should consider having at least three children, citing scientific opinions that societies with an average fertility rate of below three could disappear in the future.Bhagwat said newly-married couples should be made aware of this and added that the purpose of marriage is to carry forward creation, not merely fulfilling one’s own desires.He said a lack of harmony leads to discrimination and stressed that all citizens share one country and one motherland.“The Sanatan thought is a philosophy of harmony,” Bhagwat said, adding that differences that have emerged over time must be addressed through understanding and practice.Responding to a question on University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines, Bhagwat said laws must be obeyed and if a law is flawed, there are constitutional ways to change it.He said caste divisions should not become a cause of conflict and called for uplifting the disadvantaged with a sense of belonging.Bhagwat said India would guide the world in the near future and that solutions to many global problems lie within the country’s civilisational ethos.He said regular community-level meetings should promote social harmony, remove misconceptions and address social issues, while extending support to the weaker sections of the society.The RSS chief cautioned that some elements in the United States and China are working against India’s social harmony, and called for vigilance and mutual trust.

The US Capitol police detained an 18-year-old man after he ran toward the west side of the Capitol building, carrying a loaded shotgun, prompting a swift law enforcement response.Authorities said the incident is under investigation, including whether members of Congress were the intended target. The arrest comes a week before President Donald Trump’s scheduled State of the Union address, though officials said security plans remain unchanged.

How the events unfolded

According to Capitol police chief Michael Sullivan, the suspect parked a Mercedes SUV near the Capitol before exiting the vehicle and running several hundred yards toward the building while armed with a shotgun.Officers quickly intercepted him and ordered him to drop the weapon and lie on the ground, after which he was taken into custody without injuries.Sullivan said the shotgun was loaded, and the suspect was carrying additional ammunition.Police also recovered a tactical vest and gloves worn by the suspect, while a Kevlar helmet and gas mask were found inside the vehicle.Authorities said they have video footage of the incident and have appealed to members of the public to share any additional recordings that may assist the investigation.

Who is the detainee?

The suspect has been identified as Carter Camacho, an 18-year-old from Smyrna, Georgia.Police said he was not previously known to authorities and was not from the Washington area. Officials also noted that the vehicle used in the incident was not registered in his name and that he has multiple listed addresses.Camacho is currently being held on charges including unlawful activities, carrying a rifle without a license, possession of an unregistered firearm and possession of unregistered ammunition, according to a Capitol Police press release.

Preparations and past scares at Capitol

Chief Sullivan said the department had recently conducted active shooter drills in nearly the same area where the incident occurred, highlighting the preparedness of officers on duty. “Who knows what would have happened if we hadn’t had officers standing here?” he said during a press briefing.The Capitol has seen similar security incidents in recent years. In 2023, Capitol Police arrested an Atlanta man armed with a rifle after he was spotted in a park near the Senate.Officials emphasised that Tuesday’s arrest will not affect security arrangements for the upcoming State of the Union address, noting that the event is treated with the highest level of security planning.

Federal oversight

The incident comes amid broader discussions around crime and security in Washington DC.Authorities said crime levels in the city have declined significantly in 2026 compared with 2025, which itself saw a sharp drop from the previous year. Last August, President Trump declared an emergency in the city to address crime, leading to the deployment of more than 2,000 National Guard members along with additional federal law enforcement personnel, many of whom remain stationed across Washington.Separately, a recent encounter involving US Marshals resulted in the death of a Washington resident after authorities responded to a report of a person allegedly threatening to kidnap and harm someone while armed.The incident is under investigation, and local activists have called for greater transparency from officials.