South Korea’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol (file pic)

Former South Korea president Yoon Suk Yeol has been found guilty of “insurrection”, and has been sentenced to life in prison by the Seoul central district court. The verdict is linked to his martial law declaration in December 2024 , which the court called a deliberate plot to “paralyse” the National Assembly.“As to defendant Yoon Suk Yeol, the crime of insurrection leadership is established,” presiding judge Ji Gwi-yeon told Seoul Central District Court, as quoted by AFP.“The declaration of martial law resulted in enormous social costs, and it is difficult to find any indication that the defendant has expressed remorse for that,” added the judge to the ruling while announcing the ‘life imprison’ ruling.A special prosecutor has demanded the death penalty for Yoon, arguing that his actions posed a serious threat to the country’s democracy and warranted the harshest punishment. However, most analysts expected a life sentence, noting that Yoon’s poorly planned power grab did not result in any casualties. South Korea has not executed a death row inmate since 1997, effectively maintaining a moratorium amid ongoing calls for abolition.As Yoon arrived at the Seoul court, hundreds of police officers monitored the scene while supporters rallied outside the judicial complex. Nearby, critics demanded the death penalty, their protests intensifying as the prison bus transporting Yoon passed by.The court will also hear cases against seven former military and police officials accused of enforcing Yoon’s martial law decree. Yoon, a staunch conservative, defended the six-hour decree as necessary to prevent “anti-state” liberal forces from obstructing his agenda. The measure was lifted after lawmakers broke through a military blockade and unanimously voted to nullify it.Yoon was suspended from office on December 14, 2024, following impeachment by the National Assembly, and formally removed by the Constitutional Court in April 2025. He has been in custody since July 2025, facing multiple criminal trials, with the rebellion charge carrying the most severe punishment. Last month, he was sentenced to five years in prison for resisting arrest, fabricating the martial law proclamation, and bypassing a legally required full Cabinet meeting before declaring the measure.The Seoul Central Court has also convicted two of Yoon’s Cabinet members in related cases. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was sentenced to 23 years for attempting to legitimise the decree through a Cabinet Council meeting, falsifying records, and lying under oath. Han has appealed the verdict.

After days of speculation, Gates Foundation India has confirmed that Bill Gates will not deliver his keynote address at the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026. The foundation shared a post on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) announcing that the Microsoft founder will skip his keynote speech that he was previously scheduled to deliver today, February 19, 2026. There had been uncertainty around Gates’ participation after earlier reports suggested he might not attend the event. The Gates Foundation had subsequently indicated that he would be present, but his name later disappeared from the official AI Impact Summit website, adding to the confusion.With the latest X post, Gates Foundation India has cleared the air. It stated that the foundation will now be “represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit”.

Here’s what Gates Foundation India wrote

“After careful consideration, and to ensure the focus remains on the AI Summit’s key priorities, Mr. Gates will not be delivering his keynote address. The Gates Foundation will be represented by Ankur Vora, President of Africa and India Offices, who will speak later today at the Summit.The Gates Foundation remains fully committed to our work in India to advance our shared health and development goals,” the post reads.

India AI Impact Summit 2026: Tech speakers on day 4

As per the official website of India AI Impact Summit, tech CEOs scheduled to speak today are Google CEO Sundar Pichai, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, N Chandrasekaran – Chairman, Tata Sons, Rishad Premji, Executive Chairman, Wipro, Brad Smith, Vice Chair and President, Microsoft, and Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture.Alexandr Wang, Chief AI Officer, Meta, Arthur Mensch, CEO and Co-founder, Mistral AI, Roy Jakobs, CEO Phillips, Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks among others are also scheduled to deliver their keynote at the summit today.

The United States has deployed the most substantial military force to the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, raising fears of imminent strikes against Iran as President Donald Trump weighs his options. Sources familiar with the matter told CNN that the US military could be ready to launch attacks as early as this weekend, although Trump has yet to make a final decision. The president has reportedly polled advisers and foreign leaders, weighing both the risks of military action and the potential gains of further diplomacy.White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasised on Wednesday that while diplomacy remains Trump’s “first option,” military action remains firmly on the table. “There’s many reasons and arguments that one could make for a strike against Iran,” she said, adding that the president relies heavily on counsel from his national security team. Negotiations continue: US and Iranian officials met in Geneva this week for indirect talks, agreeing on a “set of guiding principles,” though key details remain unresolved, CBS reported.

Naval and air power surge

The military buildup includes 13 US warships already stationed in the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, nine destroyers, and three littoral combat ships. A second carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford—the world’s largest—has been ordered from the Caribbean and is expected to arrive within weeks, accompanied by three destroyers.Air power is also surging. Advanced F-22 and F-35 fighter jets, F-15 and F-16 warplanes, and KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft have been repositioned closer to Iran, with command-and-control planes arriving to coordinate a potential sustained air campaign. Flight-tracking data shows E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft and other support planes operating in the region, laying the foundation for operations that could extend for weeks, rather than a single strike.“This presence of so much firepower in the region creates a momentum of its own,” said Susan Ziadeh, senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “Sometimes that momentum is a little hard to just put the brakes on and say, that’s it, we’re not doing anything.”

Iran fortifies key facilities

Meanwhile, Iran has intensified defensive preparations. Satellite imagery analysed by the Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS) and reported by Reuters shows the construction of concrete shields over sensitive facilities, including the Taleghan 2 site near Parchin. Tunnel entrances at the Isfahan nuclear complex have been buried in soil, while sites near Natanz are being hardened. Iranian missile bases in Shiraz South and Qom are also being rebuilt after last year’s strikes by Israel.Experts warn that these measures could complicate any US air campaign. “Backfilling the tunnel entrances would help dampen potential airstrikes and make ground access difficult,” said William Goodhind, a forensic imagery analyst with Contested Ground, as reported by Reuters. ISIS founder David Albright noted that Iran’s recent activity “may soon become a fully unrecognisable bunker, providing significant protection from aerial strikes.”

Strategic stakes and regional impact

US officials told The Wall Street Journal that President Trump has been briefed on options ranging from limited strikes on nuclear and missile facilities to broader operations targeting regime leaders and regional proxies. Long-range bombers, including B-2s, could be deployed directly from the US or from Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, as Trump has hinted on social media.Iran, heavily reliant on its missile arsenal and lacking a significant air force, could respond by targeting US bases and allies or attempting to close the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts, including retired Air Force General David Deptula, suggest that the military buildup might itself push Tehran toward concessions: “The dramatic increase in deployed forces may be significant enough that Trump is not messing around with the use of force,” he said.

Saad Bin Zafar has had an inspiring journey (Photos from Instagram)

NEW DELHI: In 2004, T20 cricket was still an idea waiting to happen. The shortest format, which today commands prime-time slots, billions in franchise cricket, biennial World Cup events, and the ICC’s most-reliable route to globalise the game, had not yet been played at the international level.That same year, a 17-year-old Saad Bin Zafar moved from Gujranwala in Pakistan to Canada. Cricket was not the reason for the move. Education was.“When we moved to Canada in the beginning, the sole reason was for me to get a good education,” Saad told TimesofIndia.com during an exclusive interaction. “My parents, especially my dad, used to tell me to focus on my studies, ‘play cricket but don’t let your studies affect you. That’s the sole reason we decided to move you to Canada.’ So, there was some pressure from my family.”

Two decades later, Saad is Canada’s most experienced campaigner in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 and their leading wicket-taker with four wickets.And as his team prepares to play Afghanistan in their final match of the tournament on Thursday at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, the 39-year-old has just one ambition: “To give our best and show our potential.”A late start to ‘serious’ cricketFor the 1989-born, cricket was a pastime in Pakistan, rather than a serious pursuit.“I didn’t play a lot of club cricket in Pakistan. I played school cricket. I didn’t have in mind that I would take up cricket as a career,” he said.After moving to Canada, he joined the University of Toronto and completed a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration there.

Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar, left, celebrates the wicket of New Zealand’s Tim Seifert (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)

Cricket initially fit around his studies. He would play club cricket in Toronto’s Super 9 league before making his debut for Canada in 2008.However, the early years were filled with inconsistency.“From 2008 to 2015, I was on and off in the team. I used to be picked and then dropped,” he added. “I was a youngster. I was new in the team. I was trying to make my place.”That changed in 2015. He gradually made his mark as a regular in the national side and became one of the team’s most trusted assets.A leader in the roomSaad played an integral part in leading Canada through the qualifiers into the T20 World Cup, later becoming the country’s first captain in the tournament’s history. Under his leadership, Canada regained ODI status in 2023.Although he doesn’t hold the captain’s armband anymore, the responsibilities have only got bigger.“I play my role as a bowling all-rounder, left-arm spinner, left-hand batsman, lower-middle order. I want to win matches for Canada through good performances. And I want to share my experience with the youngsters and groom them,” he said.

Canada’s Saad Bin Zafar, smiling, and Shreyas Movva celebrate the wicket of United Arab Emirates’ Mayank Kumar (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

He has also had experience of playing foreign franchise cricket, including the Caribbean Premier League for St Lucia Zouks.In November 2021, he recorded a rare feat in T20Is: becoming the first man to concede no runs in a four-over spell and finishing with figures of 4-4-0-2 against Panama.Cricket became full-time over timeFor most of his career, cricket was not a full-time profession in Canada. Saad worked as a procurement analyst in an insurance company while playing international cricket.“It was very difficult at the start. After all, cricket was not a full-time profession in Canada,” he revealed. “Even when you play for Canada, you have to work together.”He negotiated leave for tours and sometimes worked remotely while travelling. But employers were not always welcoming. “There was a point when they said that we can’t accommodate you that much. So, you have to either work or play cricket,” he recalled.“When a company would start bothering me, I used to find another job. But I didn’t leave cricket.”In 2018, after becoming Player of the Match in the GT20 final and receiving opportunities in other franchise leagues, he made the decision to quit his job and focus fully on cricket.‘My parents started believing that I am talented’Saad moved to Canada with his family as the eldest son. The move was primarily for his university education. After three years, his family returned to Pakistan while he stayed back to complete his studies. However, eventually, his other four siblings also moved to Canada. Also, his father’s stance changed.ALSO READ: From ice hockey to T20 World Cup 2026’s youngest talents: Ajayveer Hundal finds ‘great feeling’ in Delhi“Eventually, when I got a call-up in the national team and started playing for Canada, my parents started believing that I am talented enough to represent Canada. After that, my dad started supporting me,” he added with a smile.“He then stopped telling me to give up cricket and focus on my studies. They now feel proud.”

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

Ramadan 2026 is the sacred time of the year when millions of Muslims across the globe observe fasting, perform prayers, and reflect on their duties. During this time, Muslim people observe fasting from dawn to dusk, engage in spiritual growth, and strengthen their bonds with humanity through acts of charity and kindness. So, if you’re looking for Ramadan Kareem messages, wishes, quotes, and more for your loved ones, then we have a curated list which includes positive and gratitude-filled notes perfect for this significant festive month. Here’s a curated list of Ramadan 2026 messages, greetings, wishes, quotes, and images, which will help you celebrate the festive season with more charm and happiness. Wishes Have a happy Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr ahead!Wishing you a merciful Ramadan.May your iftar be filled with great food, family, and friends!I hope you find all that you seek this Ramadan.Wishing you compassion and devotion by day and nourishment and community by night. Happy Ramadan!May your good deeds be rewarded this Ramadan.I hope all your wishes come true this Ramadan on the Night of Power.May this Ramadan bring you closer to God and to those you love.Let God stand witness to your sacrifice and devotion this Ramadan.I hope this Ramadan gives you clarity and provides you with the connection you seek.May your holy month be full of good deeds, thoughtful duas, and great people.Wishing you an enlightening Ramadan!May goodness reflect in everything you do this Ramadan.Have a restorative Ramadan!I hope your iftar provides you with love and nourishment.Hope this Eid al-Fitr is as sweet as you!May all your duas come to fruition!Lots of duas for you this Ramadan and every day!Cheers to many more holidays together!May the light of Ramadan be with you every day.May the joy we experience as a family on holidays be with us every day.Ramadan wishes for an amazing coworker!May the light of Ramadan ease your darkest nights.Happy Ramadan to my life, the light of my life.Love and light this Ramadan and every day.Peace, joy, and love. Ramadan Mubarak.May we remember all that’s important this Ramadan.I hope this Ramadan leaves us more generous, accepting, and kind than we were last year.May all the worries of the world be wiped away this Ramadan.It’s the most hopeful season of the year. Ramadan Kareem.Images

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

(Image Credits: Pinterest)

MessagesMay all your duas come true this Ramadan.What would a holiday be without hope? Ramadan Mubarak. May all your hopes and wishes come true.Happy Ramadan. May we live our lives according to the teachings of the Quran and the Prophet Muhammad.I hope this Ramadan is just what your soul needs.Though we may live far away, our hearts will always be family. Many joyous wishes this Ramadan.We hold in our hearts all those suffering in the world and pray for a better tomorrow. Happy Ramadan.Never too far to deliver you a plate of iftar! Ramadan Mubarak!May this be our best Ramadan yet. Happy Ramadan.May we enter this month of Ramadan in safety, faith, and peace.Quotes“Ramadan Mubarak! May this beautiful month bring peace to your heart, ease to your mind, and blessings to your life.” “Wishing you a Ramadan filled with endless joy and blessings. Ramadan Mubarak to you and your family.” “May your fasts be accepted, and all your prayers be answered. Wishing you a month of peace and blessings. Ramadan Mubarak.”“When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are open, the gates of hell are closed, and the devils are chained.” One very beautiful quote is that “Ramadan is like the rain; it nourishes the seeds of good deeds.” Another deep reflection says, “The month of Ramadan is a reminder that we can control our desires and rise above our weaknesses when guided by faith.”“May this Ramadan be the month where you find peace and strength to connect with your Lord.”“Ramadan Kareem! May this holy month fill your heart with generosity and your home with blessings.”“Wishing you a Ramadan filled with endless blessings and the joy of giving. Ramadan Kareem to you and your loved ones!”“Fasting is not about starving yourself; it’s about appreciating what you have through the hunger you go through, learning about the essence of gratitude along the way.”“Ramadan is a journey of the heart, guiding us from darkness to light.”“Let every Ramadan remind us that light always follows patience, and peace always follows prayer.”

New Delhi: The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to constitute a high-powered committee to study its investment objectives, policy and guidelines as it eyes higher returns on its nearly Rs 31 lakh crore corpus based on contribution from over 30 crore members. The issue was discussed at last week’s investment committee meeting, which was weighing the feasibility of investing in the equity markets beyond exchange traded funds (ETFs), tracking the benchmark NSE Nifty and BSE sensex indices. The panel, proposal for which came from a govt representative, will see experts from multiple fields and govt departments, a person who attended the meeting told TOI. According to its current investment pattern notified in April 2015, EPFO allocates 45-65% of fresh accretions to govt securities, while 20-45% goes towards investments in corporate debt papers, with up to 5% permitted to be allocated towards short-term debt instruments. That leaves around 5-15% of the flow for equities, via index funds. As of Dec 31, it had invested nearly 88% in govt bonds and 10.6% in equities, officials said.

How’s your PF invested

In the meeting, Crisil, which is the consultant, presented the feasibility of investing in emerging, sunrise sectors such as rare earths, railways and defence, along with examining yields of sectoral, factor and style-based indices. Some of the possible sectoral indices included those tracking banking and financial services, information technology, global indices, and FMCG. It also assessed indices that track momentum stocks, value stocks, and low volatility stocks. The retirement fund body is at work to increase its income as it is announcing significantly higher annual returns for its members than prevailing yields on govt bonds in recent years, where most of its funds are parked. It is set to announce the interest rate for the current financial year next month. Last year, the RBI had suggested a series of measures to “improve” its investment management and accounting practices. It has appointed the IIM Kozhikode to examine its equity exit policy and the interest stabilisation reserve. Besides, the investment panel also approved the proposal to introduce performance-linked incentives for its fund managers, wherein it will allocate greater funds to those who give better returns, as part of the new benchmark methodology for its debt investments. “The new benchmark methodology includes an accelerated negative marking provision for any fund manager who fails to meet it, which will adversely affect its portfolio allocation. The new methodology also discourages the fund managers from parking funds in low-yielding TREPS which are basically short-term, low-risk money market instruments,” the source added.