Domestic markets are likely to open on a flat note despite a cautious mood and mixed global cues. The focus has now shifted to the upcoming RBI monetary policy meet. Analysts expect the consolidation phase to continue.
According to Madhavi Arora, Emkay Global Research, “Even as global macro and market narratives continue to swing, the Feb-26 MPC faces a more supportive external backdrop, aided by the US–India trade resolution, which should help stabilize the current account, FPI flows, and the INR, in our view. “That said, inflation is likely to edge higher as favorable base effects fade, while underlying growth drivers remain mixed, despite a resilient headline GDP,” she said.
The RBI could opt for a pause in the Feb-26 MPC. Monetary transmission, however, remains weak despite a fairly deep easing cycle and sustained liquidity infusion, and continues to be the key policy constraint., she said, adding that the bear-flattened sovereign curve, widening corporate bond spreads, and rising money-market and wholesale deposit rates underscore this friction.
Gift Nifty indicates a flattish opening, while equities across the Asia-Pacific region are ruling mixed. While the Korea and Taiwan markets are deep in the red, Nikkei is little changed.
India VIX declined for the third consecutive day and settled at 12.25, indicating that volatility is shrinking. Om Mehra, Technical Research Analyst, SAMCO Securities, said: Nifty has formed a base and the unfilled gap remains an important short-term support. A buy-on-dip approach may be preferred for the next session.
Most companies have declared Q3 results and according to analysts it was a mixed bag. The earnings for 3Q so far have been in line, said Siddhartha Khemka – Head of Research, Wealth Management, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd.
The long-awaited Indo-US trade deal announcement will have a multi-layered effect on the economy, prevailing market sentiments, and several sectors exporting to the US will benefit, said Khemka. “Thus, we expect Indian markets to remain firm with a positive bias, with sector/ stock specific action, driven by recent trade deals (US and EU), Union Budget announcements and the ongoing Q3 earnings season,” he further said.
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Behind the scenes of law enforcement in cyber: what do we know about caught cybercriminals? What brought them in, where do they come from and what was their function in the crimescape?
Introduction: One view on the scattered fight against cybercrime
The growing sophistication and diversification of cybercrime have compelled law enforcement agencies worldwide to respond through increasingly
The Australian government has vowed to repair the graves of dozens of Australian soldiers in Gaza after satellite imagery and witness testimony revealed they had been bulldozed by the Israel Defense Forces.
But it could be months or years before authorities can access the Commonwealth war cemetery in Gaza and Australian graves might face further damage as conflict continues in the occupied territory.
More than 250 Australian soldiers are buried at the Gaza War Cemetery, administered by the Commonwealth, most of them light horsemen who served in the first world war. The majority of graves in the cemetery are British, but the worst damage has been sustained to a corner of the cemetery that houses the graves of Australians who died during the second world war.
The Tuffah area of Gaza City, in which the cemetery sits, has been shelled throughout the current conflict. But more systematic and extensive damage caused by military earthmoving has occurred within the last year to the southern corner of the cemetery.
Satellite photographs show rows of gravestones removed and soil significantly disturbed across sections A and B of the cemetery, which hold the graves of second world war soldiers, the vast majority Australian. A substantial earth berm can be seen in the images, running through the middle of the disturbed area.
A spokesperson for Australia’s Department of Veterans’ Affairs told the Guardian there had been “significant damage” to the Gaza War Cemetery “and this includes the graves of Australians”.
“The Office of Australian War Graves is very concerned by the damage to the cemetery and Australian war graves. We remain committed to ensuring the restoration of all affected graves as soon as feasible.
“The Commonwealth War Graves Commission plans to secure and repair the cemetery as soon as it is safe to do so, however, it is expected that full reconstruction will take some time as the immediate post-conflict priority for works will be directed to humanitarian efforts.”
The national president of the Returned & Services League of Australia, Peter Tinley, said the organisation would continue to monitor the situation and work with relevant authorities to ensure Australian graves in Gaza were restored and properly maintained once access was possible.
“Commonwealth War Graves represent a solemn covenant between the nation and those who served,” Tinley said.
“For the families of those who rest in Gaza, and for all Australians who value our commemorative traditions, news of damage to these graves is distressing. While we understand the immense complexities of the current situation, our focus remains on ensuring these Australians are eventually commemorated with the respect they deserve. We welcome the Office of Australian War Graves’ commitment to repair these graves when circumstances allow.”
Essam Jarada, Gaza cemetery’s former caretaker, whose home is also close by, said two bulldozing operations took place at the cemetery in April and May 2025.
“The first bulldozing occurred outside the cemetery walls, extending approximately 12 metres around all sides of the cemetery. These areas were entirely planted with olive trees,” he said.
“Later on, an area of slightly less than one dunum (1,000 sq metres) was bulldozed inside the cemetery walls, specifically in the corner of the cemetery which contains graves of Australian soldiers. The bulldozing covered the area from the bench where foreign visitors used to sit up to the memorial monument. Bulldozers also created sand mounds that were used as earth barriers.
“I witnessed this bulldozing after the Israeli army withdrew from the area, around late April or early May,” Jarada said.
After being shown satellite images of the cemetery, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it had been forced to take defensive measures during military operations.
“At the relevant time, the area in question was an active combat zone,” an army spokesperson said.
“During IDF operations in the area, terrorists attempted to attack IDF troops and took cover in structures close to the cemetery. In response to ensure the safety of IDF troops operating on the ground, operational measures were taken in the area to neutralize identified threats.”
“We emphasize that underground terrorist infrastructure was identified within the cemetery and in its surrounding area, which the IDF located and dismantled,” the spokesperson said. “IDF activity in sensitive areas is approved by senior ranks in the army and handled with the required sensitivity needed.”
The military historian Prof Peter Stanley, of the University of NSW Canberra, said “Australians had not forgotten” their soldiers’ service in the Middle East.
“The Gaza cemetery is as valued and as cared for as any cemetery in the world: an enormous amount of sentiment and emotion has been invested in maintaining these cemeteries as sacred places.
“The first need is to stop people in Gaza dying and to provide succour to those who have been starving and suffering for years now; this needs to be kept in proportion. But for Australians, a serious consequence of this conflict is the desecration of the graves of Australian soldiers. That might not be major in the global scheme of things, but it is definitely something Australians should be concerned about.”
Stanley said Commonwealth war graves around the world had previously suffered damage in conflict, including in Iraq during the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, and the US-led invasion of 2003.
The Commonwealth war cemetery at Villers-Bretonneux in France, built to commemorate the dead of the first world war, remains pockmarked by bullets fired during the second, fought over the same territory.
Stanley said damaged graves could be repaired, and that people who had died in war should be treated with respect, and equitably.
“At the same time as the Israelis are, understandably, demanding the return of the remains of hostages, the IDF is bulldozing the remains of Commonwealth soldiers; there’s an irony there.”
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission – responsible for the maintenance of Commonwealth war graves around the world – said it was “deeply concerned” about “extensive damage” sustained by the Gaza cemetery.
“As a result of the conflict the cemetery has suffered extensive damage to headstones, memorials, boundary walls, staff facilities and storage areas.”
The ongoing conflict risked further destruction of graves, the commission said.
“It is unlikely we will be able to enter Gaza for some time and are not able to protect the sites from further damage.”
Additional reporting by Eelemarni Close-Brown and Ima Caldwell
The baseball world is mourning the loss of a player who made history with the Detroit Tigers.
Mickey Lolich, remembered as the Tigers’ hero in the 1968 World Series, has died, the Tigers announced. He was 85. Lolich is the last MLB pitcher to win three games in the league’s championship series, the World Series. He was named World Series MVP that year.
The Tigers said Lolich’s wife informed the franchise that Lolich was recently in hospice care. The cause of death was not released.
FILE – In this Oct. 3, 1968, file photo, Mickey Lolich of the Detroit Tigers is shown pitching during the second game of the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri.(AP Photo/File)
Lolich is No. 23 on the all-time career strikeouts list with 2,832 punchouts.
Lolich was an unlikely star of the Tigers 1968 title run. During a reunion of the World Series team, he recalled how manager Mayo Smith had sent him to the bullpen for much of August. He returned to the Tigers’ starting rotation and was 6-1 in the final weeks.
“I was having a few problems, but I had been a starting pitcher ever since 1964,” said Lolich, who was upset about the bullpen move. “I remember telling him, ‘If we win this thing this year it’s going to be because of me.’ But I was only talking about the season. I wasn’t talking about the World Series.
“I got my revenge back in the World Series,” he said.
FILE – Mickey Lolich, pitcher of Detroit Tigers poses for a photo, March 1968. (AP Photo, File)
Lolich pitched Game 7 after only two days of rest. He figured he would get a Corvette from General Motors for being the Series MVP but had to settle for a Dodge Charger GT because Chrysler was the sponsor in 1968.
“Nothing against Chargers, nothing at all,” Lolich said in his book, “Joy in Tigertown.” “It’s just that I already had two of them in my driveway.”
Since Lolich, only two pitchers have won three games in a single World Series: Arizona’s Randy Johnson in 2001 and Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025. But they pitched fewer innings and got their third victories in relief.
FILE – Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich throws out the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates, March 30, 2018, in Detroit.(AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
The Competition Commission on Wednesday ordered a detailed probe against IndiGo for unfair business practices, nearly two months after the country’s largest airline canceled thousands of flights due to operational issues, causing hardship to passengers. After taking into consideration data related to airlines and those provided by the aviation regulator DGCA, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) has prima facie concluded that IndiGo has abused its dominant position.
BEML has signed a tripartite agreement with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the Foundation for Science, Innovation and Development to undertake research and development in critical areas, including aerospace and defence. The entities will also conduct joint research and development (R&D) in rail and metro systems, mining and construction equipment, maritime technologies, next-generation mobility, green technologies, and advanced manufacturing, BEML said in a statement.
Marico on Wednesday said it will acquire a 60 per cent stake in Cosmix Wellness at an equity valuation of ₹375 crore. It has signed definitive agreements to acquire a stake in the company, which owns Cosmix, a digital-first wellness brand, according to a statement by the company.
Angel One Ltd reported blockbuster January 2026 business metrics, with aggregate orders reaching 146.67 million (+16.4% YoY) and average daily orders hitting 7.33 million (+33.9% YoY) – a 15-month high despite 9.1% fewer trading days. Client Base: **36.39 Mn** (+20.8% YoY, +1.9% MoM); Gross Client Acquisition: 0.74 Mn (+12.6% YoY); Avg Client Funding Book: **₹61.18 Bn** (+45.7% YoY); and Unique MF SIPs Registered: **868,820** (+13.5% YoY).
Newgen Software Technologies LLC, Dubai-based subsidiary of Newgen Software Technologieshas executed an agreement with a large Government Organization based in UAE, for Newgen Software licenses, Implementation and support services. The aggregate value of the agreement is 5,309,103 United Arab Emirates Dirham excluding value added tax. The said order is expected to be completed in 3 years.
NIIT Learning Systems Ltd has announced a strategic partnership with Abodoo, a skills intelligence and orchestration company. Abodoo provides a live, interoperable skills layer across learning, workforce, and talent systems, powered by its proprietary SkillsAI engine and ontology of more than 55,000 skills. The platform enables organizations to establish a common skills language, identify current and future capability gaps, and make data-driven workforce decisions in real time.
The board of Coal India has approved setting up an intermediate holding company in Chile to pursue critical minerals opportunities, including lithium and copper as both countries move closer to finalizing a free trade agreement. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had recently said negotiations between India and Chile for an FTA would be concluded soon and the pact would provide greater access to critical minerals for domestic businesses.
Greenply Industries has received approval for further investment of up to ₹125 crore in one or more tranches in Equity Shares of the company’s wholly-owned subsidiary i.e. Greenply Specialty Panels (GSPPL) for proposed expansion of manufacturing capacity of MDF plant of GSPPL situated at Vadodara, Gujarat. After the above transactions, Greenply Industries will continue to hold 100% shareholdings in GSPPL. The acquisition of Equity Shares will be made during FY 2025-26 to FY 2027-28, in one or more tranches
Hinduja group flagship Ashok Leyland on Wednesday said it has inked a pact with Indonesia’s state-owned defense and industrial equipment manufacturer PT Pindad to jointly develop electric buses and defense vehicles. The memorandum of understanding outlines a strategic collaboration for the joint development and manufacturing of electric buses and defense vehicles tailored for Indonesia’s growing mobility and national security requirements, the Chennai-headquartered firm said in a statement.
Royal Orchid Hotels (ROHL) informed the exchanges that it has executed an agreement for the sale of its subsidiary, Multi Hotels, to Greenleaf Properties, a Tanzania-based company on January 29 for $3,412,500. The buyer, Greenleaf Properties Ltd, is a company registered in Tanzania and does not belong to the promoter/promoter group/group companies of the Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. The divestment is in line with ROHL’s strategic focus on optimizing its portfolio, strengthening its balance sheet, and sharpening its emphasis on core hospitality operations across key markets. Multi Hotels had not commenced commercial operations, and the sale allows the company to unlock value while reallocating resources toward higher-growth opportunities.
The foreign minister, Penny Wong, has urged critics of a visit to Australia by Israel’s president, Isaac Herzog, to consider the context of the trip, insisting Jewish leaders had urged the government to issue an invitation.
Herzog’s visit to Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney next week is prompting a growing backlash. Herzog, Israel’s head of state, was invited by the governor general, Sam Mostyn, to meet Jewish community members mourning the 15 victims of the Bondi terror attack.
Chris Sidoti, a former human rights commissioner and a member of the UN commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, has called on the government to withdraw the invitation because of a genocide case against Israel in the international court of justice and the unlawful occupation of the Palestinian territories.
NSW Labor MPs plan to join a protest against Herzog’s visit, and former cabinet minister Ed Husic said on Wednesday he did not believe it should go ahead.
Wong told ABC radio it was appropriate for Israel’s head of state to meet with Australian Jews after the 14 December shooting.
“I really do understand the depth of feeling about this visit, the depth of feeling in the community about what we’ve seen in Gaza, which is why we’ve been so clear about working, we’re pressing for peace with others in the international community for civilians to be protected and for aid to flow,” she said.
Asked about Sidoti’s calls for Herzog to be arrested in Australia, Wong confirmed she had considered legal advice about the trip.
“I have said previously that Israel will be judged by the international court of justice on its compliance with the genocide convention. And I’ve also said previously that it must accept its responsibility for the humanitarian situation in Gaza.”
“We have the Australian Jewish community who have been targeted in an overtly antisemitic terrorist attack. We have had 15 Australians die, we have families mourning, and this was a request from the Jewish community for President Herzog to visit.”
The defence minister, Richard Marles, said Herzog would be a “welcome and honoured guest”.
Opposition frontbencher James Paterson called moves by Labor MPs to oppose the visit “appalling”.
“It seems extraordinary to me and frankly an act of bad faith and a terrible gesture towards the Australian Jewish community that we can’t even have the president of the Jewish state of Israel come to Australia after Bondi for a memorial, for the purposes of providing comfort to the Australian Jewish community, without Labor MPs publicly running it down and attacking it.”
Critics of Herzog’s visit have pointed to the UN commission of inquiry’s conclusion in September 2025 that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza. That commission stated that Herzog as well as the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and a former defence minister “incited the commission of genocide”.
The report quoted Herzog in October 2023 saying about Gaza: “It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible. It is not true, this rhetoric about civilians who were not aware and not involved. It is absolutely not true.”
Herzog has denied the accusation, saying his comments were taken out of context. Israel’s foreign ministry has previously rejected the report, calling it “distorted and false” and claiming it “relies entirely on Hamas falsehoods”.
Separately, a Sydney man has been charged for allegedly making an online threat towards a foreign head of state. The Australia federal police executed a search warrant in the inner-city suburb of Newtown on Wednesday.
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, is expected to meet Herzog during his visit.
An email seemingly sent by Ghislaine Maxwell appears to contradict claims by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor that a photograph of him with his sexual abuse accuser Virginia Giuffre is not real.
The authenticity of the picture, which shows Andrew with his arm around Ms Giuffre, had previously been questioned by the former Duke of York, who claimed in 2019 that he could not have been in the photo as he was at a Pizza Express in Woking at the time.
Image:Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor pictured with Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. Pic: Shutterstock
However, an email from Maxwell to Jeffrey Epstein, part of the latest files release by the US Department of Justice, appears to confirm the circumstances of the picture.
Dated 10 January 2015, the email contains a “draft statement” in which Maxwell defends herself against allegations of abuse by an unidentified woman.
The name of the woman has been redacted, but – while it cannot be certain – the details indicate it is Ms Giuffre.
Maxwell wrote: “In 2001 I was in London when [redacted] met a number of friends of mine including Prince Andrew. A photograph was taken as I imagine she wanted to show it to friends and family.”
Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide last April, alleged Andrew had sex with her when she was 17 and claimed she had been trafficked by Epstein.
Andrew has always denied the claim and reached an out-of-court settlement with Ms Giuffre in 2022, which contained no admission of liability or apology.
In 2015, Ms Giuffre filed a civil defamation claim against Maxwell, Epstein’s ex-girlfriend and long-time associate, which was settled two years later.
Epstein files: What the latest pictures show
Alleged threesome with stripper
A separate document contained in the latest Epstein files release claims Andrew and Epstein engaged in a threesome with an exotic dancer.
A legal letter from 23 March 2011 alleges Epstein introduced the dancer to the former prince.
The men “then told my client they wanted to have a threesome” and they “prevailed up her to engage in various sex acts”.
A later section of the letter refers to the men “satisfying themselves”.
Sky News has approached Andrew for a response to this specific claim.
He has vigorously denied any accusations against him related to Epstein and his crimes.
He said in 2019 he regretted his “ill-judged association” with Epstein and sympathises with everyone affected.
Earlier this week, Andrew moved out of Royal Lodge to a house on Sandringham Estate, believed to be temporary accommodation ahead of a permanent move to Norfolk.
Peter Mandelson, another high-profile British figure named in the latest in the latest tranche of documents, is the subject of a Metropolitan Police investigation over claims he leaked highly sensitive information to Epstein while in public office.
The Maryland Freedom Caucus, a group of GOP delegates in the Maryland state legislature, made a post on social media showing a sign that appeared to have been hung by Democrat colleagues, dismissing concerns over trans athletes in women’s sports.
The sign, which has a signature from the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, was hung on the offices of Democrat state delegates Eric Ebersole and Nick Allen.
The sign makes the unsubstantiated point that “trans women have no competitive advantage,” in women’s sports. In 2021, the British Journal of Sports Medicine published a study that said transgender women maintain an advantage over biological women even after a year of hormone therapy treatment.
Democrats who voted down a bill to protect trans athletes in sports.(Fox News)
The sign also went on to state, “anti-dignity policies put transgender youth at risk,” “banning transgender youth is illegal,” and “invasive enforcement creates fear.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to Ebersole, Allen and the Maryland Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus for a response.
The post and apparent sign comes a day before the Maryland state legislature is set to vote on the Fairness in Girls’ Sports Act.
The bill would require “certain interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports sponsored by certain schools and certain locker rooms to be expressly designated based on biological sex; prohibiting certain entities from taking certain adverse actions against a school for maintaining separate interscholastic and intramural junior varsity and varsity athletic teams or sports or locker rooms for students of the female sex.”
So far, 27 states in the U.S. have similar laws in effect that enforce bans on trans athletes in girls’ sports.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
T20 World Cup Pakistan Early Exit: Pakistan has decided to boycott the T20 World Cup match against India to be held on February 15 in Colombo. Due to this, the danger of the team reaching Super 8 has increased. Apart from the team of America and Netherlands, Pakistan has to face rain which is not in anyone’s control.
3 reasons due to which Pakistan may be out of the first round of T20 World Cup!
New Delhi. Pakistan has shot itself in the foot by deciding to boycott the much-awaited match against India on the instructions of the government. This match was to be held on Saturday, 15 February 2026 in Colombo. Group A includes India, Pakistan, Netherlands, America and Namibia. Two teams from each group will go to Super 8, in such a situation, for Pakistan, the matches against Netherlands, America and Namibia have become like knockout from the beginning. On top of that, the weather in Colombo is also creating problems for Pakistan. The decision to opt out of the match against India will also prove to be harmful for Pakistan’s net run rate. In such a situation, Pakistan is stuck in a difficult situation.
It remains to be seen whether the match against India will be held as per schedule or not. At present, Pakistan has refused to soften its stance on boycotting India. Meanwhile, many media reports are coming that International Cricket Council (ICC) and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are holding backchannel talks to resolve this issue.
India will not have to play hard
Pakistan team is in danger of being out of the first round in the ICC T20 World Cup. By deciding not to play the match against India, the team has taken a step which will cause huge loss to it. If the team does not play the match, then not only will it have to give 2 points without playing the match but the net run rate will also be affected. His 20 overs will be counted as complete but the run will be considered zero due to non-match.
Colombo’s weather is increasing Pakistan’s problems
There is a high probability of rain on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The match between Pakistan and Netherlands is to start at 11 am. The weather on Saturday will be mostly cloudy, but there is a possibility of rain in the afternoon. The probability of rain with thunder and lightning is 26 percent. If the match is shortened due to rain then it can go in favor of Netherlands, because in shorter matches weaker teams have more chances to win. In such a situation, this match can become a game of luck and Pakistan is aware of this. Pakistan has to play all its matches in Colombo only.
Pakistan will play its second group league match against USA on Tuesday, 10 February 2026 in Colombo, followed by the last group match against Namibia on Wednesday, 18 February 2026. At present the weather is said to be good for both these matches and the chances of rain are less. But the match against America may be more challenging for Pakistan than expected, because in the last T20 World Cup 2024, Pakistan had lost a close match to America. Namibia is also not a weak team in this format, so the last match will also not be easy for Pakistan.
America has done an upset by defeating before
Group matches are not going to be easy for Pakistan team. Netherlands is considered a dark horse while the American team is also a big threat. Netherlands had eliminated South Africa by defeating them in the 2022 T20 World Cup. In 2009, the England team was defeated. America had defeated Pakistan in the Super Over in the 2024 World Cup. He has given proof of his form by scoring 200 runs in the warm-up match against India A.
Active in sports journalism for more than 15 years. Worked in cricket website of Etv Bharat, Zee News. Was the sports head of Dainik Jagran website. Covered the Olympics, Commonwealth, Cricket and Football World Cups. October…read more
