Blog

Iran War Day 27: Trump’s Hormuz Ultimatum, Tehran Strikes, and Surging Oil Chaos

What began as a sudden but calculated strike on February 28, 2026, quickly spiralled into a conflict that has reshaped regional stability in the Middle East overnight. The offence, carried out by the USA and Israel on Iran, was dubbed as “Operation Epic Fury”; they targeted militarily active zones, air defence sites and the supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, who was reported to be killed in the action, causing a massive uproar. Iran was caught off guard with nearly 900 airstrikes by the USA and Israel in 12 hours, resulting in massive destruction and the beginning of the war.

Now, on the 24th day since its initiation, both sides still face intense air strikes and missile activities with the risk of attacks on nuclear sites in Israel and Iran. Iran has blockaded the Strait of Hormuz – a strategic route connecting the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman carrying 20-21% of the global oil and LNG shipment – causing a shortage of supply all over the world. Consequently, US President Donald Trump has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Iran demanding that they reopen the Strait of Hormuz, failing which the USA will launch attacks on its power plants.

Meanwhile, Israel has initiated fresh attacks on Tehran following Iran’s attacks on Southern Israeli towns such as Arad and Dimona. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed its dominance over Israeli skies with reports of high casualty numbers, though these have not been confirmed by Israel yet. Iran has also stated that the USA and Israel attacked the Natanz nuclear site. While the incident was reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), no abnormal radiation leaks have been detected.

Globally, there has been a massive disruption of energy flow, prompting negotiations amongst Gulf Countries and the rest of the world. Crude oil prices shot up this week to nearly $91 per barrel, the biggest one-week price jump since 1983. Several of the largest oil producers in the Gulf, like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait, have halted shipments of about 140 million barrels of crude oil. Additionally, Qatar has declared a force majeure on its LNG supply as a result of the attacks on its facilities. The humanitarian consequences are also devastating, with over 2,000 lives lost and thousands of people displaced from Lebanon and Israel. Trade disruptions between nations and widespread travel halts have further compounded the crisis.

People around the world are hoping the conflict resolves soon, as the repercussions of the war are not just economic but also political and environmental. If left to escalate, the situation may shift from a mere regional dispute to a larger confrontation – reshaping alliances and threatening economies. The war has brought about serious regional instability when the world already had its focus on the crisis between Palestine and Israel, making the Middle East a very disturbed area and rendering it unfit for civilised deliberations.

March 25, 2026
Bangladesh election results: PM Modi congratulates BNP’s Tarique Rahman on ‘decisive victory’ | India News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) chief Tarique Rahman on his party’s “decisive victory” in the country’s parliamentary elections, and affirmed India’s continued support for a “democratic, progressive and inclusive” Bangladesh.“I convey my warm congratulations to Mr. Tarique Rahman on leading BNP to a decisive victory in the Parliamentary elections in Bangladesh. This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

BNP’s Tarique Rahman Set To Become Bangladesh PM After Sweeping Victory In Historic Comeback

“I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” he added.The BNP secured a commanding two-thirds majority in the general elections, winning more than 200 seats — one of its strongest performances, surpassing its 2001 tally of 193 seats. The outcome is widely seen as paving the way for political stability after months of unrest that followed the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a Gen Z-led uprising in August 2024.Rahman, son of BNP founder and former president Ziaur Rahman, is expected to be sworn in as prime minister. He returned to Dhaka in December after spending 18 years abroad. His father ruled Bangladesh from 1977 until his assassination in 1981 and remains a prominent figure in the country’s independence-era politics.Soon after the results became clear, the BNP thanked voters and urged restraint among supporters. “Despite winning … by a large margin of votes, no celebratory procession or rally shall be organised,” the party said in a statement, instead calling for nationwide prayers.The election marked the first since Hasina fled to neighbouring India. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, 85, had been serving as interim head of government following her departure. Hasina, now in exile in New Delhi, had dominated Bangladesh politics for years alongside Khaleda Zia, Rahman’s mother and a former prime minister.The Awami League, which governed for 15 years but was barred from contesting this election, had earlier recorded a larger mandate of 230 seats in 2008.Meanwhile, the head of the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami conceded defeat, stating that his party would not engage in the “politics of opposition” merely for its own sake. The National Citizen Party (NCP), led by youth activists who were instrumental in the movement against Hasina and part of a Jamaat-backed alliance, managed to win only five of the 30 seats it contested.

February 13, 2026
Tamil Nadu: CM Stalin’s major poll outreach for women; Rs 5,000 credited to 1.3 crore accounts | India News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu government on Friday credited Rs 3,000 in advance to 1.31 crore women beneficiaries, along with an additional Rs 2,000 as a “summer special package” under the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme ahead of the assembly elections.In a social media post on X, Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin Rs 3,000 amount was given as an advance payment for the months of February, March and April. He also alleged that “some” were trying to block the Women’s Rights Grant for three months, citing the upcoming elections, but said his government acted ahead of time to ensure beneficiaries did not face any disruption.“For the women of Tamil Nadu, this Women’s Rights Grant is the promise given by Stalin. No matter who tries to create obstacles, I will not step back from it. Citing the elections as a reason, they are trying to block the Women’s Rights Grant for three months,” Stalin said. “But our #DravidianModel government has acted ahead of them! As an advance for the months of February, March, and April – ₹3,000, along with a summer special package of ₹2,000! A total of ₹5,000 has been credited this morning to all 1.31 crore beneficiaries of the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme,” he added.He added that under “Dravidian Model 2.0,” the current ₹1,000 monthly assistance would be doubled to ₹2,000 if voted back to power, calling it a promise to Tamil Nadu women.“With the support of #WinningTamilWomen, we will continue to win! Under #DravidianModel 2.0, we will increase the ₹1,000 Women’s Rights Grant to ₹2,000! This is the promise that Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin makes to my sisters! #WeWillWinTogether,” the post further read.Meanwhile, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhgam unveiled a set of five election promises, including raising social security pensions from Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 for senior citizens, elderly widows, unmarried elderly women, women abandoned by their husbands, persons with disabilities, and transgender persons.In the midst of the electoral buildup, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is set to hold a tightly controlled election meeting on Friday at Seelanayakkanpatti in Salem. Party chief Vijay is expected to address 4,998 participants at the KVP Garden venue.The meeting will be strictly limited to those holding entry passes with QR codes, with heavy police deployment, vehicle checks, and traffic diversions in place to ensure safety. Authorities emphasised that those without passes should watch the programme through live broadcast channels.Heightened security measures come in the wake of a September stampede at a previous TVK gathering that claimed 41 lives, prompting authorities to ensure strict crowd management during high-profile political events.The 234-member Tamil Nadu assembly will go to the polls in the first half of the year. The DMK won 133 seats in the 2021 Assembly polls. Congress won 18, PMK won 5, VCK won 4, and others won 8.

February 13, 2026
FOGSI seeks rollback of NEET-PG percentile cuts, flags ‘pay-to-enter’ risk | India News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI), representing clinicians and academicians committed to maintaining high standards in medical education and patient care, has sought an immediate review and withdrawal of repeated reductions in the NEET-PG qualifying percentile.In a statement issued on February 11, FOGSI expressed serious concern that lowering the qualifying threshold in a national merit-based examination dilutes meritocracy and compromises academic rigour, raising concerns about the quality of specialist training and patient safety.The body urged the National Medical Commission, particularly its Postgraduate Medical Education Board, to urgently revisit the policy.FOGSI pointed out that the NEET-PG Information Bulletin already lays down a structured and transparent algorithm for filling vacant seats, including category conversion and sequential counselling rounds. These mechanisms, it said, must be strictly followed and exhausted before any lowering of qualifying standards is considered.Addressing the issue of vacant seats, the federation said the root cause is not lack of merit but “highly irrational and unaffordable” fee structures in several private and deemed universities. With postgraduate fees running from tens of lakhs to several crores, specialist education risks turning into a “pay-to-enter” system where financial capacity outweighs competence. “Postgraduate medical education is not merely about seat occupancy; it is about training competent specialists who will serve the nation for decades,” the statement said, adding that dilution of entry standards alongside unchecked commercialisation threatens academic excellence, professional dignity and public trust.FOGSI called upon authorities to withdraw repeated percentile reductions, ensure strict adherence to counselling and seat-conversion rules, initiate urgent rationalisation and regulation of postgraduate fee structures, and engage specialty societies and academic stakeholders before implementing policy changes with long-term consequences.The federation reiterated its commitment to safeguarding merit, affordability and the integrity of medical education in the larger interest of patients and public health.

February 13, 2026
DOJ files reveal exactly how Jeffrey Epstein makes his coffee, full step-by-step guide inside | – The Times of India
DOJ Files Reveal Exact Steps Jeffrey Epstein Used to Make His Coffee

When the US Department of Justice released its latest tranche of Jeffrey Epstein documents, part of the Epstein files, a release running to more than 3.5 million documents, images, and videos, most of the attention focused on the names, travel logs, and previously unseen exchanges, including emails, financial records, and personal correspondence. Tucked inside that same cache was something far more mundane: a detailed step-by-step pour-over coffee manual.The email, forwarded in July 2013 to Karyna Shuliak, his longtime-girlfriend, whom the files say he intended to marry and who, according to his will, is set to inherit over $100 million of whatever remains of his estate, outlines a highly specific V60 coffee brewing method. Epstein offered to show her in person and provided detailed instructions so she could try it herself. Since resurfacing online, influencers and coffee enthusiasts have begun recreating what social media now calls the “Jeffrey Epstein coffee.”The method centres on a V60, a Japanese cone-shaped manual coffee dripper that uses paper filters. Popular in specialty coffee circles, it’s prized for its clean extraction and precise control over brewing.The instructions specify precise steps down to seconds, weights, and volumes, reading less like a casual kitchen note and more like a lab protocol, surprisingly detailed for someone who must have been very busy, suggesting he had plenty of time to perfect the process.
24 grams of coffee — that’s the weight of the ground beans.

360 grams of water — measured by weight, not volume, which is standard in speciality brewing.

A 1:15 ratio of coffee to water (24g to 360g), considered balanced and fairly strong.

202°F water, which converts to roughly 94°C, just below boiling.

A grinder setting marked “-7K”, likely referring to a relatively fine grind suited to pour-over extraction.
Before brewing, he instructs the recipient to rinse the paper filter with hot water (to remove paper taste), add the ground coffee, shake it flat, and press a small indentation in the centre with a thumb. That indentation helps water flow evenly through the grounds.

How Epstein makes his coffee, DOJ files reveal full step-by-step guide/ Image: DOJ

Then comes the timed pouring sequence, measured down to the second:
00:00 — pour water until the total weight reaches 60 grams. This is the “bloom” stage, where hot water hits the grounds and releases trapped gas.

00:30 — continue pouring until the scale reads 200 grams, spiralling from the centre outward.

01:10 — pour up to 300 grams, same spiralling motion.

01:45 — pour up to 360 grams.

03:00 — brewing should be complete; remove the dripper.
He also includes adjustments: If the coffee tastes sour, it is under-extracted: Grind finer. If it tastes bitter, it is over-extracted: Grind coarser. If it feels watery: Increase the coffee dose.In the same thread, Epstein mentions a Tonx coffee subscription, a high-end roast-to-order service founded by Tony Konecny, later acquired by Blue Bottle Coffee in 2014 and now operating as YESPLZ Coffee. Tony shared in a social media reel that, according to the DOJ files, credit card statements and receipts show Epstein had ordered the coffee for at least a couple of months. He said it was wild that Epstein, of all people, was one of his many high-profile clients when he was selling beans online in 2013, for which he now even has an email as proof, showing Epstein personally vouching for his coffee. The email to Epstein’s girlfriend also included recommendations for another coffee brand and numerous Amazon and other links to assemble a complete starter brewing kit, showing how specific and meticulous he was in curating his coffee setup.He may have been a coffee connoisseur among his elite circles, meticulously curating beans, brewing techniques, and starter kits, a surprisingly precise taste for someone with so many other claims on his time. But all of that doesn’t even begin to obscure the broader reality: Epstein was arrested in 2019 on federal charges related to sex trafficking of minors and died later that year in a New York jail cell. The ongoing document releases continue to shed light on his activities, associates, and sprawling estate, revealing many names, shocking details, and other dark and disturbing aspects of Epstein’s life. But what stands out here is the contrast. In between emails about logistics and travel, there is a meticulous breakdown of pour timings, gram weights and water temperature. Online, some have found dark irony in the precision. Others are simply treating it as a technically sound V60 guide and brewing it at home.Strip away the name, and it is a standard specialty coffee method: measured dose, controlled spiral pours, three-minute total extraction. It is not revolutionary, nor amateur, but the precision hints at just how particular his taste and meticulous habits must have been.
February 13, 2026
Cannonball-sized dinosaur crystallised eggs found in China | World News – The Times of India

Cannonball-sized dinosaur crystallised eggs found in China (Image Source – Journal of Palaeogeography)

Dinosaur eggs sometimes hold surprises. In eastern China, two fossil eggs were found in red sandstone layers and later cut open for study. Instead of tiny bones inside, researchers saw hollow spaces lined with clear crystals. The discovery comes from the Upper Cretaceous Chishan Formation in the Qianshan Basin, Anhui Province. The eggs are almost round, measuring about 10 to 13 centimetres in length, with shells up to 2.6 millimetres thick. Their outer shape looks ordinary. Under a microscope, the shell shows clear growth lines and tightly packed structures. Scientists have named them a new oospecies, Shixingoolithus qianshanensis. No embryo remains were preserved. What survived is the shell and the minerals that slowly formed inside after burial.

Crystal-filled dinosaur eggs discovered in China contain no fossilised embryos

According to study published in Journal of Palaeogeography, the crystals in the eggs are calcite crystals. They were not formed while the egg was still alive. Once the egg was buried in the soil, water seeped through the ground and brought along dissolved minerals. The inside of the egg had already rotted and turned into an empty space. For a long time, minerals gradually deposited in the hollow and formed clusters of crystals. This method is usual for fossils. The organic material decomposes, and minerals either replace it or fill the voids. Here the shell is quite intact, while the embryo is totally gone.

New dinosaur egg species identified in Anhui Province

Even without bones, the eggshell provides enough detail for identification. When thin slices were examined under a microscope, scientists observed uniform shell units and dense inner structures. These features differ slightly from known types.Because of these differences, the eggs were classified as a new oospecies within the Stalicoolithidae family. It is the first time this group has been confirmed in the Qianshan Basin. Other Chinese regions have produced many dinosaur eggs, but this basin had little direct evidence until now.

Fossil eggs help confirm the age of the rocks

The eggs were found in layers formed by ancient rivers and lakes. These sediments belong to the Late Cretaceous period, shortly before the mass extinction that ended the age of dinosaurs.Finding dinosaur eggs in these rocks supports their dating. Fossils like these help geologists confirm the age of rock layers and understand how the region changed over time.Only two eggs are currently preserved, and one is incomplete. Still, they add useful detail to the record of dinosaur life in eastern China, quiet evidence from a distant past.

February 13, 2026
UAE Ministry of Education announces Friday remote learning during Ramadan | World News – The Times of India
UAE students will attend online classes every Friday during Ramadan under ministry initiative/Representative Image

As Ramadan approaches, the UAE is once again reshaping the school week. Public school students across the country will study from home every Friday during the holy month, as part of a renewed effort to bring families closer while keeping lessons on track.

Second consecutive year of the initiative

The UAE’s Ministry of Education announced on Thursday, that distance learning will be implemented on Fridays throughout Ramadan for students enrolled in government schools. This marks the second consecutive year the initiative has been introduced.The programme, titled “Ramadan with Family”, is designed to give pupils additional time at home while ensuring academic continuity. By adjusting the school schedule at the end of each week, the ministry aims to align learning with the social and spiritual rhythms of Ramadan.Under the arrangement, students will study remotely from home every Friday during the fasting month.

Balancing education with wellbeing

According to the ministry, the measure forms part of broader Ramadan adjustments to the academic calendar. The objective is to balance educational requirements with students’ wellbeing and family life during the holy month.Officials have previously noted that flexible arrangements during Ramadan can help improve student focus and better support household routines, particularly during fasting hours. Reducing commuting time is also seen as a way to ease daily pressures on families.The initiative also comes in line with the Year of the Family, reinforcing the government’s wider emphasis on strengthening family bonds and community cohesion.

On-site staff and optional in-person attendance

While students will shift to remote learning on Fridays, teaching and educational staff will continue to work on-site at schools.The ministry has clarified that parents who prefer their children to attend classes in person will be given that option. However, parents or guardians will be responsible for arranging transportation to and from school on those days.This approach allows families to choose what best suits their circumstances while maintaining operational continuity within schools.

Comprehensive guidance and enrichment activities

To support the initiative, the Ministry of Education will issue a comprehensive guidance handbook. The manual will contain integrated educational and enrichment activities drawn directly from the school curriculum.These activities are intended to:
Support students’ academic progress

Reinforce the values of the holy month

Strengthen family engagement

Enhance students’ sense of community
In addition, a detailed guidance manual will outline joint educational and developmental activities derived from the curriculum, ensuring that remote learning remains structured and purposeful.By combining flexible scheduling with curriculum-based enrichment, the ministry aims to maintain academic standards while giving students meaningful opportunities to engage with their families during Ramadan.
February 13, 2026
Mundhwa land deal: Court reserves order on bail pleas of Tejwani and Taru in stamp duty waiver case | Pune News – The Times of India

Pune: The court of additional sessions judge DP Ragit on Thursday reserved its order on the bail applications of power-of-attorney holder Sheetal Tejwani and suspended sub registrar Ravindra B Taru in the case of illegal stamp duty waiver in the registration of a sale deed related to the 40 acre govt land parcel at Mundhwa.The govt’s case is that the sale deed between Tejwani, who holds the PoA on behalf of the 272 watandars (original holders) of the land that was taken over by the govt after the Mahar Watan system was abolished, and Amadea Enterprises LLP, was registered by giving a waiver of 7% stamp duty i.e. Rs21 crore against the consideration of Rs300 crore. Thus causing loss of revenue to the govt. Late deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar’s son, Parth, is one of the two partners in Amadea Enterprises although Parth has not been named in the FIR registered by the Bavdhan police but Amadea’s another partner, Digvijay Patil, has been named in the case. As of now, Tejwani and Taru are in jail under judicial custody while police have recorded Patil’s statement. Tejwani’s lawyer Dipali Kedar Kushendra submitted that the sale deed was scrutinised, accepted and registered by the competent authority in accordance with the law and the statutory obligation to pay stamp duty lay with the purchaser and not the (bail) applicant, who acted only as a lawful PoA-holder. She submitted that the state has issued a demand notice, for the alleged stamp duty insufficiency, to the purchaser, Amadea Enterprises, and adjudication proceedings. were pending before the stamp authorities. Taru’s lawyer Sangramsinh Desai, submitted that his client was falsely implicated and there was delay in the registration of FIR, raising serious concerns about possible manipulation and concoction. Desai said there was no prima facie case against his client and no material on record to show that he derived any wrongful gain from the alleged offence. If any error occurred in the calculation of stamp duty or exemption, the same would amount to an inadvertent mistake and not a criminal offence, he argued. District govt pleader Pramod Bombatkar while opposing the pleas, said Taru had refused on April 24, 2025, to register the deal, citing lack of necessary permissions from the competent authority and missing stamp duty. He even gave a letter to one of the watandars but on May 20, 2025, he completed the registration by giving the stamp duty waiver. “In the system, Taru showed the land as movable property. The land belongs to Mumbai Sarkaar, but still the registration was done without the signature of a competent authority,” Bombatkar said. The state has also opposed Tejwani’s bail plea.

February 13, 2026
Online fraudsters cheat laundry businessman of Rs1.15 crore | Pune News – The Times of India

Pune: Online fraudsters cheated a Parvati-based laundry businessman (48) of Rs1.15 crore between Aug and Oct last year after promising him handsome returns on investment in online trade of shares, the Cyber police said.According to the police, the businessman submitted a complaint application last month. After verification, a formal FIR of cheating was registered with the Pune Cyber police on Wednesday.According to the police, the laundry businessman’s phone number was added to a group on a messaging application in Aug last year, where its members discussed high returns generated by trading shares. The victim read these messages and was impressed with the profit the members earned.The businessman then contacted the group admin. The police said the latter sent him a link to an online application to trade shares. The victim downloaded the application and started trading shares, but he bought shares of less value, the police said.The group admin, according to the police, told the victim to buy high-value shares and IPOs for a handsome profit. At the same time, he promised to help the businessman in buying them.“When the group admin offered to help the victim in buying high-value shares and IPOs a few days later, the latter agreed. The group admin then shared 10 different bank account numbers with the victim, and the latter transferred money to these accounts,” the police said.“When the businessman’s online application showed high profits, he decided to sell the shares. The suspect did not allow him to sell the shares and demanded more money. The victim then realised that he was cheated,” the police said.

February 13, 2026
BJP likely to oppose PMC property tax hike proposal | Pune News – The Times of India

Pune: BJP is likely to oppose the PMC’s proposed property tax hike.“We will see what other options can be explored for revenue generation. Our party will most likely oppose the move to increase the tax, though the final decision has not been taken yet,” Ganesh Bidkar, the party’s leader in the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), told reporters on Thursday.The civic administration proposed a 5% hike in property tax for the next financial year. Initially, the plan was to increase it by 10% to “boost revenue”. The 5% hike was proposed following opposition from citizens’ groups.Demand to shift Kalakar KattaBJP corporator from the Deccan area Sunil Pande demanded to shift the ‘Kalakar Katta’ (artists’ corner) from the Gopalkrishna Gokhale (Goodluck) Chowk area. He gave a letter to the civic administration saying it was causing traffic jams.“Residents claimed it was causing a nuisance in a peaceful neighbourhood. It is also leading to traffic jams and creating problems for the movement of public transport buses,” he said in the memorandum to the PMC.The PMC officials said the decision about its removal would be taken after an inspection of the site.

February 13, 2026