JQJO — Your world, one story at a time · Page 985

New Delhi: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah launched Bharat Taxi on Thursday, a government-backed cooperative ride-hailing platform that began after a two-month pilot and was registered on June 6, 2025. The service initially operates in Delhi-NCR and Gujarat and will expand nationwide within three years, the minister said. Operated by Sahakar Taxi Cooperative Ltd and supported by eight cooperative organisations, the app offers zero commission, surge-free fares, pricing up to 30% lower than rivals. The platform implements driver profit-sharing and social security measures including personal accident and family health insurance. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States — Meteorologists forecast an arctic system will bring snow, strong winds and plunging temperatures across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic this week. Agencies and local stations report light to moderate snowfall expected Friday into Saturday, with localized totals ranging roughly one to four inches, with isolated higher amounts in mountain areas. Forecasters warn of gusts up to 40+ mph, hazardous travel, and wind chills falling well below zero, especially Saturday morning. Overnight lows may reach single digits or below in many areas. Travel disruptions and icy conditions are likely on impacted roads. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — College basketball teams recorded midweek road and home victories across conferences on Wednesday. UNC Asheville beat South Carolina Upstate 76-67 as Kameron Taylor scored 21. Tulsa edged Florida Atlantic 78-76 with David Green scoring 27. Liberty defeated Delaware 75-69 behind Colin Porter's 23. Arkansas State beat Coastal Carolina 70-66, and New Mexico State defeated Louisiana Tech 72-63 as Jemel Jones scored 26. Each game updated season records and conference standings, with several teams extending winning streaks. Game statistics and individual point totals were reported by local affiliates and the Associated Press. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

WASHINGTON — Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent testified before the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday about the Financial Stability Oversight Council’s 2025 report, focusing on artificial intelligence, community banks, sanctions and financial-market risks. He told lawmakers AI is a top FSOC priority as it spreads across banking and markets, warned that more than 50% of community banks declined since the global financial crisis, defended sanctions on Iran and Myanmar citing a December Iranian banking collapse, and said new Russia sanctions would depend on peace talks. The hearing included heated exchanges with Democratic members. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

United States municipal officials implemented parking policy changes and approvals this winter in response to congestion, revenue needs, and business access concerns. Cities and counties introduced new paid zones, revised hourly and daily rates, adopted ParkMobile app-only payment, expanded paid lots, and approved an eight-story garage exception. Officials cited traffic flow, parking turnover targets, and infrastructure funding as goals. Some residents and small-business owners reported easier payments while others expressed hardship for less tech-savvy users. Implementation dates ranged from mid-January to early February and pilot programs will run through upcoming summer events. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Los Angeles — Federal officials traveled to Pacific Palisades Tuesday to outline President Trump’s executive order to accelerate rebuilding after the 2025 wildfires. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler met residents, hosted a roundtable and press conference to promote allowing federal loan recipients to self‑certify compliance if local permits are not issued within 60 days. Officials said staff will review more than 1,000 returned permit applications. State and local authorities questioned the federal takeover’s legality and provided limited implementation details. Efforts seek to reduce permitting delays and restart reconstruction. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

MONTGOMERY, Ala. Gov. Kay Ivey set a March execution window for Charles “Sonny” Burton this week after the Alabama Supreme Court authorized scheduling in January and state court orders also. Burton, 75, was convicted in 1992 as an accomplice in a 1991 AutoZone robbery in which customer Doug Battle was killed; another defendant, Derrick DeBruce, fired the fatal shot and later received a reduced sentence. Supporters, including a victim’s daughter and several jurors, have petitioned for clemency and unveiled a billboard in Talladega. Officials plan execution by nitrogen gas beginning March 12. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

SAN FRANCISCO — Alphabet Inc. reported record annual revenue topping $400 billion, driven by an 18% year-over-year quarterly rise to $113.8 billion and a 30% increase in quarterly profit to $34.5 billion. The company cited stronger search and advertising performance plus rapid growth in cloud and AI-related services, including YouTube ad gains and accelerated Gemini adoption and robust enterprise cloud demand. Executives said supply constraints persist even as they plan US$175–185 billion in capital expenditure for 2026 to expand AI computing capacity. Shares moved marginally lower in after-hours trading following the results. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

Washington — The New START nuclear arms control treaty between the United States and Russia expired on Feb. 5, removing legally binding limits on deployed strategic warheads and delivery systems. Governments and international organizations warned of elevated nuclear competition as the U.S., Russia and China pursue modernization and expansion. U.S. and Russian officials held talks in Abu Dhabi and agreed to resume high-level military dialogue this week. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged return to negotiations. President Donald Trump called for a new, broader treaty including China. This development prompted congressional and diplomatic responses. Based on 7 articles reviewed and supporting research.

LOS ANGELES Mayor Karen Bass denied this week that she ordered changes to an after action report on last year’s Palisades Fire after a Los Angeles Times story citing two sources said she directed edits to soften criticism of the Los Angeles Fire Department. The mayor’s office said Bass reviewed an early draft and requested accuracy checks but did not alter the findings. The Times reported initial wording critical of pre deployment was revised to praise LAFD. Businessman Rick Caruso briefly reconsidered a mayoral bid over the story but declined to run. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.