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Wednesday, February 18, 2026
TopicThe Conversation

Topic: The Conversation

Autistic people don’t lack emotions. They feel joy differently

The majority of autistic people have sensory processing differences, compared to non-autistic people. This includes finding many of the spaces of modern living painfully loud, bright, and overly populated.

Would you sign up for an ‘AI afterlife’? Deathbots and ‘grief tech’ raise key legal questions

As AI is usually probabilistic and based on algorithms, there may be a risk of creep or distortion. The deathbot could lose its resemblance to the original person.

Beyond the Trojan war — the long peace that sustained Troy

Troy thrived for centuries through trade, craft and everyday cooperation before its dramatic end.

How reels, shorts & TikTok clips can reduce focus

Research links fast-paced short-form video use with weaker attention, poor sleep and higher anxiety in young users.

Why the real weight gain struggle begins before menopause

Most women expect the weight struggle to begin after menopause. But research suggests the real metabolic shift happens years earlier.

Our ancestors never needed dental braces. Here is why

The image of ancient people sporting gold and catgut braces is certainly appealing and dramatic, but it doesn’t match the evidence.

Why the deepfake menace is likely to get worse in 2026

The combination of surging quantity and personas that are nearly indistinguishable from real humans creates serious challenges for detecting deepfakes.

Why Spotify Wrapped is genius marketing—it’s connected to fundamental human needs

Spotify Wrapped works because it nails the balance between competing human needs—the desire to belong and the desire to stand out.

How gut microbes impact sleep quality

A recent study suggested that concentration of peptidoglycan seems to increase in periods of sleep deprivation. This is a sign that the gut microbiota might play a role in sleep quality.

How treating a tooth infection can help manage your blood sugar

A tooth infection might seem like a relatively minor health issue, but its effects can reach far beyond the mouth.

On Camera

Telangana spoke up for Muslim vendor who was attacked. South is different from the North

A poor Muslim man from Kurnool, selling khoya buns during the Medaram Jatara in Telangana, was harassed by some YouTubers and surrounded by a mob over allegations of 'food jihad'.

Venezuela crude returns to India’s oil basket. But only as ‘supplementary’ supply

Indian refiners are testing Venezuelan barrels again as Russian supply sinks, but analysts say volumes will remain limited due to refinery constraints & supply capacity.

US military commander, envoy Sergio Gor visit Indian Army Western Command, Bengaluru next

At the Western Army Command, the American delegation was briefed on the capabilities of the formation, past operations and the path ahead.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.