Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced a high-profile visit to India as part of a broader Indo-Pacific tour, in what officials describe as a significant step toward revitalizing bilateral relations that have faced strain in recent years. The visit, scheduled from February 26 to March 7, 2026, will also include stops in Australia and Japan, reflecting Ottawa’s strategic focus on strengthening partnerships across the Indo-Pacific region. Carney’s itinerary begins in Mum

Former United Kingdom ambassador to the United States Peter Mandelson was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to confirmation from London’s Metropolitan Police. The 72-year-old veteran Labour Party figure was detained at a property in Camden and taken to a London police station for questioning as part of an ongoing investigation. Police officials said the arrest followed the execution of search warrants at two separate addresses in the Wiltshire and Ca

​Israel’s Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar, on Monday expressed enthusiasm ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit, describing it as a significant step forward in strengthening India-Israel relations. The visit, scheduled for February 25, is expected to accelerate cooperation across defence, technology, and economic sectors, reflecting the growing depth of the strategic partnership between the two nations. In a video message shared on social media, Azar said Israel was l

The rich, inviting aroma that greets customers at Dulcinea Panadería Oaxaqueña in downtown San Jose is often enough to draw them in before they even reach the display cases. Inside, visitors are met with an extensive selection of more than 100 varieties of cookies, pastries, breads, and cakes, most prepared fresh each day. The bustling bakery represents years of persistence and reinvention by owner Monse Barrita, whose journey into the food business has been anything but conventional.

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho” and long regarded by authorities as one of the world’s most dangerous drug cartel leaders, has been killed during a Mexican military operation in the western state of Jalisco, officials confirmed Sunday. According to a statement from Mexico’s Defense Ministry, the CJNG chief was shot while troops attempted to capture him and later died while being transported to Mexico City. Cervantes led the Jalisco New Generati

Amazon has overtaken Walmart to become the world’s largest company by annual revenue, marking a historic shift in the long-running rivalry between the two retail giants. Walmart reported revenue of $713.2 billion for its most recent fiscal year, narrowly trailing Amazon’s $716.9 billion. The development had been anticipated for months after Amazon first exceeded Walmart in quarterly sales roughly a year ago, signaling a gradual but decisive change in the competitive landscape. W

New Delhi: Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, Evan Solomon, has underscored the growing momentum behind trilateral collaboration among Canada, India and Australia in the field of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. Speaking to reporters in the national capital, Solomon described the three countries as natural partners in advancing responsible and inclusive AI development. He noted that Canada and India have both establishe

Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented India’s bold and human-centric vision for artificial intelligence at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, calling for the democratisation of AI and introducing the MANAV framework to guide its ethical and inclusive development. Addressing global leaders, technology pioneers, and policymakers, the Prime Minister stressed that artificial intelligence must empower humanity rather than reduce people to mere data points. He highlighted the need to ensure that AI benefits everyone, particularly developing nations in the Global South, and does not remain concentrated in the hands of a few powerful entities. The MANAV framework, introduced as India’s roadmap for responsible AI governance, focuses on five core principles: Moral and Ethical Systems, Accountable Governance, National Data Sovereignty, Accessible and Inclusive Technology, and Valid and Legitimate AI systems. According to the Prime Minister, AI must operate within ethical boundaries, ensure transparency, protect national data rights, and remain accessible to all sections of society. He emphasized that AI should serve as a multiplier of human potential rather than a monopolistic force controlled by limited stakeholders. The framework aims to ensure that AI remains lawful, trustworthy, and beneficial to humanity while supporting innovation and growth. Prime Minister Modi described artificial intelligence as one of the most transformative technologies in human history, comparable to major breakthroughs such as the discovery of fire and the invention of communication systems. He noted that AI is evolving at an unprecedented pace, impacting industries, economies, and societies worldwide. He warned that without proper governance, AI could create disruption, but with the right direction, it can become a powerful solution to global challenges including healthcare, education, and economic development. The India AI Impact Summit 2026, which brought together over 200,000 participants and representatives from more than 100 countries, reflects India’s growing leadership role in shaping the future of AI. The event featured participation from major global technology leaders, innovators, and policymakers, highlighting India’s position as a key hub for AI innovation. The Prime Minister also praised young innovators and entrepreneurs, noting that the next generation is actively shaping the future of artificial intelligence despite early scepticism surrounding emerging technologies. Prime Minister Modi emphasized that India’s MANAV vision is designed not just for national development but for global benefit, particularly for countries in the Global South. He called on international leaders to work together to ensure that artificial intelligence remains inclusive, ethical, and aligned with human values. He reiterated that the ultimate goal of AI should be welfare for all and happiness for all, ensuring that technological progress strengthens societies rather than widening inequalities. The summit marks a significant milestone in India’s technological journey, positioning the country as a global advocate for responsible AI governance. With its focus on inclusivity, ethics, and accessibility, the MANAV framework represents a major step toward building a balanced and human-centric artificial intelligence ecosystem that can benefit people across the world.

Bill Gates has withdrawn from delivering the keynote address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, sparking widespread attention and speculation across global tech and political circles. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation confirmed the sudden decision, stating that Gates would skip the summit “after careful consideration,” just one day after publicly confirming his participation. The event, being held at Bharat Mandapam, is one of India’s most significant gatherings focused on artifi

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday publicly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the United Kingdom’s handling of the strategically important island of Diego Garcia, warning that London could be making a significant strategic error. In a post on Truth Social dated February 18, Trump said he had advised Starmer that entering into a 100-year lease arrangement concerning Diego Garcia was a “big mistake.” The island, located in the Indian Ocean and part of the Chagos Arc

In one of the wealthiest cities in the world, thousands of residents are living inside spaces barely larger than a mattress. Hong Kong, famous for its glittering skyline and ultra-luxury real estate, is also home to nearly 2 lakh people who survive in cramped 16-square-foot “coffin homes” hidden inside ageing buildings. For 14 consecutive years, Hong Kong has ranked as the world’s mo

AI company Anthropic has unveiled its latest model, Claude Sonnet 4.6, describing it as the most powerful Sonnet version to date with major improvements in coding, reasoning and large-scale data handling. The new model is now the default option inside the Claude chatbot for both free and Pro users, signali

Iran has indicated it is prepared to allow verification of its nuclear activities following the conclusion of a second round of US-Iran negotiations mediated by Oman. Speaking on Tuesday, February 17, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that Tehran has no intention of developing atomic weapons and expressed openness to international scrutiny aimed at confirming that position. In remarks reported after the Geneva talks, Pezeshkian stated that Iran’s stance on nuclear weapons rema

​BEIJING — China used its most-watched television event, the annual CCTV Spring Festival gala, to showcase the country’s accelerating ambitions in artificial intelligence, humanoids, and advanced manufacturing, underscoring Beijing’s broader industrial strategy. Four emerging humanoid robotics companies — Unitree, Galbot, Noetix, and MagicLab — presented their latest machines during the high-profile broadcast, an event often compared in cultural impact to the Super Bowl in the Un

The second round of talks between the United States and Iran concluded in Geneva on Tuesday, with both sides signaling cautious optimism about the path forward. The Geneva meet, facilitated through Oman mediation, comes at a sensitive moment in US Iran relations, with diplomatic and military signals unfolding simultaneously across the Middle East. Speaking at the Conference on Disarmament, Iran FM Abbas Araghchi described the latest engagement as a potential turning point. He said a

China’s 2026 Spring Festival Gala turned into a futuristic spectacle as humanoid robots stole the spotlight with life-like dance routines, martial arts moves and acrobatic flips. The annual event, broadcast by CCTV and held in Yiwu, showcased the rapid progress of China’s robotics industry, leaving viewers across the globe stunned. Several leading robotics firms including Unitree Robotics, MagicLab, Noetix Robotics and Beijing Galbot demonstrated their latest advancements in hum

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has extended a warm invitation to Bangladesh’s newly sworn-in Prime Minister Tarique Rahman following the Bangladesh Nationalist Party’s (BNP) electoral victory, signaling India’s intent to deepen engagement with Dhaka’s new leadership. In a congratulatory letter sent soon after the swearing-in ceremony in Dhaka, PM Modi expressed confidence that bilateral relations would grow stronger under Rahman’s leadership and emphasized the importance of shared dev

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron elevated bilateral ties to a new level by signing more than 20 agreements across defence, artificial intelligence, trade, skilling, health and critical technologies during high-level talks in Mumbai. The agreements were announced during President Macron’s three-day visit to India from February 17 to 19, where he is also attending the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Addressing a joint press conference, Prime Minister Na

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday emphasized that India must position itself as a global leader in artificial intelligence, urging the country to transition from being primarily a consumer of technology to a creator of advanced AI solutions. His remarks came during the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, a high-profile international gathering widely regarded as the first global AI forum of this scale hosted in the Global South. In an interview with ANI, the Prime Minister

Veteran civil rights leader Jesse Jackson, one of the most influential Black political figures in modern American history, died on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, prompting an outpouring of tributes from political leaders and activists across the globe. He was 84. While the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed, Jackson had been living for several years with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological condition that affects movement and speech. Jackson rose to national p