French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin a three-day visit to India on Tuesday, with high-level discussions expected to focus on artificial intelligence cooperation and a potential multibillion-dollar agreement involving Dassault Aviation Rafale fighter jets. The visit underscores the growing India-France relations and reflects both countries’ efforts to strengthen their strategic partnership across defence, technology, and economic sectors. Macron, accompanied by his wife Brigitte

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to undertake a two-day visit to Israel from February 25 to 26, according to sources familiar with the development. The programme for the trip is currently being finalised, but officials indicate that the visit will include high-level engagements aimed at strengthening the already robust India–Israel partnership. During the visit, Modi is likely to address the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, where discussions are expected to focus on key bilateral an

New Delhi is set to host a major international gathering of technology executives, political leaders and policy experts as the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 begins in the national capital from February 16 to 20. The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that delegations from more than 45 countries will attend the high-level event, positioning the summit as one of the largest global forums focused on artificial intelligence and digital policy. Among the notable participants is Antonio Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, along with senior officials from several international organisations. The presence of global leadership underscores the summit’s growing significance as countries seek to collaborate on the opportunities and challenges posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies. The summit’s framework is built around three central themes—People, Planet and Progress—reflecting India’s stated aim of shaping artificial intelligence governance that promotes inclusive growth, environmental sustainability and technological advancement. Officials said the agenda will focus on balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring that digital transformation benefits both developing and developed economies. Several heads of state and government are scheduled to attend at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Leaders expected to participate include Tshering Tobgay of Bhutan, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil, Emmanuel Macron of France, Pedro Sánchez of Spain and Dick Schoof of the Netherlands, among others. Additional representation will come from vice presidents, crown princes and senior ministers, highlighting broad geographic participation across Europe, Latin America, Asia and Africa. Beyond government delegations, the event will draw prominent figures from the global technology sector. Executives expected to attend include Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Jensen Huang of Nvidia, Demis Hassabis of DeepMind, Brad Smith of Microsoft and Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm. Their participation is expected to add industry insight into emerging AI trends, research and investment. According to officials, the summit will facilitate discussions on responsible AI governance, innovation ecosystems, digital public infrastructure and climate-conscious technology. Sessions are also planned on equitable access to emerging tools, reflecting concerns that technological gaps could widen inequalities between regions. Organisers have described the India-AI Impact Summit as a platform designed not only for dialogue but also for measurable outcomes. By encouraging collaboration between policymakers, startups and multinational firms, the event aims to generate partnerships and frameworks that support economic growth, social development and the sustainable use of artificial intelligence. With a strong international presence and a broad agenda, the summit is expected to reinforce India’s role as an influential player in shaping global AI policy while promoting cooperation on the future of the digital economy.

The city of Seattle has reached a $29 million settlement with the family of Jaahnavi Kandula, a 23-year-old graduate student from India, who was tragically killed in 2023 when a speeding police officer struck her. Kandula, a master's student at Northeastern University’s Seattle campus, was hit by Officer Kevin Dave, who was driving at 74 mph (119 km/h) in a 25-mph (40 km/h) zone while responding to a drug overdose call. Though Dave had his emergency lights

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said that tariff threats played a decisive role in resolving several international conflicts during his tenure, claiming that economic pressure through trade measures helped prevent violence and bring rival nations to the negotiating table. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump asserted that at least six of what he described as eight wars were settled after he warned countries that they would face higher tariffs if hostilities continued. Among

Many taxpayers are facing a frustrating wait for their tax refunds as nearly 24 lakh income tax returns (ITRs) for the Assessment Year 2025–26 have been pending for more than 90 days. According to the Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, as of February 4, 2026, out of 8.79 crore ITRs filed, approximately 24.64 lakh were yet to be processed, leaving millions of individuals waiting for their refunds. The large backlog has triggered concerns, especially for senior citizen

In a major step towards enhancing India's pandemic preparedness, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is rolling out an AI-enabled pathogen surveillance tool under the National One Health Mission (NOHM). This innovative system aims to monitor emerging and novel pathogens to predict and track diseases before they spiral into full-blown outbreaks. The focus is on early detection of zoonotic diseases, viral diseases, bacterial infections, and even parasitic threats that can have far-rea

The controversy surrounding the unpublished memoir of former Army Chief Manoj Mukund Naravane, titled Four Stars of Destiny, has deepened following two posts by Penguin India, three years apart. The row began when Congress MP Rahul Gandhi attempted to quote from the book during the Budget Session of Parliament. Gandhi was seen holding a copy of the book, which has yet to be published and is still awaiting clearance from the Defence Ministry. The confusion stems from a Decem

The Indian government has issued a new directive requiring the six-stanza version of Vande Mataram to be sung or played at all official ceremonies and state functions. The rendition, lasting approximately three minutes and ten seconds, will now be mandatory during significant events, including the unfurling of the Tricolour, the arrival of the President at formal gatherings, and before and after their speeches. The government’s decision aims to ensure uniformity and consi

China has said it understands and respects India’s aspiration for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council, marking a notable shift in tone as the two Asian powers work to stabilise relations after several years of tension. The statement came during high-level diplomatic talks in New Delhi and is being viewed as a cautious but significant gesture aimed at rebuilding trust between the neighbours. China’s Executive Vice Foreign Minister Ma Zhaoxu conveyed the po

The political arena in Telangana has once again been marred by a fiery exchange between BRS working president KTR and Telangana Congress leader, Revanth Reddy. Known for their often vocal and charged confrontations, political leaders in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have been engaging in increasingly aggressive verbal exchanges, and KTR’s latest remarks have once again brought the issue to the forefront. At a recent BRS roadshow, KTR used highly provocative language while discussing Revanth Reddy, openly mocking the Telangana chief minister. “Ee Revanth Reddy gaadu emi peekaledu… vaadoka pottodu, inthe untadu,” KTR said, referring to Revanth's height in a demeaning manner. His speech grew more intense when he added, “Orei pottoda (Revanth) inkosaari BRS vasthe neeku untadi ra… mamulga undadu,” further escalating the verbal clash. KTR also resorted to using terms like “Howlagaallu” and other derogatory words aimed at not just Revanth but also other Congress leaders. This aggressive and provocative language is becoming a defining feature of the political discourse in the region, as both KTR and Revanth have consistently made headlines for their charged and over-the-top rhetoric. While such exchanges may be seen as a tool for political one-upmanship, the increasingly hostile tone of their debates is raising concerns among the public. Some even argue that such language is inappropriate, especially in a family setting, as it may prompt parents to restrict their children's access to political discussions on TV due to the nature of the rhetoric. Using such language against a Chief Minister is widely considered regressive, and critics argue that it reflects poorly on the state’s political environment. As Telangana's political culture continues to be defined by such verbal spats, many hope for a shift toward more constructive and respectful dialogue. However, as things stand, the aggressive political equilibrium currently in play only seems to deepen divisions, setting a concerning precedent for the future of the state’s politics.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google-owned YouTube are facing serious allegations in a closely watched trial that began Monday in California, with plaintiffs accusing the companies of deliberately designing social media platforms to be addictive for children. The case marks one of the first times a jury has been asked to directly assess whether major technology companies can be held legally responsible for the mental health consequences their products may have on you

Big technology stocks traded unevenly on Monday as investors attempted to stabilize after a turbulent week that erased more than $1 trillion in combined market value across the sector. While several large-cap names posted gains on renewed optimism around artificial intelligence and cloud demand, others slipped as concerns lingered over rising capital expenditure and broader market volatility. Oracle led the advance, climbing about 9 percent after receiving an upgrade from D.A. David

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a telephone conversation with Mauritian Prime Minister Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam, during which both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the special and historic relationship between India and Mauritius. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral ties, expanding development cooperation, and ensuring peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region, underscoring the strategic significance of the island nation in India’s foreign pol

A 37-year-old Indian-origin information technology professional was killed after unidentified assailants opened fire on the vehicle he was travelling in at a shopping centre parking lot in Toronto, according to Canadian police officials. The victim, identified as Chandan Kumar, hailed from Bengaluru Rural district in Karnataka and had been living in Canada for the past six years while working with a private technology company. The incident occurred on Saturday, February 7, when poli

A growing body of scientific evidence is prompting doctors and public health experts to rethink how diabetes is diagnosed in India. A major new review published in The Lancet Regional Health has raised serious concerns about the accuracy of glycated haemoglobin, or HbA1c, the test most commonly used worldwide to diagnose and monitor diabetes. According to the authors, relying solely on HbA1c may sig

Amid mounting uncertainty surrounding his much-anticipated film Jana Nayagan, actor-turned-politician Vijay made a notable public appearance at a high-profile wedding in Chennai on Sunday, drawing widespread attention from fans and political observers alike. The appearance comes at a time when speculation continues to swirl around both the film’s delayed release and Vijay’s political future in T

Actor Sonam Kapoor marked her baby shower with signature elegance, hosting an intimate godh bharai ceremony at her Mumbai residence as she awaits her second child with husband Anand Ahuja. Known for setting fashion benchmarks, Sonam once again demonstrated how maternity style can be both rooted in tradition and refreshingly modern. The celebration was thoughtfully curated, reflecting Sonam’s preference for understated luxury over extravagance. Surrounded by close friends, family,

Several schools in the national capital were placed on high alert on Monday after bomb threat emails were sent to their official email IDs, triggering swift action from security agencies. According to officials, at least ten schools across different parts of Delhi received the threatening emails within a short time window, prompting immediate deployment of police teams, fire services, and bomb disposal squads to conduct thorough security checks on school premises. As per the informa

A tragic incident from Uttar Pradesh has reignited concerns over the health risks linked to excessive online gaming after a 22-year-old youth allegedly died from a brain haemorrhage triggered while playing a game on his mobile phone. The incident has once again brought the spotlight on gaming addiction and its potential impact on both physical and mental health, especially among young adults. The deceased, identified as Mohammad Kaif, was a resident of the Khairnagar area of Meerut.