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

Tensions between the United States and Iran intensified this week as both sides exchanged sharp rhetoric ahead of renewed diplomatic efforts over Tehran’s nuclear program. Former US President Donald Trump highlighted America’s military strength while Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei issued a pointed warning, underscoring the fragile atmosphere surrounding the latest round of nuclear deal talks. The war of words escalated even before the second round of negotiations, which were mediat

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 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

The tragic death of actress Pratyusha, one of the most debated incidents in Telugu cinema history, has finally reached legal closure after 23 years. The Supreme Court delivered its long awaited verdict, ruling out allegations of rape and murder while upholding the conviction of Siddharth Reddy for abetment of suicide. The judgment marks the end of a prolonged legal battle that has remained a topic of public discussion since 2002. Pratyusha, who was just 20 years old at the time, was

Authorities said the collision occurred at approximately 2 a.m. in the southbound lanes of the tollway near Royal Lane. Preliminary findings from DPS troopers indicate that a Hyundai Tucson was traveling northbound in the southbound lanes when it collided head-on with a Land Rover Velar. The impact caused significant damage to both vehicles and prompted an immediate emergency response. The driver of the Hyundai Tucson was transported to a local hospital following the crash but was l

Apple announced on Monday that it plans to introduce a new integrated video podcast experience within Apple Podcasts later this spring, marking a significant step as video consumption continues to reshape the global podcast industry. The update is designed to give listeners and viewers greater flexibility while providing creators with expanded tools to distribute and monetize their content more effectively. The company’s move comes amid strong growth in video podcast viewership. According

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

President Donald Trump has issued a strong warning to those responsible for the alleged kidnapping of Nancy Guthrie, stating that federal authorities will pursue the “most severe” penalties if she is harmed. The 84-year-old mother of television host Savannah Guthrie was reported abducted from her residence on February 1, 2026, triggering a nationwide law enforcement response and heightened public concern. In remarks during a recent interview, Trump said the perpetrators would face extrem

Eligible U.S. taxpayers will be able to deduct up to $10,000 in auto loan interest for the 2025 tax year under a temporary tax provision created through President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but financial analysts say the actual benefit for most car buyers will be far smaller than the headline figure suggests. While the deduction may appear generous at first glance, typical loan structures and interest payments mean that most borrowers are unlikely to approach the maximum all

Hundreds of Lufthansa flights were cancelled across Germany on Thursday after pilots and flight attendants launched coordinated strike action, disrupting travel plans for tens of thousands of passengers and straining operations at the country’s busiest airports. Aircraft operated by Germany’s largest carrier remained grounded at major hubs including Frankfurt and Munich as employees walked out in a dispute centered on pay, benefits and long-term employment conditions. The airlin

The Arctic, once considered remote and largely inaccessible, is emerging as a key area of global strategic interest. China has formally included its “Polar Silk Road” initiative within its broader Belt and Road strategy, signaling an expansion of influence in a region historically dominated by Arctic nations. By calling itself a “near-Arctic state,” Beijing is asserting that its economic and strategic interests extend well beyond its geographical borders, prompting concern from other glo

Microsoft’s head of artificial intelligence, Mustafa Suleyman, has triggered intense debate after warning that artificial intelligence could replace most white-collar jobs in the near future. Speaking about the accelerating pace of technological change, Suleyman said automation will not be limited to coders or IT professionals, but could extend to lawyers, accountants, project managers, marketers and other knowledge workers who spend most of their time working on computers. According to him, t

US President Donald Trump met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to discuss a range of strategic issues, with the Iran nuclear deal emerging as a central topic of conversation. The meeting, held amid heightened regional tensions, underscored ongoing diplomatic efforts and disagreements surrounding Tehran’s nuclear programme and its broader military capabilities. Following the talks, Trump took to Truth Social to reiterate his administration’s position on nego