The Times of India
Elections 2026National / The Times of India
A parliamentary committee condemned the Youth Congress's AI summit protest, passing a resolution with a majority vote despite opposition from several parties. While praising the summit's success and significant investment pledges, the dissenters argued the committee was engaging in political maneuvering over the incident. The resolution highlighted the summit's global impact and future AI development commitments.
The Union Cabinet greenlit significant infrastructure upgrades, including three multi-tracking railway projects totaling Rs 9,072 crore to boost train capacity. Additionally, a new integrated airport terminal for Srinagar, costing Rs 1,677 crore, and a Rs 1,067 crore extension for the Ahmedabad Metro were approved. These projects aim to enhance connectivity and cater to growing passenger demand.
Two commercial flights, an Air India and an IndiGo, departed Ranchi safely Monday night amidst challenging weather. The ill-fated air ambulance, a Beechcraft C90, crashed shortly after takeoff, having requested a weather deviation. This tragedy occurred just minutes after larger airliners navigated the same turbulent conditions successfully.
Move aimed at enforcing zero-tolerance policy: DGCA
The Supreme Court has allowed the Calcutta High Court Chief Justice to enlist judicial officers from Jharkhand and Odisha to expedite the verification of 50 lakh voters in West Bengal facing 'logical discrepancy' or 'unmapped' status. The apex court clarified Aadhaar is solely for identification, not citizenship claims, and supplementary voter lists will be published post-February 28.
'Not necessarily punitive step; measure to make nota option void'
The Supreme Court has permitted Kerala's 'Nava Keralam Citizen Response Programme' to proceed, overturning a High Court decision. The apex court acknowledged that determining the allocation of funds for welfare schemes falls outside judicial purview. The Kerala government must later provide an account of how the Rs 20 crore was utilized.
Rahul Gandhi praised Indian Youth Congress members arrested for protesting the AI Summit, calling them abbar shers who exposed a compromised PM. The BJP criticized Gandhi, labeling him a unning joke and accusing him of anarchic conduct and ignorance regarding the US trade agreement.
The Union Cabinet has approved renaming Kerala as Keralam, fulfilling a long-standing popular demand. This decision aligns with the state assembly's resolutions and reflects the will of the people. The process will involve the President referring the matter to the state assembly for its views before parliamentary action.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day visit to Israel, commencing Wednesday, aims to strengthen the strategic partnership and address shared challenges. The agenda includes meetings with Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu, an address to the Knesset, and discussions on technology, defense, and trade. An upgraded security pact and a potential free trade agreement are key outcomes anticipated from this significant diplomatic engagement.
Class 8 students will now learn about judicial challenges like corruption, massive case backlogs, and judge shortages. The new NCERT textbook highlights how these issues hinder justice, especially for the poor. It details pending cases across courts and mentions efforts to boost transparency and accountability, including a code of conduct for judges and a grievance system.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Israel on February 25-26. He will meet prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss defence, security, and economic ties. The leaders will also review progress in science, technology, and innovation. The visit aims to reaffirm the strategic partnership between India and Israel. Discussions will also cover regional developments and people-to-people exchanges.
India's aviation regulator has grounded four Learjet aircraft belonging to VSR Ventures. This action follows a safety audit that revealed non-compliance in airworthiness, air safety, and flight operations. The decision comes after a fatal crash involving a VSR Ventures plane in January 2026.
Following two fatal charter aircraft crashes, India's aviation regulator is introducing a safety ranking for non-scheduled operators. Operators must now disclose critical safety information online, and stricter penalties will be imposed for violations. The DGCA is enforcing a zero-tolerance policy, holding senior leadership accountable for safety lapses.
Assam's political landscape is heating up as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi trade sharp accusations. The ongoing war of words between both the leaders has turned into a major political showdown. What began over a decade ago as a rift within the Congress has now become one of the most bitter political rivalries.
Expelled AIADMK leader VK Sasikala has announced the formation of a new political party in Tamil Nadu, vowing to champion the cause of the poor and downtrodden. Unveiling a flag featuring prominent Dravidian leaders, she stated the party would follow their ideology. Sasikala also recalled being urged to become Chief Minister after Jayalalithaa's demise.
The Union Cabinet approved Kerala's name change to Keralam. This sparked a political row. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned why her state's proposal to be renamed Bangla is pending. She accused the Centre of discrimination. The Centre's decision comes ahead of assembly elections in both states.
India's digital public infrastructure is reshaping citizen interaction and the media landscape. The DNPA Conclave 2026 will address how news organizations can navigate this evolving digital citizenship, ensuring trust and inclusion in a world of large-scale public technology and information overload.
Nearly a decade after J Jayalalithaa's death, the AIADMK struggles to regain its dominance, battling leadership disputes and electoral defeats. As Tamil Nadu heads to the 2026 assembly polls, the party, now led by Edappadi Palaniswami, seeks to overcome the void left by 'Amma' and forge alliances to challenge the ruling DMK.
Bihar CM Nitish Kumar lost his composure in the assembly amidst opposition protests alleging rule by guns and bullets. He mistakenly stated the NDA's strength as wo thousand and two instead of 202. The protest began over a police baton charge on village chowkidars demanding higher stipends.
A group of 277 prominent personalities, including former armed forces officers, IPS officers, bureaucrats, and judges, condemned the Indian Youth Congress's 'shirtless' protest at the AI Impact Summit. They described the act as a grotesque betrayal of national dignity and an anti-national disruption that defamed India on the global stage.
BJP's Yumnam Khemchand Singh was sworn in as CM of Manipur on February 4, reinstating the NDA government along with Kuki legislator Nemcha Kipgen and Naga MLA Losii Dikho as his deputies, marking a fresh spin on shared governance in a multi-ethnic state riven by the Meitei-Kuki conflict. Governor AK Bhalla also administered the oath of office to BJP's Konthoujam Govindas and Khuraijam Loken Singh of NPP as cabinet ministers at the Lok Bhavan ceremony.
West Bengal courts faced bomb threats on Tuesday. Six court complexes received threat emails, leading to evacuations and extensive security checks. Judicial work was disrupted across the state. Bomb squad teams and sniffer dogs searched the premises. No explosives were found. Authorities are investigating the origin of the emails and any potential links to election-related exercises.
Rahul Gandhi claimed Union minister Hardeep Puri's name in the infamous Epstein files was released to hreaten the PM, and that there are videos and messages which have not been released from the millions of Epstein files held up in the US. In another allegation, Rahul claimed that the case against Adani in the United States is not against the industrialist but against PM Modi.
Delhi Police has added rioting charges to the FIR against Indian Youth Congress members. The group staged a shirtless protest at the AI Impact Summit last week. Police stated the protesters attempted to breach security and injured personnel. Eight individuals, including IYC chief Uday Bhanu Chib, have been arrested.
FedEx is suing for a refund of Trump-era tariffs deemed illegal by the Supreme Court. This landmark ruling could trigger billions in claims, as the court found the president exceeded his authority. Importers like FedEx, who paid these duties, are now seeking full reimbursement, potentially impacting numerous businesses and consumers.
Delhi Police have taken Indian Youth Congress President Uday Bhanu Chib into four-day custody following his arrest for orchestrating a shirtless protest at the Bharat Mandapam during the AI Impact Summit. The demonstration targeted Prime Minister Modi and the India-US trade deal. Congress leaders defended the protest as a democratic right, while the BJP criticized Rahul Gandhi's stance.
A revised GDP series with 202223 as the base year will be released on February 27, along with updated historical data covering the previous four years.
When you hear AI attached to a business function, ask: what happens when it's wrong? If the answer involves customers, regulators, or reputations, progress will be slower than vendor PPTs claim.
Following a Supreme Court setback, the US is launching new national security probes into sectors like batteries and telecom equipment, potentially leading to fresh tariffs. President Trump also threatened higher duties on countries exploiting the ruling, aiming to replace invalidated levies with legally sustainable measures under Section 232 and Section 301.
A Pawan Hans helicopter experienced a short landing near Mayabunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands shortly after departing Port Blair. The aircraft was carrying two crew members and five passengers. Fortunately, all individuals were safely rescued with no reported injuries. Authorities are investigating the incident, and those on board are receiving medical observation.

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