The Times of India

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio claimed India committed to halting additional Russian oil purchases, amidst ongoing US sanctions. However, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar emphasized strategic autonomy and decisions guided by ational interest and market dynamics. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov disputed claims of India stopping oil buys, accusing the US of coercion.

The Centre has greenlit over Rs 11,000 crore in highway projects across Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Telangana. These crucial upgrades, including road widening and new four-lane stretches, aim to significantly boost freight movement and regional connectivity. Projects on NH-160A in Maharashtra, NH-56 in Gujarat, and NH-167 in Telangana are set to enhance industrial links and slash travel times.

India has significantly boosted climate action spending, now at nearly 5.6% of GDP, up from 3.7% six years ago, demonstrating strong domestic commitment. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasized the need for adaptation alongside emission cuts and advocated for a polluter pays principle in global climate finance, highlighting India's own substantial investments in renewables and carbon capture.

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda on Saturday attended the 8th Convocation Ceremony of Swami Rama Himalayan University at Jolly Grant, Dehradun.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan emphasized that actual vijay lies in demonstrated evidence, referencing India's counterterror actions. He stressed that victory isn't built on rhetoric but on tangible outcomes like damaged terror infrastructure and dysfunctional air defence systems, urging a sober assessment of India's defense preparedness for future challenges.

Bangladesh's BNP chief Tarique Rahman vowed a people-first foreign policy post-victory. Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal defended the India-US trade deal against Rahul Gandhi's criticism, highlighting benefits for textiles and farmers. In Mumbai, a Metro Line-4 parapet collapse tragically killed one and injured three.

The Union Cabinet has greenlit the Urban Challenge Fund, allocating Rs 1 lakh crore to spur market-linked urban infrastructure over five years. This initiative aims to attract Rs 4 lakh crore in investments, focusing on reform-driven development and citizen-centric projects. A Rs 5,000 crore credit support aims to boost market access for smaller cities.

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for acknowledging their election victory, expressing eagerness to work with India. PM Modi congratulated BNP leader Tarique Rahman on the party's decisive win, which secured a two-thirds majority and signals a move towards political stability in Bangladesh.

Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized PM Modi for visiting Assam instead of Manipur, which has been experiencing unrest. Khera shared mock flight tickets from Guwahati to Imphal, urging the PM to visit the troubled state. This comes as Manipur faces renewed tensions and violent protests.

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant emphasized that judicial leadership thrives on acknowledging imperfections and embracing continuous growth, not on feigning flawlessness. He advocated for a radical redefinition of judicial leadership, proposing a Commonwealth Apex Body to unify judicial education, the Bar, and the bench across member nations.

Delhi is set to revolutionize electricity consumption with a new framework enabling peer-to-peer energy trading. Prosumers with rooftop solar can now sell surplus power directly to other users, transforming homes into mini power plants. This pilot project, launching soon, aims to create a consumer-centric, digitally governed energy ecosystem.

Valentine's Day is driving a significant sales surge for quick commerce platforms and digital-first brands, with categories like sexual wellness, jewelry, and fashion experiencing substantial year-on-year growth. Companies are activating special features and curated lists to capture increased demand, noting a shift towards planned, thoughtful gifting throughout Valentine's week.

Rahul Gandhi slammed the India-US trade deal, calling PM Modi 'Narendra Surrender Modi' and warning of harm to cotton farmers and textile exporters. He alleged a trap where India faces an 18% tariff on garments while Bangladesh gets 0% by importing US cotton, potentially hurting Indian farmers. Minister Piyush Goyal refuted these claims, stating farmers' interests are protected.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a Rs 5,450 crore infrastructure drive in Assam, inaugurating the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu, a vital six-lane bridge, and the National Data Centre for the North Eastern Region. He also inaugurated the Indian Institute of Management Guwahati and flagged off 225 electric buses, boosting connectivity, digital infrastructure, and higher education across the Northeast.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate several key infrastructure projects in Assam, including the Emergency Landing Facility in Dibrugarh and the Kumar Bhaskar Varma Setu across the Brahmaputra River. He will also launch the temporary campus of IIM Guwahati, flag off electric buses, and inaugurate the National Data Centre for the North Eastern Region, enhancing digital infrastructure and public transport.

Assam is going to witness a historic moment on Saturday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi will land at the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) on Moran Bypass in Dibrugarh, where he will witness the aerial display of fighters, transports and helicopters.

Nvidia has deployed OpenAI's Codex AI coding tool to all 30,000 engineers, marking a significant enterprise rollout. CEO Jensen Huang's mandate to automate tasks with AI is driving this adoption, with engineers praising the tool's ability to handle complex workflows and maintain context.

India's largest airline, IndiGo, is hiring over 1,000 pilots to address operational disruptions caused by pilot shortages. The recruitment drive follows a December incident where over 5,000 flights were cancelled. The airline is also adjusting network planning and increasing standby crew to manage its rapid fleet expansion.