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The Times of India

Politics / The Times of India

CJI alarmed by AI use to draft petitions in SC

India's Supreme Court expressed alarm as lawyers increasingly use AI to draft petitions, leading to citations of non-existent judgments. This hallucination by AI tools is complicating judicial work, forcing judges to verify every quoted paragraph. High courts have also penalized parties for submitting AI-generated arguments with fake case law, highlighting the urgent need for verification.

18 Feb 2026 3:52 am
Tina Ambani skips ED summons, 2nd in a month

Tina Ambani, wife of Anil Ambani, missed her second Enforcement Directorate summons regarding a money laundering probe. Her husband, Anil Ambani, is also under investigation for a Rs 40,000 crore laundering case. The ED is seeking international cooperation to trace alleged illicit funds, having already conducted numerous searches and attached significant assets.

18 Feb 2026 3:02 am
RPF cop kneels on youth's neck, probe ordered as clip goes viral

A Railway Protection Force constable is under investigation. He was seen in a video kneeling on a youth's neck at Tiruvottiyur railway station. The youth was reportedly travelling without a ticket and was drunk. The incident drew widespread condemnation online. Officials have ordered an internal inquiry into the constable's actions. Departmental action will follow the inquiry report.

18 Feb 2026 2:56 am
Ajit Pawar plane's black boxes damaged in fire: AAIB

Black boxes from the crashed Learjet at Baramati airport sustained significant fire damage, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau reported. While the flight data recorder was successfully downloaded, specialized help is needed for the cockpit voice recorder. This raises questions about the extent of damage, with experts and politicians calling the CVR's condition mysterious and serious, hinting at potential foul play.

18 Feb 2026 2:45 am
Modi, Macron launch H125 helicopter assembly line

India and France are deepening their strategic ties with a new helicopter assembly line in Karnataka and a potential multi-billion dollar Rafale jet deal. Prime Minister Modi highlighted the nations' shared trust and commitment to manufacturing and exporting advanced technology.

18 Feb 2026 2:36 am
At presser with Macron, PM recalls Savarkar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the bravery of Indian soldiers in World War I and the daring escape of Veer Savarkar from Marseille during a joint press meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. Modi highlighted the port city's connection to these historical figures, noting his own homage to Savarkar during a previous visit.

18 Feb 2026 2:29 am
Telugu actress Pratyusha suicide case: SC upholds boyfriend's conviction

The Supreme Court upheld the conviction of a boyfriend in a mutual suicide pact case, stating the surviving partner must be punished for abetment. The court ruled that the survivor's participation directly facilitated the deceased's suicide, establishing his culpability. The convicted individual has been ordered to surrender within four weeks.

18 Feb 2026 2:14 am
NGT nod thwarted Gandhis' bid to stall Nicobar plan: BJP

The BJP has criticized Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for opposing the Great Nicobar island infrastructure project, accusing them of attempting to derail it. The party highlighted the National Green Tribunal's approval as a victory against their disruptive efforts. The project aims to establish a major transshipment hub, countering reliance on foreign ports and China's expansionist designs.

18 Feb 2026 1:55 am
Maharashtra ATS busts soccer club front for radicalisation

Maharashtra ATS has busted a radicalisation network operating under a soccer club's guise, raiding 21 locations. A Nagpur grocer allegedly used a Yavatmal club to indoctrinate youth into 'jihadi' ideology, with suspects maintaining cross-border terror links. The operation uncovered a well-funded network grooming vulnerable youths through targeted meetings and workshops.

18 Feb 2026 1:45 am
Macron extends invite to Modi to attend G7 summit

France has invited India to the 2026 G7 Summit, emphasizing active participation in discussions on global macroeconomic imbalances and international partnerships. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based Indo-Pacific order and the urgent need for UN Security Council reform, with France supporting India's permanent membership.

18 Feb 2026 1:40 am
'Raise India-made component' in Rafale deal: Rajnath to France

India has urged France to increase the 'Make-in-India' component to 50% for the upcoming 114 Rafale fighter jet deal, including engine manufacturing and overhauling. This comes as both nations renewed their defense cooperation agreement for another decade, also agreeing to manufacture Hammer missiles in India.

18 Feb 2026 1:31 am
Army aspirant accuses TTE of rape bid on train in UP

A young Army aspirant traveling for her NCC exam has accused a TTE of attempted rape in a First AC coach of the Ahmedabad-Gorakhpur Express. The incident occurred on Sunday. The TTE allegedly offered her a berth after she boarded without a ticket, then threatened her.

18 Feb 2026 1:18 am
Haryana STF nabs 2 Pak youths who fled Jammu juvenile home; hunt on for third fugitive

Two Pakistani nationals escaped a juvenile home in Jammu and were arrested 400km away in Ambala Cantonment railway station. They had broken out with a local gangster who injured two police officers. The Pakistani duo planned to flee the country via Nepal. The injured policemen are hospitalized. A fresh FIR has been registered against the trio.

18 Feb 2026 12:01 am
Omar presses Centre on J&K statehood as Delhi signals decision soon

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed cautious optimism following Union Law Minister Arjun Meghwal's statement on the imminent restoration of statehood. Abdullah highlighted the prolonged wait since the elected government took office, emphasizing that patience is wearing thin. He stressed that statehood is a crucial and sensitive matter, with the Supreme Court also urging its prompt return.

18 Feb 2026 12:00 am
No plan for monkey sterilisation, says J&K govt amid outrage over massive crop damage

Jammu and Kashmir government will not sterilize monkeys despite crop destruction and public safety concerns. Instead, it plans to promote monkey-resistant crops, solar fencing, and deterrent devices. Farmers are also urged to stop feeding the animals, as the simian population continues to pose a major challenge.

18 Feb 2026 12:00 am
Agriculture ministry launches Bharat-VISTAAR, a multilingual AI tool for digital fam advisories

The agriculture ministry has launched Bharat-VISTAAR, an AI-enabled system offering farmers customized digital advice for farm-level decision-making. This multilingual tool integrates AgriStack and ICAR resources to provide data-driven guidance on weather, market prices, pests, and crop management, accessible via a simple phone call.

17 Feb 2026 9:58 pm
'Congress wins with dissent, loses when it crushes it': Mani Shankar Aiyar's latest warning to leadership

Veteran leader Mani Shankar Aiyar asserts Congress historically thrives on internal dissent, warning suppression leads to downfall. Citing Indira Gandhi's Emergency and historical figures like Subhas Chandra Bose, Aiyar argues disagreement, not conformity, is the party's strength. He challenges the current leadership to embrace diverse opinions, fearing doom if dissent is stifled.

17 Feb 2026 8:30 pm
From helicopter assembly lines to HAMMER missiles: Key pacts signed as PM Modi hosts France's Macron

India and France elevated their relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Mumbai. The two nations signed over 20 agreements, expanding cooperation in defense, trade, critical minerals, and innovation, including joint missile production and helicopter assembly.

17 Feb 2026 8:23 pm
'Work for each other's security': PM Modi in letter to new Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman; invites him to India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Bangladesh's new prime minister Tarique Rahman on his electoral victory and appointment, extending an invitation to visit India. Modi highlighted the deep-rooted friendship and shared aspirations between the two nations, emphasizing mutual prosperity and security. He expressed eagerness to strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors.

17 Feb 2026 8:16 pm
Sabarimala row: With Kerala polls around, Left takes vague stand on womens entry after backing reform

Ahead of Kerala polls, the ruling Left government is deferring its stance on women's entry into Sabarimala. State ministers on Tuesday said the Supreme Court hasn't sought their clarification yet, and a decision will follow consultations. The government emphasized its support for devotees while awaiting the apex court's examination of constitutional questions on religious practices.

17 Feb 2026 5:46 pm
'Tughlaqi Commission' working on BJP's behest: Mamata sharpens SIR attack on EC

Mamata also made an explosive claim amid the ongoing SIR in the poll-bound West Bengal, saying a woman functionary in the BJP IT cell emoved 58 lakh voters names in Bengal using AI. The TMC chief said in Bengal, 160 people lost their lives due to SIR anxiety, work-related pressure. Mamata said if the election commission penalises Bengal government officers, her government would 100 per cent protect them.

17 Feb 2026 5:24 pm
Evening news wrap: PM Modi, Macron hold talks in Mumbai; Tarique Rahman sworn in as Bangladesh PM, and more

Prime Minister Modi and French President Macron held significant talks in Mumbai, focusing on defence and trade. Meanwhile, Tarique Rahman was sworn in as Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, ending a long era of female leadership. Iran's Supreme Leader issued a stern warning to US President Trump, as Pakistan faced deadly attacks.

17 Feb 2026 5:23 pm
Delhi University bans on-campus protest for a month after backlash over UCG equity guidelines

Delhi University has banned all gatherings, processions, and protests on its campuses for one month due to law and order concerns. This decision follows clashes between student groups over the now-stayed UGC equity guidelines. The university cited potential obstruction of traffic, threats to life, and disturbances to public peace as reasons for the prohibition.

17 Feb 2026 4:22 pm
Assam approves 3% reservation for tea tribes, Adivasis in Grade 1 and 2 govt jobs

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma had announced a 3 per cent reservation for youths from tea gardens in Grade I and Grade II government jobs in October last year during the 19th biennial general conference of the Assam Tea Tribe Students Association (ATTSA) and the central biennial general conference of the Assam Tea Tribe Womens Association.

17 Feb 2026 3:46 pm
Not all humans are equally frightening to wildlife, says new study

New research suggests wildlife's fear of humans is not uniform. Animals exhibit strong fear responses to hunters and fishers but less so to tourists or researchers. Surprisingly, some passive human structures like roads can even act as perceived refuges for certain species.

17 Feb 2026 1:50 pm
'Conveniently ignored others': Supreme Court rejects plea against Himanta Sarma, Yogi Adityanath

The Supreme Court declined to entertain a plea for mandatory constitutional morality guidelines for public officials, citing the petition's focus on specific individuals. The court suggested a broader code of conduct for public figures, similar to that for public servants, emphasizing uniform application of constitutional values.

17 Feb 2026 1:39 pm
'To people like him, woman nothing more than body': Congress MP Jothimani flays BJP leader Senthil Nathan for 'derogatory' remarks

Congress MP Jothimani condemned alleged misogynistic remarks by BJP district president V V Senthil Nathan, stating he views her as merely a ody, a sexual object. Police registered a case against Nathan for insulting womanhood during a BJP protest.

17 Feb 2026 11:49 am
Resignation twist: Bhupen Borah quits Congress, pauses decision, Himantas BJP offer follows row explained

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma invited former Congress chief Bhupen Borah to join BJP after his resignation. Sarma lauded Borah as a last Hindu leader in Congress, highlighting internal party issues. While Congress leaders claim Borah reconsidered, he seeks time to decide. Opposition leaders vowed to prevent him from joining BJP.

17 Feb 2026 9:55 am
Rafale deal, AI, trade on table: French President Emmanuel Macron set to meet PM Modi in Mumbai what's on agenda?

French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron arrived in Mumbai for a three-day visit to strengthen the India-France strategic partnership. The agenda includes bilateral talks with PM Modi, focusing on defence, space, and technology, and participation in the AI Impact Summit.

17 Feb 2026 8:04 am