The Times of India

Union Home Minister Amit Shah vowed to remove infiltrators from Assam's electoral rolls and deport them within five years if the BJP returns to power. He accused the opposition of turning infiltrators into a vote bank, claiming they encroached on vast tracts of land.

India and Brazil inked a critical minerals agreement and set a $30 billion trade target by 2030, aiming to build resilient supply chains and reduce dependence on China. Leaders also discussed UN reforms and technology cooperation, emphasizing Global South solidarity and shared progress.

Niti Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam emphasized that states must now lead the reform charge for India to achieve developed nation status by 2047, as the Centre has completed most of its crucial tasks. He highlighted that land, labor, electricity, water, and roads are all state subjects, directly impacting growth outcomes.

Opposition leaders and Congress allies have criticised the Indian Youth Congress's semi-nude protest at the AI Impact Summit, deeming it inappropriate and shameful on an international stage. Around 10 IYC workers were detained for raising slogans against PM Modi, wearing T-shirts with controversial slogans, sparking widespread condemnation for tarnishing the country's image.

Delhi's chief minister Rekha Gupta has launched an advanced digital initiative, the 'CM Jansunwai Portal' and its accompanying mobile app, empowering citizens to voice their concerns with just a few clicks. This new platform is designed to promote clarity and accelerate the handling of public complaints.

Prime Minister Modi emphasized self-reliance for India's technological future, highlighting the critical role of 'Made in India' chips. A new Rs 3,700 crore joint venture between HCL and Foxconn will establish an Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly & Test facility in Greater Noida, aiming to produce display driver chips and boost India's manufacturing prowess.

Clashes erupted between BJP and Congress workers during a BJP protest against an Indian Youth Congress (IYC) demonstration at the India AI Impact Summit. Stone-pelting occurred, leading to police intervention and injuries. Four IYC workers were arrested and sent to police custody for investigation into a potential larger conspiracy.

A special POCSO court in Prayagraj has ordered the police to register an FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and his disciple over sexual exploitation allegations. This directive follows a complaint filed by Ashutosh Brahmachari Maharaj. The move occurs amidst ongoing controversy surrounding Swami Avimukteshwaranand, including a recent protest over being prevented from a ritual dip at Sangam.

NCP (SP) leader Rohit Pawar has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to seek the resignation of Civil Aviation Minister K Ram Mohan Naidu pending an inquiry into the January 28 plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar. Pawar alleged potential links between the aircraft's owner, VSR, and the minister's party, demanding an independent probe into the incident and possible conspiracy.

BJP staged nationwide protests after Indian Youth Congress workers disrupted the India AI Impact Summit, displaying slogans against PM Modi. Four IYC leaders were arrested. BJP workers also showed black flags to Rahul Gandhi in Mumbai, accusing the Congress of an 'anti-national' act and demanding an apology for the 'shameful' summit disruption.

Updates in marriage rules proposed by state govt give role to parents, but caste and village bodies have drawn up their own codes laying down fines, boycott, etc for those marrying outside the community.

Over Half Dead Or Disabled In Three Months

A viral video from Indore showed a woman attacked on child-lifting suspicion. This incident led to a surprising reunion. Her daughter, seeing the clip, traveled to Indore. She found her mother, Rekha Devi, who had been missing for over a year and a half. Rekha Devi had gone missing from Meerut after family tragedies.

Defeated candidates in Telangana are reportedly demanding cash and gifts back from voters after municipal election results. Viral videos show confrontations as residents refuse to return items distributed during campaigns. Incidents have been reported across multiple districts, highlighting post-poll tensions and alleged vote-buying practices.

A Kerala court has handed life sentences to five men for the brutal 2016 murder of a 42-year-old man in a moral policing incident. The judge described the lynching as akin to terrorism. The convicts, found guilty of murder and rioting, were also given additional rigorous imprisonment and fines. Crucial evidence included visuals of the assault recorded by some accused.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi appeared in a Sultanpur court Friday to record his statement in a 2018 defamation case concerning remarks against Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Gandhi asserted the allegations were politically motivated and aimed at damaging his and his party's image. He denied using derogatory language, calling the complaint a distortion.

The Union home ministry has formed a second empowered committee in West Bengal to expedite citizenship applications under the CAA. This move comes as the volume of applications has surged, particularly from the Matua community. The new committee, headed by the deputy registrar general, aims to share the workload and reduce processing times for eligible immigrants.

A six-year-old girl's murder case saw her stepfather acquitted by the Supreme Court. The court found the evidence weak, citing a botched investigation. The stepfather was the last person seen with the child. His statement leading to the discovery of her remains was deemed inadmissible. The court highlighted the lack of corpus delicti and specified time of death.

An Iran-linked oil tanker, seized by the Indian Coast Guard, spent days in Pakistan's maritime boundary with its tracking systems off. The vessel, along with two others, was apprehended for alleged illegal oil smuggling and forgery. Investigations revealed ship-to-ship transfers of fuel and bitumen without informing authorities.

Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi's Australia visit from Feb 16-19 focused on enhancing army-to-army cooperation. Discussions with senior defence leaders reviewed joint exercises, professional education exchanges, and interoperability, deepening strategic alignment. The visit also emphasized strengthening the bilateral Army Exercise AUSTRAHIND.

Army and Rajouri Police recovered a cache of arms and ammunition, including an AK-47, during a search operation in Sunderbani sector. The recovery followed a foiled infiltration bid, with heavily bloodstained tracks suggesting injured terrorists. Operations continue with heightened vigilance.

Speaking in the assembly, Omar urged legislators not to politicise every issue and clarified that the Feb 18 order was issued by the Kishtwar deputy commissioner (DC) after consulting religious leaders as a safety measure to check donation deceptions. We shouldnt mix religion with politics. Some matters require dialogue and understanding at the local level rather than political confrontation, Omar said.

Calling Rahul Gandhi a raitor, a protesting BJP Yuva Morcha leader, who was being bundled into a van, said, This shows their ideology against the country. If you want to protest, protest the policies. They have protested against their own country. In a statement, the Indian Youth Congress said its workers were protesting against a compromised Prime Minister who has traded the identity of the country at the Al Summit.