The Times of India

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.

As Kerala gears up for the 2026 elections, the future of the Left beyond chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan is a pressing concern. Despite his strong leadership, the absence of a clear successor and the need to connect with a new generation of voters pose significant challenges for the LDF's continued relevance and its status as India's sole communist-governed state.

Union home minister Amit Shah accused the Congress of leaving Assam's borders open to infiltrators, aiming to alter the state's demographics. He contrasted this with the BJP government's efforts under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, who he stated cleared vast lands occupied by infiltrators. Shah also highlighted the BJP's infrastructure development achievements in Assam.

Youth Congress workers staged a shirtless protest against a trade deal at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, leading to their detention. This occurred hours after Congress MP Shashi Tharoor praised the summit's organization and global stature, and also supported a defense deal with France.

US Ambassador Sergio Gor hinted at an upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, emphasizing growing AI and semiconductor cooperation. India's signing of the Pax Silica Declaration, alongside US officials, signifies a pivotal moment for bilateral ties, fostering collaboration in advanced technologies among trusted nations.

Rahul Gandhi appeared in a Sultanpur court on Friday for a 2018 criminal defamation case concerning remarks allegedly made about Amit Shah during the Karnataka Assembly elections. The case, filed by a BJP leader, accuses Gandhi of calling Shah an accused in a murder case, a statement Gandhi denies as politically motivated.