New Delhi: Weather patterns across India are showing significant changes today. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a rain alert for Delhi-NCR, while snowfall is expected in the hill states. Here’s a state-wise forecast for 18 February 2026. Delhi-NCR Delhi may experience light to moderate rainfall today. The city’s daytime temperature recently reached a high of 30.9°C, but on Wednesday, the IMD forecasts a maximum of 27°C and a minimum of 14°C. Along with rain, strong winds blowing at 30-40 km/h are expected in the afternoon. Uttar Pradesh The state will see major weather changes due to an active western disturbance. Western and northwestern districts may experience light to moderate rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail in some areas. Eastern and centra...

New Delhi: French President Emmanuel Macron, currently on a visit to India, recently met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and shared a photo of the two leaders on his social media, captioning it “Jai Ho.” During his visit, President Macron addressed the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai, underscoring the strength of the India-France strategic partnership. He described France as a committed and enduring partner, standing firmly alongside India. Innovation and Cooperation President Macron highlighted India’s growing reputation as a global hub for innovation, saying, “The debate worldwide is no longer whether India innovates, but who wants to innovate with India. France is the clear answer. We are here, and we want to be with you. Long live the India-France relationship.” He ann...

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again stirred controversy with his statements, this time taking aim at the party leadership. Aiyar criticized the current Congress leadership for being unable to handle dissent, calling it “destructive” for the main opposition party. He said that a party incapable of tolerating differing voices has no right to govern. Revisiting Rajiv Gandhi’s 1989 Statement Aiyar invoked a statement made by Rajiv Gandhi in 1989, urging Congress leadership to have Rahul Gandhi reiterate it: that only a secular India can endure, and if India ceases to be secular, it does not deserve to survive. Aiyar’s Consistent Critique The veteran leader has recently been making headlines for his candid remarks. Last Sunday, he praised Kerala Chief...

New Delhi: On Tuesday, Tarique Rahman, leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), took oath as the new Prime Minister of Bangladesh, marking a new chapter in the country’s political landscape. Representing India at the swearing-in ceremony were Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Following the ceremony, Speaker Birla met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to convey Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s congratulations and handed him an invitation to visit India. Prime Minister Modi was invited to the ceremony but could not attend due to talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai. Courteous Meeting with Opposition Leader During his visit, Vikram Misri held a courtesy meeting with Dr. Shafiqur Rahman, the leader of the opposition and Amir of Banglade...

Mumbai: French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai on Tuesday morning for a three-day visit to India. During his trip, several agreements were signed between India and France, reflecting deepening ties in technology, defense, and trade. President Macron is also scheduled to participate in the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation At a press conference in Mumbai, Indian Ambassador to France Sanjeev Kumar Singla highlighted the key agreements. “We have decided to establish a Joint Advanced Technology Development Group focused on critical and emerging technologies. In addition, both countries issued a joint declaration of intent to cooperate in critical minerals. There is also a Letter of Intent between India’s Department of Science & Technology ...

New Delhi: The state-of-the-art Bharat Mandapam at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, recently hosted the AI Impact Summit 2026, bringing together people from across the globe. What was once considered barren land is now a venue that can accommodate more attendees than the Sydney Opera House. Spanning 123 acres in central New Delhi, this site first gained international attention in 1959 when it hosted an international agricultural fair attended by U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev, amid the Cold War era. A Forum for Public Discourse Previously, the site also housed the Hall of Nations, which was controversially demolished overnight in April 2017, despite protests and court cases. The term “Mandapam” refers to a traditional pillared pavilion used in templ...