Nation

New Delhi: The much-anticipated India AI Impact Summit 2026 kicks off today at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate the event at 5 PM. The summit features special pavilions representing 13 countries, highlighting India’s growing role in the global AI ecosystem. Ahead of the inauguration, PM Modi shared a global message on social media platform X, emphasizing the summit’s unifying purpose. He wrote, “Bringing the world together to discuss AI! Starting today, India is hosting the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, Delhi. I warmly welcome leaders, industry captains, innovators, policymakers, researchers, and tech enthusiasts from around the world. The theme of the summit is ‘Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhay’—welfare for all, happiness for all—which r...

The recent general elections in Bangladesh have delivered a decisive message: the Pakistan-backed Islamist party, Jamaat-e-Islami, suffered a setback, failing to secure power. However, despite losing the opportunity to form the government, Jamaat’s presence as a significant opposition force could still pose challenges to strengthening India-Bangladesh relations. BNP Victory Signals a Strategic Opening The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured over two-thirds majority, marking a clear mandate from the electorate. Analysts view this as a practical opportunity for India to forge stronger ties with Dhaka, especially after years when the interim Mohammad Yunus government was perceived to be leaning closer to Pakistan and China. Under Yunus, there were reports ...

By Pankaj Singh | February 16, 2026 Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar has once again sparked political controversy with remarks that appeared to support Pinarayi Vijayan remaining Chief Minister of Kerala. The comments come at a sensitive time, as Congress is striving to regain power in the southern state ahead of the upcoming assembly elections. Shortly after Aiyar’s statement, Congress moved swiftly to distance itself. The party clarified that Aiyar has not had any formal association with the Congress for several years and speaks entirely in his personal capacity. Pawan Khera, head of Congress’ Media and Publicity Department, emphasized that Aiyar’s views are his own and do not represent the party. Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, while tagging Khera’s post on X, r...

By Mrityunjay Rai | Edited by Akshay Shrivastava | February 16, 2026 World War II remains one of the deadliest conflicts in human history, leaving behind a trail of devastation that shook the world. Yet, the question of which nation deserves the title of the “true hero” of this global conflict has resurfaced on social media, with Britain often at the center of the debate. In his new book, Advance Britannia: The Epic Story of the Second World War, 1942-1945, historian Alan Allport sheds fresh light on Britain’s wartime journey. A sequel to his widely acclaimed Britain at Bay, Allport’s work challenges long-held perceptions about Britain’s role in the Allied victory. Britain: Hero or Survivor? Allport argues that while Britain, under Prime Minister Winston Churchill, is often cel...

New Delhi: The political temperature in Parliament is set to rise as the Opposition’s no-confidence motion against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is likely to be debated and put to vote on March 9, the first day of the second phase of the Budget Session. Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday stated that the government intends to take up the motion immediately and settle the matter before proceeding with its legislative agenda for the session. Rijiju asserted that the Opposition’s attempt to remove the Speaker over allegations of bias is unlikely to succeed. “On March 9, we will debate the no-confidence motion brought against the Speaker in the Lok Sabha. After the debate, voting will take place,” Rijiju told The Times of India. NDA Confident of Numbers in the Hou...

New Delhi: The stage is set for one of India’s biggest technology events as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 today at 5 PM at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The five-day mega event will continue till February 20 and is expected to showcase the practical and transformative applications of Artificial Intelligence across sectors. Organised alongside the India AI Impact Summit, the expo aims to serve as a national platform for innovation, policymaking and technological advancement, with a strong focus on making AI solutions accessible and beneficial to the common citizen. Expo Spread Across 10 Arenas Over 70,000 Sq Metres The AI expo will be hosted across 10 dedicated arenas, covering an area of more than 70,000 square metres. It will ...

New Delhi: Even as winter appears to be gradually weakening across North India, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a fresh weather alert, warning that cold conditions may return in the coming days. According to the IMD, rainfall accompanied by strong winds and lightning is likely to affect several parts of North India between February 16 and February 18, potentially increasing weather-related disruptions. The department has also issued a dense fog warning for 34 districts across multiple states. Rain Forecast for the Next Three Days The IMD has predicted rainfall activity in Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Ladakh. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh: Rain likely on February 16 and 17 Uttarakhand and Himach...

New Delhi: The Congress on Sunday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his recent interview to news agency PTI, calling it a “carefully scripted and desperate public relations exercise” aimed at diverting attention from pressing national issues. Reacting strongly, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh alleged that the Prime Minister gave the interview to shift focus away from criticism surrounding the Union Budget and the opposition’s aggressive stance in Parliament. “PM Needed This Interview to Change the Narrative” In a post on social media platform X, Ramesh claimed that the Prime Minister was compelled to engage in media outreach because the latest budget has failed to impress investors and has received a negative response from the market. He said the budget...

New Delhi/Dhaka: Bangladesh’s recent general election has not only reshaped the political landscape in Dhaka but has also created a fresh strategic equation for India’s security, economic and geopolitical interests in South Asia. In a significant development, the Pakistan-supported Jamaat-e-Islami has suffered a major electoral defeat — a result being viewed in New Delhi as a positive outcome for regional stability. Analysts believe that had Jamaat emerged victorious, it could have acted as a proxy for Pakistan, potentially strengthening extremist networks in Bangladesh and posing a direct threat to India’s eastern security architecture. A New Political Shift in Dhaka Bangladesh is now set to witness the rise of a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP)-led government, with Tarique Rah...

New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s air defence preparedness, the government has reportedly given approval for the procurement of 288 surface-to-air missiles for the Russian-made S-400 Triumf air defence system. The move is being seen as a major strategic step to strengthen India’s capability to counter aerial threats, especially from hostile neighbours. The decision comes close on the heels of another major update in India-Russia defence cooperation, as reports suggest that the remaining two squadrons of the S-400 system are expected to be delivered within 2026. Defence Acquisition Council Approves Procurement According to reports, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the purchase o...