France is set to welcome 30,000 Indian students annually by 2030, a threefold increase from current numbers, French President Emmanuel Macron announced during his visit to New Delhi. The move reflects a push to deepen educational and research ties between India and France.

Macron highlighted that France will simplify visa processes, offering longer-duration student visas and visa-free transit for Indian travellers, making it easier for students to pursue full academic programmes, including PhDs. The country is also expanding English-taught courses, particularly in science, technology, and innovation fields, to attract more Indian students.

During his visit, Macron, alongside Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, inaugurated the Indo-French Centre for AI in Health at AIIMS Delhi. The centre, developed in collaboration with Sorbonne University, the Paris Brain Institute, and IIT Delhi, will focus on artificial intelligence in healthcare, particularly brain research and clinical innovation.

Macron stressed that these initiatives are part of broader efforts to build trusted and ethically governed AI systems, while promoting people-to-people connections through education and research collaborations.

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A 29‑year-old pregnant software professional, Sunitha, was stabbed to death by her ex‑husband in Vanasthalipuram. He reportedly held a grudge over their divorce, her remarriage, and legal disputes.. Police have arrested him.

Maharashtra has officially nullified the 5% reservation for Muslims in education and government jobs. The move ends the 2014 ordinance granting the quota. Authorities have stopped issuing related certificates, sparking concerns of discrimination.

Japan has reaffirmed Sanae Takaichi as its prime minister following a decisive victory in the February 8, 2026, general elections. Lawmakers formally reappointed her during a special parliamentary session on 18 February, marking a new chapter in her leadership.

Takaichi, 64, who became Japan’s first female prime minister in October last year, led her Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) to a remarkable victory, winning a two‑thirds supermajority in the 465-seat lower house. This gives her the authority to advance her government’s agenda with confidence, even as the upper house remains more divided.

In her second term, Takaichi is expected to focus on several key priorities. Strengthening Japan’s defence capabilities tops the list, especially in light of growing regional tensions. She is also planning economic measures to ease inflation, including temporary cuts in the sales tax on food, alongside efforts to stimulate growth and innovation.

Beyond security and the economy, Takaichi’s government is likely to champion conservative social policies and consider revisions to Japan’s post-war pacifist constitution, a long-standing goal among her party’s leaders. At the same time, she has emphasized maintaining strong alliances, particularly with the United States, to safeguard Japan’s interests in the region.

Her return to power has drawn attention both at home and abroad. Supporters celebrate the stability and clear mandate her leadership brings, while critics caution that some of her moves, like visits to historically sensitive sites, could strain relations with neighbouring countries.

With a commanding parliamentary majority, Takaichi now has the platform to shape Japan’s policies for years to come, balancing domestic challenges with the pressures of regional geopolitics.

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The Gujarat government presented its biggest-ever budget for 2026‑27, with a total of ₹4,08,053 crore. The budget was announced by Finance Minister Kanu Desai, marking his fifth consecutive year presenting the state budget.

The plan shows an estimated surplus of ₹974 crore and no new taxes. Spending is around 10 % higher than last year. The government’s priorities include social welfare, education, infrastructure, economic growth, and green development.

A major focus is tourism and sports, particularly in preparation for the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Gujarat. The budget allocates ₹1,278 crore for sports facilities, including new stadiums, training centers, and transport connections. About ₹500 crore is for developing an “Olympic-ready Ahmedabad” and expanding the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave.

Tourism will also get a boost. The government declared 2026 as ‘Gujarat Tourism Year’, planning ₹236 crore to improve facilities at the Statue of Unity, and ₹300 crore for the Ambaji pilgrimage site. Other funds will improve beaches, heritage sites, and major bus stations in Somnath and Ambaji. Campaigns like “Wed in Gujarat” aim to attract more visitors for weddings and tourism.

Urban development is another key area. The budget provides funding under the Swarnim Jayanti Mukhyamantri Shaheri Vikas Yojana to improve city services and infrastructure. People buying electric vehicles can also get a 5 % tax rebate.

The budget will now be debated in the Gujarat Assembly, where lawmakers will discuss spending on rural development, education, industry, transport, and cultural projects.

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Apple is reshaping its Podcasts platform with a strong push into video, reflecting a broader industry trend where audiences are increasingly choosing to watch their favourite shows rather than just listen to them.

The company has introduced new features that allow users to move effortlessly between audio and video within the same podcast episode. Whether on iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision Pro or the web, listeners will be able to start with audio and switch to video without losing their place. The rollout is expected later this year following its debut in the developer beta version of iOS.

The upgraded experience is powered by Apple’s advanced streaming technology, which enables high-quality playback, full-screen viewing and offline downloads. Video quality will automatically adjust to internet speed, ensuring smoother streaming even on slower connections. Importantly, existing podcast subscriptions and libraries will remain unchanged, allowing users to adopt video at their own pace.

For podcast creators, the shift opens up new opportunities to reach wider audiences and increase revenue. Apple is working with major hosting and advertising platforms to support video distribution and dynamic ad insertion. This includes video versions of host-read advertisements, a format that is expected to attract higher ad spending as brands look for more engaging content.

The move comes at a time when video podcasting is growing rapidly, with platforms like YouTube and Spotify already drawing large viewership for popular shows. Industry data shows that many consumers now prefer watching studio conversations, interviews and storytelling formats, especially on mobile devices and smart TVs.

Apple, which helped bring podcasts into the mainstream through iTunes and its dedicated app, has so far remained largely focused on audio. This latest revamp signals a strategic shift to stay competitive in a market that is quickly becoming visual.

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Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan is stable and responding to treatment at Lilavati Hospital after suffering a brain haemorrhage earlier this week. The 90-year-old was admitted following a sudden spike in blood pressure and related complications, prompting doctors to shift him to the Intensive Care Unit for continuous monitoring.

Hospital sources said a specialised neurological procedure was performed to identify the source of the bleeding and prevent further complications. Doctors clarified that the ventilator support is purely precautionary and part of the post-procedure care protocol. They added that his vital parameters are stable and his condition is under control, though recovery may take time because of his age.

The Khan family has been present at the hospital since his admission. Salman Khan was among the first to arrive, accompanied by brothers Arbaaz and Sohail and sisters Alvira and Arpita. Other family members, including Salma Khan and Helen, have also been by his side.

Several well-known faces from the film industry visited the hospital to enquire about his health and extend support. Salim Khan’s long-time creative collaborator Javed Akhtar was seen meeting the family, along with actor Sanjay Dutt and a few close associates.

Salim Khan is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers in Hindi cinema. As part of the iconic Salim-Javed duo, he helped redefine mainstream storytelling with blockbusters such as Sholay, Deewaar, Zanjeer and Shakti, which shaped the “Angry Young Man” era and left a lasting impact on Indian cinema.

News of his hospitalisation sparked concern across the industry and among fans, many of whom have been sending prayers and messages for his speedy recovery. Doctors are expected to share further updates in the coming days as his condition continues to improve under close medical supervision.

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Sunil Malhotra died in Delhi after a prolonged illness. Sidharth Malhotra and wife Kiara Advani reached the capital to attend the last rites. The family mourned the loss and shared a heartfelt remembrance for their beloved patriarch.

In a digital showdown that pits reputation against free expression, social media giants X (formerly Twitter) and Meta (Facebook and Instagram) urged the Delhi High Court to tread carefully before ordering the removal of online content featuring yoga guru Baba Ramdev. The platforms highlighted that while Ramdev is concerned about posts, memes, and AI-generated material using his likeness, not all content targeting public figures is harmful. Many of the flagged items, including humorous memes and satire, fall squarely under protected speech that sparks conversation, entertains, and informs.

Ramdev’s lawsuit claims that several posts and AI-generated videos misuse his image, voice, and persona, potentially damaging his reputation and commercial interests. Some examples cited in court show him in exaggerated or fictional scenarios, such as riding an elephant or visiting a doctor, which his legal team says are misleading and disparaging.

However, lawyers for X and Meta stressed that satire, parody, political commentary, and news reporting are essential for democracy. They argued that indiscriminate takedowns could silence ordinary users, journalists, and creators who engage in harmless humour or factual discussion about public figures. Meta also pointed out that some flagged content came from legitimate news outlets and fact-checks, which are clearly protected under free speech laws.

Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Ramdev, countered that some posts misrepresent his client and cause real damage, and therefore require removal. The court, however, did not grant any immediate takedown orders. Instead, it asked Ramdev to submit a consolidated list of disputed content, allowing the platforms to respond before the next hearing.

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Fourteen former international cricket captains, including Indian legends Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev, have written to the Pakistan government, calling for immediate medical care and dignified treatment for former Prime Minister Imran Khan while he remains in custody.

The appeal, delivered on February 17, 2026, expresses concern over Khan’s deteriorating health, including significant vision loss in his right eye and other medical complications reported during his imprisonment in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail. The letter emphasizes that Khan should have access to specialists of his choice and be treated in accordance with international standards for humane detention.

Signatories also include former captains from Australia, England, the West Indies, and New Zealand. They highlighted Khan’s contributions to cricket, especially leading Pakistan to its 1992 World Cup victory, stressing that respect for human dignity should extend beyond politics.

Gavaskar described Khan’s situation as “terrible” and appealed for him to receive proper care, while Kapil Dev joined in urging fair treatment for the cricketing icon. The joint letter underlines the principle that sporting respect should not be overshadowed by political disagreements.

The appeal has sparked international attention, though no official response from Pakistan authorities has been reported so far.

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