Kozhikode-based HiLITE Group marked its 30th anniversary by gifting 47 cars worth ₹20 crore to employees. Luxury and popular SUVs were included. The group also announced plans to develop 50 million sq. ft. of projects across Kerala.

In a warm and culturally rich reception, Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan was welcomed in Mumbai by Nita Ambani and Mukesh Ambani with an elegant afternoon gathering that blended art, tradition, and dialogue on women’s leadership. The event, held at the Ambanis’ residence, was designed to showcase the depth of India’s cultural heritage while providing a platform for meaningful engagement between global and Indian leaders.

Nita Ambani, who is herself a trained classical dancer, opened the proceedings by highlighting the importance of dance in Indian culture. She introduced a specially choreographed performance, celebrating India’s artistic legacy and serving as a tribute to the visiting royal guest. The performance combined classical forms with storytelling, creating an immersive experience that reflected both tradition and contemporary interpretation.

In addition to the performance, the gathering showcased exquisite examples of Indian craftsmanship. Guests were presented with a hand-knotted Kashmir silk carpet, a hand-woven Jamavar Sozni shawl, and a hand-embroidered Zari‑Zardozi “Tree of Life” piece, highlighting the skill, dedication, and artistry of Indian artisans across generations. The display emphasized India’s enduring contribution to global arts and design.

The visit also featured a roundtable discussion at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), hosted by Isha Ambani, titled “Celebration of Women Leadership in India.” The dialogue brought together influential women from business, fashion, and entertainment, including Karisma Kapoor, Navya Naveli Nanda, and Masaba Gupta, to discuss empowerment, leadership, and social impact. Queen Rania, known for her global advocacy in education, women’s rights, and health, shared her experiences and insights, creating a vibrant exchange of ideas with Indian leaders.

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Legendary actor Robert Duvall has died peacefully at 95. Celebrated for iconic roles in The Godfather and Apocalypse Now, and an Oscar winner for Tender Mercies, Duvall’s six-decade career left a lasting mark on Hollywood and global cinema.

A major patent battle has forced Acer and Asus to suspend direct PC sales in Germany, after Nokia secured a court-ordered injunction over the use of its video-compression technology.

The Munich I Regional Court ruled that the companies infringed Nokia’s standard-essential patents linked to HEVC, a core format used for high-resolution video across laptops and desktops. The judges concluded that the PC brands were not willing licensees under fair and reasonable terms, paving the way for a sales ban through their official channels.

In response, Acer has taken its local e-store offline, while Asus has stopped listing affected products for German customers. Retailers and online marketplaces can still sell existing inventory, meaning the consumer impact will be gradual rather than immediate.

The dispute reflects Nokia’s wider push to monetise its patent portfolio, which spans critical connectivity and multimedia technologies used in millions of devices. Similar cases have been filed in multiple countries as the company seeks licensing agreements from hardware manufacturers.

For the PC industry, the ruling underlines the importance of securing rights to standard-essential technologies that sit at the heart of everyday computing experiences, from video playback to streaming. If negotiations fail, supply constraints in the German market could intensify in the coming months.

A settlement or a successful appeal remains the only clear path for Acer and Asus to fully resume direct sales. Until then, Germany becomes the latest flashpoint in the global fight over tech patent royalties.

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The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) entered a partial shutdown over the weekend after funding expired, marking the third such lapse during President Donald Trump’s second term. The deadlock comes as Congress remains in recess until February 23, with Republicans and Democrats unable to agree on the department’s budget and immigration policies.

The impasse stems from Democratic demands for stricter oversight of immigration enforcement, following the deaths of two US citizens in Minneapolis during federal ICE and Border Patrol operations in January. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, proposed measures including judicial warrants for property entries, verification of citizenship before detention, and restrictions on masked officers. They also want enforcement actions prohibited near courts, schools, medical facilities, polling places, and houses of worship, along with visible identification and clear uniforms for officers.

Republicans and ICE leadership, including former border chief Tom Homan, labeled these demands as “unreasonable,” arguing they would hamper law enforcement operations. Senator Markwayne Mullin described the Democratic stance as “political theatre.”

While the shutdown affects most DHS operations, essential services continue. Border security and immigration enforcement remain active, but agencies including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Coast Guard face furloughs. At airports, 2,933 TSA employees are furloughed, while the rest continue working without pay.

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Israeli airstrikes on Gaza killed at least 11 people, including civilians, amid clashes near refugee camps. Hamas condemned the attacks, while Israel cited ceasefire violations. Tensions rise as international calls for calm grow louder.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged the global community to ensure that artificial intelligence is developed and deployed for the larger public good, as India hosted the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital.

Addressing delegates on the second day of the summit at Bharat Mandapam, the Prime Minister said AI must remain human-centric, inclusive and accessible, and should be used to solve real-world challenges in governance, healthcare, education and agriculture. He underlined that technology should empower people rather than deepen inequalities.

The five-day summit has brought together heads of state, policymakers, global technology companies, startups, researchers and industry leaders from more than 100 countries. It is the first time that a Global South nation is hosting a gathering of this scale focused exclusively on AI governance, innovation and collaboration.

Estonian President Alar Karis arrived in New Delhi to participate in the discussions, signalling stronger digital cooperation between India and Estonia. His visit highlights the growing importance of international partnerships in building secure and transparent digital ecosystems.

Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said India is preparing to launch a “Create in India” initiative to develop future-ready talent and accelerate domestic innovation in emerging technologies. He emphasised that the country’s digital public infrastructure can serve as a model for scalable and affordable AI solutions for developing economies.

The summit features multiple sessions, country pavilions and live demonstrations showcasing AI-driven applications such as smart mobility systems, disaster-response technologies, language tools and next-generation robotics. Industry leaders have also called for building AI models tailored to India’s diverse linguistic and socio-economic landscape.

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A passenger train near Goppenstein, Switzerland derailed after an avalanche hit. Around 80 people were on board. Rescue teams, including helicopters, evacuated 30 so far. Authorities warn of possible injuries and have suspended services on the route.

US President Donald Trump has said he will be involved “indirectly” in the latest round of nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, as officials from both sides prepare for high-stakes discussions in Geneva that could influence the security landscape of the Middle East.

The talks are not being held face to face. Instead, messages will be exchanged through mediators, with Oman once again acting as the key channel between Washington and Tehran. The indirect format reflects the deep mistrust that has defined relations for decades, especially after the collapse of the earlier nuclear agreement and the reimposition of US sanctions.

Trump, speaking ahead of the meeting, described the diplomatic effort as “very important” and suggested that there may be a fresh opportunity to reach an understanding. While he will not sit at the negotiating table, his involvement is expected to shape the US position and the final decision on any potential deal.

At the heart of the negotiations is Washington’s demand that Iran significantly scale back its uranium enrichment programme, which the US and its allies fear could be used to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran has consistently maintained that its nuclear activities are for peaceful, civilian purposes and has insisted that enrichment is its sovereign right. In return for any curbs, Iran is seeking sweeping relief from economic sanctions that have put severe pressure on its economy.

The diplomatic outreach comes at a time of heightened military signalling. The US has increased its naval presence in West Asian waters, while Iran has conducted exercises near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a route through which a significant share of the world’s oil supplies passes.

Officials on both sides have described the upcoming engagement as difficult but necessary. For Washington, the priority is to prevent further nuclear escalation without sliding into conflict. For Tehran, the talks offer a possible pathway to economic relief and international re-engagement.

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The United States has reaffirmed that its strategic partnership with India is growing stronger, with a special focus on defence cooperation and a shared vision for a secure Indo-Pacific. US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor highlighted this during his visit to Bengaluru, where he met political leaders and discussed expanding collaboration in key sectors.

The envoy said the India-US relationship continues to deepen across defence, technology, innovation and trade. He noted that closer military cooperation and defence partnerships between the two countries are important not only for their own security but also for stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The remarks reflect Washington’s continued push to strengthen ties with New Delhi as both nations work together on strategic and economic priorities.

Discussions during the visit also touched on the growing business and technology links between the two countries. Bengaluru, often called India’s tech capital, plays a major role in this partnership. The city hosts hundreds of American companies and contributes significantly to India’s software exports, making it a key hub for joint innovation, startups and research collaborations.

The visit comes at a time when India and the US are working to expand trade and reduce tariff barriers under an interim agreement, signalling stronger economic engagement alongside defence cooperation. Leaders from both sides said the partnership has vast untapped potential and will continue to grow in the coming years.

Apart from official meetings, the ambassador also spent time experiencing the local culture with Bengaluru South MP Tejasvi Surya. The two were seen interacting with people and discussing the city’s global reputation as a centre for technology and entrepreneurship.

In a lighter moment that drew attention on social media, Gor sampled masala dosa and filter coffee and even took a ride in a “Namma Auto”, calling Bengaluru’s energy, from its startups to its street food, unique. The informal outing added a personal touch to a visit otherwise focused on strategy, security and economic cooperation.

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