US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said visas are not a right and can be withdrawn. Speaking in Budapest, he said no one is entitled to a US visa. He added that a visa is only permission to enter the country. Rubio warned that visas will be revoked if visitors act against US national security or interests. The policy applies to students, tourists and journalists. Last month, the US paused immigrant visa approvals for nationals of 75 countries. A group of lawyers and advocacy groups has challenged the order in a federal court in New York. (PC: AFP)

Bill Gates will attend the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, the Gates Foundation confirmed. A spokesperson said he will deliver his keynote as scheduled. The statement dismissed earlier reports claiming he would skip the event. Gates is listed among key speakers, including OpenAI chief Sam Altman and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The summit is being held at Bharat Mandapam. It brings together global tech leaders, startups and policymakers. Gates also praised Andhra Pradesh’s use of AI in health, agriculture and education during his recent visit. The event is expected to draw over 2.5 lakh visitors. (PC: AP)

Several Indian cities recorded temperatures above 30°C in mid-February. In Delhi, the mercury crossed 31°C on February 16. The India Meteorological Department said temperatures are 2°C to 4°C above normal in many regions. Experts say it is too early to predict the full year. However, early heat may signal a longer and stronger summer. Clear skies and weak cold winds have pushed daytime temperatures higher. If this trend continues, 2026 could be hotter than 2025. Scientists warn that rising temperatures may increase heatwaves, health risks, crop stress and higher power demand across the country. (PC: PTI)

‘He screamed for help for 10 minutes,’ said the mother of 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra, who died in a crash in Delhi’s Dwarka on February 3. The accident involved an SUV, a cab and Sahil’s bike. Police said a minor was driving the SUV without a licence. Sahil was taken to hospital but died from severe injuries. His mother claimed, ‘There were 13 challans on this car,’ adding that many were for over speeding in Uttar Pradesh. The teen driver is on interim bail for board exams. Police have assured a fair investigation.

French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Mumbai for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders will review the India-France strategic partnership. A new Rafale fighter jet deal is likely to be discussed. India may procure 114 additional Rafale jets from France’s Dassault Aviation. The Defence Acquisition Council has approved the proposal. India has already bought 36 Rafale jets and ordered 26 more for the Navy. Modi and Macron will also launch the India-France Year of Innovation 2026. Macron is on a three-day visit to attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. (PC: AFP)

India’s chief negotiator will visit the United States next week to finalise the legal framework of the bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said a delegation led by Joint Secretary Darpan Jain will hold talks. India and the US had announced an interim trade deal on February 7. Under the deal, the US will cut tariffs on Indian exports to 18%. In return, India may reduce or remove tariffs on selected US imports. Agrawal said exports from April 2025 to January 2026 rose to $720.76 billion, marking a 6.15% increase over last year. (PC: PTI)

Billionaire Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is not attending the AI Summit in New Delhi. His name was also missing from the event’s ‘Global Visionaries’ list. The development has sparked speculation. Sources said his absence comes amid renewed scrutiny over his past links to Jeffrey Epstein. Gates has earlier acknowledged knowing Epstein. There is no official statement linking his absence to the controversy. The AI Summit continues in Delhi with global leaders and tech experts discussing artificial intelligence, innovation and digital policy. Organisers have not commented on the change in the guest list. (PC: Reuters)

India is providing 33% more data to ChatGPT than the United States, former NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said at the AI Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Speaking on Day 2 of the event, Kant said India plays a key role in the global AI space. He stressed that artificial intelligence must not create inequality. He warned that AI could lead to an unequal society if benefits are limited to a few. Kant said strong Digital Public Infrastructure is needed to ensure inclusive growth. He added that AI will create new jobs and improve sectors like healthcare and public services.

A video filmed inside an SUV shows the moments before a fatal crash in Delhi. The accident happened on February 3 near Lal Bahadur Shastri College in Dwarka. A teen was driving the Scorpio without a valid licence. The video shows him speeding on a road without a divider. The SUV then hit a motorcycle head-on. The biker, 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra, died from severe head injuries and heavy bleeding, according to the autopsy report. The teen was produced before the Juvenile Justice Board and later granted interim bail due to his Class 10 board exams.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai today during his three-day visit to India. The talks will focus on defence cooperation, artificial intelligence and strategic ties. Discussions are expected on HAMMER missiles for the Indian Air Force and support for Rafale jets. Both sides may also review plans for joint manufacturing of helicopters and other defence projects under Make in India. The leaders will assess progress in the India–France Strategic Partnership and discuss regional issues. Macron will also attend the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi before concluding his visit. (PC: Reuters)