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)

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested an Indian “illegal alien” accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. The agency identified the man as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli. ICE said he faces charges of sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey. He is also accused of shoplifting and public disorder. The agency stated that he will remain in custody during removal proceedings under US immigration law. ICE did not share details about the date of arrest. The case comes during a wider immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump’s administration in the United States.

Muhammad Yunus stepped down as Bangladesh’s chief adviser after the election of a new government. In his farewell speech, he spoke about stronger regional ties. He mentioned Nepal, Bhutan and India’s northeastern “Seven Sisters” while outlining a plan for sub-regional economic cooperation. He proposed better trade, connectivity and maritime access through Bangladesh. His remarks may draw attention in New Delhi, as ties between India and Bangladesh have been tense. Yunus said his government focused on sovereignty and national interest. The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, led by Tarique Rahman, won the recent election and will form the next government.

India has detained three oil tankers sanctioned by the United States and linked to Iran near the Mumbai coast, according to a Reuters report citing a source. The vessels were stopped about 100 nautical miles offshore and taken to Mumbai for checks. Officials suspect attempts to hide the origin of oil through ship-to-ship transfers. The source said the ships often changed identity details to avoid tracking. Iran’s state media said the tankers have no link to its national oil company. After the action, authorities increased sea monitoring. Around 55 ships and 10–12 aircraft are now on round-the-clock patrol, the source said. (PC: India Today)

BNP chief Tarique Rahman will take oath as Bangladesh’s Prime Minister on Tuesday after his party’s election win. The ceremony will be held at the South Plaza of the Parliament Complex, not at Bangabhaban. State news agency BSS said the oath for cabinet members is set for 4:00 pm. Members of Parliament will be sworn in earlier at 10:00 am. President Mohammed Shahabuddin will administer the oath. A BNP leader said, “As the leader of the majority party, our party chairman will be the Prime Minister.” Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla is expected to attend, along with leaders from Maldives, Turkey and Sri Lanka. (PC: HT)

Veteran Hollywood actor Robert Duvall has died at the age of 95, his wife Luciana Duvall confirmed. He passed away peacefully at home. She said, “Bob passed away peacefully at home” and called him “one of the greatest actors of our time.” Duvall won an Oscar for Best Actor for Tender Mercies and received six other nominations. He was widely known for playing Tom Hagen in The Godfather and Lt. Col. Kilgore in Apocalypse Now. His career lasted over six decades. He worked in lead and supporting roles and also directed films and television projects.