Instagram and YouTube stand accused of "engineering addiction in children's brains" in a landmark Los Angeles trial beginning February 10, 2026. Plaintiff lawyer Mark Lanier alleges Meta and Google deliberately designed addictive features: infinite scrolling, like buttons providing social validation, and body image filters. The case represents over 1,500 plaintiffs; TikTok and Snapchat already settled. A 20-year-old plaintiff, KGM, claims social media use from age six caused anxiety, depression, and body image issues. Meta's defense argues mental health struggles stem from other life factors, noting scientific disagreement over social media addiction's existence. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg will testify. Both companies deny allegations, emphasizing youth safety measures and parental controls. (PC: X)

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla decided not to attend Parliament until the no-confidence motion seeking his removal is discussed and resolved, sources revealed Tuesday. Though rules don't mandate his absence, Birla chose to recuse himself voluntarily. The motion could be discussed March 9, requiring fifty MPs' support. Under Article 96(1), Speakers cannot preside when their removal is considered but may participate in floor proceedings. Opposition parties filed the notice citing instances including preventing Rahul Gandhi from quoting General MM Naravane's unpublished book and suspending eight MPs. Congress MP Manickam Tagore called it "an extraordinary step born out of extraordinary circumstances," citing consistent denial of opportunities to raise public issues. (PC: PTI)

Bangladesh's opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), frontrunner in February 12 elections, demands former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's extradition from India while simultaneously promoting cooperative neighbor relations. Hasina has resided in India since August 2024 after mass protests forced her resignation; Bangladesh convicted her in absentia for crimes against humanity, sentencing her to death. BNP's manifesto adopts "Bangladesh First" philosophy, calling for equality-based ties with neighbors and addressing India-related issues: fair water sharing from transboundary rivers and preventing border killings. The party promises minority protection, including increased Hindu welfare funding. India hasn't committed to extradition, citing legal processes and treaty provisions allowing refusal for political offenses and death penalty cases. (PC: X)

A 62-year-old Hindu trader, Susen Chandra Sarkar, was hacked to death inside his shop in Trishal, Bangladesh, on February 9, 2026. Attackers struck him with sharp weapons, looted several hundred thousand taka, and fled after shuttering the shop. His family discovered him covered in blood; he died at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital. His son reported no prior disputes, calling for swift justice. This killing follows recent violent attacks on Hindus, including victims burned alive and murdered. The Bangladesh Hindu Buddhist Christian Unity Council documented 51 communal violence incidents in December 2025 alone, raising alarm as parliamentary elections approach on February 12. (PC: X)

Mrinank Sharma, head of Anthropic's safeguards research team, resigned on February 9, 2026, citing concerns about AI safety and organizational values. In a cryptic resignation letter posted on X, Sharma warned that "the world is in peril" from interconnected crises, stating that constant pressures led to "setting aside what matters most." He referenced his final project examining how AI assistants diminish humanity. His departure follows Anthropic's launch of Claude Opus 4.6 and fundraising talks valuing the company at $60 billion. Observers suggest the resignation reflects tensions between safety priorities and revenue targets. Sharma joins other recent departures from Anthropic's AI safety team, including Harsh Mehta and Behnam Neyshabur.

The Indian government has issued tighter rules for AI and deepfake content on social media platforms. Under the updated IT Rules, platforms must clearly label AI-generated or AI-edited posts. The rules call such material “synthetically generated information.” Companies must also remove objectionable or unlawful content within three hours in certain cases. The government said an announcement stated that such content must be “clearly, prominently and unambiguously labelled.” Platforms must ask users to declare if posts are AI-made and use tools to verify this. The rules were notified on February 10 and will take effect from February 20. Safe harbour protection will continue for compliant platforms. (PC: India Today)

Former Army chief MM Naravane has given his first reaction to the controversy around his unpublished memoir by sharing a post from publisher Penguin Random House India. The publisher said, “An announcement of a book or its availability for pre-order is not the same as publication.” Naravane reposted this statement, indicating support for the publisher’s stand. The memoir issue surfaced after claims that a pre-print version was being circulated online. Police have registered a case linked to the alleged circulation. Penguin said the steps taken so far follow normal industry practice and clarified the difference between pre-order listing and final publication. (PC: HT)

Europe’s security outlook is under focus as leaders gather for the Munich Security Conference this week, amid continued policy shifts under US President Donald Trump. Last year, Vice-President JD Vance criticised Europe’s migration and free speech policies at the same forum. Since then, Washington has pushed Europe to take more responsibility for its own defence. The latest US National Security Strategy says Europe must “stand on its own feet.” Tensions over Trump’s past remarks about Greenland and his approach to Russia and Ukraine have raised fresh doubts about transatlantic ties. Former MI6 chief Sir Alex Younger said the alliance is changing but added, “It isn’t broken.” (PC: BBC)

Amid earlier controversy over a proposed boycott, the Pakistan government has reversed its decision and agreed to play the India vs Pakistan fixture in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. The reversal is significant; canceling the marquee clash was expected to cost the International Cricket Council (ICC) around $174 million in broadcast, sponsorship, and gate revenues. After negotiations involving the ICC, Pakistan Cricket Board, and other cricket authorities, Pakistan confirmed participation, preserving the fixture’s commercial and sporting value in the tournament. (PC: X)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has publicly supported former Army Chief Gen M.M. Naravane amid controversy over the alleged leak of his unpublished memoir Four Stars of Destiny, saying he trusts Naravane over publisher Penguin Random House India. Gandhi challenged the publisher’s claim that the book hasn’t been released and questioned inconsistencies in statements, triggering political debate. The Delhi Police registered an FIR after purported copies circulated online. Penguin insists no authorized version exists and warns of legal action. The dispute has sparked heated political exchanges, with Gandhi alleging the book contains material inconvenient to the government, deepening the row. (PC: PTI)