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)

“Centre and states should publicly reassure that minorities are safe,” said Poola Anthony after becoming president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. India’s first Dalit Cardinal to lead CBCI spoke about safety and equal rights for minorities. He said violence and intimidation are unacceptable in a democracy. He added that the Church will use legal and constitutional routes to seek justice. “We ask only that the Constitution be upheld equally for all citizens,” he said. He called for quick and fair police action in crime cases. He said Christians are not in panic, but some feel worried after recent incidents. (PC: The Indian Express)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi opened the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on Monday. He launched the expo and visited many startup stalls on the first day. Officials said he spoke with founders and asked about real use cases of AI tools. The exhibition covers over 70,000 square metres with more than 600 startups and 300 demos. Thirteen countries have set up national AI pavilions. Sessions saw full halls and long queues. One participant said, “Sessions are packed. You have to be there well in advance.” The summit will continue till February 20 with policy and research meetings. (PC: India Today)

The Enforcement Directorate has imposed FEMA penalties worth ₹184 crore on NewsClick and its founder Prabir Purkayastha for alleged foreign funding violations. The agency said ₹120 crore was levied on the company and ₹64 crore on Purkayastha. In a statement, the ED said the order followed an adjudication process into foreign direct investment and inward remittances. It alleged that funds were received by “misrepresenting the nature of business activity” and through reporting failures. The ED said the contraventions were “substantial, deliberate, and systemic.” Purkayastha was arrested by Delhi Police in 2023 and is now on bail. NewsClick has earlier denied wrongdoing. (PC: HT)

The National Green Tribunal has dismissed petitions against the Rs 80,000 crore Great Nicobar mega infrastructure project and allowed it to move forward. A six-member bench said it found “no good ground to interfere” with the environmental clearance. The tribunal noted there were “adequate safeguards” in the approval conditions. It also highlighted the “strategic importance of the project.” The bench directed authorities to ensure “full and strict compliance” with all clearance conditions. The project includes a transhipment port, airport, township and power plant. Some activists had raised concerns about forest diversion and coastal regulation violations. (PC: The Indian Express)

The Supreme Court made strong oral remarks on pre-marital physical relations while hearing a bail plea in a rape case linked to a promise of marriage. The bench said caution is needed before such relationships. Justice BV Nagarathna said, “Maybe we are old-fashioned but… we fail to understand how they can be in a physical relationship before marriage.” The case involves a man accused of promising marriage despite already being married. The woman said they met on a matrimonial site and later travelled together. The court noted it appeared to be a consensual relationship and referred the matter to mediation. Hearing will continue Wednesday. (PC: NDTV)

India will host the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi from Monday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event at Bharat Mandapam. The summit will bring global tech leaders, startups and policymakers together.   Day one will focus on AI for road safety, learning, jobs and judicial reforms. Experts will discuss how AI can reduce accidents, improve skills and speed up court cases.   A special session will highlight AI in agriculture and climate resilience.   The Expo will feature over 300 pavilions and 600 startups. The theme is “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya.”

At least seven workers were killed in a fire at a chemical factory in Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, on Monday. The incident happened in the Khushkhera-Karoli industrial area.   Officials said nine workers were trapped inside the unit. So far, seven bodies have been recovered. Two workers are still trapped. Rescue teams are working at the site.   Additional District Magistrate Sumita Mishra said police noticed the fire during a routine patrol. They quickly launched a rescue operation.   Authorities are investigating the cause of the fire. More details are awaited. (PC: UnSplash)

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said India is now the company’s second-largest market after the US. Over 100 million people in India use ChatGPT every week. India is also the biggest market in Asia.   Altman said India has the largest number of student users globally. Many students use ChatGPT for homework, coding and exam preparation.   OpenAI has around 800 million weekly users worldwide. The company introduced a low-cost ChatGPT plan in India and later made it free for a year.   Google is also expanding Gemini in India through student offers and telecom partnerships.

7 people died in a road accident near Bengaluru early Thursday morning. Police said a speeding SUV hit a motorcycle from behind. The rider died on the spot. The SUV then crashed into a divider, overturned and hit a truck. Another car later rammed into the damaged truck, causing a pile-up. All six people inside the SUV died. Police suspect overspeeding caused the crash. The victims were from Bengaluru and were travelling towards Devanahalli. The motorcycle rider was the only earning member of his family. A case has been registered and investigation is ongoing.