Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed the state Assembly, expressing strong confidence that his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will return to power in the upcoming Assembly elections expected within two months. Stalin said he aims to launch development initiatives with renewed vigour and promised a “Dravidian Model 2.0” government that would surpass past achievements once re-elected. He thanked the people for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to governance with greater speed and dedication. The confidence follows political developments including Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) joining the DMK-led alliance ahead of the polls. (PC: NDTV)

India is working to broaden its crude oil supply sources, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, signalling negotiations on potential Venezuelan oil purchases as New Delhi seeks alternatives to Russian crude. Gor noted that India has already begun diversifying away from Russian oil, a shift Washington supports as part of broader efforts to reduce global dependence on Moscow’s energy amid geopolitical tensions. He also said an interim India-U.S. trade deal is expected to be signed soon, strengthening economic and energy ties. (PC: HT)

Members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a dramatic shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, raising slogans such as “PM is compromised” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging the government had compromised national interests and failed youth. Around 10 protesters were detained and taken to Tilak Marg police station; police said legal action will follow. The demonstrators briefly disrupted the high-profile international event attended by global delegates. The protest drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which condemned it as disruptive and politically motivated. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India in the coming months, signalling deepening bilateral ties, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Gor also hinted that a planned meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will happen “at the right time,” though no date has been finalised. He reaffirmed that a long-anticipated India–US trade deal is nearing completion and highlighted the strategic importance of the Quad partnership amid expanding cooperation in technology and diplomacy. (PC: ANI)

A 57-year-old Sikh man, Avtar Singh, from Tracy, California, has been reported missing in a suspected abduction, officials say. Surveillance footage from February 17 shows him with three unidentified individuals near a white SUV; authorities believe he may have entered the vehicle against his will. Singh, about 5 ft 7 in tall and around 200 lbs, was last seen wearing light-coloured traditional Sikh clothing. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case and says it appears isolated. The Sikh Coalition and local leaders are assisting with the search. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement. (PC: X)

Virginia Giuffre, once dubbed a “Cinderella” figure, became one of the most prominent survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network, publicly accusing influential figures of abusing their power. Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and forced into sexual encounters as a teenager — including with then-Prince Andrew — allegations he has consistently denied. Her 2021 civil lawsuit against Andrew led to an out-of-court settlement in 2022 and helped fuel global scrutiny of Epstein’s network. Giuffre later advocated for trafficking survivors before dying by suicide in April 2025, leaving behind a powerful legacy that reverberates amid renewed legal action against Epstein associates. (PC: X)

The United States has significantly reinforced its military presence across the Middle East, deploying large forces — including two aircraft carrier strike groups and advanced air and naval assets — amid rising tensions with Iran. President Donald Trump says negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear programme could be resolved within about 10 days, but also warns “bad things” will happen if Iran continues to threaten regional stability. Experts note the scale of forces now in place could support sustained air operations, though the strategic goal beyond deterrence remains unclear. Tehran has vowed retaliation if attacked, while global concerns grow over potential wider conflict. (PC: AP)

Jeffrey Epstein survivor Rina Oh has shared harrowing details of psychological abuse and manipulation by the disgraced financier, saying he exploited her vulnerabilities and once threatened her to keep silent, according to NDTV. Oh — targeted at age 21 — described a turning point during a trip to Florida when Epstein revealed disturbing secrets and made her feel trapped. She praised the recent arrest of former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in connection with the Epstein files but said the U.S. government is not doing enough and called for full transparency and accountability for all powerful figures named in the documents. 

U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated at a Board of Peace event that he forced an end to the 2025 India-Pakistan military clash by threatening to impose 200 % tariffs on both nations if they continued fighting, saying “nothing is like money.” He also claimed that 11 jets were shot down in the hostilities and that Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited him with saving millions of lives. Trump said he personally phoned both leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to press for a ceasefire. However, India has repeatedly denied any third-party mediation in the conflict, insisting the de-escalation was achieved bilaterally between the two countries’ military commanders. (PC: ANI)

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra arrived in Assam for a two-day trip focused on ramping up preparations for the upcoming 2026 Assembly elections, underscoring organisational strategy and candidate selection efforts. She chaired marathon screening meetings with party leaders and grassroots workers in Guwahati and offered prayers at the Kamakhya Temple before proceeding to intensive internal deliberations. During the visit, she released a 20-point “people’s chargesheet” accusing the ruling BJP government of corruption, economic mismanagement and alleged syndicate raj, positioning Congress for a tougher electoral challenge. The visit reflects the party’s heightened focus on strengthening its base and contest strategy in the poll-bound state. (PC: PTI)