India's leadership at the AI Impact Summit praised; India confirmed a $35.18 million UN budget contribution amid global security coverage.
India's leadership at the AI Impact Summit was publicly commended by the UN Secretary General, and India confirmed a financial contribution of $35.18 million to the UN regular budget for 2026, alongside scheduled coverage of the Jeffrey Epstein files, US-Iran tensions, regional developments in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Rupee gains amid awaiting India US trade deal confirmation and the RBI's policy decision, with technical support noted.
The rupee gained 7 paise to 90.40 against the US dollar as markets awaited formal confirmation of an India-US trade deal and the RBI's Monetary Policy Committee interest rate decision; market consensus expected rates to remain unchanged and saw limited prospects for cuts through end 2026. Technical support around 89.80-90.00 was cited with potential upside toward 90.80-91.20, while the dollar index and Brent crude movements, plus equity flows, were identified as contributing market influences.

Stock markets slipped after a three-day rally as global weakness and falling crude weighed on benchmark indices.
Equity benchmarks fell in early trade after a three-day rally, with the Sensex down ~279 points to 83,538.97 and the Nifty down ~94 points to 25,681.85; sectoral laggards included aviation, defence-electronics, banking, engineering and steel, while consumer, utilities and IT stocks gained. The move tracked weakness in Asian and US markets and a drop in Brent crude to about USD 68.02/bbl. Prior-session data showed modest foreign institutional buying and larger domestic institutional purchases, with closing levels slightly up day-on-day.

BCCI Aarey forest tree-felling, advocates' summoning and criminal trial guidelines under suo motu review, public interest noted.
Suo motu judicial review is engaged on environmental and procedural issues: a matter concerning tree felling in Aarey linked to the BCCI, a suo motu probe into the propriety and limits of summoning advocates who advise or represent parties during investigations, and a suo motu initiative to frame guidelines addressing systemic deficiencies in criminal trials to improve procedural fairness.

India paid USD 35.18 million to the UN Regular Budget for 2026, meeting the 30-day payment deadline.
Payment of USD 35.18 million by India to the UN Regular Budget for 2026, made on February 3, 2026, was effected within the 30-day due period set by UN financial regulations and was reported by the Committee on Contributions among 47 Member States that paid their regular budget assessments in full and on time.

DHFL entitled to statutory immunity under IBC after approved resolution plan; individuals remain prosecutable for prior offences.
The IBC confers statutory immunity on a corporate debtor when an approved resolution plan satisfies the insolvency-law conditions, extinguishing the corporate entity's criminal liability for prior offences; this immunity does not cover former officers or directors who remain prosecutable for involvement in pre CIRP offences.

India must strengthen its economy, expand trade share, and pursue strategic autonomy to secure global influence and resilience.
Economic strength determines diplomatic leverage; low shares in global merchandise and services trade limit international influence. To build leverage, pursue strategic autonomy by reviewing dependent bilateral ties, strengthen the private sector as the engine of growth, and expand technological leadership and trade share to enhance geopolitical resilience.

ICE arrests in Oregon limited to cases with likely escape or an administrative arrest warrant.
Immigration agents in Oregon are barred from making warrantless arrests for civil immigration violations unless they develop probable cause to believe the person is likely to escape or have an administrative arrest warrant issued by a supervisor; the court relied on evidence of warrantless sweeps, arrests of individuals with valid immigration paperwork, and allegations of forceful detentions while stressing the need to respect due process when exercising arrest authority.

US-China leaders discussed isolating Iran, a 25% tariff on Iran-linked trade, Taiwan arms sales, and critical minerals supply chains.
US-China discussions during a bilateral call focused on isolating Iran-combining diplomatic engagement, envoy talks, and an announced 25 percent tariff on imports from countries doing business with Iran-while addressing defense-related trade with Taiwan after a multibillion-dollar US arms package and considering inclusion of China in future nuclear-arms limitation talks as New START lapses. The leaders also discussed initiatives to diversify critical minerals supply chains away from China, indicating coordinated use of tariffs, arms transfer policy, export controls, and multilateral trade measures as state instruments.

Google's growth: AI-driven expansion fuels ad and cloud revenue, enabling massive AI capital spending and strategic partnerships.
Sustained double digit growth in digital advertising financed substantial capital expenditures to expand data centre and AI capacity, while Cloud revenue rose sharply as Google embedded its large language model technology across core products and formed commercial AI partnerships.

Argentina requests extradition of Nicola s Maduro to face crimes-against-humanity investigation under universal jurisdiction.
Argentina requested extradition of former Venezuelan President Nicola s Maduro from the United States to face an investigation alleging he oversaw abuses amounting to crimes-against-humanity, relying on the principle of universal jurisdiction and citing the 1997 extradition treaty; the petition follows a 2024 international arrest warrant and references Maduro's recent U.S. capture while noting concurrent U.S. narcotics indictments.

Xi and Putin affirm deepening China-Russia strategic, economic cooperation and shared commitment to international law and strategic stability.
Xi and Putin committed to deepen bilateral strategic cooperation-economic, energy, nuclear technology and high tech ties-and to sustain high level exchanges, reciprocal visa free travel, and summit participation. They aligned on adherence to international law and the UN Charter, affirmed the One China Principle, and addressed arms control concerns, noting Washington's refusal to extend the New START treaty and expressing willingness to pursue negotiated measures to preserve strategic stability.

Nearly 100 year old murder accused acquitted after decades due to prosecution failure and prolonged pendency and age.
The High Court acquitted a nearly 100 year old appellant in a 1982 murder case on the ground that the prosecution failed to prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt, directed discharge of his bail bond, and held that prolonged pendency, his advanced age, and decades of anxiety and social consequences were material in moulding relief.

Industrial and MSME support expands credit access, restructuring pathways, subsidies and targeted assistance for artisans and farmers.
The government adopted financial and non financial measures to strengthen liquidity, address stress and improve access to credit for industrial units, MSMEs, artisans, weavers and farmers. Enhanced credit linkages under the RAMP programme and credit guarantee arrangements support restructuring and need based assistance for stressed enterprises. The Industrial Policy provides turnover and SGST incentives, green initiatives, full subsidy for diesel generator sets, stamp duty and court fee exemptions, and subsidies for quality certification, automation and pollution control. Artisans and GI certified units receive targeted credit schemes, rent free stalls and direct benefit assistance. Agricultural support includes interest subvention, credit restructuring after calamities, crop insurance and infrastructure funds with interest subvention and credit guarantees.

Critical minerals trading bloc to stabilize prices, enforce minimum tariffs, and reduce reliance on Chinese supplies.
The administration proposes a critical minerals trading bloc among allies to stabilise prices via tariffs and sourcing rules, coupled with a US strategic stockpile funded by Export-Import Bank loans and private capital, plus direct government investments and procurement measures to diversify production and reduce reliance on dominant foreign processors.

Union Budget 2026-27 promotes reform-driven growth with Jan Vishwas Act 2.0, fiscal discipline, and manufacturing incentives.
The Union Budget 2026 27 is a reform driven fiscal blueprint proposing the Jan Vishwas Act 2.0, prioritising Aatmanirbhar manufacturing support (Semiconductor Mission 2.0, Rs 10,000 crore BioPharma Shakti, electronics outlay, MSME funds), targeting a 4.3% fiscal deficit and Rs 12.2 lakh crore capital expenditure for transport and Tier 2/3 infrastructure, and increasing tax devolution to states (from 32% to 41%), with enhanced allocations cited for Maharashtra.

Women MPs' protest gheraoed treasury benches, forcing adjournment amid disputes over quoting published material and disciplinary demands.
Women opposition members advanced to the Treasury benches during the Motion of Thanks debate, prompting the presiding officer to adjourn the House after they approached the Prime Minister's seat; the disruption occurred amid earlier adjournments, delays to the prime minister's scheduled reply, and prior suspensions of members for unruly behaviour. The acting Chair invoked the rule prohibiting reading from books, newspapers or letters except in connection with House business after a member quoted published works, triggering opposition demands for disciplinary action and consultations with the Speaker and ministers.

India-US trade deal expands market access, boosting Indian manufacturing, exports, and MSMEs, including textiles, pharma and gems sectors.
The India-US trade agreement reinforces the "Make in India, Make for the World" policy by expanding export opportunities for textiles, pharma, chemicals, petroleum, gems and jewellery, and by positioning Gujarat's manufacturing and MSME sectors to benefit directly. The announcement highlights a stated US tariff position of 18% on Made in India products as a stimulus for production, exporters and job creation, framing the deal as strengthening bilateral economic ties and India's global economic presence.

Coal India to set up Chile holding for lithium and copper; approves over Rs 6,300 crore in domestic project investments.
Coal India authorised the incorporation of a wholly owned intermediate holding company in Chile to pursue critical minerals (lithium and copper), subject to regulatory approvals, and approved domestic equity investments totalling over Rs 6,300 crore: Rs 3,132.96 crore for an energy joint venture with Damodar Valley Corporation (part of a Rs 20,886.40 crore project at 70:30 debt equity) and Rs 3,189.54 crore into Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Ltd for a 0.66 mtpa coal to ammonium nitrate project.

Turkish Airlines plane emergency landing after engine fire alert; passengers to depart on replacement flight at 6 am.
An Airbus A330-300 declared a PAN PAN due to a right-engine fire and diverted to Kolkata, landing safely on one engine after on-board fire detection and suppression brought the flames under control; passengers and crew were unharmed, housed overnight, and scheduled to continue on a replacement aircraft the next morning.