PM Narendra Modi meets US Vice President JD Vance in Paris

Dozens of shops were gutted in a fire that raged through a portion of a furniture market in the Oshiwara area of Mumbai on Tuesday. An official confirmed the incident saying, nobody was injured in the blaze that erupted around 11.30 am in the market located on Swami Vivekanand Marg.

Ahead of the visit of PM Modi to the US, Michael Cheokas, Georgia State Representative said, "PM Modi coming and visiting with President Trump, at this juncture, is great. I think we already have close ties with India. It is just going to improve even more. I am excited. You already know that President Trump is pro-business and the Indian economy and the US economy will share the prosperity under President Trump. So, that's why, I think, PM Modi coming to Washington and meeting President Trump now is very important."

At the 14th India-France CEO Forum in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "This is a confluence of the best business minds of India and France. I welcome the report of the Summit presented just now. I see that all of you are working with the mantra of innovate, collaborate and integrate. You are not just building connections, you are also strengthening the India-France strategic partnership. It is a matter of great pleasure for me to join this Summit with President Macron. This is our sixth meeting in the last two years. Last year, President Macron was the Chief Guest at our Republic Day. This morning we co-chaired an AI Action Summit together. I heartily congratulate President Macron on this successful Summit."

At the 14th India-France CEO Forum in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "You are well aware of the changes that have taken place in India in the last decade. We have established an eco-system of stable and predictable policy. Following the path of reform, perform and transform, today India is the fifth largest economy in the world. The world's fastest-growing major economy is soon going to become the third-largest economy in the world. Our identity on the global stage is that today India is rapidly becoming a preferred global investment destination. We have launched the Semiconductor and Quantum Mission in India and we are encouraging 'Make in India' and 'Make for the World' in defence."

On the controversy over YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's filth remarks on a show, actor Raza Murad said, "To what extent can one stoop for fame? There are comedians like Johnny Lever, Late Raju Srivastava, Kapil Sharma, did they ever use any abusive language? Rather, they are the most famous. You (Ranveer Allahabadia) talk about barging into your parents' bedroom? The whole country is shocked. We are also to some extent guilty that we are tolerating such a show in which abusive language is openly used. Thankfully people took notice of it and action was taken against it. The society we live in considers parents as God and just to gain some attention, you talk about barging into their bedroom and using obscene words about them. What happened is against the law of the country, if you have been given freedom of speech, you cannot abuse anyone, spread obscenity, or defame anyone's character, and that too your mother's. Such shows should be banned. We will abide by the court's decision."

Ahead of PM Modi's visit to the United States, Director of South Asia Institute at Wilson Center, Michael Kugelman said, "It is a very significant meeting between PM Modi and President Trump in the sense that PM Modi will be just the fourth world leader to meet President Trump. We have seen world leaders jockeying for positions to be able to engage with this new administration and the new President. The fact that the PM was invited by the administration within the first few weeks of him being in power, I think that is pretty significant and it speaks to the importance of the US-India partnership. It will be a bit of an unusual meeting in the sense that these are early days for the administration, it hasn't really had an opportunity to focus on its approach to India. You also have a number of key posts within the administration that focussed on India that have not yet been filled. So, I think that given that this is coming early on in the administration and this is a working visit and not a state visit, I don't think that we will have significant levels of substantive dialogue leading to major deals or anything like that. But it will be an important opportunity for these two leaders who know each other very well and like each other, to reassert their friendship and to talk about priorities for the coming years."

Tamil Nadu BJP State President K Annamalai in Dindigul said, "Today 48 days of my fasting is over and we have taken a 'Sankalp' that DMK should be removed from power from Tamil soil. Today we had the unique honour of walking along with our brothers and sisters and climbing up to the sacred abode where Lord Murugan is residing and we offered our prayers for the wellbeing of Tamil Nadu and more importantly to keep our mothers and sisters safe in the present condition. I will not be wearing 'chappals' till DMK is removed from power. I will be visiting all the six abodes of Lord Murugan. Tamil People should have a sense of freedom, safety."

BJP MP Ravi Kishan responded to the controversy over YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia's remarks on a show, saying, "India's culture is different and they copied a Western show. It is very sad, very shameful to use language. Such things cannot be promoted in India. The law will do its job. Other people should also learn a lesson from this. The fear of the law has to be created in the minds of people. The government led by PM Modi is very sensitive towards law, culture, and traditions."

On the speculation of a massive crowd at the Maha Kumbh Mela, Prayagraj DIG Vaibhav Krishna said, "A huge crowd is expected tomorrow on the occasion of Maghi Purnima and in view of this, police have been deployed at various places. A no-vehicle zone has been declared and only emergency vehicles are allowed there. A large number of people are expected to come tonight. When devotees return after bathing, we will allow vehicles of Kalpvasis to enter the fair. In tomorrow's travel arrangements, special care will be taken to avoid the cross-movement of people during the entry and exit. There is no traffic on any of the roads of the fair. People should follow the official account of UP Police on Twitter and Facebook to get verified official information. Vehicles of people coming will be allowed only if there is space and coordination between the exit and entry."

On the meeting of Punjab MLAs and ministers with former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Union Minister Harsh Malhotra said, "They have never done positive politics. The situation in Punjab is much worse than in Delhi. They (AAP) are looting the people of Punjab also."

Republic Media Network announced India's Most Iconic Plenary Event, Republic Plenary Summit 2025. To be part of the grand plenary, those visionary youths, who believe in Limitless India and who are the real propellers of the spectacular phoenix-like growth of Bharat, can bring in their brilliant vision to create a  LIMITLESS INDIA. 

Republic Media Network announced a grand plenary, Republic Plenary Summit on March 6, where visionary youths, who believe in Limitless India, can pitch their brilliant Ideas. There are 9 categories, in which the participants can pitch their deck on: Science, Technology and Space, Digital Economy, AI and Machine Learning, Deep Tech & Semiconductors, Grand Strategy and Geopolitics, Sustainability & Environment, Inclusive Nation Building, Equity & Empowerment and Reclaiming History, Culture & Tradition. 

Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami proudly announced a grand plenary, a thought leadership driven by the boundless potential of youths. The Prime Minister has consented to be the Chief Guest at the Republic Plenary 2025 on March 6. The Republic Media Network has pinned a barcode on the screen of Republic TV, which the youths can scan and send in their brilliant ideas for a Limitless India. The most visionary pitch decks of this YOUTH Hackathon will be showcased before Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi at the Bharat Mandapam. 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will grace the occasion and will hear the ideas and vision of the Indians for Limitless India at the Nation’s Most Iconic Event, the Republic Plenary Summit 2025 on the theme of LIMITLESS INDIA at Bharat Mandapam. 

Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami announced the Nation’s Most Iconic Event, the Republic Plenary Summit 2025 on the theme of LIMITLESS INDIA, in exactly three weeks. The Republic Plenary Summit will be a culmination of three weeks of pitches, a deep scrutiny by a Jury of Limitless Indians, which will lead to the the grand finale of March 6th at Bharat Mandapam. 

Republic Media Network's Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami makes a major Network announcement, which is something that have been planning and working on at Republic Media Network for a while now. The announcement is no how we can use the Network and an influential platform like Republic to build a Limitless India. 

Police here have registered a case after a video surfaced on social media, showing some men indulging in celebratory firing during a wedding ceremony, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident took place on the night of February 8 in Khurda village.

A Congress MLA in Madhya Pradesh's Mandla district has lodged a police complaint against a probationary IAS officer, accusing him of misbehaving with his mother while chasing a fleeing JCB driver.

Two Hindus have been gunned down and another injured when suspected militants targeted them in the Turbat area of Kech district of Balochistan province of Pakistan, police said on Tuesday.

Hari Lal and Moti Lal were killed in the gunfire while Shero Mal suffered injuries and was rushed to hospital during the attack on Monday evening, a senior police official confirmed.

The Maharashtra Cyber Department on Tuesday registered an FIR against YouTube reality show "India's Got Latent", which is facing criticism over crude comments made by social media influencer Ranveer Allahbadia, a police official said.

Summonses are being sent to about 30 guests who have participated in the show from the first episode till now, he said.

The suo moto (on its own) FIR was lodged by the cyber cell after Allahbadia's distasteful comments on the show triggered a storm, said the official.

According to the official, the Cyber Department has registered the case under relevant sections of the IT Act and sought removal of all episodes -- total 18 -- of the comedy show.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) has expressed strong concern over the derogatory and racist comments reportedly made by YouTubers on the show India's Got Latent. The Commission has taken serious note of the vulgar and offensive remarks made by content creators such as Ranveer Allahabadia, Samay Raina, Apoorva Makhija, Jaspreet Singh, and Ashish Chanchlani, as well as the show's producers, Tushar Poojari and Saurabh Bothra.

BJP Northeast in-charge Sambit Patra and state party president A Sharda Devi on Tuesday called on Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla at the Raj Bhavan here, amid a leadership crisis following the resignation of N Biren Singh from the post of chief minister.

Two Army jawans were killed and one injured in a suspected IED blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu’s Battal area of Akhnoor on Tuesday. The explosion was believed to be an act of terror, with security officials suspecting that the explosive device was planted by terrorists.  

US Vice President JD Vance warned global leaders and tech CEOs at a Paris summit on artificial intelligence on Tuesday that “excessive regulation” would kill the rapidly growing AI industry.

In his first foreign trip as vice president, Vance also said the Trump administration would “ensure that AI systems developed in America are free from ideological bias,” and that the United States would “never restrict our citizens' right to free speech.” "Now, at this moment, we face the extraordinary prospect of a new industrial revolution, one on par with the invention of the steam engine," Vance said. 'But it will never come to pass. If overregulation deters innovators from taking the risks necessary to advance the ball.'' Vance's address challenged Europe's regulatory approach to artificial intelligence and its moderation of content on Big Tech platforms, underscoring divergence between the United States and its allies on AI governance.

The summit has drawn world leaders, top tech executives, and policymakers to debate AI's impact on security, economics, and governance.

At the ongoing AI Paris summit, US Vice President JD Vance expressed appreciation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's insights, particularly highlighting the transformative role of AI in enhancing global productivity. In his address, Vance thanked PM Modi for co-hosting the event, acknowledging the significance of AI in shaping the future of economies and societies. The leaders' summit, which began earlier today, aims to explore the potential of AI in driving innovation and international collaboration

While speaking at AI summit 2025 PM Modi said that AI is not a threat to jobs.

He said, "It is feared that job loss is a downside of ai, but history has shown that technology never eliminates jobs—it only changes their nature".

AI is Reshaping Our Economy and Security: PM Modi 

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PM Modi Co-Chairs AI Summit Today 

PM Modi to Co-chair AI Summit with French Prez Macron Shortly 

Parliamentary Committee Calls IT & I&B Secretary to Action Against Platform for Airing Such Content 

Parliamentary Committe Calls I&B Secretary Over Ranveer Allhabadia Remarks on 'IGL'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday extended greeting on the occasion of Thai Poosam festival.
"Wishing everyone a joyous and blessed Thaipoosam! May the divine grace of Lord Murugan guide us with strength, prosperity and wisdom," Modi said in a post on X.

"On this sacred occasion, I pray for happiness, good health and success for all. May this day also bring peace and positivity into our lives! Vetrivel Muruganuku Arogara!" he added.

The Uttar Pradesh has achieved the target of 450 million devotees reaching Prayagraj for the religious congregation.

As per data, 15 days before the conclusion of the Mahakumbh --Tuesday morning, the total number of saints, devotees, Kalpavasis, bathers and householders imbued with reverence and faith in the holy confluence of the Trievni Sangam coming to the Mahakumbh Mela crossed 450 million, a target set by UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

A fire broke out at the Oshiwara Furniture Market in Mumbai's Jogeshwari West area on Tuesday, said officials.

The fire broke out at around 11:52 am and the blaze was confined to a ground-floor furniture godown.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) personnel rushed to the spot to douse the fire. 12 fire brigade vehicles are present at the spot.

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Tuesday announced extension of translation services to six new languages in the Parliament including Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Manipuri, Urdu and Sanskrit.

Addressing the House, Birla said that previously, the translation services were available in 10 languages including Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, and Telugu, in addition to Hindi and English.

With just 15 days to go for the Maha Kumbh to end, over 45 crore people have taken a dip at Sangam since the grand event began on January 13, the Uttar Pradesh government said on Tuesday. The Maha Kumbh will end on February 26 with the last major 'snan' on the occasion of Mahashivratri.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid tributes to BJP ideologue Deendayal Upadhyaya on his death anniversary, lauding him as a visionary thinker who dedicated himself to the service of India.Modi said on X, “His philosophy of uplifting the last person in society continues to inspire our journey towards a strong nation. His sacrifice and ideals remain a guiding force in our collective mission for progress and unity.” A RSS pracharak, Upadhyaya worked with Jana Sangh founder Syama Prasad Mookerjee in building the party and his concepts of "integral humanism" and "antyodaya" have been the BJP's catchphrases

 Marathi writer and academic Raosaheb Rangrao Borade passed away due to a prolonged illness at a private hospital in Maharashtra's Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on Tuesday, family sources said.Borade (84) has penned more than 30 books and plays.He was born in Katgaon village of Latur district in 1940.

Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Arun Sao on Tuesday cast his vote at a polling booth in Bilaspur for Chhattisgarh Municipal Corporation elections 2025.

The Deputy CM appealed to the public to come out and vote in large numbers and celebrate the festival of democracy.

Sao exuded confidence in the party's winning the urban body polls in the state.

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Arrives in Delhi to Attend Meeting with AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal

Mumbai Police Arrives at Ranveer Allhabadia's Residence

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been moved in the Delhi High Court against the powers of the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) concerning the Sealing of Unauthorised Construction Rules.

The plea stipulates that a copy of the sealing order must be given to the affected individual after the hearing concludes and before the premises are sealed. Additionally, it requires that details of the appellate authority and the 30-day period for filing an appeal be included.

AAP Convenor Arvind Kejriwal Arrives at Kapurthala House

The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) has strongly condemned "derogatory and racist" remarks made by social media influencer Elvish Yadav against former Miss Arunachal and Big Boss contestant Chum Darang.In a letter addressed to the National Commission for Women chairperson, APSCW chairperson Kenjum Pakam on Monday said that the remarks were not only an insult to Darang but also to women across Northeast India.

After subsequent disappointments faced by major INDIA bloc parties in the recent assembly elections, senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal on Tuesday said that the alliance will have to sit together and work meticulously to make things out.

Speaking about the Congress, Sibal stated that the party always tries to work together and to move ahead with consent. He however, also admitted that sometimes the alliance faces problems citing the example of 2020 Bihar assembly elections, where a dismal show by Congress prevented the 'Mahagathbandhan' from reaching majority.

India, France Stress on Democratised Access to AI at Paris roundtable

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann Singh on Tuesday departed to Delhi for meeting Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

Arvind Kejriwal will be meeting the Punjab CM and MLAs of the state in Delhi. The meeting has been called following AAP's crushing defeat in the Delhi assembly elections.

The Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana has become a major boon to Kashmiri girls who want to equip themselves with skills to become more employable.

PMKVY is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) being implemented by the National Skill Development Corporation.

The objective of this Skill Certification Scheme is to enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood.

Mehwish, a resident of Srinagar, saw the recent boom in tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. She knew that there will be many jobs generated in the tourism industry so she took training for a housekeeping assistant using the PMKVY scheme.

A 23-year-old student of Rangaraya Medical College here died by suicide in his hostel in the intervening night between Monday and Tuesday, a police official said.

The student identified as R Sai Ram died by suicide in his hostel room when his roommate was away studying in another room, police added.

"We are yet to determine the reason for his suicide, we are investigating," the official told PTI.

The rupee gained 61 paise to 86.84 against the US dollar in early trade on Tuesday, after nearing closer to 88-level on Monday, amid high volatility as heightened trade war fears have created widespread economic uncertainty, significantly impacting global currency markets.

Market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty declined in early trade on Tuesday amid unabated foreign fund outflows and fresh US tariffs that ignited trade war fears. Declining for the fifth day running, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex dropped 201.06 points to 77,110.74 in initial trade. The NSE Nifty declined 79.55 points to 23,302.05.

Voting began for Chhattisgarh urban body elections on Tuesday morning.

The polling for 10 municipal corporations, 49 Municipal Councils, and 114 Nagar panchayats across the state began at 8 am. It will continue till 5 pm, with the counting of votes set to be done on February 15.

There are a total of 44.74 lakh voters among which 22.52 lakh are male voters while 22.73 lakh are female voters.

The Election Commission has set a total of 597 polling stations across the state for urban body polling.

 Security forces arrested four militants from Manipur's Imphal West and Tengnoupal districts, police said on Tuesday.Two militants of the banned outfit Kangleipak Communist Party (Apunba) were apprehended from Rupmahal Tank area in Imphal West district on Monday, police said.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has met his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot here and the leaders discussed wide-ranging cooperation between both countries with a focus on AI, innovation and also on regional and global developments.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a three-day visit to France. He will co-chair the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Modi will also hold bilateral talks with Macron, and address business leaders.

"A pleasure meeting FM @jnbarrot in Paris this evening. Discussed our wide-ranging cooperation with a focus on AI & innovation, connectivity and clean energy. Also spoke about regional and global developments," Jaishankar posted on X on Monday.

A huge crowd of devotees arrived at the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela Kshetra on Tuesday to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam.

Namita Das, a devotee from Assam applauded the government's arrangements and said that she was content with her experience at the gathering.

"We are from Assam and we came here for the Triveni Sangam bath. So far, everything is really good here. The administration has made excellent arrangements... we are very happy with our experience..." Das said speaking to ANI.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal on Monday slammed Arvind Kejriwal, stating that the people of Delhi have punished him for the state's condition and warned that Punjab faces a similar situation.

"Delhi's public punished Arvind Kejriwal for the devastating condition he put Delhi in and same situations are in Punjab as well... Arvind Kejriwal was not able to guess the mood of the state, if you don't work, people will root you off...," he said.
 

AICWA Demands Ban on 'India's Got Latent' Over Ranveer Allahbadia's Remarks

IndiGo will fly additional flights Prayagraj and Ahmedabad starting February 15 to accommodate more passengers to-from the holy Kumbh city, the airlines said.

Following is the schedule of those special IndiGo flights between Ahmedabad-Prayagraj-Ahmedabad.

With rising demand for Prayragraj flights, IndiGo airline has increased its flights and seat capacity significantly to/from the Sangram city during the period in which the city hosts the Mahakumbh Mela 2025.

Maha Kumbh commenced on January 13 and will continue until February 26, 2025.

Educator and YouTuber Faizal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, has voiced strong support for the 4.5 lakh students demanding a re-exam in the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) case.

He also stressed that the students' concerns are valid and urged the government to initiate a CBI or ED probe into the alleged paper leak.

Speaking to ANI, Khan said, "Hearing on this is going on in High Court. The students' demand for re-exam is legitimate. I would like to tell the govt to get CBI or ED inquiry into this (alleged paper leak). The 4.5 lakh students should get justice. If this protest goes on for long, then it won't be good for the govt as well...I am sure there will be a re-exam soon."

He further added, "I think the government will take a positive decision soon... We have full faith in the court that the decision will be in our favour..."

The 10th International Women's Conference will feature the presence of President Droupadi Murmu, along with some of the most influential women from politics, business, arts, and social impact, an official statement confirmed.

The conference, hosted by the Art of Living, will bring together over 60 speakers and more than 500 delegates. It will be held from February 14 to 16 at the Art of Living International Centre in Bengaluru, the official statement statement confirmed.

Union Minister Harsh Malhotra on Monday said that the decision on Delhi's next chief minister will be taken by the BJP's legislative party and the parliamentary board, emphasizing that the chosen leader will be from within the party's ranks.

Speaking to ANI, Malhotra said "Delhi's chief minister will be decided by the legislative party meeting and parliamentary board decision, he can be anyone, he will be a BJP worker..."

Taking a swipe at AAP and its chief Arvind Kejriwal, he said, "Arvind Kejriwal can do whatever he wants, but the people of Delhi have given their mandate. AAP did nothing in Delhi, and that is why the people changed them. The same is happening in Punjab, where they are also failing to deliver."

Prime Minister Modi arrived in Paris for the first leg of his two-nation tour that will later take him to the US.

During his three-day visit to France, Modi will co-chair the AI Action Summit with Macron in Paris, hold bilateral talks with him, and address business leaders.

He received a grand diaspora welcome as he landed in Paris. “A memorable welcome in Paris! The cold weather didn’t deter the Indian community from showing their affection this evening. Grateful to our diaspora and proud of them for their accomplishments,” he said.

Modi and Macron will also hold discussions in both restricted and delegation formats and address the India-France CEO's Forum.

The Maharashtra Health Department on Monday reported that a total of 192 suspected cases of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) have been detected in the state so far, with 167 confirmed cases, confirmed the Maharashtra Health Department.