In a brazen breach of trust, a deputy manager at a nationalized bank's Girinagar branch here has been arrested for allegedly stealing 2,780 grams of pledged gold ornaments valued at over Rs 3.5 crore to fuel his online betting habit. The scam came to light on February 5 when the branch's chief manager filed a police complaint after customers reported issues redeeming their gold collateral. Investigations revealed that 34-year-old Kiran Kumar had secretly accessed customer lockers, removed the gold, and pawned it at private lenders including Manappuram and Muthoot Finance to fund his gambling losses.
Girinagar police acted swiftly, apprehending Kumar who confessed to the theft during interrogation. So far, they've recovered around 700 grams of the stolen gold, but face hurdles as some finance companies are reluctant to cooperate fully. "We're ready to approach the courts if needed," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), Lokesh B. Jagalasar. Kumar, described as deeply addicted to online betting platforms, had been siphoning gold over several months without raising alarms until routine checks exposed the discrepancies.
This incident echoes past frauds, such as a 2023 case at Punjab National Bank where employees misused gold loans for personal gain. With India's gold loan market exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore as per recent RBI figures, experts are calling for enhanced audits, biometric locker access, and regular customer verifications to prevent insider threats.
Customers are advised to monitor loan statements closely and redeem portions periodically. DCP Jagalasar emphasized, "Vigilance is key—don't assume your gold is safe just because it's in a bank." Police continue their probe, with more arrests possible among the pawnbrokers involved. The bank has launched an internal inquiry to plug security gaps.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.
Actor Soha Ali Khan, speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Monday, highlighted the growing risks women face in the rapidly evolving digital world and stressed that strong ethical safeguards in artificial intelligence are now crucial. Khan, a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) advocate, spoke during the session titled “Reimagining Gender in Technology – Designing safer digital futures and advancing ethical AI for inclusive platforms.” She discussed how technology has transformed opportunities for women across India.
“I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. Young women are building businesses online, and girls are sharing their entrepreneurial journeys on digital platforms,” she said, underscoring how these tools empower women to become entrepreneurs and storytellers. Khan also noted that digital literacy initiatives and online tools have opened new avenues for learning and self-expression. “AI is extraordinary. It improves healthcare access, expands education, and helps close maternal health gaps. From digital literacy programs to young girls becoming confident storytellers, these tools are truly empowering,” she said.
However, Soha warned that the digital space reflects existing social inequalities. “The digital world is not neutral; it mirrors the society that creates it. AI is now accelerating these dynamics,” she said. While AI offers numerous benefits, she pointed out its potential for misuse. “AI makes it faster, cheaper, and easier than ever to impersonate someone, create deep fakes, manipulate images, and misuse personal data. Unfortunately, many women are left without the knowledge to defend themselves,” she added.
Khan emphasized that the challenge goes beyond technology. “This is not just a tech issue—it’s a mental health issue, a public health issue, and a human rights issue. Ethical AI is not optional; it is mandatory,” she said. She further defined ethical AI as encompassing safety by design, privacy by default, clear accountability, meaningful consent, and robust reporting mechanisms.
Andrea Wojnar of UNFPA, who also spoke at the session, stressed that AI systems often lack accountability and are biased. “AI is unequal and biased,” she said, adding that it reshapes both risks and opportunities. “AI will influence safety, but trust is also an economic factor. When women and girls feel unsafe online, participation drops, limiting the potential of the digital economy,” Wojnar explained. She added that when users don’t trust AI-enabled services, adoption slows and reputational risks increase, preventing the digital economy from reaching its full potential.
The India AI Impact Summit is being held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts. The summit marks one of the first major AI events hosted in the Global South. Top figures expected include Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, and researchers Yann LeCun and Arthur Mensch. Indian business leaders such as Mukesh Ambani, N Chandrasekaran, Salil Parekh, Nikesh Arora, and Shantanu Narayen are also slated to attend.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X.
Senior ministers from the United Kingdom have arrived in New Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026, highlighting artificial intelligence as a key driver of economic expansion, public sector transformation, and international collaboration. The UK delegation is led by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and AI Minister Kanishka Narayan, who will hold strategic discussions and bilateral meetings aimed at deepening technological cooperation between the UK and India.
The summit builds on earlier global AI events held in Bletchley, Seoul, and Paris, and will examine how AI can reshape societies, promote sustainable progress, and ensure inclusive development. UK officials plan to showcase AI’s potential to boost innovation across sectors such as healthcare, education, local government, and business-helping doctors diagnose faster, enabling personalised education, and improving efficiency in public services.
Strengthening collaboration with India remains central to Britain’s science and technology strategy. Both nations are investing in cutting-edge fields such as advanced battery systems, improved telecommunications for rural areas, and genomic medicine targeting rare diseases. During the summit, Lammy will participate in discussions on using AI to promote social inclusion and reduce inequality, as well as join a panel on expanding opportunities through global languages. He is also expected to announce new UK backing for the Asian AI for Development Observatory, which supports responsible AI innovation and governance across South and Southeast Asia.
Lammy emphasised the UK’s leadership in AI innovation, noting that the country continues to attract global investment and talent. He described the summit as a critical opportunity to work with international partners to maximise AI’s benefits while ensuring strong and fair safety standards. He added that the visit aims to turn ambition into tangible outcomes, including job creation, investment, and stronger partnerships benefiting both countries and beyond.
Narayan will also visit Bengaluru, often called India’s Silicon Valley, to observe joint technology initiatives. He highlighted AI’s potential to transform public services, create employment, reduce waiting times, and empower communities, stressing the UK’s commitment to ensuring AI benefits society broadly rather than a select few.
The summit takes place as economic relations between the two nations continue to grow. Major Indian technology companies such as Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, and Wipro are expanding their UK presence. This follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Mumbai last year, where Indian firms committed £1.3 billion in investments. With UK companies generating over £47.5 billion in revenue from India, both governments see AI collaboration as a key pillar of their long-term Vision 2035 strategy to advance innovation, economic growth, and shared technological leadership.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
Mumbai has been transformed into a vibrant display of international diplomacy, with posters and banners welcoming French President Emmanuel Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron. The visual tribute coincides with their high-profile visit to India from February 16 to 19, covering both the financial and national capitals.
President Macron arrives in Mumbai today for his fourth visit to India, invited by PM Narendra Modi, reflecting the steady momentum in the India-France strategic partnership, particularly in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. According to the French Embassy, the visit marks another important chapter in the deepening ties between New Delhi and Paris, which span defence, space, civil nuclear energy, climate action, and education.
Macron’s engagement builds on his previous visits, including his first trip in 2018, attendance at the 2023 G20 Summit, and his 2024 State Visit as the Chief Guest for India’s 75th Republic Day. During that milestone, the two leaders declared 2026 as the India-France Year of Innovation, which they will formally inaugurate in Mumbai during this visit.
On February 17, PM Modi and President Macron will hold extensive discussions in Mumbai to advance bilateral cooperation under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, a long-term vision stemming from India’s first Strategic Partnership with France in 1998. They will also discuss regional and global issues, including Indo-Pacific cooperation, highlighting growing strategic alignment.
After Mumbai, the delegation will travel to Delhi for the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20. This is the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South. President Macron’s participation underscores the shared emphasis on emerging technologies, building on the AI Action Summit co-chaired by Modi and Macron in Paris in February 2025.
The five-day summit is structured around three pillars—People, Planet, and Progress—and seeks to move discussions on AI governance from rhetoric to actionable outcomes. It will convene global leaders, policymakers, and innovators to explore AI’s role in governance and sustainable development. Complementing the summit, the India AI Impact Expo will cover 70,000 square metres with over 300 exhibitors from 30 countries across 10 thematic pavilions, showcasing AI’s transition from research to large-scale application. This initiative aligns with the IndiaAI Mission and the Digital India Initiative, emphasizing a development-focused approach that translates technological discourse into practical, people-centric results.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
Union Minister Jitin Prasada urged caution in using AI, warning that AI-generated misinformation could threaten India’s democracy. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit, he said AI can enhance education but must not replace teachers or undermine curiosity and critical thinking. He stressed the need for digital literacy to prevent cyber threats and highlighted government efforts to provide safe data for AI research and innovation.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.
With decisions delegated, chatbots replacing friends, and nature sidelined, Silicon Valley is shaping a life stripped of real connection. Escape is possible—but it will require a united effort.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
The Barries have returned, and Angus Taylor has emerged victorious in the Liberal leadership contest, defeating Sussan Ley. Speaking on Friday afternoon, the newly elected leader stressed that he had no intention of becoming “One Nation lite,” but vowed to “close the door” to those who do not share “Australian values.” However, the leadership spill was not the only major development in Australian politics this week. Barrie Cassidy and Tony Barry also examine the challenges facing Taylor, the growing momentum of One Nation, and the recent visit by Israeli president Isaac Herzog.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
When Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, he pledged to eliminate what he called “woke” culture in America. From the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to the Smithsonian Institution and the Stonewall National Monument, his administration has sought to reshape American cultural institutions and historical narratives to reflect its own priorities. Jonathan Freedland and the Guardian’s Washington bureau chief, David Smith, examine how Trump’s efforts to recast history and culture in his own image could affect millions of Americans.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
At least nine people were killed and numerous others wounded in a mass shooting in the small British Columbia community of Tumbler Ridge. The violence began at a residence and continued at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where victims included both students and adults, making it one of the deadliest school shootings in Canadian history. The suspected shooter, an 18‑year‑old, was also found dead at the scene from what appeared to be a self‑inflicted injury. Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat as they continue to investigate the motive and circumstances behind the attack.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian
