Morning Digest: Modi to address AI summit today; India joins list of countries criticising Israel’s unilateral measures on West Bank, and more

Modi to address AI summit on February 19; key leaders to attend

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the AI Impact Summit on Thursday (February 19, 2026), joined by fellow world leaders and senior tech executives. Mr. Modi’s address will be followed by keynote presentations by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Google DeepMind CEO Dennis Hassabis, and Reliance Industries Limited, chairman and managing director, Mukesh Ambani. The keynote speakers include Gates Foundation Chair Bill Gates, and Microsoft president Brad Smith.

Ramzan fasts to begin in India from February 19

Ramzan fasts will begin on Thursday (February 19, 2026) in India as the crescent moon marking the start of the fasting month was sighted in various parts of the country on Wednesday (February 18, 2026). After the sighting of the moon, the holy month begins and for the next 30 days, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

Simultaneous polls panel weighs bar on no-confidence motions in final year of government’s term

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Bill on simultaneous elections is considering a provision that would bar the introduction of a no-confidence motion against an incumbent government if only one year of its term remains, committee chairperson and BJP MP P.P. Chaudhary said on Wednesday (February 18, 2026).

To counter foreign terrorists, CRPF sets up temporary bases upto 6,000 feet mark in J&K

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has established 43 temporary operating bases in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), at altitudes between 3,000 feet and 6,000 feet, after the Pahalgam terror attack last April, a CRPF official said on Wednesday (February 18, 2026). The official added that this was part of a new strategy to identify and flush out terrorists who, instead of operating from the floor of the Kashmir Valley, have relocated to the upper reaches to keep militancy active at over 6,000 feet.

No reason to believe change in India’s stance on Russian oil: Russian Foreign Ministry

Russia’s Foreign Ministry on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) said it has “no reason” to believe that India has changed its position on buying Russian oil, which it said is beneficial for both countries and maintains stability in the global hydrocarbons market. The remarks came in the backdrop of Washington’s claim that New Delhi has agreed to stop importing Russian crude oil.

India adds its name to list of countries criticising Israel’s unilateral measures on West Bank

India has added its name to the list of countries criticising Israel for its unilateral measures on the West Bank. India had not joined the original group of 85 countries that announced the statement on Tuesday (February 17, 2026)

Zuckerberg grilled over underage users at social media trial

CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday (February 18, 2026) he regretted Meta’s slow progress in identifying underage users on Instagram, as he faced stinging criticism at a landmark social media trial over accusations that his company deliberately hooked under-13s.

Intense U.S. naval, air power buildup sets stage for potential Iran war

The United States is building a major force of naval and air assets in West Asia, potentially setting the stage for a sustained military campaign against Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened Tehran with military action if ongoing talks do not reach a replacement for the nuclear deal the U.S. President tore up in 2018, during his first term in office.

India will lead the Global South one day: Mohan Bhagwat in Lucknow

India will lead the Global South one day, and then no nation or no tariffs would be able to harm us, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat said at an RSS outreach event in Lucknow on Wednesday (February 18, 2026). Global South refers to countries considered as developing, less developed or underdeveloped in the southern hemisphere.

Zuckerberg grilled over underage users at social media trial

CEO Mark Zuckerberg said Wednesday (February 18, 2026) he regretted Meta’s slow progress in identifying underage users on Instagram, as he faced stinging criticism at a landmark social media trial over accusations that his company deliberately hooked under-13s.

Delhi High Court rejects PIL seeking dedicated cell for missing person cases

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (February 18, 2026) refused to entertain a petition seeking the creation of a dedicated cell in each police station in the city for cases of missing persons. A bench of Chief Justice D.K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the public interest litigation (PIL) by Anand Legal Aid Forum Trust sought “omnibus” relief and was devoid of any specific instances where the police had refused to register an FIR.

Nearly 2,000 security personnel launch anti-Maoist operation along Chhattisgarh-Telangana border

Around 2,000 security personnel, led by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), launched an operation on Tuesday (February 17, 2026) along the Chhattisgarh-Telangana border to track down senior Maoist commanders, a senior CRPF official said on Wednesday (February 18, 2026).