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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has introduced the new Income Tax Bill in Lok Sabha this afternoon. Nirmala urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to form a review committee for the newly tabled bill. This key step is a stepping stone in bringing a new act to replace the old Income Tax Act of 1961.
Baidu will make its AI chatbot Ernie Bot free from April 1, citing improved technology and lower costs. Facing competition from DeepSeek and ByteDance’s Doubao, Baidu aims to boost adoption. It also announced a free advanced search feature with enhanced reasoning. Previously, Ernie 4.0’s premium services cost CNY 59.9 per month.
National Women’s Day in India is celebrated on February 13 to honor Sarojini Naidu, a freedom fighter, poet, and advocate for women’s rights. Known as the Nightingale of India, she played a pivotal role in India’s independence and social justice, emphasizing gender equality, leadership, and women’s achievements in various fields.
African-American singer and actress Mary Millben expressed excitement over Prime Minister Modi’s US visit, highlighting his strong relationship with President Trump. She emphasized India’s importance as a key partner to US and its role in addressing global challenges. Millben looks forward to hearing their discussions during the visit.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India’s fighter jets, missile systems, and naval vessels now protect borders and attract global interest. Speaking at Aero India 2025, he highlighted India’s shift from importing 70% of defence equipment to manufacturing it domestically, boosting exports and strengthening international defence partnerships.
PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the new Indian consulate in southern France’s Marseille. The two leaders got a warm welcome from the Indian community. People gathered outside the new consulate and were seen waving flags of India and France. They were welcomed with the sounds of dhols ahead of the inauguration.
The Delhi High Court refused to hear a petition filed by an ex-judge against freebies promised by the AAP, BJP, and Congress before the Delhi election. Justice Dhingra sought directions to the Election Commission to investigate these promises and declare them ‘unconstitutional’. The petitioner was directed to approach the Supreme Court.
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch deported 15 Bangladeshi immigrants and plans to deport 35 more by March, said ACP Bharat Patel. A 2024 combing operation near Chadola Lake detained 50 illegal immigrants with fake Indian documents. Authorities also uncovered a trafficking ring involving Bangladeshi women and minors forced into prostitution.
Japan has requested an exemption from US steel and aluminum tariffs imposed by Donald Trump. The tariffs, effective March 12, are set at 25% and have sparked global criticism. Tokyo, through its US embassy, urged relief, citing potential economic impact. A previous exemption under Joe Biden, allowing duty-free exports, will be revoked.
The UAE has launched the Blue Visa system, a 10-year residency program for those contributing to environmental sustainability. The first phase will award 20 visas to sustainability leaders, including NGO members, corporate figures, and researchers. The initiative supports the UAE’s broader sustainability efforts.
Chef Margarita Fores, renowned for popularizing Filipino cuisine internationally, passed away at 65 in Hong Kong. Her son, Amado Fores, announced her sudden death on Instagram, asking for prayers. Fores was found unresponsive in her hotel room on February 11, 2025, with the cause of death yet undisclosed.
DMK MP Kanimozhi criticized Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget reply, claiming she ignored key issues raised during the Lok Sabha debate. She said the response was politically motivated, focusing on specific state govts rather than addressing pertinent questions, and failed to answer many important concerns raised by MPs.
Andhra Pradesh government has approved ₹9.2 crore for 10 new bulletproof Toyota Fortuner vehicles to enhance VIP security, including CM N. Chandrababu Naidu. The move addresses safety concerns as high-profile officials frequently travel statewide. These vehicles will strengthen the current security fleet, providing enhanced protection for dignitaries during their visits.
Supreme Court asked the Election Commission not to erase EVM data and let someone examine it. The court also asked ECI respond on plea seeking the poll panel to include checking and verification of burnt memory of EVMs in their Standard Operating Procedures. The court sought the response within 15 days. The plea was filed […]
While speaking at the AI Summit 2025, PM Modi addressed concerns about AI and job loss, emphasizing that technology transforms jobs rather than eliminates them. He highlighted AI’s role in reshaping economies and security, breaking language barriers, and ushering in the AI age, marking a new era in global development.