News18 Afternoon Digest: Galgotias University Asked To Vacate AI Summit Amid Row; Dwarka Crash & More

News18 Afternoon Digest: Galgotias University Asked To Vacate AI Summit Amid Row; Dwarka Crash & More

Curated By : Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 14:27 IST We are also covering: Mother of Dwarka crash victim awaits justice; Experts say India struck Pak’s nuclear depot during Op Sindoor, and more. Visitors during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, in New Delhi on February 16, 2026. (Image: PTI) In today’s afternoon […]

MILAN 2026 and the Rise of the Indian Navy as a Global Security Partner

MILAN 2026 and the Rise of the Indian Navy as a Global Security Partner

PRNewswire Advertisement Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], February 18: For the Indian Navy, geography defines India’s strategic outlook. With its northern land spread, interlocked majorly between China and Pakistan, India’s often underappreciated but greatest strategic advantage lies not on land but at sea. Advertisement An 11,098-kilometre coastline. Over 1,300 islands stretching from Lakshadweep in the West […]

From Rs 350 crore AI bet to robodog row: The 12-day Galgotias AI spiral

From Rs 350 crore AI bet to robodog row: The 12-day Galgotias AI spiral

On February 6, the tone was triumphant. Galgotias University issued a sweeping press release declaring it had invested and deployed “more than Rs 350 crore toward artificial intelligence”, calling it “the largest AI investment ever made by a private university in India.” The statement was ambitious, almost geopolitical in tone. It said the move would […]

Chinese AI models festoon Spring Festival a year after DeepSeek shock

Chinese AI models festoon Spring Festival a year after DeepSeek shock

(Updates Feb 14 story to add Alibaba’s Qwen3.5 release and Zhipu’s Monday statement) By Eduardo Baptista BEIJING, Feb 18 (Reuters) – As China celebrates the Lunar New Year holiday, rivals to DeepSeek have scrambled to release artificial-intelligence models a year after it burst onto the scene with its game-changing R1 and V3 models. With DeepSeek […]

Unitree Go 2 at India AI Impact Summit: Specs, price, and why this Chinese robodog is going viral

Unitree Go 2 at India AI Impact Summit: Specs, price, and why this Chinese robodog is going viral

At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, a four-legged robot dog became one of the biggest attractions on the show floor. Crowds gathered, cameras rolled, and social media quickly picked up clips of the machine walking, posing and interacting with visitors. But the buzz soon turned into controversy after it came into light that the […]

China’s biggest TV event had a clear star: the robot

China’s biggest TV event had a clear star: the robot

Beijing  —  Back-flipping, nunchuck-weilding humanoid robots delighted and amazed viewers at China’s annual televised new-year extravaganza with their kung-fu choreography. But they – and their rivals who took to the stage Monday night – also carried a message about just how rapidly Chinese androids are advancing. The fluid movements, agility and fault recovery of Chinese […]

Trump lauds Japan’s pledge to invest $36 billion in U.S. megaprojects

Trump lauds Japan’s pledge to invest $36 billion in U.S. megaprojects

U.S. President Donald Trump has lauded nearly $36 billion in investment from Japan to support three American-based projects. It represents the first batch of investments by Tokyo following a landmark trade deal struck under Trump last year. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the oil, gas and critical mineral projects strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance. U.S. […]

Cracking the US visa code: Why filing the DS

Cracking the US visa code: Why filing the DS

India recently climbed 10 places in the Henley Passport Index to become the 75th strongest passport in the world. The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on visa-free access, using exclusive IATA data. Today, the Indian passport offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 countries. Add a valid US B1/B2 visa to it, and […]

Silver price prediction, outlook by analysts: Gaining back its sheen again Will previous high become reality soon?

Silver price prediction, outlook by analysts: Gaining back its sheen again Will previous high become reality soon?

Gold and silver prices struck a cautious yet volatile note across international and domestic markets, reflecting a tug-of-war between easing geopolitical risks and shifting monetary expectations. On Wednesday, precious metal futures opened higher on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), even as progress in US-Iran talks in Geneva tempered safe-haven demand. MCX Gold futures due April […]

Babil Khan’s Muay Thai training sparks role speculation

Babil Khan’s Muay Thai training sparks role speculation

Babil Khan’s recent intense Muay Thai training in Thailand has ignited fan speculation about his next acting venture. The actor’s dedication to the demanding martial art, showcased through striking visuals, suggests a potential role requiring significant physical preparation. While Babil remains tight-lipped, his commitment has fueled considerable buzz and anticipation for his upcoming on-screen transformation. […]

Readers sound off on tunnel funding, NYC unions and online safety

Readers sound off on tunnel funding, NYC unions and online safety

The Gateway delay was a costly poke in the eye Manhattan: It’s great that work can now resume on the Gateway Tunnel project after Manhattan Federal Judge Jeannette Vargas put an end to the funding stoppage imposed by the Trump administration last October (“Tunnel handed $30M,” Feb. 14). Work on the project had ceased on […]

‘Your 6 Can Be My 9’: Noida University Explains ‘Confusion’ Over Made-in-China Robot Dog Row At India AI Summit

‘Your 6 Can Be My 9’: Noida University Explains ‘Confusion’ Over Made-in-China Robot Dog Row At India AI Summit

Amid mounting criticism, Galgotias University issued an official clarification, stating that it had never claimed to have manufactured the robotic dog. “Let us be clear — Galgotias has not built this robodog, neither have we claimed. But what we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer, and manufacture such technologies right here in […]

More “Secret Investments” By Adani Family Associates Revive Market Manipulation Allegations

More “Secret Investments” By Adani Family Associates Revive Market Manipulation Allegations

In early 2023, as scrutiny mounted around India’s Adani Group, two close associates of the Adani family acknowledged to their bankers that they controlled billions of dollars in the conglomerate’s shares through hedge funds. The admission — found in records reviewed by OCCRP, who called them “secret investments” in a new investigative piece— came soon […]

Galgotias University, under fire over Chinese robodog, asked to leave AI Summit

Galgotias University, under fire over Chinese robodog, asked to leave AI Summit

New Delhi, Feb 18 A Noida-based private university, which found itself in a tight spot over flaunting a Chinese robotic dog as its own at the ongoing AI Impact Summit, has been directed to pack up and leave the expo immediately, top government sources said. The move comes after a huge social media uproar and […]

Galgotias University, under fire over Chinese robodog, asked to leave AI Summit

Galgotias University, under fire over Chinese robodog, asked to leave AI Summit

New Delhi, Feb 18 A Noida-based private university, which found itself in a tight spot over flaunting a Chinese robotic dog as its own at the ongoing AI Impact Summit, has been directed to pack up and leave the expo immediately, top government sources said. The move comes after a huge social media uproar and […]

Explained: The Galgotias University Robotic Dog Controversy At India AI Impact Summit 2026

Explained: The Galgotias University Robotic Dog Controversy At India AI Impact Summit 2026

Curated By : Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 13:37 IST Many claimed that the device looked exactly like the Unitree Go2, a commercially available robotic dog made by a Chinese company. The issue began when a robotic dog named “ORION.” (Photo Credit: X) Big technology events are often seen as a stage to show what the […]

What Is Chinamaxxing And Why Is American Gen Z Obsessed With It? | Explained

What Is Chinamaxxing And Why Is American Gen Z Obsessed With It? | Explained

Curated By : Last Updated:February 18, 2026, 13:13 IST Videos circulating online show participants enthusiastically documenting their attempts to adopt what they describe as a “Chinese phase” of life Rapid Read China’s rising global presence and the recent Lunar New Year celebrations have also contributed to the surge in related content. (AI Image) A curious […]

Inside the Chinese MSS that recruited the Greek Wing Commander: More powerful than the CIA, FBI & MI6 combined

Inside the Chinese MSS that recruited the Greek Wing Commander: More powerful than the CIA, FBI & MI6 combined

In the high-profile espionage case that has gripped Greece for the past ten days, the 54-year-old accused wing commander reportedly admitted during questioning by the military judge-investigator that he was recruited by a Chinese agent named “Steven Wayne,” who introduced himself as a representative of a technology company in response to the commander’s LinkedIn profile. […]

‘It’s a nice surprise to be treated like kings!’ Why are mid-level British indie bands massive in China?

‘It’s a nice surprise to be treated like kings!’ Why are mid-level British indie bands massive in China?

When I joined the band Swim Deep 13 years ago, my dreams were much like those of any young musician: to play Glastonbury, to tour America and to hear our music on the radio – all of which we’ve managed to achieve. But what I hadn’t counted on was finding a fanbase in China. Despite […]

Southeast Asian netizens announce K-drama boycott over alleged mishap at concert; Korean netizens REACT

Southeast Asian netizens announce K-drama boycott over alleged mishap at concert; Korean netizens REACT

Southeast Asian fans are calling for a boycott of K-dramas and Korean products after a concert incident where Korean fans were allowed large cameras, violating venue rules. This has sparked online debate, with many SEA fans feeling unfairly treated and threatening to impact viewership, while South Korean netizens dismiss the boycott’s significance. Many fans from […]

Winter Olympics event abandoned as scores controversially wiped out

Winter Olympics event abandoned as scores controversially wiped out

Team Germany missed out on an Olympic medal in the Men’s Ski Jumping Super Team event, after it was abandoned. (Image: Getty Images) This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more A controversial conclusion to the Ski Jumping Men’s Super Team Finals left Team […]

Can chatbots tell Hongkongers’ fortunes or just make them up out of thin AI-r?

Can chatbots tell Hongkongers’ fortunes or just make them up out of thin AI-r?

Artificial intelligence (AI) is unlikely to replace feng shui masters despite a growing trend of people turning to chatbots for fortune-telling, Hong Kong soothsayers have said, warning against blindly trusting such software as it may produce “dangerous” predictions. Feng shui masters told the South China Morning Post that such chatbots, trained on existing datasets, could […]

The Hidden Spiritual Significance Of The Chinese New Year

The Hidden Spiritual Significance Of The Chinese New Year

When it comes to the Chinese zodiac cycle, the Horse represents freedom, ambition, speed and unstoppable movement. This means that the Horse year is associated with personal reinvention and bold action at the same time and 2026 is defined as the year of the Horse. If last year felt like stagnation, the energy of the […]

Malinin takes to social media after free skate flub

Malinin takes to social media after free skate flub

Let us read it for you. Listen now. Your browser does not support the audio element. MILAN — Ilia Malinin posted a video on social media Monday juxtaposing images of his many triumphs with a black-and-white image of the U.S. figure skater with his head buried in his hands, and a caption hinting at an […]

Readers sound off on the Lunar New Year, the EPA and a worthy Penn plan

Readers sound off on the Lunar New Year, the EPA and a worthy Penn plan

A hard-charging gov’t in the Year of the Horse Seaside Heights, N.J.: The Lunar New Year today greets us with the Year of the Horse, an animal celebrated for its vigor, confidence, and an unshakable belief that speed alone constitutes direction. It is, one must admit, an uncanny metaphor for the current method of American […]

AI Summit 2026 Day 2: Timings, Gates, Arrival Rules For Delegates, Public At Bharat Mandapam In Delhi

AI Summit 2026 Day 2: Timings, Gates, Arrival Rules For Delegates, Public At Bharat Mandapam In Delhi

The event is featuring 13 country pavilions, showcasing international collaboration in the AI ecosystem. These include pavilions from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and Africa.

Global Wave of Social Media Bans for Minors Takes Shape

Global Wave of Social Media Bans for Minors Takes Shape

Australia has taken a pioneering step by becoming the first country to ban social media access for children under 16. This decisive action reflects a growing worldwide concern about the effects of digital platforms on young users’ health and safety. This landmark law, enforced from December 2025, subjects major tech companies to strict compliance or […]

US envoy visit to Indian Army command near Pakistan border controversy

US envoy visit to Indian Army command near Pakistan border controversy

A heavily publicised visit by the US envoy and the US Indo-Pacific commander to the Army’s Western Command near the Pakistan border has generated considerable buzz in political circles. The opposition has portrayed it as the government pandering to American interests. However, such visits, though rare, are not unprecedented. It comes as India and the […]