Times of India

Valentine's Week, leading up to February 14, begins with Rose Day on February 7 and concludes with Kiss Day on February 13. Each day has a unique celebration such as Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, and Hug Day, all culminating in Valentine's Day, which honors love and the memory of Saint Valentine.

Panama has formally ended its participation in China's Belt and Road initiative, signaling efforts to improve relations with the Trump administration. The decision came alongside denials from Panama about a US State Department claim that US warships would transit the Panama Canal for free, despite the US announcing such a policy.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar briefed Parliament about the deportation of 104 illegal Indian immigrants from the US, clarifying that this process has been ongoing since 2009 with a total of 15,668 deportations. He addressed opposition concerns about the use of restraints, stating it’s standard ICE procedure and clarified that women and children weren't restrained.

Shubman Gill's solid knock of 87, along with significant contributions from Shreyas Iyer (59) and Axar Patel (52), led India to a four-wicket win over England in the first ODI at Pune. Debutant Harshit Rana and Ravindra Jadeja claimed three wickets each, restricting England to 248, which proved insufficient as India chased down the target comfortably.

The NBA is abuzz with Luka Doncic's trade to the LA Lakers. Minnesota's Anthony Edwards expressed excitement for a Lakers-Mavericks showdown, even planning to buy front-row tickets. Comparisons are made to the "Shaq to LA" trade, with Doncic and LeBron James potentially creating a new dynasty. Doncic's Lakers debut is highly anticipated.

Bangladesh has condemned deposed PM Sheikh Hasina's statements about vandalism at her father's house, calling them false and hurtful to the nation's sentiments. The foreign ministry summoned India's acting envoy, demanding measures to prevent such remarks from Hasina while she is in India, considering them hostile acts.

Two gunners of Etawah MP Jitendra Kumar Dohare have been booked for misconduct after they intimidated toll plaza staff and forced 30 cars and a bus to pass without payment. The incident, captured on CCTV, involved removing a boom barrier and alleged threats citing the presence of the MP and his son's wedding procession.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh held a phone conversation with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth to discuss enhancing bilateral defence ties. They agreed on boosting technological partnerships, defence industry integration, and combined military drills. Both nations also plan to develop a comprehensive defence cooperation framework for 2025-2035.

Hamas executed 94 members from 2012 to 2019 for 'morality' violations, including homosexual conduct and child abuse. Accusations included religious and behavioral misconduct. The October 7, 2023, attacks reportedly involved sexual assaults on male Israeli victims, though unpublicized due to religious taboos.

Two exit polls for Delhi assembly elections predict a strong win for BJP, placing AAP far behind. AAP dismissed these projections, citing historical underestimations. The actual election results will be announced on February 8th.

AAP and Congress - who were allies in May 2024 LS elections, became bitter rivals in Delhi assembly elections leaving no stone unturned to attack, expose and discredit each other. Their open bitter spats made headlines giving enough ammunition to the BJP to mock and take swipes against INDIA bloc and opposition unity.

In December 2024, Juan Soto joined the New York Mets with a record-breaking 15-season $756 million deal. Soto chose the Mets over other teams like the Yankees due to the promise and growth of the organization, marking a significant shift in New York baseball dynamics.

Zomato will be renamed Eternal Ltd. following board approval. CEO Deepinder Goyal announced the change, stating it reflects the company's mission and future direction with businesses like Zomato, Blinkit, District, and Hyperpure.

PM Narendra Modi dedicated a shayari to Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Rajya Sabha, lauding his public service while also aiming a dig at him. Modi criticized the Gandhi family, recalled the Nehru era and the Emergency, and recited lines from poet Neeraj to highlight Congress's challenges during his reply to the President's address.

Alphabet's stock plunged 8% following earnings that beat expectations but missed revenue targets. Concerns rose over significant AI spending amidst slowing cloud revenue growth. Alphabet's planned $75 billion capital expenditure in 2025 and competition from Chinese startup DeepSeek's efficient AI model amplified investor apprehension.

Social media has reshaped the 'National Crush' phenomenon, favoring viral moments over sustained success. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok enable rapid fame for actors, emphasizing fan engagement and relatability. This shift highlights a move from traditional long-term stardom to fleeting yet intense public affection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress in Rajya Sabha, highlighting instances such as Majrooh Sultanpuri and Balraj Sahni being jailed during Nehru's tenure, and bans on Hridaynath Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar under Indira Gandhi. PM Modi accused Congress of suppressing freedom of speech and acting dictatorially.

US Senator Josh Hawley has proposed the Decoupling America’s Artificial Intelligence Capabilities from China Act, which aims to ban AI import and export between the US and China.

Dak Prescott has turned his attention to family life following an NFL season marked by injury. The Dallas Cowboys quarterback recently celebrated his engagement to Sarah Jane Ramos and shared adorable updates about their daughter, Margaret Jane Prescott. The couple announced they're expecting their second child, and 2024 looks promising despite last year's challenges.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized Congress in his speech at Rajya Sabha, warning that expecting development and inclusion from the party is a mistake. He praised President Draupadi Murmu's address as inspirational and addressed criticism towards Arvind Kejriwal. Modi focused on his government's commitment to constitutional protection and highlighted Congress's inaction on social justice issues.