Trump launches ‘Board of Peace,’ pledges $10B for Gaza​

IANS | February 19, 2026 10:41 PM

Washington, Feb 19 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Thursday launched what he called the “,” a new forum of world leaders meeting at the U.S. Institute of Peace, and announced a $10 billion U.S. contribution tied to postwar stabilisation and relief efforts in Gaza.

Nepal: Parties unveil election manifestos, pledge friendly relations with neighbours

IANS | February 19, 2026 9:18 PM

Kathmandu, Feb 19 (IANS) As Nepal heads toward the March 5 General Elections, the country’s three major political forces — the Nepali Congress (NC), Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), and the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) — on Thursday unveiled distinct yet overlapping foreign policy agendas, placing strong emphasis on friendly relations with neighbouring countries.

Unemployment and poverty increased in Bangladesh under Yunus: Report

IANS | February 19, 2026 9:02 PM

Dhaka, Feb 19 (IANS) Business confidence weakened, industrial production slowed, and there were no significant new initiatives or major domestic or foreign investments in Bangladesh under the leadership of Muhammad Yunus who had taken over as the Chief Advisor of the interim government during a crucial period following the fall of government led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024, a report has highlighted.

India is third largest AI power in world, must leverage to own advantage: Mohandas Pai

IANS | February 19, 2026 8:37 PM

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Noted businessman Mohandas Pai, lauding the ongoing India AI Impact Summit 2026, on Thursday, exuded confidence that the deep tech and AI solutions will unfold unprecedented opportunities for the nation as well as mankind, and also cautioned on optimum and humane utilisation of the high-end technology.

PM Modi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince discuss boosting ties in futuristic sectors (Ld)

IANS | February 19, 2026 7:16 PM

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on Thursday reaffirmed the importance of the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which they said remains underpinned by strong political, cultural, commercial, energy and people-to-people ties.

VP Radhakrishnan, Bolivian counterpart discuss avenues for enhancing ties

IANS | February 19, 2026 6:58 PM

New Delhi, Feb 19 (IANS) Vice President C P Radhakrishnan and his Bolivian counterpart Edmand Lara Montano held a meeting on the sidelines of the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi on Thursday, discussing ways to enhance cooperation in solar energy, critical minerals, digitalisation, higher education and the medical sector.