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Evening news wrap: Galgotias University under fire over Chinese robodog at AI Summit; Gogoi calls CM Himanta ‘Assam’s Jinnah’ & more

Evening news wrap: Galgotias University under fire over Chinese robodog at AI Summit; Gogoi calls CM Himanta 'Assam's Jinnah' & more

  • Galgotias University apologised after being asked to vacate its AI Impact Summit stall over a Chinese-made robotic dog display, blaming the controversy on a faculty member’s unawareness of the product’s origins.
  • Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi called Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma “Assam’s Jinnah” and downplayed former state chief Bhupen Borah joining the Bharatiya Janata Party, saying it would not hurt the Congress before polls.
  • The Election Commission of India announced the date for polls for 37 vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha across 10 states.
  • A former Indian Space Research Organisation employee, Nagesh Ishwar Rao, was arrested in Bengaluru for allegedly strangling his wife Sandhya Shri at their apartment.
  • The Pakistan men’s cricket team dropped pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for a must-win ICC Men’s T20 World Cup match against the Namibia men’s cricket team.

Robodog row at AI Summit: Galgotias University apologises, blames professor’s ‘enthusiasm’ for controversy

Galgotias University issued an apology following a row over the showcase of a Chinese-made robotic dog at its booth during the AI Impact Summit expo at Bharat Mandapam. However, in its statement, the university attributed the lapse to a woman faculty member. The apology came after the university was asked to vacate its pavilion at the summit. In a press release, it expressed regret over the controversy, stating that the situation stemmed from Professor Neha Singh — who was overseeing the stall — not being aware of the product’s technical origins. Read full story

AI Impact Summit: Facing Backlash Over China-made Robo Dog, Galgotias University Told To Leave Event

‘Himanta is Assam’s Jinnah’: Congress plays down Bhupen Borah’s exit; alleges ‘confidential leaks’

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi hit out at Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma calling him “Assam’s Jinnah” and dismissed the exit of former state chief Bhupen Borah from the Congress to join the Bharatiya Janata Party as politically insignificant ahead of the polls. He also alleged that the move reflected Borah’s proximity to the chief minister and was aimed at diverting attention from allegations against him. Speaking in Guwahati, Gogoi said the defection would not affect Congress’s campaign, while Borah defended his decision citing humiliation within the party and said he had raised his concerns with Rahul Gandhi. Read full story

ECI announces Rajya Sabha biennial elections for 37 seats across 10 states

The Election Commission of India has announced that biennial elections to fill 37 vacant seats in the Rajya Sabha across 10 states will be held on March 16, with polling from 9am to 4pm and counting from 5pm the same day, as terms of outgoing members end in April 2026. The notification for the same will be issued on February 26, nominations close March 5, scrutiny is on March 6 and withdrawal is allowed till March 9, while states going to polls include Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Assam, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar, and retiring MPs this cycle include Upendra Kushwaha, Priyanka Chaturvedi, Tiruchi Siva, Saket Gokhale, Ramdas Athawale, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Sharad Pawar, Bhagwat Karad, Mamata Mohanta, Rameswar Teli, Indu Bala Goswami, K. T. S. Tulsi, N. R. Elango, Amarendra Dhari Singh and Kiran Choudhry. Read full story

‘Was anxious about her future after my death’: Former Isro employee murders wife inside Bengaluru flat

A former employee of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Nagesh Ishwar Rao, was arrested for allegedly strangling his wife Sandhya Shri to death at their apartment in the Virtuoso Apartment Complex in Bengaluru, police said, adding that preliminary investigations indicate he was undergoing treatment for depression and was in distress, and allegedly told officers he feared for his wife’s future if he died and intended to take his own life after the attack. Deputy commissioner of Police said no other major motive has emerged so far and that the couple’s daughter, who lives in the United States, has been informed. Read full story

With Super 8 spot on the line, Pakistan drop Shaheen Afridi for must-win match vs Namibia

The Pakistan men’s cricket team left out fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from the playing XI for their must-win group match against the Namibia men’s cricket team in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup at the Sinhalese Sports Club on Wednesday. Captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and chose to bat, making two changes after the defeat to the India men’s cricket team, with Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay replacing Shaheen and Abrar Ahmed. Pakistan entered the match needing a win to stay in Super 8 contention after their 61-run loss, with senior batter Babar Azam and Shaheen facing criticism for form. Read full story Go to Source

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