Latest India News LIVE: Abhishek Banerjee posts startling WhatsApp communication, Rajya Sabha polls, Rajpal Yadav released from Tihar, and more

Veteran actor Pravina Deshpande passes away at 60 after long cancer battle

Veteran actress Pravina Deshpande passed away on Tuesday, February 17, after battling cancer for a long time. She was 60 years old. The news of her death has been confirmed by her family through a statement on her official Instagram account. In a note posted on Instagram Stories and as a separate post, her family wrote, “It is with great sadness that we inform you that Mrs Pravina Deshpande has left for her heavenly abode on 17th February 2026. Cremation will be held on 17th February at 3:00 pm. Location: Hindu Crematorium, Chakala Parsiwada, Andheri East-Aniruddha, Abhimanyu, Ruchira, Veer Deshpande." Read the full story here.

ZSI discovers new Diplura species ‘Lepidocampa sikkimensis’ in Bengal's Kurseong after 50-year gap

Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have once again set a new precedent in Indian zoological research. Recently, scientists from the organisation have discovered a new species of animal called 'Diplura' from Kurseong in North Bengal. This discovery is being considered a 'historic milestone' in the field of Indian entomology research. The discovery of this wingless, soil-dwelling small arthropod species named 'Lepidocampa sikkimensis' is extremely significant. This is the first time an Indian research team has named a species from this primitive 'hexapod' group. Read the full story here.

Is a social media age cap coming? Ashwini Vaishnaw hints at new rules

The Union government is in talks with social media companies on age-based access controls and the rising threat of deepfakes. Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said stricter regulations may be needed to protect children and society from online harm. He made the remarks at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, saying platforms must follow India's legal framework and the Constitution. Companies such as Netflix, YouTube, Meta, and X are required to comply with Indian laws, he said. Read the full story here.

TMC's Abhishek Banerjee posts startling WhatsApp communication, alleging Election Commission's flouting of Supreme Court directives

Abhishek Banerjee, national general secretary of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), on Wednesday shared a startling WhatsApp exchange on his X handle, alleging that the Election Commission of India is flouting norms laid down by the Supreme Court. Banerjee posted screenshots from a WhatsApp group titled "ERMO South 24 Pgs," which appeared to show the EC's Special Roll Observer issuing instructions related to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise through the messaging platform. He claimed this raised serious questions about procedural transparency and compliance with the court's directions. Read the full story here.

'I am available to answer', Rajpal Yadav released from Tihar, thanks nation and Bollywood after interim bail

Actor Rajpal Yadav addressed the media on Tuesday following his release from Tihar Jail after being granted interim bail in the ₹9 crore cheque bounce case. The Delhi High Court provided relief on Monday, days after the actor surrendered in connection with the unpaid debt. Speaking to reporters, Rajpal expressed gratitude to his supporters across the country and within the film industry. Read the full story here.

SSKM becomes first in eastern and north-eastern India to earn Centre of Research Excellence status

Kolkata’s Institute of Post-Graduate Medical Education and Research (IPGMER), popularly known as PG Hospital or SSKM, has earned a major milestone in medical research. The Department of Health Research under the Union Health Ministry has recognised its Multi-Disciplinary Research Unit as a Centre of Research Excellence (CORE). With this honour, PG has become the only institution in eastern and north-eastern India to receive the central recognition. The state health department announced the achievement on Tuesday through its official X handle. According to officials, this status is expected to significantly enhance the institute’s research profile and open up wider national-level opportunities. Read the full story here.

India to block surplus Ravi water to Pakistan as Shahpur Kandi Dam nears completion

India is preparing to stop the flow of surplus water from the Ravi into Pakistan as the Shahpur Kandi dam nears completion. The move comes after New Delhi placed the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. Jammu and Kashmir minister Javed Ahmed Rana said the project is almost ready and will soon redirect water to drought-hit areas. The dam, located on the Punjab-Jammu and Kashmir border, is expected to be completed by March 31. Once operational, it will divert excess Ravi water to Kathua and Samba districts instead of letting it flow into Pakistan. Read the full story here.

'Whatever had to happen…': Indore man shows no remorse as gruesome classmate killing shocks city

A few days after allegedly murdering his classmate, aged 25, in Madhya Pradesh's Indore, Piyush Dhanotia, the accused, did not show any sign of worry or remorse when asked what drove him to commit the crime. Piyush has been arrested for the alleged rape and murder of his classmate and the circulation of the video of the assault in the college's WhatsApp group. The partially-decomposed body of the classmate was found in Indore on Friday. The additional deputy police commissioner, Dishesh Agrawal, said the suspect is from Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh. Read the full story here.

'Salim Khan stable, to be taken off ventilator by tomorrow': Doctor shares update

Veteran screenwriter Salim Khan was admitted to Lilavati Hospital on Tuesday morning after suffering a brain hemorrhage. The writer underwent a minor procedure and is currently on a ventilator, a doctor confirmed. The doctor also provided a health update, giving fans a sigh of relief. While speaking to the media on Wednesday, Dr Jalil Parkar, who is treating Salim, revealed that he had a minor hemorrhage, according to Hindustan Times. "There was minimal brain hemorrhage. A small procedure was done this morning, and it was successful. He is fine and stable but is still on a ventilator. By tomorrow, hopefully, we will take him off the ventilator. Overall, he’s doing quite well. Considering his age, the recovery time is longer," the doctor stated.

Delhi issues traffic advisory as top leaders arrive for AI Impact Summit

Delhi will see fresh traffic curbs this evening as security arrangements become tighter for the AI Impact Summit 2026 scheduled to take place in Bharat Mandapam. The Delhi Traffic Police issued an advisory stating that traffic restrictions will remain in place between 4 pm and 10 pm to facilitate VVIP movement and security arrangements. Security arrangements will be tightened in view of the high-profile event that will witness Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in attendance. The advisory issued by the Delhi Traffic Police states that no vehicle will be allowed to enter Bharat Mandapam after 4 pm. The movement of vehicles in the area of...Click here to read the full story

Delhi man arrested after viral videos show motorcycle duo opening moving bus doors

A day after two men shared videos on social media of themselves opening the doors of moving buses and other vehicles while riding a motorcycle, the Delhi Police announced the arrest of a 22-year-old man in connection with the case. Several videos showed the duo chasing vehicles on their motorcycle and manually opening the doors of other vehicles while in motion. The videos sparked widespread anger and raised concerns about commuter safety.

'India should be among the top three AI superpowers globally': PM Modi outlines 2047 vision at AI Impact Summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined an ambitious roadmap for India’s AI future, positioning the country as a leading global force by 2047. Hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026 — the first such global gathering in the Global South - India has framed the conversation around inclusion, ethics and development. The summit’s motto, “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye” (Welfare for all, happiness of all), reflects the government’s view that technology must serve humanity, not overshadow it. “Today, AI stands at a civilisational inflection point. It can expand human capability in unprecedented ways, but it can also test existing social foundations if left unguided.” Modi said AI will play a crucial role in healthcare, education, agriculture and governance as India moves towards Viksit Bharat 2047. "My vision is that India should be among the top three AI superpowers globally, not just in the consumption of AI but in creation", he said.

ECI announces Rajya Sabha polls for 37 seats across 10 states on March 16

The Election Commission of India (ECI) announced biennial elections for the Rajya Sabha, covering 37 seats in 10 states. Voting is set for March 16, with counting happening that same evening. The open seats are in Maharashtra (7), Odisha (4), Tamil Nadu (6), West Bengal (5), Assam (3), Bihar (5), Chhattisgarh (2), Haryana (2), Himachal Pradesh (1), and Telangana (2), reported Hindustan Times. These positions will become vacant in April 2026. Notable members expected to retire include Sharad Pawar, Union minister Ramdas Athawale, Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Saket Gokhale, and Rajya Sabha deputy chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh. The last elections for these seats occurred in 2020.

'Nice to be back': Google CEO Sundar Pichai arrives in India for AI Summit

Google CEO Sundar Pichai has arrived in India for the prestigious AI Summit, where he will deliver the keynote address on February 20. The India-born and United States-based CEO of Google said that it was good to be back in the country. In a post on X Wednesday morning, he said, "Nice to be back in India for the AI Impact Summit - a very warm welcome as always and the papers looked great too." Read the full story here.

Alia Bhatt announced as BAFTA 2026 presenter alongside Cillian Murphy and Kate Hudson

Indian actor Alia Bhatt has been named one of the presenters at the 2026 BAFTA Film Awards, joining a distinguished international lineup that includes Cillian Murphy and Kate Hudson. The announcement was made by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts, which unveiled the complete list of presenters for the ceremony scheduled for February 22. Read the full story here.

Delhi SUV crash: Teen’s father calls it a 'mistake' after 23-year-old biker’s death

The father of the teenager accused of running over 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra in Delhi earlier this month has called the incident a “mistake” and said his family is “very, very sorry.” Speaking to NDTV, he expressed regret over the fatal crash that took place near Lal Bahadur Shastri College around 12 noon on February 3. Sahil Dhaneshra was on his way to the office when a Scorpio, allegedly driven by a minor, rammed his motorcycle head-on. The force of the crash also hit a parked cab, seriously injuring its driver.

Delhi sees light rain, gusty winds a day after hitting earliest 30C in February since 2021

A day after recording its earliest 30C-plus February temperature in five years, Delhi woke up to light rain on Wednesday, February 18, bringing a noticeable change in weather conditions across the city. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light rainfall or drizzle was “very likely” over Delhi and the National Capital Region. Scattered showers were also expected to spread into parts of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan over the next few hours. The weather office forecast gusty winds reaching 30–40 kmph during the afternoon. Read the full story here.

Indian Railways phases out ICF coaches, expands LHB fleet for safer, smoother travel

Indian Railways is shifting focus towards the production of high-tech Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches to provide passengers with greater safety, comfort, and improved services. The plan involves gradually phasing out the older ICF coaches manufactured in Chennai and replacing every long-distance train in the country with LHB coaches. Read the full story here.

Market opening: Nifty above 25,750

Market opens higher, Nifty above 25,750, Defence & IT stocks in focus.

Fisherman killed in tiger attack in Sundarbans

A fisherman was killed in a tiger attack in the forests of the Sundarbans. The deceased has been identified as 45-year-old Rampada Barman, a resident of Kalidaspur (No. 9), Chhoto Mollakhali village under the Sundarbans Coastal Police Station. Police have sent the body for post-mortem examination. According to local sources, on Monday morning he left home with two neighbouring fishermen: Rampada Mondal and Shashi Mistri, to catch crabs in the forest. During their journey, he reportedly fell into the clutches of a tiger.

Dwarka SUV crash: Accused’s father expresses regret, says family ‘deeply grief-stricken’

Days after 23-year-old Sahil Dhaneshra was killed in a fatal SUV crash in Delhi’s Dwarka, the father of the accused said the family is “deeply grief-stricken” and confirmed that the vehicle belongs to their transport business. Questioned by Delhi Police, he told reporters he was not in the city at the time of the incident. “My wife told me about the accident. I didn’t know my son was driving,” he said, adding that his son was on his way to drop his daughter somewhere. “I am regretful that this happened. I can imagine what pain the victim’s family must be going through.”

Horoscope today: February 18, 2026

Aries: A productive day awaits, take bold decisions but avoid impulsive arguments.Taurus: Financial matters demand attention; steady planning will bring long-term gains.Gemini: Communication is your strength today, clear misunderstandings calmly.Cancer: Focus on emotional balance; a family conversation may bring clarity.Leo: Career opportunities shine bright, step forward with confidence.Virgo: Pay attention to health and routine; small adjustments make a big difference.Libra: Relationships take centre stage, honest dialogue strengthens bonds.Scorpio: Stay patient at work; hidden progress is happening behind the scenes.Sagittarius: Creativity flows, great day for new ideas and bold plans.Capricorn: Practical decisions around money and home life prove beneficial.Aquarius: Networking brings unexpected opportunities, stay open to collaboration.Pisces: Trust your intuition today; it guides you toward the right choice.