Latest India News LIVE: Pax Silica deal, Bishnoi gang threatens Ranveer Singh, Toxic teaser, stock market, Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon no more, and top updates

Sensex, Nifty rebound on Friday; PSU banks lead gains despite IT drag

After a sharp fall in the previous session, Indian markets staged a steady recovery on Friday. The BSE Sensex rose 316 points (0.38%) to close at 82,814, while the NIFTY 50 gained 117 points (0.46%) to settle at 25,571. Broader markets were mixed, with the BSE 250 Small Cap Index slipping 0.19% even as the BSE 150 Mid Cap Index rose 0.44%. Sectorally, PSU banks led advances, while IT stocks extended weekly losses. Read full story.

Inside Vayushakti-26: IAF gears up to unleash full combat power in Rajasthan

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to conduct Exercise Vayushakti-26, scheduled to be conducted on February 27, 2026, at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. This massive exercise is intended to demonstrate the readiness of the IAF to respond swiftly to a range of military situations and to test its operational readiness. Read full story.

'Stay tuned, it'll happen...': US envoy drops big hint on Modi–Trump meeting

US ambassador to India Sergio Gor on Friday indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are expected to meet, though he stopped short of confirming when the meeting would take place. Read full story.

'Stop targeting families': Priyanka Gandhi hits out at Assam CM Himanta Sarma

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra criticised Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday. She condemned Sarma for attacking Gaurav Gogoi over supposed Pakistan links and for involving Gogoi's family. Read full story.

India signs 'historic' Pax Silica deal with US

India on Friday officially joined Pax Silica, the United States' main initiative on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and supply chain security. This move strengthens economic security cooperation among allies and trusted partners. India and the US signed the Pax Silica declaration, which is seen as a "historic milestone", on the sidelines of the Global AI Impact Summit taking place in New Delhi. Pax Silica is the US Department of State's key effort on AI and supply chain security, promoting new economic security agreements among allies and trusted partners. Read full story.

'I was sort of confused': Sam Altman reacts to awkward stage moment with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman spoke about the awkward moment he had on stage with Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei during the India AI Impact Summit. Altman said that he was feeling a little uncertain about what to do next after the 'no handshake' moment that went viral on social media during a group photo with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Read full story.

IIT JAM 2026 exam responses released by IIT Bombay; direct link and steps to check

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has made the IIT JAM 2026 response sheet available on its official website — jam2026.iitb.ac.in. Candidates who appeared for the examination can now log in and download their individual response sheets. Read full story.

Airbus eyes record aircraft deliveries in 2026. Here's what it means for airlines

Airbus, the European aerospace giant, is looking to have another good year as it has posted robust financial results and demand for its aircraft. The company is confident about its future as airlines continue to modernise and expand their operations to cater to the increasing number of passengers. Read full story.

Smoke, fight or breach cockpit? DGCA's new aviation rules now mean instant trouble for unruly passengers

The aviation regulator in India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), is pressing for major changes to deal with unruly passengers. The draft revised Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) is a clear indication of a shift towards stricter enforcement and faster action to improve aircraft safety, discipline on aircraft and give airlines more powers to deal with unruly passengers. Read full story.

Markets open weak as IT stocks tumble; Sensex and Nifty start Friday in the red

Indian equity markets opened on a subdued note on Friday, extending Thursday’s sharp losses. At 9:26 a.m., the BSE Sensex was down 154 points or 0.19% at 82,343, while the Nifty 50 fell 31 points or 0.12% to 25,423. Investor sentiment remained cautious after the previous session’s heavy sell-off, which wiped out nearly Rs 6.79 lakh crore in market capitalisation. Read full story.

Dalal Street under pressure ahead of week’s close; experts suggest key stocks to watch

After witnessing gains for three straight sessions this week, Dalal Street tumbled sharply on Thursday as heavy selling pressure triggered a broad market crash. Both benchmark indices ended deep in the red, with the Sensex plunging 1,236 points and the Nifty50 sliding 365 points. The sharp fall dragged the Sensex below the 82,500 mark and pushed the Nifty50 under 25,500. Read full story.

Delhi wakes up to haze and rising temperatures; pollution adds to morning gloom

Delhi began the day with a foggy morning on Friday, with light fog and mist affecting visibility in different areas of the city. The air remained calm during the early morning hours, and there were no weather warnings issued by the Indian Meteorological Department. Read full story.

Shillong MP Ricky AJ Syngkon passes away after sudden collapse on field during football match

Dr. Ricky AJ Syngkon, Member of Parliament from Shillong and leader of the Voice of the People Party (VPP), died on Thursday evening after collapsing while playing football. He was declared dead at around 8:42 PM, NDTV reported. He was 54. Syngkon had gone to play football with friends at a ground in Mawlai Mawiong near Shillong. During the match, he suddenly fell on the field. Friends rushed him to Mawiong Community Health Centre (CHC). However, reports said no doctor was present at the facility at that time. He was then referred to a higher centre. Read full story

Bishnoi gang threatens Ranveer Singh, demands ₹10 crore

Actor Ranveer Singh has reportedly received a threat from the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, according to a national media report. The gang is said to have demanded ₹10 crore from the actor. A voice note was allegedly sent to him from a registered number in the United States. Mumbai Police have taken the matter seriously and have already contacted US law enforcement agencies regarding the incident.

Horoscope today: February 20

Aries: A productive day awaits, so focus on priorities and avoid impulsive decisions. Taurus: Financial matters need careful planning; stay practical and patient. Gemini: Communication is your strength today-clear conversations will bring clarity. Cancer: Emotions may run high; trust your intuition but stay grounded. Leo: Recognition at work is possible; confidence will open new doors. Virgo: Organise tasks wisely; small details will make a big difference. Libra: Balance personal and professional commitments for a smooth day. Scorpio: A surprise opportunity may arise-think before you respond. Sagittarius: Travel or learning-related plans could gain momentum. Capricorn: Discipline pays off; avoid unnecessary conflicts. Aquarius: Creative ideas flow easily-share them with the right people. Pisces: Focus on self-care and mental peace; avoid overthinking today. Read full story.

Nifty opens lower in early trade

At 9:30 AM, the Nifty 50 index stood at 25,392.60, down 61.75 points or 0.24 percent in early trade. The benchmark opened on a weak note, indicating cautious sentiment among investors at the start of the session.