19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp selloff on Tuesday, with investor wealth eroding by nearly Rs 4 lakh crore as benchmark indices plunged sharply. The Sensex tanked around 900 points, while the Nifty 50 slipped below the crucial 25,600 level, reflecting heightened nervousness among investors. The selloff was broad-based, affecting almost all sectors, including banking, IT, metals, realty, and FMCG stocks.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  Indian equity markets are set to open on a cautious note on February 19, with investors closely tracking global cues, foreign fund flows, and sector-specific signals following the sharp selloff in the previous session. After a volatile day that saw benchmark indices tumble, market participants are expected to remain selective as they assess whether markets stabilise or extend losses.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  India’s young opener Abhishek Sharma is facing mounting scrutiny over his performances at theICC T20 World Cup, with former India captain Sunil Gavaskar delivering a blunt assessment of the left-hander’s approach. Gavaskar has described Abhishek’s batting as “very predictable,” suggesting that opposition teams have worked him out and are exploiting clear patterns in his shot selection.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  India all-rounder Shivam Dube has emerged as one of the most destructive middle-order batters in recent times, but his journey has not been without challenges. One of the biggest hurdles in Dube’s career was his visible discomfort against short-pitched bowling—an issue that international teams repeatedly tried to exploit. That narrative, however, began to change after some crucial guidance from former India captain…

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  A growing body of research has found that declining kidney function may do more than affect physical health — it could also have serious implications for the brain. A recent study has revealed a connection between chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cognitive impairment, suggesting that individuals with CKD are more likely to experience problems with memory, attention, and overall thinking ability.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  Speculation around the relationship and possible wedding plans of Telugu film stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has once again intensified, with fresh reports claiming that the couple may be preparing for a highly private ceremony. According to industry buzz, strict measures are being planned to ensure that the event, if and when it takes place, remains completely away from media glare.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  Rumours surrounding the financial condition of Bollywood actor Govinda have been doing the rounds on social media, with some claims suggesting that the 90s superstar is facing bankruptcy. However, these speculations have now been firmly shut down by his nephew, actor Vinay Anand, who has called the reports completely baseless and misleading. Speaking out against the rumours, Vinay Anand expressed disbelief over the claims and reminded people of Govinda’s unmatched stardom during the peak of his career.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  At least 16 people were killed and several others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a residential area in Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city, on Tuesday. Authorities suspect that the blast was caused by a gas leakage, though a detailed investigation is still underway to determine the exact cause. The explosion occurred in the early hours in a densely populated neighbourhood, leading to the partial collapse of nearby buildings and triggering panic among residents.

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  The Russian Foreign Ministry has said it sees no reason to believe that India will alter its position on importing Russian oil, amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and Western efforts to curb Moscow’s energy revenues. The statement reinforces the view that energy cooperation between India and Russia remains stable and mutually beneficial. Responding to questions about India’s future energy strategy, …

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :  In a fresh incident of political violence in Punjab, another village sarpanch associated with the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) was shot dead during a wedding function, sending shockwaves across the state. The incident occurred late on Sunday night in a village where celebratory festivities turned into chaos after unidentified assailants opened fire. The killing comes amid rising concerns over law and order in…

  19 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Punjab government has informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that intelligence inputs pointing to an alleged “hit list” and suspected terror links were the primary reasons behind the issuance of a fresh detention order against radical preacher Amritpal Singh. Submitting its response before the High Court, the state said the decision to re-detain Amritpal under stringent laws was taken to safeguard public order and national security, citing classified intelligence and security assessments.

   18 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   Japan’s parliament has reappointed Sanae Takaichi as prime minister following her ruling party’s decisive victory in the recent general election, reinforcing political continuity and consolidating her authority at the top of Japanese politics. The decision was formalised during a special session of the National Diet, where lawmakers voted to confirm Takaichi’s continuation in office.

   18 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   A lavish wedding from Punjab has become the centre of widespread public debate after a video circulating on social media claimed that the bride was showered with nearly Rs 8.5 crore in cash during the ceremony. The claim quickly went viral, triggering criticism, disbelief, and renewed conversations around extravagant weddings and unaccounted wealth. However, the groom’s family has strongly denied the allegation, calling it “false, exaggerated, and misleading.”

   18 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat is set to visit Punjab for a two-day tour, with the organisation officially releasing his detailed schedule. The visit is being viewed as significant from an organisational and social perspective, as Bhagwat is expected to review RSS activities in the state and interact closely with office-bearers and volunteers.

 17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   Indian equity markets are set for a cautious to weak opening as GIFT Nifty slipped around 70 points in early trade, reflecting negative global cues and continued pressure on information technology stocks. The decline indicates that benchmark indices may start the session on the back foot, with investors adopting a risk-averse stance. GIFT Nifty, which serves as an early indicator for domestic markets, was trading lower amid mixed signals from Asian peers and overnight weakness on Wall Street.

 17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   Speculation is mounting globally over whether Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, could become the world’s first trillionaire, as estimates place his net worth at an astonishing $850 billion. The surge in Musk’s wealth reflects the extraordinary growth of his business empire, spanning electric vehicles, space exploration, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure.

  17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar found himself at the centre of controversy after making a sharp remark against Mohsin Naqvi, only to later make an embarrassing U-turn following widespread criticism. The episode has once again highlighted the volatile nature of cricket discourse in Pakistan, where former players’ comments often trigger intense public debate.

 17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   A dramatic late goal in a tense La Liga clash between Barcelona and Girona has sparked controversy, with Joan Garcia openly questioning the referee’s decision to allow the decisive strike to stand. The incident has reignited debates around officiating standards and the use of VAR in Spanish football. Girona secured a dramatic late winner against Barcelona in what was one of the most closely contested matches of the season.

 17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in India, and awareness about its most common forms is crucial for prevention and early treatment. According to a Raipur-based oncologist, oral cancer is the most common cancer among Indian men, while breast cancer tops the list among women—together accounting for a significant share of the country’s overall cancer burden.

 17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) :   A recent medical case involving a 37-year-old woman has drawn attention to a little-understood but potentially life-threatening condition: the silent heart attack. Despite having a blood pressure reading of 130/70 mmHg, a pulse rate of 86, and a reportedly normal ECG, the woman was later diagnosed with a myocardial infarction—commonly known as a heart attack—without the classic warning signs.

 17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Speculation around the personal lives of South Indian film stars Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna has once again grabbed headlines, with fresh reports suggesting that the rumoured wedding venue being considered by the couple is an ultra-luxury property that can cost nearly Rs 1 lakh per night. While neither Vijay nor Rashmika has officially confirmed their relationship or wedding plans, reports about their possible marriage continue to fuel curiosity among fans.

17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Former US president Donald Trump has reportedly criticised a new energy cooperation agreement between California and United Kingdom, calling it unnecessary and harmful to American economic interests. According to reports, Trump expressed strong opposition to the deal, which focuses on collaboration in clean energy, climate technology, and renewable power development. He allegedly argued that such agreements weaken domestic energy independence and place American resources and jobs at risk.

17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : Bangladesh witnessed a significant political development on Monday as newly elected Members of Parliament were sworn in during a formal oath-taking ceremony at the national parliament in Dhaka. The event marked the beginning of a new parliamentary term, even as tensions surfaced over the formation of the proposed Constitution Reform Commission. The oath ceremony was administered at the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, where newly elected MPs pledged allegiance to the Constitution and committed themselves to upholding democratic values.

17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday deferred the hearing on a plea filed by Jagtar Singh Hawara, a convict in the assassination case of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, seeking his transfer from a jail outside Punjab to a prison within the state. Hawara, who is currently lodged in a high-security jail, has approached the apex court arguing that prolonged incarceration outside Punjab has caused hardship to his family, particularly in terms of access and regular visitation.

17 February 2026 (Navroze Bureau) : The Punjab state board examinations began today with elaborate arrangements in place to ensure smooth and fair conduct across the state. The exams are being conducted by the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) for students of Classes 10 and 12. According to board officials, all preparations were completed well in advance, including the setting up of examination centres, deployment of invigilators, and implementation of security measures.