Morning Digest: India attends Trump’s Board of Peace meeting as observer nation; ECI asks 22 States and UTs to prepare for SIR expected from April, and more

India attends Trump’s Board of Peace meeting as observer nation

India on Thursday (February 19, 2026) attended the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace on Gaza as an “observer” country. According to a list of attendees at the meeting held at the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace, India was represented by Chargé d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Washington DC Namgya Khampa.

ECI asks 17 States, 5 UTs to prepare for next phase of SIR ‘expected’ in April

The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in the 22 States and Union Territories where it is yet to be held is “expected” to start from April, the Election Commission of India told State poll authorities on Thursday (February 19, 2026)

Trump ‘Board of Peace’ opens with money and troops for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (February 19, 2026) promised $10 billion, and Muslim-majority nations offered funding and troops for Gaza as he inaugurated his “Board of Peace,” a new institution whose ultimate mission has drawn questions.

Former Prince Andrew ‘released under investigation’ hours after arrest in Epstein row

British police said late Thursday (February 19, 2026) that Britain’s former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly, ‘Prince Andrew’) had “been released under investigation” after being arrested and held for hours on suspicion of misconduct while he was a trade envoy.

Iran, U.S. boost military posture as West Asia remains on edge

Tensions remained high in West Asia on Thursday (February 19, 2026) as the U.S. continued to bolster its military presence in the region, Iran conducted naval drills along with Russia in the Persian Gulf and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged Iranians to resist any external aggression.

Indian Americans largely disapprove of Trump’s first year job performance, but Democrats do not benefit: Survey

A significant majority of Indian Americans disapprove of U.S. President Donald Trump’s first year job performance as per the results of a new survey, Indian Americans in a Time of Turbulence, released on Thursday (February 19, 2026) by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Trump repeats claim he ended conflict between India and Pakistan; said he threatened 200% tariffs on countries

U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday (February 19, 2026) said he had threatened to put 200% tariffs on India and Pakistan if they didn’t stop the fighting last summer, reiterating the claim that he stopped the war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Madras High Court revives hearing of cases against ECR bungalows of Vijay, Kamal Haasan, Udhayanidhi Stalin

After a gap of six years, the Madras High Court has now revived the hearing of a huge batch of cases related to alleged unauthorised construction of bungalows, resorts, guest houses and farm houses along the high tide line on the East Coast Road (ECR) in Chennai.

15,849 vehicles with same chassis, engine number registered in multiple Northeast States: CAG

Almost 16,000 vehicles with the same chassis number and engine number are registered in multiple Northeastern States, the latest report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) tabled in the 126-member Assam Assembly on Thursday (February 19, 2026) said.

Delhi HC seeks lawyer’s stand on Mahua Moitra’s plea over shared custody of pet dog

The Delhi High Court on Thursday (February 19, 2026) sought the stand of lawyer Jai Anant Dehadrai on a plea by TMC MP Mahua Moitra challenging a local court order refusing to grant her shared custody of pet Rottweiler named Henry. Mr. Dehadrai said Ms. Moitra’s case should be dismissed at this stage itself.

T20 World Cup 2026 | Zadran, Nabi steal the show as Afghans sign off in style

Opener Ibrahim Zadran’s career-best T20I score and Mohammad Nabi’s four-wicket haul were the highlights of Afghanistan’s 82-run win against Canada in a T20 World Cup game at Chepauk on Thursday (February 19, 2026). Zadran’s unbeaten 95 was the cornerstone of Afghanistan’s first-innings batting effort that culminated at 200 for four.

Uttar Pradesh Congress leaders push for mass FIRs against Assam CM for ‘communal’ statements

Some leaders of the Uttar Pradesh Congress on Thursday (February 19, 2026) alleged that police in many parts of the State are not accepting their complaint against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for registering a First Information Report (FIR) over his alleged communal, anti-constitution comments aimed at creating division among communities.