Here are the top news for the day from The Hindu’s Morning Digest, on February 24, 2026

All seven onboard Ranchi-Delhi air ambulance killed in crash near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra: DC

All seven persons on board an air ambulance were killed after the aircraft crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district on Monday (February 23, 2026) evening while en route to Delhi from Ranchi, a top State government official said. The crash took place shortly after the aircraft operated by Redbird Airways Pvt Ltd took off from Ranchi airport at 7.11 p.m.. “All seven on board the air ambulance were killed in the crash. The plane was on the way to Delhi from Ranchi,” Chatra Deputy Commissioner Keerthishree G told PTI.

Parliamentary panel questions timing of PM Modi’s Israel visit amid regional tensions

With Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to visit Israel amid escalating tensions and a U.S. military build-up across the West Asian region, members of Parliament’s Standing Committee on External Affairs on Monday (February 23, 2026) raised concerns over the timing of the trip. Mr. Modi is expected to arrive in Israel on February 25. This will be Mr. Modi’s first visit to Israel in nine years— his 2017 trip marked the first-ever visit by an Indian Prime Minister to the country—and comes after the 2023 terror attack in Israel, and Israel’s bombardment of Gaza for two years, in which more than 70,000 people were killed.

Sale of meat near educational institutions causes ‘violent tendencies’ in children: Bihar Deputy CM

The sale of meat and fish near religious places, educational institutions, or crowded locations has been banned in Bihar to stop “violent tendencies” in children, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha said, referring to a letter sent to municipal commissioners about meat shops operating in the open in urban areas. ”This is a new initiative of the new government. The changing face of Bihar is clearly visible. We held a meeting, and we took seriously the issues raised… From a health perspective, for social interaction, and to prevent violent tendencies among children, we will ban the sale of meat and fish near educational and religious institutions, and in crowded open spaces,” he said on Sunday (February 22, 2026).

WhatsApp tells Supreme Court it does not share data with Meta

Instant messaging platform WhatsApp maintained in the Supreme Court on Monday (February 23, 2026) that it is not “quite right” to say the online entity is sharing data with other Meta platforms. Appearing before a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, senior advocate Kapil Sibal, for WhatsApp and parent company Meta, said its technology was very clear and put a premium on privacy. “There is no question of violating the law,” Mr. Sibal submitted.

HAL denies reports about Tejas jet crash

The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Monday (February 23, 2026) said that there has been no reported crash of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. In response to the reports that a Tejas aircraft belonging to the Indian Air Force (IAF) was recently damaged at an airbase after it overshot the runway, the defence PSU has said that there was no reported crash and the event in question was a minor technical incident on ground.

One held for objectionable social media post on PM in Uttar Pradesh

Police in Pilibhit district have registered a case against a youth for allegedly disturbing communal harmony by posting an allegedly edited, objectionable photo of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on social media, officials said on Monday (February 23, 2026). Jehanabad police station SHO Pradeep Vishnoi told reporters that based on the complaint filed by Sub-Inspector Gyan Chand, police have registered a case against the accused youth identified as Arbaaz, a resident of Vishen village, under relevant sections.

Six hospitalised after eating contaminated food in Indore’s Bhagirathpura

Six people have been admitted to a hospital after consuming contaminated food in the Bhagirathpura area of Indore, a health department official said on Monday (February 23, 2026). Bhagirathpura was the epicentre of the diarrhoea outbreak caused by contaminated drinking water that had claimed at least 22 lives. “Around 60 people had eaten food at a birthday party in Bhagirathpura late Saturday night. Following this, some people developed health problems on Sunday,” Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr Madhav Hasani stated.

Three dead in U.S. strike on boat in Caribbean

A U.S. strike on an alleged drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean Sea killed three people on Monday (February 23, 2026), the U.S. military said. The United States began targeting alleged smuggling boats in early September, and the latest strike brings the death toll from the campaign to at least 150. U.S. Southern Command, which is responsible for Washington’s forces in the region, said the boat was “transiting along known narco-trafficking routes in the Caribbean and was engaged in narco-trafficking operations.”

U.K. police arrest ex-envoy Peter Mandelson in Epstein case

London police on Monday (February 23, 2026) arrested former ambassador Peter Mandelson in a probe into allegations over his ties to disgraced U.S. financier Jeffrey Epstein, only days after ex-prince Andrew was detained. Mr. Mandelson, a pivotal figure in British politics and the U.K.’s former envoy to Washington, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations arising from the latest set of documents linked to Epstein, released by the U.S. government last month.

T20 World Cup: Hetmyer, Powell lead Caribbean carnival against Zimbabwe

Shimron Hetmyer was searing. Rovman Powell was remorseless. And when the all-rounders muscled in, West Indies turned the Super Eight Group 1 clash into a carnival of Caribbean carnage, clubbing Zimbabwe into submission at the Wankhede Stadium on a manic Monday night. Powered by a 122-run partnership off just 52 balls between Hetmyer (85, 34b, 7×4, 7×6) and Powell (59, 35b, 4×4, 4×6), West Indies racked up a gargantuan 254 for six — the second-highest total in Men’s T20 World Cup history. Zimbabwe, burdened by the asking rate and the occasion, wilted in reply and was bundled out for 147 in 17.4 overs. The two-time champion won by 107 runs even as Brad Evans waged a lone battle with a 21-ball 43.

Published – February 24, 2026 07:12 am IST