Morning Digest: PM Modi says India ‘stands firmly’ with Israel; After Supreme Court takes note, NCERT says distribution of Class 8 book with ‘corruption’ in judiciary stopped, and more

India ‘stands firmly’ with Israel, Modi tells Knesset

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a firm hand of friendship to Israel and condemned the October 7 Hamas attack as a “barbaric terrorist attack” in his address to the Israeli Parliament, Knesset, on Wednesday (February 25, 2026). He supported the Gaza Peace Initiative, saying it is necessary to “sustain” the process of peace-building in the region. “The Gaza Peace Initiative that was endorsed by the U.N. Security Council offers a pathway. India has expressed its firm support for the initiative… We believe that it holds the promise of a just and durable peace for all the people of the region, including by addressing the Palestine issue,” he said.

NCERT apologises, says distribution of book with section on ‘corruption’ in judiciary stopped

Hours after the Supreme Court of India registered a suo motu case on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) over the inclusion of a section on “corruption” in the judiciary in the NCERT’s newest Social Science textbook for Class 8, the National Council for Educational Research and Training issued a statement apologising for the “inappropriate textual material” and “error in judgement” that had “inadvertently crept” into the chapter in question. Officials said directions had been issued on February 24 (Tuesday) to keep the distribution of this book on “strict hold until further orders”. On Wednesday morning, the Supreme Court registered the suo motu case, calling the section “a selective reference”, even as the NCERT apologised in its statement later that night saying “it regrets this error of judgement”.

Cash row: Lok Sabha Speaker reconstitutes panel probing charges against Justice Yashwant Varma

Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) reconstituted a three-member committee set up to probe the grounds for the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma after burnt wads of cash were recovered from his residence here in March last year. The Speaker had constituted the committee on August 12 last year after admitting a multi-party notice for the removal of the Allahabad High Court judge, setting in motion the process of his impeachment.

Delhi court grants bail to six accused in Turkman Gate violence

A Delhi court on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) granted bail to six persons accused of violence that took place last month during a demolition exercise near the Faiz-e-Elahi mosque in Turkman Gate last month. Additional Sessions Judge Bhupinder Singh granted relief to the accused persons. A total of 21 arrests have been made in the case so far, on different occasions, the police said. Among the arrested persons, 12 got bail on February 17, while six got relief on Wednesday (February 25, 2026). Another person was given bail last month, sources said.

Woman, 3 daughters killed in Siraspur; husband absconding

A man allegedly murdered his wife and three minor daughters at their house in north-west Delhi’s Siraspur village, the police said on Wednesday. Several teams have been constituted to nab the accused, Munchun Kewat, who has not been seen since Wednesday morning, said the police. An FIR has been registered under Section 103 (murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Neighbours and relatives alerted the police at the Samaypur Badli police station around 8 a.m. on Wednesday, said an officer.

Rahul targets Modi over trip to Israel and trade deal with U.S., brings up ‘Epstein Files’

The Congress on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) sharply criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s state visit to Israel, with the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi asking, “on whose orders the Prime Minister has gone to sign a deal against the country’s interest”. In a post on X, Mr. Gandhi said he had challenged the Prime Minister to cancel the Indo-U.S. trade deal, but Mr. Modi had quietly left for Israel.

Real-estate promoter shot dead in Howrah, journalist assaulted after questioning Trinamool MLA over links to the crime

In a horrific incident in West Bengal, a 27-year-old real-estate promoter was shot dead in broad daylight on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) in Howrah. The gruesome murder was caught on CCTV camera, where miscreants fired multiple rounds on the victim. The CCTV footage showed two men shooting Shafique Khan as he fell down on the road. One of the accused was identified as Haroon Khan. Later in the day, Opposition parties, including the BJP, shared videos of the accused riding pillion on the motorbike of local Trinamool Congress MLA Gautam Chowdhury.

U.S. slaps 126% duty on Indian solar imports

The Trump administration has imposed duties of 126% on imports of solar cells from India following a “preliminary” determination that subsidised exports from Indian companies were hurting the competitiveness of American solar companies and contravened World Trade Organization agreements on subsidies. These tariffs were collectively imposed on February 24 on India, Indonesia and Laos following an investigation that began on August 7, 2025, by the U.S. Department of Commerce following a July 7, 2025, complaint by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade (AASMT), a coalition of leading solar manufacturers.

Yes Bank reports unauthorised transactions worth ₹2.55 crore involving its Multi-Currency Prepaid Forex Card

Yes Bank on Wednesday said fraudsters had conducted unauthorised transactions worth $0.28 million (₹2.55 crore) using its Multi-Currency Prepaid Forex Cards of 5,000 customers. These cards were issued in partnership with BookMyForex.com. The bank said it came to light after its fraud monitoring system declined an unusual increase in transactions conducted overnight at a Latin American country. 

Trump, Zelenskyy speak before Ukraine-U.S. talks in Geneva

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy ahead of a fresh round of talks on Thursday (February 26, 2026) aimed at ending Russia’s invasion, both sides said on Wednesday (February 25, 2026). A White House official gave AFP no further details about the call, which came a day before Ukrainian and U.S. envoys were to meet, and ahead of new trilateral talks with Russia expected in early March. But Mr. Zelenskyy wrote on social media that he had spoken with Mr. Trump, and that his Envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were on the call.

Iran negotiators arrive in Geneva for high-stakes U.S. talks

An Iranian delegation headed by its top diplomat arrived in Geneva on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) for talks with the U.S., as the Islamic republic’s president struck an upbeat tone about the prospect for a negotiated agreement to avert fresh conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened strikes if Iran fails to cut a deal on its atomic programme, and in his State of the Union address on Tuesday (February 24), the U.S. President accused Tehran of “sinister nuclear ambitions” after he ordered a massive military deployment around the Gulf.

Trump administration’s ’third country’ deportation policy is unlawful, judge rules

The Trump administration’s latest policy of deporting immigrants to “third countries” to which they have no ties is unlawful and must be set aside, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday (February 25, 2026) in a case that already reached the nation’s highest court. U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy in Massachusetts agreed to suspend his decision for 15 days, giving the government time to appeal his latest ruling in the case. Murphy noted that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the administration’s favour last year, pausing Murphy’s previous decision and clearing the way for a flight carrying several migrants to complete its trip to war-torn South Sudan, where they had no ties.

T20 World Cup: India seeks quick turnaround against Zimbabwe

Under a blazing sun, Varun Chakaravarthy wheeled his arm over. The local star had a tough outing against South Africa in Ahmedabad, and along with his India mates, wants to sparkle against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super Eight Group 1 match at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Thursday (February 26, 2026). Optional nets being the theme on Wednesday (February 25, 2026), Varun and batter Tilak Varma were among the few who turned up for some pre-game training. The Men in Blue are in a must-win situation while they also strive to live up to their defending champions tag.

Published – February 26, 2026 06:31 am IST