Top news of the day February 16, 2026

NGT clears Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, cites ‘strategic importance’

A Bench of the National Green Tribunal on Monday (February 16, 2026) cleared the way for the ₹92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, noting that “considering the strategic importance” of it and “other relevant considerations”, “we do not find any good ground to interfere”. It disposed of applications related to the Environment Clearance (EC) for the project, with a direction to authorities “to ensure full and strict compliance of EC conditions”. The Bench was hearing a batch of applications related to the EC granted for the project in 2022. While hearing this challenge to the EC, the NGT in 2023 called for the formation of a High-Powered Committee to address certain issues related to the protection of coral colonies, nesting sites of leatherback turtles, and parts of the project allegedly falling within ecologically protected zones.

Constitution Bench to decide if data protection law dismantles people’s right to know

The Supreme Court on Monday (February 16, 2026) agreed to refer to a Constitution Bench a series of petitions challenging a “body blow” allegedly posed by India’s new digital personal data law to citizens’ right to a transparent and accountable government under the Right to Information (RTI) Act. Section 44(3) of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act of 2023 imposes a “blanket ban” on the RTI Act applicants, preventing them from seeking disclosure of ‘personal information’, the petitioners said. They submitted that the provision cynically uses the right to privacy to cripple the citizens’ right to information.

PM Modi to visit Israel on Feb. 25-26, to address Israeli Knesset

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Israel on a two-day visit from February 25 to 26, sources said on Monday (February 16, 2026). Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu first broke news of Mr Modi’s visit while addressing the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organisations on Sunday (February 15).  “Parliament address on the anvil. Who’s coming here next week? Narendra Modi,” Mr. Netanyahu told the gathering. “Tremendous alliance between Israel and India, and we are going to discuss all sorts of cooperation. Now, you know, India is not a small country. It has 1.4 billion people. India is enormously powerful, enormously popular,” he stressed.

PM Modi to meet French President Macron in Mumbai on Feb 17; to review India-France strategic ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai on Tuesday (February 16, 2026), and during their meeting, the two leaders will review the progress made in the India-France strategic partnership. Mr. Modi and Mr. Macron’s discussions will focus on cementing the strategic ties and further diversifying them into new and emerging areas. PM Modi and President Macron will also exchange views on issues of regional and global importance. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi will travel to Mumbai on February 17 where he will meet the President of France Emmanuel Macron,” an official statement said.

Himanta hate speech video: Supreme Court asks petitioners to approach Gauhati High Court

The Supreme Court on Monday (February 16, 2026) found “no good reason” to entertain a series of petitions seeking a criminal investigation against Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for giving communal speeches and for a social media post, since deleted, depicting him firing a gun towards an animated image of two Muslim men. Instead, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked the petitioners, including the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Communist Party of India, to approach the Guahati High Court despite the petitioners pointing out that Mr. Sarma is the “boss of Assam”.

Hasina’s presence in India will not be a ‘deterrent’ to broader India-Bangladesh relation: BNP’s Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir

Bangladesh’s relation with India will not be “captive” of one issue and the presence of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India will not “deter” Bangladesh from pursuing its broader relation with India, said the senior most leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) that will form the next government of Bangladesh on Tuesday (February 17, 2026). Speaking exclusively to The Hindu in Dhaka at the party headquarters in Gulshan neighbourhood, Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, General Secretary of the BNP said that Bangladesh will expedite the projects that are in its interest and will intensify development partnership with India.

Odisha caste row ends; children return to anganwadi centre, consume food cooked by Dalit employee

A three-month-long caste row at an anganwadi centre in a village in Odisha’s Kendrapara district ended on Monday (February 16, 2026) as children from upper caste families returned to the facility and consumed food cooked by a Dalit woman helper. Of the 20 children on the roll, 16 came to the anganwadi centre in Nuagaon village under Ghalimala gram panchayat with their parents and ate the food cooked by the helper, with the absentees reporting ill. The anganwadi centre remained shut since November 21 last year, following the appointment of Sharmistha Sethy, a Dalit woman, as a helper, with several upper caste families refusing to send their wards to the facility or even accept nutritious food items supplied by the government for pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Iran meets U.N. nuclear watchdog in Geneva ahead of a second round of U.S. talks

Iran’s top diplomat met with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency on Monday (February 16, 2026), ahead of a second round of negotiations with the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, and said he would also meet with Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi of Oman, which is hosting the U.S.-Iran talks in Geneva on Tuesday (February 16). “I am in Geneva with real ideas to achieve a fair and equitable deal,” Mr. Araghchi wrote on X. “What is not on the table: submission before threats,” he added.

Israeli approval of West Bank land registration draws outrage

Israel’s government has approved a process to register land in the West Bank as “state property”, drawing condemnation from Arab nations and critics who said it would accelerate annexation of the Palestinian territory. Israel’s Foreign Ministry said the measure, approved late on Sunday (February 15, 2026), would enable “transparent and thorough clarification of rights to resolve legal disputes” and was needed after unlawful land registration in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority. But Egypt, Qatar and Jordan criticised the move as illegal under international law. In a statement, the Egyptian government called it a “dangerous escalation aimed at consolidating Israeli control over the occupied Palestinian territories”.

Mandatory to appear in first board exam for Class 10 students: CBSE on two board exams policy

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has clarified that it is mandatory for Class 10 students to appear in the first board exam, and those who do not attempt at least three subjects in the first edition will be placed in the “essential repeat” category, officials said. CBSE is starting with two board exams for Class 10 from 2026. The clarification by board comes after it received a few requests stating that, because of some reasons, Class 10 students will not be able to appear in the first board exam, hence should be allowed to appear in second board exam.

Bhupen Borah withdrew resignation after Congress high command’s intervention: AICC Assam in-charge

Former Assam Congress chief Bhupen Borah has withdrawn his resignation after the party high command’s intervention, AICC state in-charge Jitendra Singh claimed on Monday (February 16, 2026). Senior Congress leaders, including Mr. Singh and Assam unit chief Gaurav Gogoi met Mr. Borah at his residence in Guwahati, after he sent a letter to the party high command earlier in the day, announcing his resignation. Meanwhile, Mr. Borah told reporters outside his residence that he has sought time from the Congress high command to reconsider his decision.

A fireworks store explosion in China kills 8 ahead of Lunar New Year

An explosion and fire at a fireworks shop in eastern China have killed eight people and left two others with minor burns ahead of the Lunar New Year, authorities said. The Sunday (February 15, 2026) afternoon blast in a village in Jiangsu province was caused by a resident setting off fireworks improperly near the store, the Donghai county government said in a statement. It did not provide further details on what happened. Setting off firecrackers at midnight on the Lunar New Year is a tradition in China, but many places have banned fireworks in recent years, at least in part because of air pollution.

China grants Canada, U.K. visa-free entry, raising total to 79 countries

British and Canadian citizens can enter China without a visa starting from Tuesday (February 17, 2026), bringing to 79 the number of countries granted visa-free access in a bid to boost tourism and business. China has expanded eligibility for the programme significantly in the last two years. Visitors can stay for up to 30 days for business, tourism, exchange programmes and to visit family and friends. Most Europeans qualify for visa-free entry, along with some from select countries in other regions including Latin America, Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

T20 World Cup | The next game becomes the most important one: Zimbabwe’s Raza ahead of Ireland match

Zimbabwe has been the talk of the town this T20 World Cup. Victory over Australia in Group B leaves the side with a realistic shot at achieving its maiden Super Eight appearance. A win over Ireland in its penultimate group game will help the side take a further step towards qualification. Captain Sikandar Raza, however, says the team is solely focused on taking it one game at a time. “It’s a lovely position to be in. But the next game becomes the most important one. Fine, the world is talking about Zimbabwe. But let them do all the talking for us. Those victories that we have had so far will count for nothing, especially if there is a slip-up now,” the skipper said.

T20 World Cup: Will Jacks’ late blitz powers England to 202/7 in must-win clash against Italy

England finally rediscovered their attacking mojo, riding on an explosive start and a splendid late surge from Will Jacks to post a challenging 202 for seven against Italy in their must-win Group C clash in Kolkata on Monday (February 16, 2026). With a Super Eights berth on the line after a scratchy campaign, the two-time champions came out all guns blazing but continued their trend of losing wickets at regular intervals. It was Jacks’ unbeaten 53 off just 22 balls (4×6, 3×4) that provided the late flourish, lifting them to their first 200-plus total in this edition.

Published – February 16, 2026 06:34 pm IST