Top news of the day: February 22, 2026

PM Modi flags off Meerut Metro

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 22, 2026) flagged off the Meerut Metro and Namo Bharat train from the Shatabdi Nagar station here, giving a fillip to high-speed intercity travel and swift intra-city movement. From there, the Prime Minister also undertook a metro ride till Meerut South station. He is also going to inaugurate and dedicate to the nation various development projects worth around ₹12,930 crore in Meerut. PM Modi will also address the gathering on the occasion, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.

PM Modi flays Congress for ‘shirtless’ protest at AI summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 22, 2026) slammed the Congress over its “shirtless” protest at the global artificial intelligence summit in Delhi, alleging that the party had turned an international event into an arena for its “gandi aur nangi” (dirty and shameless) politics. Addressing a public gathering after inaugurating development projects, including the Namo Bharat rail and the Meerut Metro Rail extension in Meerut, the Prime Minister said the Congress’ conduct showed how “ideologically bankrupt and impoverished” the party had become.

Security forces kill two terrorists in Kishtwar

Security forces on Sunday (February 22, 2026) neutralised two terrorists in a firefight in the upper reaches of Kishtwar district in the Chenab Valley. The Army said the forces displayed tactical precision, seamless synergy and resolute aggression, and the troops dominated the encounter site. “Two terrorists have been successfully neutralised. War-like stores including two AK-47 rifles have also been recovered,” the Army said. Earlier in the day, security forces encircled a group of terrorists in the valley. The Army said the forces re-engaged the terrorists around 11 a.m. in a challenging terrain. “The hunt continues and those seeking to disturb peace will find no sanctuary,” the Army said.

Stage set for elections to 48 civic bodies in Jharkhand

All preparations have been made for conducting elections to Jharkhand’s 48 urban local bodies (ULB), including Ranchi, on Monday (February 23, 2026), a State Election Commission (SEC) official said. Voting will begin at 7 a.m. amid tight security and will continue till 5 p.m., he said. Over 43.43 lakh voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the elections. “The polling parties have been dispatched on Sunday morning (February 22, 2026), and they are expected to reach their respective destinations by this evening. Many of them have already reached,” SEC secretary Radhe Shyam Prasad told PTI.

U.S. trade deal proof of ‘Abki baar Trump se haar’: Congress’ swipe at government

Taking a swipe at the government over the interim U.S. trade deal, the Congress on Sunday (February 22, 2026) said it was reflective of “Abki baar Trump se haar“ and must be put in “cold storage” in view of the confusion following the American Supreme Court’s verdict striking down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said the terms of the framework for the interim agreement must be renegotiated and the clause talking about import liberalisation, especially of agricultural products, must be scrapped.

Maan ki Baat: PM Modi urges citizens to ‘be alert against digital arrest scams’ 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday (February 22, 2026) highlighted strides made by India in the field of artificial intelligence, saying the AI summit showcased how animals were being treated in the country with the help of AI and how farmers were keeping track of their livestock and dairy. Addressing his monthly radio broadcast ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Mr. Modi also asked people to remain vigilant against online financial fraud and digital arrest. Referring to the recently concluded AI Summit, Mr. Modi said two products impressed leaders from around the world – the first was at the Amul booth where it was showcased how AI is helping treat animals and how, with AI assistance, farmers are keeping track of their dairy and livestock 24×7.

Congress unveils initiatives to provide legal aid to party members at grassroots level, engage with youths

The Indian National Congress on Sunday (February 22, 2026) announced new initiatives, including setting up rapid legal response teams at the state and district levels and raising its voice for reclaiming the original RTI Act as part of efforts to encourage the involvement of youths with the party. Unveiling four such programmes, Congress treasurer Ajay Maken and senior spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said that young minds, through such initiatives, would help provide legal aid at the grassroots level whenever required and strengthen the party’s voice to save democracy in the country.

Two new rapid rail corridors originating from Sarai Kale Khan expected soon: Khattar

Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said on Sunday (February 22, 2026) that the proposal for two new rapid rail corridors starting from Sarai Kale Khan is expected to be approved soon, emphasising that this expansion will enhance the high-speed transit network in the National Capital Region. Speaking at the inauguration of the Sarai Kale Khan station on the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Rapid Rail Transit System (RRTS), Mr. Khattar said the proposed corridors would significantly enhance regional connectivity and reduce travel time between Delhi and neighbouring States.

Opposition to boycott Fadnavis Government’s high tea invite, says Jadhav; cites Indo-U.S. deal, Pawar’s death

Senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Bhaskar Jadhav said the Opposition would boycott the customary tea party hosted by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday (February 22, 2026) on the eve of the Maharashtra legislature’s Budget Session. CM Fadnavis had personally written to senior members inviting them to the event, which is a tradition on the eve of a session of the legislature, Mr. Jadhav added. “The ruling party is arrogant and shows little respect towards the Opposition. Since there is no respect, no decency and no regard for the Constitution, we have decided to decline the high tea invitation,” Mr. Jadhav told reporters.

Danish military evacuates U.S. submariner who needed urgent medical care off Greenland

Denmark’s military says its Arctic Command forces evacuated a crew member of a U.S. submarine off the coast of Greenland for urgent medical treatment. The Danish Joint Arctic Command, on its Facebook page, said the crew member was evacuated on Saturday (February 21, 2026) some 7 nautical miles (13 kilometres) off Nuuk — the capital of the vast, ice-covered territory — and transferred to a hospital in the city. The crew member was retrieved by a Danish Seahawk helicopter that had been deployed on an inspection ship.

Trump must treat all countries equally: Brazil President Lula

Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Sunday (February 22, 2026) urged U.S. President Donald Trump to treat all countries equally after the U.S. leader imposed a 15% tariff on imports following an adverse Supreme Court ruling. “I want to tell the U.S. President Donald Trump that we don’t want a new Cold War. We don’t want interference in any other country, we want all countries to be treated equally,” Mr. Lula told reporters in New Delhi.

Trump says he is sending a hospital ship to Greenland

U.S. President Donald Trump on Saturday (February 21, 2026) said he was working with Louisiana ​Governor Jeff Landry to send a hospital boat to ‌Greenland, a Danish territory that Mr. Trump has ​said he wants to acquire. Mr. Trump announced ⁠the plan on social media moments before hosting a dinner for Republican governors at the White House, where ‌he sat next to and chatted with Jeff Landry. “Working with the fantastic Governor ‌of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, we are going to ‌send ⁠a great hospital boat to Greenland to ⁠take care of the many people who are sick, and not being taken care of there. It’s on ​the way!!!” Mr. Trump said.

Pakistan strikes 7 terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, Kabul warns of necessary and measured response’

Pakistan on Sunday (February 22, 2026) said it targeted at least seven terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan in retaliation for the recent rebel attacks in the country, with Kabul warning of a “necessary and measured response” to the strikes. In the latest terrorist incident, an army lieutenant colonel and a soldier were killed in a suicide attack in the Bannu area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Saturday (February 21).

FIH Pro League: Indian men’s hockey team loses to Australia in penalty shootout

The Indian men’s hockey team dished out a much-improved show but still went down to formidable Australia in the penalty shootout in their FIH Pro League match in Hobart on Sunday (February 22, 2026). The two sides were tied at 2-2 after full time with Amit Rohidas (15th) and Jugraj Singh (43rd) putting India in front before a brace from Joel Rintala (47th, 56th) helped Australia get back on level terms.

India, South Africa lock horns in what promises to be a thriller

Skipper Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma’s rejigged philosophy of dropping anchor rather than going for big strokes will be tested by a quality South African side that seems ready to find chinks in the Indian armour during their opening Super Eight match of the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday (February 22, 2026). The Proteas team boasts of a formidable bowling line-up comprising Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram and the defending champions will be mindful of the challenge.

Published – February 22, 2026 06:06 pm IST