TODAY NEWS ON February 18, 2025

News Headlines for CAT, CLAT and IPM aspirants

Source: THE HINDU

News Headlines Detail
 

Gyanesh Kumar named Chief Election Commissioner

Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed Chief Election Commissioner after a meeting of a three-member committee headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Monday (February 17, 2025). He will assume office on Wednesday (February 19, 2025), when the Supreme Court will hear the challenge to a new law under which the selection has been made.

Delta plane flips on landing at Toronto airport, injuring 19

A Delta Airlines plane flipped upon arrival at Toronto’s Pearson Airport and ended up on its roof Monday, injuring 19 people including three who are in critical condition.

Manipur MLAs get calls in Jay Shah’s name; ministerial positions offered

After the President’s Rule was imposed in Manipur, several of the State’s legislators received calls from a person who allegedly identified himself as Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son Jay Shah and offered them ministerial positions for a sum of ₹4 crore, police officials said on Monday (February 17, 2025).

Experts intrigued by inclusion of electoral bonds in new Income Tax Bill

Experts are intrigued by the new Income Tax Bill, 2025 retaining provisions related to electoral bonds, which were rendered unconstitutional by the Supreme Court last year, saying it could be because of legislative oversight or the government’s intention to bring it back in some other form.

High levels of microbes from human, animal excreta found in river water at Maha Kumbh: report

High levels of faecal coliform (microbes from human and animal excreta) were found in river water in which people took holy dip during Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj of Uttar Pradesh, according to a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Bangladesh Border Guard delegation arrives in India for talks with BSF

A high-level delegation of the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) reached New Delhi on Monday (February 17, 2025) for the bi-annual Director General level talks with the Border Security Force (BSF).

FII outflows show India offering higher returns to investors: FM

Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) outflows from India’s equity markets show that investors are booking profits, indicating investments in India are yielding good returns, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharman said at a post-Budget media briefing in Mumbai on Monday (February 17, 2025).

UK PM Starmer says U.S. must provide security guarantee for Ukraine to deter Russia

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Monday that a U.S. security commitment was the only way to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine and it was too early to say how many British peacekeeping troops he would be willing to deploy.

Zelenskyy says Ukraine won’t recognise deals made without Kyiv

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday (February 17, 2025) that Kyiv was not informed of upcoming talks between Russia and the United States, adding that Ukraine would not recognise agreements made without its participation. Mr. Zelenskyy said that Kyiv “did not know anything about” the talks this week, adding in comments carried by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency that the country “cannot recognise any things or any agreements about us without us. And we will not recognise such agreements.”

Adani Group pledges ₹2,000 cr for setting up schools across India

Adani group on Monday (February 17, 2025) announced ₹2,000 crore donation for building at least 20 schools across the country as it continued to reveal details of the ₹10,000 crore charity committed at the wedding of founder Gautam Adani’s younger son. The conglomerate had previously announced ₹6,000 crore for constructing hospitals and another ₹2,000 crore for skill development.

Cannot justify Adani’s ‘excessive tariff’, Sri Lanka’s President Dissanayake tells Parliament

Days after Adani Green announced quitting from a controversial renewable energy project in Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said awarding energy projects at an “excessive tariff” of $8.26 cents “cannot be justified”. While welcoming energy investments based on a competitive tariff, Sri Lanka will not privilege a specific company or country, he said on Monday (February 17, 2025), without naming Adani or India.

Amir of Qatar to meet President Murmu, PM Modi on February 18

Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, who is scheduled to pay a state visit to India on February 17-18, will meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday (February 18, 2025). According to a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday (February 17, 2025), he is expected to arrive in New Delhi later this evening.

Israeli Army says Hamas official killed in strike in southern Lebanon

The Israeli military on Monday (February 17, 2025) killed a Hamas leader in southern Lebanon’s Sidon area, it said in a statement. The Army said Muhammad Shaheen was the head of the operations department of Hamas in Lebanon and that he had recently been involved in promoting “terrorist plots” with Iranian direction and funding from Lebanese territory against Israeli citizens.

Finance Ministry plays down flight of FPIs out of Indian stock markets, says country’s economic foundations are strong

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held a press conference after an interaction post Union Budget 2025-26. She stated that as far as the new regime is concerned, the newer higher incomes have transitioned into the lower. Further, rates for all of them have been brought down.

Khelo India Winter Games in Gulmarg postponed due to insufficient snow

The second leg of the 5th Khelo India Winter Games, scheduled to begin in Gulmarg on Saturday (February 17, 2025), has been postponed due to insufficient snowfall in the region. The new dates for the event will be announced once the weather improves and a fresh assessment is completed.

Cricket fever grips Pakistan ahead of Champions Trophy

Cricket fever has gripped Pakistan as the Champions Trophy unfolds with fans eagerly waiting for the action to begin here on Wednesday and businesses related to the game too picking up before the tournament opener between hosts Pakistan and New Zealand.