Feb 19 News Live: T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe stun Sri Lanka
Catch all the important news updates from India and across the world
Here is the top, trending news of Thursday, February 19, 2026, including Indian politics, states' politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Read updates below.
Live Updates
- 19 Feb 2026 8:37 PM IST
Farhan Akhtar to portray Ravi Shankar in Sam Mendes’s The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event
Actor-filmmaker Farhan Akhtar has said he is “honoured and grateful” to portray sitar maestro Ravi Shankar in The Beatles – A Four-Film Cinematic Event, directed by Oscar-winner Sam Mendes. The ambitious project, backed by Sony Pictures, will chronicle the story of The Beatles through four separate films, each told from the perspective of one band member.
In an Instagram post, Akhtar thanked Mendes and described the opportunity as “the stuff dreams are made of”, calling both The Beatles and Shankar’s creative genius a lasting influence across generations of listeners.
The films will star Paul Mescal as Paul McCartney, Harris Dickinson as John Lennon, Barry Keoghan as Ringo Starr and Joseph Quinn as George Harrison. Formed in 1960, The Beatles became one of the most influential bands in music history before disbanding in 1970.
Shankar had a profound influence on the band, particularly Harrison, who learned the sitar from him. The two later collaborated at the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh. The films, granted full life story and music rights by McCartney, Starr and the families of Lennon and Harrison, are slated for theatrical release in April 2028.
- 19 Feb 2026 7:53 PM IST
Mumbai-Pune Expressway witnesses traffic jam
The Mumbai-Pune Expressway witnessed heavy traffic on Thursday morning before vehicular movement returned to normal on the high-speed carriageway in the afternoon, officials said.
The authorities said traffic slowed on both the Pune- and Mumbai-bound lanes due to the rush ahead of the weekend and ongoing repair work on the expressway.
“Traffic was slow since morning as vehicular movement increased due to the weekend and a holiday (on Thursday). In addition, repair work on the Pune-bound lane contributed to the congestion,” a highway police official said.
To ease traffic, three blocks were taken on the Mumbai-bound lane to release the load on the Pune side. Following these measures, traffic flow improved and returned to normal by afternoon, he added.
Two weeks ago, traffic on the expressway was crippled for 33 hours after a container carrying highly flammable propylene gas overturned near the Adoshi tunnel.
- 19 Feb 2026 6:41 PM IST
T20 World Cup: Zimbabwe beat Sri Lanka!
Zimbabwe notched up a stunning six-wicket win over Sri Lanka in their final Group B T20 World Cup match on Thursday. Opting to bat, Pathum Nissanka carted eight fours en route to a 41-ball 62 and Pavan Rathnayake blasted a 25-ball 44 in the back end as SL posted 178 for 7.
In reply, Brian Bennett (63) hit a fifty and skipper Sikandar Raza (45) produced the needed acceleration as Zimbabwe chased down the total, scoring 182-4 in 19.3 overs to top the group.
Earlier, Graeme Cremer (2/27), Blessing Muzarabani (2/38) and Brad Evans (2/35) claimed two wickets each for Zimbabwe.
Both teams have qualified for the Super 8s.
- 19 Feb 2026 5:48 PM IST
Veteran journalist K Govindan Kutty no more
Veteran journalist and author K Govindan Kutty died at his residence here after a brief illness on February 18, family sources said. Govindan Kutty, 81, is survived by wife, son and a daughter.
Kutty, known as KGK in the journalists’ circle, had a deep knowledge of politics in Kerala and at the national level and had a notable career as reporter and editor in Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi. He was the journalist who broke the news of the air crash involving the then Prime Minister Morarji Desai in 1977 at Jorhat in Assam.
He was one of the journalists who first reported the news of internal fissures in the monolithic structure of the CPI(M) in Kerala in the 1980s, which later led to the expulsion of its firebrand leader M V Raghavan in 1986 and a split in the party. His journalistic writing at the peak of his career with the ‘Indian Express’ was a model to young journalists of the period. His fluent, yet sharp prose had attracted and moulded many aspiring young scribes. Kutty, who had a long and distinguished career with Indian Express and India Today, had also authored ten books in English and Malayalam. His notable works include “An Intimate Story,” biography of former Chief Election Commissioner T N Seshan and “A Wasted Death: Rise and Fall of Rajan Pillai,” biography of ‘Biscuit King’ Rajan Pillai.
He also authored the political biographies of former Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran and former state Finance Minister K M Mani. His Malayalam work, “Kalakshepam” (Time Pass) had also won critical acclaim. In a message, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Govindan Kutty.
- 19 Feb 2026 4:01 PM IST
Prince Andrew arrested at Sandringham Estate
Former Prince Andrew was taken into custody at his temporary residence on the Sandringham estate on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Thames Valley Police confirmed Thursday that the former royal is being held.
The Thames Valley Police, an agency that covers areas west of London, including Mountbatten-Windsor's former home, said it was “assessing” reports that the former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, sent trade reports to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010.
The police force did not name Mountbatten-Windsor, as is normal under UK law. But when asked if he had been arrested, the force pointed to a statement saying that they had arrested a man in his sixties.
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office,'' the statement said. “It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence. Read the full story
- 19 Feb 2026 3:11 PM IST
AI to reshape software industry, says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
Sam Altman has said that Artificial Intelligence will fundamentally reset the software industry, making coding significantly easier and faster. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the OpenAI CEO noted that AI-driven tools are transforming how software is created.
Altman acknowledged that while the shift will create opportunities, it could negatively impact certain companies. “Software is now far easier to create than ever before, and I'm sure that will be quite bad for some software companies,” he said, cautioning against extreme reactions—either overly optimistic or pessimistic.
He emphasised that many firms, however, offer value propositions beyond just writing code and are likely to benefit from AI integration. As AI accelerates development cycles, companies that adapt their business models may gain a competitive edge.
Altman’s remarks underscore the broader industry transition underway, as generative AI tools increasingly automate coding tasks and redefine productivity across the technology sector.
- 19 Feb 2026 3:01 PM IST
India, Israel sign new defence MoU ahead of Modi visit
India and Israel have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen defence cooperation ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel on February 25. The agreement aims to strengthen ongoing joint activities, including seminars and collaborative industry initiatives.
The MoU was facilitated by the International Defence Cooperation Directorate (SIBAT) under the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD). In partnership with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and India’s Ministry of Defence, SIBAT organised a seminar and business-to-business meetings between leading defence companies from both countries.
The seminar, led by SIBAT Director Brig. Gen. (Res.) Yair Kulas, brought together 30 Indian and 26 Israeli defence firms. Discussions focused on enhancing familiarity with India’s defence industrial ecosystem and its updated Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2026. The Indian delegation was led by SIDM Director General Ramesh K, and included India’s Ambassador to Israel J P Singh and Defence Attaché Gp Capt. Vijay Patil.
The development follows a Joint Working Group meeting held in November last year, during which both sides signed a landmark pact to boost defence, industrial and technological cooperation, including advanced technology sharing for co-development and co-production. Israeli defence officials said the latest engagement aligns with efforts led by IMOD Director General Maj. Gen. (Res.) Amir Baram to expand strategic partnerships and defence exports.
- 19 Feb 2026 2:35 PM IST
Pakistan: Karachi explosion kills 16 people
At least 16 people, including many children, were killed and 14 others injured when a suspected gas leakage led to an explosion in a residential building in Pakistan's Karachi on Thursday morning.
“The explosion took place around 4:30 am on the first floor of the building located in the Old Soldier Bazar area when everyone was awake for Sehri time,” police official Jamshed Asher said. The first day of Ramzan is being observed in Pakistan today.
The police official said that the reason for the explosion apparently was a gas leakage.
Due to gas shortage in Pakistan’s biggest city, many families especially in lower income residential areas use liquid petroleum gas cylinders at their homes.
Police surgeon Dr Samaiya Syed confirmed that they have received 14 bodies so far from the blast site while 14 injured are under treatment.
The explosion caused a part of the building structure to collapse due to its dilapidated condition.
“We are still searching through the rubble and debris to see if there are any more bodies or survivors,” Chief Fire Officer Humayun Khan said.
The deceased include at least nine children aged between two and 17 while the injured also include seven children.
This is the second major tragedy to occur in Karachi. Last month, a fire broke out in the basement of the Gul Shopping Plaza, a wholesale and retail market, in the Saddar area killing at least 79 people and leaving scores injured. PTI
- 19 Feb 2026 1:42 PM IST
Early versions of true super intelligence could be a couple of years away: Altman
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman on Thursday (February 19) said democratisation of Artificial Intelligence is the only fair and safe path forward.
Speaking at the AI Impact Summit, he also said that it is striking how much progress India has made in its mission to put AI to work.
Stating that the “early versions of true super intelligence” could be a “couple of years away”, he said, “As we prepare for this possibility, we are guided by three core beliefs. Number one, we believe that democratisation of AI is the only fair and safe path forward. Democratisation of AI is the best way to ensure that humanity flourishes.”
Stating that some people want effective totalitarianism in exchange for cancer cure, he said, “(I) don’t think we should accept that trade off.”
On India's progress on AI, he said, “It’s incredible to see the country’s leadership in advanced AI. I was last here a little over a year ago, and it’s striking how much progress has happened since then.” By 2028-end, more of the world’s intellectual capacity could reside inside of data centres than outside of them, Altman added.
- 19 Feb 2026 1:20 PM IST
Neeraj Pandey withdraws title of ‘Ghooskhor Pandat’, SC disposes of plea
The Supreme Court has disposed of a plea against the upcoming movie Ghooskhor Pandat after filmmaker Neeraj Pandey informed the court that he has withdrawn the title along with all publicity material.
A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan disposed of the plea after taking Pandey’s affidavit on record and said it is expected that there shall be a quietus to this controversy in all respects.
Pandey said in his affidavit that though the new title of the Manoj Bajpayee-starrer has not yet been finalised, it will not be similar to the earlier name.
The top court rapped Pandey on February 12 over the title of his movie, observing that a section of society cannot be denigrated in the name of freedom of expression.
The top court was hearing a plea seeking a stay on the release of the film on the OTT platform Netflix.
