February 17, 2026

Centre of Excellence for Cleft and Craniofacial Care Opens at Sri Ramachandra

Sri Ramachandra Institute launched a new Centre of Excellence for cleft lip, palate, and craniofacial care. It offers free advanced treatment to patients, continuing over 20 years of service benefitting 20,000 people.

February 17, 2026

Meghalaya Registers 57 FIRs After Deadly Rat-Hole Coal Mine Blast Killing 33

Meghalaya CM Conrad K. Sangma announced 57 FIRs after a rat-hole mine blast killed 33 miners. Over 15,224 tonnes of illegal coal seized. Government vows to stop illegal mining.

February 17, 2026

Urgent Repair Needed for Dilapidated Sornavur Anicut Post-Cyclone Fengal Damage

Farmers demand quick repair of the damaged Sornavur anicut on Thenpennai River. The key irrigation structure suffered major flood damage during Cyclone Fengal. ₹39 crore needed, but work stalled. Puducherry and Tamil Nadu governments must act fast to save water and support farms.

February 17, 2026

Bomb Threat Emails Trigger Security Alerts in 18 Uttar Pradesh District Courts

District courts in Uttar Pradesh got bomb threat emails on Monday. Police stepped up security with searches and alerts in 18 districts including Lucknow and Varanasi. The Anti-Terrorism Squad is investigating the threats, which officials say may be hoaxes meant to disrupt peace.

February 17, 2026

KP CM Sohail Afridi Apologizes for Independent PTI Protests Disrupting Province

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi apologizes for PTI workers’ protests that block province routes. He says workers acted independently during Imran Khan’s health crisis.

February 17, 2026

Iran Sees US Nuclear Talks Shift, New Geneva Talks Set Amid Strait of Hormuz Drills

Iran says US stance on its nuclear program has grown more realistic. Tehran's foreign minister arrives in Geneva for new indirect talks with the US. Meanwhile, Iranian Guards hold military drills in the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Talks focus on nuclear issues amid ongoing regional tension.

February 17, 2026

Rights Groups Sue to Protect Voter Data Seized by FBI in Georgia Raid Tied to Trump

Civil rights groups including the NAACP sued to prevent misuse of voter data taken by FBI in Georgia. The data seizure follows Trump's actions to challenge 2020 election results.

February 17, 2026

170,000+ Students Sue 36 UK Universities Over Online Studies During COVID

More than 170,000 students are suing 36 UK universities after their courses switched online during the Covid-19 pandemic. They claim compensation under consumer law, saying they paid for in-person teaching which was not delivered. The legal action may cost universities millions.

February 17, 2026

UK Banks Plan New Payment System to Rival Visa and Mastercard Amid US Threats

UK banks are meeting to create a homegrown alternative to Visa and Mastercard. This move comes amid worries that US control of payments could disrupt the UK economy if turned off.

February 17, 2026

Thousands of IS Suspected Families Start Returning Home from Syria Camps Amid Chaos

More than 8,000 women and children linked to IS have begun leaving Syria's harsh camps. After years of warnings, some escape without government help, sparking fears over security and repatriation.