Thursday, February 19, 2026
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Evening news wrap: Former UK prince Andrew arrested amid Epstein row; Bloodbath on D-Street as markets crash & more

BREAKING: Disgraced Ex-UK Royal Andrew Arrested Over Epstein Files Fallout

  • British former prince Andrew was arrested by police over alleged misconduct in public office amid renewed scrutiny linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case, with searches conducted at Sandringham and other properties.
  • Indian benchmark indices tumbled sharply as the BSE Sensex fell over 1,200 points and the Nifty50 closed below 25,500, wiping out nearly Rs 7.55 lakh crore in investor wealth.
  • The Supreme Court of India warned states against indiscriminate “freebies”, cautioning that universal benefits without targeting the needy could strain finances and amount to an appeasing policy.
  • At least 35 students of a government middle school in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district were found with healed wrist cuts, prompting authorities to order a probe after the matter surfaced through a parent’s complaint.
  • Shivam Dube credited former India captain MS Dhoni for guiding his batting approach after his match-winning 67 against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup.

Here are the top five news:

Former royal prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested amid Epstein row

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, brother of King Charles III, was arrested by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office, becoming the first senior British royal to be detained in modern history. The arrest came days after the release of files linked to the Jeffrey Epstein case by the US Justice Department, prompting searches at properties in Berkshire and at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

BREAKING: Disgraced Ex-UK Royal Andrew Arrested Over Epstein Files Fallout

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that “nobody is above the law” as officers carried out raids on Andrew’s 66th birthday. The development marks a dramatic escalation in scrutiny over his alleged links to the Epstein files. Read full story here

Stock market crash: Sensex falls over 1,200 points, Nifty below 25,500

Indian equity markets witnessed a sharp sell-off on Thursday, with the BSE Sensex plunging 1,236 points to close at 82,498.14 and the Nifty50 falling 365 points to end below 25,500. The decline came after three straight sessions of gains, with heavy intraday losses reflecting broad-based selling pressure.The market downturn wiped out nearly Rs 7.55 lakh crore in investor wealth, dragging the overall market capitalisation of the Bombay Stock Exchange to around Rs 464 lakh crore. The sharp fall raised fresh concerns about volatility in the near term. Read full story here

Supreme Court flags ‘freebies culture,’ warns states on fiscal strain

The Supreme Court expressed concern over the growing culture of distributing freebies, cautioning that extending benefits to all without targeting the needy could harm state finances and long-term development.Hearing a plea by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Ltd, which plans to provide free electricity to all consumers regardless of their financial status, the court said welfare measures are justified for the poor, but extending them to everyone may turn into an “appeasing policy” and weaken economic discipline. It urged states to strike a balance between social support and fiscal responsibility. Read full story here

35 students found with wrist cuts in Chhattisgarh school; probe ordered

At least 35 students from classes 6 to 8 at a government middle school in Chhattisgarh’s Dhamtari district were found with healed cut marks on their wrists, sparking concern among parents and authorities. The injuries, believed to be 20–25 days old, came to light after a parent raised the issue with the school principal.Following the discovery of similar marks on several students, the education department ordered a probe to determine the cause and circumstances. Officials are now investigating how so many students sustained comparable injuries without earlier detection. Read full story here

Shivam Dube credits MS Dhoni after match-winning performance against the Netherlands

Shivam Dube credited former India captain MS Dhoni for guiding him after he scored a match-winning 67 against the Netherlands in the T20 World Cup. Dube said Dhoni’s advice helped him refine his approach, especially against pace bowling.He revealed that Dhoni emphasised strike rotation and smart shot selection over constant big hitting, which improved his confidence and performance under pressure. The guidance, Dube said, played a key role in shaping his maturity as a batter. Read full story here Go to Source

Hot this week

Two Indian Workers Thrashed, Targeted In Racial Attack In Israel; Accused Held

Two Indian workers faced racial abuse and were thrashed in Ashkelon city near the Gaza border. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the perpetrators have been arrested. Read More

Want To Add Vegetarian Protein To Your Meals? Try This Creamy Soya Gravy Recipe

This easy recipe for a continental soya gravy is creamy and cheesy, and adds 24 grams of protein to your meals. Read More

London fashion week opens with tribute to one of its greats

London Fashion Week, better known for nurturing new talent than for its big-name shows, kicks off on Thursday with a tribute to one of its stalwarts Paul Costelloe. Read More

Sabarimala Ghee Case: HC Pulls Up Temple Authorities Over Poor Record-Keeping, 33 Named Accused

The court said that it was shocking to see the careless and casual way in which records were kept and the revenue from the sale of sacred offerings was accounted for. Read More

Israeli government installed security equipment, controlled access to Epstein’s Manhattan apartment used by ex-PM Barak

An investigation published by Drop Site News reported that the Israeli govt installed security equipment and controlled access to a Manhattan apartment building which was managed by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Read More

Topics

Two Indian Workers Thrashed, Targeted In Racial Attack In Israel; Accused Held

Two Indian workers faced racial abuse and were thrashed in Ashkelon city near the Gaza border. Officials confirmed on Thursday that the perpetrators have been arrested. Read More

Want To Add Vegetarian Protein To Your Meals? Try This Creamy Soya Gravy Recipe

This easy recipe for a continental soya gravy is creamy and cheesy, and adds 24 grams of protein to your meals. Read More

London fashion week opens with tribute to one of its greats

London Fashion Week, better known for nurturing new talent than for its big-name shows, kicks off on Thursday with a tribute to one of its stalwarts Paul Costelloe. Read More

Sabarimala Ghee Case: HC Pulls Up Temple Authorities Over Poor Record-Keeping, 33 Named Accused

The court said that it was shocking to see the careless and casual way in which records were kept and the revenue from the sale of sacred offerings was accounted for. Read More

Israeli government installed security equipment, controlled access to Epstein’s Manhattan apartment used by ex-PM Barak

An investigation published by Drop Site News reported that the Israeli govt installed security equipment and controlled access to a Manhattan apartment building which was managed by the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Read More

‘Yes, Frisco has changed’: Indian-origin woman speaks up at US city council meeting amid racial attack, targeting of H-1Bs

The latest council meeting (February 17) of Frisco, a Texas city, again turned into a charade of blaming India for the changing landscape of the city, with speakers calling out H-1Bs and Indian takeover. Read More

Macron calls India’s Rafale co-production ‘legitimate,’ urges Europe to strengthen defence industries

Macron on Thursday praised India’s push for localised Rafale production under ‘Make in India’ and highlighted long-term strategic and economic gains, while urging European countries to consolidate their defence sectors to remain globally competitive Read More

Meloni criticises judicial rulings as Italy prepares for legal reforms’ referendum

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has accused the judiciary of “absurd” interference following court rulings that compensated a migrant charity and a convicted individual. Read More

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