Feb 18 News Live: India beat Netherlands by 17 runs

The India AI Impact Summit 2026 has entered the Guinness World Records for the highest number of pledges taken by students for the responsible use of AI within 24 hours, the British record-keeping entity said on Wednesday (February 18).

The Kerala High Court, which had directed the constitution of the SIT to probe the Sabarimala gold loss incident, had recently expressed satisfaction over the progress of the investigation, even as some of the accused became eligible for statutory bail due to delay in filing the chargesheets.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also probing a money laundering case related to the gold loss case.

Jammu and Kashmir scripted history by reaching the Ranji Trophy finals for the first time in their 67-year history, defeating two-time former champions Bengal by six wickets on day four of the semifinal in Kalyani, West Bengal on Wednesday (February 18).

Set a below-par target of 126 by the home side, they chased it down in 34.4 overs, with Vanshaj Sharma (43 not out) and Abdul Samad (30 not out) steering them past the finish line. This was after pace spearhead Auqib Nabi had wreaked havoc by taking nine wickets in the match to destroy the host side's chances.

J&K first participated in the Ranji Trophy in the 1959-60 season and was not seen as a contender up until now. During the 2013-14 season, they qualified for the knockouts for the first time in over a decade.

At stumps on day three on Tuesday (February 17), J&K were 43/2, and they lost overnight batter Shubham Pundir (27) and skipper Paras Dogra (9) early on day four. But Vanshaj and Samad dug in with a 55-run partnership to steer them to a historic victory.

Brief scores: Bengal: 328 and 99 in 25.1 overs.

Jammu and Kashmir: 302 and 126 for 4 in 34.4 overs (Vanshaj Sharma 43 not out, Abdul Samad 30 not out).

The Greater Noida-based Galgotias University has been reportedly asked to leave the India AI Impact Summit expo area after facing major online backlash for showcasing a robotic dog named “Orion” at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi.

During the summit, university representatives and a professor were filmed claiming the robot was an in-house innovation developed at the university’s Centre of Excellence. However, netizens quickly identified “Orion” as a commercially available Unitree Go2 robodog manufactured by the Chinese company Unitree Robotics.

While the university highlighted its massive Rs 350-crore investment in an AI ecosystem, critics pointed out that the Unitree Go2 can be bought online for about USD 2,800 (roughly Rs 2.3 lakh).

In a clarification issued on Wednesday (February 18), Galgotias University denied ever claiming they built the robot, despite viral video evidence suggesting otherwise.

They maintained that the robot was acquired as a learning and demonstration tool to inspire students and help them learn AI programming using global technology.

The university argued that sourcing advanced tools globally is necessary to empower Indian innovators to eventually build their own world-class solutions.

The next phase of the India AI Mission will bring a bouquet of Artificial Intelligence solutions for MSMEs and users in healthcare and education space, IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Tuesday, likening it to the “UPI of AI”.

The minister said the next phase of the India AI Mission will have a lot to offer to MSMEs. “We will be creating a bouquet of solutions which are trusted solutions, which have been tested on security, on all possible parameters, then we will present those solutions (just) like UPI, where the bouquet of solutions is available to the world for using it and building on top of it,” he said terming it as “AI kaa UPI” or UPI of AI.

The bouquet will have series of solutions that MSMEs can use to enhance productivity and efficiency. The minister said doctors in rural areas will be able to leverage this bouquet of AI solutions to deliver better healthcare services, while teachers would be able to harness them to enhance the quality of education.

“We will provide it in India AI Mission 2.0, through a UPI-type platform,” Vaishnaw said.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut has said Indian cricketers not shaking hands with their Pakistani counterparts during the recently-played cricket match is “dadagiri” (bullying) by the BJP and the Centre.

Raut said his party is of the opinion that matches should not be played between India and Pakistan. “(But) If you are doing that, then show sportsmanship,” Raut said.

“Indian players not shaking hands with Pakistani players is dadagiri of the BJP and the government on Indian players. Why are you playing? What happens if you don’t play (with Pakistan),” he said.

By playing with Pakistan, thousands of crores are earned in betting. Of this, half will go to Pakistan. That money will go to Dawood Ibrahim, Masood Azhar. This will again lead to terrorism, the Sena (UBT) MP added.

Indian skipper Suryakumar Yadav did not shake hands with his Pakistan counterpart Salman Ali Agha during the toss of their T20 World Cup clash in Colombo on Sunday, maintaining the status quo since the Asia Cup in Dubai last year.

A bus operated by the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) caught fire on the Western Express Highway in Mumbai’s Kandivali area on Tuesday (February 17) night.

“The blaze erupted in the CNG-run bus of the BEST near Sai Dham temple in Kandivali east. All passengers were safely evacuated and nobody was injured,” an official told PTI.

Police and fire brigade were alerted, following which they launched a firefighting operation. Preliminary information shows the fire started in the engine section of the vehicle.

Due to the incident, traffic on the Western Express Highway was disrupted for some time.

Delegates will get restricted access to the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on February 18 and 19 due to VIP movements and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s presence at the venue, news agency PTI has reported.

Delegates attending the conference at Bharat Mandapam will have to vacate the convention area by 4.30 pm as the Prime Minister will host dinner for state guests and business leaders post 6 pm, MeitY officials told PTI.

Digital India managing director and CEO Akhil Kumar told reporters that the AI Expo area will remain open till 8 pm from February 18 onwards due to huge enthusiasm received by delegates.

“Delegates can move to the expo area after vacating the convention area. Exit will be only through Gate 4 throughout the day,” Kumar said.

Delegates will be allowed to enter from Gate 4 from 8 am onwards for drop-offs by cars or cabs. Gate 10 will be operational for entry from 8 am to 4:30 pm for delegates arriving by Metro.

The Prime Minister will inaugurate the main summit on February 19. “Expo area will open for all delegates from 11 am onwards on February 19, including the media centre in Hall 1,” Kumar said.