News18 Evening Digest: PM Modi Meets Macron, Ajit Pawar Plane Crash CBI Demand & Other Top Stories

Last Updated:February 17, 2026, 18:21 IST

We are also covering: Khamenei's Challenge To Trump Amid High Tensions; Australia Knocked Out Of 2026 T20 World Cup After Zimbabwe-Ireland Washout

In today’s evening digest, News18 brings you the latest updates Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the AI Impact Summit, the demand for a CBI probe into the Ajit Pawar plane crash, and other top stories.

‘Force For Global Stability’: PM Modi Meets Macron, Announces Strategic Partnership With France

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday described India-France ties as “special" and a force for global stability amid global uncertainty after he held bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Maharashtra’s Lok Bhavan. READ MORE

Sunetra Pawar Meets Fadnavis, Demands CBI Probe Into Ajit Pawar Plane Crash

Senior leaders of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), including Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday to demand a CBI investigation into the January 28 plane crash that killed Ajit Pawar. READ MORE

‘You Won’t Be Able To Eliminate Iran’: Khamenei’s Challenge To Trump Amid High Tensions

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Tuesday challenged US President Donald Trump to destroy Iran and said the ‘strongest military force in the world’ could be struck “so hard that it cannot get up again". This comes as the US and Iran started their indirect talks in Geneva over the nuclear dispute. READ MORE

AI Summit Snarl: Ashwini Vaishnaw Apologises, Says Massive Youth Turnout Behind Day-One Disruptions

Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw issued a formal apology on Tuesday for the logistical hurdles and overcrowding that marred the opening day of the India AI Impact Summit. Speaking at a press conference at New Delhi’s Bharat Mandapam, the minister attributed the disruptions to a “phenomenal" and unprecedented surge in attendance, which saw more than 70,000 people arrive at the venue on the first day alone. READ MORE

Australia Knocked Out Of 2026 T20 World Cup After Zimbabwe-Ireland Washout

2021 champions Australia were knocked out of the 2026 T20 World Cup after Tuesday’s match between Ireland and Zimbabwe was abandoned due to rain. The wash-out took Zimbabwe’s points in the group stage to five — a target which both Australia and Ireland can mathematically not reach. The Sikandar Raza-led African side, thus, became the seventh team to qualify for the Super Eights. READ MORE

Salim Khan’s Condition ‘Serious’, Family ‘Concerned’ Over His Health: Report

Salim Khan Health Condition: Hours after Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, was hospitalised, it has now been reported that the veteran screenwriter is ‘serious’. If a report by Bollywood Hungama is to be believed, Salman has dropped all his current commitments to be by his father’s side. Reportedly, Salim Saab’s condition is ‘serious’ and therefore, the family is concerned about him. READ MORE

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