Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Friday, 20 February – politics, crime, sports, and more – all summarized for quick reading. Get instant access to breaking news, major developments, and trending stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want news on the go.

Top news of the day
Popular Bhojpuri actor and singer Khesari Lal Yadav has hinted at retiring from politics. Speaking to the media, he clearly stated that politics is not his cup of tea. He said that in politics, one often has to adapt to circumstances, even though he is a person who speaks the truth by nature. He insisted, "I am an artist and I should be recognized as such."
Khesari Lal Yadav, whose real name is Shatrughan Yadav, contested the 2025 Bihar Assembly elections as a Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) candidate. However, he lost to Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Chhoti Kumari by 7,600 votes. He admitted that the experience of contesting elections was a learning experience for him, but during this time he realized that maintaining honesty and truthfulness in politics is not easy.
Gold prices rose in the domestic futures market on Friday, amid rising tensions between the US and Iran. At around 9:45 am, gold for April delivery was trading 0.20% higher at ₹1,55,110 per 10 grams on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX). Silver for March delivery jumped 0.65% to ₹2,42,974 per kilogram. Geopolitical uncertainty has driven investors to seek safer investment options.
Although gold prices rose, the dollar's strength limited this upside. The dollar index reached the 98 level, marking its fourth consecutive session of gains. The dollar has gained more than one percent this week and is poised for its best weekly performance since early October. Strong US economic data and signs of a dovish stance from the Federal Reserve have supported the dollar.
Former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak captured everyone's attention with his witty remark during the AI Summit held in New Delhi. At the event held at the British High Commission, he said, "AI can do a lot, but it can't fix Delhi's traffic right now." His joke drew laughter from the audience. Sunak arrived a little late to the session and made this comment, citing traffic.
In his address, Sunak praised India's technological energy and leadership. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has made remarkable progress in digital public infrastructure and innovation. Referring to Stanford's global rankings, he said that India is rapidly emerging as an AI superpower. According to him, there could be no better place than India to shape the future of AI.
The first formal meeting of the Board of Peace, established at the initiative of US President Donald Trump, was held in Washington, DC, on Thursday. India participated in the meeting not as a full member, but as an observer country. India was represented by Charge d'Affaires Namgyal C. Khampa at the Indian Embassy. This indicates that India is closely monitoring this initiative.
Trump presented the outline of this Board of Peace during the World Economic Forum in Davos last month. He claimed that this institution could rival the United Nations in the future. Initially, it was proposed to monitor the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza and cooperate in governance, but later indications were given to expand its role and scope.
The Super 8 round of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 is set to begin on February 21st. Eight teams will be divided into two groups and will compete in the semi-finals. Group 1 includes India, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the West Indies, while Group 2 includes Sri Lanka, Pakistan, England, and New Zealand. Ahead of this high-voltage stage, former Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir has surprised everyone with a bold claim.
Mohammad Amir says that Team India will not be able to reach the semi-finals this time. He said during a TV show that, aside from the match against Pakistan, the Indian batting has failed to impress in other matches. According to Amir, teams like South Africa and the West Indies are in excellent form and have the potential to defeat any major team.
The weather across the country is once again changing. According to the latest update from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures in northwest India are expected to drop due to an active western disturbance. Meanwhile, a low-pressure area in South India and the coastal areas has triggered a rain and strong wind alert. Unsettled weather is expected in many states over the next 48 hours.
According to the Meteorological Department, light rain and snowfall are expected in the higher reaches of Uttarakhand. This could increase the cold in the mountainous regions. Minimum temperatures in northwest India, including Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana, are expected to drop by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures are also expected to decrease by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, increasing the morning and evening chill.
New Delhi: Get all the day’s essential news-politics, crime, sports, and more in a quick, easy-to-read format. Stay informed with breaking updates and top stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want fast, reliable news summaries anytime, anywhere.