Tue Feb 18 01:02:20 UTC 2025: ## Top News Headlines (February 18, 2025)

**New Chief Election Commissioner Appointed:** Gyanesh Kumar has been appointed as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner, effective Wednesday, February 19th. The appointment follows a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and comes despite a pending Supreme Court challenge to the new selection law.

**Delta Plane Crash in Toronto:** A Delta Airlines plane crashed and flipped onto its roof at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, injuring 19 people, three critically.

**Alleged Bribery Scandal in Manipur:** Following the imposition of President’s Rule in Manipur, several legislators reportedly received calls from someone claiming to be Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s son, offering ministerial positions for a bribe of ₹4 crore.

**River Pollution at Maha Kumbh:** A report to the National Green Tribunal reveals high levels of fecal coliform in the river water used for holy dips during the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.

**Income Tax Bill Controversy:** Experts are questioning the inclusion of provisions related to electoral bonds in the new Income Tax Bill, 2025, despite the Supreme Court declaring them unconstitutional last year.

**India-Bangladesh Border Talks:** A high-level delegation from the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) is in New Delhi for bi-annual talks with the Border Security Force (BSF).

**Positive FII Outflows from India:** Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman attributes Foreign Institutional Investment (FII) outflows from Indian equity markets to investors booking profits, indicating strong returns on investments.

**Ukraine Peacekeeping Concerns:** British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stresses the need for a US security commitment to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine, while remaining undecided on the number of British peacekeeping troops to deploy.

**Musk’s DOGE Raises Concerns:** Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is raising concerns after seeking access to a US tax office system containing sensitive financial data on millions of Americans.

**Sri Lanka Rejects Adani Project:** Following Adani Green’s withdrawal from a renewable energy project in Sri Lanka, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake criticized the project’s “excessive tariff” and stated that future projects will be awarded competitively.

**RCB Triumphs in WPL:** Smriti Mandhana’s Royal Challengers Bangalore secured their second consecutive win in the Women’s Premier League, defeating Delhi Capitals by eight wickets.

**Cricket Fever Grips Pakistan:** Pakistan is abuzz with excitement ahead of the Champions Trophy, beginning Wednesday with a match between Pakistan and New Zealand.

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