Page 644 – THE LOCAL REPORT ARTICLES

Gujarat electoral roll drops 13% to 440 million after deleting 7.7 million people India News

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February 18, 2026

Gujarat electoral roll drops 13% to 440 million after deleting 7.7 million people India News

Gujarat electoral roll drops by 13% to 4.4 million voters after deletion of 7.7 million voters

AHMEDABAD: Gujarat’s electoral strength fell by 13.4 per cent with 44 crore voters as more than 77 lakh voters were removed from the 2025 rolls after completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) and 9.5 lakh new voters were added to the final list released on Tuesday. The double-digit percentage drop capped two rounds of reviews, with 73.7 million pieces of information removed when a draft was released in December last year following updates to mortality records, immigration data and misregistrations. A further 390,000 names were removed before the final list was released. From the announcement of the draft to the final ballot, the number of voters increased by 1.3%, with a large proportion of them voting for the first time. In the unrevised 2025 electoral roll, some 4 million voters were found to have been permanently moved, 1.8 million people died, 980,000 people could not trace their registration addresses, and 380,000 people had duplicate voter cards.The names of another 1.9 lakh voters in Gujarat were omitted for other reasons. After the draft list was announced, an additional 390,000 names were deleted based on objections and further verification.Ahmedabad district has the largest electorate in Gujarat with a population of 4.91 millionAhmedabad topped the state with 49.1 million voters in the final ballot, higher than the 48 million voters in the draft list. The constituency also set a record for the largest number of new voters, with 150,000 new voters. In percentage terms, Dang had the highest increase at 2.15%, although its total number of voters was 190,000. Other districts that saw significant percentage growth include Porbandar (2.1%), Jamnagar (2%), Botad (1.9%), Chhota Udepur (1.9%) and Gandhinagar (1.8%).Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot reported significant increases, reflecting migration patterns and youth enrollment. Surat added over 100,000 voters while deleting 85,734 voters, the most among the cities.

‘He must be looked after and respected’: Sourav Ganguly backs Imran Khan’s appeal Cricket News

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February 18, 2026

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‘He must be looked after and respected’: Sourav Ganguly backs Imran Khan’s appeal Cricket News

'He must be taken care of and respected': Sourav Ganguly backs Imran Khan's appeal

Sourav Ganguly and Imran Khan (Institutional Photo)

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly calls out former India captain Sourav Ganguly Pakistan captain Imran Khan He was treated with dignity and appropriate care amid growing concerns about health conditions in prison.Ganguly’s comments followed a joint appeal by 14 former national team captains from the five Test-matching nations urging the Pakistani government to ensure improved prison conditions and proper medical care for the World Cup-winning leader. “They did the right thing. So, I am sure Imran Khan must be taken care of and respected,” Ganguly told reporters.

What will Team India do in Ahmedabad today? Practice timing, playing elevens, press conferences, etc.

The petition, started by former Australia captain Greg Chappell, has been submitted to Prime Minister Sherbaz Sharif, The Age reported. Among the signatories were Indian greats Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Devand Australia’s Allan Border, Steve WaughIan Chappell, Belinda Clark and Kim Hughes; England’s Mike Atherton, Nasser Hussain, Mike Brierley and David Gower; West Indies legend Clive Lloyd; and New Zealand’s John Wright.In the letter, the former captain expressed “deep concern” over reports of Khan’s deteriorating health, particularly that his eyesight had deteriorated significantly while incarcerated in Rawalpindi’s Adiala jail, where he was held for more than two years on corruption charges. They stressed that a man like him deserves humane treatment, medical care from experts of his choice, regular family visits and fair legal proceedings.The appeal highlights cricket’s long-standing role in promoting respect that transcends competition, urging authorities to uphold the principles of decency and justice. Gavaskar described the situation as “terrible” and noted that they had developed a long-standing friendship before the match on the field.Supporters claim Khan has lost 85% of the vision in his right eye and has struggled to get help from family and private doctors. He and his wife, Bushra Bibi, have been in prison since August 2023, with their most recent convictions totaling 31 years in prison.

Kayla Noel Day: Alleged social media profile surfaces amid heat on Nancy Guthrie’s ‘niece’; ‘likes to stab things’

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February 18, 2026

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Kayla Noel Day’s alleged social media profiles emerged online and were widely shared. This comes after unsubstantiated claims she was niece of nancy guthrie. Meanwhile, the search for the 84-year-old continues after her family reported her missing from her home near Tucson. Arizona February 1st.

The banner carries a picture of Nancy Guthrie, the 84-year-old mother of American journalist and television host Savannah Guthrie. (Reuters)

One person claimed on However, there are no official records linking Day to Guthrie. Court records also don’t show any information about the arrest. Channel 2 Now reported Day’s arrest, along with the arrest of a man named Luke Anthony Daley. HT.com could not verify the report or the social media claims.

Kayla Day’s alleged social media profile

Although there has been no official confirmation, interest in Day has only grown, with many sharing her alleged social media profiles. What is certain is that the content was posted on X and Facebook by unverified people.

ALSO READ | The Nancy Guthrie Case: What is Investigative Genealogy? Tactics tried by police helped catch Brian Koberg

“Tattoo artists and piercing artists both wear black gloves…According to KAYLA, she likes getting things tattooed, judging by her Kaystabzthingz account on Tik Tok!!!”, said one person famous The person shared a post that shared Day’s alleged Facebook and TikTok profiles.

Another commented: “She’s also wearing black gloves #kayladay, who was arrested on drug charges on February 12 last year and now-detained boyfriend Luke Daley’s house was raided on February 13 and Zach 4 took photos of his Range Rover.” HT.com cannot verify the authenticity of these claims.

“Kayla Noel Day’s social media pages have all been taken down,” another person noted.

Some even speculated whether Guthrie’s daughter, “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie, was speaking to Day when she posted a video message seeking her mother’s return. In the videos, Savannah is usually seen alongside siblings Annie and Karen. “have Savannah GuthrieSocial media posts about Nancy Guthrie’s kidnapping that have been her speaking directly to Kayla Day? ” ask.

Grok, meanwhile, fact-checked user links that might have pointed to Guthrie. “According to social media reports and limited news, Kayla Noel Day is a resident of Tucson, Arizona who was allegedly involved in Luke Daley’s 2025 drug trafficking case (arrested on fentanyl-related charges). Some accounts claim she is the niece of missing woman Nancy Guthrie, but the FBI Official sources like the Pima County Sheriff’s Department have not confirmed this, nor have they confirmed any recent arrests related to the case — the detainees have been released.”

Before politics drove them apart: How Jesse Jackson and Donald Trump really knew each other

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February 18, 2026

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Before politics drove them apart: How Jesse Jackson and Donald Trump really knew each other

Donald Trump has paid tribute to civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson following his death, calling him a long-time partner and inspiration. But the relationship between the two men was complex, ranging from collaborations in New York business circles to sharp political differences on the national stage.Jackson died on Tuesday at the age of 84. “It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of civil rights leader and founder of the Rainbow Advance Alliance, the Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson Sr.,” the Rainbow Advance Alliance said in announcing his death. “He passed away peacefully Tuesday morning surrounded by his family.”

Trump’s tribute

Hours after Jackson’s death, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social: “I knew him well long before he became president. He was a good man with great character, courage, and ‘street smarts.'” He was very gregarious—a man who truly loved people! “He added that he had supported Jackson’s organization for years, providing office space in Manhattan and shared many old photos with Hum. “While I have been wrongly called a racist by the thugs and lunatics of the radical left and all Democrats, I have always been happy to help Jesse along the way,” Trump wrote. He said Jackson “had been given space in Trump Tower at 40 Wall Street for many years.”“

Trump also credited Jackson’s advocacy with influencing some of his own policies. “Responded to his pleas for help passing and signing Criminal Justice Reform when other presidents would not even try; single-handedly pushed and passed long-term funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), something Jesse loved that no other president would have done,” he wrote. “Responded to Jesse’s support for Opportunity Zones, the most successful economic development plan ever approved for black businessmen/women, and more. Jesse has a force of nature like others before him. “

early cooperation

The two met in New York long before Trump entered politics. In the 1990s, Trump provided office space to Jackson’s Rainbow Initiative. At a 1999 news conference, Jackson called Trump a “friend” and said, “He’s also been there when it comes to reaching out and being inclusive.”Speaking at the same event, Trump joked about Jackson’s negotiating skills. “Jesse started by saying, ‘Most of the wealth in this country is in the hands of a few people.’ And I thought to myself: Is that a bad thing?” he said, drawing laughter. He added: “He’s a very tough negotiator… No, he’s a great guy. We love him and I will support him.”

political division

Their relationship changed after Trump entered politics. During the 2016 presidential campaign, Jackson supported Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. In an interview with Bloomberg TV that year, Jackson said Trump was “affable and sociable” in his early years but criticized his campaign stance.“These ideas are not only conservative, but they are somewhat off-center. They could be destabilizing for the country,” Jackson said of Trump’s policies on immigration, foreign affairs and health care. He refused to label Trump a racist, saying he didn’t want his campaign to revolve around “branding.”In 2020, Jackson supported veteran leader Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary.

jackson and obama

Trump’s most recent tribute also claimed Jackson helped elect Barack Obama, “a man Jesse couldn’t stand.” Jackson has publicly supported Obama, although he did make critical remarks during the 2008 campaign, which he later apologized for, saying he believed they were off the record.Obama also posted a tribute to Jackson on X: After Obama won in 2008, Jackson was visibly emotional. “We are a better America today,” he told CBS. “America is a work in progress, and last night we saw that work expressed in the most magnificent way possible.”For decades, Jackson remained one of America’s most prominent black leaders, twice elected as a presidential candidate and awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Hate speech PIL ‘targeted’ BJP CM: Supreme Court | India News

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February 18, 2026

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Hate speech PIL ‘targeted’ BJP CM: Supreme Court | India News

Hate speech PIL 'targeted' BJP CM: Supreme Court

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday criticized 12 “eminent” persons who together filed a PIL “against” the chief minister of a BJP-ruled state, accusing him of hate speech, while calling for guidelines to be put in place to restrain constitutional officers and bureaucrats from violating loyalty to constitutional ethics. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the petitioners, told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices BV Nagarathna and Joymalya Bagchi that the atmosphere in the country had become toxic and “only the Supreme Court can and should remedy this.”However, the CJI-led bench was quick to point out that the petition selectively named individuals while highlighting the issues. “This petition is certainly targeted at certain individuals as it leaves out others who regularly make such hateful comments. Petitioners should not give the impression that they are targeting individuals. “The petitioners include Roop Rekha Verma, Mohd Adeep, Harsh Mander, Najeeb Jung, John Dayal and Ashok Kumar Sharma, citing hate speeches by BJP members Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath, Devendra Fadnavis, Pushkar Singh Dhami, Anantkumar Hegde and Giriraj Singh, besides certain remarks by some bureaucrats.“Please file an impartial and neutral petition. This issue is important. At the end of the day, all parties must exercise restraint in their speech. What we want to say is that all party workers must keep in mind the constitutional ethics and exercise restraint in their speech and any guidelines should be universally applicable.”The judge said some political parties blatantly made statements based on their shared ideologies and openly expressed hatred. “You didn’t cite a single example of the other party.”When Sibal said he would delete all personal references in the petition, the bench responded that the PIL would be heard with necessary modifications.Justice Nagarathna said, “Political party leaders must promote brotherhood. Courts can pass orders. But the remedy lies in political parties and democratic institutions adhering to constitutional values and morals.” Justice Nagarathna added, “The origin of speech is the thought process. Can a court order to change or restrict a person’s thought process? What about freedom of expression?”“This is such a vague petition. Instead of it being a populist exercise, let it be a constructive constitutional exercise,” Justice Bacchi told Sibal. Dry politics should not determine the filing of a PIL. “Sibal sought two weeks to amend the PIL.The two prayers of the petitioners read like fundamental duties of citizens: a) State that public speech by constitutional functionaries or public officials must comply with constitutional morals and must not infringe upon the fundamental rights of others; b) Establish guidelines to govern the public speech of constitutional officers and bureaucrats to ensure fidelity to constitutional morals without imposing prior restrictions or censorship.

Tony Clark Family: Who is His Wife Frances? Everything focuses on their three children

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February 18, 2026

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Tony Clark Family: Who is His Wife Frances? Everything focuses on their three children

The former Diamondbacks player’s family life has been thrust into the spotlight after ESPN reported that MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark has resigned due to an alleged affair with his sister-in-law. Tony Clark is married to Frances Clark and they have three children: Jazzin, Aeneas and Kiara.

Rob Manfred, Major League Baseball Commissioner. (Associated Press)

EPSN’s Jeff Passan reports that the MLBPA is about to launch an internal investigation into allegations of an “inappropriate affair” between Tony Clark and his sister-in-law. Clark’s sister-in-law has reportedly been an employee of the MLBPA since 2021.

As of now, the MLBPA or Clark have not confirmed the details of the allegations against the 57-year-old player. However, this brought his family life into the spotlight. In this article, we take a look at Clark’s family life: his wife Frances and their three children.

This story is being updated.

Madras HC overturns 2017 acquittals, convicts 21 in murder case | India News

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February 18, 2026

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Madras HC overturns 2017 acquittals, convicts 21 in murder case | India News

Madras HC overturns 2017 acquittals, convicts 21 in murder case

CHENNAI: More than eight years after a trial court acquitted 23 people accused of killing a man during the 2013 Villupuram election contest, the Madras High Court on Tuesday overturned the order and convicted 21 of them and sentenced them to life imprisonment.A bench of Justices P Velmurugan and M Jothiraman said, “After careful re-evaluation of all the evidence on record, we find that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and proved that the accused were members of an unlawful assembly and that there was a common purpose to cause the death of the deceased.”According to the prosecution, there was previous animosity between Bhaskar and Krishnaveni over the Kilyanur panchayat elections. Around 12:30 a.m. on May 30, 2013, Krishnaveni and others gathered in front of Bhaskar’s home armed with deadly weapons. When Bhaskar tried to escape, he was hunted.On April 28, 2017, after the court concluded the trial, the 23 defendants were acquitted. Bhaskar’s wife Amuda subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court.

Blackstone founder Stephen Schwarzman plans to donate his entire $48 billion fortune to a major philanthropic foundation | World News

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February 18, 2026

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Blackstone founder Stephen Schwarzman plans to donate his entire $48 billion fortune to a major philanthropic foundation | World News

Blackstone founder Stephen Schwarzman plans to donate his entire $48 billion fortune to a major philanthropic foundation

Stephen Schwarzman, co-founder and chief executive of global investment firm Blackstone, is preparing to transfer much of his estimated $48 billion personal fortune to a charitable foundation, according to documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. If implemented, the plan would significantly expand the size of the Stephen A. Schwarzman Foundation and potentially place it among the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. Schwarzman said his philanthropic focus is on artificial intelligence, education and preparing society for rapid technological change.

Stephen Schwarzman’s massive philanthropy plan

The Wall Street Journal reports that Schwarzman and his team are planning to kill Stephen A. The Schwarzman Foundation reports total assets of $65 million in 2024. Internal documents reviewed by the newspaper said the foundation recently hired an executive director to oversee future growth and long-term strategy. Neither Blackstone nor the foundation responded to requests for comment.Schwarzman is a signatory of the Giving Pledge, which encourages the world’s richest people to donate the majority of their wealth to philanthropic causes. The Bloomberg Billionaires Index estimates his net worth at about $47.8 billion. If nearly all the wealth ends up being transferred to the foundation, it would rank alongside major global charities such as the Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.Schwarzman said in his donation pledge letter that advances in artificial intelligence and computing can reshape jobs, education and global competitiveness. He described the urgent need for society to prepare for these changes and said these concerns have led him to fund large-scale initiatives related to artificial intelligence, research and education.Schwarzman also cited the influence of family on his approach to giving. He said his grandfather regularly sent medical supplies to children overseas, while his father extended credit to newly arrived immigrants while running a small business in Philadelphia. He describes these experiences as shaping his view of philanthropy as both a responsibility and a privilege.

From Wall Street to global philanthropy

Schwarzman began his career at Lehman Brothers in 1972 after receiving his MBA from Harvard Business School. He rose to managing director before leaving in 1985 to co-found Blackstone with Peter G. Peterson. The company was founded with $400,000 and has since grown into one of the largest asset management companies in the world. Today, Blackstone manages more than $1.3 trillion in assets across private equity, real estate, private credit and infrastructure.In addition to domestic giving, Schwarzman supports global education initiatives. In 2013, he founded the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University in Beijing, which funds a one-year master’s degree in global affairs and is often compared to the Rhodes Scholarship.In 2018, Schwarzman donated $350 million to MIT to establish the Schwarzman School of Computing. The gift is the largest in the university’s history. MIT said the funding is intended to advance artificial intelligence research while integrating ethical and social considerations into computing education.In a recent interview, Schwarzman said he now defines his legacy by what he is building for the future rather than past financial achievements, with philanthropy, education and technology at the core of his long-term vision.

Chicago Fire Weather Watch Map: Check areas of Illinois at risk from Oklahoma Panhandle wildfires

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February 18, 2026

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Chicago Fire Weather Watch Map: Check areas of Illinois at risk from Oklahoma Panhandle wildfires

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a fire weather warning for parts of northern Illinois, including the Chicago metropolitan area. A fire alert will be in effect on Wednesday, February 18.

Dry, windy weather is sweeping across the Plains as Oklahoma wildfires rage. The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather warning for parts of northern Illinois and the Chicago area. (no splash)

Officials are warning citizens to be aware of outdoor burning activities, which can quickly develop catastrophic fires if a source of fire emerges due to a mix of warm air, strong winds and unusually dry conditions.

This story is being updated.

Tina Ambani skips ER summons for second time in a month | India News

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February 18, 2026

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Tina Ambani skips ER summons for second time in a month | India News

Tina Ambani skips ER summons for second time in a month

New Delhi: Tina Ambaniwife Anil Ambani member of the Reliance Group, skipping the law enforcement bureau (ED) Tuesday. She failed to show up at the agency’s headquarters when she received a subpoena related to the money laundering investigation. Tina was earlier summoned on February 9. Her husband was summoned for questioning on Wednesday in connection with investigations into his group entities, including Reliance Communications and Reliance Power Ltd. Anil is facing investigation in a Rs 40,000-crore money laundering case. To expedite the investigation, the Education Bureau has issued letters rogatory (LR) to the United States, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and some tax havens to seek more details about the alleged financial traces. LRs, which are formal requests for the production/verification of evidence issued through the courts to foreign jurisdictions, have been sent to trace “proceeds of crime” purportedly generated from bank loans received by group entities. Anil was questioned in August last year when he was asked to disclose details about his overseas assets and other transactions. Last year, the ED conducted 46 searches, including premises in Mumbai linked to Anil and attached properties worth over Rs 12,000 crore. The agency has also constituted an SIT on the directions of the Supreme Court to expedite investigations.