Current Affairs 18 February 2026

Current Affairs 18 February 2026

1. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has announced a groundbreaking plan to build “Bee Corridors” along National Highways. This shows that they are serious about building infrastructure that will last. The change is from decorative roadside plants to green corridors that are good for the environment and help honeybees and other pollinators.The goal of the initiative is to deal with the rising ecological stress that has hurt pollination services, agricultural output, and overall biodiversity.

The National Highways Authority (NHAI) has announced an unprecedented plan to build “bee corridors” along national highways. This shows that they are serious about building sustainable infrastructure. This is a shift from decorative roadside plants to creating green corridors that are good for the environment and help bees and other pollinators. The initiative aims to address increasing environmental stress that is harming pollination services, agricultural production and overall biodiversity.

2. After the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) was put on hold, the Jammu and Kashmir government is looking into new ways to manage water. Reports say that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has talked to the Center about plans to send extra water from the Ravi River to the Jammu region and to restart the long-delayed Tulbul Navigation Barrage project in Kashmir. The 1960 treaty was put on hold by the Center in 2025 after the Pahalgam terror attack. This made room for new hydrological planning in the Union Territory.

After the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), the Jammu and Kashmir government is looking for new ways to manage water. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is reported to have discussed with the Center plans to divert additional water from the Ravi River to Jammu region and restart the long-pending Tulbul Navigation Barrage project in Kashmir. After the Pahalgam terror attack, the Center suspended the 1960 agreement in 2025. This opened up space for new hydrological planning in the union territory.

3. Iran has released dramatic footage of its Khorramshahr-4 ballistic missile, which is one of Tehran’s most powerful medium-range weapons. This comes at a time when tensions with the US are rising. The video, which was shared on state-linked sites, seems to be meant to send a message of deterrence as American aircraft carriers move near the Persian Gulf.The show comes at a time of increased strategic competition, with both sides strengthening their military positions in the area.

Iran has released dramatic footage of its Khoramshahr-4 ballistic missile, one of Tehran’s most powerful medium-range weapons. This comes at a time when tensions are rising with the US. The video, shared on state-affiliated sites, appears to convey a message of deterrence as US aircraft carriers pass near the Persian Gulf. The show comes at a time of heightened strategic competition, with both sides strengthening their military positions in the region.

4. On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta opened the CM Shri School in Sarojini Nagar. This was the start of what the government calls India’s first comprehensive education model powered by AI. Also, the first stones were laid for 75 CM Shri School projects in the national capital. The National Education Policy supports the initiative, which aims to provide high-quality public education that uses technology.

On Tuesday, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated CM Shree School in Sarojini Nagar. This was the beginning of what the government calls India’s first comprehensive education model powered by AI. Also, the first foundation stone of 75 CM Shree School projects was laid in the national capital. The National Education Policy supports this initiative, which aims to provide high quality public education that utilizes technology.

5. Scientists have found a 5,000-year-old bacterium in ice in Romania that has been preserved underground and can resist several modern antibiotics. The find has made people worry about the dangers of melting ice in a warming climate. The strain, which was found in the Scărișoara Ice Cave, lived for thousands of years in frozen isolation, but it is resistant to drugs that are commonly used in today’s medical practice.

Scientists have discovered a 5,000-year-old bacterium in snow in Romania that has been preserved underground and can resist many modern antibiotics. The discovery has raised concerns about the dangers of melting snow in warmer climates. A species found in an ice cave, Scirissoara, has survived frozen for thousands of years, but is resistant to drugs commonly used in medical practice today.

6. The sail training ship INS Tarangini is one of the most important ships coming to Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and the multinational naval exercise MILAN, which starts on February 18. About 75 naval ships, including 20 foreign warships, are expected to take part in the two maritime events. This shows how India’s naval diplomacy is growing in the Indo-Pacific.

INS Tarangini is the flagship of the ships arriving in Visakhapatnam for the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 and Multinational Naval Exercise Milan starting from February 18. Around 75 naval vessels, including 20 foreign warships, are expected to participate in both the maritime events. This shows how India’s naval diplomatic capabilities are growing in the Indo-Pacific.

7. India and France have upgraded their relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership,” which means they will work together more closely on defense, innovation, and global governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made the announcement after having a lot of talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron’s official visit to India from February 17 to 19. At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi called the relationship “broad” and “looking ahead.” He stressed that innovation thrives on working together and that we need to work together more during this time of global uncertainty.

India and France have upgraded their relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership”, meaning they will work more closely together on defence, innovation and global governance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi made this announcement after extensive discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron during Macron’s visit to India from February 17 to 19. At a joint press conference, Prime Minister Modi called the relationship “comprehensive” and “forward-looking”. He emphasized that working together fosters innovation and that we need to work together more in these times of global uncertainty.

8. The Supreme Court made a historic decision that menstrual health is a part of the right to dignity and should be protected by the Constitution. The decision is a big step toward ending “period poverty” in India and changes the way people think about menstrual health from a welfare issue to one of equality and public policy.
The court said that even though toilets and household taps have been built better, these changes have not led to the effective end of menstrual deprivation. Access is still uneven, and many facilities don’t work, which shows the difference between what policies say they want to do and what actually happens. The Supreme Court gave a historic decision that menstrual health is part of the right to dignity and should be protected by the Constitution. The decision is a major step towards ending “menstrual poverty” in India and shifts people’s thinking about menstrual health from a welfare issue to one of equality and public policy.
The court said that although latrines and household taps were better constructed, these changes did not effectively end menstrual deprivation. Access is still uneven and many facilities are not functioning, which reflects the gap between what policies are intended to do and what actually happens.