Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has called on the Pakistan government to ensure proper medical care for jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan. His remarks came after 14 former international captains signed a petition seeking medical and legal support for Khan. Concerns have grown over Khan’s health following reports about issues with his eyesight. Speaking to reporters, Ganguly said, “They have done the right thing. I hope his health improves and that he gets the right treatment.” He added, “He took the country to the world map, first as captain and then as Prime Minister, so he should be looked after.” (PC: HT)

A six-month-old macaque named Punch is winning hearts online after videos showed him hugging a soft toy at a zoo in Japan. Zoo staff said his mother rejected him soon after birth. Keepers then raised him by hand and gave him blankets and toys for comfort. Punch soon bonded with a plush orangutan and now carries it around his enclosure. He is often seen holding it close and sleeping beside it. Keeper Kosuke Shikano said, “The stuffed animal’s fur made it easy to grab and likely provided a sense of security.” Punch is now slowly meeting other macaques again.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak at the opening ceremony of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on Thursday morning. The event is being held at Bharat Mandapam from February 16 to 20. Around 20 heads of state are expected to attend. According to the schedule, Modi will join a leaders’ photo session at about 9:15 am and attend the ceremony at 9:40 am. His address is planned for 10:25 am. On Wednesday, he held nine bilateral meetings with global leaders and top technology executives. The summit focuses on global cooperation and responsible use of artificial intelligence for public benefit. (PC: HT)

India defeated Netherlands by 17 runs in their final Group A match of the T20 World Cup 2026 in Ahmedabad and kept their perfect record intact. Batting first, India lost both openers early, with Abhishek Sharma dismissed for his third straight duck. Shivam Dube led the recovery with 66 off 31 balls. Suryakumar Yadav scored 34, while Hardik Pandya made 30 and Tilak Varma added 28 to push India to 193/6. Netherlands replied with 176/7 in 20 overs. Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets, including two in two balls. Dube picked up two wickets, and Jasprit Bumrah also bowled a tight spell. (PC: X)

Peace talks between Russia, Ukraine and the United States ended without a breakthrough in Geneva. The meetings lasted two days. Officials described them as “difficult”. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the positions of both sides remain far apart. Russia is demanding full control of the Donbas region. Ukraine has rejected this demand. Some progress was reported on military issues and ceasefire monitoring. However, no agreement was reached on territory. Kremlin negotiator Vladimir Medinsky said another meeting will take place soon. The war has continued for four years. Recent Russian strikes killed four people and injured many others. (PC: Reuters)

22-year-old Sikh nurse was injured in an alleged racial attack at a gym in Geelong, Australia. Harmanpreet Singh said three men confronted him at around 11 pm in Corio. “They called me an ‘Indian dog’ and told me to go back,” he told 9News. As he left the gym, the men followed him outside. One man hit his head against Singh’s nose, breaking it. The attackers fled the scene. Locals took him to hospital. He is expected to undergo surgery. Singh said he feels traumatised and unsafe. His family said the incident has deeply shaken them. (PC: X)

Galgotias University was asked to vacate its stall at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. The action followed a viral video. It showed university staff presenting a Chinese-made robot dog as their own product. The robot was identified as Unitree Go2, made by a Chinese company. It was displayed as “Orion” at the event. Social media users accused the university of misleading claims. The university later said it had only bought the robot for learning. It denied building the machine. A Community Note on X said earlier claims were misleading. Officials have not confirmed further action.

Tensions between the United States and Iran have sharply increased. A report by Axios said a US strike could happen within weeks. A White House official put the chances at 90 percent. The report said any action may last for weeks. It may involve joint operations with Israel. Israeli officials said they are preparing for possible conflict within days. US fighter jets have moved toward the Middle East. Iran has started military drills in the region. Despite the threats, nuclear talks continue in Geneva. Both sides say diplomacy is still open. Fears of a wider regional war are growing.

A 65-year-old former ISRO employee was arrested for allegedly killing his wife in Bengaluru. Police said Nageshwar Rao strangled his wife, Sandya Sri, with a towel at their apartment in Bommanahalli on Wednesday. He stayed inside the house after the incident. Later, he called an acquaintance, who informed the police around 11 am. Officers reached the spot and took him into custody. Police said Rao was undergoing treatment for depression. He had reportedly planned to take his own life after the incident. The couple’s daughter lives in the US. She has been informed about the case.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for inclusive and people-focused artificial intelligence at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. They said AI must benefit society and support development. The leaders backed stronger India-EU tech ties and faster implementation of the India-EU free trade agreement. They also discussed defence cooperation, trade, space, and digital technology. European leaders showed strong support for the trade deal. Modi said 2026 will be marked as the India-Spain Year of Culture, Tourism and AI. Both sides stressed global cooperation, responsible AI use, and stronger action against terrorism. (X/ @NarendraModi)