Four men were killed after a US-registered speedboat clashed with Cuban border forces off the northern coast of Cuba on Tuesday. Cuba’s Ministry of the Interior said the boat entered its territorial waters near Villa Clara province.   According to officials, the people on board opened fire when officers moved to intercept the vessel. A Cuban patrol commander was wounded. Border forces returned fire, killing four people on the boat. Six others were injured and given medical treatment.   Cuba described those killed as “aggressors”. Authorities said investigations are ongoing. There was no immediate comment from US officials. (PC: X, India Today)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Israeli Parliament and highlighted strong ties between the two countries. He said he “was born on the day India formally recognised Israel, September 17, 1950.”   Modi expressed condolences over the October 7 Hamas attack. “We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly,” he said. He also recalled the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and stressed a policy of “zero tolerance for terrorism with no double standards.”   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Modi. During the visit, Modi laid a wreath and met children waving Indian and Israeli flags. (PC: X/@narendramodi)

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates addressed his past meetings with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during a staff town hall at the Gates Foundation. The foundation said he “spoke candidly” and “took responsibility for his actions.”   According to The Wall Street Journal, Gates told employees, “I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit.” He called it a “huge mistake to spend time with Epstein” and said he “never spent any time with victims.”   Gates said he met Epstein in 2011 and did not properly check his background. He denied any improper conduct linked to Epstein. (PC: BBC)

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi shared a video of his meeting with Uttarakhand gym trainer Deepak Kumar, also known as Mohammad Deepak. Deepak had confronted a mob in Kotdwar on January 26 after it objected to a Muslim shopkeeper’s store name.   In the video, Gandhi said, “Those who try to spread hate and intimidate society are, in truth, cowards—never fear them.” Speaking to Deepak’s mother on phone, he added, “Do not be worried; these people are cowards, they won’t do anything.”   Deepak said he used the name “Mohammad Deepak” to show he is “Hindu, Muslim, Sikh as well as Christian.” (PC: The Indian Express)

India will launch its first cannabis-based medicinal project in Jammu, Union minister of state in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh said on Tuesday. The project is being developed under a public-private partnership with a French company. It aims to produce export-quality medicines.   Singh said the cannabis plant will be used for “medicinal purposes”. “The aim is to manufacture painkiller medicines that can assist in the treatment of cancer, diabetic neuropathy and other serious illnesses,” he said.   The project is in its third stage. Testing and trials are underway. Human trials will follow. Singh said special permissions were required as cannabis is classified as a narcotic substance. (PC: HT)

Sri Lanka were knocked out of the T20 World Cup after losing to New Zealand by 61 runs in Colombo on February 25. The defeat ended their semi-final hopes. New Zealand’s big win improved their Net Run Rate to +3.050.   Pakistan are still in the race but face a tough task. Their NRR is -0.461. They must beat Sri Lanka by about 70 runs in their final Super 8 match. Pakistan also need England to defeat New Zealand.   If England’s match is washed out, New Zealand will qualify. Pakistan will know the required margin before facing Sri Lanka on February 28. (PC: India Today)

US President Donald Trump did not spell out his next steps on Iran during his State of the Union address. He said he prefers a deal over conflict. “We haven’t heard from them those secret words: ‘We do not want nuclear weapons ever’,” he said.   Hours earlier, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said, “Iran will under no circumstances ever develop a nuclear weapon.”   A new round of talks is set to take place in Geneva. A diplomat said military action could follow if no “acceptable text” is agreed.   The US has increased its military presence in the Middle East as talks continue. (PC: X)

The Maitree bus service between India and Bangladesh resumed after nearly 18 months. The Kolkata-Dhaka-Agartala route restarted after the new BNP government took office in Bangladesh.   On the first day, 18 passengers travelled from Kolkata to Agartala via Dhaka. Officials said the journey was smooth and no major issues were reported.   Tourism Minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the move will boost tourism, trade and cultural ties. He said better connectivity will help the Northeast’s economy.   Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma said India wants to build on “historic ties” and strengthen cooperation with Bangladesh. The Agartala-Dhaka service will also run regularly. (PC: NDTV)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was awarded the “Speaker of the Knesset Medal” by Israel’s Parliament on Wednesday. He is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive the honour.   Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana presented the medal after Modi addressed the Israeli Parliament. The award recognises his role in strengthening strategic ties between India and Israel.   Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed Modi and called him “a great friend of Israel” and “a champion of the Indian-Israeli alliance.”   This is Modi’s second visit to Israel. Bilateral ties were raised to a strategic partnership during his 2017 visit. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India stands firmly with Israel while addressing the Knesset during his official visit. He expressed condolences for those killed in the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas.   “We feel your pain, we share your grief. India stands with Israel firmly, with full conviction in this moment and beyond,” he said.   He added, “No cause can justify the murder of civilians. Nothing can justify terrorism.”   Modi said India follows a policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism. He highlighted stronger defence, economic and technology ties. He noted that relations were raised to a strategic partnership in 2017. (PC: India Today)