India and Israel elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership" during PM Narendra Modi's second state visit to Israel. Following delegation-level talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, both nations signed wide-ranging agreements covering trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace, and digital payments. A landmark agreement was reached for UPI adoption in Israel, while both sides committed to advancing a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. Modi announced an India-Israel critical and emerging technologies partnership spanning AI, quantum technologies, and critical minerals. Defence cooperation will expand through joint development and military hardware production under a technology transfer framework. Modi also strongly backed the Gaza Peace Initiative, reaffirming India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and commitment to Middle East stability.

India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at Chennai, keeping their title defence alive. Chasing 257, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 184/6, with Brian Bennett delivering a valiant unbeaten 97 off 59 balls in a losing cause. Arshdeep Singh was India's standout bowler with 3/24. Player of the match Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, anchoring India's record 256/4. Captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged India could have been more clinical with the ball but credited Zimbabwe's batting. India now face West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal on Sunday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with both teams needing a win to advance to the semifinals.

Afghanistan launched a large-scale retaliatory offensive against Pakistan along the disputed Durand Line on Thursday, following Islamabad's airstrikes on Afghan territory on February 22. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed coordinated artillery and infantry attacks targeting Pakistani military checkposts, with Afghan forces reportedly capturing at least 15 Pakistani checkposts across Goshta, Nangarhar, and Kunar provinces. At least nine Pakistani troops were severely wounded. Heavy fighting continues across Mohmand, Chitral, and Kurram districts. Pakistan called Afghanistan's strikes "unprovoked" and claimed to be responding immediately. The Taliban's Ministry of Defence condemned Pakistan's actions as a breach of international law, while Pakistan maintained it had conclusive evidence linking terror attacks to militants operating from Afghan soil.

The United States has deployed F-22 Raptor stealth jets to Israel for the first time, amid escalating tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme. Around a dozen aircraft departed from RAF Lakenheath in England, with flight tracking data and plane spotters confirming movements over the Mediterranean. US officials confirmed some jets had already arrived in Israel while others were en route. The deployment adds to an already significant American military buildup in the Middle East, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and over 60 fighter jets stationed in Jordan. The jets arrived two days before US-Iran nuclear negotiations resumed in Geneva, Switzerland, with Oman mediating. Further technical discussions are expected next week in Vienna. (PC: Reuters)

Europe's royal landscape is transforming as a generation of Gen-Z princesses prepares to ascend their thrones, driven by gender-neutral succession laws adopted across multiple nations. Absolute primogeniture where the firstborn inherits regardless of gender has replaced male-preference systems, with Sweden pioneering the reform in 1980. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Leonor of Spain, Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, and Estelle of Sweden are all positioned to become their nations' future queens. These young royals are internationally educated, socially progressive, and environmentally conscious. Belgium adopted gender-neutral succession in 1991, Netherlands in 1983, and Norway in 1990, collectively reshaping centuries-old monarchical traditions across the continent. (PC: NDTV)

Legendary cricket umpire Steve Bucknor, 79, has finally admitted that his infamous LBW decision against Sachin Tendulkar during India's tour of Australia at Brisbane's Gabba in 2003-04 was a mistake. Speaking to the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor acknowledged the error saying "mistakes happen" and that he has accepted it. Tendulkar, batting on just 3, had attempted to leave a delivery from Jason Gillespie that struck him high on the pads as television replays clearly showed the ball was going over the stumps. Commentator Tony Greig had famously called it "dreadful." Bucknor also wrongly dismissed Tendulkar in a 2005 Eden Gardens match against Pakistan. Tendulkar himself once jokingly suggested Bucknor should wear boxing gloves while umpiring. (PC: X/@DeccanChronicle) 

London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has officially approved the pedestrianisation of Oxford Street, instructing Transport for London to remove all traffic between Great Portland Street and Orchard Street by September. The decision follows two public consultations, with a majority supporting the plans. The stretch will be closed to private vehicles, buses, taxis, cycles and scooters, with service vehicles permitted only between midnight and 7am. Buses will be rerouted along Wigmore Street and Henrietta Place. New pedestrian crossings, cycle routes, taxi ranks and blue-badge parking bays will be introduced. Oxford Street contributes an estimated £25 billion annually to London's economy. Khan aims to position it alongside Paris and New York as a global leisure destination. (PC: BBC)

Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo, has finally been accepted into his troop after weeks of heartbreaking rejection. Born during a summer heatwave in July 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother at birth and raised by zoo staff. When reintroduced to the group at "Monkey Mountain" in January, he faced repeated rejection and bullying. Zoo caretakers provided an IKEA orangutan plushie for comfort, which Punch carried everywhere melting hearts globally with videos surpassing 30 million views. Adult monkey Onsing finally embraced Punch, providing grooming and protection. The wholesome story triggered worldwide emotional responses, trending as #HangInTherePunch across TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and X.

A leaked internal report from the UK Health Security Agency has revealed 340 suspected measles cases in London since the start of 2026, with 123 confirmed. The outbreak is particularly alarming as 34 confirmed cases were directly linked to a single school in Enfield, north London, between January 20 and February 7. The majority of cases affect children aged one to four, with 42 cases recorded among children from the most deprived areas. Between January 2024 and February 2026, England recorded 1,117 measles cases overall, with 597 in London alone, causing the UK to lose its measles elimination status. Health officials are urgently urging parents to vaccinate children, citing dangerously low MMRV vaccine uptake in areas including Hackney and Enfield. (PC: X)

The Indian Army's Western Command has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, declaring that any future provocation will draw a far harsher response than Operation Sindoor. Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, GOC of 2 Corps, confirmed Operation Sindoor 2.0 is ongoing with preparations on a significantly larger scale across land, sea, and air. He recalled how the original Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in May last year, brought Pakistan to its knees within four days, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar dismissed Pakistan's nuclear threats as a bluff, reaffirming India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism under PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.