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)

Pakistan's Senate has unanimously passed a resolution condemning Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's proposed "hexagon of alliances," which includes India, Greece, the Greek Cypriot Administration, and select Arab, African, and Asian nations. Islamabad labeled the plan an "anti-Muslim Ummah bloc," calling it a deliberate attempt to undermine Muslim unity. Netanyahu unveiled the alliance concept ahead of PM Modi's Tel Aviv visit, framing it as a counterweight to Iran-led radical Shia networks and an emerging radical Sunni axis linked to ISIS remnants. The resolution, moved by PPP lawmaker Palwasha Mohammad Zai Khan, also rejected Israel's recognition of Somaliland and reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering support for Palestinian self-determination. (PC: NDTV)

An Indian woman on an H-1B visa had her passport stamped "Cancelled and Withdrawn" at Abu Dhabi's US preclearance facility after officials flagged her for working remotely from India without explicit Labour Condition Application (LCA) authorization. Having traveled to India in November for her daughter's first birthday, she spend two months for partly vacation & partly remote work. While her husband cleared preclearance without issues, she faced secondary inspection and was told receiving US payment while working from India violated US law. With no visa appointment slots currently available, she remains stranded. Her case highlights growing legal ambiguity around remote work arrangements amid broader H-1B visa disruptions under the Trump administration.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made history as the first Indian leader to address Israel's Knesset, receiving lavish praise from Speaker Amir Ohana, who called him a "steadfast ally" who has "transformed India." Ohana highlighted Modi's 2017 Israel visit the first by an Indian PM as a landmark moment in bilateral ties. However, the session was briefly overshadowed when opposition lawmakers walked out, protesting Speaker Ohana's decision to exclude Supreme Court President Isaac Amit, though several vowed to return for Modi's address. Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu declared that he and Modi had performed "miracles" together doubling trade, tripling cooperation, and quadrupling mutual understanding since their last meeting.