Authorities in Chiang Mai are investigating after 72 tigers died at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai this month. The deaths happened in less than two weeks across two facilities.   Officials said tests found canine distemper virus in samples. The virus attacks the respiratory and nervous systems. It can infect big cats. Authorities said the outbreak is no longer spreading and no humans were infected.   “All remains have been buried,” officials said. Gravely ill tigers were recommended for euthanasia.   The park has been closed for two weeks for disinfection. Animal groups said the case shows the “extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a new “hexagon” of alliances and named India as a key partner. He said the bloc would include Israel, India, Greece and Cyprus, along with some Arab, African and Asian nations.   Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the aim is to counter “the radical Shiite axis” and “the emerging radical Sunni axis.” He said these nations “see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges, and goals.”   The plan comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The framework is expected to focus on security, defence and intelligence cooperation. (PC: India Today)

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has grounded four aircraft of VSR Ventures Pvt Ltd after a special safety audit. The review followed the January 28 Learjet 45 crash in Baramati that killed five people, including NCP leader Ajit Pawar. Officials said the audit found “several non-compliances” in airworthiness, flight operations and safety procedures. The aircraft with registrations VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV and VT-TRI have been grounded. They will remain grounded until safety standards are restored. The DGCA has asked the company to submit a “root cause analysis” of the lapses. The regulator is also carrying out phase-wise audits of other non-scheduled operators. (PC: HT)

Ahead of Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming visit to India, the Canadian government is actively moving to revoke the citizenship of Tahawwur Rana Hussain, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national accused of playing a key role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana is a close associate of David Coleman Headley, alias Daood Gilani, one of the principal conspirators behind the devastating 26/11 attacks that claimed over 160 lives. The citizenship revocation move is widely seen as a significant diplomatic gesture by Ottawa toward New Delhi, signalling Canada's intent to repair its previously strained bilateral relationship with India ahead of Carney's high-profile state visit. (PC: AP)   

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is undertaking a two-day visit to Israel beginning Wednesday marking his second in nine years aimed at significantly strengthening bilateral defence, trade and strategic cooperation amid escalating US-Iran tensions in the Middle East. Modi will address Israel's parliament, hold comprehensive delegation-level talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu focusing heavily on defence and security cooperation, and meet President Isaac Herzog. Key agenda items include exploring integration of Israel's Iron Dome technology into India's indigenous "Sudarshan Chakra" air defence system, advancing Free Trade Agreement negotiations, and reviewing the Bilateral Investment Agreement signed in September. Netanyahu will host a private dinner for Modi on Wednesday. Over 20,000 Indians currently work in Israel. (PC: X/@netanyahu)

Harman Singh Kapoor, owner of the Indian restaurant 'Rangrez' in Hammersmith, London, has announced its closure after 16 years, citing repeated "disturbances and attacks by Pakistanis," rising operational costs, sustained online harassment and inadequate support from the Metropolitan Police. Announcing the closure on X, Kapoor vowed to intensify his activism, warning radicals that disrupting his business would not break his resolve. The restaurant had previously faced controversy in March 2023 when Kapoor alleged a Khalistani attack following his TikTok videos criticising the Khalistan movement and mocking radical preacher Amritpal Singh. Kapoor had expressed nuanced views on Khalistan, condemning the violent approach while not entirely rejecting the concept itself.

CNN-News18 has exclusively accessed a video of Saifullah Kasuri, deputy chief of Lashkar-e-Taiba and alleged mastermind of the April 22, 2025, Pahalgam terror attack, issuing direct threats of a 26/11-style maritime attack against India. Kasuri claimed Pakistan "dominated the air in 2025" and will "dominate the sea in 2026," warning of no safe space for India across land, air or sea. He accused India of "water terrorism," threatened Hindu religious sites including temples, and warned that pressure on Kashmir would trigger unrest in Balochistan. Intelligence sources interpret these statements as advance warning of a potential Arabian Sea terror operation. Kasuri also openly acknowledged continued coordination with Pakistan's army and ISI. (PC: X)

As US-Iran tensions escalate, America's most expensive warship, the $13.3 billion USS Gerald R. Ford is battling an unexpected internal crisis after a catastrophic sewage system failure leaving most of its 650 toilets non-functional. Over 4,500 sailors face 45-minute toilet queues daily while technicians work 19-hour shifts attempting repairs. The vacuum-based sewage system's fragile design means a single valve failure disables entire departments, with calcium build-up requiring $400,000 acid flushes each time. Now in its eighth month at sea well beyond the standard six exhausted sailors are missing family milestones and contemplating leaving the military entirely. The USS Harry S. Truman suffered similar crew fatigue issues, resulting in multiple lost fighter jets in 2025.

The United States has begun collecting a new 10% tariff on most imports. The move was confirmed in a notice by US Customs and Border Protection. It said goods would face “an additional ad valorem rate of 10%.”   The rate is lower than the 15% tariff earlier announced by President Donald Trump. A White House official said the higher rate may come later, but there is no formal order yet.   The step follows a Supreme Court ruling that blocked earlier tariffs. Trump then used Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 to impose the new duties for up to 150 days. (PC: HT)

India is looking at buying Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets, sources said. The Air Force may order around 40 aircraft if the plan moves ahead. The talks come less than a year after Operation Sindoor. Air battles during the operation gave new lessons to India’s defence forces. Modern air war now depends more on detection than dogfights. The Su-57 is built with stealth features. It uses radar-absorbent material and advanced systems. Sukhoi says the jet has “deeply integrated avionics” and can share data in real time. India is also developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. Its first flight is expected around 2028-29. (PC: X)