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)

India is considering buying Russian Su-57 fifth-generation fighter jets to strengthen its Air Force. Sources said the Air Force may order around 40 aircraft. The Su-57 comes with advanced stealth features and radar-evading design. It can carry out air-to-air and air-to-surface missions. Officials say modern air warfare now depends more on detection than dogfights. The talks come after Operation Sindoor and rising regional threats. China has deployed J-20 stealth fighters, which may support Pakistan. India is also developing its own Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. The first flight is expected by 2028 or 2029, with induction around 2035.

A 22-year-old Indian national has been removed from Canada over alleged links to extortion activities. Surrey Police Service said Lovebir Singh was identified in early 2026. He had been in Canada since 2023. Police shared details with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). After an immigration probe, he was deported. Officials believe he was sent back to India. Authorities released his photo to seek more information. Canada removed over 22,000 inadmissible persons last year, a record high. In the first ten months of 2025, 2,831 Indians were removed. Investigations into extortion networks are ongoing. (PC: AP)

A photo published by The Irish Times showing students outside the Speir student pantry at the University of Galway has sparked racist abuse online against Indians in Ireland. The report highlighted the growing cost-of-living crisis and rising demand for food support. It did not mention the nationality of students using the pantry. However, some social media users focused on South Asian faces in the image. One user wrote, “Deport Indians,” while others made similar remarks. The backlash comes amid recent attacks on Indians in Ireland. The Indian Embassy has urged citizens to remain cautious and take safety precautions.

India has issued an urgent advisory asking all its nationals in Iran including students, pilgrims, businesspersons and tourists to leave immediately via available commercial means, citing the "evolving situation" in West Asia. The Indian Embassy in Tehran reinforced earlier January advisories, urging citizens to carry travel documents, avoid protests, and register with the embassy. Families in India were also asked to assist in registration amid potential internet disruptions. The advisory coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit to Israel on February 25-26, his first since 2017. Israeli PM Netanyahu called the visit significant amid ongoing Oman-mediated US-Iran nuclear talks and heightened regional security concerns.

An Irish man sparked controversy on X after sharing an Irish Times article about the University of Galway's student food bank turning away hundreds weekly. He falsely claimed 90%+ of those queuing were Indian nationals, questioning why they were in Ireland and alleging financial fraud. Critically, the Irish Times article never identified students' nationalities nor singled out any group. Despite this, the post fueled xenophobic reactions online, with users accusing Indian students of exploiting the system. Some commenters called for stricter immigration enforcement. The incident highlights how misleading framing of news images can rapidly ignite racial hostility against diaspora communities, particularly Indian students studying abroad.

Travel vlogger Maya Rey, who has explored over 40 countries, went viral after sharing five things that genuinely shocked her during her solo journey across India. In an Instagram post garnering over 127,000 views, Rey highlighted India's extraordinary hospitality, where strangers constantly offered help despite staring. She was surprised by the widespread English proficiency that enabled seamless communication everywhere. Rey noted Indians' blunt personal questioning, skipping small talk entirely. Remarkably, she observed that locals travel their own country more extensively than any nation she'd visited. Finally, she declared Indian food unmatched globally, lamenting that no international substitute compares. The post received overwhelmingly positive responses from Indian users appreciating her open-hearted perspective.

Israel has reportedly proposed supplying India with the Golden Horizon Air-Launched Ballistic Missile (ALBM), a sophisticated deep-strike weapon capable of targeting fortified underground strategic facilities including command bunkers and nuclear-related infrastructure. Derived from Israel's Silver Sparrow target missile, the Golden Horizon is estimated to have a range between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometres significantly exceeding BrahMos capabilities and follows a ballistic trajectory reaching near-hypersonic terminal velocities above Mach 5, making interception extremely challenging. If acquired, the missile would likely be integrated with IAF's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet. The offer represents a significant upgrade beyond Israel's previously supplied LORA and Rampage systems, potentially transforming India's aerial deep-strike capabilities against hardened enemy infrastructure considerably. (PC: News18)

Urvashi, an Indian woman based in Japan, recently visited the Ichikawa City Zoological and Botanical Gardens to meet Punch, the internet's beloved baby Japanese macaque, sharing heartwarming glimpses on Instagram captioned "Finally met the tiniest fighter in Japan." Born in July 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother shortly after birth and hand-raised by dedicated zoo staff. He developed a deep attachment to a stuffed orangutan plush, affectionately dubbed "Ora-mama" by fans online. Despite facing intimidation from older monkeys, Punch has shown remarkable resilience. The zoo has witnessed a significant spike in visitors since Punch's story went viral. Recent updates confirm Punch has made new friends and was groomed by two fellow monkeys, steadily integrating into the group.

Days after Tarique Rahman's Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) swept to a two-thirds majority in February 12 elections and Rahman took oath as Prime Minister on February 17, Bangladesh's military underwent a sweeping top-level reshuffle. Lieutenant General M Mainur Rahman was appointed the new Chief of General Staff, replacing Lieutenant General Mizanur Rahman Shamim who retired. Major General Kaiser Rashid Chowdhury was named Director General of the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI). Significantly, Brigadier General Mohammad Hafizur Rahman, serving as defence adviser at Bangladesh's High Commission in India, was recalled and promoted, appointed GOC of the 55th Infantry Division. The sweeping changes signal the new BNP government's intent to firmly consolidate strategic military command structures under its administration. (PC: NDTV)