At Ichikawa City Zoo near Tokyo, a baby Japanese macaque named Punch has become an unlikely viral sensation after being abandoned by his mother at birth seven months ago. Alerted by a visitor, zookeepers swiftly intervened and provided Punch with a stuffed orangutan for comfort and companionship. The bond proved immediate and extraordinary as Punch has rarely been seen without the toy since, dragging it everywhere despite it being larger than himself. Videos of the heartwarming duo went viral, drawing floods of visitors to the monkey enclosure, which has now become the zoo's most popular attraction. Punch's story has captured hearts worldwide, turning a moment of abandonment into a tale of unexpected comfort and resilience.

India's Coast Guard seized three Iran-linked, US-sanctioned oil tankers named MT Asphalt Star, MT Al Jafzia, and MT Stellar Ruby off Mumbai on February 4–5. An FIR revealed MT Asphalt Star operated suspiciously inside Pakistan's EEZ for eight days, going completely "dark" for 11 hours on January 28 by disabling AIS, VHF radio, and onboard sensors. The vessels conducted illegal ship-to-ship fuel transfers in India's EEZ using forged documents, fake insurance certificates, and AIS spoofing. Approximately 30 metric tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 5,473 metric tonnes of bitumen were illegally transferred. The FIR names ship masters, engineers, and a shipping firm owner for criminal conspiracy, smuggling, and document forgery. (PC: India Today)

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin addressed the state Assembly, expressing strong confidence that his Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) will return to power in the upcoming Assembly elections expected within two months. Stalin said he aims to launch development initiatives with renewed vigour and promised a “Dravidian Model 2.0” government that would surpass past achievements once re-elected. He thanked the people for their support and reaffirmed his commitment to governance with greater speed and dedication. The confidence follows political developments including Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) joining the DMK-led alliance ahead of the polls. (PC: NDTV)

India is working to broaden its crude oil supply sources, U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor said on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, signalling negotiations on potential Venezuelan oil purchases as New Delhi seeks alternatives to Russian crude. Gor noted that India has already begun diversifying away from Russian oil, a shift Washington supports as part of broader efforts to reduce global dependence on Moscow’s energy amid geopolitical tensions. He also said an interim India-U.S. trade deal is expected to be signed soon, strengthening economic and energy ties. (PC: HT)

Members of the Indian Youth Congress staged a dramatic shirtless protest at the India AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, raising slogans such as “PM is compromised” against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, alleging the government had compromised national interests and failed youth. Around 10 protesters were detained and taken to Tilak Marg police station; police said legal action will follow. The demonstrators briefly disrupted the high-profile international event attended by global delegates. The protest drew sharp criticism from the BJP, which condemned it as disruptive and politically motivated. 

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to visit India in the coming months, signalling deepening bilateral ties, US Ambassador Sergio Gor said at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi. Gor also hinted that a planned meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump will happen “at the right time,” though no date has been finalised. He reaffirmed that a long-anticipated India–US trade deal is nearing completion and highlighted the strategic importance of the Quad partnership amid expanding cooperation in technology and diplomacy. (PC: ANI)

A 57-year-old Sikh man, Avtar Singh, from Tracy, California, has been reported missing in a suspected abduction, officials say. Surveillance footage from February 17 shows him with three unidentified individuals near a white SUV; authorities believe he may have entered the vehicle against his will. Singh, about 5 ft 7 in tall and around 200 lbs, was last seen wearing light-coloured traditional Sikh clothing. The San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office is actively investigating the case and says it appears isolated. The Sikh Coalition and local leaders are assisting with the search. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement. (PC: X)

Virginia Giuffre, once dubbed a “Cinderella” figure, became one of the most prominent survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking network, publicly accusing influential figures of abusing their power. Giuffre claimed she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and forced into sexual encounters as a teenager — including with then-Prince Andrew — allegations he has consistently denied. Her 2021 civil lawsuit against Andrew led to an out-of-court settlement in 2022 and helped fuel global scrutiny of Epstein’s network. Giuffre later advocated for trafficking survivors before dying by suicide in April 2025, leaving behind a powerful legacy that reverberates amid renewed legal action against Epstein associates. (PC: X)

The United States has significantly reinforced its military presence across the Middle East, deploying large forces — including two aircraft carrier strike groups and advanced air and naval assets — amid rising tensions with Iran. President Donald Trump says negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear programme could be resolved within about 10 days, but also warns “bad things” will happen if Iran continues to threaten regional stability. Experts note the scale of forces now in place could support sustained air operations, though the strategic goal beyond deterrence remains unclear. Tehran has vowed retaliation if attacked, while global concerns grow over potential wider conflict. (PC: AP)

Jeffrey Epstein survivor Rina Oh has shared harrowing details of psychological abuse and manipulation by the disgraced financier, saying he exploited her vulnerabilities and once threatened her to keep silent, according to NDTV. Oh — targeted at age 21 — described a turning point during a trip to Florida when Epstein revealed disturbing secrets and made her feel trapped. She praised the recent arrest of former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in connection with the Epstein files but said the U.S. government is not doing enough and called for full transparency and accountability for all powerful figures named in the documents.