The Indian Premier League (IPL) will begin on March 28, 2026, with the final scheduled for May 31, according to a report by ESPNcricinfo. The tournament’s start date has been pushed back by two days from the initially proposed March 26 window. The IPL Governing Council is expected to meet soon to finalise the complete schedule and confirm venues. The delay in announcing fixtures is reportedly linked to upcoming assembly elections in multiple states. Further clarity is also awaited on the venue for the opening match and playoff games. (PC: Getty Images)

India and Israel have agreed to elevate their long-standing “time-tested” relationship to a Special Strategic Partnership, reaffirming deep trust and shared democratic values during Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The two leaders announced plans to soon finalise a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to expand economic cooperation, alongside boosting collaboration in defence, technology, digital payments (including UPI use in Israel), critical minerals and innovation. Talks also covered regional stability and counterterrorism cooperation. This marks a significant strengthening of bilateral ties, expected to enhance trade and strategic engagement. (PC: ANI)

Afghan forces opened fire on multiple Pakistani military posts along the disputed Durand Line, triggering a fierce two-hour exchange of gunfire between the two sides. Security officials said heavy weapons were used during the clash, raising tensions in an already volatile border region. Pakistan’s military stated it responded “effectively” to what it called unprovoked firing, while Afghan authorities accused Islamabad of earlier aggression. Casualty figures remain unclear, with both sides offering conflicting accounts. The latest confrontation underscores the deepening security crisis between the neighbours, fuelling fears of further escalation and prolonged instability in the region.

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square was defaced with red paint and graffiti. Slogans including “Zionist war criminal”, “Stop the Genocide”, “Free Palestine”, and “Globalise the Intifada” were sprayed on the bronze monument in the early hours of Friday. Metropolitan Police officers arrived within minutes and made an arrest. Heritage wardens cordoned off and began cleaning the statue. Officials condemned the vandalism, noting the landmark has been targeted several times during past protests.

Afghanistan’s Taliban-led authorities say they have launched large-scale offensive attacks against Pakistan’s military positions and installations along the disputed Durand Line border in response to recent Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory. Kabul claims its forces hit multiple posts and inflicted casualties, while Pakistan insists its troops delivered an “immediate and effective response” and inflicted heavy losses on Afghan fighters. Both sides report conflicting casualty figures and accusations of aggression as tensions soar following repeated exchanges of fire and air operations. The violence marks a significant escalation in the long-running security crisis between the two neighbours.

Vijay, a leading Tamil cinema star and chief of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), faces a major personal development as his wife, Sangeetha Sornalingam, has filed a divorce petition in the Chengalpattu family court after over 25 years of marriage. In the petition, she alleged Vijay was involved in an extramarital relationship with an actress, seeking divorce on grounds of infidelity and cruelty. The couple married in 1999 and have two children. The legal process has just begun, and neither Vijay nor his representatives has publicly responded yet. (PC: Facebook)

Pakistani fighter jets carried out air strikes on Kabul and other Afghan cities after Islamabad declared an “open war” against Afghanistan’s Taliban government. The escalation follows days of intense cross-border clashes along the Durand Line. Pakistan says it targeted militant hideouts and Taliban positions responsible for attacks on its forces, while the Taliban claims civilian areas were hit and has vowed retaliation. Both sides reported casualties, though numbers remain disputed. The strikes mark one of the most serious flare-ups in recent years, raising fears of a wider regional conflict and prompting international calls for restraint.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Mumbai on 27 Feb 2026 for his first official visit to India, running through 2 March, aimed at strengthening diplomatic and economic ties with Narendra Modi. The four-day trip includes business engagements with industry leaders, discussions on trade, investment, energy and technology, and delegation-level talks in New Delhi. Both sides plan to review progress under the India-Canada Strategic Partnership and launch negotiations for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The visit marks a diplomatic thaw after years of strained relations. (PC: Reuters)

A Delhi trial court on 27 Feb 2026 discharged Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and 21 others in the CBI’s excise (liquor)-policy case, saying evidence didn’t establish a criminal conspiracy. After the verdict, Kejriwal alleged the Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate were “weaponised” against him for political ends, demanding that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah apologise to the nation. The agencies said they will appeal the order in Delhi High Court, intensifying political and legal battle over the high-profile corruption probe.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasised that trust is essential in deploying artificial intelligence (AI) while addressing the Rising Bharat Summit 2026. He argued that India’s ongoing AI transition must be proactive, with trust, talent and innovation working together to ensure adoption in sensitive sectors like banking and finance. Vaishnaw also called for a strong talent pipeline and cooperation between government and industry to build reliable AI systems. He warned that deepfakes and misinformation threaten societal trust and said digital platforms must be accountable for content they host. (PC: Instagram)