On February 27, 2026, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) faced sharp criticism from Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, which discharged 23 accused in the Delhi liquor policy case. The court cleared former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and ex-Deputy CM Manish Sisodia, stating that the agency’s chargesheet lacked concrete evidence. The judge described parts of the investigation as “economically illiterate,” observing that the prosecution relied on assumptions rather than provable facts. The court highlighted major gaps, inconsistencies, and weak financial reasoning in the CBI’s case, ultimately ruling that no prima facie case was made out against the accused.

An earthquake was felt in Kolkata on Friday afternoon, with initial reports indicating the epicentre was located in neighbouring Bangladesh. Residents across the city reported feeling strong tremors, with one 12-year-old living in an apartment complex in Salt Lake describing the intensity of the shaking, saying "it was so strong the building moved." Further details regarding the magnitude, depth, and exact epicentre location are still awaited as authorities assess the situation. The tremors caused visible movement in multi-storey buildings across Kolkata's residential areas. More information is expected to emerge as official agencies including seismological departments release their assessments. (PC: X)

President Donald Trump warned Congress that Iran is developing missiles capable of striking the United States, but three intelligence sources citing Defense Intelligence Agency assessments project no operational ICBM before 2035, even with Chinese or North Korean assistance. US-Iran nuclear talks in Geneva hit an impasse, with Washington demanding zero enrichment and uranium transfer while Tehran maintains its nuclear programme is peaceful. Indirect talks yielded a "positive response" mediated by Oman's Foreign Minister, who will next meet VP JD Vance in Washington. Technical talks continue in Vienna at IAEA headquarters. The US has imposed fresh sanctions while not ruling out military action. Iran has reportedly capped its missile range at 2,000 kilometres.

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared "open war" against Afghanistan's Taliban government following intense airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. Pakistan described its military campaign, "Operation Ghazab Lil Haq," as a response to Afghan cross-border attacks on Pakistani border troops. AFP journalists reported explosions and gunfire lasting over two hours above Kabul and Kandahar. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed Pakistani strikes but denied casualties. Afghanistan maintained its cross-border operations were retaliatory. President Asif Ali Zardari vowed Pakistan's response would be "comprehensive and decisive." Civilian areas near the Torkham crossing were also hit, wounding refugees and forcing evacuations. Both nations continue issuing sharply conflicting casualty figures.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick made an unscheduled visit to New Delhi, holding a "highly productive" lunch meeting with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss deepening trade and economic ties between the two nations. The visit follows the US Supreme Court's February 20 ruling invalidating President Trump's sweeping global tariffs imposed under emergency powers. Trump subsequently invoked Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% global tariff valid for 150 days. The court ruling disrupted a carefully negotiated interim bilateral trade agreement framework established through a February 6 joint statement. Experts warn any future tariff arrangement must operate within the constitutional constraints now reaffirmed by the Supreme Court. (PC: HT)

Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal broke down emotionally before cameras after a Delhi court ordered former Deputy CM Manish Sisodia's discharge in the Delhi excise policy scam case. Struggling to speak, Kejriwal removed his glasses and wept, saying the verdict proved his honesty and that "truth always wins." He urged PM Narendra Modi to govern through public service rather than toppling elected governments. The court flagged a lack of evidence against Kejriwal, stating serious allegations require material proof. While discharging Sisodia, the court found no criminal intent, noting that documents and witness statements reflected administrative deliberations rather than wrongdoing, effectively dismantling the prosecution's central conspiracy argument.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed a heartfelt "personal debt" to India during a joint press statement with PM Narendra Modi, revealing that his first or second date with wife Sara took place at an Indian restaurant in Tel Aviv. He praised the food as "unbelievable" and credited the restaurant to Reena Pushkarna, widely known as Israel's "Curry Queen," who is celebrated for introducing authentic Indian cuisine to Israel. Netanyahu had previously shared this anecdote during Modi's 2017 Israel visit. PM Modi's two-day official state visit to Israel included a special airport welcome by Netanyahu and his wife. Both nations pledged to deepen their defence partnership through joint development and technology transfers.

India rediscovered their batting form in a must-win ICC T20 World Cup match against Zimbabwe in Chennai, posting a record 256/4 featuring 17 sixes. Tilak Varma revealed the team watched old videos of past performances to regain confidence and mindset before the game. Moved from No.3 to No.6, Tilak smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 16 balls. Coach Gautam Gambhir urged the batsmen to replicate their aggressive brand of cricket from recent series against New Zealand and South Africa. With openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma firing, India's batting unit clicked collectively. The strong showing has boosted India's confidence heading into their virtual knockout clash against West Indies on Sunday. (PC: X)

A major military escalation has erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with both nations claiming significant battlefield gains and heavy casualties. Pakistan Air Force jets struck targets in Kabul, Kandahar, Nangarhar and Paktia, with Islamabad claiming 133 Afghan Taliban and TTP fighters eliminated, 27 Taliban posts destroyed and 80 artillery tanks neutralised under "Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq." Pakistan also claimed destruction of two Afghan corps headquarters and multiple brigade installations. Afghanistan's Taliban countered, claiming 55 Pakistani personnel killed, 17 taken hostage, two Frontier Corps headquarters destroyed and 19 outposts captured. Both governments have issued sharply conflicting accounts of the confrontation, described as one of the most intense episodes of cross-border fighting in recent years along the disputed Durand Line. (PC: X)

The Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A) in South Kensington is displaying a reconstruction of YouTube's original 2005 watchpage, built using internet archives from December 2006. The museum has also acquired Me at the Zoo, the very first video uploaded to YouTube by co-founder Jawed Karim in April 2005. The 19-second clip, filmed on a digital camera, has amassed nearly 380 million views and 18 million likes. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan called it "the beginning of a global cultural phenomenon." Senior curator Corinna Gardner described the acquisition as an "important moment in internet history." A mini display at V&A East Storehouse will further explore the reconstruction process. Previous digital acquisitions include WeChat and Flappy Bird. (PC: BBC)