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)

The Pakistan Air Force launched airstrikes inside Kabul and other Afghan provinces, killing over 130 Taliban fighters in what Islamabad called retaliatory action following alleged cross-border attacks by Afghan forces. Pakistan’s information minister described the operation, part of broader Operation Ghazab lil Haq, as a decisive response to “unprovoked aggression,” targeting Taliban military installations in Kandahar and Paktia and destroying multiple posts and depots. Afghan officials condemned the strikes as violations of sovereignty, with Kabul claiming civilian casualties. Tensions along the Durand Line have sharply increased, raising fears of a broader confrontation between the neighbours.

Netflix has officially withdrawn from its bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery’s studio and streaming assets, saying it will not raise its offer to match a higher bid from Paramount Skydance. Netflix co-CEOs Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said the deal was “no longer financially attractive” at the price needed to compete. Warner’s board deemed Paramount’s offer — about $31 per share in cash — a superior proposal, allowing Paramount to potentially take control of Warner’s assets including HBO and CNN. Netflix’s shares rose on the news, while Paramount’s bid now leads the acquisition battle. (PC: X)

India and Israel elevated their bilateral relationship to a "Special Strategic Partnership" during PM Narendra Modi's second state visit to Israel. Following delegation-level talks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, both nations signed wide-ranging agreements covering trade, agriculture, energy, cyberspace, and digital payments. A landmark agreement was reached for UPI adoption in Israel, while both sides committed to advancing a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement. Modi announced an India-Israel critical and emerging technologies partnership spanning AI, quantum technologies, and critical minerals. Defence cooperation will expand through joint development and military hardware production under a technology transfer framework. Modi also strongly backed the Gaza Peace Initiative, reaffirming India's zero-tolerance stance on terrorism and commitment to Middle East stability.

India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at Chennai, keeping their title defence alive. Chasing 257, Zimbabwe were bowled out for 184/6, with Brian Bennett delivering a valiant unbeaten 97 off 59 balls in a losing cause. Arshdeep Singh was India's standout bowler with 3/24. Player of the match Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off 23 balls, anchoring India's record 256/4. Captain Suryakumar Yadav acknowledged India could have been more clinical with the ball but credited Zimbabwe's batting. India now face West Indies in a virtual quarterfinal on Sunday at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, with both teams needing a win to advance to the semifinals.

Afghanistan launched a large-scale retaliatory offensive against Pakistan along the disputed Durand Line on Thursday, following Islamabad's airstrikes on Afghan territory on February 22. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed coordinated artillery and infantry attacks targeting Pakistani military checkposts, with Afghan forces reportedly capturing at least 15 Pakistani checkposts across Goshta, Nangarhar, and Kunar provinces. At least nine Pakistani troops were severely wounded. Heavy fighting continues across Mohmand, Chitral, and Kurram districts. Pakistan called Afghanistan's strikes "unprovoked" and claimed to be responding immediately. The Taliban's Ministry of Defence condemned Pakistan's actions as a breach of international law, while Pakistan maintained it had conclusive evidence linking terror attacks to militants operating from Afghan soil.

The United States has deployed F-22 Raptor stealth jets to Israel for the first time, amid escalating tensions with Iran over its nuclear programme. Around a dozen aircraft departed from RAF Lakenheath in England, with flight tracking data and plane spotters confirming movements over the Mediterranean. US officials confirmed some jets had already arrived in Israel while others were en route. The deployment adds to an already significant American military buildup in the Middle East, including two aircraft carrier strike groups and over 60 fighter jets stationed in Jordan. The jets arrived two days before US-Iran nuclear negotiations resumed in Geneva, Switzerland, with Oman mediating. Further technical discussions are expected next week in Vienna. (PC: Reuters)

Europe's royal landscape is transforming as a generation of Gen-Z princesses prepares to ascend their thrones, driven by gender-neutral succession laws adopted across multiple nations. Absolute primogeniture where the firstborn inherits regardless of gender has replaced male-preference systems, with Sweden pioneering the reform in 1980. Princess Elisabeth of Belgium, Catharina-Amalia of the Netherlands, Leonor of Spain, Ingrid Alexandra of Norway, and Estelle of Sweden are all positioned to become their nations' future queens. These young royals are internationally educated, socially progressive, and environmentally conscious. Belgium adopted gender-neutral succession in 1991, Netherlands in 1983, and Norway in 1990, collectively reshaping centuries-old monarchical traditions across the continent. (PC: NDTV)

Legendary cricket umpire Steve Bucknor, 79, has finally admitted that his infamous LBW decision against Sachin Tendulkar during India's tour of Australia at Brisbane's Gabba in 2003-04 was a mistake. Speaking to the West Indies Cricket Umpires' Association, Bucknor acknowledged the error saying "mistakes happen" and that he has accepted it. Tendulkar, batting on just 3, had attempted to leave a delivery from Jason Gillespie that struck him high on the pads as television replays clearly showed the ball was going over the stumps. Commentator Tony Greig had famously called it "dreadful." Bucknor also wrongly dismissed Tendulkar in a 2005 Eden Gardens match against Pakistan. Tendulkar himself once jokingly suggested Bucknor should wear boxing gloves while umpiring. (PC: X/@DeccanChronicle)