Avtar Singh, a 57-year-old Sikh man of Indian origin, was kidnapped and murdered in a chilling case of mistaken identity in Tracy, California. Surveillance footage captured three suspects forcibly shoving Singh into an SUV outside a gurdwara at 2:30pm on Tuesday. His wife reported him missing at 9pm after returning home to find their three children alone. Authorities discovered his body near Lake Berryessa, two hours away, on Friday. Sheriff Patrick Withrow confirmed Singh was not the intended target. A devoted gurdwara head cook for 23 years, Singh had recently become father to premature triplets just six months ago. A GoFundMe has been launched for his grieving family. (PC: NDTV)

Star India middle-order batter Rinku Singh has returned home from Chennai due to a family emergency, casting serious doubts over his availability for India's must-win ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8s match against Zimbabwe on Thursday. A BCCI source confirmed to PTI that Rinku missed India's training session at MA Chidambaram Stadium. His father, Khanchand Singh, is reportedly hospitalised in serious condition in Greater Noida. Rinku has featured in all five of India's tournament matches but has struggled for form, scoring just 26 runs across five innings. If unavailable, wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav is likely to replace him. India's title defence hinges critically on Thursday's result in Chennai. (PC: X)

On the eve of PM Narendra Modi's two-day state visit to Israel (February 25–26), Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a "Hexagon of Alliances", a proposed regional bloc naming India as a core partner alongside Israel, Greece, and Cyprus, with Arab, African, and Asian nations expected to join. Speaking at a cabinet meeting on February 22, Netanyahu framed the alliance as a direct counterweight to the "radical Shia axis" (Iran and its proxies) and an "emerging radical Sunni axis." The announcement follows the Saudi-Pakistan Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement of September 2025. The Hexagon envisions structured cooperation in security, intelligence-sharing, and defence, moving beyond existing bilateral frameworks like I2U2 and the Abraham Accords. (PC: X)

A 32-year-old Indian professional who spent nearly nine years in the United States on an H-1B visa has sparked a widespread online discussion after sharing his reverse migration experience on Reddit. Laid off and forced to return to Hyderabad, he admitted that five months later, reality is sinking in painfully. While living with his parents offers comfort, he feels he has "gone back nine years." The emotional turmoil deepened after his girlfriend relocated to the US and friends moved there through company transfers. His I-140 petition was not approved, leaving his return prospects uncertain. The post drew thousands of responses, with many urging patience, perspective, and acceptance of the difficult transition. (PC: HT)

Padma Viswanathan, a Canadian-American writer of Indian origin, has been named on the longlist for the International Booker Prize 2026. She is recognised for her English translation of Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia’s novel On Earth As It Is Beneath.   The 13-book longlist was chosen from 128 entries. The £50,000 prize is shared equally between the author and translator.   The judges called the novel “a stark, unsettling exploration of power, violence, destruction and institutional corruption.” They said it is set in a penal colony built on land “scarred by slavery and colonialism.”   The shortlist will be announced on March 31. The winner will be revealed in London on May 19. (PC: The Indian Express)

It has been four years since Russia began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin had announced a “special operation,” which many believed would be short and end with Kyiv’s fall.   Instead, the war continues. European leaders travelled to Kyiv on Tuesday to show support for President Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people.   Putin met senior officials of the Federal Security Service (FSB) but did not mention the anniversary. He said threats against Russia had increased. “They absolutely must have the defeat of Russia,” he said.   France and the UK said allies remain committed to a “just and lasting peace” and urged Russia to agree to a full ceasefire. (PC: HT)

Sanju Samson was the focus at India’s training session in Chennai after Rinku Singh flew home due to a family emergency. Rinku is doubtful for the Super Eight match against Zimbabwe. He missed practice under lights at Chepauk. Samson had a long batting session. He faced both pace and spin. He also worked on his keeping. Coach Gautam Gambhir watched closely. If Rinku is unavailable, Samson could return to the XI. India are also reviewing their top-order options after the loss to South Africa. Axar Patel trained with bat and ball and may come back on the black-soil pitch. (PC: X)

Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has been named Asia-Pacific’s Best Airport for departures in the over 40 million passengers category. The award was given at the 2025 Airport Service Quality Customer Experience Awards by Airports Council International. The ranking is based on passenger feedback collected through the year. It reviews check-in, security, boarding, cleanliness and staff service. A CSMIA spokesperson said, “We are thankful to our passengers for voting for us.” The airport has added DigiYatra e-gates, self-check-in kiosks and hybrid baggage-drop units to manage heavy traffic. Mumbai Airport is the world’s busiest single-runway airport by annual passenger traffic. (PC: NDTV)

Authorities in Chiang Mai are investigating after 72 tigers died at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai this month. The deaths happened in less than two weeks across two facilities.   Officials said tests found canine distemper virus in samples. The virus attacks the respiratory and nervous systems. It can infect big cats. Authorities said the outbreak is no longer spreading and no humans were infected.   “All remains have been buried,” officials said. Gravely ill tigers were recommended for euthanasia.   The park has been closed for two weeks for disinfection. Animal groups said the case shows the “extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has proposed a new “hexagon” of alliances and named India as a key partner. He said the bloc would include Israel, India, Greece and Cyprus, along with some Arab, African and Asian nations.   Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu said the aim is to counter “the radical Shiite axis” and “the emerging radical Sunni axis.” He said these nations “see eye-to-eye on the reality, challenges, and goals.”   The plan comes days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel. The framework is expected to focus on security, defence and intelligence cooperation. (PC: India Today)