Amidst false rumors of Dawood Ibrahim's death circulating on social media, his close aide Chhota Shakeel refutes the claims in an exclusive conversation with CNN-News18. Shakeel confirms Dawood's well-being, denouncing the viral message as fake. Born into infamy, Dawood, once Mumbai's underworld kingpin, has eluded authorities for years, currently residing in Karachi. The misinformation, spreading on various platforms, wrongly alleged his poisoning and demise. Shakeel asserts the D-Company's legal business ventures and dismisses new business interests. Dawood's life remains shrouded in mystery despite occasional glimpses into his activities.

The eastern Ukrainian city of Avdiivka lies in ruins as a new report reveals extensive damage caused by Russia's assault. The Centre for Information Resilience reports that almost every building, including schools, hospitals, churches, and supermarkets, has been damaged or destroyed. The strategic targeting of civilian infrastructure and high-rise apartments raises concerns about the humanitarian impact. The ongoing conflict has claimed 154 lives, and with Russian forces advancing, the city remains a central battleground. International response includes the EU adopting a 12th package of sanctions against Russia, focusing on import-export bans.          

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden were hurried to safety by the Secret Service when a car struck an SUV in their motorcade. The incident occurred as Biden left his campaign headquarters in Delaware. A silver sedan collided with a Secret Service vehicle, prompting agents to surround the car with drawn weapons. Biden, visibly stunned, was quickly escorted to his vehicle. The Bidens were unharmed, returning home without changes to the president's schedule. The Secret Service confirmed no protective interest in the event, and local police are investigating the collision for possible impairment.  

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is set to encourage Israel to de-escalate major combat operations in Gaza during his visit on Monday. France, the UK, and Germany, close allies of Israel, have joined global calls for a ceasefire. Israeli protesters demand talks with militants after three hostages were accidentally killed while waving a white flag. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu aims to defeat Hamas, release hostages, and end the war. The US, while supporting Israel, presses for precision in operations to minimize civilian impact. Over 18,700 Palestinians killed, and pressure for a ceasefire intensifies. Austin's visit marks a pivotal moment.

Iran and Hezbollah were behind an attempted cyber-attack on Israel's Ziv Medical Center during the 'Iron Swords' war, Israel claimed. The attack, orchestrated by Iran's Ministry of Intelligence involving Hezbollah's 'Lebanese Cedar' cyber unit, aimed to disrupt hospital operations but failed due to coordinated intervention by the Israel National Cyber Directorate, the IDF, and the Israeli Security Agency. Sensitive data was stolen and published online before prompt removal. The AGRIUS group affiliated with Iran's intelligence agency attempted the attack in late November 2023 on the northern Israel hospital to impact its functions amid the conflict. Though hospital operations were protected, some data was extracted before the Israeli agencies thwarted a major disaster.

Israeli soldiers admitted to accidentally killing three hostages in Gaza, Yotam Haim, 28, Samer Talalka, 22, and Alon Shamriz, 26, had used leftover food to create signs pleading for help while holding a white flag. The IDF admitted to the breach of "rules of engagement" in the Shejaiya neighborhood of Gaza City. The hostages, seized during Hamas attacks, attempted to signal their distress. The IDF stated uncertainty about whether the captors abandoned or the hostages escaped. With about 120 hostages still held in Gaza, families call for a new truce, while Israel faces international pressure for a ceasefire.

Oil giant BP announces a temporary halt to all Red Sea oil shipments due to escalating Houthi attacks on vessels. The move follows a Royal Navy warship downing a suspected attack drone. Evergreen Line joins the precaution, redirecting container ships until further notice. The Red Sea, a vital route for oil and goods transport, faces heightened risks. Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, target ships in the Bab al-Mandab Strait. BP emphasizes safety concerns, while major shipping firms like Maersk and MSC divert routes. The situation prompts a pause in shipments by Hapag-Lloyd and CMA-CGM.

Indian authorities and intelligence agencies are keeping a close watch on underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, reportedly been admitted to a hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. He is rumoured to have been poisoned. According to media reports, Dawood Ibrahim is the only patient on the hospital floor where he has been admitted. Only senior authorities of the hospital and Dawood's close family members have access to the floor. This isn't the first rumour of Dawood's declining health or death. Previous claims of him contracting COVID-19 or having a heart attack were rejected by his gang who asserted he was alive. The 1993 Mumbai blasts mastermind was declared a 'global terrorist' by India and the US in 2003. With his life shrouded in secrecy, his hospitalisation has once again sparked speculation on his health and whereabouts.

The UN Security Council is headed for a vote on a UAE-drafted resolution demanding Israel and Hamas allow aid access to Gaza via land, sea and air. The US is negotiating final text changes, seeking to tone down language on ceasefire demands. UN officials warn of a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza amid the conflict. The draft calls for an "urgent and sustainable cessation of hostilities" to enable aid access. It needs 9 votes and no vetoes to pass. Earlier, the US vetoed a ceasefire demand while the General Assembly approved one. Israel opposes ceasefires which it feels benefit Hamas. The Council last month called for aid pauses though fighting resumed shortly after.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni sparked controversy by stating that Islamic culture and European values have a "compatibility problem" at an event hosted by her right-wing party and attended by UK PM Rishi Sunak and Elon Musk. Meloni criticized Saudi Arabian financing of Islamic centers in Italy and Sharia law penalties like death for adultery and homosexuality. She argued that there is a problematic "Islamisation" process happening in Europe, with values distant from European civilization, but said she was not generalizing all of Islam. Sunak backed Meloni's migration policies, while facing his own criticism over a plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.