Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba plans a crucial visit to India, seeking support for Kyiv's peace initiative amid Russia's invasion. Kuleba aims to meet India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, marking the first high-level engagement since the conflict began. India, known for its ties with Moscow, has not openly criticized Russia and favors dialogue for conflict resolution. The visit follows a December meeting where Ukraine and its allies, including India, discussed support for Kyiv's peace plan. Switzerland gears up to host a global peace summit on Ukraine at President Zelenskyy's request, emphasizing the need for diplomatic solutions.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reached a staff-level agreement with Pakistan on the final review of a $3 billion bailout package, marking the last tranche of $1.1 billion. This agreement, pending approval from the Fund's Executive Board, signifies Pakistan's improved economic and financial position since the initial review last summer. Nathan Porter, the IMF mission chief in Pakistan, highlighted the nation's progress in economic stabilization and the commitment to ongoing reforms. The agreement underscores Pakistan's efforts to address economic vulnerabilities and signals optimism for a sustainable recovery. Meanwhile, Pakistan eyes a potential long-term bailout with the IMF.            

Kensington Palace released a photo of Queen Elizabeth surrounded by family, digitally altered in eight places. Reuters discovered the alterations, including digital cloning. Getty Images flagged the image as "digitally enhanced at source." Neither Getty nor Reuters initially detected the changes. Reuters is updating its procedures for vetting images from the palace. This follows the recent withdrawal of a photo of Kate and her children due to editorial standards. Kensington Palace declined to comment on the altered photo. The purpose and reason behind the alterations remain unclear.

Former First Lady Melania Trump made a rare public appearance alongside husband Donald Trump and son Barron in Florida's primary. They cast their votes, with Melania hinting at joining Trump on the campaign trail. Melania, known for her low profile, sported a white coat with a black dress and boots. When asked about future visibility, she teased, "Stay tuned." Speculations about her absence arose, but sources emphasize her priority is son Barron. Despite legal concerns, Melania remains dedicated to her role as a mother. Stay tuned for updates on her potential involvement in Trump's campaign.

An investigation has been initiated at London Clinic over allegations of staff attempting to access Princess Kate's private medical records during her January hospitalization. Kensington Palace clarified her surgery wasn't cancer-related and emphasized her wish for privacy. The Information Commissioner’s Office is assessing the breach report. Metropolitan Police and the clinic are yet to comment. Social media speculation about Kate's health persists despite recent sightings with Prince William. Nelson Silva, who filmed the couple at a farm shop, dismissed conspiracy theories as "delusional," emphasizing the authenticity of his footage.

Violence erupted in Myanmar's Rakhine state as the Arakan Army (AA) broke a ceasefire after the 2021 coup. UN Chief Guterres expressed concern over military airstrikes, particularly in Minbya township, where civilians suffered casualties. A recent airstrike in Thar Dar village killed 24 and wounded 18, with residents decrying the attack on a non-combat zone. Tens of thousands are displaced, hampering communication due to disrupted networks. AA fighters have gained ground, challenging junta troops in surrounding areas. The conflict adds to Myanmar's long-standing struggle with armed ethnic minority groups seeking autonomy and resource control since independence.

Finland maintains its title as the world's happiest country for the seventh consecutive year, as per the UN-sponsored World Happiness Report. Nordic nations like Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden follow suit. Afghanistan remains at the bottom due to ongoing humanitarian crises. Surprisingly, the United States and Germany drop out of the top 20 happiest nations. Costa Rica and Kuwait make their debut in the top 20. Larger nations are absent from the top rankings. Afghanistan, Lebanon, and Jordan see significant declines in happiness, while Eastern European countries like Serbia, Bulgaria, and Latvia report improvements. Happiness is gauged by self-assessed life satisfaction, GDP per capita, social support, health, freedom, generosity, and corruption.

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to block Texas' law allowing state police to arrest those suspected of crossing the border illegally. President Biden's administration sought to halt the law, arguing it violates the Constitution. Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed the law due to perceived federal inaction on immigration. Republicans criticize Biden's handling of border crossings and advocate for stricter policies. The law makes illegal entry a state crime, with penalties ranging from jail time to deportation. Texas aims to enforce immigration laws independently amid ongoing debate over federal immigration policy.

Rose Hanbury, close friend of Prince William and Kate Middleton, dismissed swirling affair rumours linking her to Prince William amidst speculation surrounding Kate's prolonged absence. Speculation peaked after internet sleuths linked Kate's absence to alleged infidelity. On "The Late Show With Stephen Colbert," Hanbury's name surfaced in discussions. However, she refuted the allegations, calling them "completely false." Hanbury, with strong royal family connections through generations, clarified her stance amidst heightened media attention. Kate's absence since a January surgery sparked global speculation about her health, prompting Hanbury to address and deny the swirling rumours.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has warned of severe food insecurity in Gaza, with the entire population facing acute shortages. Blinken called on Israel to prioritize providing aid to those in need. UN agencies have cautioned that northern Gaza could face famine by May without a halt in fighting and an increase in humanitarian assistance. Efforts to secure a ceasefire continue, with Israeli negotiators scheduled to meet in Qatar. Meanwhile, humanitarian concerns persist, with calls for access for journalists and criticism over restrictions on aid distribution. The situation underscores the urgent need for humanitarian intervention in Gaza.