The Centre has issued a show-cause notice to a senior BSNL director after his detailed Prayagraj travel plan triggered criticism. Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the itinerary was “improper” and against rules. The trip of Vivek Banzal, Director (CFA) at BSNL, was planned for February 25–26 but was cancelled a day earlier. A document listing 21 arrangements had gone viral. Nearly 50 officials were assigned for the visit. It also mentioned bath kits and personal care items. Scindia said, “It is improper and a violation of established rules and traditions. It is unacceptable to me. It is shocking.” He added that action will follow after a reply within seven days. (PC: HT)

In his State of the Union address, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told him “35 million people would’ve died” if he had not intervened to end rising tensions between India and Pakistan. Trump asserted that the two nuclear-armed neighbours were on the brink of war and said, “Pakistan and India would have had a nuclear war.” He credited his administration with facilitating de-escalation. However, India has consistently maintained that any understanding with Pakistan was reached bilaterally and has rejected claims of third-party mediation in resolving the conflict. (PC: Reuters)

The US Navy’s aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford is facing major plumbing problems while deployed near Iran. An internal memo dated 18 March 2025 recorded more than 205 toilet breakdowns in four days. The ship carries over 4,500 sailors.   Reports said the vacuum-based sewage system can fail if a single valve breaks. Sailors have faced long queues, sometimes up to 45 minutes. Hull technicians are working extended shifts to manage repairs. Permanent fixes can only be done in dock. Shelby Oakley of the Government Accountability Office said sailors should at least have proper living facilities. The carrier was earlier deployed near Venezuela. (PC: The Print)

Ukraine marked four years since Russia’s full-scale invasion with memorial events across the country. A minute’s silence was observed in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelensky said, “Ukraine never chose this war,” and added, “We have defended our independence.” The Kremlin said its aims “haven’t been fully achieved yet.” (PC: BBC)   Russia controls nearly 20% of Ukraine’s territory. Heavy fighting continues in the east. European leaders joined events in Kyiv in a show of support. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Russia gained “0.8% of land… at a terrible cost.” French President Emmanuel Macron said he was “very sceptical” about near-term peace.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a rare, classified briefing to the “Gang of Eight” — senior congressional leaders from both parties — on rising tensions with Iran amid a significant U.S. military buildup in the Middle East. The session, attended by lawmakers and reportedly joined by CIA Director John Ratcliffe, focused on Iran’s nuclear programme and regional threats, as Washington weighs its strategic options. The briefing came just hours before President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, where Iran policy was expected to feature prominently. Some Democrats urged clearer justification for potential military action. (PC: Getty Images)

U.S. President Donald Trump strongly criticised the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn key parts of his tariff programme during his State of the Union address, calling the ruling “very unfortunate” as justices watched from the gallery. The high court held that Trump exceeded his authority by imposing broad import duties under emergency trade powers. Defending his approach, Trump said tariffs were vital for American economic and national security and suggested tariffs could even replace income tax. He pledged to pursue new legal and legislative avenues to reinstate his trade policies and protect U.S. industries amid global competition. (PC: India Today)

Former US President Donald Trump has made a dramatic new claim regarding the India-Pakistan conflict, stating that Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif “would have died” if the situation had escalated further. Trump reiterated that his intervention, including warnings of severe trade consequences, helped prevent a full-scale war between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. While Pakistan has acknowledged US diplomatic engagement during past tensions, India has consistently maintained that de-escalation was achieved through direct military-level talks without third-party mediation. Trump’s remarks have reignited debate over Washington’s actual role in easing the crisis. (PC: Bloomberg)

Anthropic, the AI company behind Claude, is locked in a high-stakes standoff with the US Department of Defense. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a Friday deadline demanding Anthropic remove safety restrictions from its AI models for unrestricted Pentagon use, including autonomous weapons and mass surveillance. CEO Dario Amodei has firmly refused, describing these as "red lines." Hegseth warned Anthropic could be labelled a "supply chain risk", a designation typically reserved for foreign adversaries or face the Defence Production Act, compelling compliance. Anthropic holds a $200 million government contract and remains the only AI provider cleared for classified military networks, making this standoff extraordinarily consequential for both sides. (PC: India Today)

In a landmark State of the Union address, US President Donald Trump made a bold and sweeping economic claim, asserting that tariffs paid by foreign countries could eventually replace America's modern income tax system entirely. Trump declared, stating that tariffs would "substantially replace the modern-day system of income tax, taking a great financial burden off the people that I love." Drawing a parallel to historical precedent when tariffs were America's primary revenue source before income tax was introduced in 1913, Trump framed his aggressive tariff policy not merely as a trade tool but as a long-term fiscal strategy aimed at fundamentally restructuring how the United States government generates its revenue.

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.”