Israeli shelling and airstrikes killed 23 Palestinians in Gaza, including seven children, according to local health officials. The strikes hit areas including Khan Younis and Gaza City. A medic who went to help victims was killed in a second strike at the same site, officials said. The Israeli military said it acted after militants fired at its troops near the armistice line and called it a ceasefire violation. It also said one strike targeted a senior Hamas commander. Hamas said the attacks harmed truce efforts and called for “immediate international pressure.” The violence came days after Rafah crossing with Egypt reopened. (PC: HT)

A legal letter released in new Jeffrey Epstein case files claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein asked an exotic dancer to “engage in various sex acts” at a Florida house in 2006. The woman’s lawyers said she was promised $10,000 to dance but was paid only $2,000. The letter says the men asked for a threesome after her performance. It adds she refused at first and said she was hired only to dance. Her lawyers later sought $250,000 to keep the matter private. The claim’s settlement status is unclear. Andrew has denied wrongdoing. BBC said it contacted him for comment. (PC: BBC)

Russia’s foreign ministry stated it has “no reason to believe” India is reconsidering its purchases of Russian crude, highlighting that energy trade between the two remains stable and beneficial, with no official communication from New Delhi about halting imports. This comes after claims in U.S.–India trade deal discussions that India agreed to stop buying Russian oil, which Moscow has not confirmed. The statement underscores continued cooperation in energy markets despite international pressure and diplomatic negotiations. Russia views the longstanding oil relationship with India as consistent and unchanged for now. (PC: India Today)

Russian drone and missile attacks damaged Ukraine’s energy and residential sites during a period of extreme cold, leaving many areas without heat and power. Ukrainian officials said strikes hit Kyiv and other regions, with over 1,000 buildings in the capital losing heating supply. A key power plant in Kharkiv was reported beyond repair. Authorities opened warming centres and metro shelters for residents. Regional officials reported civilian deaths and injuries in Dnipropetrovsk and Zaporizhzhia after overnight attacks. Ukraine’s air force said more than 100 drones were launched, with several impact sites confirmed. The energy ministry said the system remains under severe strain and repairs are ongoing. (PC: BBC)

A Turkish Airlines flight THY-727 from Kathmandu (Nepal) to Istanbul (Turkey) made an emergency landing at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata on Wednesday after the pilot reported a possible fire in the right engine mid-air. The Airbus A330, carrying 236 people including crew, diverted safely and touched down at about 14:49 IST. All onboard were unharmed. The aircraft is now being inspected by technical teams, and operations at the airport are continuing normally. (PC: X)

A viral New York Times opinion essay by Stanford student Sebastian Connolly alleges peers falsely claim Jain identity to avoid the university's $7,944 (Rs 7.17 lakh) mandatory annual meal plan. Stanford grants exemptions for documented medical reasons and religious dietary requirements, including Jainism's strict restrictions against meat, eggs, and root vegetables like onions and garlic. Connolly claims students exploit this "loophole" because dining halls struggle accommodating Jain diets, allowing full opt-outs. Allegedly, exempted students purchase higher-quality food from Whole Foods while others endure standard campus meals. Connolly questioned administrators' inability to verify religious claims without risking discrimination lawsuits, terming the behavior "gaming the system" within Stanford's "culture of optimization." The essay doesn't specify students' nationalities. (PC: X)

UK immigration transitions to digital eVisas starting February 25, eliminating physical vignette stickers in passports. Applicants still visit Visa Application Centres for biometric appointments and identity verification, but passports are returned same-day instead of being held during processing. UK Visas and Immigration confirmed the streamlined system allows one VAC visit only, with digital records accessible through UKVI accounts anytime. eVisas display immigration status, visa type, indefinite leave status, and work/study permissions. UKVI issued 555,468 visitor visas to Indians in the year ending September 2025. Travel operators praised the reform, anticipating reduced processing times and increased flexibility. TAFI's Anil Punjabi highlighted the major advantage: travelers retain passports, enabling trips to other countries while awaiting UK approval. (PC: The Telegraph)

Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif admitted security forces are "handicapped" against Baloch rebels due to Balochistan's massive size, constituting over 40 percent of Pakistan geographically. His remarks followed coordinated attacks across 12 locations killing at least 80 security personnel and destroying 30+ government properties. Authorities reported 177 insurgents killed in counter-operations, with 33 civilians and 17 security members dead. Asif ruled out negotiations with Baloch Liberation Army, calling them "terrorists," and claimed criminal-separatist nexus protects smugglers earning 4 billion rupees daily from oil smuggling. The decades-long insurgency stems from Balochistan's economic marginalization despite rich mineral resources, natural gas, and strategic Gwadar port. Separatists target CPEC infrastructure, opposing projects they consider extractive and non-inclusive.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced a nationwide ban on social media for children under 16, making Spain the first European country to implement such comprehensive restrictions. This groundbreaking decision positions Spain as a pioneer in child protection legislation within Europe, addressing growing concerns about social media's impact on young people's mental health, well-being, and development. The ban represents a significant regulatory shift in how European nations approach digital safety for minors. While similar restrictions have been discussed across various countries, Spain's decisive action sets a new precedent for the continent. The move follows global debates about children's online safety, with countries worldwide grappling with balancing digital access against protection from potential harms associated with social media platforms. (PC: BBC)

The US military shot down an Iranian drone that “aggressively” approached the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, saying the action protected the carrier and its crew. The Iranian Shahed-139 drone was intercepted by a US F-35C fighter jet in self-defence amid heightened US-Iran tensions and ongoing pressure over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran then demanded the venue for upcoming talks be moved to Oman and narrowed to nuclear issues, complicating diplomacy. The incident follows harassment of a US-flagged tanker in the Strait of Hormuz and comes as both sides weigh negotiations vs. confrontation. (PC: HT)