Punch, a seven-month-old Japanese macaque at Ichikawa City Zoo, has finally been accepted into his troop after weeks of heartbreaking rejection. Born during a summer heatwave in July 2025, Punch was abandoned by his mother at birth and raised by zoo staff. When reintroduced to the group at "Monkey Mountain" in January, he faced repeated rejection and bullying. Zoo caretakers provided an IKEA orangutan plushie for comfort, which Punch carried everywhere melting hearts globally with videos surpassing 30 million views. Adult monkey Onsing finally embraced Punch, providing grooming and protection. The wholesome story triggered worldwide emotional responses, trending as #HangInTherePunch across TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and X.

A leaked internal report from the UK Health Security Agency has revealed 340 suspected measles cases in London since the start of 2026, with 123 confirmed. The outbreak is particularly alarming as 34 confirmed cases were directly linked to a single school in Enfield, north London, between January 20 and February 7. The majority of cases affect children aged one to four, with 42 cases recorded among children from the most deprived areas. Between January 2024 and February 2026, England recorded 1,117 measles cases overall, with 597 in London alone, causing the UK to lose its measles elimination status. Health officials are urgently urging parents to vaccinate children, citing dangerously low MMRV vaccine uptake in areas including Hackney and Enfield. (PC: X)

The Indian Army's Western Command has issued a stern warning to Pakistan, declaring that any future provocation will draw a far harsher response than Operation Sindoor. Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar, GOC of 2 Corps, confirmed Operation Sindoor 2.0 is ongoing with preparations on a significantly larger scale across land, sea, and air. He recalled how the original Operation Sindoor, launched after the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people in May last year, brought Pakistan to its knees within four days, forcing Islamabad to seek a ceasefire. Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar dismissed Pakistan's nuclear threats as a bluff, reaffirming India's zero-tolerance policy on terrorism under PM Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

India defeated Zimbabwe by 72 runs in their must-win T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. Posting a record-breaking 256/4 marking the highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history, India restricted Zimbabwe to 184/6. Abhishek Sharma, returning from three successive ducks, blazed 55 off 30 balls while Hardik Pandya smashed an unbeaten 50 off just 23 balls. Tilak Varma contributed a stunning 44 not out off 14 balls as he and Pandya added 84 runs in 31 balls. India now face a virtual quarterfinal against West Indies on Sunday, with both teams locked on two points. The winner advances to the semifinals; the loser goes home. (PC: X)

India are cruising toward a commanding Super 8 victory at Chennai as Zimbabwe collapsed to 162/5, left chasing India's record-breaking 256/4. Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya both scored half-centuries while Tilak Varma remained unbeaten on a stunning 44 off just 16 balls to power India to their highest-ever T20 World Cup total. In response, Zimbabwe's innings crumbled after Brian Bennett's brave fifty and Sikandar Raza's cameo briefly threatened. India made two tactical changes, bringing in Sanju Samson and Axar Patel replacing Rinku Singh and Washington Sundar respectively. Zimbabwe, who won the toss and opted to bowl first, now face an uphill and near-impossible battle to salvage any respectability from the chase. (PC: News18)

Zimbabwe are fighting hard in their chase of 257 against India at Chennai, reaching 105/2 after 14 overs in the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash. Brian Bennett brought up a gutsy fifty off 34 balls, audaciously hitting Jasprit Bumrah for a six to reach his milestone, earning applause from the Chepauk crowd. Captain Sikandar Raza has also been fluent, dispatching Varun Chakravarthy for a wristy six. However, with 152 still needed off just 6 overs, India remain firmly in control. Axar Patel completed his four-over spell with figures of 1/35, also impressing in the field with a full-length diving stop to prevent a certain boundary. (PC: India Today)

In a significant diplomatic shift, the Canadian federal government has stated it no longer believes India is linked to violent crimes in Canada. The announcement came during a media briefing ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's upcoming nine-day visit to India, which includes stops in Mumbai and New Delhi for talks with PM Narendra Modi. Senior Canadian officials confirmed that robust diplomatic engagement between national security advisers had resolved concerns about foreign interference. Relations between both nations had severely deteriorated following the June 2023 killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar in British Columbia, leading to diplomat expulsions and a prolonged standoff. Ottawa's reset signals a shift toward pragmatic foreign policy and deeper economic engagement with India. (PC: The Hindu)

India posted a record-breaking 256/4 in 20 overs against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at Chennai as their highest-ever total in T20 World Cup history. After Abhishek Sharma's 55 and Sanju Samson's explosive start, Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya stitched a blazing fifty-plus partnership in just 20 deliveries to seal a mammoth total. Tilak was exceptional in the death overs, smashing sixes over long-on and midwicket while Hardik provided crucial support. India crossed 200 in the 17th over before accelerating dramatically. The 19th over alone yielded massive runs as Tilak's ruthless hitting powered India past their previous T20 World Cup best, thrilling a packed 26,602-strong Chepauk crowd. (PC: X)

Indian-origin paediatrician Dr Neha Gupta, 37, from Oklahoma, has been charged with murdering her four-year-old daughter Aria Talathi in Florida in June 2025. US authorities released her chilling 911 call, in which she claimed her daughter fell into a pool at a short-term rental home while they slept. Gupta told dispatchers she couldn't swim and was unable to rescue the child. However, autopsy results proved Aria was already dead before being placed in the pool as no water was found in her lungs or stomach. Investigators believe she was smothered. Aria's father, who was seeking full custody and had concerns about Gupta's mental state, was unaware his daughter had been taken to Florida. Gupta's next court appearance is in May.

Abhishek Sharma departed for a brilliant 55 off 30 balls, caught by Maposa off Sikandar Raza's bowling, as India reached 161/3 after 14 overs against Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super 8 clash at Chennai. Sharma's explosive innings had set a strong platform before Raza finally provided Zimbabwe a much-needed breakthrough. Hardik Pandya walked in to consolidate India's position. India, desperate to bounce back after their Super 8 loss to South Africa, needed a commanding total to boost their Net Run Rate and semifinal prospects. Zimbabwe, similarly under pressure after being hammered by West Indies, briefly found joy through skipper Raza's timely intervention to peg India back momentarily. (PC: PTI)