A tragic incident unfolded off Thailand's Koh Tao island when a fire erupted on the diving boat 'David Johne' during a Sunday morning excursion. The blaze, originating in the engine room around 9 am, rapidly consumed the vessel. Among the 22 individuals onboard comprising 16 tourists, four diving instructors, a captain, and a crew member, 26-year-old British tourist Alexandra Clarke from Lambeth remains unaccounted for. Reports indicate she was in the rear restroom when the fire broke out. While other passengers were rescued by nearby boats, Clarke's whereabouts are unknown. Rescue operations face challenges due to adverse sea conditions, and an investigation into the fire's cause is underway. The UK Foreign Office is in contact with Thai authorities, offering support to Clarke's family.

India is reconsidering its participation in the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), a global evaluation of 15-year-olds' competencies in mathematics, reading, and science, conducted triennially by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). India's sole participation in 2009 resulted in a 73rd place out of 74 countries, leading to withdrawal due to perceived "cultural disconnect" with the test format. Plans to rejoin in 2021 were deferred to 2025 due to the pandemic. Despite earlier commitments, current reports indicate India may again opt out, potentially delaying global benchmarking for Indian students.

An encounter erupted on Monday between security forces and terrorists in the Krumhoora-Zachaldara area of Handwara, Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir. The operation is a joint effort involving the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Specific details regarding casualties or injuries have yet to be disclosed. This incident follows a series of recent confrontations in the region: on July 23, 2024, security forces engaged terrorists near Triukha Top in Kupwara; on October 4, 2024, a joint operation in Gugaldhar, Kupwara, resulted in the elimination of two terrorists; and on July 24, 2024, an encounter in Kupwara led to the death of one terrorist and injury of an army jawan.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are set to return to Earth after an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Originally launched on June 5, 2024, for an eight-day test mission aboard Boeing's Starliner, their stay extended to nearly ten months due to technical issues with the spacecraft's propulsion system, rendering it unsafe for their return. To facilitate their homecoming, NASA collaborated with SpaceX, scheduling their return aboard the Crew-10 mission. This mission, carrying four new crew members, successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center and docked with the ISS. Following a brief handover period, Williams and Wilmore are expected to undock and return to Earth on March 19, 2025, marking the end of their prolonged stay in space.

Cricket analyst Aakash Chopra highlights the Gujarat Titans' (GT) formidable top order ahead of IPL 2025, featuring Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and new acquisition Jos Buttler. Chopra emphasizes their reliability and anticipates they could occupy up to 60% of the team's batting overs throughout the season. He also notes GT's strengthened pace attack with the additions of Mohammed Siraj and Kagiso Rabada, complementing their existing bowling lineup. Chopra concludes that GT's robust batting and bowling combinations position them as strong contenders for the upcoming tournament.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has accused Russia of deliberately prolonging the conflict by delaying ceasefire agreements. In a recent statement, he noted that despite diplomatic efforts, Russia "stole almost another week, a week of war that only Russia wants." Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine's unwavering commitment to defending its sovereignty and criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's stance on the ceasefire as "highly manipulative," suggesting Putin is reluctant to admit to U.S. President Donald Trump his lack of genuine interest in peace. He also announced a restructuring of Ukraine's armed forces, appointing Andrii Hnatov as the new chief of the general staff, to bolster the nation's defense capabilities.

U.S. President Donald Trump is scheduled to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to discuss a potential resolution to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. This follows positive discussions between U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow, where a 30-day ceasefire proposal was tentatively agreed upon. The ceasefire aims to facilitate broader negotiations on territorial and security issues. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has accepted the proposal, seeking immediate talks post-ceasefire and opposing recognition of Russian-occupied territories. The U.S. has resumed military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv. While challenges remain, this initiative signifies a potential turning point in the three-year conflict.

In Vadodara, a tragic incident unfolded as 20-year-old law student Rakshit Chaurasia, allegedly under the influence, drove a speeding Volkswagen Virtus GT Plus, colliding with multiple two-wheelers. The crash resulted in the immediate death of a woman and left four others seriously injured. CCTV footage prior to the accident shows Chaurasia drinking from a bottle before entering a friend's residence. After spending approximately 45 minutes there, he switched to the driver's seat, taking control of the car. Post-accident, witnesses reported Chaurasia behaving erratically, shouting phrases like "Another round, another round!" and chanting "Om Namah Shivay." He has since been arrested and faces charges including culpable homicide.

A devastating storm system swept across the South and Midwest United States, resulting in at least 36 fatalities and widespread destruction. Missouri was the hardest hit, with twelve deaths reported due to multiple tornadoes. Mississippi experienced six fatalities, while Texas and Arkansas each reported three deaths. In Kansas, a severe dust storm led to a multi-vehicle collision, causing eight fatalities. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings affecting areas from Wisconsin to Missouri, with tornado watches extending to states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The storms caused extensive damage, including destroyed buildings and widespread debris. Authorities are urging residents to stay vigilant and avoid driving through affected areas.

A catastrophic fire erupted at the Pulse nightclub in Kočani, North Macedonia, claiming at least 59 lives and injuring 155 others. The blaze ignited around 2:35 am during a performance by the local hip-hop band DNK, when pyrotechnic effects set the flammable ceiling alight. Over 1,500 attendees, predominantly aged between 14 and 24, scrambled toward the venue's sole exit, leading to a deadly stampede. Investigations revealed that the club lacked a valid operating license, implicating high-level corruption. Authorities have detained approximately 20 individuals, including government officials and the club's management. The government has declared a seven-day national mourning period and initiated comprehensive inspections of similar venues to prevent future tragedies.