The Vatican has cancelled Pope Francis’ weekend engagements as he recovers from a lung infection. The 88-year-old has been in Rome’s Gemelli hospital since Friday for bronchitis treatment. Doctors say he has a “complex” respiratory infection and needs new medication. Despite his illness, the Pope read and worked on Monday. The Vatican says he is in stable condition with no fever. Pilgrims and priests have sent prayers for his recovery. Pope Francis has faced several health issues in recent years. The Vatican has not confirmed when he will leave the hospital.

A Delta Air Lines flight from Minneapolis crash-landed and flipped upside down at Toronto Pearson Airport, with all 80 onboard surviving. The CRJ900 aircraft skidded along the runway with visible flames before coming to a halt. Passengers described dropping onto the ceiling before escaping onto the snow-covered tarmac. Eighteen people sustained injuries, including a child, but none were fatal. Emergency response was praised as "textbook." Investigators are probing the cause, as conflicting reports emerged about wind conditions. The airport briefly closed, leading to delays. This marks the fourth major aviation incident in North America in a month.

European officials strongly reaffirmed their dedication to Ukraine's sovereignty, as US and Russian representatives engaged in talks aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict. The discussions, which excluded Ukraine, have raised concerns about potential outcomes that may overlook Kyiv's interests. Despite these concerns, Ukraine remains firm that no peace agreement will be accepted without its involvement.

Germany is witnessing a growing shift toward far-right politics, raising alarm across the nation. The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has gained significant traction, capitalizing on economic struggles, immigration concerns, and dissatisfaction with mainstream parties. With upcoming regional elections, fears of far-right influence in governance are escalating. Protests and counter-movements have intensified, as many Germans resist this political shift. The government is under pressure to address economic instability and social division to curb extremist appeal. Analysts warn that if mainstream parties fail to connect with voters, Germany could see a significant transformation in its political landscape.  

Egypt has unveiled a comprehensive $27 billion initiative to reconstruct Gaza, directly opposing former U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to depopulate the territory and place it under U.S. control. The Egyptian plan, championed by real estate magnate Hisham Talaat Moustafa, aims to construct 200,000 housing units over three years to accommodate approximately 1.3 million displaced Palestinians. This initiative emphasizes local resettlement without displacement, focusing on rebuilding infrastructure and essential services. Egypt is actively seeking international collaboration, engaging with European and Arab nations to secure funding and support for the reconstruction efforts.   

Sudan's civil war, now in its second year, has left the country in turmoil. The Sudanese army is fighting to reclaim Khartoum and liberate its capital, facing off against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Brutal attacks, including airstrikes and shelling, have killed tens of thousands of civilians. Amidst the chaos, local volunteers like Momen continue to assist, despite losing their fellow volunteers to violence. The struggle for civilian rule continues as soldiers and revolutionaries unite for a common goal, even as tensions rise within the ranks.     

The NSPCC has raised alarm over a loophole in the UK’s Online Safety Act that leaves children at risk of sexual abuse via messaging apps. They urge the government to address this gap, which is exacerbated by platforms like Snapchat using end-to-end encryption, preventing detection of harmful activity. The charity reported alarming statistics, including over 38,000 recorded child sexual abuse crimes in 2023. NSPCC calls for stronger safeguards to protect children online.

Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, advocates for a "US security guarantee" as the sole path to peace in Ukraine. After an emergency summit in Paris, he emphasized that this approach is crucial to deter future Russian aggression and safeguard Europe’s collective security. Starmer is set to meet Donald Trump in Washington to discuss the key elements for a lasting peace. Amid Trump's unilateral peace talks with Russia, Starmer stressed that Europe must also contribute more to the region’s defense and security.

On February 17, 2025, Delta Connection Flight, operated by Endeavor Air, crash-landed at Toronto Pearson International Airport while arriving from Minneapolis. The Bombardier CRJ900 aircraft flipped upside down upon landing due to strong winds and icy runway conditions. Of the 80 people onboard—76 passengers and 4 crew members—18 sustained injuries, including one child, though none were critical. Emergency teams quickly evacuated passengers and contained a fire. The incident led to temporary airport closures, delaying flights. Investigations by Transport Canada and the NTSB are underway to determine the cause of the accident.

IAS officer Gyanesh Kumar was appointed as India’s new Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) on Monday. Kumar, a 1988-batch Kerala-cadre officer, previously served as an Election Commissioner and worked with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. His term runs until January 26, 2029. The decision, made by a panel including PM Narendra Modi and Law Minister Arjun Meghwal, was opposed by Rahul Gandhi, who called the process “meaningless.” Kumar will oversee key elections, including the Bihar Assembly polls in 2025 and Lok Sabha elections in 2029. He is the first CEC appointed under the new selection law.