Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, owners of the Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub in Goa’s Arpora village where a blaze killed 25 people, have been deported from Thailand and brought back to India after a 10-day international search. Arrested at Delhi airport, the duo was granted a two-day transit remand by a Delhi court to facilitate their transfer to Goa for legal proceedings. They will be produced before the Mapusa court as part of the ongoing investigation into alleged safety violations and culpable homicide in the tragic fire. (PC: X)

Neeraj Ghaywan’s Homebound, co-produced by Karan Johar under Dharma Productions, has been shortlisted for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. The film, India’s official Oscar entry, was selected from a competitive international field and will advance to the next voting round. Homebound stars Ishaan Khatter, Vishal Jethwa and Janhvi Kapoor, and has Oscar winner Martin Scorsese as executive producer. Inspired by a true story, it charts two friends’ life-changing journey. Karan Johar celebrated the achievement on social media, expressing pride in the team’s global recognition. (PC: HT)

Global football legend Lionel Messi visited Vantara, participating in traditional Sanatana Dharma prayers and ceremonies. Accompanied by Inter Miami teammates Luis Suárez and Rodrigo De Paul, Messi received a grand welcome featuring folk music, flower showers, and an aarti ceremony. The Argentine icon took part in a Maha Aarti, performing multiple Hindu pujas including Ambe Mata Puja, Ganesh Puja, Hanuman Puja, and Shiv Abhishek. The prayers focused on world peace and unity. Vantara, where the visit occurred, traditionally begins its programs with prayers rooted in Sanatana Dharma traditions. The special visit showcased cultural exchange as the football superstar engaged respectfully with Indian spiritual practices alongside his South American teammates during their India tour.

A political battle erupted over the proposed Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (G RAM G) Bill, 2025, replacing the two-decade-old MGNREGA. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre, calling it an attempt to erase Mahatma Gandhi's legacy, alleging PM Modi harbors hatred for Gandhi's ideas and poor people's rights. Two major contentions emerged: the 60:40 Centre-state funding split versus MGNREGA's full central funding, and a 60-day work pause during agricultural seasons. BJP defended the changes as necessary modernization, increasing guaranteed work from 100 to 125 days, incorporating AI fraud detection and GPS monitoring. Congress promised nationwide protests with Gandhi's portraits, while BJP called allegations "misleading," positioning the bill as aligning with Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa apologized for the capital's persistent air pollution, admitting it's "impossible for any elected government to reduce AQI in nine to 10 months." He blamed the previous AAP government for inheriting a "disease of pollution." Delhi's AQI stood at 354 on Tuesday, improving from Monday's severe 427. Sirsa announced stricter enforcement: vehicles without valid Pollution Under Control certificates won't be allowed to refuel from Thursday. He claimed air quality remained better for eight months this year compared to last year. The government has reduced garbage mountain heights by 15 meters, reclaimed 45 acres, installed 2,000 pollution-monitoring plants, identified 13 hotspots, and plans deploying 7,500 electric buses to reduce vehicular emissions.

Bangladesh National Citizen Party leader Hasnat Abdullah warned Dhaka could shelter anti-India forces and threatened to "sever the seven sisters," referring to India's northeastern states. Four states including Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram share land borders with Bangladesh, making the region strategically sensitive. Abdullah claimed Bangladesh would offer sanctuary to separatist groups if India shelters forces against Bangladesh's sovereignty. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called the remarks "irresponsible and dangerous," warning India won't remain silent. India previously accused militant groups like NLFT and ATTF of using Bangladeshi territory as safe havens during the late 1990s-early 2000s. The security situation improved after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's 2009 return, launching crackdowns on insurgent groups and strengthening India-Bangladesh security cooperation.

Britain's armed forces chief, Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton, warned the nation's "sons and daughters" must prepare to fight, citing growing Russian threat risks. He described the current security environment as the most dangerous in his career, agreeing with French General Fabien Mandon's similar warning last month. Knighton noted it's been 65 years since UK national service call-ups and 80 years since World War II ended, with large populations lacking military experience after three decades of post-Cold War peace. While defence analysts estimate Russia launching significant UK attacks at five percent probability, Knighton stressed battle-hardened Russian troops after nearly four years in Ukraine shouldn't be underestimated. He emphasized society must rebuild national resilience alongside NATO allies as first-line defense. 'Get Ready To Fight': UK Armed Forces Chief Issues Stark Russian Threat Warning as Battle-Hardened Troops Advance in Ukraine.(PC: X) 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received Ethiopia's highest civilian honour, "The Great Honor Nishan of Ethiopia," marking his 28th foreign state honour during his maiden bilateral visit to the African nation. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali personally received Modi at Addis Ababa airport and drove him to his hotel in a rare gesture. The leaders held talks at the National Palace, participating in a traditional coffee ceremony where Ahmed briefed Modi on Ethiopian coffee varieties. In an unscheduled gesture, Ahmed took Modi to the Science Museum and Friendship Park despite it not being on the official itinerary. The visit underscores strong Global South partnership, with Addis Ababa hosting African Union headquarters, which became a permanent G20 member during India's 2023 presidency.

Sarfaraz Khan secured an IPL contract with Chennai Super Kings for Rs 75 lakh at the 2026 mini-auction, returning after missing two seasons. The Mumbai batter went unsold initially but was picked up hours after smashing 77 off 22 balls against Rajasthan in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Despite a solid Test debut last year, Sarfaraz was excluded from India's 2025 Test squads, prompting him to shed five kilograms and transform his fitness. He's scored 329 runs in seven SMAT matches at a 203.08 strike rate. Prithvi Shaw also found redemption as Delhi Capitals re-signed him for Rs 75 lakh after releasing him two years ago, despite disciplinary issues and inconsistent form with new team Maharashtra.(PC: PTI)

The IPL 2026 mini-auction concluded with 10 teams spending Rs 215.45 crore on 77 players. Cameron Green created history as the costliest overseas player ever in any franchise competition worldwide, purchased by Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 25.20 crore. Chennai Super Kings made record-breaking acquisitions of uncapped Indian players Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma for Rs 14.20 crore each. KKR also secured Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana for Rs 18 crore. Other notable buys included Liam Livingstone to Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 13 crore, Auqib Dar to Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.40 crore, and Josh Inglis to Lucknow Super Giants for Rs 8.60 crore. The upcoming IPL season runs from March 26 to May 31, 2026.(PC: ESPNCricinfo)