The Supreme Court of India has granted interim protection from arrest to podcaster Ranveer Allahbadia, known as BeerBiceps, following multiple FIRs filed against him for alleged obscene remarks made during an episode of the stand-up show 'India's Got Latent'. While staying his arrest, the court reprimanded Allahbadia for his "perverted mind" and "condemnable behaviour," emphasizing the irresponsibility of his comments. The bench highlighted a legislative vacuum concerning online content regulation and urged the Centre to address the issue. As a condition of his bail, Allahbadia is prohibited from airing any shows on YouTube or other platforms until further notice. 

India is striving to develop its own foundational AI model but lags behind global leaders like the US and China. While the government has pledged support through chip supplies and funding, experts highlight structural gaps in research, education, and policy. India’s AI talent is globally recognized, yet many migrate abroad due to limited domestic opportunities. Unlike China’s DeepSeek, India lacks high-quality datasets and deep-tech breakthroughs. With limited AI investment compared to global giants, experts stress the need for stronger industry-government collaboration to bridge the gap and build strategic autonomy in AI development.

The Bombay High Court has upheld a court martial's decision sentencing a former Lieutenant Colonel to five years in prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl. The court noted that the victim clearly identified the inappropriate behavior, rejecting the officer's claim that his actions were out of "grandfatherly" affection. The incident occurred in February 2020, leading to a General Court Martial conviction in March 2021, which was later confirmed by the Armed Forces Tribunal in January 2024. The High Court found no error in these findings, emphasizing the credibility of the victim's testimony. 

President Donald Trump has defended the Department of Government Efficiency's (DOGE) decision to cancel a $21 million U.S. aid package intended to boost voter turnout in India. He questioned the necessity of such funding, citing India's substantial financial resources and high taxation rates. Trump stated, "Why are we giving $21 million to India? They have a lot more money." The cancellation, announced by DOGE on February 16, has sparked political debate in India, with the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress party calling for investigations into potential foreign interference in India's electoral process. 

In a significant diplomatic development, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov convened in Riyadh to discuss ending the nearly three-year-long Ukraine conflict. The talks resulted in agreements to restore embassy staffing, establish a high-level team for peace negotiations, and explore economic cooperation. Notably, Ukrainian representatives were absent, leading President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject any outcomes from discussions lacking Ukraine's involvement. President Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine could have prevented the war through earlier negotiations. Further meetings between U.S. and Russian leaders are anticipated

Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's nominee for FBI Director, has moved closer to confirmation following a 48-45 procedural vote in the U.S. Senate. The vote initiates up to 30 hours of debate before a final decision, expected later this week. If confirmed, Patel would become the first Indian American and the youngest individual to lead the FBI. A former prosecutor and national security aide during Trump's first term, Patel has pledged to address perceived political bias within the FBI and refocus on law enforcement priorities. However, his nomination has faced opposition from Democrats, citing concerns over his impartiality and past controversies. Despite this, Republican support suggests a likely confirmation for Patel's 10-year term.   

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has requested assistance from India's Ministry of Law and Justice to serve a complaint to Adani Group founder Gautam Adani and his nephew, Sagar Adani. The SEC's efforts to serve the complaint are ongoing, as both individuals are currently in India and not under U.S. jurisdiction. The allegations involve a $265 million bribery scheme to secure solar energy contracts in India, with charges of misleading U.S. investors about the company's anti-corruption practices. The Adani Group has denied these allegations, labeling them as "baseless" and pledging to pursue all possible legal recourse. 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has instructed officials to ensure the complete enforcement of three newly enacted criminal laws in Jammu and Kashmir by April 2025. During a recent review meeting with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Shah emphasized the importance of training law enforcement and judicial personnel on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. These laws, which replace colonial-era statutes, aim to modernize India's criminal justice system. Shah also highlighted the need for public awareness campaigns to inform citizens about the changes. 

In a recent press briefing, President Donald Trump stated that Russia aims to halt the "barbarianism" in the ongoing Ukraine war, as the U.S. and Russia engage in negotiations to resolve the three-year conflict. Talks commenced in Riyadh, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov agreeing to establish high-level teams to expedite peace efforts. Notably, Ukraine was excluded from these discussions, leading President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to reject any outcomes from talks lacking Ukrainian representation. Trump criticized Ukraine for initiating the war, suggesting a deal could have been reached earlier. 

Bayern Munich secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a dramatic 1-1 draw against Celtic, resulting in a 3-2 aggregate victory. Despite a 63rd-minute goal by former Bayern player Nicolas Kuehn for Celtic, Alphonso Davies equalized in injury time to ensure Bayern's progression. In contrast, AC Milan faced elimination after a 1-1 draw with Feyenoord at San Siro, leading to a 2-1 aggregate loss. Santiago Gimenez scored early for Milan, but a red card for Theo Hernandez and a subsequent equalizer from Feyenoord's Carranza sealed Milan's exit. Additionally, Club Brugge and Benfica advanced, defeating Atalanta and Monaco respectively.