Adani Group has officially withdrawn from a $442 million wind power project in Sri Lanka after the Sri Lankan government sought to renegotiate terms, including energy rates. The government's cancellation of a power purchase agreement with Adani prompted the move. Despite investing $5 million in the project, Adani expressed respect for Sri Lanka’s decision and remains open to future collaboration. This decision follows efforts by the Sri Lankan government to reduce electricity costs from billion-dollar energy projects, and a renegotiation committee is expected to address the terms moving forward.  

Elon Musk’s social media platform X will pay Donald Trump $10 million to settle a lawsuit over Trump’s 2021 ban following the January 6 Capitol attack. The lawsuit, initially filed against X under Jack Dorsey’s leadership, persisted despite Trump’s account being reinstated after Musk’s acquisition. This is the second such settlement, following Meta’s $25 million payout earlier this year. Trump’s legal team is now pursuing a similar settlement with Google. The settlement comes as Trump and Musk strengthen ties, with Musk recently appointed to lead a new government efficiency department.  

China's AI chatbot, DeepSeek, has rapidly gained prominence, rivaling platforms like ChatGPT. However, Uyghur communities express deep concern, alleging that the Chinese government is utilizing such technology to obscure and deny the reported genocide against the 12 million Uyghurs in Xinjiang. Rahima Mahmut, a Uyghur activist who fled China in 2000, stated, "The Chinese government is trying to erase the Uyghur people by employing AI to mislead the public." This development underscores fears that AI tools like DeepSeek could be manipulated to distort historical narratives and suppress information about human rights abuses.  

The Indian government relaxed national security protocols along the Pakistan border to facilitate the construction of the Khavda renewable energy park, the world’s largest, by the Adani Group. The land, near the volatile Rann of Kutch, was previously restricted for security reasons but was reallocated after a change in defense norms. This project, led by billionaire Gautam Adani, has raised concerns due to its proximity to Pakistan and allegations of corruption. The opposition claims favoritism, while the Adani Group denies any wrongdoing. The project which generates 30GW, could power entire nations, and attract global customers like Google.  

Tesla has inaugurated a $200 million Megapack battery factory in Shanghai, its first energy storage gigafactory outside the U.S. Located near Tesla's existing car manufacturing Gigafactory in the Lingang Free Trade Zone, the new facility spans approximately 200,000 square meters and is designed to produce up to 10,000 Megapack units annually, equating to about 40 GWh of energy storage capacity. Each Megapack, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, can store over 3,900 kWh of electricity, sufficient to power approximately 3,600 homes for an hour. This expansion underscores Tesla's commitment to strengthening its energy storage business in China, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing.   

During the recent visit to France, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron agreed to co-develop small and advanced modular nuclear reactors, enhancing bilateral civil nuclear cooperation. They also declared 2026 as the "India-France Year of Innovation," unveiling its logo at the 14th India-France CEOs Forum. Additionally, both nations signed a Declaration on Artificial Intelligence and committed to expediting the development of the Yuge Yugeen Bharat museum in New Delhi. The visit concluded with the inauguration of the Indian consulate in Marseille, symbolizing deepening ties between the two countries

Donald Trump's repeated threats of tariffs and his proposal for Canada to become the "51st state" have stirred nationalistic sentiment in Canada. While his threats target Canada's trade, they have united Canadians in defending their sovereignty. As Trump pushes for harsher measures, the mood in Canada ranges from anxiety to defiance, influencing the political landscape ahead of federal elections. Leaders across Canada, including provincial premiers, are responding to Trump’s rhetoric with fierce patriotism, aiming to protect national interests and strengthen Canadian identity.  

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto has made a confident statement ahead of their Champions Trophy 2025 opener against India on February 20th in Dubai. He asserted that Bangladesh isn't just participating, but aiming to win the tournament. Shanto highlighted their strengthened bowling and well-rounded team, expressing his belief that they can beat anyone if they play to their potential. Following the India match, Bangladesh will play New Zealand and Pakistan in the group stage.  

    Following his loss in the recent Delhi Assembly elections, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj has launched a YouTube channel called Berozgar Neta (Unemployed Leader). The former Delhi minister, who was defeated in the Greater Kailash constituency, stated that the channel will focus on governance, public welfare, and key social issues. Through this platform, Bharadwaj intends to stay engaged with the public and continue political discussions. His initiative comes at a time when AAP faces electoral challenges, with leaders seeking alternative ways to connect with people. The channel has already attracted attention, sparking mixed political reactions.  

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is expected to meet Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain in Muscat, Oman, next week. The meeting is anticipated to occur on the sidelines of the 8th Indian Ocean Conference, scheduled for February 16-17, which Jaishankar will co-chair alongside Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Albusaidi and Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. This would mark their second bilateral discussion since August 5, 2024, following the ousting of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. The dialogue aims to ease prevailing tensions between the neighboring countries.