Indian oil refiners, including Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Reliance Industries, are avoiding purchases of Russian crude for April delivery to support New Delhi’s effort to finalize a trade agreement with the United States by March that would lower tariffs and deepen economic cooperation. These firms have declined trader offers for Russian oil in March and April, although some previously scheduled March deliveries remain. India’s imports of Russian oil have already fallen sharply from 2025 peaks, driven partly by diversification to other suppliers and geopolitical pressures. A key private buyer, Nayara, won’t import Russian crude in April due to maintenance. (PC: Reuters)

Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate Jimmy Lai has been sentenced to 20 years in prison under the city’s national security law after being convicted in December of conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and publishing seditious material through his now-defunct Apple Daily newspaper. The ruling by three judges comes after a legal saga beginning with his arrest in August 2020 and marks one of the most high-profile applications of the Beijing-imposed law. Lai, 78, will serve this term alongside nearly six years from a previous fraud conviction. The sentence has drawn international criticism as emblematic of declining press freedom in Hong Kong. (PC: AFP)

Bollywood’s beloved singer Arijit Singh marked his first live performance since announcing his retirement from playback singing with an emotional show in Kolkata at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. The concert featured a special collaboration with sitar maestro Anoushka Shankar and percussionist Bickram Ghosh, where they performed songs including a rendition of the Bengali classic “Maya Bhora Raati.” Fans greeted Arijit with thunderous applause, visibly moved by his return to the stage despite his earlier announcement to step back from film music. The appearance underscores his ongoing connection with live music even as he redefines his musical journey. 

Several schools in New Delhi received bomb threat emails on Monday, prompting widespread alarm among students, parents, and authorities. The messages, which included incendiary language like “Delhi will become Khalistan”, led to immediate evacuations, deployment of police, K-9 units, and bomb disposal squads, and thorough security sweeps of the campuses. No explosives or suspicious devices were found during the searches. This incident comes amid a recurring pattern of similar bomb-threat emails targeting educational institutions in Delhi and other cities, causing repeated disruptions and placing city security forces on high alert while investigations into the source and motive continue. (PC: PTI)

At least six people were injured on Sunday afternoon when a speeding Lamborghini Aventador, allegedly driven by Shivam Mishra, the son of prominent tobacco trader K K Mishra, lost control on VIP Road in Kanpur’s Gwaltoli area. The luxury car first struck an auto-rickshaw and then a parked Royal Enfield motorcycle, flinging the rider nearly 10 feet into the air and injuring bystanders. Eyewitnesses claimed the driver was intoxicated and attempted to flee, prompting anger from locals. Police seized the damaged vehicle and took the driver into custody; the injured were hospitalised and an FIR is being registered. (PC: NDTV)

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief Mohsin Naqvi has urged the International Cricket Council (ICC) to help restore India–Pakistan bilateral cricket ties and address tensions as Islamabad considers boycotting its T20 World Cup 2026 match against India scheduled for February 15 in Colombo. Naqvi presented three conditions to the ICC delegation—higher revenue share, resumption of bilateral series, and adherence to cricketing etiquette like player handshakes after matches—to end Pakistan’s boycott call. The demand comes amid lingering fallout from the Asia Cup 2025 controversy, where India and Pakistan refused traditional handshakes, and broader political tensions. (PC: AP)

India and Greece are bolstering bilateral defence cooperation as Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias visited New Delhi for high-level talks with India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, focusing on expanding military and security collaboration between the two countries. The discussions covered regional and international security developments, defence-industrial cooperation, and strategic alignment between the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions. Dendias has also emphasised India’s growing importance as an indispensable partner for Europe and support for closer economic and security ties, including backing the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement. The visit reinforces the ongoing strengthening of India–Greece strategic relations. (PC: The Hindu)

Newly released documents and testimonies reveal that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein discussed a highly unsettling idea to use his Zorro Ranch in New Mexico as a so-called “baby ranch” where women would be impregnated with his DNA to create a self-described “super race” of humans. The plan, rooted in transhumanist ideas but resembling discredited eugenics, was shared with scientists and wealthy associates over years, though there’s no evidence it was ever carried out. Epstein’s ranch was also linked to past sexual abuse allegations, and the files have renewed scrutiny of his influence and activities before his 2019 death. (PC: India Today)

India’s National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held talks with his Canadian counterpart Nathalie Drouin during a two-day visit to Canada. Officials said the meeting aimed to strengthen cooperation on the safety of citizens in both countries. The talks focused on intelligence sharing, law enforcement coordination, and action against violent extremist groups, including Khalistani-linked networks. Both sides agreed on a joint work plan covering drugs, cyber threats, and organised crime. India and Canada will also post security and law-enforcement liaison officers. Officials said the discussions marked a step toward rebuilding trust and improving coordination on public safety issues. (PC: X)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir hosted the Indian cricket team for a dinner at his Delhi residence ahead of their T20 World Cup match against Namibia on February 12. BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla was also present. It is the second team dinner hosted by Gambhir during his time as head coach. India began their campaign with a 29-run win over the USA at Wankhede Stadium. Captain Suryakumar Yadav scored an unbeaten 84 to guide the team to 161 for nine after early wickets. Indian bowlers then restricted the USA to 132 for eight to seal the victory. (PC: HT)