A special court in Bengaluru has rejected the bail plea of actress Ranya Rao, who was arrested by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) for her alleged involvement in smuggling gold worth ₹3 crore. Rao was intercepted at Kempegowda International Airport, where officials seized the contraband. The court denied her bail, citing the gravity of the offense and the ongoing investigation. Authorities suspect a larger smuggling network, and further inquiries are underway. This case highlights stringent legal actions against gold smuggling operations in India.

On March 12, 2025, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) militants hijacked the Jaffar Express in Balochistan, Pakistan, seizing over 400 passengers, primarily security personnel. The insurgents demanded the release of Baloch political prisoners, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum. As the deadline expired, the BLA claimed to have executed 214 military hostages, citing the Pakistani government's refusal to negotiate. The Pakistani military reported rescuing 354 hostages and killing 33 militants during the operation, while acknowledging 31 casualties among hostages. The BLA's claims lack independent verification, and the group has a history of exaggeration. This incident underscores the ongoing conflict in Balochistan, where separatists seek independence from Pakistan, often targeting security forces and infrastructure. 

On March 14, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared South Africa’s Ambassador to the U.S., Ebrahim Rasool, persona non grata, expelling him from the country. Rubio accused Rasool of being a “race-baiting politician” following his comments that President Trump promotes global white supremacy. The move deepens tensions between Washington and Pretoria, already strained by U.S. opposition to South Africa’s land expropriation policies and legal actions against Israel at the International Court of Justice. In retaliation, the U.S. has suspended financial aid to South Africa, further deteriorating diplomatic relations between the two nations.  

Raphael Satter, a Washington-based Reuters journalist, has sued the Indian government after his Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status was revoked in December 2023. The Ministry of Home Affairs accused him of publishing investigative work that "maliciously" damaged India's reputation. His report alleged that an Indian IT firm, Appin, engaged in global hack-for-hire operations. Satter, who obtained OCI through marriage, denies violating Indian laws. His legal team argues that the government has not justified the revocation on security grounds. The Delhi High Court will hear the case on May 22, 2025, amid concerns over press freedom in India.  

At a United Nations General Assembly session, India strongly rebuked Pakistan for its "unjustified" reference to Jammu and Kashmir. India's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador P Harish, asserted that such statements do not validate Pakistan’s claims and condemned its support for cross-border terrorism. Speaking during a session on combating Islamophobia, Harish criticized Pakistan’s continued efforts to internationalize Jammu and Kashmir, calling it a display of fanaticism and bigotry. He reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir remain an integral part of India, highlighting Pakistan’s history of using terror as a state policy.

Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student in Urban Planning at Columbia University, voluntarily departed the United States after her visa was revoked by the Department of State on March 5, 2025. The revocation cited her alleged involvement in activities supporting Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. Srinivasan utilized the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's CBP Home App to self-deport on March 11. This action aligns with the Trump administration's intensified scrutiny of foreign students participating in pro-Palestinian protests. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem emphasized that advocating for violence and terrorism invalidates the privilege of residing and studying in the U.S. 

In a coordinated operation on March 14, 2025, Iraqi national intelligence services, supported by U.S.-led coalition forces, successfully targeted and killed Abdallah Maki Mosleh al-Rifai, also known as "Abu Khadija," the head of the Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria. The operation took place in Iraq's Anbar province, a region previously under significant ISIS influence. Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani described al-Rifai as "one of the most dangerous terrorists in Iraq and the world." U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the operation's success, stating that al-Rifai's "miserable life was terminated." This strategic strike underscores the ongoing commitment of Iraqi and coalition forces to dismantle ISIS's leadership and thwart the group's efforts to regain a foothold in the region. 

On March 14, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched the Crew-10 mission from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, to relieve NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for over nine months due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner capsule. The new four-member crew consists of NASA astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov. Crew-10 is scheduled to dock with the ISS on March 15, 2025, initiating a brief handover before Williams and Wilmore return to Earth around March 20 aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft.  

In the early hours of March 14, 2025, a tragic accident in Vadodara's Karelibaug area left one woman dead and four others injured. Rakshit Chaurasia, a 23-year-old law student from Varanasi, allegedly drove his car recklessly into multiple two-wheelers. Eyewitnesses claim he appeared intoxicated and shouted "another round" after the crash. However, Chaurasia denied being drunk, attributing the accident to a pothole and an airbag blocking his view. Authorities have arrested him, and investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the deadly collision.  

The Trump administration is considering imposing extensive travel restrictions on citizens from 43 countries as part of a broader immigration crackdown. An internal memo categorizes these nations based on the severity of restrictions they may face. Some countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, could see complete visa suspensions, while others like Russia and Pakistan may experience restrictions allowing only certain travelers, such as business professionals. A third group has been given 60 days to address security concerns. This proposal follows a recent executive order aimed at strengthening security vetting, similar to the 2017 travel ban.