Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru airport for smuggling 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had been tracking her. She was sent to judicial custody until March 18. Her stepfather, Karnataka DGP K Ramachandra Rao, said he had no connection to her activities. He stated she got married four months ago and had not visited since. Congress MLA AS Ponnanna said she would be treated like any accused. Ranya, known for Maanikya and Pataki, claimed she was on a business trip. The investigation is ongoing.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is navigating a delicate diplomatic path amid escalating tensions between the United States, Europe, and Ukraine. Advocating for a "cool heads" approach, Starmer aims to serve as a bridge between U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, notably French President Emmanuel Macron, to prevent potential U.S. tariffs detrimental to the UK's economy. In response to Trump's abrupt shift in U.S. policy toward Ukraine, Starmer convened talks in London, proposing a peace plan and a "coalition of the willing" to uphold it. While some European nations express hesitancy in committing troops, Starmer's measured diplomacy seeks to harmonize transatlantic relations and fortify European security.   

  Kannada actress Ranya Rao, arrested at Bengaluru International Airport for attempting to smuggle 14.8 kg of gold worth over ₹12 crore from Dubai, employed a consistent modus operandi to evade detection. She made multiple trips to Dubai, reportedly 30 times over the past year, frequently wearing the same modified jacket and belt designed to conceal gold bars. Leveraging her connections, Rao allegedly identified herself as the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao and secured police escorts upon arrival to bypass customs scrutiny. Authorities are investigating potential involvement of law enforcement personnel and links to a broader smuggling syndicate. 

US President Donald Trump said he received a letter from Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, stating Ukraine is ready for peace talks. Trump read parts of the letter during his address to Congress, quoting Zelensky’s willingness to work under his "strong leadership." Trump also claimed Russia had shown interest in ending the war. The announcement follows a tense Oval Office meeting where Trump accused Zelensky of delaying peace. The two leaders also discussed a rare earth minerals deal, but Ukraine left without signing. Zelensky has not confirmed the letter but previously said it was time to “make things right.”

During US President Donald Trump’s speech to Congress, Democratic women wore pink in protest. The Democratic Women's Caucus led the effort to highlight concerns about rising costs, tariffs, and funding cuts for women’s health and safety programs. Senator Teresa Leger Fernandez said pink symbolises resistance and has been used in past protests. Lawmakers wore pink jackets, blouses, and buttons with messages against Trump’s policies. They said his decisions harm women, especially survivors of violence. The protest aimed to draw attention to these issues, using fashion as a statement against the administration’s policies.

US President Donald Trump defended his tariff policy in a speech to Congress. He said many countries, including India, charge high tariffs on American goods. He pointed out that India imposes auto tariffs of over 100%. Trump called these tariffs unfair and announced new reciprocal tariffs starting April 2. He said the US will match the tariffs other countries impose. The announcement received strong support from his party. The US also increased tariffs on China, Canada, and Mexico. Trump said the goal is to protect American businesses and ensure fair trade.

Kannada actor Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru airport for smuggling 14.8 kg of gold from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) had been tracking her frequent trips. Officials found gold hidden in her clothes and jacket. Rao, daughter of a senior police officer, reportedly smuggled gold multiple times. She tried to avoid checks with police help but was caught. A raid on her home found gold and cash worth ₹17.29 crore. She is in judicial custody. Authorities suspect a larger smuggling network. Rao claimed she was blackmailed. Investigations are ongoing.

Australia captain Steve Smith dismissed claims that India had an advantage in the Champions Trophy by playing all matches in Dubai. After losing to India in the semi-final, Smith admitted his team was outplayed. He said India deserved the win as they played better cricket. Australia, after winning the toss, aimed for 300 runs but fell short at 264. Smith believed they needed stronger partnerships. Dropped catches also hurt Australia, allowing India to chase the target comfortably. Smith accepted the loss, saying mistakes happen in cricket, and India was the better team on the day.

Former Indian pacer S Sreesanth confidently predicts India's triumph in the 2025 Champions Trophy final, irrespective of their opponent. He lauds the team's positive energy and stellar performances, particularly highlighting Virat Kohli's masterful chase and Shreyas Iyer's significant contributions. Sreesanth emphasizes the importance of humility, recalling advice from former captains MS Dhoni and Sourav Ganguly to "trust the process." He also praises Mohammed Shami's resilience and impact since returning from injury, noting his leadership in the bowling attack during Jasprit Bumrah's absence. Sreesanth believes India's robust talent pipeline and strong foundation, credited to the BCCI and Jay Shah, position them to dominate world cricket for years to come.

Kane Williamson played a brilliant knock in the Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final against South Africa, scoring a century off 91 balls. His 164-run partnership with Rachin Ravindra, who made 108, led New Zealand to a commanding position. This century marked Williamson’s 48th in international cricket, equaling the tally of legends Rahul Dravid and Steve Smith. It was his 15th ODI century and his third consecutive century against South Africa. The partnership and his performance were crucial in pushing New Zealand ahead in the race for the final.