Shubman Gill is set to lead India in their final Group A match against New Zealand in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as Rohit Sharma might be rested due to a hamstring injury. Rohit sustained the injury during India’s match against Pakistan and was seen avoiding batting practice in Dubai. With India already in the semi-finals, team management may rest him ahead of the knockout game. Rishabh Pant or Washington Sundar could replace Rohit in the XI. Gill, India’s designated vice-captain, has prior leadership experience, having led India in Zimbabwe and IPL franchise Gujarat Titans.

February saw the UK-India defence relationship reach new heights with major agreements at Aero India 2025. The UK delegation, led by Vernon Coaker, signed key deals to enhance bilateral cooperation. The launch of Defence Partnership – India (DP-I) establishes a dedicated programme office at Defence HQ to streamline collaboration. A landmark Thales-BDL agreement will deliver High Velocity Missiles and co-develop Lightweight Multirole Missiles in India. The new ASRAAM assembly facility in Hyderabad boosts India’s missile manufacturing and exports. A maritime technology pact will advance Integrated Full Electric Propulsion systems. These initiatives will drive joint development, job creation, and strengthened supply chains.

The US Department of Justice has released flight logs linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The logs include names like Donald Trump, Bill Clinton, Kevin Spacey, Naomi Campbell, and Prince Andrew. Other high-profile figures such as Mick Jagger and Harvey Weinstein were also listed. The documents also contain a contact list with many celebrities and politicians. A separate list of Epstein’s masseuses was released but kept censored. Epstein, accused of trafficking young girls, died by suicide in jail in 2019. His $634 million fortune was mostly given to victims through a compensation fund.

An avalanche hit a Border Roads Organisation (BRO) camp between Mana and Badrinath in Uttarakhand on Friday morning. The snowslide buried 57 workers. So far, 16 have been rescued, but 41 remain trapped. Bad weather is making rescue efforts difficult. Helicopters cannot be used due to heavy snowfall. The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has sent four teams to help. More teams are on standby. The Uttarakhand government and army are working together to save the workers. Officials say they are using all possible resources to speed up the rescue. No casualties have been reported yet.

The DRDO and Indian Navy have successfully conducted flight trials of the new NASM-SR, a 'Man-in-Loop' anti-ship missile, marking a significant milestone in defense technology. Launched from a naval helicopter, the missile demonstrated its in-flight retargeting capabilities using a high-bandwidth two-way datalink system that transmits live imagery to the pilot. The missile also utilizes an indigenous imaging infrared seeker for terminal guidance. The trial, conducted at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, included targeting a small ship in sea-skimming mode, hitting it accurately. This achievement marks a leap in India’s defense missile technology and enhances its naval defense capabilities.

A suicide bomb attack at the Jamia Haqqania seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, killed five worshippers and injured many more on February 28, 2025. The attack occurred in Akkora Khattak, a region linked to the Taliban and known for producing militant fighters. The seminary has ties to figures like Mullah Omar and Jalaluddin Haqqani. While no group has claimed responsibility, the Taliban's Afghan government condemned the attack, suspecting the Islamic State. The bombing, occurring just before Ramadan, highlights the rising violence in Pakistan, especially in regions close to Afghanistan's border, amid a surge in militant activities.

India's GDP grew by 6.2% in the October-December quarter, aligning with estimates. This marks an improvement from the previous quarter's 5.8% growth. The acceleration is attributed to increased government expenditure, which rose by 8.3%, and a 6.9% year-on-year surge in private consumer spending, driven by better rural demand and festival season purchases. The gross value added (GVA), a more stable measure of economic activity, also grew by 6.2%. The government has raised its full-year growth forecast to 6.5% from 6.4%. Additionally, India's central bank implemented its first rate cut in nearly five years to further support economic growth, as inflation dropped to 4.3% in January.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis received a threatening WhatsApp message from a Pakistani number, allegedly from one Malik Shahbaz Humayun Raza, warning of an attack. Mumbai Police have initiated an investigation to trace the sender and evaluate the threat's authenticity, enhancing security measures for the CM. In a related incident, two individuals were arrested for sending a bomb threat to Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde. The suspects, Mangesh Wayal and Abhay Shingane, were detained following an investigation by the Mumbai Police and Buldhana Police. The threats, which raised concerns, are currently under further scrutiny as authorities pursue leads on potential motives and affiliations.

The UK is bracing for snow and torrential rain this week, with most regions facing extreme weather, except for one area. Weather maps predict snow falling at a rate of 1 cm per hour in the Yorkshire Dales starting midnight on Thursday, March 13. Lighter flurries are expected in the Scottish Highlands and parts of Wales, including Cardiff and Gwynedd, along with rain in the southeast and parts of Manchester. Snow will continue in North West, Scotland, and Wales as the day progresses. The Met Office forecasts above-average rainfall through mid-March, with some drier periods possible in the south and east.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) requires 35-40 new fighter jets annually to strengthen its fleet. Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari emphasized the urgent need for these jets due to the changing defense landscape and to ensure optimal readiness against potential threats. He further stressed the importance of increasing indigenous production and boosting the private sector's role in defense manufacturing. Chaudhari called on domestic industries to contribute more actively, focusing on creating advanced aircraft. India’s defense sector has been undergoing significant reforms to meet modern requirements, and this push aims to improve self-reliance in defense production, alongside boosting the country’s global defense standing.