The recent appointment of Dr. A. Shaija as Dean at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Calicut has sparked significant controversy. Dr. Shaija, a professor in the Electrical Engineering Department, had previously expressed admiration for Nathuram Godse, Mahatma Gandhi's assassin, on social media. On Gandhi's death anniversary, she posted a message stating she was "proud of Godse for the act," which has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including the Congress party. The party has demanded her immediate removal, arguing that her views are incompatible with the values upheld by an educational institution. NIT Calicut has yet to issue an official response regarding the matter.   

In a remarkable display of canine compassion, a 10-year-old Golden Retriever named Koko donated blood to save Leo, a 10-month-old Doberman suffering from a severe blood disorder in Kolkata. Leo's hemoglobin levels had dangerously dropped to 3, well below the safe minimum of 14.1, necessitating an immediate transfusion. The life-saving procedure was conducted at the Animal Health Pathological Lab in South Kolkata. This event marks the city's first canine blood transfusion of the year and underscores the critical need for awareness about pet blood donations. Leo's recovery will continue with dialysis and chemotherapy.   

A Gurgaon-based couple, devastated after losing their pet Indie dog, offered a ₹50,000 reward for her return. Their search took an unexpected turn when they found the missing dog near the Taj Mahal in Agra. The couple had extensively searched and posted online appeals to locate their beloved pet. Their perseverance paid off when a lead helped them reunite with the dog. The heartwarming story highlights the deep bond between pet owners and their animals, as well as the power of social media in locating lost pets. The emotional reunion was met with joy and relief.  

On February 25, 2025, hackers infiltrated the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), broadcasting an AI-generated video depicting President Donald Trump kissing Elon Musk's feet. The video, captioned "LONG LIVE THE REAL KING," played on cafeteria screens and was reportedly a response to Trump's recent self-identification as a monarch on social media. This incident coincided with the administration's proposal to reduce HUD's workforce by half and Musk's Department of Government Efficiency demanding weekly productivity reports from federal employees. A HUD spokesperson condemned the hack as a "waste of taxpayer dollars."

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, along with his wife Gauri and children Aryan, Suhana, and AbRam, is set to vacate their iconic Mumbai residence, Mannat, due to extensive renovations slated to begin in May 2025. The family will move to a luxury apartment in Bandra's Pali Hill, leasing four floors in the Puja Casa building owned by producer Vashu Bhagnani's family. The monthly rent for this temporary residence is reported to be ₹24 lakh. The renovation of Mannat, a Grade III heritage structure, includes adding two floors to its annexe and is expected to take approximately two years to complete. 

Hamas has handed over the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including one soldier, who were killed in Gaza. This development comes as negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas appear to regain momentum. The bodies were retrieved by the Israeli military and identified. The move follows renewed diplomatic efforts, particularly by Egypt and Qatar, to broker a pause in fighting and a potential prisoner exchange. While tensions remain high, this gesture is seen as a step toward de-escalation and a possible framework for further hostage releases and humanitarian relief in Gaza.  

On February 27, 2025, SpaceX successfully launched the Athena lunar lander, developed by Intuitive Machines, aboard a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. This mission, known as IM-2, aims to achieve a precise landing near the moon's south pole on March 6. A key objective is to deploy a drone named Grace into a permanently shadowed crater to search for frozen water, a critical resource for future lunar missions. NASA has invested $62 million in this endeavor, reflecting the growing collaboration between private companies and government agencies in lunar exploration.   

In a significant move to curtail government spending, President Donald Trump's administration has commenced large-scale layoffs, influenced by downsizing chief Elon Musk's proposal to slash $1 trillion from the current $6.7 trillion budget. During the first cabinet meeting of his second term, Trump emphasized that health and retirement benefits, constituting nearly half of the budget, will remain unaffected. To date, over 20,000 federal employees have been dismissed, with plans for further reductions targeting career staff. Agencies are required to submit workforce reduction plans by March 13, aiming for implementation in the upcoming fiscal year.   

The United States has introduced a new immigration initiative under former President Donald Trump's "Gold Card" plan, allowing American firms to recruit Indian graduates. This move is aimed at attracting skilled professionals and streamlining pathways to U.S. citizenship. The plan focuses on highly educated individuals, particularly in STEM fields, providing them with long-term work opportunities and potential residency benefits. This policy shift is expected to enhance the U.S. workforce while benefiting Indian talent. Experts believe it could reshape immigration dynamics, boosting economic ties between India and the U.S. The plan has sparked discussions on its long-term impact.

In a thrilling Group B encounter at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium, Afghanistan edged out England by eight runs, effectively ending England's Champions Trophy campaign. Opting to bat first, Afghanistan posted a formidable 325/7, largely due to Ibrahim Zadran's record-breaking 177 off 146 balls—the highest individual score in Champions Trophy history. Despite Jofra Archer's early three-wicket haul, England's chase fell short at 317 all out, with Joe Root's valiant 120 going in vain. Azmatullah Omarzai's five-wicket performance was pivotal in sealing Afghanistan's victory, which now intensifies the semifinal race in Group B.