Kane Williamson, the former New Zealand captain and 2016 IPL winner with Sunrisers Hyderabad, has been assigned a new role for IPL 2025. After going unsold at the mega auction, Williamson will serve as a commentator and expert for Star Sports during the tournament. The IPL 2025 season is set to begin on March 22 with the defending champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, facing Royal Challengers Bangalore at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Williamson's inclusion as a national-feed commentator adds to the high-profile commentary lineup.

Heathrow Airport remains closed as a fire at an electrical substation near the airport continues to burn, with 10% of the blaze still alight, according to London Fire Brigade. Power remains out at Terminals 2 and 4, and over 5,000 homes are affected. Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith said firefighters are working under “challenging conditions,” and investigations are ongoing with counter-terrorism police involved as a precaution. About 150 people have been evacuated, including 29 from nearby properties. Heathrow warns of prolonged disruptions, with 1,350+ flights impacted today. Fire safety teams continue assessing the situation, with recovery efforts ongoing.

The 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is set to begin on March 22, 2025, in Kolkata, with defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders facing Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Excitement surrounds new rule changes, including the lifting of the saliva ban, allowing bowlers to use it to shine the ball for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, new team captains and the possibility of rain affecting the opening match add intrigue to this year's highly anticipated season.

India's $23 billion incentive program aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing will expire, with no plans for expansion or extended deadlines. Despite participation from major companies like Foxconn and Reliance, the scheme has underperformed, with only 37% of the production target met as of October 2024, and less than 8% of allocated funds disbursed. The program saw growth in mobile-phone and pharmaceutical sectors but faced issues in other industries. While the government plans new alternatives, the manufacturing share of the economy has decreased, from 15.4% to 14.3%.  

Ravichandran Ashwin, the esteemed Indian cricketer, will be honored by having his home street in Chennai renamed after him. The Greater Chennai Corporation has approved renaming Ramakrishnapuram 1st Street in West Mambalam, where Ashwin grew up and still resides, to 'Ravichandran Ashwin Road'. This tribute follows Ashwin's retirement from international cricket in December 2024, concluding a remarkable career with 765 wickets across all formats, making him India's second-highest wicket-taker after Anil Kumble. Ashwin's contributions to cricket, particularly his six Test centuries, three of which were at his home ground in Chennai, have solidified his legacy. Additionally, he is set to rejoin the Chennai Super Kings in the upcoming IPL season, returning to his roots after a decade.

Heathrow Airport, a pivotal global travel hub, experienced a significant disruption on March 21, 2025, due to a fire at a nearby electrical substation, leading to a complete closure and widespread flight cancellations. Serving over 230 destinations across nearly 90 countries, Heathrow operates at 99% capacity, with 90 airlines based there, including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Lufthansa. In February 2025, the airport handled 5.7 million passengers, marking its busiest February on record, and totaling 84.1 million passengers from March 2024 to February 2025. To alleviate capacity constraints, plans for a third runway are underway, with a proposal submission expected this summer, following government support citing potential boosts to trade and economic growth. Heathrow's current infrastructure includes two main runways and five terminals, with Terminal 5 being the most recent addition, opened in 2008. The airport is also the UK's largest single-site employer, with over 90,000 staff members.

The Allahabad High Court Bar Association (HCBA) has expressed strong opposition to the proposed transfer of Justice Yashwant Varma to their bench. In a recent resolution, the HCBA criticized the move, stating, "We are not a trash bin." They highlighted concerns over Justice Varma's alleged "arbitrary, biased, and high-handed" judicial conduct, particularly citing instances where orders detrimental to advocates were issued without proper hearings. The association has urged the Chief Justice to intervene, seeking the suspension of Justice Varma's judicial duties pending a transparent inquiry. They warned of potential protests, including boycotts, if corrective measures are not implemented. This development underscores escalating tensions between the judiciary and legal practitioners, emphasizing the need for judicial accountability and adherence to natural justice principles.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has criticized India's education system for being biased against lower castes, labeling the prevailing concept of merit as flawed and detrimental to Dalits, OBCs, and tribals. He advocates for a caste census to unveil the depth of this inequality, asserting that such a measure is crucial for equitable resource distribution, aligning with B.R. Ambedkar's vision. In response, BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan condemned Gandhi's remarks, suggesting they reflect a dynastic and feudal mindset. Kesavan emphasized that the Congress party has historically undermined meritorious leaders from SC, ST, and OBC communities who have risen through dedication and hard work.

A fire at an electrical substation near London's Heathrow Airport caused a major power outage, leading to the airport's closure until midnight on March 21. This disruption affected over 2,000 flights and left thousands of passengers stranded. Air India confirmed that flight AI129 from Mumbai to London returned to Mumbai, and flight AI161 from Delhi was diverted to Frankfurt. All remaining Air India flights to and from Heathrow, including AI111, were canceled for March 21. Flights to London Gatwick remained unaffected. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for updates and avoid traveling to the airport.

Three Indian nationals from Tamil Nadu, Raju Muthukumaran (38), Selvadurai Dinakaran (34), and Govindhasamy Vimalkandhan (45) face the death penalty in Indonesia for allegedly smuggling 106 kg of crystal methamphetamine aboard the Singapore-flagged vessel, Legend Aquarius. Indonesian authorities intercepted the ship in July 2024 near Karimun district, acting on a tip-off. The defense argues that the ship's captain, responsible for all onboard cargo, has not been adequately cross-examined, raising concerns about the prosecution's case. The Indian Embassy is providing legal assistance, and a verdict is expected on April 15, 2025.