Bengaluru is facing record heat, with temperatures reaching 35.9°C on February 17. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) says the city is now hotter than Delhi, which recorded 27°C on the same day. Experts blame weak northern winds and the La Niña effect for the rising heat. Nights will still be cooler at around 17°C, but summer is arriving early this year. Usually, Bengaluru’s summer starts in March, but IMD predicts an early onset by mid-February. The city’s temperature has been rising for two years, making it one of the hottest places in Karnataka.

India began their ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign with a 6-wicket victory over Bangladesh in Dubai. Mohammed Shami starred with a record-breaking 5/53 as Bangladesh struggled at 35/5 before Towhid Hridoy (100) and Jaker Ali (68) guided them to 228. In reply, Shubman Gill’s unbeaten 101 and Rohit Sharma’s 41 set up India’s chase, securing the win comfortably. India will next face Pakistan on February 23 at the same venue, while Bangladesh will meet New Zealand on February 24 in Rawalpindi.

Veena Reddy, ex-USAID India director, is under scrutiny after BJP MP Mahesh Jethmalani demanded a probe into a $21 million grant allegedly aimed at increasing voter turnout. Former US President Donald Trump claimed the Biden administration sought to influence India’s elections through USAID funding. Reddy, born in Andhra Pradesh, led USAID India from 2021 to 2024, overseeing a sharp rise in disbursements. She previously served in Cambodia and Haiti. USAID denied allegations of election interference, citing its focus on health, education, and development. Calls for investigation continue.

Archaeologists have discovered the tomb of Pharaoh Thutmose II in Egypt, marking the first royal tomb found since Tutankhamun’s in 1922. A British-Egyptian team uncovered it in the Western Valleys of the Theban Necropolis near Luxor. The tomb, buried under flood debris, featured a blue ceiling with yellow stars—an indicator of a pharaoh’s burial. Though emptied in ancient times, alabaster fragments confirmed Thutmose II’s identity. Egypt’s Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy called it an “extraordinary moment for Egyptology.” Researchers now aim to locate a second tomb, potentially intact with treasures. The discovery resolves a mystery about early 18th Dynasty burials.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged US pragmatism after Donald Trump called him a "dictator without elections." Trump is pushing for a quick deal with Russia, excluding Ukraine and European allies from initial talks. Zelensky, addressing Ukrainians, emphasized unity and collaboration with the US and Europe for security. European leaders pledged increased defense spending, while some consider a US-backed peacekeeping force. Trump’s remarks triggered Ukrainian opposition reactions, with ex-PM Yulia Tymoshenko defending Zelensky’s legitimacy. Ukrainian officials insist a ceasefire would enable further Russian aggression, despite intelligence suggesting one may occur this year. Kyiv seeks continued US support.

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami became the fastest bowler to take 200 ODI wickets in terms of balls bowled (5126), surpassing Mitchell Starc’s 5240 deliveries. Shami achieved the milestone in the Champions Trophy match against Bangladesh by dismissing Jaker Ali. He also became the quickest Indian to 200 wickets in ODIs, reaching the feat in 104 matches. The veteran pacer silenced critics with a stunning five-wicket haul (5/53), leading India’s pace attack in Dubai. With 73 wickets in ICC tournaments, Shami now holds the record for the most wickets by an Indian in global events.

Delhi’s newly sworn-in Chief Minister Rekha Gupta performed Yamuna aarti at Vasudev Ghat with BJP leaders, including Baijayant Jay Panda and Parvesh Sahib Singh. Hours later, she chaired her first Cabinet meeting at the Delhi secretariat. The Yamuna issue was central in Delhi’s election campaign, with BJP and AAP trading accusations over pollution levels. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had also highlighted Yamuna in his victory speech. Rekha Gupta, a first-time MLA from Shalimar Bagh, is Delhi’s fourth woman CM, marking BJP’s return to power in the capital after 27 years.

India is working closely with Panama to ensure the safety of Indian migrants deported from the US. The Indian embassy confirmed that they are staying in a hotel with basic facilities.   “Panamanian authorities have informed us that a group of Indians have reached Panama from the US. They are safe and secure at a hotel with all essential facilities," the embassy said.   This comes after some deportees were seen holding signs at the hotel windows reading “Help” and “We are not safe in our country.” Panama is coordinating their return home.

As Maha Kumbh 2025 nears its end, a rare celestial event is taking place. All seven planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—are visible from India. The alignment will peak on February 28, when all planets line up on one side of the Sun. “Such cosmic events amplify spiritual energies,” say believers. While five planets can be seen with the naked eye, Uranus and Neptune need binoculars. The best time to watch is after sunset or before sunrise. This rare sight adds a special significance to the festival, which has drawn millions of pilgrims this year.

Rekha Gupta was sworn in as Delhi’s chief minister in a grand ceremony at Ramlila Maidan. After taking the oath, she said, “We will not waste a single day in making Delhi better.” She took charge at the Delhi Secretariat and chaired her first cabinet meeting in the evening. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and top BJP leaders attended her swearing-in. Gupta promised to fulfil all commitments made to the people. Her cabinet will focus on development and key issues like pollution, transport, and safety. Later, she and her ministers performed an Aarti at a Yamuna Ghat.