March 2025 News Round‑Up: Sports, Tech, Politics & More
What a month! From nail‑biting cricket finishes to free AI tools that turn your selfie into a Studio Ghibli masterpiece, March gave us plenty to talk about. Below is a quick rundown of the stories that grabbed attention across India and beyond.
Sports that had us on the edge of our seats
The ICC Champions Trophy finale turned into a South African showcase. Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder bowled England out for just 179 runs, and South Africa cruised home with a seven‑wicket win. The upset also sparked England captain Jos Buttler’s resignation, adding drama to an already tense tournament.
IPL 2025 was equally electrifying. Mumbai Indians’ rookie Vignesh Puthur stole the spotlight with a three‑wicket haul against Chennai Super Kings, earning the Best Bowler award from Nita Ambani despite the team’s loss. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bengaluru chased down 175 against Kolkata Knight Riders, thanks to a late surge from Virat Kohli and Phil Salt. Shardul Thakur’s surprise move to Lucknow Super Giants also made headlines, filling a fast‑bowling gap just before the season kicked off.
Beyond cricket, the Women's Premier League saw Mumbai Indians dominate Gujarat Giants, with Natalie Sciver‑Brunt delivering an all‑round performance that secured a five‑wicket win. In tennis, the Indian Wells tournament served up thrills as Iga Swiatek fell to teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva, proving the event still delivers surprise results.
Tech, finance and everyday hacks
If you’ve ever wanted a Ghibli‑style portrait without paying a subscription, you’re in luck. Free AI platforms like GPT‑4o, Midjourney, Artbreeder and DeepAI now let you generate dreamy, hand‑painted images with a few well‑crafted prompts. The guide published this month walks you through the process step by step.
Instagram also rolled out a global update that lets users download public Reels straight to their devices, complete with a watermark for credit. Creators can now toggle the download option, giving them control over how their content spreads.
On the finance side, the Union Cabinet approved a 2 % Dearness Allowance hike for central government employees, raising DA to 55 % of basic pay. The move affects over 11.5 million staff and pensioners and sets the stage for further revisions expected from the 8th Pay Commission. Meanwhile, the crypto world buzzed over Pi Coin’s mainnet launch. The coin surged to $2.10 before stabilizing around $1.71, fueled by speculation about a Binance listing and the promise of mobile‑friendly mining.
Other practical updates include the India Post GDS Result 2025, which released merit lists for 22 states, and a reminder to use ISO‑certified glasses for the March 29 partial solar eclipse that will be visible across North America and Europe.
Political and societal news also kept the conversation going. A controversial remark about historic figure Rana Sanga sparked protests across Rajasthan, while Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai highlighted India as a key ally for Afghanistan’s future. In the U.S., Kash Patel took the oath as FBI Director on a Bhagavad Gita, marking a cultural milestone.
Festivals and weather made the local headlines too. Bank branches across several states closed for Gudi Padwa and Ugadi, though digital banking stayed live. Uttar Pradesh’s Holi forecast warned of rain in the western region, prompting residents to plan accordingly.
Education saw a mix of outcomes: the Jharkhand Board cancelled Class 10 exams after a paper‑leak scandal, while the CBSE Class 12 Physics paper in February proved tougher than expected, especially on current electricity. On the lighter side, horror‑comedy films like Stree 2 dominated the 2024 box office, and Rajpal Yadav’s journey from a factory worker to Bollywood’s comedy staple reminded us that perseverance pays off.
That’s the March 2025 snapshot – a blend of sports thrills, tech tricks, policy shifts and cultural moments. Keep scrolling for deeper dives on any story that caught your eye.
Creating iconic Studio Ghibli-style portraits doesn't have to involve a subscription, thanks to a range of free AI tools. Users can harness GPT-4o's free version or platforms like Midjourney, Artbreeder, and DeepAI to craft animated artwork with the distinctive Ghibli style. These tools transform photos using specific prompts that highlight soft colors, hand-painted textures, and dreamy lighting, offering creative freedom without the need for paid services.
In the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 group-stage finale, South Africa triumphed over England with a decisive seven-wicket victory, securing their place in the semi-finals. Standout performances from Marco Jansen and Wiaan Mulder restricted England to a mere 179 runs. Heinrich Klaasen and Rassie van der Dussen brought home the win, while England's captain Jos Buttler announced his resignation after yet another disappointing tournament loss.
Instagram's new feature allows users worldwide to download public Reels directly to their devices, complete with watermarks for attribution. Creators can choose to disable downloads, giving them control over their content's distribution. The update, similar to TikTok, reflects Instagram's efforts to enhance sharing while respecting content creators' rights.
Vignesh Puthur of Mumbai Indians made a remarkable debut in IPL 2025, earning the Best Bowler award from Nita Ambani. The young spinner impressed against Chennai Super Kings with his three-wicket haul. Despite the team's loss, his performance and respectful behavior captured hearts, highlighting his swift rise from humble beginnings in Kerala to the IPL spotlight.
In a move impacting nearly 115 lakh central government employees and pensioners, the Union Cabinet has approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance effective January 2025. Arrears for the early months will be included in upcoming salaries. This change raises the DA to 55% of basic pay. The 8th Pay Commission, recently formed, is expected to recommend further revisions to the pay structure by early 2026.
The first solar eclipse of 2025 on March 29 will cover 93% of the Sun, visible in parts of North America, Europe, and the Arctic. While it won't be seen in India, regions such as eastern Canada and northeastern U.S. will experience a unique 'double sunrise'. Observers should use ISO-certified glasses for safety. Cultural traditions in India, like 'Sutak kaal', are noted despite the eclipse's invisibility there.
Massive protests erupted in Rajasthan following SP MP Ramji Lal Suman's remark labeling Rana Sanga a 'traitor.' Demonstrators, led by groups like VHP and Karni Sena, burned effigies and attacked Suman's property. Political leaders condemned the remark, with calls for Suman's removal from Rajya Sabha. The statement has intensified historical debates, with many dismissing Suman's claims as historically inaccurate.
Taliban leader Sher Mohammad Abbas Stanikzai underscores India's critical role as a partner for Afghanistan's future. Amid internal disagreements and a move to the UAE, his emphasis on bolstering ties with India comes as the Taliban navigates diplomatic tensions and aims to rejuvenate international relationships.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) opened the IPL 2025 season with a thrilling win over Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), chasing down a target of 175 with 7 wickets to spare. Virat Kohli and Phil Salt excelled, while Liam Livingstone's late surge secured victory. KKR, led by Ajinkya Rahane, faltered after a bright start, unable to withstand RCB's strategic bowling and Kohli's decisive batting.
In a commanding performance, Mumbai Indians claimed a 5-wicket triumph over Gujarat Giants during the WPL 2025. With 23 balls to spare, the chase was spearheaded by Natalie Sciver-Brunt, whose brilliant all-round performance was decisive. The match highlighted Gujarat's batting struggles and Mumbai's strategic approach, solidifying Mumbai's strong position in the league.
Cricket's dynamic all-rounder, Shardul Thakur, is joining the Lucknow Super Giants for the IPL 2025 season. Despite going unsold in the Mega Auction, LSG snapped him up for his impressive skills in both bowling and batting, further enhancing their squad depth.
Shardul Thakur steps into the Lucknow Super Giants, joining as a replacement for injured bowler Mohsin Khan ahead of IPL 2025. This comes amid a bowling crisis, with several players injured. Thakur, an experienced IPL player, was picked from the Registered Available Player Pool at ₹2 crore. The team aims to perform well under the new captain Rishabh Pant despite challenges.