US-Israel War on Iran Enters Second Week: 1,332 Dead, Khamenei Killed, Trump Demands Unconditional Surrender
The US-Israel military campaign against Iran — codenamed Operation Epic Fury — entered its eighth day on Saturday with no ceasefire in sight, as the death toll rose to at least 1,332 in Iran alone. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed on February 28 in a joint US-Israeli strike, leaving a succession crisis; Trump publicly rejected Khamenei's son Mojtaba as an 'unacceptable' choice and claimed a role in selecting Iran's next leader. Iran has launched 23 waves of retaliatory missile and drone strikes at Israel and US bases across the Gulf, with Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait all intercepting Iranian munitions. The first 100 hours of the campaign cost an estimated $3.7 billion, with the US deploying a third aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush, to the region as the Pentagon warns the most intense strikes are yet to come.
BJP and Congress Issue 3-Line Whip for Lok Sabha Session on Iran War; Opposition Charges Govt with 'Surrendering Strategic Autonomy'
Both the BJP and Congress issued three-line whips directing all MPs to attend Lok Sabha from March 9 as heated debates are expected over India's diplomatic stance amid the Iran-Israel-US conflict. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of ceding India's strategic autonomy and sovereignty, citing the 30-day US waiver granted for Russian crude as evidence of India 'capitulating to Washington's terms.' The government countered that securing energy supplies for 1.4 billion Indians in a time of global crisis was an act of responsible statecraft, not submission. Opposition parties have questioned why India has not used its historic ties with Tehran to push for de-escalation.
ISRO Expert Panel Convenes to Probe PSLV Anomaly; Gaganyaan Human Mission Timeline Under Review
The Indian Space Research Organisation has constituted a national-level expert committee to investigate the anomaly in the PSLV vehicle following its recent mission irregularity. The PSLV, India's most reliable workhorse rocket with over 60 flights, is critical to the Gaganyaan human spaceflight programme, with the first uncrewed mission carrying robot 'Vyommitra' planned before human astronauts fly in 2027. ISRO has also opened iMEx 2026 proposals (extended to March 15) while the agency prepares the TDS-01 satellite for quantum key distribution and high-thrust electric propulsion demonstration. The expert committee's findings are expected within weeks and will determine whether upcoming launch timelines need revision.
Nishant Kumar to Join JD(U) on March 8, Marking Nitish Kumar's Break from Anti-Dynastic Stance
Nishant Kumar, son of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, is set to formally join the Janata Dal (United) on Saturday, marking a significant shift for a leader long known for his opposition to dynastic politics. The move is seen as Nitish Kumar's effort to secure the JD(U)'s future ahead of Bihar assembly elections, as the party works to consolidate its NDA alliance position. Protests erupted outside Nitish Kumar's office as he was scheduled to file Rajya Sabha nomination papers, with demonstrators questioning the flip on dynastic succession.
Rajya Sabha Biennial Elections Scheduled for March 16; 37 Seats Across States at Stake
Elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats are set for March 16, 2026, with state assemblies preparing for a critical upper house contest. The elections come at a politically charged moment, with multiple 2026 state assembly elections on the horizon and parties jockeying for alliance positions. The outcome could shift the balance of power in the upper house, potentially affecting key legislative agendas including economic reforms and the ongoing parliamentary debate over India's Iran war stance.
Raisina Dialogue 2026 Concludes: India Cements 'Bridge Nation' Identity at Flagship Global Forum
The 11th edition of India's flagship Raisina Dialogue concluded Saturday in New Delhi, having convened representatives from 110 countries under the theme 'Samskara: Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.' External Affairs Minister Jaishankar used the closing sessions to assert India's role as a bridge between the developed world and the Global South, with particular emphasis on AI governance, maritime security and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor. Finland's President Alexander Stubb, the Chief Guest, underlined NATO's need for greater European self-reliance. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed India will engage the WTO ministerial meeting with an 'open mind' later in March.
India Accelerates I-STAR AI Satellite Constellation After Iran War Exposes Space Intelligence Gaps
India's 52-satellite I-STAR defence constellation — incorporating AI-powered hyperspectral and SAR imaging — is being fast-tracked following lessons from the Iran war, which exposed vulnerabilities in India's space-based intelligence network. The constellation, which builds on experience from Operation Sindoor (May 2025), aims to give India 24/7 AI-driven surveillance coverage from geostationary to shallow Earth orbit. ISRO and DRDO are simultaneously developing quantum encryption to secure inter-satellite data links, making the system resistant to cyberattack. The I-STAR programme signals India's intent to achieve full strategic autonomy in space-based intelligence by the end of the decade.
Raisina Dialogue 2026 Hails India's DPI as 'Manhattan Project for AI for Public Good'
India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) model received global recognition at the Raisina Dialogue 2026, with speakers calling it a potential 'Manhattan Project for AI for public good' capable of transforming digital inclusion for rural populations and informal workers. Panellists highlighted the Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile stack as a replicable template for the Global South. Sessions also examined the emerging 'technopolar' world order where AI, semiconductor supply chains, and digital infrastructure increasingly determine geopolitical power — a space where India's rapidly expanding tech sector gives it unusual strategic leverage.
NISAR Satellite Delivers First High-Resolution Radar Images of India as Scientific Phase Begins
The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite has entered its scientific phase, delivering its first high-resolution images of India's terrain. Using dual-band (L-band and S-band) radar, NISAR can penetrate cloud cover and vegetation to provide unprecedented monitoring of crop health, glacier movements, earthquake deformation, and coastal changes. The data pipeline is expected to benefit over a dozen Indian government ministries, from agriculture to disaster management. NISAR's imagery is already being used to assess the disruption to Indian shipping routes caused by the Iran war, particularly movements through the Strait of Hormuz.
Sensex Plunges 1,097 Points for Worst Week in a Year as Iran War Drives Crude Above $90
India's BSE Sensex closed at 78,919 on Friday, losing 1,097 points (−1.37%) to record its worst weekly performance in over a year, with a 2.9% weekly decline. The Nifty 50 fell to 24,450 (−1.27%), dragged lower by ICICI Bank (−3.13%), Eternal (−2.54%), and Axis Bank (−2.53%). The selloff was driven by Iran war-linked crude oil surging past $90 per barrel, renewed FII outflows, and a weak US jobs report stoking stagflation fears. Against the tide, Bharat Electronics (BEL) surged 1.8% as defence stocks hit a 7-month high, while Reliance Industries gained 1.1% on reports that discounted Russian crude would boost refining margins.
S&P 500 Posts Worst Week Since October as Oil Tops $90 and US Jobs Report Shows Net Job Cuts
Wall Street capped its worst week in months on Friday as the S&P 500 fell 1.33% to 6,740 and the Dow dropped 453 points to 47,501, dragged lower by surging oil prices and a US jobs report showing net job cuts in February — the first such reading in over a year. Brent crude topped $90 per barrel during Friday's session, its highest since September 2023, fuelling stagflation fears as the Fed faces the impossible choice of fighting both rising inflation and slowing growth. The S&P lost 2% on the week (worst since October) while the Dow fell 3% (worst since April). Defense stocks bucked the trend, with Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin surging, while airlines were the hardest hit.
India Secures 30-Day US Waiver for Russian Crude as Iran War Disrupts Gulf Energy Supplies
The US Treasury Department granted India a 30-day waiver to continue purchasing Russian crude oil already in transit, offering temporary relief as the Iran war disrupts 20% of global oil flowing through the Strait of Hormuz. The Centre simultaneously directed oil refiners to increase LPG output on priority basis as energy security concerns escalate. Over 400,000 tonnes of Basmati rice remain stuck at Gulf ports due to disrupted trade routes, while India imports nearly 40% of its urea and NPK fertilizers from the region, threatening food security and the government's subsidy bill.
India vs New Zealand T20 World Cup 2026 Final Set for Tomorrow in Ahmedabad — History on the Line
India and New Zealand will face off in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, March 8, 7 PM IST. India, the defending champions, are chasing a historic treble: becoming the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title, the first to win three T20 world titles, and the first host team to win the tournament. Suryakumar Yadav's side beat England 253/7 vs 246/7 in a 499-run semi-final epic at Wankhede. New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, upset South Africa in the first semi with Finn Allen's record 33-ball century. India have never defeated New Zealand in a T20 World Cup match in their three prior meetings (2007, 2016, 2021), lending the final an extra edge of intrigue.
Sanju Samson's 89 Powers India Past England in 499-Run Semi-Final Thriller at Wankhede
India defeated England by seven runs in one of the highest-scoring T20 World Cup knockouts ever, posting 253/7 (the highest in any T20 WC knockout) and holding on as Jacob Bethell blazed 105 off 48 balls in reply. Sanju Samson's 89 off 42 set the platform, with Shivam Dube (43), Hardik Pandya (27) and Tilak Varma (21) providing late impetus. Jasprit Bumrah conceded just 33 runs in 4 overs despite the onslaught, and Axar Patel took a stunning backward catch to dismiss Harry Brook in the powerplay. The match produced 499 runs and 34 sixes, the most in any men's T20 World Cup match in history.
IMD Issues Orange Alert as Early Summer Grips India — Temperatures 4–8°C Above Normal Across North and Centre
Maximum temperatures expected to exceed 40°C in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Saurashtra regions. IMD advises against outdoor activity between 11 AM–4 PM. Light rain expected in Northeast India.