US and Israel Strike Iran in Coordinated Campaign, Khamenei Killed — Gulf Erupts, Hormuz Threatened
A coordinated US-Israeli military campaign codenamed 'Operation Roaring Lion' targeted Iranian nuclear and military infrastructure beginning February 28, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a targeted strike. Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles and drones striking Israel, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan — with 787+ confirmed dead in Iran and at least 6 US soldiers killed. The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil flows, faces partial blockage as Iranian forces deploy mines and fast-attack craft. India faces a dual crisis: crude oil prices surged to $82 per barrel, with 40% of Indian imports transiting the Strait, while 9 million Indian nationals remain stranded as Air India and IndiGo suspend all Middle East routes.
Sonia Gandhi Demands Emergency Parliament Session on Modi's 'Silence' Over Khamenei Killing
Congress President Sonia Gandhi published a scathing op-ed Monday calling PM Modi's visit to the Knesset — completed 48 hours before US-Israeli strikes began — a diplomatic 'abdication, not neutrality.' She demanded an emergency Parliament session under Rule 267 to debate India's foreign policy stance on the Iran conflict. Modi had addressed Israel's parliament on February 25–26, stating India stands with Israel firmly — remarks Congress says compromise India's traditional non-alignment and endanger 9 million nationals in the Gulf. Opposition parties including SP and CPI(M) have backed the demand, threatening a coordinated walkout if Speaker Om Birla does not schedule a full-day debate.
ISRO Unveils 4-Year Semiconductor Roadmap — Vikram Processor to Power Satellites by 2030
ISRO Chairman V. Narayanan unveiled a four-year plan at Semicon India 2025 to develop indigenous space-grade semiconductors, anchored by the Vikram 32-bit processor for onboard satellite computing. The programme is backed by the ₹76,000 crore Semicon India Mission and aims to eliminate India's dependence on foreign chipsets for all ISRO missions by 2030. The announcement coincides with PM Modi's inauguration of Micron's semiconductor plant at Sanand, Gujarat — India's first operational commercial fab. India's space semiconductor push is now positioned as a strategic buffer against supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the ongoing US-China tech war.
Modi's Knesset Address Now a Political Flashpoint — 'Stood With Israel' Haunts India's Iran Stance
PM Modi's February 25–26 Israel visit and Knesset address — where he declared India stands with Israel firmly — has become the central political controversy as the Iran war escalates. Opposition parties argue the statement violates India's decades-long non-alignment policy in Middle East conflicts and jeopardizes relations with Iran and Gulf nations hosting millions of Indian workers.
India-Canada CEPA Talks Launched — $2.6B Uranium Deal Headlines PM Carney's Delhi Visit
Canadian PM Mark Carney's February 27 – March 2 Delhi visit yielded 5 MOUs worth $5.5 billion, including a $2.6B Cameco uranium supply agreement running 2027–2035. CEPA negotiations were formally launched with a target completion of end-2026 and a bilateral trade goal of $70 billion by 2030. The breakthrough ends the diplomatic freeze triggered by the 2023 Nijjar assassination crisis.
Budget Session Part 2: 14 Opposition Parties Threaten Walkout Over Iran Debate Refusal
As Parliament's Budget Session Part 2 begins this week, at least 14 opposition parties have threatened a coordinated walkout if Speaker Om Birla does not schedule a full-day debate on India's Iran relationship, Gulf evacuations, and the oil price impact. The Treasury Benches are expected to argue India has maintained back-channel communication with both Iran and Israel throughout the crisis.
Gaganyaan-1 Uncrewed Mission Ready — Humanoid Vyommitra to Fly March 2026
India's first human spaceflight precursor mission, Gaganyaan-1, has completed over 8,000 ground tests and is on track for a March 2026 launch. The mission will carry humanoid robot Vyommitra to validate life-support systems ahead of India's crewed spaceflight mission planned for 2027.
SpaceX Acquires xAI — Musk Targets 1 Million Satellites for Space-Based AI Computing
SpaceX completed its acquisition of Elon Musk's AI company xAI in February 2026, announcing plans to deploy AI inference hardware aboard a new constellation of up to 1 million low-orbit satellites. The move positions SpaceX to offer space-based AI computing services globally via Starlink — a direct competitive challenge to AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.
Blood Moon Rises Tonight — Total Lunar Eclipse Visible Across India in Holi Early Hours
A total lunar eclipse — a blood moon — will be visible across India in the early morning hours of March 3–4, 2026, coinciding with Holi. The eclipse begins at 1:17 AM IST with totality from 2:26 AM to 3:31 AM IST. Clear skies forecast for most of India make this an ideal viewing window.
Sensex Crashes 2,743 Points Intraday on Iran War Shock — Closes Down 1,048; Markets Shut Today for Holi
Indian equity markets suffered their worst single-session fall in months on March 2 as the Iran war ignited a global risk-off trade. The Sensex plunged 2,743 points in early trade to 78,543, before recovering to close down 1,048 points (1.29%) at 80,238; Nifty closed at 24,865, down 312 points (1.24%). India VIX surged 20% to 16.37, Brent crude hit $82.40 per barrel — a 14-month high — and the rupee fell to 91.32 against the dollar. FIIs net-sold ₹7,536 crore; stocks with Middle East exposure — L&T, Adani Ports, Asian Paints — bore the brunt. Markets remain closed March 3 for Holi.
Supreme Court Strikes Down Trump Tariffs — 10% Emergency Levy Immediately Imposed Under 1974 Act
The US Supreme Court struck down Trump's IEEPA-based tariffs in a 6-3 ruling on February 20, determining they exceeded statutory authority. Trump responded within hours by invoking Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, imposing a 10% blanket tariff valid for 150 days. The India-US interim trade deal — which had negotiated India's tariff rate down from 50% to 18% — is now paused, with Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal saying India is in a 'wait and watch' mode. Over $160 billion in tariffs collected under the struck-down IEEPA orders are now subject to refund claims.
India-Canada Sign $5.5B Deal Package — Cameco Uranium Pact Secures Nuclear Fuel for a Decade
PM Mark Carney's Delhi visit yielded a $5.5 billion package including a $2.6 billion Cameco uranium supply deal covering 22 million pounds of uranium from 2027 to 2035, critical minerals cooperation, and renewable energy investment agreements. The deals represent India's most significant energy diversification move of 2026, reducing dependence on Middle Eastern oil at a moment of acute regional crisis. CEPA negotiations were formally launched with a target of doubling bilateral trade to $70 billion by 2030.
India Beat West Indies, Seal T20 WC Semi Berth — Face England at Wankhede on March 5
India secured their T20 World Cup 2026 semi-final spot with a 5-wicket victory over West Indies on March 1, setting up a rematch of the 2024 semi-final against England at the Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on March 5. India enter the knockout stage as defending champions with an unbeaten group-stage record. The other semi-final pits South Africa against New Zealand at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on March 4, with the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on March 8.
Pakistan-Afghanistan War Enters Day 5 — Taliban Claims 100+ Casualties, Qatar Mediates
Pakistan's open war against the Taliban entered its fifth day as cross-border fighting intensified following Pakistan's February 21–22 airstrikes on Afghan territory. Pakistan claims 415 Taliban fighters killed across 46 locations including the Bagram air base; Taliban retaliated, claiming over 100 Pakistani casualties and 25 border posts captured. Qatar and Saudi Arabia are attempting shuttle mediation, while India has issued a travel advisory for the Pakistan-Afghanistan border region.
Holi 2026 Forecast: Hot, Dry & Sunny Across India — Delhi 34°C; No Rain for Celebrations
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.