Here are the top five updates from the day:

Israel launches ground offensive in Lebanon; ‘Hezbollah will pay’, says Netanyahu

Loud explosions were reported in central Tehran as the Israel-Iran war entered its fourth day. Israeli airstrikes struck Beirut’s southern suburbs, reportedly targeting Hezbollah positions. Iran banned food and agricultural exports to safeguard domestic supplies. Meanwhile, the UN human rights chief called for an impartial investigation into a reported strike on a girls’ school in Minab, amid conflicting claims over responsibility.Read the full story

From CAA to Kashmir: Why India is silent over Khamenei’s demise

India has refrained from condemning the reported assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and has called for restraint and dialogue, while criticising Iranian strikes on Gulf nations. The calibrated response has sparked domestic political backlash, with Sonia Gandhi questioning the government’s silence. However, New Delhi cites the move to be in favour of national interests, including energy security, diaspora safety and Gulf partnerships, as tensions escalate across West Asia.Read the full story

Three Indian seafarers killed amid Middle East tensions; Centre issues advisory

Three Indian seafarers were killed and another injured while serving on foreign-flagged vessels in the Middle East amid intensifying US-Israel-Iran conflict. The Directorate General of Shipping is closely monitoring maritime security in the Gulf region, warning of missile, drone and electronic threats. Authorities have activated enhanced surveillance, coordinated with naval and diplomatic agencies, and formed a quick response team to support affected crews and families.Read the full story

How US-Israel-Iran war wiped out Rs 11 lakh crore from stock market

Escalating US-Israel-Iran tensions wiped out Rs 11 lakh crore in market value as Sensex and Nifty dropped over 2.5 per cent, breaching key support levels. Rising crude prices, a spike in India VIX, and safe-haven demand for gold signalled heightened uncertainty. Analysts foresee continued short-term volatility driven by geopolitical headlines, but maintain confidence in India’s strong macro fundamentals and long-term growth outlook.Read the full story

‘Dukhi mat ho bhai’: Rohit Sharma’s hug, 4 words that changed Sanju Samson’s World Cup

Sanju Samson silenced critics with a match-winning unbeaten 97 against the West Indies in the T20 World Cup, sealing India’s highest successful chase in tournament history. Initially benched despite being first-choice opener, Samson drew confidence from Rohit Sharma’s encouragement. After inconsistent performances and setbacks, he seized his opportunity, guiding India into the semifinals and completing a memorable personal comeback.Read the full story

Wankhede Stadium (Agency Photo)

NEW DELHI: The T20 World Cup 2026 has reached the semi-final stage, with India set to face England at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, while South Africa take on New Zealand in Kolkata. So far, the weather forecast looks clear, but fans are still worried because two matches earlier in the tournament were washed out due to rain.To avoid chaos, the ICC has kept a reserve day for both semi-finals.

If rain stops play on the scheduled day, the match will continue or be replayed the next day. There is also extra time available, 90 minutes on the main day and 120 minutes on the reserve day. In the final, both days get 120 minutes of extra time.For a result to be declared, both teams must bat at least 10 overs. If that doesn’t happen, the game will resume from the same score on the reserve day. But if the match still cannot be completed even after the reserve day, then the team that finished higher in the Super 8 stage will qualify for the final.This is where it gets tricky for India. India finished second in their Super 8 group, while England topped their group by winning all three matches. So if the India vs England semi-final is completely washed out, England will go through to the final.In the other semi-final, South Africa finished above New Zealand in their group. So if that match is abandoned, South Africa will move to the final. The final is scheduled for March 8 in Ahmedabad, with March 9 as the reserve day. Now, fans will be hoping rain stays away from these crucial games.

NEW DELHI: Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play five of their seven home matches of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) season at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The confirmation comes ahead of the new season, with the defending champions set to return to their primary home venue.This is a significant development for RCB following the horrific stampede that took place near the stadium because of mismanagement, as the franchise celebrated its maiden IPL title last year. According to a statement by RCB, as cited by news agency ANI, the development follows months of coordination with the concerned authorities to ensure matches could be hosted in Bengaluru. The remaining two home fixtures of their IPL 2026 campaign will be played at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur, as per prior commitment.“RCB extends its sincere gratitude to the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka State Cricket Association and the Karnataka Police for their unwavering guidance, cooperation and support in facilitating the hosting of matches in Bengaluru. The collective efforts to ramp up infrastructure and safety measures in time for the IPL season have ensured that the defending champions will play the majority of their home games in their home ground,” a statement stated.Rajesh Menon, CEO, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, said, “The M Chinnaswamy Stadium is more than just our home ground; it is where our identity as a team truly comes alive. The energy our fans bring to Bengaluru has always been a driving force for our players, inspiring them through every phase of the game. Our fans have stood by us unconditionally, and they deserve the opportunity to watch their team compete at home.”“After detailed discussions and completing the necessary due process around permissions, we are pleased to confirm that RCB will play five matches in Bengaluru. We sincerely thank the Government of Karnataka, the KSCA, and the Karnataka Police for their support in making this possible,” Menon said.On June 4 last year, 11 people died and over 50 were injured in a stampede outside Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy stadium as a massive crowd of nearly 3 lakh people had gathered to witness the victory celebration of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, celebrating their maiden IPL trophy win.

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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke to the Sultan of Oman and the Crown Prince of Kuwait amid escalating tensions in Middle East, expressing concern over recent attacks and reviewing the security of the Indian community in the two Gulf nations.PM Modi held a phone conversation with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik of Oman. He also spoke with Kuwait’s Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.During both discussions, the Prime Minister conveyed India’s concern at the attacks in the respective countries and discussed the welfare and security of Indians residing there.The outreach is part of India’s ongoing diplomatic engagement with Gulf partners following the recent escalation in the region, and as the conflict between the US and Iran has widened across the regionWith a large Indian diaspora living and working across the Gulf, New Delhi has been closely monitoring the situation and maintaining contact with regional leadership to ensure their safety.The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said in a statement that India had expressed “deep concern” at the commencement of the conflict in Iran and the Gulf region on February 28, 2026, urging all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians.“Unfortunately, in the holy month of Ramadan, the situation in the region has deteriorated significantly and continuously,” the MEA said, noting that the conflict has intensified and spread to other nations, disrupting normal life and economic activity.India asserted that nearly one crore Indian citizens live and work in the Gulf region, making their safety and well-being a priority. “We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them,” the MEA said, adding that India’s trade and energy supply chains pass through the region and any major disruption would have serious economic consequences.India also reiterated its opposition to attacks on merchant shipping, stating that some Indian nationals have lost their lives or are missing in recent days due to such incidents.In this backdrop, New Delhi “strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy” and has called for an early end to the conflict. The government expressed grief over the lives lost.Indian embassies and consulates in affected countries are in close contact with nationals and community organisations, issuing advisories and extending assistance to those stranded. The MEA said the Prime Minister and external affairs minister have been in touch with counterparts in the region and that the government will continue to monitor the evolving situation and take decisions in the national interest.

NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday reiterated its call for an “early end to the conflict” in Iran and the wider Gulf region, expressing deep concern over the rapid escalation of hostilities and the mounting civilian toll. The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the situation, which began deteriorating from February 28, poses serious risks to regional stability, international trade, and the safety of nearly one crore Indian nationals living and working in the Gulf.“India strongly reiterates its call for dialogue and diplomacy. We raise our voice clearly in favour of an early end to the conflict,” the MEA said in an official statement.

According to the ministry, the government is “closely monitoring the evolving situation” and has been in touch with regional governments as well as other key international partners. Both Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar have been speaking with their counterparts to assess developments and coordinate efforts.Jaishankar, in a post on X, shared about his dialogue with the EU’s high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas, on the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf. He wrote, “Had a telecon with EU HRVP Kaja Kallas. Our discussions focused on the ongoing conflict in Iran and the Gulf.”PM Modi also spoke to two important leaders from the Gulf region on Tuesday. He had a phone call with Sultan of Oman, his majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and the crown prince of Kuwait HH Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah.During both discussions, the Prime Minister expressed concern at the attacks in the respective countries and discussed the welfare and security of the Indian community residing there.The MEA statement also noted that Indian embassies and consulates in the affected countries are actively assisting citizens on the ground.“They have also extended all possible help to those stranded by the conflict,” it said, adding that advisories and support networks are being updated regularly to ensure the safety and welfare of expatriates.India’s concerns extend beyond the welfare of its citizens. The MEA highlighted grave implications for trade and energy supply chains, noting that disruptions in the Gulf could severely affect India’s economy. The statement also condemned attacks on commercial vessels, after reports that some Indian crew members had been killed or gone missing in recent days.“As a country whose nationals are prominent in the global workforce, India is also firmly opposed to attacks on merchant shipping,” the ministry added.Recalling that it had earlier expressed “deep concern” when the conflict began on February 28, India underlined that it had urged “all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation and prioritise the safety of civilians.” The ongoing violence, it said, has only deepened its worry as the conflict has now spread to other nations during the holy month of Ramadan.Describing itself as a “proximate neighbour with critical stakes” in the region’s security and stability, India said it would continue to act decisively “in the national interest” while advocating peace and diplomacy.

Hardeep Singh Puri chairs meeting with media fraternity and petroleum ministry officials

NEW DELHI: Amid concerns over oil supply concerns due to Middle East tensions , govt assured that India has enough reserves for “robust” energy supplies to deal with the situation.“Held a very positive informal interaction with members of the media fraternity to brief them about various aspects of the energy scenario in the light of the geopolitical situation in the Middle East.” said Puri on X. Further addressing the energy needs he added, “We discussed how the trilemma of energy availability, affordability and sustainability continues to guide India’s approach under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi Ji which is focused on meeting the energy requirements of our citizens.”Assuring stable supply the union minister further said, “Informed the media persons that India has sufficient energy reserves to deal with the ongoing situation. Was joined by senior officials of Petroleum Ministry and captains of India’s PSU energy entities at the interaction.”Later, offering further details on the maintaining of supplies, the ministry of petroleum and natural gas, in a press release, stated that they have “robust supplies”. “It was informed that India is the third largest importer, fourth largest refiner, and fifth largest exporter of petroleum products globally. The country is well stocked with crude oil and inventories of key petroleum products including petrol, diesel and ATF to deal with short-term disruptions arising from the Middle East,” it said.“In the last few years, India has ensured both availability and affordability of energy for its population by diversifying its sources. Indian energy companies now have access to energy supplies that are not routed through the Strait of Hormuz. Such cargoes will remain available and help mitigate supplies that may be temporarily affected enroute through the Strait of Hormuz,” it further stated.Offering more assurances, the ministry added, “The Ministry has established a 24×7 Control Room to continuously monitor the supply and stock position of petroleum products across the country. At present, the Government is reasonably comfortable in terms of stocks. Safeguarding the interests of Indian consumers remains the highest priority. Based on continuous monitoring, the Government is cautiously optimistic that phased measures can be taken, if required, to further mitigate the situation.“This came as concerns were raised around India’s oil availability, being a fast-growing consumer of oil. Its vulnerability to supply shocks stems from the relatively small reserves and strategic oil reserves, according to analysts.India’s reliance on Middle Eastern crude, particularly shipments routed through the Strait of Hormuz, has reportedly increased in recent months following a reduction in oil imports from Russia.The risks facing major India along with other Asian economies signifies how far the fallout from the US–Israel strikes on Iran has spread. Those attacks, along with subsequent retaliatory action, have effectively shut down shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, leaving economies that rely heavily on Middle Eastern oil exposed to supply disruptions and rising costs.

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LUCKNOW: A serious case of alleged ragging and physical as well as mental harassment surfaced at Madhav Prasad Tripathi Medical College, where a senior MBBS student was accused of subjecting juniors to ‘inhuman and unlawful acts’, prompting the hostel administration to lodge an FIR.According to the FIR registered on Saturday night by warden of the boys’ hostel Dr Ashish Sharma, the incident involved Shaurya Gupta, a student of the MBBS 2023 batch. The FIR was filed by Sharma after receiving a written representation from students of the 2025 batch. The complaint alleged that the accused student engaged in multiple acts of ragging and brutality against juniors.

These included physically forcing students into stress positions for prolonged periods, allegedly making them squat (murga punishment) until exhaustion and continuing the punishment even after they collapsed.In a particularly disturbing set of allegations, some students, including Kapil Sharma, Mohammad Anas and Sohail Ansari, were reportedly burned with candles, while others, such as Aditya Sonkar and Pankaj Yadav, were allegedly subjected to burns using a lighter. Additionally, the complaint stated that the eyebrows of Aditya Sonkar and Yuvraj Tripathi were forcibly shaved.The complaint further highlighted psychological harassment, alleging that the accused accessed and read private messages sent by students to their family members, causing severe mental distress. Junior students reportedly refrained from resisting due to fear and the hierarchical senior-junior dynamic within the hostel.It was also alleged that the accused threatened the victims with expulsion from the college if they reported the incidents to faculty members or administrative authorities.Calling the acts “highly condemnable, inhuman, and against institutional discipline,” the hostel administration urged police to conduct a probe, following which an FIR was registered under 115(2) (voluntarily causing hurt) and 118(1) (causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons or means) of the BNS. Additionally, 352 (intentional insult with intent to provoke a breach) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation), also of the BNS, were registered against Shaurya Gupta, the police said.