Source: US Central Command (X)

Operation Epic Fury, the coordinated American strikes on Iran orchestrated by Donald Trump, killed Tehran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Trump’s weekend military action in the Middle East involved a combination of missiles, stealth fighters and suicide drones targeting Iran’s high-profile military projects, while also relying on advanced air defences to protect US military bases across the region.Benjamin Netanyahu-led Israel also partnered with the United States, deploying its full military muscle in the high-profile coordinated attacks against Khamenei-led Iran, with its Operation Lion’s Roar.The US secretary of war Pete Hegseth described the attack as “the most lethal, most complex, and most-precision aerial operation in history.”The United States on Saturday deployed a range of military assets against Iranian targets, including Tomahawk cruise missiles, stealth fighter jets and, for the first time in combat, low-cost one-way attack drones modelled after Iranian designs.US Central Command released photographs showing Tomahawk missiles, F/A-18 and F-35 fighter jets, along with details of the strikes carried out under Operation Epic Fury.According to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military developments, Tomahawk cruise missiles were launched from American warships, while ground forces fired rockets using the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).American forces also deployed drones and other undisclosed standoff weapons designed to strike targets from long range, beyond the reach of enemy air defences. The coordinated attacks began Saturday morning and involved US military assets operating from land, sea and air.

Drones

The US military said it used suicide drones during the strikes, which appeared similar to the new LUCAS Low Cost Unmanned Combat Attack System made by Spektreworks, a company based in Phoenix Arizona. Photos released by the Pentagon showed drones that looked identical to the LUCAS system. The company did not respond to requests for comment.In a first for the US Central Command, the military used one way attack drones modeled after Iran’s Shahed drones, the Pentagon said. These kamikaze drones are relatively cheap and are designed to be produced in large numbers by different manufacturers.Each LUCAS drone costs around 35000 dollars. Drones have become an increasingly important part of modern warfare, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed the US and other countries to adopt a strategy known as “affordable mass” — using large numbers of relatively low cost weapons.

Tomahawk

The Tomahawk Land Attack Missile is a long range cruise missile usually launched from ships or submarines to hit targets far away. The precision guided missile can strike targets from about 1000 miles or 1600 kilometers away, even in heavily defended airspace.The missile is about 20 feet long with a wingspan of 8.5 feet and weighs around 3330 pounds. It is produced by Raytheon, a unit of RTX. These missiles are not nuclear armed and can be launched from both land and sea.According to Pentagon budget data, the US plans to buy 57 Tomahawk missiles in 2026. Each missile costs about 1.3 million dollars. The Pentagon is also spending millions of dollars to upgrade the missile’s guidance systems and other features.A recent agreement between Raytheon and the Pentagon aims to increase Tomahawk missile production to about 1000 units every year. The missile has already been tested with GPS guidance and used in real operations, including when the US and UK navies fired Tomahawk missiles at Houthi rebel targets in Yemen.

Fighter jets

US Central Command released photos and videos showing F A 18 and F 35 fighter jets being used in the strikes on Iran.The F 35 is a fifth generation stealth fighter designed to avoid radar detection while carrying precision guided weapons. The US has deployed F 35 jets widely across the Middle East.The F A 18, made by Boeing, is a multi role fighter aircraft that can carry out both air to air and air to ground missions. It can carry a wide range of bombs and missiles.F 35 jets can also carry special missiles designed to locate and destroy enemy radar systems, effectively blinding air defence networks. These jets are also used by the Israeli Air Force.The US has recently increased its military presence in the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean as Donald Trump indicated the possibility of another round of strikes. The deployment includes more than a dozen warships, among them two aircraft carriers, along with hundreds of fighter jets and support aircraft.

New Delhi: For many people, ageing brings small lapses in memory. A forgotten name, a misplaced key. For others, memory loss becomes something more serious. Yet, some in their 80s remain as sharp as they were decades earlier.A paper published in the journal, ‘Nature’, suggests one reason for this may lie deep inside the brain’s memory centre – in its ability to continue producing new cells even late in life. The study provides strong evidence that the adult human brain continues to generate new neurons in the hippocampus, the region crucial for learning and memory, though this process is disrupted by Alzheimer’s disease.

Using advanced single-cell genetic techniques, researchers analysed nearly 3,56,000 cells from postmortem hippocampus samples across age groups – from young adults to healthy elderly individuals, early Alzheimer’s cases, diagnosed patients and ‘SuperAgers’ – identifying neural stem cells and immature neurons and tracing a clear pathway from stem cell to mature neuron.Age alone did not shut down this process. Healthy older adults still showed neuron formation. But in Alzheimer’s, immature neurons were significantly fewer. Stem cells remained, yet their development into functioning neurons appeared impaired.Dr Manjari Tripathi, head of neurology at AIIMS, said this reflected neuronal plasticity – the brain’s ability to adapt and renew itself even in adulthood. According to her, this can be strengthened through exercise, balanced diet, adequate sleep, reduced stress, strong social networks and control of cardiovascular risks. Sleep, in particular, is crucial for memory consolidation and neuronal sprouting. She noted that many ‘SuperAgers’ stayed mentally active and socially engaged.Researchers detected early molecular changes in individuals with Alzheimer’s-related pathology but no symptoms, suggesting the disruption in renewal may begin years before memory decline appears.Dr Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospital, Hyderabad, said adult neurogenesis occurred at a slower pace than in childhood but remain-ed functionally vital. New neurons are adaptable and help distinguish similar memories. He added if this regenerative capacity declined early in Alzheimer’s, future diagnostics may detect it before symptoms appeared. Treatment, he suggested, should focus not only on clearing toxic proteins like amyloid but also on stren-gthening the brain’s repair systems through targeted the-rapies and lifestyle measures.

India is deeply concerned at the recent developments in Iran and the Gulf region, said the government hours after the US-Israel joint action against Iran and the latter’s retaliatory targeting of Gulf states where Washington has military assets. While seeking safety of civilians in a region that is home to a nearly 10-million strong Indian diaspora, the government also stressed in its tough balancing act that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states must be protected. External affairs minister S Jaishankar also spoke to his Iranian and Israeli counterparts, Seyed Abbas Araghchi and Gideon Sa’ar respectively, to express deep concern and to reiterate India’s call for dialogue and diplomacy to de-escalate tensions.

India’s response in the form of a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was carefully calibrated as it said that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate tensions and address underlying issues. “We urge all sides to exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise the safety of civilians,” said the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), adding that Indian missions across the Gulf region were in touch with Indian nationals and had issued appropriate advisories asking them to remain vigilant and follow local security guidance. There are close to 40 thousand Indian citizens in Israel and anywhere between 6 to 10 thousand in Iran.With the US and Israel reportedly looking to precipitate a regime change in Iran, India was again forced to walk a diplomatic tightrope, caught between its steady ties with Iran that are based on common regional interests and strong signs of improvement in the critical relationship with the US after a period of extreme turbulence. The attack on Iran also came barely 48 hours after a bilateral meeting between PM Narendra Modi and his counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel that saw the leaders discussing the US-Iran tensions and Modi offering, if required, India’s support for any efforts towards a peaceful resolution. Significantly, Modi said in his media remarks during the visit, which took place amidst mounting US –Iran friction, that peace and security in West Asia is directly linked to India’s security interests. The Gulf region is also one of India’s most significant and reliable sources of oil and gas. The diaspora, whose well-being is a major priority for the Indian government, is one of the largest sources of remittances for India. The GCC countries – Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE – are together also India’s largest trading partner bloc. While India has deepened its strategic partnership with Israel in the past decade or so, its ties with Gulf states have also undergone a complete transformation during this period. India, in fact, now has a strategic partnership with 5 out of the 6 GCC countries, moving from the traditional energy buyer-seller relationship to other domains like defence and security, investment, connectivity and technology. India will be worried about the likely impact of a full-blown regional war on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) project that has already been delayed by the instability in West Asia. During his visit to Israel, Modi had said both countries will move forward with renewed momentum on initiatives like IMEEC and India–Israel–UAE–USA (I2U2) to promote regional connectivity. For India, however, Iran remains a key regional partner, one that New Delhi has not given up on despite President Donald Trump restoring a maximum pressure campaign against Iran. In January this year, India joined China, Pakistan and 4 other countries in voting against a UN Human Rights Council resolution that strongly deplored the crackdown on protests in Iran and extended the mandate of a fact-finding mission for the country. According to Indian authorities, India’s interest lies in maintaining a functional relationship with Iran, not least because of the strategic Chabahar port in the country that India has helped develop for access to Central Asia and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. The US muddied the picture though last year with its decision to revoke a sanctions waiver for the port that is expected to come into effect in late April.

UAE Shifts All Schools and Universities to Distance Learning as Iran vs US-Israel Conflict Escalates

In response to growing regional security concerns tied to the recent escalation between Iran, the United States and Israel, which has seen missiles fired and emergency alerts issued across the Gulf, the United Arab Emirates has announced a temporary shift to distance learning for students and educators nationwide. The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research confirmed that schools, universities and educational institutions will operate online from Monday, March 02 to Wednesday, March 04, 2026 as a precautionary measure designed to ensure safety while maintaining continuity of education.Under the directive, students, teaching staff and administrative personnel across both public and private schools and universities will transition to online classes, with the situation subject to ongoing assessment by authorities. If conditions require, the period of remote learning could be extended further.

What UAE‘s distance learning policy covers

This decision affects:

The switch comes as part of a broader precautionary strategy amid heightened geopolitical instability, including missile alerts, temporary flight suspensions and emergency messages sent directly to residents’ phones. Authorities are prioritising safety without interrupting students’ academic progress.

Distance Learning Returns in UAE Amid Iran–US–Israel Regional Turmoil

In Dubai, the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) also confirmed the transition to online learning for private schools through March 04 to protect students and staff, highlighting that the educational system’s robust digital infrastructure, honed during the Covid-19 pandemic, allows for a smooth transition to remote instruction. Similarly, Sharjah’s educational authorities announced a shift to distance learning for private schools and higher education institutions over the same period, reaffirming commitments to student wellbeing while ensuring academic continuity.The decision reflects how developments in regional conflict have direct impacts on everyday life in the UAE. With concerns over missile threats, airspace disruptions and emergency alerts, the government opted for a temporary online learning model to minimise risk while keeping students engaged academically.Distance learning is being implemented using established online platforms that are already integrated into the UAE’s education system, a legacy of remote learning infrastructure built during the Covid-19 pandemic. This readiness ensures that students can continue lessons with minimal disruption and that educators can deliver quality instruction safely from home. Authorities have also urged parents, students and staff to follow updates from official government channels and avoid relying on unverified social media reports, reinforcing a broader theme of public communication clarity during challenging times.

Schools and universities go remote across other Gulf countries

The UAE is not alone as other Gulf countries, including Qatar and Bahrain, have similarly activated online learning or suspended in-person classes amid concerns over regional instability, underscoring how education sectors in the Middle East are adjusting operations to evolving safety dynamics.

Parents Alerted as Iran–US–Israel Conflict Pushes UAE Schools Online

The UAE has shifted all schools and universities to distance learning from March 02 to March 04, 2026, with possible extensions. The decision includes students, teachers, administrative staff and covers both public and private institutions. Authorities are using online platforms and digital education systems prepared during the pandemic to maintain learning continuity. Similar measures have been adopted elsewhere in the Gulf amid ongoing Middle East tensions.

West Indies National Cricket Team head coach Daren Sammy has issued an open warning to the India National Cricket Team ahead of the Super 8 match of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, March 1.

Daren Sammy hails Shimron Hetmyer’s blazing form at T20 World Cup 2026

Daren Sammy said that the West Indies team is fully ready for the Super 8 clash against India at Eden Gardens. The head coach also expressed his content with the stunning form of Shimron Hetmyer.

The explosive batter has amassed 221 runs at an average of 44.20 and a blistering strike rate of 182.64 in six matches in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 so far.

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Read Also: IND vs WI Match Prediction – Who Will Win Match 52, Super 8 Group 1? | T20 World Cup 2026

Daren Sammy said at the pre-match press conference, “His mindset has made him have a good run. This is the most relaxed he has been. He is enjoying the game. His batting has sent a lot of positive messages in the group.”

Special plans ready for Varun Chakravarthy

One big challenge will be India’s mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy, but Sammy said that the West Indies have clear plans for every bowler. He added, “We have our plans vs each bowler. We want to play a complete game. It is a battle of who executes. I expect it to be an exciting game.”

Speaking about the Eden Gardens pitch, the West Indies coach admitted that the first few overs will be very important, and his team must quickly understand how the wicket is behaving and adjust their game to take control of the match against the defending champions.

Daren Sammy sends strong warning to India before Super 8 clash

Daren Sammy noted, “The first couple of overs are going to be very important. We have to assess the wicket very quickly. All my soldiers are ready for the battle tomorrow. The message is clear—leave everything behind in Ahmadabad and focus solely on what we need to do against the Indian team.”

Furthermore, the former captain, who won two T20 World Cup titles, reminded everyone of the West Indies’ past record in India and ordered his team to forget the embarrassing loss against South Africa and focus only on this Super 8 match.

Read Also: “India are a far superior side” – Kris Srikkanth drags Ian Bishop before IND vs WI Super 8 match

The West Indies coach said, “I love being here in Kolkata. The great teams of the West Indies won in India. They have left a mark on the generations that came after them. We have to go to India tomorrow. I use my experience, being here before, on how good Eden Gardens has been for us. Hopefully that moves on to performance.”

Daren Sammy admits South Africa failure as West Indies aim semifinal spot

Sammy admitted that West Indies’ bowling was ordinary against South Africa, but they have done an exceptional job against the rest of the teams, picking almost 48 wickets in earlier matches. Now, he wants full effort and strong execution against India.

He signed off by saying, “Bar South Africa, we have done well in most games. Out of 50 before that, we have around 48 wickets. It was a bad loss vs. SA, and we are ready to respond to that. All hands on execution tomorrow.”

Notably, the West Indies had finished the group stage of the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026 unbeaten before their record-breaking win over Zimbabwe, followed by a heavy defeat against South Africa in the Super Eight games. If they beat India, they will qualify for the semifinals of the mega event.

NEW DELHI: US President Donald Trump on Sunday announced that Iran’s Supreme Leader Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli strikes. On Saturday, Israel and US launched a daylight “preventive attack” against Iran. According to local reports, loud blasts have been heard across Tehran. However, Tel Aviv has stressed that it is targeting military sites.“The State of Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove threats to the State of Israel,” Defence minister Israel Katz said.

According to news agency AFP, the strike happened near the offices of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The attack comes as the United States has assembled a vast fleet of fighter jets and warships in the region to try to pressure Iran into a deal over its nuclear program.Here are the top developmentsExiled crown prince hails ‘turning point’ after Ayatollah’s deathIran’s former crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, has hailed what he called a turning point in the country’s history following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In a statement on social media, he described Khamenei as a “bloodthirsty Zahhak”, likening him to the tyrant of Persian mythology, and accused him of being responsible for the deaths of thousands of Iran’s “bravest sons and daughters”. Pahlavi claimed that with Khamenei’s death, the Islamic Republic has effectively collapsed and will soon fade into history. He urged officials not to appoint a successor and called on the armed forces to side with the people, describing the moment as the start of a “great national celebration”, though not the final step.Khamenei dead announces TrumpDonald Trump said on social media that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, is dead, describing his passing as “the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their country”. He said Khamenei was killed following a joint US and Israeli aerial bombardment targeting Iranian military and government sites. The president added that “heavy and pinpoint bombing” would continue “uninterrupted” for the rest of the week or longer. In his post, Trump called Khamenei “one of the most evil people in history”, claiming he was unable to evade US intelligence and “highly sophisticated tracking systems”. Working closely with Israel, Trump said, “there was not a thing he, or the other leaders killed alongside him, could do.”Israeli officials claim Khamenei killed in airstrike; Iran says he is ‘safe and sound’Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has reportedly died following a major attack on Iran carried out by Israel and the United States, according to Israeli officials cited by The Associated Press.Iranian state media, however, quoted a senior official from the Supreme Leader’s office as saying, “The enemy is resorting to psychological warfare; everyone should remain vigilant.” Earlier, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that Khamenei had died and that his body had been recovered.After Benjamin Netanyahu referred to “growing signs” that Iran’s supreme leader may be “gone”, several Israeli outlets, including News 12 and The Times of Israel, reported similar claims. Iranian authorities have denied the reports, and there has been no official confirmation from either Tehran or Washington.‘US, Israeli bases as targets’: IranIran has informed the United Nations that it will continue to exercise its right of self-defence until all aggression against it stops fully and unequivocally. In a letter to the UN, Tehran also stated that all US and Israeli bases, facilities, and assets in the region are considered legitimate military targets.British planes involved in ‘defensive’ Mideast actionsBritish prime minister Keir Starmer has said that British forces and aircraft are taking part in coordinated defensive operations to protect the UK’s interests and allies. In a televised statement, Starmer urged Iran to stop further attacks and end violence and oppression against its people. He also stressed the need to prevent escalation and return to diplomatic talks, Reuters reported.IRGC says Tehran fired ‘scrap missiles’, warns of ‘unforeseen weapons’ Major General Ebrahim Jabari, senior advisor to the commander-in-chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), told Iranian state television that the missiles used in recent retaliatory strikes were only “scrap missiles” and represented a small part of Iran’s actual military capability. According to Reuters, Jabari warned that Tehran is ready to deploy “unforeseen weapons” if the conflict with Israel continues to escalate, signalling potential intensification in the region.Israeli Air Force strikes hundreds of military targets in western Iran The Israel Defense Forces said on Saturday that it carried out strikes on hundreds of Iranian military targets, including missile launchers in western Iran. In a statement, the IDF said it was continuing to hit military sites while also identifying and intercepting threats fired from Iran toward Israel.Iran launches ‘Truthful Promise 4’, strikes US bases across Gulf; one reported dead in UAEIran carried out retaliatory strikes on American military bases across the Middle East under an operation it named “Truthful Promise 4”, hours after joint US-Israel airstrikes hit Tehran. The Revolutionary Guard said it targeted the US Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, bases in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, and military sites in Israel. Damage at the Bahrain base was unclear. The UAE reported one death from missile shrapnel. Qatar said it intercepted missiles before they entered its airspace. Bahrain called the strikes a violation of sovereignty.Blasts heard in Doha; Qatar condemns Iranian missile strike, says it reserves right to respondA fresh wave of blasts was heard in Doha as Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned what it described as an Iranian ballistic missile attack on its territory. In a statement, the ministry said Qatar “reserves the right to respond” in accordance with international law. It strongly condemned the targeting of Qatari territory, calling it a flagrant violation of national sovereignty and a direct assault on the country’s security. The statement further described the strike as an unacceptable escalation that threatens the wider region’s security and stability.Trump announces ‘major combat operations’, vows to destroy nuclear and missile capabilities US President Donald Trump said in an eight-minute video on Truth Social that American forces have begun “major combat operations in Iran” to eliminate what he called imminent threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of backing attacks on US forces and allies for decades and warned it can “never have a nuclear weapon”. Trump said the US would destroy Iran’s missiles, raze its missile industry and target its navy and regional proxies. He urged Iranian security forces to lay down arms or “face certain death” and called on the Iranian people to “take over” their government once operations conclude.US also participates in the strikes According to Wall Street Journal, the United states also participated in the (Iran) attack and was also carrying out strikes. This comes just hours after US president Donald Trump said that he is not happy with ongoing nuclear talks with Iran and asserted that his administration has to “make a big decision.”“Now we have a big decision to make. You know that. Not easy. We have a very big decision to make. We have a country that has, for 47 years, been blowing people’s legs off, arms off, the face. They’ve been knocking out ships, killing people — lots of people. Well, not only Americans, lots of people. It’s been terrible. 32,000 people killed over the last two, three months — protesters,” Trump said.“32,000. That’s a number of people. They want to make a deal, but you’ve got to make a deal that’s meaningful. I spoke with Ted Cruz, John, all of them on the way here. I said you’ve got to make a deal that’s meaningful. We hit them real hard, as you know, with those beautiful B-2 bombers recently, knocked out their nuclear capability. But I’d rather do it the peaceful way. But they’re very difficult people. I want to tell you that. They’re very dangerous people, very difficult people,” he added.‘Iran must not be allowed to arm itself with nuclear weapons’Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran launched “will create the conditions for the brave Iranian people to take their destiny into their own hands.”“The time has come for all sections of the people in Iran to remove the yoke of tyranny from (the regime) and bring a free and peace-loving Iran,” Netanyahu said in a statement.‘Khamenei’s transferred to a secure location’ Khamenei’s hasn’t been seen publicly in days as tensions with the United States have grown. According to news agency Reuters, Khamenei was not in Tehran during the attack and had been transferred to a secure location.Meanwhile, the Israel Defence Force issued an advisory for its citizens, requesting to stay in “proximity to protected spaces.”“In the last few minutes, sirens were sounded all throughout Israel, with an advanced instruction alert directly to cellular devices to stay within proximity to protected spaces,” IDF wrote in a social media post on X.“This is a proactive alert to prepare the public for the possibility of missiles being launched toward the State of Israel. The IDF emphasised that the public is requested to stay in proximity to protected spaces,” it added.Israel closes its airspace to civilian flightsIsrael closed its airspace to civilian flights Saturday after announcing it had carried out “preventive strikes” on Iran and sounding sirens in Jerusalem. “Following the security developments, the Minister of Transportation has ordered the Director of the Israel Civil Aviation Authority to close the airspace of the State of Israel to civilian flights,” the minister, Miri Regev, announced.‘Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat’: Israel Defence ForcesSoon after the attacks, Israel defence force said that Iran launched missiles towards Israel.“A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward Israel,” It said in a post on X.“Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat. In the past few minutes, the Home Front Command has sent a precautionary directive directly to mobile phones in the relevant areas,” it added.India issued advisoryMeanwhile, India issued advisories urging its citizens in Israel and Iran to exercise “utmost caution and remain vigilant” The Embassy of India in Tel Aviv released the advisory, stating, “In view of the prevailing security situation in the region, all Indian nationals in Israel are advised to exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant at all times.”The embassy asked Indian nationals to strictly follow safety guidelines and instructions issued by Israeli authorities and the Home Front Command.It advised citizens to remain close to designated shelters and to familiarise themselves with the nearest protected spaces near their residence or workplace.