Stock market began the week in red with Nifty trading below 24,000 and Sensex tumbling over 2,000 points as the Middle East conflict continues to intensify. As of 9:27 am, NSE Nifty50 was trading 23,703.60, down 746.85 points or 3.05%. BSE Sensex plunged 2,415.69 points or 3.06% to trade at 76,503.21. This follows a weak close on Dalal Street last week, when eight of the ten most valued companies together saw their market capitalisation shrink by Rs 2,81,581.53 crore.Analysts expect geopolitical developments to remain the key factor guiding market direction for this week as investors will be closely watching how the ongoing crisis in the Middle East could influence global crude oil prices. Market participants will also track global cues and the trading behaviour of foreign investors, which are likely to play a crucial role in shaping sentiment on Dalal Street.Oil prices jumped sharply on Monday, climbing above $114 per barrel for the first time since 2022, as the intensifying conflict involving Iran sparked fears of supply disruptions and risks to vital shipping routes in the Middle East. The global benchmark Brent crude rose past $114 a barrel after trading reopened on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, marking a 23% surge from Friday’s close of $92.69.According to Ajit Mishra, SVP, Research at Religare Broking Ltd, external factors will remain critical for market movement in the near term. “This week, movements in global crude oil prices and further geopolitical developments in West Asia will remain critical external variables influencing market direction. The week will also feature key macroeconomic releases that could shape near-term sentiment,” Mishra told PTI.Ponmudi R, CEO of Enrich Money, said that investors should prepare for continued volatility as geopolitical tensions continue to dominate market thinking. He further added that trends in foreign institutional investor (FII) flows and currency movements will also be closely watched, as they often reflect broader shifts in global capital allocation and confidence in emerging markets like India.Dalal Street had a difficult run last week, with benchmark indices posting steep losses. The BSE Sensex fell 2,368.29 points, or 2.91%, while the Nifty declined 728.2 points, or 2.89%.Foreign investors also stepped up their selling in Indian equities. Over the past four trading sessions, they withdrew nearly Rs 21,000 crore (around $2.3 billion) from the market as the crisis in the Middle East intensified.Meanwhile stock markets in Asia saw sharp losses, with Hong Kong’s HSI plunging over 700 points or 2.7% to 25,053. Japan’s Nikkei tumbled 3,880 points down to trade at 51,740 at around 9:00 am IST. Kospi also took a major hit, falling 7%. (Disclaimer: Recommendations and views on the stock market, other asset classes or personal finance management tips given by experts are their own. These opinions do not represent the views of The Times of India)

India’s players celebrate after winning the T20 World Cup (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Virat Kohli hailed India national cricket team after their dominant triumph in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, praising the side’s fearless cricket and resilience throughout the tournament.Kohli took to social media after the title clash to congratulate the team following their emphatic 96 run victory over New Zealand national cricket team in the summit clash at Narendra Modi Stadium.

Virat Kohli post

“Champions Phenomenal win for Team India in Ahmedabad. Absolutely no match for the explosive cricket played by us throughout the tournament. Brilliant character shown by the boys to keep fighting in tough situations and become world champions once again. Congratulations to all the players and all the members of the management for achieving this feat. Jai Hind,” Kohli wrote.India produced a batting spectacle to overwhelm New Zealand and successfully defend their T20 World Cup crown. The defending champions piled up a massive 255 for five after being invited to bat, the highest total ever recorded in a T20 World Cup final.Sanju Samson led the charge with a blistering 89, while Abhishek Sharma smashed 52 and Ishan Kishan struck a rapid 54 as India’s top order unleashed a relentless six hitting spree. Samson and Abhishek set the tone early with a breathtaking 98 run opening partnership that came in just 7.1 overs.India crossed the 200 run mark in only 15 overs as the Kiwi attack struggled to contain the onslaught. New Zealand briefly pulled things back when James Neesham dismissed Samson, Kishan and captain Suryakumar Yadav in the same over.However, Shivam Dube provided a strong finish with an unbeaten 26, smashing 24 runs in the final over to push India to the record total.Chasing 256, New Zealand faltered under the scoreboard pressure. Their hopes faded quickly after early wickets of Finn Allen and Glenn Phillips.Jasprit Bumrah led India’s bowling effort with a brilliant spell of 4 for 15, while Axar Patel picked up three wickets to dismantle the Kiwi batting line up.Though Tim Seifert fought with a 26 ball 52, New Zealand were eventually bowled out for 159 in 19 overs as India sealed a memorable victory and etched their name in history by becoming the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title.

GHAZIABAD: Bigg Boss 17 contestant and YouTuber Anurag Dobhal (28) – popularly known as ‘UK07 Rider’ – is in a critical condition after his Toyota Fortuner crashed into a divider on Delhi-Meerut Expressway (DME) near Dasna on Saturday night. The crash occurred while Dobhal was live on Instagram, with more than 80,000 people watching as he appeared distressed, spoke about feeling alone and overwhelmed, and referred to a “final drive”.In the livestream, Dobhal addressed his mother and said, “When I return in the next birth, please give me love.” A Hindi song, “jisko jo bhi milta hai’, could be heard playing in the background.Moments before the impact, Dobhal turned the camera towards the windscreen and speedometer as the SUV accelerated. The Fortuner suddenly veered towards the median and struck the barrier with massive force.Surendra Nath Tiwari, DCP (rural), said police received information about the incident around 10.20pm. “He was headed towards Delhi from the Meerut side when his SUV crashed near Hawa Hawai restaurant, hit the divider and jumped into the other lane. The car flipped several times,” he added.The crash was so severe that the vehicle was mangled and its wheels came off. “We suspect he was cruising at nearly 150-160kmph,” the DCP added.Police are trying to find out if Dobhal attempted suicide. “We suspect he deliberately turned the vehicle towards the divider to cause self-harm,” Tiwari said. By the time police learnt of the crash, Dobhal’s friends had already moved him to a hospital. “We received information on the emergency helpline 112 from his friends.”One of Dobhal’s followers, Ashish Chaudhary of Mehrauli in Ghaziabad, was among the first to reach the spot. Chaudhary said he had been following Dobhal for long and was watching the livestream when the crash occurred. “As soon as I saw the crash live, I rushed to the spot with my friends. Some passersby were already trying to rescue him. We pulled him out of the mangled car and took him to Subharti Hospital in Meerut. That was the nearest,” he said.On Sunday morning, the YouTuber was referred to a private hospital in Delhi after his condition deteriorated.Tiwari said a team had been formed to investigate the sequence of events and examine Dobhal’s recent social media posts. Till late on Sunday evening, his family hadn’t lodged any complaint. Police said they would question him once his condition was stable. Dobhal, who grew up in Uttarakhand, built a massive following by blending travel, lifestyle and biking content. Known for his energetic on-camera style, he built a fan community, “Brosena”. His YouTube channel has nearly 8 million subscribers and his Instagram account about 7.6 million followers.He frequently featured his family in videos, including his wife Ritika Chauhan, mother Chandrakala, father Jagdamba and brother Atul, also known as Kamal Ink.In the days leading up to the crash, Dobhal had posted content that alarmed his followers. On March 4, he uploaded a nearly two-hour YouTube vlog that he described as his “last video”, saying it was recorded in “deep mental distress” and after “five days without food”. He accused his parents, brother and his brother’s girlfriend Shreya of ruining his life over his inter-caste marriage – Dobhal from a Brahmin family and Ritika with Rajput roots – and suggested he had been pushed towards “self-harm”.

Abhishek Sharma said the support from the team management helped him regain confidence during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup after a difficult run in the competition.Abhishek made an impact in the final against New Zealand, scoring 52 from 21 balls and giving India a quick start along with Sanju Samson after the side was asked to bat first. India posted 255 for five and went on to win the match by 96 runs, becoming the first team to defend a T20 World Cup title.

“The one thing was very clear, I wanted to share before as well, but today is the best day. The captain and coach had faith in me. Even I was doubting myself. I had never experienced this before, it was a tough tournament,” Abhishek said after the match.“I was just doing my process, trying to take it one game after another, but it wasn’t easy. But I love this team because the way they backed me. It wasn’t easy for me because going through the whole year I was doing well for the team, but in the big tournament I wasn’t able to.“But the faith the team and management showed in me. I got emotional in the middle of the tournament and wanted to talk to the coach and captain and they said you’ll win us the big games. The crowd has supported us a lot even through tough times,” Abhishek added.India defeated New Zealand by 96 runs in the final in Ahmedabad after posting the highest total in a T20 World Cup final.Samson scored 89, while Abhishek made 52 and Ishan Kishan added 54 as India finished with 255 for five.The total was the highest ever in a T20 World Cup final. With the win, India also became the first team to defend the T20 World Cup title and became the only team to win the tournament for the third time.

The appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s new supreme leader comes at a moment of extraordinary upheaval for the Islamic Republic. The announcement was made shortly after midnight Monday by Iran’s powerful assembly of experts, the clerical body responsible for choosing the country’s top leader, following the death of his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in US-Israeli airstrikes earlier this month. The leadership change unfolds amid an intensifying regional war that erupted after the strikes that killed the elder Khamenei.

With Iran under heavy military pressure and facing mounting internal uncertainty, the assembly’s decision signals an attempt to ensure continuity at the top of the political and religious hierarchy.

A quiet figure long seen as a power broker

Mojtaba Khamenei, long seen as a potential successor despite holding no formal government office, emerged as the chosen candidate over other contenders including cleric Alireza Arafi, hardliner Mohsen Araki and Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Iran’s revolutionary founder.Mojtaba Khamenei was born on September 8, 1969, in the northeastern Iranian city of Mashhad, a major religious center. He is one of six children of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who served as Iran’s supreme leader for more than three decades. Although he rarely appeared prominently in public life, Mojtaba gradually built influence within the political and clerical establishment. His discreet presence at official events and limited media exposure fueled speculation for years about the extent of his authority behind the scenes. At 56, he now becomes the second supreme leader chosen by the Assembly of Experts since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Religious training and rise within Iran’s clerical circles

Mojtaba Khamenei studied Islamic theology in the holy city of Qom, Iran’s most important center of Shiite religious scholarship. He later taught religious studies there and attained the clerical rank of Hujjat al-Islam, a mid-level title below the rank of ayatollah held by his father. His clerical status, along with his family lineage as a seyyed—a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed—has played a role in reinforcing his religious credentials within Iran’s clerical establishment.

Ties to the Revolutionary Guards and conservative establishment

Mojtaba Khamenei has long been viewed as closely connected to Iran’s powerful security apparatus, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). His relationship with the force reportedly dates back to the later years of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, when he served in a combat unit. Over time, analysts and diplomats have suggested that he built strong ties with conservative factions and the security establishment, giving him influence inside the country’s political power structure even without holding a formal office.

When US sanctioned Mojtaba

The United States sanctioned Mojtaba Khamenei in 2019, accusing him of representing his father in political matters and working with Iranian security forces to advance the government’s regional and domestic policies. Opponents within Iran have also accused him of playing a role in the crackdown on protests that erupted after the disputed 2009 re-election of hardline president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, though such allegations have never been officially confirmed. Investigations by international media outlets have also alleged that Mojtaba Khamenei accumulated significant wealth through complex financial networks tied to oil revenues and overseas investments.The selection of Mojtaba Khamenei marks a rare hereditary transition at the top of Iran’s political system. The Islamic Revolution of 1979 had overthrown the monarchy and ended centuries of dynastic rule under the shah. Despite that history, the Assembly of Experts ultimately chose the son of the late supreme leader, prioritizing continuity during a time of war and political uncertainty. Israel has already issued warnings to Iran’s new leadership, signaling that the regional conflict is far from over as Mojtaba Khamenei assumes the country’s most powerful position.

Abu Dhabi on high alert: UAE Air Defenses Intercept Aerial Threats Amid Iran vs US-Israel War

Residents in Abu Dhabi were placed on high alert after authorities issued an emergency warning while the country’s defence forces responded to incoming aerial threats. The alert came amid escalating regional tensions linked to the widening conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, which has begun to affect several Gulf states.The UAE’s Ministry of Interior sent emergency notifications urging residents to seek immediate shelter, stay indoors and avoid windows or open areas as air defence systems engaged potential missile and drone threats in the skies. Authorities also warned people not to film or approach incident sites to ensure public safety and allow emergency responders to operate effectively.

Air defences activated over Abu Dhabi amid Iran vs US-Israel war escalation

According to officials, the UAE activated its advanced air defence systems to intercept incoming projectiles during the operation. Loud explosions were reported in parts of the capital as interceptors neutralised aerial threats before they could reach critical targets. Despite the tense moments, authorities reassured the public that the situation was under control and the defence systems were functioning effectively.The alert forms part of a broader regional security situation. Since late February 2026, the UAE has faced a series of missile and drone launches connected to the ongoing confrontation between Iran and its adversaries. Defence officials say hundreds of drones and missiles have been detected, with most successfully intercepted before impact.

Iran vs US-Israel war spills into the Gulf

The current tensions stem from a rapidly escalating conflict across the Middle East. Military exchanges between Iran and US-Israeli forces have led to missile barrages across the Gulf region, forcing several countries, including the UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain, to activate air defence systems and issue public safety warnings.While the UAE has not been directly involved in the fighting, its strategic location and presence of international military facilities make it vulnerable to spillover threats. Officials say the country remains in a state of defence readiness as security agencies monitor the situation and coordinate with regional allies.

Missile debris risks and civilian safety concerns in the UAE amid Iran vs US-Israel war

Even when interceptions are successful, authorities warn that falling debris from destroyed missiles or drones can still pose dangers on the ground. In recent incidents across the UAE, debris from intercepted projectiles has damaged buildings and vehicles, highlighting the risks posed by the wider conflict.Emergency services and civil defence teams remain on standby across the country and residents have been urged to follow official instructions and rely only on verified information sources during security alerts. After defence operations concluded, authorities later announced that the immediate threat had passed and that residents could resume normal activities while continuing to remain vigilant. Officials emphasised that the UAE’s security and defence forces remain fully prepared to respond to any further threats as the regional situation evolves.

Ishan Kishan of India makes their way off after being dismissed during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Pankaj Nangia/Getty Images)

TimesofIndia.com in Ahmedabad: On Saturday evening, Rajkumar Sharma was watching his son, Abhishek Sharma, train at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Pranav Pandey, father of Ishan Kishan‘s father, had similar plans, too, had similar plans but instead of being in Ahmedabad to watch his son train and later smash a sparkling 25-ball 54 while taking three catches in the field, he was sitting in a morgue in Siliguri.On Friday, just when Pranav Pandey was on his way to the Patna Airport to catch his flight to Ahmedabad, he received the wretched news of a car accident that took the lives of two of his relatives. The young family was on their way to attend a wedding.

“Anarth ho gaya. Hum log bahut badi musibat mein hain (Something terrible has happened. We are in a very big problem),” he told TimesofIndia.com on the eve of the match.In the accident, Ishan lost his cousin sister and brother-in-law. Miraculously, the couple’s two children — aged six months three years old — survived.“We are all in shock. Ishan wanted to visit us, but he couldn’t return because of the final. He is absolutely distraught,” said Pranav Pandey.

Ishan Kishan of India celebrates reaching his half century during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

When Ishan Kishan scored his third half-century of the T20 World Cup, he gave the customary bat raise towards the dressing room but also took a moment to point towards the heavens. He does not do it often.Even on the eve of the match, Kishan was not his usual chirpy self when the rest of his teammates trained under the ring of fire. The batting hit was not the usual long one and even during fielding drills with coach T Dilip, he was not the Ishan who usually brought life to the team’s training sessions.However, the work continued. He took catches from different angles and from various parts of the ground to get used to the ring of fire. The session paid off as he took a stunning catch off Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling to send Rachin Ravindra back to the hut and later juggled the ball near the ropes to dismiss Tim Seifert. Daryl Mitchell followed soon after.

Ishan Kishan of India celebrates after taking the catch to dismiss Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup India & Sri Lanka 2026 Final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium on March 08, 2026 in Ahmedabad, India. (Photo by Prakash Singh/Getty Images)

Throughout the session, different teammates came and put their arms around his shoulders, trying to lighten the mood for the youngster who had just lost a close family member.There were regular cries of “Ishan bhaiya autograph” and his attempts to deflect the requests by raising his hand while keeping his back to the little ones were unsuccessful. They only grew more restless and Ishan eventually walked to the sightscreen near the home dugout to sign blank papers and pose for selfies.“Baccho ko dene do,” he would politely request the others who were using their reach to tower over the kids, ensuring no child left without the memory they wanted to create with the wicketkeeper-batter.A boy full of life was struggling to hold himself together on the eve of the biggest night of his career but still stood out, first with the bat and then in the field, to win his first ICC title.His sister would have hoped for nothing but this. Unfortunately, he would not be able to celebrate the biggest moment of his career with one of his biggest cheerleaders.

NEW DELHI: Trinamool Congress (TMC) national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee trained guns at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, accusing it of humiliating President Droupadi Murmu on caste grounds and ceding India’s strategic autonomy to the United States.Speaking at a party event, the Diamond Harbour MP said, “TMC National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee says, “When Manipur was burning for 3 years, the President was silent. When the Ram Mandir was inaugurated, she wasn’t invited because of her caste. The same happened when Parliament was inaugurated.”He further remarked that while the President is the one who is the supreme commander of the armed forces, it is the US President who is “dictating” the orders.“The Indian Armed Forces are under the President. When Pakistan and India fight, all orders are supposed to be given by her. But the US president is dictating these orders instead.”Banerjee’s comments come after a political scuffle broke out between the Centre and Bengal CM on Saturday. It followed the President’s displeasure regarding administration decisions made around the International Santhal Conference in Bengal.President Murmu on Saturday expressed her disapproval of the event venue being shifted at the last moment, which turned out to be a location far away from the convenience of the Santhal people.“I don’t know what went through the administration’s mind that they chose a place for the conference where the Santhal people couldn’t go. I am very sad that the people here were unable to reach the conference because it was held so far away,” she said on Saturday.She also added that the absence of the Bengal CM at the event while the President was present there was a departure from the usual protocol.“If the President visits a place, the Chief Minister and the Ministers should also come. But she did not. I am also a daughter of Bengal. Mamata Didi is also my sister, my younger sister. I don’t know if she was angry with me, that’s why this happened,” she said.Echoing the same, PM Modi also attacked the Bengal CM for breaching the protocol.“By showing utter disregard for protocol, they have insulted the President of India. This incident has laid bare the deep rot within the Trinamool government. This affront to the President at an event organised by our tribal brothers and sisters is an insult to our nation and the values of our constitutional democracy,” he said.

The latest search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 has ended without uncovering any evidence about the missing aircraft, Malaysia’s transport ministry said on Sunday, as the disappearance marked its 12th anniversary.The Boeing 777 carrying 239 people vanished from radar screens on March 8, 2014, while flying from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in what remains one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries.In a statement, Malaysia’s transport ministry said the latest search, which began in December and covered around 15,000 square kilometres of the seabed, failed to locate the aircraft.

The efforts “have not yielded any findings that confirm the location of the aircraft wreckage”, the ministry said.The search operation was carried out by exploration firm Ocean Infinity, based in Britain and the United States. The company ended the mission on January 23 after weeks of scanning the seabed using advanced underwater technology.To try to locate the missing aircraft, Ocean Infinity deployed autonomous underwater drones capable of diving to depths of up to 6,000 metres (20,000 feet).The disappearance of MH370 triggered the largest search effort in aviation history, yet neither the aircraft, its passengers nor the flight recorders have been recovered.The plane was carrying passengers from several countries, with two-thirds of those on board being Chinese nationals. Others included Malaysians, Indonesians and Australians, along with Indian, American, Dutch and French citizens.Families of Chinese passengers expressed frustration over the lack of communication about the latest search in an open letter published on Sunday, the anniversary of the aircraft’s disappearance.“We understand the difficulties of the search,” the relatives said in a joint open letter addressed to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in which they thanked him for initiating the search.“However, since 15 January this year, families have received no further search briefings whatsoever.”The families also said they had repeatedly tried to contact authorities without success.“Over the past two months, we have repeatedly contacted Malaysia’s Ministry of Transport through both Malaysia Airlines and the Chinese government, yet have received no response,” they said.They also described the emotional toll the prolonged uncertainty has taken on relatives of those on board.“For 12 years, we have received virtually no genuine psychological support.”“We ask for little: only to be seen, to be heard, and to be treated as individuals with emotions and dignity.”Relatives of the Chinese passengers are expected to meet officials from China’s foreign ministry on Monday, a yearly meeting held on the anniversary of the flight’s disappearance. They are also expected to visit the Malaysian embassy in Beijing to deliver their letter to Prime Minister Anwar.Ocean Infinity had previously conducted an unsuccessful search for the aircraft in 2018. Earlier, Australia led a three year multinational search that ended in January 2017 without finding the plane.More than a decade after MH370 vanished, the fate of the aircraft and the 239 people on board remains unknown.