Amid the escalating Iran–US–Israel conflict, a viral video circulating online appears to show an Iranian missile evading multiple interceptor rockets over Jerusalem before striking its target.The footage, reportedly recorded from a terrace, captured around 10 interceptors heading toward the incoming missile. A spark is seen mid-air before the missile continues its trajectory and hits. The exact time and location of the video have not been independently verified.Some social media users have claimed the missile could be Iran’s Fattah system, which is designed with manoeuvrable glide capabilities to evade air defence interceptors.The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has previously described Fattah missiles as marking “the beginning of the end” for Israel’s air defences, asserting that their manoeuvrability allows them to alter trajectory during the terminal phase of flight.Iran’s broader missile capabilityIran maintains one of the largest missile arsenals in the Middle East. In 2022, former US Central Command chief General Kenneth McKenzie said Tehran possessed “over 3,000” ballistic missiles, excluding cruise missile systems.Its inventory includes short- and medium-range ballistic missiles such as the Fateh family, Zolfaghar, Dezful, Kheibar Shekan and Sejjil, alongside older Shahab and Ghadr variants. Ranges vary between 300 km and 2,000 km, with some systems assessed as potentially capable of longer reach if modified.Shift toward precision and survivabilityOver the past two decades, Iran has prioritised precision, solid-fuel propulsion and survivability over merely extending range. Solid-fuel missiles are quicker to launch and less vulnerable to pre-emptive strikes compared to liquid-fuel systems.Iran has also invested in manoeuvrable re-entry vehicles and terminal guidance systems, aimed at complicating interception by advanced air defence systems.Regional reach and regeneration effortsDespite reported damage to parts of its missile stockpile in recent strikes, analysts say Iran retains significant strike capability across the Middle East. Tehran has also transferred missile technology to regional allies and proxy groups, expanding its strategic depth.While the exact size of its current inventory remains unclear, the breadth of systems across ballistic and cruise categories suggests Iran’s missile forces remain central to its military doctrine and deterrence posture.

Security heightened in Jammu and Kashmir.

NEW DELHI: The ministry of home affairs has cautioned states about the possibility of communal tensions in the wake of the ongoing conflict involving Iran, asking authorities to stay alert and take preventive steps.In a letter circulated on February 28, the ministry warned that recent military developments in West Asia could have “ripple effects” within India, particularly if overseas events are invoked during religious gatherings or public meetings, news agency PTI reported.States have been asked to keep a close watch on individuals and groups that could provoke unrest. The advisory specifically called for monitoring “pro-Iran radical preachers giving inflammatory sermons” that may inflame communal sentiments. The ministry also emphasised the need for closer intelligence coordination and timely intervention to prevent any deterioration in the law-and-order situation.The alert comes against the backdrop of a sharp escalation in the Middle East following reported joint US-Israel military strikes on Iran. New Delhi has publicly called for restraint while keeping a close watch on developments, mindful of the large Indian presence across the Gulf region.Officials said the government is assessing the situation not only from a geopolitical perspective but also for its potential domestic impact, amid concerns that international developments could be used by extremist elements to trigger tensions at home.Precautionary measures have already been taken in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. Mobile internet speeds were reduced across the Valley on Monday following spontaneous protests over the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said, adding that the step was taken to maintain law and order.Security has been tightened in Srinagar, with the Ghanta Ghar at Lal Chowk sealed off using barricades. Additional police and CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent large gatherings.Khamenei was killed in an airstrike in Tehran during a joint US-Israel operation. The development triggered protests and mourning in several places, including parts of India.Officials said demonstrations were reported from Lal Chowk, Saida Kadal, Budgam, Bandipora, Anantnag and Pulwama. Kashmir, which has an estimated Shia population of around 15 lakh, saw some of the largest gatherings.Meanwhile, the conflict in West Asia continues to intensify. The United States and Israel have carried out sustained strikes on Iranian targets, focusing on ballistic missile infrastructure and naval assets in the days following Khamenei’s killing. Iranian officials say more than 200 people have been killed since the campaign began.Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US military facilities in the Gulf. Strikes have also reached major cities in the region, including Riyadh and Dubai.The conflict has also begun to disrupt civil aviation across the Gulf. Several airlines have suspended or curtailed services as the exchange of strikes continues. Airports in Dubai, Bahrain and Kuwait have also reported strikes or operational disruptions as tensions continue to rise.

Rupee slipped past the 91 mark against the US dollar on Monday, tumbling to 91.32, as escalating tensions in the Middle East and heightened volatility in global markets unsettled investors. Forex traders said that the currency came under added pressure from negative equity market sentiment and significant foreign fund outflows. Rupee opened at 91.23 and slipped to 91.29 in early interbank trade, down 21 paise from Friday’s close of 91.08, when it had lost 17 paise. At the same time, the dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major currencies, rose 0.22% to 97.78. Rising global crude prices added to market concerns, with Brent crude futures up 3.91% at $76.78 per barrel. Analysts linked the jump to recent US and Israeli military strikes in Iran. On Sunday, both countries carried out attacks across Iran, targeting ballistic missile sites and destroying warships, following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Experts said that the surge in oil prices could push India’s import bill higher, as the nation imports roughly 85% of its fuel requirements. As tensions continue to escalate, Dalal Street also opened in red with Sensex falling almost 1,000 points, while the Nifty fell 240.95 points, or 0.96 per cent, to 24,937.70 in early trade. On Friday, foreign institutional investors sold equities worth Rs 7,536.36 crore, according to exchange data. Government data released on Friday, reflecting a revamp of the GDP calculation framework, projected India’s economic growth at 7.6% for the current fiscal year. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank of India reported that forex reserves fell by $2.119 billion to $723.608 billion in the week ending February 20, after climbing by $8.663 billion to an all-time high of $725.727 billion the previous week.

A woman splashes water on her face on a hot summer day amid heatwave, in New Delhi. (PTI (File Photo))

NEW DELHI: An above-normal number of heatwave days is expected across large parts of India between March and May, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said, warning that several states could see prolonged spells of high temperatures as summer sets in, news agency PTI reported.However, March is expected to begin on a relatively moderate note for much of the country. “In March, however, maximum temperatures are likely to be normal to below normal over many parts of India, except northeast, east, and some parts of Western Himalayan region, central and peninsular India. “This could be because rainfall averaged over India is most likely to be normal during March,” IMD said. The IMD defines “normal” rainfall as 83% to 117% of the long period average (LPA). For March, the LPA — based on data from 1971 to 2020 — stands at 29.9mm. While below-normal rainfall is forecast over parts of northeast India and some areas of northwest India, most regions are expected to see near-normal precipitation.List of states to face more heatwave days than usual during the three-month period

Chandigarh: No significant heat risk in March

In Chandigarh, the IMD has forecast largely normal weather conditions for March 2026, with rainfall expected to remain within the normal range and temperatures likely to stay near average levels. The monthly outlook indicates no significant increase in heatwave activity for the city. The IMD has indicated that Chandigarh is unlikely to face heat spells this March, with maximum temperatures expected to remain broadly normal. While parts of central and peninsular India and the western Himalayan region may see above-normal daytime temperatures, northwest India — including the UT— is likely to experience normal to slightly below-normal trends. Minimum temperatures across most regions are also expected to stay normal, with some pockets of northwest India likely to record normal to slightly belownormal night temperatures. IMD also stated that heatwave activity in the city is likely to remain normal, indicating no immediate risk of prolonged heat conditions this month. Meteorologists said weak La Niña conditions persist over the equatorial Pacific and are expected to weaken further, while neutral conditions continue over the Indian Ocean. These broader oceanic patterns are not expected to significantly influence Chandigarh’s weather in March.

Tamil Nadu: Hotter summer ahead

In contrast, Tamil Nadu is likely to see hotter conditions as the season progresses. The city of Chennai and the rest of the state may have to brace for hotter days this summer, as the IMD has forecast heatwave spells between March and May. The seasonal outlook suggests above-normal maximum temperatures over most parts of the state. Heatwave days are likely to range from three to nine days along much of coastal Tamil Nadu, including Chennai, and could extend to nine to 15 days in some adjoining northern districts. Minimum temperatures during the season are expected to remain largely near normal. According to the IMD, a heatwave is declared when the maximum temperature reaches at least 40°C in plains (30°C in hilly regions) and is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal, or when the actual maximum temperature is 45°C or higher irrespective of departure from normal. May is typically the peak summer month in Chennai, with average maximum temperatures touching 37.3°C. For March, however, the outlook is relatively moderate. Maximum temperatures across Chennai and districts up to the delta region are likely to remain near normal, while some interior districts may record below-normal daytime temperatures. Night temperatures are expected to stay near normal over most parts of the state, except some central districts.

Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death: Colorado QB’s sudden death at 23 leaves the NFL world stunned

Colorado football faced a painful moment on March 1, 2026. QB Dominiq Ponder died in a tragic car crash at just 23. HC Deion Sanders confirmed the news later that evening, sending shockwaves through the college football community.As tributes poured in, one detail became central to the story. Fans and teammates wanted clarity about Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death. Authorities released those answers Sunday night, turning grief into a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.

Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death confirmed after a fatal single-car crash in Colorado

Per reports, Dominiq Ponder’s cause of death was a single-vehicle accident early Sunday morning, March 1, 2026. According to a Colorado State Patrol press release issued later that day, Ponder lost control of the Tesla Model 3 he was driving. The vehicle struck a guardrail, hit an electrical line pole, and then rolled down an embankment. The car later caught fire. Officials confirmed he died at the scene. No other vehicles were involved.Ponder had spent the past two seasons as a walk-on quarterback with the Colorado Buffaloes. He appeared in two games during the 2024 season, logging two rush attempts and one pass attempt. His on-field opportunities were limited, but teammates often spoke about his energy during practice.HC. Deion Sanders reacted publicly on March 1, 2026, through a post on X. “Dom was one of my favorites! He was Loved, Respected & a Born Leader. Let’s pray for all that knew him & had the opportunity to be in his presence. Lord, you’re receiving a good 1. Comfort us, Lord, Comfort us,” Sanders wrote on his official account Sunday evening. His message reflected the bond inside the locker room.Fellow QB Colton Allen also wrote his heartfelt note, “Dom, you were a blessing to so many people,” Allen wrote. “You had a presence about you that just made everything better. You brought so much joy to me and everyone around you. I’m grateful for every lift, every practice, every rep, every conversation we got to share. I’ll carry those with me for the rest of my life. What happened feels so final. It feels heavy. It hurts.”One fan wrote, “This is heartbreaking 💔.” Another said, “Praying for everyone, my brother!!!! So heartbreaking!!!!”Before transferring to Colorado, Ponder played at Bethune-Cookman. He attended Miami Carol City and Naples High School in Florida, then Myrtle Beach Collegiate Academy in South Carolina. His career showed persistence. He kept working, kept transferring, and kept chasing a chance to prove himself.Spring practice in Boulder was scheduled to begin March 2, 2026. Instead, the program entered the week in mourning. Dominiq Ponders’ sudden demise now stands as a tragic footnote to a young career that teammates say still held promise.

A lunar eclipse occurs when Earth passes directly between the Sun and Moon, casting a shadow that darkens and reddens the lunar surface. This celestial event, a result of precise orbital alignment, happens only during a full moon when the three bodies align perfectly.

Every now and then the Moon catches us off guard. You go out, and you think it will have the old white light on and what you see is that the Moon is darker and coppery, even red. The social media is filled with pictures, friends send messages to check up and the next minute everybody is a little interested in astronomy.That cinematic is termed as lunar eclipse and even though the spectacle appears dramatic, the science involved is absolutely marvelous in that it is wonderfully simple.Let’s break it down.It is better to start with the fundamentals of what a lunar eclipse is.A lunar eclipse occurs when the Earth passes exactly in between the Moon and the Sun and prevents the light of the Sun to reach the Moon.Ordinarily, the rays of sunlight are able to travel freely throughout the Sun and reflect on the surface of the Moon and arrive to our eyes. That light is reflected which is why we see the Moon shining in the dark.However, on a lunar eclipse, the earth intervenes.The earth throws a huge shadow into space and as the Moon travels through the shadow of the earth the bright Moon we know starts to fade away, grow darker, and even changes to red.In short:Sun-Earth-Moon taken in a straight line will result in a lunar eclipse.Simple geometry. Stunning results.

Why not once every month?

Many people would ask here, how come that every month the moon revolves around the earth, and yet we should always see lunar eclipses?The solution is in orbital alignment.The orbit of the Moon around the earth is somewhat tilted- approximately five degrees against the orbit of the earth around the Sun. The Moon nearly crosses the shadow of the earth every month either above or below it.Only when three conditions match exactly, a lunar eclipse takes place:It must be a full Moon.The Sun, the Earth and Moon have to fit in an almost perfect way.The moon has to traverse the shadow plane of the earth.That exact coincidence doesn’t occur very frequently and this is why the situations when lunar eclipses take place are special.Learning about the shadow of the Earth: Umbra and Penumbra.The shadow on the earth is not only one dark spot. It has two parts:1. Penumbra – the external shadow that is light.2. Umbra – the shadow in the middle.The types of lunar eclipse depend on these zones.Penumbral Lunar EclipseThere is the slight outer shadow of Earth. The transition is not loud, most people hardly realize it until they are aware that they are supposed to take a specific time.

Partial Lunar Eclipse

The Moon only partially gets into the dark umbra. It appears as though a slice has been made out of the Moon.

Total Lunar Eclipse

This is the dramatic one. All the Moon slips into the umbra of the earth, and rather than being totally absorbed, perforce becomes reddish.And then to the most interesting question.

Why does the Moon turn red?

The term Blood Moon is very likely to have been mentioned to you. The fact that it is a mystery is just the explanation of pure physics.Though the Moon is not directly hit by sunlight as reflected by the Earth, there is some sunlight reaching the Moon indirectly.When the sunlight penetrates through the atmosphere of the earth, the shorter blue rays are scattered in every direction, the same reason why our sky is blue in the daytime and the oranges and reddish rays of the sunset.The rest of the red and orange light curves around the earth and reaches the moon.Then when there is a complete lunar eclipse, the Moon is lighted by all the sunrises and sunsets that occur on earth simultaneously.It is that filtered sunlight which makes the Moon coppery.It is not spooky like it sounds- or nearly poetic at all.

Is it safe to watch?

Yes – completely.The eclipse of the moon is completely safe and can be viewed with the naked eye unlike a solar eclipse that requires the use of eye protection. You may long as you please stare at it.No special glasses. No filters.Just step outside and look up.The experience is not dependent on the use of binoculars or small telescope, which will help in the detection of subtle colour variations and surface details.

What duration does a lunar eclipse take?

Timing is one of the reasons why lunar eclipses are more relaxing than solar ones.The duration of a total lunar eclipse may take a number of hours to complete. The entire phase in itself, appearing red, might take about an hour, or longer.This gradual movement occurs due to the fact that the shadow of the earth is huge in relation to the Moon and therefore the Moon has a slow pace in traversing its shadow.You do not need to hurry to go out at a certain time. The show unfolds gradually.The significance of lunar eclipses to the ancient cultures.Astronomy described eclipses long before eclipses were explained, and they caused awe – and fear.Early civilisation tended to detect the lunar eclipse as omenous or as a sign of doom. In India, the eclipses were related to mythical activities of Rahu and Ketu. They were interpreted as omens by other cultures or oracles in fate.Science has taken the place of superstition today, however, the feeling response has not altered much. To this day, it is oddly compelling to watch the Moon go black.It makes us remember that we are as tied to heavenly motions that have gone on millions of kilometres distant.A reminder of heavenly synchronism.What it symbolizes may be the most beautiful aspect of a lunar eclipse, namely, alignment.Three heavenly bodies: the Sun, the Earth and the Moon, always on the move, momentarily come to the ideal harmony.It is not some supernatural action. No rare cosmic accident. Simply as physics dictates, predictable orbital mechanics doing their job.But it is magic even when the dark sky and the red Moon are shining.Since wonder is not always removed by science, it is enhanced.When the next lunar eclipse strikes you do not need any complex set-up or technical skills.All you have to do is to step out there, take a look up, and get a reminder: you are viewing a shadow of the Earth traversing the Moon in real time.A silent beautiful reminder that even mundane planetary action could make extraordinary events in the sky.

Amid soaring excitement around the wedding of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, the couple’s team has confirmed that their March 4 reception in Hyderabad will remain a strictly invite-only event due to security reasons.

Amid soaring excitement around the wedding of Rashmika Mandanna and Vijay Deverakonda, the couple’s team has confirmed that their March 4 reception in Hyderabad will remain a strictly invite-only event due to security reasons.In an official statement, the team said the “Virosh” wedding has become one of the most celebrated occasions in the country, drawing immense love and attention from across India. While the reception was originally planned as a highly exclusive gathering for members of the film fraternity across Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada industries — along with distinguished leaders from political and administrative circles — the guest list has now been further restricted following consultations with authorities.Police officials have reportedly advised tighter controls to prevent large public gatherings, traffic congestion and potential safety risks. Ensuring the well-being of guests, the public and the couple remains the top priority. Entry will be permitted only to those with valid invitations, and individuals without official invites have been requested not to visit the venue under any circumstances.The statement added that the couple and the administration are working closely to ensure the celebration proceeds smoothly without cancellation. If required, additional receptions may be considered later to accommodate well-wishers in a more structured manner. Expressing gratitude, Vijay and Rashmika conveyed, “Your safety and happiness mean everything to us. We are deeply grateful for your blessings and support, and we request your cooperation in helping us keep this celebration safe and joyful for everyone.”

Rashmika meets Telangana CM; couple visits temple

Ahead of the reception, Rashmika met Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to formally invite him to the event. She also interacted with his wife Geetha and their daughter, seeking their blessings.Earlier in the day, the newlyweds were spotted at a temple in Hyderabad offering prayers. Their team also distributed thousands of sweet boxes across 23 cities, including Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad. Simultaneously, annadanam (sacred food offering) was organised at multiple temples across the country.

Wedding in Udaipur; meetings with PM Modi and Amit Shah

Rashmika and Vijay tied the knot on February 26 in Udaipur in the presence of close friends and family. Days before the ceremony, the couple met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to extend their wedding invitation.Rashmika later shared pictures from their meeting with the Prime Minister on X, while Vijay posted images from their interaction with Amit Shah, thanking him for gifting them a Ganesh idol.