US-Israel Strikes Kill Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei; Middle East Engulfed in Widest War in Decades
A joint US-Israeli surprise attack launched on Saturday, February 28, has killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dismantled Iran's command structure, triggering the most expansive Middle East conflict since 1973. Iran has retaliated by striking at least nine countries — including Bahrain, Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait, Cyprus and Israel — while the IRGC has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping. The de facto closure threatens 20% of global oil supply, sending Brent crude surging past $85/barrel. China has evacuated over 3,000 nationals from Iran and called for "immediate cessation of hostilities." Russia and China jointly demanded emergency UN Security Council action. India, with 50% of its crude supply transiting Hormuz, has activated contingency reserves sufficient for 74 days.
India's Rajya Sabha Elections Set for March 16; 37 Seats at Stake Amid Geopolitical Turbulence
Elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats are scheduled for March 16, 2026, as India's political landscape heats up ahead of state assembly polls in Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Assam. The Middle East crisis has cast a shadow over political debates, with opposition parties pressing the government on LPG price hikes and fuel security. India imports roughly 80-85% of its LPG requirements via Hormuz. The Print reports that the Pakistani political leadership remains "entirely India-China-US focused" amid the regional turmoil.
Apple's AI-Powered Siri Launches This Month; SpaceX Puts Starlink Batch into Orbit Amid War Disruptions
Apple officially announced that a reimagined AI-powered Siri — built on Google's Gemini model with 1.2 trillion parameters — will debut alongside iOS 26.4, targeted for March 2026. The update brings "on-screen awareness" and cross-app integration. Meanwhile SpaceX successfully deployed 54 Starlink satellites from Vandenberg on March 1, even as global aviation faces disruption from the Iran conflict. A rare total lunar eclipse — the last Blood Moon until New Year's Eve 2028 — was visible across North America in the early hours of March 3.
Sensex Crashes 2,700+ Points; Markets Shut for Holi as Iran Crisis Roils Dalal Street
Indian markets suffered their sharpest single-day fall in months as the US-Iran war rattled global sentiment. The BSE Sensex crashed nearly 2,743 points intraday on Monday, settling at 80,238 — down 1.29%. Nifty 50 ended at 24,865.70, off 312 points. Both NSE and BSE remain closed today (Tuesday, March 3) for Holi. Foreign Institutional Investors offloaded equities worth ₹4,630 crore last week. Aviation, oil marketing and banking stocks led losses. India VIX spiked sharply, signalling elevated risk aversion.
Wall Street Braces for Oil Shock; S&P 500 Under Pressure as Iran War Tests Market Resilience
US equity markets opened the week sharply lower as the Iran conflict disrupted global risk sentiment. The S&P 500 stood around 6,878 points, with analysts warning of further volatility. Oil prices — the primary conduit from geopolitics to financial markets — are already up 16% since the start of 2026. Brent crude is targeting $100/barrel in some analyst projections. The "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks are being tested as investors question whether AI enthusiasm can offset geopolitical headwinds. Overseas equities, which had built a 25-point lead over the S&P 500 since Trump's second term began, face a renewed test.
India's LPG Supply Chain Under Strain; Modi Government Mulls Accelerating Russian Oil Purchases
India's LPG imports face acute disruption as state-owned VLGCs — including Shivalik, Nanda Devi, and Jag Vasant — are stranded outside the Strait of Hormuz. India imports nearly all its LPG through the strait, against a monthly demand of 3 million tonnes. Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri has confirmed strategic reserves can last 74 days. The government is mulling a rapid pivot to Russian crude while EU jet fuel demand increasingly looks to India's Jamnagar refinery as an alternative supply source. Every $1 rise in Brent adds ~$1.4 billion to India's annual oil import bill.
India Storms into T20 World Cup Semis on Samson's 97*; Face England in Mumbai on March 5
Sanju Samson's stunning unbeaten 97 off 50 balls — the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup run chase — powered India past West Indies by five wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday. Chasing 195, India reached 199/5 in 19.2 overs. Jasprit Bumrah became India's all-time leading wicket-taker in T20 World Cups with 33 scalps. India now face England in the second semi-final at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on March 5. The first semi-final sees South Africa vs New Zealand at Eden Gardens on March 4. The final is set for March 8 at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
IPL 2026 Start Date Shifted to March 28; RCB Venue Dilemma Delays Full Schedule Announcement
The IPL Governing Council has internally revised the start date of IPL 2026 to March 28 (from March 26), with the final on May 31. The schedule announcement is delayed as election dates for Assam, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu are yet to be confirmed. Defending champions RCB are exploring alternatives to Chinnaswamy Stadium — including Navi Mumbai, Raipur and Pune — following the tragic stampede that killed 11 fans during their title celebrations. Cameron Green remains the tournament's most expensive overseas player at ₹25.20 crore.
IMD Warns of Brutal Summer 2026; Above-Normal Heatwave Days Forecast Across India Through May
Maximum temperatures expected to exceed 40°C in Vidarbha, Marathwada, and Saurashtra regions. IMD advises against outdoor activity between 11 AM–4 PM. Light rain expected in Northeast India.