Human Rights Watch said the Israeli military unlawfully used white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor on March 3.   The group said it verified seven images showing airburst white phosphorus over homes. Civil defence workers were seen responding to fires in at least two houses and a car.   Lebanon researcher Ramzi Kaiss said the attack over populated areas is “extremely alarming and will have dire consequences for civilians”.   He said the incendiary effects can cause death or severe injuries.   White phosphorus ignites when it contacts oxygen and can start fires in homes and farmland. Using it over populated areas is considered indiscriminate under international humanitarian law. (PC: India Today)

A newly released video suggests a US Tomahawk cruise missile may have struck a compound in Minab, Iran, during a February 28 attack that killed more than 165 people, many of them schoolgirls.   The clip, shared by Iran’s Mehr News Agency, shows a missile hitting a building inside a walled complex. Smoke is already rising from another area where the Shajareh Tayyebeh girls’ school was earlier hit.   Weapons expert Trevor Ball said the footage shows “for the first time that the United States struck the area”.   He added the US is “the only participant in the war known to possess Tomahawk missiles”.   The Pentagon said the incident is under investigation and the US “never targets civilian targets”. (PC: HT)

Residents in Iran said overnight strikes on oil depots near Tehran lit up the sky and shook nearby neighbourhoods as US and Israeli attacks continued.   Fuel depots in Tehran and Karaj were hit, according to Iranian news agencies citing the oil ministry.   One resident said the blast was so bright “it was as if night had turned into day”.   A man in Karaj said he first saw “a red light that lit up everything followed by a wave that jolted the door”.   Another resident said the city was covered in smoke. “You can smell the burning. I can’t see the sun,” she said.   Iran said toxic substances were released into the air and advised residents to stay indoors. (PC: BBC)

Stock markets in Japan and South Korea fell sharply on Monday as oil prices crossed $100 a barrel during the US-Iran conflict. Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 dropped more than 6% in early trade. The broader Topix index also fell about 5.7%, its biggest drop since April last year. South Korea’s Kospi index plunged more than 8%, triggering market circuit breakers for the second time this month. Oil prices surged after disruptions in West Asia and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The route carries a large share of global oil trade. Japan relies heavily on Middle Eastern oil imports. Portfolio manager Hiroshi Matsumoto said the country is “among the most affected globally.” (PC: X)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said protecting Indian consumers is the government’s “overriding priority” as the conflict in West Asia continues. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, he warned the crisis could cause serious supply chain disruption. He said the conflict may affect energy supplies, shipping routes and global trade. “Our government had expressed deep concern and urged all sides to exercise restraint,” Jaishankar said. “We continue to believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be pursued to de-escalate the tensions.” He said stability in West Asia is important for global energy markets and India’s economy. Jaishankar also told Parliament that about 67,000 Indians have returned from the region. (PC: India Today)

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new supreme leader. He is the son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed nine days ago in US-Israeli strikes. State media confirmed the leadership change as the war in the region continues. The move marks the first time power has passed within the Khamenei family. People in Tehran reacted with concern about the future. One resident told reporters, “Even the thinnest of chances for a change are no more.” Meanwhile, tensions remain high in the region. Bahrain’s state news agency said 32 people were injured after an Iranian drone strike earlier on Monday. (PC: X)

Global oil prices have crossed $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022 as the conflict in the Middle East continues.   The surge has raised concerns about higher fuel costs around the world. Analysts say the rise could push petrol prices up in many countries.   US President Donald Trump said the increase is temporary. “The short-term price increase is a very small price to pay for world peace,” he said.   The UK government is also watching the situation closely. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to join an emergency meeting of G7 finance ministers to discuss the rise in oil prices and the possible impact on global markets. (PC: BBC)

The United States said it is not targeting Iran’s energy sector despite recent attacks on oil facilities near Tehran.   US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said American forces have no plans to strike Iran’s oil or gas infrastructure. “The US is targeting zero energy infrastructure,” Wright told CNN. “There are no plans to target Iran’s oil industry, their natural gas industry, or anything about their energy industry.”   Large fires were reported near Tehran after Israeli strikes hit oil storage sites on Saturday. Wright said the attacks were carried out by Israel. “These are Israeli strikes. These are local fuel depots,” he said.   Oil prices have surged amid the conflict. US benchmark crude rose 12 percent on Friday and 36 percent over the week.

Indian national cricket team delivered a dominant performance to defeat the New Zealand national cricket team in the 2026 T20 World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India posted a massive 255/5 after explosive batting from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, while Shivam Dube added a late blitz. Samson’s 89 and Kishan’s rapid 54 dismantled New Zealand’s bowling attack. In response, India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, quickly crushed any hopes of a comeback. The emphatic victory secured India’s third T20 World Cup title and made them the first team to successfully defend the trophy. (PC: BCCI)

Indian benchmark indices plunged sharply on Monday as rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions triggered heavy selling. The BSE Sensex fell more than 2,100 points while the Nifty 50 dropped nearly 3%, testing the 23,800 level in early trade. The sell-off came after global crude prices surged past $115 per barrel amid intensifying conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Banking and financial stocks led the decline, with the Nifty PSU Bank Index falling over 4%. Broader markets also weakened, as midcap and smallcap indices dropped more than 2%. (PC: India Today)