Indian stock markets fell to their lowest levels in nearly a year on Monday as the Iran war pushed crude oil prices sharply higher. The 30-share Sensex dropped 1.71% to 77,566.16, an eleven-month low. The Nifty 50 fell 1.73% to 24,028.05, its lowest level in ten months. Oil prices have jumped nearly 30% to their highest since mid-2022. India imports about 85% of its energy needs, raising concerns over inflation and growth. “The sustained rise in crude prices is likely to complicate the RBI’s policy outlook by keeping inflation elevated,” said Vinod Nair of Geojit Investments. Foreign investors also sold ₹6,030 crore of Indian shares, adding pressure on markets. (PC: HT)

India head coach Gautam Gambhir dedicated the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 victory to former coaches Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, crediting them for building the strong foundation behind the team’s success. After India national cricket team secured the title, Gambhir said the triumph was the result of years of planning, discipline and player development initiated by the previous coaching setup. He also praised Jay Shah and the Board of Control for Cricket in India for backing him during challenging phases. Gambhir emphasized that consistent support from administrators and the legacy left by Dravid and Laxman helped shape a confident squad capable of delivering on the global stage. (PC: PTI)

A sudden shortage of commercial LPG cylinders has created major concerns for restaurants across several Indian cities, including Bengaluru and Chennai, where hotel associations warned that eateries may suspend operations if supplies are not restored. The disruption comes amid rising global oil prices linked to ongoing tensions in West Asia, which have affected energy supply chains. Restaurant bodies say many kitchens depend entirely on commercial LPG and cannot operate without it. Meanwhile, reports of limited supplies have triggered panic among restaurants and gas agencies in Gurugram and Mumbai. The central government has directed oil refineries to increase LPG production while prioritising domestic household supply. (PC: AFP)

The Pentagon confirmed that 26-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. Benjamin N. Pennington from Kentucky has died from injuries suffered during an Iranian missile strike on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, becoming the seventh U.S. service member killed in the ongoing conflict with Iran. Pennington was wounded in the March 1 attack targeting American military positions and later succumbed to his injuries. He served with the 1st Space Battalion, 1st Space Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado, supporting missile-warning and satellite operations. The U.S. military honored his service and announced he will be posthumously promoted to staff sergeant. (PC: AP)

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has withdrawn its Class 8 Social Science textbook “Exploring Society: India and Beyond” (Part II) after controversy over a chapter discussing challenges in the judiciary. The chapter titled “The Role of Judiciary in Our Society” mentioned issues such as corruption, case backlogs, and shortage of judges, which sparked criticism and legal scrutiny. Following concerns raised in the Supreme Court, NCERT issued an “unconditional and unqualified apology” and halted the book’s distribution. Authorities ordered a complete ban on further printing and dissemination, and the council asked that all copies be withdrawn. NCERT said the inclusion of the content was an “error of judgement” and reaffirmed respect for constitutional institutions. 

Residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi received emergency alerts warning of potential missile threats as the UAE’s air-defence systems intercepted incoming drones and missiles linked to the ongoing Iran-Israel-US conflict. Authorities urged people to seek shelter while security forces responded to the aerial threats. The regional war has severely disrupted aviation, with more than 40,000 flights cancelled across the Middle East between February 28 and March 9. Airports in the Gulf, including Dubai and Abu Dhabi, faced temporary closures and operational disruptions due to safety concerns. Governments across the region remain on high alert as the conflict spreads, raising fears of further attacks and prolonged travel and economic disruptions. (PC: AP)

Iran launched multiple drones toward Saudi Arabia and Kuwait amid the escalating Middle East conflict, expanding the war beyond Iran and Israel. Saudi Arabia’s defence ministry said two drones were intercepted over its oil-rich eastern region, while Kuwait’s National Guard shot down six drones targeting northern and southern areas. The attacks come as U.S. President Donald Trump sends conflicting messages about the war’s duration—calling it a “short excursion” but warning Iran of a massive response if oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz are disrupted. The uncertainty has caused volatility in global markets and oil prices as fears grow of wider regional escalation. (PC: AFP)

Hussain Hassan Mirza, the first United Arab Emirates envoy to India, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi could play a key role in ending the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. In an interview, Mirza stated that a single phone call from Modi to the leaders of Iran and Israel could help resolve the crisis due to his strong credibility and diplomatic influence in the region. He also emphasized that the UAE does not want to be dragged into the war and will not allow its territory to be used for military operations by either side. According to Mirza, India’s balanced relations with both nations could help promote dialogue and de-escalation in the Middle East. (PC: NDTV)

The United States reportedly reacted with shock after Israel carried out massive strikes on 30 Iranian fuel depots, an operation that went far beyond what Washington expected. According to reports, Israel had informed the US before launching the attacks, but the scale of the strikes surprised American officials. One US official reportedly responded with “WTF?” after learning about the extensive damage caused to Iran’s oil infrastructure. The incident marks the first major disagreement between the two allies since the war began on February 28. The strikes triggered huge fires and intensified tensions in the Middle East as the Iran-Israel conflict continues to escalate. (PC: X)

Mojtaba Khamenei has taken over as Iran’s Supreme Leader following the death of his father, Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the ongoing Iran-US-Israel conflict. His rise to power reportedly came at a heavy personal cost, with several close family members killed in strikes during the war. Reports suggest that his wife, a son, and other relatives were among those who died in the attacks. Despite these losses, Iran’s powerful Assembly of Experts selected Mojtaba to lead the country at a time of intense regional tension. His appointment marks the first time since the 1979 Islamic Revolution that Iran’s top leadership has effectively passed from father to son. (PC: NDTV)