Oil prices rose above $100 per barrel as the Iran war disrupted supplies in West Asia. Brent crude climbed close to $120 before easing slightly. The rise followed attacks on oil facilities and disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz. India depends on imports for more than 88% of its crude oil needs. Officials said the immediate priority is ensuring steady fuel supply rather than focusing only on price. The Strait of Hormuz handles about one-fifth of global oil trade. Tanker traffic there has slowed sharply. Government sources said Indian refiners are increasing purchases from regions outside Hormuz. They also said stocks of crude oil, petrol, and diesel are rising as more shipments arrive. (PC: The Indian Express)

India has sufficient crude oil and fuel stocks despite global concerns over possible disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, government sources said. Officials said the country has enough petrol, diesel, LPG and natural gas to meet current demand. They added that there is “no immediate risk” to domestic fuel supply. The government is reviewing the energy situation several times a day. To strengthen supply, refiners and oil marketing companies have been asked to prioritise LPG production. Refineries may increase LPG output further if needed. India is also diversifying energy imports. Officials said the country imports energy from 27 nations. India continues to buy Russian crude, averaging about 1.04 million barrels per day. (PC: India Today)

The ongoing US-Iran conflict in West Asia shook Indian markets and triggered protests in Parliament on Monday. The Sensex fell more than 3%, or around 2,500 points, marking one of the steepest market drops in six years. Over ₹25 lakh crore in investor wealth has been wiped out since the conflict began. Opposition leaders staged protests inside and outside Parliament and demanded a detailed discussion on the crisis. Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the conflict “has now impacted India's energy security and economic stability”. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the government is closely monitoring developments. “Our national interest, including energy security and trade flows, will always be paramount,” he told Parliament. (PC: HT)

A political controversy has erupted in West Bengal after President Droupadi Murmu expressed disappointment over the State government’s handling of protocol during the International Santal Conference in Darjeeling district. The event’s venue was shifted from Bidhannagar under Phansidewa block to Gossainpur near Bagdogra, prompting concerns from the President’s office. Prime Minister Narendra Modi termed the development “shameful and unprecedented”, accusing the ruling All India Trinamool Congress government of crossing limits. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rejected the criticism, saying the President should not “engage in politics as per advice of the BJP”. The disagreement has triggered a sharp political exchange between the Centre and the State government. (PC: X)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated two new Delhi Metro corridors, including India’s first operational ring metro line. He opened the 12.3-km Majlis Park–Maujpur-Babarpur stretch of the Pink Line and the 9.9-km Deepali Chowk–Majlis Park extension of the Magenta Line. The Pink Line now forms a circular metro network around parts of Delhi. The new corridor has nine elevated stations and a bridge over the Yamuna. The Magenta Line extension adds seven stations and improves connectivity in north Delhi. Services started at 3 pm on Sunday. The metro projects are part of development works worth about Rs 33,500 crore aimed at improving public transport and reducing travel time.

Amid an energy squeeze triggered by the Iran war, India has directed refiners to maximise LPG production and sell it only to state-run companies—Indian Oil Corporation, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited—for domestic use. A government order also asked refiners to avoid using propane and butane, key LPG components, for petrochemical production. The move comes after supply disruptions caused by Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and a drone attack that shut Ras Laffan LNG Terminal. With India importing nearly 85% of its energy needs, the government has also secured crude supplies by purchasing Russian Urals oil after receiving a temporary waiver from the United States Department of the Treasury. (PC: AFP)

The Karnataka government has proposed banning social media use for children under 16 to curb rising concerns about digital addiction and its impact on teenagers’ mental health. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the plan while presenting the 2026–27 state budget, saying excessive mobile and social media use is affecting students’ behaviour, academic focus, and emotional well-being. The policy aims to protect minors from harmful online exposure and reduce screen time. If implemented, Karnataka would become the first Indian state with such a restriction. The move reflects a growing global debate on regulating children’s online activity, with countries like Australia and others considering similar age-based social media limits. 

Two Indian Air Force pilots were killed after a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district during a routine training mission. The aircraft had taken off from the Jorhat Air Force Station and reportedly lost radar contact around 7:42 pm before crashing about 60 km away in a hilly area. The deceased officers were identified as Squadron Leader Anuj and Flight Lieutenant Purvesh Duragkar, who sustained fatal injuries in the crash. The Indian Air Force confirmed the incident and expressed condolences to the families. Authorities have launched an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. (PC: IAF)

An Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet crashed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district shortly after taking off from the Jorhat airbase during a routine training sortie. The aircraft reportedly lost radar contact minutes after departure on Thursday evening. Rescue teams from the Indian Air Force, police, and local authorities rushed to the remote hilly area where the crash occurred and launched search operations for the two pilots on board. Local villagers reported hearing a loud blast before spotting smoke rising from the forested region. Officials said investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the crash. (PC: X)

Israel’s military said one of its F-35I fighter jets, known as “Adir”, shot down an Iranian Yak-130 aircraft over Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces said on X that this was the first time an F-35 has destroyed a manned fighter aircraft in combat. The Yak-130 is a two-seat jet trainer and light combat aircraft used by Iran’s air force. The interception came as Israel continued strikes inside Iran on the fifth day of the conflict. Loud explosions were reported in Tehran early Wednesday. Israel said its air defences were also activated to intercept Iranian missiles. The fighting began after US-Israel attacks that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. (PC: HT)