☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10573958/ _*Good morning,*_ Within days of the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, his second-eldest son, Mojtaba, was announced as his successor on Monday. The top political leadership of Iran has been a key target in a bid to influence regime change in the ongoing West Asia conflict. The US President Donald Trump had earlier declared that the new leadership in Iran would have to be approved by his administration. Trump had also told Axios last week that Mojtaba, then a frontrunner, was “unacceptable” and a “lightweight.” In response, Iranian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abbas Araghchi, asserted, “We will allow nobody to interfere in our domestic affairs”. What does the choice say about Iran’s outlook on the war? Here’s what we know about Mojtaba. https://www.inexp.in/2pupdM *_With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_* * Gas shortage in India’s big cities * No more alerts from FSI * Gurmeet Ram Rahim’s acquittal 🚨 *Big Story* The Rajya Sabha witnessed a stormy start to the second part of the Budget Session on Monday, with the Opposition demanding a short discussion on India’s energy security in view of the ongoing West Asia conflict. The Leader of Opposition, Mallikarjun Kharge, also raised the issue of cooking gas cylinder price rise by nearly Rs 60, burdening poor families, following which the Chairperson handed over the floor to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The entire Opposition staged a walkout from the House while the EAM was making his statement. Leader of the House J P Nadda attacked the Opposition, saying it was “irresponsible” and was not interested in debate or the interests of the country, but only in anarchy and creating “hooliganism”. https://www.inexp.in/xE0LND *Here’s what Jaishankar said:* Underlining that the West Asia conflict has led to “numerous casualties, including at the leadership level in Iran”, Jaishankar outlined in the Rajya Sabha three broad messages of the government: it favours a return to dialogue, views the security of the Indian diaspora as a priority, and considers energy security paramount. Amid protests and slogan-shouting by the Opposition, which demanded a “full-fledged” discussion on the issue, Jaishankar said that nearly 67,000 Indian nationals have returned from the region since the war began on February 28. https://www.inexp.in/+kAdGb *Early trends:* A day after the international crude oil prices surged to nearly $120 a barrel amid the ongoing West Asia conflict on Monday, global oil prices fell sharply on Tuesday after Trump signalled the war might not last long. Speaking in an interview with CBS News, Trump said the conflict was “very complete, pretty much” and suggested the fighting could end soon. Following his remarks, Brent crude fell sharply and settled at $98.96 per barrel by the end of Monday’s trading. https://www.inexp.in/V2wxsI *Chokepoint:* A day earlier, oil prices retreated; however, still traded over $100 per barrel. The conflict has led to growing concerns about an extended supply disruption, with tanker movements effectively suspended through the critical chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz and key Gulf oil producers cutting production as they run out of storage. With India’s economic vulnerability to oil price volatility, owing to its oil import dependency level of over 88%, the current surge will have a bearing on the country’s current account deficit, foreign exchange reserves, the rupee’s exchange rate, and inflation rate, among others. My colleague Sukalp Sharma explains. https://www.inexp.in/9FSTIz Meanwhile, gas shortage is slowly hitting commercial users of cooking gas or LPG, especially restaurants in India’s big cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Industrial users of LNG and propane-LPG, such as tile and ceramic makers in Morbi, Gujarat, have also been hit. The Centre has asked refiners and fuel retailers to prioritise domestic LPG supply to households over commercial users, whereas for the latter, it has set up a committee of three executive directors of oil marketing companies. Despite the rise in crude oil prices, officials said there were no plans to increase the retail prices of petrol and diesel for the time being. https://www.inexp.in/78KrTn ⚡ *Only in Express* The construction of a major gravitational wave observatory in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district, one of the country’s biggest science projects, remains in limbo. The Rs 1,600-crore work tender floated in April last year is yet to be awarded, according to records accessed by The Indian Express under the RTI Act. The Directorate of Construction Services and Estate Management of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has maintained that the project would be completed as scheduled within the next four years. The showpiece Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) is designed to work in sync with two similar facilities in the US, which, in 2015, detected gravitational waves for the first time — exactly 100 years after their existence was predicted in Albert Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity. https://www.inexp.in/-1X7kZ 📰 *From the Front Page* The Forest Survey of India (FSI) has stopped issuing the fortnightly alerts through which it used to keep a watch on deforestation activities in near-real time for more than two years. The portal, operational since January 2024, has been using satellite data and machine learning to enable FSI to issue location alerts about the loss of forest cover to states every 15 days, enabling targeted field inspections. However, active monitoring through the portal was halted this January, sources said, and states stopped receiving the fortnightly deforestation alerts. Stating the reason for the halt, FSI joint director Shivani Dogra said Anavaran had been running only as a pilot project, and its utility was currently being assessed. https://www.inexp.in/fiEQfp *Grief prevails:* Jaahnavi Kandula’s memories continue to haunt her sister Meghana Kandula, who grapples with prying glances and questions from neighbours, relatives and friends who consider her the heir to a fortune. The city of Seattle awarded the Kandulas a compensation of $29 million, or Rs 260 crore, to be precise, owing to the wrongful death of Jaahnavi three years ago. In January 2023, Jaahnavi, a 23-year-old student pursuing a master’s degree in information systems at the Seattle campus of Northeastern University, was fatally struck while crossing a street, by a speeding police vehicle driven by an officer, who was responding to a drug overdose call. Three years later, Jaahnavi’s closest friends and family are struggling to keep their lives private. https://www.inexp.in/-JsNWO The Ministry of Home Affairs has now specified that statutory bodies with no criminal jurisdiction cannot issue direct requests to the Bureau of Immigration to prevent any Indian or foreigner from leaving the country, The Indian Express has learnt. In a significant modification to its guidelines for Look Out Circulars (LOCs), the MHA has underlined that all such requests have to be routed through a law enforcement agency. The MHA also updated the LOC proforma to include three standardised options — “detain and inform originator”, “prevent departure and inform originator”, and “see remarks for action”. https://www.inexp.in/L6veNC 📌 *Must Read* The Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the 2002 murder of journalist Ram Chander Chhatrapati. The Special Bench held in a 113-page ruling, last Saturday, that the prosecution failed to prove the charge of criminal conspiracy against him beyond a reasonable doubt. Chhatrapati was the editor of the evening newspaper, _Pura Sach_ , which had published articles alleging sexual exploitation of women followers by the Dera chief. The editor who was shot outside his home in Sirsa on October 24, 2002, and he died of his injuries on November 21, 2002. The Bench cited several reasons for the acquittal, including lack of corroboration for the conspiracy claim and failure to examine a key police witness, among others. We elaborate. https://www.inexp.in/V02R6j In our _Opinion_ section today, Salman Khurshid and Pushparaj Deshpande delve deeper into India’s actions amidst the ongoing war, which has led to significant global shifts. Calling Jaishankar’s statement in the Parliament “vapid" and offering “no blueprint” of India’s stances, both experts call for an “urgent recalibration of India’s foreign policy.” They write: “Given our civilisational, geo-economic and strategic stakes in West Asia, the BJP government should ideally have deployed India’s relationships, painstakingly forged since Independence, to de-escalate and reassert that security, sovereignty, justice and prosperity are inalienable public goods.” https://www.inexp.in/hpaR4C *Caution?* The fall in the benchmark stock market index Sensex since the West Asia war began on February 27 has wiped out investors’ wealth, as nervous investors dumped stocks to cut their losses, fearing a further crash in the market. The big question is: Should investors sell everything and keep away from the market, or deploy surplus cash when many stocks are available at rock-bottom prices? Analysts suggest investors should adopt a cautious and disciplined approach in the near term. While investors should prioritise capital preservation, maintain strict stop-loss levels, and avoid aggressive leverage amid rising volatility, it may be time for some bargain hunting as well. We explain. https://www.inexp.in/2O0nHf ⏳ *And Finally…* *Boom Boom Boomrah:* Just when the batsmen think they know, Jasprit Bumrah’s “wrist snaps sideways — a single, violent, almost invisible rotation, as if turning a doorknob. The arm speed is preserved. The ball is not. By the time the batsman realises, he is already through the shot,” writes Venkata Krishna B in his analysis of the bowler’s shots that brought India closer to victory in most of its matches at the T20 World Cup 2026. From South Africa’s Ryan Rickelton, West Indies’ Roston Chase, Harry Brook, to New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra and James Neesham, seven batsmen saw it coming but couldn’t do anything. https://www.inexp.in/58pXRT 🎧 Lastly, tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss India’s emphatic 96-run victory against New Zealand in T20 World Cup. We also share insights from document discrepancies and lapses in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal; and the Delhi excise policy case which has returned to the High Court following CBI’s challenge to Arvind Kejriwal’s release. https://www.inexp.in/aGodKN *That’s all for today. Have a wonderful day!* _*Until next time,*_ _*Ariba*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10543828/ Good morning, While artificial intelligence may be moving at breakneck speed, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is already focused on the bigger question: how countries like India plan to keep up. Speaking at Express Adda in conversation with Anant Goenka, Executive Director, The Indian Express Group, Altman described India as a rapidly emerging AI powerhouse powered by strong “builder energy” and the world’s fastest-growing Codex market. He highlighted OpenAI’s growing India push, including partnerships with Tata Consultancy Services and plans to open offices in Bengaluru and Mumbai. While acknowledging AI will eliminate some jobs, Altman said new and better roles will emerge, warning that countries and companies slow to adopt the technology risk falling behind. The real test, perhaps, is whether India can match its AI ambition with the speed and scale the moment demands. https://www.inexp.in/+ylUpJ *With that, let’s move on to the top five stories from today’s edition:* 🚨 *Big Story* _*"Nothing changes. They’ll be paying tariffs"*_ Barely slowed by a court setback, US President Donald Trump has fired off a fresh tariff move, signalling his trade strategy is far from over. Trump signed an order imposing a 10% tariff on imports from all countries, saying the measure will take effect “almost immediately.” The move comes on the heels of a 6–3 ruling by the United States Supreme Court striking down his sweeping reciprocal tariffs on goods from nearly all trading partners for violating federal law. Trump, however, signalled he would press ahead using alternative legal routes. He also indicated that India would continue to face 18% tariffs. Under an interim trade pact between the United States and India, Washington had earlier reduced duties to 18% from 50%, while New Delhi agreed to impose zero tariffs on US goods. https://www.inexp.in/xEX9RY https://www.inexp.in/Yf5yV- *Court vs Tariffs:* The United States Supreme Court ruling may complicate President Donald Trump’s tariff strategy, but it does not take tariffs off the table, it simply means Congress would now need to be involved. Whether lawmakers will back such a move remains uncertain. The court held that Trump lacked the authority to impose sweeping import tariffs on trading partners under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), rejecting his use of the national economic emergency law for broad trade measures. The ruling effectively upholds earlier decisions by two lower courts and deals a blow to Trump’s use of tariffs as a foreign policy lever. https://www.inexp.in/Px+vSw ⚡ *Only in Express* In today’s sports column, Sandeep Dwivedi turns the spotlight on a familiar nightmare for Pakistan — Jasprit Bumrah. Dwivedi writes that Bumrah’s sharp LBW dismissal of Saim Ayub was not just a turning point in the match but a telling technical examination of Pakistan’s young opener. Ayub, who has been aggressively backed as part of Pakistan’s new-age top order, looked uncertain against Bumrah’s late movement and relentless accuracy. With the upcoming ICC Men's T20 World Cup in South Africa, it leaves Pakistan with an uncomfortable question: have they found a way to counter Bumrah or are they heading into another high-stakes encounter still searching for answers? https://www.inexp.in/VUo7Ox 💡 *Express Explained* For India, the United States Supreme Court ruling against President Donald Trump offers some relief, but far from closure. In policy circles, the view is that the court order complicates Trump’s tariff playbook without dismantling it. If the earlier duties are eventually struck down, the United States could face pressure to refund billions in collected tariffs, potentially reshaping recent trade equations. Yet Indian officials are unlikely to rush into concessions. Instead, India is expected to link any meaningful market-access commitments to the formal signing of a trade pact. Trump’s tariff hand may be legally weakened, but the uncertainty has not disappeared, and India is negotiating with that reality firmly in mind. https://www.inexp.in/xV15iM ✍️ *Express Opinion* In today’s Opinion section, Pratap Bhanu Mehta argues that artificial intelligence is not just a technological leap but a structural shift in the relationship between state power and capital. He warns that AI’s capital-intensive and concentrated nature could deepen big tech dominance even as governments grow more dependent on these firms for growth and governance, creating a new regulatory paradox. The real disruption, Mehta suggests, is institutional, with control over data, chips and computers fast becoming the new axis of geopolitical and economic power. The implication is clear: the AI debate is not only about innovation or jobs, but about who ultimately holds power in the digital age. https://www.inexp.in/5+-K8R 🎬 *Movie Review* Wondering what to watch this weekend? Well, we’ve got you covered. Taapsee Pannu and Kani Kusruti starrer Assi, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is designed to unsettle and stay with you long after the credits roll. The film follows schoolteacher Parima, whose life is upended after a brutal assault, and traces the emotional and social aftermath with stark honesty. As Shubhra Gupta notes in her review, the film’s impact comes from Kusruti’s quietly searing performance and its unflinching look at the attitudes that sustain rape culture. https://www.inexp.in/yUIoUC *That’s it for today, have a lovely weekend!* _*Until next time,*_ _*Anupama*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-todaydaily-briefing-sky-leads-india-to-redemption-10572320/ Good morning, As the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran entered its second week, fighting intensified with fresh airstrikes and competing claims from both sides. Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani said a “number” of American soldiers had been captured since the war began, a claim rejected by the United States Central Command. Meanwhile, Mojtaba Khamenei has been named Iran’s new supreme leader, replacing his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US-Israel strikes. https://www.inexp.in/2B634m US-Israeli forces struck oil facilities in Tehran, triggering large fires, while Gulf states reported further Iranian missile and drone attacks. Even as Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian apologised to neighbouring countries and said the attacks would stop, military escalation continued, with over 80 Israeli fighter jets targeting Tehran’s Imam Hussein University and underground ballistic missile silos. https://www.inexp.in/eo8cNy *On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition* . 👇 🚨 Big Story _*“Feels like a dream”*_ India are T20 World Cup champions, beating New Zealand by 96 runs, and once the stage of one of Indian cricket’s most painful nights, found redemption. For more than two years, the Narendra Modi Stadium carried a bruise but on Sunday night, it finally healed. Sport remembers places, but sometimes it also allows them to rewrite history. The memory of the 2023 ODI World Cup final had hung over this stadium like unfinished business with Australia walking away with the trophy but on Sunday, the script changed. What was once a place of trauma became a place of release, the catharsis the ground had been waiting for since that crushing defeat when India, after waltzing into the final in supreme form, were outclassed on the big day. https://www.inexp.in/YWnRyY https://www.inexp.in/tPNkjy *SKY’s triumph:* Suryakumar Yadav deserves the credit for delivering the Cup at home, despite never having led an IPL side and not being part of the ODI or Test set-ups. India’s intent to win was clear right from the start. Seventeen sixes and nineteen fours flew across the ground. Yet the numbers themselves almost felt secondary. What really mattered was how they were used, as part of a larger story the innings was telling. https://www.inexp.in/LBFbO3 The winning moment came when Tilak Varma completed the catch of Jacob Duffy at long-on, the final New Zealand wicket, and slipped as he tried to fling the ball into the rapturous Motera skies. It is a moment that will remain etched in the minds of the lakh spectators in the stands. https://www.inexp.in/tPNkjy *Team first:* Gautam Gambhir built India’s 2026 T20 World Cup winning side around a simple idea: no superstars, only a team. The approach moved away from the traditional reliance on big names and focused instead on clearly defined roles and collective responsibility. Players were picked for how they fit into the system rather than individual reputation. The result was a balanced side where different players stepped up at different moments, helping India dominate the competition and successfully defend the ICC Men's T20 World Cup title.https://www.inexp.in/t5WHLq ⚡ *Only in Express* A midnight delivery in a quiet Lajpat Nagar lane was all it took to unravel a sprawling counterfeit drug network tightening its grip around Delhi. In today’s exclusive, The Indian Express traces a trail that stretches far beyond the capital, linking warehouses in Uttarakhand to a manufacturing unit in Bihar. So far, counterfeit medicines and psychotropic substances worth around Rs 50 crore have been seized. But the arrests and raids have revealed something far bigger: a deeply organised network of suppliers, distributors, warehouses and clandestine factories operating across states, raising troubling questions about how far the counterfeit drug trail really runs. https://www.inexp.in/UjjyeV 📰 *From the Front Page* *Sleep design:* IIT Kanpur professor Anubha Goel is studying sleep from a rarely explored angle in India — building design and indoor environmental quality rather than medicine or psychology. The research examines how hostel layouts and room conditions affect students’ sleep and classroom performance. The study began after many students reported feeling tired even before lectures. Over 500 hostel residents were surveyed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, with nearly 70% reporting poor sleep linked to heat, humidity and poor ventilation. The project, with indoor environment expert Pawel Wargocki, is now tracking 140 students using sensors and smartwatches to monitor sleep and room conditions in real time. https://www.inexp.in/QfZA79 *Handbook for sensitivity:* The Supreme Court of India has initiated a review to frame fresh guidelines to promote sensitivity among judges, especially in cases involving sexual offences and vulnerable victims. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked the director of the National Judicial Academy to form a committee of experts to prepare a report. The review follows unease among judges over the 2023 “Handbook on Combating Gender Stereotypes”, released during the tenure of former CJI D. Y. Chandrachud. Some judges felt parts of the handbook were problematic or too generalised, including references to caste and sexual violence, and raised concerns that it was not discussed by the full court before publication. https://www.inexp.in/dxqzyR 🎧 *For more on Iran crisis’ impact on oil, India-Canada uranium deal, and unseating Om Birla, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode.* https://www.inexp.in/hQrvWZ 📌 *Must Read* *Grassroot change:* Women mukhiyas are driving grassroots change in rural Bihar through initiatives focused on health, livelihoods and the environment. In Bhojpur’s Danwa village, mukhiya Sushumlata Kushwaha set up a sanitary pad manufacturing unit after learning many women still used cloth during menstruation. Supported by a government scheme, the unit produces 4,000–4,500 pads a day and employs local women, selling packs of six for about Rs 23 through schools, SHGs and nearby panchayats. Across the state, around 4,200 women mukhiyas are also pushing initiatives such as biogas plants, water conservation, rural markets, mahila sabhas and skill-training programmes despite persistent social scepticism. https://www.inexp.in/CDvZrp *Gulf reliance:* Fertilisers are the backbone of India’s farm output, supplying key nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur. Yet India depends heavily on imports, many from Gulf Cooperation Council countries including Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. In 2025–26, imports are expected to touch about 10 million tonnes of urea and 6.5 million tonnes of DAP, while all muriate of potash is imported. With fertiliser production also reliant on imported natural gas and inputs, India’s food security remains quietly linked to the Gulf. https://www.inexp.in/AeHnOu ⏳ *And Finally...* *Idea Exchange:* In a conversation with The Indian Express, journalist and AI insider Karen Hao spoke about concerns around Artificial General Intelligence, the environmental costs of data centres, and how ideas of safety and accountability differ across the AI industry. Discussing her book Empire of AI, she also reflected on the power wielded by major technology companies and why the guardrails for artificial intelligence may ultimately come from public pushback. As AI increasingly shapes everyday life, Hao said artists, workers, parents and communities are beginning to question how it is deployed, creating pressure points that could reshape the industry. https://www.inexp.in/VmZaOv _*That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow,*_ _*Anupama*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-west-asia-conflict-top-news-today-10575789/ _*Good morning,*_ The _jhumka_ is in the news! However, this time, not for its extravagant mentions in Bollywood songs, or in the backdrop of those thousands of Instagram reels which you can’t escape. Ralph Lauren models were seen wearing _jhumkas_ at the Paris Fashion Week 2026. And this time, the global fashion brand has labelled it as “authentic vintage accessory” with no credits to Indian craftsmanship — a perfunctory nod to heritage and cultural misappropriation. From Prada’s Kolhapuri chappals to Gucci’s kaftan top inspired by our kurti, brands have poached a cultural legacy without collaborating or recognising local artisans, even in the past. However, in this case, one thing remains clear: It doesn’t matter whether you pick it up from Bareilly bazaar, Delhi’s Janpath, or silver jewellers of Jaipur, the _jhumka_ will always be Indian. https://www.inexp.in/iTqKBO _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ * LPG shortage in India’s big cities * Inside IIT Madras’s Brain Centre * Shivam Dube’s train journey 🚨 *Big Story* As the conflict in West Asia leads to a shortage of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), commercial LPG users, including restaurants, food sellers, autorickshaw drivers and laundry services, have reported disruptions to their operations in several Indian cities. Triggered by the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, the West Asia conflict has halted the movement of ships through the crucial Strait of Hormuz. Over 80% of India’s LPG imports pass through this narrow waterway. In response, the Indian government has invoked emergency powers to direct refiners to maximise LPG production and ensure that all the gas is supplied solely to domestic LPG consumers. Here’s how Indian cities are tackling the crisis. https://www.inexp.in/cJdLt6 In view of the crisis, the Indian government has invoked the Essential Commodities Act to divert natural gas to “priority sectors” that are dependent on the fuel. Segments that directly impact millions of common consumers—piped natural gas (PNG) for households, compressed natural gas (CNG) for vehicles, and LPG production—will have precedence over other natural gas-consuming sectors. While natural gas supplies to refineries have been cut to 65% of their average consumption of the past six months. Read here about the steps taken so far. https://www.inexp.in/MLoOdx With the conflict pushing up energy prices, its ripple effects are beginning to spread far beyond oil and gas, with sectors such as textiles, mining and steelmaking in India starting to feel the pressure. The severe impact is emerging through a chain of second- and third-order effects linked to fuel costs, petrochemicals, feedstock, chemicals, and disruptions in global shipping routes along the Strait of Hormuz. And India is among the most exposed. https://www.inexp.in/H3KEGp ⚡ *Only in Express* _*"At IIT Madras, I could see the entire brain on my computer, every part of it, in great detail, down to the level of a cell. Brain atlases have been made earlier, but never with this kind of detail and this degree of sophistication..."*_ Neuropathologist Rebecca Folkerth has been observing human brains all her life. And yet, when she visited the Sudha Gopalakrishnan Brain Centre (SGBC) at IIT Madras for the first time in 2023, she was amazed by what she saw. At the research lab in Chennai, scientists are working to capture high-resolution cell-level details of the entire brain, allowing one to zoom into any section and look at individual cells. My colleague Amitabh Sinha travels to the SGBC, that is on an ambitious mission – mapping hundreds of human brains, across ages, population groups, ethnicities, and disease conditions, to create a cellular-level atlas. https://www.inexp.in/lzEk9u 📰 *From the Front Page* *IndiGo:* Three months after India’s largest airline, IndiGo, faced an unprecedented operational disruption that brought civil aviation operations across India to a halt, the carrier’s CEO, Pieter Elbers, resigned on Monday, according to stock exchange filings and a release issued by IndiGo. The airline’s promoter and managing director, Rahul Bhatia, will step in to assume management of the airline’s affairs till the appointment of a new CEO, “which is expected in short order”, IndiGo said. Elbers cited personal reasons for leaving the airline that he helmed for over three years. Meanwhile, Bhatia, in a communication to employees, wrote that the December crisis should never have happened. https://www.inexp.in/zK7xQE The Union Cabinet has approved easing curbs for land-border sharing countries for capital goods, electronic capital goods, electronic components, polysilicon and ingot-wafer for solar cells. This would now allow limited investment flows from China into key manufacturing sectors. It also decided a threshold level of 10% for automatic approval of the investment into these sectors. However, the restrictions for land-border-sharing countries, which were brought into force through the Press Note 3 of 2020, have been retained for strategic sectors such as semiconductors, according to government sources. https://www.inexp.in/rpQS6e *SIR:* The Supreme Court has directed the formation of tribunals to hear appeals against exclusion of names from the West Bengal voter list following the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in the state. The tribunals would comprise former High Court Chief Justices and two or three former judges, preferably from the Calcutta High Court or neighbouring states. The Bench also warned against attempts to question the work of judicial officers deputed to verify names flagged for logistical discrepancies. https://www.inexp.in/lKZJq4 📌 *Must Read* In our _Opinion_ section today, C Raja Mohan delves deeper into the complicated history of India “taking sides” in times of conflict, and what its foreign policy states. While New Delhi has often done so, there have been times when India “simply flip-flopped as governments changed,” Mohan explains. He writes: The security and prosperity of India and Arabia are now indivisible. Political support for Arabs was an important principle articulated at the very outset of independent India’s foreign policy. Eight turbulent decades later in the Middle East, it has acquired a new meaning — in the form of a deepening interdependence between India and the Gulf Arab states.” https://www.inexp.in/qOdRUT *India-Bangladesh relations:* Dhaka sent its intelligence agency chief to India early March this year – the first high-powered visit from Bangladesh to India since the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) won the elections and Tarique Rahman became Prime Minister, The Indian Express has learnt. According to sources, the intelligence chiefs met over a private dinner on March 2 to discuss intelligence-sharing and security partnership. Amid India’s strong security concerns related to anti-India activities in Bangladesh, Delhi is keen to partner with the new government in Dhaka to counter such activities. All eyes will be on how the cooperation on the security front plays out in the coming weeks and months. https://www.inexp.in/ePuwAf _*“Martyrdom is a manifestation not of suicide but of fearlessness, and in attempting to embody this virtue, Khamenei probably sought in his last moments to attach them to the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 which had established this ideal as its own.”*_ Historian of Islam Faisal Devji talks to Monojit Majumdar on the response in the Muslim world to the US-Israeli war on Iran, and the likely future now of the political project that was begun by the Islamic Revolution of 1979. Here’s the full interview. https://www.inexp.in/F5JTwK ⏳ *And Finally…* *Family time:* Hours after lifting the T20 World Cup trophy in a packed stadium in Ahmedabad, Shivam Dube, his wife, and a friend boarded the Ahmedabad-Mumbai Sayaji Express. India’s T20 World Cup hero knew he risked getting mobbed but the couple wanted to be with their four-year-old son, Ayaan, and two-year-old daughter Mehwish, who were at home in Mumbai. A cap, a mask, a full-sleeved T-shirt, and a 5:10 am train, this is how Dube put in place a plan to keep his identity under wraps. Know more about the undercover journey of India's "last action hero" here. https://www.inexp.in/x8GBue 🎧 Lastly, tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss why states are bringing in laws to ban social media for children. We also talk about how the ongoing US-Israel-Iran war is impacting India’s food security, as well as share insights into the Rs 1,600-crore LIGO-India project in Maharashtra’s Hingoli district that remains stuck. https://www.inexp.in/YaEums *That’s all for today. Have a wonderful day!* _*Until next time,*_ _*Ariba*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10579348/ _*Good morning,*_ Eight decades after Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose disappeared, presumed dead in an air crash in Taihoku (Taipei, Taiwan) in 1945, his daughter, Anita Bose Pfaff, appeared before the Supreme Court on Thursday in “support” of a petition seeking the return to India of his mortal remains. His remains are believed to have been preserved at the Renko-ji temple in Tokyo. While the bench declined to entertain the plea filed by Netaji’s grandnephew, it said Pfaff, who is Netaji’s sole heir, should “step forward” and file a petition herself. With the bench not inclined to entertain the plea, Senior Advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Pfaff, sought permission to withdraw it, with liberty to return with a fresh petition. The court agreed to the request. https://www.inexp.in/kMbeVp _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ * PM Modi on LPG crisis * Probe into attack on Farooq Abdullah * India’s next mission with Ro-Ko 🚨 *Big Story* *‘Serious situation’:* In his first conversation with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian since the start of the war in West Asia on February 28, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed “deep concern over the escalation of tensions and the loss of civilian lives as well as damage to civilian infrastructure”. Modi, over a post on X, said he “urged for dialogue and diplomacy” and “reiterated India’s commitment to peace and stability”. He also flagged the security of Indian nationals and the movement of maritime traffic as India-bound fuel ships remain stuck in the Persian Gulf after Tehran closed the key Strait of Hormuz. https://www.inexp.in/qPDT8Y *Work in progress:* Delhi is currently in talks with Tehran to let India-bound fuel ships transit the Strait of Hormuz, whose closure has significantly impacted LPG imports in the country. The spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, informed that EAM S Jaishankar and Iran's Foreign Minister Syed Abbas Araghchi had three conversations in the past few days."The last one discussed issues pertaining to the safety of shipping and India’s energy security. Beyond that, it would be premature for me to say anything,” Jaiswal said on Thursday. https://www.inexp.in/B7EQe0 Meanwhile, in his first message, Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba, has ordered all US bases to be “immediately closed in the region.” He said that the Strait of Hormuz will continue to remain closed to pressure Iran’s enemies. Asserting that “Tehran will seek compensation from enemies,” he said that the country will also “avenge” the killings of citizens in war. Mojtaba was formally elected after his father Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israel joint strikes on Tehran on February 28. https://www.inexp.in/PnfRws ⚡ *Only in Express* _*“In a situation where the stakes are high, sovereign states may have to step in to indemnify parties not just against loss of life and assets, but also against environmental damage.”*_ Before the war in West Asia, a fifth of the world’s oil and gas demand passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Maritime traffic was halted two weeks ago, with the flow of oil and gas slowing down to a trickle. The International Energy Agency has flagged it as the “the largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market”. Considering the significance of the Strait, a solution will have to be found soon, even if it arrives at a high cost, said Ajay Singh, an energy expert and shipping industry executive from Tokyo. In an interview with Anil Sasi, Singh said that none of the world’s major economies can tolerate an indefinite closure of the passage. https://www.inexp.in/ye4Ei+ 📰 *From the Front Page* *From Delhi to Bengaluru:* A war being fought thousands of kilometres away from India, in the deserts and straits of West Asia, had just arrived at food stalls across the country. The blocking of the Strait of Hormuz has sent shockwaves rippling through India’s supply chains with a speed and intimacy that few anticipated. While restaurants across the country have shuttered or retreated to skeletal menus, in the back lanes and food courts of Indian cities, a black market in cooking gas has quietly taken hold. _The Indian Express_ spoke to Indian restaurant owners, who revealed that the black market is now the only viable route to procurement – at prices that are frequently more than double the regulated rate. https://www.inexp.in/PpzlkJ Amid growing concerns over LPG supplies in India, the government is activating alternate fuel options such as kerosene, fuel oil, biomass and even coal to ease pressure on LPG for commercial users. The Centre has also decided to allocate for commercial use 20% of the average monthly commercial LPG requirement. Noting that bookings for LPG cylinders have shot up multifold due to misinformation and concern, the government also appealed to consumers to not fall prey to panic and avoid rush-booking of cylinders. https://www.inexp.in/0JHjHx *Lapse:* The Centre has initiated an inquiry into the security lapse in the attack on Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday night, when a 63-year-old man, Kamal Singh Jamwal, armed with a loaded revolver, walked right up to the former chief minister at a wedding function and opened fire. Even though Abdullah escaped, a senior police officer admitted “a security lapse to some extent in respect to the CPT (close protection) and the person (carrying the gun)”. While police have ruled out any terror angle, officers said they will probe for any “deep-rooted conspiracy”. https://www.inexp.in/3WDELP 📌 *Must Read* *Surplus:* The US launched an investigation on Wednesday under Section 301 (b) of the Trade Act of 1974 into 16 countries, including India and China, citing structural excess capacity and over-production in specific manufacturing sectors. This is the first such probe launched by the Trump administration after the US Supreme Court declared his reciprocal tariffs illegal in February this year. The Section 301 Committee will convene public hearings on May 5, which means that fresh tariffs could be imposed on India and other countries after May. Targeting India, the US Trade Representative said India had a trade surplus of $58 billion with the US in 2025, and that the sectors include textiles, health, construction goods, and automotive goods. https://www.inexp.in/ZY0TMv In our _Opinion_ section today, Sanjaya Baru sheds light on the strategic relevance of India’s policy of self-reliance (atmanirbharta) amid the increasing weaponization of trade by the United States. He suggests that this policy needs to stand up to the challenge of neo-imperialism posed by Trump’s aggressive moves. Baru writes: “While Prime Minister Modi seems to have adopted Indira Gandhi as his role model on a range of policy issues and in his style of prime ministerial governance, he has not yet acquired her sense of personal courage and confidence to stand up to such external bullying. Standing up to Pakistan is okay. But she stood up to the Big Powers.” https://www.inexp.in/lGkkt7 ⏳ *And Finally…* *Roadmap:* As India lines up to play more ODIs than it was originally scheduled in the Future Tours Programme, the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma as mascots could lead to fixture congestion for the team over the next 12 months. Post the Indian Premier League, the team will once again face a packed schedule. “Playing more ODIs will also help India with an eye on the September-October 2027 World Cup in South Africa, played under conditions that will need adapting. Although the T20 team has been unbeatable, in ODIs, India are still not a rounded outfit. It lacks balance, and their recent series defeat against New Zealand at home proved to be a reality check,” Venkata Krishna B writes. https://www.inexp.in/G1VyLw 🎧 Lastly, tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss the impact of LPG shortage on eateries across multiple Indian states, the country’s very first case of passive euthanasia, and a new oil refinery in the US with a unique India connection. https://www.inexp.in/p98-yX *That’s all for today. Have a wonderful day!* _*Until next time,*_ _*Ariba*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-daily-briefing-nepal-voters-choose-new-leadership-10569223/ Good morning! In a major political churn, a generational shift appears to be unfolding in Nepal’s politics, with voters backing a new party over the long-dominant establishment. The country has rejected the old guard, choosing the three-year-old Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and clearing the decks for its leader Balendra ‘Balen’ Shah to become Prime Minister. The 35-year-old rapper-turned politician and former Kathmandu mayor took a healthy lead over his UML rival and former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5. The result is being closely watched in India amid concerns over Nepal’s political direction, territorial disputes, and China’s growing influence in the region. https://www.inexp.in/JhCau3 *With that, let’s move on to the top five stories from today’s edition:* 🚨 *Big Story* _*“Unconditional Surrender”*_ US President Donald Trump has taken a stern approach to the escalating conflict with Iran, declaring that the United States will not pursue any negotiations unless Tehran agrees to an “unconditional surrender.” As the conflict between the US-Israel alliance and Iran intensifies across West Asia and the Indian Ocean, expanding from air strikes to naval engagements and drone attacks, Trump signalled that diplomacy is off the table. “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER! After that… we will work tirelessly to bring Iran back from the brink… making it economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before. MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN (MIGA!),” Trump said. https://www.inexp.in/ltFYW6 *Escape plan:* Nearly 9,000 Indians remain stranded in Iran, prompting the Centre to draw up plans for a possible evacuation. A majority of them are students, many from Jammu and Kashmir, along with others from states such as Uttar Pradesh, pursuing courses in Iranian universities. Large numbers are currently in Tehran and the religious city of Qom. Evacuation, however, has become complicated after Iran shut its airspace following the US and Israeli air strikes that began on February 28. Officials are now exploring alternative land routes through neighbouring Armenia and Turkmenistan, from where stranded Indians could be flown back home. https://www.inexp.in/+HPyHY ⚡ *Only in Express* _*“I’ve always seen India as a nation of peace”*_ In an interview with The Indian Express on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue, Finland President Alexander Stubb shared his views on India’s growth, its peacemaking abilities, bilateral cooperation, his assessment of US President Donald Trump, the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, and his advice to Indian youth. Stubb, who is on a state visit to India, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the two leaders decided to upgrade ties to a strategic partnership on digitalisation and sustainability. https://www.inexp.in/Tr34F+ *Aravalli row:* The definition of the Aravalli hills has come under scrutiny yet again in the Supreme Court, with an amicus curiae alleging that a committee led by the Environment Ministry Secretary suppressed the Forest Survey of India’s (FSI) views. The FSI had submitted a report in September 2025 highlighting the ecological importance of hills of varying heights, but the ministry’s affidavit did not mention it. The committee defined the Aravallis using a 100-metre height criterion, which the FSI opposed, suggesting an alternative definition. Investigations by The Indian Express in November–December 2025 reported that this benchmark would exclude 90% of Aravalli hills, that the CEC’s objection was overlooked, and that the Supreme Court had rejected the 100-metre benchmark in 2010. https://www.inexp.in/JT0Na0 💡 *Express Explained* *Beyond oil:* The fallout of the West Asia conflict may extend far beyond oil, quietly hitting several core Indian industries that rely on the region for key raw materials. From construction to fertilisers, steel and even diamonds, supply chains could face pressure if tensions disrupt Gulf logistics hubs or shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. India imports a large share of crucial inputs such as limestone, gypsum, sulphur and direct reduced iron (DRI) from West Asia—materials essential for cement production, infrastructure projects, fertiliser manufacturing and steelmaking. While some industries may find alternative suppliers, experts say rising oil and gas prices could still push up production costs across sectors. https://www.inexp.in/rvctuV ✍️ *Express Opinion* In our Opinion section today, Arun Prakash argues that the US sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena near Sri Lanka marks a dangerous expansion of the West Asia conflict into the Indian Ocean. The vessel, which had earlier visited Visakhapatnam for an international fleet review, was torpedoed by a US submarine using a Mark-48 missile, an attack described by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth as a “quiet death”. Prakash writes that the strike reflects today’s geopolitical reality: the ability to strike anywhere now defines power, while also risking disruptions to global shipping and higher insurance and freight costs. https://www.inexp.in/7UDEmD 🎬 *Movie Review* If you’re looking for something to watch this weekend, Subedaar might be worth checking out. Directed by Suresh Triveni, the film follows Subedaar Arjun Maurya, played by Anil Kapoor, a mid-level Army man who returns to a troubled small town and takes on a sand mafia running illegal mining operations. The film leans into the old-school Bollywood trope of a lone hero confronting a corrupt system. While the dusty small-town setting and Kapoor’s performance stand out, Shubhra Gupta writes that the narrative loses steam at times because of uneven pacing and some forced action sequences. https://www.inexp.in/O345yd _*That’s it for today, have a lovely weekend!*_ *Until next time,* *Anupama*

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10565289/ _*Good morning,*_ Many Indians who are stranded in Dubai in the aftermath of the US-Israel attack on Iran and Iran’s retaliation are now being forced to spend lakhs of rupees in unforeseen costs. This includes extra days of hotel accommodations and expensive tickets for the few flights that have resumed to return to India. Even for those whose flights weren’t cancelled, unexpected costs have come up. While some have spent over Rs 1 lakh in extra costs in the past four days, people also flagged that sensational and false coverage of the situation in Dubai on Indian TV channels was causing panic amongst family members of those stranded there. https://www.inexp.in/FOI+Vj _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ * US sinks Iranian warship * Bihar CM Nitish Kumar’s exit * India vs England T20 semifinals today 🚨 *Big Story* *‘Quiet death’:* An Iranian warship was torpedoed by a United States submarine off the southern coast of Sri Lanka in the early hours of Wednesday. The warship was on its way back from Visakhapatnam after participating in an International Fleet Review exercise organised by the Indian Navy on February 17 and 18. It was the first such attack on an enemy since World War II, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said in a Pentagon briefing. 87 bodies were brought in by military rescuers to the hospital in the Sri Lankan port city of Galle. Another 32 have been rescued and were ⁠being treated at the hospital, and about 60 people were likely unaccounted for from an estimated 180 people on board, Sri Lankan authorities said. https://www.inexp.in/7ATdqj The latest strike off Sri Lanka raises questions about the legality of a military strike in international waters. A military strike in international waters is typically prohibited under international law, given that international waters are reserved for “peaceful purposes”, under Article 88 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). While international maritime law falls under the purview of the UNCLOS, regarded as the Constitution of the Oceans, the US is not a party to it. We explain. https://www.inexp.in/2JnTkn *Supply cut:* Amid the ongoing West Asia conflict and the heavy disruption in vessel transit through the critical chokepoint of the Strait of Hormuz, India’s largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), Petronet LNG, has issued force majeure notices to its key supplier, QatarEnergy, and its off-takers, GAIL (India), Indian Oil Corporation, and Bharat Petroleum Corporation. QatarEnergy has also issued force majeure notices, indicating an LNG supply cut. According to sources, gas supplies to some sectors in India have been reduced in anticipation of tighter LNG deliveries to the country amid the West Asia crisis. https://www.inexp.in/wuaLK0 *No war risk cover:* The rising tensions have also disrupted regional and global trade flows, with freight and marine insurance premiums up by nearly 80 per cent. Insurers are reassessing war-risk premiums and withdrawing marine hull war-risk cover, leading to an increase in logistics costs and potentially adding more pressure on supply chains. War risk cover will be excluded in Iranian waters, as well as the Gulf and adjacent waters. Public sector GIC Re is withdrawing marine hull war risk cover in select high-risk global regions, which include the Persian Gulf, Black Sea and Red Sea. https://www.inexp.in/iu5QG0 ⚡ *Only in Express* *Nobody wants the keys:* As the ruling Mahayuti government in Maharashtra ramps up its efforts to crack down on illegal Bangladeshi nationals, a detention centre in Bhoiwada built exclusively to hold such migrants ahead of their deportation has remained unused for months. This reveals a casualty of bureaucratic deadlock over who should run it. While the facility has been “almost ready” for several months, the Social Justice and Special Assistance department thinks their staff are not equipped to handle foreign nationals picked up by the cops. Meanwhile, police officials say the migrants are neither accused in a criminal case nor in judicial custody, and therefore not theirs to keep. https://www.inexp.in/t2qI7U 📰 *From the Front Page* *End of an era?* Senior leaders from the Janata Dal (United) and members of Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s family were at his residence last night to dissuade him from stepping down from the position. Given his failing health, however, decks were being cleared for his exit on Wednesday. His exit was on the cards even when he was sworn in as CM in November 2025 following a landslide win for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Leaders from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and ally JD(U) have said that Nitish is most likely to file his nomination for Rajya Sabha. The new CM will most likely be from JD(U) or BJP. https://www.inexp.in/375Z03 *A direct challenge:* The escalating conflict in West Asia has begun to cast a long and ominous shadow over India’s economy. The rupee slid past the psychologically crucial 92-mark to 92.17 against the US dollar on Wednesday morning. This comes as surging crude oil prices and disrupted trade flows threaten to make imports costlier, stoke inflationary pressures, and impact the monetary policy of the country. A weaker rupee, rising import costs, mounting inflationary pressures and a potential recalibration of monetary policy now loom large. What began as a distant geopolitical confrontation is fast developing into a direct economic challenge for the country. https://www.inexp.in/Z0LEL- *In remembrance:* Hari Kishan Dua, the editor of mainline major English newspapers, including The Indian Express (1994-96), and a former member of the Rajya Sabha, passed away on Wednesday (March 4, 2026). Coomi Kapoor, in an obituary, deeply mourns his passing away, and writes: “Dua’s integrity was unimpeachable, and when a newspaper owner allegedly asked him to use his political contacts to bail him out over some foreign exchange cases filed against him, he refused to oblige and lost his job. He took up the issue with the Press Council of India.” https://www.inexp.in/dJKsCa 📌 *Must Read* In our _Opinion_ columns today, Manav Sachdeva delves into the reasons provided by the US and Israel for launching an intensive military campaign against Iran, and its consequences for the world. Sachdeva writes: “If nuclear weapons are catastrophic, they are catastrophic everywhere. If deterrence is legitimate, it cannot be the exclusive privilege of the powerful. Otherwise, the doctrine becomes transparent: Some states may own the ultimate weapon; others may be bombed to prevent them from approaching it. This is not non-proliferation. It is a hierarchy, enforced by missiles, that carries enormous risk, humanitarian, strategic, economic, and geopolitical.” https://www.inexp.in/bWeYlA The US-Israel-Iran conflict forces us to recall a different invasion from 20 years ago that profoundly reshaped the Middle East. The stated aim of the 2003 invasion of Iraq — led by the US and involving troops from the UK, Australia, Denmark, the Netherlands and Poland — was to destroy its “weapons of mass destruction (WMDs)” and “liberate” its people from the rule of Saddam Hussein. Two decades on, Iraq continues to bear deep scars from that invasion — internecine conflict, insurgency, state fragmentation and the rise of extremist groups. Here’s the full story. https://www.inexp.in/YPUH89 ⏳ *And Finally…* *India vs England today:* From Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, to Shivam Dube, the India team could be seen sweating on areas that need work as they are set to battle against England at the ICC T20 World Cup Semifinals on Thursday. While the mood is very different today from that at the beginning of the WC 2026, Sriram Veera suggests that the path is clearer for India now than it has been in years. “For a coach who’s staked his credibility on strategic thinking, the opportunity is glaring. And unforgiving… Gambhir has spent his career not caring what the world thinks. On Thursday, the world won’t care what he thinks either. Only what he delivers.” https://www.inexp.in/n5WYBQ 🎧 Lastly, tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss how actor Vijay’s TVK is disrupting Tamil Nadu’s long-standing DMK-AIADMK duopoly. We also discuss Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, following in India, as well as gaps in the implementation of the Centre’s welfare schemes in Bihar. https://www.inexp.in/IqF7yp _*That’s all for today. Have a wonderful day!*_ *Until next time,* *Ariba*

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-top-news-today-10567269/ _*Good morning,*_ The T20 World Cup 2026 started indifferently but turned into an imperious march, finally taking India to the Finals against New Zealand. Sanju Samson’s 89 runs, Tilak Verma’s cameo, Axar Patel’s brilliant catch, Jasprit Bumrah’s yorker-filled overs, it was that kind of “collective effort” that helped India beat England in the semifinals. Sriram Veera writes: “Just when things turned bleak, or a teammate floundered, someone stood up. When Abhishek fell, Samson-counseled Ishan Kishan. When Adil Rashid was in the midst of a dreamy spell, Gambhir and Surya sent in Shivam Dube to attack him. And the tall, beefy sniper did his job with some sharp shooting.” https://www.inexp.in/TyYWTW _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ * India’s response to IRIS Dena’s distress call * India beat England * Maha Cabinet clears ‘anti-love jihad’ Bill 🚨 *Big Story* A day after a United States submarine torpedo sank an Iranian warship near Sri Lanka on its way back home after participating in a military exercise in the Indian city of Visakhapatnam, the Indian Navy said it had sent its aircraft and ships to augment the search and rescue (SAR) efforts for IRIS Dena after it put out a distress call. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri also visited the Iranian embassy in New Delhi on Thursday and signed the condolence book – the first public gesture from the government ever since the assassination of the Iranian leader. https://www.inexp.in/uOaslq *In a first:* Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday asserted that “no issue can be resolved solely through military conflict” and Delhi will continue to support every effort to end the conflict and restore peace, be it in West Asia or Ukraine. For the first time, Modi emphasised the need for the “rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy” in the context of the US-Israel attacks on Iran and Tehran’s counter-attacks on Israel and US military bases and personnel in the region. https://www.inexp.in/5C7mwH Amidst the massive disruption in vessel passage from the Strait of Hormuz due to the West Asia conflict, there are early signs of India increasing its intake of Russian crude. Two crude oil tankers laden with Russian oil, which were earlier showing East Asia as their destination, arrived at Indian ports on Thursday, as per ship tracking data. This comes after India, in recent months, cut down significantly on its oil imports from Russia amid trade negotiations with the US. https://www.inexp.in/9-MJQx The Indian government, meanwhile, was in talks with the US on political risk insurance and guarantees that President Donald Trump promised to merchant vessels, particularly energy cargoes, transiting the Strait of Hormuz. A bulk of India’s oil and gas supplies pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy flows — which has effectively come to a halt. Sources assured that India is in a comfortable position with regard to oil and fuel stocks, and there was no need at present to ration fuels. They also ruled out any increase in retail fuel prices for the time being. https://www.inexp.in/1k0unB ⚡ *Only in Express* On March 1, the oil tanker MKD Vyom was hit by an unmanned boat off the coast of Muscat Governorate — a casualty of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. The attack, allegedly from the Iranian side, resulted in a fire and explosion in the engine room, killing 32-year-old worker, Dixit Solanki. Dixit was a resident of Mahaveer Nagar in Maharashtra’s Kandivali West. Five days later, his family still bears no clarity on whether Dixit’s body has been found. His father Amratlal, who is an ex-seafarer, alleges he has been receiving conflicting information. Amratlal has also refused to garland Dixit’s photo frame. His reason? The body has yet to be found. Since the news broke, the family has kept to themselves, with his father demanding answers. https://www.inexp.in/mz7vgC 📰 *From the Front Page* Bihar’s longest-serving Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Thursday filed nomination papers for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections. This clears the decks for a new CM, likely from the BJP, to take charge, leaving many in the JD(U) in disbelief. Nitish’s impending move comes months after he set a record by taking oath as CM for the 10th time. His departure from Bihar politics will mark the end of the dominance of the socialist parties. While Nitish hasn’t resigned as CM yet, the NDA has started the process of power transfer. Here’s how parties in Bihar are preparing for the change. https://www.inexp.in/iN6B0j *Reshuffle:* As part of major gubernatorial appointments announced by President Droupadi Murmu, Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi who had been at loggerheads with the DMK-led government in the state replaced West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose, who resigned, citing “personal reasons.” Also, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, retired diplomat will be the new Lt Governor of Delhi, replacing Vinai Kumar Saxena, now posted to Ladakh as L-G. According to BJP insiders, this reshuffle was part of a national exercise that also included a possible Union Cabinet reshuffle. It would likely put in place a fresh team for newly-appointed BJP national president Nitin Nabin and an evaluation of all BJP-run state governments in the country. https://www.inexp.in/TUSl9+ *India tour:* The Iranian sailors, who are now dead or missing after their warship was sunk by a US submarine on Wednesday, had visited India to participate in the International Fleet Review (IFR) and Milan 2026 naval exercises. They spent their time visiting Rushikonda hilltop known as Kailasagiri, the Victory at Sea War Memorial, the submarine museum, and the Sankalp Art Village on the outskirts of Vizag. The foreign naval officers also travelled to see the Taj Mahal and Bodh Gaya. “On their last day, they went sightseeing and shopping. They were impressed with the glass skywalk at Kailasagiri,” one of their Navy guides recalled. https://www.inexp.in/YCf-yf 📌 *Must Read* The Maharashtra Cabinet on Thursday approved a draft anti-conversion law titled ‘Dharma Swatantrya Adhiniyam, 2026′, proposing up to seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 5 lakh for unlawful or forced religious conversions. BJP minister Nitesh Rane told _The Indian Express_ the law would prevent the forcible marriage and conversion of Hindu girls. The Bill is expected to be tabled in the state legislature during the ongoing budget session, sources told this newspaper. _The Indian Express_ on February 27 had first reported that a draft of the anti-conversion law was under consideration. https://www.inexp.in/nBXXTk *Legality:* The sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena off the Sri Lanka coast, in which at least 80 sailors were killed, has widened the theatre of the war between US-Israel and Iran — beyond West Asia and the Gulf to India’s immediate neighbourhood. It has also ignited a debate in India about maritime security in the Indian Ocean, a region where New Delhi maintains a significant naval presence. Several Indian Navy officers maintained that once a ship enters international waters, there is not much of a role any country can play in protecting it from an adversarial force. Here’s a look at what maritime law and conventions say. https://www.inexp.in/meS6JO In our _Opinion_ section today, Shashi Tharoor emphasises the need for India to call for dialogue and de-escalation amidst the escalating conflict in West Asia. Tharoor writes: “Uncomfortable questions persist about the strategic logic of unleashing war. Was this gamble for regime change inspired by a desire to create a unipolar West Asia, integrating currently sanctioned Iranian oil into world markets under a more friendly government? Such a theory is plausible, given that the stated reason, nuclear weapons, had already been settled at the negotiating table, and because regime change would achieve a number of broader geostrategic objectives: Reduce Russia’s energy leverage over Europe and dilute China’s clout in the region by pulling Iran and its energy resources into the West’s orbit.” https://www.inexp.in/ye+iLG ⏳ *And Finally…* Ever wondered, beyond the obvious captaincy, what might qualify one to be a good leader on the cricket pitch? Well, look nowhere other than Sanju Samson’s acts of gentleness and reassurance at the Wankhede on Thursday. Occasionally, when Samson detected younger partners showing nerves, he would walk over for a chat. In the chase too, he embedded himself thick into the action – often making field changes, running to speak to the bowlers. Sriram Veera, hailing the batsman and the leader, writes: “Samson, the senior player, was truly on show in every sense of the word. For all the mentorship roles that might go unnoticed, it’s his sparkling shots that would linger in the memory of fans for a long while.” https://www.inexp.in/mMnlkl 🎧 Lastly, tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss the impact of the US-Israel-Iran war on Indians living in the Gulf. We also delve into the Punjab government’s actions to control a water-borne disease outbreak in Ferozepur, as well as IRIS Dena, the Iranian warship torpedoed by a US submarine this week. https://www.inexp.in/G1T-34 *That’s all for today. Have a wonderful day!* _*Until next time,*_ _*Ariba*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/top-news-today-daily-briefing-trump-signals-prolonged-military-action-on-iran-10562166/ Good morning, As the US–Israel and Iran conflict enters its fourth day, the crisis is sharpening on multiple fronts. On the battlefield, US Central Command confirmed three American service members were killed and five seriously wounded during “Operation Epic Fury,” marking a deadly escalation for US forces. Qatar has hinted at retaliation, warning that Iran “has a price to pay,” even as Israeli strikes intensified, with the military claiming it is targeting the “heart” of Tehran. In Iran, Ayatollah Alireza Arafi has assumed the Supreme Leader’s powers under Article 111 of the Constitution following Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s killing. Markets are already jittery, gold has surged past $5,200 an ounce, while energy traders are watching the Strait of Hormuz, the chokepoint for roughly one-fifth of global oil flows. https://www.inexp.in/pbLASL *On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition. 👇* 🚨 *Big Story* _*“A ‘big wave’ in the Iran war is yet to come”*_ With the conflict deepening, US President Donald Trump said America’s objectives are clear: to destroy Tehran’s nuclear capabilities, end its nuclear ambitions and cripple its navy. He claimed Iran ignored Washington’s warning not to restart its nuclear programme and added that the US military is prepared to sustain its assault on Tehran for “four to five weeks” if necessary. Trump also said Iran “can’t continue to arm, fund and direct terrorist armies outside its borders.” He noted the mission is already substantially ahead of schedule but stressed that the US has the “capability to go far longer.” The president said the strikes, launched jointly with Israel on Saturday, are intended to ensure Iran “can never obtain a nuclear weapon.” https://www.inexp.in/xNBP-p *Exit alert:* Amid spiralling Middle East tensions, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has urged Americans to immediately leave 13 regional countries, citing “serious safety risks” as Iran–Israel–US hostilities escalate. The advisory covers Iran, Iraq, Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Bahrain, Egypt, Oman, Syria and Yemen. US citizens have been told to depart using commercial flights where available. The warning comes as the UAE confirmed it intercepted a third wave of Iranian missile strikes targeting civilian and military sites. https://www.inexp.in/0pjYJU ⚡ *Only in Express* In today’s Opinion, Sonia Gandhi, chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party and a Rajya Sabha member, asks whether the Government of India’s silence on the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader signals a troubling retreat from its stated foreign-policy principles. The piece argues that India’s stance appears inconsistent with its traditional positions on sovereign equality, non-intervention and peaceful dispute resolution. The column also highlights India’s historic civilisational and strategic ties with Iran and recalls Tehran’s past diplomatic support to New Delhi. It concludes that silence at a moment of strain in the rules-based order amounts to abdication rather than neutrality — but at what cost to India’s strategic credibility? https://www.inexp.in/8UUuGC 📰 *From the Front Page* *Nepal youth test:* Nepal heads to the polls on March 5 in its first election since the September 2025 Gen Z protests that toppled the government, but the political arena remains dominated by familiar faces. Veteran leaders such as Sher Bahadur Deuba, K. P. Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Baburam Bhattarai, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhala Nath Khanal continue to wield influence despite the youth-led anti-establishment wave. The Gagan Thapa-led push within the Nepali Congress and the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, banking on youth support and projecting Balendra Shah, reflect attempts to harness Gen Z energy. With nearly 1.9 crore voters, about 60 per cent aged between 18-49, the youth vote could prove decisive, even as tensions linger over the unreleased probe into the protest crackdown that left 77 dead. https://www.inexp.in/XiWWwB *Students stranded:* With war intensifying in West Asia, Kashmiri students who had returned home after January’s unrest in Iran are once again stranded after travelling back to resume exams. With flights scarce and uncertainty mounting, families in Kashmir say the situation feels far more frightening this time. Students describe rising anxiety over safety, patchy communications, and mounting hurdles in securing evacuation. Several had earlier been evacuated or returned at their own expense, only to be caught in the fresh spiral of violence. While authorities say they are monitoring developments, worried parents and students are urgently seeking a clearer, time-bound evacuation plan. https://www.inexp.in/ext80i 🎧 For more on Us-Israel vs Iran, and Uranium deal with Canada, tune in to today’s ‘ *3 Things* ’ podcast episode. https://www.inexp.in/n5CV4Y 📌 *Must Read* *Uranium boost:* The headline outcome of the March 2 meeting between PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney was a $2.6 billion uranium supply agreement aimed at boosting India’s civil nuclear energy programme. Under the deal, Canada’s Cameco will provide long-term uranium supplies to support India’s push for clean, reliable baseload power. Both sides also agreed to collaborate on small modular and advanced nuclear reactors. The uranium pact comes as New Delhi and Ottawa work to reset strained ties and simultaneously push negotiations to conclude a broader free trade agreement by the end of the year, with a target to raise bilateral trade to $50 billion by 2030. https://www.inexp.in/5REFkH *Scheme gaps:* The Comptroller and Auditor General has flagged significant implementation gaps in Ayushman Bharat (PMJAY) and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Bihar, pointing to weaknesses in beneficiary verification, instances of ineligible beneficiaries, and data inconsistencies in the health scheme. The audit also highlighted delays and deficiencies in claim processing and monitoring. Under PMAY, the CAG noted underutilisation of funds and a large number of sanctioned houses that remained incomplete or delayed. It also flagged issues in beneficiary selection and validation, calling for stronger oversight, tighter data controls and improved monitoring mechanisms. https://www.inexp.in/+nTGI+ ⏳ *And Finally...* *Colourful chaos:* At Shahjahanpur, Holi takes on a uniquely daring twist with the annual “Juta‑Maar Holi”, where a 35-year-old man has stepped into the role of the Laat Sahab for the fifth time, wielding a stick to playfully chase and beat revelers. Despite the unusual ritual, locals say the spectacle is all in good fun, and they marvel at the perseverance of the man who keeps the centuries-old custom alive. The festival draws crowds who enjoy the lively and quirky celebration, making it a memorable and distinctly local way to celebrate Holi. https://www.inexp.in/nxVizN _*That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow,*_ _*Anupama*_

☕ *Your Expresso is ready!* 📬 *Get this delivered straight to your inbox:* https://indianexpress.com/newsletters/ *Read this newsletter in a single page:* https://indianexpress.com/article/live-news/daily-briefing-india-united-states-israel-iran-war-top-news-today-10564139/ _*Good morning! Happy Holi!*_ *A note of caution:* The Ministry of External Affairs had advised the Commerce Ministry against a “ministerial meeting” with Microsoft cofounder and philanthropist Bill Gates during his visit to India last month amid renewed global scrutiny over Gates’s associations with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The advice came in response to the Ministry seeking MEA’s opinion regarding an event organised by industry body Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to mark its centenary year on February 19, the same day when the India AI Impact Summit began. The MEA’s note of caution came amid widespread global scrutiny of Gates’s relationship with Epstein, which reportedly began in 2011, three years after Epstein’s initial conviction for sex crimes involving minors. https://www.inexp.in/hgFrqd _With that, let’s move on to the top five stories from today’s edition:_ 🚨 *Big Story* The Middle East conflict on Wednesday entered a volatile fifth day, witnessing intensive large-scale combat operations since the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In the past 24 hours, Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian missile launchers and a nuclear research site, while Iran struck back, targeting US embassies and disrupting energy supplies and travel across the Gulf region. Follow here to receive the latest updates on the US-Israel-Iran war. https://www.inexp.in/Gmoyv- *On the Govt table:* As the war rages, the Indian government is preparing on three key fronts: safety of its citizens in West Asian countries, protecting the middle class from any impact of oil prices, and aligning its diplomatic outreach in the region with national interest in mind. Nearly 10 million Indian citizens live in West Asian countries, and their safety has become a point of great concern for the government. The internal assessment is that the war may be over in a week, according to top sources, who added that the government is preparing for the worst, that is, the war carrying on for six months. https://www.inexp.in/8zZ19r *Stockpile:* Amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia, a senior official from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) said that India possesses crude oil and fuel stocks that would last six to eight weeks and is in a “reasonably comfortable” position to prevent any near-term supply shortage when it comes to major fuels like petrol, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). However, in the case of liquefied natural gas (LNG), India’s cushion is thinner as additional LNG stockpiling is significantly more challenging than crude oil and petroleum fuels. This is because India’s largest LNG supplier, Qatar, has also halted LNG production after a couple of its facilities were attacked by Iran. https://www.inexp.in/aU55TN ⚡ *Only in Express* The number of Indian migrants in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has jumped from roughly 0.97 million in the early 2000s to about 3.56 million now. This makes Indians (NRIs and PIOs included) the largest expatriate group in the UAE, accounting for one-third of its migrant population, followed by Pakistanis, Filipinos and Egyptians. At 3.3 million, Indians make up as much as 35% of the country’s population. As the consequences of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran spread across the Gulf region, these numbers are among those directly impacted. The Indian government early this week stated that their “safety and well-being is of utmost priority. We cannot be impervious to any development that negatively affects them.” My colleagues Divya A and Vikas Pathak explore the relationship between India and the UAE, based on growing numbers, widening trade and expanding diversity. https://www.inexp.in/X9CW9z 💡 *Express Explained* Following the Supreme Court’s order imposing a “complete blanket ban” on the NCERT class 8 social science textbook over a section on “corruption in the judiciary” last week, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said action would be taken against those who were involved in preparing the chapter. The NCERT comprises a set of groups and committees that prepare and oversee the new textbooks being developed in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE) 2023. What are these groups and committees, and what is the process behind drafting the books? We explain. https://www.inexp.in/aXxqWA ✍️ *Express Opinion* In our _Opinion_ section today, C Raja Mohan delves deeper into the role of minorities in Iran in shaping the country’s political future. Kurdish geography continues to cast a large shadow on Middle East politics, with Kurds insisting on having a voice in any political rearrangement of Iran after the fall of the Islamic Republic. Raja Mohan writes: “This brings us to a question often debated in Israel and the US: Can Iran’s ethnic and sectarian divides be leveraged to produce regime change? Probing the internal contradictions of an adversary — its domestic cleavages as well as the fragility of its alliances — has been integral to strategy since antiquity. It remains central today in the contest between the US-Israel coalition and Iran.” https://www.inexp.in/weBMGV ⏳ *And Finally…* *A cricket feast:* The New Zealand versus South Africa T20 World Cup semifinal at Eden Gardens on Tuesday will be as vibrantly colourful as the Holi festivities outside the arena, with varied layers of artful deception. With a brilliant line-up of power hitters and cultured strikers, the two teams have everything that is valued in the format, writes Sandip G. “It’s a closer contest than their journeys in the tournament suggest. South Africa have been strolling, huffing only against Afghanistan; New Zealand scraped into the last four, pipping Pakistan on net run rate. But the format’s nature is that it takes just a red hot spell or a shower of sixes to flip the script. Both sides have individual firepower.” https://www.inexp.in/oB68Uq _*That’s it for today!*_ *Until next time,* *Ariba*