☕ *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-10587823/ _*Good morning,*_ In what it refers to as a ‘revenge’ for Israel’s attack on top security official, Ali Larijani, which led to his death on Tuesday, Iran launched multiple-warhead missiles at the former early Wednesday. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council has confirmed the killing of its secretary Larijani, along with his son Morteza Larijani and the head of his office, Alireza Bayat, as well as several guards, the Associated Press reported. Meanwhile, a top US counterterrorism official, nominated by President Donald Trump, resigned on Tuesday, citing Washington’s war against Iran and said he “cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran”. Follow here for the latest updates from the US-Israel-Iran war. https://www.inexp.in/i7Dwzs _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ * PM Modi condemns attacks on the UAE * Inside the AI data centre in Noida * IPL’s 300-run chase 🚨 *Big Story* The Centre may allow the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Defence, and Information and Broadcasting to issue content-blocking orders to social media platforms soon. This move will impact tech platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube, which may receive blocking orders from a wide range of government agencies. Set to be implemented under Section 69 (A) of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the amendment was necessitated due to the proliferation of AI-generated misleading content on the internet, government officials said. Its scope could also widen to allow regulators like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to send takedown orders directly to tech companies. https://www.inexp.in/+kCOWt ⚡ *Only in Express* Need help breaking down a complex economics concept? Or wish you had someone to read through the first draft of your research paper? As you look for help from your go-to AI chatbot, my colleague Devansh Mittal shares glimpses from inside a 20-acre data centre park in Greater Noida, where billions of these complex mathematical calculations are done at a blinding speed. These data centres are essentially this: giant physical structures that power the virtual world of artificial intelligence. Built by Yotta, a Mumbai-based AI and cloud infrastructure company, the D1 Data Centre is the first of six that the company plans to build on campus. Backed by the Hiranandani Group, Yotta hosts one of the largest clusters of AI computing infrastructure in India across its various data centres, including its facility in Navi Mumbai that’s described as the biggest in India. https://www.inexp.in/SzpYQ5 📰 *From the Front Page* *NIA net:* Six Ukrainians and one US citizen were detained by law enforcement agencies in an extraordinary operation last Friday at three airports on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India. The key charges against these seven foreign nationals included: illegally entering restricted areas in Mizoram, crossing into Myanmar without permits, training ethnic armed groups and facilitating the supply of drone consignments from Europe to insurgent-linked networks. On Monday, their custody was extended until March 27, an additional 11 days. https://www.inexp.in/-N5+qh *Protest:* Four days after their arrests, the Ukrainian government lodged an official protest with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), demanding the “immediate release” of its citizens and “unimpeded consular access”. In its statement, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that “the charges concern unauthorised presence in the state of Mizoram, access to which requires a special permit, as well as the alleged illegal crossing of the state border between India and Myanmar”. However, it made no reference to allegations of “carrying out terrorist acts against India”. https://www.inexp.in/TYh9lQ *Sharpest statement:* Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan escalated on Tuesday, with more than 400 people killed and more than 250 injured in an airstrike by Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, the Taliban authorities stated. Rejecting the Afghan charge, Pakistan said it “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure” Monday night. Condemning the “barbaric” attack, India released its sharpest statement, calling the attack a “heinous act of aggression by Pakistan” and “a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty”. https://www.inexp.in/U-itLn 📌 *Must Read* In talks with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, for the second time since the war began on February 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned all attacks on the Gulf country and agreed with MBZ to continue to work together for the early restoration of peace, security and stability in West Asia. This signals that Delhi has chosen to speak for the Gulf countries, India’s strong regional partners. Sharing a post on X, PM Modi said he and the UAE President agreed on the importance of ensuring safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. https://www.inexp.in/M3-uKe In our _Opinion_ section today, C Raja Mohan delves into the political contest that has gripped Persian New Year celebrations in Iran. He considers Reza Pahlavi’s call to the Iranian people to celebrate the festival with vigour amid the war “as much a political intervention in a fraught moment as it was a cultural invocation.” Raja Mohan writes: “For those advocating regime change, this tension offers a potential lever. The invocation of pre-Islamic identity aligns with broader efforts at regime change in Iran. But history counsels caution… As Iranians gather around bonfires this week, Chaharshanbe Suri illuminates an important question: Will Iran’s future be shaped more by its enduring civilisational heritage or by its repressive theocracy?” https://www.inexp.in/3W4YSU *Goldilocks era:* Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the US and Israel’s attacks on Iran, and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, in the past year, have shown it’s not just India’s financial markets that are vulnerable to these global shocks, but the economy as a whole. The Indian currency, which fell below 90 and 91 per dollar in December last year, breached 92 earlier this month following the conflict in West Asia. And if crude oil prices remain elevated, 100-per-dollar may not be far away. While the potential hit will be “minuscule,” the impact could become “non-linear and broad-based” at higher levels. We explain. https://www.inexp.in/7Efb-r ⏳ *And Finally…* 🏏 Post-pandemic, the Indian Premier League (IPL) entered the supersonic era. With batsmen and franchises shedding inhibitions, the game became an extended powerplay, writes Sandip G. “Strike rate became the most valued metric. Hit every ball for a six — even if humanly impossible — is the league’s unwritten code. Bowlers are merely happy that not every ball of theirs is hit for a six.” However, the wait for the IPL’s first 300 drags on. But its birth has seldom appeared nearer. What could be the variables involved? Read here. https://www.inexp.in/X9kuhp 🎧 Tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss the fight for extending disability rights for acid ingestion survivors. We also talk about the impact of Nitish Kumar’s transition to the Rajya Sabha on the BJP, JD(U), and Bihar politics. Lastly, we discuss Ujjain student Gurkirat Singh Manocha’s killing in Canada. https://www.inexp.in/f7DJK1 *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-breifing-us-eases-iran-oil-curbs-nato-rift-widens-10593489/ Good morning! India’s surge in “digital arrest” scams, with over 1.23 lakh cases reported in 2024 involving nearly Rs 1,935 crore and total losses nearing Rs 3,000 crore, has prompted a government crackdown. The Union Home Ministry has asked WhatsApp to introduce stronger safeguards against fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials. A key measure is blocking device IDs linked to such scams, making it harder for repeat offenders to create new accounts, with a proposal expected within 45 days. The platform has also been urged to strengthen AI-driven detection to flag impersonation, fake official insignia and malicious APKs, while retaining user data for 180 days to aid investigations. Meta-owned WhatsApp has agreed to several steps and is working to link accounts with active SIMs within 4 to 6 months for better traceability. https://www.inexp.in/aoRFKS *With that, let’s move on to the top five stories from today’s edition:* 🚨 *Big Story* The United States has granted Iran a “temporary waiver”, a 30-day licence allowing the sale of oil already stranded at sea, in a bid to ease pressure on global energy markets. The waiver applies only to existing shipments and does not permit new production or fresh deals. The move is aimed at cooling rising oil and gas prices amid ongoing tensions involving Iran, with an estimated 140 million barrels potentially entering the market. While offering short-term relief on supply, the US has maintained that the measure will not significantly benefit Iran financially, as access to revenues remains restricted. https://www.inexp.in/nkR6DT *NATO rift:* Calling NATO a “paper tiger”, US President Donald Trump lashed out at allies for refusing to back the US-Israel war against Iran, branding them “cowards” and accusing them of inaction. He said member countries had failed to help secure and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a simple military manoeuvre and linking their reluctance to rising global oil prices. His remarks highlight a widening rift with NATO allies, many of whom were neither consulted before the conflict nor willing to get directly involved. On Iran, Trump claimed the war had already been militarily “won” and said there were no leaders left to negotiate with. https://www.inexp.in/QV2e-J ⚡ *Only in Express* After nearly four decades of shaping Delhi’s fight against air pollution, the Supreme Court has closed the MC Mehta case, which began in 1985 and evolved into a continuing mandamus guiding policy through hundreds of directions. Widely seen as a landmark in judicial oversight, the case drove key interventions such as the shift to CNG for public transport, the phasing out of polluting vehicles and fuels, and tighter emission controls, while expanding its focus to multiple pollution sources across the NCR. It also helped cement the idea of clean air as a fundamental right under Article 21 and reinforced the court’s role in environmental governance. Noting that the case had outlived its original scope and contributed to perceptions of pendency, the court has now called for fresh proceedings to tackle present-day air pollution challenges separately. https://www.inexp.in/vcHpyk 💡 *Express Explained* As the US weighs limited sanctions relief on Iranian oil to cool surging global prices, India could see short-term gains. Once a major buyer, with imports peaking at 27.1 million tonnes in 2016–17, India benefited from Iran’s discounts, cheaper shipping and flexible credit. However, US sanctions reimposed during US President Donald Trump’s earlier presidency cut off access after 2019, pushing India to diversify its crude sources. Now, with oil prices rising amid tensions in West Asia and disruptions in key routes like the Strait of Hormuz, allowing sales of Iranian oil already at sea could boost supply and stabilise prices. While any relief is expected to be limited and temporary, it could still help ease India’s import costs during a period of elevated global energy prices. https://www.inexp.in/OIPjL6 ✍️ *Express Opinion* As the Iran war deepens with no clear end in sight, Vivek Katju, former diplomat, argues that India faces a serious and evolving challenge that demands political unity. He highlights the risks to the country’s economic and strategic interests, especially amid attacks on key energy infrastructure, and stresses that domestic divisions could weaken India’s response. Katju calls on the ruling government to take the initiative in building consensus by reaching out to the Opposition, while urging opposition parties to engage constructively despite electoral pressures. While noting that India is already diplomatically engaged with Iran, Gulf nations and global powers, he emphasises the need for greater transparency with political stakeholders. In the face of a prolonged and uncertain conflict, he makes a strong case for coordinated political action at home. https://www.inexp.in/ee+JaS 🎥 *BTS ARIRANG Review* After nearly four years, BTS has reunited with their fifth studio album Arirang, marking a deeply symbolic comeback following their military hiatus. Released on March 20, 2026, along with the music video for its lead track “Swim,” the album signals the group’s return to the global stage while ushering in a new chapter. Drawing on the traditional Korean folk song, Arirang explores themes of identity, separation and reunion, reconnecting the band with their cultural roots. The song’s cinematic video, featuring Lili Reinhart navigating emotional turmoil at sea, mirrors the album’s introspective tone. With contributions from global producers like Diplo, Ryan Tedder and Flume, the project blends scale with sensitivity, even as RM’s recent injury briefly impacted promotions. https://www.inexp.in/cbNJJ7 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-today-daily-briefing-aaps-education-reform-faces-trust-deficit-10584175/ Good morning, 🎭 The spotlight was on Hollywood as the 98th Academy Awards unfolded in Los Angeles, celebrating the year’s biggest cinematic achievements. Hosted by comedian Conan O’Brien, the ceremony saw One Battle After Another named Best Film, setting the tone for a night of major wins. Jessie Buckley took home the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her performance in Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet, while Michael B Jordan won Best Actor in a Leading Role, marking the fourth Academy Award for Sinners. In another major highlight, Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value won Best International Feature Film, with the award presented by actor-producer Priyanka Chopra and Spanish star Javier Bardem. Earlier in the evening, The Girl Who Cried Pearls won Best Animated Short Film, while the musical fantasy K-Pop Demon Hunters bagged Best Animated Feature. 🎬🏆 https://www.inexp.in/fsmDHU *On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition.* 👇 🚨 *Big Story* Four years after the Aam Aadmi Party swept to power in Punjab in 2022 on the promise of a “Sikhya Kranti” or education revolution based on its Delhi model, an investigation by The Indian Express has raised questions about the party leadership’s confidence in the public school system it pledged to transform. While Punjab has recorded improvements in learning levels and now performs better on several parameters, the report found that only one AAP MLA sends their child to a government school, with 30 of 31 MLAs with school-going children opting for private institutions. Many have enrolled their children in elite schools such as The Doon School, The Lawrence School and The Scindia School, while others prefer high-end schools in Chandigarh. The investigation also found that several MLAs moved their children to elite private schools after getting elected, citing reasons such as better exposure, English-medium education, peer environment and teacher shortages for choosing private education, highlighting the gap between the government’s reform claims and the choices of its own lawmakers. https://www.inexp.in/-P5S2e *Leading by example:* Sukhveer Singh Maiserkhana, the AAP MLA from Maur in Bathinda, is the only MLA in Punjab with school-going children studying in government schools in the 2025–26 academic session. His son attends a School of Eminence in Ram Nagar while his daughter studies in a government primary school in Maiserkhana village. Maiserkhana said the decision was meant to keep his children connected to their community and mother tongue, Punjabi, and to build public confidence in government schools. After he moved his son from a private convent school during the Covid period, he said around 50 more families in the area followed, creating a “chain reaction.” https://www.inexp.in/YeG-4x *School reform:* In an interview with The Indian Express, Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said the education system will truly change when MLAs and influential people send their children to government schools. Bains asserted that good infrastructure, academic quality and public trust are key factors that can encourage parents to choose government schools over private institutions adding that the social trust will increase when leaders themselves rely on government schools for their children’s education. https://www.inexp.in/Wny-gK ⚡ *Only in Express* _*“We remain on standby 24 hours”*_ Over 50 threat emails targeting schools and institutions in Delhi have been reported over the past two years, keeping the Delhi Police bomb squad on its toes. The threats have targeted more than 500 schools and institutions, prompting evacuations and large-scale security checks each time. Bomb disposal squads, dog squads, fire teams and local police units are routinely deployed to sweep campuses following such emails. While most of the threats have turned out to be hoaxes, each incident triggers full security protocols, disrupting classes and causing panic among parents and students. Investigators say over 35 emails were sent from different IDs, many containing provocative messages such as “Delhi banega Khalistan.” The latest threat on February 23 targeted Army schools, the Delhi Secretariat, the Assembly and the Speaker’s office. Police say tracing the senders remains difficult due to anonymous email accounts, VPNs and foreign servers masking the origin of the messages. https://www.inexp.in/RdSEEo 📰 *From the Front Page* *Odisha fire:* At least 10 people were killed in a fire that broke out at the ICU of trauma care centre of Odisha’s premier SCB medical college and hospital in Cuttack. As per eye witnesses, the fire broke out between 2:30 am to 3 am. Though the exact cause of fire is yet to be ascertained, officials said it could be due to a short circuit. Several patients, who were on ventilator support at the ICU died due to suffocation even though the fire brigade reached the spot immediately and managed to douse the fire. The exact number of deaths is yet to be confirmed by the SCB authorities. The other patients were immediately shifted to the ICU of other wards of the medical college even as many of their conditions are stated to be critical. https://www.inexp.in/RT2TfR *Bengal polls:* The upcoming West Bengal Assembly election, scheduled in two phases on April 23 and 29, is expected to be shaped by several key factors. Around 60 lakh voters are currently under adjudication in the electoral roll revision process, leaving the final voter list unsettled as campaigning begins. Supplementary lists may continue until the last date of nominations, creating uncertainty about the final electorate. The Trinamool Congress (TMC), seeking a fourth consecutive term after nearly 15 years in power, faces the challenge of grassroots anti-incumbency despite its strong performance in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls and may field new candidates to refresh its image. Meanwhile, the BJP aims to convert its earlier electoral gains into a decisive victory by expanding support among different caste and social groups. https://www.inexp.in/E0zs-k 🎧 *For more on LPG supply concerns, China’s villages near LAC, and five states head to polls, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode.* https://www.inexp.in/90FOay 📌 *Must Read* *LPG crisis:* As the West Asia war crisis continues to grow, data on liquified petroleum gas (LPG) consumption shows that states with the most beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), a programme largely targeting rural households, tend to consume the most LPG overall, though each household in such states uses less LPG per month than those in more urban states. India has about 33.37 crore LPG consumers, including 10.56 crore PMUY beneficiaries, with average household usage at roughly half a cylinder per month, indicating limited consumption in many homes. Total LPG consumption in India has increased six-fold over the last three decades with the highest growth in the 2000s and 2010s when demand grew 8 to 11% annually. However, consumption growth has slowed since 2020 as LPG connections have reached near saturation. Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of LPG consumers (4.87 crore), followed by Maharashtra, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Bihar and Karnataka. https://www.inexp.in/objKy9 *Mimicry row:* A government primary school teacher, Saket Purohit, in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district has been suspended after a video of him mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi went viral. BJP MLA Preetam Lodhi complained that a government employee mocking the Prime Minister violated service conduct rules. Purohit, who teaches classes 1–5 and is also the in-charge of the local “Happiness Department” unit, was found imitating PM Modi's speaking style while making satirical remarks about rising LPG cylinder prices at a social gathering. During the suspension period, he has been attached to the Block Education Office in Badarwas and will receive subsistence allowance. Purohit has termed the action unjustified, saying it was taken without a show-cause notice or hearing and that he only intended to make people laugh. https://www.inexp.in/xH3a-w ⏳ *And Finally...* *AI vs healthcare:* At the Idea Exchange, AIIMS Delhi director Dr M Srinivas spoke to Ankita Upadhyay about the growing role of artificial intelligence in healthcare and the challenges facing public hospitals. Dr Srinivas said AI is not replacing doctors but acting as a filter or triage tool, with final medical decisions remaining with doctors. He noted that AI could help with initial diagnosis in remote areas lacking specialists and enable doctors to focus on more complex cases. https://www.inexp.in/MAeMOG That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Anupama

Surviving a missile attack was only the first hurdle for eight Indian seafarers now stranded in Mumbai without documents or clear answers. After jumping into the ocean to escape a fire on the oil tanker Sky Light near Oman on March 1, the crew—mostly in their early 20s—returned to India on March 18 at 1 pm. While the Ministry of Home Affairs and shipping agencies coordinate, the survivors remain stuck in Navi Mumbai, unable to access bank accounts as their phones, cash, and passports were lost in the sea. The incident, occurring amid the Iran–Israel conflict, claimed the life of the vessel’s captain and left another member missing. Now, these young men from states like West Bengal and Haryana face a bureaucratic battle for compensation and the recovery of their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). "This feels like a second birth... We just want to go back to our villages, live with our families, earn less but be content," said one survivor. The Directorate General of Shipping expects to move the process forward within a day or two, but for the sailors, the trauma of the 7.05 am attack lingers as they wait for the means to finally go home. *Read the full story here:* https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/they-survived-the-missile-strike-but-cant-come-home-8-indian-seafarers-stranded-abroad-after-fire-destroys-documents-10577295/

☕ *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-iran-israel-united-states-middle-east-war-10589854/ _*Good morning,*_ Last week, the Kannur crime branch arrested 55-year-old Parveen Babu and her 32-year-old daughter Sakeena Fathima -- natives of Delhi's Nangloi, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Their arrest comes nearly a decade after the murder of 60-year-old Kunhamina, following which three members of a Delhi family were on the run. Missing alongside them were 10 sovereigns (80 grams) of gold. The absconding family, comprising a woman and her two adult children, spoke multiple languages and moved from state to state using forged identities and documents. However, one small slip — a digital trail — gave them away. The family was tracked down after one of them bought a mobile connection using their own ID proof. Here’s how AI helped the police unravel a decade-old murder. https://www.inexp.in/3O0gln _With that, let’s move on to the top stories from today’s edition:_ * Iran’s intel chief killed * Sharad Pawar in the Rajya Sabha * Indian women’s hockey team coach’s style 🚨 *Big Story* Israel on Wednesday struck the world’s largest natural gas field, South Pars, that Iran shares with Qatar across the Gulf. This is reportedly the first strike on Iranian energy infrastructure in the Gulf since the US-Israel war began on February 28. The attack prompted Tehran to warn its neighbours to evacuate their respective energy installations in the Gulf region. Following the warning, Iranian missile strikes hit the Ras Laffan industrial city, Qatar’s primary gas hub, which reported “significant damage.” Condemning the strikes, Qatar expelled all Iranian attaches at the embassies. Follow the latest updates on the Middle East conflict here. https://www.inexp.in/zCrh6E Jerusalem Tuesday claimed to have killed Tehran’s Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib in an overnight strike. Khatib, who held several senior posts in the Ministry of Intelligence and the Office of the Supreme Leader, had studied Islamic jurisprudence. Back in 2022, Khatib was sanctioned by the US Treasury for his role as head of Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence “for engaging in cyber-enabled activities against the United States and its allies”. Who was Esmail Khatib? Read here. https://www.inexp.in/AqJIPM US President Donald Trump revived a familiar refrain on Sunday, calling on allies in NATO to join the war commenced by the US and Israel against Iran. He warned NATO allies could face a “very bad future” if they refused to help the US in opening up the Strait of Hormuz. These remarks on the alliance have prompted a recall of Trump’s rhetoric at the start of the year, when he took to the stage at Davos to say that the US “never got anything out of NATO.” We explain why NATO doesn’t have to answer Trump’s call. https://www.inexp.in/0UlrTZ *Journey back home:* MT Shivalik, owned by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), began loading LPG in Qatar on February 26. However, as it was prepared to sail two days later, the US and Israel struck Iran. While it moved to different ports, safety remained uncertain. “We could see missiles coming from Iran and hear explosions every day. And here we were, fully loaded with LPG, in the middle of it all. Obviously, the crew was worried and would often come to speak to me. We knew there was only one way out — to sail,” Captain Sukhmeet shared. It was March 14 when they finally sailed past the final stretch of the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz and entered the safer waters of the Gulf of Oman. Know more about their journey here. https://www.inexp.in/am34mo ⚡ *Only in Express* *Back in RS:* As 85-year-old Sharad Pawar enters the Rajya Sabha for his third term this year, the key question emerges: would it mark the end of the road for him, with options fast running out for him? From being on the verge of retirement in 2019, but choosing to bounce back, to portraying himself as a quintessential mass leader who wouldn’t give up, Pawar has been instrumental in the formation of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra. Our in-house columnist, Neerja Chowdhury, writes: “Pawar’s ‘unopposed’ election to the Upper House assumes significance because it could boost the morale of his NCP(SP) when it is down and out. Interestingly, his candidature was not challenged by the BJP, which managed to get the Opposition’s nominees defeated in the Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar and Odisha through abstentions and cross-voting. https://www.inexp.in/umKtQb 📰 *From the Front Page* HDFC Bank part-time Chairman and Independent Director Atanu Chakraborty has resigned with immediate effect, saying “certain happenings and practices within the bank are not in congruence with my personal values and ethics”. It’s learnt that all was not well on the board about the functioning of the bank for some time. The Reserve Bank of India has, meanwhile, appointed Keki Mistry as the interim part-time Chairman of HDFC Bank with effect from March 19 for a period of three months. https://www.inexp.in/ua8sAW *Freedom fighter?* Matthew Aaron VanDyke, a US national, was arrested on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India last week. Accused of leading a group of Ukrainians in the conspiracy, he was detained at Kolkata airport on Friday. Three Ukrainians were detained at Lucknow airport and three at Delhi airport the same day. On his website, VanDyke describes himself as: a “freedom fighter and prisoner of war in the Libyan civil war”, an “award-winning filmmaker”, a “war correspondent in Iraq and Afghanistan”, founder of “Sons of Liberty International (SOLI), the first military contracting firm run on non-profit principles”, and an “international security analyst”. https://www.inexp.in/gG09bZ 📌 *Must Read* In our _Opinion_ section today, Shashi Tharoor sheds light on the Indian populace’s varying stances on the US-Israel-Iran war – accusing the Centre of remaining silent, rather than choosing confrontation. Tharoor writes: “To indulge in sanctimonious moralising by condemning the US-Israeli war on Iran would risk destabilising these relationships. It would jeopardise remittances that sustain millions of Indian households, energy supplies that fuel our economy, and trade ties that underpin our growth. Silence, in this context, is not cowardice. It is a sober recognition of the interconnectedness of our national interests with the realities of the region.” https://www.inexp.in/iR5t3J ✈️ The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Wednesday directed all airlines to ensure that at least 60% of seats on flights are offered without any selection fee, and passengers on the same booking reference, or PNR, are seated together, “preferably in adjacent seats”. The move comes amid complaints that airlines offered very few free-of-charge seats for pre-selection, and that groups or families travelling on the same PNR were not able to sit together. How Indian airlines will implement these directives is not clear yet. Here’s what this move means. https://www.inexp.in/qISzpg ⏳ *And Finally…* *Blueprint:* For Sjoerd Marijne, the current Indian women’s hockey team coach, his training sessions are aimed at imprinting a mindset — one that he believes the team is already beginning to absorb without needing to relive the extremes. What he wants now is something deeper, less visible but far more critical: interdependence. This philosophy is expected to take sharper shape when the squad regroups at the national camp in Bengaluru on March 27. “The agenda is clear — reinforce structure, sharpen discipline, and build a style of play that is unmistakably his,” Mihir Vasavda writes. “Marijne speaks with certainty when he says he ‘knows exactly’ how he wants India to play. The early glimpses, he believes, are already visible. “There’s more clarity. More structure. Discipline is higher. And they feel more free,” he shares. https://www.inexp.in/+QdZJc 🎧 Lastly, tune in to today’s episode of our 3 Things podcast, where we discuss our exclusive investigation into bail orders in cases involving dowry deaths in India; AI data centres built in India; and the proposal to ban non-Hindus from Badrinath and Kedarnath dhams and other temples. https://www.inexp.in/2n1kbj *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-energy-strikes-in-gulf-put-india-on-edge-10591584/ Good morning, _*“Political interference of the highest order”*_ Launching a sharp attack on the Election Commission of India and the BJP, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee alleged a “deliberate design” to seize control of the state through sweeping transfers of senior officials ahead of next month’s Assembly elections. Calling the situation an “undeclared Emergency”, she claimed over 50 top bureaucrats and police officers were “arbitrarily removed” within 24 hours of the poll schedule announcement, terming it “political interference of the highest order”. Mamata Banerjee also flagged concerns over the ongoing revision of electoral rolls and warned that such actions could destabilise governance, disrupt law and order, and compromise administrative preparedness in the run-up to the polls. https://www.inexp.in/kaqxEi *On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition.* 👇 🚨 *Big Story* Highlighting a rare divergence during the ongoing Middle East conflict, the US and Israel appear to be pursuing different strategies against Iran, with Washington focusing on missile systems, nuclear infrastructure and naval capacity, while Israel has widened its targets to include critical energy assets. This stark difference came into focus after Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, a key pillar of its energy network, despite US President Donald Trump urging Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to carry out the attack and that Washington had no prior knowledge of it. The strike triggered Iranian retaliation targeting energy facilities in the Gulf, raising fears of wider supply disruptions and pushing global oil and gas prices higher, even as tensions escalated across the region. https://www.inexp.in/cFpPvX *India’s LNG lifeline:* Hours after Israel struck Iran’s South Pars gas field, Iranian missiles hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan Industrial City, home to the world’s largest LNG facility, causing significant damage. As fears of long-term disruption loom globally, the fallout is particularly significant for India, which relies heavily on Qatar for its energy needs, with over 40% of its LNG imports coming from the Gulf nation, most of it from Ras Laffan. With supplies disrupted and the Strait of Hormuz effectively constrained, India, which meets about half of its gas demand through LNG, faces mounting pressure and has already been forced to cut gas supply to some industries. https://www.inexp.in/t+Mc6r _*“Deeply disturbing”*_ *India’s diplomatic outreach:* Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attacks on energy infrastructure in West Asia, calling them “deeply disturbing” and urging immediate de-escalation, as India stepped up diplomatic outreach amid rising regional tensions. In a series of calls with leaders including Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and Qatar’s Amir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, PM Modi emphasised the need for dialogue and stressed the importance of safe and free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. He also reiterated India’s solidarity with Qatar and flagged concerns over attacks on critical energy hubs, warning of wider escalation risks. https://www.inexp.in/BbxLKU ⚡ *Only in Express* In our opinion column today, Duttatreya Das and Rohit Chandra argue that India’s recurring energy shocks reflect a failure to learn from past crises. Tracing patterns from the 1970s oil shocks to the present, they show how periods of stability bred complacency, leading to rising import dependence, now nearly 90% for oil and over 50% for gas. They caution that growing reliance on LNG, especially from Qatar, has created new vulnerabilities. The authors stress that true energy security lies not in securing supply alone but in conservation, efficiency, and electrification. https://www.inexp.in/kaxnOE 📰 *From the Front Page* *Voter list anxiety:* As Uttar Pradesh nears the final stages of its Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, uncertainty looms in Shamli’s Louharipur village, where 544 residents face an anxious wait for the final voter list. On February 14, Form 7s, meant for deletion of names from electoral rolls bearing the names of all 544 residents, most of them Muslims, were found bundled with the Booth Level Officer at a local school. The number accounts for nearly half the village’s electorate of around 1,100. Adding to the mystery, all forms reportedly carried the same applicant name, ‘Ved Pal’, raising serious questions about their authenticity. While officials have termed the forms “fake”, villagers say there has been little clarity or follow-up, leaving many fearing wrongful disenfranchisement as the final list approaches. https://www.inexp.in/5MlB2v *Uncertain future:* Eight Indian seafarers who survived the March 1 missile attack on the oil tanker Sky Light near Oman near Strait of Hormuz amid West Asia conflict, returned to Mumbai on March 18, but now face an uncertain future. Most in their early 20s and on their first voyage, the crew lost everything in the fire that followed the strike, including passports, documents, phones and cash, escaping with only the clothes on their backs. While the captain was killed and one crew member remains missing, the survivors were stranded in Oman for over a week before being issued emergency papers to return home. Back in India, they now grapple with confusion over contracts, lack of clarity on compensation, and financial distress. https://www.inexp.in/MEqY4r 🎧 *For more on NIA’s terror network probe, new US tariff plan, and HDFC chairman quits, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode.* https://www.inexp.in/+fl+qd 📌 *Must Read* *Chhattisgarh conversion law:* The Chhattisgarh Assembly has passed the Dharm Swatantraya Vidheyak, 2026, introducing stringent provisions to regulate religious conversions. The law mandates prior declaration to the District Magistrate and public disclosure of conversion details, with a 30-day window for objections and inquiry. “Mass conversion”, defined as two or more people converting together, can attract imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. Conversions solely for the purpose of marriage are deemed illegal, with a 60-day prior declaration required. All offences are cognisable and non-bailable, with trials to be completed within six months. https://www.inexp.in/UKQeyy *Assam Congress churn:* Senior Assam leader Pradyut Bordoloi has left the Congress to join the BJP, citing “humiliation” and a growing trust deficit within the party. He said he had to plead for his Lok Sabha ticket in 2024 and felt sidelined, particularly after Gaurav Gogoi took charge of the state unit. Criticising Gogoi’s leadership as lacking team cohesion, Bordoloi alleged that juniors were favoured while his concerns were ignored. He praised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s organisational abilities, signalling a willingness to work with him, even as his son continues to remain in the Congress. https://www.inexp.in/nSUYzb ⏳ *And Finally...* *Services vs BFI:* A dispute has emerged between the Indian Navy and the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) over the selection of boxers for the upcoming Asian meet, with the controversy centred on inclusion and exclusion concerns involving prominent names like Hitesh Gulia and Deepak. The Services, including the Navy, have objected to the BFI’s decisions, questioning the transparency of the criteria and raising concerns over how the trials were conducted and whether merit-based performance was fully considered. The row comes at a crucial time ahead of a key international tournament, potentially affecting India’s final squad preparation. Gulia’s strong recent performances, including at international events, have added weight to the controversy, which reflects broader, recurring tensions over selection processes in Indian boxing. https://www.inexp.in/X+7-m7 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/top-news-today-daily-briefing-a-bail-trend-in-dowry-death-cases-raises-questions-10585809/ Good morning, As attacks continue to escalate across West Asia, the United Arab Emirates has again closed its airspace following incoming missile and drone threats from Iran. The civil aviation authority said the temporary closure comes as Etihad and Emirates had just resumed a few flights. Flight operations to Dubai were affected in Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram after reports of disruptions at the destination airport on Monday, following a fire in a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport. Meanwhile, at least 400 people were killed in a Pakistani airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul late on Monday, Afghanistan’s Taliban government claimed. According to deputy government spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat, about 250 more people were injured in the airstrike, which hit the hospital around 9 pm local time and destroyed large portions of the 2,000-bed facility. https://www.inexp.in/zy9Zpb *On that note, let’s get to the rest of today’s edition* . 👇 🚨 *Big Story* As the Express Investigation series continues, today we look into the Allahabad High Court judge who recently requested the Chief Justice not to assign him the bail roster after one of his bail orders was described as “most shocking and disappointing” by the Supreme Court, and who has overwhelmingly granted bail in dowry death cases heard by his Bench. An analysis by The Indian Express of the 510 publicly available regular bail orders in dowry death cases passed by the single-judge Bench headed by him between October and December 2025 shows that Justice Pankaj Bhatia granted bail in 508 or 99.61% of the total cases. The data suggests an overwhelming tendency to grant bail in such cases, raising concerns after the Supreme Court’s rebuke. The Supreme Court had set aside one of his bail orders in a dowry death case, saying courts must exercise greater caution in such serious offences. https://www.inexp.in/388HGc ⚡ *Only in Express* In our opinion column today, Yogendra Yadav argues that the Opposition’s move to impeach Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, though unlikely to succeed due to lack of numbers, is significant because it highlights concerns about the functioning and perceived neutrality of the Election Commission. The column points to allegations of political partisanship, including the CEC’s public remarks and confrontations with Opposition leaders, as well as controversies surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Yadav writes that even if the motion remains symbolic, it serves as an important democratic signal raising questions about the credibility and independence of the institution. https://www.inexp.in/OU5+Ej 📰 *From the Front Page* *Tariff reset:* The India-US framework trade agreement will now only be signed after the United States finalises a new tariff architecture that ensures India retains a comparative advantage in the US market. This comes after the US Supreme Court ruling that struck down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which earlier formed the basis of several US trade arrangements. While some countries that already signed legal agreements based on earlier tariffs may need to recalibrate, India has only announced a framework agreement and has not yet signed it. Negotiations also involve Section 301 investigations, non-tariff barriers, and Section 232 tariffs affecting certain imports. https://www.inexp.in/9qFo+K *NIA arrests:* The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested seven foreign nationals, six from Ukraine and one from the United States, on charges of conspiring to carry out terrorist activities against India. The arrests were made in a coordinated operation last week under Section 18 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). According to the agency, the accused had entered India on valid visas but travelled to Mizoram without the mandatory Restricted Area Permit and later crossed into Myanmar, where they allegedly met ethnic armed groups hostile to India. The NIA has alleged that the group was involved in illegally importing large consignments of drones from Europe to Myanmar via India for use by these groups, which were also supporting proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons and training. https://www.inexp.in/kHVmi9 🎧 *For more on Bengal SIR, NavIC in trouble again, and SCB hospital fire, tune in to today’s ‘3 Things’ podcast episode.* https://www.inexp.in/btVeVI 📌 *Must Read* *Gujarat UCC push:* The Gujarat government's five-member expert committee, set up in February 2025 to assess the need for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC), is expected to submit its report today along with a draft law, according to sources. The draft law contains clauses similar to the UCC Act in Uttarakhand and is likely to be tabled during the ongoing Budget Session of the state Assembly, which began on February 16. If passed, Gujarat will become the second state after Uttarakhand to adopt a common civil code, whose underlying theme is gender equality, government sources said. https://www.inexp.in/M6lgEQ *Conversion law:* The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Bill, 2026, aimed at preventing religious conversions through coercion, inducement, fraud or deception. While Sena (UBT) backed the Bill, the Congress, NCP (SP), Samajwadi Party and CPI (M) opposed it, calling it unconstitutional and demanding that it be sent to a joint select committee for further scrutiny. Defending the Bill, Fadnavis said it was not directed against any religion and noted that similar laws already exist in several states, adding that the measure seeks to address disputes around religious conversions, including those linked to interfaith marriages that can sometimes lead to law and order issues. https://www.inexp.in/-wg5nN ⏳ *And Finally...* *Samson’s full circle:* A seven-year-old Sanju Samson, a hardcore Rajinikanth fan, once wished his parents would take him to Poes Garden to meet “Rajini Sir”. It didn’t happen, but he promised he would one day visit the actor’s home. Twenty-one years later, in 2023, Rajinikanth invited him. Now, three years later, with another IPL season around the corner, Chennai is waiting for Samson. He arrives as a superstar in his own right — three successive knocks that delivered India the T20 World Cup. https://www.inexp.in/Qw5JJt That’s all for today, folks! Until tomorrow, Anupama