Stalin urges PM to release ₹3,112 cr pending Jal Jeevan Mission dues to TN

Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin urged PM Narendra Modi to release ₹3,112 crore in pending Jal Jeevan Mission dues to complete projects. He said the Centre has withheld support for the Hogenekkal Phase-III water scheme, approved June 15, 2023—₹8,428 crore total with ₹2,283 crore from JJM.

Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif visited Jeddah, pledging full support to Saudi Arabia while pushing mediation to curb the widening Iran‑Israel/U.S. conflict. Despite a Saudi defense pact, Pakistan is unlikely to attack Iran, focusing on air‑defense aid. Army chief joined.

AC demand in India is expected to surge this summer, but LPG/PNG shortages, rising copper prices and West Asia tensions could disrupt production. Analysts remain selective on AC stocks.

West Bengal saw a cease-work protest over unpaid dearness allowance arrears, as Sangrami Joutha Mancha urged employees to skip work and held demos at offices. Govt ordered compulsory attendance with dies-non warning. Unions disputed turnout; SC order cited; BJP backed strikers.

Pennsylvania brothers Bhaskar (60) and Arun Savani (58) were convicted for running the Savani Group’s multi-state racketeering: H‑1B visa abuse, $30M Medicaid/healthcare fraud, money laundering, tax/wire evasion, and unsafe dental implants. They face up to 420/415 years; sentencing July 8–9, 2026.

After the US reportedly sank Iran’s frigate Dena in international waters, India’s naval readiness is under scrutiny. Navy budget doubled and share rose, yet fleet lags China/US and vessels per EEZ are low. Capital outlays dipped, and many naval projects face long delays per CAG.

The Supreme Court plans to introduce AI-driven software for case listing and bench allocation after an internal probe revealed administrative lapses in the court registry.

Microsoft’s Copilot Health aggregates medical records, lab results, and data from 50+ wearables to deliver AI insights, reveal health trends, and help prep for doctor visits, with citations and Harvard Health content. Privacy-first (encrypted, no training use). US English waitlist; provider search.

In a Truth Social post, US President Donald Trump threatened Iran, claiming the U.S. is destroying its regime militarily and economically. He said Iran’s forces and leaders have been decimated, attacked the New York Times as “failing,” and warned to “watch what happens today.”

Amazon expands Alexa+ with new “Sassy” personality—sharp wit, playful sarcasm, occasional censored profanity. Now four styles: Brief, Chill, Sweet, Sassy; same features, different tone. Not with Kids; extra app checks. Device-specific, switchable. US-only (Echo/app/web); India rollout later.

Trump told Fox News he believes Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is likely alive but injured after reports he was hurt in US-Israeli strikes that killed his father. He warned of Iran’s missile threat and urged resolve in Hormuz, as Mojtaba vowed defiance and retaliation.

AI is transforming warfare in West Asia as the US employs Palantir’s Project Maven and generative models to fuse sensor data, accelerate the kill chain and strike 2,000 targets in days. While boosting detection, it heightens oversight, accountability and civilian-harm risks as use expands.

Google Maps adds Gemini-powered Ask Maps for natural, contextual place searches and trip planning, personalised from your activity and informed by 300M+ places; rolling out on mobile in India and the US. A 3D Immersive Navigation with richer visuals debuts in the US, expanding soon.

Jefferies’ Chris Wood warns markets underprice West Asia war risk, assuming Trump de-escalates. Oil/gas may rise on Hormuz closure and ship attacks. Nifty could drop another 5–10%, with autos, banks, realty weak; supports at 23,300 then 23,000–22,500. Potential beneficiaries: Russia, China.

Meta is testing clickable links in Instagram captions, currently for Meta Verified users. Early tests show up to 10 links/month and links working in the mobile app, not on web. If expanded, it could reshape how creators share links. Rollout size and long-term limits remain unclear.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch and inaugurate projects worth ₹47,600 crore in Assam during a two-day visit to Kokrajhar, Guwahati and Silchar ahead of Assembly elections.

India’s HFCL won a five-year OFC supply deal worth about ₹10,159 crore ($1.1bn) from an unnamed global MNC, running 2026–Dec 2030 via its overseas unit. The first long-term pact of its kind for HFCL, it covers high-fibre-count cables to spec and bolsters the firm’s global OFC competitiveness.

An LPG shortage linked to the West Asia conflict is crippling Kerala: about 40% of restaurants may shut, with caterers (amid wedding season), hostels, canteens and crematoriums hit. Prices are spiking, alternatives scarce.

Mounting H-1B uncertainty—salary-weighted lottery, costs near $100k per hire, and processing stretching to ~10.5 months—is pushing Indian founders to O-1, EB-1, and EB-2 NIW routes. O-1 interest has tripled. Despite volatility, most still relocate to the US for talent, market, and capital.

Safesea Group says the March 11 attack on US-owned tanker MT Safesea Vishnu near Basra by explosive-laden Iranian boats was deliberate, killing an Indian seafarer. Twenty-seven crew survived after leaping overboard; Iraqi forces aided rescues.

Madurai police detained two under the Goondas Act for hoarding 398 LPG cylinders, a first in Tamil Nadu. CS-CID raids seized domestic and commercial cylinders; stern warnings issued. Amid shortage rumors, dealers say fuel stocks are ample, while traders urge action against hoarding and price hikes.

The US Trade Representative has launched a Section 301 probe into 60 countries, including India, over alleged failure to block imports of goods produced using forced labour. The investigation could lead to retaliatory tariffs or trade restrictions if the practices are found to harm US businesses.

Japan and Asia-Pacific will unveil $30B in deals with US firms at a Tokyo forum on energy and critical minerals, as Washington pushes supply-chain diversification from China amid West Asia disruptions. Deals span coal, oil, LNG, nuclear; 18 nations attend, ahead of Takaichi–Trump talks.

China issues rare rebuke of Iran amid surging West Asia tensions, opposing attacks on Gulf states and civilian targets, and urging ceasefire and talks. Beijing criticizes US‑Israel strikes, abstains at the UN, and pursues shuttle diplomacy. 

Day 14 of the US‑Israel conflict with Iran: India moved to secure energy and citizens amid LPG politics. Iran said the US rejected a “no nukes” plan; pro‑Iran hacks rose. A US aircraft crashed; a Russian‑oil waiver eased prices. Israel claimed gains; Gulf states downed drones.

Ongoing West Asia conflict is disrupting LPG imports, triggering shortages and week‑long delivery delays across Indian cities. Queues, black marketing and price spikes persist; commercial cylinders are scarce. Restaurants, hotels, industries and canteens switch to wood/coal as authorities monitor.

India told Parliament that 3,100 attacks on Hindus and minorities occurred in Bangladesh from Aug 2024 to Feb 2026. New Delhi monitors, urges Dhaka to investigate and punish offenders, and aids Indians via a 24x7 helpline and consular support; protection rests with Bangladesh.

War in Iran is choking LPG/LNG via Hormuz, exposing India’s thin gas buffers. With household cylinders prioritized, restaurants, crematoria and small factories are stalling; fertilizer plants pause. Delhi seeks safe passage, Russian oil and US LPG, but delays lay bare India’s energy vulnerability.

Govt appoints K.V.R. Murty, a 1991-batch IDAS officer and ex-Addl CGDA, as Sebi whole-time member for three years, restoring four WTMs alongside Varshney, Amarjeet Singh and Sandip Pradhan. A former part-time Sebi member, Murty joins the team steering decisions, probes and policy in capital markets.

Panama Canal chief Ricaurte Vasquez says the West Asia conflict and rising fuel prices—amid Hormuz disruptions—could boost canal use as shippers seek shorter, cheaper routes. Panama can cut 3–15 days and fuel, benefiting containers, bulk and LNG; some US LNG may reroute.

IIT Guwahati developed microparticle-modified cement mortar (boron, lead, bismuth, tungsten oxides) that boosts strength, durability, and shields mixed gamma/neutron radiation, enhancing nuclear facility safety. Published in Materials and Structures; scaling to concrete and pilot tests planned.

NYT analysis: Since the US-Israel war with Iran began Feb 28, at least 16 ships have been attacked in the Persian Gulf, with Iran claiming several. Strikes on oil infrastructure have choked the Strait of Hormuz, slashing tanker traffic, spiking oil prices ~40%, and prompting IEA warnings.

The Trump administration condemned CNN for airing remarks by new Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, after earlier criticizing a CNN interview. CNN and other outlets defended the coverage as newsworthy. The clash underscores wartime reporting challenges and scrutiny of CNN’s independence.

Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen will step down after 18 years, remaining chairman until a successor is named, amid doubts over Adobe’s AI strategy. Shares fell ~7% after-hours and are down ~23% YTD, near 3-year lows. Q1 beat; AI ARR tripled. Board, led by Frank Calderoni, begins CEO search.

Apple will cut App Store commissions in mainland China to 25% from 30% and to 12% from 15% for small-business and mini-app developers, effective Mar 15. The move follows talks with China’s SAMR and mirrors concessions Apple has made amid regulatory pressure in the EU, US, and Japan

At a White House event, Trump said the Iran situation is moving “very rapidly,” praised an “unsurpassed” U.S. military, and called actions long overdue. He shifted focus from oil gains to dismantling Iran’s nuclear program amid soaring tensions after Khamenei’s killing and Iran’s reprisals.

Unilever will overhaul executive pay to attract scarce US talent, cutting short-term pay and boosting long-term incentives. CEO Fernando Fernández could earn up to €18m—€23m if shares rise 50%. With few US leaders, Unilever plans more US hires. Needs shareholder approval; metrics unchanged.

The Supreme Court held that OBC “creamy layer” status can’t be based solely on parental income; parents’ post/status under the 1993 policy must be considered. Upholding CAT/HC relief to UPSC candidates, it rejected an income-only view. 

India: 24k gold fell ₹10 to ₹1,62,210/10g; 22k to ₹1,48,690. Silver down ₹100 to ₹2,79,900/kg. City rates: 24k ₹1,62,210 (Mumbai/Kolkata/Bengaluru/Hyderabad), ₹1,62,360 (Delhi), ₹1,63,300 (Chennai). Globally, gold rose on weaker dollar (spot ~$5,112/oz); silver, platinum, palladium also gained.

IMD forecasts a mixed March: heatwave to severe heatwave in Saurashtra–Kutch, SW Madhya Pradesh and pockets of Gujarat; isolated heat in Vidarbha. Temperatures vary by region. Rain/snow to intensify in the western Himalayas. 

Netanyahu says US-Israeli strikes weakened Iran but regime change needs an internal uprising; vows continued aid including airstrikes. Warns Hezbollah will pay a heavy price as clashes escalate. Khamenei threatens wider war. Cites Iran’s nuclear push; hints leaders are targets; touts strong US ties.

Iran’s new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei vows escalation, threats to Gulf states and new fronts. Israel targets Iranian nuclear figures, aims to spur regime collapse. Oil jumps as Hormuz squeezed; US eases Russian oil curbs, strikes 6,000 targets. Beirut hit amid Hezbollah-Israel clashes

An armed attacker rammed a vehicle into Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, MI; it ignited as security opened fire and the suspect was found dead. No children among 140 were hurt; one guard was injured and 30 officers treated for smoke. The FBI leads, calling it targeted anti-Jewish violence.

US issues a second, short-term authorization for buyers to take Russian oil already at sea—limited to cargoes loaded before Mar. 12—to ease price pressure as Iran tensions keep Brent near $100. Expands India waiver, excludes Iran, and may be paired with a Jones Act waiver; minimal gain for Russia.

A US KC-135 refueling plane with at least five crew crashed in western Iraq during operations against Iran; rescue underway, casualties unknown. Not due to hostile or friendly fire. Two tankers were involved, one landed safely. It’s the fourth aircraft lost in the conflict.

NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s $127B budget meets fiscal warnings: the comptroller says spending exceeds revenue; Moody’s cuts outlook to negative; S&P flags multiyear gaps. 

Active shooting at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield: police urge public to avoid the area and boost patrols at houses of worship. FBI on scene amid reports of a vehicle ramming. Sheriff says a guard exchanged fire; possible multiple suspects; none in custody. Nearby groups in precautionary lockdown.

LocalCircles’ survey across 309 Indian districts found 57% households faced LPG delays or black marketing last week; 53% dealers warned of disruptions. Extra charges of ₹100–₹500 were common; some paid ₹1,500–₹2,800. Blamed on West Asia tensions. Govt raised refill gap to 25 days, released kerosene

US trade deficit narrowed 25% in Jan to $54.5B as exports rose 5.5% (gold, tech, aircraft) and imports slipped. Real merch gap $83.9B; China deficit up, Canada/Mexico down. Tariff shifts and Mideast tensions cloud outlook. Q1 GDP drag seen modest. Jobless claims 213k; housing starts up.

Manufacturing’s share of listed firms’ GVA fell from >40% pre-Covid to 33.4% in FY25, while new GDP data show a modest rise economy-wide (12.9%→13.3% in FY23–FY26). Drivers: weak capex, tepid demand, concentration. Informal rebound may lift figures; labour gains limited and methods debated.