Monday, March 16, 2026
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Evening news reports: Khamenei’s funeral postponed, BLA executes 7 Pakistani soldiers and one Pakistani soldier. more

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  • Tensions in Iran continue to rise, with Khamenei’s funeral postponed and Israel threatening his successor, with 101 people reported missing in an attack on an Iranian navy ship.
  • Gulf airspace closed Travel chaos as conflict in Iran escalates.
  • MS Dhoni was fined Rs 1,000 after being caught speeding in Ranchi.
  • BLA claims to have executed seven Pakistani soldiers after failed prisoner swap
  • Tensions remain high in Kashmir, with schools and universities remaining closed and protests over Khamenei’s killing continuing.

Here are the top 5 stories of the day

Iran tensions Deepening: Khamenei funeral postponed, Israel warns successor, 101 missing at sea

Tensions around Iran increased as state media said a farewell ceremony for slain supreme leader Ali Khamenei had been postponed. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that any future Iranian leader would be “targeted for elimination.”In addition, it was reported that an Iranian ship was attacked by a submarine in the waters near Sri Lanka, leaving 101 people missing. Follow real-time updates

Overjoyed families of 200 stranded Indians return home safely amid Middle East tensions

‘Such a scary moment’: How Dubai’s stranded passengers used taxis, cash and detours to escape Iran crisis

Thousands of people have been stranded in Dubai and Gulf hubs as a missile exchange linked to the Iran conflict shuts down regional airspace. With flights grounded, travelers have resorted to improvising – renting taxis, crossing the border overland and paying thousands of dollars for last-minute flights. With interceptions overhead and explosions nearby, many described the scramble to get out as chaotic and deeply disturbing. Read more

MS Dhoni fined Rs 1,000 for violating traffic rules

Former Indian men’s cricket team captain MS Dhoni was found violating traffic rules near his home in Ranchi and was fined Rs 1,000 for speeding. The city’s automated traffic surveillance system recorded the vehicle speeding and issued an electronic seizure under Section 183 of the Traffic Act. motor vehicle act. Read more

‘Committed war crimes’: BLA says it executed 7 Pakistani soldiers captured in Operation Hrov II

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) claimed to have executed seven Pakistani soldiers captured in Operation Khrov II last month. On February 14, the BLA captured 17 soldiers and released 10 of them because they were Baloch. The group recommended a prisoner swap with Islamabad in exchange for the remaining captives. Read more

Protests over Ayatollah Khamenei’s killing in Kashmir: Schools closed, Meta blocks media pages

The Jammu and Kashmir government extended the closure of schools and colleges in the Valley till Saturday following massive protests over the past two days over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, Mehta blocked several Silicon Valley newspaper accounts, prompting condemnation from political parties. Read more

Canada announces $100 million in scholarships for Indian students, introduces ‘hybrid learning locations’

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Canada announces $100 million in scholarships for Indian students, introduces 'hybrid learning locations'

Canada has announced a new scholarship program worth up to $100 million to support Indian students. The funding is part of a new education and talent partnership between Canada and India.The announcement was made during formal talks between the two countries last week. The scholarship program is included in a plan called the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy, which focuses on strengthening collaboration in education and research.According to an official government statement, the plan includes several steps to strengthen educational and research collaboration between Canadian and Indian institutions.A major component of the plan is a $100 million scholarship fund. The fund will provide up to 200 full scholarships for Indian students to study at Canadian universities.Scholarship funds will be provided through the University of Toronto. It will support selected Indian students to gain admission to Canadian institutions.Details such as who can apply, when to apply and the exact rules of the scholarship have not yet been released. However, the scholarships are expected to help cover tuition fees and other related academic expenses, an official statement said.This scholarship program is part of the Canada-India Talent and Innovation Strategy.The plan also includes 13 new partnerships between Canadian and Indian universities. These partnerships aim to increase student exchanges, support joint research projects and make it easier for students to study in both countries.In addition to the scholarships, the plan includes setting up three “blended learning locations” in India.These will be joint academic centers created by Canadian universities in partnership with Indian institutions. The centers will focus on research and education in key areas such as technology and artificial intelligence.They will also allow students to start Canadian university courses in India and then complete their studies in Canada.The Canadian government said the new strategy also includes expanded research collaboration, student and faculty exchanges, and memorandums of understanding for collaboration in creative industries such as visual arts, music, publishing and entertainment technology.India is one of Canada’s largest sources of international students. The new program is seen as helping Canada continue to be a top destination for international students and skilled workers.

Babar and four others withdraw from Pakistan’s ODI squad against B’desh

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Babar Azam, four others withdraw from Pakistan's ODI squad against Bangladesh

New Delhi: Babar Azam Pakistan’s ODI squad has been omitted from the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh as selectors start reshaping the squad with an eye on next year’s 50-over World Cup. The decision comes after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, where they failed to reach the semi-finals.

India reach final nets match before T20 World Cup semi-finals

Babar had a poor performance in the T20 tournament, scoring only 91 runs. Despite a dip in form, his ODI numbers remain impressive – 6,501 runs and 20 centuries in 140 games – which makes his absence an important decision. Apart from him, opener Saim Ayub, all-rounders Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz and fast bowler Naseem Shah were also left out of the 15-man squad.In a clear sign of a turnaround, Pakistan called up six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maz Sadaqat, Mohammad Ghazi Guri, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamil Hussain. Three ODI matches will be played in Dhaka on March 11, 13 and 15, giving the newcomers a chance to prove themselves on the international stage.at the same time, Farha Zaman has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury during the T20 World Cup.The Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed that fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain the team as the team appears to have entered a rebuilding phase.The next ODI World Cup is scheduled to be held in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia in October next year and Pakistan seems focused on refreshing the squad and testing new combinations ahead of the global event.

What is YAK-130? Israeli Air Force F-35I Adil shoots down Russian-made Iranian aircraft in historic air-to-air battle

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Israel Defense Forces (israel defense forces) confirmed that the Israeli F-35I successfully shot down an Iranian YAK-130 in the initial air battle of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Iran. The information, disclosed at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, marked a major escalation and underlined Israel’s position as a leader in contemporary air warfare. However, confirmation from the Iranian authorities is still awaited.

In the latest conflict, the Israel Defense Forces said it successfully targeted Iranian warplanes, with an F-35I shooting down a YAK-130. (Israel Defense Forces)
In the latest conflict, the Israel Defense Forces said it successfully targeted Iranian warplanes, with an F-35I shooting down a YAK-130. (Israel Defense Forces)

This is the first time an F-35 has shot down a manned aircraft.

Furthermore, for the first time in about 40 years Israel The Air Force is involved in air-to-air combat with manned aircraft.

The last time an Indian Air Force jet engaged and shot down a manned enemy aircraft was on November 24, 1985, in Lebanese airspace. In that incident, an F-15 of the Indian Air Force successfully shot down two Syrian MiG-23 fighter jets.

According to the Israel Defense Forces, the F-35I, a stealthy multi-role fighter jet, successfully neutralized Iranian The aircraft sustained no damage, demonstrating the Israelis’ air superiority.

Also read: CNN’s Erin Burnett forced to take refuge as sirens sound in Tel Aviv amid US, Israel, Iran war: Watch

this is what happened

Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces launched an attack on Iranian fighter jets parked on a runway preparing to take off. Target aircraft included F-4s and F-5s. During Wednesday’s confrontation, YAK-130 attempted to launch a sortie. However, it was intercepted by an F-35I in mid-air, which highlighted the strategic acumen of the Israeli military.

What is YAK-130? Feature comparison with F-35I

F-35I: The Israeli F-35I “Adil” is a fifth-generation stealth fighter with a top speed of Mach 1.6 and a combat radius of 1,600 kilometers. The aircraft can carry up to 8,160 kilograms of ammunition, including air-to-air missiles and precision-guided bombs. Its advanced radar systems provide real-time intelligence to support battlefield operations. Currently, the Israeli Air Force has more than 30 F-35I aircraft, which shows that Israel has the most advanced air combat capabilities in the Middle East.

YAK-130: The YAK-130 is a Russian-made jet first introduced in the 1990s primarily as a training platform for pilots preparing to operate high-performance fighter aircraft such as the SU-57. While the YAK-130’s primary role is training, it is also capable of performing light attack missions, including close air support. Compared with older models such as Iran’s F-4 and F-5, the YAK-130 is a more modern and advanced option, but there is still a gap compared with the Israeli F-35.

In a conversation with Eurasia Info, a former F-35 pilot (who asked not to be named) highlighted the various factors that make these stealth aircraft useful when used in difficult situations.

“Operating these top-tier stealth fighters reduces resources. You have to balance the cost of keeping them running against the benefits they bring. That’s a big deal, especially when you’re in it for the long term.”

Ravi Shankar appointed Chairman of Lok Sabha Privileges Committee

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File photo: Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ravi Shankar Prasad

New Delhi: Speaker of Lok Sabha About Birla The Privileges Committee was established, a key panel of the House of Representatives tasked with investigating complaints against MPs for breaches of privilege and could even recommend their expulsion.Member of the Bharatiya Janata Party Ravi Shankar Prasad will lead the 15-member committee, eight of whom are from the NDP and the remainder from the Opposition. Congress MPs Manish Tewari and Manickam Tagore, TMC’s Kalyan Banerjee and DMK’s TR Baalu, and the BJP’s Brijmohan Agrawal and Jagdambika Pal are among its members.It is up to the Speaker to decide which privilege infringement notices are sent to committees. The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Nishikant Dubey has lodged a complaint against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of trying to destabilize the country. Birla is yet to respond.

IND vs ENG: How India fared in T20 World Cup semi-finals

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IND vs ENG: How India fared in T20 World Cup semi-finals
India head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Suryakumar Yadav (ANI Photo)

New Delhi: India are heading into their sixth T20 World Cup semi-finals in ten editions and will look to defend their title against England at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.Their journey in the tournament dates back to 2007, when they reached the semi-finals in the first edition. India beat Australia in Durban and then Pakistan in the final in Johannesburg to win the T20 World Cup for the first time.

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Gautam Gambhir 75 runs were scored in the final and bowlers like RP Singh and Irfan Pathan played a key role under the captaincy MS Dhoni.After this, India failed to reach the semi-finals in 2009, 2010 and 2012. In 2014, they defeated South Africa and returned to the semi-finals. Virat KohliSri Lanka remained unbeaten with 72. However, despite Kohli’s 77 in the final, Sri Lanka chased down 131 and missed out on India.In 2016, India reached the semi-finals again at home, but lost to eventual champions West Indies in Mumbai.A big moment comes in 2022 as India face England in the knockout rounds for the first time. India posted 168/6 with Kohli and Hardik Pandya scoring 50 runs, but the England openers chased down India without losing a single wicket to win by 10 wickets to clinch the title.The race for 2024 continues. Batting first, India scored 171, led by Rohit Sharma57 points. This time, England lost by 103 runs and India won by 68 runs. They defeated South Africa in the final to win the T20 World Cup for the second time.Now, India and England will meet in the semi-finals for the third consecutive time. It is expected to add a new chapter to their increasingly fierce World Cup competition.

‘I feel abandoned’: Indian-American CEO stranded in Dubai says India is rescuing citizens but US is doing nothing

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'I feel abandoned': Indian-American CEO stranded in Dubai says India is rescuing citizens but US is doing nothing

An Indian-American CEO of US start-up SardineAI said that the United States has not taken any action to rescue citizens stranded in the Middle East. It is difficult to see other countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and India repatriating their citizens, while the US government abandons its citizens. Ranjan posted on The post added: “After four days of adrenaline and constant fear, I feel demoralized and abandoned by our governments. It saddens me to see other countries – the UK, Israel, Spain, Italy and India – repatriating their citizens or ensuring commercial flights continue to operate to bring them home.”“I became a naturalized U.S. citizen because I believe in the American dream and that in a crisis, America will never leave its citizens behind,” Ranjan wrote. “I saw the American dream shattered, not just for me but for tens of thousands of other stranded Americans.” He added that he had booked more than a dozen flights as the U.S. government has been urging people to leave Dubai, but all of them have been cancelled. Ranjan noted that commercial flights to the United States are being canceled while flights to other countries are still operating. The U.S. State Department is facing a huge backlash as the crisis enters its fifth day without any plans to evacuate citizens. The U.S. State Department has released a helpline number (1-202-501-4444) for assistance with departure options. The government also urges Dubai citizens to join the Smart Traveler Registration Program to receive the latest information. “I signed up for Step and received only generic messages. Also, when calling the number, the message you receive is: ‘Please do not rely on USG for assistance with departures or evacuations at this time. There are no evacuation flights at this time,'” Ranjan said. “With cuts to U.S. consulate funding and attacks on U.S. embassies in the region, Americans in the wider GCC region have no one to contact. Can we have a truly effective emergency hotline within the U.S. with someone logging more details?” the Indian-origin CEO wrote.

6L children with abnormalities are born every year, but there is no national registry tracking them

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New Delhi: Nearly 600,000 babies in India are born with congenital anomalies every year. However, the country has no national registry to track them.As infectious disease mortality rates decline and congenital conditions account for an increasing share of childhood deaths, experts say gaps in surveillance and coordinated care are becoming increasingly pressing. According to recent estimates, India accounts for 16% of birth defect-related deaths worldwide.Smile Train India and Birth Defects Research Foundation on Monday launched the Birth Anomaly Network in India (BIND) to promote prevention, early diagnosis and structured long-term care. The platform was unveiled in New Delhi.Central to its agenda is a proposed National Birth Anomaly Registry to generate reliable national data, identify preventable risk factors and guide health planning. Experts acknowledge that current surveillance is fragmented, screening is uneven and referral pathways are weak, especially outside major cities.Congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, clubfoot, Down syndrome, and vision and hearing impairments constitute a large portion of the burden. Many conditions are treatable if detected early, but multidisciplinary care is rarely integrated into routine neonatal services. Mamta Carroll, vice president and regional director of Smile Train Asia, said there is insufficient public awareness of birth abnormalities.

Glenn Maxwell breaks silence to announce retirement after Australia T20 World Cup disaster

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Glenn Maxwell breaks silence to announce retirement after Australia T20 World Cup disaster
Australia’s Glenn Maxwell (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

Australian veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell Stressing that he has no immediate plans to quit T20 internationals, the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics are both on his radar.Maxwell, 37, will turn 40 when Australia hosts the 2028 T20 World Cup, an event expected to take place a few months after the 2028 Summer Olympics cricket tournament in Los Angeles. Speculations about his future have intensified following Australia’s early exit from the recent T20 World Cup and poor form with the bat, but the explosive all-rounder insists he is not rushing into any retirement decision.“I think not making a decision around my future will probably be more based on what the next 12 months looks like. There’s not much T20 cricket planned so there’s probably no need to make any kind of formal announcement, just look at my fitness and my travels and if there’s an opportunity to play in the future hopefully I’ll be fit and full of energy,” Maxwell told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.Australia’s T20I schedule remains light until August 2027, with only eight bilateral matches currently scheduled. Maxwell has ended his ODI career but is still willing to extend his tenure in the shortest international format.Maxwell sounded hopeful but cautious when asked about the prospect of playing in the 2028 Olympics and the home T20 World Cup.“Fitness and shooting? Hopefully. But yeah, no dates have been set. I feel like I’m getting better and better throughout the World Cup. I’m probably going to judge more on my runs on the pitch and how I feel, that’s probably more important than any statistics on wickets and runs. I just feel like I’ll be able to finish the game more easily. It feels like I’m doing the best I can in my role and feels like I still have a lot to offer,” he said.Although his recent returns in T20Is and Big Bash League have been modest, Maxwell believes his value to the team is not just in terms of statistics.Australia’s next T20I assignment is a three-match series against Bangladesh in June as part of a wider tour that also includes ODIs against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Maxwell confirmed discussions were ongoing with selectors about the plans.“We’ve had some discussions about what’s going to happen and we’re going to continue to have really open and fluid discussions. Like I said, if I’m healthy and able to play and available, I’ll be ready,” he said.After leaving the international stage, Maxwell will remain busy on the franchise circuit. He has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Melbourne Stars of the Big Bash League and will also play pakistan super leagueMajor League Cricket and the new T20 competition in Europe later this year. He will represent Hyderabad Kings in the PSL, making his debut in the tournament.“Looking at my window between the World Cup and the MLC, since we weren’t as deep into the tournament as I had planned, I found myself with a lot more time between tournaments and just felt like I was going to be cold going into the next game,” Maxwell said.“So it could be a perfect time gap to bridge. And the opportunity to join a new team and start from the ground up with someone – I really enjoy those opportunities. I think starting with a team from the beginning is great to be a part of and build a brand,” he said.

Parents of Indian-American Savitha Shah, killed in Austin bar shooting, break silence, ‘She believed…’

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Family members of the deceased savitha mountainA 21-year-old University of Texas student who was shot by a gunman at an Austin bar has released a statement after confirming his daughter was the second victim of the shooting.

Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Texas, was one of the victims of the Austin shooting.
Savitha Shan, a 21-year-old senior at the University of Texas, was one of the victims of the Austin shooting.

The family expressed deep sadness and overwhelming grief, confirming the tragic death of their “beloved daughter in the recent terrorist attack” in the United States. “She was 21 years old and our only child. Our hearts are broken beyond words,” Savitha’s parents said.

Also read: Heartbreaking note left by Annie’s sister Savannah Guthrie on Nancy’s memorial reveals, “We are standing…”

Savita Shan: A dedicated student

“Savitha was an intelligent, compassionate and deeply caring young woman whose presence brought warmth, comfort and joy to all who knew her. She was a dedicated student at the University of Texas, Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where she studied with determination and excellence. She believed in hard work, service to others and living with integrity,” the statement continued.

“Her sudden and heartbreaking death has left an irreplaceable void in our lives and the lives of all who loved her. This loss feels unreal and profoundly unfair, and the space she once illuminated is now filled with sadness. As we mourn this unimaginable loss, we also keep the other victims of this tragedy in our hearts.”

two other victims austin The shooters have been identified as Jorge Pedersen and Ruud Harrington.

The incident happened around 2 a.m. Sunday outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a bar frequented by college students near the university campus. On Monday night, the Austin Police Department identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne. Shot and killed by law enforcement officers. Fourteen people were also injured, some of them in critical condition.

Who is Savitha Shan? “Superstar” students

Savitha Shan is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a double major. University records show her legal last name is Shanmugasundaram. She is widely regarded as one of the university’s most outstanding students.

University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis described her in a letter to the campus community as “a child with loving parents. A devoted friend to many. A Longhorn ready to change the world.”

Shan is actively involved in student life and serves on the executive committee of the Indian Students Association. Faculty members remember her as academically outstanding and professionally ambitious.

Russ Finney, an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, told The

The shooting followed weekend military developments between the United States, Israel and Iran and heightened security concerns across the country.