Indian national cricket team delivered a dominant performance to defeat the New Zealand national cricket team in the 2026 T20 World Cup final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. India posted a massive 255/5 after explosive batting from Abhishek Sharma, Sanju Samson, and Ishan Kishan, while Shivam Dube added a late blitz. Samson’s 89 and Kishan’s rapid 54 dismantled New Zealand’s bowling attack. In response, India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, quickly crushed any hopes of a comeback. The emphatic victory secured India’s third T20 World Cup title and made them the first team to successfully defend the trophy. (PC: BCCI)

Indian benchmark indices plunged sharply on Monday as rising crude oil prices and escalating geopolitical tensions triggered heavy selling. The BSE Sensex fell more than 2,100 points while the Nifty 50 dropped nearly 3%, testing the 23,800 level in early trade. The sell-off came after global crude prices surged past $115 per barrel amid intensifying conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel, raising fears of supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Banking and financial stocks led the decline, with the Nifty PSU Bank Index falling over 4%. Broader markets also weakened, as midcap and smallcap indices dropped more than 2%. (PC: India Today)

Indian medical students stranded in Iran have sent urgent distress calls as the conflict in West Asia intensifies. The All India Medical Students Association said it received more than 18 appeals, particularly from Isfahan, where dozens of students were shifted to underground basements after nearby attacks. Students in Qom, Kerman and Shiraz also reported explosions and shortages of food supplies. Parents of stranded students protested in India, urging the government to bring them home safely. The crisis comes as the war involving Iran, Israel and the US enters its tenth day, with fresh strikes and missile attacks reported across the region. (PC: AP)

Donald Trump said any decision to end the ongoing conflict with Iran will be taken jointly with Benjamin Netanyahu as the war enters its tenth day. Speaking to Israeli media, the US President said both leaders are in constant discussions and that he will decide “at the right time” after considering all factors. Trump also credited himself and the Israeli prime minister with preventing Iran from destroying Israel. The conflict began after joint US-Israeli airstrikes killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Iran has since retaliated with attacks on Israel and US bases across the Middle East, escalating tensions across the region. (PC: X)

The Iranian Red Crescent Society has warned residents of Tehran about possible toxic or “acid rain” after Israel targeted several oil storage facilities in and around the Iranian capital. Explosions at the depots reportedly released large amounts of hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur and nitrogen oxides into the air, raising fears of chemical burns and respiratory problems. Authorities advised people to remain indoors even after rainfall stops, warning that evaporation from contaminated surfaces could worsen air toxicity. Residents also reported dark skies and oil-like droplets falling with rain following the strikes. The attacks came amid the escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States, which has intensified across the region.

Chants opposing Mojtaba Khamenei were reportedly heard in Tehran shortly after he was appointed the new Supreme Leader of Iran. A 17-second video circulating on social media shows women shouting “Death to Mojtaba” in Persian from a residential building during the night, though the footage has not been independently verified. Mojtaba, the son of former leader Ali Khamenei, was selected by Iran’s Assembly of Experts after his father was killed in US-Israeli strikes on Tehran. The leadership change comes amid escalating regional tensions, with Iran launching retaliatory missile attacks on Israel and US bases, raising fears of wider instability across the Middle East.

Virat Kohli congratulated Sanju Samson with a heartfelt message after the wicketkeeper-batter was named Player of the Tournament in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. Samson played a key role in India’s historic title triumph after the India national cricket team defeated the New Zealand national cricket team by 96 runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The Kerala star finished as India’s highest run-scorer in the tournament with 321 runs in five matches, averaging 80.25 with a strike rate close to 200. Samson became only the third Indian to win the award after Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah. (PC: BCCI)

OpenAI's robotics manager Caitlin Kalinowski has resigned over the company's controversial Pentagon defence contract, secured last month allowing AI technology deployment for war and domestic surveillance purposes. Kalinowski cited concerns over the haste with which OpenAI finalised the military deal. The contract came hours after rival AI company Anthropic refused to agree to unconditional military use of its technology, drawing a sharp ethical contrast between the two leading AI firms. The resignation highlights growing internal dissent within OpenAI over its shifting stance on military applications, raising serious questions about the ethical boundaries of deploying advanced artificial intelligence in warfare and government surveillance operations. (PC: Reuters)

Several Pakistan cricket greats congratulated the India national cricket team after their third title win at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup. Former players including Mohammad Hafeez, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi, Sana Mir, Umar Gul and Shoaib Akhtar praised India’s performance and credited the country’s strong domestic structure for consistently producing top cricketers. The former Pakistan stars acknowledged India’s dominance throughout the tournament and said the depth in their cricket system played a key role in the title triumph. Meanwhile, fast bowler Mohammad Amir admitted his prediction of a New Zealand victory in the final proved wrong, acknowledging that India delivered on the biggest stage.

Qatar Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani has condemned missile and drone strikes launched by Iran across Gulf countries, calling them a “dangerous miscalculation” and a “betrayal.” Speaking after multiple attacks targeted the region, he said Gulf nations had made clear they would not participate in wars against their neighbours. Despite efforts to maintain good relations with Tehran, Al Thani said the strikes had shocked the region and even hit civilian facilities. He warned the escalating conflict could destabilise the Middle East and trigger global economic consequences. While criticising Iran’s actions, the Qatari leader urged restraint and emphasised the need for diplomacy and negotiations to prevent the crisis from worsening.