Indian authorities have arrested Sumit Kumar, a 36-year-old employee of the Indian Air Force, on charges of spying for Pakistan. The arrest took place at an Air Force base in Assam following a joint operation by Rajasthan intelligence and Air Force intelligence units. Officials said Kumar admitted to passing sensitive and classified information to Pakistan, including details about aircraft, missile systems, and personnel.

According to Additional Director General of Police (Intelligence) Praful Kumar, the investigation began in January when another suspect was detained in Jaisalmer. Evidence from that case led to Kumar, who worked as a multi-tasking staff member at the Chabua Air Force Station in Dibrugarh, Assam. Police allege that Kumar had been in contact with Pakistani intelligence agents since 2023 and shared information in exchange for money.

Authorities are continuing to question Kumar to determine the full extent of the data breach and identify any additional individuals involved in the espionage network.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has denounced the United States’ threat to destroy Iran’s power plants as a sign of Washington’s reckless attitude. He stated that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to all nations except those attacking Iran. His remarks came after the US president warned that if Iran did not fully reopen the waterway within 48 hours, American forces would strike and annihilate Iranian power facilities, starting with the largest one.

In response, Tehran warned that any attack on its power infrastructure would trigger retaliatory strikes on energy installations in Gulf countries linked to the United States. The speaker of Iran’s parliament also cautioned that assaults by the US or Israel on Iranian power plants would bring “irreparable destruction” to critical infrastructure across the Gulf region.

The escalating exchange highlights rising tensions over navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route for global energy shipments, with both sides issuing severe warnings of potential military action.

An investigation into the death of an Israeli citizen near Misgav Am in northern Israel has revealed that the fatal incident was caused by Israeli army fire, not by an attack from Lebanon. The preliminary findings indicate that artillery shells fired from an Israeli battery toward Lebanon went off target and landed inside the kibbutz area, killing 60-year-old Ofer Moskovitz on Sunday, March 22.

Initially, the Israeli military stated that casualties and damage had resulted from rockets launched from Lebanon. However, as the situation developed, the army revised its position and announced a comprehensive investigation involving all relevant authorities to determine the full circumstances of the event.

The army’s acknowledgment that its own artillery fire caused the civilian death has drawn attention to internal flaws within Israel’s defense system and highlighted the dangers of ongoing border conflicts.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump held a phone conversation on Sunday evening, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. The two leaders discussed the current situation in the Middle East, focusing on the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to resume global shipping. They agreed that reopening the strait is essential to ensure stability in the global energy market. The call lasted 20 minutes and was described as constructive.

The discussion came shortly after Trump shared a satirical video clip about the British Prime Minister. Following the call, Starmer convened a 'Cobra' meeting with Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey, and others to assess the economic impact of the ongoing conflict. On Saturday night, Trump had given Iran a 48-hour deadline to reopen the strait, warning that the United States would destroy Iranian power plants if it failed to comply.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces announced preparations to continue fighting Iran and Hezbollah for several more weeks and approved plans to expand operations in Lebanon, raising fears of a full-scale ground offensive.

Iran has warned that it will deploy naval mines across the Persian Gulf if the United States or Israel launches any attack on its coastal areas or islands. The Iranian Defense Council issued the threat on Monday, March 23, 2026, declaring that it would not tolerate any form of aggression against its territory.

In a statement, the council said that peaceful nations or those not involved in the conflict could only pass through the Strait of Hormuz by coordinating with Iran. It added that any hostile attempt against Iranian coasts or islands would lead to the mining of all entry and communication routes in the Persian Gulf, effectively blocking the region. The council emphasized that the responsibility for such consequences would rest on the countries issuing threats.

The warning came as the deadline approached for a 48-hour ultimatum issued by US President Donald Trump, who had demanded that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, announced that the country’s fuel supply remains normal. Speaking at a press conference at his residence on Monday, March 23, 2026, the minister said fuel imports have increased by 25 percent compared to last year. He urged citizens not to panic and to purchase fuel as needed, assuring that everyone will have access to supplies.

Tuku explained that temporary supply pressure occurred because distribution was halted for two days during the Eid holidays. He added that the government continues importing fuel with subsidies to maintain stability. Meanwhile, State Minister for Road Transport and Railways, Habibur Rashid Habib, stated that security will be provided at fuel stations if necessary and that the government successfully prevented attempts to raise prices amid the perceived shortage.

Officials said the earlier concerns about fuel scarcity before Eid have been resolved, and the situation is now under control.

A deadline set by former U.S. President Donald Trump for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz without threats is set to expire at midnight local time on Monday. The ultimatum, announced 48 hours earlier, warned that if Iran failed to ensure free passage for ships, the United States would destroy Iran’s power plants. The situation has heightened fears of escalating conflict in the Middle East as the deadline approaches.

In response, Tehran warned that any U.S. or Israeli attack on its power facilities would trigger retaliatory strikes on energy infrastructure in Gulf countries allied with Washington. Iran’s parliament speaker cautioned that such retaliation would cause irreversible destruction to critical installations in the region.

The standoff has drawn international concern, with observers noting that the expiration of the deadline could further destabilize the Gulf and intensify regional hostilities if neither side steps back from its threats.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced allegations of concealing information after the government delayed confirming an Iranian missile attack on the Diego Garcia military base for more than 30 hours. The acknowledgment came only after US officials verified the incident. The attack occurred between Thursday night and early Friday, when Iran launched two ballistic missiles toward the joint US-UK base in the Chagos Islands. Neither missile hit its target; one was intercepted by a US warship, and the other fell into the sea.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour government of maintaining a “culture of cover-up” and urged an explanation for the delay in informing the public. She argued that while genuine national security matters should remain confidential, significant events must be disclosed to Parliament and citizens. Badenoch, who succeeded Rishi Sunak as party leader in November 2024, made her remarks in an article for the Daily Mail.

A government source dismissed the criticism as a desperate move by the opposition leader, claiming she had repeatedly mishandled the crisis. The government confirmed the attack attempt on Saturday morning, more than 30 hours after it occurred.

At least 81 people have died in Kenya this March following continuous heavy rains that triggered flash floods across large parts of the country, authorities said on Sunday. The worst-hit areas include the capital Nairobi, where 37 deaths were reported. Thousands of families have been displaced, and extensive damage to infrastructure and property has been recorded. In Kisumu County, entire villages were submerged, destroying about 1,200 hectares of farmland. In Nyakach, over 3,000 families lost their homes, and residents sought refuge in eight overcrowded shelters.

Local reports described residents wading through knee-deep water and using boats to evacuate. Rising water levels near the Nairobi Dam prompted evacuation warnings amid fears of a possible breach, though the dam remained intact. Police confirmed that 2,690 families were displaced nationwide. Landslides in western Kenya also caused fatalities and buried several homes. Critics have called for Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja’s resignation, citing unfulfilled promises to improve drainage and road infrastructure.

Meteorological forecasts predict continued rainfall until Tuesday, and authorities have urged extreme caution. Scientists cited in the report link the intensifying weather patterns to human-induced climate change, which has increased both heavy rainfall and droughts in East Africa over the past two decades.

Four Bangladeshi cricketers left Dhaka on Monday morning to participate in the upcoming eleventh edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), which begins on March 26. The departing players are Mustafizur Rahman, Shariful Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, and Nahid Rana. Two others, Rishad Hossain and Tanzid Tamim, are scheduled to join later.

According to the report, six Bangladeshi players have secured contracts in this year’s franchise-based tournament. Mustafizur Rahman, known as the “Cutter Master,” drew particular attention after signing directly with Lahore Qalandars for 64.4 million Pakistani rupees. Parvez Hossain Emon will also play for Lahore Qalandars, while leg-spinner Rishad Hossain joined the new franchise Rawalpindi Pindis for 30 million rupees. Nahid Rana and Parvez were later picked up by their respective teams at a base price of 6 million rupees each.

The participation of multiple Bangladeshi players highlights the growing presence of the country’s cricketers in international franchise leagues.

Iran’s Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari issued a new statement mocking former U.S. President Donald Trump as the American deadline for reopening the Strait of Hormuz approached. In an English-language video clip, Zolfaghari said, “Trump, you’re fired,” referencing the U.S. warning that Iran’s blockade of the strait could trigger attacks on its energy grid. Iran has responded with threats of severe retaliation.

Separately, Majid Farshi, director general of crisis management in Iran’s East Azerbaijan province, reported two deadly attacks in the city of Tabriz. According to Fars News Agency, four people were killed and six injured in an assault on a residential unit in the Marzdaran area, while two others died in a park in Rabe Rashidi. These claims could not be independently verified, and there were no immediate comments from U.S. or Israeli officials.

Earlier, reports indicated one person was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on a radio station in Bandar Abbas, which operated a 100-kilowatt AM transmitter owned by Iran’s national broadcaster IRIB.

The Israeli military, known as the IDF, reported that Iran has launched another round of missile attacks targeting Israel. According to the IDF’s latest update, the country’s air defense systems are actively intercepting the incoming missiles. The strikes reportedly included cluster munitions aimed at Tel Aviv on Sunday night, which were neutralized in the air before reaching their targets.

Earlier reports indicated explosions in several parts of Tehran, Iran’s capital, though details about the cause or extent of those blasts remain unclear. The renewed exchange marks another escalation in hostilities between the two countries, with both sides reporting aerial activity and defensive responses.

The IDF stated that its air defense operations are ongoing to counter further threats, but no additional information on casualties or damage was provided in the report.

A severe fuel shortage has gripped Nilphamari district, leaving most petrol pumps without supply and forcing drivers and residents into long queues. Only a few stations have limited fuel, with customers restricted to small purchases. Despite the government ending rationing, most pump owners continue to sell under rationing rules. Meanwhile, petrol and octane are being sold at inflated prices in local markets, reaching up to Tk 300 per litre, far above the official rates of Tk 116 and Tk 120.

Motorists and farmers are among the worst affected. Drivers report waiting for hours without success, while farmers face difficulties irrigating their fields during the peak cultivation season. Pump owners say their stocks have run out due to inadequate supply and remain uncertain when normal distribution will resume.

Local authorities have warned of immediate action against illegal hoarding or overpricing. Officials from the Consumer Rights Protection Directorate confirmed that selling fuel above the government-fixed price is illegal, as the crisis continues to disrupt daily life across the district.

Asaduddin Owaisi’s All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) has announced an alliance with Humayun Kabir’s Am Janata Unnayan Party (AJUP) ahead of the upcoming West Bengal assembly election. The announcement was made on Sunday, with both parties confirming their joint participation in the polls. Kabir, a former Trinamool Congress leader, stated that his party would field 154 candidates across the state, including his own candidacy from Rejinagar and Naoda constituencies.

Kabir also mentioned that Poonam Begum would contest from Bhabanipur against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari. He told news agency ANI that the alliance with AIMIM might contest in eight constituencies. Owaisi, confirming the partnership, criticized Mamata Banerjee’s 15-year tenure, claiming that West Bengal’s Muslim community had not seen adequate development and had faced injustice.

AIMIM had previously contested the 2021 West Bengal election but failed to achieve significant results. The new alliance signals a renewed attempt to expand its political presence in the state.

The Middle East saw a sharp escalation in hostilities on Monday, with Israel launching what it described as a 'massive attack' on Tehran. Explosions were reported in the Iranian capital, and AFP journalists observed thick black smoke. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said they intercepted new attacks, while debris from a downed missile injured an Indian national in Abu Dhabi. In Iran’s Bandar Abbas region, state media reported one death in a joint U.S.-Israeli strike on a broadcasting center.

International Energy Agency chief Fatih Birol warned that the global economy faces a major threat from the ongoing energy crisis, comparing it to the oil shocks of the 1970s and the 2022 Ukraine war. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed support against Iranian missile and drone threats. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s Prime Minister Nawaf Salam accused Iran’s Revolutionary Guard of directing Hezbollah’s military operations.

Israel’s military chief said ground operations in Lebanon will intensify, calling them “just the beginning,” while a spokesperson predicted fighting against Iran and Hezbollah could continue for several weeks.