Gulf Countries Announce Eid al-Fitr on March 20, 2026
Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman officially declared March 20, 2026, as the first day of Eid al-Fitr after the Shawwal crescent moon was not sighted on March 18 evening. Moon Sighting Details Regional moon-sighting committees confirmed Ramadan ends March 19, starting Shawwal on Friday. This aligns with
Israel Strikes South Pars Gas Field Amid Iran Escalation
Israel, with US support, bombed phases 3-6 of Iran’s South Pars gas field—the world’s largest—on March 18, 2026, halting operations, igniting fires at the Assaluyeh refinery, and spiking global energy prices. Strategic Importance South Pars/North Dome supplies 80% of Iran’s gas needs and 40% of LNG exports; shared with Qatar,
India Bank Holidays March 2026: State-Wise List
India’s banks observe RBI-declared holidays alongside state-specific festivals in March 2026, with closures for Holi, Ugadi, Eid-ul-Fitr, and Ram Navami. National and Major Holidays Weekly Closures All banks closed second/fourth Saturdays (March 14, 28) and Sundays per RBI rules. Regional Variations State/Region Key March Holidays State/Region Key March Holidays Kerala
Rajya Sabha Bids Farewell to 59 Retiring MPs
Rajya Sabha held a farewell ceremony on March 18, 2026, for 59 members retiring between April and July after completing their terms, with tributes from PM Narendra Modi, LoP Mallikarjun Kharge, and others. Key Highlights PM Modi stated “in politics there is no full stop,” praising retiring MPs like H.D.
22 India-Bound Ships Listed for Strait of Hormuz Evacuation
India identified 22 critical energy vessels—13 Indian-flagged (3 LNG, 11 LPG carriers, 8 crude tankers)—stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz for prioritized evacuation amid Iranian blockade during the US-Israel-Iran war. Evacuation Progress Two LPG tankers reached Gujarat safely on March 15 after diplomatic talks with Tehran; 3 container ships
Delhi-NCR Faces Cloudy Skies with Rain and Gusty Winds Till Friday
Delhi-NCR is under cloudy skies with light rain, thunderstorms, and gusty winds expected through March 20, 2026, providing relief from recent heat. IMD Forecast Yellow alert issued for March 19-20: winds 30-50 kmph, very light to light rain/thunderstorms in spells. Max temps 26-30°C, min 16-18°C; air quality improves post-rain. Regional
NIA Arrests US Mercenary VanDyke and Six Ukrainians on Russian Tip-Off
India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested US national Matthew Aaron VanDyke and six Ukrainians—Petro Hurba, Taras Slyviak, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Marian Stefankiv, Maksym Honcharuk, Viktor Kaminskyi—on March 13, 2026, at Kolkata, Lucknow, and Delhi airports following a Russian intelligence tip-off. Alleged Activities The group entered Mizoram without permission, crossed into Myanmar
US Navy Hesitant on Strait of Hormuz Due to Iran’s Asymmetric Trap
The US Navy’s reluctance to unilaterally secure the Strait of Hormuz arises from Iran’s sophisticated asymmetric warfare strategy, tailored to inflict maximum damage on superior naval forces in this narrow chokepoint. Iran’s Kill Box Tactics Iran exploits the strait’s 20-mile width with fast-attack boats, midget submarines, drone swarms, sea mines
The Irony of Jail: When Punishment Begins to Lose Its Fear
Comfort, Reform and the Changing Perception of Imprisonment A recent remark by activist Sonam Wangchuk — that “everyone should go to jail at least once” — has sparked an unusual but important debate. Traditionally, jail has been viewed as a place of punishment, a deterrent meant to instill fear and
India Steps In as Gulf Lifeline Amid War Disruptions
Over 5,000 Tonnes of Essential Food Dispatched to Stabilize Regional Supplies In a significant humanitarian and strategic move, India has dispatched over 5,000 metric tonnes of perishable food items to Gulf nations as the ongoing US-Iran conflict continues to disrupt critical trade routes across West Asia. The large-scale shipment, which
