Junior Digest

Tehran/New Delhi, Feb 28,2026 Shattering the fragile peace in the Persian Gulf, the United States and Israel launched massive missile strikes on several Iranian cities, including capital Tehran, early Saturday morning and Iran, in retaliation, attacked American bases in many Gulf countries, including the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.

In the early hours of February 28, the United States and Israel launched a massive, coordinated military strike against Iran, targeting multiple cities across the country, including Tehran, Qom, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and Karaj.

Israel has officially designated its campaign “Operation Lion’s Roar,” while the Pentagon is referring to the American military action as “Operation Epic Fury.” The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) code-named its operation “True Promise-4.’’

The US said the mission is aimed at eliminating imminent threats and ensuring Iran never possesses a nuclear weapon. The conflict has expanded into a multi-theatre confrontation, raising fears of a broader Middle Eastern war.

While the number of casualties in the attacks was not known, Israel’s Israeli broadcaster N12 said the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Mohammad Pakpour, was killed in the strikes. Among the most powerful men in Iran, Pakpour was the IRGC commander for 260 days. However, there has been no official confirmation from Tehran regarding Pakpour’s death.

Iranian News Agency (IRNA) reported from Bandar Abbas that 57 girl students were killed and 60 were wounded in an Israeli strike at a girls’ school in Minab, Hormozgan Province. Minab’s provincial governor, Mohammad Radmehr, confirmed that the Shajareye Tayabeh school had been hit and several students had been killed. Radmehr also said that 53 students are still under the rubble, according to IRNA.

The IRGC said it had struck several US military bases in the region, including the American Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Bahrain. In its second statement, following the launch of missile and drone strikes, the IRGC said it severely targeted the American bases in Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, as well as military hideouts in the heart of the occupied Palestinian lands.

The IRGC pledged that the missile and drone attacks by Iran’s armed forces will continue.

In retaliatory strikes, Iran launched a wave of drones and ballistic missiles directly targeting northern Israel and Tel Aviv.

The conflict expanded beyond Israel and Iran, threatening American assets in the Persian Gulf. Bahrain’s official news agency reported that a missile attack targeted the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama. Reports of explosions also came from Qatar and the UAE.

The Middle East. Iran, Israel, Iraq, the UAE, Bahrain, and Qatar have all indefinitely closed their airspace, causing massive flight diversions and groundings worldwide.

An air strike also took place near the offices of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. However, according to reports, the 86-year-old Khamenei was not in Tehran and has been taken to a secure location in anticipation of the attacks. Media advisor to the Presidential Office said the President is in good health, and the ‘’enemies’ assassination attempts have not been successful.’’

Iran’s news agency ‘Fars’ also reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian, former parliamentary speaker Ali Larijani, Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Eje’i, and Army Commander-in-Chief Abdolrahim Mousavi Hatami are “alive and well”.

The conflict has expanded into a multi-theatre confrontation, raising fears of a broader Middle Eastern war.

IRGC said the American FP-132 radar, with a range of 5,000 kilometres and stationed in Qatar, equipped with unique technology used to intercept ballistic missiles, has been destroyed.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel launched a pre-emptive attack against Iran to remove ‘’threats to the State of Israel.”

The US and Israeli attacks took place even as the US and Iran had concluded three rounds of negotiations in Geneva to resolve the stalemate. Moderated by Oman, the negotiations were described as successful even as the US had positioned its two aircraft carriers in the area, ostensibly to pressure Iran. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khameini had warned that if the US attacked Iran, they (Iran) would involve the entire region.

While peace negotiations continued, US President Donald Trump said he was unhappy with the progress of talks with Iran over a potential nuclear deal. “I’m not happy with the fact that they’re not willing to give us what we have to have. I’m not thrilled with that.’’ The US said its primary objectives are to destroy Iran’s missile industry, permanently dismantle its nuclear program, and force regime change.

Feb 27,2026: Afghan troops stormed dozens of Pakistani border positions and Pakistan responded with a wave of airstrikes targeting major cities and military hubs.
Beyond Kabul, home to six million people, the strikes hit the southern city of Kandahar — where the Taliban’s supreme leader, Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada, lives — and four border provinces, according to Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, the Pakistani military spokesman.
“That’s what has been done so far,” General Sharif said at a news briefing on Friday. “This is continuing.”
Pakistan launched strikes on more than 20 locations, General Sharif said, hours after Afghan troops had attacked more than 50 Pakistani border positions. Afghan officials described that assault as retaliation for Pakistani strikes earlier in the week.
“Our operation last night was a retaliatory operation and a response to Pakistan’s operation, not an attack to start a war against Pakistan,” Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesman, said at a news conference in Kandahar on Friday.
But Pakistani officials showed no willingness to stop the most expansive fighting in years.
“Our cup of patience has overflowed,” Pakistan’s defense minister, Khawaja Asif, said on social media. “Now it is open war between us and you.”
The fighting comes as both countries have been bracing for the fallout on trade and the movement of people from potential U.S. military strikes in neighboring Iran, adding yet another layer of uncertainty in an area already on edge.
At least one ammunition depot was bombed in Kabul, according to an Afghan military officer who reached the site shortly afterward and spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the clashes publicly. Satellite images reviewed by The New York Times confirmed the strike. Pakistan’s state broadcaster said an ammunition depot in Kandahar had also been bombed.
The extent of any casualties or damage from the airstrikes was unclear, while each side claimed to have killed dozens of combatants in the border clashes.
Kabul, dotted with checkpoints and officers in uniform even in calmer times, saw a heavier presence of soldiers and security personnel on the streets on Friday. In most areas, however, residents went on with their errands and gathered at mosques for midday prayers.
The clashes showcased what armies from both countries are well-known for — air power from Pakistan’s side, and ground incursions from Afghanistan’s. The Taliban deployed and mastered ground incursions on isolated military outposts during their 20-year insurgency against the U.S.-led coalition, said Ibraheem Bahiss, an Afghanistan analyst at the International Crisis Group.
“The Pakistanis have replied by using overwhelming force and that escalates the ladder from Kabul’s perspective, which looks at how to respond better,” Mr. Bahiss said.
“The two sides keep doing what they think are measured responses,” Mr. Bahiss added. “But they keep upping the ante.”

Relations between the neighboring countries have deteriorated recently over Pakistan’s accusations that the Afghan government is harboring the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The militant group has killed hundreds of Pakistani security personnel in recent years, and in November claimed responsibility for a suicide bombing that killed a dozen people at a courthouse in Islamabad.
Pakistan says the Taliban allow the Pakistani Taliban to train and operate freely in Afghanistan, from where they launch attacks across the 1,600-mile, mountainous border.

The Taliban deny hosting the group and accuse Pakistan’s government of trying to deflect blame for its own domestic security failures. But privately, Afghan officials acknowledge the presence of the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan, at least.

The presence of the Pakistani Taliban and the resurgence of other groups in Afghanistan, including Al Qaeda, has alarmed countries across the region and beyond.

The government in Afghanistan has faced pressure from China and Russia to rein in militant groups operating in the country. China has had sustained diplomatic ties with the Taliban administration in Afghanistan, and Russia was the first country last year to recognize the group as the country’s legitimate authority.

The Afghan government has provided the Pakistani Taliban with weapons, including rifles and drones, according to the U.N. Security Council. The United Nations also noted in a report published this month that “Al Qaeda continued to enjoy the patronage of the de facto authorities,” referring to Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration.

Pakistan and Afghanistan released diverging claims on Friday about the number of deaths from the day’s fighting at the border region. The Pakistani military spokesman, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said at least 274 people had been killed there. Zabiullah Mujahid, the Taliban government spokesman, said 55 Pakistani soldiers had been killed.
Since October, Pakistan has kept critical border crossings closed to civilians and traders, reopening them only intermittently to expel Afghans living in Pakistan.

The suspension of trade and the expulsion of more than a million Afghans last year alone have hurt the economies of both countries.

In some villages on the Pakistani side, officials have in recent months instructed families to evacuate as a preventive measure. They have advised residents who chose to remain to seek shelter in basements when tensions flare up.

Colombo, Feb 25,2026: Sri Lanka’s criminal investigators on Wednesday arrested the country’s former intelligence chief in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings that killed 279 people, including 45 foreigners.
Police said retired Major General Suresh Sallay was taken into custody at dawn in a suburb of Colombo, marking the most high-profile arrest in the long-running investigation, The local media reported.
There have been accusations that Sri Lanka’s former government, led by strongman president Gotabaya Rajapaksa, obstructed the investigation into the country’s deadliest terrorist attack, amid claims that they may have exploited the crisis to aid their return to power.
The Rajapaksa family had dominated Sri Lankan politics for nearly a decade from 2005. While they were credited with ending the nation’s 26-year civil war, their tenure was also marked by authoritarian tactics, including the alleged use of “death squads” to silence critics and journalists.
Mahinda Rajapaksa was removed from office in 2015 following allegations of corruption, but the family sought a political comeback in 2019.
Sallay was appointed head of the State Intelligence Service (SIS) in 2019 after Gotabaya Rajapaksa became president, has been accused of involvement in the coordinated suicide bombings, a charge he denied.
On Easter Sunday 2019, six suicide bombers struck churches and luxury hotels across Sri Lanka, killing 269 people, including eight British tourists.

New Delhi/Washington, Feb 25,2026: The US Department of Commerce has announced preliminary countervailing duties on solar panel imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos, aimed at what it describes as offsetting subsidies provided by these countries to their producers.

Preliminary duty rates have been set at 125.87 per cent for India, 104.38 per cent for Indonesia, and 80.67 per cent for Laos. U.S. Customs will begin collecting cash deposits based on these preliminary rates.

The duties follow petitions filed on July 17, 2025, by the Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade, representing domestic solar panel producers.

The petitions claimed that imports of crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells, whether or not assembled into modules, from the three countries were being sold in the US at less than fair value (LTFV) and were causing, or threatening, material injury to the domestic solar industry.

The petitions included countervailing duty requests and were accompanied by supplementary information submitted between July 21 and August 4, 2025, records revealed.

The action follows findings by the US International Trade Commission in August 2025 that imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos had caused material injury to the domestic industry. The US Commerce department’s review used import data from India’s most recent fiscal year and 2024 calendar-year data for Indonesia and Laos.

Preliminary anti-dumping duty determinations are scheduled for April, with final combined duty rates expected in September. A final injury determination by the International Trade Commission is set for October, after which Customs will collect the final tariffs.

Shares of Indian solar equipment makers plunged on Wednesday after the United States imposed preliminary duties on imports from India, Indonesia, and Laos. Makers were hit hard in early trading, with Waaree Energies and Premier Energies tumbling around 15 per cent, while Vikram Solar fell nearly 8 per cent before partially recovering some losses.

New Delhi, February 24,2026: India’s economy is expected to maintain strong growth momentum, with GDP projected to expand by around 8.1 per cent in the third quarter of the current financial year (FY26), according to a report by the State Bank of India (SBI).The report highlighted that despite global headwinds, the Indian economy has remained resilient, supported by strong domestic demand and steady economic activity across sectors.It stated “we expect Q3FY26 real GDP growth of closer to 8.1 per cent”.According to the report, high-frequency economic indicators suggest resilient economic activity during the third quarter of FY26. Rural consumption has remained strong, supported by positive signals from both farm and non-farm activities.At the same time, urban consumption has shown a steady improvement, supported by fiscal stimulus and increased spending since the last festive season.As per the first advance estimates, India’s GDP is projected to grow at 7.4 per cent in FY26, with growth largely driven by domestic demand.The report emphasised that domestic consumption continues to play a key role in supporting economic expansion despite uncertainties in the global economic environment.

The report also noted that the second advance estimates of GDP for FY26 are scheduled to be released on February 27, 2026. These estimates will incorporate additional data and revisions, and previous quarterly GDP figures for the first and second quarters are expected to change due to the revision in the base year.India has updated its GDP base year from 2011-12 to 2022-23, with the new series scheduled for release on February 27, 2026. The report stated that, given the significant methodological changes, it is difficult to predict the direction of revisions in the GDP data.The base year revision is aimed at better reflecting the current structure of the Indian economy, including changes such as the growing role of digital commerce and the services sector.In addition, India has also updated the base year for the Consumer Price Index (CPI) to 2024, which will help provide a more accurate measure of inflation based on current consumption patterns.Recently, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra also said that the revision of the inflation targeting range following the CPI base year update is under examination and will be considered in the next policy.”The revised framework would be taken into account in the RBI’s next set of projections to be released during the April monetary policy,” he said.The report highlighted that strong domestic demand, resilient consumption trends, and ongoing economic activity continue to support India’s growth outlook, even as global economic challenges persist.

New Delhi , February 23,22026: In a push to expand India’s parliamentary diplomacy, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted Parliamentary Friendship Groups with over 60 countries, aiming to deepen engagement between India’s legislature and parliaments across the world.The initiative seeks to “widen India’s inter- parliamentary engagement with the world” according to a release by the Lok Sabha secretariat.It said, the move reflects a conscious effort by the Indian Parliament to deepen dialogue and exchanges with legislatures across continents and to complement traditional diplomacy with sustained parliamentary interaction.The Friendship Groups bring together Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum. The group will be led by senior leaders, including Ravi Shankar Prasad, M Thambidurai, P Chidambaram, Ram Gopal Yadav, TR Baalu, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, Gaurav Gogoi, Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, Manish Tiwari, Derek O’Brien, Abhishek Banerjee, Asaduddin Owaisi, Akhilesh Yadav, KC Venugopal, Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Supriya Sule, Sanjay Singh, Baijayant Panda, Shashi Tharoor, Nishikant Dubey, Anurag Singh Thakur, Bhartruhari Mahtab, D. Purandeswari, Sanjay Kumar Jha, Hema Malini, Biplab Kumar Deb, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Jagdambika Pal, Sasmit Patra, Aparajita Sarangi, Shrikant Eknath Shinde, PV Midhun Reddy and Praful Patel.The countries with whom Parliamentary Friendship Groups have been constituted include Sri Lanka, Germany, New Zealand, Switzerland, South Africa, Bhutan, Saudi, Israel, Maldives, USA, Russia, EU Parliament, South Korea, Nepal, United Kingdom, France, Japan, Italy, Oman, Australia, Greece, Singapore, Brazil, Vietnam, Mexico, Iran and UAE. The idea behind the initiative is to allow lawmakers to speak directly to their counterparts abroad, share legislative experience, and build trust through regular engagement and exchange best practices to further strengthen bilateral relations and promote greater mutual understanding.Beyond parliamentary procedure, the groups are expected to facilitate conversations on trade, technology, social policy, culture, and global challenges that democracies face today. Speaker Om Birla has consistently emphasised the role of parliamentary diplomacy in strengthening India’s global standing, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said. “By prioritising Parliament-to-Parliament and people-to-people connections, this initiative signals a more participatory approach to foreign engagement. The Friendship Groups will enable structured exchanges through dialogues, study visits, and joint discussions, helping to sustain long-term cooperation rooted in democratic values. In doing so, the Indian Parliament reinforces its role as a bridge between nations and as a living reflection of the world’s largest democracy,” it said.”While friendship groups have been constituted with more than 60 countries in the first phase, efforts are being made to constitute these groups with many more countries in the near future,” the Lok Sabha Secretariat said.

New Delhi, Feb 23,2026: India on Monday asked its citizens in Iran to leave the country, exercise caution and avoid areas of protests and demonstrations in view of the evolving situation there.

The Indian Embassy in Tehran issued an Advisory saying Indian nationals currently in Iran, including students, pilgrims, business persons and tourists, are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.

The Embassy, while reiterating the January 14 Advisory, said ‘’all Indian citizens should exercise due caution, avoid areas of protests and demonstrations, stay in contact with the Indian embassy and monitor local media for any development.’’

The Advisory said all Indian nationals should have their travel and immigration documents readily available and contact the Embassy on emergency helpline numbers 989128109115, 98912809109, 98912809102 and 989932179359 and email cons.tehran@mea.gov.in

Aizawl, Feb 23,2026: Mizoram is currently providing shelter to 38,059 refugees from Myanmar and Bangladesh, State Home Minister K. Sapdanga informed the Legislative Assembly on Monday.
In a written reply to a question raised by ruling Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) legislator V.L. Zaithanzama, the Home Minister said that biometric enrolment of refugees from Myanmar is being carried out by district administrations across all 11 districts. As of February 5, 93.04 per cent of the enrolment process had been completed. He expressed hope that the exercise would be concluded shortly.

Sapdanga further informed the House that biometric registration of refugees from Bangladesh is also in progress and is expected to be completed within the next few months.

However, officials of the Home Department indicated that the pace of biometric enrolment has slowed in recent weeks. According to them, the process has remained stalled since January in six districts- Siaha, Kolasib, Mamit, Khawzawl, Saitual and Hnahthial — despite most of these districts having comparatively smaller refugee populations.

Among these, Siaha district in southern Mizoram hosts 3,195 refugees from Myanmar, making it the fourth highest in terms of refugee concentration in the state. The remaining five districts have refugee numbers running only into three digits. Officials said they were not aware of the reasons behind the lack of progress in these districts over the past nearly two months.

Data provided by the Home Department shows that there are 28,355 refugees from Myanmar currently residing in various districts of Mizoram. Of these, 26,592 individuals, or 93.78 per cent, have already undergone biometric enrolment.

The enrolment process has been fully completed in Aizawl, Lunglei, Serchhip and Champhai districts. Apart from these, only Lawngtlai district in southern Mizoram recorded progress recently, with district authorities enrolling 211 refugees during the past week.

With regard to refugees from Bangladesh, Lunglei, Serchhip and Aizawl districts, which host 235, 76 and seven refugees respectively, have completed their biometric registration. In contrast, Lawngtlai district, which shelters 2,042 refugees from Bangladesh, has made little headway in initiating the enrolment process.

The government has not specified a revised timeline for completion in the districts where the exercise has slowed, but officials maintain that efforts are ongoing to bring the remaining beneficiaries under the biometric system.

Dhaka [Bangladesh], February 22,2026: Tourist visa services from Bangladeshi diplomatic missions located in India will resume on Monday, a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official stated on Sunday.The Bangladesh government had suspended tourist visa services from its diplomatic missions in India due to security reasons. However, after the Bangladesh election, the situation has improved, and the visa service will be fully resumed from Monday.”Including the Bangladesh High Commission in Delhi, and in various cities of India such as Guwahati, Agartala, Mumbai and Kolkata–wherever Bangladeshi diplomatic missions are located–apart from tourist visas, other visa services were mostly ongoing. However, tourist visas had generally been stopped, though they were still issued in urgent cases,” a Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official said on Sunday.

“Although we did not formally announce it as stopped, we are not formally announcing it as resumed either; in fact, it was ongoing and will now be expanded widely from Monday,” the official told. Additionally, around the election held in Bangladesh on February 12, the Bangladesh government had instructed its missions in India to suspend tourist visas from January 15 to February 15. In urgent cases, visas were issued. Apart from India, due to security reasons, services were also completely stopped for countries such as Bhutan and Nepal. Now, after reviewing the overall situation, all types of visas, including tourist visas, are being fully resumed from all places from Monday.Indian visa services for Bangladeshis are still suspended–specifically tourist visa services, though some categories remain ongoing.
During the period of the interim government led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, relations between India and Bangladesh had deteriorated. However, after the February 12 election, when the government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office, there are signs of improvement in relations. At the swearing-in ceremony of the new cabinet after the election, a high-level Indian delegation led by Speaker Om Birla participated and met with the Prime Minister.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 22,2026: The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has reported elevated Ultraviolet (UV) index levels across parts of Kerala during the past 24 hours and has urged the public to take strict precautionary measures against prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Data collected from 14 UV monitoring stations installed by KSDMA in collaboration with ICFOSS indicate that several locations witnessed high readings, with the highest UV index touching 10 in high-range areas, including Munnar.

Elevated levels were also recorded in places such as Konni, Chengannur, and Changanassery, prompting alerts in these regions.

Authorities stated that UV radiation is typically at its peak between 10 am and 3 pm, and continuous exposure during these hours can lead to sunburn, skin diseases, eye disorders, and other health complications.

The advisory emphasises that even on clear, cloudless days, UV intensity can remain high. In addition, reflective surfaces such as water bodies and sand can increase exposure levels.

High-altitude regions and tropical areas generally experience stronger UV radiation, and Kerala’s climatic conditions make certain regions particularly vulnerable during this period.

Special caution has been advised for outdoor workers, fishermen engaged in marine and inland fishing, those involved in water transport, motorcycle riders, tourists, individuals with skin and eye ailments, cancer patients, and persons with weakened immunity.

The authority recommends minimising direct sun exposure during peak hours, using protective gear such as hats, umbrellas, and sunglasses while stepping outdoors, and wearing full-sleeved cotton clothing that covers the body adequately. People travelling or working outdoors are advised to take regular breaks in shaded areas.

Real-time UV index data from all 14 monitoring stations can be accessed through the state disaster management authority’s public dashboard.

Feb 22,2026: Pakistan’s military has carried out air strikes in Afghanistan, targeting what it called “camps and hideouts” belonging to armed groups behind a spate of recent attacks, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad.
Afghan sources told that at least 17 people were killed in Nangarhar.
The attacks threaten a fragile ceasefire between the South Asian neighbours, negotiated following deadly border clashes that killed dozens of soldiers, civilians and suspected fighters in October last year.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a statement on X that the country’s military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps and hideouts belonging to the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and its affiliates.

An affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted in the border region, it said.

The ministry said it had “conclusive evidence” that recent attacks in Islamabad, as well as in the northwestern Bajaur and Bannu districts, were perpetrated by fighters “on behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers”.

It said Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s Taliban government to take action to prevent armed groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks, but that Kabul has failed to “undertake any substantive action”.

Pakistan “has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region”, it added, but said the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained its top priority.

The Pakistani air strikes on Afghanistan came hours after a suicide bomber targeted a security convoy in the Bannu district of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel.

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21,2026: India’s space launch systems must be formally classified and protected as Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure (CPCI) under a Classified Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering (C-CIE) framework, according to cyber-physical security specialist K S Manoj here on Saturday.

Manoj, Director of Intelegrid, told UNI that modern launch vehicles operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) have evolved into tightly integrated cyber-physical systems in which digital control logic directly governs high-energy propulsion, navigation, and guidance functions.

“Today’s launch vehicles are not merely propulsion-driven mechanical systems. They are firmware-controlled, sensor-fused, software-defined cyber-physical platforms. That fundamentally changes the security equation,” Manoj said.

He explained that vehicles such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle depend on embedded flight computers, digital guidance algorithms, FPGA-based thrust vector control, and globally distributed electronics supply chains. In such systems, even minor digital perturbations can amplify into mission-scale physical consequences.

“Orbital insertion margins are tight. Guidance errors compound exponentially. Small parameter deviations can translate into large trajectory errors,” he noted, arguing that this amplification factor places launch vehicles squarely within the Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure domain.

Moving beyond conventional cybersecurity models, Manoj stressed that high-energy strategic systems require consequence-anchored protection rather than vulnerability-centric approaches.

“Security must be anchored in consequences. Instead of asking what vulnerabilities exist, we must ask what physical outcomes are intolerable, and how digital manipulation could trigger them,” he said.

This philosophy, known as Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering (CIE), begins by identifying catastrophic outcomes such as vehicle loss, payload destruction, or incorrect orbital insertion, and then works backward to map physics pathways and potential digital triggers.

For sovereign launch systems, he emphasised that such consequence mapping cannot remain purely academic or open domain.

“Space systems operate in a strategic environment. Threat modelling, telemetry sensitivity analysis, and supply chain risk mapping must occur within classified frameworks. That is why we need C-CIE, Classified Consequence-Driven Cyber-Informed Engineering,” he stated.

With growing private sector participation and globally distributed semiconductor supply chains, the cyber-physical risk surface is expanding, he cautioned, adding that the objective is not alarmism but engineering consequence immunity into strategically vital systems.

Under a C-CIE framework, Manoj suggested measures including immutable cryptographically verified flight parameters, independent trajectory recomputation channels, hardware root-of-trust in avionics, real-time physics envelope validation, and zero-trust supply chain validation.

“The aim is not merely to prevent intrusion, but to ensure that even if a digital anomaly occurs, it cannot cascade into catastrophic physical amplification,” he said.

He observed that while sectors such as power, banking, and telecom are widely recognised as Critical Information Infrastructure, space launch systems are still largely viewed through aerospace reliability lenses.

“That separation is outdated. Launch vehicles are sovereign strategic assets. Their protection doctrine must reflect their cyber-physical nature,” he added, calling for formal recognition of launch systems as Cyber-Physical Critical Infrastructure under national security doctrine, supported by structured C-CIE governance.

As India expands its commercial launch footprint and strategic missions, Manoj said the next generation of resilience must be physics-anchored.

“The future of sovereign space resilience lies in secure-by-physics engineering, where cyber manipulation cannot translate into mission-scale physical consequence. Nations that treat launch systems as cyber-physical strategic infrastructure, rather than purely aerospace platforms, will define the global standard for space security in the coming decade,” he said.

Guwahati/New Delhi, Feb 17,2026: The full bench of the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar along with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi, on Tuesday held a series of meetings with recognised national and state political parties in Guwahati to review preparedness for the upcoming elections in Assam.

The meeting was also attended by the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Assam and other senior officials of the Commission.

Representatives of four recognised national parties- Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist) and Indian National Congress- participated in the discussions.

Among the recognised state parties, leaders from All India United Democratic Front, Asom Gana Parishad, Bodoland People’s Front and United People’s Party Liberal were present.

According to a press note issued by the poll panel, a majority of political parties urged the Commission to conduct the elections in a single phase or, at most, in two phases to ensure smoother logistics and minimise prolonged campaigning.

“Most parties were of the view that a single-phase election, or a maximum of two phases, would be preferable for administrative convenience as well as voter participation,” the EC said in its press note.

Another key demand raised during the meeting was that the poll schedule should take into account the Bihu festival, one of Assam’s most significant cultural celebrations.

“Political parties requested that election dates be announced, keeping in mind the Bihu festival so that voters can participate fully in both the democratic process and traditional festivities,” the poll panel note added.

The parties generally appreciated the recent Special Summary Revision of Electoral Rolls conducted in the state, terming it an important step in ensuring the accuracy and inclusiveness of voter lists.

Commission officials noted that suggestions were also put forward for ensuring the peaceful and smooth conduct of elections, including enhanced coordination between district authorities and political representatives.

During the interaction, the Commission reiterated its commitment to conducting free, fair and transparent elections in accordance with the law.

“The Commission values the constructive suggestions made by political parties and will examine them carefully while finalising the election schedule and arrangements,” the ECI said.

The visit to Guwahati is part of the Commission’s broader consultative exercise with stakeholders ahead of the announcement of the election schedule for Assam. State Assembly elections .in Assam are due around March-April.

Washington, Feb 17,2026: US President Donald Trump on Monday said he would be involved “indirectly” in high-level nuclear negotiations between the United States and Iran, set for Tuesday in Geneva. He also urged Iran to be “reasonable” during the discussions, reminding Tehran of the June 2025 B‑2 bomber strike on its nuclear facilities.

“I’ll be involved in those talks, indirectly. And they’ll be very important,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One.”I hope they’re going to be more reasonable,” Trump added.

The upcoming Geneva session marks a continuation of the nuclear dialogue, with US envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser Jared Kushner expected to attend.

When asked about the potential for an agreement, Trump said Iran has historically taken a hard line but learned lessons from last summer’s US strikes on its nuclear sites. He suggested Tehran is now more inclined to negotiate.

Before the US strikes in June, negotiations had stalled over Washington’s insistence that Iran halt uranium enrichment that can lead toward nuclear weapons capability.

“”I don’t think they want the consequences of not making a deal,” Trump said. “It will be very important. Iran is a tough negotiator, but I would say they are bad negotiators, as we could have had a deal instead of sending out B-2s (B-2 Bombers) to knock out their nuclear potential. I hope they are going to be more reasonable. They want to make a deal… We have peace in the Middle East. You will see some flames here and there, but we essentially have peace in the Middle East. That happened because we did a B-2 attack on the nuclear potential. They would have had a nuclear weapon within one month. If that happened, it would have been a whole different deal,” Trump said, referencing the stealth bombers used in the attacks.

The talks follow the initial indirect round in Oman on February 6, during which Iran insisted on the right to enrich uranium, while the US sought broader discussions on missiles and regional proxies, including Hezbollah. Both sides described the first meeting as a “good start,” despite lingering differences.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that President Trump favors diplomatic solutions and that the administration remains focused on negotiations.

Iran conducted a military exercise on Monday in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial shipping lane and oil route from Gulf nations, which have been advocating for diplomacy to ease tensions.

These remarks differ from comments he made on Friday, when he suggested regime change in Iran and criticized decades of stalled negotiations.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi met with the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog in Geneva, posting on X that he was there to “achieve a fair and equitable deal.”

“What is not on the table: submission before threats,” Araqchi said.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly requested clarity on Iran’s 440 kg (970 pounds) stockpile of highly enriched uranium following last year’s Israeli-U.S. strikes and has sought full access to the sites in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan.

Iran has warned it may close the Strait of Hormuz in response to any attack, which would disrupt roughly one-fifth of global oil exports and drive up crude prices.

Washington wants to discuss non-nuclear issues, such as Iran’s missile program, but Tehran insists its missile capabilities are off the table and will only discuss nuclear restrictions in return for sanctions relief.

During a visit to Hungary on Monday, Rubio described reaching a deal with Tehran as challenging.

“I think that there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement … but I don’t want to overstate it either,” Rubio said.

“It’s going to be hard. It’s been very difficult for anyone to do real deals with Iran, because we’re dealing with radical Shia clerics who are making theological decisions, not geopolitical ones. Doing a deal with Iran is not easy,” Rubio said.

Iran is run by “radical Shia clerics” who “make policy decisions on the basis of pure theology,” he added.

Still, Rubio said the U.S. remains committed to diplomacy: “We’ve always said it’s hard, but we’re going to try. That’s what the president (Donald Trump) is trying.”

“I’m certainly not going to negotiate with Iran here in front of the press and on the stage. Our negotiators are on their way there now. They’ll have meetings. We’ll see what happens,” he said.

“The president always prefers peaceful outcomes and negotiated outcomes to things,” Rubio added.

“I think there’s an opportunity here to diplomatically reach an agreement that addresses the things we’re concerned about.”

New Delhi, Feb 14,2026: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved three major multi-tracking railway projects spanning 12 districts across Delhi, Haryana, Maharashtra and Karnataka, aimed at expanding capacity and improving efficiency across key freight and passenger corridors.

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw told reporters on Saturday about the Cabinet’s decisions from its Friday meeting, which include measures to increase capacity and improve efficiency along key freight and passenger routes. These projects, which are expected to be completed between 2030 and 31 and have a total estimated budget of Rs 18,509 crore, will add about 389 km to the Indian Railways network. According to Vaishnaw, the projects are expected to significantly increase operational dependability and mobility.

“These multi-tracking proposals will streamline operations, ease congestion, and improve service reliability across key routes,” Vaishnaw said, adding that the works will also generate direct employment of about 265 lakh human-days during the construction phase.

The three projects cleared by the Cabinet include the Kasara–Manmad 3rd and 4th Line in Maharashtra, the Delhi–Ambala 3rd and 4th Line covering Delhi and Haryana, and the Ballari–Hosapete 3rd and 4th Line in Karnataka. The additional lines are expected to ease congestion on high-density rail corridors while significantly enhancing both freight movement and passenger handling capacity across these key routes.

Vaishnaw said the projects will improve rail connectivity to nearly 3,902 villages with a combined population of around 97 lakh people. He added that the corridors will also enhance access to major tourist destinations such as Bhavli Dam, Trimbakeshwar Jyotirlinga, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra/Srinagar, and Hampi — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — along with Ballari Fort, Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary, Tungabhadra Dam, Kenchanagudda and the Vijaya Vittala Temple.

The Ministry of Railways stated that the projects align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of building a “New India” and promoting regional self-reliance through infrastructure-led growth.

The routes are considered crucial for the transportation of commodities such as coal, steel, iron ore, cement, limestone, bauxite, containers, foodgrains, sugar, fertilizers and petroleum products.

The capacity augmentation is projected to enable additional freight movement of approximately 96 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).

Highlighting the environmental impact, the minister said the shift toward rail—an energy-efficient mode of transport—would help reduce logistics costs, cut oil imports by an estimated 22 crore litres, and lower carbon dioxide emissions by 111 crore kilograms. This reduction is said to be equivalent to the environmental benefit of planting around four crore trees.

The projects have been planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which focuses on integrated infrastructure development and multi-modal connectivity through coordinated planning among stakeholders.

The initiative will ensure seamless movement of people, goods and services while strengthening India’s logistics backbone and supporting sustainable rail operations.

With completion targeted by the end of the decade, the projects are expected to play a significant role in enhancing rail-based economic activity across northern, western and southern India.

New Delhi, Feb 14,2026: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the construction of a four-lane access-controlled greenfield corridor from Gohpur on NH-15 to Numaligarh on NH-715 in Assam, including a 15.79-km road-cum-rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra river, at a total capital cost of Rs18,662 crore.

Announcing the decision taken at Friday’s Cabinet meeting, union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project will be executed on the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode and completed as a strategic infrastructure initiative for the Northeast.

“This project will significantly enhance connectivity in Assam and across the North-Eastern region. It will improve freight efficiency, reduce logistics costs and drive socio-economic growth,” Vaishnaw told reporters on Saturday.

The 33.7-km project includes a twin-tube tunnel to be built using Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) technology beneath the Brahmaputra river, with one tube designed to accommodate railway infrastructure in addition to a two-lane roadway in each direction. Officials described it as India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel and only the second such integrated tunnel in the world.

At present, connectivity between Numaligarh and Gohpur requires a 240-km journey via the Kaliabhomora bridge near Silghat on NH-52, passing through areas including Kaziranga and Biswanath Town, taking nearly six hours. The new alignment is expected to drastically reduce travel time and congestion.

The tunnel will include 15.79 km of underwater stretch, 1.26 km of road cut-and-cover section, and 4 km of rail cut-and-cover segment.

The corridor will integrate with two major national highways — NH-15 and NH-715 — and connect with two key railway lines: the Rangia–Murkongselek section under the Rangia Division of the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on the Gohpur side, and the Furkating–Mariani loop line under the Tinsukia Division of NFR on the Numaligarh side.

The project will link 11 economic nodes, three social nodes and two tourist destinations, including the Kaziranga National Park and the Deopahar Archaeological Site. It will also enhance connectivity to major cities and towns such as Numaligarh, Tezpur, Gohpur, Dibrugarh and Itanagar.

In addition, the alignment will provide access to two airports- Donyi Polo Airport in Itanagar and Tezpur Airport- four railway stations, and two inland waterway terminals at Biswanath Ghat and Tezpur.

According to the Minister, the project would play a pivotal role in strengthening connectivity between major economic centres in Assam and neighbouring state,s including Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland, while opening new avenues for trade and industrial development.

The enhanced infrastructure is expected to facilitate smoother movement of key commodities and passengers across the region. Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) in FY25 is estimated at 4,680 Passenger Car Units.

The project would generate approximately 80 lakh person-days of direct and indirect employment during its execution.

With a total civil cost of Rs 11,982 crore and land acquisition cost of Rs 716 crore, the ambitious tunnel project is expected to transform connectivity across the Brahmaputra and reinforce the Centre’s focus on infrastructure-led growth in the Northeast.

Dhaka, Feb 13,2026:In Bangladesh’s first election since the fall of the Awami League, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), led by Tarique Rahman, secured a landslide victory, winning approximately 210 seats out of 299 contested seats, according to the latest count.

However, its principal rival, an 11-party alliance led by Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed dissatisfaction with the electoral process. In a statement released after the results were announced, Jamaat-e-Islami said it was “not satisfied with the process surrounding the election results.”

The Islamist party claimed that candidates from its 11-party electoral alliance had lost “narrowly and suspiciously” in several constituencies. It also criticised the Election Commission’s “reluctance” to publish voter turnout figures and alleged that elements within the interim administration had shown favouritism toward a major political party.

“All of this undoubtedly raises serious questions about the integrity of the results process,” the statement said.

According to officials in Dhaka, nearly 61 per cent of the registered voters took part in the elections, and more than 65 per cent voted in the referendum.

BNP Chairman Tarique RahmanTarique, son of former President Gen. Ziaur Rahman, won Dhaka-17 with 72,699 votes, defeating his nearest rival by a margin of 4,399 votes. He was also unofficially elected from Bogra-6, securing 216,284 votes.

The elections, held on Thursday, were Bangladesh’s first national vote since the 2024 student-led uprising that led to the resignation of long-time Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. According to official figures, the BNP secured 210 seats, while Jamaat-e-Islami and its allies won 73 seats, and independents claimed 8 seats. A simple majority in the 300-member parliament requires 151 seats.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Tarique Rahman on leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to what he described as a “decisive victory” in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, reaffirming India’s commitment to supporting a democratic and progressive neighbour.

‎In a message posted on X, Modi conveyed his “warm congratulations” to Rahman, saying, “This victory shows the trust of the people of Bangladesh in your leadership.”

‎The Prime Minister underscored India’s continued support for Bangladesh’s democratic journey. “India will continue to stand in support of a democratic, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh,” he said, signaling New Delhi’s readiness to work closely with the new leadership in Dhaka.

‎Modi also expressed optimism about the future of bilateral ties. “I look forward to working with you to strengthen our multifaceted relations and advance our common development goals,” he added.

‎India and Bangladesh share deep historical, cultural, and economic links, with cooperation spanning trade, connectivity, energy, water resources, and security. Over the past decade, ties between the two countries have expanded significantly, particularly in cross-border infrastructure and regional connectivity initiatives.

‎The BNP, one of Bangladesh’s major political parties, has played a significant role in the country’s political landscape since the 1990s. Tarique Rahman, a senior party leader, has now emerged at the helm following the party’s electoral victory, marking a new phase in Bangladesh’s domestic politics.

‎Observers say the outcome of the parliamentary elections could shape the trajectory of India-Bangladesh relations, especially in areas such as trade integration, border management, and regional cooperation under multilateral frameworks.

The elections also included a referendum on the July National Charter, addressing limits on prime ministers’ terms, the creation of an upper house, and the restoration of the caretaker system to ensure free and fair polls.

President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and its leader, Tarique Rahman, on winning a landslide in Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections, giving them the mandate to form the next government. He also praised the people of Bangladesh for the smooth conduct of polls across 299 constituencies, with over 127 million registered voters participating.