Morning Digest: Mojtaba Khamenei to succeed his father as Iran’s supreme leader; India bulldoze New Zealand to lift T20 WC trophy, and more

Iran names Mojtaba Khamenei as new supreme leader, state media reports 

Iran’s ‌Assembly of Experts has named ​Mojtaba Khamenei ⁠to replace his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, ‌as the country’s new supreme ‌leader, state ‌media reported ⁠on Sunday (March 8, 2026). Mr. Mojtaba, a ⁠mid-ranking cleric with close ties to the powerful ​Revolutionary ‌Guards, had long been viewed by elements of Iran’s ruling ‌establishment as a ​potential successor to his father, who ⁠was killed after the United ‌States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

Jaishankar to speak on West Asia conflict in Parliament today

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will make a statement in the Lok Sabha on Monday (March 9, 2026), after days of criticism from Opposition parties and several former Indian diplomats over the government’s “silence” on the conflict in West Asia. A notice for the statement, regarding “The Situation in West Asia”, was added to the list of business for the lower house of Parliament on Sunday evening (March 8).

T20 World Cup final: A red-letter day for Suryakumar’s Men in Blue

Among the list of milestone dates in India’s limited-overs cricketing history, add March 8, 2026. At a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, the defending champion dished out a commanding performance to claim the ICC T20 World Cup after defeating New Zealand by 96 runs. Sanju Samson was named Player of 2026 T20 World Cup, while Jasprit Bumrah was announced the Player of the match for the final.

President protocol ‘lapse’: Darjeeling officials had raised alarm over lack of arrangements at venue

As controversy rages over proper protocol not being followed during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Darjeeling on Saturday (March 7, 2026), district officials emphasise that they had warned their superiors that arrangements at the International Santhal Conference were inadequate.

Motion to remove Speaker sets stage for a stormy session

The second part of the Budget Session of Parliament is set to resume from Monday (March 9, 2026) and is expected to be stormy, with the first item on the agenda being the debate over the Motion of Removal admitted against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. The resolution has been listed against Congress MPs Mohammad Jawed, K. Suresh and Mallu Ravi and has been signed by 118 Opposition members. Speaker Birla will not be presiding over the proceedings

Indian national among two killed after projectile falls in Saudi residential area

An Indian national is among two killed after a projectile fell on a residential location in Saudi Arabia on Sunday (March 8, 2026), officials said. A Civil Defence spokesman said the projectile struck a residential compound belonging to a maintenance and cleaning company in Al-Kharj. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victims

Cheetahs moving from Kuno to Rajasthan show ‘natural territorial behaviour’: NTCA

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a body under the Union Environment Ministry, said on Sunday (March 8, 2026) that cheetahs travelling from Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh to Baran in Rajasthan was “natural territorial behaviour”. This follows media reports since late February that two cheetahs from Kuno had been tracked in the Mangrol range of Baran and the Banjh Amli Conservation Reserve after travelling about 60 to 70 km from Kuno National Park. 

One lakh lawyers eligible to vote in Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry elections this year

The number of lawyers eligible to vote in the upcoming elections to Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry (BCTNP), being held on March 30 after seven years, has increased to 1,00,539. In the 2018 elections, 37,474 out of around 50,000 eligible lawyers had voted.

AC prices to rise 5% to 15% as expensive copper, weak rupee and new energy norms push costs

As the mercury starts rising, leading room air-conditioner makers are increasing prices in the range of 5-15% to offset sustained increases in raw material costs and supply chain expenses. The hikes, being rolled out between February and April, come just ahead of the peak summer season when demand typically surges.

Indian cricket is in very safe hands: Gautam Gambhir

After India recorded a massive 96-run win against New Zealand in T20 World Cup final, coach Gautam Gambhir had a long list of people to thank. He said, “Indian cricket is in such good shape because of Rahul (Dravid) bhai. V.V.S. Laxman has unconditionally worked hard at (the BCCI) CoE to look after the pipeline of Indian cricket. Ajit Agarkar has worked with a lot of honesty. And lastly Jay (Shah) bhai, because not many people have called me when I was at the lowest point of my life. Until these guys are there, I think Indian cricket is in very, very safe hands.”.