Morning Digest: Torpedo attack by U.S. submarine sinks Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka; Nepal goes to polls amid domestic upheaval, and more

Torpedo attack by U.S. submarine sinks Iranian frigate off Sri Lanka

A U.S. submarine attacked an Iranian warship, which sank in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, bringing the West Asian conflict closer to the Indian subcontinent. At least 83 people were killed in the torpedo attack.

War puts India’s oil, gas imports under stress

The escalating war in West Asia is putting India’s oil and gas imports under stress with tankers and gas carriers bound for India stranded in the Persian Gulf and Qatar shutting down its Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) production facility. Some 200 internationally-trading crude oil and product tankers are stranded in the Persian Gulf following a total stoppage of ship movement across the Strait of Hormuz, as per Lloyds List Intelligence. 

Nepal goes to polls amid domestic upheaval and regional power plays

Nepal is voting on Thursday (March 5, 2026) in its first election since last September’s Gen Z protests that toppled the K.P. Sharma Oli government and led to the dissolution of the House of Representatives. The sudden eruption of the movement — marked by the unprecedented participation of thousands of young people — and the killing of 19 youth in police firing left the country in shock. 

Spain denies U.S. claim of military cooperation on Iran as rift deepens

Spain on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) doubled down on its opposition to Washington’s use of its bases against Iran, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats of trade reprisals over the spat deepened a rift between the NATO allies. Spain’s Socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez defiantly repeated calls of “no to the war” on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) after the weekend U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran triggered the regional conflict, in his latest policy clash with Mr. Trump.

T20 World Cup | Allen has a stroll in the garden as Kiwis reach the final

New Zealand reached its second men’s T20 World Cup final with a victory so complete that, for all the intrigue of the first half, the chase carried scarcely a tremor of uncertainty. Pursuing 170 at Eden Gardens on Wednesday, the Black Caps swept past the Proteas by nine wickets with 43 balls to spare.

180 flights cancelled amid growing West Asia conflict

Around 180 flights from three metro airports, Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru, were cancelled on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) owing to airspace restrictions amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, sources said.While 93 flights, including 48 departures and 45 arrivals, were cancelled at Mumbai Airport, Delhi Airport saw 52 cancellations that included 25 departures and 27 arrivals on Wednesday (March 4, 2025).

Before announcing W.B. poll dates, EC members to assess ground situation in the State from March 8

All members of the Election Commission of India, led by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, are likely to arrive in poll-bound West Bengal on March 8 to take stock of the situation on the ground before announcing the dates of the Assembly election. Commission members will hold meetings with State election officials and law enforcement officials, such as senior police officials and district magistrates, on March 9 and 10.

Tamil Nadu Assembly election: DMK and Congress finally seal pact for 28 seats, one Rajya Sabha berth

The ruling DMK and the Congress finally signed the seat-sharing pact for the Assembly elections after days of uncertainty and hard bargain. As per the agreement signed by DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and TNCC president Selvaperunthagai, the Congress will contest in 28 Assembly seats. This is three higher than what the party was allotted in 2021 in the alliance. The Congress has also been allotted a Rajya Sabha berth.

No possibility of merger of NCP factions any more, our position is clear, says Jayant Patil

The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Chandra Pawar) on Wednesday (March 4, 2026) formally scotched speculations about a possible merger with the Nationalist Congress Party, saying that such talks were no longer under consideration and that its allies in the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) were aware of the party’s position.