The Hindu Morning Digest: March 28, 2026

West Asia crisis: Rajnath Singh calls for swift decisions, long-term readiness

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday (March 29, 2026) underlined the need to ensure medium to long-term preparedness and ensure a swift decision-making process to navigate the impact of the evolving crisis in West Asia. Mr. Singh made the remarks while chairing the first meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) set up to monitor the situation in West Asia.The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Power Minister Manohar Lal and Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister JP Nadda.

Hundreds of Israelis protest against war, clash with police

Hundreds gathered in Tel Aviv and some other Israeli cities on Saturday (March 28, 2026) to protest the war in West Asia, in unauthorised demonstrations that security forces sought to disperse. Weekly protests against the war launched by Israel and the United States against Iran on February 28 have been taking place in Tel Aviv and elsewhere, initially drawing only a few dozen participants.

North Korea’s Kim inspects solid-fuel engine, new tank as Pyongyang steps up military development

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un ​attended a ground test of a solid-fuel rocket engine ‌made with carbon-fibre materials, as well as inspections ​of special operations forces training and a new ⁠main battle tank, State media KCNA said on Sunday (March 29, 2026). KCNA said the new high-thrust solid-fuel engine had a maximum thrust of 2,500 ‌kilonewtons and that the ground test formed part of a new five-year defence development plan ‌aimed at upgrading the country’s strategic strike capabilities.

‘No Kings’ rallies draw crowds across U.S., in Europe

Crowds of people protested Saturday (March 29, 2026) against the war in Iran and President Donald Trump’s actions, in “No Kings” rallies across the U.S. and in Europe. Minnesota took centre stage, in what organisers expected to be mass demonstrations involving millions of people.

Russian drones kill four in Ukraine, damage key infrastructure and maternity hospital

Russia ​launched a barrage of drones in waves of attacks on Ukraine, ‌killing four people and damaging gas production facilities, port infrastructure, residential ​buildings and a maternity hospital, Ukrainian officials said on ⁠Saturday. Russian troops launched 273 drones, the Ukrainian air force said, adding that the southern Odesa region was the focus of the attacks.

Will ensure no genuine voter is disenfranchised during SIR: Yadav  

The Delhi Congress on Saturday said its party workers will keep a close watch at the booth level during the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in the Capital to ensure that no legitimate voter is denied their constitutional right to vote.

Former Raymond Group chairman Vijaypat Singhania passes away at 87

Air Commodore (Dr.) Vijaypat Singhania, recipient of Padma Bhusan, former chairman of Raymond Group and former Sheriff of Bombay passed away on Saturday (March 28, 2026) evening in Mumbai. “A visionary leader, philanthropist, and an inspiring personality, whose legacy will continue to guide and inspire generations,” the Raymond Group said in a statement.

Great Indian Bustard chick born in Gujarat after a decade through jumpstart approach: Environment Minister

A Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick was born in Gujarat’s Kutch after a decade through the jumpstart approach, a novel conservation initiative, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on Saturday (March 28, 2026). This is the first such inter-State initiative in the country. Execution of the initiative in Gujarat, which had no possibility of having a fertile egg with only three female GIBs surviving in the grasslands of Kutch, took an arduous 770-kilometre-long, halt-free road journey to transport an incubated egg.

Antonelli leads Mercedes 1-2 as Verstappen suffers qualifying shock

Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes team-mate George Russell on Saturday (March 29, 2026) as Max Verstappen suffered another qualifying nightmare. Mercedes have claimed one-two finishes at both grands prix so far in a flying start to the Formula One season and they were again dominant in dry conditions at Suzuka.

IPL 2026 RCB vs SRH: Kohli, Padikkal make it a cakewalk for RCB

High-octane cricket returned to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with a bang as Royal Challengers Bengaluru outclassed Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets in the IPL 2026 season opener here on Saturday. It was a festive occasion at the iconic venue, which hosted its first top-level outing since the deadly stampede last year.