FRIDAY| VOL—V/2026/MARCH

 

NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||10^th MARCH2026

FRIDAY| VOL—V/2026/MARCH

OPINIONATED, FOR FREE CIRCULATION.

“अकर्तव्यं न कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि ।

कर्तव्यमेव कर्तव्यं प्राणैः कण्ठगतैरपि” ॥

*Meaning* : Whatever is not right to be done, must never be done even on pain of death; and what is right to do, must be done even if one should die for the same.

*भावार्थ* : जो कार्य निषिद्ध है, उसे प्राण कण्ठगत (मृत्यु संकट उपस्थित होने की स्थिति) पर भी नहीं करना चाहिये। जो कर्तव्य है, उसे अपने प्राण की परवाह न करते हुये भी अवश्य करना चाहिये.

INDIA: (GOI, SWARAJYA, VISHWAMITRA, HINDU POST, INDIA TODAY).

India has swept unopposed the elections to Economic and Social Council bodies of the United Nations marking a significant diplomatic achievement. The elections, held at the United Nations headquarters yesterday, were conducted by acclamation, indicating unanimous support from member states.

Polling ends peacefully for Assembly Elections in Assam, Keralam, and Puducherry; Assam registers over 85 percent voter turnout; Keralam over 78 percent and Puducherry about 89 per cent. But in West Bengal—it was ‘KHELA HOBE’! With BLOOD, and Rape! Can we change the 50-year-old  script started with Sidhu Babu in 1971 this time??

Indian-flagged vessel carrying 15,400 tonnes of LPG arrives at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority in Mumbai.

IRAN WAR/FORECAST: ISLAMABAD SUMMIT :

Direct, in-person negotiations are scheduled to begin today, JUMMABAR, April 10, 2026, in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Key Participants: The U.S. delegation will be led by Vice President JD Vance, while Iran’s delegation is headed by Speaker of Parliament Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

Duration: Discussions are expected to last roughly 15 days, with the possibility of extension if both sides agree.

Primary Goals: The talks aim to finalize a conclusive agreement to settle all disputes and end 39 days of intense hostilities that broke out on 28^th February.

Major Stumbling Blocks:

Despite the truce, the situation remains volatile due to deeply conflicting demands:

Nuclear Enrichment: Iran’s 10-point proposal requires the U.S. to accept its uranium enrichment program, a point the U.S. has historically denied.

Sanctions and Forces: Tehran is demanding the lifting of all primary and secondary sanctions and the withdrawal of all U.S. combat forces from the region. GCC may not agree, where USA is largely invested.

The "Lebanon Gap": Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has clarified that the ceasefire does not include Lebanon, where Israeli operations against Hezbollah are continuing. This has already led to "legitimate misunderstandings" and could threaten the stability of the broader truce.

Mutual Distrust: While the ceasefire has temporarily lowered oil prices and boosted stock markets, both sides remain wary, with Iran's IRGC mocking the idea of long-term trust in the current U.S. administration.

Current Market Sentiment

Prediction on markets currently suggest a high degree of volatility, with betting pools like those on Polymarket likely to be active through April 21, 2026, as observers wait to see if the ceasefire will be extended beyond its initial 14-day window.

HORMUZ:

As of April 9, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz is in a state of high uncertainty, limited, or partial reopening happened following a shaky two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran. While a ceasefire agreement on April 7 proposed a reopening, shipping traffic remains minimal, and reports suggest a "trickle" of vessels or continued blockages, with some reports indicating Tehran closed it again due to renewed regional conflicts.

Keir Starmer said that there should be no tolls for ships navigating the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

Key Status Updates:

Mixed Signals & Low Traffic: Despite announcements of a reopening, tracking data shows very low vessel traffic, with many ships still choosing to avoid the area due to risks.

The UKMTO said only five ships passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours.

Ceasefire Terms: The two-week ceasefire allowed for potential passage but did not immediately fully restore normal shipping operations.

Safety & Logistics: Iran's Revolutionary Guard has mentioned that ships may need to coordinate passage due to potential "technical limitations," such as mine clearance.

Fee Controversy: Reports suggest Iran is considering charging a potential fee for cargo transit during this period.

What emerge: The strait is not considered fully open or operating normally. It is currently acting as a "trickle" point, with high risks and uncertainty for commercial shipping.

IRGC Navy announces alternative Strait of Hormuz routes to avoid mines:

Iranian state media is quoting the IRGC Navy as announcing alternative traffic routes in the Strait of Hormuz to help ships avoid possible sea mines.

In a statement carried by ISNA news agency, the forces said all ships intending to cross the strait should, in coordination with the IRGC Navy, take the following routes:

Entry: From the Sea of Oman to the north of Larak Island, and then continuing towards the Gulf.

Exit: From the Gulf and passing south of Larak Island, and then continuing towards the Sea of Oman.

After nearly six weeks, the Iran war has become the most severe disruption to global oil markets in decades. Oil prices have risen by as much as 40 percent, and Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has decimated supply, affecting 20 percent of global petroleum consumption and roughly 25 percent of the oil trade by sea. Even with a temporary cease-fire, the damage done so far will have profound, lasting consequences for the global economy. Could Iran Do this? This is ‘OIL TERRORISM’, stopping other suppliers!!

Discussing the Peace Deal in Middle East in the next meeting in Islamabad, he says " I found it strange that we ask Pak to do this; it's like asking a Pickpocket to hold your Wallet whilst  you bend down to tie your shoe laces !!! "—Comment by Col. Douglas MacGregor , ex Advisor to US  Def Secy., as guest speaker in ‘REPUBLIC TV’ on 08/04.

My take: Washington wants sole credit for whatever emerges and Tehran wants no third party at the table. The most affected country as a  victim of IRAN’s  barbaric policy is outside the table! Can it work??

Lebanon:- I just don’t want to shed any tears on Lebanon. The victims are—Hezbollah fighters, and their workers who are engaged in back office to support them. Some could be casualty co-lateral.  And Israel issued enough pre-warning.

USA clearly said ‘Lebanon’ was not a part of negotiation. Israel shall finish this menace once for all—and IRAN shall commit not to revive them, as a part of peace deal.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel wants direct negotiations with Lebanon on disarming Hezbollah and establishing peaceful relations, but said there is no ceasefire currently in place. Lebanese officials say Beirut has not received a formal invitation for talks, with one of them insisting there will be “no negotiations under fire.” I support this approach.

WORLD: (REUTER, AP, AFP, BLOOMBERG, CNN, WP)

Trump voiced his frustration with NATO countries over Iran in a meeting with Rutte at the White House yesterday, Rutte told CNN. NATO is an expired Cheque in a failing bank called  EU for USA.

Madagascar’s energy emergency: The Indian Ocean country declared a two-week state of emergency due to a fuel crunch caused by the Iran war. Last year, power shortages in Madagascar triggered mass protests, resulting in military takeover.

Greece social media restrictions: Greece will introduce legislation banning Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat for people under the age of fifteen, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said yesterday.  If passed, the ban would take effect January 1. Government officials cited social media’s effects on anxiety, sleep, and addictive behavior as the basis for their support of the measure. I find even grownups are affected!

Rich countries’ development assistance in 2025 likely fell to lows last seen during the economic shock of the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Network on Debt and Development said yesterday. It estimated that only three of the thirty-four members and associates of an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) group of donors met their 0.7 percent of GDP development aid target. 

Bangladesh is to import 200 broad-gauge railway coaches from India, with deliveries expected to begin this year and be completed by December 2027, Railways Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam told. I hope they will pay.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that it has killed Ali Yusuf Harshi, personal secretary of Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem, in Beirut. Harshi was also a nephew of the Hezbollah chief who heads the Lebanese group backed by Iran.

One man killed, several women injured in drone strike by Pakistani forces in Mastung district of Balochistan.

MISHAPS:

The evacuation of all tourists stranded due to a landslide between Lachen and Chumgthang in North Sikkim was successfully completed yesterday under the Operation Him Setu launched by the Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps.

WILD LIFE:

No permission needed for catching, and relocating Simians in INDIA. They are a menace in every City.

GAMES & SPORTS: -

Two-time National champion Meenakshi Goyat came back from the brink to beat South Korea’s Seoyoung Park to reach the final of the women’s 53 kg category, while Hansika Lamba (55 kg) added another bronze medal to India’s tally at the Senior Asian Wrestling Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

In Asian Boxing Championships, Indian women boxers dominated the event yesterday, clinching three gold and one silver in a single day in Mongolia. Reigning World Champion Minakshi Hooda defeated Nomundari Enkh-Amgalan of Mongolia 5-0 to clinch the gold in 48kg. Preeti Pawar overcame the challenge 5-0 against Chinese Taipei’s Huang Hsiao-wei in 54kg, while Priya Ghanghas defeated North Korea’s Won Un-gyong 3-0 in the 60kg final.

DAS KAPITAL:

The World Bank has raised India’s growth forecast from 6.3 percent to 6.6 percent for the current financial year, owing to strong domestic demand and free trade agreements. World Bank expects India to remain the primary engine of growth in South Asia .

Indian Share Market: -  REMAINS VOLATILE.

*BSE SENSEX* 76,631.65 −931.25 (1.20%)🔻

*NIFTY* 23,775.10 −222.25 (0.93%)🔻

BULLIONS: REMEINS VOLATILE.

 *GOLD* : ₹ 15,200/ 01gm (24 krt)

 *SILVER* : ₹ 2,54,000/KG

Currency Exchange Rates:

*Euro* : ₹107/-*USD*  ₹ 92/-  *China¥* : ₹ 13/-

WHAT ARE NEXT:

Today, Canada’s ruling Liberal Party begins its first national convention since 2023.

Today, China’s foreign minister begins a visit to North Korea.

Tomorrow, Djibouti holds a presidential election.

Tomorrow, the Artemis II mission is due to splash down on Earth.

 

THE END.