LPG tanker Shivalik arrives at Mundra Port after safely crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions, in Gujarat, on Monday, March 16. PTI
Iran war LIVE: LPG tanker Shivalik arrives in Gujarat after crossing Strait of Hormuz
Earlier, Iran's foreign Minister said Tehran had not sought a ceasefire and that the Strait of Hormuz remained open to vessels from countries not involved in the conflict
Here is the top, trending news of Monday, March 16, 2026, including Iran war, Indian politics, states’ politics, geopolitics, federal issues, economics, development issues, sports, entertainment, and so on.
Scroll below for updates.Live Updates
- 16 March 2026 2:24 PM IST
M Chinnaswamy Stadium gets Karnataka govt nod for hosting IPL 2026 matches
The Karnataka government on Monday gave formal approval to the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA)and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to host the 2026 Indian Premier League matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, ending months of uncertainty following the stampede after the team's maiden title win.
The 19th edition of the world's biggest T20 league begins on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to face Sunrisers Hyderabad in their first match here at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the tournament opener, as per the schedule.
The formal approval comes after a meeting chaired by Karnataka home minister Parameshwar with the Expert Committee, which was constituted by the state government, and representatives from the KSCA, RCB and their event management firm DNA.
"During the meeting, the Expert Committee presented its report outlining the preparedness and compliance measures undertaken at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium," KSCA's official spokesperson Vinay Mruthyunjaya informed in a statement.
"Based on the recommendations of the Expert Committee and after reviewing the arrangements in detail, the Hon’ble Home Minister has formally accorded approval for the conduct of the upcoming IPL matches at the iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru." "The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) places on record its sincere gratitude to the Hon’ble Home Minister, Dr. G. Parameshwar, for his leadership, guidance and support in facilitating this approval," he added.
- 16 March 2026 2:23 PM IST
EC scraps contract of Bengal poll webcam vendor after 'irregularities'
The Election Commission (EC) scrapped the contract of the agency that supplied web cameras during the 2021 West Bengal assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections after detecting major irregularities in footage, and has selected three new vendors for supply of equipment, a senior official said on Monday.
The decision to change the vendor was taken after serious discrepancies were found while examining recordings from cameras used in previous elections, the official said.
Three companies from outside the state have now been selected through fresh tenders to supply the equipment, he said.
"The Commission has made it clear that there should be no lapse in the conduct of polling. If violence or disturbance takes place at a booth, the poll will be stopped and re-conducted. Repolling will be held as many times as required," an EC official said.
"When the recordings from the 2021 assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections were examined, about 30 per cent of the cameras had no recording at all. In another 30 per cent, only about half an hour of footage at the start and end of polling was found, while the rest was blank," another source in the EC said, as per PTI report.
- 16 March 2026 2:20 PM IST
Indian airlines cancelled 4,335 flights and foreign carriers 1,187 flights due to West Asia conflict: Govt in RS
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that Indian airlines have cancelled 4,335 flights and foreign carriers 1,187 flights so far in the wake of the West Asia conflict.
The escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has significantly disrupted flight operations due to airspace closures in the West Asia region.
Replying to a supplementary query during Question Hour, the minister asserted that the safety of airline operations is the topmost priority.
"Regarding the cancellations that have happened because of airspace closure in West Asia, almost till now, in a cumulative, Indian carriers have cancelled up to 4,335 flights, and foreign carriers have cancelled up to 1,187 flights," Naidu said.
Stating that the safety of the operations is the topmost priority during this crisis, the minister said there is no reason for us to operate in this area when the airspace itself is closed.
Naidu said the aviation ministry and the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) are in constant communication with the regulators in those specific countries.
"Whenever there was a slot available for us to operate, we have operated. And I can tell you that almost 2,19,780 people have travelled during this crisis time also," the minister said.
Naidu said his department and the DGCA have ensured safe operations in collaboration with the authorities there.
"And right now, there are still some airspace which is still closed, and we are trying to do our best to facilitate for them. But first and foremost, the airspace has to be open. It has to be safe to travel. Only then we can have the regular travel take place," the minister said.
- 16 March 2026 12:59 PM IST
Brent crude trades near USD 105
Brent crude oil is trading near the USD 105 per barrel level on Monday (March 16).
A barrel of Brent, the international standard, was up 1.6 per cent at USD 104.73, dipping slightly after opening above USD 106 per barrel. It's up more than 40 per cent since the war began.Share prices in Asia were mixed, and US futures advanced. - 16 March 2026 12:58 PM IST
Some flights resume in Dubai airport after drone strike
United Arab Emirates officials say Dubai International Airport has gradually resumed some flights after a drone strike.
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced flights are operating to selected destinations, according to the Dubai Media Office.Emirates airline says limited operations have resumed at the airport.A drone struck a fuel tank at the airport early Monday, causing a fire and forcing the temporary suspension of flights. - 16 March 2026 12:36 PM IST
Israel hits Beirut and launches new attacks on Tehran
Massive explosions were heard in Beirut as Israel launched new attacks on the Lebanese capital before dawn, saying it was striking infrastructure related to the Iran-linked Hezbollah militia group.
The Israeli army has issued evacuation orders for many neighbourhoods in Beirut as well as southern Lebanon. To date, over 800,000 people have been displaced by Israel's campaign in Lebanon.
At least 850 people have been killed by Israeli strikes so far, including 107 children and 66 women.
Not long after Israel's military announced it had launched new strikes on Tehran targeting infrastructure, explosions were heard in the Iranian capital and outlying areas.
More than 1,300 people have been killed in Iran so far, according to the Red Cross.
In Israel, 12 people have been killed by Iranian missile fire, and more have been injured, including three on Sunday. At least 13 US military members have been killed, six in a plane crash in Iraq last week. - 16 March 2026 12:35 PM IST
Trump threatens to remember which allies do not help
On Air Force One, Trump wouldn't say which countries could be part of the coalition he wants to police the Strait of Hormuz to provide security for oil tankers and other commercial ships passing through.
But he said he won't forget the countries that decline to help. He named British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who he said initially declined to put British aircraft carriers “into harm's way.” “Whether we get support or not, but I can say this, and I said to them: We will remember,” Trump said.
On Monday, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that her government “has not heard anything” from Washington about Trump's call for ships to help protect the Strait of Hormuz.
Japan imports more than 90 per cent of its crude oil from the Middle East, however, and she said there had been discussions about what could be done to protect Japanese ships “regardless of a US request.” Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said he has no plans to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz under the current safety conditions.
Japan on Monday began releasing its oil reserves to address concerns about supply shortages and rising prices.
Trump has speculated that prices would fall, but wouldn't directly answer whether his administration is talking about selling oil futures as a way to cap surging oil prices, something his interior secretary had mentioned as a possibility.
“The prices are going to come tumbling down as soon as it's over. And it's going to be over pretty quickly,” he told reporters.Australia, Germany and China have shown no interest in sending their warships to police Strait of Hormuz either. - 16 March 2026 11:54 AM IST
Dubai flights to remain suspended
Hours after a drone strike sparked a fire at Dubai's main airport, Emirates says in its latest update that all of its flights there “remain suspended until further notice.”
The airline says it is working with authorities to restart operations when possible. It urged passengers not to travel to the airport.
Dubai International Airport is the world's busiest airport for international travel and a key hub for many routes linking the East and West. - 16 March 2026 11:53 AM IST
Australia not sending warship to Strait of Hormuz, minister says
The Australian government says a warship won't be sent to the Middle East to keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that he has demanded about seven countries send warships to keep the Strait of Hormuz open, as Iranian strikes continued to rain down on Gulf countries.
Australia's Transport Minister Catherine King told Australian Broadcasting Corp. on Monday she was not aware of Australia receiving such a request.
“We won't be sending a ship to the Strait of Hormuz. We know how incredibly important that is, but that's not something that we've been asked or that we're contributing to,” King said.
Australia said last week it was providing the UAE with an air force surveillance jet and air-to-air missiles to defend against Iranian attacks.
But a government statement said Australia was “not taking offensive action against Iran.” - 16 March 2026 11:53 AM IST
Saudi air defences down large drone attack
Saudi Arabia's Defense Ministry said early Monday it downed an additional large barrage of 35 drones in the country's eastern region, one of the kingdom's least dense, close to Iran and home to major oil installations.
This brings the total number of drones intercepted to at least 60 in the last few hours.
The ministry did not immediately report casualties or damage.
