Ukraine launched its boldest offensive yet, deploying the "Pelican" drone system to strike targets deep within Moscow, marking a significant escalation. President Zelensky aimed to demonstrate Ukraine's growing long-range capability and bring the war home to Russia. The attacks rattled Moscow, prompting fierce Russian retaliation threats, including potential nuclear escalation rhetoric. Western allies expressed concern over the provocative strikes, fearing uncontrollable escalation. Analysts debate whether this bold move strengthens Ukraine's negotiating position or dangerously pushes Putin toward devastating responses.

Volvo Cars has appointed Klaus Zellmer, current CEO of Skoda Auto, as its new Chief Executive Officer. He will succeed Håkan Samuelsson, who has been leading the Swedish automaker. Zellmer, a seasoned automotive executive with prior experience at Volkswagen Group and Porsche, is expected to take charge on March 17, 2025. His appointment comes as Volvo accelerates its electrification strategy and navigates a competitive EV market. Zellmer will focus on driving Volvo's transition to a fully electric brand.

Russia, facing severe manpower shortages in its Ukraine war, is reportedly looking to recruit fighters through Mojtaba Khamenei, the influential son of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his likely successor. Moscow seeks to leverage Iran's proxy militia networks, including groups across the Middle East and Afghanistan, to bolster frontline forces. This deepens the Russia-Iran military alliance, which already includes Iranian drone supplies. Western officials warn this escalation could further destabilize the region while prolonging the conflict.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni's government is advancing measures to ban burqas and niqabs in schools, framing it as a security and integration issue. The proposal also includes capping foreign-born students at 20% per classroom to prevent "ghetto classes" and promote Italian language learning. Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara supports the limits, arguing they aid integration. Critics call the moves discriminatory and anti-Muslim. The policies align with Meloni's right-wing stance on immigration and national identity.

Thematic mutual funds have seen mixed performance in 2026 so far. Only two categories have delivered positive returns over the past one month, reflecting broad market weakness. Top-performing themes include sectors like PSU, infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing, which benefited from government capex and policy support. The bottom five include categories like international, consumption, MNC, and technology-focused themes, hurt by global uncertainty and muted earnings. Investors are advised to stay cautious with thematic bets, as these are cyclical and highly concentrated. Experts recommend maintaining diversified portfolios over chasing short-term thematic trends, as sectoral rotations can sharply impact returns.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet former US President Donald Trump in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). The highly anticipated meeting comes amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, with Zelenskyy seeking continued US support. Trump, the 2024 Republican presidential candidate, has previously claimed he could end the war quickly. Zelenskyy noted the meeting "could change a lot," signaling hopes for alignment on Ukraine's peace and defense strategies regardless of the US election outcome.

The key conflict in the Tata Group isn't about N. Chandrasekaran's reappointment as chairman but the potential listing of Tata Sons, says eminent lawyer Harish Salve. The Shapoorji Pallonji (SP) Group, holding 18.37% in Tata Sons, has long sought its listing to unlock share value and gain an exit route. Tata Sons was reclassified as an unlisted entity by RBI in 2021, intensifying disputes. Salve argues this listing issue is the real flashpoint driving the Tata-Mistry family legal battle.

**Credit Line on UPI: What You Need to Know**

RBI has enabled credit lines on UPI, allowing banks to offer pre-sanctioned credit directly through UPI apps. Users can now make UPI payments using credit, not just bank balances. Initially linked via RuPay credit cards, this extends to pre-approved loan lines from banks. Users get a set credit limit, spend via UPI, and repay later. Interest applies if not repaid on time. It boosts digital lending access, especially for underserved users, while maintaining seamless UPI transactions without needing physical cards.

Two Indian activists, including noted peace advocate Admiral (retd) Raghunath Anand and journalist Jatin Desai, were invited to attend a security dialogue in Pakistan. However, the event was scrapped amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The cancellation reflected the strained bilateral relations, with both nations facing diplomatic challenges. The activists had aimed to promote peace and dialogue between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The incident highlighted the fragile state of India-Pakistan relations and the difficulties faced by civil society in bridging the divide between the two countries during periods of heightened hostility.

An experimental Ebola vaccine is being deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo to combat a deadly outbreak. The rVSV-ZEBOV vaccine, developed by Merck, is being administered through a "ring vaccination" strategy, targeting contacts of confirmed cases and healthcare workers. The WHO and DRC health authorities are coordinating the effort in affected regions. The outbreak has claimed multiple lives, prompting urgent international response. This marks a critical step in testing the vaccine's real-world effectiveness against the virus.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni announced proposed reforms targeting schools, including capping foreign student enrollment at 20% per class to promote integration and improve educational standards. She also proposed banning the niqab and burqa in schools, citing security and cultural cohesion concerns. The measures aim to address immigration-related challenges in Italian education. Critics argue the proposals are discriminatory and target Muslim communities, while supporters say they uphold Italian values and ensure effective learning environments for all students.

India's Congress party criticized the Trump administration's tariff decisions, warning they could severely impact India's energy security, trade relations, and overall economy. The opposition raised concerns that higher tariffs on Indian exports to the US would disrupt bilateral trade, affect key sectors like IT, textiles, and pharmaceuticals, and increase costs for energy imports. Congress urged the Modi government to take proactive diplomatic steps to negotiate favorable terms and protect India's economic interests, accusing the ruling BJP of failing to adequately safeguard the nation from global trade pressures.

India's exports to BRICS nations surged significantly, reaching $19.9 billion, primarily driven by strong demand from China. The increase reflects deepening trade ties within the bloc despite geopolitical tensions. Besides China, India also recorded notable export gains to non-BRICS partners like Japan, Italy, and South Korea, indicating diversified trade growth. Key export items include petroleum products, chemicals, and textiles. This trend highlights India's expanding global trade footprint and its strategic engagement with both BRICS and other major economies amid shifting global supply chains.

# टाटा संस में चेयरमैन पद पर फिर विवाद

टाटा संस में चेयरमैन एन चंद्रशेखरन की नियुक्ति को लेकर नया विवाद खड़ा हो गया है। टाटा ट्रस्ट्स से जुड़े कुछ सदस्यों ने चंद्रशेखरन की नियुक्ति प्रक्रिया को गैरकानूनी करार दिया है। आरोप है कि उनकी नियुक्ति में उचित प्रक्रिया का पालन नहीं किया गया और ट्रस्टियों की सहमति नहीं ली गई। यह विवाद साइरस मिस्त्री को हटाए जाने के बाद से चल रहे टाटा समूह के आंतरिक संघर्ष की कड़ी है। चंद्रशेखरन 2017 से टाटा संस के चेयरमैन हैं। इस मामले से टाटा समूह के गवर्नेंस ढांचे पर सवाल उठ रहे हैं।

Iran has issued a stern warning to the US, declaring that the "path of deception is closed" and vowing unlimited retaliation if attacked. Amid escalating tensions over Iran's nuclear program and regional influence, Iranian officials emphasized their military readiness and capacity to strike back without restraint. The statement signals Iran's refusal to back down under pressure, warning Washington that any military aggression would trigger a massive, unrestricted response across the region, potentially destabilizing the Middle East further.