Today Updates — Monday, 2 March 2026 | World, Australia and India News on Radio Haanji 1674 AM

Monday morning brings some of the most consequential news the world has seen in years, and host Gautam Kapil is on Radio Haanji 1674 AM to walk the Indian and Punjabi community through every major development — from a catastrophic plane crash in South America to a full-scale military conflict reshaping the Middle East. This is your daily Punjabi news podcast, and today's edition is one you will want to share with your family.

World Updates

A Bolivian Air Force cargo plane carrying 18 tonnes of freshly printed banknotes crashed onto a busy highway near the capital city of La Paz on Friday, killing at least 22 people and injuring nearly 40 more. The military C-130 Hercules aircraft veered off the runway at El Alto International Airport during severe weather, including heavy hailstorm and lightning, and ploughed into vehicles travelling on a major road below. Dozens of cars were destroyed and rescue teams worked through the night to recover victims. In the immediate aftermath, hundreds of people rushed to the crash site to collect the scattered bills that had spilled across the road. Bolivian authorities deployed more than 500 soldiers and 100 police officers to disperse the crowds, and ultimately set the cash alight in a bonfire — declaring the notes legally worthless as they had never officially entered circulation.

The world is waking up to a dramatically changed Middle East this morning. The United States and Israel launched a large-scale coordinated military operation, officially named Operation Epic Fury, on Saturday, targeting Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps facilities, missile sites and nuclear infrastructure across 24 of Iran's 31 provinces. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was killed in the strikes — a seismic development that has sent shockwaves through global capitals. Iran responded swiftly and aggressively, launching waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting US military bases across the region, including the US Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, US installations in Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, as well as Israeli territory. The IRGC claimed strikes on 27 US military bases. US Central Command confirmed three American service members were killed and five seriously wounded. Global oil prices surged more than eight per cent almost immediately, raising fears of a wider economic shock. The conflict remains active, with major combat operations continuing as of this morning.

Iran's military escalation extended to a direct challenge to global oil shipping. The IRGC targeted commercial tankers near the Strait of Hormuz — the narrow waterway through which approximately 20 per cent of the world's daily oil supply passes. The US military responded by sinking nine Iranian naval vessels. With the Strait now under threat, energy markets are in turmoil and economists are warning of sustained price rises across the world.

What the Middle East Crisis Means for Australians

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is already having direct consequences for people in Australia. Motorists are being urged by experts to fill their tanks now, as analysts predict Australian petrol prices could rise by as much as 40 cents per litre if global crude prices continue climbing toward the $100 per barrel mark. Long queues were already forming at petrol stations across Melbourne and other cities on Sunday evening, with reports of lines stretching over a kilometre in some locations. AMP Chief Economist Shane Oliver noted that every $10 increase in the global oil price typically adds around 10 cents per litre at the pump for Australian drivers. While Australia does not source oil directly from Iran, domestic fuel prices track international benchmarks, meaning global disruptions flow directly into what families pay at the bowser.

The crisis is also stranding Australians across the region. Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that approximately 115,000 Australians are currently in the Middle East, with major airlines including Etihad, Emirates and Qatar Airways cancelling or suspending services and multiple countries closing their airspace. The Australian government is working to assist those stranded, though the minister acknowledged the significant difficulties in providing consular support when flight options and airspace access remain so severely restricted. On a lighter note for Australians, Delta Goodrem has been officially confirmed as Australia's representative at the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna in May, performing her new single Eclipse — a moment of cultural celebration amid a turbulent news week.

India's Diplomatic Response to the Crisis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a late-night emergency meeting of India's Cabinet Committee on Security on Sunday, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Minister Amit Shah, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. The central focus of the meeting was the safety of Indian nationals across the Middle East, the disruption of air travel, and India's diplomatic positioning as the conflict unfolds.

In a carefully worded response, India's Ministry of External Affairs called on all parties to exercise restraint and pursue dialogue and diplomacy, stopping short of any direct condemnation of either side. PM Modi spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, strongly condemning the Iranian strikes on UAE territory and expressing solidarity with the country. Modi also spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, conveying India's concerns over the regional situation and urging an early cessation of hostilities with civilian safety as a priority. India has not issued any formal statement specifically on the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader. The diplomatic balancing act comes days after Modi's state visit to Israel on February 25 and 26, a visit that drew significant domestic political attention once the strikes began two days after his return.

In sport, India gave its cricket fans something to cheer about on a fraught Sunday. Sanju Samson delivered a stunning unbeaten 97 off 50 balls as India chased down 196 to beat West Indies by five wickets at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in the T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 stage. The win confirmed India's place in the semi-finals, where they will face England at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium on March 5. The final is set for March 8 in Ahmedabad.

Why Today Updates on Radio Haanji Is Your Essential Daily Listen

On days like today — when the world is moving faster than any single news feed can capture — there is genuine value in having a trusted voice break it all down in your own language, with your community in mind. Today Updates on Radio Haanji 1674 AM does exactly that, five days a week with host Gautam Kapil, covering the stories from across the world, Australia and India that matter most to the Punjabi and Indian community here in Australia.

As Melbourne's home of Indian community radio and one of Australia's most listened-to Punjabi podcasts, Radio Haanji brings you facts without the noise. Whether it is geopolitical crisis, local news that affects your household budget or cricket from back home, Today Updates gives you the full picture every single weekday morning.

You can also catch every episode as a free Punjabi podcast online, making it easy to stay connected no matter where you are in Australia or around the world.

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