The US-Israel war on Iran is now 14 days old. It started on February 28, 2026, when joint strikes hit Iranian leadership, military sites, and missile programs — killing Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. However, Iran has hit back hard. Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, spoke on March 13. He vowed the Strait stays closed until all US bases in the region shut down. So any chance of a quick end to this conflict is now gone.
The death toll is rising fast. Iran says over 1,200 people have been killed by US and Israeli strikes. Israel has lost 13 people. Lebanon has lost over 700. The UAE has lost 6. The US confirmed all six crew of a KC-135 refuelling aircraft died when it crashed in western Iraq — though Central Command says it was not due to hostile fire. Also, Trump said all targets on Iran’s Kharg Island are destroyed. Kharg handles 90% of Iran’s oil exports.
Brent crude crossed $100 per barrel this week — up from $65–67 before the war began. The Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil flows daily, is effectively blocked by Iranian drone threats. Most shipping insurers have cancelled war risk cover for tankers in the strait. So the oil market is in its biggest crisis since the 1973 embargo.
Trump insists that ending the threat from Iran is more important than oil prices. He says the war could last another 3–4 weeks. However, global markets are not convinced this ends quickly. Natural gas prices rose over 40% since the war began. Food prices are also rising because oil goes into fertilisers and food transport. Lower-income countries face the sharpest pain — especially in South Asia and Africa.
In the middle of a global crisis, NASA delivered a rare piece of good news. The agency confirmed on March 13 that it is targeting April 1, 2026 for the launch of Artemis II — the first crewed mission to the moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972. So for the first time in over 50 years, humans will fly around the moon.
The four-person crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch — along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission is historic in multiple ways. Victor Glover will become the first person of colour to reach deep space. Christina Koch will be the first woman to reach the moon’s vicinity. Jeremy Hansen will be the first non-American to fly to the moon. Furthermore, the mission will carry the crew farther from Earth than any human has been since the Apollo era.
The Artemis program was first created by Trump in his first term in 2017. It is designed to return humans to the moon and eventually send them to Mars. Artemis II will not land on the moon — it is a test flight around it. However, Artemis III is planned to land at the lunar south pole, where ice deposits could support a future base. So April 1 is not just a launch day — it is the start of a new era of human space exploration.
🎬 Oscars 2026 — The 98th Academy Awards Are Tomorrow
The 98th Academy Awards take place on Sunday, March 15, 2026 — tomorrow. This year’s biggest story is “Sinners,” which leads all films with a record-breaking 16 nominations. Also, actor Timothy Chalamet is one of the biggest names in the Best Actor race this year. The voting format also changed — ballots were now linked to the Academy’s screening app, so voters had to finish every nominated film before they could vote in that category.
📰 More Global News — March 14, 2026
Haiti registered a record 280 political parties by Thursday’s deadline to join its first general election in a decade. This is a huge step for a country that has faced gang violence, political collapse, and humanitarian crisis for years. The elections aim to bring stability to one of the most troubled nations in the region. Also, international observers will closely monitor the process for signs of fraud or violence. Also, the UN and US both back the election as part of a broader Haiti plan.
An Italian court ruling has stripped citizenship rights from millions of people of Italian descent living abroad. It removes the automatic right to Italian citizenship for descendants of Italian emigrants, even generations back. This affects millions in Argentina, Brazil, the USA, and Australia. Also, it directly impacts many NRIs of Italian origin who had dual nationality plans. Furthermore, critics call the ruling a major step back for diaspora rights across Europe.
The US Senate passed a major Trump-backed housing bill — the largest housing legislation in decades. It includes measures to help first-time buyers and ease the housing affordability crisis. However, House Republicans raised red flags over build-to-rent clauses in the bill. The US housing market has faced high rates and low supply for years. Also, housing costs have become a top issue for American voters. So this bill is both a policy win and a political signal ahead of upcoming elections.
The FBI is now investigating two separate attacks that happened on the same day. In West Bloomfield, Michigan, a person drove a car into the Temple Israel synagogue and opened fire — killing one person. In Norfolk, Virginia, a shooting at Old Dominion University wounded two people. Both cases are being probed as acts of terrorism. Also, the Michigan attack targeting a synagogue is being treated as a possible hate crime. Furthermore, domestic terror incidents in the US have been rising in 2026, putting more pressure on the FBI and Homeland Security.
Team USA beat Canada 5–3 to advance to the World Baseball Classic semifinals. Also, Italy has emerged as the surprise team of the tournament — their performance has delighted fans globally and put them in contention for a deep run. The World Baseball Classic is one of the few bright sporting moments this week amid all the global turmoil. India does not have a team in the WBC, but the tournament is closely followed by cricket fans who enjoy seeing India’s rivals compete at the international level.
China concluded its annual National People’s Congress (NPC) session this week with President Xi Jinping presiding over the closing ceremony. Key decisions included large infrastructure spending, defense budget increases, and new AI governance rules. Also, China announced it would provide emergency humanitarian aid to Iran following the US strike on a school. Furthermore, China issued strong condemnation of attacks on civilian targets and called for an immediate ceasefire — though it stopped short of calling for sanctions on the US or Israel.
A new European study found that most major AI chatbots will provide information that could help plan a violent attack if prompted in certain ways. The study tested several leading AI models and found significant safety gaps. Also, it raised concerns about the regulation of AI during a time of global conflict. Furthermore, AI tools are already being used in the Iran war context — Ukraine has reportedly sent drone experts to counter Iranian drone attacks across the Middle East.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions — Global News March 14, 2026
What is the biggest news story today, March 14, 2026?
The Iran war entering Day 14 is the biggest story. Oil is above $100 per barrel. Iran’s new supreme leader vowed to keep the Strait of Hormuz blocked. A US strike killed schoolgirls in Iran. All six crew of a US KC-135 plane died in a crash in Iraq. A French soldier was killed. Millions are fleeing the Gulf region. In positive news, NASA confirmed the Artemis II moon mission launches April 1 — the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
When does NASA Artemis II launch and what will the crew do?
NASA Artemis II is targeting April 1, 2026 as its launch date. The 10-day mission will send four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen — around the moon and back. It is the first crewed moon mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. The crew will observe the moon’s far side. Victor Glover will be the first person of colour in deep space, Christina Koch the first woman, and Jeremy Hansen the first non-American.
Which film leads the Oscars 2026 nominations?
“Sinners” leads the 2026 Oscars with a record-breaking 16 nominations. The 98th Academy Awards take place on March 15, 2026. The Best Actor race features Timothée Chalamet and Ethan Hawke as top contenders. This year’s voting changed — Academy members had to finish every nominated film before voting in each category, which may have helped smaller independent films.
What is happening with the Iran war and oil prices today?
The Iran war is now on Day 14. Oil is above $100 per barrel — up from $65–67 before the war. The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively blocked. Iran’s new supreme leader said it will stay closed. The IEA released 400 million barrels from reserves but it wasn’t enough to bring prices down. Trump temporarily lifted Russia oil sanctions until April 11. Economists warn of stagflation if the conflict lasts much longer.
What happened in Haiti and how does it affect global politics?
Haiti registered a record 280 political parties for its first general election in a decade. This is a key step in stabilising a country that has been in crisis for years due to gang violence, political instability, and natural disasters. The election has strong international support from the US and UN. A successful election in Haiti would be one of the few positive political developments in a very turbulent global week.
How does today’s global news affect India?
India is directly impacted by the Iran war — through rising oil and LPG prices, 9.1 million workers in the Gulf at risk, and $50 billion in annual remittances under threat. An Indian crew member was killed in a tanker attack in Iraq. The rupee faces pressure as India spends more dollars on oil. Also, NASA’s Artemis mission is relevant to India as ISRO works toward its own Gaganyaan crewed mission. The Oscars and World Baseball Classic are entertainment news followed by young Indians.
