Times of India

Air India Express will resume flights to and from Muscat on Tuesday, March 3, after a temporary halt due to the Middle East conflict. Services to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will continue to be suspended until March 3. The airline cited airspace closures in the region impacting operations.

As winter fades, the air fills with festive scents, signaling the arrival of Holi. Tonight, Holika Dahan offers a chance to gather around bonfires, enjoy sweets, and symbolically burn away negativity before tomorrow's vibrant celebrations. The article provides message ideas for family, friends, and colleagues to navigate the festival's digital and real-world interactions.

PV Sindhu has withdrawn from the All England Championships due to travel disruptions in Dubai, but will compete in the Swiss Open next week. The rest of the Indian contingent is in Birmingham, aiming to break a 25-year jinx at the prestigious event. Several Indian players face tough opening rounds against top international opponents.

How much are China, Japan, India, and South Korea exposed to Middle East oil supply disruption risks? Where do their strategic oil reserves stand? Let’s take a look:

Iran's participation in the upcoming FIFA World Cup in the United States is uncertain due to escalating Middle East conflict. Coordinated attacks have led to retaliatory missile firings, prompting concerns about the team's ability to attend or be allowed entry. FIFA's stance remains to monitor developments as the situation unfolds.

Skywatchers in India are eagerly anticipating a rare lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, a 'Blood Moon' event visible across the nation after moonrise. This celestial spectacle, occurring in Leo, promises a unique visual experience and may bring personal transformations. Unlike solar eclipses, this lunar event requires no special eye protection.

India is closely monitoring its crude oil and fuel supply amid escalating Middle East tensions. The government assures domestic availability and affordability of petroleum products. Disruptions in Qatar's LNG production and Saudi Arabia's oil refinery have already impacted global markets, with European gas prices surging.

The New York Jets are exploring veteran options for their quarterback position. They might sign two veteran players to support their primary signal caller Justin Fields. General Manager Darren Mougey is reportedly a fan of Denver Broncos quarterback Jarrett Stidham. The team is evaluating all possible scenarios for the 2026 season. Stidham is under contract with Denver but could be a trade option as he is on his final year.

Following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader, US President Donald Trump claimed Iran plotted his assassination. Security experts believe Iran lacks the capability for a direct military strike on a US President. Asymmetric threats like drone or cyber attacks are considered more plausible. The US maintains robust protection for its leader.

Anthropic's AI chatbot, Claude, is currently facing a global outage affecting its web, mobile, and API services. Users are experiencing error rates, failed requests, and timeouts. The company has confirmed the widespread disruption, which began on March 2, and is actively investigating the issue, though no estimated time for a fix has been provided.

According to the Minnesota Wild, a standing trade deal is on Vincent Trocheck, which is putting pressure on the New York Rangers before the conclusion of the NHL trade deadline. As there are playoff implications and salary cap implications in play, both teams have some decisions to make that could define their future perspectives of the playoffs, as well as how they would build around their rosters in the long term.

A rare lunar eclipse on March 3, 2026, coincides with Holi, a major Hindu festival. While modern science finds no harm, traditional beliefs advise pregnant women to take precautions. Staying indoors, avoiding food and drink, and engaging in spiritual practices like chanting mantras are recommended for protection during this celestial event.

An Indian national has died after an oil tanker, the MKD VYOM, was attacked by an unmanned boat off the coast of Oman. The strike caused a fire and explosion in the vessel's engine room. This incident occurs amid heightened tensions and ongoing retaliation campaigns in the Gulf region.

Pakistan condemned Iran's strikes on Saudi Arabia and voiced firm solidarity with Riyadh. Despite a 2025 defence pact, analysts expect Islamabad to pursue diplomacy and logistical support rather than direct military involvement, due to its domestic and regional constraints. The agreement centres on conventional cooperation and explicitly excludes nuclear guarantees.

Ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran is impacting India's economy, particularly through rising crude oil prices and potential trade disruptions. Policymakers are monitoring the situation, with immediate effects seen in energy costs and stock market declines. Broader consequences include inflation, current account deficit widening, and supply chain interruptions.

India coach Gautam Gambhir highlights the importance of every team member's contribution. He believes small efforts are as vital as big scores for team success. Gambhir also stated his coaching philosophy will prioritize instinct over data analysis. He is preparing the team for a challenging semifinal against England at Wankhede Stadium.

Three US F-15E fighter jets crashed in Kuwait early Monday due to a friendly fire incident, according to US central command. All six crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition. The incident occurred amidst escalating regional tensions and Iranian retaliatory strikes, with Kuwait also intercepting hostile drones. The cause is under investigation.