The U.S.-Iran war entered its fourth day on Tuesday, widening beyond its initial flashpoints and sending shockwaves through global financial and energy markets. Investors reacted swiftly to the escalating Middle East conflict, with U.S. stocks opening sharply lower. European stocks and major Asian markets also declined, reflecting mounting concerns over geopolitical instability and the risk of a broader regional confrontation. Oil prices surged amid growing fears of an energy supply

The global shipping industry is grappling with mounting financial strain as escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupts maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Within three days of hostilities and retaliatory strikes across the Gulf region, freight markets have recorded sharp increases in costs, with industry estimates pointing to potential losses amounting to tens of billions of dollars per day. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for m

Amid escalating security concerns in Iran, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has relocated most Indian students from the capital to safer locations outside the city. In an advisory issued on March 3, the mission cited a heightened risk perception in Tehran and said transport, food and accommodation had been arranged for those moved. A small number of students remain in the city after declining the relocation offer. The embassy reiterated earlier guidance for Indian nationals still in Ira

Wealthy residents and business travelers are reportedly paying as much as £260,000, or about $350,000, to leave Gulf countries after a series of Iranian missile and drone strikes targeted locations in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain over the weekend. The attacks struck areas that had long been considered secure for residents, tourists, and international business visitors, prompting a sudden rush to exit the region. Riyadh has emerged as a major transit point for those

Air travel operations in parts of the Middle East showed early signs of recovery after several airlines announced limited service resumption following widespread disruptions caused by recent regional strikes. Dubai-based Emirates confirmed it received approval from local authorities to restart a limited number of flights, with operations expected to begin Monday evening. The decision comes after thousands of flights were canceled over the weekend due to airspace closures across multiple countries in the region. Authorities in Dubai stated that only a small number of flights would be allowed to operate from Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport as a precautionary measure while the situation stabilizes. Travelers have been advised to check with their airlines before heading to the airport, as schedules may change at short notice depending on safety assessments and airspace availability. Emirates said priority would be given to passengers who already held confirmed bookings before the disruption. The airline also urged customers not to travel to the airport unless they had received direct confirmation that their flight would operate. According to the airline, most services remain suspended until further notice as authorities continue to monitor regional developments. The disruption followed military strikes involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which led to the temporary closure of large sections of Middle East airspace. The shutdown affected not only flights to the region but also international routes that normally pass through the area, leaving hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded worldwide. Dubai, one of the busiest global aviation hubs, experienced significant delays as airlines were forced to reroute or cancel long-haul flights. Israeli carrier El Al announced that it is exploring alternative options to bring stranded citizens home, including the possible use of chartered aircraft from European locations to nearby destinations such as Taba in Egypt or Aqaba in Jordan. The airline said the plan would require approval from government authorities before it could proceed. Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways also confirmed temporary suspension of commercial services, stating that flights to and from the city would remain halted until midweek. The airline noted that certain cargo and repatriation flights may continue under strict safety protocols as authorities gradually reopen regional airspace. Airlines across the region are continuing to assess conditions before fully restoring normal schedules, with officials emphasizing that passenger safety remains the primary concern while tensions in the region persist.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu is likely to miss this year’s All England tournament after being stranded in Dubai due to major travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia. With several flight routes affected by the escalating war situation, the former world champion has been unable to reach Birmingham in time for the prestigious competition scheduled to begin on March 3. Sources close to the player confirmed that Sindhu had raised concerns regarding her travel plans wel

Bolivian authorities are working urgently to recover and destroy millions of banknotes that were scattered across the city of El Alto after a deadly cargo plane crash near El Alto International Airport on Friday afternoon. The accident killed at least 22 people and left around 37 others injured, with many victims struck as the aircraft went down in a densely populated area close to the airport. The military cargo plane was transporting newly printed currency intended for the country’s cent

Official media in Iran has confirmed the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, announcing a 40-day period of national mourning across the country. The announcement was made through state television, which reported that the senior leader died following recent military strikes carried out by the

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian strongly condemned what he described as a barbaric attack on a school in southern Iran on Saturday, following a series of strikes carried out by the United States and Israel that have intensified the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In an official statement, Pezeshkian said the incident marked another dark chapter in what he called a pattern of aggression against the country, and warned that the violence could further destabilize the region. According to Iranian authorities, at least 63 people were killed in the attack, with dozens more injured, making it one of the deadliest incidents reported since the latest escalation began. Israeli officials stated that the strikes were aimed at high-level targets connected to Iran’s leadership and military planning. A military spokesperson said multiple locations where senior Iranian figures had gathered were hit simultaneously, resulting in the elimination of individuals considered critical to the country’s campaign management and governance. The strikes were described as part of a broader effort to weaken Iran’s operational capabilities, though details about those killed were not immediately confirmed by independent sources. The developments prompted urgent diplomatic activity at the United Nations, where the security council scheduled an emergency session in New York to address the growing crisis. Diplomats said the meeting was requested by several member states, including Russia and China, who described the strikes as an act of armed aggression and called for immediate international discussion. France, Bahrain, and Colombia also supported the request, reflecting widespread concern over the risk of a wider regional war. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is expected to address the council and has already urged all sides to halt military actions. In a statement issued earlier, he warned that continued use of force could undermine international peace and security and lead to severe consequences for civilians across the Middle East. Guterres called for an immediate ceasefire and a return to diplomatic negotiations, stressing that only dialogue could prevent the conflict from expanding further and threatening global stability.

Iran launched a large-scale counter-attack targeting United States military bases across the Middle East, with several strikes also reported in the United Arab Emirates, triggering panic in major cities including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Explosions were heard in multiple locations on Saturday, prompting emergency responses and heightened security across the Gulf region. Authorities confirmed that precautionary evacuations were carried out in several high-profile locations, including the Burj Khalifa

The United States and Israel have launched large-scale military strikes on Iran, triggering a rapid escalation that has pushed West Asia toward a wider conflict. US President Donald Trump announced the start of major combat operations, while calling on the Iranian public to oppose their leadership. Within hours, Iran responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli positions and US military facilities across the region, raising fears of a prolonged confrontation. Explosions were reported in

The United States and Israel carried out a coordinated military operation against Iran on February 28, marking a sharp escalation in West Asia tensions and raising concerns about a wider regional conflict. Officials familiar with the development said the strikes were aimed at key military and political targets, including locations linked to Iran’s leadership and nuclear programme. Iranian authorities later responded with missile attacks targeting Israeli territory and facilities used by US for

The collapse of the Geneva nuclear talks on February 26, 2026, marked a decisive setback in months of diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over Iran’s nuclear program. Mediators had earlier indicated that progress was being made, but negotiations ultimately failed after both sides refused to compromise on core demands. Officials confirmed that technical-level discussions were scheduled to continue in Vienna, though the situation deteriorated rapidly following milit

A homelessness prevention program that began in Santa Clara County is expanding nationwide with a goal of helping more than 10,000 families avoid eviction and remain stably housed. Nonprofit Destination: Home announced it is partnering with 10 organizations across the United States to replicate a rental assistance and case management model focused on preventing housing instability before it leads to homelessness. The expansion spans large and small cities, rural regions and tribal communities, including sites in Minnesota, Alaska, Atlanta, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina. Through the Right at Home initiative, Destination: Home will work with local partners to implement pilot programs based on its established homelessness prevention framework. The initiative is designed to demonstrate that eviction prevention and supportive services can be effectively scaled and adopted as part of broader housing policy. Destination: Home first launched its homelessness prevention program in 2017 after observing an increase in residents falling into homelessness in Santa Clara County. Backed by private funding, the nonprofit provided rental assistance, case management and supportive services to families at immediate risk of eviction. The approach aimed to stabilize households facing temporary financial crises, helping them maintain housing while addressing underlying challenges. In 2024, Santa Clara County formally incorporated the program into its countywide homelessness strategy and expanded it across the region. Since its launch, nearly 44,000 people in the county have avoided homelessness through the initiative, according to program data. A randomized control trial conducted by the University of Notre Dame’s Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities found that 90 percent of participants who received assistance remained housed two years later, highlighting the long-term impact of early intervention. The national expansion has raised $77 million to date. Under the plan, each participating community will receive at least $5 million over five years, with a target of serving approximately 1,500 households per location. The Lab for Economic Opportunities will collect and analyze data to measure outcomes such as housing stability and economic resilience. Funding partners include Cisco, Sobrato Philanthropies, the Valhalla Foundation and The Audacious Project. Researchers involved in the evaluation say prevention plays a critical role in addressing the affordable housing crisis and rising poverty. Eviction can trigger a chain of negative consequences, including job loss, financial hardship and increased reliance on emergency services. By providing eviction relief and community support before families lose their homes, the program seeks to reduce long-term social and economic costs. For some residents, the program has provided essential support during periods of instability. Desiré Campusano received rental assistance multiple times while navigating job transitions and significant rent increases. The assistance helped her remain housed and later move into an affordable apartment, with continued guidance from a case manager. Advocates argue that as unemployment and economic pressures affect households nationwide, homelessness prevention must be prioritized alongside emergency response systems. Supporters of the initiative say investing in rental assistance and case management before a crisis escalates offers a more stable and cost-effective solution to housing insecurity. By expanding its model nationally, Destination: Home aims to build momentum for broader federal funding dedicated to preventing homelessness before it begins.

In a surprising turn of events, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has launched a sharp attack on President Mohammed Shahabuddin, following his public criticism of the Muhammad Yunus-led interim regime. Rahman’s comments, which came shortly after Shahabuddin revealed his experiences under the Yunus administration, inadvertently exposed a deeper connection between Bangladesh’s Islamist groups and the interim regime, hinting at a tacit alliance that has shaped the country's po

Karnataka BJP Chief BY Vijayendra launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his government, accusing them of "lying and cheating" instead of addressing the state's critical issues. Speaking at a press conference, Vijayendra questioned the long-standing leadership of Siddaramaiah, who has presented the state budget a record-breaking 16 times, and demanded that the CM provide solutions to the burning problems facing Karnataka, rather than continuing to offer excuses.

Satellite imagery and open-source flight tracking data indicate that the United States has significantly expanded its military presence across Europe and the Middle East as tensions with Iran intensify over Tehran’s nuclear programme. More than 150 American military aircraft have reportedly been repositioned to forward operating bases in what analysts describe as one of the largest regional force deployments in over two decades. The aircraft include heavy cargo planes, aerial refuelling tanker

Nemesio Rubén Oseguera Cervantes, widely known as “El Mencho” and long regarded by authorities as one of the world’s most dangerous drug cartel leaders, has been killed during a Mexican military operation in the western state of Jalisco, officials confirmed Sunday. According to a statement from Mexico’s Defense Ministry, the CJNG chief was shot while troops attempted to capture him and later died while being transported to Mexico City. Cervantes led the Jalisco New Generati

President Donald Trump on Thursday announced that the United States will contribute $10 billion to the newly formed Board of Peace, a central element of his 20-point plan aimed at stabilising and rebuilding Gaza. Speaking at the board’s inaugural meeting in Washington, Trump told representatives from nearly 50 countries that the United States intended to play a leading financial role in the initiative, though questions remain about how the funding will be sourced amid the administration’s

Russian President Vladimir Putin met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez at the Kremlin on Wednesday, using the talks to sharply criticize the latest United States sanctions on Havana and reaffirm Moscow’s support for its long-time Caribbean ally. The meeting took place against the backdrop of intensifying economic pressure on Cuba and growing geopolitical tensions over the island’s energy supplies. According to official statements, Putin described the newly imposedestrictio