The Economic Times

An Indian Ashok Leyland bus in Dubai withstood a direct hit from Iranian missile debris. The vehicle sustained only minor damage, with shattered windows and a dented rear. Videos of the resilient bus are circulating widely online. The incident has generated national pride among Indians and humorous online content.

Holika Dahan in 2026 marks the eve of Holi. The ritual involves lighting bonfires to symbolize the triumph of good over evil. People will gather with loved ones to offer prayers and share wishes for happiness and prosperity. The sacred fire signifies the burning away of negativity. This tradition celebrates faith and positivity.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have escalated condemnation of Iran after Gulf states held emergency talks and warned of possible collective retaliation over regional strikes. The Gulf Cooperation Council said members may take 'necessary measures' to protect sovereignty, while urging the UN to act. Tensions are surging as Tehran expands attacks across neighbouring states, following the reported killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and expectations voiced by Donald Trump that military operations could

Iran -Israel Latest News: Former National Security Advisor General Mike Flynn has highlighted a staggering escalation in the Middle East, reporting that Irans newly appointed acting Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Arafi, has been killed in fresh strikes on Tehran. Arafi had been elevated to the position only hours earlier following the death of Ayatollah Khamenei.

Ravi Teja's romantic comedy-drama, Bhartha Mahasayulaku Wignyapthi, is set for its digital premiere, following a modest theatrical run. Directed by Kishore Tirumala, the film, which stars Ashika Ranganath and Dimple Hayathi, explores a businessman's emotional entanglement. The film hit the theatres on January 13 this year. Read on to know when and where to watch the movie online.

Airtel and Google have joined forces to curb spam in RCS messages, marking a global first by integrating Airtels spam filters with Googles platform. The initiative aims to verify senders and detect threats, boosting user safety. Airtel also invites other messaging platformsMeta, Telegram, and Signalto participate, extending protection beyond traditional telecom services for a safer, more secure messaging experience worldwide.

Watch Iranian Missile Evading: As the Middle East descends into a high-intensity regional war, a viral video has emerged purportedly showing an Iranian Fattah ballistic missile outmaneuvering more than ten interceptor rockets over a night sky, believed by many to be Jerusalem.

The Differently-Abled Cricket Council of India has strongly responded to a Sports Ministry order. The ministry barred the council from using 'India' or 'Indian' in its name. DCCI calls this action selective and targeted. It argues other bodies use 'India' without similar directives. DCCI seeks withdrawal of the order and formal recognition from the ministry.

IBPS Clerk Mains Result 2026 Out: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) released the Clerk Mains Examination Result today, March 2, 2026. Candidates can check their results on ibps.in for the recruitment of 15,701 Customer Service Associate vacancies. The exam was held on November 29 and December 2, 2026.

West Bengal Assembly elections 2026: The Bharatiya Janata Party is launching a 'Poribortan Yatra' across West Bengal. Senior leaders Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh will flag off separate legs of this campaign. The yatra aims to hold the Trinamool Congress government accountable. It will traverse thousands of kilometers, culminating in a rally led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Iran-Israel War: Leading maritime insurers have halted war-risk coverage for vessels entering the Persian Gulf, signalling mounting security fears in a critical energy corridor. The move affects ships in the Gulf of Oman and near Iran, forcing owners to rethink routes and insurance costs. With protection diminished, carriers could see lower traffic or higher premiums as risk models tighten.

Amidst rising Middle East tensions impacting air travel, the UAE's airports have demonstrated exceptional crisis management. Dubai's efficient handling of stranded passengers, including on-the-spot emergency visas, and Abu Dhabi's directive for hotels to absorb lodging costs for affected travelers highlight the region's commitment to passenger welfare and hospitality during disruptions.

India's economy shows strong momentum with 7.8 per cent GDP growth in the October-December 2025 quarter. Experts note this reflects sustained economic activity. The shift to a new base year enhances data accuracy. Manufacturing and services sectors are performing well.

France's President Emmanuel Macron is detailing the nation's nuclear deterrence strategy. This comes as European allies worry about potential US withdrawal and Russian aggression. France, the EU's sole nuclear power, maintains a defensive stance. The country possesses advanced nuclear capabilities including submarines and fighter jets. Macron's speech emphasizes France's commitment to its security and that of Europe.

The DMK is actively preparing for the upcoming Assembly elections. The party's manifesto committee is gathering public expectations and discussing proposals for governance, welfare, and development. A major State Conference is scheduled for March 9 in Tiruchirappalli, where key electoral promises are expected to be announced. This event is seen as a crucial turning point for the DMK's campaign.

Nargis Fakhri is in Abu Dhabi during the Middle East conflict. She is safe but finds the situation emotionally overwhelming. Travel plans are uncertain, and the atmosphere is tense. She shared her struggles with anxiety and sleepless nights. Other Indian celebrities like Esha Gupta and Sonal Chauhan are also in the region facing similar challenges. Read on!

Food safety authorities seized and destroyed over 1,400 kg of adulterated khoya and paneer, along with 400 kg of expired food items in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan. These raids, conducted before the Holi festival, aimed to protect public health from contaminated dairy products and expired ingredients.

Nirmal Jain plans to significantly expand IIFL Capital Services. Assets are set to double and the number of advisors will triple within two years. This growth targets India's rapidly expanding wealthy population. The firm is actively hiring relationship managers to meet this demand. Competition for affluent clients is increasing across the financial sector.

Iran-Israel War: Escalating tensions in the Middle East are reverberating through Asia-Pacific economies. Advanced economies, heavily reliant on imported energy and commodities, face near-term fallout as disruptions to trade routes such as the Strait of Hormuz intensify, According to Moodys Analytics. Higher energy and food prices could fuel inflation, prompting central banks to rethink policy, while emerging markets may confront renewed debt pressures.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Canadian Prime Minister Mark J Carney in New Delhi. The leaders held delegation-level talks at Hyderabad House. Discussions focused on trade, investment, energy, and critical minerals. They also reviewed cooperation in education and people-to-people ties.

The Central Bureau of Investigation has approached the Delhi High Court. It challenges the discharge of 23 individuals in the Delhi Excise Policy case. The agency alleges the trial court conducted a mini-trial. It claims the order was illegal and based on a selective reading of evidence. The High Court will hear the plea on March 9.

Recent events have significantly weakened Iran's influence in the Middle East. Following the October 7 Hamas attacks, Israel launched a strong military response. This led to a series of attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran, resulting in the death of its supreme leader. The conflict has expanded, impacting groups like Hezbollah and Houthi rebels.

While paneer and soya are famous protein staples in India, they are far from the only options available in a traditional kitchen. Here is the story of seven high-protein Indian foods that offer diverse nutrients, textures, and health benefits for 2026.

Kuwait successfully intercepted hostile drones on Monday. This marks the third consecutive day of Iranian retaliatory strikes targeting Gulf nations. The incidents follow alleged attacks by the United States and Israel on Iran. Kuwaiti air defenses neutralized most drones, with no reported injuries. Loud sounds and sirens were heard across Kuwait.

March 2026 brings numerous holiday closures for Indian schools, colleges, and banks due to major religious and cultural festivals like Holi, Eid al-Fitr, and Ram Navami. State-specific observances and local traditions will dictate the exact dates, with many institutions observing multi-day breaks for key events.

US and Israel forces have launched strikes against Iran. Advanced weapons including B-2 bombers, Tomahawk missiles, and F-35 and F-18 fighter jets were deployed. The US also utilized low-cost drones modeled on Iranian designs. Naval warships and ground forces supported the operations. These actions mark a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict.

Indias factory activity grew at its fastest pace in four months in February, driven by strong domestic demand, though export growth slowed to a 17-month low, a survey showed. The HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index rose to 56.9 in February from 55.4 in January, remaining above the 50 mark that signals expansion.

Hollywood star Johnny Depp shares profound life lessons. His words emphasize self-respect, urging individuals not to force connections. Depp believes true relationships stem from genuine desire, not obligation. He also stresses personal responsibility for happiness, encouraging self-reliance over dependence on others. This philosophy empowers individuals to value themselves and build fulfilling lives.

Today's word of the day: Bumfuzzled is a playful adjective meaning confused or perplexed. IN simple terms, it means feeling mentally muddled or unsure about what is happening.

SpiceJet is confident of a Rs 449 crore refund after a legal process, despite the Supreme Court declining its plea to challenge a Delhi High Court order. The airline was asked to deposit Rs 144 crore in an arbitration dispute over share transfer involving former promoter Kalanithi Maran.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard is a powerful force within its government. It oversees missiles and conducts overseas attacks. The Guard's influence grew after the 1979 revolution and a war with Iraq. It has expanded into private enterprise. The Guard's Quds Force supports regional groups against Israel and the United States.

US officials told Congress there was no intelligence indicating Iran planned to attack first. The remarks followed the United States major strikes on Iran. Democrats criticized President Trump's decision as a 'war of choice.' The conflict has resulted in American casualties, with three troops killed and five wounded. The US military has targeted more than a thousand Iranian sites.

Music composer Santhosh Narayanan shared his narrow escape from Qatar just before airport closures amid rising US-Israel-Iran tensions. He confirmed his safe arrival in the United States. Several Indian celebrities are also affected by the crisis, with some reporting their safety from various locations. Airspace closures and heightened fears of regional conflict are impacting travel. Read on!

Middle East oil producers may be able to sustain output for no more than 25 days if the Strait of Hormuz shuts completely due to regional conflict, analysts at JPMorgan Chase & Co said. In a note led by Natasha Kaneva, the analysts said storage limits would force mandatory production cuts beyond that period.

A fire erupted at Ecuador's largest oil refinery, Petroecuador's Esmeraldas facility. The blaze occurred in the charge pumps of a processing unit. Operations were temporarily halted as firefighters brought the situation under control. This marks the second incident at the refinery this year. The company stated the flames were from spilled material and did not pose a spreading risk.

An Australian traveller, Bec McColl, has shared a heartwarming account of her India visit, challenging negative stereotypes. Instead of fear, she found immense hospitality, generosity, and kindness from locals in places like Udaipur and Mumbai's Dharavi. Her journey underscores the importance of firsthand experiences over preconceived notions, encouraging mindful exploration.

Afghanistans Ministry of National Defense said it carried out airstrikes on major Pakistani military installations, including the Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, in response to what it described as Pakistani raids on Afghan territory.

Authorities imposed severe restrictions in parts of Kashmir following massive street protests over the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk was sealed, and security forces were deployed to prevent gatherings. The protests, involving chest-beating and anti-US/Israel slogans, occurred in several areas, particularly Shia-dominated ones, amid a strike call supported by political parties.

Iran's Foreign Minister has formally written to the UN, accusing the US and Israel of assassinating Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a joint military operation. The strikes, codenamed Operation Epic Fury and Roaring Lion, reportedly caused significant destruction and casualties.

Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is challenging veteran leader K.P. Sharma Oli in Nepal's upcoming election, drawing massive crowds with his unconventional campaign style. Disenchantment with established parties fuels Shah's rise, as voters seek change amidst concerns of corruption and unemployment in the Himalayan nation.

Nepal goes to polls on Thursday in a crucial general election. The nation has seen 32 governments since 1990, none completing a full term. Political instability has plagued the Himalayan country for decades. This election follows historic protests that led to the previous government's resignation. The country has transitioned from monarchy to republic, yet stability remains elusive.

A major conflict erupted between Iran, Israel, and the US after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed. Intensified aerial bombardments and missile strikes are occurring across the region. Civilian casualties are mounting. Global energy and financial markets, including India's, are experiencing significant turbulence. The situation is rapidly evolving.

ICICI Lombard marks 25 years with its new campaign, 25 Years of Keeping Promises, centred on gratitude and trust. The brand film uses an origami bird metaphor to symbolise protected dreams taking flight. Rooted in its Nibhaye Vaade philosophy, the campaign highlights customer-first innovation and consistent service. Having served 500 million+ customers and processed 60 million+ claims, the insurer reinforces its commitment to safeguarding aspirations. The multimedia rollout sets the tone for its

An alliance of farmers and environmental groups is urging Health Canada to mandate labeling for pork from gene-edited pigs. These PRRSV-resistant pigs were recently approved for human consumption, but the coalition argues consumers deserve to know what they are buying. They emphasize that voluntary labeling is insufficient and fear a lack of transparency could erode consumer trust.

Israel-Iran conflict India impact: India confronts fresh economic risks as conflict in West Asia intensifies. The killing of Iran's Supreme Leader and subsequent retaliation have heightened fears of oil supply disruptions. This could lead to higher crude prices, impacting domestic inflation and the Indian Rupee. Policymakers are closely monitoring the situation, as the volatile geopolitical landscape introduces significant uncertainty for the nation's economy.

Hostilities in West Asia escalate as Israel strikes Hezbollah in Beirut and Lebanon. This follows projectile fire from Lebanon into northern Israel. The Israeli Air Force targeted senior Hezbollah members. The military stated Hezbollah opened fire on Israeli civilians. Israel is prepared for a multi-front conflict.

The Actor Awards 2026 are underway in Los Angeles, with One Battle After Another leading nominations. Owen Cooper made history as the youngest acting award recipient. Television winners included The Studio for Best Comedy Ensemble and Seth Rogen for Best Actor, while The Pitt secured Best Drama Ensemble. Check out the full list of winners below.