West Indies players and support staff remain stranded in Kolkata following their five-wicket Super 8 defeat to India at Eden Gardens on Sunday, as Middle East airspace disruptions halt their return home. Zimbabwe's squad faces identical problems in Delhi, having been eliminated earlier after losing to India. Both teams relied on Dubai as a key transit hub. Cricket West Indies confirmed it is working closely with the ICC to arrange safe travel, prioritising player safety. The ICC activated contingency plans acknowledging that players, match officials, broadcast teams and event staff depend heavily on Gulf hub airports. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed its squad remains safe while administrators seek alternative travel arrangements to Harare. (PC: X)

Thousands of stranded Indians received major relief as flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi resumed limited operations Monday night amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Emirates flight EK500 landed at Mumbai, while Etihad operated four special evacuation flights from Abu Dhabi to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kochi. Passengers described emotional scenes onboard, with airlines having arranged hotel accommodations during disruptions. India's Civil Aviation Ministry announced IndiGo would operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah on March 3, subject to airspace approvals. Travel platform EaseMyTrip launched charter flights from Fujairah. Meanwhile, Air India extended its Middle East flight suspension until 11:59 pm March 3, offering affected passengers refunds and complimentary rescheduling options.

Two Iranian drones struck the US Embassy in Riyadh on Monday night, triggering a fire and material damage. Saudi Arabia's defence ministry confirmed the attack, noting no casualties as the building was empty. The strike marks the fourth consecutive day of escalating hostilities following US and Israeli-led airstrikes on Iran, initiated after the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran has since retaliated with missiles and drones targeting Gulf states hosting US military bases. President Trump warned Iran, stating, "You'll find out soon what the retaliation will be." The US Embassy issued shelter-in-place advisories across Saudi Arabia. Regional airspace disruptions continue, with hundreds of flights delayed or cancelled across Gulf nations. 

India and Canada signed a CAD 2.6 billion uranium supply agreement between Cameco and India's Department of Atomic Energy, alongside cooperation on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). The deal was announced during Canadian PM Mark Carney's first bilateral India visit since 2018, following talks with PM Narendra Modi. Notably, it arrives 51 years after India's 1974 Pokhran-I nuclear test which caused a major diplomatic rift between both nations. Both countries launched CEPA negotiations targeting CAD 70 billion bilateral trade by 2030, and agreed to cooperate on clean energy, critical minerals, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and AI. Congress credited the deal's foundation to the 2008 Indo-US Civil Nuclear Agreement under PM Manmohan Singh. (PC: X)

The United States embassy in Amman said it has temporarily moved its staff out of the compound due to a security threat.   “Out of an abundance of caution, all personnel at the US Embassy have temporarily departed the embassy compound due to a threat,” it said in a security alert.   At the same time, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said the Strait of Hormuz has been closed.   Brigadier General Ebrahim Jabbari warned, “Any ship that seeks to pass through the Strait of Hormuz we will set on fire.”   The waterway carries about one fifth of the world’s oil supply. Oil prices rose as tanker movement slowed. (PC: X)

An Etihad Airways flight from Abu Dhabi landed in Delhi on Monday night with 310 stranded passengers. Flights were disrupted after Iran launched missile and drone strikes in the Gulf. Families waited anxiously at Indira Gandhi International Airport. Many passengers said they saw missiles in the sky and heard loud blasts. Some said hotel windows shook and debris fell nearby. Parents tracked flights until they entered Indian airspace. Several flights were cancelled earlier due to safety fears. Passengers thanked airport staff for support. Many hugged loved ones in tears. They said they finally felt safe after two frightening days. (PC: HT)

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK will not join US-Israeli strikes on Iran. He told Parliament that Britain will act only under international law and in its national interest. Starmer said the UK will protect its citizens and allies from Iranian missile and drone attacks. He allowed limited US use of British bases for defence. US President Donald Trump criticised the delay. Starmer said the Iraq war shaped his decision. He warned that bombing alone cannot bring regime change. An Iranian drone hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. Hundreds have died since the fighting began.

European gas prices rose over 50% after Qatar halted production at its Ras Laffan LNG plant. The shutdown followed an Iranian drone attack, reports said. QatarEnergy confirmed the suspension. Ras Laffan exports about one-fifth of the world’s LNG.   Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed due to security risks. Tankers face delays and higher insurance costs. Traders fear supply shortages.   The crisis comes after US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Tehran has responded with attacks across the region. Experts warn that a long conflict could threaten global energy security and raise gas prices worldwide. (PC: Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron said France will increase its nuclear warheads and allow nuclear aircraft to be deployed in eight European countries. Speaking at the Ile Longue base, he called the plan “advanced deterrence.” He said it will support allies but remain separate from NATO.   Germany, Britain, Poland and others will host French aircraft. Macron said the world is becoming more dangerous. He warned about Russia, China and tensions in the Middle East. He also said France will no longer share details about its nuclear arsenal. France has about 290 warheads. Only Britain in Europe also has nuclear weapons. (PC: AFP)

3 Indian nationals were killed in Iranian attacks on merchant ships near Oman, officials said. One Indian died after drone boats hit the vessel MKD Vyom, causing a fire in the engine room. Two more Indians were killed when the oil tanker Skylight was targeted near the Musandam peninsula. Three crew members were injured on the tanker. (PC: Reuters)   Another Indian was critically hurt in an attack on a separate vessel. Around 20 Indians were injured in strikes across West Asia, including 13 in the UAE. Most suffered minor injuries. The attacks followed US-Israel strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader.