The Air India and Air India Express, will operate 48 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on March 16, the airline said in a statement. The services are being run with the necessary permissions from Indian and local regulatory authorities amid changing conditions in the region, it said. The airlines will continue scheduled operations to Jeddah and Muscat. A total of 10 flights between India and Jeddah are planned for the day. Air India will operate one return flight each from Delhi and Mumbai. Air India Express will operate flights from Bengaluru, Kozhikode and Mangaluru. For Muscat, Air India Express will run 12 scheduled services, including flights from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram, along with two services from Kochi, an official statement said. #ImportantUpdate Air India and Air India Express will operate 48 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region.To know more: https://t.co/sRsugeANL9 — Air India (@airindia) March 15, 2026 Additional non-scheduled flights It said that besides the scheduled operations, the Air India group will also operate 26 non-scheduled flights connecting destinations in United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia with India. These additional flights will depend on slot availability and operational conditions at departure airports. The airline said its flights to North America, Europe, Australia and other regions will continue to operate as scheduled. Passengers whose flights remain temporarily suspended have been offered the option to rebook for a later date without additional charges or receive a full refund, it said. "Guests booked to travel on any of the routes where Air India group’s scheduled services remain temporarily suspended may conveniently rebook to a future date at no additional charge or opt for a full refund," the airline statement said. Air India cancels Dubai flights Meanwhile, Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from the airport after a drone strike. Following the incident, the Air India and Air India Express cancelled all flights to and from Dubai for the day due to operational constraints, the airline said in a statement. The airline has offered affected passengers the option to rebook their travel to a future date or cancel their tickets for a full refund at no additional cost. Meanwhile, Air India Express said its ad-hoc flight operations to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah will continue as scheduled. The airline added that its teams are working to assist passengers and ensure that stranded travellers are brought home safely at the earliest opportunity. Assistance for passengers The airline statement said that it is contacting affected passengers using the registered mobile numbers provided during booking to offer rebooking options. Passengers travelling with Air India Express from the United Arab Emirates can also rebook flights from any UAE station to India without additional charges on the airline’s extra commercial services. "Air India guests are advised to raise their rebooking or cancellation requests on the airline’s website at http://airindia.com. For more information, please contact the 24x7 customer support hotline at +911169329333 or +911169329999," the airline stated. Air India Express guests with active bookings can also rebook their flights through the airline’s AI‑powered digital assistant Tia, available on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345, it said.
16 March,2026 12:28 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentA fire broke out near Dubai International Airport on Monday after a drone crashed into a fuel tank, prompting authorities to temporarily suspend all flights as a precautionary safety measure, IANS reported. Officials said that the emergency response teams quickly reached the site and worked to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported during the incident. In a statement posted on social media, Dubai Airports stated that flights at the airport, commonly known by its code DXB, were suspended to ensure the safety of passengers and staff. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority advised travellers to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. Flights at DXB are temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. Please contact your airlines for the latest flight updates. Further updates will be shared as they become available. — DXB (@DXB) March 16, 2026 Authorities said further announcements would be made through official channels once normal operations could resume. Emergency teams contain blaze According to officials, Dubai Civil Defence crews were immediately deployed to tackle the fire, as per the IANS. The blaze, which affected a fuel tank near the airport area, was successfully brought under control. Authorities have not yet provided details about the drone’s origin or the extent of the damage. Emirates flight returns to Kochi Meanwhile, an Emirates flight travelling from Kochi to Dubai had to return to its departure airport after the sudden suspension of operations, according to the IANS. Flight EK533, which departed from Cochin International Airport at around 4:30 am, was carrying 325 passengers when it was instructed to turn back following the closure of the Dubai airport. Air India cancels flights Following the incident, the Air India and Air India Express cancelled all flights to and from Dubai for the day due to operational constraints, the airline said in a statement. The airline has offered affected passengers the option to rebook their travel to a future date or cancel their tickets for a full refund at no additional cost. Meanwhile, Air India Express said its ad-hoc flight operations to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah will continue as scheduled. The airline added that its teams are working to assist passengers and ensure that stranded travellers are brought home safely at the earliest opportunity. Incident amid regional tensions The drone incident comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East following the conflict involving Iran, United States and Israel, which began on February 28. Officials in the United Arab Emirates said air defence systems have intercepted more than 1,500 drones and missiles since the start of the conflict, making the UAE one of the most targeted countries in the region. Earlier, debris from an intercepted drone had caused a fire in Fujairah, another emirate of the UAE, though no injuries were reported. Casualties reported since conflict began According to the UAE Ministry of Defence, six deaths have been reported since the conflict began, including four civilians and two military personnel. Officials said the two soldiers died in a helicopter crash caused by a technical issue. (with IANS inputs)
16 March,2026 12:27 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondentThe India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for several districts in Maharashtra, forecasting rainfall and thunderstorm during the week. The weather department has predicted unseasonal showers in parts of state during the period. According to the IMD’s forecast, districts including Sholapur, Parbhani, Latur, Dharashiv and Chandrapur are likely to experience heavy rain over the next few days. The weather department has predicted light rain and thundershowers in these regions on Monday, accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning, light to moderate rainfall and gusty winds reaching speeds of 30-40 kmph at isolated places. Apart from these districts, Dhule, Nandurbar, Nashik and the ghat regions of Nashik have also been placed under a yellow alert for Monday and for the rest of the week. Maharashtra weather: A state of two extremes Meanwhile, several parts of the state continued to record above-normal temperatures on Monday, according to IMD data. Interior districts remained particularly warm, with Malegaon emerging among the hottest locations at 39.8 degrees Celsius, followed by Jeur at 39.5 degrees Celsius and Sholapur at 39.0 degrees Celsius. Parbhani recorded a maximum temperature of 38.8 degrees Celsius, while Osmanabad reported 38.4 degrees Celsius, reflecting warmer-than-usual conditions across central Maharashtra. Mahabaleshwar records 29.2 degrees Celsius, lowest among listed stations In contrast, the hill station of Mahabaleshwar remained relatively cooler, recording a maximum temperature of 29.2 degrees Celsius, the lowest among the listed stations. Mumbai recorded comparatively moderate temperatures. The IMD observatory at Mumbai–Colaba registered a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees Celsius, slightly below normal, while Santacruz recorded 31.9 degrees Celsius. However, minimum temperatures in the city remained above normal, with Colaba at 25.5 degrees Celsius and Santacruz at 23.0 degrees Celsius, indicating warm nights. Elsewhere in the state, Aurangabad recorded 37.2 degrees Celsius, Jalgaon 37.0 degrees Celsius, Satara 36.7 degrees Celsius and Sangli 36.3 degrees Celsius. Humidity levels varied across regions. Coastal stations such as Dahanu and Mumbai recorded high morning humidity levels of 88 per cent and 89 per cent respectively, while interior districts such as Aurangabad reported comparatively lower humidity levels. Overall, the data indicates that several interior districts of Maharashtra continue to witness temperatures above seasonal averages, while coastal regions remain relatively moderate but humid. Mumbai weather update: City records satisfactory AQI of 79 Mumbai recorded a satisfactory air quality index (AQI) of 79 on Monday, showing an improvement compared to the past three days, according to data from the SAMEER app. According to the IMD, haze was observed during the morning hours, while skies are expected to remain mainly clear during the afternoon and evening. IMD’s Mumbai observatory data for Monday showed that the minimum temperature recorded at Colaba was 25.5 degrees Celsius, while Santacruz recorded a minimum temperature of 23.0 degrees Celsius. AQI levels across several parts of the city remained in the satisfactory to moderate category. Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) recorded an AQI of 93, Borivali East 90, Byculla 91, Andheri East 97, Chembur 79, and Ghatkopar 97. Meanwhile, Kandivali East recorded a significantly lower AQI of 36, while Kandivali West reported an AQI of 85.
16 March,2026 11:21 AM IST | MumbaiAmid concerns over cooking gas availability, Delhi Food Supplies Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reassured the residents in the national capital, saying that supplies are stable. Global supply challenges from Gulf disruptions have led to some tightness worldwide, compounded locally by rumours sparking unnecessary panic-buying. Sirsa urged calm, noting that certain opposition voices are unnecessarily heightening fears, which only benefits those looking to exploit the situation. "Some are repeating past patterns of misinformation, as seen during demonetisation and COVID times, but we appreciate the public's trust and understanding," Sirsa said. The Delhi government has mobilised 70 teams from the Police, Weights and Measures, and Food and Supplies (F and S) departments. These teams are closely monitoring markets, checking stocks, and taking strict action against any hoarding or unfair practices. Sirsa further informed that sales of commercial LPG cylinders have also commenced in compliance with the directions of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. This initiative, in coordination with Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs), ensures up to 20 per cent of average daily commercial consumption, approximately 1,800 cylinders, is available through a priority-based system for essential sectors like hospitals, educational institutions, restaurants, and dairies. The policy mandates regulated distribution via 19-kg cylinders, with bookings tracked on a first-in-first-out basis to prevent hoarding and promote equity. Joint enforcement teams are monitoring compliance, allowing commercial users to access supplies reliably while domestic needs remain fully prioritised. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta is personally overseeing daily updates to keep everything on track. "There is no need for any kind of panic; all supplies are in order," Sirsa reassured. "We're here to support every household." The minister added that Delhi's vigilant approach ensures reliability. "Delhi is in safe hands under the leadership of CM Rekha Gupta," he added. "Together, we'll navigate this smoothly." Sirsa encouraged reporting any concerns via helplines, promising prompt resolution. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2026 10:32 AM IST | New Delhi | ANILok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the latter's congratulatory letter to the Speaker after the rejection of the opposition's no-confidence motion. In a post on X, Birla on Sunday underscored the Prime Minister's "unwavering faith" in Parliamentary rules, procedures, and the fundamental nature of debate and dialogue. He shed light on the PM's celebrated public life as the PM and as the former Chief Minister of Gujarat. "I have received your letter. You have always held an unwavering faith in the rules, procedures, and traditions of India's parliamentary democracy. Your letter expresses those highest ethical values of public service that you have lived by throughout your long public life; both in your current role as Prime Minister of India and previously as Chief Minister of Gujarat," he wrote. The Speaker lauded the PM for respecting "every voice raised in Parliament" and striving to find resolutions to every issue raised in Parliament. "You have always held a deep belief in the fundamental nature of Parliament--dialogue, debate, and deliberation. You accord respect to every voice raised in Parliament as the voice of millions of Indian citizens. You consistently accord the highest priority to parliamentary functions and strive to find resolutions to every issue raised in Parliament," Birla wrote. The Speaker further thanked the PM for his message and described him as an inspiration for all members of the Parliament, state and local bodies. "This message of yours, transcending the boundaries of party lines, will inspire all elected representatives in Parliament, state legislatures, and local bodies, and will further strengthen the robust ethical foundation of the democracy established by our freedom fighters and the members of the Constituent Assembly. Heartfelt thanks for your inspiring words," he wrote. This comes after Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote a letter to Om Birla, congratulating him for the rejection of a no-confidence motion brought by the opposition, and said that the motion was driven by "personal interest and arrogance". माननीय प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी,आपका पत्र प्राप्त हुआ। भारत के संसदीय लोकतंत्र के नियमों, प्रक्रियाओं और परंपराओं के प्रति आपका हमेशा अटूट विश्वास रहा है। आपका पत्र लोक सेवा के उन उच्चतम नैतिक मूल्यों को व्यक्त करता है, जिन्हें आपने अपने दीर्घ सार्वजनिक जीवन में जिया… pic.twitter.com/2eXTMULPhw — Om Birla (@ombirlakota) March 15, 2026 The Prime Minister, in his letter, framed the Speaker's post-motion address as a masterful interpretation of India's parliamentary history, characterising Birla not merely as a "facilitator of proceedings" but as "a vital custodian of constitutional norms". By highlighting the Speaker's assertion that no member is above the rules, the Prime Minister positions the Chair as the defender of democratic integrity against what he describes as politically motivated "misadventures." In a veiled attack against the Opposition, the PM said that while the differences of opinion are natural in democracy, it gets concerning when "political disagreement appears to turn into a lack of respect for parliamentary decorum." He lauded the Speaker for his "restraint, balance, and impartiality" in handling the situation. The PM further drew a historical parallel to the tenure of former Speaker Sumitra Mahajan, suggesting that the current opposition's behaviour is part of a recurring, negative trend rooted in a "dynastic and feudal mindset." He concluded the letter by expressing confidence in the Speaker for a dedicated, peaceful and impartial conduct of the House proceedings and said that "the dignity and dedication with which you are discharging this duty will certainly further strengthen our parliamentary democracy." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2026 10:31 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIAt least six foreign nationals have been killed and 142 residents injured in the United Arab Emirates amid the recent escalation of regional tensions, according to the UAE Ministry of Defence, reported the IANS. The victims included citizens of the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh, while the injured suffered minor to moderate wounds, the news agency reported. The Defence Ministry said the country’s air defence systems have intercepted a large number of incoming threats since the start of what it described as attacks linked to Iran. According to the ministry, a total of 298 ballistic missiles, 1,606 drones and 15 cruise missiles have been intercepted since the escalation began. On Sunday alone, the air defence systems reportedly intercepted four ballistic missiles and six drones launched towards the country. Explosions heard in Dubai Authorities confirmed that loud explosions heard in parts of Dubai, including the Marina and Al Sufouh areas, were caused by air defence systems intercepting incoming projectiles, as per the IANS. Officials said the explosions were linked to defensive actions rather than direct strikes on the city. Fire Incidents in Abu Dhabi and Fujairah According to the IANS, in Abu Dhabi, emergency services contained a fire at the Ruwais Industrial Complex after a drone strike caused damage to part of the facility. Authorities confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident. Meanwhile, in the eastern emirate of Fujairah, another fire broke out in the Fujairah Oil Industries Zone following an interception. A Jordanian national sustained minor injuries during the incident. Conflict linked to wider regional tensions The attacks come amid rising tensions following joint military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, which began on February 28. In response, Iran and groups aligned with it have reportedly launched attacks targeting Israeli and US interests across the Middle East, as per the IANS. Iran responds to allegations In an interview published by the pan-Arab news outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi claimed that Tehran had information suggesting that the United States and Israel were launching attacks from certain locations targeting Arab states in the West Asia region, the news agency reported. (with IANS inputs)
16 March,2026 09:28 AM IST | Abu Dhabi | mid-day online correspondentAt least 10 patients were killed in a major fire at the Trauma Care ICU of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Odisha's Cuttack early Monday morning, officials said, reported the ANI. The blaze reportedly broke out between 2:30 am and 3 am, when several critically ill patients were undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit. Following the incident, multiple fire engines and emergency teams rushed to the hospital to control the fire and evacuate patients from the affected area. During the rescue operation, at least eleven hospital staff members suffered burn injuries while attempting to save patients trapped in the ICU, according to the ANI. Officials said that 23 patients were safely shifted to other wards and departments as part of the emergency evacuation. According to officials, seven critically ill patients died while being shifted to other ICUs and wards, while three more later succumbed to their injuries, taking the death toll to ten. CM orders judicial inquiry Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited the hospital after the incident and reviewed the situation. He ordered a judicial inquiry to determine the cause of the fire and directed officials to ensure that all affected patients receive uninterrupted medical care. Expressing deep sorrow over the tragedy, the Chief Minister announced Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia compensation from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF) for the families of each deceased patient. "A total of 10 patients have died in the incident," Majhi told reporters. He said that the fire probably originated from a short circuit, reported the PTI. The chief minister said the fire erupted at the ICU of the Trauma Care department of the hospital, where critically ill patients were being treated. Majhi also announced a judicial probe into the matter and asked the DG, Fire Service, to inquire into the matter and report to him immediately. "I direct the Fire Service DG to personally visit SCB Medical College and Hospital and ensure fire compliance," Majhi said. If anyone is found guilty in the incident following the report after a judicial probe, strong action will be taken, assured the chief minister. One of Odisha’s largest hospitals SCB Medical College and Hospital is among the largest government-run healthcare facilities in Odisha, treating thousands of patients from across the state every year, the news agency reported. The officials said that the investigations were ongoing to examine the circumstances that led to the fire and assess safety measures at the hospital. (with ANI and PTI inputs)
16 March,2026 09:15 AM IST | Bhubaneswar | mid-day online correspondentThe biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha to fill 37 seats across 10 states are scheduled on Monday (March 16), with counting of votes set for the same day at 5 pm. The term of 37 members who were elected from Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Telangana will conclude in the month of April, vacating the seats for new members to be elected. Out of these, 26 candidates have already secured victory unopposed. Voting will now take place for the remaining 11 seats, including five from Bihar, four from Odisha, and two from Haryana. In key battlegrounds in Bihar, Haryana, and Odisha, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is working to defeat Opposition gains. So far, 26 candidates have been elected unopposed, with the BJP securing seven, Congress five, the Trinamool Congress four, the DMK three, and Shiv Sena, RPI(A), NCP, NCP(SP), AIADMK, PMK, and UPPL one each. Notable names among the winners include Sharad Pawar, Abhishek Singhvi, Tiruchi Siva, and Vinod Tawade. As preparations are underway for the biennial elections, all attention has turned to Haryana, Bihar and Odisha, which have emerged as key arenas of contest between the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and the Opposition bloc for four important seats. The most interesting part of these Rajya Sabha polls is the Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. Nitish Kumar, Bihar's longest-tenured Chief Minister for over two decades, announced that he would be heading to the Rajya Sabha and filed his nomination in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, among other leaders. The 75-year-old also said that the new Cabinet would have his full support. "I seek to become a member of the Rajya Sabha in the elections being held this time. I want to assure you with complete honesty that my relationship with you will continue in the future as well, and my resolve to work together with you to build a developed Bihar will remain steadfast. The new government that will be formed will have my full cooperation and guidance," Nitish Kumar posted on X. Apart from Nitish Kumar, other NDA candidates, including Upendra Kushwaha and BJP chief Nitin Nabin, also filed their nominations for the Upper House. Amid apprehensions of possible cross-voting and allegations of horse-trading, several political parties, particularly the Congress, have moved their legislators to resorts and locations outside their home states in a bid to ensure unity within their ranks ahead of the polling. Among those elected without contest are Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) founder Sharad Pawar, Republican Party of India (Athawale) president Ramdas Athawale, and senior AIADMK leader M Thambidurai. The counting of votes will be conducted on the same day as polling at 5 pm. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2026 08:47 AM IST | New Delhi | ANIThe Election Commission has ordered the appointment of Dushyant Nariala as the new chief secretary of West Bengal which goes to assembly polls in two phases next month. Till now, Nandini Chakravarty was the state chief secretary. In a letter to the state government sent on Sunday night, the poll authority also directed the appointment of Sanghamitra Ghosh, IAS, as Principal Secretary of the Home and Hill Affairs Department. “The officers transferred out shall not be posted in any election-related posts until the completion of the elections,” the EC underlined. It said its directions are to be implemented with immediate effect and a compliance report in respect of joining of the officers should be sent by 03:00 pm on Monday. Assembly polls will be held in the state in April 23 and 29 and votes will be counted on May 4. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2026 08:44 AM IST | New Delhi | PTIAn Indian-flagged crude tanker sailed out safely from the UAE’s Fujairah after loading oil, despite an attack on the oil terminal. The vessel, Jag Laadki, carrying about 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude oil, departed Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST for India, with all crew members safe. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2026 08:39 AM IST | New Delhi | AgenciesThe army on Sunday said that it has foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, killing a Pakistani terrorist. “Based on a specific intelligence input provided by JKP regarding an infiltration attempt, a joint operation was launched on intervening night of 14-15 Mar 26 in Gen area Buchhar, Uri sector,” Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
16 March,2026 08:35 AM IST | Srinagar | AgenciesADVERTISEMENT
