Amid the US-Israel attack on Iran and turmoil in West Asia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said that he hoped negotiations with Russia in Abu Dhabi would go ahead in the coming days, despite the conflict in the Middle East, news agency AFP reported. The United Arab Emirates and its capital Abu Dhabi have been hit by Iranian strikes since Saturday in response to Saturday's joint Israeli-US attack on Iran. Following the Israel-Iran conflict, Abu Dhabi had hosted talks mediated by the United States (US) to end the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Zelenskyy said a new round of negotiations had been scheduled between March 5 and 8, AFP reported. While speaking to the media, the Ukrainian President said, "The meeting should take place; it is important for us. We support this meeting." "If there are difficulties with Abu Dhabi because of missiles and drones, then I think we have Turkey, we have Switzerland," he said. "We will definitely support any of these three venues for the meeting," Zelensky added. Kremlin speaks about Russia’s stance on negotiations Moscow was also in favour of continuing dialogue. "A political and diplomatic settlement remains the preferred approach for Russia," said Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov, when asked whether Russia's stance on the negotiations has changed after US-Iran talks failed. Ukraine, fighting off Russia's full-scale invasion since 2022, has repeatedly accused Iran of providing Moscow with weapons, including Shahed drones and short-range missiles. Israel-Iran conflict’s impact on Russia-Ukraine war Zelensky also said that US and Israeli strikes on Iran created an opportunity for the Iranian people to oust the "terrorist regime" in Tehran, Russia's ally. But a prolonged war with Iran may also impact deliveries of key air defence systems that Kyiv uses to fend off Russian attacks, including the US-made Patriot batteries. "If there are prolonged hostilities in the Middle East, it will certainly affect supplies. I am sure of that," Zelensky said. Europe's system to purchase US weapons for Ukraine, also called PURL is still functioning, he added. A delay in US missile supplies in the winter made Ukraine's civil infrastructure more vulnerable to a sweeping Russian airstrike campaign that has heavily damaged power plants, Zelensky said in January. (With inputs from AFP)
02 March,2026 09:16 PM IST | Kyiv, Ukraine | mid-day online correspondentAt least 169 people have been killed and buried in a mass grave in South Sudan, two local officials told AFP Monday, the latest incident as the country sees a dramatic increase in violence. The desperately poor country has seen a surge in violence throughout the nation, as forces loosely allied to either the opposition or government troops under President Salva Kiir clash. Thousands have been displaced as a result. "A total of 169 bodies have been laid to rest in a mass grave," Elizabeth Achol, the minister of health in northern Ruweng Administrative Area, told AFP by telephone. The local information minister, James Monyluak, gave the same toll following the early Sunday morning attack but also warned "the figure may increase further if more bodies are discovered". He told AFP by phone that the dead included women, children and elderly people. Around 50 others were wounded and transferred to medical facilities in Abyei and Warrap State for treatment, Monyluak said. A diplomatic source told AFP the initial information over the Abiemnom incident indicated the attack was conducted by a Nuer group, potentially in revenge for the killing of some traders. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. Monyluak said many residents had fled to nearby villages, while others had sought protection at the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) compound in the county. "The security situation has since stabilised, with government security forces deployed and now in control of the area," he added. A UNMISS spokesperson said following the violence, peacekeepers were "temporarily sheltering some 1,000 civilians within our base in the area and providing emergency medical care to the injured". 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.
02 March,2026 07:53 PM IST | Nairobi, Kenya | AFPThree U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury were shot down over Kuwait in what American military officials described as an apparent friendly fire incident, with all six aircrew safely recovered. The incident occurred at 11:03 p.m. ET on March 1, according to a statement issued by CENTCO. “At 11:03 p.m. ET, March 1, three U.S. F-15E Strike Eagles flying in support of Operation Epic Fury went down over Kuwait due to an apparent friendly fire incident,” the release said. The aircraft were operating during active combat conditions. During active combat involving attacks from Iranian aircraft, ballistic missiles, and drones, the U.S. Air Force jets were mistakenly shot down by Kuwaiti air defences. The U.S. military confirmed that all crew members survived the incident. All six aircrew were safely recovered and are in stable condition, according to the release. It added that “Kuwait has acknowledged this incident, and we are grateful for the efforts of the Kuwaiti defence forces and their support in this ongoing operation.” The cause of the incident remains under review. The cause is under investigation. More details will be released when available. No further operational details were immediately disclosed, including the precise location of the shootdown over Kuwaiti territory or whether the aircraft were returning from or engaging in strikes at the time. 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.
02 March,2026 06:35 PM IST | Washington | IANSFear and uncertainty have gripped several Indian students stranded in Iran as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate, with many appealing to the Indian government for evacuation or relocation to safer places. Fatima, a student at the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, said around 25 to 30 Indian students are currently stuck in the region and are living in constant anxiety. "Right now, there are 25 to 30 of us here, and we earnestly request the government to take us to a safe place or evacuate us to our parents in our home country until the situation stabilises," she said. Explaining why they have been unable to leave earlier, Fatima said academic commitments had made it difficult. "We had to stay here because of the university. We didn’t want to, but due to classes, exams, rounds, and hospital shifts, staying here was unavoidable," she said. According to her, the university administration has informed first- and second-year students that their next semester will be conducted online, giving them the option to either remain in Iran or return home and come back in April for examinations. However, final-year students nearing graduation are required to continue attending hospital shifts daily. "They have just told us to stay safe in the dorms and not go outside. On top of that, they are pressuring us to move to another dorm. They are pressuring us day and night to vacate the current dorms," she claimed. Fatima further said that several students are currently not on campus but staying indoors in residential accommodations, surviving on limited resources. "We are not on campus right now; we are at home, making do with whatever resources we have. We are sharing supplies with our friends and eating what we have. The shops are also closed, and we can’t even order online. We are not supposed to step out," she said. Communication with families back in India has also become increasingly difficult due to internet disruptions. "It is very difficult for those with internet access to contact them. For those without internet or VPN, they are forced to make international calls, which are rare. As a result, we have very limited communication with our parents," she said. Describing the tense atmosphere, Fatima said explosions were heard near their area, though the exact location remained unclear. "It happened near the campus, though some say it occurred farther away. We do not know the exact location yet, but it feels very close to the campus," she said. "I am currently in the state of Isfahan, Iran. Given the current situation, even while staying in the dormitory, we do not feel safe at all. There is no sense of security at home. We are hearing a lot of explosions around us. There is a lot of panic and uncertainty," she added. She also highlighted the distress being faced by their families back home. “Parents are worried more than us, as they are constantly monitoring the situation through news updates. They are even more scared than us," she said. With the security situation remaining volatile, the stranded students have urged Indian authorities to intervene at the earliest and ensure their safety until normalcy returns to the region. 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.
02 March,2026 06:33 PM IST | Isfahan (Iran) | IANSOil prices could exceed USD 100 per barrel if tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz is not swiftly restored, as the waterway's closure threatens to disrupt 15 per cent of global oil supply and 20 per cent of global LNG supply, consultancy Wood Mackenzie said. Following US and Israeli attacks on Iranian government, military and nuclear facilities, Iran warned shipping away from the strait and insurers withdrew coverage, effectively halting tanker movements. The disruption, Wood Mackenzie said, creates a dual supply shock. Current exports through the strait are suspended, while additional OPEC+ volumes and most of OPEC's spare capacity - typically used to balance the global oil market - are inaccessible as long as the waterway remains closed. 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.
02 March,2026 05:41 PM IST | New Delhi [India] | PTIKuwait on Monday confirmed that "several" US military aircraft crashed earlier in the day, adding that all the crew members were safe. Earlier, Iran claimed that a US F-15 fighter jet had crashed in Kuwait, with videos circulating on social media purportedly showing an American pilot ejecting seconds before the aircraft went down. Kuwait's Ministry of Defence confirmed that several US military aircraft crashed on Monday morning and all their crew were "completely safe". Kuwait's ministry confirms crews evacuated and stable after incident According to IANS, the Ministry's spokesperson stated that the relevant authorities immediately initiated search and rescue procedures, whereby the crews were evacuated and transferred to the hospital to check on their health status and provide the necessary medical care, noting that their condition is stable. "The official spokesperson added that direct coordination was conducted with the friendly US forces regarding the circumstances of the incident, and joint technical measures were taken. He affirmed that the concerned authorities are following up on the investigations to determine the causes of the incident, calling for information to be obtained from its official sources," an official statement added. Footage widely shared online appears to capture a parachute descending from the sky, while other clips carried by local media outlets show what is believed to be the US pilot on the ground after ejecting from the jet. The authenticity of the videos has not been independently verified. However, Iranian state-affiliated media, including the Tasnim News Agency, confirmed it. There was no immediate official statement from the United States regarding the cause of the crash or the condition of the crew. It also remained unclear whether the aircraft was engaged in a combat operation linked to the ongoing hostilities or conducting a routine training sortie at the time of the incident. Further clarification is awaited from both the US and Kuwaiti authorities. Iran strikes back after Khamenei killed in US-Israel attack The latest development comes amid an escalating conflict in the Middle East that erupted following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, aimed at degrading Tehran's missile capabilities and broader military infrastructure, reported by IANS. The opening wave of the operation reportedly killed senior figures in the Iranian leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, triggering a sweeping response from Tehran in the form of drone and missile attacks targeting US assets, regional capitals and allied forces across the Gulf. Iran's retaliatory strikes have spanned several countries, with missiles and drones intercepted over Kuwait, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, prompting temporary airspace closures and resulting in both military and civilian casualties. The intensifying confrontation has seen US forces launch counter-strikes, including naval operations, marking one of the most severe and sustained face-offs between Washington and Tehran in decades. (Inputs from IANS)
02 March,2026 04:20 PM IST | Kuwait City | mid-day online correspondentA sudden wave of global turmoil has intensified after the US-Israel attack on Iran. The United States of America, along with Israel, launched a military strike on Iran on Saturday, triggering retaliatory action that has heightened security concerns across the Gulf region. In response to the Israeli attack, Iran reportedly fired missiles and drones targeting several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Qatar, among others. As the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi remains temporarily closed to visitors, the Swamis continue to offer special prayers within the sacred sanctums of the Mandir. In these deeply spiritual moments, their devotion carries prayers for peace, protection, and the well-being of all.… pic.twitter.com/hokkUbdl7g — BAPS Hindu Mandir (@AbuDhabiMandir) March 2, 2026 In view of concerning situations in the United Arab Emirates, the BAPS Hindu Mandir, while posting on social media platform X, has announced that the premises will be temporarily closed to visitors. While taking it to X, the official handle of BAPS Hindu Mandir wrote, “As the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi remains temporarily closed to visitors, the Swamis continue to offer special prayers within the sacred sanctums of the Mandir. In these deeply spiritual moments, their devotion carries prayers for peace, protection, and the well-being of all.” The BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi also appealed to the community to remain calm as authorities continue efforts to safeguard the nation amid this extremely critical time. While urging people to stay calm, the BAPS Hindu Mandir also added, “BAPS Hindu Mandir Abu Dhabi appealed to the community to remain calm as authorities continue efforts to safeguard the nation.” Soon after the retaliatory fire from Iran was launched at the UAE, authorities across the region swiftly activated emergency protocols and heightened air defence systems amid fears of further escalation. In the UAE, officials indicated that the majority of incoming missiles and drones were intercepted by the country’s advanced air defence systems, preventing large-scale damage. Airlines suspend flights to the Middle East Major airlines, including IndiGo, Akasa Air, Qatar Airways and Emirates, on Monday suspended or extended the suspension of flights to and from Middle Eastern destinations amid ongoing regional tensions, offering passengers full flexibility with waivers and refunds. IndiGo on Monday, while posting on X, said that it has continued to meticulously evaluate the evolving regional developments and their potential impact on flight operations. The airline further added that after reviewing the latest operational inputs, it is taking the course that it believes is most responsible for its guests, given the priority of safety. "As part of our continued precautionary approach, the temporary suspension of select international flights operating through parts of the Middle Eastern airspace has been extended. Additionally, certain other international services have been put in line with operations with evolving conditions. Please check your flight status for the latest updates," IndiGo said in a travel advisory.
02 March,2026 03:56 PM IST | Abu Dhabi | mid-day online correspondentRussia has expressed “outrage and deep sorrow” over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, along with members of his family and senior Iranian officials, in missile strikes carried out by the United States and Israel. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in an official statement, stated that it condemns the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calling it a violation of international law and a breach of the principles of civilised interstate relations. "Retaliation strikes at the US military bases in the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf, along with the activation of anti-aircraft defence systems, have caused damage to the international airports," the statement said. Russia noted that ongoing military operations have led to rising civilian casualties and significant damage to infrastructure. Retaliatory strikes on US military bases in the Arab states of the Persian Gulf, along with the activation of anti-aircraft systems, have reportedly caused damage to international airports in Dubai and Kuwait City, seaports, high-rises, and hotels across Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Call for immediate diplomacy Russia urged all parties to immediately de-escalate tensions, cease hostilities, and resume political and diplomatic negotiations. The country stressed that any resolution should respect the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, while taking into account the legitimate interests of all states in the Persian Gulf. ❗️ We call for immediate de-escalation, cessation of hostilities, resumption of political and diplomatic processes, to settle any existing problems on the basis of the UN Charter and the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.https://t.co/WAJ1NlrEHT pic.twitter.com/HZkme3Yc0c — MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) March 1, 2026 Putin condemns killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei The Russian Foreign Ministry issued the statement hours after President Vladimir Putin sent condolences to his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian over the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei condolences,” according to the Kremlin. The Foreign Ministry also warned that closure of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz could severely disrupt hydrocarbon exports and create major imbalances in global oil and gas markets. Diplomatic coordination with Gulf and China On Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held phone calls with several counterparts from Gulf states, including Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE. Lavrov also spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. The two ministers highlighted the unity of Moscow and Beijing’s positions during an emergency UN Security Council meeting held on Saturday at the initiative of Russia and China.
02 March,2026 02:40 PM IST | Moscow | mid-day online correspondentThe Iranian Red Crescent Society said on Monday that the US-Israeli airstrike campaign targeting Iran has killed at least 555 people so far in the Islamic Republic. The society added that 131 cities have come under attack so far in the war. Deaths in Lebanon Meanwhile, 31 dead, 149 injured in strikes by Israel, says Lebanon Health Ministry At least 31 people were killed and 149 others injured in overnight strikes carried out by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) across southern Lebanon and Beirut's southern Dahiyeh district, the Times of Israel reported on Monday, citing Lebanon's Health Ministry. According to the Times of Israel, the areas are known for being Hezbollah strongholds; however, the ministry's figures do not distinguish between civilians and members of Hezbollah among the casualties. The IDF confirmed the attacks, stating that the strikes targeted Hezbollah positions in retaliation for a rocket barrage fired by the Iranian-backed group toward northern Israel. The escalating conflict in West Asia widened today following Israel's airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut and other parts of Lebanon, following projectile fire from Lebanese territory into northern Israel. The Israeli Air Force (IAF) said in a series of posts on X that it carried out targeted strikes against senior members of Hezbollah in the Beirut area in response to the projectile fire launched toward Israel, particularly towards the north of the country. "The Air Force struck a short time ago in a targeted manner, senior terrorists from the Hezbollah terror organisation in the Beirut area. In parallel, the IDF struck a central terrorist from the Hezbollah terror organisation in southern Lebanon. Further details to follow," the Israeli Air Force said. According to the military, several projectiles crossed from Lebanon into Israeli territory, with some falling in open areas. In certain cases, no alerts were activated in accordance with policy. The IAF said it was striking Hezbollah targets "with force" across Lebanon, accusing the group of operating under the backing of the Iranian regime and of opening fire on Israeli civilians. "The terrorist organisation Hezbollah, operating under the auspices of the Iranian terrorist regime, opened fire against the State of Israel and its citizens. The IDF will act against the terrorist organisation Hezbollah's decision to join the campaign and will not allow the organisation to pose a threat to the State of Israel or harm residents of the north," the military said in another post. 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
02 March,2026 02:34 PM IST | West Asia | AgenciesPrime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held bilateral talks with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Hyderabad House in the national capital, focusing on strengthening cooperation and partnership between the two countries. During the discussion, both leaders reviewed the progress achieved across diverse areas of the India-Canada Strategic Partnership. The Canadian Prime Minister arrived in India on February 27 for an official visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks Carney's first official visit to the country, which began when he arrived in Mumbai. He will depart from India today following his engagements in the national capital. Earlier today, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on the Canadian Prime Minister and appreciated his commitment to building a forward-looking partnership between the two countries. In a post on X, Jaishankar said he was "delighted" to call on Prime Minister Carney during his visit to the national capital. "Delighted to call on Prime Minister Mark J Carney of Canada in New Delhi this morning. Appreciate his commitment towards charting a forward-looking partnership," the EAM's post read. The Canadian Prime Minister landed in the national capital on Sunday evening following the conclusion of a productive visit to Mumbai, marking the next phase of his official tour of India. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, received the visiting leader at the airport. The high-level discussions, scheduled for today at Hyderabad House, will see the two Prime Ministers hold delegation-level talks to review the progress achieved to date across diverse areas of the India-Canada Strategic Partnership. Building on their earlier meetings in Kananaskis in June 2025 and Johannesburg in November 2025, on the sidelines of the G7 and the G20 summits, respectively, the leaders will "take stock of ongoing cooperation in key pillars, including trade and investment; energy; critical minerals; agriculture; education, research, and innovation; and people-to-people ties." According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, they will also exchange views on regional and global developments. In addition to their formal talks, Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Carney will attend the India-Canada CEOs Forum. This visit comes at an important juncture in the normalisation of India-Canada bilateral relations, with the anticipated discussions on Monday focusing on key strategic and economic issues of mutual interest between the two nations. 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.
02 March,2026 02:11 PM IST | New Delhi | ANIIranian State Media on Monday released a picture on Telegram allegedly of the American F-15 fighter pilot whose plane was downed in Kuwait earlier on Monday morning. As tensions escalate in the region, it also shared visuals of the massive drone fleet of Iran along with Iranian strikes on US-Israeli targets in the region. In a post on Telegram, Press TV said, "American pilot after his fighter jet crashed in Kuwait". Earlier on Monday, referring to local sources, IRNA shared a video clip which it claims to show the downing of the American F-15 fighter jet in Kuwait. "According to local sources, a US F-15 fighter jet was shot down in the skies above Kuwait earlier on Monday morning", the post added. PressTV also shared a video on X showcasing Iran's large fleet of drone arsenal followed by Iranian strikes on what it called "US-Israeli targets in the region". The developments follow as Al Jazeera reported on Monday of new explosions in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and the sound of lound bangs in Doha. Arab news reported that Iranian missiles and drones had also targeted Kuwait and Bahrain. An eyewitness also told news agency Reuters that smoke was seen rising from near US embassy in Kuwait. Earlier in the day, the Kuwait Air Defence Force shot down "a number of hostile aerial targets" on Monday early morning (local time), according to the Kuwait Army. Meanwhile, Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council of Iran on Monday firmly rejected that Iran would not negotiate with the United States. As tensions widen in West Asia, the second meeting of the Provisional Leadership Council also took place in the presence of Iranian President Masoud Pezekshian, Judiciary Chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei and Ayatollah Alireza Arafi, IRNA said on Monday. The Provisional Leadership Council was formed shortly after Iran's Supreme Leader Khamenei and top security officials were killed in the US and Israel's ongoing attacks. The interim council, including President Masoud Pezeshkian, will oversee the country until a new supreme leader is elected. Iranian state media say at least 201 people have been killed in the attacks across 24 provinces, as per Al Jazeera. 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.
02 March,2026 02:03 PM IST | Tehran | ANIADVERTISEMENT
-1772432800180_d.png "India's PM Modi shakes hands with his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney before their meeting. PIC/AFP")
