Indian Death in Saudi: An Indian national died in Riyadh; the embassy of India in Saudi Arabia is assisting the family, with MEA reporting six deaths so far.Sri Lanka neutrality: Sri Lanka rejected a US request to station warplanes, citing neutrality in the Iran war.Air India Error: Air India recalled a Delhi–Vancouver flight after deploying an unapproved Boeing 777-200LR.TMC Manifesto out: Mamata Banerjee unveiled Trinamool Congress manifesto with 10 pledges for West Bengal polls.Rupee record fall: The Indian rupee hit a historic low of 93.71 against the US dollar amid rising oil prices and global tensions.Here are top 5 news of the day:Indian national dies in Saudi Arabia, embassy extends support to family; MEA says 6 deaths so farAn Indian national has died in Riyadh following recent developments on March 18, the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia said in an official statement. The embassy said it is in contact with the deceased’s family and local authorities, and is extending all necessary assistance. It also conveyed its condolences and added that it is closely coordinating with Saudi officials on the matter. Read full storySri Lanka says refused US request to land warplanes, maintains neutrality in Iran warSri Lanka turned down a request from the United States to deploy two of its military aircraft at a civilian airport in the island’s south earlier this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said Washington had proposed relocating two missile-armed aircraft from a base in Djibouti to Mattala International Airport. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Israel pounds Tehran as Iranians mark Nowruz; UAE, Kuwait defences respond to missile barrage’World’s first hit’: Iran claims strike on US F-35 lightning 2 – why it’s a big dealIran hits Ras Laffan facility: Qatar’s 17% LNG capacity gone, $20bn loss; which countries will be impacted?The request, made on February 26, was declined to maintain Colombo’s neutrality and to ensure its territory is not used in a way that could aid or hinder any party in a conflict. Follow live updatesAir India sends ‘wrong’ Boeing 777 to Canada from Delhi, asks it to return from over ChinaAn Air India flight bound for Vancouver was forced to return to New Delhi on Thursday after spending nearly nine hours in the air, despite avoiding the Gulf conflict zone. The turnaround occurred because the airline deployed the wrong aircraft for the route. While Air India has approval to operate its Boeing 777-300ER on Canada routes, it mistakenly sent a Boeing 777-200LR as flight AI 185 with a full load of passengers—an aircraft type not cleared to enter Canadian airspace. The error was only discovered after more than four hours of flying, when the plane was near Kunming. Read full storyWest Bengal elections: Mamata releases TMC poll manifesto, Mamata Banerjee released party’s manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. She unveiled her 10 “Protigya” for the state, laying out a welfare- and development-focused roadmap for a possible fourth term in office. In a post on X, Banerjee said the pledges were aimed at ensuring that the “wheels of development” in Bengal continue to move forward over the next five years. Follow live updatesRupee sinks 82 paise to all-time low of 93.71 vs US dollar as crude oil surgeThe Indian rupee tumbled by 82 paise—almost 1 per cent—to close at a record low of 93.71 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, pressured by sustained foreign fund outflows and a spike in global crude oil prices amid rising geopolitical tensions. Forex traders said the currency remained under heavy strain as soaring energy costs and a broader shift towards risk aversion weakened investor sentiment. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty has also raised fears that elevated oil prices could widen India’s trade deficit and add to inflationary pressures. Read full storyAbout the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosIndia Warns Against Attacks On Commercial Ships Amid Hormuz Crisis, Calls For Peace And DialogueRestraint vs Outrage: Congress Divide Exposed Again As Shashi Tharoor Backs Modi Govt On Iran CrisisIndia Faces Energy Shock As Qatar’s LNG Output Drops By 17% After Missile Strike Damages Ras Laffan’Your Husband Will Die’ Retired Navy Officer Turned Astrologer Used Fear To Rape, Blackmail WomanIndia Draws Red Line: Shashi Tharoor Rejects Donald Trump Call, Signals Strategic Autonomy Over WarIndia Blasts Pakistan At United Nations, Says Must End Terror Before Talking Of Indus Waters TreatyDelhi HC Orders Tight Security In Uttam Nagar After Eid Threat RemarkAmid West Asia War, Rajnath Sounds Alarm On India’s Drone Power Push900 Indians Flee Iran Chaos, Rush Home Via Armenia And Azerbaijan Escape Routes: MEA’Urgent Need For De-Escalation’: PM Modi Speaks To French President Macron On West Asia Conflict123Photostories‘Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein’, ‘Andaz Apna Apna’, ‘Dhol’: Films that failed at first but became cult classics over timeInside Shiv Nadar’s Luxurious Delhi Residence: A blend of art, elegance, and grandeurDhokla recipe mistakes: 6 common mistakes to avoid while making dhokla‘Garam Masala’, ‘Hera Pheri’, ‘Bhool Bhulaiyaa’: Must-watch Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan films on OTT before ‘Bhooth Bangla’Delhi Metro hits new heights: Inside its tallest-ever engineering marvel6 ways you unknowingly invite bad treatment – And how to fix it, as per psychologistFrom caste maths to influencers: How parties are fighting Tamil Nadu assembly polls 2026Are you dating a micro-cheater? 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- Indian Death in Saudi: An Indian national died in Riyadh; the embassy of India in Saudi Arabia is assisting the family, with MEA reporting six deaths so far.
- Sri Lanka neutrality: Sri Lanka rejected a US request to station warplanes, citing neutrality in the Iran war.
- Air India Error: Air India recalled a Delhi–Vancouver flight after deploying an unapproved Boeing 777-200LR.
- TMC Manifesto out: Mamata Banerjee unveiled Trinamool Congress manifesto with 10 pledges for West Bengal polls.
- Rupee record fall: The Indian rupee hit a historic low of 93.71 against the US dollar amid rising oil prices and global tensions.
Here are top 5 news of the day:
Indian national dies in Saudi Arabia, embassy extends support to family; MEA says 6 deaths so far
An Indian national has died in Riyadh following recent developments on March 18, the Embassy of India in Saudi Arabia said in an official statement. The embassy said it is in contact with the deceased’s family and local authorities, and is extending all necessary assistance. It also conveyed its condolences and added that it is closely coordinating with Saudi officials on the matter. Read full story
Sri Lanka says refused US request to land warplanes, maintains neutrality in Iran war
Sri Lanka turned down a request from the United States to deploy two of its military aircraft at a civilian airport in the island’s south earlier this month, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake said. He said Washington had proposed relocating two missile-armed aircraft from a base in Djibouti to Mattala International Airport. The request, made on February 26, was declined to maintain Colombo’s neutrality and to ensure its territory is not used in a way that could aid or hinder any party in a conflict. Follow live updates
Air India sends ‘wrong’ Boeing 777 to Canada from Delhi, asks it to return from over China
An Air India flight bound for Vancouver was forced to return to New Delhi on Thursday after spending nearly nine hours in the air, despite avoiding the Gulf conflict zone. The turnaround occurred because the airline deployed the wrong aircraft for the route. While Air India has approval to operate its Boeing 777-300ER on Canada routes, it mistakenly sent a Boeing 777-200LR as flight AI 185 with a full load of passengers—an aircraft type not cleared to enter Canadian airspace. The error was only discovered after more than four hours of flying, when the plane was near Kunming. Read full story
West Bengal elections: Mamata releases TMC poll manifesto,
Mamata Banerjee released party’s manifesto for the upcoming West Bengal Assembly elections. She unveiled her 10 “Protigya” for the state, laying out a welfare- and development-focused roadmap for a possible fourth term in office. In a post on X, Banerjee said the pledges were aimed at ensuring that the “wheels of development” in Bengal continue to move forward over the next five years. Follow live updates
Rupee sinks 82 paise to all-time low of 93.71 vs US dollar as crude oil surge
The Indian rupee tumbled by 82 paise—almost 1 per cent—to close at a record low of 93.71 (provisional) against the US dollar on Friday, pressured by sustained foreign fund outflows and a spike in global crude oil prices amid rising geopolitical tensions. Forex traders said the currency remained under heavy strain as soaring energy costs and a broader shift towards risk aversion weakened investor sentiment. Ongoing geopolitical uncertainty has also raised fears that elevated oil prices could widen India’s trade deficit and add to inflationary pressures. Read full story