Oil prices surged by as much as 10 per cent as markets opened in Asia, after US and Israeli strikes on Iran heightened fears of a wider conflict in the Middle East and potential disruption to global energy supplies.Brent crude and Nymex light sweet crude both leapt sharply in early trading on Monday, before easing slightly. Brent rose more than 12 per cent at one stage to around $82 a barrel, having settled at just over $73 on Friday. By mid-morning in Asia, it was trading close to $79.30, up nearly 9 per cent. US crude climbed about $8, or 12 per cent, to roughly $75 a barrel, while West Texas Intermediate was up around 8 per cent at about $72.The spike adds to an already strong year for oil, with international benchmark prices having climbed roughly 20 per cent since January. Analysts warned that further escalation could drive energy costs even higher, depending on how Tehran responds and whether supply routes are affected.Particular concern surrounds the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow entrance to the Persian Gulf through which around 15 million barrels of crude oil pass each day — about a fifth of global supply, according to Rystad Energy. Tankers using the strait transport oil and gas from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Qatar, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Iran. Reports of attacks on vessels in the area have raised fears that shipments could slow or halt altogether, restricting exports and pushing up crude and petrol prices worldwide.Jorge León, senior vice-president of geopolitical analysis at Rystad, said markets were focused less on theoretical spare capacity and more on whether oil could physically move through the Gulf. “If flows through the Gulf are constrained, additional production will provide limited immediate relief,” he warned.Meanwhile, US stock futures fell more than 1 per cent, while shares in major oil companies such as Exxon and Chevron gained about 2 per cent.The conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel has escalated into one of the most serious Middle East crises in years, with coordinated US-Israeli air and missile strikes across Iran triggering extensive retaliation. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been confirmed dead after the initial offensive, prompting Tehran to launch missiles and drones at Israeli and US targets across the Gulf and into neighbouring states. Casualties have mounted, infrastructure and airspace disruptions are widespread, and global markets are reacting to the heightened risk of prolonged hostilities. International pressure for de-escalation remains intense, even as Iran vows vengeance and the fighting continues.

KOLKATA: It’s a straightforward knockout contest now and number crunching over net run-rate is no longer required. India just have to beat West Indies at the Eden Gardens here on Sunday to make the semifinals of the T20 World Cup. The West Indies are in the same position but punters would advise you to put your money on India. Yet, fingers will remain crossed.The statisticians might still be called upon for calculations in the unlikely scenario of Zimbabwe beating South Africa, but that will only be to decide the group toppers. South Africa are well ahead in that race too. India’s blip against South Africa was a timely reminder that Suryakumar Yadav and his men have to be on their toes all the time. South Africa in fact, also showed that the West Indies, in spite of their recent successes, continue to have a streak of inconsistency that makes them so unpredictable. This Caribbean tendency will also keep India on the alert. One false step can make a huge difference.

Abhishek Sharma’s return to form against Zimbabwe was good news for India, even though the opener wasn’t as free flowing as he normally is. The occasional caution during his half-century indicated that doubts might have crept into his mind following a string of poor scores. Even Tilak Varma would have overcome some uncertainties during his 16-ball 44 against the same opponents. Both will be aware that the West Indies will pose stiffer challenges.

Given Varma’s struggles against spin, facing the likes of Roston Chase, Gudakesh Motie and Akeal Hosein can be tricky. India might continue with the leftright opening combination of Abhishek and Sanju Samson, even though the latter didn’t really utilise the opportunity against Zimbabwe to the full. This combination does help in throwing the rival bowlers off their line.Talking about bowlers, Jaspreet Bumrah will once again be the pacer to watch. As soon as he steps on the Eden turf, he will be reminded of his 5 for 27 in the South Africa Test here last Oct. Despite the dryness of the pitch, Bumrah’s spell could well be a deciding factor. Bumrah has been very economical in the tournament so far, giving away just 90 runs in five matches. His accuracy has been one of India’s biggest advantages.

Of course, the West Indies have batters who can prove to be troublesome for India. Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope and Sherfane Rutherford would need a little time to settle and can turn out to be threats. Skipper Hope is quite uncharacteristic as a Caribbean batter. His shots are much more orthodox and his aggression is calculated. He is capable of molding his innings as per the situation, a quality that might be required at the Eden.They also have a long batting lineup, with Jason Holder and Romero Shephard producing brilliant innings against South Africa coming at No. 7 and 9. The West Indies are a cohesive lot this time around and their players have iterated they are enjoying the dressing room atmosphere. They have played two matches here during the tournament.

NEW DELHI: Neeru Garg and her husband counted pills and hours. Their Sharjah return flight vanished. A taxi ride brought them to Dubai — and into a city under missile fire. “We have no money left and are running low on essential medicines,” Garg, a college principal from Punjab’s Bathinda, said Sunday from the home of an Indian doctor where they found shelter. “We don’t know where to go.”Across west Asia, thousands of Indians — tourists, expatriates, pilgrims, politicians and families with children — have been left stranded after US-Israel strikes on Iran triggered Iranian retaliation. This in turn forced mass airspace closures and shutting down Dubai, the world’s busiest transit hub. “We were asked to leave the airport without any help,” Garg said.Air travel disruptions deepened the crisis. Indian carriers cancelled about 350 flights Sunday alone, while west Asia-based airlines scrubbed more than 1,600 services across their networks. Airports from Chennai and Jaipur to Mangaluru and Amritsar reported mass cancellations to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Doha and Jeddah.In Karnataka, dozens of Kannadigas were marooned across Dubai after flights were grounded mid-journey. Among them were Congress MLAs NR Bharath Reddy and SR Srinivas, and JD(S) MLC SL Bhojegowda.Bhojegowda, travelling from Johannesburg to India via Dubai with his family, said the shutdown came without warning. “As soon as we reached Dubai airport, it was conveyed to us that all flights were grounded due to air strikes by Iran,” he said in a video message, adding that they were safe but stuck.Karnataka election commissioner SG Sangreshi and Pushpa Amarnath, vice chairperson of state guarantee schemes implementation committee, were also unable to return. Amarnath, who was in Dubai for an award event, said guests received repeated safety alerts. “We were advised not to stand near windows. Around 60 tourists from Karnataka are staying in my hotel. All flights cancelled.”From Ballari district, 50 tourists who flew to Dubai on Feb 24 were left stranded when their return flight on Feb 28 was cancelled as airstrikes began. Fifteen members of one family said they were denied entry at the airport and had exhausted the cash they were carrying.“Hotel rooms were costing Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 a night per person. We couldn’t afford it and had no place to go,” one relative said. State MLAs later arranged accommodation for the group in service quarters near the airport.In Kolkata, actor Subhasree Ganguly‘s husband, film director and Trinamool MLA Raj Chakraborty, said she could hear missile blasts from her hotel. She was stranded in Dubai with her son. Return dates remain uncertain.

NEW DELHI: Air travel remained severely crippled in West Asia – from the UAE to Israel – with around 1,600 flights cancelled by the region’s airlines like Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways till Sunday evening across all global routes. Indian carriers like IndiGo, Air India and Akasa cancelled 350 flights during the day, according to the aviation ministry.Most airlines have already announced cancellations till Monday. Resumption depends on when carriers deem flights to be safe in the war-zone.

Late Sunday, however, Air India announced “flights to North America and Europe will operate using alternative routes over available airspaces in West Asia which is expected to add to the flying times”. In a statement, it added, “Flights to New York (JFK) and Newark (Liberty International) will operate with technical stops at Rome (Fiumicino Airport).” With Pakistan airspace closed for Indian carriers, they can’t fly Pakistan-Afghanistan-CIS to the west – the route followed by Lufthansa and other western airlines.Air India cancelled around 125 international flights to and from the West on Sunday. The Tatas-owned carrier made it clear that it has extended suspension of flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar until 11.59 pm on March 2. “Additionally, select flights to Europe scheduled on March 2 have been cancelled, along with the scheduled return legs of these flights (AI117: Amritsar- Birmingham; AI151/AI152: Delhi to and from Zurich; AI157/AI158: Delhi to and from Copenhagen and AI114 Birmingham-Delhi.“IndiGo also announced “suspension of select international flights that use West Asia airspace until March 2, 2026, 11.59pm IST”.For most airlines, the first priority is to get aircraft and crew stuck at foreign airports back home. Air India completed that task for its wide-body aircraft on Sunday and is looking at operating Europe, UK and North America (US, Canada with fuelling stops in Vienna or Rome) through the oceanic route in Oman’s south, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Ditto on the way back.Abu Dhabi has taken an exceptional step by asking its hotels to extend stays of guests stuck due to flight cancellations. “The cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT,” its department of culture and tourism (DCT) said in a circular.Some stranded Indians are looking at driving from the UAE to Muscat and then flying home from there. However, the Indian embassy in Muscat issued an advisory on Sunday that “prior visit/tourist visa (e-visa) is required to enter Oman”.Indians holding valid visa or residence permit from the US, UK, Canada, Japan, or Schengen countries can apply for on-arrival visa, it said.