Holi 2026: Are banks open or closed on March 3 and March 4? Check full holiday list
Holi 2026: Holi is just around the corner, and if you have important work at the bank, you should complete it as soon as possible. Banks in many parts of India are set to remain closed for up to five days this week. Banks will be closed from February 28 to March 4 due to Choti Holi, Holi, and weekends. According to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the holiday schedule for Holi changes from city to city. On March 3, Banks will be closed in major cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, and Patna for Holi.
Source:News 24
February 28, 2026 08:11 UTC
Kenya gets $2 million grant for free anti-HIV injections
Africa News of Saturday, 28 February 2026Source: the-star.co.keThe Global Fund has committed an additional Sh256 million ($2 million) to support Kenya’s rollout of the long-acting HIV prevention injection, Lenacapavir. Kenya received 21,000 doses early this month, financed by the Fund for Sh370 million ($2.9 million). Global Fund senior portfolio manager Paul Maccarrick described the moment as historic. “In the spirit of continuing commitment, Global Fund has directly invested $2.9 million (about Sh370 million) for this initial procurement of the product being launched here today, and a further $2.0 million (about Sh256 million) for programme implementation rollout to ensure access by targeted beneficiaries,” Maccarrick said. The Global Fund has been a major financier of Kenya’s HIV response for more than two decades.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 07:25 UTC
Israel-Iran war: Israel launches major attack on Iran, IDF confirms
Israel Launches Missile Strike on Iran: Israel Launches Preventive Missile Strike on Iran. Israel said it carried out a preventive missile strike against Iran on Saturday, with large explosions heard across Tehran. In a statement, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz, said the operation was meant to remove threats from Iran. The latest action follows repeated warnings from both Israel and the United States that military action could restart if Iran continued developing its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. Iran has said it is willing to discuss limits on its nuclear activities in return for relief from sanctions.
Source:News 24
February 28, 2026 06:35 UTC
Why history will judge MPs harshly on Infrastructure Fund
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Source:Standard Digital
February 28, 2026 05:34 UTC
Ruto’s 2027 electoral machine puts Kalonzo, Gachagua on back foot
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Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 05:02 UTC
Opposition chiefs step up campaigns
The leaders called on supporters to remain united, saying opposition cohesion was key to defeating the Kenya Kwanza government at the ballot. Gachagua said the opposition would sustain countrywide mobilisation campaigns aimed at sending Ruto home after a single term. They said past internal divisions had weakened their political strength, but expressed confidence the opposition would remain intact this time round. Jubilee deputy party leader Fred Matiang’i said the only way to send Ruto home is to remain united as the opposition and rally behind one candidate. The United Opposition is comprised of at least eight opposition political parties.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 04:58 UTC
Holi 2026: Is Holi on March 3 or March 4? Know dates and muhurat
Holi 2026: As India gears up for the vibrant festival of colors, confusion surrounds Holi 2026 dates, with some states observing it on March 3 and others on March 4. The rare coincidence of a total lunar eclipse (Chandra Grahan) on March 3 has triggered 'sutak' restrictions, shifting rituals like Holika Dahan in various regions. When is Holi 2026? Holi 2026 will be celebrated on March 4, with Holika Dahan observed on March 3. Lunar Eclipse 2026: Exact Date, Time, and Visibility in IndiaThe first total lunar eclipse of 2026, dubbed a 'Blood Moon', occurs on March 3, 2026.
Source:News 24
February 28, 2026 04:25 UTC
What Happened To Vanilla Coke?
Among Coca-Cola's extensive catalog of standard and limited flavors sits Coca-Cola Vanilla, previously known as Vanilla Coke. A bit more on its roller coaster history: Vanilla Coke took its first official steps into the public circa 2002. At first, it seemed like Vanilla Coke was here to stay, as Diet Vanilla Coke was launched shortly after the original, and the flavor found its way into other markets like Europe and Australia. In 2007, Vanilla Coke made a comeback and was reintroduced to the market as Coca-Cola Vanilla in both the standard and Zero variety, as indicated by the updated labeling. That said, the standard vanilla flavor's availability could have been influenced by the debut of Coke's 2025 limited-edition Holiday Creamy Vanilla.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 03:11 UTC
Every car manufacturer's best-looking model
It’s over six decades since this car’s beauty robbed us of our breath, and still the E-Type is widely considered to be the most beautiful car ever. That it appeared roughly half-way through the evolution of the car to date perhaps begs questions of car design since. Jaguar’s Malcolm Sayer takes much credit for the roadster’s shape, but it was metal craftsman Bob Blake, an American from North Dakota, who fabricated the coupe.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 03:00 UTC
Son of Indonesia oil tycoon Riza Chalid jailed 15 years in Pertamina graft case
He must also pay a 1 billion rupiah fine and compensate the state for losses totalling 2.9 trillion rupiah (US$173 million) or face his assets being seized. The AGO estimated associated state losses in the case - covering direct financial losses, broader economic impact and illicit gains - at 285 trillion rupiah ($17 billion). Chalid was named a suspect in the Pertamina probe but never detained by the authorities after failing to respond to three summons. Officials last year said immigration records show he left Indonesia for Malaysia, and Interpol has since issued a so-called Red Notice for him. Chalid’s son was imprisoned in connection to his shareholding of PT Orbital Terminal Merak, which prosecutors said was unnecessarily leased by Pertamina in a way that caused state losses.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:13 UTC
Singapore police probe death of couple in Punggol HDB flat
SINGAPORE: A husband and wife were found dead in a Punggol HDB flat early on Friday (Feb 27) morning. In response to queries, police said they were alerted to the incident at Block 408B, Northshore Drive, at about 6.25am. Upon arrival, officers found a man and a woman lying motionless in a residential unit, police said. Upon arrival, officers found a man and a woman lying motionless in a residential unit, police said. When The Straits Times arrived at the scene at 12.25pm, there were at least four police investigators outside the unit.
Source:The Star
February 28, 2026 00:03 UTC
NTV Kenya: US offers $10 million reward for information leading to arrest of Mexican Sinaloa Cartel bosses
US offers $10 million reward for information leading to arrest of Mexican Sinaloa Cartel bossesThe United States is offering rewards of up to $5 million each for information leading to the arrests or convictions of René Arzate-García and Alfonso Arzate-García, two brothers alleged to be bosses in the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel, the State Department said in a statement on Thursday. One of Mexico’s most notorious drug lords, Nemesio Oseguera, or “El Mencho,” was killed in a military raid on Sunday, sparking widespread retaliatory violence. His corpse arrived in Mexico City on Sunday afternoon in a heavily guarded convoy of National Guard troops. Clashes unfolded in multiple cities after the raid. In recent years, arrests of other top cartel figures—particularly in Sinaloa state —have at times been followed by retaliatory violence, including shootouts and vehicles set on fire.
Source:Daily Nation
February 27, 2026 23:12 UTC
Sifuna's moment, Luhya surge as 2027 beckons
ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]Kenyan politics has been on a knife-edge since 2013. For Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto, it was do-or-die under the shadow of the ICC. In 2022, it was do-or-die again for Ruto. Power in Kenya, once cornered, fights back with everything it has.
Source:Standard Digital
February 27, 2026 22:30 UTC
Opposition leaders storm Nakuru, pledge unity to end Ruto's presidency in 2027
[Sammy Omingo, Standard]United Opposition leaders stormed Nakuru County, part of President William Ruto’s Rift Valley stronghold, declaring their movement the “alternative government” set to end his presidency in 2027. Speaking in Naivasha, Karua, PLP party leader, said the group is committed to backing one candidate for the presidency. He also accused Ruto of land grabbing in Nakuru, promising to return properties to the rightful owners under a new government. Kalonzo condemned the teargassing of women and children in churches, vowing the opposition would resist intimidation and corruption. Matiang’i urged opposition unity, promising to choose a single flag bearer and cancel illegal land allocations.
Source:Standard Digital
February 27, 2026 22:07 UTC
'Oh dear, Winston got it too': Arrest made after Churchill statue in London defaced with graffiti
London (PA Media/dpa): A 38-year-old man has been arrested after the statue of Winston Churchill in London was defaced with graffiti branding the former prime minister a "Zionist war criminal." Other phrases including "Stop the Genocide" and "Free Palestine" were sprayed in red paint on the bronze sculpture in Parliament Square, central London. A Met Police spokesperson said: "Shortly after 4 am [0400 GMT] on Friday February 27 a man was seen spraying graffiti on the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. "Churchill is but a symbol of the same political corruption.”The statue has been cordoned off and was being cleaned on Friday morning. "We’re glad the police have made an arrest.”The former prime minister’s statue has been vandalised several times in the past, including during protests.
Source:The Star
February 27, 2026 21:55 UTC