Major transit centers including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi have faced closures or limited operations, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and prompting carriers to adjust schedules deep into the summer and, in some cases, later in the year.

The disruption has affected both passenger and cargo operations, with airlines citing safety concerns and restricted airspace.European carriers have taken some of the most extensive measures.

The Lufthansa Group has suspended flights to multiple destinations including Dubai, Tel Aviv and Tehran until at least late May, with several routes halted through October. Air France-KLM has similarly paused services to key regional cities, while Finnair continues to avoid airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria and Israel.

North American carriers have also scaled back operations. Delta Air Lines has cancelled its New York–Tel Aviv route and delayed the restart of other Israel-bound services, while Air Canada has suspended flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai until September.

Middle Eastern airlines are operating under constrained conditions. Emirates reported a reduced flight schedule following partial reopening of regional airspace, while Etihad Airways said it continues to operate a limited network from Abu Dhabi.Asian carriers have also adjusted capacity.

Cathay Pacific has cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh until June while adding capacity to European destinations to meet shifting demand. Singapore Airlines extended its Dubai suspension through May and increased flights to London and Melbourne.

Several low-cost and regional carriers, including Wizz Air and Pegasus Airlines, have halted services to multiple Middle Eastern destinations, reflecting the broad impact across the aviation sector.

Airlines have also begun reallocating capacity to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia, where demand has surged as passengers reroute travel plans away from the conflict zone. Some carriers, including Qantas, have increased frequencies on European routes to accommodate displaced demand.

The evolving situation has created uncertainty for airlines and travelers alike, with many carriers indicating that further schedule adjustments will depend on security conditions and airspace availability in the coming weeks.

At the HumanX conference, which drew about 6,500 participants, executives urged workers to adapt by strengthening technical and interpersonal skills, while acknowledging mounting concern among companies over AI’s impact on employment.

Sam Altman has cautioned against “AI-washing,” a term used to describe companies attributing layoffs to artificial intelligence as a pretext for cost-cutting. Several speakers at the event echoed that view, suggesting some firms may be overstating AI’s role in workforce reductions.

Nonetheless, companies are increasingly linking restructuring to automation. Salesforce recently cut 4,000 customer support roles, citing AI systems now handling about half of related tasks. Jack Dorsey has also outlined plans to significantly reduce headcount at Block Inc., pointing to the growing role of “intelligence tools.”Executives at the conference emphasized that disruption is likely to accelerate.

Matt Garman said AI would “transform every single company” and fundamentally alter how work is performed.The debate over long-term impacts remains unsettled.

Jensen Huang previously suggested AI could eliminate the need for coding, a view challenged by Andrew Ng, who argued that programming skills remain essential even as AI tools expand access to them.Industry figures also highlighted the growing importance of human-centric skills such as critical thinking and communication.

Greg Hart said demand for such competencies has surged, while Florian Douetteau pointed to human judgment as a key differentiator in AI-assisted workflows.Concerns are particularly acute for entry-level workers, as automation reduces demand for junior roles traditionally used for training.

A study by SignalFire found hiring of candidates with less than one year of experience at major U.S. tech firms fell by half between 2019 and 2024.Al Gore warned that policymakers and companies must prepare for potential job losses in knowledge-based sectors, drawing parallels with the economic dislocation caused by globalization.

Participants at the conference broadly agreed that while AI presents significant opportunities, its rapid adoption is likely to reshape labor markets in ways that remain difficult to fully quantify.

The Orion spacecraft, carrying Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, reentered Earth’s atmosphere at speeds approaching Mach 33, enduring extreme heat before parachuting into the Pacific, where recovery forces including the USS John P. Murtha awaited.

The mission, launched from Florida on April 1, represents NASA’s first crewed journey to the vicinity of the moon in more than five decades. Artemis II did not land or enter lunar orbit but surpassed the distance record set by Apollo 13, reaching approximately 252,756 miles (406,771 km) from Earth.

Mission control monitored the critical reentry phase closely, particularly the performance of the spacecraft’s heat shield, which must withstand temperatures of several thousand degrees. A brief communications blackout lasting about six minutes occurred as expected before parachute deployment.

During the mission’s lunar flyby earlier in the week, the crew captured imagery of the moon’s far side and observed a total solar eclipse, according to NASA. Astronauts also transmitted images showing Earth setting behind the lunar horizon, evoking earlier Apollo-era imagery.

Despite its achievements, the mission encountered minor technical issues, including valve problems affecting drinking water and propellant systems, as well as intermittent malfunctions in onboard sanitation equipment. Crew members reported managing the issues without significant impact on mission objectives.

Artemis II is a precursor to future missions under NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon. Planned follow-on missions include Artemis III, expected to test docking maneuvers in Earth orbit, and Artemis IV, which is intended to attempt a crewed lunar landing near the moon’s south pole later in the decade.

The mission drew international attention and marked a significant step in the United States’ renewed efforts in human deep-space exploration.

The crew Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen launched from Florida last week aboard the Orion spacecraft and traveled beyond the Moon’s far side, becoming the farthest-flying humans in history.

The mission is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, a multibillion-dollar effort to return humans to the lunar surface by 2028 and establish a sustained presence that could support future missions to Mars.

During a six-hour lunar flyby, the astronauts conducted real-time observations and communicated continuously with scientists on Earth, providing rare human insights into lunar conditions.

Researchers gathered at NASA’s Mission Control Center in Houston analyzed live and recorded data, engaging in direct exchanges with the crew across a distance of more than 400,000 km.

Scientists view the mission as a key step in advancing understanding of the solar system’s formation, with the Moon offering what mission specialists describe as a “witness plate” of early planetary history.

The data collected during the flyby is also expected to inform potential landing sites for future robotic missions, which NASA plans to begin deploying in the coming years as part of its long-term lunar exploration strategy.

There is no Dharma greater than humanity – and service to the cow is among its highest expressions.

At the break of dawn in a small village somewhere in Bharat, a familiar rhythm unfolds. The soft clinking of metal buckets, the earthy fragrance of freshly plastered courtyards, and the gentle presence of cattle define a life that is both simple and profound. For centuries, the cow has not merely existed alongside human beings in Bharat, she has been woven into the very fabric of daily life.

She nourishes, she sustains, she silently gives.

And yet, in today’s rapidly modernising society, this sacred bond is fraying. The cow, once revered, is often reduced to a statistic, stray, abandoned, or neglected. The relationship that once defined a civilisation now struggles to find its place in an urban, hurried existence.

It is in this context that Gauvansh Akhara emerges, not merely as an organisation, but as a civilisational awakening.

Beyond Welfare: A Civilisational Responsibility

In Bharat’s worldview, the cow is not just an economic asset, she is a symbol of life itself. Revered as Gau Mata, she represents nourishment, patience, and unconditional giving.

But Gauvansh Akhara understands that reverence must not remain symbolic.

It must be lived.

It must be practiced.

And most importantly, it must be seen by the next generation.

Because values are not taught only through words, they are absorbed through daily rituals and lived experiences.

Gaupooja: From Ritual to Daily Responsibility

One of the most powerful yet understated aspects of Bharat’s cultural fabric is Gaupooja, the act of worshipping the cow by Hindus.

Traditionally, it has been performed during festivals and special occasions. But Gauvansh Akhara seeks to reposition Gaupooja, not as an occasional ritual, but as a daily practice.

Why?

Because repetition creates culture.
And culture shapes character.

When a child watches elders begin their day by offering water, touching the cow with reverence, or simply acknowledging her presence with gratitude, it creates an imprint far deeper than any classroom lesson.

Gaupooja, in this sense, becomes more than worship for Hindus.

It becomes value transmission in action.

• A lesson in gratitude
• A lesson in coexistence
• A lesson in responsibility

The act itself may be simple, offering fodder, applying a tilak, or even a moment of silent respect, but its impact is profound.

It transforms the relationship from utility to reverence.

Creating Natural Gaurakshaks

The ultimate vision of Gauvansh Akhara is not to create an external system of protection, but to nurture a society where every individual becomes a natural gaurakshak.

And this cannot be achieved through enforcement.

It can only be achieved through internalisation.

When Gaupooja becomes part of daily life:

• Protection of the cow becomes instinctive, not imposed
• Compassion becomes habitual, not occasional
• Responsibility becomes personal, not delegated

A society that worships does not exploit. A society that respects does not neglect.

Thus, Gaupooja becomes the foundation of a self-sustaining protection ecosystem, where laws support, but values lead.

A Structured Movement with a Cultural Core

Gauvansh Akhara’s organisational structure reflects both modern efficiency and traditional wisdom:

• International Patron & Strategic Advisory
• National Executive Body
• State & District Units
• Volunteer & Cow-Protection Network

But what sets it apart is that at every level, the movement integrates cultural practices like Gaupooja into its outreach.

Workshops are not limited to lectures, they begin with symbolic acts of respect.
Gaushalas are not just shelters, they are spaces of learning and reverence.

This blending of Structure and Sanskar (values) ensures that the movement is both effective and enduring.

Protection: Compassion in Action

Beyond philosophy, Gauvansh Akhara remains deeply committed to ground-level action.

Rescue operations, medical care, and shelter provision form the backbone of its efforts. Injured and abandoned cattle are treated, rehabilitated, and given a safe environment.

But even here, the emphasis remains on dignity.

Every act of care is performed with the understanding that the cow is not merely a beneficiary, but a being deserving of respect.

Moksha Dham: Completing the Circle of Compassion

The concept of Moksha Dham reflects the movement’s depth of thought.

If Gaupooja teaches respect in life, Moksha Dham ensures dignity in death.

By providing peaceful end-of-life care, the initiative completes the cycle of compassion, ensuring that the cow is honoured not just in her utility, but in her entire existence.

Reviving Indigenous Strength

Through breed conservation and scientific management, Gauvansh Akhara works to preserve Bharat’s rich cattle heritage.

But here too, cultural practices play a role.

When communities engage in Gaupooja, they begin to see value beyond productivity. Indigenous breeds, often overlooked, regain their rightful place, not just as economic assets, but as living embodiments of heritage.

Cow-Based Economy: Where Tradition Meets Sustainability

The integration of Gaupooja into daily life also strengthens the cow-based economy.

When reverence exists, utilisation becomes responsible.

Products derived from cow dung and urine are no longer seen as alternatives, but as extensions of a respectful relationship.

This creates a model where:

• Economy is rooted in ethics
• Sustainability is driven by culture
• Livelihood is aligned with values

Awareness and the Role of the Youth

For the younger generation, the challenge is not lack of information, it is lack of connection.

Gauvansh Akhara bridges this gap by combining:

• Educational programs
• Gaushala visits
• Volunteer opportunities
• Daily practices like Gaupooja

When young minds see, participate, and experience, they do not just learn, they internalise.

And once internalised, the value remains for life.

A National Movement with a Human Core

Gauvansh Akhara’s impact extends far beyond cattle welfare. It contributes to:

• Environmental sustainability through organic practices
• Rural empowerment through livelihood creation
• Cultural preservation through revived traditions
• Social harmony through shared responsibility

But at its heart lies a simple idea: Compassion must be lived, not preached.

Challenges and the Way Forward

Integrating Gaupooja into daily life in an urban, fast-paced society is not without challenges.

Time constraints, changing lifestyles, and shifting priorities create barriers.

Yet, the solution lies in adaptation, not abandonment.

Even a small daily act, a moment of acknowledgment, a symbolic offering, or a visit to a gaushala, can sustain the connection.

Because it is not the scale of the act that matters, it is the consistency.

A Call to Conscience

Gauvansh Akhara is ultimately a call, not to an organisation, but to a way of life.

It asks each citizen:

Can we bring reverence back into our routine?
Can we make compassion a habit?
Can we ensure that the next generation learns not just by instruction, but by observation?

Because when a child grows up seeing Gaupooja as a natural part of life, protection of the cow ceases to be a debate.

It becomes instinct.

Conclusion: From Ritual to Responsibility

In a world driven by speed and efficiency, Gauvansh Akhara reminds us of something timeless.

That progress without roots is fragile.
That tradition without practice is hollow.
And that responsibility without emotion is unsustainable.

By integrating Gaupooja into daily life, the movement transforms worship into responsibility, and responsibility into a national culture.

It ensures that every home becomes a centre of awareness, every individual a guardian, and every act of reverence a step towards nation-building.

“Serving the cow is not merely a duty – it is a national dharma.”

Disclaimer: Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not reflect Milli Chronicle’s point-of-view.

Air quality monitors recorded PM2.5 concentrations exceeding 900 micrograms per cubic meter in parts of Pai, roughly 60 times higher than the World Health Organization’s recommended 24-hour exposure limit, according to monitoring data cited this week. Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second-largest city, consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted major cities during the period.

Residents reported acute health effects linked to prolonged exposure. Pon Doikam, a 36-year-old vendor working outdoors in Chiang Mai, said she experienced nasal bleeding and persistent respiratory irritation after spending hours in polluted conditions. “It feels like you’re trapped in the smoke constantly,” she said.

The pollution surge is part of an annual haze season affecting much of Southeast Asia, driven by crop burning and forest fires. However, locals described current conditions as unusually severe. Geographic factors have compounded the situation, with mountainous terrain trapping smoke and hindering firefighting access to remote forest areas.

Field observations confirmed multiple active fires along routes between Chiang Mai and Pai. Volunteer firefighter Maitree Nuanja said local response capacity remains limited, relying heavily on donated supplies. He noted that teams are operating with constrained fuel and equipment support while facing prolonged exposure to hazardous air.

Authorities confirmed the death of a volunteer firefighter earlier this week, citing suspected exhaustion combined with heat exposure and pre-existing health conditions.Public health risks are particularly acute for vulnerable groups. In Chiang Mai, authorities have set up “dust-free rooms” equipped with air filtration systems to protect residents, including elderly populations.

Watwilai Chaiwan, an 82-year-old resident of a care facility, said the pollution has worsened symptoms such as dizziness and migraines and discouraged outdoor activity.Medical professionals warned of broader health implications.

Thanakrit Im-iam, a doctor in Chiang Mai, said fine particulate matter can penetrate deep into the body, carrying toxins and heavy metals. He reported common symptoms including eye irritation, respiratory inflammation and mucus buildup, adding that long-term exposure could have severe consequences.

The haze has also weighed on tourism, a key economic driver in northern Thailand. Local transport operator Chakkrawat Wichitchaisilp reported a noticeable decline in visitors during what is typically a peak travel season. Visibility across Chiang Mai has been significantly reduced, with skyline views obscured by dense smog.

Government officials held discussions this week to address the crisis, while some districts in Chiang Mai declared disaster zones to expedite financial assistance. However, environmental groups said policy responses remain insufficient.

Kanongnij Sribuaiam of the Thailand Clean Air Network urged faster progress on stalled clean air legislation, warning that delays could force the process to restart if deadlines are missed.

The recurring haze crisis underscores ongoing challenges in managing cross-border pollution, agricultural practices and forest fire control across the region.

Carriers across Europe, North America and Asia reported widespread suspensions, with routes to key destinations such as Tel Aviv, Beirut and Gulf cities either halted or significantly curtailed.

Greece’s Aegean Airlines said it had cancelled flights to Tel Aviv, Beirut and Amman until April 22, and to Erbil and Baghdad until May 24, while suspending Dubai routes until April 19 and Riyadh until April 18.

Latvia’s airBaltic halted Tel Aviv services until April 5 and Dubai flights until October 24.

Air Canada suspended Tel Aviv flights until May 2 and Dubai routes until March 28, while Spain’s Air Europa cancelled Tel Aviv operations until April 10.

Air France said it had cancelled flights to Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 21 and to Dubai and Riyadh until March 20. KLM suspended services to Riyadh, Dammam and Dubai until March 28 and paused Tel Aviv flights for the rest of its winter season.

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific said all passenger and cargo flights to Dubai and Riyadh would remain cancelled until April 30, reflecting continued uncertainty in regional airspace.

U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines said flights between New York and Tel Aviv were cancelled through the end of March, with further suspensions extending into August for some routes.Israel’s El Al said regular flights were cancelled until March 21.

Gulf carriers Emirates and Etihad Airways said they were operating reduced and limited schedules respectively following a partial reopening of regional airspace.

Finnair said it had cancelled Dubai flights until March 29 and Doha flights until April 2, continuing to avoid the airspace of Iraq, Iran, Syria and Israel.

The U.S. memory chipmaker said the new plant would expand production of advanced DRAM chips, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), used in artificial intelligence systems and high-performance computing.

Micron also confirmed it had completed the acquisition of Powerchip’s Tongluo P5 facility, located in Miaoli County, where the new fabrication plant will be developed.

The company said the additional facility would be similar in scale to its existing fabrication plant at the Tongluo site and would strengthen supply of leading-edge DRAM products.

Demand for high-bandwidth memory has surged globally as technology companies invest heavily in infrastructure for artificial intelligence applications.

Micron said construction of the second facility is expected to begin by the end of its fiscal year 2026.

India’s Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh told parliamentarians that the government has allocated about 10 crore rupees (around $1.08 million) annually for student-focused outreach in space science and technology, according to a statement from the Department of Space.

The funding supports programmes aimed at encouraging university and school students to design satellites, develop payloads and participate in mission-related experiments under the mentorship of ISRO scientists.

The government has also set up Space Technology Incubation Centres across several regions to support collaboration between universities and space researchers. The centres are intended to help students develop indigenous space technologies while gaining exposure to real mission operations.

Since 2024, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Center (IN-SPACe) has organised student competitions involving model rocket design and CanSats — small satellites roughly the size of a beverage can that simulate satellite functions after descending by parachute.

According to Singh, IN-SPACe has authorised 17 student-designed satellites and payloads, of which 11 have already been launched successfully.

The agency is also supporting young entrepreneurs through mentorship programmes, pre-incubation assistance and co-working facilities at its technical centres.

The push to involve students comes as India liberalises its space sector under the Indian Space Policy‑2023, which outlines a framework for greater public-private cooperation in space activities.

Officials say private industry will be key to India’s ambition to raise its share of the $450-billion global space economy from about 2% to nearly 8% by 2033.India had more than 300 active space startups in 2025 working in areas including launch services, satellite manufacturing, Earth observation, communications, propulsion systems and space data analytics, according to the Indian Space Association.

The association’s director-general, A.K. Bhatt, said early engagement in satellite design and mission development would help build a stronger pipeline of skilled researchers and engineers.Encouraging students to design satellites and build payloads strengthens innovation capacity at the grassroots level, Bhatt told .

India’s space ambitions have accelerated in recent years through a series of high-profile missions. In August 2023, ISRO’s Chandrayaan‑3 landed near the Moon’s south pole, making India the first country to reach that region and the fourth nation overall to achieve a lunar landing.

In January 2025, India conducted its first successful space docking experiment between two spacecraft in orbit. Later that year, astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla travelled to the International Space Station, becoming the second Indian national in space after Rakesh Sharma.

ISRO also collaborated with NASA in 2025 to launch a joint Earth-observation satellite providing high-resolution radar imagery, and in December deployed the BlueBird Block 2 payload, the heaviest ever launched from Indian soil.

The policy was signed in Jakarta by seven ministers and is designed to guide the use of digital technology and AI across formal and informal educational institutions, from early childhood education to universities.

Officials said the measure aims to balance the potential benefits of digital innovation with safeguards to protect children and teenagers from risks associated with prolonged exposure to digital platforms.

Indonesia has one of the world’s largest online populations, with nearly 230 million internet users in 2025, according to a survey by the Association of Indonesian Internet Service Providers. Generation Alpha and Generation Z together account for nearly half of that figure.

Government officials said Indonesian children spend about 7.5 hours per day on screens, raising concerns about the social and cognitive effects of prolonged digital engagement.

Pratikno, Indonesia’s Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs, said the decree was introduced partly in response to growing concerns about mental health issues among young people.

“There are a lot of factors but the number of teenagers with mental health issues are high and continue to increase, and one of the suspected triggers that have been proven academically is the uncontrolled, unmitigated use of digital technology,” Pratikno said.

He added that excessive reliance on digital tools could weaken brain activity and reduce critical thinking, cognitive development and reflective abilities among students.

The policy also seeks to promote responsible digital use and strengthen digital literacy among young Indonesians.

Meutya Hafid, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, said the initiative was intended to ensure that children are able to use technology in a way that reflects their level of readiness.

“Indonesia has a significant number of children using the internet. Therefore, we must ensure that they are not only a target market for the technology industry, but also able to utilize technology according to their readiness,” she said.

The decree was also signed by officials including Higher Education, Science and Technology Minister Brian Yuliarto and Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti, reflecting a cross-government approach to regulating digital technology in the education sector.