Chinese Wok, one of India’s leading Desi Chinese QSR chains from Lenexis Foodworks, has entered Agra with the launch of its first outlet in the city. Located at Sanjay Place, Civil Lines, the opening also marks the brand’s 75th store in North India, reinforcing the region’s strategic importance in its national growth plans.

The new outlet received an encouraging response in its first week, recording strong footfall and early traction among local consumers. Agra, with its young population, student base and steady tourist inflow, presents a strong consumption market for organised dining formats.

Commenting on the expansion, Aayush Madhusudan Agrawal, Founder & Director, Lenexis Foodworks, said, “North India continues to be a key growth engine for Chinese Wok. Reaching our 75th store in the region reflects not just expansion, but deepening consumer trust in emerging markets. Agra is not only a strong residential and commercial hub but also one of India’s most visited tourist destinations. This gives us an opportunity to serve both local consumers and the steady influx of domestic travellers seeking reliable, organised dining options. Our cluster-led strategy allows us to scale efficiently while delivering a consistent, high-quality QSR experience across cities.”

Designed to cater to students, families and working professionals, the Agra store offers value-driven combos, Kurkure Momos and Manchurian available in six sauces. The outlet will operate for dine-in, takeaway and delivery, while also contributing to local employment and the city’s organised food service ecosystem

Air travel across India and several global regions has been severely disrupted following the sharp escalation of the Middle East crisis, triggered after reports of the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. As tensions intensified across West Asia, Indian and international airlines moved swiftly to cancel and reroute flights as a precautionary safety measure.

In India alone, around 400 flights have been cancelled over the past two days. Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, and Akasa Air have suspended multiple international services, particularly those operating through West Asian airspace.

The disruption is not limited to India. Across West Asia, aviation operations have taken a major hit, with global carriers such as Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways cancelling nearly 1,600 flights. Indian airlines including IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa together cancelled about 350 flights. Most carriers have announced cancellations extending till Monday, as flight resumptions depend on evolving security assessments in the conflict zone.

Late Sunday, Air India confirmed that flights to North America and Europe will operate using alternative routes over available airspaces in West Asia, which is expected to increase flying times. The airline said that flights to New York (JFK) and Newark (Liberty International) will operate with technical stops at Rome Fiumicino Airport. With Pakistan airspace closed to Indian carriers, airlines are unable to use the Pakistan–Afghanistan–CIS corridor, a route still accessible to several Western airlines.

On Sunday alone, Air India cancelled around 125 international flights to and from western destinations. The Tata Group-owned carrier also extended the suspension of flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 11:59 PM on March 2. Additionally, select Europe-bound services scheduled for March 2 were cancelled, including AI117 (Amritsar–Birmingham), AI151/AI152 (Delhi–Zurich), AI157/AI158 (Delhi–Copenhagen), and AI114 (Birmingham–Delhi).

IndiGo announced the suspension of select international flights using West Asia airspace until March 2, 2026, 11:59 PM IST. For most airlines, the immediate priority remains repositioning aircraft and crew stranded at foreign airports. Air India has already completed this process for its wide-body fleet and is now exploring operations to Europe, the UK, and North America via oceanic routes through southern Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, with fuelling stops in Vienna or Rome.

In a rare move, Abu Dhabi authorities directed hotels to extend stays for guests stranded due to flight cancellations. The Department of Culture and Tourism confirmed that the cost of extended accommodation will be covered by the government, easing pressure on affected travellers.

The crisis has also rattled global financial markets. Airline stocks plunged worldwide as rising conflict led to mass cancellations and stranded passengers. Major Asian carriers including Cathay Pacific, Qantas Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Japan Airlines saw shares fall by more than 5 per cent on Monday after weekend strikes by the US and Israel on Iran.

Global air travel remained in turmoil for a third consecutive day as key hubs including Dubai and Doha shut down operations, stranding tens of thousands of passengers worldwide. Meanwhile, oil prices surged by nearly 7 per cent to their highest levels in months, driven by damage to tankers and disruptions to shipments from the key producing region.

As airlines continue to assess safety conditions, industry experts expect prolonged disruptions, longer flight times, and further schedule adjustments in the days ahead.

Bengaluru’s evolving dining scene welcomes a distinctive new entrant with the launch of Roxie & Barry, positioned as India’s first Indo-Italian crafthouse. Conceived by restaurateur Pravesh Pandey, the restaurant moves beyond the format of a conventional Italian eatery, presenting instead a narrative-led concept inspired by two contrasting Italian coastlines and the imagined reunion of two characters, Roxie and Barry, whose identities shape both menu and mood.

The culinary programme is helmed by Head of Culinary Jagdish Naidu and Head of Kitchen Operations Chef Abhrajyoti Nandy, while the bar is led by Sagar Sarki. Roxie reflects the vibrant energy of Italy’s western shoreline, particularly the Amalfi Coast, celebrated for citrus-forward flavours, seafood and expressive, shareable plates. Dishes such as Charred Pineapple al Piccante, Ricotta & Truffle Agnolotti and Mediterranean Baked Seabass showcase bold layering and colour.

In contrast, Barry draws from Apulia on Italy’s eastern coast, where cuisine is defined by restraint, olive oil-led preparations, handmade pastas and ingredient purity. Plates like Lobster Bisque Risotto, Hummus & Lamb Bolognese and Confit Duck Leg with Mushroom Jus highlight depth developed through patience and technique rather than excess.

Operating as a true crafthouse, the restaurant prepares pastas, doughs, stocks, sauces, compotes and preserves entirely in-house, avoiding commercial premixes. Time and process are treated as essential ingredients, with fermentation, slow reductions and small-batch preparation forming the backbone of the kitchen philosophy.

The bar programme mirrors this approach with spirit-forward, thoughtfully composed cocktails, while music plays a central role in the brand identity. A daily 7 PM welcome ritual marks the beginning of evening service, complemented by curated live performances that reinforce the space as an experiential destination.

Housed within a restored mansion in Bengaluru, Roxie & Barry aims to position itself as a cultural landmark where food, craft and performance converge. Officially opening on 27 February 2026, the restaurant invites diners to experience East and West Italy reinterpreted through Indian warmth and contemporary craftsmanship.