Aldi is recalling a frozen food product from store shelves following a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) notice citing potential contamination with rodent hair.

The recall involves Simply Nature spinach bites sold at Aldi under the “Simply Nature” label, according to the FDA. The product may be contaminated with rodent hair.

Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Inc. voluntarily initiated the recall, the agency said.

The recall has been classified as a Class II event, meaning the product may cause temporary or medically reversible health effects.

VOLKSWAGEN RECALLS NEARLY 50,000 VEHICLES OVER SERIOUS ENGINE FIRE RISK FROM FAULTY WIRING

The recall involves Simply Nature spinach bites. (Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The affected product is packaged in 12-ounce boxes of frozen spinach bites.

The recall is limited to certain lots distributed in Maryland and Pennsylvania.

The recall was initiated on Jan. 16, 2026, and remains ongoing, according to the FDA.

The recall is limited to certain lots distributed in Maryland and Pennsylvania. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Affected products include lot number G25CF-02B with UPC 4099100247992. Approximately 7,894 units are impacted.

Consumers who have the affected product are advised not to eat it and can return it to the place of purchase for a refund.

Consumers who have the affected product are advised not to eat it. (Paul Weaver/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

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FOX Business has reached out to Dr. Praeger’s Sensible Foods Inc. and Aldi for comment.

Thailand’s ambitious tourism recovery plans for 2026 are facing significant challenges due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which have triggered flight cancellations, route detours, and a sharp rise in travel costs.

As the conflict drives up fuel prices and disrupts transit hubs like Dubai, the Thai tourism industry projects a potential 10% to 15% decline in visitor arrivals and substantial revenue losses, prompting a strategic shift to focus on regional Asian markets to offset the drop in long-haul travelers.

Key Points

• Flight Disruptions and Rising Costs: Conflict-related detours have increased fuel consumption and operational expenses, leading Thai Airways and other carriers to raise ticket prices by 10% to 15%.
• Declining Visitor Numbers: Following military strikes in the Middle East, weekly foreign arrivals dropped by nearly 9% in early March, with an 18% decrease specifically among travelers from Europe and the Middle East.
• Economic Forecast: The Center for Economic and Business Forecasting estimates the tourism sector could lose between 9 billion and 29 billion baht ($895 million) this year, depending on the duration of the crisis.
• Impact on Local Business: Major players like Central Retail expect a decline in earnings and profits due to reduced tourist spending, while popular destinations like Phuket are particularly vulnerable to the loss of high-spending international visitors.
• Strategic Pivot to Asia: To mitigate risks, the Thai Hotels Association is urging the government to intensify promotional efforts in stable regional markets, specifically targeting affluent tourists from China, India, and Malaysia.
• Broader Economic Stakes: With tourism accounting for approximately 20% of Thailand’s GDP, the current slump threatens the country’s overall economic growth, which is already lagging behind regional peers like Malaysia and Vietnam.

The escalating conflict in the Middle East is causing a significant “double shock” to the global aviation and tourism sectors, driven by two key pressures:

• Economic Impact: Surging oil prices are driving up operational costs, which is expected to result in a significant increase in airline ticket prices.
• Structural Disruption: The war is destabilizing the major transit hubs and traffic flows between Europe, Asia, India, and Africa.

Thailand’s efforts to revive its tourism sector are encountering major challenges due to rising tensions in the Middle East, especially the conflict involving Iran. Experts predict a 10% to 15% drop in international arrivals, jeopardizing the country’s 2026 goal of attracting 36 million visitors.

Key industry players, specifically the major Gulf carriers—Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways—are particularly vulnerable. Having built their business models on massive wide-body fleets and powerful connecting hubs, these airlines now face a severe reduction in activity. Key points regarding this shift include:

• Threat to Hub Dominance: The conflict challenges the long-standing dominance of Gulf states in long-haul aviation, a model that Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air also intended to follow.
• Shift to Regional Tourism: As long-haul transit becomes more complex and uncertain, European travelers are increasingly opting for regional destinations such as France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal.
• Irreplaceable Capacity: Experts warn that if the conflict persists, the resulting void in flight offerings will be nearly impossible for other carriers to fill, leading to long-term changes in international travel patterns.

The ripple effects of the Middle Eastern conflict are also impacting airline operations and travel sentiment, with many travelers opting to postpone or cancel trips due to safety concerns. Additionally, fluctuating oil prices driven by geopolitical instability are increasing travel costs, further discouraging international tourists. To mitigate these challenges, Thailand is ramping up efforts to attract visitors from less affected regions, such as Southeast Asia and Oceania, while promoting domestic tourism to sustain the sector.

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The country’s largest non-agricultural commodity exchange, the Multi Commodity Exchange of India (MCX) will also open at 9 am while the largest agricultural bourse, the National Commodity & Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) will resume trading at 10 am.

Meanwhile, the currency market will remain shut today.

The equity markets were closed on March 3 for Holi and will be closed on two other occasions in this month. They will be closed on Thursday, March 26 for Shri Ram Navami and on Tuesday, March 31 for Shri Mahavir Jayanti.

Indian benchmark indices ended with sharp gains on Tuesday, recording their third successive positive closing. Action in auto, IT and consumer stocks lifted the mood with strong support from financials. The broader Nifty surged 196.65 points, or 0.83%, to close at 23,777.80, while the 30-share Sensex gained 567.99 points, or 0.83%, to settle at 76,704.13.

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The fear index India VIX fell 5.5% in the previous session to settle at 18.72.
2026 holiday list
In the holiday calendar released last year, the exchanges had initially announced 15 trading holidays but later added January 15 as an additional holiday on account of the Mumbai BMC elections. After this, the domestic markets were closed on January 26 on account of a Republic Day.
The next holiday will fall on Friday, April 3 which will be a Good Friday. Markets will also be shut on Ambedkar Jayanti on April 14, Maharashtra Day on May 1 and Bakri Id on May 28.

The second half of the year includes Muharram on June 26, Ganesh Chaturthi on September 14 and Gandhi Jayanti on October 2. Dussehra falls on October 20, followed by Diwali Balipratipada on November 10 and Guru Nanak Jayanti on November 24. The final trading holiday of the year will be Christmas on December 25.

The small surprise in the circular is that there is no mention of holiday for Diwali as it is falling on a weekend (Sunday). The Muhurat Trading will be conducted on Sunday, November 08, 2026 and the timings of Muhurat Trading will be notified subsequently.

The exchanges may alter any of the above holidays, for which a separate circular shall be issued in advance.

(Disclaimer: The recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times.)

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just over three months away, kicking off June 11 across 16 venues in the United States, Canada and Mexico, early predictions and betting markets point to Spain as the frontrunner to lift the trophy in the expanded 48-team tournament’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.

As of mid-March 2026, Spain holds steady as the betting favorite across major sportsbooks like DraftKings, BetMGM, FanDuel and prediction markets such as Polymarket and Kalshi. Odds list Spain at +400 to +450 (implying roughly 18-20% probability), buoyed by their dominant UEFA qualifying campaign, recent European Championship success and a deep, balanced squad featuring young talents like Lamine Yamal alongside veterans.

England follows closely at +550 to +600, benefiting from a strong core led by Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Phil Foden, though questions linger about their ability to translate domestic talent into international silverware. France sits third at +650 to +750, with Kylian Mbappé’s form and defensive solidity keeping them in contention despite recent inconsistencies. Brazil and defending champion Argentina round out the top tier at +750 to +800, with Brazil’s attacking flair and Argentina’s Lionel Messi-led experience (potentially his final tournament) making them perennial threats.

Portugal (+1100), Germany (+1200 to +1400) and the Netherlands (+1600 to +2000) follow as strong challengers. Norway (+2200 to +2500) garners attention as a potential dark horse, powered by Erling Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess and Martin Ødegaard’s creativity. Belgium (+3000) and Italy (around +3300, pending playoff qualification) remain in the mix but face steeper paths.

The expanded format — 48 teams across 12 groups of four, with the top two and eight best third-placed teams advancing to a round of 32 — increases unpredictability. Group-stage upsets could propel underdogs deeper, with more matches (104 total) allowing for momentum shifts.

Host nations Mexico, the United States and Canada benefit from home advantage and automatic qualification. The U.S. (+5000 to +6500) draws optimism as co-hosts, with a talented young core including Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and emerging stars. Mexico (+7000) and Canada face tougher paths but could leverage crowd support in familiar time zones.

Qualifying nears completion, with 42 of 48 spots filled. March playoffs decide the final European berths: Italy vs. Northern Ireland, Wales vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, Ukraine vs. Sweden and others. Italy remains a popular pick to qualify at around +3300 overall odds if they advance.

Dark horses include Morocco (+6000), fresh off a 2022 semifinal run, Colombia (+3300 to +4000) with dynamic attacking play, Ecuador (+6600 to +8000) and Senegal (+10000). Norway’s Haaland factor and Japan’s technical discipline make them popular long-shot bets.

The tournament’s scale — spanning cities from Seattle to Miami, Toronto to Mexico City — poses logistical challenges but promises spectacle. MetLife Stadium hosts the final, with iconic venues like AT&T Stadium (Arlington), SoFi Stadium (Inglewood) and Estadio Azteca (Mexico City) staging key matches.

Predictions hinge on form, injuries and adaptation to North American conditions. Spain’s tactical cohesion under Luis de la Fuente gives them an edge, while England’s depth and France’s talent keep them close. Argentina’s experience and Brazil’s flair ensure drama.

As qualifying wraps and friendlies ramp up, the 2026 World Cup promises unprecedented scale and potential surprises in a truly global showcase.