New Delhi: Nearly 600,000 babies in India are born with congenital anomalies every year. However, the country has no national registry to track them.As infectious disease mortality rates decline and congenital conditions account for an increasing share of childhood deaths, experts say gaps in surveillance and coordinated care are becoming increasingly pressing. According to recent estimates, India accounts for 16% of birth defect-related deaths worldwide.Smile Train India and Birth Defects Research Foundation on Monday launched the Birth Anomaly Network in India (BIND) to promote prevention, early diagnosis and structured long-term care. The platform was unveiled in New Delhi.Central to its agenda is a proposed National Birth Anomaly Registry to generate reliable national data, identify preventable risk factors and guide health planning. Experts acknowledge that current surveillance is fragmented, screening is uneven and referral pathways are weak, especially outside major cities.Congenital heart disease, cleft lip and palate, spina bifida, clubfoot, Down syndrome, and vision and hearing impairments constitute a large portion of the burden. Many conditions are treatable if detected early, but multidisciplinary care is rarely integrated into routine neonatal services. Mamta Carroll, vice president and regional director of Smile Train Asia, said there is insufficient public awareness of birth abnormalities.
Glenn Maxwell breaks silence to announce retirement after Australia T20 World Cup disaster
Australian veteran all-rounder Glenn Maxwell Stressing that he has no immediate plans to quit T20 internationals, the 2028 T20 World Cup and the Los Angeles Olympics are both on his radar.Maxwell, 37, will turn 40 when Australia hosts the 2028 T20 World Cup, an event expected to take place a few months after the 2028 Summer Olympics cricket tournament in Los Angeles. Speculations about his future have intensified following Australia’s early exit from the recent T20 World Cup and poor form with the bat, but the explosive all-rounder insists he is not rushing into any retirement decision.“I think not making a decision around my future will probably be more based on what the next 12 months looks like. There’s not much T20 cricket planned so there’s probably no need to make any kind of formal announcement, just look at my fitness and my travels and if there’s an opportunity to play in the future hopefully I’ll be fit and full of energy,” Maxwell told reporters in Melbourne on Wednesday.Australia’s T20I schedule remains light until August 2027, with only eight bilateral matches currently scheduled. Maxwell has ended his ODI career but is still willing to extend his tenure in the shortest international format.Maxwell sounded hopeful but cautious when asked about the prospect of playing in the 2028 Olympics and the home T20 World Cup.“Fitness and shooting? Hopefully. But yeah, no dates have been set. I feel like I’m getting better and better throughout the World Cup. I’m probably going to judge more on my runs on the pitch and how I feel, that’s probably more important than any statistics on wickets and runs. I just feel like I’ll be able to finish the game more easily. It feels like I’m doing the best I can in my role and feels like I still have a lot to offer,” he said.Although his recent returns in T20Is and Big Bash League have been modest, Maxwell believes his value to the team is not just in terms of statistics.Australia’s next T20I assignment is a three-match series against Bangladesh in June as part of a wider tour that also includes ODIs against Bangladesh and Pakistan. Maxwell confirmed discussions were ongoing with selectors about the plans.“We’ve had some discussions about what’s going to happen and we’re going to continue to have really open and fluid discussions. Like I said, if I’m healthy and able to play and available, I’ll be ready,” he said.After leaving the international stage, Maxwell will remain busy on the franchise circuit. He has agreed to a two-year contract extension with Melbourne Stars of the Big Bash League and will also play pakistan super leagueMajor League Cricket and the new T20 competition in Europe later this year. He will represent Hyderabad Kings in the PSL, making his debut in the tournament.“Looking at my window between the World Cup and the MLC, since we weren’t as deep into the tournament as I had planned, I found myself with a lot more time between tournaments and just felt like I was going to be cold going into the next game,” Maxwell said.“So it could be a perfect time gap to bridge. And the opportunity to join a new team and start from the ground up with someone – I really enjoy those opportunities. I think starting with a team from the beginning is great to be a part of and build a brand,” he said.
Parents of Indian-American Savitha Shah, killed in Austin bar shooting, break silence, ‘She believed…’
Family members of the deceased savitha mountainA 21-year-old University of Texas student who was shot by a gunman at an Austin bar has released a statement after confirming his daughter was the second victim of the shooting.
The family expressed deep sadness and overwhelming grief, confirming the tragic death of their “beloved daughter in the recent terrorist attack” in the United States. “She was 21 years old and our only child. Our hearts are broken beyond words,” Savitha’s parents said.
Savita Shan: A dedicated student
“Savitha was an intelligent, compassionate and deeply caring young woman whose presence brought warmth, comfort and joy to all who knew her. She was a dedicated student at the University of Texas, Austin’s McCombs School of Business, where she studied with determination and excellence. She believed in hard work, service to others and living with integrity,” the statement continued.
“Her sudden and heartbreaking death has left an irreplaceable void in our lives and the lives of all who loved her. This loss feels unreal and profoundly unfair, and the space she once illuminated is now filled with sadness. As we mourn this unimaginable loss, we also keep the other victims of this tragedy in our hearts.”
two other victims austin The shooters have been identified as Jorge Pedersen and Ruud Harrington.
The incident happened around 2 a.m. Sunday outside Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, a bar frequented by college students near the university campus. On Monday night, the Austin Police Department identified the suspect as Ndiaga Diagne. Shot and killed by law enforcement officers. Fourteen people were also injured, some of them in critical condition.
Who is Savitha Shan? “Superstar” students
Savitha Shan is a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, pursuing a double major. University records show her legal last name is Shanmugasundaram. She is widely regarded as one of the university’s most outstanding students.
University of Texas at Austin President Jim Davis described her in a letter to the campus community as “a child with loving parents. A devoted friend to many. A Longhorn ready to change the world.”
Shan is actively involved in student life and serves on the executive committee of the Indian Students Association. Faculty members remember her as academically outstanding and professionally ambitious.
Russ Finney, an assistant professor at the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin, told The
The shooting followed weekend military developments between the United States, Israel and Iran and heightened security concerns across the country.
Russian Shadow Fleet LNG tanker sinks after ‘sudden explosion’ off Libyan coast
The Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier Arctic Metagaz sank in the central Mediterranean between Libya and Malta after a “sudden explosion” sparked a fire on board, Libya’s Ports and Maritime Transport Authority said on Wednesday.All 30 crew members were rescued in waters off Libya, they added.Libyan ports and maritime transport authorities said the Arctic Metagaz tanker “experienced a sudden explosion followed by a fire that ultimately led to its complete sinking” north of the Libyan coast.There were no immediate reports of crew casualties.According to local reports, the Russian Ministry of Transport later accused Ukraine of launching a naval drone attack on the oil tanker from the Libyan coast, claiming that the “Arctic Metaz” was hit by an unmanned surface ship, but Kyiv has not publicly commented on this accusation.
The Armed Forces of Malta’s Rescue Coordination Center, which helped coordinate the response, said the survivors of the Arctic Metagaz were found on a lifeboat in the Libyan search and rescue area and were reported to be safe.Tracking data showed the ship had earlier loaded liquefied natural gas at a Russian floating storage facility before sailing around Western Europe and into the Mediterranean, where its automatic identification system signal disappeared about 30 nautical miles off the northeastern coast of Malta before the fire broke out.The Maltese Armed Forces said they were alerted to the distress situation of the Arctic Metagaz outside Malta’s search and rescue area and initiated verification procedures to locate the ship and work with international partners before the survivors were discovered on a lifeboat in Libyan waters.The crew abandoned ship as the fire spread and were later transferred to another ship after broadcasting a rescue coordination message to nearby ships, according to Maltese and Libyan authorities.
Veteran journalist and Padma Shri awardee HK Dua dies at 88
Senior journalist and Padma Shri awardee HK Dua died in New Delhi on Wednesday at the age of 88, The Tribune reported. Three weeks ago, he was admitted to a private hospital and had been feeling unwell. His cremation will take place at Lodi Road Crematorium on March 5 at 12 noon.Dua is the former editor-in-chief of The Tribune and served as media advisor to former prime ministers Dev Gowda and Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also represented India as Ambassador to Denmark.He led the Tribune from 2003 to 2009 and was credited with growing the paper’s national standing and editorial credibility. During a distinguished career spanning several decades, Dua held senior editorial positions at The Indian Express, The Times of India and Hindustan Times.In 2009, he was nominated to the Bundestag to participate in debates on media freedom and public policy. In 2008, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contribution to journalism.Congress MP Manish Tewari expressed grief over Dua’s death, recalling that he “was an editor, but the editor’s identity was still important”.Tewari said in a post on X that Dua stood up for his beliefs, refused to compromise editorial independence and never sought favors from political leaders or media owners. He described him as a warm, humble man who was able to express his ideas with clarity and integrity. “It is sad to learn about the death of Sh HK Dua. He was an editor but being an editor is still important. Editor-in-Chief of The Times of India, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express and The Tribune. He chose to live by his beliefs rather than be a lackey of the owners and an AD who kowtows to politicians. Media Advisor to the late Prime Minister Sh. Atal Behari Vajpayee, Ambassador of India to Denmark and nominated by the Prime Minister as Member of Parliament late Dr. Manmohan Singh. He is a very warm person, completely unpretentious and knows how to speak his mind,” Tewari wrote on “X”.
Abhishek’s top spot under threat, Farhan’s double ton shakes up ICC rankings
pakistan opener Sahibzada Farhan Already near the top of the ICC men’s T20I batting rankings, competition with India intensifies Abhishek Sharma Following the release of the latest weekly update on Wednesday.
T20I batting rankings
Farhan climbed to the second spot after his historic performance in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The right-hander became the first cricketer to score two centuries in a single tournament and scored his second century against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in the last Super 8 match between the two sides. The knock not only moved him up one spot in the rankings, but also earned him a new career-high rating.
Abhishek Sharma continues to occupy the first position, 26 points ahead of Farhan. The Pakistan batsman, who scored 383 runs during the World Cup, surpassed England’s Phil Salt and is now rated 848, significantly narrowing the gap at the top of the list. The end of the Super 8 phase triggered some other changes in the batting charts. Indian Ishan Kishan Fourth place is with 783 points, while Tilak Varma has moved up to sixth place with 749 points, both making it into the top 10. South Africa’s Dewald Brevis also secured eighth place. Zimbabwe’s Brian Bennett made one of the biggest jumps, soaring six spots to 11th after scoring 292 points in the competition. South African pair Ryan Rickelton and Aiden Markram also advanced, rising to 13th and 16th respectively.
T20I bowling rankings
In the T20I bowling rankings, Indian spinner Varun Chakravarthy remains at the top of the list, but his lead has been reduced to just 18 points as the tournament enters the knockout stages. Chakravarthy has taken 12 wickets so far but Pakistan’s Abrar Ahmed is closing in after moving up two places to third. Among other bowlers, India’s Jasprit Bumrah climbed to seventh spot, while Arshdeep Singh jumped six places to 13th. England’s Liam Dawson jumped nine places to joint 14th, while South Africa pacer Lungi Ngidi climbed six places to 20th. All-round ranking continues to be led by Zimbabwe captain Sikandar Raza. Indian Hardik Pandya He now moves up one spot to second place, replacing Pakistan’s Saim Ayub as his closest challenger. West Indies veteran Jason Holder is another major winner, jumping eight places to 11th on the back of a stellar performance with bat and ball in the World Cup.
Who is Noah Tietjens? Heartbroken mother of US soldier killed in Iran war exclaims: ‘Can’t sleep, can’t stop crying…’
one of the American soldier killed The Pentagon confirms an Iranian drone strike during Operation Epic Fury killed Iranian Sgt. First Prize: Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, Nebraska. Three others killed along with Tietjens were the captain. Cody Hawk35, Winter Haven, Fla.; Sgt. first class Nicole Love39, of White Bear Lake, Minn.; and Sgt. Declan Cody20 years old from West Des Moines, Iowa.
The Pentagon confirmed that the incident was under investigation.
Who is Noah Tietjens?
Tietjens and three other soldiers are assigned to the Army Reserve’s 103rd Sustainment Command in Des Moines, Iowa, the New York Post reported.
Learn more | Mamdani was scolded by Iranian New Yorkers for his “illegal war” remarks: “You are human garbage”
His mother confirmed his death in a message posted on Facebook. “Just wanted to let you all know that our son Noah Titkins was killed yesterday in Kuwait. We don’t have any information at this time. We will let you know when we learn more. We just need some time to think about it all! Thank you!” Glenda Wetzel Tietjens writes.
Glenda also wrote: “Can’t sleep, my eyes hurt, my heart hurts, my heart is broken, and my chest hurts! This is not fair!! I can’t stop crying!”
Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen said in a statement Paying tribute to the Tietjens, “We hold the Tietjens family close to our hearts and will keep them in our prayers during this incredibly difficult time. Noah stepped up to serve and protect the American people from foreign enemies around the world – a sacrifice we can never forget. Please join us in praying for the Tietjens family and all American service members who risk their lives to protect our freedom.”
Learn more | When will the US-Iraq War end? Trump claims “unlimited weapons supply”
He added: “An order for flags to be flown at half-mast in memory of Sergeant Tietjens will be announced shortly.”
The drone strike that killed the soldier came a day after the United States and Israel launched a military operation against Iran, which followed with retaliatory attacks. The operation resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and U.S. President Donald Trump announced in truth social postcalling him “one of the most evil men in history.”
To ease the burden on car owners, mortgage cancellations can now be done online
NEW DELHI: In a major move, cancellation of vehicle collateral will be done automatically through an online system once the loan is fully repaid, saving people the hassle of visiting transport offices and contacting banks multiple times. The Road Transport Ministry has started rolling out the new system on Monday, March 1, initially with a partnership of one state-owned bank and five non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). More will join soon.The move is aimed at eliminating procedural delays and reducing the inconvenience faced by borrowers in updating vehicle records after settlement of loans and visiting the regional transport office to initiate removal of collateral from the vehicle registration certificate. The process often involves multiple visits and a lot of paperwork.Officials said the system operates using the Reserve Bank of India’s Unified Lending Interface (ULI), which enables secure, real-time data exchange between lenders and government platforms. “The online interface interacts between the bank, ULI and Vahan systems. Therefore, the entire process, including verification, takes place without any human intervention. Once the process is completed, the owner receives an SMS from Vahan informing him/her to cancel the mortgage. This is part of the government’s initiative to improve the convenience of life,” an official said.In addition, after the car owner repays the loan, the bank will send a “No Objection Certificate (NOC)” to the car owner.Currently, SBI and five NBFCs including Cholamandalam, Shriram Finance and Sundaram Finance have started implementing the system. Officials said more banks and financial institutions will be added to the system in a phased manner to ensure wider coverage and seamless implementation across the country. The move will significantly reduce processing times and increase transparency, they added.Welcoming the move, transportation services expert Anil Chhikara said that while banks and financial institutions will handle all collateral issues while taking a loan to purchase a vehicle, these institutions will not help customers in the process of repaying the loan.
Eid Al Fitr 2026: Saudi Arabia declares Eid Al Fitr 2026 public holiday for government and private sector World News
Saudi Arabia Eid al-Fitr 2026 public holidays have been officially declared for employees in the government, private and not-for-profit sectors, giving millions of workers a clear idea of their time off at the end of Eid al-Fitr Ramadan. The decision was confirmed by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development, which outlined the start date and duration of the holidays in accordance with Saudi labor regulations.
saudi arabia eid al-fitr eid al-fitr 2026 holiday dates
According to the ministry, the Eid al-Fitr holiday for the private and non-profit sectors will begin at the end of the working day on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, which is the 29th of Ramadan 1447 in the Islamic calendar. The holiday will last four days. As a result, employees are expected to remain off work until Saturday, March 21, 2026, and then return to work according to the company’s official schedule.For government departments, holiday arrangements are usually announced through official announcements, and public officials can also take a few days off to mark the end of Ramadan. The announcement ensures coordination across departments and allows families to plan celebrations and travel arrangements in advance.
How is the date of Eid al-Fitr 2026 determined?
Eid al-Fitr marks the first day of Showar, the month following the Islamic lunar month of Ramadan. The exact date depends on the appearance of the new moon. If Ramadan ends for 29 days, Eid al-Fitr is expected to start on Thursday, March 19, 2026. However, if the moon is not visible, Ramadan will last for 30 days and Eid al-Fitr will begin one day later. After the Lunar Observation Committee completes its observations, the Saudi authorities will make a formal confirmation.Since the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar, dates in the Gregorian calendar advance each year. This makes official announcements particularly important for businesses, tour operators and residents to plan ahead.
Preparing for Eid al-Fitr
With the date now confirmed, celebrations are getting into high gear in the Kingdom. Eid Al Fitr, meaning “the feast of breaking the fast,” marks the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fast of Ramadan.
- Shopping and Travel: Airports and shopping malls in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam are expected to experience significant increases in footfall as residents prepare for family gatherings and ‘Eidiah’ (gift-giving).
- Moon Viewing: While the date for the holiday has been set, the official start of Eid al-Fitr (Eid al-Fitr) still hinges on traditional moon viewing. If Ramadan lasts for 30 days, Eid al-Fitr will fall on Friday, March 20; if it lasts for 29 days, it will start on Thursday, March 19.
- Regional context: Saudi Arabia’s announcement follows similar announcements from the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, and will bring much of the Gulf to a period of synchronized rest and reflection.
eid al-fitr the whole kingdom
Eid al-Fitr is one of the most important celebrations in Saudi Arabia and the entire Muslim world. The day begins with special collective prayers held shortly after sunrise, followed by family gatherings, festive meals, and al-Fitr (a charitable donation before the Eid prayers).By declaring the Eid al-Fitr 2026 public holiday in advance, the Saudi authorities are providing clarity and stability, ensuring smooth planning for government agencies, private businesses and millions of residents preparing to celebrate the end of Ramadan.
India sets up control room, releases helpline number amid Middle East crisis
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has set up a special control room to assist Indian nationals affected by the escalating crisis in West Asia and the Gulf. The move comes against a backdrop of growing security concerns as tensions continue to rise in the region.“In view of the current situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has set up a control room,” the ministry said on Wednesday.
Nearly 10 million Indian citizens live in West Asia, the MEA said in a statement, adding that their safety and well-being remained the government’s “top priority”.“The control room can be contacted from 9 am to 9 pm: 1800118797 (toll-free) +91 11 2301 2113, +91 11 2301 4104, +91 11 2301 7905,” the statement added. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the government will continue to pay close attention to the development of the situation and make appropriate decisions based on national interests. New Delhi remains in touch with governments in the region and other key international partners, the statement added.Meanwhile, the Indian Consulate General in Jeddah said on Tuesday that it would fully support Indian citizens traveling on special flights from the city due to regional travel disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia.Consul General Fahd Ahmed Khan Suri and senior officials visited King Abdulaziz International Airport to review arrangements for Indian passengers traveling on non-scheduled flights to various destinations in India, the Consulate General said in a statement.These special flights operated by Air India have been arranged to mitigate the impact of recent flight disruptions and facilitate the return of affected passengers.On February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated military strike against Iran, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures in one of the most serious escalations in the region in decades.In the following days, Iran launched a series of retaliatory attacks, mainly targeting Israeli and US military bases in several Gulf countries including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan and Saudi Arabia.