New Delhi: In view of the evolving situation in West Asia, Union Home Minister Govind Mohan on Wednesday chaired a review meeting with all states and Union Territories (UTs) on the LPG supply situation and advised senior officials of states/UTs to enhance the security of relevant infrastructure and personnel, monitor LPG supply on a daily basis and dispel rumors in real time to protect the LPG supply chain to avoid causing panic. The meeting was attended by state/UT chief secretaries and DGPs and Union ministers of petroleum and natural gas, information and broadcasting and consumer affairs ministries. The meeting was convened amid public concerns about restrictions on the supply of LPG on the market, given that conflicts in West Asia have directly affected major gas and oil suppliers.Sources told TOI that all states/Union Territories have been briefed on the LPG Control Order dated March 8, 2026, which directs refineries and petrochemical companies to maximize LPG production and prioritize supply of domestic LPG to household consumers. It was clarified that restrictions on LPG distribution apply to commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants, while hospitals or educational institutions are not included in the scope of the order.All states/Union Territories are advised to ensure protection of LPG supply chain by enhancing security of relevant infrastructure and personnel. They were also advised to monitor local LPG supplies on a daily basis and take strict action against violators to maintain local law and order. States/Union Territories have been asked to carry out adequate publicity campaigns either directly or through oil marketing companies to allay concerns and counter rumors about LPG shortage and publicize the proactive steps being taken by the government to ensure adequate supply of LPG to households.States/Union Territories are further advised to closely monitor social media platforms and take immediate action to eliminate fake news and false narratives regarding the alleged LPG shortage by spreading old or irrelevant material, sources said.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs has strengthened its control room operations, including nodal officers from the I&B Ministry and Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry, to operate on a 24×7 basis. This arrangement has been made to enable fact-checking and immediate clarification to states and union territories on any matter related to the current situation.
‘Our children are not safe’: Iran says it cannot participate in 2026 FIFA World Cup
New Delhi: Iran’s Sports Minister Ahmed Doyamali said on Wednesday that Iran will not be able to participate in the 2026 World Cup after the United States assassinated Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Al Jazeera reported citing Reuters.“Considering this corrupt regime [the US] “We cannot participate in the World Cup under any circumstances if our leaders are assassinated,” Ahmed Doyamali reportedly told state television on Wednesday.
The latest round of conflicts between Israel, the United States, and Iran began on February 28. Conflicts in West Asia have also disrupted global energy supply chains.Ahmed Donyamali said the conditions required to participate in the project fifa world cup Doesn’t exist.“Our children are not safe,” Doyamali said, according to Al Jazeera, citing Reuters. “Fundamentally, the conditions for such participation do not exist. Considering their malign actions against Iran, they forced us to launch two wars in eight or nine months, resulting in the death and martyrdom of thousands of our people. So of course we cannot have such a presence.”The United States will co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 104 games, starting on June 11 at the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City and ending at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the finals on July 19.All of Iran’s group stage matches are scheduled to be played in U.S. cities, including Los Angeles and Seattle.Doyamali’s comments came after FIFA president Gianni Infantino posted on Instagram on Wednesday that US President Donald Trump would welcome Iran to the World Cup.“President Trump reiterated that the Iranian team is of course welcome to come to the United States to compete,” Gianni Infantino said in a social media post.Earlier, Mehdi Taj football The Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (FFIRI) has also questioned Iran’s participation in the World Cup following the recent attacks, saying it would be difficult for the country to approach the tournament with optimism.“After this attack [on Iran]we cannot expect to look forward to the World Cup with high hopes. If the World Cup is like this, who in their right mind would send their national team to such a place? “Taj Mahal said on Iranian state television.
Social Security faces shocking crisis after former DOGE employee allegedly stole ‘highly sensitive’ records
Whistleblowers raise concerns about possible data breach Social Security Administration Charges a former employee with improperly accessing sensitive government records. The charges involve individuals associated with the Department of Government Efficiency, commonly known as DOGE.
Allegations spark federal investigation
The former engineer worked for the Social Security Administration before joining a private contractor, Marca reported. The whistleblower claims the man told colleagues he had access to highly restricted databases containing personal information on millions of Americans.
The complaint also states that the engineer said he stored some information on a thumb drive and planned to take it to his new employer.
The case has prompted an investigation by the agency’s inspector general and additional oversight by the Government Accountability Office. The whistleblower filed the report anonymously out of fear of retaliation.
An attorney representing the former employee has denied the allegations, saying his client did not improperly obtain government data.
Sensitive database raises privacy concerns
Databases named in the charges include systems called “Numident” and the “Master Death File.” These records contain highly sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, birth details, citizenship and parental information for hundreds of millions of living and deceased Americans.
Privacy experts say the information stored in these databases is extremely valuable to criminals because Social Security numbers are widely used for financial services, taxes, medical records and government benefits.
“This type of disclosure is extremely disturbing,” said security expert Steve Weisman.
“Anyone affected by this may be at significant risk of identity theft. Social Security numbers are the most critical information when it comes to identity theft.”
Wider concerns about data access
The controversy has raised concerns about how the Department of Government Effectiveness (DOGE), which has ties to Donald Trump’s administration, handles government data across agencies.
Earlier reports suggested that people associated with the scheme may have visited social Security Some administrative data unknown to officials. Critics in Congress say allowing broad access to federal databases could weaken security and create the risk of exposing personal information.
Officials said there was no conclusive evidence that data was stolen or compromised, but investigators were still examining whether any security rules were broken.
Nopo Force: Explanation: What are Iran’s black-clad NOPO troops protecting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
File photo (Image: Getty Images)
Iran has reportedly deployed an elite counterterrorism force called NOPO to protect its newly appointed supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, after his father was assassinated.The black-clad special forces were tasked with protecting the elderly leader after the United States and Israel launched an attack on a compound in Tehran on February 28 at the start of a military operation called “Epic Fury,” according to Fox News.Ali Safavi, an official with the Paris-based National Council of Resistance of Iran, said the elite force would now be responsible for protecting the new leader. “NOPO may now protect Mojtaba Khamenei after Khamenei’s ouster,” he told Fox News.
what is NOPO force ?
NOPO is the abbreviation of Nirouyeh Vijeh Pasdaran Velayat in Persian, which roughly translates to a special forces unit responsible for protecting the regime. Safawi said that the force was established in 1991 and was formerly the 28th Ruhollah Division, named after Ruhollah Khomeini.The force is relatively small but highly specialized, consisting of six brigades, four of which are based in Tehran and the others in Mashhad and Isfahan. Safawi said the force was “more lethal, more brutal and well-trained” than the regular forces of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.The force, originally created for hostage rescue missions, has also been deployed to respond to internal security threats and suppress anti-government protests. Safavi said some members were involved in recent security crackdowns to prevent unrest across Iran.“Some NOPOs are now involved in the repression and security measures that the regime has also introduced in recent days to prevent protests from breaking out anywhere,” he said, adding that the force had previously shot at demonstrators during the uprising.
Protection in war and uncertainty
The deployment comes days after Iran’s Assembly of Experts appointed Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s third supreme leader on March 8, following the assassination of his father.However, the new leader has not made any public appearances since taking office. Officials said Mojtaba Khamenei was injured in the initial attack but was “unharmed”, AFP reported.Analysts believe he is likely to remain in a high-security location to avoid becoming a target in the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.Security deployment has also been expanded nationwide. Fox News reported that hundreds of NOPO personnel were stationed around prisons housing political prisoners, including the high-security Evin Prison, amid fears of unrest during the war.The elite force has also faced international criticism. In 2021, the U.S. Treasury Department imposed sanctions on NOPO, saying it “seriously violated the human rights of Iranian citizens.”With Mojtaba Khamenei now the main target in the ongoing conflict, analysts say this highly trained force may remain central to the regime’s efforts to protect its leadership.
Stryker suffers global cyberattack from suspected Iran-backed group, thousands of workers at Cork factory affected
a global cyber attack Stryker was affected, affecting employee accounts globally, including thousands of workers at its Cork factory, the Irish Examiner reported. Hackers reportedly replaced the internal login page with the following logo it will disappear. According to reports, many employees were also unable to access their accounts after the data on their devices was wiped.
Stryker suffered cyber attack: “Wiper” attack caused system shutdown
The medical technology company, which employs up to 5,000 people in Ireland and whose Irish headquarters is in Cork, was the target of what sources described as a “wiper” cyber attack. In such an attack, the data on the target IT system is completely deleted and cannot be recovered.
The National Cyber Security Center in Dublin is aware of the incident and is responding to the incident. Wiper attacks are considered very serious because they are often politically motivated rather than for financial gain.
Systems at the Cork headquarters were “shut down” and devices used by employees were wiped during the attack, the Irish Examiner reported. The login page on affected devices is also corrupted with the Handala logo.
The Handala Hack is associated with the Iranian regime, which is currently engaged in a military and economic war in response to U.S. and Israeli bombing of the country. The group also claimed to have hacked the Hebrew Language Institute’s website, the Jerusalem Post reported.
International technology media reported that the group also sabotaged multiple oil and gas facilities in Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Israel’s National Cyber Directorate said it has been trying to intercept a wave of Iranian cyberattacks targeting Israeli civilian companies in recent days.
Also read: White House area cordoned off after shocking crash, Secret Service arrests driver
Stryker employees stop work, production affected
The shutdown has a significant financial impact on Stryker as the attack disrupted technology used to manufacture its medical products and devices. The company is currently working to resume production of the affected machines. Some manufacturing machines in Cork are still running, but it is unclear how long they will continue to operate.
A Stryker spokesman told the Irish Examiner that efforts were underway to restore the system.
“We are currently experiencing a global network outage affecting Windows environments. Our teams are actively working to restore systems and operations as quickly as possible. Stryker has appropriate business continuity measures in place and we are committed to continuing to serve our customers.”
Employees are now sharing updates through WhatsApp groups, while employees are being warned not to use applications such as Microsoft Outlook or Microsoft Teams to connect to the network until the system is restored.
“We know this situation creates uncertainty. Please know that our teams are actively working with security experts and law enforcement to resolve this issue,” the statement said.
“Our employees and our sites are safe. We are focused on our customers and the patients they serve while ensuring the continuity of their and our own operations.
“As we work to restore our systems, please stay focused and follow the guidance of your leaders.”
Stryker said its team is working to restore systems and operations as quickly as possible. The company has also implemented business continuity measures as network outages continue.
‘King of the World’ statues of Trump and Epstein appear near US Capitol
a sculpture depicts Donald Trump Standing shoulder to shoulder with disgraced financiers Jeffrey Epstein It was installed on the National Mall near the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday in protest.The large statue, titled “King of the World,” went viral on social media and recreates the iconic pose from the 1997 film “Titanic,” in which the film’s main character stands on the bow of the ship with arms outstretched.A plaque at the base of the sculpture references the film while criticizing the alleged connection between the two men. “The tragic love story between Jack and Rose is built on lavish travels, raucous parties and secret nude sketches,” it reads. “This monument commemorates the bond between Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.”Behind the statue, a row of banners displayed photos of Trump and Epstein along with the slogan “Make America Safe Again.”The installation is the latest piece of protest art from anonymous activist group Secret Handshake, The New Republic reports, The Independent reports. In September, the group briefly erected another sculpture showing Trump and Epstein holding hands near the Capitol before authorities removed it.Secret Handshake has also hosted other politically themed installations, including a statue mocking those involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and a large replica of a birthday letter Trump allegedly sent to Epstein.Scrutiny of Trump’s alleged past ties to Epstein has intensified since the Justice Department began releasing documents under the Epstein Documents Transparency Act, which was signed into law last November.Earlier this month, the Justice Department released additional documents mentioning the 79-year-old president. They include three internal memos summarizing an FBI interview with a woman who accused Trump of sexual assault. White House press secretary Carolyn Leavitt dismissed the claim as “completely baseless” and “lacking credible evidence.”Trump himself has repeatedly said he distanced himself from Epstein in the years before his arrest and has denied any wrongdoing, calling the controversy a political “hoax” pushed by Democrats.
Middle East crisis: MEA says attack on merchant ship killed 2 Indians and 1 missing
New Delhi: Two Indian nationals were killed and another missing after a merchant ship carrying two Indian nationals was attacked during ongoing clashes in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Wednesday. Several Indians were also injured in the Gulf and consular officials were coordinating medical assistance and support, the ministry added.Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the government has been actively monitoring the situation and assisting affected nationals.“There are reports of some casualties. We have two Indian nationals missing and one missing. The three Indian nationals are dead or missing. The incident occurred while they were aboard a merchant ship that came under attack. Some Indians who were injured in the GCC area are undergoing treatment. Our consulate is in touch with them,” he said.He also confirmed that the Indian national injured in Dubai earlier today was receiving treatment and consular staff were in close contact.“This morning, you will see reports of Indian nationals being injured in Dubai. This gentleman, our consulate is in contact with him. He is also receiving treatment in the hospital and we are in regular contact with him to ensure his welfare and well-being,” Jaiswal added.Amid growing concerns over the safety of Indian citizens in conflict-affected areas, the MEA has launched a dedicated control room to handle queries and provide assistance.“In the Middle East and Africa region, we have activated a control measure that is working. We have received a number of calls regarding Indian nationals and their welfare and we have been providing guidance to those who have called,” the spokesperson said.India has a large expatriate population in the Gulf and Middle East, many of whom work on merchant ships or in sectors affected by regional instability.The MEA said it will continue to coordinate with Indian missions in the region to ensure the safety and, if necessary, repatriation of affected citizens.
Is Mojtaba Khamenei safe? Iran provides update on report of leg injury to new supreme leader
Iran’s new supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei injured both legs on first day in office United States-Israel The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the United States had taken military action against Iran, citing Israeli and Iranian sources.
KhameneiKhamenei, 56, was declared on Sunday the successor to his father, Ali Khamenei, who long served as supreme leader until his death on the first day of the conflict.
According to the Times, young Khamenei was injured that day, especially his leg, which may be the reason for his absence from public appearances or videos.
someone is worried Khamenei In addition to his existing injuries, he could also be targeted if he makes any more public statements, the Times reported, citing sources.
Mojtaba Khamenei is called ‘janbaz’
Previous reports have suggested Mojtaba Khamenei Injured during the war, state media dubbed him “janbaz,” meaning wounded by the enemy.
It is unclear whether Khamenei’s injury will prevent him from governing the country.
Iran says Mojtaba is ‘safe and sound’
The son of Iran’s president said on Wednesday that Khamenei was “safe and sound” but did not deny that the supreme leader was injured.
Government adviser Yousef Pezeshkian posted on his Telegram channel, “I heard the news that Mr. Mojtaba Khamenei was injured. I asked some friends with connections. They told me that he is safe and sound, thank God.”
Trump expresses anger over Mojtaba Khamenei’s appointment
President of the United States Donald Trump He stepped up threats against the supreme leader, claiming he would be unable to “live in peace” and warning Iran to prepare for “death, fire and fury”.
Israel issues warning to Iran
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Iran in a statement last week that any individual designated by Tehran would be “clearly targeted for elimination.”
Katz continued: “Any leader appointed by Iran’s terrorist regime who continues to lead the charge to destroy Israel, threaten the United States, the free world and countries in the region, and oppress the Iranian people will be a clear target for elimination.”
“It doesn’t matter what his name is or where he’s hiding,” he added.
CNN anchor apologizes for calling New York City bombs an attack on Mayor Zohran Mamdani
CNN anchor Abby Phillip has issued an apology after sparking major controversy after suggesting last Saturday’s ISIS-inspired attack in New York City was an attack on Socialist Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “After two Republicans said Muslims didn’t belong here after the attempted terrorist attack on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, House Speaker Mike Johnson had virtually nothing to condemn those comments,” Philip said, referring to Andy Ogles and Randy Fine. Investigators said the attack targeted anti-Islam protesters outside the Mamdani Gracie Building. Emir Balat, 18, and Ibrahim Kayumi, 19, were charged with providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization and using weapons of mass destruction. Both of them are U.S. citizens. “I would like to correct something I said last night. The bombs dropped in New York City over the weekend were thrown by attackers inspired by ISIS into a crowd of anti-Muslim protesters and not specifically targeted at Mayor Mamdani. The wording was inaccurate and I did not catch it ahead of time. I apologize for the error,” Philippe corrected. CNN is in hot water over the New York attack as they had to remove a social media post that described the attacker as a “teenager” enjoying the New York weather. “Two Pennsylvania teenagers entered New York City on Saturday morning and spent a normal day enjoying the city in unseasonably warm weather,” the now-deleted post read. “But within an hour, their lives would change dramatically when the pair were arrested for throwing homemade bombs during an anti-Muslim protest outside Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home. Here’s what we know so far.”CNN issued a clarification saying the post had been deleted because it failed to reflect the seriousness of the incident. CNN said: “A post about two people arrested for throwing a homemade bomb outside New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s home violated the editorial standards required of all our reporting by failing to reflect the seriousness of the incident. As a result, the post has been removed.”
Chinnaswamy to host RCB IPL 2026 – but with a big twist
New Delhi: The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru will host matches for the upcoming 2026 Indian Premier League season but there is one important condition.Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the schedule for the first phase of IPL 2026 on Wednesday, with the matches taking place from March 28 to April 12. The 19th edition of the tournament will begin with defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore taking on Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
However, scheduling matches at iconic venues requires approval from a government-appointed expert committee.“As three states are scheduled to hold state assembly elections during this period, the complete schedule of matches will be announced after the polling dates are announced,” the BCCI said in a release.A total of 20 matches will be played in 10 venues including Bengaluru, Mumbai, Guwahati, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad in the first phase.The BCCI also clarified that the match in Bengaluru will be subject to final security clearance from the authorities.“The match scheduled to be held in Bengaluru requires the approval of the expert committee constituted by the Karnataka government. The committee will conduct a meeting and inspection of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on March 13, 2026, during which a comprehensive mock demonstration of the match-day arrangements will be conducted to assess the stadium’s readiness to host IPL matches,” BCCI said.In the first stage, the competition will feature four doubleheaders, with the afternoon game starting at 03:30 pm (IST) and the evening game starting at 07:30 pm (IST).
IPL 2026: Schedule
| match | date | sky | time | site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RCB vs SRH | March 28, 2026 | Saturday | night | bangalore |
| MI vs KKR | March 29, 26 | sun | night | mumbai |
| RR vs CSK | March 30, 26 | on Monday | night | Guwahati |
| PBKS vs GT | March 31, 26 | Tuesday | night | Mulanpur |
| LSG and DC | April 1, 26 | Wednesday | night | Lucknow |
| KKR vs SRH | April 2, 26 | Thursday | night | calcutta |
| CSK vs PBKS | April 3, 26 | Friday | night | chennai |
| DC and MI | April 4, 26 | Saturday | afternoon | delhi |
| GT vs RR | April 4, 26 | Saturday | night | Ahmedabad |
| SRH vs LSG | April 5, 26 | sun | afternoon | Hyderabad |
| RCB vs CSK | April 5, 26 | sun | night | bangalore |
| KKR vs PBKS | April 6, 26 | on Monday | night | calcutta |
| RR and MI | April 7, 26 | Tuesday | night | Guwahati |
| DC and GT | April 8, 26 | Wednesday | night | delhi |
| KKR vs LSG | April 9, 26 | Thursday | night | calcutta |
| RR and RCB | April 10, 26 | Friday | night | Guwahati |
| PBKS vs SRH | April 11, 26 | Saturday | afternoon | Mulanpur |
| CSK vs. DC | April 11, 26 | Saturday | night | chennai |
| LSG vs GT | April 12, 26 | sun | afternoon | Lucknow |
| MI vs RCB | April 12, 26 | sun | night | mumbai |
The first double-header of the season is scheduled to be played on April 4 when Delhi Capitals take on Mumbai Indians at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi in the afternoon, followed by Gujarat Titans taking on Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Rajasthan Royals will begin their home campaign in Guwahati, where they will host Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, Kings XI Punjab will play their early home match at the PCA Stadium.As per the current plan, Royal Challengers Bangalore will play five home matches in Bengaluru and two in Raipur. Kings XI Punjab will play four home matches in New Chandigarh and three in Dharamshala, while Rajasthan Royals will split their home matches between Guwahati and Jaipur.However, the final confirmation of the Bengaluru match will depend on the inspection and approval by the expert committee of the Karnataka government.