Thursday, March 19, 2026
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Abdullah Alwan, Mujis Faisal and Bashir Faisal: Three men sentenced in Phoenix for defrauding Amazon of millions of dollars

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Abdullah Alwan, Mujis Faisal and Bashir Faisal: Three men sentenced in Phoenix for defrauding Amazon of millions of dollars

Three men from the Phoenix area have been sentenced to prison for their role in a scheme that defrauded Amazon of millions of dollars by manipulating Amazon’s logistics payment system.U.S. authorities said the fraud involved a former Amazon employee who used his knowledge of the company’s internal systems to boost delivery rates for third-party shipping companies.Abdullah Alwan (28) from Surprise, Arizona, was sentenced on March 2, 2026 to six months in prison. Previously, brothers Mughith Faisal, 29, and Basheer Faisal, 28, both from Glendale, Arizona, were sentenced to 18 months in prison on February 5 and February 17, respectively. All three men had previously pleaded guilty to wire fraud.The court also ordered each defendant to pay $1.5 million in damages to Amazon.Alvan worked in Amazon’s logistics division before leaving the company in 2021, according to court documents and court statements. Investigators said he later used his knowledge of Amazon’s internal systems that create and track shipping loads for deliveries.“According to court records, Abdullah Alwan, a former Amazon employee, used his knowledge of Amazon’s systems to increase standard rates for third-party carriers’ shipping deliveries.”The increased rates benefit Blue Line Transportation, an Arizona-based company run by the Faisal brothers. The company has been approved by Amazon as a third-party carrier responsible for shipping goods.“Basheer Faisal and his brother Mughith Faisal operated a third-party shipping company and knowingly accepted fraudulently increased shipping rates that Alwan entered into Amazon’s system, collaborating with him to defraud Amazon of approximately $4.5 million.”Authorities said the scheme allowed the group to charge payments well above normal delivery rates.

From SHGs to drone technology: Inside India’s ongoing push for women’s economic empowerment

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India’s ongoing push for women’s financial empowerment ahead of International Women’s Day has drawn attention to the changing role of women in the country’s economy. From gaining skills training and providing practical support for running small businesses to operating agricultural drones, women are increasingly taking on new financial roles and becoming active participants in India’s development story. Supported by a series of government initiatives over the past decade, an increasing number of women in rural and urban India have gained access to savings, credit, skills and markets, helping them build independent livelihoods and support their families. From savings schemes for girls to credit support, self-help groups (SHGs), entrepreneurship programs and technology-driven livelihoods, policy efforts are focused on bringing more women into the economic mainstream and ensuring inclusive growth that leaves no woman behind.One of the key initiatives to support girls’ economic security is the Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY), which was launched in 2015 under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement. The savings plan allows families to invest in a girl child’s education and future, offering an interest rate of 8.2% per annum as well as tax benefits. As of December 2025, deposits under the scheme had exceeded Rs 333 crore, according to government data. In rural areas, the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) has brought together more than 100 million women into self-help groups (SHGs) to provide credit, skill training and livelihood opportunities. The network has become one of the largest female-led community platforms in the world, with a repayment rate of over 98%. Technology is also introduced to expand revenue opportunities. Under the NaMo Drone Didi initiative, women from SHGs are being trained to operate agricultural drones for spraying fertilizers and pesticides, enabling them to earn income through drone rental services while promoting precision farming. Entrepreneurial initiatives are also gaining ground. Projects such as the Lakhpati Didi Movement aim to help women members of SHGs achieve an annual household income of over Rs 1 lakh through sustainable enterprises. Meanwhile, the Government e-Marketplace’s Womaniya initiative enables women-led businesses to offer goods and services directly to government buyers. Complementing these efforts are financial inclusion schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana and Stand-Up India, which provide banking services and collateral-free loans to women entrepreneurs.

When does daylight saving time start in 2026? When does the clock change and what to know

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Most Americans will set their clocks forward this weekend daylight saving time Beginning in 2026, it marks an annual shift to longer daylight hours at night but one hour less sleep.

The clock change occurs just before spring, which begins with the vernal equinox on March 20. (Representative image)
The clock change occurs just before spring, which begins with the vernal equinox on March 20. (Representative image)

According to the U.S. Naval Observatory, the official timekeeping agency of the Department of Defense, the time change will take effect at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 8, when clocks in most of the United States will advance one hour.

What happens when daylight saving time starts?

When daylight saving time begins, clocks move forward one hour, so 2 am becomes 3 am. As a result, most Americans actually lose an hour of sleep.

This transition moves the daylight hour from morning to evening. For example, according to Boston’s rules, change the sunrise time for the previous day to 6:09 AM and the sunset time to 5:41 PM. National Weather Service. Following the time change, sunrise will move to 7:08 a.m. and sunset will be pushed to 6:42 p.m.

The clock change occurs just before spring, which begins with the vernal equinox on March 20.

Also read: When does daylight saving time end? Does the autumn clock run backwards or forwards? Here’s what you need to know

Why does daylight saving time exist?

Daylight saving time was first adopted in the United States in 1918 during World War I as a way to save fuel. This policy was later Second World War For similar reasons, according to the Congressional Research Service.

The modern framework comes largely from the Uniform Time Act of 1966, which standardized time rules across the country. Since 2007, daylight saving time begins on the second Sunday in March.

Daylight saving time ends in 2026

Daylight saving time will last most of the year before reverting back to standard time on November 1, 2026 (the first Sunday in November), when Americans will “roll back” and add an hour.

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, daylight saving time will last 238 days in 2026.

Also read: U.S. lawmakers are again advancing legislation to make daylight saving time permanent — what to know

Which places do not observe time changes?

Not all areas of the United States observe Daylight Saving Time. Hawaii and much of Arizona do not change their clocks, although the Navajo Nation, which spans parts of Arizona, does follow the shift.

Some U.S. territories also don’t observe daylight saving time. These include Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

‘Sab same line chipka rahe hain’: Sky dismissive of Santner’s ‘silence the crowd’ comments

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'Sab same line Chipka rahe hain': Suryakumar Yadav dismissive of Mitchell Santner's 'keep the audience quiet' remarks
Suryakumar Yadav responds to Mitchell Santner’s comments about suppressing home fans in final

New Delhi: Captain India Suryakumar Yadav responded to comments saturday Mitchell Santner On the issue of silencing the home crowd at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, he said such remarks have become common before major matches.India will take on New Zealand in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.Earlier in the day, New Zealand captain Santner said his team would be looking to Quiet the crowd at home During the finals. His remarks were similar to those made by Pat Cummins ahead of the ICC World Cup 2023 final at the same venue, where Australia defeated India.“Our aim is to silence the crowd. There are a lot of variables in T20 cricket and it can be fickle at times,” the 34-year-old said. “If we go out and do business in the same way, we can frustrate another strong team. Obviously, there is a lot of pressure on India to win the World Cup at home.”

T20 World Cup: Mitchell Santner’s press conference ahead of IND vs NZ

Reacting to the remark, Suryakumar said such comments are now often repeated before major matches.“Sab he same line chipka rahe hai. Kuch to naya bolo (Everyone is saying the same thing now. Come up with something new),” Suryakumar Yadav told reporters at the pre-match press conference.The 35-year-old India skipper, who is the second-highest run-scorer in the 2026 T20 World Cup squad, said leading the team in the World Cup final will come with pressure but he wants to enjoy the opportunity.He added that the atmosphere in the Indian dressing room remains positive as the team prepares for the final.“It’s a special feeling and everyone is very excited. The environment within our team is very good. We are looking forward to the final,” he said.“As a leader, there will be pressure; I can’t deny that. There will be more pressure, no doubt, and it’s exciting to play in a World Cup final, and that’s the same in India,” Suryakumar added.The Indian team became the first defending champion to reach the T20 World Cup final. They hope to win the title and become the first host nation to lift the trophy when they face New Zealand on Sunday.

Rahul Gandhi says PM Modi ‘betrayed the country’ by signing US trade deal

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi (ANI photo)

New Delhi: Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of “betraying the country” by entering into a trade agreement with the United States, claiming that the deal will adversely affect Indian farmers and small businesses.Gandhi was speaking at the farewell ceremony of the state-wide ‘Puthuyuga Yatra’ led by Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan.“The Prime Minister has let the country down. He has betrayed the country. I believe the Prime Minister betrayed the country by signing the US deal,” Gandhi said.He claimed that ordinary citizens, especially farmers and small business owners, would ultimately bear the burden of the agreement.“No prime minister before him opened up Indian agriculture to American agriculture,” he said.Rahul said the entry of large US mechanized farming companies into the Indian market would put small farmers under huge pressure and could lead to “disruption” in the agricultural sector.He further claimed that the country’s energy sector has been compromised and alleged that US President Donald Trump had access to India’s data through the agreement.The Congress leader also claimed that Modi was controlled by Trump, adding that the Kerala chief minister was also controlled by Modi.Gandhi, who briefly mentioned cricketer Sanju Samson in his speech, said it was encouraging to know that the star wicketkeeper-batsman who played in the T20 World Cup quarter-finals was from Thiruvananthapuram.The yatra, which started a month ago, is spread across all districts of Kerala as part of the party’s campaign ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.The event was attended by several leaders, including KPCC and AICC members Sachin Pilot and Deepa Dasmunshi, and other leaders of the UDF alliance.Addressing the rally, Satishan described the pilgrimage as the most meaningful experience in his political career.He said the UDF submitted a “charge sheet” to the LDF government during the march.“As long as the SDF government fails, the United SDF will enhance the status of the state,” he said.Satishan added that the yatra helped the alliance gather public feedback from across the state, which would be used to formulate policies for the future development of Kerala.He said the UDF intends to introduce a “New Kerala Model” that will focus on good governance and solving problems faced by ordinary citizens.“The Kerala Government Secretariat will be the most efficient Government Secretariat in the country,” he said.Satisan also pledged to strengthen governance and reform accountability in key areas such as health, education and employment.Concrete initiatives will be taken to address the challenges faced by the poorer sections of society, he added.Satishan was confident of the upcoming parliamentary elections and said the UDF would return to power.“UDF will win more than 100 seats,” he said.

‘Stop Indian Hate’: Indian American group launches tracker documenting growing anti-India hatred in the US

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'Stop Indian Hate': Indian American group launches tracker documenting growing anti-India hatred in the US

A US-based advocacy group has launched a new tracker to document the growing wave of “anti-India hate” incidents across the United States.The Indian American Advocacy Council (IAAC) has released a report and guidance titled “Stop Indian Hate: A Guide to Hate Incident Tracking and Community Action,” which documents verified incidents of online abuse, public harassment and discrimination against the Indian American community between late 2025 and February 2026. The initiative also provides resources on how victims can report hate incidents and find legal support.

From cost crisis to racial accusations: How Galway food pantry photos stoked hatred against Indians

The organization said anti-India rhetoric increased in early 2026 on social media platforms and public forums. The report compiles documented cases and explains the legal protections afforded to victims under U.S. civil rights laws. It also includes instructions on how to file a complaint with federal, state and local agencies and community support contacts.One of the key incidents mentioned in the report was a confrontation at a Frisco, Texas, city council meeting on February 3, 2026, where tensions were rising over immigration and the city’s growing Indian-American population. Many Make America Great Again moguls and conservative influencers urged residents to attend meetings and talk about an “Indian Takeover” in Texas, which is essentially a red state. “America First” proponents link the issue to the H-1B visa program and argue that immigrants from India are changing the city’s demographics. They accuse the Indian diaspora of “stealing” American jobs back home. The row escalated after a commentator claimed residents were frustrated with Indians living in the same area as them and sparked riots.The IAAC said it began documenting such incidents as part of an effort to track patterns of hate and provide evidence for civil rights action. The group has previously condemned “xenophobic and racist rhetoric” directed at Indian-American residents and warned that labeling legal residents as “Indian takeovers” amounts to targeted intimidation.In addition to stalking incidents, the guide is also designed to help victims cope effectively. It outlines reporting procedures, submission deadlines and a complaint letter template that community members can use when contacting authorities.

‘Don’t be surprised if’: Clark’s bold prediction for Bumrah final

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'Don't be surprised if...': Michael Clarke's bold prediction for Jasprit Bumrah final
Jasprit Bumrah of India (ANI Photo)

Former Australia captain ahead of the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final between the Indian and New Zealand national cricket teams Michael Clark High praise paid to India’s star pacer Jasprit Bumrahdescribing him as the most important bowler in world cricket at the moment. Clark also suggested bangla Can play a decisive role in the title race and even be the man of the match.Bumrah is one of India’s standout performers in the ongoing tournament. He currently ranks second in the team’s wicket-taking charts with 10 wickets in seven games, behind Varun Chakaravarthy who has 13 wickets. The fast bowler also maintained an impressive economy rate of 6.63, the best among Indian bowlers in this edition.

T20 World Cup Final: Greenstone Lobo predicts India vs New Zealand winner horoscope analysis

Speaking on the Beyond23 Cricket Podcast, Clark highlighted Bumrah’s ability to perform under pressure and said his execution set him apart.“One thing is having so many options (variations) but most importantly, having the skills to execute under pressure. That’s what makes him the best in the world. He has been the decisive factor for India. I won’t be surprised if he becomes man of the match in the final. He is so dominant.”Clark further highlighted Bumrah’s value in all formats of the game, describing him as a rare match-winner who can consistently deliver in high-pressure situations.“India are the best team in this World Cup. They are very good. We probably haven’t talked about him much throughout the World Cup because we are just looking forward to it now. Bumrah. He is just a freak. In all three formats, from a distance, he is the most important player in the world. He is a match-winner. He bowls the most difficult overs. Run-saving machine, wicket-taker, executes under pressure better than anyone in world cricket.The former Australia captain also reflected on the challenges of managing a bowler like Bumrah if he were to lead a team. According to Clark, deciding when to use the pacer during an innings will be the biggest tactical decision for any captain.“He has a lot of different skills. Like when you see the best batsmen, we always talk about how they run under pressure, but they do it in different conditions around the world. Bumrah does that. He wins games in all different conditions and at different stages of the game. If I were his captain, my biggest challenge would be when to use him. That’s why they don’t want to open the bowling with him and you want him to get two overs at the death.

Who is Kyle Peters? Kristy Noem’s son-in-law sued by former employer in South Dakota for:

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Kyle Peters, son-in-law of the Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and is married to daughter Kassidy Noem, who is reportedly being sued by her former employer.

Kyle Peters, who is married to Kristi Noem's daughter, faces an unfair competition lawsuit from A1 Development. (Cassidy Noem/Instagram)
Kyle Peters, who is married to Kristi Noem’s daughter, faces an unfair competition lawsuit from A1 Development. (Cassidy Noem/Instagram)

Peters was reportedly sued last month by US-based company A1 Development. south dakotaAccording to KELOLAND News, a local news source for the British newspaper The Independent. The lawsuit was formally filed on February 19 in Coddington County.

Lawsuit against Kyle Peters

According to the outlet, the lawsuit states peters “For many years, he has wrongfully competed and diverted business from A1 Development,” the complaint states, adding that Peters was employed by the company before becoming an independent contractor.

The company reportedly claimed that Peters “used his position to wrongfully divert A1 Development’s business for the personal benefit of at least 11 different clients.”

According to court documents, A1 Development is a company that assists clients south dakota and development, construction, permitting and government relations.

The company claimed his actions were “fraudulent and intentional,” Dakota News Now reported. A1 Development is seeking compensatory and punitive damages and is urging a jury trial, the outlet said.

Also read: How rich is Kristy Noem? Trump replaces Homeland Security secretary with Markwayne Mullin, look at her net worth and assets

Kyle Peters denies accusations

Peters and his LLC, Bad River Development, “deny A1 Development’s allegations,” said his attorney, Stephen Landon.

“We are examining Kyle and Bad River’s responses to the complaint and their counterclaim against A1 for unlawfully withholding commissions,” Langdon said in an email to The Independent.

He added: “We believe the facts will show that Kyle did not divert any business from A1 Development, that he actually brought a significant amount of business to A1, and that even after he left, he continued to attempt to transfer business to A1.”

A1 Development’s founding partner responds

Paul Kostboth, founding partner of A1 Development, called the situation “unfortunate” in an email to The Independent, adding that “the complaint speaks for itself”.

peters is a city council member in Watertown, a small town about 100 miles north of Sioux Falls. He was also elected as Watertown’s deputy mayor last year, KXLG reported.

Kyle Peters and Cassidy Noem’s wedding

Peters gets married Nome’s She gave birth to her daughter in 2019, according to social media posts she shared at the time.

“Cassidy and Kyle got married this weekend in the Black Hills! Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us. God is good,” Norm said in a post on Facebook.

Evening News Report: EAM reacts to Iranian ship sinking in Indian Ocean; why US ‘agreed’ to India buying Russian oil and more oil

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  • Responding to the sinking of an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that one Iranian warship docked in Kochi with India’s permission, while another Iranian warship “IRIS Dena” was “on the wrong side of the incident” near Sri Lanka.
  • The United States has granted India a temporary exemption to buy stranded Russian oil, with Finance Minister Scott Bessant praising New Delhi for playing a “very good role” in supply disruptions caused by West Asia.
  • Dubai International Airport temporarily halted flights after Emirati air defense forces intercepted an Iranian attack, debris fell near the terminal and Emirates Airline suspended services. However, authorities reported only a minor incident and no injuries.
  • A principal of Chitrakoot Public School has been suspended over a video showing a fifth-grade girl massaging her feet in class, even though she claimed the video was processed with artificial intelligence.
  • Former India batsman Mohammad Kaif has urged India to drop out-of-form opener Abhishek Sharma from the 2026 T20 World Cup final against New Zealand citing his poor form with spin and poor returns.

Here are the top 5 stories of the day

EAM Jaishankar on India’s rescue of Iranian ships

In India’s first official response to the US Navy’s sinking of the Iranian warship IRIS Dena, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said Tehran has sought permission to dock another ship in Kochi due to technical issues. The request was approved on March 1, but IRIS Dena, based near Sri Lanka, was “on the wrong side of events.”Read the full story

Jaishankar explains why India allowed Iranian ships to dock amid ongoing conflict between US, Iran

Why the U.S. “agreed” to India temporarily resuming purchases of Russian oil

Amid tensions in West Asia, the United States has temporarily allowed India to buy Russian oil stranded at sea to stabilize global supplies. Finance Minister Scott Bessant said, “The Indians are doing very well. We asked them to stop buying sanctioned Russian oil this fall. They did. They intend to replace it with American oil,” he said.If market conditions remain tight, Washington may consider lifting restrictions on additional Russian oil, he added.Read the full story

Iranian drone strikes Dubai International Airport runway, disrupting flight operations

Flight operations at Dubai International Airport were suspended due to an air interception linked to an Iranian attack, with witnesses describing huge explosions and smoke near the terminal. Authorities said the successfully intercepted debris caused only a minor incident and no casualties, but the plane was stranded and Emirates suspended all flights to and from Dubai, urging passengers to avoid the airport.Read the full story

UP principal suspended for receiving foot massage from student

Madhu Rai, the principal of a government primary school in Kalbinaya Bazar in Chitrakoot, was suspended after a 23-second video surfaced showing her lying on the classroom floor while a Class V student massaged her feet during classes. Basic Siksha Adhikari BK Sharma ordered action after students alleged that such massages were a daily occurrence, but Rai, who is retiring, said the video was manipulated by artificial intelligence.Read the full story

Former India batsman urges India to drop Abhishek Sharma for T20 World Cup final

With India set to take on New Zealand in the 2026 T20 World Cup final in Ahmedabad, Mohammad Kaif has called for “bold” changes, suggesting that Abhishek Sharma be rested after a poor game. The opener breached 50 just once, falling into spin on multiple occasions, while a pre-match stomach infection, weight loss, missed catches and waning strength further exacerbated his struggles.Read the full story

T20 World Cup final: Indian Railways announces special train from Delhi to Ahmedabad

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T20 World Cup final: Indian Railways announces special train from Delhi to Ahmedabad
India vs New Zealand (Institutional Photo)

2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final to be held in Ahmedabad indian national cricket team and new zealand national cricket team It is scheduled to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday. As anticipation builds for the title race, indian railways To help fans reach the venue, a special train service has been launched from New Delhi to Ahmedabad.Northern Railway officials announced on Saturday that the train had been arranged to assist fans keen to witness the final. The move comes amid soaring air ticket prices and limited availability of tickets to Ahmedabad.

T20 World Cup Final: Greenstone Lobo predicts India vs New Zealand winner horoscope analysis

The special train is scheduled to depart New Delhi at 11:45 pm on Saturday. Fans are encouraged to lock in their seats as soon as possible to avoid missing out on the trip.“A special gift from Indian Railways to cricket lovers! In view of the increase in ticket prices and lack of tickets, and for the convenience of passengers, Indian Railways has announced a special train from New Delhi to Sabarmati, which will depart today (March 7, 2026) at 11:45 pm. Book this train which consists of 19 coaches, including 3rd AC and 2nd AC coaches.”Earlier, Western Railway also revealed plans to run another special train for the finals. The flight will operate between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, providing fans with an affordable and convenient way to travel to watch the much-anticipated matches.this Narendra Modi The stadium is expected to be packed for the decider of the game. India beat England by seven runs in the semi-finals to seal their place in the final, while New Zealand secured their spot with an easy win over South Africa.Spectators will also watch an energetic closing ceremony before the first ball of the final is bowled. puerto rico grammy award winning star Ricky Martin The event will be headlined along with famous Gujarati folk singer Falguni Pathak and Bollywood playback singer Sukhwinder Singh.The International Cricket Council is also planning a musical entertainment segment ahead of the match, with nearly 132,000 spectators expected to dance to Martin’s iconic hit Un Dos Tres (Maria).This will be the second time Ahmedabad will host India in a World Cup final. The last time it happened was during the 2023 Cricket World Cup, when the Australian national cricket team shocked the hosts to win the 50-over title.