president Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi On Sunday, “nari shakti” greetings were extended on the occasion of International Women’s Day, which is celebrated across the world on March 8 every year.President Durupadi Murmu congratulated the women and described women as “the backbone of a progressive nation”.She wrote in a post onShe added: “On this occasion, let us reaffirm our joint commitment to building a society where every woman has equal opportunities to grow and live with dignity, security and freedom. Let us create an environment together where women’s aspirations and achievements shape a more equitable future.”Prime Minister Modi also acknowledged the role of women in shaping the country and praised their “determination” and “unparalleled passion”.He wrote in “X”: “On the occasion of International Women’s Day, I send greetings to all Nari Shakti. Across every field, women are shaping India’s progress with determination, creativity and unparalleled enthusiasm. Their achievements inspire our nation and strengthen our collective resolve to build Viksit Bharat.”“Women empowerment is at the core of our various programs and initiatives. We remain committed to creating opportunities that enable every woman to realize her full potential and contribute to India’s development journey,” he added.He ended his post with the hashtag “Naye Bharat Ki Nari Shakti”.
Fines of up to Dh200,000, two years in jail: UAE spreads rumors as it fights regional crisis | World News
The UAE has warned residents against spreading rumors and misinformation on social media platforms amid escalating conflicts between Iran, the United States, Israel and regional tensions.Authorities said they have seen a surge in the circulation of fake news, fabricated videos and misleading images related to ongoing military confrontations and other developments in the region.
Official warning
UAE Attorney General Hamid Saif Al Shamsi warned against taking, publishing or disseminating images and videos of accident scenes or damage caused by falling projectiles or debris.It is circulated on the Internet in an attempt to aggravate social anxiety and confusion, affect national stability, and raise questions about the current situation. Many of these campaigns re-release old footage of accidents and fires that occurred in Gulf countries years ago and present them as recent events in the UAE, according to security sources and experts. Additionally, manipulated videos created using artificial intelligence and deepfake technology are being circulated with the aim of shaping public opinion and spreading hostile agendas.Shamsi assured that state agencies responsible for public security are carrying out their duties efficiently to protect society, and that daily life across the country continues to proceed normally and that necessary measures are being taken to deal with any developments. He also stressed that incidents of this nature are handled by competent authorities with precise security and defense procedures and that sharing videos or images online could undermine authorities’ response efforts. Therefore, sharing such fabricated content or spreading misleading information is a criminal offense and should be punished by law. Shamsi stressed that prosecutors will take firm legal action against violators.
severe legal penalties
Legal experts say spreading rumors or unverified information in the UAE is a criminal offense under the country’s Cybercrime and Rumors Law. Article 52 of the law stipulates that anyone who uses the Internet to publish or reprint false news, misleading reports or malicious rumors that contradicts officially announced information shall be punished with up to one year in prison and a fine of Dh100,000. The same article increases the penalty to at least two years in prison and a fine of Dh200,000 if such information is disseminated to incite public opinion, spread panic, harm public security or the national economy.
Verification is a civil liability
“In times of crisis, relying on official sources and professional media organizations remains the safest way to understand events,” social media activist Ibrahim Al Thehli told Gulf News.He added that publishing information online is both an individual and a social responsibility, and that inaccurate information could mislead others and exacerbate public anxiety. He pointed out that the rapid spread of news does not necessarily mean it is credible, and verifying the date, context and original source of images and videos can help people avoid being manipulated.
Expert: Seismic map rollback is ready for earthquakes
DEHRADUN: The Indian government’s decision to cancel India’s newly introduced seismic zoning maps and revised earthquake design codes has sparked concerns among seismologists and geologists, many of whom say the move could undermine the country’s ability to prepare for future major earthquakes.The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) launched a revised framework in November 2025 proposing a major update to India’s seismic design codes, including bringing the entire Himalayan arc under a new Zone VI, the highest seismic risk category.
Geologists warn India’s earthquake risk is far from marginalSeveral experts described the withdrawal as a “missed opportunity” to strengthen India’s resilience, especially in areas where scientists have long warned of the possibility of devastating earthquakes.Senior geoscientist CP Rajendran called the rollback a “bad step”. “We don’t know what prompted the government to cancel such a bold policy. The new earthquake norms are based on the accumulated knowledge of the scientific community about earthquakes and their possible impact on India,” he said.Rajendran added that scientists have repeatedly warned that the Himalayan region may experience earthquakes of magnitude eight or larger in the future. “The new norms reflect the real seismic risks the country faces,” Rajendran said.Geologists point out that India’s earthquake risk is far from minimal. According to experts, nearly 59% of the country’s landmass and nearly 80% of its population fall into moderate to extremely high earthquake risk zones.Piyoosh Rautela, a geologist and former executive director of the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority, said the proposed changes in regulations represent an important step forward in improving disaster preparedness in the country.“The proposed revisions mark an important step towards strengthening India’s seismic design framework to better protect the country’s built environment from future earthquakes,” Rautela said. He added that the newly proposed Zone 6 covering the Himalayan arc acknowledges the ongoing tectonic threats along the Indo-Eurasian plate boundary – similar to those that occurred during the 2001 Bhuj earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake.Experts further said that the revised code introduces stronger safety measures, including an improved design spectrum, 10-30% increase in base shear requirements, stricter rules for structural irregularities and more stringent geotechnical and dynamic analyses. The changes are intended to promote performance-based engineering – ensuring buildings are designed to not only withstand vibrations but also minimize the risk of collapse and economic losses during a major earthquake.Meanwhile, experts acknowledge that the revised code has had a significant impact on construction practices and ongoing infrastructure projects across the country.
Daylight Savings Time 2026: When does it start and end? Which states don’t change their clocks?
Daylight Saving Time, the annual change in time known colloquially as Daylight Saving Time, is about to begin in 2026. As a result, most Americans will lose an hour of sleep this weekend when they “go ahead.” For nearly 20 years, a ceremony to set the clocks forward one hour has been held every year on the second Sunday in March.
When does daylight saving time start in March 2026?
This year Daylight Saving Time begins at 2 a.m. local time on Sunday, March 8. Since 2007, the start date has been the second Sunday in March, according to the U.S. Naval Observatory, the Department of Defense’s official time source.
Learn more | U.S. lawmakers are again advancing legislation to make daylight saving time permanent — what to know
Much of the United States will lose an hour to the clock change on Sunday, as the 2 a.m. time jumps to 3 a.m. us”move forward“Before the true spring arrives, the vernal equinox on March 20th.
When does Daylight Saving Time end in 2026?
Most Americans will “fall back” to standard time at 2 a.m. local time on the first Sunday in November. This year it’s November 1st. After the autumnal equinox on September 22, the country will be nearly six weeks into fall.
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, daylight saving time will last 238 days.
Which US states don’t change their clocks?
The U.S. Department of Transportation pointed out that as of July 25, 2022, only parts of Hawaii and Arizona do not participate in daylight saving time. The only exception is Arizona It’s the Navajo Nation.
At the same time, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico The Virgin Islands are not participating either.
The website notes that under the Revised Uniform Time Act, states are exempt from observing daylight saving time under state law.
China requires high-risk groups to undergo cancer screening
China’s Ministry of Health is urging people at potential risk to get screened for cancer as part of a wider push to improve disease prevention and control. Lei Haichao, director of the National Health Commission, said at a press conference on Saturday that people aged 50 and above, long-term smokers, those with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or a family history of lung cancer are recommended to receive annual low-dose spiral CT scans. The Chinese government is advancing actions to strengthen the comprehensive cancer prevention and control plan by 2030.(Bloomberg)
President Murmu unhappy with venue change, PM Modi calls it ‘insulting’; Mamata hits back – What sparked row at Santal meeting
New Delhi: A political row broke out at the recent International Santal Conclave in West Bengal after the West Bengal government changed the venue of the event at the last minute. Controversy has intensified since the president took office Draupadi MurmuThose scheduled to attend the event publicly expressed their displeasure with the decision, noting the chief minister’s absence Mamata Banerjee and other ministers during their visit.President Murmu said authorities informed her that the venue had been moved due to crowding at the original location. However, she disputed this rationale, saying the new venue made it difficult for members of the Santal community to attend the gathering.
Murmu later visited the original site and questioned the authorities’ account. “When I came here I saw that the venue was big enough to hold half a million people,” she said, adding that she was very sad about the last-minute change of venue.The President, while addressing the International Santal Council, also said there are attempts to prevent the progress of the community. “There are people who don’t want Santals to unite, progress, get education… There are people who don’t want Santals to become strong. However, I know that Santals sacrificed their lives for the country.”Murmu, who herself belongs to the Santal community, also said that the community’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle has not yet received due recognition. “I know how much the Santals contributed to the country’s freedom struggle. But the names of Santal legends are not deliberately enshrined in history,” she said while stressing the need for education of Santal children.The issue quickly escalated into a political confrontation between the ruling parties Trinamool Congress West Bengal and the BJP-led central leadership.
‘bjp Using president to defame Bengal’: Mamata
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee questioned Murmu’s focus on tribal issues and accused the BJP of politicizing the matter. “When atrocities happen against tribals, why don’t you protest. When such atrocities happen in Madhya Pradesh or Chhattisgarh, why don’t you protest?… First do something for them and then say something,” Banerjee said.“As per the advice of the BJP, do not play politics during elections,” she added, further accusing the BJP of using the president to target the state government. “The BJP has stooped to the extent of using President Drupadi Murmu to malign West Bengal,” Banerjee said.The controversy also drew strong reactions from several BJP leaders, including the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
PM Modi: ‘Shameful and unprecedented’
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized the West Bengal government, calling the incident “shameful and unprecedented”. “All those who believe in democracy and empowerment of tribal communities are dismayed. The pain and anguish expressed by Rashtrapati Ji from the tribal community has created immense sadness in the hearts of the people of India. The TMC government in West Bengal has indeed crossed all boundaries. Their government is responsible for this insult to the President,” he said in a post on X.“It is also unfortunate that a subject as important as Santal culture is treated so casually by the West Bengal government. The office of the Presidency is above politics, and the sanctity of this office should always be respected. One hopes that the West Bengal government and TMC will have a better understanding. ” he added.
“TMC’s anarchic behavior reaches new low”: Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also attacked the Mamata government over the incident. “The Trinamool government in West Bengal has hit a new low today with their anarchic act. They have completely ignored etiquette and insulted the President of India. The incident exposed deep corruption within the Trinamool government. “He added, “A government that casually tramples on the constitutional rights of its citizens will not hesitate to humiliate the nation’s highest constitutional office, the President. The insult to the President at an event organized by our tribal brothers and sisters is an affront to the values of our country and our constitutional democracy. Every citizen who believes in democracy is deeply hurt and pained today.”
“Ask questions about behavior”: Dharmendra Pradhan
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also criticized the arrangements during the President’s visit. “When the president is forced to express his dismay at the arrangements that have been made, it raises serious questions about the conduct and preparedness of the responsible authorities. The sanctity of the constitutional office must take precedence over politics,” he said.Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi also condemned the development, saying it had hurt the sentiments of the tribal community. “When an event where the president himself is the chief guest is so disrupted, such behavior raises serious concerns and sends an unfortunate message,” he said.Calling the incident insensitive, Majhi added: “As a member of the Santal community, this hurtful act of the TMC government in West Bengal has also caused deeper pain and hurt to me and the people of Odia at large.”The dispute has now turned into a wider political battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Trinamool Congress, with both sides accusing the other of politicizing issues involving tribal communities and the office of the president.
Nancy Guthrie: Annie Guthrie, Tommaso Cioni, Savannah’s floral tributes spark stir; ‘Do kidnappers return to crime scene’
Nancy Guthrie, 84, was reported missing by her family on February 1 and has not been found. Authorities believe she was taken the night before from her home in the Catalina Foothills near Tucson, Arizona. However, it has been more than a month since her disappearance and Guthrie has still not been found.
From then on, her family—daughter Anne Guthrie and son-in-law Tommaso Scionisubject to public speculation. Previously, former NewsNation reporter Ashleigh Banfield reported that Cione was a possible suspect in the case. He was also reportedly the last person to see Guthrie before she disappeared, as he walked her home after having dinner with Anne. The two also reportedly lived near Guthrie’s home. Amid the attention on social media, Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos, whose department is in charge of the case, made it clear that none of the family members were suspects, with assistance from the FBI.
ALSO READ | Nancy Guthrie case: Police share update after woman found dead on canalside in Phoenix, Arizona
Anne and Sione have since appeared in public alongside their already famous siblings, hosts of the Today show Savannah Guthrie. The three laid flowers at Guthrie’s shrine. However, questions were raised the next day when the flowers were allegedly scattered on the street.
Have the kidnappers returned to the scene of the crime?
Jonathan Lee Riches, who was on hand to cover the case, said on
He continued, “Flowers were scattered throughout the streets the next day. The FBI was back in the neighborhood today. Where is Nancy Guthrie?”.
The post was made days ago and coincided with an FBI raid near Guthrie. However, law enforcement has not announced any direct results regarding the search.
Instead, several people interacted with Riches’ post, asking whether the man was caught on camera and whether the flowers dedicated to Guthrie were scattered. Many people also want to know “whether the kidnappers returned to the crime scene.”
However, there is no concrete indication that the kidnappers ever returned to the crime scene. Neither the Pima County Sheriff’s Office nor the FBI have indicated any such scenario, and if they believed it was possible, they would have had a deputy stationed at the house to monitor the operation.
Many also disagreed with Jaguar Land Rover’s post itself. “I don’t agree with that theory. It’s very common with killers, and I know it’s hard to hear, but that’s the end result, the killer takes the body and hides it until they determine its final resting place,” a source said.
“It is important that police immediately put dogs around vacant buildings, motels and storage units as soon as it is established she was taken. I don’t think they have done that. If they are going to ‘come back’ it is to where the body is, not the house,” they additional.
other point out “Maybe it’s the wind. It’s always windy here.”
However, retired police officer Betsy Brantner Smith, a spokesperson for the National Police Association, told Fox News Digital: “They (kidnappers) can [have eyes on the memorial]we just didn’t see it. They may be tracking it, but we don’t see the cameras. “
“It is possible that such people will return to the memorial, view the memorial, and even take photos of the memorial and add to it themselves,” the expert added, continuing, “Sometimes criminals return to the scene of the crime. So, in this spirit, they come to the memorial and they may leave their own note, their own flowers.”
The project office seeks third-party review of highway and railway projects
NEW DELHI: As the pace of construction and laying of new road and rail corridors gathers pace, the PMO has directed the road transport and railway departments to introduce independent third-party audits to ensure quality work. They have also been asked to eliminate delays in project execution.Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also asked the Road Transport Ministry to study the construction practices of the Golden Quadrilateral era and noted why there were few quality-related complaints during the execution of the country’s first flagship highway development scheme, TOI has learnt.The PMO also recommended that the ministry study Indonesia’s practice of third-party independent auditing, which would institutionalize mechanisms to improve quality and accountability in large infrastructure projects. Last year, Malaysia also introduced “external auditing” for this purpose.Keeping in view the high investment in these areas, both ministries have been directed to take steps to expedite the movement of trains and vehicles on their corridors. According to the directive, the highways ministry will identify constraints and gaps that result in cargo trucks operating at an average speed of around 50 km/h (instead of the ideal 70 km/h) on high-speed corridors and address these issues. Similarly, the Railways will set phased targets to increase train speed on the corridor from 110 km/h to 130 km/h and further to 160 km/h and 200 km/h.Officials involved in the highway project acknowledged the need to focus on quality issues given that the next phase of highway development will have more highways and economic corridors to speed up freight and passenger transport.
‘Wouldn’t be of much help to them’: Trump downplays reports of Russia sharing intelligence with Iran
New Delhi: US President Donald Trump on Saturday played down reports that Russia may be sharing intelligence with Iran to help target US troops in the Middle East, saying such information “would not be of much help to Iran” as the conflict continues to escalate.Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Miami that even if Moscow provided targeting information to Tehran, it would be of little use on the battlefield.“I hope they don’t. If you look at what happened in Iran last week, if they get information, it doesn’t do them much good,” Trump said.The U.S. president did not confirm reports that U.S. intelligence agencies believe Russia may have provided Iran with information targeting U.S. military personnel and assets in the region.However, he said that even if such intelligence sharing occurred, Iran would gain little from it.Asked whether Russia’s aid to Iran would affect U.S.-Russian relations, Trump dismissed the concern.“They’re going to say we’re doing this against them,” Trump responded. “Won’t they say we’re doing this against them?”Trump made the remarks after attending a solemn handover ceremony for six U.S. Army reservists killed in a drone strike in Kuwait, a day after the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran.A week-long conflict has escalated rapidly across the Middle East, roiling global markets and raising concerns about energy supplies.Trump’s remarks came days after the U.S. Treasury Department announced a 30-day exemption allowing India to continue buying crude oil and petroleum products from Russia.The decision drew criticism from lawmakers in Washington.Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif., posted on X criticizing the move and urging the administration to reverse the decision.“Reverse your decision to lift sanctions on Russian oil. It is treason for you to help Russia,” Liu said. “At the same time, Russia is assisting Iran in targeting U.S. forces.”India, however, insists it does not need any country’s permission to buy Russian oil.PTI quoted a senior government official as saying that the US exemption only removes friction and does not affect India’s energy policy.The conflict with Iran also caused a sharp rise in global oil prices. The war has disrupted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage that carries about 20 million barrels of oil a day from the Persian Gulf to global markets.Supplies from some of the world’s largest oil producers have been affected as ships are unable to navigate safely and key energy facilities in the region are damaged.
Trump rules out use of Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Asked whether the United States would tap into its Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to mitigate rising oil prices, Trump appeared to dismiss the idea for now.“We have a lot of oil. Our country has huge reserves of oil,” Trump said. “There’s a lot of oil in there. It’ll heal quickly.”The reserves currently hold more than 415 million barrels of crude oil, but have a total capacity of more than 700 million barrels.Trump also said he was willing to take additional steps to stabilize prices if needed, saying “if anything, I would do that just to take a little bit of the pressure off.”
Brian Noem and Kristi Noem ‘severing’ ties? The truth behind Corey Lewandowksi’s viral cheating rumor
a claim Brian name Cut off relations with his wife, Christiehas appeared online. This comes after the outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary was questioned about her alleged extramarital affair with a consultant Corey Lewandowskiduring a congressional hearing. Christy’s husband, Brian, attended the same hearing.
Although Christie shut down the issue, accusations of infidelity continued. Both Lewandowski and Noem have denied romance rumors. However, amid the row surrounding the incident, a theory began to circulate on X that Brian “immediately severed ties with Norm.”
“Brian Noem immediately severed ties with Kristi Noem,” one person wrote on X.
The video said that “less than 24 hours” after Trump “fired” her, Bryan took “three major steps.” He allegedly refused to accompany her to Florida, where she was appointed special envoy for the Western Hemisphere for the American Shield project. This comes after President Donald Trump announced that she would no longer serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, with Oklahoma Senator Markwayne Mullin taking over effective March 31.
The statement further claimed that Bryan had indicated through his aides that he would not cooperate with her “political manipulation.” It also claims Bryan has flown back to South Dakota to consult with legal counsel about protecting family assets.
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Brian Noem-Kristi Noem Claims: Facts Verified
While there are no reports that Bryan accompanied Norm to Florida, this is the norm. He usually remains rooted in South Dakota, running Nome’s insurance business, while his wife must travel for her political career.
There are no reports that Noem serves as an adviser. Many are also wondering why Bryan hasn’t moved on from Kristi Noem given the accusations of an affair, and claims in a recent video have led many to believe they may be estranged.
However, neither man indicated any such information. His family reportedly feared Brian would stay with Norm because of his Christian faith and commitment to his wedding vows. A family member told the New York Post explain “He said he decided about 20 years ago that he would support her in whatever she decided to do, which was God’s calling. So he endured the humiliation. We’ll see if he sticks with her now.”
The person further added, “I think he’s fulfilling God’s calling. But it seems like there will be some limitations to that.”
Brian and Norm’s marriage began in 1992 and lasted approximately thirty years. They went to high school together and began dating when Christy was a junior at Hamlin High School in Haiti, South Dakota, and Brian was a freshman at Northern State University. The couple has three children together.