New Delhi: Passengers in rows 32 and 33 of Air India’s new Airbus A350 aircraft flying from New York to Delhi were rudely awakened by vibrations in the floor and sounds under their feet, reports Saurabh Sinha. They alerted the crew. While flying near the coast of Ireland at the time, the pilot decided to divert to Shannon, and the AI 102 aircraft (VT-JRF) with 300 people on board landed safely in Shannon. In all such intercontinental diversions, the main issue is visa issues for passengers leaving the airport and traveling to their hotels. Airline sources said the same arrangement had been made by AI and everyone on the flight had been sent to the hotel. Alternative arrangements are being made for their return as the aircraft are being inspected in line with Airbus advice. “This may be a case of JFK ground staff not securing the cargo properly or a panel being loose,” the source said. “As of now, the aircraft is being inspected and no information can be released.”
Laylat ul Qadr, holiest night of Ramadan 2026: Thousands gather in UAE and Saudi Arabia for Night of Power prayers
as Ramadan Entering its most important spiritual phase, tens of thousands of Muslim worshipers across the Gulf gathered in mosques for special prayers to mark the “Night of Qadr”, widely considered Islam’s holiest night. Believers in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia During the holy final days of Ramadan, major mosques are packed with people seeking forgiveness, blessings and spiritual renewal.
Thousands gather at holy site to perform Laylat ul Qadr prayers United Arab Emirates and saudi arabia
Large gatherings were reported at some of the region’s most iconic places of worship, including the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque and Al-Haram Mosque, where thousands of worshipers gathered for late-night prayers, recitations of the Quran and supplications. The atmosphere in these mosques reflects the deep spiritual significance of the evening, with worshipers spending hours praying and meditating.Laylat ul Qadr, often translated as “Night of Power” or “Night of Decree,” is considered by Muslims to be the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It takes place during the last ten nights of Ramadan and is considered more meaningful than a thousand months of worship.
The spiritual intensity of the last ten nights of Ramadan
As the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close, mosques across the Gulf have seen a surge in worshipers performing nightly Qiyam-ul-Layl prayers, reading the Quran and performing dua (invocations). Many believers also participate in iʿtikaf, a practice in which Muslims stay in the mosque for extended periods of time exclusively to worship.Many Muslims generally believe that the 27th night of Ramadan is Laylat ul Qadr, but the exact night has not been determined and could occur on any odd night during the last ten days of Ramadan.
UAE mosques brace for huge crowds at Laylat ul Qadr
UAE authorities expect large crowds on the last night of Ramadan. Special arrangements have been made around the main mosque, including extra transport services, parking spaces and security measures, to accommodate the large number of worshipers expected to attend late-night prayers.Thousands of worshipers gathered shoulder to shoulder to pray at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi, one of the largest mosques in the world. The mosque’s spacious courtyards and prayer halls are crowded with devotees who come seeking the great spiritual rewards associated with this blissful night.
Prayers at Islam’s holiest site in Saudi Arabia during Qadr
In Saudi Arabia, similarly large crowds gathered at the Masjid al-Haram in Mecca and the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, two of Islam’s holiest sites. Pilgrims performing Umrah and local devotees joined in the special night prayers, with thousands raising their hands in prayer, creating a strong atmosphere of piety.The atmosphere inside Mecca’s Grand Mosque has been described as deeply spiritual, with worshipers filling every available space around the Kaaba and pouring into the surrounding courtyards. Many devotees prayed throughout the night hoping to receive the blessings of Lailat ul-Qadr.
Laylat ul Qadr: A night considered to have great blessings
Laylat ul Qadr holds a unique place in the Islamic faith. According to the Quran, this night of prayer is considered better than more than a thousand months of prayer, making it one of the most important spiritual opportunities for believers to seek forgiveness and divine mercy. As the exact dates are unknown, Muslims are encouraged to intensify their prayers during the last ten nights of Ramadan. For many, this means attending nightly prayers, participating in charitable works, and seeking spiritual closeness to God.People are looking forward to Eid al-Fitr 2026. As Ramadan comes to an end, people are preparing for Eid al-Fitr eid al-fitr The Muslim world is starting to do the same. However, for many believers, the final night of Ramadan remains a time of reflection, repentance and devotion rather than a time of celebration. In mosques in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, scenes of worship during Qadr highlight the deep spiritual unity among Muslims around the world. The sacred atmosphere of Ramadan reaches its most profound moment as worshipers gather under the night sky to pray, a time defined by faith, humility and hope in divine mercy.
Kerala youth stranded on Iranian cargo ship, relatives seek help
KOLAM: A maritime trainee from Chandanahope in Kollam was stuck in an Iranian cargo ship off the coast of Sharjah for nearly a month. His family feared he was suffering. Akhimon M, 21, traveled to the country on the Iranian cargo ship Queen Star on April 14 last year. After completing his training at the International Maritime Academy in Chennai, he got a job offer through a recruitment agency in Jaipur. His mother, Rameeha Madhu, told TOI that the family last spoke to him four days ago. “They are not providing my son with proper food or wages. He said he is struggling. He is our only son and we are helpless,” she said. The family has contacted the ship owner and sought the intervention of Quillon MP NK Premachandran. “I have taken up the matter with the Indian Embassy in Iran… It is difficult to say when he will be able to return, but he is reported to be safe,” the MP told TOI.
Rex Culpepper Cause of Death: How did the son of former Syracuse QB and Brad Culpepper die?
Former Syracuse University quarterback Rex Culpepper dies at 28. He is the son of NFL player Brad Culpepper.
cause of death
according to tampa bay timesCulpepper suffered fatal injuries in an off-road vehicle accident in Georgia on Saturday.
Bride Nation Salute
His fiancée shared the news of his death, Savannah Morganin an emotional social media post on Monday.
“No one expects to meet the love of their life, only to lose them within six short years of meeting them. Rex didn’t always believe in soulmates, but in the end he told me that he didn’t realize what it was like to have a soulmate until we felt like we were an extension of each other. We lived every day like it was our last. We did every little thing we set our minds to, and between learning new skills and hobbies, and traveling to new places, there was never a moment of free time with us. I haven’t regretted a moment in our six years together, and you made those six years feel like a lifetime,” she said on Instagram. wrote on the post.
Syracuse University releases statement
Culpeper played for the Syracuse Orange from 2016 to 2020, appearing in more than 15 games and throwing for 1,546 yards, 11 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
During his college career, he moved between quarterback and tight end, eventually returning to quarterback.
Syracuse University said in a statement, “Our Orange family mourns the passing of Rex Culpepper, who passed away this weekend at the age of 28. Rex lived his life with endless passion and overcame cancer at age 20 while playing for the Orange. Rex appeared in 30 games and played as fiercely as he had in his life. Our hearts are with the Culpepper family and all who loved him.”
cancer survivor
Rex Culpepper is a cancer survivor. In March 2018, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Despite undergoing chemotherapy, he played in Syracuse’s spring game that year. Culpeper entered the final drive and led the team in a touchdown.
He later received the Jim Darling Courage Award and returned for his sophomore season.
Pakistan launches air strikes in Afghanistan; Taliban says hospital attack kills 400
Afghanistan on Tuesday accused Pakistan of an airstrike on a hospital treating drug addicts in Kabul, saying the attack killed more than 400 people.Pakistan denies the accusation, saying its airstrikes – also carried out in eastern Afghanistan – target only military and “terror” locations.According to the Associated Press, Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman announced the death toll in a television interview with local media. He said all parts of the detox hospital had been destroyed. However, deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the death toll had risen to 400, with 250 injured. A huge explosion rocked the Afghan capital at around 9:00 pm local time, with plumes of smoke visible from the Shahr-e-Naw and Wazir Akbar Khan areas. Local television footage showed firefighters working to extinguish flames in the ruins of the building.Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on He said most of the dead and injured were drug addicts being treated at the facility.Pakistan’s Information Ministry said the attack “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of the Afghan Taliban” as well as Afghan-Pakistani militants based in Kabul and Nangarhar. The sites were “used against innocent Pakistani civilians,” the statement said.The ministry added that Pakistan’s targeting was “precise and careful to ensure no collateral damage”. It described Mujahid’s claims as “false and misleading” aimed at inflaming emotions and covering up what it called “illegal support for cross-border terrorism”.Pakistani troops have repeatedly attacked Kabul in recent weeks, amid heightened tensions amid accusations that Afghanistan’s Taliban government is harboring militants who carry out attacks in Pakistan.The latest developments come as deadly clashes continue on the two countries’ shared border.Pakistan has repeatedly said its troops only target Afghan posts and militant hideouts. Islamabad officials described the situation as an “open war” with the conflict including multiple Pakistani airstrikes against the president in Kabul Asif Ali Zardari The Afghan Taliban government crossed a “red line” last week by deploying drones in Pakistan, injuring several civilians.In response, the Pakistan Air Force over the weekend raided equipment storage sites and “technical support infrastructure” in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, saying the sites were being used to launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul said Pakistan struck two locations, including an empty security site and a drug treatment center that suffered minor damage.In Kabul, Afghan Deputy Prime Minister for Administration Abdul Salam Hanafi said defending sovereignty was the responsibility of all citizens. Speaking at a meeting with political analysts and media figures, Hanafi expressed regret for the civilian casualties caused by recent attacks in Pakistan and said the war was imposed on Afghanistan.
Govt agrees to hike commission of atiyas in three states
NEW DELHI: The Center on Monday approved increase in commission rates for wheat and paddy procurement in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan starting from the Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) starting this month. The rate hike comes at the behest of the state government. The food ministry said a committee has been formed and based on its recommendations, the government has approved the rate hike. “After the revision, commission for Arthiyas wheat in Punjab and Haryana will increase from Rs 46 per quintal to Rs 50.7 per quintal, while commission for wheat in Rajasthan will increase from Rs 41.4 per quintal to Rs 45.6 per quintal. Commission for paddy will increase from Rs 45.8 per quintal to Rs 50.6 per quintal. Commission on procurement of wheat will increase from Rs 27 per quintal to Rs 29.7 per quintal, while commission on rice will increase from Rs 32 per quintal to Rs 35.3 per quintal, it added.
What is NVIDIA DLSS 5? Why is it important? List of games that support it
NVIDIA has unveiled its most ambitious graphics technology yet, DLSS 5, which the company calls the biggest leap forward in computer graphics since the advent of real-time ray tracing in 2018.
The news was announced by NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang, who described the new system as a major step forward for computer graphics.
Problems DLSS 5 attempts to solve
Hollywood movies can take minutes or even hours to render a single frame to achieve truly realistic visuals. a video game On the other hand, rendering each frame in real time takes only 16 milliseconds. The huge gap between what movies can achieve and what games can achieve has been one of the biggest challenges facing game graphics for decades.
Also read: Rocket League servers down: Thousands complain about widespread outage; how to fix login issues
So what exactly is DLSS 5?
DLSS 5 is a real-time neural rendering model that uses artificial intelligence infusion game Visual effects with realistic lighting and materials.
It works by taking as input color and motion data from each frame of the game, then using AI models to enhance the scene with realistic lighting and materials that are consistent from frame to frame. It runs in real-time at up to 4K resolution, which means gameplay remains smooth and interactive while looking even better.
“Twenty-five years after NVIDIA invented programmable shaders, we are reinventing computer graphics again,” Huang said.
He added: “DLSS 5 is a GPT moment in graphics – combining hand rendering with generative AI to achieve a quantum leap in visual realism, while retaining the control artists need for creative expression.”
What makes it smarter than previous versions
DLSS began using AI in 2018 to improve game performance, first by increasing resolution and later by generating additional frames. It is now used in over 750 games. Although NVIDIA has introduced several major graphics innovations, including programmable shaders with GeForce 3 in 2001, CUDA with GeForce 8800 GTX in 2006, and real-time ray tracing with GeForce RTX 2080 Ti in 2018, it still cannot match Hollywood-level rendering.
DLSS 5 uses AI to bring the game closer to a level of visual realism.
Additionally, DLSS 5 allows game developers to control intensity, color, and masking to match the look of each game. It uses the same framework as earlier DLSS versions, integrating seamlessly into existing workflows.
Which games will support
Some of the biggest names in gaming are already on board. Publishers and developers including Bethesda, CAPCOM, Ubisoft, Tencent, Warner Bros. Games, etc. have confirmed support for DLSS 5.
Games that have been confirmed to support DLSS 5 include “Assassin’s Creed: Shadows”, “Hogwarts Legacy”, “Starfield”, “Resident Evil Requiem”, “The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered”, “Phantom Blade Zero”, etc.
Assam MP says ‘step aside’, sparking buzz that he may quit party too
Guwahati: Trouble brewing again congress exist assam Nagaon MP Pradyut Bordoloi said he feels marginalized and humiliated within the party, sparking speculation that he may follow former state PCC chief Bhupen Kumar Borah and others who resigned ahead of the declaration of assembly polls, Kangkan Kalita reported. Bordoloy, a three-time cabinet minister, has written to the party high command claiming he was ignored in key organizational decisions and publicly undermined by colleagues. He accused party MLA Asif Nazar of supporting a man who allegedly attacked his convoy during the panchayat polls last year.
Moon sighting in Saudi Arabia on Eid 2026? Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court calls on Muslims to discover Shawwal AH 1447 crescent moon on March 18
As Ramadan 2026 comes to an end, Muslims around the world are preparing for one of the most anticipated moments in the Islamic calendar, the appearance of the crescent of Shawal, which marks the beginning of the new moon. eid al-fitr Eid celebrations. The authorities are Saudi Arabia A formal call has now been issued urging Muslims across the country to watch the skies on Wednesday evening to spot the new moon, which will determine when Eid celebrations start.
Saudi Arabia calls for observation of Shawal crescent phenomenon Ramadan 2026 is coming to an end
this Supreme Court Saudi Arabia has asked Muslims across the country to look for the crescent moon of Shawal on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, 2026, the 29th day of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. If the new moon is seen, the next day, March 19, will mark the first day of Eid al-Fitr, a festival that celebrates the end of a month of fasting and spiritual reflection.The court also asked anyone who sees the crescent moon with the naked eye or binoculars to report their sightings to the nearest court so an official announcement can be made. This centuries-old tradition remains an important part of determining the Islamic calendar, which follows the lunar cycle rather than the Gregorian calendar used in most of the world.
Eid al-Fitr date depends on Observing the Moon
The appearance of the crescent moon of Shawal determines the first day of the Islamic month of Shawal and therefore the date of Eid al-Fitr. If the new moon is visible on March 18, Saudi Arabia may celebrate Eid al-Fitr on Thursday, March 19, 2026. If the new moon is not visible that evening, Ramadan will end 30 days ago and Eid al-Fitr will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, 2026.Astronomical forecasts indicate that the moon may be difficult to see on the night of March 18, meaning festivals in many parts of the Arab world may begin on March 20. However, the final decision will only be confirmed after the official Lunar Observation Committee verifies reports from observers across the Kingdom.Saudi Arabia’s announcement has global significance as many Muslim communities around the world refer to the kingdom’s moonshot announcement when deciding on the start of Eid celebrations. Gulf states including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Kuwait often align their Eid al-Fitr dates with official announcements from Saudi Arabia. However, South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh typically celebrate Eid a day later because they rely on local moon sightings or slightly different lunar visibility conditions.
Eid al-Fitr 2026: Why moon-gazing is central to Islam
Unlike the solar calendar, the Islamic calendar is entirely based on lunar cycles. Each month begins after sunset when the new moon appears. Because lunar months last 29 or 30 days, Islamic holidays advance each year in the Gregorian calendar. The night when the moon is sighted is popularly known as ‘Chand Raat’, when families reunite, markets stay open late and preparations for Eid celebrations begin.In Saudi Arabia and the wider Muslim world, preparations for Eid al-Fitr are already underway. Markets are seeing a surge of shoppers buying new clothes, sweets and gifts, while mosques are preparing for special Eid prayers to be held early in the morning on the first day of Showar.
Eid al-Fitr 2026: Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court urges Muslims to visit Shawal Crescent on Wednesday
Eid al-Fitr, meaning “Feast of the Eid”, marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is one of Islam’s most important celebrations. The day begins with collective prayers, followed by family gatherings, festive meals and charity events known as Eid al-Fitr, ensuring those in need can participate in the celebrations.For now, Muslims in Saudi Arabia and beyond are awaiting the moment the slender crescent moon appears in the night sky. The sighting will mark the end of Ramadan and usher in a day of celebration for the world’s more than one billion Muslims. Ahead of the official announcement, anticipation is building as the community sets its sights on the horizon, hoping to spot the new moon marking the arrival of Eid al-Fitr 2026.
Trump names Vice President JD Vance as ‘fraud czar’: What the role means and why it’s controversial
president Donald Trump Declared “War on Fraud” and handed over to Vice President JD Vance to lead it. The move has raised eyebrows about how much direct control the White House plans to exert over federal law enforcement.
What did Trump say?
In his State of the Union address to Congress on February 24, Trump stated that he was launching a tough crackdown on fraud across the United States.
“I’m officially declaring a war on fraud,” Trump said. He added, “If we could find enough fraud, we would actually have a balanced budget.” He then added that the vice president Vance will monitor the effort, noting that Minnesota is a prime example of federal authorities investigating cases of fraud.
“The Somali pirates who sacked Minnesota remind us that in much of the world, bribery, corruption and lawlessness are the norm rather than the exception,” he said, adding that illegal immigration and open borders played a role in the fraud.
what is vance actually doing
Vance announced at a press conference that the Justice Department will create a new senior position, Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement, with broad authority to investigate fraud nationwide. He said the position would be “separate from the White House” and would be directly accountable to himself and President Trump.
Vance said the Justice Department already has a national fraud unit chief, but the new position will focus on investigating those who “defraud the United States.”
The new unit will enforce federal criminal and civil laws to combat fraud nationwide against government programs, federally funded benefits, businesses, nonprofit organizations and private citizens. The individual in this position will oversee interregional and interagency fraud investigations, work with federal agencies to identify and dismantle organized fraud schemes, and provide advice to the Attorney General on major fraud cases.
Vance said the White House expected to nominate someone to the position within days, after which the nominee would need to be confirmed by the Senate.
why this is controversial
Some critics said the plan was controversial because J.D. Vance said the new anti-fraud chief would work under the president’s direct supervision, The New York Times reported. It would break with a longstanding practice of distancing the White House from federal law enforcement decision-making since the Watergate scandal of the 1970s.
The Justice Department already has a senior official, called the Chief of the Fraud Section, who handles fraud prosecutions nationwide. But critics say the new role could give the White House more direct control over the investigation. Vance said the position would be part of a “very broad, cross-agency” effort “led from the bottom up by the President of the United States.”
However, Pam Bondi supported the move and said the Justice Department is ready to “continue prosecuting fraudsters, dismantling the structures that allow fraud, and holding bad actors accountable.” She also warned protesters not to “test our resolve.”