JEFFERSON CITY, Mo., — A former Missouri House speaker was sentenced Monday to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud for misusing federal COVID-19 relief funds for his personal benefit.. Former Missouri House speaker sentenced to prison for COVID relief fraud. Former Republican House Speaker John Diehl received about $380,000 in federal loans for his law firm between 2020 and 2022 through a program intended to help cover operating expenses for businesses affected by the coronavirus pandemic.. But Diehl admitted in a September plea agreement that he instead used the money for personal expenses, including country club dues, swimming pool maintenance, his home mortgage and vehicle payments for a Tesla, Audi and Jeep. Prosecutors said he used more than half the money to fund his law firm’s defined benefit plan, of which he was the only participant, and also paid off a civil settlement related to his time as state House speaker.. Diehl resigned as House speaker in 2015 after The Kansas City Star reported that he had exchanged sexually suggestive text messages with a college student serving as a Capitol intern. At the time, Diehl acknowledged “making a serious error in judgment by sending the text messages.”. In 2023, the Missouri Ethics Commission imposed a roughly $47,000 fine on Diehl for campaign finance violations, including allegations that he used nearly $6,800 of campaign funds to pay for personal expenses.. Diehl had asked the federal court to spare him from prison, noting that he had already paid back all the pandemic relief funds to the Small Business Administration.. The U.S. attorney’s office had recommended a prison sentence of 21 to 27 months. In addition to prison time, the court on Monday ordered Diehl to pay a $50,000 fine.. “Through his education and public office, Defendant had every privilege and opportunity, and to put it bluntly, he knew better than to engage in the charged fraud scheme,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Hal Goldsmith said of Diehl in a court filing.. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text. 

 Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and developing oil crisis, India has called for an increase in production for LPG for domestic use. In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), oil refineries have been ordered to increase production.. Government sources told news agency ANI that refineries have been ordered by the government to increase LPG output (Praful Gangurde / HT Photo). “In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG, Ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use,” the statement issued on X read.. Also Read | Crude oil spike triggers LPG panic in India; rules tweaked, people gather at outlets as West Asia war has global effect. “The ministry has prioritised domestic LPG supply to households and introduced 25 day inter- booking period to avoid hoarding/black marketing. Non domestic supplies from imported LPG is being prioritised to essential non domestic sectors such as Hospitals and Educational institutions,” the union ministry added further.. MoPNG further added that a committee of three EDs of OMCs has been constituted to review the production of LPG supply to restuarants, hotels and other non-domestic sectors. 

 Amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and developing oil crisis, India has called for an increase in production for LPG for domestic use. In a statement on Monday, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), oil refineries have been ordered to increase production.. Government sources told news agency ANI that refineries have been ordered by the government to increase LPG output (Praful Gangurde / HT Photo). “In light of current geopolitical disruptions to fuel supply and constraints on supply of LPG, Ministry has issued orders to oil refineries for higher LPG production and using such extra production for domestic LPG use,” the statement issued on X read. Track LIVE updates on US Iran war here. “The ministry has prioritised domestic LPG supply to households and introduced 25 day inter- booking period to avoid hoarding/black marketing. Non domestic supplies from imported LPG is being prioritised to essential non domestic sectors such as Hospitals and Educational institutions,” the union ministry added further.. Also Read | Crude oil spike triggers LPG panic in India; rules tweaked, people gather at outlets as West Asia war has global effect. MoPNG further added that a committee of three EDs of OMCs has been constituted to review the production of LPG supply to restuarants, hotels and other non-domestic sectors.. Amid the surge in oil prices caused by the US-Israel and Iran conflict, Hotel and restaurant industry body FHRAI flagged the shortage of commercial cooking gas cylinders.. The Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Association of India (FHRAI) wrote to Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, flagging “widespread disruption at the ground level”.. “In light of these challenges, we request the government to issue a formal clarification confirming that no such restrictions apply to the hospitality and food service sectors. We further pray for a clear mandate to be issued to all oil marketing companies to ensure the seamless distribution of commercial cylinders,” FHRAI Secretary General Jaison Chacko said in the letter.. The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) also addressed the issue and stated that while the government has not banned supply, “suppliers are expressing inability to supply LPG cylinders for restaurants use.” 

 The first United Arab Emirates ambassador to India Hussain Hassan Mirza expressed his frustration with the ongoing war between Iran and the United States-Israel alliance on Monday and hinted towards something that could potentially deescalate the issue — a phone call from PM Modi.. Explosions continued to rock Iran and Israel on the 10th day of the war. (File Photo/AFP). While talking to NDTV, Mizra put weight to Modi’s global standing and said that he commands great respect in the Gulf region.. “One phone call from Mr Modi to the counterparts in Iran and Israel can solve this issue, can end this issue. One phone call,” Mirza said.. Also read: How much is US spending on Iran war? Huge per-day figure emerges, Trump unfazed. Emphasizing on what makes him confident of it, Mirza said that it is Modi’s standing with both the sides who, he said, are fighting “on our soil”.. ‘No reason for UAE to be involved’. Making it clear that UAE does not intend to get caught up in the war between Iran and the US, Israel, Mirza said that he is not sure why UAE has gotten involved in the conflict.. Track live updates of Israel-Iran war here. “To be honest, I’m not sure why we are involved. There is no reason for the UAE to be involved in this,” he told NDTV.. He added that it is UAE’s crucial geopolitical position, being a neighbour to Iran and a partner to Israel as part of the Abraham Accords, which makes it useful. “We can negotiate between the two,” Mirza said.. Also read: What is Kharg Island? US mulls targeting backbone of Iran’s oil exports. Iran-US war rages in second week. Even as the war between Iran and the United States entered its second week, there are no signs of de-escalation. Explosions continued to rock Iran and Israel on the 10th day of the war.. After Khamenei’s assassination on the first day of the war, Iran got its new Supreme Leader, Khamenei’s son Mojtaba, whose appointment did not sit well with US President Trump. 

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday had a conversation with Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah, who is poised to lead the next government in the Himalayan nation.. PM Modi on Monday spoke with Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichhane and Balendra Shah. (PTI). In a social media post, PM Modi said he congratulated both leaders on their electoral victories and RSP’s resounding success in the Nepal elections.. “Had warm telephone conversations with Mr. Rabi Lamichhane, Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Mr. Balendra Shah, Senior Leader of the RSP,” Modi said in post on X.. He added that he conveyed India’s commitment to work with Nepal’s new government for the prosperity and well-being of both the nations.. “Congratulated both leaders on their electoral victories and RSP’s resounding success in the Nepal elections. Conveyed my best wishes for their forthcoming new Government and India’s commitment to work with them for mutual prosperity, progress and well-being of our two countries,” he wrote.. “I am confident that with our joint endeavours, India and Nepal relations will scale new heights in the years ahead,” he added.. Also read: What Balen Shah’s win in Nepal means for New Delhi. Modi’s conversation with the RSP leaders come days after Nepal held its general elections last week on Thursday, March 5 , after the country’s government was ousted as a result of widespread protests led by the youth of the country.. 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s RSP emerged as the biggest winner with a landslide victory, pointing to Nepal’s shift from the traditional “old guard” parties.. The results of Nepal’s elections were reflective of its population’s frustration with issues such as political instability, corruption and youth unemployment.. In regards to India, the RSP has maintained that it intends to have strong relations with both its neighbours but aims to remain independent of any direct influence.. Balendra Shah also has a personal connection with India as he hails from Madhesi community and did his Masters in structural engineering from Karnataka.