Hyderabad Top News

RPF seize smuggled cigarettes worth Rs 67.50 lakh at Hyderabad railway station

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Hyderabad: The SCR Railway Protection Force (RPF), which is keeping a surveillance on parcels being transported through trains as part of the pan India drive, seized smuggled cigarettes worth Rs.67.50 lakh. Based on the intelligence input, these cigarettes were seized at the Hyderabad railway station.

A joint team of Railway Protection Force and Government Railway Police carried out a special check on parcels unloaded from Telangana Express (Train No. 12724) on Wednesday. During the inspection, 15 parcels which were loaded from New Delhi were found to be suspicious.

“Those parcels were then opened and found to contain 45 carton boxes with 4.50 lakh pieces of foreign made cigarettes. The parcels were booked from New Delhi declaring as grocery items. Each cigarette is being sold in the open market for Rs.20, as per demand,” said a senior RPF official.

The seized cigarettes were handed over to Customs Department for further action. The RPF Hyderabad also registered a case against the consigner for false declaration under Railways Act.

 

 

Hyderabad Top News

CM KCR to inaugurate BRS office in Delhi on Thursday

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Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Party President and Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao will inaugurate the newly built party office in the national capital on May 4.

The office, spread over 20,000 square feet was built in Vasant Vihar with modern amenities. Minister for Roads and Buildings, Vemula Prashant Reddy and Rajya Sabha member J Santosh Kumar, visited the building on Tuesday and took stock of the arrangements being made for the inauguration and Yagam to be performed on the occasion.

The Chief Minister is expected to leave for Delhi later today.

 

 

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KT Rama Rao flays Modi for announcing freebies to Karnataka

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Rajanna-Sircilla: Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao came down heavily on Prime Minister Narendra Modi for announcing freebies to Karnataka ahead of the assembly elections there.

Commenting on the BJP’s Karnataka election manifesto, the Minister asked whether Modi was the Prime Minister only for Karnataka or for the entire country? Why would the BJP not give free gas cylinders and milk to people of other States, he asked, also finding fault with the preferential treatment to industrialist Adani. Pointing out that the transfer of the Jaipur International Airport to the Adani Group was exempted from GST, he said that however, the common man was being slapped with GST even on milk, curd and other milk-based products.

Calling this the double standards of the Modi government, Rama Rao said Modi talked loud against freebies, but was himself doing exactly the same in Karnataka. The people would teach Modi a befitting lesson by defeating him in the elections, he said.

Addressing a press conference after examining damaged crops in paddy fields and paddy procurement centres in the district on Tuesday, the Minister said crop was produced in a big way because of the availability of adequate water, power and other facilities. However, the recent hailstorms have shattered the hopes of farmers. The government led by the BRS, which was also known as the Bharat Rythu Samithi, would provide all support to the farmers, he said.

On paddy procurement, Rama Rao said so far, 7.5 lakh tons of paddy was procured this season, compared to the 4 lakh tons procured in the corresponding season last year. Stating that the crop damage assessment was completed, he said the compensation would reach the affected farmers very soon.

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Panel To Address Gay Community Problems, Centre Assures In Supreme Court

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New Delhi: 

A committee will be formed to look into “genuine human concerns” of LGBTQIA+ community, the centre told Supreme Court today during the hearing on petitions seeking legal status for same-sex marriages.

The “human concerns” here refer to several problems faced by same-sex couples in their day-to-day life, whether it is in opening a joint bank account or in adding a partner as a nominee for an insurance policy.

Appearing for the centre, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta today said that the committee will be headed by a cabinet secretary.

The centre’s submission came after the five-judge Constitution bench, on April 27, asked the government if social benefits can be extended to same-sex couples without going into the question of legalising same-sex marriages.

The centre’s stand has been that the question of legalising same-sex marriages falls in the domain of the legislature and that the court should not intervene in the matter.

During the April 27 hearing, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, who heads the bench, noted the centre’s arguments and said, “We take your point that if we enter this arena, this will be an arena of the legislature. So, now what? What does the government want to do with ‘cohabitory’ relations? And how a sense of security and social welfare is made? And to ensure that such relations are not ostracised?”

The court had made the remark after the centre contended that the “right to love, right to cohabit, right to choose one’s partner, right to choose one’s sexual orientation” is a fundamental right.

The court had then said that if the centre was accepting the right to cohabit as a fundamental right, then it has a “corresponding duty”.

“Once you recognise that the right to cohabit itself is a fundamental right… then there is corresponding duty on the State to at least recognise that the social incidents of that cohabitation must find a recognition in law. We are not going to marriage at all at this stage,” it said.

“You may or may not call it marriage but some label is necessary,” said the bench, also comprising Justice S K Kaul, Justice S R Bhat, Justice Hima Kohli and Justice P S Narasimha.

The court had referred to problems faced by same-sex couples in nominating heirs for gratuity, provident funds, and on matters related to succession and parenting.

“From that point of view we would be more than willing to have the government make a statement before us that because you have ministries dedicated for this purpose, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment… Ministry of Women and Child development etc,” the court said.

The government, it said, should ensure that “these cohabiting relationships must be recognised in terms of creating conditions of security, social welfare, and to ensure, by doing that, you also ensure for the future that such relationships are not ostracised in the society.”

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Russia Claims Ukraine Attempted Putin Assassination, 2 Drones Shot Down

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Russia today accused Ukraine of attempting to kill President Vladimir Putin. It claimed it shot down two drones which were used in the alleged attack.

It said Russia reserved the right to retaliate – a comment that suggested that Moscow might use the alleged incident to justify a further escalation in the 14-month-old war with Ukraine.

Putin was not injured and there was no material damage to the Kremlin building, it said, adding it considered the alleged attack “a planned terrorist act and an attempt on the life of the President of the Russian Federation.”

“Two unmanned vehicles were aimed at the Kremlin… the devices were put out of action,” the Kremlin said in a statement. The Russian president was not on the premises at the time of the attempted drone attack, the Kremlin added.

Ukraine has said it has “nothing to do” with alleged Kremlin drone attack.

“Ukraine has nothing to do with drone attacks on the Kremlin,” presidential spokesman Mikhaylo Podolyak said. “Ukraine does not attack the Kremlin because, firstly, that does not solve any military aims,” he added.

An unverified video circulating on Russian social media including the channel of the military news outlet Zvezda showed pale smoke rising behind the main Kremlin Palace in the walled citadel after the purported incident. Another showed one of the drones, right above the dome of the presidential palace, being shot down by Russia.

In a statement, mayor Sergei Sobyanin said drone flights would be prohibited unless a special permit had been obtained from “government authorities”. He added that the ban was meant to prevent unauthorised drone flights that could “obstruct the work of law enforcement”.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin said that the May 9 Victory Day parade would go ahead in Moscow despite the incident, the state-run TASS news agency reported.

Victory Day is a key anniversary for Putin, who often evokes the spirit and sacrifice that helped the Soviet Union repel Hitler’s Nazis at a cost of some 27 million lives to boost patriotic sentiment.

Earlier, the Kremlin said the Russian security services are working to ensure that Moscow’s annual Victory Day parade across Red Square on May 9 can go ahead safely despite the risk of a threat from Ukraine.

Russian energy, logistics and military facilities have been hit in drone and other attacks since Moscow launched what it calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine. Kyiv has not taken official responsibility for such attacks, but has often made cryptic or sarcastic comments welcoming them as it resists what it calls a Russian war of conquest.

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Clashes rock Sudan ceasefire as UN official seeks aid protection

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Fighting between the Sudanese army and a paramilitary group called the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has continued despite the declared extension of a ceasefire, as a senior United Nations official arrived in the country for talks on providing relief to millions of trapped civilians.

The visit by top UN humanitarian official Martin Griffiths on Wednesday comes a day after neighbouring South Sudan announced that the warring sides had agreed “in principle” to a seven-day ceasefire.

Deadly violence broke out on April 15 between Sudan’s de facto leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who commands the regular army, and his deputy-turned-rival Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, or Hemedti, who commands the RSF.

At least 550 people have been killed and 4,926 wounded, according to Wednesday’s latest health ministry figures, which are likely to be incomplete.

Multiple hospitals have been hit, humanitarian facilities looted and foreign aid groups forced to suspend most of their operations. Tens of thousands of Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries in an exodus that has sparked warnings of a humanitarian “catastrophe” with implications for the entire region.

Reporting from Khartoum, Al Jazeera’s Hiba Morgan said intense fighting had continued throughout the morning, with witnesses reporting a powerful explosion near the presidential palace and clouds of smoke rising from the area in the capital.

“It looks as though the Sudanese army is trying to regain control over the presidential palace. The two sides have been fighting around its vicinity. Fighter jets have been launched, not just near the presidential palace, but also around other parts of Khartoum,” said Morgan.

Fierce clashes were also reported near the state broadcaster’s headquarters in the capital’s twin city of Omdurman, while explosions and anti-aircraft guns were also heard in the city of Bahri, north of Khartoum.

Meanwhile, Griffiths arrived in Port Sudan on the Red Sea coast on an urgent mission to find ways to bring relief to the millions of Sudanese who are unable to flee.

“We will still require agreements and arrangements to allow for movement of staff and supplies,” he told reporters via video link from Port Sudan.

Experts had earlier stressed the importance of economic aspects of Raiesi’s visit to Damascus, noting that increased economic cooperation would help confront the Western-imposed sanctions on both states.

The US has imposed rounds of crippling sanctions on Damascus. Parts of the restrictive measures have been imposed under the so-called Caesar Act, an American piece of legislation that purports to target the Assad government, despite sharp criticisms that the bans affect civilians.

The US also restored its sanctions against Tehran after unilaterally leaving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), three years after its conclusion. The US, under former president Donald Trump, launched what it called a maximum pressure campaign against Iran at the time, targeting the Iranian nation with the “toughest ever” sanctions.

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Iran’s Raeisi, Syria’s Assad ink long-term strategic cooperation agreement

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Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Arab Republic of Syria have singed an agreement on “long-term strategic comprehensive cooperation” between the two countries.

The two presidents held a meeting earlier in the day in Damascus, highlighting the importance of Iran-Syria’s long-term cooperation plan for advancing the interests of the two nations and other countries in the region.

The two presidents inked 14 documents in various areas, including trade, oil and energy, engineering, housing, rail and aerial transportation, free trade zones, communications and technology, earthquake reliefs, and facilitation of pilgrimage to the holy sites for the people of the two Muslim nations.

No further details about the agreements were immediately available.

Experts had earlier stressed the importance of economic aspects of Raiesi’s visit to Damascus, noting that increased economic cooperation would help confront the Western-imposed sanctions on both states.

The US has imposed rounds of crippling sanctions on Damascus. Parts of the restrictive measures have been imposed under the so-called Caesar Act, an American piece of legislation that purports to target the Assad government, despite sharp criticisms that the bans affect civilians.

The US also restored its sanctions against Tehran after unilaterally leaving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), three years after its conclusion. The US, under former president Donald Trump, launched what it called a maximum pressure campaign against Iran at the time, targeting the Iranian nation with the “toughest ever” sanctions.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Raeisi arrived in Damascus on Wednesday. The visit is the first by an Iranian president since the foreign-backed militancy gripped the Arab country in 2011.

In the meeting with Assad on Wednesday, Raeisi noted that Iran will stand by its Syrian brothers in the post-war era of reconstruction as was the case during the fight against terrorism.

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Israeli media on Raeisi’s Syria visit: Victory for resistance, defeat for Israel

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Reactions continue to pour in from Israeli media after Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi’s visit to Syria, with Israeli analysts saying the strategic visit was “an achievement” for the resistance axis and “a weakness” for the Tel Aviv regime.  

General Amos Gilead, a retired Israeli general officer who served, among other roles, as head of the Military Intelligence Research Division, said in a radio interview that “The Iranians now feel that Israel is weakened.”

Raz Zimmt, a leading Israeli expert on Iran, also described the visit as “an influential issue,” adding that apart from the conclusion of important economic agreements between the two sides, everything else would be an “achievement” for the resistance front.

A military correspondent for the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot also described the visit as a “lost opportunity” for the occupying regime.

“Missed opportunity: Today, the president of Iran will travel to Syria. A major response to Gaza was not only necessary, but an excellent opportunity to restore the damaged deterrence on the northern front; But the opportunity was lost, which means that the work is not managed properly,” he said.

The reactions come following Raeisi’s interview with Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television network on Tuesday, during which he pointed out that his upcoming trip to Syria would be aimed at further enhancement of the countries’ “strategic and important” relations.

During the interview, Raeisi discredited the Israeli regime’s threats against the regional resistance front, saying the regime was incapable of meeting even its own “internal security” demands, not to mention taking on the resistance.

Iran, he affirmed, has not and will not regret supporting the regional resistance front in the face of the occupying regime’s aggression.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, the Iranian president arrived in Syria upon an official invitation by his Syrian counterpart on Wednesday.

He was greeted at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil.

He was later welcomed by President Assad in an official ceremony in the People’s Palace.

The visit is the first by an Iranian president since the foreign-backed militancy gripped the Arab country in 2011.

Hyderabad India National Top News

Hyderabad: Move to demolish Darul Uloom’s arch, main gate leads to tension

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Hyderabad: Mild tension prevailed at Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom at Shivrampally on Wednesday afternoon when authorities tried to demolish the arch and main gate of the religious seminary as part of road widening works.

The management of the religious seminary opposed the move of the authorities and prevented the authorities from bulldozing the gate and main entrance arch of the seminary.

Soon Maulana Mohd Hussamuddin Sani Aqil (Jafar Pasha) reached the spot and took strong reservations over the behaviour of the authorities. “We will not allow anyone to bulldoze the gates or the arch for any purpose. Officials assured us road widening will be done without disturbing the gate or arch, now we think they backtracked,” said Jafar Pasha.

He came down heavily on the state government and administration for taking the decision to demolish the mosques and madrasas for different purposes. Jafar Pasha warned of a massive protest if the government fails to properly tackle such issues.

The authorities held a discussion with the management of the seminary and went away. Maulana Jafar Pasha asked the Muslim leadership to stand with them and raise their voice against the action of the authorities.

The Mailardevpally police reached the spot and posted a picket to prevent any trouble.

Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Hyderabad Islamic Seminary is located at Shivrampally Road in the city. It is one of the leading educational institutions in South India and is considered one of the top Islamic educational institutions in India. It was started by the late Grand Sufi of Hyderabad Deccan, Maulana Mohammed Hameeduddin Husami Aqil in 1965.

It has a very large Library which contains historical and Islamic manuscripts. The most important attraction in this library is the copy of hand written Holy Quran of Rashidun Caliph Ht Uthman ibn Affan period.

Hyderabad India Sports Top News

Hyderabad: Traffic diversions ahead of IPL match on Thursday

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Hyderabad: Traffic diversions were issued by the Rachakonda police in view of the IPL cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.

Traffic restrictions will be imposed between 3:30 pm and 11:30 pm in and around the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal.

According to the plan released, heavy vehicles from Warangal highway towards Chengicherla will be diverted at Chengicherla crossroads and sent to the Chengicherla-Cherlapalli-IOCL-NFC route.

Heavy vehicles from L B Nagar to Nagole will be diverted at Nagole metro station and sent to HMDA-Boduppal-Chengicherla crossroads while heavy vehicles from Mallapur towards Nacharam IDA will be diverted towards Cherlapalli-Chengicherla route.

Police have requested the citizens to make a note of the diversions and choose their travelling routes accordingly.