Israel under 'artificial respiration', its collapse 'very close': IRGC chief

The chief commander of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) says the Israeli regime will collapse soon, noting the United States is openly supporting Israel so that the occupying entity could control and regulate Washington’s policies.

Major General Hossein Salami made the remarks on Friday as he addressed millions of Iranians in Tehran, who had taken to the streets to show solidarity with the Palestinians and condemn Israeli atrocities on the occasion of International Quds Day.

“The Zionist regime is a dagger that the deceitful and evil British monarchy thrust into the body of the Muslim Ummah 75 years ago. Later on, criminal US administrations emboldened the regime as a political, security, and geographical crossroad in the Muslim world to employ it as leverage to control and adjust their policies,” Salami pointed out.

He went on to describe Israel as a fake regime at the service of certain Western countries’ malicious policies, stressing that the usurping regime’s countless crimes have disrupted the security of Palestine as well as other Arab and Muslim nations.

The IRGC chief went on to say that Israel, backed by the United States, Britain and France, unleashed wars to forcibly drive Palestinians out of their homeland and displace them.

He stated that the Deir Yassin, Kafr Qasim and Qana massacres, the Israeli military’s 33-day war on Lebanon in the summer of 2006 as well as Gaza wars are all straightforward examples that the regime continues to massacre Muslims.

“America, lacking political insight, has sustained heavy economic and political costs and psychological burdens to support and perk up a doomed regime, whose collapse is very close,” the IRGC commander pointed out.

The commander added that the US is salvaging Israel and extending its existence with “artificial respiration,” and that it will collapse as soon as the US draws back its support.

“Zionists and their American supporters believe the more Muslims they kill, besiege, and displace, the better they can live. This is while the situation is the opposite.

“The Zionist regime is struggling between life and death and knows that if it continues the war in Gaza and even if it withdraws [from the territory], it will still fail,” he stated.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Salami warned Israel that it would certainly receive a response for a deadly missile strike against the consular section of the Iranian Embassy in Syria.

“We warn that not a single action from any enemy against our sacred establishment will go unanswered,” the IRGC chief said.

Echoing remarks made by Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei, the general said the Iranian forces would punish Israel.

Blow For DC: Star Advised Rest As Precautionary Measure For Groin Niggle

Kuldeep Yadav has picked up three wickets in two matches at an economy of 7.62.© BCCI

Indian spinner Kuldeep Yadav is nursing a groin niggle and has been advised rest as a precautionary measure by the Delhi Capitals team management in the ongoing Indian Premier League. The 29-year-old left-arm spinner picked up the niggle after DC’s second game of the season against Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, which the team lost. The player was forced to miss out on the next couple of contests where veteran pacer Ishant Sharma returned to the playing XI.

“It will take some time for him to be match fit,” an IPL source told PTI when asked about Kuldeep’s status.

Since he is a centrally-contracted player and a T20 World Cup hopeful, National Cricket Academy’s sports science and medical team will have a big say in Kuldeep’s injury and rehab management.

It is mandatory for franchises to report niggles and injury concerns of an India player to the NCA.

Although he has been travelling with the side for all the clashes, his participation in DC’s upcoming tie against Mumbai Indians on Sunday remains doubtful.

Kuldeep has picked up three wickets in two matches at an economy of 7.62.

He has been on a wicket-taking spree, coming off a great performance in the five-Test series against England that concluded last month, where he claimed 19 wickets in four meetings at an average of 20.15.

Topics mentioned in this article

KCR to stage dharna at Medigadda with 10,000 people after LS polls

Stating that it was not possible for the Congress government to protect the interests of farmers by supplying water to standing crops, he said the BRS would fight on behalf of the farming community.

Published Date – 5 April 2024, 05:03 PM


KCR to stage dharna at Medigadda with 10,000 people after LS polls

File Photo

Karimnagar: Leader of Opposition and BRS president K Chandrashekhar Rao said he would stage a dharna at the Medigadda Barrage along with 10,000 people, including farmers, after the Parliament elections.

Stating that it was not possible for the Congress government to protect the interests of farmers by supplying water to standing crops, he said the BRS would fight on behalf of the farming community.


Interacting with farmers after inspecting damaged paddy crops in Mugdumpur of Karimnagar rural mandal on Friday, he advised the ryots not to be worried and to be courageous since the BRS would always be with them.

Demanding the State government to provide a compensation of Rs.25,000 per acre for the damaged crops, Chandrashekhar Rao went around the withered paddy fields owned by farmers Bandi Sampath, Velpula Narsaiah and Kolagoni Sampath, he also checked with them on the extent of land owned by them, crop sowed in the area, water sources and reasons for withering of the crop.

The farmers said that earlier, they used to sow crops by depending on the village tank, which would be filled with SRSP water. However, the tank had dried now as canal water was not released into it this time. Though they tried to supply water from agricultural wells, the wells too had dried out due to the drought.

Earlier, the BRS chief interacted with a farmer Egurla Shankar from Erukulla village, who told Rao that ryots from Erukulla and Mugdumpur villages used to cultivate crops by depending on SRSP canal water. However, the situation changed this time. The groundwater table had also depleted drastically pushing the farmers into a deep crisis, he said.

"He Is The Great MS Dhoni But It Was A Poor Call": Ex-NZ Star's Big Remark

File photo of MS Dhoni© BCCI

MS Dhoni impressed both fans and experts with his explosive innings but it was not enough to clinch the victory for Chennai Super Kings in their IPL 2024 match against Delhi Capitals. Dhoni was at his explosive best as the veteran wicket-keeper batter slammed 37 off just 16 balls but CSK could only manage to score 171/6 in 20 overs while chasing 192. The knock broke the internet but former New Zealand cricketer Simon Doull believes that it was a poor call for Dhoni to come out to bat after Sameer Rizvi and Ravindra Jadeja. In a discussion on Cricbuzz, Doull said that this was the first time Dhoni was batting in IPL 2024 and he needed more time to settle down before firing in the run chase.

“I know there was a lot of hoopa about Dhoni’s innings but he blocked a lot of balls. He faced a lot of dots and then when he started to not take runs, I could not believe what I was watching. I know he is the great MS Dhoni but it was a poor call. It was a really poor call not to take those runs.”

“You are still trying to win the game and I know it is his first bat in a long time, first bat of the season and he is probably thinking at some stage of maybe getting to find some form but I didn’t agree with it. I didn’t agree with what happened in that situation. To me, it was a really poor look. I was watching it and thinking you know, it didn’t look good for me. That just didn’t look quite right to me when he wasn’t taking runs.”

Calls for MS Dhoni batting higher up the order have grown after his whirlwind effort against Delhi Capitals but Michael Clarke feels the former Chennai Super Kings captain will continue to bat at no.8 and will only promote himself if the game “is on the line”.

Dhoni’s unbeaten 37 off 16 balls at number eight did not prove to be enough but his loyal fans believe the outcome would have been different had he batted higher up the order.

Clarke, who like Dhoni is a World Cup-winning captain, said the Indian legend will continue to perform the finisher’s role.

“I don’t think he will. I think he’ll stay where he is. I think every MS Dhoni fan wants to see him as high up the order as possible. We’ve all said throughout his career, he should open the batting,” Clarke told Star Sports.

“But look, he’s at a stage of his career where he’s down from the captaincy. I don’t think he’ll come up the order. I think if there’s a game on the line and he needs to go up the order because it’s what’s best for the team, I’m sure he will.” Dhoni’s cameo against the Delhi Capitals included a thundering six over extra-cover before he unleashed a one handed maximum over mid-wicket in the 20th over.

(With PTI inputs)

Topics mentioned in this article

Hyderabad: Three held with unaccounted cash of over Rs 35 lakh

In the first instance, one G.Nagarjuna (30), a food delivery executive from Serilingampally was caught carrying unaccounted cash of Rs 14.9 lakh on his bike at Mallepally in Asif Nagar.

Published Date – 5 April 2024, 04:41 PM


Hyderabad: Three held with unaccounted cash of over Rs 35 lakh


Hyderabad: Three persons were caught carrying a total of Rs 35.9 lakh unaccounted cash in separate incidents by the Task Force officials at Asif Nagar and Abid Road on Thursday night.

In the first instance, one G.Nagarjuna (30), a food delivery executive from Serilingampally was caught carrying unaccounted cash of Rs 14.9 lakh on his bike at Mallepally in Asif Nagar.


Police said Nagarjuna, a native of Andhra Pradesh came to the city a month ago and working for a popular food joint. As per the instructions of his friend –Mastan Vali of Kuwait, Nagarjuna collected the cash from a plywood store in Mangalhat to be handed over to a realtor, whose identity was to be known.

In another instance, Noor Mohammed, a scrap dealer from Habeebnagar and Failsak Mallik, a computer hardware dealer from Mallepally were caught carrying Rs 21 lakh unaccounted cash on their motorcycle at MJ Market in Abid Road.

Police said the duo who are business partners failed to give any valid answers when asked about the source of the cash they were in possession. They failed to produce relevant documents pertaining to the amount.

They along with the seized cash were handed over the local police for further action.

UN rights council demands halt of arms sales to Israel

The United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution, calling for a halt to all arms sales to Israel, and for the regime to be held accountable for possible war crimes in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution was passed on Friday with 28 votes in favor, six against, and 13 abstained. Israel’s staunch allies, the US and Germany, were among those opposed it.

The strongly worded text urged countries to “cease the sale, transfer and diversion of arms, munitions and other military equipment to Israel… to prevent further violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights.”

It also highlighted that the International Court of Justice ruled in January “that there is a plausible risk of genocide” in Gaza.

The resolution, which was brought forward by Pakistan on behalf of all Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member states except Albania, stressed “the need to ensure accountability for all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in order to end impunity.”

It also expressed “grave concern at reports of serious human rights violations and grave breaches of international humanitarian law, including of possible war crimes and crimes against humanity in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.”

The resolution also called for “an immediate ceasefire” and “for immediate emergency humanitarian access and assistance.”

It also demanded Israel to end its occupation of all Palestinian territories and “immediately lift its blockade on the Gaza Strip and all other forms of collective punishment.”

Gaza, home to over two million Palestinians, has been under Israeli siege since June 2007. Since last October, Israel has tightened what was already a crushing siege, ordering a “complete siege”.

The Friday’s resolution warned in particular “against any large-scale military operations in the city of Rafah” where nearly more than half of Gaza’s population have sought shelter from Israeli strikes elsewhere in the strip, and called on countries to “prevent the continued forcible transfer of Palestinians within and from Gaza.”

The resolution also decried “the use of starvation of civilians as a method of warfare in Gaza”, where the UN has warned of a looming famine.

Israel waged its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

Since the start of the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has killed 33,091 Palestinians and injured nearly 75,750 others.

Watch: Swift Action By Officials Saves Over 100 On Burning Ferry In Thailand

Watch: Swift Action By Officials Saves Over 100 On Burning Ferry In Thailand

More than 100 people were onboard a ferry as it caught fire.

A night ferry carrying over 100 passengers narrowly escaped disaster on Thursday morning after a fire broke out near Koh Tao Island, southern Thailand. Thankfully, all passengers and crew onboard were safely evacuated, with no reported injuries, according to a report by The Bangkok Post.

The incident involved the Ko Jaroen 2 ferry, operating the Surat Thani-Koh Tao route. The fire erupted approximately two to three nautical miles off the coast of Koh Phangan district, around 7 am, as per the news report. The overnight ferry, carrying 97 passengers, 11 crew members, and cargo, had departed Surat Thani around 11 pm the previous night. As it approached Koh Tao pier, flames engulfed the engine room, causing panic onboard.

Prompt action by boat operators and island officials ensured a swift rescue operation. Upon receiving the alert at 6:40 am, authorities immediately dispatched boats from Koh Tao to assist those onboard. All passengers and crew were safely brought to shore, although some reportedly experienced minor smoke inhalation.

Discrepancies exist regarding the exact number of people onboard. The Marine Department reported 90 passengers and eight crew members, while Koh Tao police placed the figures at 97 passengers and 11 crew members. A fact-finding committee has been established to investigate the cause of the fire and determine the exact number of individuals involved.

Fortunately, this incident resulted in no casualties, highlighting the effectiveness of the rescue efforts. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Srisailam Goud quits BJP, joins Congress

In a significant blow to the BJP’s prospects in the State leading up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, former MLA Kuna Srisailam Goud officially switched allegiance to the Congress.

Published Date – 5 April 2024, 04:38 PM


Srisailam Goud quits BJP, joins Congress

In a significant blow to the BJP’s prospects in the State leading up to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, former MLA Kuna Srisailam Goud officially switched allegiance to the Congress.

Hyderabad: In a jolt to the BJP in the State ahead of the ensuing Lok Sabha polls, former MLA Kuna Srisailam Goud joined the Congress in the presence of All India Congress Committee (AICC) in-charge Deepa Das Munshi and Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday morning.

In his resignation letter to State BJP president G Kishan Reddy, Goud said he was joining the Congress “with the feeling of being more accessible to the people and to participate in the progress of the State of Telangana.”


MLC Patnam Mahender Reddy and former MLA Mainampally Hanumanth Rao visited Goud at his home and extended an invitation to join the Congress party on behalf of Revanth Reddy. Goud, who worked as Medchal District Congress Committee president before joining the BJP in 2021, contested as the BJP candidate from the Quthbullapur constituency in the Assembly elections and lost to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) candidate KP Vivekanand.

Israeli attacks 'devastated' agricultural lands in south Lebanon: PM


Thick smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Yaroun, a Lebanese border village with the Israeli-occupied territories, in south Lebanon, December 10, 2023. (File photo by AP)

Lebanon’s acting prime minister, Najib Mikati has stated that the Israeli airstrikes have transformed southern Lebanon into a “ruined agricultural region”.

The Israeli airstrikes have destroyed tens of thousands of olive trees and farmland in southern Lebanon, impacting herders and farmers who are already struggling due to a severe economic crisis. 

“Eight hundred hectares have been completely damaged, 340,000 heads of livestock have died, and about 75% of farmers have lost their final source of income,” Lebanon’s national news agency quoted Mikati as saying on Friday. 

“This problem will extend to the coming years.”

Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan raised concerns recently, stating that the Israeli airstrikes have been hindering farmers in villages and towns near the border from accessing their fields, leading to a significant impact on Lebanon’s agricultural production, with up to 30% being affected.

The Israeli regime has repeatedly attacked southern Lebanon since October 7, when it launched a genocidal war on Gaza that has killed at least 33,037 Palestinians, most of them women and children, so far. Another 75,668 individuals have also been injured in the onslaught.

In retaliation, Hezbollah has launched near-daily rocket attacks on Israeli positions.

Hezbollah has already fought off two Israeli wars against Lebanon in 2000 and 2006. The resistance forced the regime to retreat in both conflicts.

On Thursday, the Israeli occupation forces claimed that it carried out airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon’s Yaroun, Aynata, and Maroun al-Ras.


Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk

Is Prakash Raj Joining The BJP? 'Singham' Actor's Post Amid Rumours On X

Is Prakash Raj Joining The BJP? 'Singham' Actor's Post Amid Rumours On X

New Delhi:

Social media was yesterday abuzz with posts that actor Prakash Raj, who has often been critical of the Narendra Modi government’s policies, will be joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. But the actor has issued a clarification dismissing the reports.

In a sarcastic post on X (formerly Twitter), the actor wrote, “I guess they tried. must have realised they were not rich enough (ideologically) to buy me.. what do you think friends #justasking”.

The 59-year-old was responding to a post by a user ‘The Skin Doctor’ which claimed that “Eminent actor Prakash Raj will join BJP today at 3 pm.” The post, made at 2.56 pm, went viral within minutes and had raked up nearly a million views before the actor’s response.

In January, Prakash Raj claimed that three political parties are trying to get him on board for the 2024 elections. He said that parties are after him not for his ideology but because he is a critic of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

“I don’t want to get into the trap,” the 58-year-old said at the Kerala Literature Festival (KLF).

The award-winning actor is known for his work in films such as “Kanchivaram”, “Singham” and “Wanted”. He had contested as an independent candidate from Bengaluru Central in the 2019 general elections but lost.

Voting for the Lok Sabha elections will be held across seven phases starting April 19. The counting of votes will take place on June 4.