Middle East

Hamas says Israel aims to terrorize aid workers as Gaza faces famine

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The body of one of the aid workers killed by Israel is transported out of a hospital morgue in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on April 3, 2024. (AFP)

Hamas says Israel targets aid distribution sites to terrorize humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian resistance movement said in a statement on Wednesday, “We call on the international community and the UN Security Council to denounce this heinous act.”

Hamas also urged the international community to “move towards putting an end to the occupation’s crimes and aggression against our people in the Gaza Strip.”

A group of US humanitarian experts says famine has already strained parts of the Gaza Strip and the pace of hunger-related deaths will “accelerate in the weeks ahead.”

The group underscored the need for an “immediate and substantial flow of food, health, nutrition and [sanitation] assistance.”

It said “expanded humanitarian access and safe unimpeded passage for humanitarian workers is paramount to addressing famine conditions in Gaza.”

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has said Israel continues to block its aid workers from bringing food and other aid into northern Gaza.

The amount of aid entering the besieged Palestinian territory as a whole has remained low with an average of 161 aid trucks reaching the territory per day throughout March, well below the target of 500, according to UNRWA.

Israel stands accused of using starvation of Palestinians as a method of warfare. 

The UN agency also said three more UNRWA members have been killed in Gaza since October. The latest figure brought the total number of UNRWA’s staff killed since October to 176.

On Monday, Israeli forces attacked a convoy of international aid workers with the World Central Kitchen (WCK), killing seven aid workers. The attack drew international condemnations and mounted calls for an urgent investigation.

At least 196 humanitarian aid workers have been killed in Gaza since the regime started its savage campaign in October 2023.

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Second 'Palestine is the nation's central issue' conference held in Sana’a

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Abdullatif Al-Washali

Press TV, Sana’a

In Yemen, a diverse group of politicians, academics, and scholars have convened for the second conference entitled “You Are Not Alone” in the capital city of Sana’a.

Participants from around the world who stand in solidarity with Palestine are also joining the conference remotely. 

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India

Amazon Web Services Lays Off Hunderds Of Tech, Sales Staff

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Amazon Web Services Lays Off Hunderds Of Tech, Sales Staff

Amazon had laid off more than 27,000 in 2022 and 2023

Amazon Web Services has eliminated several hundred sales, marketing and tech roles, it said on Wednesday, the latest in a series of job cuts by its parent Amazon.com.

The impacted staff include a few hundred each at AWS’ sales, marketing and global services division and the physical stores technology team, the cloud-computing arm of Amazon said.

“We’ve identified a few targeted areas of the organization we need to streamline,” an AWS spokesperson said on mail.

Amazon has over the past months laid off hundreds of staff in divisions, including its Prime Video service, healthcare business and Alexa voice assistant unit, as big technology firms extend their massive job cuts over the past two years into 2024.

More than 57,000 workers have been laid off across 229 firms so far this year, according to tracking website Layoffs.fyi.

Amazon had laid off more than 27,000 in 2022 and 2023, after the tech industry hired too many people during the pandemic.

The cut at AWS’ 60,000-strong sales, marketing and global services division are likely part of a broad reorganization under sales chief Matt Garman, according to news site The Information, which first reported the development.

After suffering a slowdown in growth last year due to an uncertain economy, Amazon’s cloud business has been showing signs of stabilization, helping the company beat quarterly revenue expectations in February.

Still, its position as the world’s biggest cloud provider is being challenged by rival Microsoft, which has taken an early lead in the race to make money from generative artificial intelligence through an investment in ChatGPT-maker OpenAI.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad

Basic facilities provided in 1459 polling stations in Khammam: Collector

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The Collector along with Commissioner of Police Sunil Dutt addressed the media on Wednesday after inaugurating the media centre at the Zilla Parishad meeting hall on the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections.

Published Date – 3 April 2024, 07:36 PM


Basic facilities provided in 1459 polling stations in Khammam: Collector


Khammam: As the Lok Sabha election notification would be released on April 18, a help desk would start functioning at the collectorate from April 8 to provide ECI nomination forms for filing nominations, informed district Collector VP Gautham.

The Collector along with Commissioner of Police Sunil Dutt addressed the media on Wednesday after inaugurating the media centre at the Zilla Parishad meeting hall on the preparations for the Lok Sabha elections.

Contesting candidates should have the right to vote anywhere in the country and the proposers should have the right to vote in their respective constituencies and they should check whether they have the right to vote or not, Gautham said.

Although there was an opportunity to register as a voter till April 14, one should register as a voter immediately.

On February 5 as many as 52, 987 Electors Photo Identification (EPIC) cards were distributed and 54, 866 cards were given for printing.

Steps have been taken to provide basic facilities in all the 1459 polling stations in the district and it helps to improve minimum facilities in government schools, where polling stations were set up. Construction of bathroom cum toilets has been taken up in 600 polling stations.

In view of the intense summer heat, arrangements have been made for drinking water and shade. Measures would be taken to issue election duty certificates to the government employees who were on election duty, the Collector noted.

As part of training for the polling staff, as many as 3, 620 PO and APOs were given hands-on training on the management of EVMs.

The second round of training would be conducted in the last week of April. The first phase randomisation of ballot units, control units and VVPATs for 1459 polling stations in five Assembly segments in Khammam Parliament constituency was completed.

A control room was set up in the district headquarters to resolve the complaints, Gautham informed. The CP, Dutt said that 12 inter-state check posts, 15 SSTs and 15 FSTs were set up in the district and inspections were being conducted by police.

54 cases were registered so far, 359 liters of liquor, one kg ganja and Rs 77.10 lakh cash have been seized. No law and order complaints have been received.

Middle East

Blood of martyrs will speed up Israel regime decline: Safavi

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The efforts of the martyrs of this attack will inspire Resistance fighters who struggle against the Zionist regime and its evil supporters, especially the criminal America, General Safavi said.

The pure blood of martyrs will speed up the decline and destruction of the occupiers of Palestine and it will speed up the liberation of holy Al-Quds, he noted.

The savage regime of Israel and its main supporter, the Americans,  should also be reminded that the remorseful punishment for this crime is certain and unavoidable, he added.

The Israeli regime attacked Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Monday evening. The Israeli aggression led to the destruction of the entire building and the martyrdom and injury of the entire people inside it.

Seven of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) military advisors were martyred in the terrorist attack.

The Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nasser Kan’ani said on Monday night that the Islamic Republic of Iran reserves the right to take countermeasures and will decide on the type of reaction and punishment of the aggressor on its own. 

Earlier on Monday, Iran’s Ambassador to Syria stressed that the country will give a decisive response to the Israeli regime.

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AIFF Closes Investigation Into Alleged Physical Assault By EC Member

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AIFF closes investigation into alleged physical assault by EC member© X (formerly Twitter)

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday said it has closed the investigation into a “verbal” complaint of “harassment” made by a woman employee against a male colleague as the “alleged victim and the other party do not wish to pursue the matter any further”. Last week, a woman employee at the AIFF headquarters here had lodged a “verbal” complaint of “harassment” against a male colleague, but she did not press a formal charge. In a statement, the AIFF said its Internal Complaints Committee (ICC), which investigated the alleged harassment case recently, was “not in a position to continue the investigation as the alleged victim and the other party do not wish to pursue the matter any further.” “… The ICC would not be in a position to continue the investigation as any complaint and/or further information regarding the alleged incident has been denied by the concerned individuals.

“… In view of the above, the investigation was concluded as withdrawn,” the AIFF said in the statement.

Following the complaint by the woman, the ICC met last Tuesday to discuss the matter where she sought time before proceeding any further with her complaint.

In January, the AIFF constituted the ICC under the provision of Chapter II (4.1) of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Work Place (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act 2013.

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Hyderabad

Drone patrolling launched in Peddapalli

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Commissioner of Police M Srinivasulu, who launched the service in Peddapalli police station on Wednesday, said the operation was launched to put an end to anti-social elements, ensure public security, control crime and to maintain law and order.

Published Date – 3 April 2024, 09:18 PM


Drone patrolling launched in Peddapalli

Commissioner of Police M Srinivasulu, who launched the service in Peddapalli police station on Wednesday, said the operation was launched to put an end to anti-social elements, ensure public security, control crime and to maintain law and order.

Peddapalli: The Ramagundam Commissionerate Police have launched a drone patrolling system titled ‘Operation Garuda’ on a pilot basis.

Commissioner of Police M Srinivasulu, who launched the service in Peddapalli police station on Wednesday, said the operation was launched to put an end to anti-social elements, ensure public security, control crime and to maintain law and order.

It was not possible for police personnel to continue vigilance if they were in other duties. To continue aerial survey by utilizing new technology, they had decided to go for drone patrolling.

It was possible to monitor a town that falls under a police station limits within a short time with the help of a drone. Videos and photos captured with the help of drones would help the police to register cases against those involved in illegal activities and quarrels, he said.

Middle East

World, region not to be like prior to Aqsa Storm op.: Raeisi

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Addressing “Al-Quds Platform” held annually in support of the Palestinian cause which was held virtually and attended by the leader of Islamic Resistance groups in the West Asia region, President Raeisi said that “It is impossible to normalize relations with the Zionist regime today thanks to the blood of Palestinian combatants.”

“Today, any compromise plans have gone to the dustbin of history and it is impossible to implement any plan without the participation of the Palestinians,” Raeisi said. 

He pointed to the Al-Quds International Day which will be remembered worldwide on Friday and said that “Every day of the year is Quds Day; Holy Quds is the heart of Palestine and the entire occupied country…”

He condemned the Western states for their silence towards Israeli crimes in Gaza and said that “Al-Aqsa Storm was a turning point in the history of the struggle against the occupation. The process of the Palestinian battle is divided into before and after it; The world and the region will not return to the conditions before this operation. The insane committing of war crimes and the slaughtering of women and children by the Zionists will not be able to cover up their irreparable failures.”

According to the Iranian president, the terrorist attack conducted by the Zionist regime on the consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus, which will not go unanswered, clearly showed the frustration and helplessness of the regime.

He further said that the Zionist regime is foolishly trying to cover up its failures both militarily and politically. 

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6 US Prisoners Sue Authorities To Be Allowed To See April 8 Solar Eclipse

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6 US Prisoners Sue Authorities To Be Allowed To See April 8 Solar Eclipse

The corrections department declined to comment on the lawsuit. (Representational)

Six US prisoners have sued authorities to be allowed to see the year’s biggest astronomic event, a total solar eclipse on April 8.

The inmates argued in a court filing that their right to religious freedom would be violated if the New York state prison service upheld a planned penitentiary lockdown during the eclipse.

“Eclipses, like the one on April 8, are recognized by various religions as special events that warrant gathering, celebration, worship, and prayer,” said the submission lodged on March 29.

“(The inmates) have each expressed a sincerely held religious belief that April’s solar eclipse is a religious event.”

New York’s Department of Corrections said in an advisory issued last week that “for facilities in the path of totality, visitation will be canceled.”

The path of totality is the area under which the Moon will fully block out the Sun.

The document did not give reasons for the restrictions in the state, one of eleven that will be in the path of totality for the eclipse, according to officials.

The department said in a statement that prisoners in the state’s custody would be “returned to their housing units” ahead of the eclipse.

While state “correctional facilities will operate on a holiday schedule with only programs required by statute operating,” prisoners will nonetheless be issued with eclipse safety glasses, the statement added.

“The solar eclipse is recognized as an event of great religious significance for Christians, including for Baptists like Plaintiff Travis Hudson and Seventh Day Adventists like Plaintiff David Haigh,” the prisoners’ lawsuit said.

“A total solar eclipse is also an event of great religious significance for Atheists, such as Plaintiff Jeremy Zielinski,” the lawsuit added.

Yet another complaintnant is arguing that the eclipse has a religious significance for Muslims.

The corrections department declined to comment on the lawsuit.

An estimated 32 million people live inside the path of totality, with an additional 150 million residing less than 200 miles (320 kilometers) from the strip, NASA says.

The Perryman Group, a Texas-based research firm, estimates direct and indirect economic impacts of this year’s eclipse could reach $6 billion.

This year’s path of totality is about 115 miles wide, wider than in 2017. It begins in western Mexico, arches up through the US cities of Dallas, Indianapolis, and Buffalo, before ending in eastern Canada.

Many schools along the path will be closed or letting students out early, including in Cleveland and Montreal.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Man stabbed to death by his brother-in-law

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On Wednesday, he left home on some work and while on the way met his brother-in-law Shakeel Ahmed, when a quarrel broke out between them.

Published Date – 3 April 2024, 11:15 PM


Hyderabad: Man stabbed to death by his brother-in-law

Representational Image

Hyderabad: A man was stabbed to death by his brother-in-law allegedly over family issues at Bahadurpura on Wednesday. According to the police, the victim Mohd Rasheed (35), a businessman lived at Asadbabanagar in Kishanbagh under Bahadurpura police station limits.

On Wednesday, he left home on some work and while on the way met his brother-in-law Shakeel Ahmed, when a quarrel broke out between them.

The suspect Shakeel was married to Rasheed’s the sister nearly a decade ago.

However differences came up between the couple as Shakeel was reportedly harassing his wife over petty issues. Rasheed intervened and tried to settle their issue but could not succeed and asked his sister to come and stay at their mother’s place. “Shakeel bore a grudge against Rasheed following the developments

. On Wednesday on spotting the victim on the road, he went to Rasheed and stabbed him to death,” said the Bahadurpura police. A case is registered.