World

Two Daesh terrorists arrested in Iran’s Qom: Reports

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Photo released by Iran’s semi-official Mehr news agency shows two suspected members of the takfiri terrorist group Islamic State in Khorasan before they were arrested on April 2, 2024 as they were seeking to enter the holy shrine of Hazrat Masumeh (AS) in the northern city of Qom.

Iranian intelligence forces have arrested two members of the Daesh Khorasan terrorist group, according to reports by local news agencies.

The semi-official Mehr and ILNA news agencies said in reports on Tuesday that the two terrorists had been trying to enter the holy shrine of Hazrat Masumeh (AS) in the northern city of Qom earlier in the day when they were arrested.

The arrests were made by the intelligence unit of the local branch of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), the reports said.

Images of the two terrorists were also published in the reports, showing they were seeking to enter as ordinary pilgrims into the shrine, which is the second most important pilgrimage site in Iran.

The IS-K, known in Iran and in the region as Daesh Khorasan, was responsible for twin bombings in January in the southeastern Iranian city of Kerman which killed more than 90 people.

The group also claimed a shooting attack last month on a concert hall near the Russian capital Moscow which killed at least 144 people.

A Monday report by the Reuters news agency showed that Iran had arrested dozens of Daesh Khorasan members after the terrorist attacks in Kerman.

It cited unidentified sources as saying that the Iranian authorities had obtained intelligence in interrogations of those arrested that showed the the group was planning a major attack in Russia. The report said Iran had shared the information with Russia.

Iran has suffered a couple of terrorist attacks in recent years by Daesh, which controlled large swathes of land in Iraq and Syria until it was declared territoriality defeated in 2017.

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

www.presstv.co.uk

Middle East

Iran FM, UN chief discuss Israeli strike on Iran’s consulate

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During his press conference with the journalists in New York on Tuesday, the UN Secretary General’s spokesman Stephane Dujarric touched upon the efforts by the UN Secretary General and his contacts with world leaders to prevent the Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate building in Syria from turning into a regional war, and said that the Antonio Guterres received a call from the Iranian Foreign Minister earlier today.

He said that the UN chief communicates with the parties through different channels as he is concerned about the possible escalation of tensions beyond what he had seen before.

The phone call between Iran’s Foreign Minister and the Secretary General of the United Nations takes place hours before the emergency meeting of the Security Council to discuss the attack by the Israeli regime on the Consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus, Syria.

MNA/IRN85433230

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Bengaluru Man Seeks "Refuge" In OYO Room To Beat The Heat, Company Reacts

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Bengaluru Man Seeks 'Refuge' In OYO Room To Beat The Heat, Company Reacts

OYO CEO Ritesh Agarwal also reshared the post.

In recent weeks, India’s startup capital Bengaluru has been grappling with several challenges, including scorching heat and water shortage. Amidst this, an individual took to X (formerly Twitter) to address the rising temperature in the city which is famous for its pleasant climate. The X user named Rishabh Srivastava humorously compared the situation in the IT hub to a shift from “chill” to “grill”. He expressed that the heat in the city was so bad that he had to check into an OYO hotel. And as expected, Mr Srivastava’s tweet caught the attention of the multinational hospitality chain, which took a jib at the city’s weather. 

“Looks like Bangalore weather decided to level up from chill to grill,” wrote Rishabh Srivastava on X. He added that since he “can’t survive without AC,” he “checked into an OYO as a refugee”. 

Reacting to Mr Srivastava’s post, OYO Rooms joined in the conversation. Reposting the X user’s tweet, OYO Rooms wrote, “Bangalore, you had one job. But now, we’re doing it”. 

Take a look below: 

OYO’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ritesh Agarwal also supported the company’s official account’s stance and reshared the post.

Meanwhile, amid Bengaluru’s rising temperature, earlier a video of a man handing out water bottles to traffic police officers had gone viral on social media. The video was shared by Shree Ram Bishnoi, a Bangalore City Police traffic warden, who said that the man does this regularly to help the constables in Hebbal amid the soaring heat. 

Also Read | Watch: Passenger’s ‘Spiderman’ Stunt In Overcrowded Train To Reach Toilet Is Viral

Notably, Bengaluru experienced its highest maximum temperature for March in the past five years, reaching 36.4 degrees Celsius on Friday. On Sunday, the temperature crossed 40 degrees Celsius in Karnataka’s Kalaburagi. People have already started experiencing heat wave conditions. 

Amid this, Bengaluru is also grappling with a severe water crisis, with residents, schools, offices, and apartment complexes facing acute shortages. The IT city faces a water crisis exacerbated by depleting groundwater levels and drought in the Cauvery basin. Bengaluru needs 2,600-2,800 million litres of water daily, and the current supply is half of what’s required. 
 

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Hyderabad

Revanth Reddy says KCR should have alerted Govt before crops withered

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He denied mismanagement of water resources, stating that poor rainfall led to scarcity of water in irrigation projects and declining groundwater levels

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 09:10 PM


Revanth Reddy says KCR should have alerted Govt before crops withered


Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Tuesday came out with a rather strange retort to Leader of Opposition K Chandrashekhar Rao’s criticism of the State government’s handling of the agricultural crisis in the State, saying that Rao “should have alerted the government before the crops withered”.

Talking to the media after inspecting arrangements for the April 6 public meeting of the Congress at Tukkuguda, Revanth Reddy did not offer any explanation as to how Chandrashekhar Rao could predict the drying up of crops, but instead made a satirical remark that the BRS president was perhaps waiting to enjoy a bonfire with dried crops during winter.

Earlier, alleging that Telangana suffered 100 years of destruction during the 10-year BRS regime, he refuted Chandrashekhar Rao’s remarks on the drought in the State and reiterated that the situation was brought about by deficit rainfall during the previous monsoon.

He denied mismanagement of water resources, stating that poor rainfall led to scarcity of water in irrigation projects and declining groundwater levels.

Accusing Chandrashekhar Rao of visiting agricultural fields for electoral gains, Revanth Reddy said the BRS chief had remembered farmers after 10 years in power.

The Chief Minister also found fault with his predecessor for accusing the Congress of mishandling the water and power situation in the State.

“We came to power in December after the monsoon. As he was in power earlier, he should have informed the government before the crops dried. Probably, he waited to enjoy a bonfire of dry crops in winter,” he said.

In response to the BRS allegation that 200 farmers died by suicide since the Congress government came to power, the Chief Minister asked the Opposition party to provide details within 48 hours.

If the claims were genuine, compensation would be provided after the Lok Sabha elections, he said, also taking a dig at Chandrashekhar Rao, stating that the latter must compensate the farmers for their losses by giving Rs.100 crore out of the funds his party received through electoral bonds.

Revanth Reddy claimed that the State government disbursed Rythu Bandhu agricultural assistance to about 64.75 lakh farmers with the remaining four lakh farmers to receive their assistance after the elections.

Stating that the government had formulated an action plan to address water shortage across the State, he said providing drinking water was the first priority in view of depleting groundwater levels and water storage in various water bodies.

Earlier, Revanth Reddy said the Congress would release its Lok Sabha election manifesto at the ‘Jana Jatara’ public meeting to be held at Tukkuguda near Hyderabad on April 6.

AICC president Mallikharjun Kharge along with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi would release the party manifesto during the public meeting and sound the poll bugle in Telangana

. He was accompanied by IT Minister D Sridhar Babu and other Congress leaders.

World

Oman FM condemns Israel attack on Iran consulate in Damascus

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In the phone call with Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Sayyid Badr bin Busaidi condoled the martyrdom of Iran’s military advisers in the missile attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus while condemning this act as a violation of international law.

The two sides also reviewed the recent developments in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the need for international efforts to end the crimes of the Zionist regime, an immediate ceasefire, and sending humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

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.

SD/Spox. channel

Middle East

Turkey condemns Israeli attack on Iran consulate in Syria

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We condemn the Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy in Damascus. Israel’s action adds to its recent violations of international law,” a Foreign Ministry statement said, according to Anadolu Agency. 

“We are concerned that this action may escalate into a conflict affecting the entire region,” it added.

The ministry also urged all sides to act with “common sense and restraint, and to abide by international law.”

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.

MNA

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Telangana not to sign power purchase agreement with NTPC; to push for renewable energy

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Govt for renewable energy which is cheaper

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 09:43 PM


Telangana not to sign power purchase agreement with NTPC; to push for renewable energy

Govt for renewable energy which is cheaper

Hyderabad: Even as Opposition parties are criticising the State government for not signing a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the NTPC-Ramagundam Phase-2 (3X800MW), it is learnt that the State government has decided against signing a PPA as power supplied by the NTPC is likely to be costlier than solar power available in the open market.

This might result in Telangana losing access to 85 per cent of the power generated by the NTPC Ramagundam Phase II. The NTPC had recently written to the State government asking it to sign the PPA for NTPC Phase-2 and warned that the failure to do so may result in the allocation of NTPC Phase-2 power to other Southern States.

According to power officials, currently the NTPC was supplying power at Rs.5.90 per unit to the State and once Phase-2 of the project was completed, the cost of power could be between Rs.8 to Rs.9 per unit, whereas the prices of solar power in the open market were Rs.2 to Rs.4 per unit. The State government, which is planning a major push for solar and similar renewable sources of power, is said to be of the opinion that if it signs a PPA with the NTPC for 25 years, it could burden consumers as they will have to pay more.

The State government is reportedly of the opinion that if it concentrates on renewable energy sources and generates power through solar, wind and hydel sources, it could get power at a cheaper price than that purchased from the NTPC.

The 4,000 MW NTPC-Ramagundam Thermal Power Plant was an assurance under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and the first phase (2X800MW) of the project has been completed. The balance 2,400 MW has to be completed in the second phase. As per NTPC’s assessment, the project could take five to six years to be completed.

Sources said the State government had decided against signing the PPA with NTPC as it was also planning to implement a new policy on energy generation and power purchase. The policy would be prepared while taking the State’s requirements till 2032 into consideration. The government has plans to even purchase power from private players who are ready to supply bulk power at cheaper rates, the sources added.

The government was also planning to take up solar projects on large scale, as part of which solar plants would be set up in all the 33/11 KV substations and government lands. The State government is planning to encourage individuals, institutions, government schools and college buildings, universities, commercial buildings, housing societies and self-help groups to install solar rooftops on a large scale.

The government is also studying how to generate pumped storage power for major and medium projects. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently held discussions with his Himachal Pradesh counterpart Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on setting up hydel power plants in Himachal Pradesh. Sources say the government plans to construct huge hydroelectric plants in Himachal Pradesh and use them in meeting the power demand of the State.

Ppa

Hyderabad

High Court says PILs on Kaleshwaram more of political interest

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The said petitioners sought directions to CBI to investigate into the breaches alleged regarding the usage of allocated funds during the construction of the project.

Published Date – 2 April 2024, 11:00 PM


High Court says PILs on Kaleshwaram more of political interest


Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Tuesday remarked that public interest litigations filed seeking a CBI investigation into the Kaleshwaram Project were more of political interest litigations.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Anil Kumar was dealing with PIL cases filed by K.A Paul, Prof. M. Kodanda Rama Reddy, B. Ram Mohan Reddy, Mudhuganti Vishwanath Reddy, B Jadson and others challenging the alleged breaches committed during construction of the Kaleshwaram project.

The said petitioners sought directions to CBI to investigate into the breaches alleged regarding the usage of allocated funds during the construction of the project.

“These cases are more of a publicity stunt and not matters of public interest, the court remarked. Once a PIL is filed and admitted, the role of the petitioners is limited as the court can proceed with the issue. We can appoint amicus curie to deal with the issue instead of taking assistance from the petitioners,” the bench observed.

Pointing out at the way in which PILs were filed by the petitioners, the bench expressed dissatisfaction. The bench wondered why the cases were filed recently when the Kaleshwaram Project had commenced in 2016.

One of the counsels responded that due to technical issues, the PIL filed much before the elections was numbered now. The bench said it could not decide the matter immediately without hearing the other side and directed Additional AG Imran Khan to submit their response on behalf of the State government.

KA Paul of Praja Shanthi party, who appeared as party in person was directed by the bench to follow the court directions.

However, when Paul said he had obtained crucial information on the Kaleshwaram project for the last two years, the bench asked whether he was aware of the PIL Rules on the source of information and handed him over a copy of the rules.

The bench asked if he would comply with the Rules or proceed with his submissions without adhering to the Rules.

The bench questioned if the petitioners had made any real effort for finding out the information and facts on the issue and wondered if they have filed the PILs only for political mileage in the ensuing elections.

It said courts have procedures that ought to be followed and that it should not be used a platform for political benefits. It questioned the petitioners about their source of information for raising allegations of corruption.

The bench expressed serious dissatisfaction at the petitioners for their hurried manner in which resolution to the issue was sought and suggested the petitioners to file PIls in accordance with the PIL Rules.

It also wanted to know if the petitioners have approached appropriate authorities against the alleged illegalities.

Stating that the court has to hear both sides before adjudicating a matter, the bench adjourned the case to April 8 for the response of the government.

Middle East

Iran: Attack on aid convoy manifests Israel’s intention of causing famine in Gaza

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Iran has censured Israel’s deadly strike on an aid convoy of the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in the Gaza Strip.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani made the remarks in a post on X on Tuesday, after seven employees of the WCK food aid charity were killed in an Israeli airstrike in Deir el-Balah earlier in the day.

“This atrocity once again confirms the fact that the occupying Zionist regime is insisting on its organized and deliberate imposition of hunger, famine and massacre of civilians, international aid teams and staff of humanitarian organizations,” Kan’ani stated.

“Such an inhuman approach reveals the Israeli regime is not committed to any international rules and regulations or worldwide moral principles.”

The Iranian official said the Israeli military’s deliberate attack on the aid convoy of WCK, which is responsible for distributing food aid among the Palestinian people in Gaza, deserves international condemnation.

Undoubtedly, such organized crimes will increase global hatred and anger toward the regime and its supporters, Kan’ani said, adding that they will make world nations more determined to support the oppressed Palestinian nation.

On Tuesday, Gaza’s Government Media Office said at least seven foreign aid workers of WCK had been killed in the central part of the Gaza Strip.

It said the foreigners included citizens of Australia, Britain, and Poland.

Chef Jose Andres, who started the WCK in 2010, said on X that he was heartbroken and grieving for the families and friends of those who had died in the airstrike.

WCK CEO Erin Gore also said in a statement, “This is not only an attack against WCK, this is an attack on humanitarian organizations showing up in the most dire of situations where food is being used as a weapon of war. This is unforgivable.”

The NGO further stated that its members were traveling in a “de-conflicted zone”, adding that it had coordinated their movements with the Israeli military.

 

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Kohli Scripts History, Becomes 1st Indian Ever To Achieve Massive Feat

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Virat Kohli played his 100th T20 match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium as Royal Challengers Bengaluru took on Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL 2024 match on Tuesday. The star Indian cricket team batter became the first Indian player in history to play 100 T20 matches at a single venue. The second place belongs to Rohit Sharma who has played 80 matches at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. MS Dhoni is third with 69 matches at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

Indian players to play most T20s at a single venue:

100 – Virat Kohli at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

80 – Rohit Sharma at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

69 – MS Dhoni at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

Quinton de Kock manifested his exceptional hitting skills with a fifty but Lucknow Super Giants could not progress beyond a par 181 for five against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their IPL match.

De Kock (81 off 55) selected the bowlers and positions around the ground to play his shots with precision but the RCB bowlers did not allow other batsmen, except Nicholas Pooran (40 off 21), a free run on a pitch that sported a generous tinge of green.

The Super Giants went off the block quite quickly, reaching 32 for no loss in three overs and then making it 54 in the Power Play.

Most of the runs came from the blade of De Kock, who took a particular liking for pacer Mohammed Siraj.

The South African left-hander slammed him for three sixes – two in succession – spread across two overs – two powerful pulls and a handsome loft over mid-wicket.

KL Rahul, who captained the side after coming in as an impact sub against Punjab Kings in the previous game, started slowly making six runs off his first 10 balls.

But a six off left-arm pacer Yash Dayal, a well-timed hit straight over the head of the bowler, gave his innings some momentum and later he swept spinner Glenn Maxwell for a six, and he was a tad fortunate because Rajat Patidar could not time his jump well near the rope and collect the ball.

However, Rahul perished in the very next ball, an attempt to pull Maxwell’s good length delivery ending up in the palms of Mayank Dagar inside the circle.

Devdutt Padikkal struggled massively during his 11-ball six, and he was eventually rid of his agony by Siraj after the left-hander’s pull was snaffled by stumper Anuj Rawat, who ran a few yards backwards to catch the ball.

The second substantial innings in LSG innings followed Padikkal’s exit as De Kock and Marcus Stoinis (24, 15b) added 56 runs off 30 balls for the third wicket.

De Kock, who brought his fifty in 36 balls, kept his end going during this alliance as Stoinis hammered a six each off Maxwell and Cameron Green.

But the blooming partnership ended when Stoinis’ half-hearted swat was pouched by Dagar at point.

The LSG were143 for four in 16.3 overs at that stage and needed a few more runs to reach safer shores.

Pooran, who biffed left-armer seamer Topley for three sixes in a row in the 19th over and two more maximums in the final over off Siraj, made the final assault but LSG might have liked a heftier total.

(With PTI inputs)

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