Middle East

VIDEO: Watch Iranian drones, missiles launching toward Israel

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The Israeli regime attacked Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus on April 1. 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 following the Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, IRGC said in a statement.

In response to the Israeli aggression, Iran attacked the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories with a barrage of drones and missiles early on Sunday.

Following the attack, Iran announced that it does not seek to create tension in the region and had carried out the anti-Zionist operation to punish the Zionist regime. However, the Iranian political and military officials have strongly warned that the country would give a severe response in case of any fresh Israeli aggression.

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Editorial: More of the same

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The manifestos of both Congress and BJP lack a broader vision for the future of agriculture

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 11:54 PM


Editorial: More of the same


As the nation gears up for the Lok Sabha election, it is time to shower promises on people. Since agriculture remains the backbone of the economy, it is important to take a closer look at what the two major national parties — the BJP and the Congress — have got to offer to improve the living conditions of farmers. Even a cursory glance at the election manifestos of the two parties shows that they may be high on populism but lack a broader vision for the future of the agriculture sector. Immediate financial assistance to farmers to tide over adverse situations is fine but the governments need to put in place a long-term vision for Indian agriculture. The BJP, which had to withdraw the controversial farm laws in the past following widespread protests by farmers, promised to increase the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of crops from ‘time to time’ and provide sustained financial support for farmers through the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi’. However, the manifesto is silent on the farm laws and also on providing legal backing for the MSP policy. The saffron party clearly does not want to rock the political boat or commit to things it does not consider feasible to deliver. MSP has been mentioned six times in the BJP’s 2024 manifesto in contrast to its 2019 manifesto when it was mentioned only once. The party has not specified whether or by how much the current Rs 6,000 annual transfer to farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme will be raised

The mass protest against the farm laws was one of the most serious challenges that the NDA government had to face in the last ten years. The Congress manifesto, on the other hand, has pledged to give a legal guarantee to MSP but did not specify how it would go about it. Most economists have raised doubts over the fiscal sustainability of legal MSP. It remains to be seen how credible such a promise can be for farmers. The Congress has promised to double the funding for R&D in agriculture in five years, while the BJP has stressed on technological interventions to enable more accurate assessment of crop loss and faster pay-outs under the PM Fasal Bima Yojana. Interestingly, the BJP’s current manifesto does not mention doubling of farmers’ income, which figured at the top among the party’s farm sector promises in its 2019 manifesto. The saffron party has merely reiterated the government’s existing or proposed programmes including making India “atmanirbhar” in pulses and edible oils, establishing clusters for the production of essential TOP (tomato, onion, potato) vegetables and promoting natural farming. However, no specific strategy has been mentioned. Both the national parties have failed to present before the people a policy vision for the development of the agriculture sector. Producing more from the same or less quantity of water, nutrients and energy requires politically sensitive input pricing decisions.

Hyderabad

Property tax cheques bounce, GHMC takes action

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The highest number of cases i.e. 13 were filed in Chandanagar, followed by eight in Yousufguda, five in Jubilee Hills, four each in Serilingampally, Quthbullapur and Moosapet, along with one other in Kukatpally.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 11:25 PM


Property tax cheques bounce, GHMC takes action


Hyderabad: Of the Rs.1,921 crore property tax collected for the financial year 2023-24, cheques worth Rs.11 crore have bounced, prompting GHMC to take action against taxpayers.

As on April 16, a total of 39 FIRs have been filed in various police stations across the city.

The highest number of cases i.e. 13 were filed in Chandanagar, followed by eight in Yousufguda, five in Jubilee Hills, four each in Serilingampally, Quthbullapur and Moosapet, along with one other in Kukatpally.

GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose in a press release requested taxpayers to pay the cheque bounce amount immediately without further delay, and warned of more FIRs in the coming days.

He further urged citizens to clear the arrears and avail the Early Bird Scheme which gives five per cent rebate on current year property tax. The scheme closes on April 30.

Middle East

Gaza authorities slam Israel for torturing Palestinian children

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Authorities in the besieged Gaza Strip say the Palestinian children the Israeli regime recently freed have recounted instances of physical abuse, torture, and deliberate starvation.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Gaza’s Government Media Office said the testimonies include accounts from children younger than 12.

The accounts underscore “extreme torture, mistreatment and cases of medical neglect.”

The office called on rights groups and the international community to take action in respect of the “horrifying” testimonies.

“These testimonies from the affected individuals prove yet again the monstrosity of this criminal army.”

“It is yet another example of how it violates international and humanitarian laws as it continues committing war crimes and genocide against our people in Gaza,” the office stated.

According to multiple reports, corroborated by the Palestinian Health Ministry as well as the Defense for Children International (DCI) NGO, one child is being killed in Gaza every 10 minutes.

Aid agencies have warned that “nowhere and no one is safe” under Israel’s relentless onslaught.

Israeli forces have been denounced for mistreating Palestinian children, including by torturing those in custody and using others as human shields during the savage campaign in the besieged territory.

The death toll from the regime’s genocidal campaign in Gaza now tops 33,800.

The Save the Children organization is deeply alarmed by the toll and sufferings being exacted on children in the Gaza Strip.

According to the charity, more than 14,500 of Gaza’s 1.1 million children have been killed since October 7, 2023. And thousands more are missing, presumed buried under the rubble, their deaths unmarked.

The life-saving aid which families rely on has either been drip-fed or denied by Israeli authorities – while essential services have been decimated by ongoing Israeli hostilities.

The Global Education Cluster estimates that as of March 30, 87.7% of all school buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed.

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Iran Greco-Roman wrestlers win Asian championship

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Iran’s Mhammad Hadi Saravi won the championship title in the 97-kilogram weight class of the Greco-Roman category of 2024 Asian Wrestling Championships on April 16, 2024 in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Iran’s men Greco-Roman wrestling team has won the championship title in the 2024 Asian Wrestling Championships in Kyrgyzstan four days after Iranian freestyle wrestlers won the same title in their own category.

The Iranian Greco-Roman wrestlers bagged two gold medals in 67kg and 97kg, two silver medals in 72kg and 82kg and one bronze medal in the 60kg weight classes of the games in Bishkek on Tuesday.

The team had won two gold medals, one silver medal and one bronze medal in the 87kg, 130kg, 55kg and 63kg weight classes, respectively, on Monday.

It was Iran’s 16th championship title in 28 rounds of Asian Greco-Roman wrestling competitions. The country has finished runner-up in seven other rounds and third in the remaining five.

The title came four days after Iranian freestyle wrestlers were also crowned continental champions in Bishkek with five gold medals and three bronze medals.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi issued a message to congratulate the Greco-Roman wrestlers on their success, saying their “shining victory” was another sign that the country’s youth are always on top when it comes to “conquering the peaks of triumph”.

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

www.presstv.co.uk

Hyderabad

Lok Sabha Polls: Nominations from Thursday

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The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party have announced candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies while the Congress party is yet to declare candidates for the three constituencies of Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Khammam.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 07:57 PM


Lok Sabha Polls: Nominations from Thursday

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Hyderabad: As nominations for Lok Sabha elections in the State will commence from Thursday, many contestants are likely to file their nominations on the first day, considering different reasons, including auspicious time.

The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bharatiya Janata Party have announced candidates for all the 17 Lok Sabha constituencies while the Congress party is yet to declare candidates for the three constituencies of Hyderabad, Karimnagar and Khammam.

The BRS is conducting a special meeting with candidates on Thursday to issue B Forms and discuss other aspects. Similarly, a few senior Congress and BJP leaders from New Delhi are expected to accompany their candidates to file the nominations.

Amidst this, the political heat in the State is likely to escalate by a notch as nomination rallies and other programmes would be conducted by the candidates and parties.

The Election Commission is closely monitoring the proceedings and elaborate arrangements are being made accordingly.

Returning Officers have been instructed to allot staggered time in advance to prospective candidates to avoid any inconvenience.

Middle East

Iran to give max. response to Israel if adventurism continues

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Amir-Abdollahian held a phone conversation with his Japanese counterpart Yōko Kamikawa on Tuesday to discuss the bilateral relations between Tehran and Tokyo, as well as the latest regional developments.

Saying that the Sunday attack on Israel was based on Iran’s legitimate right of self-defense, the top Iranian diplomat stressed that the country’s retaliatory military operation was carried out very precise and only targeted the Tel Aviv regime’s military bases from which they attacked the consulate of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Damascus on April 1.

Emphasizing the determination of the Islamic Republic of Iran to help strengthen peace and stability in the region, Amir Abdollahian said that the military response to Israel’s attack was only a limited operation, and the country would give a decisive response to the Zionists in case of any fresh Israeli aggression.

“The main cause of the crisis in the region is rooted in the Gaza war, and the Islamic Republic of Iran will continue its diplomatic efforts to establish a lasting ceasefire and expects the same from Japan and the G7 members,” he underlined.

Kamikawa, for her part, expressed concern over the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and the expansion of the scope of conflict in the region.

She stressed that Japan condemns the Israeli strike on the Iranian diplomatic annex in Damascus, terming the hostile move as unacceptable.

The top Japanese diplomat also stressed the importance of preventing the escalation and spread of tension and conflict in the region, calling for exercising maximum restraint by all parties.

The two sides also emphasized the need for expanding the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Israeli regime attacked Iran’s consulate in the Syrian capital of Damascus on April 1. 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 following the Israeli attack on Iran’s consulate in Damascus, IRGC said in a statement.

In response to the Israeli aggression, Iran attacked the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories with a barrage of drones and missiles early on Sunday.

Following the attack, Iran announced that it does not seek to create tension in the region and had carried out the anti-Zionist operation to punish the Zionist regime. However, the Iranian political and military officials have strongly warned that the country would give a severe response in case of any fresh Israeli aggression.

MP/6080338

Top News

Rafael Nadal Wins On Injury Comeback At Barcelona Open

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Rafael Nadal made light work of Flavio Cobolli on a triumphant return from injury at the Barcelona Open on Tuesday. The 22-time Grand Slam champion had not played an ATP Tour match since January but dispatched the Italian 6-2, 6-3 in one hour and 25 minutes to reach the second round. Nadal, 37, was able to play on clay for the first time since winning the French Open in 2022 and showed flashes of his usual brilliance in a solid display.

“It was a good start — when you return you can’t get rid of the doubts in one day, above all, on a physical level,” Nadal told TVE.

“Within what it could be, it was a good first round. He made mistakes and I think I played the game that I had to play.”

Nadal who has triumphed at Roland Garros a record 14 times, is hoping to play there in May in what he expects to be the final year of his professional career. The clay court king, who missed most of 2023 injured, will face Alex de Minaur on Wednesday after breezing past Cobolli.

“It will be at a speed that I don’t know if I will be able to keep up with, but I’ll try,” Nadal said of facing the 11th-ranked De Minaur.

After a double fault to fall 30-0 behind Nadal found his rhythm, with Cobolli intimidated by the fervent support for the Spaniard on the court named after him.

Nadal converted his third break point in the fourth game for a 3-1 lead, with Cobolli surviving four more to hold at 4-2 down. The 12-time Barcelona Open winner broke again to claim the set in 43 minutes, clenching his fist in celebration.

Cobolli handed Nadal a break for 2-0 in the second set with two more unforced errors but finally put some pressure on Nadal’s serve in the third game to break back. However Nadal broke again for 3-1 after Cobolli’s third double fault and served it out to triumph.

The Spaniard did not produce any aces and his serve was effective but not explosive. “I’ve gone months without being able to serve, (and) although I’ve got a lot of excitement to play here and do the best I can, I’m not going to go crazy with the serve,” added Nadal.

“I have to serve with caution that the moment I’m in dictates… there are moments in which I feel more liberated and others in which I’m more careful.”

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Hyderabad

Four Aveksha day care centres launched in city

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Each centre will have three staff members including a coordinator, a senior and a junior caretaker each.

Published Date – 16 April 2024, 11:27 PM


Four Aveksha day care centres launched in city


Hyderabad: A total of four Aveksha day care centres, meant for children of women who are employed in the industrial sector and from underprivileged sections of the society, were inaugurated at Alkapuri, Santoshnagar, Durganagar and Suraram in Hyderabad on Monday.

An initiative of the Confederation of Women Entrepreneurs of India (COWE) and SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India), Aveksha day care centres for industrial workers are equipped with CCTV to monitor day-today activities and other necessary amenities to create a joyful learning environment that encourages the toddlers to enjoy their stay throughout the day, a press release said. Each of the day-care centres, spread over an area of 500 to 1,000 square feet, is fully equipped to take care of 20 to 30 children from 9 am to 6 pm.

Each centre will have three staff members including a coordinator, a senior and a junior caretaker each.

The facilities will be monitored by vigilance teams who will monitor the CCTV footage and system auditors to ensure standards are maintained.

The Aveksha care centres initiative is a national project by COWE and SIDBI, and to establish each centre, nearly Rs 2 lakh is being invested. About Rs 40,000 is being spent every month to run these centres.

World

Putin: Iran’s retaliatory attack on Israel best way to punish aggressor

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Russian President Vladimir Putin says Iran’s “tactful and wise” response to Israeli aggression on its consulate in Syria was the best way to punish the aggressor.

Putin made the remarks in a phone conversation with President Ebrahim Raeisi on Tuesday.

“What the Islamic Republic of Iran did in response to what happened criminally and in the light of the inaction of the [UN] Security Council, was the best way to punish the aggressor and represented the tactfulness and rationality of Iran’s politicians,” Putin said.

The Russian president said the Israeli regime’s “terrorist act” against the Iranian consulate in Damascus was against all international standards and rules.

He also strongly criticized the United States and certain Western countries for creating tension in the region. “We believe that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the main pillars of stability and security in the region.”

“We firmly declare that we will respond to any action against Iran’s interests with greater force and broader and more painful than the previous [response],” President Raeisi said in the phone call.

The Iranian president also said Tehran’s response to the Israeli regime was within the framework of international law, saying Israel’s terrorist act was a clear violation of international law and a serious threat to global peace.

“The destructive role of the US and some western countries and the inaction and inefficiency of international institutions, including the United Nations and the Security Council, in dealing with the aggressive action of the Zionist regime in attacking the Iranian consulate in Syria caused the Islamic Republic of Iran to exercise its right to self-defense.”

Raeisi further thanked Moscow for its “principled and constructive” stance against the Israeli aggression in Damascus. 

He appreciated the diplomatic efforts of the Russian government to thwart the conspiracies of the United States and certain Western countries in the UN Security Council.

“To those countries that have adopted double standards in the face of the crimes of the Zionist regime and express concerns about escalating tensions in the region, we advise them to rather stop supporting the Zionists genocide and crimes against the oppressed Palestinian people to preserve peace and stability in the region,” Raeisi said.

Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) launched extensive missile and drone strikes against the occupied territories late on April 13 in response to Israel’s missile attack on the consular section of the Iranian embassy in Damascus.

Operation True Promise has inflicted damage on Israeli military bases across the occupied territories. The extent of damage is yet to be specified. 

Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a commander of the IRGC Quds Force, his deputy, General Mohammad Hadi Haji Rahimi, and five of their accompanying officers were assassinated in the Israeli attack on Iran’s diplomatic mission.