Hyderabad

Revanth admits ‘lack of coordination’; Jeevan Reddy calms down

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CM Revanth Reddy, who is also the TPCC president, admitted that there was a lack of coordination and that the PCC did not take the necessary steps which had led to the situation where MLC T Jeevan Reddy had threatened to resign from his post.

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 09:16 PM


Revanth admits ‘lack of coordination’; Jeevan Reddy calms down

Revanth Reddy

Hyderabad: Chief Minister and TPCC president A Revanth Reddy, following an uproar within the party over the induction of Jagtial MLA Dr Sanjay Kumar into the party, on Thursday admitted that there was a lack of coordination and that the PCC did not take the necessary steps, which had led to the situation where MLC T Jeevan Reddy had threatened to resign from his post.

The Chief Minister admitted to this folly on part of the PCC, which he heads, while replying to queries on the issues that cropped up within the party after the induction of BRS MLAs Sanjay Kumar and Pocharam Srinivas Reddy, with him personally said to have engineered both the defections.

“There was lack of coordination from our end and the PCC did not take the necessary measures, leading to a chaotic situation,” he admitted, at the same time, stating that the party would utilise the experience and services of Jeevan Reddy.

Meanwhile, Congress MLC T Jeevan Reddy appeared to have mellowed down after meeting the party high command and Revanth Reddy in New Delhi on Thursday. Objecting the entry of the BRS MLA into the party, the Congress MLC had said that he was humiliated that the decision in his constituency was taken without consulting or informing him. Though IT Minister D Sridhar Babu and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka appealed to the MLC to reconsider his decision, he had stood firm.

After being summoned by the high command to Delhi on Wednesday, Jeevan Reddy met AICC Telangana incharge Deepadas Munshi and Revanth Reddy, after which he calmed down. Though there were rumours that he might be inducted into the State cabinet, the Chief Minister indirectly denied this, and at the same time, also brushed aside speculations about a Cabinet expansion.

“Due to false reports in a section of media, people are in confusion. I am the Education Minister and not a part time Minister. There is no portfolio vacant and there are Ministers for all portfolios,” Revanth Reddy said, also stating that all exams were conducted smoothly and efficiently by the Education department.

India

US again raises ‘concerns’ over alleged discrimination of minorities in India 

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The findings come a few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term in office

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 09:41 AM


US again raises ‘concerns’ over alleged discrimination of minorities in India 

Representational Image

Washington: The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), an organisation India has strongly criticised in the past, has again raised ‘concerns’ over religious freedoms, citing the alleged rise in ‘hate speech‘, demolitions and anti-conversion laws.

The report annually surveys religious freedoms around the world and aims to provide a “fact-based, comprehensive view of the state of religious freedom” in nearly 200 countries and territories.

The findings come a few weeks after Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his third term in office and India and the United States agreed to strengthen cooperation in high technology areas during a visit by White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan to New Delhi.

“In India, we see a concerning increase in anti-conversion laws, hate speech, demolitions of homes and places of worship for members of minority faith communities,” US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at an event in Washington on Monday.

The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Rashad Hussain also expressed concerns about the situation in India. “In India, Christian communities reported that local police aided mobs that disrupted worship services over accusations of conversion activities, or stood by while mobs attacked them and then arrested the victims on conversion charges,” he said.

Earlier in May, India rejected a similar report of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom that accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of “reinforcing discriminatory nationalist policies” and termed the organisation “biased” with “political agenda.”

“The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is known as a biased organization with a political agenda. They continue to publish their propaganda on India masquerading as part of an annual report,” MEA official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press briefing.

“We really have no expectation that USCIRF will even seek to understand India’s diverse, pluralistic and democratic ethos. Their efforts to interfere in the largest electoral exercise of the world will never succeed,” he added.

The USCIRF had then alleged that the Indian government “failed to address” communal violence disproportionately affecting Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits, Jews, and Adivasis (indigenous peoples) in 2023.

Among its key findings, the report calls out several countries including India, China, Russia, and Iran for violations of explicitly targeting members from certain faith communities. A detailed section of the report also mentioned the alleged “targeted attacks against religious minorities in India.”

The report expresses several concerns over India’s religious freedom. It claims religious conversion is “legally prohibited” in multiple States, religious minorities are “attacked on a regular basis”, and alleges that Muslims face systemic discrimination.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also noted that in the United States, hate crimes against both Muslims and Jews “have gone up dramatically.” The US also raised concerns about Pakistan, where Blinken condemned blasphemy laws that “help foster a climate of intolerance and hatred that can lead to vigilantism and mob violence.”

Secretary Blinken also mentioned the imprisonment and exile of Muslim Uyghurs in China, as well as the repression of Tibetan Buddhists, Christians and Falun Gong practitioners.

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Russia says considering downgrading relations with NATO countries

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The NATO alliance has agreed to consider Russia as a threat.

Russia says it is considering downgrading its relations with certain NATO countries due to the deeper involvement of the US and its allies in the Ukraine war.

“The issue of lowering the level of diplomatic relations is a standard practice for states that face unfriendly or hostile manifestations,” Russia’s presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday. 

“Due to the growing involvement of the West in the conflict over Ukraine, the Russian Federation cannot but consider various options for responding to such hostile Western intervention in the Ukrainian crisis.”  

The Russian government has criticized the United States for continuing to provide military assistance to Ukraine. Washington recently approved Kiev’s use of long-range missiles supplied by the West on targets inside Russia, further escalating tensions with Moscow.

The Kremlin issued a warning on Monday, cautioning Washington against the potential “consequences” of attacks inside Russia.

The Kremlin summoned the US ambassador to Russia after a Ukrainian attack using an American-supplied missile killed four people in Crimea.

Peskov said Russia was considering different ways to retaliate against the United States and its Western allies.

President Vladimir Putin has warned that one of Moscow’s many available options to retaliate could be to supply arms to other countries to hit targets inside Western countries.

In this regard, Putin’s visits to North Korea and Vietnam signal a shift in geopolitical alliances to counter US efforts to maintain its hegemony across the globe.

Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, another main anti-Western global power, have agreed to further deepen their “strategic partnership”.

In May, in his first China visit after he was sworn in for a fifth term as Russia’s president, Putin and Xi vowed to make their currently strong bond even stronger to counter the US threat.

Since the start of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022, the US-led Western countries have provided Ukraine with an unending supply of military and financial aid. 

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

www.presstv.ir

Hyderabad

Dr. Reddy’s Labs SA signs agreement with Haleonplc for purchase of Northstar Switzerland SARL shares

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The proposed acquisition will be inclusive of all formats such as lozenge, patch, gum as well as pipeline products, in all applicable global markets outside of the United States.

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 07:01 PM


Dr. Reddy’s Labs SA signs agreement with Haleonplc for purchase of Northstar Switzerland SARL shares


Hyderabad: Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories announced that its subsidiary Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories SA has signed a definitive agreement with Haleonplc for purchase of shares of Northstar Switzerland SARL, a Haleon group company, to acquire Haleon’s global portfolio of consumer healthcare brands in the Nicotine Replacement Therapy (“NRT”) category outside of the United States.

The portfolio to be acquired consists of Nicotinell, a global leader in the NRT category with an extensive footprint in over 30 countries spanning Europe, Asia including Japan, and Latin America, and local market-leading brand names of the product – Nicabate in Australia, Thrive in Canada, and Habitrol in New Zealand and Canada.

The proposed acquisition will be inclusive of all formats such as lozenge, patch, gum as well as pipeline products, in all applicable global markets outside of the United States.

India

Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: AIADMK legislators, functionaries begin hunger strike

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Clad in black shirts, the MLAs, who have been suspended from ongoing Assembly session for disrupting proceedings, begin fast at Rajarathinam stadium

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 10:02 AM


Kallakurichi hooch tragedy: AIADMK legislators, functionaries begin hunger strike

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, along with party MLAs, wearing black shirts protest against the Tamil Nadu hooch tragedy, at the State Assembly in Chennai. Photo: ANI

Chennai: Led by party chief Edappadi K Palaniswami, AIADMK MLAs and party workers commenced their hunger strike here on Thursday to seek a CBI investigation into the Kallakurichi hooch tragedy.

Clad in black shirts, the AIADMK legislators, who have been suspended from the ongoing Assembly session for disrupting proceedings, began their fast here by 9 am at the Rajarathinam stadium.

The fast is also to condemn the ‘denial of permission’ to raise the issue in the State Assembly, according to the main opposition party.

Palaniswami had said on Wednesday that ‘denying a honest debate’ over the hooch tragedy, that has reportedly left over 60 dead, and evicting and suspending AIADMK MLAs was against democracy.

The former Chief Minister condemned what he described as ‘diversionary politics’ of the DMK government rather than taking action over hooch deaths. The hunger strike is likely to end by 5 pm on Thursday.

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Kohli's Poor Run In T20 WC Continues, Internet Blasts "Worst Form"

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Virat Kohli‘s poor form at the 2024 T20 World Cup continued as he was dismissed for a run-a-ball 9 against England in the second semi-final in Guyana. This is Kohli’s fifth single-digit score at the ongoing T20 World Cup. Put into bat by Jos Buttler, Kohli smashed Reece Topley for a six in the third over. But the joy would last for just two more balls, as Topley had the last laugh. Looking to pull over mid-wicket, Kohli was beaten by the swing, and had his leg stump knocked off.

As Kohli’s string of low-scores continue, many fans took to social media to express their disappointment.

England captain Jos Buttler opted to field after winning the toss in the high-profile T20 World Cup semi-final against India here on Thursday.

Both teams remained unchanged.

“We would have batted first, the weather looks good, whatever had to happen, it has already happened. We wanted to put runs on the board. The pitch tends to get slower as the game goes on. We understand the challenge of playing a tournament like this, a lot of travel and logistics. It’s a chance to play some good cricket. We don’t want to think too far ahead, stay in the moment and let your game do the talking,” India skipper Rohit Sharma said after the toss.

“We’ll bowl first. Looks like a good surface, the bounce will be low, with the rain around, we thought it’ll be a bit of an advantage to bowl first. We’re up against a great team, but we’re peaking nicely and we are playing the same team today. Looking forward to a great challenge against a top side. Excited to be in a semi-final, but some of us have been here before,” said England skipper Jos Buttler. 

The winner of this semi-final match will be squaring off against South Africa in the final of the T20 World Cup 2024 on Saturday in Barbados. 

(With PTI Inputs)

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Hyderabad

Congress stakes claims over Sitarama project

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The ruling party also claimed credit for the first trial run of one pump of the project.

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 09:20 PM


Congress stakes claims over Sitarama project


Hyderabad: The Congress in Telangana countered the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) claims over the Sitarama Lift Irrigation project alleging that it was the previous government that was responsible for the inordinate delay in completion of the project. The ruling party also claimed credit for the first trial run of one pump of the project.

The project should have completed with an estimated cost of Rs.3,000 crore in 2014. In the guise of redesign, the project cost was escalated to Rs.18,500 crore and delayed for 10 years, the official handle of Telangana Congress said on X.

The Congress claimed that the project works were expedited by the Congress government, with funds being released, pending works being completed and the first trial run being conducted successfully.

India

Lok Sabha poll results proved India not ‘Hindu Rashtra’, says Amartya Sen 

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Expresses displeasure that keeping people behind bars “without trial” has continued in the country since the British rule

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 10:09 AM


Lok Sabha poll results proved India not ‘Hindu Rashtra’, says Amartya Sen 

Nobel laureate Amartya Sen

Kolkata: Nobel laureate Amartya Sen has asserted the recent Lok Sabha poll results point to the fact that India is not a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

He also expressed displeasure that keeping people behind bars “without trial” has continued in the country since the British rule and it is more in practice under the BJP government in comparison to the Congress regime.

“That India is not a Hindu Rashtra only has been reflected in the election results,” Sen told a Bengali news channel at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport here.

The 90-year-old economist arrived in Kolkata from the US on Wednesday evening. “We always hope to see a change after every election. Some of what happened earlier (during the BJP-led central government) like putting people behind bars without trial, and widening the gap between the rich and poor, are still continuing. That must stop,” he said.

The eminent economist said there is a need to be politically open-minded, especially when India is a secular country with a secular Constitution. “I do not think the idea of turning India into a Hindu Rashtra is appropriate,” Sen said. He was also of the opinion that the new Union Cabinet is “a copy of the earlier one”.

“The Ministers continue to hold similar portfolios. Despite a slight reshuffle, the politically powerful are still powerful,” he said. Sen recalled that during his childhood when India was under the British rule, people were jailed without any trial.

“When I was young, many of my uncles and cousins were put in jail without trial. We had hoped that India would be free from this. Congress is also to blame for the fact that this did not stop. They didn’t change it… But, this is more in practice under the present government,” the Nobel laureate said.

On the BJP losing the Faizabad Lok Sabha seat despite building the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Sen said attempts were made to overshadow the country’s true identity.

“… Building the Ram Temple spending so much money… to portray India as a ‘Hindu Rashtra’ should not have happened in the country of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. It shows an attempt to neglect India’s true identity, and it must change,” he said.

Sen also said that unemployment was on the rise in India, and sectors like primary education and primary healthcare were being neglected.

Top News

Joe Biden – US President Who Is Seeking A Second Term At 81

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Joe Biden - US President Who Is Seeking A Second Term At 81

Joe Biden spent 36 years in the Senate.

Washington:

On June 27 Americans will tune in to the first debate of the 2024 US election — a highly anticipated showdown between President Joe Biden and his predecessor Donald Trump.

The televised face-off comes just four months ahead of the November vote, with the candidates running neck and neck in the polls, each vying for a second term.

Here are some of the major biographical details to know about Biden, a Democrat and Washington veteran, ahead of Thursday’s big event.

– Political experience –

Mr Biden is no stranger to Washington. The 81-year-old longtime politician served as vice president under Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017.

Before that, he spent 36 years in the Senate. He was first elected by Delaware voters at age 29, making him one of the youngest senators ever.

– Family and religion –

Mr Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania in 1942 and is the eldest of four children. The Democrat often alludes to his Irish-American, middle-class upbringing.

His father worked a number of different jobs, and while his family was not poor, they did experience financial setbacks.

On the religion front, Mr Biden is a devout Catholic who attends mass regularly, but he nonetheless supports abortion rights.

A family man, Mr Biden has been quick to proclaim his love and support for his son Hunter, who was recently convicted on charges stemming from his purchase of a handgun while addicted to crack cocaine.

The president is sometimes referred to as the “mourner-in-chief” for appearing empathetic with constituents during times of tragedy.

His own life has been marked by multiple sorrows. He lost his first wife Neilia and their young daughter Naomi in a car accident in 1972. Hunter along with Mr Biden’s other son Beau were also injured in that accident.

Beau then died of cancer in 2015.

Mr Biden has been married to First Lady Jill Biden since 1977. In addition to raising Beau and Hunter, the couple has a daughter, Ashley.

– Wealth –

While Mr Biden is not a billionaire like his Republican rival Trump, he is still rich.

Biden’s fortunes are estimated at around $10 million, largely thanks to two homes the family owns in Delaware, according to Forbes magazine.

– Vibe –

Mr Biden is not a profound orator nor does he draw an ecstatic response from his supporters like Trump. Yet he is known for a certain stubborn determination, and cultivates an image of empathy.

The latter trait has recently been tainted, however, by US support for Israel in the war in Gaza, particularly among younger and Arab-Americans.

Mr Biden’s advanced years and his increasingly stiff gait have played into Republican taunting and public concern about his age.

– Legal woes –

Mr Biden was cleared early this year of any wrongdoing after keeping classified documents at his home in Wilmington, Delaware.

However in a shock for his campaign, a report from the special counsel overseeing the matter said Biden came across as a “well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory,” a line that Democrats dismissed but Republicans pounced on.

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

Hyderabad

Hyderabad: RTC to run special buses from JBS to Swarnagiri Temple

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These electric non-AC Metro Express buses will run on the Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) – Swarnagiri route and travel through Tarnaka, Uppal ‘x’ Road, Medipally, Ghatkesar, AIIMS, Bibinagar, Renuka Yellamma and Swarnagiri.

Published Date – 27 June 2024, 07:16 PM


Hyderabad: RTC to run special buses from JBS to Swarnagiri Temple

Swarnagiri Temple

Hyderabad: The Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has introduced special buses for the convenience of the devotees from the city visiting Swarnagiri temple in Yadadri-Bhongir.

These electric non-AC Metro Express buses will run on the Jubilee Bus Station (JBS) – Swarnagiri route and travel through Tarnaka, Uppal ‘x’ Road, Medipally, Ghatkesar, AIIMS, Bibinagar, Renuka Yellamma and Swarnagiri.

RTC officials said the average ticket fare per person will be Rs 100. From Uppal to Swarnagiri temple, the ticket fare would cost Rs 80. The first bus will depart from JBS at 7 am, with the last bus leaving at 3.30 pm.