Supari killer from Uttar Pradesh killed in Jagtial

The issue came to limelight when the accused along with another person surrendered before the police on Saturday

Updated On – 22 December 2024, 04:22 AM


Supari killer from Uttar Pradesh killed in Jagtial


Jagtial: An alleged contract killer from Uttar Pradesh was killed by a person, who entered an agreement with him to kill another person. The UP man was called here from Mumbai with the promise of money to kill another person and then killed, it is learnt. Later, the body was burnt.

The issue came to limelight when the accused along with another person surrendered before the police on Saturday.


According to the police, Nerella Gopal from Kamalapur and Merugu Laxman from Nerella of Dharmapuri mandal were staying in Mumbai.

Laxman decided to kill one Thokala Gangadhar, who was harassing his sister-in-law. When they met in Malvani beach two months ago, Laxman informed his decision to Gopal, who spoke to contract killer Rahul Surya Prakash Singh.

Singh agreed to kill Gangadhar and entered into a deal for Rs 4 lakh. After Singh prepared a plan for murder, Laxman decided to cancel the deal and informed Singh.

However, upset over the deal being canceled, Singh allegedly demanded money and threatened to kill Gopal’s father Ramesh if the amount was not paid according to the earlier agreement.

Deciding to kill the shooter, Gopal brought him to Nerella from Mumbai by promising to give the money on December 12. The next day, Gopal along with Gandikota Shekhar took Singh to the Sambasivunu temple on the outskirts of the village.

After consuming liquor, Gopal hit Singh with a stone on his head and killed him. They then took the body to Battapalli Potharam, five kilometres away from the spot and burnt it after dousing it with petrol.

As the news of the murder went spread in the village, Gopal and Shekhar surrendered before the police on Saturday and narrated the entire episode.

Formula 1 team Red Bull drops driver Sergio Perez after four seasons

Perez has not won a race since April 2023, even as his teammate Max Verstappen has dominated F1, and the 34-year-old Mexican was rarely competitive this season.

Updated On – 18 December 2024, 11:59 PM


Formula 1 team Red Bull drops driver Sergio Perez after four seasons

Sergio Perez

Formula 1 team Red Bull has dropped Sergio Perez after months of poor results.

Perez has not won a race since April 2023, even as his teammate Max Verstappen has dominated F1, and the 34-year-old Mexican was rarely competitive this season.


Red Bull announced the move Wednesday, terminating Perez’s contract two years early, and said a replacement will be announced “in due course.”

Nicknamed “Checo,” Perez started the 2024 season with four podium finishes from the first five races, but he wasn’t in the top three since. His last race finish higher than sixth was in May. Verstappen won nine races and his fourth consecutive title this year.

The last time there was such a gulf in results between an F1 champion and the team’s other driver in F1 was in 1994, when Verstappen’s father Jos was dropped before the end of the season as Michael Schumacher won the title with Benetton.

“Driving for Red Bull has been an unforgettable experience and I’ll always cherish the successes we achieved together,” Perez said in a team statement.

“We broke records, reached remarkable milestones, and I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many incredible people along the way,” he added.

“A special thank you to the fans around the world, and especially to the Mexican fans for your unwavering support every day. We’ll meet again soon. And remember… Never give up.”Perez was once nicknamed the “Mexican Minister of Defense” for his support to Verstappen in their first year as teammates in 2021, when he held up rivals and allowed Verstappen to get away.

This year, they’ve typically been so far apart on the track that Perez wasn’t able to provide any meaningful help.Red Bull publicly kept faith with Perez, even handing him a contract extension through 2026 in June, but performances didn’t improve.

Red Bull had been trying to settle Perez with that extension but it “obviously didn’t work,” team principal Christian Horner said this month.On Wednesday, Horner called Perez an “extraordinary team player.”“His five wins, all on street circuits, were also a spectacular mark of his determination to always push to the limit,” Horner added.

Amid Stampede Row, CCTV Shows Cops Escorting Allu Arjun Out Of Theatre

Hyderabad:

Telugu actor Allu Arjun had attended the premiere of his movie Pushpa 2 despite refusal of police permission and after the stampede-like situation, refused to leave, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has said. A video has now emerged of the police escorting the actor out, backing his claims that the police had to eject him from the theatre. 

The stampede at Hyderabad’s Sandhya Theatre, which took place  on December 4, has claimed the life of a woman. Her eight-year-old son is still in coma and is admitted at a city hospital.

“We have nothing personally against Allu Arjun or any other individual. The promotion of a film is not as important as the safety of people. They are heroes in films, but on the ground, they should also understand the problems of society,” said Telangana Police chief Jitender.

Yesterday, the Chief Minister had told the assembly that the superstar attended the premiere of his movie ‘Pushpa 2’ even though the police had refused permission. 

He had even waved from his car’s sun-roof on his way in and out, holding a roadshow of sorts and triggering a stampede-like situation, in which a 35-year-old woman died and her son was critically injured, Mr Reddy said.

Even after the death of the woman, the actor did not leave the cinema hall, prompting the police to force him out, the Chief Minister had said. 

Allu Arjun has contradicted the claims. “Permission was sought from the theatre management. The police cleared the way so I went in. I am a law-abiding citizen. I would have left if I were told that there is no permission,” he has said.

“It was not a roadshow or procession. I just waved to people and went inside theatre. No policeman approached me to leave. My own manager told me that there is an uncontrollable crowd and asked me to leave,” said the actor.

US President Biden authorizes $571m in military aid to Taiwan

The United States does not officially recognize Taiwan diplomatically but it is the self-ruled island’s strategic ally and largest supplier of weapons. 

China, which has ramped up political and military pressure on Taiwan in recent years, has repeatedly called for Washington to cease sending arms and assistance to the island, which it claims as part of its territory, The Defense Post reported. 

Taiwanese officials said China held its biggest maritime drills in years last week, with around 90 ships deployed from near the southern islands of Japan to the South China Sea.

Beijing did not confirm the drills.

The White House said in a brief statement that Biden had authorized the drawdown “of up to $571.3 million in defense articles and services of the Department of Defense, and military education and training, to provide assistance to Taiwan.”

The statement did not provide details of the military assistance package, which comes less than three months after a similar package worth $567 million was authorized.

Taiwan earlier this week received 38 advanced Abrams battle tanks from the United States, reportedly its first new tanks in 30 years.

On Saturday, the Ministry of National Defense thanked the United States for “its firm security commitment to Taiwan.”

“Taiwan and the United States will continue to cooperate closely on security issues to maintain peace, stability, and the status quo across the Taiwan Strait,” the ministry said it a statement.

It said it would not comment on the “content” of the assistance “based on the tacit agreement between Taiwan and the United States.”

MA/PR

Indian market trades lower, Nestle and Infosys among top losers-Telangana Today

The BSE Sensex began trading at 81,611.07 after slipping 209.05 points or 0.26 per cent in early trade

Published Date – 16 October 2024, 01:53 PM


Indian market trades lower, Nestle and Infosys among top losers

Representational Image

Mumbai: The Indian stock market began trading on a lower note on Wednesday, as Nestle and Infosys were among the top losers in the morning trade. The BSE Sensex began trading at 81,611.07 after slipping 209.05 points or 0.26 per cent in early trade.

At the same time, the NSE Nifty was trading at 24,999.45 after slipping 57.90 points or 0.23 per cent. However, the market trend remained positive. On the National Stock Exchange (NSE), 687 stocks were trading in the green, while 555 stocks were trading in the red.


On the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), 61 stocks were trading in the green and 52 stocks were trading in the red. Nifty Bank was at 51,878.45 after slipping 27.55 points or 0.05 per cent. The Nifty Midcap index was trading at 59, 635.05 level after gaining 41.80 points or 0.07 per cent.

At the same time, the Nifty 100 index was at 26,120.20 after slipping 28.90 points or 0.11 per cent. Asian Paints, HDFC Bank, Bajaj Finserv and Power Grid were the top gainers in the Sensex pack.

Nestle and Infosys were the top losers. SBI Life Insurance, HDFC Life, BPCL and Asian Paints were the top gainers in the Nifty pack. While Trent, M&M, TCS and Kotak Mahindra were the top losers.

According to market experts, the main driver of the bull run has been the sustained domestic flows into the market which has been absorbing all the selling by FIIs.

“The domestic flows will continue to support the market but elevated valuations will put a cap on the upside. Nifty is likely to consolidate around 25,000 levels. Q2 earnings will be weak except in IT, banking and pockets of autos,” they added.

The stock markets in Tokyo, Bangkok and Seoul were trading in the red. The markets of Shanghai, Hong Kong and Jakarta were trading in the green. The US stock market closed in the red on the previous trading day.

JEE Advanced 2025 schedule out; deets inside

IIT-Kanpur, which is organising the JEE Advanced 2025 for admissions to IITs, has released a detailed schedule and information brochure

Published Date – 22 December 2024, 12:00 PM


JEE Advanced 2025 schedule out; deets inside

Representational Image

Hyderabad: The registrations for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Advanced 2025 will open from April 23 to May 2, while exam fee can be paid till 5 pm on May 5.

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, which is organising the JEE Advanced 2025 for admissions to IITs, released a detailed schedule and information brochure on the website https://jeeadv.ac.in/. Registration fee for females and SC, ST and PwD candidates is Rs 1,600, and Rs 3,200 for all other candidates.


As announced earlier, the entrance exam will be conducted on May 18 with Paper-I from 9 am to 12 noon, and Paper-II from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm. Admit cards will be available for download from 10 am on May 11 till 2.30 pm on May 18.

Following the examination, candidates’ responses will be hosted on the website on May 22 and a provisional preliminary answer key on May 26, and candidates can submit feedback on the answer key on May 26 and 27. Results, along with the final key, will be released on June 2.

Students from Telangana can appear for the test in 13 cities – Adilabad, Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, Kodad, Kothagudem, Mahabubnagar, Nalgonda, Nizamabad, Sathupally, Siddipet, Suryapet and Warangal.

To sit for the JEE Advanced, candidates should be among the top 2,50,000 successful candidates, including all categories, in the JEE Main paper – I BE/BTech. A candidate can attempt the JEE Advanced maximum two times in two consecutive years.

Starc hails Ashwin, says off-spinner ‘has always been a bit of a thorn for Aus’

Ashwin played 23 Tests against Australia from 2011 to 2024, taking 115 scalps, including a 10-wicket and seven five-wicket hauls

Published Date – 19 December 2024, 10:51 AM


Starc hails Ashwin, says off-spinner ‘has always been a bit of a thorn for Aus’

Ravichandran Ashwin

Brisbane: Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc paid a glorious tribute to the just-retired India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, saying he has been “a bit of a thorn” for their side in some of the memorable contests Down Under.

Ashwin, India’s premier off-spinner, on Wednesday surprised the cricketing world by announcing his retirement in the middle of the Test series against Australia.


He retired from the game as the second-highest wicket-taker for India in Tests with 537 scalps from 106 matches, placing him only behind the legendary Anil Kumble (619 wickets).

Ashwin played 23 Tests against Australia from 2011 to 2024, taking 115 scalps, including a 10-wicket and seven five-wicket hauls. He also played a big in India’s stunning series win in 2020-21.

“He (Ashwin) has always been a bit of a thorn in our side over in India and played a part in series here in Australia. It’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it will be celebrated that way,” Starc told SEN Radio after the third Test here ended in a draw.

“His numbers speak for themselves. He’s been an incredible bowler for India for a long time, over 500 wickets.” Ashwin enjoyed a great rapport with Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon, both of whom having 500-plus wickets.

“He (Ashwin) has got a close working relationship with Nathan (Lyon) and that mutual respect between teams and for someone of his calibre – congratulations on his career. It’s been a fantastic career and I’m sure it will be celebrated that way,” added Starc.

Zakir Hussain’s family shares heartfelt tribute on Instagram after his passing, moves fans worldwide

This is the first post on Hussain’s social media page since his death at a San Francisco hospital early last week, following complications from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He was 73.





Published Date – 22 December 2024, 02:45 PM


Zakir Hussain’s family shares heartfelt tribute on Instagram after his passing, moves fans worldwide


New Delhi: Days after Zakir Hussain was laid to rest at a San Francisco cemetery, the family of the tabla maestro shared a moving post on his official Instagram account on Sunday.

It marks the first post on the social media page of Hussain since his death at a San Francisco hospital early last week due to complications arising from idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, a lung disease. He was 73.
The undated black-and-white picture shows the hands of Hussain, his wife Antonia Minnecola, daughters Anisa Qureshi and Isabella Qureshi held tightly together.


“Always together in love,” read the caption of the post, tagging the four members of Hussain’s kin.

The post has since received over 21,000 likes, around 1,000 comments, and more than 300 shares on Instagram.

Hussain’s followers, including his Shakti bandmate Shankar Mahadevan, musicians Karsh Kale, Ankur Tewari, Hariharan and Pakistani artiste Ali Sethi, liked the post.

One of the world’s most accomplished percussionists, Hussain was laid to rest at the Fernwood cemetery in San Francisco on Thursday.

Hundreds of his admirers gathered at his funeral to pay their last respects. Sivamani and several other musicians played drums a little distance away to pay him a tribute.

The celebrated musician, one of India’s most well-known, received four Grammy Awards in his career spanning six decades, including three at the 66th Grammy Awards earlier this year.

Hussain, who was the son of tabla legend Ustad Alla Rakha, received the Padma Shri in 1988, the Padma Bhushan in 2002, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2023.

President-elect Trump transfers close to $4 billion worth Trump Media shares to trust

Shares of Trump Media and Technology Group slid in midday trading Friday after President-elect Donald Trump transferred all of his shares into a revocable trust, according to a regulatory filing.

Published Date – 20 December 2024, 11:49 PM


President-elect Trump transfers close to $4 billion worth Trump Media shares to trust

File Photo

Washington: Shares of Trump Media and Technology Group slid in midday trading Friday after President-elect Donald Trump transferred all of his shares into a revocable trust, according to a regulatory filing.

Trump transferred all of his nearly 115 million shares — worth around USD 4 billion on paper — in the parent company of social networking site Truth Social as a “bona fide gift” to the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust, the Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Thursday said. Trump’s shares amount to more than half of the company’s stock.


It’s not clear why Trump transferred the stock. Donald Trump Jr. is the sole trustee and has sole voting and investment power over all securities owned by the trust.

Trump Media shares were down about 2 per cent at midday, to USD 34.68 each. At one point Friday, they were down around 6 per cent.

Trump Media shares have been extremely volatile since the company began trading in March. They reached intraday highs close to USD 80 on the first day of trading, then slumped to all-time lows in September when Trump and other insiders were finally allowed to sell shares after standard lock-up agreements expired. Trump has not sold any shares in the company.

The company’s stock price has fluctuated wildly on news — good and bad — related to Trump. They tumbled after Trump’s conviction in a hush money trial in May, then surged after the first assassination attempt on Trump in July. They surged again after he won re-election in November, even as the company reported a USD 19.2 million third-quarter loss.

Trump created Trump Media after he was banned from Twitter and Facebook following the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

Mahindra First Choice opens its first pre-owned car showroom in Hyderabad-Telangana Today

The new showroom was launched by Mahindra First Choice MD and CEO Mohammed Turra in the presence of VVC Group Chairman and Managing Director VV Rajendraprasad in Autonagar

Published Date – 16 October 2024, 05:05 PM


Mahindra First Choice opens its first pre-owned car showroom in Hyderabad


Hyderabad: Mahindra First Choice, in association with Car and Bikes has opened its first pre-owned car showroom in Telangana at Autonagar. The new showroom was launched by Mahindra First Choice MD and CEO Mohammed Turra in the presence of VVC Group Chairman and Managing Director VV Rajendraprasad.

Mohammed Turra told the media that the new stores will offer all the facilities and services that the company’s brand represents, including certified used-car sales, warranty on Mahindra Certified used cars, easy finance, and hassle-free RTO transfer. With the addition of the store, the company has now a network of over 1150 outlets across the country.


VV Rajendraprasad said First Choice, which has started selling and buying pre-owned cars in India, opened the first pre-owned car showroom in Telangana with VVC Group as part of its expansion. “Here we will maintain lowest prices and with quality standards to our customers,” he added.

Retail Business Head Jay Rungta, Zonal Head Retail Harshil Desai, Regional Sales Manager Abhishek Kumar, Auto Nagar Showroom General Manager Narayana Murthy and showroom staff participated in this event.