Saudi Arabia reopens embassy in Afghanistan

Saudi Arabia has resumed its diplomatic operations in Kabul, reopening its embassy on Sunday.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the Saudi Embassy announced its decision to resume activities, emphasizing its commitment to providing “all services to the brotherly Afghan people.”

The embassy had been closed since February 2023 due to “security concerns,” KabulNow reported.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had earlier revealed Saudi Arabia’s intentions to restart diplomatic operations in Kabul, describing the Kingdom as a key partner.

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi recently met with Saudi representatives, expressing a desire to expand bilateral relations. Saudi officials reaffirmed their commitment to providing humanitarian aid and strengthening collaboration in various fields.

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Benchmark equity indices rise ahead of RBI’s monetary policy decision-Telangana Today

Purchases in banking and IT stocks contributed to the positive market trend. The 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 123.45 points, or 0.15%, to reach 81,758.26 in early trade. Meanwhile, the NSE increased by 39.65 points, or 0.16%, to 25,052.80.





Updated On – 9 October 2024, 11:20 AM


Benchmark equity indices rise ahead of RBI’s monetary policy decision


Mumbai: Benchmark equity indices climbed in early trade on Wednesday ahead of the Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy decision.

Buying in banking and IT stocks added to the positive trend in markets.


The 30-share BSE Sensex climbed 123.45 points or 0.15 per cent to 81,758.26 in early trade. The NSE went up 39.65 points or 0.16 per cent to 25,052.80.

Among the 30 Sensex companies, Tata Motors, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finance, Maruti Suzuki India, HCL Technologies, State Bank of India, Bharti Airtel, Asian Paints and Axis Bank were the gainers.

ITC, Nestle India, HDFC Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Reliance Industries and JSW Steel were the laggards.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) offloaded equities worth Rs 5,729.60 crore on Tuesday, while Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) bought equities worth Rs 7,000.68 crore, according to exchange data.

“The ‘Sell India, Buy China’ strategy pursued by the FIIs recently appears to be coming to an end as indicated by the declining FII sell numbers and the profit booking in Chinese stocks, particularly those listed in Hong Kong,” V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist at Geojit Financial Services, said.

FIIs are selling on valuation concerns and DIIs are buying because they have deep pockets to buy and the pockets are getting deeper. This trend is likely to continue, Vijayakumar added.

Market participants also kept a close eye on the RBI’s monetary policy.

Experts are of the opinion that the RBI may not follow the US Federal Reserve, which lowered the benchmark rates by 50 basis points, and the central banks of some developed nations, which have since reduced the interest rates.

“BJP’s victory in Haryana has come as a morale booster for the party and confidence booster for markets. The sentiments will get a further boost if the MPC decides to change the monetary stance from accommodative to neutral and sound a bit dovish today. A rate cut, however, is unlikely since food inflation continues to be a worry,” he said.

In Asian markets, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Seoul were trading in the red territory while Tokyo was quoting in the green.

Global oil benchmark Brent Crude climbed 0.32 per cent to USD 77.43 a barrel.
US markets ended with gains in overnight deals on Tuesday.

On Tuesday, the 30-share BSE Sensex rose by 584.81 points or 0.72 per cent to close at 81,634.81. The NSE Nifty jumped 217.40 points or 0.88 per cent to finish at 25,013.15.

Determined to resolve issues faced by tribals: Andhra Dy CM Pawan Kalyan

Kalyan laid the foundation for a road project stretching up to 100 km in ASR district from Ballaguru village at a cost of Rs 105 crore and inaugurated newly laid roads of 32 km length

Published Date – 21 December 2024, 08:53 PM


Determined to resolve issues faced by tribals: Andhra Dy CM Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan during a visit to ASR district in Andhra Pradesh

Anantagiri (Andhra Pradesh):  Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan on Saturday said here that he is determined to resolve the issues faced by tribal people one by one and win their trust. The Deputy Chief Minister visited Ballaguru village of Anantagiri mandal in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district and other tribal hamlets to see their living conditions, especially lack of roads.

“He (Kalyan) promised to work with dedication to uplift the living standards of tribals,” said an official press release, adding that he wished for a state where tribals would not be compelled to carry their sick or pregnant women using makeshift arrangements such as sarees and cots.


On Saturday, Kalyan laid the foundation for a road project stretching up to 100 km in ASR district from Ballaguru village at a cost of Rs 105 crore and inaugurated newly laid roads of 32 km length. Further, he stressed that in tribal villages with up to 100 people roads will be laid under PM JANMAN (Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan) scheme. Earlier, only villages with 250 people could have benefitted under the scheme.

Up to 2,000 tribal villages in Andhra Pradesh do not have road infrastructure. Their living standards would be improved using Central and local schemes, he promised.

Hyderabad: Businessman loses money in cyberfraud, gets partial refund

A 37-year-old man fell victim to cyber fraud when scammers contacted him with promises of high returns in stock trading. The fraudsters convinced him to transfer a total of ₹7,25,000 in installments to bank accounts they provided.





Published Date – 21 December 2024, 09:03 PM


Hyderabad: Businessman loses money in cyberfraud, gets partial refund

Representational Image

Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cybercrime unit refunded an amount of Rs 5.2 lakh belonging to a businessman from the city, who was duped by cyber fraudsters to the tune of Rs 7.2 lakh on pretext of stock trading, promising substantial profits.

The 37-year-old complainant was contacted by the cyber crooks claiming good profits in stock trading. They made him transfer an amount of Rs 7, 25,000 in installments to the bank accounts provided by the suspects.


Police said initially to gain the complainant’s trust, the crooks showed him profits and shared the profits. Eventually, they stopped paying him and stopped responding.

Based on a complaint, the cybercrime police booked a case and sent notices to the bank officials. They followed it up with them and ensured the fraudulent amount was frozen. Further, they guided the complainant to file a petition in court for the refund of the amount held in the fraudulent accounts into the complainant’s bank account.

Cybercrime officials said there was a possibility to get refund of at least part of the lost and ‘Put on Hold’ amount, if it is reported immediately. Victims of cyberfraud can call and lodge complaints on 1930 or report on www. cybercrime.gov.in.

Lightning halts India Australia test match in Gabba

The fifth day of the test match between India and Australia was halted due to lightening in Gabba. There have been multiple delays in the test match so far.

Brisbane:  Play on day five of the third Test between India and Australia was halted due to lightning around the Gabba after the visitors were bowled out for 260.

Australia made 445 in their first innings.


The match has been impacted by multiple delays over the course of five days.

Resuming the day at 252 for nine, India added eight runs in 24 balls.

Jasprit Bumrah (10 not out off 38) and Akash Deep (31 off 44), who helped India avoid the follow-on on day four, shared 47 runs off 78 balls for the final wicket.

Australia gained an 185-run first innings lead after Akash Deep was stumped off Travis Head in the 79th over.

15 year jail term for supplying weapons to naxalites

One US-made M-16 rifle, 14 live rounds, two mobile phones, and one bullet proof jacket from Malakar, a member of the arms and ammunition supply unit of the banned terror organisation, CPI (Maoist),

Published Date – 21 December 2024, 09:07 PM


15 year jail term for supplying weapons to naxalites

Representational Image

Ranchi: A National Investigation Agency (NIA) court here has sentenced two persons to 15 years rigorous imprisonment in a CPI (Maoist) arms and ammunition seizure case of 2012. Prafulla Malakar of Patna district has been sentenced to different jail terms and fines and the court has similarly pronounced varying quantum of sentence against Anil Kumar Yadav of Gaya district, according to a statement issued by the NIA.

The maximum of 15 years rigorous imprisonment has been awarded to both the accused under Section 25(1-AA)/35 of Arms Act, it said, adding that all the sentences will run concurrently. The case relates to Hazaribagh in Jharkhand where police arrested Malakar from Silodar Forest near Chauparan in August 2012.


Police seized one US-made M-16 rifle, 14 live rounds, two mobile phones, and one bullet proof jacket from Malakar, a member of the arms and ammunition supply unit of the banned terror organisation, CPI (Maoist), the statement said. Further investigation led to the arrest of Yadav, a Zonal Commander of CPI (Maoist) who had come to collect or buy the weapons from Malakar, it said.

Police seized Rs 9 lakh cash, two mobile phones, one 9 mm pistol and two live rounds from Yadav’s possession, the statement added. NIA, which took over the case from the local police on December 17, 2012, filed supplementary charge sheets against Malakar and Yadav, as well as another accused Mantu Sharma.

Oldest known stone tablet inscribed with Ten Commandments sells for over $5M

The tablet dates from 300 to 800 A.D. and is inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script — the only complete example of its kind from antiquity, according to Sotheby’s

New York: The oldest known stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments sold for more than USD 5 million at an auction on Wednesday.

Sotheby’s said the 155-pound (52-kilogram) marble slab was acquired by an anonymous buyer who plans to donate it to an Israeli institution.


The New York-based auction house said the final price exceeded the presale estimate of USD 1 million to USD 2 million and followed more than 10 minutes of “intense bidding” during the global competition.

The tablet dates from 300 to 800 A.D. and is inscribed with the commandments in Paleo-Hebrew script — the only complete example of its kind from antiquity, according to Sotheby’s.

It was unearthed during railroad excavations along the southern coast of Israel in 1913 and was not recognised as historically significant at first.

Sotheby’s said the tablet was used as a paving stone at a local home until 1943 when it was sold to a scholar who grasped its significance.

“A tangible link to ancient beliefs that have profoundly shaped global religious and cultural traditions, it serves as a rare testament to history,” the auction house said.

The text inscribed on the slab follows the Biblical verses familiar to Christian and Jewish traditions but omits the third commandment against taking the name of the Lord in vain. It includes a new directive to worship on Mount Gerizim, a holy site specific to the Samaritans, Sotheby’s said.

RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for tenth time-Telangana Today

The RBI opted for a status quo despite the US Federal Reserve’s decision to lower benchmark rates by 50 basis points last month. Additionally, several central banks in developed nations have also reduced their interest rates.





Published Date – 9 October 2024, 11:40 AM


RBI keeps policy rate unchanged for tenth time


Mumbai: The Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday decided to keep the policy rate unchanged for the tenth time in a row but changed its stance to ‘neutral’ that may lead to a cut in the forthcoming policies.

RBI maintained status quo despite the US Federal Reserve lowering the benchmark rates by 50 basis points last month. The central banks of some developed nations have also reduced their interest rates.


Announcing the fourth bi-monthly monetary policy for the current financial year, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the repo rate unchanged at 6.5 per cent.

The RBI has maintained status quo on benchmark interest rate since February 2023.
Das said RBI will remain watchful of elevated food inflation even when India GDP growth remains strong.

This was the first meeting of the reconstituted MPC. The three newly appointed external members are Ram Singh, Saugata Bhattacharya and Nagesh Kumar.

The MPC was reconstituted by the government last month.

Kothagudem SP Rohith Raju inspects Social Welfare Ashram School

The SP inspected the classrooms; examined the teaching methods of the teachers and asked the students about their problems

Published Date – 21 December 2024, 07:29 PM


Kothagudem SP Rohith Raju inspects Social Welfare Ashram School

SP, B Rohith Raju made a surprise inspection of Social Welfare Boys Ashram School and College at Annapureddypalle in Kothagudem district.

Kothagudem: Superintendent of Police, B Rohith Raju made a surprise inspection of Social Welfare Boys’ Ashram School and College at Annapureddypalle in the district on Saturday.

The SP inspected the classrooms; examined the teaching methods of the teachers and asked the students about their problems. After that he had an interaction with the students. He advised them to earn a good name for their parents by excelling in studies.


Rohith Raju told the students to stay away from bad habits; addictions and be disciplined. The students must listen carefully to the lessons taught by the teachers and strive to reach higher levels.

He suggested that students should not forget their parents and teachers no matter what level they reach in their lives. He advised students to excel in sports as well while asking them to take only the good shown in the movies. If anyone feels like a hero in real life and treads a bad path he would end up as a failure, he warned.

The SP later inspected the kitchen, store room; dining hall and made several suggestions to the officials to improve the conditions there. After that, he joined the students for lunch. SB Inspector Nagaraju, Julurpad CI Indrasena Reddy, Annapureddypalle SI Chandrasekhar and others were present.

Saim hundred and Salman’s all-round effort lead Pakistan to ODI win over South Africa

Pakistan’s chase of 240 was in deep trouble at 60-4 in the 20th over. Then Salman was dropped behind the wickets on 6 off Aiden Markram. But he didn’t offer another chance.

Updated On – 18 December 2024, 07:14 AM


Saim hundred and Salman’s all-round effort lead Pakistan to ODI win over South Africa

Pakistan

Paarl (South Africa): Career-best performances by allrounder Salman Agha led Pakistan to a series-opening win over South Africa in their one-day international on Tuesday.

Salman’s unbeaten 82 from 90 balls finished off Pakistan’s well-paced victory by three wickets with three balls remaining.


That came after his part-time off-spin took 4-32 and tore out South Africa’s top order, starting the Proteas’ gradual decline to a below-par 239-9.

Pakistan’s chase of 240 was in deep trouble at 60-4 in the 20th over. Then Salman was dropped behind the wickets on 6 off Aiden Markram. But he didn’t offer another chance.

Salman was initially supporting opener Saim Ayub to rescue their side.

Saim, who was stranded on 98 not out in a Twenty20 last Friday, achieved his second ODI century. He was out for 109 off 119 balls, caught at fine leg after pulling Kagiso Rabada.

His and Salman’s partnership of 141 runs to the 42nd over lifted Pakistan to the verge of victory, with the run rate above what was required.

But two more wickets fell, and Salman had to bide his time mainly in singles, with support from No. 9 batter Naseem Shah, to get Pakistan over the line at 242-7.

South Africa chose to bat first and openers Tony de Zorzi and Ryan Rickelton made a flying start at 70 without loss at the end of the powerplay. But within four overs, South Africa was 88-4 as Salman dismissed them and bowled Rassie van der Dussen and Tristan Stubbs.

Heinrich Klaasen, with backup from stand-in captain Markram, held the innings together with 86 from 97 balls until his middle stump was knocked over by Shaheen Shah Afridi in the 45th over.

South Africa, with one eye on the following test series in which it’s trying to reach the World Test Championship final, rested captain Temba Bavuma and suffered a late withdrawal when spinner Keshav Maharaj injured his groin just before the toss.

The second ODI is on Thursday in Cape Town.