International Middle East Politics Top News

Iran’s Raeisi, Syria’s Assad ink long-term strategic cooperation agreement

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Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Arab Republic of Syria have singed an agreement on “long-term strategic comprehensive cooperation” between the two countries.

The two presidents held a meeting earlier in the day in Damascus, highlighting the importance of Iran-Syria’s long-term cooperation plan for advancing the interests of the two nations and other countries in the region.

The two presidents inked 14 documents in various areas, including trade, oil and energy, engineering, housing, rail and aerial transportation, free trade zones, communications and technology, earthquake reliefs, and facilitation of pilgrimage to the holy sites for the people of the two Muslim nations.

No further details about the agreements were immediately available.

Experts had earlier stressed the importance of economic aspects of Raiesi’s visit to Damascus, noting that increased economic cooperation would help confront the Western-imposed sanctions on both states.

The US has imposed rounds of crippling sanctions on Damascus. Parts of the restrictive measures have been imposed under the so-called Caesar Act, an American piece of legislation that purports to target the Assad government, despite sharp criticisms that the bans affect civilians.

The US also restored its sanctions against Tehran after unilaterally leaving the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, officially called the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), three years after its conclusion. The US, under former president Donald Trump, launched what it called a maximum pressure campaign against Iran at the time, targeting the Iranian nation with the “toughest ever” sanctions.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, Raeisi arrived in Damascus on Wednesday. The visit is the first by an Iranian president since the foreign-backed militancy gripped the Arab country in 2011.

In the meeting with Assad on Wednesday, Raeisi noted that Iran will stand by its Syrian brothers in the post-war era of reconstruction as was the case during the fight against terrorism.

Featured International Middle East Politics Top News

Israeli media on Raeisi’s Syria visit: Victory for resistance, defeat for Israel

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Reactions continue to pour in from Israeli media after Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi’s visit to Syria, with Israeli analysts saying the strategic visit was “an achievement” for the resistance axis and “a weakness” for the Tel Aviv regime.  

General Amos Gilead, a retired Israeli general officer who served, among other roles, as head of the Military Intelligence Research Division, said in a radio interview that “The Iranians now feel that Israel is weakened.”

Raz Zimmt, a leading Israeli expert on Iran, also described the visit as “an influential issue,” adding that apart from the conclusion of important economic agreements between the two sides, everything else would be an “achievement” for the resistance front.

A military correspondent for the Israeli daily Yediot Aharonot also described the visit as a “lost opportunity” for the occupying regime.

“Missed opportunity: Today, the president of Iran will travel to Syria. A major response to Gaza was not only necessary, but an excellent opportunity to restore the damaged deterrence on the northern front; But the opportunity was lost, which means that the work is not managed properly,” he said.

The reactions come following Raeisi’s interview with Lebanon’s al-Mayadeen television network on Tuesday, during which he pointed out that his upcoming trip to Syria would be aimed at further enhancement of the countries’ “strategic and important” relations.

During the interview, Raeisi discredited the Israeli regime’s threats against the regional resistance front, saying the regime was incapable of meeting even its own “internal security” demands, not to mention taking on the resistance.

Iran, he affirmed, has not and will not regret supporting the regional resistance front in the face of the occupying regime’s aggression.

Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, the Iranian president arrived in Syria upon an official invitation by his Syrian counterpart on Wednesday.

He was greeted at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Mohammad Samer al-Khalil.

He was later welcomed by President Assad in an official ceremony in the People’s Palace.

The visit is the first by an Iranian president since the foreign-backed militancy gripped the Arab country in 2011.

Hyderabad India National Top News

Hyderabad: Move to demolish Darul Uloom’s arch, main gate leads to tension

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Hyderabad: Mild tension prevailed at Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom at Shivrampally on Wednesday afternoon when authorities tried to demolish the arch and main gate of the religious seminary as part of road widening works.

The management of the religious seminary opposed the move of the authorities and prevented the authorities from bulldozing the gate and main entrance arch of the seminary.

Soon Maulana Mohd Hussamuddin Sani Aqil (Jafar Pasha) reached the spot and took strong reservations over the behaviour of the authorities. “We will not allow anyone to bulldoze the gates or the arch for any purpose. Officials assured us road widening will be done without disturbing the gate or arch, now we think they backtracked,” said Jafar Pasha.

He came down heavily on the state government and administration for taking the decision to demolish the mosques and madrasas for different purposes. Jafar Pasha warned of a massive protest if the government fails to properly tackle such issues.

The authorities held a discussion with the management of the seminary and went away. Maulana Jafar Pasha asked the Muslim leadership to stand with them and raise their voice against the action of the authorities.

The Mailardevpally police reached the spot and posted a picket to prevent any trouble.

Jamia Islamia Darul Uloom Hyderabad Islamic Seminary is located at Shivrampally Road in the city. It is one of the leading educational institutions in South India and is considered one of the top Islamic educational institutions in India. It was started by the late Grand Sufi of Hyderabad Deccan, Maulana Mohammed Hameeduddin Husami Aqil in 1965.

It has a very large Library which contains historical and Islamic manuscripts. The most important attraction in this library is the copy of hand written Holy Quran of Rashidun Caliph Ht Uthman ibn Affan period.

Hyderabad India Sports Top News

Hyderabad: Traffic diversions ahead of IPL match on Thursday

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Hyderabad: Traffic diversions were issued by the Rachakonda police in view of the IPL cricket match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Kolkata Knight Riders on Thursday.

Traffic restrictions will be imposed between 3:30 pm and 11:30 pm in and around the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal.

According to the plan released, heavy vehicles from Warangal highway towards Chengicherla will be diverted at Chengicherla crossroads and sent to the Chengicherla-Cherlapalli-IOCL-NFC route.

Heavy vehicles from L B Nagar to Nagole will be diverted at Nagole metro station and sent to HMDA-Boduppal-Chengicherla crossroads while heavy vehicles from Mallapur towards Nacharam IDA will be diverted towards Cherlapalli-Chengicherla route.

Police have requested the citizens to make a note of the diversions and choose their travelling routes accordingly.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Bajrang Dal protests at Congress’ office for PFI comparison

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Hyderabad: The Bajrang Dal unit of Telangana on Wednesday besieged the Congress party’s office at Nampally to protest the former’s

The Congress party leaders in Karnataka on Tuesday likened the Bajrang Dal to the now-banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and stated the party was committed to taking decisive action, including imposing a ban on outfits spreading hatred among communities.

The Congress leaders said that the grand old party is committed to taking ‘firm and decisive action’ against individuals and organisations ‘spreading hatred amongst communities on the grounds of caste and religion’

comparison of the organization to the Popular Front of India (PFI).

“We believe that law and constitution are sacrosanct and cannot be violated by individuals and organisations like Bajrang Dal, PFI or others promoting enmity or hatred, whether among majority or minority communities. We will take decisive action as per law including imposing a ban on such organisations,” the party mentioned in its election manifesto released on Tuesday.

Over a hundred policemen were stationed at the Gandhi Bhavan on Wednesday following a protest call by the Bajrang Dal unit of Telangana. Despite it, the Bajrang Dal activists came in dozens and attempted to lay siege to Gandhi Bhavan. The activists were taken into custody and shifted to different police stations including Bolaram, Begum Bazaar and Musheerabad.

Bajrang Dal state convener Shivaramulu expressed anger and stated that comparing Bajrang Dal with a ‘terrorist organization like Popular Front of India (PFI) which has terrorist roots’ is wrong.

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Thunderstorm with lightning & gusty winds very likely in Telangana in next 24 hours : Met

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Hyderabad: Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds with speed reaching (30-40 Kmph) is very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Adilabad, Nirmal, Nizamabad, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Kamareddy of Telangana during the next 24 hours, Meteorological Centre said on Friday.

In a daily weather report here, it said Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds with speed of (30-40 Kmph) is very likely to occur at isolated places in the remaining few districts of the state during the same period.

Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hailstorm, gusty winds with speed reaching (40-50 Kmph) and heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Rangareddy, Hyderabad, Medchal Malkajigiri, Vikarabad, Sangareddy, Medak, Nagarkurnool of Telangana on Saturday.

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds with speed of (30-40 Kmph) is very likely to occur at isolated places in the remaining few districts of the state tomorrow, the report said.

The report also said Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds with speed reaching (40-50 Kmph) and heavy rain is very likely to occur at isolated places in the districts of Adilabad, Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Mancherial, Nirmal, Khammam, Nalgonda, Suryapet, Mahabubabad, Warangal, Hanamkonda, Yadadri Bhuvangiri, Nagarkurnool, Wanaparthi, Narayanpet and Jogulamba Gadwal on Sunday.

Thunderstorm with lightning and gusty winds with speed of (30-40 Kmph) is very likely to occur at isolated places in the remaining few districts of the state on April 30.

Thunderstorm accompanied with lightning and gusty winds with speed reaching (30-40 Kmph) is very likely to occur at isolated places in few districts of Telangana on May 1.

Thunderstorm with lightning is very likely to occur at isolated places in a few districts of the state on May 2.

Light to moderate rain or thundershowers is very likely to occur at a few places or at many places in Telangana from April 28 to May 2.

Heavy rainfall occurred at isolated places in Sangareddy district of the state during the last 24 hours.
Hailstorm occurred at isolated places in Medak and Sangareddy districts of Telangana during the same period, the report added.

India National Top News

Actor Sooraj Pancholi Acquitted In Jiah Khan Death By Suicide Case

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New Delhi: 

Almost a decade after actor Jiah Khan’s death by suicide, a special CBI court in Mumbai today acquitted her boyfriend and film star Sooraj Pancholi of abetment charges. Jiah Khan, 25, was found hanging at her Juhu home in Mumbai on June 3, 2013. Police later arrested Sooraj Pancholi on the basis of a six-page letter, purportedly written by Jiah, and booked him for abetment of suicide. Jiah’s mother Rabia Khan had claimed that she was killed.

Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court judge AS Sayyad directed the accused to step forward, asking 32-year-old Mr Pancholi his name, and pronounced — “Due to paucity of evidence, Sooraj Pancholi is acquitted”.

Sooraj Pancholi, the son of actor couple Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab, faced a jail term of up to 10 years if convicted. His mother accompanied him to the court for the verdict.

Mr Pancholi was arrested in the case in June 2013 and released on bail in July 2013.

Jiah’s mother Rabia Khan, a key prosecution witness in the case, had told the court that she believed it to be a case of murder and not suicide. The Bombay High Court last year dismissed her petition seeking a fresh investigation into the case.

Reacting to the verdict, she reiterated that her daughter was killed. “The charge of abetment to suicide has gone. But how did my child die? This is a case of murder…will approach the high court,” she told news agency ANI, adding that the cause of Jiah’s death “has not yet been determined”.

Featured Health National Top News

India records 7,533 Covid cases, 28 patients succumb to virus in last 24 hours

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New Delhi: India has recorded 7,533 Covid-19 cases during the last 24 hours according to the Union Health Ministry on Friday.

With this, the active caseload stood at 53,852 which is 0.12 percent of the total cases as per the Health Ministry.

The death toll has risen to 531468 with 28 new deaths reported in the last 24 hours in various parts of the country.

As many as 11,047 patients had recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours. The total number of people who have recuperated from the disease is more than 4.43 crore (4,43,47,024).

The COVID-19 recovery rate stood at 98.69 per cent whereas the fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent.

Meanwhile, the daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.62 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was pegged at 5.11 per cent.

The Health Ministry said 4,775 vaccine doses of COVID have been administered during the last 24 hours under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Around 220.66 crore Total Vaccine doses (95.21 crore Second Dose and 22.87 crore Precaution Dose) have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. said the Ministry.

A total of 92.63 crore Total Tests have conducted so far; 2,08,112 tests conducted in the last 24 hours, as per the Ministry data.

In the National capital, seven Covid-related fatalities have been reported for the second consecutive day on Thursday.

The city also reported 865 fresh coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 16.90 percent, according to data shared by the city government’s health department.

On Wednesday the city reported seven fatalities, the highest so far this year.

The addition of the fresh cases took the national capital’s overall infection tally to 20,37,061, while the death toll rose to 26,620.

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Amir-Abdollahian meets with Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon

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According to Al-Manar English website, in the meeting, Nasrallah and Amir-Abdollahian discussed regional developments including the Saudi-Iran agreement tp restore their bilateral relations.

Amir-Abdullahian arrived in Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, on Wednesday. During the trip, he with Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habibm Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Speaker of the Lebanese Parliament Nabih Berri.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs also met with Ziyad Nakhala, Secretary General of the Islamic Jihad Movement of Palestine, and a group of Lebanese parliamentarians and consulted with Nakhale about the latest developments revolving around the Resistance Front, and listened to the viewpoints of Lebanese parliamentarians on the formation of a government in that country.

Featured Middle East Top News

Fighting continues in Sudan despite truce extension

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Fighting continues in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum despite rival factions’ agreement on Thursday to extend a ceasefire for 72 hours, raising concerns over intense violence in coming days.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) on Thursday reiterated it would extend the truce and said it would honor it unilaterally.

In response to the army for the first time, the Rapid Support Force (RSF) said on Thursday it too approved another 72-hour truce starting Friday.

The United Nations, the African Union, African trade bloc IGAD and the so-called quad countries of the US, UK, Saudi Arabia and UAE, welcomed the development.

“We also welcome their readiness to engage in dialogue toward establishing a more durable cessation of hostilities and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access,” they said in a joint statement.

The SAF claimed it controls most of Sudan’s regions and is defeating a large RSF deployment in Khartoum, where some residential areas have turned into war zones.

Despite the truce, sounds of Sudanese fighter jets, air strikes and anti-aircraft fire were heard as they targeted paramilitary positions in Khartoum, according to witnesses.

Residents of Omdurman, Khartoum’s neighboring twin city, described “the worst day” yet as neighborhoods were pummeled by repeated airstrikes.

So far, at least 512 people have been killed and close to 4,200 wounded by the fighting since 15 April, according to the Sudanese health ministry.

According to experts, the situation in Sudan could worsen at any moment, with intense violence in the days to come.

A 72-hour truce was announced on Monday night, bringing relative calm brought to Khartoum and creating an opportunity for the peaceful evacuation of foreigners stuck within the war-torn country.

The doctors’ union in the country announced that at least eight civilians lost their lives in the conflicts on Wednesday despite the truce. It also said that more than two-thirds of hospitals in the country were out of service, including 14 that had been struck during the fighting.

The World Food Programme has warned that the violence could plunge millions more into hunger in a country where one-third of the population, around 15 million people, are in need of aid.

Abdou Dieng, UN aid chief in Sudan, speaking from Port Sudan on Thursday, said he was “extremely worried about the situation”, with food supplies a huge concern.

The fighting has pitted the army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan against his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, head of the paramilitary RSF, which emerged from the militia that the Omar al-Bashir government unleashed in Darfur.

Burhan and Daglo seized full power in a 2021 coup, but have now fallen out and gone to war, hurtling Sudan into deeper turmoil.

The fighting, which has involved airstrikes and artillery exchanges. The deadly chaos has reduced some districts of greater Khartoum to ruins. There have been multiple truce efforts by various countries to end the fighting but to no avail.