Middle East

Iran condemns Israel's attack on journalists in Gaza

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Injured Palestinian men lie on the floor at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, following Israel bombardment on March 31, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Iran has condemned the latest Israeli crime of targeting journalists inside the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound in the city of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza.

At least four Palestinians were killed and 16 injured, including several journalists, on Sunday in an Israeli airstrike on a tent for displaced people on the grounds of the Al-Aqsa Hospital compound, medical sources reported.

In a statement, Gaza’s government media office said Israel “committed a new massacre inside a hospital that provides medical service for displaced people and citizens” and held the US administration, Israel, and the international community “fully responsible for this crime.”

In a post on his X account on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kan’ani said an immediate end to Israel’s crimes and the legal and judicial prosecution of Israeli criminals are the “definite” responsibility of world assemblies and the demand of public opinion across the globe.

He added that the world is witnessing the continuation of Israel’s “terrible war crimes” in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing that the latest crime by the child-killing Israeli regime in Deir el-Balah violated all international rules and regulations.

Israel’s savage crimes against the residents of the besieged Gaza Strip are an “eternal and indelible stain” on the regime’s hypocritical supporters, the Iranian spokesperson pointed out.

Israel waged its brutal US-backed war on the Gaza Strip on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime’s intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

However, more than six months into the offensive, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its objectives of “destroying Hamas” and finding Israeli captives despite killing at least 32,782 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 75,298 others.

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Top News

Former Bihar Congress President Quits Party Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

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Former Bihar Congress President Quits Party Ahead Of Lok Sabha Polls

Anil Sharma became the 4th ex Bihar Congress president to quit the party. (Representational)

Patna:

In a setback to the Congress in Bihar ahead of Lok Sabha polls, former state president Anil Sharma on Sunday quit the party, claiming that it was stuck in a “disastrous” partnership with the RJD.

Making the announcement at a press conference here, Anil Sharma also voiced disgust over the recent induction, “with much fanfare”, of controversial former MP Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav.

“Today, the party leadership is busy with a rally in Delhi where it is talking of the need to save democracy. Sadly, though, no democracy can be seen in the Congress where even our duly elected national president can take no step without consulting Rahul Gandhi or his close aide KC Venugopal,” alleged Anil Sharma.

Anil Sharma became the fourth former Bihar Congress president to have quit the party in nearly a decade. The latest instance was that of Ashok Chaudhary, who quit the party and joined JD(U) in 2018, a few months after a factional feud caused him to give up the state president’s post.

Earlier, in 2015, Ram Jatan Sinha had quit the Congress and after a brief stint in JD(U), he has been in political wilderness. The year before saw Mehboob Ali Kaiser joining late Ram Vilas Paswan’s LJP which helped him enjoy two consecutive terms in Lok Sabha from Khagaria.

However, Anil Sharma insisted he was cut from a different cloth, stating, “I joined Congress in 1985. In nearly four decades, I held organisational posts twice, as state general secretary and then as state president. Never did I lobby for a ticket or a legislative council berth for myself. Nor have I explored possibilities in any other party before quitting the Congress.” About the timing of his step that comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, he said, “I have, since my state president days, been critical of the tie-up with RJD which has helped them thrive at our expense. In the eyes of the people, we have only ended up being held guilty of supporting the jungle raj of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi.” Anil Sharma said the last straw came when Pappu Yadav was inducted into the party.

“He was virtually felicitated at the national headquarters. The party is upset that Lalu has thwarted its attempt to give Yadav a ticket. Instead, it should have thought about many better candidates, who are not getting a chance because Congress leadership cannot assert itself before the domineering ally,” he said.

Notably, out of the 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, the RJD is contesting 26, leaving nine for Congress and five for three Left parties.

Replying to a question, Anil Sharma said the choice of candidates by the RJD showed “tickets have been put up for sale, without taking into account winnability”, and that possibility of a “tacit understanding” with BJP, as is speculated by a section of the media in the case of Mayawati’s BSP in adjoining Uttar Pradesh, “can certainly not be ruled out”.

Meanwhile, state Congress media cell chairman Rajesh Rathore issued a statement slamming Anil Sharma for trying to make “a cowardly escape” and find “an excuse for falling at the feet of Narendra Modi”.

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

Hyderabad

Khammam: Tribals thrash cops in connection with podu land issue

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Sathupalli Inspector of Police Kiran Kumar and four staff suffered serious injuries in the incident that left the police department shocked at the violent attack by the adivasis.

Updated On – 31 March 2024, 08:29 PM


Khammam: Tribals thrash cops in connection with podu land issue


Khammam: A large group of tribals, including both men and women, went berserk and thrashed police personnel in connection with a podu land issue at Buggapadu of Sathupalli mandal in the district on Sunday, leading to high tension at the village.

Sathupalli Inspector of Police Kiran Kumar and four staff suffered serious injuries in the incident that left the police department shocked at the violent attack by the adivasis.

It was said that there was an ongoing dispute among the tribals over nine hectares of forest land at Chandrayapalem in the mandal. Chandrayapalem tribals cleaned the land for cultivation while tribals from Buggapadu Nagupalli, Varre colony, Nallivarigudem claimed right over the land, leading to a a clash.

After a local, Y Samba, dialled the police on 100, Inspector Kiran Kumar and staff reached the spot to sort out the matter.

The tribals who entered into heated arguments with the police turned violent all of a sudden when the Inspector grabbed the collar of a tribal youth Kuram Mahendra and dragged him. What proceeded was a no holds barred hurling of abuse and attack on the police personnel.

The tribals attacked the Inspector and other police personnel with sticks, hands and chappals en masse from all sides.

Even as the police personnel tried to escort the Inspector, who was in mufti, away to safety, the tribals got hold of him and tore his shirt.

It was after an intense struggle that the police personnel managed to move out of the spot. Following the incident, additional police personnel were rushed to the village, who detained over 20 tribals who were allegedly involved in the attack, including Mahendra, while some ran away from the village.

A few women suffered injuries as police used force when they tried to stop the arrests. ACP A Raghu, FDO Manjula and FRO Snehalatha visited the spot and took stock of the situation.

Middle East

Thousands of protesters call for Netanyahu's removal in Tel Aviv, al-Quds

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Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets in Tel Aviv and several other cities, demanding the removal of Benjamin Netanyahu, the head of the regime, who has failed to secure a deal to end hostilities in Gaza and bring Israeli detainees home. 

Demonstrations were held in Tel Aviv, al-Quds, Haifa, and several other towns on Saturday, with angry protesters calling for the release of those detained by the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas almost six months ago.

In al-Quds, hundreds of people gathered outside Netanyahu’s residence on Saturday evening, calling on him to resign.

They held Netanyahu’s picture next to a banner that read, “UR the boss, UR to blame.”

Police used water cannon to disperse protesters and arrested 16 people.

Among the protesters were the families of those detained by Hamas during Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against Israel on October 7, 2023. 

The Palestinian resistance movement detained 253 people during the operation. The regime says 132 are still in Gaza, of whom 104 are thought to be alive.

Hamas demands the release of hundreds of prisoners held in Israeli jails in return for 40 Israel detainees, in addition to a permanent ceasefire in the besieged territory.

Netanyahu, however, has so far refused to accept the deal.

The families of the detainees say Netanyahu has “abandoned our families on October 7.”

They called out that they “will not stop until they’re all home”, chanting “enough killing, enough despair.”

Einav Zangauker, the mother of an Israeli detainee said Netanyahu is “continually engaged in torpedoing a deal,” to bring home the detainees from the Gaza Strip.

“If we don’t immediately act to move you (Netanyahu] away from the steering wheel, we won’t get to see our loved ones returning home alive and fast, and we won’t get to see our dead returned for burial in Israel.”

Under intense pressure to bring the detainees home, Netanyahu on Friday approved a new round of ceasefire talks to take place in Doha and Cairo.

More demonstrations are still planned in the evening outside the Knesset (the regime’s parliament) in al-Quds, and every night until Wednesday, according to organizers.

Saturday’s protestants were the biggest since Israel launched its war on Gaza in October, cording to organizers.

Top News

"Not Getting Bail Even From Supreme Court": PM's Big Attack On Opposition

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'Not Getting Bail Even From Supreme Court': PM's Big Attack On Opposition

Meerut:

Lashing out at the opposition INDIA bloc, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said the attacks on him will not stop the fight against corruption and action will be taken against those involved in graft irrespective of their status.

“When Modi is fighting the battle against corruption with full strength, these people have formed the INDI(A) alliance. They think they will intimidate Modi, but for me, my Bharat is my family and I am taking steps to protect it from the corrupt,” the Prime Minister said addressing his first rally in Uttar Pradesh after the announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.

PM Modi’s counter-offensive came as the stalwarts of the INDIA bloc held a rally at the Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi in support of AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal and JMM leader Hemant Soren, arrested on graft charges, and accused the prime minister of adopting dictatorial policies.

The Prime Minister said some people are rattled because he is taking action against corruption.

“I am fighting a big battle to save my country from the corrupt. That is why they are behind bars today and not getting bail even from the Supreme Court,” PM Modi said.

“The election is a fight between two camps. On one side you have the NDA committed to eradicating corruption, on the other side is the INDI(A) Alliance focused on protecting corrupt leaders. You have to decide whether corruption should be removed or not,” he said at the rally in Meerut.

“Corrupt people should listen… no matter how many attacks you make on Modi, this is Modi, he is not going to stop. No matter how big the corrupt person is, action will definitely be taken. The one who has looted the country will have to give it back. This is Modi’s guarantee,” he said.

Raising the Katchatheevu island issue, PM Modi accused the Congress and the opposition alliance of trying to harm the country’s unity and sovereignty.

“Today, yet another anti-India conduct of Congress has been exposed. The island of Katchatheevu, which lies between India and Sri Lanka and is extremely important from the perspective of national security, was given away by Congress after independence.

“India is still paying for the misdoings of the Congress government,” he said.

The 2024 Lok Sabha election is not just for making a government but to make a ‘Viksit Bharat’, PM Modi said, adding his government was preparing the roadmap for the next five years.

PM Modi praised Meerut as the land of “revolution and revolutionaries” that gave leaders like Chaudhary Charan Singh to the nation.

“Our government has already started preparations for the third term. We are making a roadmap for the coming five years. Work is going on rapidly on what major decisions we have to take in the first 100 days.

“In the last 10 years, you have seen only a trailer of development, now we have to take the country much further,” he said.

The prime minister said he has lived in poverty and “that is why Modi understands very well the sorrow of every poor, the pain of every poor, the suffering of every poor”.

“So I made schemes to address every concern of the poor. We have not only empowered the poor, but we have also given them back their self-respect,” PM Modi said.

Rashtriya Lok Dal president Jayant Chaudhary, who recently joined the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance, shared the dais with the prime minister at the rally.

Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, Haryana Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini along with veteran actor Arun Govil of TV serial ‘Ramayan’ fame, who is the BJP candidate in the Meerut Lok Sabha seat, were present at the rally.

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

World

Nation determined to keep Iran flag flying high: FM spokesman

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Ambassadors and chargé d’affaires representing dozens of countries in Iran were present in flag commemoration ceremony in Tehran on March 31, 2024 to remember the day on March 31, 1979 when the Iranians voted yes to the Islamic Republic after a two-day referendum. (Photo by IRNA)

The Iranian nation is determined to keep its flag flying high in all aspects of modern life, says the Iranian Foreign Ministry’s Spokesman Nasser Kanaani on the occasion of the Islamic Republic Day. 

Kanaani made the remarks in a flag commemoration ceremony in Tehran on Sunday, the 12th of Farvardin, a national holiday in Iran which marks the day when the Iranians voted “yes” to the Islamic Republic after a two-day referendum that ended on March 31, 1979.

The ceremony was held in the Abbas Abad Tourism Zone with foreign ambassadors and Iranian government officials.

During the event, Kanaani said Iran had a year of booming foreign relations in the calendar year 1402, ending on March 20.

“In the new (Persian) year, Iran is determined to expand its relations with countries willing to expand their relations with Iran within the framework of joint interests and mutual respect,” he said.

Iran’s minister of tourism Ezzatollah Zarghami also said in the ceremony that the Iranian flag is “a symbol of national unity and coexistence” among various ethnic and religious groups in the country.

“The green is a sign the country is flourishing and thriving, the white is a sign of peace and the red is a sign of courage and bravery of the Iranian people,” said Zarghami.

This year is the 10th successive year that Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts is holding a flag commemoration ceremony where a 1,024 square meter flag is hoisted at a height of 150 meters in Abbas Abad hills in northern Tehran.

Ambassadors and chargé d’affaires representing dozens of countries in Iran were present in the Sunday ceremony.

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Top News

YSRCP using deep fake technology for false propaganda, says TDP

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The TDP chief, in the original video, mentioned the misuse of technology by YSRCP to spread false news about the TDP.

Published Date – 31 March 2024, 02:45 PM


YSRCP using deep fake technology for false propaganda, says TDP


Amaravati: The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Sunday condemned what it calls attempts by YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) to spread false propaganda through deep fake technology.

The TDP alleged that the ruling party used deep fake technology and video editing to spread false statements, claiming that TDP chief N. Chandrababu Naidu said his alliance with the BJP is temporary.

The main opposition party released original and deep fake videos in support of its allegation. It termed this a desperate but failed attempt. The TDP chief, in the original video, mentioned the misuse of technology by YSRCP to spread false news about the TDP. He claimed that YSRCP released a fake press note in his name stating that the alliance was temporary. Condemning such acts, the former chief minister urged people to be vigilant about such false propaganda and not fall into the trap of the YSRCP.

Fearing defeat in the upcoming elections, the ruling party is resorting to all kinds of efforts to win the polls by spreading false propaganda against the TDP-BJP-Jana Sena alliance.

Middle East

80 killed in Gaza in 24 hours as Israel continues genocidal war

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Palestinian officials say around 80 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip in the last 24 hours, as the Israeli regime continues its nearly six-month-old genocidal war against the besieged enclave.

The Gaza Health Ministry said on Sunday that nearly 32,800 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, including 77 whose bodies were brought to hospitals over the last 24 hours.

It added that most of them were killed in fresh Israeli attacks on aid seekers near Gaza City.

An Israeli airstrike also hit a tent camp in the courtyard of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in Central Gaza, killing two Palestinians and wounding another 15.

Thousands of displaced Palestinians have been sheltering in several tents in the yards of the medical complex for months, as the Israeli regime has escalated its deadly aggression on the blockaded territory.  

The ministry further underlined that during three weeks of siege on the al-Shifa hospital, Israeli forces have killed hundreds of civilians in and around the medical facility.

It also noted that some 100 Palestinians are still trapped inside the hospital under inhumane conditions while the occupying regime has destroyed over 1,000 nearby homes.

On March 18, heavily armed Israeli forces stormed the al-Shifa hospital using tanks and drones, firing at people inside the complex.

The deadly raid has been going on for three weeks now, with the occupation troops laying siege on the hospital and targeting those trying to flee.

Israel has been targeting hospitals in the strip since the beginning of its war on Gaza in early October last year, claiming Hamas uses them as command centers. Hamas officials have rejected such claims on several occasions.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7, after Hamas carried out Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity in retaliation for the regime’s intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

The Israeli aggression has so far killed some 32,782 Palestinians, most of them women and children, and wounded more than 75,092 others.

The Tel Aviv regime has also imposed a “complete siege” on the territory, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Top News

Teen awarded Muslim medal for bravery after Moscow terrorist attack

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A 15-year-old boy who saved more than a hundred people during the terrorist attack of March 22 on the Crocus City Hall outside Moscow has been acclaimed for his bravery by the assembly of Muslims in Russia.

Islam Khalilov was awarded a medal by Ravil Gaynutdin, chairman of the Religious Administration of Muslims of the Russian Federation and the Council of Muftis of Russia, after his courageous act in the concert hall.

Khalilov was presented with the Medal for Service to Muslims of Russia for his bravery during the ceremony held before the congregational Friday prayer at the Moscow Cathedral Mosque.

“I know that what happened will remain as a wound in your heart for the rest of your life. But what you did will also remain in your memory, but the most important thing is in the memory of our entire society, our entire people and all the peoples who expressed condolences to our president, our Russian people,” Gaynutdin said.

Khalilov opened doors and provided exit directions when he saw a large crowd of people running from the besieged concert hall.

Gaynutdin said he would also present a medal to Khalilov’s colleague Artyom Donskov, a Russian Orthodox who also helped a lot of people to leave the concert hall during the attack and saved their lives.

Both Khalilov and Donskov worked at the concert hall’s wardrobe section and were also awarded medals for bravery by Russia’s commissioner for children’s rights earlier this week.

Recounting the tragic event, Khalilov said the attack “was a harrowing experience, especially amid a panicked crowd, and gunfire.”

Four gunmen burst into Moscow’s Crocus City Hall and began shooting at the people who attended an event.

At least 140 people were killed in the terrorist attack, the worst in Russia’s history since the early 2000s. Some 200 people were also injured.

In the aftermath of the shooting, law enforcement detained several suspects, including four directly involved in the attack.

Eleven people, including the assailants, have been detained and face terrorism charges.

The Takfiri Daesh terrorist group claimed responsibility for the massacre but Russian officials blame Ukraine and the West.

India

Bihar Board 10th Result 2024: Highest-Ever Pass Percentage Recorded

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Bihar Board 10th Result 2024: 82.91% Students Qualify, 4.52 Lakh Secure First Division

BSEB Class 10 scrutiny and compartment exam application links will be accessible from April 3 to April 9

The Bihar School Examination Board (BSEB) on Sunday declared the Class 10 board (Matric) exam 2024 results. Candidates can check their scorecards on the official website – bsebmatric.org. The examinations were conducted from February 15 to February 23.

Shivankar Kumar, a student from Zila School, Purnea, secured the first rank with 489 marks, followed by Adarsh Kumar from Samastipur in second place, and Aadiya, Suman, Palak, and Shajiya holding the third position.

The overall pass rate for this year has increased from 81.04 percent last year to 82.91 per cent this year. To pass the BSEB 10th exam 2024, students need to achieve at least 33 per cent of marks in each subject.

The board made the announcement about the results through a press conference at 1.30pm, providing information on the pass percentage of girls and boys, as well as the overall pass rate. This year, a total of 16,94,781 candidates, including 8,22,587 boys and 8,72,194 girl, took the exam.

BSEB Class 10 scrutiny and compartment exam application links will be accessible from April 3 to April 9. The results of the BSEB compartment exams are scheduled to be announced by May 31. BSEB stated that further information regarding the compartment exam dates will be provided at a later time.

This year, a total of 4,52,302 students achieved the first division, followed by 5,24,965 students securing the second division, and 3,80,732 students attaining the third division.

Bihar Board 10th Result 2024 LIVE: Toppers’ Names

  • Shivankar Kumar from Purnea
  • Adarsh Kumar from Samastipur
  • Aaditya Kumar, Suman Kumar Purve, Palak Kumari, Shajiya Parveen
  • Ajit Kumar, Rahul Kumar
  • Hareram Kumar, Sejal Kumari
  • Sanya Kumari, Anamika Kumari, Vicky Kumar, Shalini Kumari, Saurav Kumar, Deepika Kumari, Sapna Kumari
  • Priya Kumari, Satyam Kumar, Shivansh, Muskan Kumari, Shivam Kumar Choudhary, Suman Kumar, Fatima Nisar

The student who secured the first position will be rewarded with ₹1 lakh and a laptop. Those who secured the second position will receive ₹75,000 and a laptop, while the third rank holders will receive ₹50,000 and a laptop.

The Bihar Board Matric Exam 2024 Results show the highest pass percentage in recent years, marking a steady increase:

  • 2017: 50.12%
  • 2018: 68.89%
  • 2019: 80.73%
  • 2020: 80.59%
  • 2021: 78.17%
  • 2022: 79.88%
  • 2023: 81.04%
  • 2024: 82.91%