World

Iran slams Israeli scheme to build synagogue within Al-Aqsa Mosque

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Iran has condemned in the strongest terms remarks by an Israeli minister regarding a plan to construct a synagogue inside the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in the occupied East al-Quds.

In a statement on Tuesday, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kana’ani slammed Israel’s Itamar Ben-Gvir, who announced the plan a day earlier.

The Al-Aqsa Mosque is Islam’s third holiest site and a symbol of Palestinian identity.

“The cabinet of the criminal Zionist regime is determined to carry out its sinister agenda regarding the Al-Aqsa Mosque to the extent that it shamelessly declares its malevolent intention to build a synagogue within the Al-Aqsa Mosque,” Kana’ani stated in a post on X.

It was the first time for the Israeli minister to openly speak about building a synagogue inside the complex, strengthening the narrative that the Muslim holy site and Palestinian national symbol is under threat from the occupying regime.

 

“If I could do anything I wanted, I would put an Israeli flag on the site,” Ben-Gvir said in an interview with Israel’s Army Radio. When asked by the interviewer whether he would build a synagogue within the site if it were up to him, he replied: “Yes.”

Ben-Gvir has repeatedly visited the Al-Aqsa Mosque complex, despite a longstanding ban on Jews praying at the site.

“The Islamic Republic of Iran, while strongly condemning such statements and schemes, warns against any infringement on the sacred boundaries of the Al-Aqsa Mosque and new provocations by the Zionists crossing the red lines of the Islamic Ummah,” Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman underscored.

Various countries and international organizations also reacted to the remarks by the Israeli minister.

The United Nations cautioned that his statement risks escalating the already tense situation.

Jordan vowed to pursue international legal measures to protect the holy site, while Qatar urged the international community to take immediate action

“In light of the awakening of pure human conscience and global hatred against crimes committed by Zionists, today Muslims and freedom-loving people around the world are united in their call to support Palestine and the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to prosecute the criminal Zionists,” Kana’ani stated.

Sports

TN BJP moves Madras HC against Chennai Formula 4 car racing event; cites road blockade, inconvenience as reasons

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The Minister also charged that illegal road works are also being carried out, inconveniencing daily commuters and patients visiting Chennai General Hospital and Chennai Multispecialty Hospital

Published Date – 27 August 2024, 03:31 PM


TN BJP moves Madras HC against Chennai Formula 4 car racing event; cites road blockade, inconvenience as reasons

Representational Image

Chennai: Tamil Nadu BJP state spokesperson A. N. S. Prasad has moved the Madras High Court against the Formula 4 car racing event scheduled for August 31 and September 1 in Chennai.

The petitioner wanted the case to be heard urgently on Tuesday but the case will be heard on August 28. The BJP leader in his petition stated that Formula 4 car racing would lead to a road blockade, causing inconvenience to the general public.

He also charged that illegal road works are also being carried out, inconveniencing daily commuters and patients visiting Chennai General Hospital and Chennai Multispecialty Hospital.

The petitioner said that he seeks to halt the car racing event, citing the “illegal nature” of the event and its impact on the public. Tamil Nadu Youth Welfare and Sports Development Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin had said that the Formula 4-night street race would not cause any hindrances to commuters.

Udhayanidhi, while speaking to media persons a few days before, said that arrangements had been made for 8,000 people to watch the race. The minister said that people can watch the session on Saturday morning which is for free.

The DMK government has spent around Rs 30 crore for the event. Eight teams will participate in the event and the track will have 19 turns, multiple chicanes, and tricky elevations.

Opposing the state government’s plans to host the event, the AIADMK blamed the ruling DMK government for “misgovernance”. AIADMK general secretary and the Leader of the Opposition in the Tamil Nadu Assembly Edappadi Palaniswami (EPS) said public funds should benefit people and not be used for entertainment under the guise of a sporting event. EPS in a statement said,

“There are so many problems that people are facing today, and in such a scenario this DMK government is conducting a car race.” He said, “The race would cut through the heart of the city for 3.5 km around Island Grounds near the Marina beach.”

The opposition leader charged that the circuit was near hospitals and would affect transport immensely in the city. However, the state government argued that they have an agreement with the private organisers of the event to share the revenue generated similar to the process followed in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Business

Markets trim early gains, trade lower amid weak global trend-Telangana Today

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Market analysts are anticipating insights from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s remarks at the Jackson Hole Symposium. The 30-share BSE Sensex opened 37.32 points, or 0.05%, higher at 81,090.51, while the NSE Nifty rose by 18.25 points to 24,829.75.





Published Date – 23 August 2024, 11:20 AM


Markets trim early gains, trade lower amid weak global trend


Mumbai: Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty began the trade on a positive note on Friday but later pared gains to quote lower amid a muted trend in global markets and selling in IT stocks.

Market analysts said investors are awaiting cues from the US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole Symposium.

The 30-share BSE Sensex opened 37.32 points or 0.05 per cent higher at 81,090.51 points. The NSE Nifty gained 18.25 points to 24,829.75.

Later, both the benchmark indices pared their early gains and were trading in the negative territory. The BSE benchmark quoted 117.82 points or 0.15 per cent lower at 80,935.37 and the Nifty traded at 24,776.95, down by 34.55 points.

From the Sensex pack, Infosys, Titan, Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, ITC, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra and Asian Paints were the laggards.

On the contrary, Tata Motors, Reliance Industries, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv and ICICI Bank were among the gainers.

“Globally the market’s focus on Friday will be on US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell’s comments at Jackson Hole on the economy and the possible rate cut trend. Powell is likely to sound dovish indicating a rate cut in September,” V K Vijayakumar, Chief Investment Strategist, Geojit Financial Services, said.
In Asian markets, Tokyo, Shanghai were trading higher, while Hong Kong and Seoul were quoting in the red territory on Friday.
The US markets were closed lower on Thursday.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 1,371.79 crore on Thursday, according to exchange data.

Meanwhile, Domestic Institutional Investors (DIIs) again bought equities worth Rs 2,971.80 crore on Thursday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude rose 0.06 per cent to USD 77.27 a barrel.
On Thursday, the 30-share BSE index rose 147.89 points to close at 81,053.19, registering gains for the third day in a row.
Extending gains to a sixth session in a row, the NSE Nifty went up by 41.30 points to end at a two-week high of 24,811.50.

Hyderabad

Govt cheated farmers by waiving crop loans to a minor portion: Harish Babu

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Sirpur (T) MLA Dr P Harish Babu said that the government cheated the farmers by allocating Rs 18,000 crore as against the outlay of the loans of Rs 65,000 crore in the state. He opined that it got rid of the loans by waiving loans belonging to a minor portion of farmers.

Updated On – 29 August 2024, 07:16 PM


Govt cheated farmers by waiving crop loans to a minor portion: Harish Babu

Sirpur (T) MLA Dr Harish Babu addresses farmers in Bejjur mandal centre on Thursday

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Sirpur (T) MLA Dr P Harish Babu demanded that the State government provide crop loan waiver to all farmers. He along with farmers staged a dharna in front of a primary cooperative society in Bejjur mandal centre on Thursday.

Speaking on the occasion, Harish said that the government cheated the farmers by allocating Rs 18,000 crore as against the outlay of the loans of Rs 65,000 crore in the state. He opined that it got rid of the loans by waiving loans belonging to a minor portion of farmers.

The legislator demanded that the government conduct an inquiry into irregularities in giving loans to members of PACS-Bejjur and to take stern action against responsible persons. He vowed to stand by the farmers till they got justice. He later inspected a primary health centre in Bejjur mandal headquarters and interacted with patients. He asked the medical officer to increase institutional deliveries and also to provide better medical services to patients diagnosed with viral fevers.

BJP state executive committee member Konga Satyanarayana, district general secretary Dhoni Srisailam, OBC Morcha president Chappade Satyarayana and many others were present.

Top News

Ponnam promises agencies on lines of HYDRAA in all districts of Telangana

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Agencies on the lines of HYDRAA would be set up in all districts, he said during an interaction with media persons.

Published Date – 29 August 2024, 07:09 PM


Ponnam promises agencies on lines of HYDRAA in all districts of Telangana

BC Welfare Minister Ponna Prabhakar is addressing officials in Husnabad of Siddipet district on Thursday.

Karimnagar: Transport and BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar said action would be taken against illegal constructions taken up in FTLs of tanks and on nalas across the State. Agencies on the lines of HYDRAA would be set up in all districts, he said during an interaction with media persons after participating in the National Sports Day celebrations at the Regional Sports School here on Thursday.

Instructing the officials to enhance the strength in the sports school, the minister said that the government was ready to provide all facilities in the school. Besides filling all vacant posts, coaches would also be recruited, he assured, also promising Rs 25 lakh to the sports school on behalf of the government.

Collector Pamela Satpathy, Additional Collector Praful Desai, municipal commissioner Chahat Bajpai and others participated in the programme.

World

17,000 martyrs outcome of west-baked shameless MKO terrorism

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In a post on his X account, Nasser Kan’ani wrote, “8th of Shahrivar (August 29) coincides with the martyrdom anniversary of martyrs Rajaee and Bahonar the then president and prime minister of the Islamic Republic of Iran who were assassinated by MKO terrorist group as backed by the West and this day is named after the “Day of Fighting Terrorism”, which is reminder of bitter and unforgettable reality in the memory of the noble nation of Iran.”

The movement of Mujahedeen-e-Khalq Organization (MKO), which came to being from the enemy’s plot first resorted to the malacious assassinations of the people, organized assassinations of the officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the ringleaders of the terrorist group fled to France and with the material and spiritual support of some Western governments, as false advocates of the human rights, they continued their criminal acts against the Islamic Republic, government officials and people of the country, he emphasized.

In the continuation of their disgraceful life, they, MKO terrorist group, took refuge and resorted to ex-Iraqi deposed dictator Saddam Hussein and entered into a cowardly war against Iranian people along with Baath regime of Iraq.

Commemorating the Government Week, Kan’ani noted, “We salute the name and memory of martyrs Shahid Rajaei and Shahid Bahonar and also martyrs of the Islamic Revolution who dedicated their lives for safeguarding the values of the Islamic Revolution.”

MA/6210374

Middle East

Iraq shoots down Turkish drone over northern city of Kirkuk

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Members of Iraqi security forces stand near the debris of an armed drone shot down by Iraq’s air defenses in Kirkuk, Iraq. (Photo by Reuters)

Iraqi military officials say the country’s air defense units intercepted and shot down a Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle flying in the skies over the northern oil-rich city of Kirkuk.

Brigadier General Abdul Salam, deputy commander of the Iraqi air defense, told reporters Thursday that the drone came from the direction of Sulaymaniyah and crossed into Iraqi airspace.

He said it was a Turkish drone that was shot down by the Iraqi Air Force in the Chiman area of Kirkuk.

The Iraqi Air Force said in a statement that the drone was issued a warning “according to protocol” and then shot down by air defenses. It said the drone fell on a civilian house, causing “only material losses.”

“Based on the inspection of the wreckage parts of the drone, it was found to be of the Turkish type,” it said.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli said Turkish and Iraqi authorities were in “coordination” to shed light on the incident, and reiterated Turkey’s determination to “fight against terrorism.”

In a statement posted on the social media platform X, Keceli stressed cooperation between Turkey and Iraq against “terrorism,” including Iraq’s decision to list the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militant group as a banned organization.

“Both countries are determined for this cooperation to yield concrete results on the field and for the coordination between the competent authorities to be increased,” Keceli wrote.

Turkey often launches ground and aerial strikes against what it calls PKK positions in northern Iraq. Baghdad has, on several occasions, summoned Ankara’s envoy to protest the operation.

The Kurdish militant group has long been fighting inside Turkey for autonomy.

Turkish ground and air forces frequently carry out operations against PKK hideouts inside the country as well as in northern Iraq and neighboring Syria.

More than 40,000 people have been killed during the three-decade conflict between Turkey and the militant group.

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

www.presstv.co.uk

Sports

Siraj, Malik, Jadeja to miss Duleep Trophy first round, BCCI names replacements

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Both Siraj and Malik are suffering from an illness and are not expected to be fit in time for their Duleep Trophy fixtures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said

Published Date – 27 August 2024, 04:23 PM


Siraj, Malik, Jadeja to miss Duleep Trophy first round, BCCI names replacements


Mumbai: India pacers Mohammed Siraj and Umran Malik along with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, have been ruled out of the first round of the 2024-25 Duleep Trophy.

Both Siraj and Malik are suffering from an illness and are not expected to be fit in time for their Duleep Trophy fixtures, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) said on Tuesday.

Pacer Navdeep Saini will replace Siraj in the Team B squad, while Gaurav Yadav will replace Malik in the Team C squad. Jadeja has also been released from the Team B squad but his replacement was not named.

Nitish Kumar Reddy’s participation will be subject to fitness, a BCCI release stated, as he is recovering from a sports hernia surgery. The tournament is set to begin on September 5 in Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh and M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru.

Originally a zonal competition with teams representing six zones – North, South, East, West, Central, and North-East – the Duleep Trophy will feature only four teams this time.

As the second round coincides with the home Test series against Bangladesh starting on September 19, players selected for the Test series will be replaced in the Duleep Trophy.

Shubman Gill will lead India A, Abhimanyu Easwaran to captain India B while Ruturaj Gaikwad and Shreyas Iyer will don the captain’s hat for India C and India D, respectively.

The revised squads of the four teams for the first round of the tournament are:

India A: Shubman Gill (C), Mayank Agarwal, Riyan Parag, Dhruv Jurel (WK), KL Rahul, Tilak Varma, Shivam Dube, Tanush Kotian, Kuldeep Yadav, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Khaleel Ahmed, Avesh Khan, Vidwath Kaverappa, Kumar Kushagra, Shaswat Rawat.

India B: Abhimanyu Easwaran (C), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sarfaraz Khan, Rishabh Pant (WK), Musheer Khan, Nitish Kumar Reddy*, Washington Sundar, Navdeep Saini, Yash Dayal, Mukesh Kumar, Rahul Chahar, R Sai Kishore, Mohit Awasthi, N Jagadeesan (WK).

India C: Ruturaj Gaikwad (C), Sai Sudharsan, Rajat Patidar, Abishek Porel (WK), Suryakumar Yadav, B Indrajith, Hrithik Shokeen, Manav Suthar, Gaurav Yadav, Vyshak Vijaykumar, Anshul Khamboj, Himanshu Chauhan, Mayank Markande, Aryan Juyal (WK), Sandeep Warrier.

India D: Shreyas lyer (C), Atharva Taide, Yash Dubey, Devdutt Padikkal, Ishan Kishan (WK), Ricky Bhui, Saransh Jain, Axar Patel, Arshdeep Singh, Aditya Thakare, Harshit Rana, Tushar Deshpande, Akash Sengupta, KS Bharat (WK), Saurabh Kumar.

Business

Sebi bans Anil Ambani from securities market, slaps Rs 25 cr penalty-Telangana Today

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Also bars 24 other entities, including former key officials of Reliance Home Finance for five years for diversion of funds from company

Published Date – 23 August 2024, 11:29 AM


Sebi bans Anil Ambani from securities market, slaps Rs 25 cr penalty

Industrialist Anil Ambani

New Delhi: Markets regulator Sebi has barred industrialist Anil Ambani, 24 other entities, including former key officials of Reliance Home Finance from the securities market for five years for diversion of funds from the company.

Sebi has imposed a penalty of Rs 25 crore on Ambani and restrained him from being associated with the securities market including as a director or Key Managerial Personnel (KMP) in any listed company, or any intermediary registered with the market regulator, for a period of 5 years.

Also, the regulator barred Reliance Home Finance from the securities market for six months and slapped a fine of Rs 6 lakh on it. In its 222-page final order, Sebi found that Anil Ambani, with the help of RHFL’s key managerial personnel, had orchestrated a fraudulent scheme to siphon-off funds from RHFL by disguising them as loans to entities linked to him.

Although the Board of Directors of RHFL issued strong directives to stop such lending practices and reviewed corporate loans regularly, the company’s management ignored these orders. This suggests a significant failure of governance, driven by certain key managerial personnel under the influence of Anil Ambani. Given these circumstances, the company RHFL itself should not be held equally responsible as the individuals involved in the fraud.

Further, the remaining entities have played the role of being either recipients of illegally obtained loans or conduits to enable illegal diversion of monies from RHFL, the regulator noted.

Sebi said its findings have established the “existence of a fraudulent scheme, orchestrated by Noticee No. 2 (Anil Ambani) and administered by the KMPs of RHFL, to siphon off funds from the public listed company (RHFL) by structuring them as ‘loans’ to credit unworthy conduit borrowers, and in turn, to onward borrowers, all of whom have been found to be ‘promoter linked entities’ i.e. entities associated/ linked with Noticee 2 (Anil Ambani)”.

Ambani used his position as ‘chairperson of the ADA group’ and his significant indirect shareholding in the holding company of RHFL to orchestrate the fraud. Sebi, in its order on Thursday, noted the cavalier approach of the company’s management and promoter in approving loans worth hundreds of crores to companies that had little to no assets, cash flow, net worth, or revenue.

This suggests a sinister objective behind the ‘loans’. The situation becomes even more suspicious when considering that many of these borrowers were closely linked to the promoters of RHFL. Eventually, most of these borrowers failed to repay their loans, causing RHFL to default on its own debt obligations.

This led to the company’s resolution under the RBI Framework, leaving its public shareholders in a difficult position. For example, in March 2018, RHFL’s share price was around Rs 59.60. By March 2020, as the extent of the fraud became clear and the company was drained of its resources, the share price had plummeted to just Rs 0.75.

Even now, over 9 lakh shareholders remain invested in RHFL, facing significant losses. The 24 restrained entities include former key officials of Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL) — Amit Bapna, Ravindra Sudhalkar and Pinkesh R Shah — and Sebi has imposed fine on them for their role in the case.

Also, the regulator levied a fine of Rs 25 crore on Ambani, Rs 27 crore on Bapna, Rs 26 crore on Sudhalkar and Rs 21 crore on Shah. Additionally, the remaining entities including Reliance Unicorn Enterprises, Reliance Exchange next Lt, Reliance Commercial Finance Ltd, Reliance Cleangen Ltd, Reliance Business Broadcast News Holdings Ltd and Reliance Big Entertainment Private Ltd have been imposed a penalty of Rs 25 crore each.

These fines have been levied on them for either receiving the illegally obtained loans or acted as intermediaries to facilitate the illegal diversion of funds from RHFL. In February 2022, markets watchdog Sebi had passed an interim order and restrained Reliance Home Finance Ltd, industrialist Anil Ambani and three other individuals (Amit Bapna, Ravindra Sudhakar and Pinkesh R Shah) from the securities market till further orders for allegedly siphoning off funds from the company.