Hyderabad

Take note! New power connections in Telangana to cost more

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According to the latest directives, those who want single phase household electricity connection have to apply for 2 kilowatt instead of 1 kilowatt

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 11:31 AM


Take note! New power connections in Telangana to cost more

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Hyderabad: New power connections in Telangana will now cost more  with the State-run power distribution companies — South Telangana Power Distribution Company (TGSPDCL) and North Telangana Power Distribution Company (TGNPDCL) — increasing the minimum load capacity for domestic and commercial use and accordingly, the connection fee as well.

The power distribution companies have recently issued instructions in this regard to Integrated Consumer Service Centers (ICSC) asking it to increase the minimum load capacity for single phase and three phase connections. According to the latest directives, those who want single phase household electricity connection have to apply for 2 kilowatt instead of 1 kilowatt. Three phase residential and commercial connections will be sanctioned only on application for a minimum load of 5 KW.

Officials said the new norms would be initially implemented in Hyderabad and Warangal cities and extended to other places in a phased manner.

Till now, a consumer had to pay Rs 1,425, including deposit, charges and application fee for a kilowatt household single phase connection. Henceforth, consumers have to pay Rs 2,825 for 2 KW and Rs 7,025 for a three phase 5 KW domestic connection. Similarly, for commercial connections, Rs 4,045 will be charged for 2 KW single phase and Rs 10,050 will be charged for 5 KW three phase connections.

Additional charges will be levied on those households having notary documents as compared to register documents. Notary households will have to pay Rs 3,625 for single phase 2 KW connections and Rs 9,025 for three phase 5 kW connections. Similarly, for notary commercial connections, the fee is Rs 7.250 for single phase 2 kilowatts and Rs 18,050 for three phase 5 KW connections.

Meanwhile, power officials claim that they have only increased the load capacity due to high consumption of electricity and not the charges and deposit amount. Many people take one KW connection and use up to 2.5 kilowatt load, which causes problems in summer, the official said, adding that the users had been advised to regulate the load based on the Recorded Maximum Demand (RMD) of such connections.

World

Iranians bid farewell to senior IRGC advisor martyred in Syria

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Iranians have taken part in a mass funeral procession for a senior military advisor of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), who was martyred in Syria’s northwestern province of Aleppo after foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists unleashed a major assault on government-held positions.

Mourners gathered in the northern Shahrak-e-Mahallati neighborhood of the capital Tehran on Saturday morning and carried Brigadier General Kioumars Pourhashemi’s coffin, draped with the national Iranian flag, on their shoulders.

High-ranking military commanders and government officials were also present at the ceremony.

The IRGC public relations department announced in a statement on Thursday that Pourhashemi, better known by the nom de guerre Haj Hashem, who was one of the defenders of the Sayyida Zaynab Shrine and senior IRGC military advisers in Syria, had been killed in attacks by Takfiri terrorists on the outskirts of Aleppo.

Iran maintains an advisory mission in Syria at the request of Damascus to help the war-torn Arab country defeat the foreign-backed militants who have been fighting the Syrian government since 2011.

Israel has been the principal supporter of terrorist groups that oppose the government of President Bashar al-Assad since the foreign-backed militancy erupted in Syria in March 2011.

‘Support for Resistance to continue fearlessly’ 

The deputy commander for coordination of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force said among the Islamic Republic of Iran’s principled policies is to courageously maintain support for the Axis of Resistance.

“Resistance forces who once pelted their enemies with stones, are now equipped with sophisticated armament,” Brigadier General Iraj Masjedi said at the funeral.

“I hereby declare that such capability is homegrown, and resistance forces currently produce a wide range of missiles and drones by themselves. Had this matter of fact not been established, it would have been very difficult to support the Resistance as the forces are under sanctions and siege.”

Deputy Commander for coordination of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force Brigadier General Iraj Masjedi speaks during a ceremony in northern Tehran, Iran, on November 30, 2024. (Photo by DEFA Press news agency)

He also scoffed at Israel’s allegations of destroying the missile prowess of the Axis of Resistance, noting that the Lebanese resistance group Hezbollah fired 380 missiles at positions within the occupied territories on the same day that Israeli authorities made such a grandiose claim.

No matter how hard the Zionist regime, with the full support of the US, would try, it cannot destroy the Resistance, Masjedi added.

He said the Iranian nation, Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and Iran’s Armed Forces are standing by the side of resistance forces, just as the martyred Pourhashemi did. This is the official position of the Islamic Republic and it will continue to support the Resistance without any fear and hesitation.

Middle East

Erdogan calls for comprehensive reform of United Nations

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“The UN needs to be completely reformed. The world cannot be left to the mercy of the five permanent (Security Council member) countries. The fate of 194 countries cannot be left in the hands or the lips of one of these five permanent members,”  Lebanese Al Mayadeen reported, citing Erdogan’s remarks during his address at the TRT World Forum in Istanbul on Friday. 

Erdogan, a longstanding critic of the Security Council’s structure—where any of the five permanent members can unilaterally veto major resolutions—reiterated his position that “the world is bigger than five.”

The Turkish President underlined that the ongoing humanitarian crises worldwide expose the fragility of the current global order, asserting that each crisis represents an opportunity to advance justice, peace, stability, and security.

AMK/PR

Sports

I say goodbye: Bhuvneshwar bids farewell to SRH after ’11 incredible years’

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Bhuvneshvar starred in the capped bowlers list on the second day of the IPL 2025 Auction as he was sold to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 10.75 crore

Published Date – 28 November 2024, 12:49 PM


I say goodbye: Bhuvneshwar bids farewell to SRH after ’11 incredible years’

Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar

New Delhi: Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar on Thursday bid adieu to Sunrisers Hyderabad after spending over a decade at the franchise and thanked his former IPL team for “unforgettable and cherished” memories.

Bhuvneshvar starred in the capped bowlers list on the second day of the IPL 2025 Auction as he was sold to Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs 10.75 crore.

He will return to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium for RCB, the franchise he represented in the 2009 and 2010 campaigns. “After 11 incredible years with SRH, I say goodbye to this team. I have so many unforgettable and cherishable memories. One thing unmissable is the love of the fans which has been splendid! Your support has been constant. I will carry this love and support with me forever,” Bhuvneshwar posted on X while sharing a compilation video of his time with SRH.

Bhuvneshwar began his IPL journey in 2009 with the RCB but didn’t play in his first two seasons before moving to the now-defunct Pune Warriors.

After three seasons with the side, he secured a move to Sunrisers in 2014, where he went on to represent the team for more than a decade and became the side’s all-time leading wicket-taker.

He has played 176 matches and has 181 scalps to his name in the league.

Business

After US indictment, Adani Group stocks shed Rs 2.45 lakh cr market value-Telangana Today

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Stock of the group’s flagship firm Adani Enterprises plunged 22.99 per cent, Adani Ports dived 20 per cent, Adani Energy Solutions tanked 20 per cent

Published Date – 21 November 2024, 12:20 PM


After US indictment, Adani Group stocks shed Rs 2.45 lakh cr market value

File Photo

New Delhi: After US prosecutors charged billionaire Gautam Adani over his role in an alleged years-long scheme to pay $250 million bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts, the Adani group stocks faced heavy drubbing during the morning trade on Thursday, with the combined market valuation of all the listed firms getting eroded by Rs 2.45 lakh crore.

The stock of the group’s flagship firm Adani Enterprises plunged 22.99 per cent, Adani Ports dived 20 per cent, Adani Energy Solutions tanked 20 per cent, Adani Green Energy plummeted 19.53 per cent and Adani Total Gas tumbled 18.14 per cent on the BSE.

Shares of Adani Power slumped 17.79 per cent, Ambuja Cements cracked 17.59 per cent, ACC fell 14.54 per cent, NDTV dropped 14.37 per cent and Adani Wilmar declined 10 per cent. Some of the group firms also hit their lowest trading permissible limit for the day.

The combined market capitalisation (mcap) of all the ten listed group firms eroded by Rs 2,45,016.51 crore during the morning deals. In the equity market, the BSE benchmark Sensex traded 536.89 points lower at 77,041.49 and the NSE Nifty quoted 186.75 points down at 23,331.75.

US prosecutors charged Adani, 62, his nephew Sagar and other defendants for paying over $250 million in bribes between 2020 and 2024 to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts on terms that could potentially bring in more than $2 billion in profit.

This, they alleged, was concealed from the US banks and investors from whom the Adani Group raised billions of dollars for the project. US law allows pursuing foreign corruption allegations if they involve certain links to American investors or markets.

The Adani group did not immediately respond to requests for comments. “The defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars,” Breon Peace, US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, which brought the case, said in a statement.

Adani, chairman of the ports-to-energy Adani Group, his nephew Sagar R Adani, who is an executive director at the conglomerate’s renewable energy arm Adani Green Energy Ltd, and its former CEO Vneet Jaain were charged with securities fraud, securities fraud conspiracy and wire fraud conspiracy. The Adanis were also charged in a US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) civil case.

Top News

A "Note To Media" In Businessman Raj Kundra's Scathing Post Amid Raids

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A 'Note To Media' In Businessman Raj Kundra's Scathing Post Amid Raids

Raj Kundra has denied the charges and said he was made a “scapegoat” in the case (File)

Mumbai:

Businessman Raj Kundra has written a scathing note on Instagram amid raids at his house and offices as part of a money laundering probe linked to the production and distribution of pornographic content. Stating that he’s fully cooperating with the investigation, he said it was “unacceptable” for the media to use his wife and actor Shilpa Shetty’s name amid the probe.

“While the media seems to have a flair for drama, let’s set the record straight: I’m fully complying with the ongoing investigation that has been unfolding for the last four years,” he said in an Instagram story late Friday night. “As for the claims of ‘associates’, ‘pornography’ and ‘money laundering’, let’s just say that no amount of sensationalism will cloud the truth, in the end, justice will prevail,” it further read.

In a “note to the media”, he also asked them to respect the privacy of his family. “It’s unacceptable to repeatedly drag my wife’s name into unrelated matters. Please respect the boundaries,” he said.

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Shilpa Shetty’s lawyer has also clarified that she had “nothing to do with any offence” and trashed the media reports of her being raided as “misleading”.

Mr Kundra’s remarks follow raids by the Enforcement Directorate at his 15 premises, including his Juhu residence.

Read: Raj Kundra’s House Raided By Enforcement Directorate In Porn Content Case

The 49-year-old businessman is accused of being involved in a scheme that monetised explicit content streamed via the ‘Hotshots’ app. The app was earlier available on Apple and Google Play, but was removed after public and legal scrutiny.

Mr Kundra faces allegation that he used his company, Armsprime Media Pvt Ltd, to manage the app’s operations and later facilitated the app’s sale to the UK-based Kenrin Pvt Ltd, which helped the streaming of explicit content.

Aspiring actors were allegedly lured by the ‘Hotshots’ app under the pretext of web series auditions and then coerced into filming semi-nude or nude scenes against their wishes. Cops claim that they found evidences in Mr Kundra’s phone of financial transactions linked to the UK-based company and selling 119 adult films for $1.2 million.

Read – “Misleading”: Shilpa Shetty’s Lawyer Dismisses Reports Of Probe Agency Raids

Mr Kundra, who was arrested in the case in 2021 by Mumbai Police and later granted bail, has denied the charges and said he was made a “scapegoat” in the case. He has also claimed that he had no active involvement in the production of pornographic content.

He is also being probed for his alleged involvement in a crypto-ponzi scheme by Amit Bhardwaj, who was the mastermind behind the Gain Bitcoin Scam. The ED attached assets worth Rs 98 crore, belonging to him and his wife, earlier this year over charges that they acquired the proceeds from illicit activities.

India

Grand conclave of priests of 51 Shaktipeeths, 12 Jyotirlingas in Varanasi today

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The grand conclave will unite representatives of 51 Shaktipeeths and the 12 Jyotirlingas, along with saints and spiritual leaders from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and various Indian states

Published Date – 30 November 2024, 10:39 AM


Grand conclave of priests of 51 Shaktipeeths, 12 Jyotirlingas in Varanasi today

Varanasi

New Delhi: An extraordinary event is set to take place in Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi on Saturday, bringing together priests of sacred shrines from across India and abroad.

The grand conclave will unite representatives of 51 Shaktipeeths and the 12 Jyotirlingas, along with saints and spiritual leaders from Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal, and various Indian states.

Scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (December 1), the event aims to foster collaboration and address key challenges facing these revered spiritual centres.

Organised by the Centre for Sanatan Research and Trident Seva Samiti Trust, the conclave will be held at the Rudraksha Convention Centre. Raman Tripathi, President of the Center for Sanatan Research, highlighted that over 400 saints, mahants, and shrine custodians are expected to participate in the conclave.

So far, more than 700 registrations have been confirmed, with over 2,000 still pending for the participation. The event began on Friday with a ceremonial Kalash Yatra from Chittaranjan Park to Kashi Vishwanath Dham.

The formal inauguration of the conclave on Saturday will feature Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak as the chief guest.

The concluding ceremony on December 1 is expected to be graced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The program will commence with a ‘mangalacharan’ performed by 101 Brahmins, accompanied by the sound of drums and conches symbolising the essence of Sanatan Dharma.

Raman Tripathi emphasised that the primary goal of this gathering is to promote the values, traditions, and teachings of Sanatan Dharma through collaborative and constructive efforts.

Discussions will focus on challenges such as encroachment on holy sites, threats to religious freedom, the need for better funding, corruption, safety, and the preservation of the sanctity of temples.

The conclave will also deliberate on the restoration of dilapidated temples, improving the management of offerings, and channelling resources toward education, healthcare, and community welfare.

Furthermore, efforts will be made to resolve the lack of coordination among Shaktipeeths and Jyotirlingas, strengthening their collective impact on Sanatan Dharma’s global presence.

Hyderabad

Telangana Recognised School Managements Association calls for retention of CGPA grading system

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Telangana Recognised School Managements Association, TRSMA, private budget schools, grading system, CGPA, mental well-being, holistic development, child-friendly assessment, stress reduction, high-stakes exams, focus on learning, marks-based assessment, State government decision, academic year 2024-25.





Published Date – 29 November 2024, 08:31 PM


Telangana Recognised School Managements Association calls for retention of CGPA grading system


Hyderabad: The Telangana Recognised School Managements Association, (TRSMA), an association of private budget schools, on Friday advocated retention of the grading system (CGPA) in the examinations, considering its significant benefits for students’ mental well-being and holistic development.

TRSMA caretaker president Sadula Madhusudhan said the CGPA system has proven to be a child-friendly assessment model, which reduces the stress and pressure associated with high-stakes exams. It allows students to focus on learning rather than chasing marks, thereby fostering a balanced approach to academics.

The State government on Wednesday announced its decision to replace the current CGPA (Cumulative Grade Point Average) system with a marks-based assessment pattern from the academic year 2024-25.

Supporting the government’s decision to remove the 20 per cent weightage for internal assessments, the TRSMA called for retention of the CGPA system alongside the proposed reforms to strike a balance between simplifying assessments and ensuring student well-being.

The CGPA enables students to focus on concept-based learning and skill development, and transitioning to a purely marks-based system could reintroduce unnecessary stress, leading to anxiety and burnout among students, he said. “Removing the grading system may limit the scope for recognizing students’ diverse capabilities,” he added.

Middle East

Hamas condemns Israel’s brutal crime against civilians

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Palestinians walk next to damaged buildings after Israeli forces withdrew from a part of Nuseirat, following a ground operation in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip. (Reuters photo0

The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has condemned the brutal crime of Israel’s attacks on two residential buildings in northern Gaza that killed at least 75 people.

Hamas said in a statement on Friday that most of the victims of the attacks in Beit Lahia were women and children.

The group said medical teams were unable to reach the affected area as Israel continued to bar them from entering the battered north.

Israel has besieged the area since 50 days ago amid a vicious bombing campaign against civilian structures.

“The Zionist enemy continues its brutal war of genocide in the northern Gaza Strip, which it began fifty-two days ago, under a complete criminal siege and a complete ban on the entry of any of the necessities of life, such as food, water or medicine,” Hamas said.

The group said that the Israeli regime “targets defenseless civilians and civilian facilities, especially hospitals, and kills doctors, paramedics and civil defense personnel, and prevents access to the wounded to treat them in the most heinous crime of ethnic cleansing known to modern history.”

“We call on the international community, the United Nations and its institutions to break the siege on the northern Gaza Strip, allow relief, ambulance and rescue teams to enter, and stop the systematic campaign of extermination carried out by the Zionist occupation army and the war criminals among the occupation leaders against defenseless civilians, through brutal massacres, ethnic cleansing, and a systematic criminal starvation operation proven by reports from international institutions,” Hamas said.

On Friday, Israeli strikes also killed three in a separate attack in the north and leveled residential buildings in Rafah in the south.

The Israeli genocide has killed over 44,360 civilians since October 2023. The onslaught has injured over 105,000 others.

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