National

    Rs 3.8 crore mutual fund investments, Rs 55,000 cash in Rahul Gandhi’s assets

    Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday filed his nomination for the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala’s Wayanad, from where he is a sitting MP. According to the affidavit filed by Rahul Gandhi, he has stock market investments of Rs 4.3 crore, mutual funds deposits of Rs 3.81 crore, and Rs 26.25 lakh in a bank account. The 53-year-old leader also declared Rs 55,000 in cash and a total income of Rs 1,02,78,680 during the financial year 2022-23. Rahul Gandhi also possesses gold bonds worth Rs 15.2 lakh. He has investments in National Savings Schemes, Postal Savings, insurance policies, etc., worth Rs 61.52 lakh. Rahul Gandhi’s jewellery assets are worth Rs 4.2 lakh, as per the affidavit. The total value of his movable assets stands at Rs 9.24 crore, while the total value of his immovable property is around Rs 11.14 crore. His total assets are worth over Rs 20 crore, according to…
    National

    Boxer Vijender Singh joins BJP day after reposting Rahul Gandhi’s tweet jabbing PM

    Boxer and Olympic medallist Vijender Singh joined the BJP on Wednesday ahead of the Lok Sabha elections, ending his association with Congress, under which he had contested the 2019 polls from the South Delhi constituency. Just a day earlier, Vijender Singh had reposted a tweet of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi jabbing Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 
    HYDERABAD

    GHMC earns Rs 1,917 cr in property tax collection

    Tax rebates have once again proved to be effective as the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) raked in an impressive Rs 1,917 crore in property tax for 2023-24. Notably, a major chunk of that collection came from the Early Bird Scheme (EBS) at the start of the financial year and the One-Time Scheme (OTS) at the end. Over Rs 500 crore was collected in March 2024 alone, with the tax paid under the OTS being Rs 319.59 crore up to 10 pm on March 31. The scheme exempted 90 per cent of interest on property tax arrears provided one cleared the principal amount of tax up to 2022-23. The EBS in April 2023 saw a collection of Rs 765 crore, generated from over 7.5 lakh assessments. This campaign gave a five per cent rebate on the property tax. Both these schemes combined fetched more than Rs 1,000 crore, leading to tax collections…
    National

    Apple doesn’t have access to a customer’s passcode, says company policy

    New Delhi: Amid the debate over Apple reportedly denying to unlock the iPhone of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at the request of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), people close to the development said on Wednesday that no one at the tech giant in India or the global level were contacted directly for unlocking the device. The ED had approached “informally” to Apple to help unlock the device, as per reports. However, Apple has a clear-cut policy that it cannot provide the passcode of an iOS device that is currently locked. “No, Apple does not have access to a customer’s passcode,” according to the company’s ‘Legal Process Guidelines’ for government and law enforcement outside the US. “Questions or inquiries regarding the government legal process can be emailed to lawenforcement@apple.com”. According to sources, there was no written communication from ED to Apple. Apple’s notice policy applies to account requests from law enforcement, government and private…
    National

    ‘Made in India’ tech transformative globally: Bill Gates

    New Delhi: Microsoft Co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates on Saturday said that technologies like digital public infrastructure (DPI) that are created in India can be transformative for the world. A day after having a candid conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on an array of topics ranging from AI to healthcare and climate change, Gates said the technology is bridging the digital divide for millions of people in the country. “During my visit to India, I saw how AI and DPI are improving access to education, healthcare, and lives of small farmers, and how these technologies can be transformative for the world,” Gates posted on X social media platform. DPIs like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Aadhaar are poised to propel India towards a $8 trillion economy by 2030, helping the country achieve a $1 trillion digital economy target, a Nasscom-led report said recently. During his interaction with Gates, PM…
    International

    Russia calls for jointly combating terrorism with India, other nations

    New Delhi: Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, said on Saturday that his country is committed to fighting terrorism together with India and other nations, as he highlighted the strong statement of support from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The remarks came after a dastardly terror attack near Moscow on March 22 left more than 140 people dead and several injured as terrorists, reportedly dressed in camouflage uniforms, stormed the Crocus City Hall, opening fire and setting off explosives. “Russia is committed to decisively fight the menace of terrorism together with India and other countries bilaterally and multilaterally,” Ambassador Alipov said in a post on X. “Strong statements of support to Russia and rejection of terrorism in all manifestations were made by Hon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of political parties, ministers, senior officials and public activists,” he added. He also “highly appreciated” the sentiments towards the victims, their kin, and the Russian…
    National

    Sierra Leone national arrested at Mumbai airport with cocaine worth Rs 20 crore

    The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Monday arrested a woman from Sierra Leone, who was in possession of 1,979 grams of cocaine worth Rs 19.79 crore at the Mumbai international airport, an official said. The woman, who had landed in the maximum city from the Kenyan capital city of Nairobi, was taken into custody on Sunday on a tip-off, the official added. “We found the items she was carrying, like shoes, moisturiser bottle, shampoo bottle etc, were heavy and rigid. When we checked them, we found white powder concealed in these items,” the DRI official said. When the powder was tested using a field kit with the apprehending team, it was found to be cocaine, the statement said. “We seized 1,979 grams of cocaine worth Rs 19.79 crore from the illicit market. She was placed under arrest and has been remanded in judicial custody. Further probe into the smuggling network…
    International

    Israel’s war on Gaza live: Tanks ‘crushed bodies’ at al-Shifa Hospital

    Palestinians who fled the ongoing Israeli siege of al-Shifa Hospital say Israeli tanks and armoured bulldozers drove over at least four bodies and ambulances. Israeli forces have also surrounded al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in southern Gaza. Israel informed the UN it would no longer approve UNRWA food convoys to north Gaza, where 70 percent of people face an extreme level of food scarcity. Mediation efforts to end the bloodshed in Gaza appear to be struggling, with a Hamas official telling Al Jazeera that Israeli negotiators have rejected their latest proposals for a ceasefire. At least 32,226 Palestinians have been killed and 74,518 wounded in Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7. The revised death toll in Israel from Hamas’s October 7 attack stands at 1,139, with dozens taken captive.
    Telangana

    Reach out to farmers hit by hailstorms: Harish Rao

    Hyderabad: BRS leader and MLA T Harish Rao on Tuesday demanded that State government immediately reach out to farmers who suffered extensive crop losses due to untimely rains in several districts in the State. Appealing to the government on ‘X’ to extend help to the affected farmers, he said hailstorms had wreaked havoc on paddy, maize and sorghum crops. Even horticultural crops, including papaya and mango, were also damaged in a big way in the districts of Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, Rajanna Sircilla, Medak, Siddipet and Rangareddy. He wanted the Congress government to rise to the occasion and stand by the farming community. The government should take up immediate enumeration of the crop losses and ensure payment of compensation of Rs.10,000 per acre. He wondered why the government did not respond to the situation even as the rains continued to damage the crops for the last two to three days. When untimely rains caused crop losses in a big way last year, the…
    International

    Russia-Ukraine war live: Border shelling intensifies after Putin reelected

    Russian President Vladimir Putin says his country will not be intimidated as he cements his grip on power in a landslide election victory. Allies such as China were quick to congratulate Putin but Western countries denounced what they called an illegal election. Ukraine says residents are being evacuated from border settlements in the northeastern region of Sumy due to increased Russian shelling. Russia claims downing eight Vampire, two Alder and one Grad multiple-launch rocket system shells over its Belgorod region.

    POLITICS

    • Mar- 2024 -
      2 March
      691

      Blast in Bengaluru cafe, man who planted IED bomb identified on CCTV

      A bomb blast occurred at Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe on Friday afternoon, injuring at least ten people.  Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that the blast was caused by an IED and said a man placed a bag containing the device inside the cafe.  Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said the accused has been identified on CCTV. According to him, the accused is around 28 to 30 years of age. The accused took a coupon for Rava Idli at the cafe but went away without eating. He left his bag, which allegedly had the IED, said the Deputy Chief Minister.  FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON BENGALURU CAFE BLAST Police told the Chief Minister that no more IED were found on the premises apart…

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    • Feb- 2024 -
      26 February
      870

      ‘Deepening occupation’: Turkey condemns Israel on last day of ICJ hearing

      Turkey has joined a large number of countries that have condemned Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories at the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Turkey’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz was the first representative to speak on the last day of the hearings on Monday, capping a weeklong event that saw 52 countries and several international organisations testify to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. He said the long-running conflict could have been settled by now if international and human rights laws were upheld by Israel and its Western allies, and emphasised how the United Nations Security Council has failed to protect the unalienable rights of the Palestinians. He said the “deepening occupation by Israel of the Palestinian territories” and the failure of its…

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    • 26 February
      817

      Tripura forest department officer suspended over lions named ‘Akbar’, ‘Sita’

      The Tripura government suspended a senior forest officer, IFS Pravin Lal Agrawal, over the naming of a lion as ‘Akbar’ and a lioness as ‘Sita ‘ by zoo authorities in Tripura. Agrawal is the Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) and Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW).  The two lions were recently brought to the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri from Tripura’s Sepahijala Zoo. Days later, the wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad approached the Calcutta High Court opposing the West Bengal forest department’s move to keep the lion named ‘Akbar’ with the lioness named ‘Sita’ in the same enclosure. The High Court later asked the Bengal government to rename the big cats. The state government had informed the court that the naming of the two…

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    • 26 February
      738

      US airman sets himself on fire outside Israel embassy to protest ‘genocide’

      An active member of the United States military has set himself on fire outside the Israeli embassy in Washington, DC, according to officials, in an apparent act of protest against Israel’s devastating war on Gaza. Aaron Bushnell, 25, was rushed to the hospital on Sunday with “critical life-threatening injuries”, according to the US capital’s fire department. The agency said emergency responders rushed to the scene just before 1pm (18:00 GMT) in response to a “call for person on fire outside the Israeli embassy”. They arrived to find that officers from the US Secret Service had already extinguished the fire. The US Air Force confirmed the incident involved an active duty airman. ‘Free Palestine!’ US media reports said Bushnell livestreamed himself…

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    • 26 February
      799

      Earthquake fever grips Turkey’s Istanbul amid fears of ‘the big one’

      Istanbul, Turkey – Earthquake fever has gripped Istanbul since last year’s disaster in southern Turkey, as residents in Europe’s most populous city fear they could face similar devastation. The city lies near the North Anatolia faultline, a geological danger that has seen Istanbul hit by at least 34 strong earthquakes over the last 2,000 years. Smaller tremors can be felt by people in Istanbul every year – an ominous reminder of the danger that lurks beneath their streets. For many, witnessing the stark devastation caused to swaths of Turkey last February added to their anxiety over the inevitable but unpredictable arrival of “the big one”. Istanbul’s official population is 16 million, but estimates based on household water consumption by the Istanbul…

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    • 26 February
      815

      Palestinian PM Mohammed Shtayyeh submits resignation, a move that could open door to reforms

      Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh says his government is resigning, in a move that could open the door to U.S.-backed reforms in the Palestinian Authority.  President Mahmoud Abbas must still decide whether he accepts Mr. Shtayyeh’s and his government’s resignation, tendered on February 26.  But the move signals a willingness by the Western-backed Palestinian leadership to accept shake-up that might usher in reforms seen as necessary to revitalize the Palestinian Authority.

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    • 24 February
      818

      UK offers Russian officials British citizenship to defect and pass secrets to MI6

      Russian officials appalled by the war in Ukraine are being offered British citizenship to defect and pass secrets to UK intelligence agencies. Three UK intelligence sources and a former Russian informant have told i that British citizenship and cash payments are being used by UK government agencies in certain circumstances to persuade disgruntled members of Vladimir Putin’s regime to hand information to the UK.  It comes after the head of MI6 last year issued a public plea to Russians angry with the invasion to “join hands” with the UK and “share secrets” to help end the war in Ukraine. he death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has further isolated Putin from the West, with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron and his counterparts at this…

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    • 24 February
      783

      Lee Anderson suspended from Conservative Party after ‘Islamophobic’ comments

      A spokesperson for Chief Whip Simon Hart said: “Following his refusal to apologise for comments made yesterday, the Chief Whip has suspended the Conservative whip from Lee Anderson MP.” Speaking on GB News this week, Mr Anderson, MP for Ashfield, said: “I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of Khan and they’ve got control of London… He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates.” Earlier today Sadiq Khan accused the prime minister of being “complicit” in racism for failing to condemn Mr Anderson‘s comments that “pour fuel on the fire of anti-Muslim hatred”. Mr Khan said the claim by the former deputy chairman of Tory…

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    • 24 February
      762

      10 killed in massive apartment fire in Spain, victims’ families recall horror

      The victims of a huge fire that ripped through an apartment block in the Spanish city of Valencia were mourned on Saturday as authorities said the death toll had risen to 10. The blaze, fanned by strong winds, broke out on Thursday evening in the affluent El Campanar district. Police had revised the number of dead to nine from 10 on Friday in the process of identifying the bodies in the building, but confirmed a 10th fatal victim had been found on Saturday. Outside the charred building, a single white flower was taped to a utility pole as Valencians gathered at the scene to pay their respects. Pilar Zamora, 53, who travelled across town with her husband, said she was…

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    • 24 February
      737

      ‘Digital Nagriks’ not to be experimented with ‘unreliable’ AI models, govt tells Google India

      New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday warned Google India that India’s ‘Digital Nagriks’ are not to be experimented on with ‘unreliable’ algorithms or AI models, as the IT Ministry was in the process of issuing a notice to the tech giant over “problematic and illegal” responses by Google’s Gemini AI. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Minister of State for Electronics and IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, said that the legal obligation to maintain safety and trust lies with the internet and digital platforms. “Our ‘Digital Nagriks’ are not to be experimented on with ‘unreliable’ platforms/algorithms/models,” said the minister. Safety and trust is platforms’ legal obligation and ‘Sorry Unreliable’ does not exempt from law,” he stressed. The minister reacted after Google said earlier in…

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