Bengaluru, May 22 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar said that it is the…

Hyderabad, May 22 (IANS) Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is focusing on glamour while the state is reeling under crisis, said Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President K. T. Rama Rao on Thursday.

The former minister came down heavily on CM Revanth Reddy, accusing him of being unfit to lead the state due to his “erratic” behaviour, “misplaced” priorities, and “political dishonesty”.”Revanth Reddy suffers from a dangerous psychological condition – Multiple Personality Disorder. That’s why he speaks in different tones on the same issue every other day,” KTR said in a chat with media persons.”More than 580 farmers have died by suicide. Paddy is being washed away by rain. But Revanth Reddy is busy attending Miss World events four times instead of visiting the families of the deceased. Is this the Chief Minister Telangana deserves?” he questioned.KTR also slammed the government for allegedly spending over Rs 200 crore on beauty pageants while claiming the state treasury is empty.”Ministers have turned into tour guides for beauty queens, as even CPI leader Narayana pointed out. Is this governance or a fashion show?” KTR asked.KTR ridiculed the showcasing of government projects to Miss World contestants and questioned their political relevance.”Every project, building shown to them was built by the previous BRS government. Can Revanth name even one project built by Congress?” he asked.He alleged that the event was being used to distract the public from pressing governance failures.”While SLBC tunnel workers remain trapped for months, the Chief Minister parades on red carpets. This is a betrayal of Telangana’s people and priorities,” he said.Slamming the Congress government for notices issued to BRS president and former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao by P. C. Ghose Commission, probing alleged irregularities in the Kaleshwaram project, KTR said that the Congress party is resorting to “filthy” politics under the guise of commission notices.KTR remarked that this is nothing but a “cover-up” for their “corrupt agenda”.KTR said the smear campaign against the Palamuru-Rangareddy project has already collapsed after the Supreme Court’s observations.”Soon, the same will happen with the propaganda against Kaleshwaram. The real motive behind these notices is to cancel and re-tender projects to collect 20–30 per cent commissions,” he alleged.–IANSms/svn

Chennai, May 22 (IANS) In a significant operation, officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized unaccounted cash worth Rs 32 lakh from three individuals travelling on the Hyderabad-Puducherry Superfast Express at Chennai’s Egmore Railway Station on Thursday. Acting on a tip-off regarding potential money laundering, a DRI team conducted a surprise check as the train arrived at Egmore.The operation specifically targeted Aghilan, a suspect from Hyderabad who had been under surveillance. During the inspection, DRI officials examined the luggage of three passengers: Ashok D Jain (51), a resident of Strahans Road, Pattalam; his son, Shil Ashok Jain (27); and Sangita B. Jain (57), wife of Bharat Kumar Jain and a resident of Sowcarpet.On searching their baggage, the team discovered neatly packed bundles of cash amounting to Rs 32 lakh. The money was concealed in multiple pieces of luggage.All three passengers were detained at the station, and the cash was confiscated.A senior DRI official confirmed that the suspects were taken to its office for further interrogation. “We are questioning them to determine the source of the cash and its intended use,” the official said.He added that preliminary findings point to a possible connection with illegal interstate financial transactions.Authorities have not ruled out the involvement of a broader network in the smuggling of unaccounted funds.The DRI is now coordinating with other central agencies to investigate links to hawala operations or other illicit trade routes.This operation comes amid heightened surveillance across major transit points ahead of the financial year-end and elections in some regions.Officials believe such cash seizures may be part of a larger pattern involving the movement of black money through passenger trains.Further investigation is underway, and the DRI is expected to release more details once the suspects’ statements are recorded and the cash trail is traced.–IANSaal/dpb

Mumbai, May 22 (IANS) Apparel manufacturer and exporter Gokaldas Exports Limited on Thursday reported a strong performance in the fourth quarter (Q4) of FY25, with its consolidated net profit soared over 19.3 per cent year-on-year (YoY) to Rs 52.86 crore, compared to Rs 44.28 crore in Q4 FY24.The company’s profit before tax (PBT) also surged by 84 per cent YoY to Rs 79 crore in the last quarter of the FY25.However, the quarter also saw a notable rise in total expenses, which increased by 23.32 per cent (on-year) to Rs 955.8 crore in Q4 FY25 from Rs 775.03 crore in Q4 FY24.Despite this, the company’s revenue from operations rose by nearly 25 per cent to Rs 1,015.33 crore — helping it maintain the strong overall financial health.The company’s total income for the quarter rose by 27 per cent to Rs 1,035 crore, driven by productivity improvements and robust cost management.Despite a rise in expenses, the company managed to boost its profitability and strengthen its margins, with EBITDA margins improving by 272 basis points compared to the same period last year.For the full financial year 2025, Gokaldas Exports achieved its highest-ever total income of Rs 3,917 crore, marking a 63 per cent increase from the previous financial year.Profit before tax for the year grew by 37 per cent to Rs 218 crore in FY25, according to its stock exchange filing.Commenting on the results, Sivaramakrishnan Ganapathi, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Gokaldas Exports, said, “FY25 was a significant year for us as we consolidated acquisitions and delivered healthy growth in income and profits.”“While we face challenges like the reciprocal tariff imposed by the US that could impact margins, opportunities such as the India-UK Free Trade Agreement provide optimism for future growth,” he added.Established in 1979, Gokaldas Exports is one of India’s largest apparel manufacturers and exporters, supplying to more than 50 countries worldwide.With over 30 production units and a workforce of more than 51,000 employees, the company produces approximately 87 million garments annually.–IANSpk/na

Washington, May 22 (IANS) Two members of the Israeli embassy staff were fatally shot Wednesday night in Washington DC by a man who, the police said, had chanted “Free Palestine”.

The shooting took place outside an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee for young diplomats at the Lillian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum.The single shooter was identified by police as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith said at a news briefing the suspect shouted “Free, free Palestine!” while being taken into custodyThe victims were Sarah Lynn Milgrim and her partner Yaron Lischinsky, who both worked at the Israeli embassy in Washington.”These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW! Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!” President Donald Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social early Thursday morning.”We will follow the facts. We will follow the law, and this defendant will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.The Wall Street Journal said Milgrim worked at the Department of Public Diplomacy in the embassy and Lischinsky immigrated to Israel from Germany at age 16, and served in the Israeli military. He completed his undergraduate and master degrees in Israel, before moving to Washington to work as a research assistant for the embassy’s political department in September 2022.”We are a resilient people,” Israeli Ambassador to Washington Yechiel said at the news briefing with US authorities. “Together we won’t be afraid and we will stand and we will overcome the moral depravity of people who think they are going to achieve political gains through murder.” The Journal reported that the Ambassador also said that Lischinsky had just bought an engagement ring for Milgrim and was going to propose in Jerusalem next week.–IANSint/yrj/as

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) A Special NIA court in Kerala received a fresh set of charges related to waging war against the government against two accused in the 2022 case related to the recruitment of youths for the armed wing of the banned CPI (Maoist) terrorist organisation, an official said on Thursday.The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said the supplementary charge sheet was filed before the NIA Special Court, Ernakulam, against R. Ragavendran alias Raghavendra alias Gautham alias Murukesh alias Raghaveendran and B.G. Krishnamurthy alias Vijay alias Babanna alias Baskar alias Kumara alias Gangadhara alias Gopal Rao.Krishnamurthy, a Central Committee Member of the CPI (Maoist), provided arms and ideological training to other accused in the forests of the Western Ghats, to equip them to wage war against the nation, said the NIA in a statement.Hailing from Chikkamangalur district of Karnataka, he had been inducted into the Kabani Dalam squad of CPI (Maoist) to organise terrorist camps and train the Under Ground (UG) cadres of the banned outfit, it said.Ragavendran of Vellore, Tamil Nadu, was a part of the terror camp, said the NIA.The NIA charged them under sections 18, 18B, 20, 38, and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act with conspiracy to commit terrorist acts and other offences.The NIA said the accused have also been charged under sections 120B,121A, and 122 of the Indian Penal Code that deal with offences related to criminal conspiracy and collecting arms to wage war against the government.The People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) case was registered suo moto by the NIA in February 2022.It relates to the recruitment of cadres into CPI (Maoist) and its armed wing, PLGA, involved in organising camps to further the activities of the Maoist organisation and its frontal outfit to destabilise the country.–IANSrch/skp

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Ashok P. Hinduja, Chairman, IndusInd International Holdings Limited (IIHL) which is the promoter of IndusInd Bank, went into damage-control mode on Thursday following the announcement of the fraud in the bank that has plunged the lender into a Rs 2, 236 crore loss for the January-March quarter.“Though the capital adequacy of the Bank is quite healthy, for business growth, should any further equity be required, IIHL, as the promoter of IBL, remains committed to supporting the Bank, as it has done over the past 30 years,” Hinduja said in a statement.The RBI has launched investigations into the accounting discrepancies at IndusInd Bank.The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) is also investigating possible violations in the IndusInd Bank case, following the bank’s disclosure of suspected fraud and concerns over insider trading, SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Thursday.IndusInd Bank said on Wednesday that its Board suspects a fraud involving certain employees, who played a significant role in the lender’s accounting and financial reporting, and has directed all necessary actions to be taken under applicable laws, including reporting the matter to regulatory authorities and investigative agencies.IndusInd Bank’s internal audit department found on May 20 that Rs 172.58 crore had been incorrectly recorded as fee income in the Microfinance (MFI) business over three quarters ending the December quarter, which has since been reversed in the fourth quarter of FY25.The disclosure follows the abrupt sacking of the IndusInd Bank CEO last month after widespread irregularities were discovered in its foreign exchange derivatives and microfinance portfolio.Meanwhile Hinduja said, “The stance of the Regulator in addressing the issues in a very orderly manner with suitable guidance, as demonstrated by them in past for the banking sector, is commendable.”He also expressed “continued, unequivocal trust in the Chairman & Board of Directors of the Bank for their appropriate, swift actions in order to address discrepancies and attendant areas of concern.”This would lead to higher standards of transparency and governance, leading to rebuilding trust in the Bank. The coordinated efforts of current management under the guidance and monitoring of the Board and other stakeholders have ensured that the bank’s business remains healthy, with robust capital adequacy, he said“The continued confidence of the customers in the Bank shows their trust in the institution, which has always been upheld. This shall be a new dawn with a sanitised slate to regain the position the Bank enjoyed for many decades,” Hinduja added.–IANSsps/na

Bengaluru, May 22 (IANS) Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has said that state Home…

Los Angeles, May 22 (IANS) Singer-songwriter Miley Cyrus has shared what went behind her sobriety journey. The 32-year-old singer has opened up on her struggles with addiction.

She also shared how her addiction influenced her hit song ‘Flowers’, while she acknowledged she isn’t “proud” of her actions during that period around 2020’s ‘Plastic Hearts’ album, reports ‘Female First UK’.She told Apple Music 1’s ‘The Zane Lowe Show’, “I know I needed to fall one more time. I just, I had to. It just never would have happened this way. I just never would have been sitting here. There were times in that section. I’m not proud of them. Definitely not my best moments, not some of my best work, any of that. But it all led me to writing ‘Flowers,’ which then was some sort of key right into the lock of all healing”.As per ‘Female First UK’, Miley reflected on how her record ‘Endless Summer Vacation’ was a game changer for her, and it all came down to her getting clean.She added, “I’ve learned this about myself over the years. The sobriety is like, that’s like my God. “I need it, I live for it. I mean that it’s changed my entire life”. ‘Flowers’, which dropped in 2023 as the lead single for ‘Endless Summer Vacation’, was a huge success, and landed Miley her first ever Grammy Awards for Best Pop Solo Performance and Record of the Year in 2024.She explained, “I think somewhere inside of me, I needed maybe to hold a trophy and just feel for a moment that I have something that I can hold in my hands that feels like a true achievement. And so at the Grammys, that’s why I went, it was actually for healing”.Due to her performance anxiety and not allowing herself to accept how much she wanted to win a Grammy, she almost didn’t turn up to the ceremony but she’s glad she did.–IANSaa/

New Delhi, May 22 (IANS) Describing farmers as the soul of India and the most important part of social stability, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on Thursday highlighted the government’s efforts to boost their income and called for removing middlemen from the subsidy transfer mechanism.

Addressing the scientific community and farmers at Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, a research institute established under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Goa, the Vice President said, “The Government of India is helping the farmers a lot in the form of subsidies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had started a scheme called Kisan Samman Nidhi, but I would request all the organisations to evaluate how good it would be if the subsidy to the farmers reaches them directly and not through someone else.”Citing the successful American model of eliminating middlemen in providing farm subsidies, Dhankhar said, “The fertiliser subsidy is a very big amount, around rupees three lakh crore. You probably don’t realise that you are being helped so much, but if this money is sent directly to every farmer, then every farmer will have Rs 30,000-35,000 per year.””So, this medium of giving government assistance to farmers is not right, it should be given directly to the farmers. Institutions should evaluate it, it should be looked at technically. It will have far-reaching results,” he said.Dhankhar said in America, the income of a farmer’s family is more than that of an average family. “There, farmers get all the government assistance directly and not through any middleman,” he said.Earlier, speaking at another event at Raj Bhavan, Goa, the Vice President called for focusing on alternative medicine and evidence-based validation of our ancient texts to make them accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges.”We are a nation with a difference… We are rediscovering our roots, and we will get rooted in our roots. I strongly focus on alternative medicine because India is the home of alternative medicine. It is being practised now very extensively,” he said.Calling for the need to utilise ancient knowledge, Jagdeep Dhankhar said, “Let us not confine our ancient texts to libraries. They are not meant for the shelf of a library. They are meant to be widely disseminated. Let us bring timeless ideas to life through research, innovation, and reinterpretation using modern scientific tools.”The Vice President also talked about validation for ancient Indian medicine systems. “Let us pursue evidence-based validation, digitisation, translations, and cross-disciplinary studies to make these treasures accessible and applicable to contemporary challenges… I am extremely happy that the World Health Organisation (WHO) has recognised it by establishing a global centre for traditional medicine in Jamnagar, Gujarat. What a powerful recognition of the universal relevance of our systems like Ayurveda,” he said.”Time for us to look back in our Vedas, in our Upanishads, in our Puranas, in our history and time to tell our children from birth about our civilisational depth of knowledge,” he added.–IANSrch/svn