US set to open embassy in Jerusalem
Washington, May 14 : The US is set to open its new embassy in Jerusalem on Monday, formally breaking from decades of established American policy and international practice in a move that US officials say will create greater regional stability.
The new embassy in Jerusalem, which will inhabit an existing US consular building, will open its doors at 4 p.m. in a 90-minute ceremony led by US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman, ABC News reported.
The move has been praised by Israel but condemned by Palestinians who were expected to hold mass protests.
US President Donald Trump will address the ceremony by video and he will be represented by his daughter and adviser Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner.
At least 800 people were expected to attend the event, including a congressional delegation and a presidential delegation led by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan.
The American delegation touched down Sunday, and following a reception with the Israeli Foreign Ministry, dined at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's house.
Netanyahu heaped praise on Trump, saying: "Thank you, President Trump, for your bold decision... Thank you for making the alliance between Israel and the US stronger than ever."
"Now, you know how you recognize real leadership? It's when others follow, and others are following in President Trump's footsteps," he said, telling the crowd that Guatemala and Paraguay would both move their embassies later this week.
Palestinians seek East Jerusalem as their own future capital and see the US move as backing Israeli control over the whole city. For its part, Israel considers all of Jerusalem as its indivisible capital.
The US State Department said that the embassy opening will take place on the 70th anniversary of American recognition of the State of Israel, the day of its founding and a day that Palestinians refer to as "the Catastrophe", as hundreds of thousands fled their homes.
Trump's decision last year to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital broke with decades of US neutrality on the issue and put it at odds with most of the international community.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas described Trump's decision as the "slap of the century".
Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians were gathering for a protest along the perimeter fence that separates Israel and the Gaza Strip on Monday.
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Sensex rises nearly 295 pts to close at 2025-high on foreign fund inflows, drop in crude prices
Mumbai, May 5 (PTI): Benchmark BSE Sensex climbed nearly 295 points to close at an over four-month high on Monday following sustained foreign fund inflows and a sharp correction in global crude oil prices.
Rising for the second in a row, the 30-share BSE barometer gained 294.85 points or 0.37 per cent to settle at 80,796.84, marking its highest close in 2025 so far. During the day, it jumped 547.04 points or 0.67 per cent to 81,049.03.
The NSE Nifty rose 114.45 points or 0.47 per cent to 24,461.15, its highest closing level in 2025.
Among Sensex firms, Adani Ports jumped 6.29 per cent amid reports that Gautam Adani's representatives met with US administration officials to seek the dismissal of criminal charges in a bribery probe. All other listed Adani group stocks, including Adani Enterprises, Adani Ports, Adani Power and Adani Green Energy, ended with sharp gains.
Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra & Mahindra, Eternal, Power Grid, ITC, Tata Motors, Asian Paints and Hindustan Unilever were also among Sensex gainers.
Among the laggards, Kotak Mahindra Bank tanked 4.57 per cent after the firm reported a 7.57 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 4,933 crore for the March quarter of FY25, primarily due to elevated stress in the microlending book.
State Bank of India, Axis Bank, Titan and IndusInd Bank were among the other losers.
State Bank of India dipped over 1 per cent after it reported an 8.34 per cent decline in consolidated net profit to Rs 19,600 crore for the January-March quarter compared to Rs 21,384 crore a year ago, impacted by a decline in net interest margins.
Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) bought equities worth Rs 2,769.81 crore on Friday, according to exchange data.
Foreign investors injected Rs 4,223 crore into the country's equity market in April, as they turned net buyers for the first time in three months amid a blend of favourable global cues and robust domestic fundamentals.
The inflow of foreign capital came last month following a back-to-back net outflow of Rs 3,973 crore in March, Rs 34,574 crore in February, and Rs 78,027 crore in January.
"The market has sustained its positive momentum, though the level of optimism has decreased. Continued foreign inflows and record GST collections in April indicate resilience in economic activity, fostering mild hopefulness. A weak dollar and a decline in oil prices have further bolstered FII sentiment.
"However, the market's momentum is moderating, with action shifting from broad-based movements to stock and sector-specific trends based on results," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Investments Limited, said.
The BSE midcap gauge jumped 1.45 per cent and smallcap index climbed 1.23 per cent.
Among sectoral indices, services jumped the most 2.99 per cent, followed by oil & gas (1.95 per cent), auto (1.88 per cent), consumer discretionary (1.58 per cent), utilities (1.50 per cent) and energy (1.49 per cent).
Bankex emerged as the only loser.
As many as 2,563 stocks advanced while 1,459 declined and 180 remained unchanged on the BSE.
Markets in South Korea, Japan, China and Hong Kong were closed due to holidays.
European markets were trading on a mixed note.
US markets ended significantly higher on Friday.
Global oil benchmark Brent crude dropped 1.45 per cent to USD 60.40 a barrel.
The 30-share BSE benchmark gauge settled 259.75 points, or 0.32 per cent, higher at 80,501.99 on Friday. The Nifty eked out a marginal gain of 12.50 points, or 0.05 per cent, to settle at 24,346.70.
