Middle East

Iran-Turkey trade reaches $930 mn in 2 months

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According to the latest figures released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT), Iran’s trade with the neighboring country stood at $919 million in January-February 2023.

According to TURKSTAT, Turkey’s exports to Iran in the mentioned two months reached $580 million, recording a 23 percent increase compared to last year’s corresponding period.

Turkey exported over $469 million worth of products to the Islamic Republic in the first two months of 2023.

Turkey’s imports from Iran however registered a 22 percent decline and fell from $450 million in January-February 2023 to $350 million in the first two months of 2024.

The trade exchange between Iran and Turkey stood at $5.490 billion in 2023 with a decrease of 14 percent.

Based on the data previously released by the Turkish Statistical Institute, the value of Iran’s exports to Turkey increased by 19 percent to reach $3.35 billion in 2022.

Turkey had imported over $2.82 billion worth of commodities from the Islamic Republic in 2021.

Based on the mentioned data, Iran’s imports from the country also marked an 11-percent rise to hit $3.07 billion in the past year, in comparison with 2021, when the figure was $2.77 billion.

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute, the trade between the two countries registered a 15-percent rise in 2022 compared to 2021.

The value of trade between the two neighbors reached $6.42 billion in 2022, while the figure stood at $5.59 billion in the preceding year.

Iran’s trade balance with Turkey was $280 million positive in favor of Iran in the past year.

AMK/TT

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"Sole Purpose Of Arrest To Humiliate Me": Arvind Kejriwal's Bail Hearing

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'Sole Purpose Of Arrest To Humiliate Me': Arvind Kejriwal's Bail Hearing

New Delhi:

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal – arrested last month in the alleged liquor policy scam – lashed out at the Enforcement Directorate Wednesday, declaring “the sole purpose of the arrest is to humiliate me… to incapacitate me”. Arguing for bail before the Delhi High Court, Mr Kejriwal said the ED had arrested him “without any inquiry, statement, or material that could be basis of arrest”.

The AAP boss – whose arrest weeks before the Lok Sabha election led to furious protests and claims the ruling BJP is trying to shut down rival parties to ensure a massive victory – accused the agency of preventing him from participating in elections. “Efforts are being made to break the AAP,” he said.

Appearing for the Chief Minister, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued the ED “does not have any evidence against Arvind Kejriwal”. “While arresting Mr Kejriwal, no attempt was made to take his statement at home… ED should have done this before arresting him,” he said.

“‘Level playing field’ (before an election) is not just a phrase. It is part of ‘free and fair elections’ which is part of a democratic structure. This case reeks of timing issues,” Mr Singhvi began.

“What is this urgency? I am not talking about politics… I am talking about law,” he continued, arguing the arrest was meant to “demolish Aam Aadmi Party before first vote is cast”.

Mr Singhvi also questioned the ED over the issue of multiple summons to the Chief Minister, particularly after the AAP leader had moved the court to challenge the agency’s call.

“… my not responding to summons is a nice point of prejudice… it is a red herring,” he said.

“Was there a possibility of Arvind Kejriwal fleeing? Did he try to influence any witness in one-and-a half years? Did he refuse to be questioned?” he asked.

Mr Kejriwal – whom the ED has said is the “kingpin” in the alleged scam – is currently in Delhi’s Tihar Jail; on Tuesday he was remanded to judicial custody till April 15, after spending over 10 days in the agency’s lock-up. The ED did not seek further custody but said his release could hamper its probe.

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UP truckers await payment for containers used in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra

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The aggrieved truckers — Moti Singh, Satyendra Singh, Dharmendra Singh and Ram Krishan of Anupshahr — have now written to the station in charge of the local police station, seeking redressal.

Published Date – 3 April 2024, 01:00 PM


UP truckers await payment for containers used in Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra


Bulandshahr: A group of truck owners in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr have held back containers used in Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra as they have not been paid their dues.

The containers belonged to a transport company.

The aggrieved truckers — Moti Singh, Satyendra Singh, Dharmendra Singh and Ram Krishan of Anupshahr — have now written to the station in charge of the local police station, seeking redressal.

They have said that they have held back 25 containers belonging to transporters — Manoj Kumar of Haridwar Transport Service in Delhi and Anil Kaushik.

These containers were taken for Rahul’s rally in December last year.

They have urged the police officer to intervene in the matter and ensure their payment, running into lakhs of rupees, so that the containers can be returned to the transporters.

The transporters, according to sources, claim that the money is yet to be paid by Congress to them.

The aggrieved truckers have now threatened that they would approach the courts if they did not get their payment. When contacted, a UPCC spokesman said that he was not apprised of the matter and the party leaders in Delhi should be contacted.

Hyderabad

Hyderabad’s March air quality sees improvement, despite reduced rainfall

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Throughout this March, the city predominantly experienced ‘satisfactory’ air quality days, signaling minor breathing discomfort for sensitive individuals, as per the pollution board’s classification.

Updated On – 3 April 2024, 01:23 PM


Hyderabad’s March air quality sees improvement, despite reduced rainfall


Hyderabad: Hyderabad’s air quality this March showcased a slight improvement compared to the same period last year, even as the city experienced reduced rainfall.

Data released by the Central Pollution Control Board revealed that the average 24-hour Air Quality Index (AQI) for March stood at 83.51, marking a 3.16 per cent decrease from 86.23 recorded in March 2023. Both figures fall within the ‘satisfactory’ category on the AQI scale.

Throughout this March, the city predominantly experienced ‘satisfactory’ air quality days, signaling minor breathing discomfort for sensitive individuals, as per the pollution board’s classification. This contrasts with last year, where the city encountered five ‘moderate’ air quality days, causing discomfort for those with respiratory and cardiac conditions.

The noticeable improvement in air quality this March is particularly noteworthy given the absence of significant rainfall events, unlike the unusual March rains witnessed in 2023. On March 16 last year, Hyderabad was drenched in a summer downpour, marking the highest March rainfall in eight years, with 31.7 mm recorded.

This weather event was reminiscent of the record-breaking 38.4 mm rainfall observed on March 5, 2014.

However, despite the lack of substantial rainfall this March, air quality remained relatively better than the previous year’s data. Analysis from the Telangana State Pollution Control Board highlighted occasional instances of moderate air quality levels at locations such as Nehru Zoological Park premises, ECIL, Kompally, Pashamylaram, and Bollaram during the month.

Meanwhile, based on the monthly AQI values for January and February, the city witnessed varying pollution levels during these months.

In January, several areas experienced moderate to high pollution levels, with locations like Sanathnagar, Pashamylaram, and Bollaram registering significantly elevated AQI levels of 130, 138, and 132, respectively.

However, there were also areas with comparatively better air quality, such as Kukatpally and Nacharam, with AQI levels of 82 and 81, respectively. In February, there was a notable improvement in air quality across many areas, with several locations showing lower AQI levels compared to January.

World

Terrorist drone attack in Idlib leaves Syria soldiers injured

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“Terrorists launched an attack drone from the Majdalaya area on the positions of the Syrian government forces near the locality of Jubas in the Idlib Governorate, as a result, four Syrian servicemen were wounded,” Major General Yury Popov said, TASS reports.

According to him, the aviation of the so-called international anti-terrorist coalition led by the United States continues to violate the Syrian airspace. “Eight violations by a pair of F-15 fighter jets, a pair of F-16 fighter jets, a pair of Typhoon fighter jets and a pair of A-10 Thunderbolt attack aircraft were recorded in the Al-Tanf area during the day,” Popov added.

He pointed out that with such actions, the coalition is creating dangerous conditions for air incidents and accidents, as well as escalating the situation in Syrian airspace.

RHM/PR

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'Absolute superiority': North Korea says test-fires new solid-fuel hypersonic missile

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North Korea has successfully test-fired “a new medium-to-long-range” solid-fuel, hypersonic missile.

The test fire of Hwasongpho-16-Na, a solid-fueled tactical ballistic missile loaded with newly-developed hypersonic glide vehicle, was observed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, KCNA said on Wednesday.

“A new medium-to-long range hypersonic missile test launch that carries military strategic value was successfully carried out,” state media agency KCNA said a day after the test.

Kim lauded it as a strategic weapon that demonstrates the “absolute superiority” of North Korea’s defense technology.

“The hypersonic glide vehicle, separated from the missile after its launch northeastward at an army unit’s training field in a suburb of Pyongyang, reached its first peak at the height of 101.1 kilometers and the second peak at the height of 72.3 kilometers while making 1,000-km-long flight as scheduled and accurately landed on the waters of the East Sea of Korea,” it further said.

“The test fire had no negative effect on the security of the neighboring countries,” KCNA stated.

The report of the test launch came a day after South Korea and Japan detected the North launching a missile from near its capital toward its eastern sea.

State media reported that the test launch of the solid-fuel, hypersonic missile was conducted to validate the specified technical parameters of the newly-developed intermediate-range hypersonic missile and to assess the dependability of the weapon system.

With this, North Korea has “fully turned all tactical, operational, and strategic-grade missiles of different ranges into solid-fuel, with warhead control, and capable of nuclearization”, Kim was quoted as saying.

According to KCNA, Kim said the North has now developed nuclear-capable, solid-fuel systems for “all the tactical, operational and strategic missiles with various ranges.”

Hypersonic missiles pose a greater challenge for interception, whereas missiles utilizing solid fuel offer the advantage of being easily transportable and stored, enabling them to be prepared for launch quickly.

They usually deploy a payload that moves at speeds exceeding five times the speed of sound, equivalent to approximately 6,200 km per hour (3,850 mph), while frequently navigating at relatively low altitudes.

Despite their name, analysts say the main feature of hypersonic weapons is not speed – which can sometimes be matched or exceeded by traditional ballistic missile warheads, but maneuverability.

Last year, Pyongyang tested a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time, adding to its arsenal of long-range weapons.

In addition, the nation possesses a wide array of solid-fuel missiles with varying ranges, including short-range and mid-range ones. These missiles can be launched from land vehicles, ships, and submarines, and have the potential to reach targets across South Korea and Japan.

India

Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest from Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat

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After leaving the Congress, ex-CM Azad formed his own political party called the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).

Published Date – 3 April 2024, 01:10 PM


Ghulam Nabi Azad to contest from Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha seat


Srinagar: Former Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad, will contest the Lok Sabha election from Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.

After leaving the Congress, ex-CM Azad formed his own political party called the Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP).

Talking to IANS, DPAP sources said that Azad will contest from the Anantnag-Rajouri seat.

Azad was defeated in 2014 by Dr. Jitendra Singh of the BJP in the Kathua-Udhampur Lok Sabha constituency.

Azad’s lieutenant, GM Saroori has already filed his papers for the Kathua-Udhampur constituency where Dr. Jitendra Singh is seeking re-election for the third term.

Senior Gujjar/Bakarwal leader, Mian Altaf Ahmad is fighting elections for the National Conference (NC) from the Anantnag-Rajouri constituency.

There are 18,30294 voters including 930,379 males, 988,888 females and 27 third gender who will cast their votes at 2,338 polling stations on May 7.

World

Perpetrators, supporters of terrorist attack on Iran's consulate 'will be punished': Raeisi

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Iran’s President Ebrahim Raeisi is seen during a cabinet meeting in Tehran on April 2, 2024. (Photo by president.ir)

President Ebrahim Raeisi has vowed punishment for those responsible for the Israeli regime’s terrorist attack against the Iranian consulate in the Syrian capital.

Raeisi made the remarks during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a day after Israeli airstrikes destroyed the consular annex of Iran’s embassy in Damascus and killed 13 people, including seven members of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC).

He offered condolences to the Iranian nation over the killing of the IRGC advisors.

“The perpetrators and supporters of this huge crime will be punished by warriors of Islam, and they will pay for their shameful act,” the Iranian president added.

Israel’s deadly attack proves that the criminal Zionist regime is not committed to international regulations and treaties, as well as humanitarian and moral principles, he noted.

In an earlier statement, Raeisi said Israel has resorted to indiscriminate assassinations after back-to-back failures in the face of the resistance, warning that the regime’s latest crime in Syria “will not go unanswered.”

On Monday afternoon, Israeli warplanes bombed the Iranian consulate, situated next to the embassy building in Damascus’s Mezzeh district.

The air raid killed two senior Iranian military personnel who were on an advisory mission to Syria as well as five of their accompanying officers.

Iranian officials have emphasized the country’s right to deliver a firm response to the Israeli crime that violated all international obligations and conventions.

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

www.presstv.co.uk

Middle East

Moscow strongly condemns Israeli airstrikes inside Syria

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According to TASS, Nebenzya said at a meeting of the Security Council on Tuesday, “The Russian Federation strongly condemns the ongoing airstrikes on the sovereign territory of Syria, viewing them as a gross violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of that country”.

He added, “We believe such aggressive actions by Israel, which are designed to further inflame the conflict, are unacceptable and must be stopped.”

The diplomat said Russia calls on Israel to abandon “the practice of provocative forceful actions on the territory of Syria” and other neighboring countries, as such actions are fraught with “extremely dangerous risks and consequences” for the entire region.

Nebenzya also added that the blame for a potential escalation in the Middle East due to Israel’s strike on Iranian diplomatic facilities in Syria will lie entirely on the conscience of the US, the UK, and France.

On April 1, the Syrian news agency SANA reported that the Israeli Air Force struck a building in Damascus. Iranian news media said the building was an Iranian consulate. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said seven military advisers were martyred in the attack.

AMK/PR

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"If They Allow Him To…": England Great's Intriguing 'Mayank' Suggestion

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LSG pacer Mayank Yadav has impressed everyone with his raw pace in IPL 2024.© BCCI

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) pacer Mayank Yadav has impressed everyone with his raw pace in the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). He clocked 156.7 kph during the game and bowled the fastest delivery in the ongoing edition and overall the fourth fastest in the history of the entire tournament. So far in two matches, Mayank has taken six wickets, helping LSG win back-to-back games after a defeat in their opening match. After just two games, several current and former cricketers have backed the 21-year-old to play for India in the coming months, including former England skipper Michael Vaughan.

Vaughan said it would be great for Mayank and India if the pacer is allowed to play a County season.

“It would serve Mayank Yadav & Indian cricket well if they allowed him to play for a county this summer,” Vaughan posted on X.

During the match against RCB, Mayank returned a remarkable figure of 3/14 which led him to his second consecutive Player of the Match award.

“I feel very good, winning two POTM awards, but I am happier that we won both matches. My aim is to play for India as much as possible. So I feel this is just the start and my main goal is what I am focussed on,” Mayank said in the post-match presentation.

Mayank has established a reputation of constantly breaching the 150 kph mark. A 151 kph delivery left Maxwell gobsmacked, lured him to rush on his pull, forced out a top edge and made him walk back to the dressing room for a two-ball duck and 16th overall in the competition.

The Delhi tearaway became just the sixth bowler in the IPL to take three-wicket hauls in two consecutive matches.

Coming to the match, LSG were put to bat and managed to post a handsome score of 181/5 following Quinton de Kock‘s rollicking 81 off 56 deliveries.

In reply, RCB struggled to put up meaningful partnerships which led to their downfall and sealed a 28-run defeat for the hosts.

(With ANI Inputs)

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