August 2024 – Page 16 – Safir News Agency

Top News

India Gets Its Second Nuclear Submarine, INS Arighaat

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

India Gets Its Second Nuclear Submarine, INS Arighaat

India commissioned its second nuclear submarine INS Arighaat today in Visakhapatnam

New Delhi:

India commissioned its second nuclear submarine INS Arighaat today in Visakhapatnam. The Arihant-class submarine will strengthen India’s nuclear triad, enhance nuclear deterrence, help in establishing strategic balance and peace in the region, and play a decisive role in the security of the country, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement today.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who attended the nuclear missile’s commissioning ceremony, described the naval milestone as an achievement for the nation and a testament to Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s unwavering resolve to achieve aatmanirbharta (self-sufficiency) in defence.

The construction of INS Arighaat involved the use of advanced design and manufacturing technology, detailed research and development, use of special material, complex engineering and highly skilled workmanship, the Defence Ministry said.

The country’s nuclear submarine has the distinction of having indigenous systems and equipment which were conceptualised, designed, manufactured and integrated by Indian scientists, industry and naval personnel, it said.

The technological advancements undertaken indigenously on the new submarine make it significantly more advanced than its predecessor, Arihant. The presence of both INS Arihant and INS Arighaat will enhance India’s capability to deter potential adversaries and safeguard its national interests, the Defence Ministry said.

Rajnath Singh commended the Indian Navy, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the industry for their hard work and synergy in achieving this capability. He called this level of self-reliance the foundation of “self power”. The country’s industry including micro, small and medium enterprises received a huge boost and created jobs through this project.

“Today, India is surging ahead to become a developed country. It is essential for us to develop rapidly in every field, including defence, especially in today’s geopolitical scenario,” the Defence Minister said.

“Along with economic prosperity, we need a strong military. Our government is working on mission mode to ensure that our soldiers possess top-quality weapons and platforms made on Indian soil,” Mr Singh said, recalling former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s political will which put India at par with a nuclear weapon state.

Top News

Devadula Project review to be conducted on Friday

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

The State government, which accorded top priority for Devadula works seeks to complete it by December 2025 for providing water to an additional ayacut of 89000 acres

Published Date – 29 August 2024, 07:49 PM

Devadula Project review to be conducted on Friday

Hyderabad: The implementation of the Devadula Project would be reviewed at the project pump house on Friday.

All the elected representatives including MLAs, MLCs, MPs and Ministers from the erstwhile Warangal district will take part in the review to be held by the Irrigation Minister, N Uttam Kumar Reddy.

The State government, which accorded top priority for Devadula works seeks to complete it by December 2025 for providing water to an additional ayacut of 89000 acres. Three more reservoirs are yet to come up as part of the project.

Top News

Dozens, including civilians, killed in militant attack in Burkina Faso

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

Civilians are among the dozens of people killed in an attack by militants in Burkina Faso, local and security sources say.

Militants affiliated with al-Qaeda and Daesh have waged a grinding insurgency since 2015 in Burkina Faso that has killed thousands and displaced two million people.

The latest attack was carried out by armed men in the village of Barsalogho in north-central Burkina Faso on Saturday, multiple sources said.

Denouncing the “cowardly and barbaric attack”, Communications Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo said it was carried out by “hordes of criminals.”

The assailants targeted “women, children, elderly, men, making no distinction”, Ouedraogo said on national television.

A local resident told AFP by phone that the assault happened around 9:00 am on Saturday, when “terrorist groups attacked the village, killing numerous civilians and security personnel.”

A security source who asked not to be named said there were “several dozen dead,” including civilians and security forces.

Most of the “numerous wounded” were taken to a hospital in the regional capital of Kaya, some 45 kilometers (28 miles) away, the source added.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

According to another local resident, the victims were mainly “young civilians, who came out in large numbers to help the soldiers dig trenches around the town, to protect themselves from possible attacks by armed terrorist groups.”

A second security source said that “the response of the soldiers” and auxiliary troops “made it possible to neutralize several terrorists and avoid a greater tragedy.”

According to a hospital source in Kaya, more than 100 wounded people were taken to the city’s largest medical center.

The chief of the center called on all personnel to come in to deal with the “emergency linked to a massive influx of patients since the morning of (Saturday) August 24”, according to an internal note seen by AFP.

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said civilians were killed in the attack, despite “a response and air support.”

Soldiers and members of a civilian force that supports the military — Volunteers for the Defense of the Fatherland (VDP) — were also killed, according to Sana.

After taking power in a putsch in September 2022, Burkina’s coup leaders expelled troops and diplomats from former colonial ruler France, and have turned to Russia for military assistance.

(Source: AFP)

Top News

Balaji And Bhambri Move To US Open Second Round With Respective Partners

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

N Sriram Balaji And Yuki Bhambri Move To US Open Second Round With Respective Partners

File photo of Yuki Bhambri© X (Twitter)

India’s doubles players made a promising start at the US Open with Davis Cupper N Sriram Balaji and Yuki Bhambri progressing to the men’s doubles second round with their respective partners in New York. Balaji, who has been doing well of late, and his Argentine partner Guido Andreozzi overcame a one-set deficit to beat New Zealand’s Marcus Daniell and Mexico’s Miguel Reyes-Varela 5-7 6-1 7-6 (12-6) in a close contest that lasted two hours and 36 minutes. Balaji had impressed at the French Open too where he and Reyes-Varela had stretched Bopanna and Matthew Ebden in a gruelling contest on clay.

A good run at the US Open, before the Davis Cup tie against Sweden, will be ideal preparation for Balaji, who will enter the rubber as the country’s main doubles player.

“It was a close match. Especially my partner and Micky were ex partners and it was mentally not easy for him. We lost a close first set where we had couple of break chances and we couldn’t convert.

“Final set we were serving for the match and the momentum shifted. I’m happy that we stayed strong and pulled it off,” Balaji told PTI.

Bhambri, who has opted out of the tie, and his French partner Albano Olivetti also advanced with a 6-3 6-4 win over local wildcards Ryan Seggerman and Patrik Trhac.

“It was a good clinical performance. Playing Americans in their home slam can get tricky but once we had the lead we put our foot down and played consistently,” said Bhambri.

They will next take on the American-Dutch combination of Austin Krajicek and Jean-Julien Rojer in the second round.

Second seeds Bopanna and Ebden will open their campaign on Thursday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Topics mentioned in this article

Top News

UK Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon Amid Border Tensions With Israel

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

UK Urges Citizens to Leave Lebanon Amid Border Tensions With Israel

Frequent artillery exchanges and air strikes cause UK to suspect the situation might deteriorate. (File)

London:

Britain on Tuesday urged its citizens in Lebanon to leave the country, warning that tensions along the Israeli border could worsen quickly.

“There are frequent artillery exchanges and air strikes, tensions are high, and the situation could deteriorate rapidly,” Foreign Secretary David Lammy told parliament.

“I am working with foreign office consular teams to make sure we are prepared for all scenarios, but if this conflict escalates, the government cannot guarantee we will be able to evacuate everyone immediately. People may be forced to shelter in place.”

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a meeting of the government’s emergency response committee, known as COBRA, on the matter earlier on Tuesday, Lammy said.

“My message to British nationals in Lebanon is therefore quite simple: leave,” Lammy said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Top News

Ready To Apologise 100 Times For Collapse Of Shivaji's Statue: Eknath Shinde

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

Ready To Apologise 100 Times For Collapse Of Shivaji's Statue: Eknath Shinde

Mumbai:

Amid the raging controversy over the collapse of the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj statue at Rajkot Fort in Malvan, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said he was ready to put his head on the Maratha warrior’s feet and apologise 100 times.

Mr Shinde’s statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar during his ongoing ‘Jansanman Yatra’ apologised for the collapse of the statue.

Mr Shinde however, appealed to the Opposition not to ‘play politics’ in this matter but follow up with the government on how a new and grand statue could be erected at the earliest.

“There are many issues to be politicised. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj is the identity of all of us and he is our god. Please don’t politicise it. I will put my head at his feet and apologise not once but a hundred times. We are running the affairs of the state by following his example. So I bow down before him,” said Mr Shinde.

He further added that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj should give wisdom to the opponents so that they would not bring politics into the issue.

“The Indian Navy authorities have demanded that the Rajkot Fort precincts and the entire premises be declared a protected area so that they can start the erection of a new statue there.

“We had a meeting on Wednesday night. Two committees have been appointed for erection of a new statue comprising engineers from IITs, Navy officers and others. A grand statue will soon be erected at that place,” he said.

He further added, “One committee will investigate the reasons for the collapse of the statue and suggest action against those responsible for the same. Another committee will be set up comprising sculptors and experts with experience of making statues of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and engineers and Navy officers to accomplish the task.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Top News

Bangladesh Amends Law Scrapping Special Security For Sheikh Hasina, Family

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

Bangladesh Amends Law Scrapping Special Security For Sheikh Hasina, Family

Sheikh Hasina currently faces more than 75 cases in Bangladesh. (File)

Dhaka:

The interim government in Bangladesh on Thursday withdrew the special security cover accorded to deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her close relatives, days after revoking their diplomatic passports.

The Council of Advisers with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair decided to amend the Special Security Force Act 2021 lifting special security for former prime minister Sheikh Hasina and her close relatives, the official BSS news agency reported.

After Sheikh Hasina, 76, fled to India on August 5, Bangladesh President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolved Parliament.

Sheikh Hasina currently faces more than 75 cases in Bangladesh, nearly half of them murder charges.

“Against the backdrop of student-people mass upsurge the interim government has been formed on August 8, 2024, comprising the Chief Adviser and other advises,” the chief adviser’s office (CAO) said in a statement following an advisory council meeting.

The statement noted that the act was enacted and enforced following the previous government’s decision. Subsequently, on May 15, 2015, a gazette was issued under this law to provide special security and benefits to Sheikh Hasina and her close relatives.

“The law was made solely to provide special state benefits to the members of one family, which constitutes clear discrimination.” The interim government is firmly committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination, it said.

Because of the changed scenario “it is not possible to implement under administrative management the provisions relating to ‘Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s family’ in line with the existing law, it said.

Talking to journalists after the meeting, advisory council member Syeda Rizwana Hasan said “The interim government was the outcome of an anti-discrimination movement”.

Syeda Rizwana, entrusted with the portfolio of environment, forest and climate change ministry, said the council decided to amend the law considering it “discriminatory”.

Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs cancelled the diplomatic passports of Sheikh Hasina, her advisers, former cabinet members, and all members of the 12th Parliament. Diplomatic passports for their spouses and children have also been revoked with immediate effect.

Syeda Rizwana said Bangladesh signed the Instrument of Accession to the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance on Thursday, “demonstrating its commitment to investigate each and every case of enforced disappearances”.

“The Chief Advisor has signed the instrument. About 700 people are still missing due to enforced disappearance.

The International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance was adopted in New York on December 20, 2006.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Top News

SpiceJet Faces Spot Checks, Night Surveillance Over Cancellations

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

New Delhi:

SpiceJet, for the second time in two years, has been placed under “enhanced surveillance” by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation following reports of cancelled flights and financial stress.

Earlier this month the aviation regulator – acting on reports the carrier had to cancel flights from Dubai over non-payment of dues – conducted a special audit that revealed “certain deficiencies”.

As a result the DGCA said the airline, “has once again, and with immediate effect, been placed under enhanced surveillance”, explaining this means increased spot checks and/or night-time audits with a view to ensure operational safety.

According to Reuters SpiceJet had to operate multiple empty flights from Dubai as passengers were not allowed, by airport officials there, to check-in because the airline had not paid certain fees.

That was reportedly the second such disruption this month.

A SpiceJet spokesperson attributed the cancellations to “operational issues” and said affected passengers were accommodated on subsequent flights, or other airlines, or given a full refund.

All scheduled flights from Dubai are now operating as planned, the company said.

Earlier this month, SpiceJet said it reached a settlement with Mumbai airport over “a minor financial matter,” hours after being warned, in a now deleted social media post, of “temporary disruptions”.

SpiceJet had reportedly been placed under “enhanced surveillance” in July last year too; an official told news agency PTI this was due to multiple financial issues and against the backdrop of various lessors seeking repossession of leased aircraft. The airline, however, denied any such development.

In 2022, following a series of safety issues in quick succession, the DGCA had allowed SpiceJet to operate only 50 per cent of its fleet. The aviation regulator had undertaken audits then too, only allowing the airline to release aircraft after confirming rectification of all defects or malfunctions.

READ | SpiceJet Can Fly At Full Capacity From Oct 30, Restrictions Lifted

It was only from October 30 of that year that SpiceJet was allowed to use its full fleet.

The DGCA then had pointed to big gaps on how the airline was being run, from operating flights with “degraded safety margins” and issues that indicated “poor internal safety oversight”, to vendors not being paid on time, leading to shortage of spare parts for the fleet.

Ajay Singh, who owns the airline, told NDTV then the airline remains “100 per cent safe”.

Mr Singh is bullish about his airline’s future. In June he said the airline will be raising around USD 250 million over the next couple of months as the carrier looks to overcome “significant black swan events”.

“It is difficult to kill SpiceJet….and we are trying to fix the problems,” he declared.

NDTV is now available on WhatsApp channels. Click on the link to get all the latest updates from NDTV on your chat.

Top News

CPI demands compensation to families of dengue victims in Khammam

admin Aug 29, 2024 0

CPI state secretariat member B Hemanth Rao complained that poor and middle class families were not able to get treatment in private hospitals by spending huge amounts and were losing their lives due to lack of proper treatment in government hospitals.

Published Date – 29 August 2024, 07:50 PM

CPI demands compensation to families of dengue victims in Khammam — CPI leader B Hemanth Rao speaking at a meeting in Khammam on Thursday.

Khammam: CPI state secretariat member B Hemanth Rao stressed on the need of revamping the health department in erstwhile Khammam district as the government hospitals failed to provide medical services to the public.

Speaking at a meeting at the party office here on Thursday he complained that poor and middle class families were not able to get treatment in private hospitals by spending huge amounts and were losing their lives due to lack of proper treatment in government hospitals. He wanted medical camps set up in all villages.

Every house has a patient suffering from viral fever, chikungunya or dengue. Around 50 persons have died of dengue in Khammam district alone. A compensation of Rs 10 lakh should be announced for the families of those who died due to dengue, Hemanth Rao demanded.

The stock register related to the government hospitals should be disclosed if necessary as there were allegations of non-supply of medicines in the government hospitals. Some of the staff lacked commitment to the profession and were careless in attending duties, he noted.

Meanwhile, the DM&HO Dr. V Subba Rao in a statement directed private hospitals not to diagnose dengue with rapid fever test kits but to send patient’s samples to Government General Hospital for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. Only a few hospitals have been sending samples to the district hospital to confirm dengue while some hospitals were creating panic among patients by diagnosing dengue without following due procedure. Serious action would be taken against such hospitals, he warned.