International
Turkey sends drone, rescuers to aid search for Iranian President after helicopter accident
Ankara, May 20 (IANS) Turkey has sent a drone to participate in the search and rescue operations for the helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, which had an accident in Iran’s northwestern province of East Azerbaijan.
“Based on the request made by the Iranian authorities through the Foreign Ministry, an Akinci UAV and a Cougar-type helicopter with night vision capability were assigned to participate in the search and rescue activities of the crashed helicopter of the President of Iran and his delegation,” the Defence Ministry said on Sunday evening in a statement.
The drone has been dispatched, while the helicopter remains on standby, prepared to engage pending favourable weather conditions, according to the Ministry as quoted by Xinhua news agency report.
Iran has requested a night vision search and rescue helicopter from Turkey following the helicopter accident, the Turkish disaster management agency said.
Turkey is also sending 32 search and rescue mountaineers and six vehicles to support Iran’s rescue operation, the country’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority said in a statement.
In addition, mountaineer search and rescue teams, consisting of 15 people each from Ankara, Diyarbakir, and Konya provinces are on standby to be dispatched, the statement added.
Turkey closely follows the incident in full liaison and coordination with the Iranian authorities and is ready to provide all necessary support, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said on social media platform X on Sunday.
The site of the helicopter accident is close to Turkey’s eastern Van province.
A helicopter carrying Iranian President Raisi had an accident and made a hard landing in East Azerbaijan on Sunday, the state-run IRIB TV reported.
The possible site of the incident has been determined to be in Varzaqan, nearly 670 km away from the capital Tehran, and rescue teams have been dispatched to the scene, the report said.
–IANS
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International
Xi Jinping congratulates Iran’s Pezeshkian on presidential election win
Beijing, July 6 (IANS) Chinese President Xi Jinping on Saturday sent a message to Masoud Pezeshkian, congratulating him on his election as the President of Iran.
In his message, Xi said China and Iran enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, and bilateral relations have maintained sound and steady development since the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries more than half a century ago.
In the face of the complex regional and international landscapes, China and Iran have always supported each other and stuck together through thick and thin, continuously consolidating strategic mutual trust, steadily promoting exchanges and cooperation in various fields, and maintaining sound communication and coordination on regional and international affairs, which has not only benefited the two peoples, but also made positive contributions to promoting regional and world peace and stability, Xi added.
The Chinese President also said he attaches great importance to the development of China-Iran relations, and is willing to work with Pezeshkian aiming to guide the deepening of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
–IANS
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International
PM Modi congratulates Keir Starmer, discusses India-UK FTA
New Delhi, July 6 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended an invitation to newly-elected British Prime Minister Keir Starmer for an early visit to India as both leaders agreed to work towards the early conclusion of a mutually beneficial India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The two leaders spoke over phone as PM Modi congratulated Starmer on his and Labour Party’s “remarkable victory” in the general elections.
“Pleased to speak with Keir Starmer. Congratulated him on being elected as the Prime Minister of the UK. We remain committed to deepening Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and robust India-UK economic ties for the progress and prosperity of our peoples and global good,” PM Modi posted on X after the call.
Both leaders recalled the historic relations between the two countries and reaffirmed their commitment to further deepen and advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between India and the UK.
“Appreciating the positive contributions of the Indian community in the social, economic, and political development of the UK. The two sides agreed to continue to promote close people-to-people ties. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
–IANS
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International
Labour govt will reconnect Britain, promises new UK Foreign Secretary
London, July 6 (IANS) Asserting that “diplomacy matters”, Britain’s new Foreign Secretary David Lammy said on Saturday that the new Labour government will begin with a “reset” with Europe on climate and with the global South.
Outlining his priorities following his appointment, Lammy highlighted that the world is currently facing “huge challenges” with more countries engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II.
“This government will reconnect Britain for our security and prosperity at home. What happens here in the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office is essential.
“Diplomacy matters. We will begin with a reset with Europe, on climate, and with the global South. And a gear-shift when it comes to delivering on European security, global security, and British growth,” Lammy said in a statement released by the UK Foreign Ministry on Saturday.
The 51-year-old Labour Party politician promised that the new government is determined to deliver for working people and committed to building a better future for everyone.
“It is the honour of my life to stand before you as Foreign Secretary. A descendant of enslaved people. A black, working-class, man from Tottenham. A community which never produced a Foreign Secretary before. This speaks to what a modern, multicultural Britain can be. Proudly internationalist,” he said.
Lammy also mentioned that Britain has “enormous potential” and that the change has begun now – a slogan with which the Keir Starmer-led party fought the general elections.
–IANS
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International
Pak's macroeconomic environment was challenging in 2023: Central bank
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s macroeconomic environment in the calendar year 2023 remained challenging amid rising inflation, weak foreign exchange inflows, pressures on external account and local currency, and low business confidence, particularly in the first half, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said.
However, the policy measures and regulatory interventions that were taken to address growing imbalances coupled with securing a nine-month stand-by agreement from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) helped improve the macroeconomic conditions in the second half of 2023, the SBP said in its financial stability review for 2023, Xinhua news agency reported.
Inflation started falling, economic growth recovered, and the exchange rate stabilised towards the year-end, the central bank said in the report.
Against this backdrop, the financial sector exhibited strong growth and performance, and maintained financial soundness and operational resilience, it added.
The asset base of the financial sector expanded by 27 per cent in 2023, mainly driven by the banking sector, according to the report.
–IANS
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International
Flood alert for Pakistan provinces as monsoon season begins
Islamabad, July 6 (IANS) Pakistan’s National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has issued a warning about the potential for flash floods and urban flooding due to the ongoing torrential rain, marking the beginning of the monsoon season in various parts of the country.
The National Emergency Operation Centre of the NDMA anticipates that the ongoing rain may cause flash floods in local streams of Islamabad, parts of east Punjab, and northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, the authority said in a statement, Xinhua news agency reported.
The torrential rain may also cause urban flooding in several districts of the two provinces, including their densely populated capital cities, the statement added.
The NDMA also advised provincial disaster management authorities and local administrations to closely monitor the situation and take appropriate measures to safeguard the at-risk population, the statement read.
The NDMA also urged citizens to download its mobile application for disaster alerts, which provides notifications, guidelines, and precautionary measures to address urban flooding in their areas so they can stay alert and informed.
–IANS
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