Tag: Ladakh News

331 migrants rescued off Libyan coast in past week: IOM

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Tripoli: The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has said that 331 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya in the past week.
“In the period of January 22-28, 2023, 331 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya,” IOM added in a statement on Monday.
The rescued migrants included 20 women and 35 children, it added.
So far this year, a total of 1,103 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, while 17 died and 18 others went missing off the Libyan coast, IOM revealed.
In 2022, a total of 24,684 migrants were rescued and returned to Libya, the IOM said, adding 529 migrants died and 848 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the Central Mediterranean route, Xinhua news agency reported.
Because of the insecurity and chaos in the country since the fall of late leader Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, many migrants, mostly Africans, chose to cross the Mediterranean Sea to European shores from Libya.
Rescued migrants usually end up inside overcrowded reception centres across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centres and release the migrants.

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#migrants #rescued #Libyan #coast #week #IOM
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Croatian Prez criticises NATO chief’s visit to S. Korea, Japan

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Zagreb: Croatian President Zoran Milanovic has criticized the visit to South Korea and Japan by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and condemned the Western decision to send battle tanks to Ukraine.
“I see that the Chief of NATO is in South Korea and Japan … He does not represent me and my country there. It is not a NATO area, but it is in the neighborhood of China. It has nothing to do with Croatia,” Milanovic said on Monday as he met the Croatian troops dispatched to participate in NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence battlegroup in Lithuania.
Stoltenberg is in South Korea and Japan between January 29 and February 1 to address the alleged security threats from North Korea and China.
The Croatian President also condemned the West’s decision to send German tanks to Ukraine, stressing that sending weapons will not end the conflict in Ukraine, Xinhua news agency reported.
“Russian tanks have burned out and the same fate awaits the German tanks,” Milanovic added.
As opposed to the Croatian government which was willing to participate in the new Military Mission of the EU to support Ukraine, the Croatian President rejects military training for Ukrainian soldiers in Croatia and criticised Western policies in Ukraine.
As some in the European Parliament are talking about “tearing Russia apart,” Milanovic termed the idea as “crazy”.

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#Croatian #Prez #criticises #NATO #chiefs #visit #Korea #Japan
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Israeli citizen arrested after crossing into Lebanon

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Jerusalem: An Israeli citizen crossed over to Lebanon and was detained by Lebanese security forces, according to a statement by Israel’s Army.
The incident took place on Monday morning, the Army said on Monday, adding that the man was seen crossing the border fence from Israeli territory into Lebanese territory.
As the two countries do not have diplomatic ties and are officially at war, talks for his return “are currently being held through coordination and liaison channels,” the Army said.
Israel’s state-owned Kan TV news identified the man as an Arab citizen of Israel, Xinhua news agency reported.
Lebanese media reported he is currently under questioning.
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#Israeli #citizen #arrested #crossing #Lebanon

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Indian economy remains a ‘bright spot’: IMF

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Washington: India’s economy has retained the crown of “a bright spot” in the International Monetary Fund’s latest World Economic Outlook report released on Monday and it is slated to account for half of the global growth in 2023, compared to just a tenth coming from the combined might of the US, the world’s largest economy, and Europe, which comprises some of the largest economies.
The Indian economy is expected to grow by 6.1 per cent in 2023, which is 0.7 percentage points lower than 6.8 per cent in 2022, which was earlier projected by the fund in its October forecast. The growth rate will be back at the 2022 level of 6.8 per cent in 2024, the fund has further projected, based on “resilient domestic demand despite external headwinds”.
“India remains a bright spot,” Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, an IMF official, wrote in a blog accompanying the World Economic Outlook update, a quarterly report.
“Together with China, it will account for half of global growth this year, versus just a tenth for the US and euro area combined.”
The phrase “a bright spot” has been used for India’s economic growth for years now by the IMF, the World Bank and other similar bodies, in a nod to its inner resilience against external headwinds and bucking the trend either on the global stage or in the shrunken confine of Asia and South Asia.
India’s projected growth rate of 6.1 per cent for 2023 is 0.8 percentage points better than the IMF expectation of 5.3 per cent for a category of countries the fund describes as Emerging and Developing Asia. The 2024 match-up is even better, with India expected to got to 6.8 per cent while the Asian entity will see a decline to 5.2 per cent.
The global economy, however, is in a much better shape than how the fund saw it in October. It is projected to fall from an estimated 3.4 per cent in 2022 to 2.9 per cent in 2023, then rise to 3.1 per cent in 2024.
In October, the IMF projected global growth is forecast to slow from 6 per cent in 2021 to 3.2 per cent in 2022 and 2.7 per cent in 2023, and had called it the “weakest growth profile since 2001 except for the global financial crisis and the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic and reflects significant slowdowns for the largest economies: a US GDP contraction in the first half of 2022, a euro area contraction in the second half of 2022, and prolonged Covid-19 outbreaks and lockdowns in China with a growing property sector crisis”.

The headwinds for 2023 global economic growth were, as projected by the IMF, “central bank rates to fight inflation and Russia’s war in Ukraine”.
Additionally, the rapid spread of Covid-19 in China dampened growth in 2022, but the recent reopening has paved the way for a faster-than-expected recovery. Global inflation is expected to fall from 8.8 per cent in 2022 to 6.6 per cent in 2023 and 4.3 per cent in 2024, still above pre-pandemic (2017-19).
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#Indian #economy #remains #bright #spot #IMF
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Yediyurappa announces retirement from electoral politics

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Belagavi: Former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa on Monday announced his retirement from electoral politics.
Yediyurappa, who is also a member of the BJP’s Central Parliamentary Committee, however, clarified that he will continue to be in politics.
Addressing reporters here, Yediyurappa said that he won’t contest in the upcoming Assembly elections, adding that he is not planning to contest any elections in future. “I am 80 years old now. I can’t contest elections,” he said.
He said that he will continue in active politics and maintained that his only aim now is to bring the BJP government back to power in the state. “I aim is also to ensure the return of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to power in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections,” he added.
Yediyurappa is batting for a befitting position for his son B.Y. Vijayendra in the party. He earlier announced that Vijayendra would contest from Shikaripura Assembly constituency, which he represents. Later, he said that the party would take a final call on it.
Party insiders claimed that Yediyurappa is snubbed within the party and prevented from taking up independent yatras and tours. His announcement sent political circles buzzing.
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#Yediyurappa #announces #retirement #electoral #politics
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
2020 Delhi riots: Court acquits nine accused

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New Delhi: A Delhi court on Monday acquitted nine persons accused of rioting, arson and other offences during the 2020 Delhi riots, granting the benefit of doubt, which includes delay by the police in recording vital information related to the accused’s involvement.
They are accused of setting a shop and house on fire during the riots and police charge-sheeted them for committing offences punishable under Sections 147-149, 188, 427 and 436 of the Indian Penal Code.
Additional Sessions Judge, Karkardooma Court, Pulastya Pramachala, said: “I hold that sole testimony of Head Constable Vipin cannot be sufficient to assume the presence of accused persons in the mob, which set ablaze property of the complainant in Chaman Vihar. In such a situation, accused persons are given benefit of the doubt.”
The acquitted persons are Mohd. Shahnawaz alias Shanu, Shahrukh, Mohd. Shoaib alias Chhutwa, Azad, Md. Faisal, Rashid alias Raja, Ashraf Ali, Parvej and Rashid alias Monu.
Pramachala added that even though Vipin attended the briefing at the police station everyday with Investigation officers (IOs), he did not formally record it anywhere.
The Additional Sessions Judge said: “In his cross-examination, Vipin conceded that there had been a briefing at the police station everyday, which was attended by him as well as IOs. Still, the knowledge about the involvement of the accused persons was not formally recorded anywhere, till April 7, 2020.”
The court, however, noted that Vipin had stated that he had orally informed his senior officers about information with him, after about a week or 15 days of riots.
“No explanation has been offered for such delay in passing on such crucial information to senior officers by this witness,” the court noted.

The court said: “If actually such information was given to the senior officers, then why didn’t senior officers get such information recorded in a formal manner.”
Pramachala added: “Keeping in view such delay in disclosure of vital information being recorded, I find it desirable to apply the test of consistent testimony of more than one witness, in the present case also.”
Giving relief to the accused persons by granting them benefit of doubt, Additional Sessions Judge said: “Applying that test, I hold that sole testimony of PW9 cannot be sufficient to assume the presence of accused persons herein in the mob, which set ablaze property of the complainant in Chaman Vihar. In such a situation, accused persons are given the benefit of the doubt.”
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#Delhi #riots #Court #acquits #accused
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Egyptian Prez, US state secretary discuss Israeli-Palestinian tensions

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Cairo: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi has discussed with visiting US Secretary of State Antony Blinken the ongoing escalating tensions between Israel and Palestine, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.
Al-Sisi on Monday stressed the importance of immediate action at the political and security levels to calm the situation and limit any unilateral measures taken by the two parties, Xinhua news agency reported.
The Egyptian President also reiterated “Egypt’s fixed stand to reach a just and comprehensive solution that guarantees the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international references, and in a way that solves this pivotal regional issue and opens prospects for peace, stability, cooperation, and construction”.
Blinken, who is on a three-day trip to the Middle East, said Washington is “counting on vigorous coordination with Egypt to restore stability, achieve calm, and contain the situation between the Palestinian and Israeli sides”.
They also exchanged views over several regional and international issues of common concern, according to the statement.
Blinken is scheduled to leave for Israel later on Monday to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before travelling to Ramallah to meet with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas amid escalating tensions between the two sides.
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#Egyptian #Prez #state #secretary #discuss #IsraeliPalestinian #tensions
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Hungary reports strong tourism rebound in 2022

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Budapest: Hungary’s tourism sector saw a strong recovery in 2022, with the number of overnight stays in the country’s commercial accommodations increasing by almost 40 percent year-on-year to nearly 40 million, the authorities said.
“The number of overnight stays was only 5 percent fewer than in 2019 before the (Covid-19) pandemic,” Zoltan Guller, Director of the Hungarian Tourism Agency, said on Monday.
Last year, revenues from commercial lodging increased by 52 percent year-on-year to 668 billion Hungarian forints ($1.86 billion), Guller added.
Overall, the capital city, Budapest, was the most popular tourist destination in Hungary, while the northeastern mountain regions of Matra and Bukk, as well as Lake Balaton, were the most frequently visited destinations among domestic travelers, Xinhua news agency reported.
Most foreign visitors to Hungary arrived from Germany, followed by the Czech Republic, Romania, the UK, and Poland.
Guller said that last year’s tourism figures were still lower than those of 2019 due to fewer visitors from the US, Russia, and China. (1 Hungarian forint = 0.0028 US dollar)
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#Hungary #reports #strong #tourism #rebound

( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Hyderabad: Cyberabad police 3 for loan fraud, cheating public

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Hyderabad: The Cyberabad police’s cybercrime cell apprehended a gang involved in loan frauds. The accused would source bank accounts and SIM Cards on mule identities in Telangana and other states. The gang comprises call center operators, tele callers and suppliers of bank accounts, ATM cards and SIM cards.
According to the Cyberabad police, the arrested persons are Subash Kumar, Shreekant Kumar and Amit.
One of the common methods used by these people is that they put online advertisements for quick loan disbursals using the names of trusted organizations such as Bajaj Finance and mention their contact numbers in the advertisement.
“When somebody clicks on the advertisement or its link, they send them a message or sometimes people call the fraudster’s number given in the advertisement. In the guise of providing a loan, the fraudsters take money from victims on various pretexts like Loan insurance fee, loan agreement charge, GST, Loan processing fee etc.,” said Stephen Raveendra, Cyberabad police commissioner.
He added that people pay up the amount because they think that by paying money, they will get the loans. The money received from victims is taken into mule bank accounts sourced by fraudsters. Later, all payments made by victims are transferred multiple times through various accounts to prevent detection and finally withdrawn, said the officer.
The accused sourced and sold more than 675 mule bank accounts and 725 mule SIM cards and committed fraud.
The Cyberabad police seized 17 debit cards of different banks, three bank pass books, four smartphones and fake loan offer and confirmation letters

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#Hyderabad #Cyberabad #police #loan #fraud #cheating #public
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023
Turkey may evaluate NATO applications of Finland, Sweden separately: FM

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Ankara: Turkey could evaluate Finland’s NATO bid separately from Sweden’s bid to distinguish “between a problematic country and a less problematic one,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.
“If NATO and these countries take such a decision, we, as Turkey, think that we may evaluate the applications separately. But first of all, NATO and these countries have to decide,” Cavusoglu added at a joint press conference with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho on Monday.
He emphasised that the alliance and these countries initially requested that the membership process of the two countries be carried out together, Xinhua news agency reported.
Since then, Finland has taken some steps, but there were “provocations” in Sweden, he said.
“We’ve been saying that we have fewer problems with Finland since the two countries’ application process started. It would be fair to distinguish between a problematic country and a less problematic one,” the Minister added.
On Sunday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey may show a different approach to Finland’s NATO bid than Sweden.
“We may respond differently to Finland if necessary. Sweden would be shocked when we respond differently to Finland. But Finland should not make the same mistake,” Erdogan added.
Turkey submitted a list of 120 “terrorists” to Sweden for extradition, he said, adding that the Nordic country must extradite these people in order to join NATO.

Turkey has postponed a trilateral meeting with Sweden and Finland on their NATO bids slated to take place in February following the burning of a copy of the Quran in Sweden.
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#Turkey #evaluate #NATO #applications #Finland #Sweden #separately
( With inputs from www.siasat.com )

January 31, 2023