Strategic Affairs Archives - Page 297 of 303

08 Dec

Turkish FM urges US to finalise F-16 sale ‘as soon as possible’

Ankara, Dec 8 (IANS) Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that the sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Ankara "needs to be finalised as soon as possible". Cavusoglu made the remarks at a joint press conference in Istanbul with visiting Moldovian Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration Nicu Popescu, in response to the latest US Congressional agreement to remove restrictive conditions in the final text of the defence budget on the sale of F-16s to Turkey, reports Xinhua news agency. Turkey, aiming to bolster its airforce with 40 F-16 jets, has been adamant in its opposition to any conditions…

08 Dec

EU new sanctions target Russia’s armed forces, drone supply

Brussels, Dec 8 (IANS) The European Commission has proposed the ninth package of sanctions against Russia that will include nearly 200 individuals and entities and cut Russia's access to drones. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday in a statement that the eight packages of sanctions introduced so far were "biting hard" but the Commission was "stepping up the pressure on Russia". The ninth package proposes adding nearly 200 additional individuals and entities to the sanctions list, including the Russian armed forces, as well as individual officers and defence industrial companies, among others. It also proposed sanctions against…

08 Dec

Palestinian killed by Israeli military for drive-by shooting attack

Ramallah, Dec 8 (IANS) A Palestinian, who reportedly launched a drive-by shooting attack on an Israeli military post, was killed by Israeli soldiers east of the West Bank city of Ramallah, Israeli and Palestinian authorities said. The Palestinian Health Ministry said on Wednesday in a statement that Mujahid Hammed, 32, was shot dead by Israeli soldiers near the town of Silwad, east of Ramallah. Silwad mayor Ra'ed Hammad told Xinhua that a group of Israeli soldiers, who were chasing Hammed in nearby mountains, shot him and held his body, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that earlier in the…

07 Dec

Hawaii activates National Guard as lava flow nears critical highway

Honolulu, Dec 7 (IANS) The world's largest active volcano, the Mauna Loa in Hawaii, has prompted the US National Guard to help as residents and tourists flock to witness the rare scene. Since its eruption on November 27, Mauna Loa has been shooting jets of lava toward the sky and down the massive mountain, reports Xinhua news agency. While officials said there is still no immediate risk to communities on Hawaii's Big Island, lava has now crept within 2 miles of the main highway connecting the eastern and western halves of the Big Island. "The leading edge of the lava flow…

07 Dec

Vice Chief of Army Staff on 3-day Malaysia visit

New Delhi, Dec 7 (IANS) Lieutenant General B.S. Raju, the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) has embarked on a three-day visit to Malaysia. During the visit, the Vice Chief will take forward the defence cooperation between India and Malaysia through multiple meetings with senior military and civilian leadership of the country. A troop of Indian Army's Garhwal Rifles Regiment is already in Malaysia for an international military exercise 'Harimau Shakti -2022'. The Indian Army is conducting the joint military exercise in Malaysia with the Royal Malay Regiment of the Malaysian Army. In this exercise, Indian and Malaysian Armies will share…

07 Dec

Zelensky visits troops in Donetsk, presents state awards

Kiev, Dec 7 (IANS) Marking the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky visited troops in the eastern Donetsk region, which Russia claims as its own after a sham referendum, and presented the soldiers with state awards. "I am honored to be with you here in Donbas today. Allow me to congratulate you on your holiday and the great holiday of our entire state - the Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I wish you strength to heroically defend our state, as you are doing now," Zelensky was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the…

07 Dec

Republicans’ House Minority Leader’s Biden impeachment move falling through

Washington, Dec 7 (IANS) Republicans' current house minority leader Kevin McCarthy, whose election as speaker of the house in January 2023 itself is not sure, is falling through with his proposal to impeach US President Joe Biden as fellow Republicans have shown cold shouldered him. Biden, who is not only growing strong with approval ratings with the public as his presidential performance is being endorsed, but also found greater support among his partymen for stopping the much touted former president Donald Trump's Red Tsunami ending in a whimper. Final tally for the house is Democrats 213 and Republicans 222. McCarthy who…

06 Dec

Discussions on India’s G20 priorities conclude on Day 3 of 1st Sherpa Meeting

New Delhi, Dec 6 (IANS) Substantive conversations on key global issues of inclusive growth, multilateralism, and women-led development, as well as 3Fs (Food, Fuel, and Fertiliser), tourism, and culture, were the highlights of the third day of the first Sherpa Meeting of India's G20 Presidency, being held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. Tuesday marked the conclusion of all five substantive sessions of the Sherpa meeting in Udaipur. Initiating the discussions, Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa provided an overview of India's G20 priorities on the above subjects, across six different Working Groups on Agriculture, Trade and Investment, Employment, Anti-Corruption, Tourism, and Culture, as well as…

06 Dec

Diplomacy, foreign policy contributors honoured at UN with Diwali Foundation award

United Nations, Dec 6 (IANS) Diplomats and a US politician have been honoured at the UN with the Diwali Foundation's Power of One award recognising their contributions to promoting international relations. The head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the UN, Olof Skoog, described the unique annual awards at the UN as the "Oscars of Diplomacy", while introducing to the ceremony on Monday. General Assembly President Csaba Korosi said that "the essence of Diwali transcends cultures and inspires all of us to strive for a better world" and "that is what today's awardees have helped to do, showing the way…

06 Dec

Political instability in Pak continues to pose serious challenges

Islamabad, Dec 6 (IANS) Political instability in Pakistan continues to pose serious challenges to the countrys future since former Prime Minister Imran Khan's announcement to dissolve two major provincial and two legislative assemblies with an intent to trigger and pressure the federal government to announce early elections and succumb to his demand. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its major coalition in country's largest province Punjab, led by Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi, who is also leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q), have been on constant consultations to formulate a plan to take take forward Khan's announcement. While the PML-Q leader has…