Section: Daily News & Analysis (India)
Government changes name of visa on arrival scheme to e-tourist visa
The newly-launched tourist visa on arrival scheme will be known as e-Tourist Visa from Wednesday with government making the change following requests from various quarters. Home Ministry officials said the name of the scheme – ‘Tourist visa on arrival enabled by electronic travel authorisation (TVoA-ETA)’ was creating confusion...
US raises concerns over Russia lifting ban on missiles to Iran
US Secretary of State John Kerry raised concerns with his Russian counterpart over Russia’s decision to lift a ban on missile deliveries to Iran, the White House said on Monday. Russia’s decision to start an oil-for-goods swap could also raise sanctions concerns, White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters at a daily briefing....
Bumpy road ahead for United States, Cuba after historic meeting
In the first meeting of its kind in nearly 60 years, US President Barack Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro sat down together for over an hour on Saturday at a regional summit in Panama, moving a step closer to restoring diplomatic ties. It was the result of nearly two years of secret talks and quiet diplomacy and the mood was positive, both...
Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei demands all sanctions end when nuclear deal signed
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday demanded that all sanctions on Iran be lifted at the same time as any final agreement with world powers on curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme is concluded. Khamenei, the Islamic Republic’s most powerful figure and who has the last say on all state matters, was making his first...
Ukraine sets sights on joining NATO
Ukraine, locked in conflict with Russian-backed separatists in its east, on Thursday drew up a new security doctrine denouncing Russia’s “aggression” and setting its sights on joining the US-led NATO military alliance. Oleksander Turchynov, head of the national security council, told a session of the body that Ukraine saw...
Ukraine parliament approves sweeping gas sector reform law
Ukraine’s parliament on Thursday backed a law aimed at breaking the stranglehold of powerful groups over the lucrative gas distribution sector and establishing fairer market conditions. “This law will abolish the monopoly of the oligarchs and allow gas price reductions,” said Oleh Lyashko, leader of Ukrainian Radical Party,...
Iran’s Khamenei breaks silence in nuclear deal, says details are key
Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Thursday demanded that all sanctions on Iran be lifted at the same time as any final agreement with world powers on curbing Tehran’s nuclear programme is concluded. Khamenei, the Islamic Republic’s most powerful figure and who has the last say on all state matters, was making his first...
BJP hails government for speedy evacuation of Indians from Yemen
Lauding the government’s efforts in bringing back Indians from strife-torn Yemen, BJP on Wednesday said the safe and speedy evacuation of 4,500 countrymen has not just made the nation proud but also enhanced India’s prestige in the world. BJP said it is not just Indians who have been safely evacuated from in Yemen, ‘Operation...
Sanctions-hit Russia looks to Africa to boost arms, technology sales
Russia is pursuing costly state oil and platinum projects in Africa despite an economic crisis at home, hoping they will bolster sales, including of arms, for businesses hit by Western sanctions over the conflict in Ukraine. Moscow has mostly focused on building ties with Asia since the US and European Union sanctions came into force last year,...
Six Ukrainian soldiers killed as rebel uprising marks first anniversary
At least six Ukrainian servicemen were killed in separatist attacks on Sunday in Ukraine’s troubled eastern regions in a grim weekend marking the first anniversary of a rebellion against Kiev’s pro-Western rulers. Four Ukrainian soldiers died when their vehicle was hit by a shell fired by the Russian-backed rebels as it drove across a...
