Business

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Security arrangements were tightened at the Chilla border between Delhi and Noida on Wednesday as farmer union leaders have threatened to completely block the key border point to press for repeal of the Centre's new farm laws.

A senior police officer said elaborate security measures are already in place at the Chilla border. Multi-layered barricades, jersey barriers and additional security personnel have been deployed to ensure law and order.

Islamabad, Dec 15, IRNA -- Iran and Pakistan are scheduled to open Rimdan-Gabd cross-border gateway on December 19 in presence of senior officials.

The opening of the Rimdan-Gabd crossing would help accelerate economic activities in the bordering region with creating more opportunities for expanding economic and trade ties between the two countries. 

In recent years, Iranian and Pakistani officials have put on the agenda a plan to increase border crossings.

Tehran, Dec15, IRNA – President Hassan Rouhani said on Tuesday that the US sanctioners who had predicted collapse of Iran's economy in a short-term period are now leaving the White House while their dreams did not come true.

President Rouhani made the remarks at an economic session held in Tehran this morning.

Although economic war did create many difficulties, but, ultimately the Iranian nation won the US war and is now more powerful and resistant than any other time, the President noted.

15 Dec 2020; AA: No sanctions coming from the EU will change Turkey's positions on its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, the country's foreign minister said on Monday.

"It is not possible to give up our rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean just because sanctions will come or because the EU will criticize us," Mevlut Cavusoglu told lawmakers during 2021 budget debates in parliament.

15 Dec 2020; AA: Turkey’s parliament speaker on Monday rejected US sanctions on the country over its missile defense purchases. 

"Sanctioning complies neither with the spirit of alliance nor with the will to regain an ally," Mustafa Sentop said on Twitter.

“The understanding that Turkey is obliged to procure only from them in the defense industry is outdated. We will continue to take every step necessary for our nation's defense," he said.

15 Dec 2020; MEMO: Iran will be ready to administer a locally produced coronavirus vaccine on high-risk patients by July, if the results of the vaccine's clinical trials are positive in January, a health ministry official said.

"Four local companies are currently working to produce a vaccine for coronavirus and the companies' products will begin the clinical trials phase in early January." a spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Dr. Sima Sadat Lari, said in a statement yesterday.

15 Dec 2020; MEMO: The latest US move against Turkey is yet another display of its "addiction to sanctions and contempt for international law," Iran's foreign minister said today, Anadolu Agency reports.

"We strongly condemn recent U.S. sanctions against Turkey and stand with its people and government," Javad Zarif said on Twitter, using the hashtag "#NeighborsFirst."

Washington, Dec 15 (AP-PTI) A crush of sign-ups expected Tuesday on the last day of open enrolment for HealthCare.gov could help solidify the standing of Obamacare as an improbable survivor in the Donald Trump years.

In 36 states that use HealthCare.gov,- December 15 is deadline day for coverage that starts January 1, while another 14 states and Washington, D.C., have later dates. Analysts and advocates who follow the annual insurance sign-ups say interest has gotten stronger with the coronavirus pandemic gripping the nation.

New Delhi, Dec 14 (PTI) Salt-to-software conglomerate Tata Group and US-based fund Interups Inc were among "multiple" entities that on Monday put in preliminary bids for buying loss-making carrier Air India.

A group of 219 Air India employees submitted an expression of interest (EoI) for the carrier in partnership with Interups at the close of the deadline on Monday.

Nashik, Dec 14 (PTI) A protest was held here in Maharashtra on Monday in support of farmers who have been agitating at the borders of Delhi for a repeal of three agri laws.

The demonstration was held in front of the district collector's office under the aegis of the Kisan Sangharsh Samanvay Samiti (KSSS).

Besides demanding scrapping of the contentious laws, the protesters demanded that the government bring a new legislation guaranteeing the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for farm produce.