US blacklists 5 Iranians for helping Yemen rebels
Washington, May 23: The US government has unveiled fresh sanctions against five Iranian individuals linked to the country's military who are supporting anti-government forces in Yemen.
The US Office of Foreign Assets Control issued the sanctions on charges that the elite Revolutionary Guard Corps have provided ballistic missile-related technology to Yemen's Houthi rebels.
Following the sanctions, all property and property interests of the designated subject to the US jurisdiction would be blocked. Any American person will be prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.
An US Department of the Treasury statement on Tuesday said the weapons were not seen in Yemen prior to the current conflict, Xinhua news agency reported.
"The US will not tolerate Iranian support for Houthi rebels who are attacking our close partner, Saudi Arabia.
"All countries in the region should be on guard to prevent Iran from sending its personnel, weapons, and funds in support of its proxies in Yemen," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in the statement.
The Houthis launched missiles at Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh on May 9, while previous targets included Saudi Arabia's King Khalid International Airport and a US Navy ship.
The sanction followed US punishment of Iran for alleged "abuse" of the international financial systems.
Any foreign financial institution which "knowingly" facilitate significant transactions for, or persons that provide material or certain other support to, the individuals and entities designated would also risk exposure to sanctions.
Since US President Donald Trump announced his decision to exit the historic Iran nuke deal, the US Treasury has launched several sanctions against Iran.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned that Washington will inflict the strongest sanctions on Tehran to force the Islamic republic to change its course.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Karnataka cabinet approves formation of separate Dharwad Municipal Corporation
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a formation of separate Dharwad city corporation. Alongside, a 15% hike in fares across the four state transport corporations was also approved. The revised fares will come into effect on January 5.
Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil, addressing the media at the Committee Hall of Vidhana Soudha, provided details about the decision. He explained that the last fare revision for BMTC was a decade ago when diesel cost Rs 60.98 per litre. Since then, operational costs have risen significantly.
Diesel expenditure for the four corporations has increased from Rs 9.16 crore to Rs 13.21 crore, and personnel costs have grown from Rs 12.85 crore to Rs 18.36 crore. The daily operational burden now stands at Rs 9.56 crore. The fare hike is expected to generate an additional Rs 74.85 crore in monthly revenue without burdening the state exchequer, as Rs 5,015 crore has already been allocated for the Shakti Yojana this fiscal year.
Minister Patil announced that the Cabinet has decided to bifurcate the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation into two independent municipal bodies.
The Cabinet approved the construction of a fishing port in Hejamady village, Udupi, with a revised estimate of Rs 209.13 crore. Additionally, Rs 84.57 crore has been sanctioned for the modernization and dredging of fishing ports.
In a move to strengthen cow shelters, Rs 10.50 crore has been allocated for projects in 14 districts. The Cabinet also approved constructing a building for Visvesvaraya Technical University in Chikkaballapur district at Rs 149.75 crore.
The Cabinet sanctioned a state-of-the-art bus stand in Bannimantap, Mysuru, at a cost of Rs 120 crore. Spread over 14 acres, the facility will include a divisional office, bus units, and commercial shops.
Approval was also granted to utilize Rs 137.85 crore, provided by the Union Finance Ministry under the Special Capital Assistance Scheme, for capital expenditure.
The Kalyana Karnataka Regional Development Board will use Rs 56.92 crore from its SCP/TSP scheme to supply bed sheets, mosquito nets, and clothing to government residential schools and hostels.
The Cabinet approved Rs 100 crore to construct new buildings for 200 veterinary institutions currently housed in rented or dilapidated structures, using NABARD assistance.
In Davangere, a site was allotted to the Karnataka Working Journalists' Association for constructing a civic facility. A plot in Avaragere village was also leased for 30 years at a concessional rate to Nayaka Vidyarthi Nilaya.
