Hifter dismisses negotiations with govt
CAIRO, June 20: A Libyan commander whose forces are fighting to take the country's capital of Tripoli from militias allied with a UN-backed government based there has dismissed an initiative by its prime minister for negotiations to end the crisis. Khalifa Hifter also vowed to press his campaign and rid Tripoli of what he says are "terrorist militias." — AP
Putin promises social spending boost in call-in show
MOSCOW, June 20: President Vladimir Putin is promising to boost spending on social programmes as part of the government's modernisation efforts. Speaking in an annual live call-in show on Thursday, Putin faced an array of complaints about low wages and pensions. Putin responded by spelling out plans to boost salaries for public sector workers. More than 1.5 million people have sent their questions by phone, video calls or internet. For the people across the vast country, the tightly-choreographed show provides a rare opportunity to take their grievances to the very top. — AP
Erdogan's party fights to retake Istanbul in vote
ISTANBUL, June 20: Istanbul will vote for a mayor for the second time in three months on Sunday as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party fights to win back the city after a shock defeat in March. The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) successfully challenged the result in the city following the vote three months ago, which saw it lose control of both Istanbul and the capital Ankara for the first time in years.
India creates new ministry to tackle water crisis
NEW DELHI, June 20: India's government has created a new ministry to grapple with a growing water crisis, with more than 60 per cent of the country's 1.3 billion people dependent on farming and good monsoon rains. Indian President Ram Nath Kovind says the new Ministry of Water Power will tackle water conservation and management. Kovind told Parliament on Thursday that traditional water conservation practices are disappearing as ponds and lakes are filled to build houses. — AP
New York to get ambitious carbon reduction plans
NEW YORK, June 20: New York state lawmakers on Wednesday passed one of the world's most ambitious laws aimed at countering climate change, under which fossil fuel power plants and gasoline cars will be phased out by 2050. — AFP
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