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Turkey to boycott US electronic goods over sanctions
Ankara, Aug 14 (IANS) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday warned that his country would boycott electronic goods from the US, after Washington imposed punitive sanctions on Ankara over the latter’s refusal to extradite a jailed American pastor.
Tensions between the two countries have escalated over US pastor Andrew Brunson, who was arrested in Turkey nearly two years ago over terrorism allegations. Washington doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports last week following Turkey’s refusal to extradite him.
The impasse led to the depreciation of the Turkish lira, which lost 25 per cent of its value in August and impacted on other countries’ currencies as well, including the Indian rupee, as investors feared the lira’s wobbles could spread to developing nations.
“If (the US) has the iPhone, there’s Samsung on the other side,” Erdogan said, referring to Apple and its South Korean competitor. He added that Turkey also had its own Venus Vetsel phones, the BBC reported.
Erdogan termed Washington’s measures as an “economic attack from abroad”. Russia, Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and Mexico also saw their currencies fall over the last week.
He said that Turkey was taking measures to stabilize the economy and should not “give in to the enemy” by investing in foreign currencies.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who was visiting Ankara, branded the US sanctions an “illegitimate policy” on Tuesday. He accused Washington of seeking an unfair competitive advantage in global trade.
Since January, the Turkish lira has lost more than 34 per cent of its value against the dollar, pushing up the price of everyday items.
In a televised speech earlier, the Turkish President called on citizens to exchange foreign currency and gold for lira, calling it an “economic war”. However, there may be a small respite for the flailing currency, which gained slightly in value after days of dramatic falls.
Turkey’s central bank has promised to provide banks with liquidity. The country’s Finance Minister will seek to reassure around 1,000 international investors in a teleconference scheduled for Thursday.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.