A helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, the country's foreign minister and other officials apparently crashed in the mountainous northwest reaches of Iran on Sunday, sparking a massive rescue operation in a fog-shrouded forest as the public was urged to pray. The likely crash came as Iran under Raisi and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei launched an unprecedented drone-and-missile attack on Israel last month and has enriched uranium closer than ever to weapons-grade levels. Iran has also faced years of mass protests against its Shiite theocracy over an ailing economy and women's rights making the moment that much more sensitive for Tehran and the future of the country as the Israel-Hamas war inflames the wider Middle East. Raisi was traveling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province. State TV said what it called a 'hard landing' happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometers (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Later, state TV put it farther east near the village of Uzi, but details remained contradictory. Traveling with Raisi were Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. One local government official used the word ¿crash," but others referred to either a 'hard landing' or an 'incident'. Neither IRNA nor state TV offered any information on Raisi's condition in the hours afterward. However, hard-liners urged the public to pray for him. State TV later aired images of the faithful praying at Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, as well as in Qom and other locations across the country. State television's main channel aired the prayers nonstop. "The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog," Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in comments aired on state TV. "Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter." "The region is a bit (rugged) and it's difficult to make contact,¿ he added. "We are waiting for rescue teams to reach the landing site and give us more information." IRNA called the area a 'forest' and the region is known to be mountainous as well. State TV aired images of SUVs racing through a wooded area and said they were being hampered by poor weather conditions, including heavy rain and wind. A rescue helicopter tried to reach the area where authorities believe Raisi's helicopter was, but it couldn't land due to the heavy mist, emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast told IRNA. Long after the sun set, Iranian government spokesman Ali Bahadori Jahromi acknowledged that ¿we are experiencing difficult and complicated conditions¿ in the search. "It is the right of the people and the media to be aware of the latest news about the president's helicopter accident, but considering the coordinates of the incident site and the weather conditions, there is no' new news whatsoever until now," he wrote on the social platform X. "In these moments, patience, prayer and trust in relief groups are the way forward." Raisi had been on the border with Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third one that the two nations built on the Aras River. The visit came despite chilly relations between the two nations, including over a gun attack on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Tehran in 2023, and Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with Israel, which Iran's Shiite theocracy views as its main enemy in the region. Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. IRNA published images it described as Raisi taking off in what resembled a Bell 412 helicopter, with a blue-and-white paint scheme previously seen in published photographs. Raisi, 63, is a hard-liner who formerly led the country's judiciary. He is viewed as a protégé of Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after his death or resignation from the role. Raisi won Iran's 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic's history. Raisi is sanctioned by the U.S. in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Mideast, like Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. Meanwhile, mass protests in the country have raged for years. The most recent involved the 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a woman who had been earlier detained over allegedly not wearing a hijab, or headscarf, to the liking of authorities. The monthslong security crackdown that followed the demonstrations killed more than 500 people and saw over 22,000 detained. In March, a United Nations investigative panel found that Iran was responsible for the 'physical violence' that led to Amini's death. President Joe Biden was briefed by aides on the Iran crash, but administration officials have not learned much more than what is being reported publicly by Iran state media, said a senior administration official, who was not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 10:58 PM IST | Dubai | APA helicopter carrying Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi suffered a 'hard landing' on Sunday, Iranian state media reported, without elaborating. Some began urging the public to pray for Raisi and the others on board as rescue crews sped through a misty, rural forest where his helicopter was believed to be. Raisi was travelling in Iran's East Azerbaijan province. State TV said the incident happened near Jolfa, a city on the border with with the nation of Azerbaijan, some 600 kilometres (375 miles) northwest of the Iranian capital, Tehran. Later, the TV put it farther east near the village of Uzi, but details remained contradictory. Travelling with Raisi were Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, the governor of Iran's East Azerbaijan province and other officials and bodyguards, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. One local government official used the word 'crash' to describe the incident, but he acknowledged to an Iranian newspaper that he had yet to reach the site himself. Neither IRNA nor state TV offered any information on Raisi's condition. However, hard-liners urged the public to pray for him. State TV later aired images of the faithful praying at Imam Reza Shrine in the city of Mashhad, one of Shiite Islam's holiest sites, as well as in Qom and other locations across the country. "The esteemed president and company were on their way back aboard some helicopters and one of the helicopters was forced to make a hard landing due to the bad weather and fog," Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi said in comments aired on state TV. "Various rescue teams are on their way to the region but because of the poor weather and fogginess it might take time for them to reach the helicopter," he added. "The region is a bit (rugged) and it's difficult to make contact. We are waiting for rescue teams to reach the landing site and give us more information," he said. Rescuers were attempting to reach the site, state TV said, but had been hampered by poor weather conditions. There had been heavy rain and fog reported with some wind. IRNA called the area a "forest" and the region is known to be mountainous as well. State TV aired images of SUVs racing through a wooded area. A rescue helicopter tried to reach the area where authorities believe Raisi's helicopter was, but it couldn't land due to the heavy mist, emergency services spokesman Babak Yektaparast told IRNA. Raisi had been on the border with Azerbaijan early Sunday to inaugurate a dam with Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev. The dam is the third one that the two nations built on the Aras River. The visit came despite chilly relations between the two nations, including over a gun attack on Azerbaijan's Embassy in Tehran in 2023, and Azerbaijan's diplomatic relations with Israel, which Iran's Shiite theocracy views as its main enemy in the region. Iran flies a variety of helicopters in the country, but international sanctions make it difficult to obtain parts for them. Its military air fleet also largely dates back to before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Raisi, 63, is a hard-liner who formerly led the country's judiciary. He is viewed as a protégé of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and some analysts have suggested he could replace the 85-year-old leader after his death or resignation from the role. Raisi won Iran's 2021 presidential election, a vote that saw the lowest turnout in the Islamic Republic's history. Raisi is sanctioned by the US in part over his involvement in the mass execution of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 at the end of the bloody Iran-Iraq war. Under Raisi, Iran now enriches uranium at nearly weapons-grade levels and hampers international inspections. Iran has armed Russia in its war on Ukraine, as well as launched a massive drone-and-missile attack on Israel amid its war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It also has continued arming proxy groups in the Mideast, like Yemen's Houthi rebels and Lebanon's Hezbollah. The US State Department said it was "closely following reports of a possible hard landing of a helicopter in Iran carrying the Iranian president and foreign minister." It added, "We have no further comment at this time." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 09:01 PM IST | Dubai | APIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under mounting pressure from his own War Cabinet and his country's closest ally over postwar plans for Gaza, even as the war with Hamas shows no sign of ending. On Saturday, Benny Gantz, a member of the War Cabinet and Netanyahu's main political rival, said he would leave the government on June 8 if it did not formulate a new war plan including an international, Arab and Palestinian administration to handle civilian affairs in Gaza. Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, the third member of the Cabinet, has also called for a plan for Palestinian administration, and said in a speech this week that he wouldn't agree to Israel governing Gaza itself.The United States has meanwhile called for a revitalized Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza with assistance from Saudi Arabia and other Arab states ahead of eventual statehood. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan is expected to push those plans when he visits Israel on Sunday. So far, Netanyahu has brushed them all off. But Gantz' ultimatum could reduce his margin for maneuver. Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, saying he plans to hand civil responsibilities over to local Palestinians unaffiliated with it or Hamas. But he has also said that it's impossible to make any such plans until Hamas is defeated because it has threatened anyone who cooperates with Israel. Netanyahu's government is also deeply opposed to Palestinian statehood. In a statement issued after the ultimatum, Netanyahu said Gantz' conditions would amount to "defeat for Israel, abandoning most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact and establishing a Palestinian state.'Netanyahu added, however, that he still thought the emergency government was important for prosecuting the war, and that he 'expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public.' Gantz' departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to his far-right coalition allies, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who could more easily bring down the government if he doesn't meet their demands. They have called for Israel to reoccupy Gaza, encourage the 'voluntary emigration' of Palestinians from the territory and reestablish Jewish settlements that were removed in 2005. Critics of Netanyahu, including thousands who have joined weekly protests in recent months, accuse him of prolonging the war for his own political survival. Gantz, who brought his centrist party into the government days after the Oct. 7 attack that triggered the war, warned Netanyahu not to 'choose the path of fanatics and lead the entire nation to the abyss.' Netanyahu denies such accusations, saying he is focused on defeating Hamas and that elections would distract from the war effort. Polls indicate Netanyahu would be driven from office if new elections were held, with Gantz most likely to replace him. That would probably mark the end of Netanyahu's long political career and expose him to prosecution over longstanding corruption charges. Israeli media have reported growing discontent within the country's security establishment over the course of the war, with officials warning that the lack of any such planning was turning tactical victories into strategic defeat. With no one else to govern Gaza, Hamas has repeatedly regrouped, even in the hardest-hit areas that Israel previously said it had cleared. Heavy fighting has erupted in recent days in the built-up Jabaliya refugee camp in the north and the Zeitoun neighbourhood on the outskirts of Gaza City. Israeli troops are meanwhile pushing into parts of the southern city of Rafah in what they say is a limited operation. The fighting there has displaced some 800,000 people, many who had already fled from other areas, and severely hindered the delivery of humanitarian aid. Indirect talks mediated by the United States, Qatar and Egypt aimed at a cease-fire and the release of scores of hostages held by Hamas meanwhile appear at a standstill, with many of the hostages' families and their supporters blaming the Israeli government. 'Something has gone wrong," Gantz said in his address. 'Essential decisions were not taken. Acts of leadership required to ensure victory were not carried out. A small minority has taken over the command bridge of the Israeli ship and is leading it toward a wall of rocks.' This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 05:36 PM IST | Jerusalem | APAmid violence in the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek, a special flight carrying 180 Pakistan students landed at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Saturday after several foreigners were subjected to mob violence in the Central Asia country, Dawn reported. Kyrgyz police said they had mobilised forces in the Central Asian nation's capital yesterday to quell the violence, in which hundreds of Kyrgyz men attacked buildings housing foreign students, including Pakistanis. According to Pakistan's embassy in Bishkek, foreign students living in the Kyrgyz capital, including those from Pakistan, were attacked by locals in the aftermath of their brawl with Egyptian nationals on May 13. Dawn reported, citing Kyrgyz private media outlet 24.kg, that a "spontaneous protest against foreigners" that began on Friday evening in Bishkek ended Saturday morning after police came to an agreement with the rioters and they dispersed a little later. The report quoted the Kyrgyz health ministry as saying 29 people were injured in the violence. The country's foreign ministry, meanwhile, said 14 foreigners were discharged from hospitals after treatment. The Pakistani embassy in Bishkek reported there were no deaths. "Moreover, Kygyz Ministry of Internal Affairs has also issued press releases stating that the situation is under control," it said. State-run Pakistan Television (PTV) said that a special flight with 180 Pakistani students from Bishkek arrived at the Lahore airport. It said it was only the first batch, Dawn reported. The first batch of students was received by Pakistan's Interior Minister, Mohsin Naqvi. In response to the situation, the Pakistani embassy in Kyrgyzstan has issued a directive advising Pakistani students in Bishkek to remain indoors. Pakistan's ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, Hasan Zaigham, shared an advisory for their students on X, "In view of mob violence around student hostels in Bishkek, the embassy strongly advises all Pakistani students in Bishkek to stay indoors until the situation returns to normal." "We are liaising with the local law enforcement authorities to ensure safety of our student fraternity," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 05:27 PM IST | Mumbai | ANIEscalating tensions among Israeli leaders over the ongoing war in Gaza, Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz has threatened to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan for the war in Gaza within three weeks, CNN reported on Saturday. This move would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on his far-right allies. Former Israeli defense minister Gantz is demanding that the cabinet lays out a plan for the war against Hamas by June 8. In remarks in the city of Ramat Gan on Saturday night local time, Gantz warned that if his demands are not met, he will withdraw from the government. He said the plan should eliminate Hamas, bring back the hostages, establish an alternative government in the strip, bring back Israeli residents to the north of Israel, and set up a plan to make progress on normalization with Saudi Arabia, CNN reported. Gantz said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu must choose between "victory and disaster" as he issued the ultimatum. "If (Netanyahu) choose(s) to lead the nation into the abyss, we will withdraw from the government, turn to the people, and form a government that can bring about a real victory," Gantz said, CNN reported. Gantz's ultimatum comes days after current Defense Minister Yoav Gallant publicly demanded a post-war plan and warned he would oppose Israeli rule in Gaza -- his most direct statement on the topic. Gallant warned of the consequences of a long-term Israeli military presence in Gaza and called out Netanyahu directly. Gantz defended Israel's military operations in Rafah, calling the city a "gate" for the re-emergence of Hamas. Gantz said that to achieve peace between Israelis and Palestinians, Hamas cannot remain in Gaza and must be cleared from Rafah, CNN reported. He acknowledged the harmful impact the war is having on civilians but insisted that "decisiveness" is needed. Meanwhile, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office has rejected Benny Gantz's threat to leave the government, saying the ultimatum he laid out for the war plan against Hamas would harm Israel. "The conditions set by Benny Gantz are washed-up words whose meaning is clear: the end of the war and a defeat for Israel, the abandonment of most of the hostages, leaving Hamas intact, and the establishment of a Palestinian state," the office said in a statement. The office also asked Gantz if he's determined to eliminate the Hamas battalions, oppose the introduction of the Palestinian Authority into Gaza, and oppose the establishment of a Palestinian state - saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is committed to all three, CNN reported. "Prime Minister Netanyahu thinks that the emergency government is important for achieving all the goals of the war, including the return of all our hostages, and expects Gantz to clarify his positions to the public on these issues," according to the statement. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 05:11 PM IST | Goghat | PTIBenny Gantz, a member of Israel's three-man War Cabinet, has threatened to resign from the government if it doesn't adopt a new plan for the war in Gaza, a move that would leave Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu more reliant on his far-right allies. His announcement on Saturday escalates a divide within Israel's leadership more than seven months into a war in which it has yet to accomplish its stated goals of dismantling Hamas and returning scores of hostages abducted in the Oct. 7 attack. Gantz spelled out a six-point plan that includes the return of scores of hostages, ending Hamas' rule, demilitarizing the strip and establishing an international administration of civilian affairs. It also supports efforts to normalize relations with Saudi Arabia. He says if it is not adopted by June 8 he will quit the government. Gantz, a centrist politician and longtime political rival of Netanyahu, joined his coalition and the War Cabinet in the early days of the war. His departure would leave Netanyahu even more beholden to far-right allies who have taken a hard line on negotiations over a cease-fire and hostage release, and who believe Israel should occupy Gaza and rebuild Jewish settlements there. The first distribution of badly needed aid is expected to begin this weekend after rolling off a newly built U.S. pier off the coast of Gaza, even as aid workers warn much more access is needed to the besieged territory where famine might be under way. Israeli restrictions and heavy fighting in the war against the Hamas militant group now in its eighth month have left residents in parts of Gaza scrounging for weeds and animal feed, skipping meals and living on pale diets of bread. Deliveries to the territory that long has largely relied on humanitarian aid are still far from the average of about 500 trucks that entered daily before the war. United Nations officials have not said where the truckloads of food would be distributed after arriving Friday and being stored in central Deir al-Balah. U.S. military officials anticipate the pier operation could reach 150 truckloads a day. Risks include attacks, logistical hurdles and a growing shortage of fuel. The Israeli blockade of Gaza began after Hamas' Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and took 250 others hostage. Israel says around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza, along with the bodies of around 30 more. The Israeli offensive has killed more than 35,000 Palestinians in Gaza, local health officials say, while hundreds more have been killed in the occupied West Bank. On Saturday, at least five police officers were killed in an Israeli strike on a car in the Nuseirat refugee camp, medical officials said. They were taken to a hospital in Deir al-Balah and counted by Associated Press journalists. The police are a civilian force distinct from Hamas' military wing. Overnight, at least three people were killed in a strike that hit a house in the Barbara refugee camp in the southernmost city of Rafah, according to the Kuwaiti Hospital. The hospital said in the last 24 hours it had received the bodies of six people killed in Israeli strikes. The military said it remained active in eastern Rafah. In the West Bank, the Palestinian Health Ministry said one person was killed when an Israeli strike hit the city of Jenin on Friday night. The Israeli army said it struck a militant command center and killed Islam Khamaysa. He was a Palestinian Islamic Jihad commander in Jenin, according to the militant group and the army. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under growing pressure on multiple fronts. Hard-liners in his government want the military offensive on Rafah to press ahead with the goal of crushing Hamas. Top ally the U.S. and others have warned against the offensive on a city where more than half of Gaza's population of 2.3 million had sheltered hundreds of thousands have now fled and they have threatened to scale back support over Gaza's humanitarian crisis. The U.S. national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, will be in Saudi Arabia and Israel this weekend to discuss the war and is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu, who has declared that Israel would stand alone if needed. Many Israelis, anguished over the hostages and accusing Netanyahu of putting political interests ahead of all else, want a deal to stop the fighting and get them freed. There was fresh frustration Friday when the military said its troops in Gaza found the bodies of three hostages killed by Hamas in the Oct. 7 attack. The latest talks in pursuit of a cease-fire, mediated by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, have brought little. A vision beyond the war is also uncertain. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, a member of the three-member War Cabinet, in the past week openly said he has repeatedly pleaded with the Cabinet to decide on a postwar vision for Gaza that would see the creation of a new Palestinian civilian leadership. Meanwhile, fighting recently erupted again in places Israel had targeted in the early days of the war and said it had under control, notably in northern Gaza. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 08:46 AM IST | Deir Al-Balah (Gaza Strip) | AP | PTIA divisive mobilisation law in Ukraine came into force on Saturday, as Kyiv struggled to boost its troop numbers, after Russia’s recent offensive, which some also fear is an emerging threat to Ukraine’s second-largest city. The legislation, which was watered down from its original draft, will make it easier to identify every conscript in the country. It also provides incentives to soldiers, such as cash bonuses or money toward buying a house or car, that some analysts say Ukraine cannot afford. Lawmakers dragged their feet for months and only passed the law in mid-April, a week after Ukraine lowered the age for men who can be drafted from 27 to 25. The measures reflect the growing impact that more than two years of war with Russia has had on Ukraine’s forces, who are trying to hold the front lines. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also allowed prisoners to join the army and increased fines for draft dodgers. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 07:45 AM IST | Kyiv | AgenciesAmid the ongoing armed clashes in the French Pacific territory of New Caledonia, the security forces reported another death on Saturday, increasing the death toll to six. The person was killed in an exchange of fire at one of the many impromptu barricades that blocked the roads on the island, said a security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the situation publicly. Two other people were seriously injured in the clash, the official said, confirming French media reports. They also established that the firefight erupted at a blockade in the north of the main island, at Kaala-Gomen. French news outlets said the person who was killed was a man and his son was among the injured. Two police officers were among those who died earlier this week in the unrest, prompting the Parisian government to impose a state of emergency on the archipelago and rush in reinforcements for security services battling armed clashes, looting, arson, and other mayhem. The unrest erupted on Monday following protests over voting reforms. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 07:43 AM IST | Paris | AgenciesOn Friday, Yemen’s Houthi rebels shot down an American drone, hours after the footage of the MQ-9 Reaper drone wreckage was circulated online. Early on Saturday, a vessel also came under attack in the Red Sea. The two incidents likely represent the latest attacks by the Houthis as they press their campaign over the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip. Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that rebels shot down the Reaper on Thursday with a surface-to-air missile. He described the drone as “carrying out hostile actions” in Yemen’s Marib province. The Houthis later released footage they claimed showed the surface-to-air-missile being launched at night, along with night-vision footage of the missile hitting the drone. A man, whose voice had been digitally altered to prevent identification, chanted the Houthi slogan: “God is the greatest; death to America; death to Israel; curse the Jews; victory to Islam.” This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 07:40 AM IST | Dubai | AgenciesMan accused of attempting to assassinate Slovakia Prime Minister, Robert Fico, 59, made his first court appearance, in Pezinok, near Bratislava, on Saturday. Fico was shot multiple times at a government meeting held at Handlova on Wednesday. The suspect was arrested, but his identity remains disclosed, as per prosecutors’ request. They have requested an order from Slovakia’s Specialised Criminal Court to detain the suspect. Leaders from across the political divide denounced the apparent assassination attempt against the populist and called it an attack on democracy. Government authorities confirm that the suspect does not belong to any political party, but it was politically motivated. Meanwhile, after two hours of surgery on Friday, Fico’s condition is now stable. “Several miracles have occurred in Banská Bystrica in the recent days, coming from the hands of doctors, nurses, and the personnel at the Roosevelt Hospital,” says Defense Minister Robert Kalinak. Fico’s rival and Slovakia President, Zuzana Čaputová also issued a statement, expressing his view on this attack. “What has happened is something that we cannot seem to realise because we cannot comprehend it. A physical attack on the prime minister is, first of all, an attack on a person, but it is also an attack on democracy. Any violence is unacceptable. The hateful rhetoric we’ve been witnessing in society leads to hateful actions. Please let’s stop it,” says Čaputová, in a televised statement. The European Union, however, wonders if the elections can happen in a violent-free manner. “It is shocking to see that someone can become the victim of his political ideas. Three weeks ahead of the elections, that is extremely alarming,” said Prime Minister Alexander De Croo of Belgium, who holds the EU presidency. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
19 May,2024 07:38 AM IST | Pezinok | AgenciesThese are some killer dance moves, quite literally. In a recent study by the Chinese Orthopaedic Association, it was revealed that the percentage of spinal cord injuries caused by the backbend exploded from just 4 per cent between 1992 and 2002 to a whopping 33.9 per cent between 2015 and 2019. The backbend, which is a crucial move in the Chinese folk dance, is the main cause of these injuries in children as young as five and above. Dong Daier, an instructor at Beijing Dance Academy took to Tiktok to warn parents and instructors, “It is not recommended that dance instructors apply external pressure to a child’s lower back, especially for children between the ages of 4 and 6.” PICS/ISTOCK The teachers must be aware that it is a risky move. Doctors have advised that while children’s spines are very flexible, the same cannot be said for their spinal cords. “For instance, a newborn’s spine can be stretched and lengthened by up to two inches without rupturing. However, the spinal cord can only withstand about a quarter inch,” says Dr. Guo Xiaodong, director of Orthopedics at Wuhan Union Hospital. He adds that children who suffer spinal cord injuries while practicing the backbend have a four-hour “golden window” to seek medical help but often don’t realise the extent of their injury because the initial symptoms are only mild pain and discomfort. 1,000the amount of children who got paralysed doing the backbend in dance classes since 2005 Talk about intermittent fasting Ethiopian woman claims she hasn’t had a morsel of food for the past 16 years Muluwork Ambaw, a 26-year-old woman from Ethiopia, claims to have completely shunned food and drinks for the past 16 years of her life. At the age of ten, she suddenly lost her appetite, after which she stopped eating. But what comes as a surprise, is her ability to perform her daily tasks, including cooking for others, in a perfectly good condition. Due to the lack of nutrition, she hasn’t used the washroom either. Mr Belachew, a man from her town, first discovered her condition, after hearing about the rumours that someone from his town never ate or drank. Even though he got her tested in one of the biggest hospitals, the results remained the same. “I have nothing to say. It’s God’s work and I just accept that,” Muluwork Ambaw said. In 2021, when the country’s Prime Minister learned about her claims, he made arrangements to have her tested in Dubai, but in vain. Apart from that, she has also been to doctors in Qatar and Saudi Arabia. In her recent interview with Drew Binsky, she claimed that the doctors found no remnants of food in her intestines, and even confirmed that her health, both physical and psychological, was perfectly fine. Despite being a religious Orthodox Christian, she even refuses to consume the holy water. Despite having her tested numerous times, her story remains hard to believe around the world. An ode to the teacher Pic/NY Post The first week of May is considered to be a national holiday on account of Teachers Appreciation Week. To make the day even more special and memorable, educators receive a token of appreciation from local organisations such as apples or small gifts.One teacher named Erin shared a quite different experience on TikTok for receiving a bag full of goodies from the local church along with a cremation coupon. His happy reaction sparked the conversation of sweet gestures among TikTok users. Two-faced employees PIC/NY POST “My boss saw the video that my twin, Noe posted while covering me for work,” says Canadian twin influencer Ari Chance. Ari’s boss furiously sent an email calling it an unacceptable act and asked for an immediate apology. The twins create content on TikTok regarding what it’s like to have familial doppelgangers around. Don’t play dirty The 2024 Paris Olympics have introduced twin-sized beds, which have other unique features besides being 100 per cent recyclable. The beds are designed to prevent athletes from fornicating by offering reduced space. People are convinced different beds could put it to an end. Spider Boys A rare medical condition has attached Indonesian conjoined twins at the pelvis in a way that they possess three legs, four arms, and one penis. These ischiopagus-tripus conjoined twins are connected by the lower half of their body instead of their upper torso. Moo-ney Heist Three men from a 2022 alleged heist of stealing 306 cattle over 12 days were recently arrested by the Australian police. Further investigation revealed that some of the cattle were exported, and the average price per cow was $827.09( Rs 68,922). Part proceeds were distributed evenly.
19 May,2024 07:15 AM IST | Beijing | A CorrespondentADVERTISEMENT
