AJS TRAVEL NEWS

Djibouti Boat Capsize: 109 Dead, Including 15 Children, Over 116 Missing in Red Sea Tragedy

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:42:35 +0000

Djibouti Boat Capsize: 109 Dead, Including 15 Children, Over 116 Missing in Red Sea Tragedy

At least 109 people, including 15 children, have died after crossing the Red Sea on a boat that capsized off the coast of Djibouti, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) says, calling it the largest maritime disaster to take place in the country.

More than 116 people are still missing after the tragedy, which, according to survivors, occurred near Guhere, to the north of the fishing port of Obock, on the night between October 8th and 9th. The boat had left Djibouti for Yemen.

The bodies of 52 men, 42 women and 15 children have so far been recovered, the UN agency noted. In addition, more than 80 migrants, all Ethiopian citizens, have survived the disaster, IOM added.

“We are deeply shocked by this humanitarian tragedy. Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the victims and those who have lost a loved one. We are also thinking of those who have survived the tragedy and those who still search for their relatives,” said Alexandre Coissac, IOM Chief of Mission in Djibouti.

IOM is providing medical care, psycho-social support, food and other assistance to 64 survivors of the shipwreck in the Obock migrant response center.

IOM is supporting the Djiboutian authorities in responding to the needs of the survivors. The Djiboutian authorities are conducting search and rescue operations. Local authorities are also providing medical care to the survivors and organizing the funeral of the deceased.

The maritime route from the Horn of Africa to the Arab Peninsula is one of the busiest migration routes in the world. Hundreds of thousands of people make this journey every year, with the majority of migrants and asylum seekers being from Ethiopia and Somalia. They are heading to Gulf States, primarily Saudi Arabia, in search of employment and economic opportunity, while many are displaced due to conflict and disasters in their home countries.

The eastern maritime route is one of the three main migration routes from the Horn of Africa, alongside the northern and southern routes. The eastern route is by far the busiest, but it is also the most dangerous, as many migrants die from the extreme heat when walking from Yemen to Saudi Arabia. Others drown when traveling across the water in boats provided by human traffickers after having been crammed into them.

According to the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, more than 900 people died or went missing during migration along the eastern route in 2025. At the same time, the number of migrants attempting to cross the Red Sea has increased by 18% compared to the same period last year. On March 27, nine people died, and 45 were declared missing after a similar tragedy.

The current situation in the Red Sea region is complicated by the ongoing military confrontation between Iran and Saudi Arabia for dominance in the area. This has led to an influx of more than 3,800 people fleeing the fighting into Djibouti, according to Onars, the agency for assistance to refugees and disaster victims in Djibouti.

Germany Mass Shooting at Youth Welfare Centre: 5 Killed, Suspect Arrested in Stade

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 16:34:18 +0000

Germany Mass Shooting at Youth Welfare Centre: 5 Killed, Suspect Arrested in Stade

Five people were shot dead at a youth welfare centre in Germany on Monday (June 29, 2026), and the suspected gunman has been arrested, police said, in one of the country's deadliest mass shootings in years.

Police in protective vests and ambulances were seen in large numbers at the site in the northern city of Stade, west of Hamburg, in the wake of the gun rampage. "Homicides involving multiple victims occurred at a youth welfare facility" in the city, police said.

"Five people were fatally injured, and additional individuals sustained injuries." The suspected gunman and a second alleged perpetrator were arrested, police said, adding that investigations into what precisely happened were ongoing.

There was no longer any danger to the public, they said. As news emerged of the shooting, police confirmed that a major operation was under way in Stade, a city of about 50,000 people, on the Elbe river, 50 kilometres (30 miles) west of Hamburg.

Images in local media showed a large contingent of police and ambulances gathered on a cobble-stoned street in Stade while helicopters hovered overhead.

"We ask you to leave the area and give it a wide berth for your own safety," police said in an earlier post on X. Germany has some of Europe's strictest gun laws — they require anyone under 25 to pass a psychiatric exam before applying for a gun licence — and mass shootings are relatively rare.

But they occur from time to time, and Monday's (June 29) was among the deadliest in recent times. In February 2020, a far-right extremist shot dead nine people and wounded five others in the central German city of Hanau.

In March 2023, a disgruntled former Jehovah's Witness member shot dead six people from the Christian group's congregation in the German city of Hamburg, before turning the gun on himself.

In May 2022, a 21-year-old gunman opened fire at a secondary school in northern Germany, badly injuring a female member of staff before being arrested.

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France Plane Crash: 11 Killed in Skydiving Accident in Tomblaine

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 28 Jun 2026 16:45:54 +0000

France Plane Crash: 11 Killed in Skydiving Accident in Tomblaine

On Sunday, at least 11 people died when a civilian plane carrying skydivers crashed in the French town of Tomblaine, close to Nancy. The aircraft broke apart in the crash, leaving a very sad and damaging scene. Local reports say that three people managed to survive by ejecting from the plane before it crashed.

French media is reporting that among the dead are the pilot, five instructors, and five students. But authorities have not yet made official the identity of the victims. Upon the report of the accident, emergency teams, including firefighters, police, and medical units, rushed to the site and began rescue and recovery operations.

Emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, and medical teams, responded right away to the crash site and began rescue and recovery efforts. The area around Salvador Allende Street was closed off by the police, and we asked that the public stay away, which in turn allowed for free movement of emergency vehicles. Also, we asked that people stay away from the area while the rescue efforts went on.

The accident occurred before takeoff from the airport in Nancy-Essey Aerodrome. After the crash local authorities put into action the emergency operations center for coordination of response, and senior officials went to the site. The cause of the crash is still a mystery. We will see the results of the investigation, which will go over the remains of the plane to determine the causes of the fatal accident.

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Four Dead, Ten Injured in Mass Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in Stockton, California

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 12:04:00 +0000

Four Dead, Ten Injured in Mass Shooting at Child’s Birthday Party in Stockton, California

A happy birthday celebration turned disastrous Saturday night when a mass shooting at a Stockton banquet hall left four people dead and ten injured, according to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's office.

The incident occurred just before 6:00 pm at a restaurant hosting a child's birthday party in the northern California city. Authorities confirmed the victims include both children and adults, but health conditions of those hospitalized have not been released.

Sheriff’s representative Heather Brent described the incident as “incomprehensible” and added that preliminary reports indicate this was an intentional assault. Investigators are still piecing together what happened and have not identified a motive.

With the alleged gunman still on the loose, law enforcement agencies are taking the unusual step of reaching out to the community. District Attorney Ron Freitas asked anyone who might have information or video evidence to come forward and sent a stern message to the suspect: “Surrender yourself right away.”

City officials were outraged and saddened by the attack. Stockton Mayor Christina Fugazi said families should be together, “instead of waiting in hospital hallways hoping their loved ones make it.”

The banquet hall shares a parking lot with several neighboring businesses, and investigators believe there may have been potential witnesses in the area where gunfire erupted.

Even with some of the toughest gun restrictions in the nation, California still suffers from deadly shootings. Recent judicial decisions have called into question settled rules on firearms, rekindling a debate on public safety and access to guns.

As the investigation continues, officials remain committed to identifying the gunman and supporting the families of those affected by the shooting.

Pakistan: Islamabad Express Train Derails in Punjab’s Sheikhupura, At Least 29 Injured

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sat, 02 Aug 2025 09:42:00 +0000

Pakistan: Islamabad Express Train Derails in Punjab’s Sheikhupura, At Least 29 Injured

At least 29 people were hurt when the Islamabad Express train went off the tracks near Kala Shah Kaku in Punjab’s Sheikhupura district on Friday, August 1, according to a report by Dawn.

Punjab Rescue 1122 said that five train carriages derailed near a chemical plant in the Kala Shah Kaku area. The control room got emergency calls at about 7:32 pm, and rescue teams quickly went to the scene.

"Six emergency vehicles and 25 rescuers were sent right away to help. Most passengers had minor injuries like scratches and bruises," said Punjab Rescue spokesperson Farooq Ahmed, as quoted by Dawn.

Rescue workers gave first aid to 22 people at the site, while seven others were taken to Tehsil Headquarters Hospital in Muridke for more treatment. "Two people were trapped in the train cars, but they were rescued and sent to the hospital," the statement said. "One of them had a hip injury."

"The main rescue operation is finished, and so far, there are no reports of anyone dying in the accident," Dawn reported, quoting the rescue team.

This accident happened just a few days after another train incident. On July 28, three coaches of the Jaffar Express derailed near Shikarpur in Sindh province. At first, people thought there had been an explosion on the tracks, and one person was hurt.

Sukkur Railways Divisional Superintendent Jamshaid Alam told Dawn that the Jaffar Express, traveling from Peshawar to Quetta, was affected by what seemed like an explosion near Sultanpur. "After the blast, train services were stopped," Alam said, adding that passengers "had a tough time because of the derailment."

However, the Ministry of Railways said on July 29 that the derailment was actually caused by a technical problem, not an explosion. Officials explained that the loud noise from the derailment may have led people to believe there was an explosion.

According to Dawn, the ministry also said, "A little-known terrorist group tried to take credit for the incident and claimed it was an attack. This claim is false and just an example of taking advantage of the situation.

🚨 Train Derailment in Pakistan – Aug 1

The Islamabad Express derailed near Kala Shah Kaku, 50 km from Lahore, while en route to Rawalpindi

–3–5 coaches overturned
–27–30 injured (7 hospitalized)
–Passengers trapped inside were rescued#Islamabad #MARK #Pakistan #BBNaijaS10 pic.twitter.com/vtCZPoORTs
— GlobeUpdate (@Globupdate) August 2, 2025

Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:27:00 +0000

Air India Flight AI171 Crashes After Takeoff from Ahmedabad

An Air India Boeing 787 Dreamliner, flying from Ahmedabad to London Gatwick, plunged into the city's Meghani Nagar suburb just minutes after taking off on Thursday afternoon. The plane had 242 people on board: 230 passengers, 10 flight attendants, and 2 pilots.

Flight AI171 took off from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:39 PM, and it soon sent a 'MAYDAY' distress call to Air Traffic Control. Then it vanished and finally crashed near a residential area. The massive fire was caused by the heavy fuel load on board for the long international flight.

Locals also said they heard a thundering noise with smoke and flames. Fire engines, ambulances, police, and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams arrived promptly. Rescue operations are underway; however, the officials fear the possibility of numerous casualties. Some buildings in the vicinity were also damaged.

The pilots included Captain Sumeet Sabharwal, who has more than 8,200 hours of flying experience, and First Officer Clive Kundar, who has around 1,100 hours of flying experience.

The airport is presently closed, and flights have either been delayed or cancelled. Individuals are not encouraged to go near the airport and are asked to wait for instructions.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, asking them to go to the site of the crash to offer help. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said the rescue operation is going on at a fast pace and medical aid is being provided to the injured.

Air India and DGCA have initiated an investigation. Boeing and Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) have sent a team. The cause of the crash is still not known. Air India has set up an emergency helpline and assistance center for the grieving families.

This is one of India's worst recent plane crashes.

Flight AI171, operating Ahmedabad-London Gatwick, was involved in an incident today, 12 June 2025. At this moment, we are ascertaining the details and will share further updates at the earliest on https://t.co/Fnw0ywg2Zt and on our X handle (https://t.co/Id1XFe9SfL).

-Air India…
— Air India (@airindia) June 12, 2025

Ahmedabad Plane Crash: Video captured exact moment Air India's AI -171 passenger aircraft crashed near Meghnaninagar area earlier today.

(Disclaimer: PTI can not verify the authenticity of the video)

(Source: Third party) pic.twitter.com/qAK8aP6wGH
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) June 12, 2025

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Punjab Influencer Kamal Kaur Found Dead in Bathinda Car

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:32:00 +0000

Punjab Influencer Kamal Kaur Found Dead in Bathinda Car: Police Suspect Murder

A young social media influencer from Punjab, Kanchan Kumari, a popular YouTuber named Kamal Kaur or "Queen", was found dead under mysterious circumstances inside a parked car at the Adesh Medical University campus in Bathinda on Wednesday evening. Police suspect she was killed and are investigating a possible link to a past threat she had allegedly received from Canada-based designated terrorist Arsh Dalla. She had over 3.83 lakh followers on Instagram.

Last year in October, Arsh Dalla had apparently threatened to stop Kanchan from uploading "inappropriate" videos onto the web. Police sources indicate that though the threat is real, they are examining all avenues of inquiry. "We are examining all aspects — nothing can be confirmed at this point," SSP Amneet Kondal said.

The body was discovered after the residents complained of a smell emanating from a vehicle in the hospital complex. When the police visited the premises and searched the vehicle, they discovered the woman's body in the back seat. Initial reports indicate that the murder was not carried out within the university. Kanchan is thought to have been killed elsewhere, perhaps strangulated, and her body placed in the car and abandoned in the hospital parking area. The car's number plate was also found to be forged.

On 9 June, Knachan had told her parents that she was going to Bhatinda. But was missing after reaching the city. The car- a Hyundai Eon in which the body was found-is owned by the insta influencer. The 27-year-old female was a resident of Ludhiana's Laxman Nagar and was well known for being bold and controversial on social media, having the username "Queen." She was well known for posting indecent videos and had been involved in numerous online controversies.

Amneet Kondal, SSP, confirmed that the body of the woman was highly decomposed. "The police got the call on the 10th. So she would have been killed at least 12 hours before that, or possibly a day or two," he said.

Narendra Singh, Superintendent of Police, Ludhiana, stated, "A woman body was found last night in the parking lot of Adesh Hospital in Bathinda. The woman is Kamal Kaur, originally named Kanchan Kaur. She was a social media influencer. We are investigating the case from all sides."

According to the police, Kanchan had gone out of the house on June 9 to attend a promotional campaign but lost contact with members of her family soon after. Her body was recovered some days later. The post-mortem will be done today.

IPL 2025 Live Cricket Score

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 06 Apr 2025 13:20:00 +0000

IPL 2025 Live Cricket Score

Table with 5 columns and 74 rows.
				Venue
1	March 22, Saturday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Kolkata
2	March 23, Sunday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals	3:30 PM	Hyderabad
3	March 23, Sunday	Chennai Super Kings vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Chennai
4	March 24, Monday	Delhi Capitals vs Lucknow Super Giants	7:30 PM	Visakhapatnam
5	March 25, Tuesday	Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Ahmedabad
6	March 26, Wednesday	Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Guwahati
7	March 27, Thursday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
8	March 28, Friday	Chennai Super Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Chennai
9	March 29, Saturday	Gujarat Titans vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Ahmedabad
10	March 30, Sunday	Delhi Capitals vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	3:30 PM	Visakhapatnam
11	March 30, Sunday	Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Guwahati
12	March 31, Monday	Mumbai Indians vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Mumbai
13	April 1, Tuesday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Lucknow
14	April 2, Wednesday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
15	April 3, Thursday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Kolkata
16	April 4, Friday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Lucknow
17	April 5, Saturday	Chennai Super Kings vs Delhi Capitals	3:30 PM	Chennai
18	April 5, Saturday	Punjab Kings vs Rajasthan Royals	7:30 PM	New Chandigarh
19	April 6, Sunday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
20	April 7, Monday	Mumbai Indians vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Mumbai
21	April 8, Tuesday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants	3:30 PM	Kolkata
22	April 8, Tuesday	Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	New Chandigarh
23	April 9, Wednesday	Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals	7:30 PM	Ahmedabad
24	April 10, Thursday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
25	April 11, Friday	Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Chennai
26	April 12, Saturday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Gujarat Titans	3:30 PM	Lucknow
27	April 12, Saturday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
28	April 13, Sunday	Rajasthan Royals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	3:30 PM	Jaipur
29	April 13, Sunday	Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Delhi
30	April 14, Monday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Lucknow
31	April 15, Tuesday	Punjab Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	New Chandigarh
32	April 16, Wednesday	Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals	7:30 PM	Delhi
33	April 17, Thursday	Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Mumbai
34	April 18, Friday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
35	April 19, Saturday	Gujarat Titans vs Delhi Capitals	3:30 PM	Ahmedabad
36	April 19, Saturday	Rajasthan Royals vs Lucknow Super Giants	7:30 PM	Jaipur
37	April 20, Sunday	Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	3:30 PM	New Chandigarh
38	April 20, Sunday	Mumbai Indians vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Mumbai
39	April 21, Monday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Kolkata
40	April 22, Tuesday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Lucknow
41	April 23, Wednesday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
42	April 24, Thursday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Rajasthan Royals	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
43	April 25, Friday	Chennai Super Kings vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Chennai
44	April 26, Saturday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Kolkata
45	April 27, Sunday	Mumbai Indians vs Lucknow Super Giants	3:30 PM	Mumbai
46	April 27, Sunday	Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Delhi
47	April 28, Monday	Rajasthan Royals vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Jaipur
48	April 29, Tuesday	Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Delhi
49	April 30, Wednesday	Chennai Super Kings vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Chennai
50	May 1, Thursday	Rajasthan Royals vs Mumbai Indians	7:30 PM	Jaipur
51	May 2, Friday	Gujarat Titans vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Ahmedabad
52	May 3, Saturday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
53	May 4, Sunday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals	3:30 PM	Kolkata
54	May 4, Sunday	Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants	7:30 PM	Dharamsala
55	May 5, Monday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
56	May 6, Tuesday	Mumbai Indians vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Mumbai
57	May 7, Wednesday	Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings	7:30 PM	Kolkata
58	May 8, Thursday	Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Dharamsala
59	May 9, Friday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	7:30 PM	Lucknow
60	May 10, Saturday	Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
61	May 11, Sunday	Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians	3:30 PM	Dharamsala
62	May 11, Sunday	Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans	7:30 PM	Delhi
63	May 12, Monday	Chennai Super Kings vs Rajasthan Royals	7:30 PM	Chennai
64	May 13, Tuesday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
65	May 14, Wednesday	Gujarat Titans vs Lucknow Super Giants	7:30 PM	Ahmedabad
66	May 15, Thursday	Mumbai Indians vs Delhi Capitals	7:30 PM	Mumbai
67	May 16, Friday	Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings	7:30 PM	Jaipur
68	May 17, Saturday	Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Kolkata Knight Riders	7:30 PM	Bengaluru
69	May 18, Sunday	Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings	3:30 PM	Ahmedabad
70	May 18, Sunday	Lucknow Super Giants vs Sunrisers Hyderabad	7:30 PM	Lucknow
71	May 20, Tuesday	Qualifier 1	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
72	May 21, Wednesday	Eliminator	7:30 PM	Hyderabad
73	May 23, Friday	Qualifier 2	7:30 PM	Kolkata
74	May 25, Sunday	Final	7:30 PM	Kolkata

Cyclone Alfred Strikes Australia: Floods, Power Outages & Rescues Continue

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 13:10:00 +0000

Cyclone Alfred Strikes Australia: Floods, Power Outages & Rescues Continue

Hundreds of thousands of individuals lose electricity in Australia following a cyclone that had brought unstable weather to the eastern coast.

Northern NSW and southeast Queensland commuters began the clean-up operation on Sunday after the tempest knocked off power lines and trees and caused widespread flooding.

The body of a 61-year-old man was discovered in floodwaters on Saturday, and 12 soldiers were in hospital after the convoy in which they were travelling encountered difficulties en route to undertake rescue operations.

The storm had weakened when it hit near Brisbane on Saturday evening, but on Sunday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese cautioned residents of the continuing wild weather and threat of flooding.

"The situation in Queensland and northern New South Wales remains very grave with flash flooding and heavy winds," Albanese continued.

"Heavy rain, damaging gust winds and coastal surf impacts are likely to continue during the next couple of days."

Cyclone Alfred had been hanging around on the east coast of the country for days as a category two cyclone before it subsided into a tropical depression on Saturday.

By Sunday night, rescue teams had made more than a dozen rescues in Queensland and NSW—the majority of them of individuals who had been pinned by floodwaters in their homes or vehicles. The NSW State Emergency Service said it had answered more than 6,000 requests for assistance.

Nearly 290,000 homes in the stricken areas remain without electricity, and power utilities have cautioned people that the power might not be restored for days.

Police Sergeant Saturday reported that they had located a body during the search operation for a missing 61-year-old man missing since Friday afternoon when his car was washed off the road in floodwaters near Dorrigo, northern NSW.

Emergency workers saw the man fleeing from his vehicle and onto a tree along the riverbank, but the rescuers were too late to reach him as he was carried away.

In a separate collision on Saturday, 12 soldiers were injured as their convoy was involved in an accident in Lismore, some 200km south of Brisbane, during a journey to a rescue and recovery mission.

The two soldiers were admitted to hospital on Sunday, two of them critical, New South Wales Premier Chris Minns announced at a press briefing.

"We wish a quick recovery for all these young soldiers," he said.

Queensland law enforcement authorities said they have yet to receive any dead or missing persons in the state due to the weather conditions.

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Telangana Tunnel Collapse: 8 Feared Trapped, Rescue Operations Underway

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 23 Feb 2025 10:36:00 +0000

Telangana Tunnel Collapse: 8 Feared Trapped, Rescue Operations Underway

Rescue operations are underway in Telangana’s Nagarkurnool district after eight workers were trapped following a roof cave-in of a tunnel on Saturday.

NDRF and SDRF teams have arrived at the site to do the rescue work.

The Army also acted quickly, sending its Engineer Task Force (ETF) to assist with the rescue efforts.

India Today quoted officials as saying that the ETF, which is reportedly an advanced technology setup, is involved in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations at the accident site.

Rescuers have said that a 200-metre section of the tunnel is filled with debris, preventing them from reaching the stranded workers.

Removing that blockage is key before their precise location can be pinpointed and a rescue mission can continue.

“Water has to be cleared out in the passage between 11-13 km of the tunnel and debris cleaning work cannot begin until water is removed,” NDRF Commander Sukhendu said, according to India Today.

The accident occurred after a bridge slipped at the 14-km inlet point of the Srisailam Left Bank Canal tunnel, towards Devarakonda, where a concrete segment was used to seal a seepage.

Telangana State Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy, who was present at the accident site, said the government had hired experts for the rescue operations, including those who had helped with rescue efforts after a similar tunnel collapse in Uttarakhand in November 2023.

The victims comprise two engineers from an infrastructure firm, two operators from a US-based company, and four laborers from Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday spoke to Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for updates on the incident and on the rescue work.

The Centre would extend full support to the state for the safe evacuation of the trapped workers, he assured.

After construction work on the tunnel resumed recently, nearly 50 people along with the 200-meter-long boring machine entered the tunnel on Saturday morning. The workers are stranded 14 kilometers within the tunnel.

Rescue teams are also using drones to arrow the way ahead and look for possible threats since there is a massive pile of dirt settled at the site.

A 19-member team of experts from MPL had been sent to help out in rescue operations, news agency PTI quoted N Balram, chairman and managing director of state-owned Singareni Collieries Company Ltd as saying.

CM Revanth Reddy has been instructed to constantly be informed about the work being done in the tunnel for rescue by speaking to state officials in real-time.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is also the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader, spoke to Chief Minister Revanth Reddy regarding the SLBC tunnel rescue attempts on Sunday morning.

He commended the steps taken, the vigilant watch, and the monitoring; and urged the government not to leave any stone unturned in trying to rescue the trapped workers.

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31 Maoists Killed in Bijapur, 2 Jawans Lose Lives in Encounter

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Sun, 09 Feb 2025 10:45:00 +0000

31 Maoists Killed in Bijapur, 2 Jawans Lose Lives in Encounter

Thirty-one Naxalites were killed and two security personnel were shot dead in a fierce battle on Sunday morning in the Bijapur district forests, which fall under the Bastar division in Chhattisgarh.

Bijapur is the same area where eight security personnel and a civilian driver were killed in an IED explosion in the first week of January, followed by the death of eight Maoists in an anti-Naxalite operation in the last week of January. Two soldiers were also injured in the ongoing firefighting in the Bijapur forests.

A police officer confirmed that thirty-one Maoist bodies were found, along with a variety of weapons and explosives, as intermittent firing was on. A joint team of security forces, including District Reserve Guards, Special Task Force, and Bastar Fighters, had launched an anti-Naxalite operation in the Indravati National Park area after they received information about a massive concentration of high-level cadres.

A gunfight broke out in the early hours of Sunday in the forest between the Maoists and the security forces, and thirty-one Maoists were killed by late afternoon. Security forces recovered weapons, including AK-47s, SLRs, INSAS rifles,.303 rifles, BGL launchers, and explosives.

The forces also lost two soldiers in the encounter, while two others who were injured were airlifted for treatment. Officials stated that the injured soldiers are stable and will be shifted to a more sophisticated medical center for further treatment. Additional forces have been deployed to the encounter site, and search operations are underway.

Following these latest fatalities, the total Naxal fatalities for the year stand at 81, and more than 260 Maoists have been killed in different encounters in the Bastar division in 2024. This encounter may be one of the most notable encounters, with police records suggesting that 31 Naxals were killed last year in Thulthuli forests in Narayanpur district, a defeat that the Maoists subsequently claimed, acknowledging a loss of 38 cadres in that engagement.

US Arrests Over 500 Illegal Immigrants, Deports Hundreds

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 12:07:00 +0000

US Arrests Over 500 Illegal Immigrants, Deports Hundreds

Just three days into Donald Trump's presidency, his administration launched a huge crackdown on illegal immigrants in the United States. Dozens of people who entered the country illegally have been arrested and deported in the crackdown.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said 538 illegal aliens were apprehended, including one suspected terrorist, four members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and other convicted criminals like sexual abuse of children. The majority of the arrested have already been deported on military flights.

This is the largest deportation operation in history, and we're just getting started," Leavitt wrote on an online posting on Thursday. "The Trump administration is living up to its promises to fortify our nation's borders.".

The White House also made a statement that listed some of the offenses for which the arrested persons had been involved. These included some serious offenses like rape and child sexual abuse.

Within days of taking office on January 20, President Trump had signed an executive order titled "Protecting the American People Against Invasion." It says that over recent years, there were millions of illegal aliens entering the United States, consistently defying existing federal law, and have populated cities across the country.

The order also pointed to fears that such individuals are dangerous to public and national security and charged them with engaging in serious offenses against Americans.

Congress approved on January 23 the Laken Riley Act, a Republican-sponsored bill to arrest and deport illegal immigrants who arrive here without papers and are charged with certain crimes.

The Trump administration has positioned these actions as a strong move towards fulfilling campaign pledges to secure the border and address illegal immigration.

🚨DAILY IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT REPORTING FROM ICE🚨

538 Total Arrests

373 Detainers Lodged

Examples of the criminals arrested below 🔽🔽🔽
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 24, 2025

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Maharashtra Factory Blast: 8 Dead, Explosion Heard 5 km Away

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 11:11:00 +0000

Maharashtra Factory Blast: 8 Dead, Explosion Heard 5 km Away

A massive explosion took place at an ordnance factory in Bhandara district near Nagpur this morning, killing eight workers and injuring seven others. The blast took place in the LTP section of the factory around 10:30 am, causing the roof to collapse and trapping more than a dozen workers inside.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari confirmed the casualties during an afternoon event. "A major mishap has taken place at the ordnance factory in Bhandara, leading to the loss of eight lives and injuries to seven others. This is initial information," he said, appealing to all present to maintain a minute's silence in memory of the victims of the "tragic incident."

Firefighters and medical teams arrived quickly to deal with the situation. Three workers were rescued alive while one body was retrieved during the rescue process. An excavator was used to clear debris.

The explosion was so heavy that it was audible from 5 kilometers away. Thick smoke can be seen from afar rising above the factory as seen in the videos recorded from a distance.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had earlier said that high-ranking officials were at the spot and rescue teams from Nagpur were on their way. Medical teams also stood ready to provide any aid needed.

India Becomes 4th Country to Successfully Dock Satellites in Space

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 09:36:00 +0000

India Becomes 4th Country to Successfully Dock Satellites in Space

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday morning congratulated the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for achieving a historic milestone by successfully completing the docking of two satellites. He described the success of the Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) as an important step forward for future space missions.

"Congratulations to our scientists at ISRO and the entire space community for successfully demonstrating satellite docking in space. This is a crucial milestone for India's ambitious space missions in the future," PM Modi posted on X.

ISRO announced on Thursday morning that the satellite docking was completed, making India the fourth country in the world to achieve this feat. “India is now the 4th country to successfully achieve space docking. Congratulations to the entire team and to India!” ISRO posted on X.

The SpaDeX docking process involved moving the spacecraft from a distance of 15 meters to 3 meters with precision, leading to successful docking.

“SpaDeX Docking Update: Docking Success! A historic moment. Here’s the process: The spacecraft maneuvered from 15m to 3m hold point with accuracy. Docking was initiated and successfully completed, followed by smooth retraction and stabilization. Post-docking, control of both satellites as a single unit is confirmed. Checks for undocking and power transfer will be conducted in the coming days,” ISRO announced.

Union Minister Jitendra Singh highlighted that this success paves the way for upcoming missions like the Bharatiya Antriksha Station and Chandrayaan-4.

"Congratulations, ISRO! SpaDeX has achieved the incredible—docking complete, using our fully Indigenous 'Bharatiya Docking System.' This marks progress toward major future missions like the Bharatiya Antriksha Station, Chandrayaan-4, and Gaganyaan. Thanks to PM Modi's continued support, the team’s morale remains high here in Bengaluru," the Union Minister wrote on X.

Earlier, SpaDeX project director N Surendran explained that this experiment would be a key step for future projects like the Bharatiya Antriksha Station and Chandrayaan-4, as docking mechanisms are becoming increasingly essential.

Los Angeles Wildfires: 10 Dead, Thousands Evacuated, and Homes Destroyed

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 08:15:00 +0000

Wildfires in Los Angeles: 10 Dead, Thousands Displaced, and Communities in Ruins

Massive wildfires have devastated neighborhoods in Los Angeles, leaving at least 10 people dead and thousands displaced, according to authorities. The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner announced the rising death toll late Thursday as large parts of the city lay in ruins.

Firefighters worked through the night, using water-dropping helicopters during a temporary break in the winds, but new fires continued to ignite.

Concerns about looting prompted Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna to impose a nighttime curfew. The California National Guard was also deployed to patrol affected areas. Governor Gavin Newsom emphasized the state’s commitment to protecting communities and warned against looting.

Sheriff Luna assured residents that officers monitored evacuation zones and would arrest trespassers. However, some evacuees, worried about the vastness of the affected areas, took matters into their own hands. Nicholas Norman, for instance, kept watch over his home with a shotgun after spotting suspicious activity at night.

Widespread Damage

The largest wildfire has burned nearly 20,000 acres in the Pacific Palisades area, while another blaze in Altadena has consumed 13,700 acres.

Firefighters have managed to contain about six percent of the Pacific Palisades fire, but strong winds are returning, and new fires are sparking. On Thursday, a fire near Calabasas and Hidden Hills, home to celebrities like Kim Kardashian, grew rapidly, forcing more evacuations. Over 180,000 people have now been displaced.

President Joe Biden pledged additional federal aid, calling the fires “the most devastating in California’s history.”

While calmer winds have allowed firefighting aircraft to operate, one plane was grounded after colliding with a drone. Authorities warned that flying drones in fire zones could result in jail time.

Evacuees returning home have encountered heartbreaking scenes. Kalen Astoor, a paralegal, found her mother’s home intact, but many others in the area were reduced to ashes.

“The view now is one of death and destruction,” she said.

High-Profile Losses

An aerial survey of Pacific Palisades and Malibu revealed immense damage. Many luxury homes and iconic Malibu properties were reduced to rubble, with some seemingly swept into the ocean.

Roads once lined with homes now resemble graveyards. Across the area, schools were closed, power outages affected hundreds of thousands, and major events, including an NFL playoff game, were either canceled or relocated.

Ongoing Threat

Meteorologists warn that windy, dry conditions could continue to fuel fires. The National Weather Service cautioned that “significant fire growth” remains a risk.

Wildfires are a natural phenomenon, but scientists believe human-driven climate change worsens their intensity. Southern California’s recent dry year, following two wet ones has left plenty of dry vegetation ready to burn.

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95 killed, 130 injured after earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hits Tibet

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Tue, 07 Jan 2025 10:48:00 +0000

95 killed, 130 injured after earthquake of magnitude 7.1 hits Tibet

A powerful earthquake struck near a sacred city in Tibet on Tuesday, killing at least 95 people, according to Chinese state media.

The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.1 (or 6.8 according to Chinese measurements), hit just after 9 a.m. local time (8 p.m. ET Monday). The U.S. Geological Survey said it was centered about 6 miles underground.

The quake happened in Dingri County, located in Shigatse, a mountainous area in western China near the Nepal border. Shigatse is about 240 miles from Tibet’s capital, Lhasa, and is known for being the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second-highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama.

At least 130 people were injured, and many homes in the area were destroyed. Some residents are trapped in the rubble. According to Chinese state TV, around 6,900 people live in more than 20 villages near the epicenter.

Rescue teams, including 1,500 firefighters and emergency workers, have been sent to the area, but the full extent of the damage is still being evaluated.

The quake was also felt in Kathmandu, Nepal’s capital, 250 miles away. People there were woken up, but no damage has been reported.

The Himalayan region is prone to earthquakes because it lies on a fault line between two tectonic plates—the Eurasian and Indian plates. In the past 100 years, there have been 10 major earthquakes within 150 miles of this latest epicenter.

Some past disasters in the region include a 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, China, that killed nearly 70,000 people and a 7.8-magnitude quake in Nepal in 2015 that killed about 9,000 people and destroyed almost a million buildings.

Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead and 38 injured during the 6.8-magnitude earthquake that jolted Dingri County in the city of Xigaze in Xizang Autonomous Region on Tuesday. #quake pic.twitter.com/YMDO6cBuAK
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) January 7, 2025

A magnitude 6.8 earthquake rocked the northern foothills of the Himalayas near one of Tibet's holiest cities, killing at least 53 people and shaking buildings in neighboring Nepal, Bhutan and India https://t.co/adrOC4fXx8 pic.twitter.com/DuNbWlbO82
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 7, 2025

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Delhi Fog: Over 200 Flights Delayed, Trains Disrupted as Visibility Drops to Zero

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Fri, 03 Jan 2025 08:22:00 +0000

Delhi Fog: Over 200 Flights Delayed, Trains Disrupted as Visibility Drops to Zero

Parts of North India have been affected by dense fog, which lowered visibility and subsequently the temperature, thus affecting train and flight operations. Visibility at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has dropped close to zero, delaying 202 flights.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported that the maximum temperature in Delhi for the last 24 hours was 16 degrees Celsius, which is an oblique deviation of 3 degrees from the normal. Fog conditions prevail in Delhi till January 8, with light rain anticipated on January 6. On Friday morning, the capital recorded a temperature of 9.6 degrees Celsius, thereby completing five successive days of cold wave conditions in the North.

Visibility at Balam Airport in Delhi was measured at 0 meters and at Safdarjung Airport, Delhi, it was 50 meters, both around 8 am. Importantly, neither of these airports is used for commercial flight operations.

The Central Pollution Control Board CPCB has reported that the air quality index at Lodhi Road station now is 309, which falls under the very poor category.

With several airlines such as SpiceJet, IndiGo, and Air India experiencing disruptions, the average delay at Delhi airport is 6 minutes for arriving flights and 47 minutes for departing ones, noted the flight tracking service Flight Radar 24.

SpiceJet confirmed that all its flights to and from Amritsar and Guwahati have been canceled due to bad weather. In response, IndiGo issued a travel advisory asking passengers to check disruptions on the routes Delhi, Amritsar, Lucknow, Bengaluru, and Guwahati.

Airlines have urged travelers to check their flight schedules before traveling because flights would be canceled if visibility did not improve.

Train services to and from Delhi are also delayed, with some schedules changed. At least 24 trains leaving Delhi have been delayed due to weather-related issues, Ayodhya Express has been delayed by four hours while Gorakhpur Express and Bihar Kranti Express have been delayed by more than two hours each.

On Friday, parts of Delhi, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Amritsar, and Guwahati are likely to experience dense fog. The IMD prediction is about dense to very dense fog in Delhi along with several regions of Rajasthan, Punjab, and Haryana. Besides this, light rain and snow are probable in the Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh regions.

According to the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), a “cold day” is defined as one where the minimum temperature falls below 10 degrees Celsius, and the maximum or minimum is at least 4.5 degrees cooler than the normal temperature in that year.

Due to severe cold conditions, the Gautam Buddha Nagar administration suspended classes in all schools across the district till January 8, which may be extended later. It has been predicted that the minimum temperature on Friday will be 8 degrees Celsius.

#WATCH | Delhi: Dense fog engulfs the national capital as cold wave grips the city.

(Visuals from Akshardham) pic.twitter.com/ePXNPWLPGO

— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2025

Update issued at 06:35 hours.
Kind attention to all flyers!#Fog #FogAlert #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/IAEHvyua0w
— Delhi Airport (@DelhiAirport) January 3, 2025

Delhi-Noida Traffic Hit Hard as Farmers' Protest Chokes Borders

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Mon, 02 Dec 2024 09:55:00 +0000

Farmers' Protest Causes Major Traffic Jams at Delhi-Noida Borders

Traffic in parts of Delhi and Noida was heavily disrupted before the farmers' 'Delhi Chalo' march to the Parliament complex on Monday. The protest, organized by the Bhartiya Kisan Parishad (BKP) and other farmer groups from 20 districts, aims to pressure the central government to address their demands.

Videos show long lines of vehicles in Delhi-NCR, with heavy police presence and barricades causing delays. At the Chilla border, cars are moving slowly, while traffic on the DND is completely stuck in at least ten lanes.

To help commuters, the Noida Police issued a traffic advisory on Sunday, suggesting alternate routes:

Chilla Border to Greater Noida: Use Sector 14-A flyover, Golchakkar Chowk, and other suggested junctions.
DND Border to Delhi: Film City flyover or Elevated Road via Sector-18.
Kalindi Border to Delhi: Mahamaya flyover or Sector-37.
Greater Noida to Delhi: Travel via Kalindi Kunj or Hajipur underpass through Sector-51 and Model Town.
Yamuna Expressway traffic: Exit at Jewar toll, then proceed through Khurja and Jahangirpur.
Peripheral Expressway traffic: Use the Dadri or Dasna exits instead of Sirsa.

The Delhi Police have also increased security, with vehicle checks at all checkpoints.

What are the farmers demanding?

Under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha (KMM), farmers have been protesting against the government for several demands, including better compensation and benefits under the new agricultural laws. They have been stationed at Punjab-Haryana border points since February.

Their five main demands are:

10% plots and a 64.7% increase in compensation under the old land acquisition law.
Four times the market rate in compensation and 20% of plots for land acquired after January 1, 2014.
Employment and rehabilitation for children of landless farmers.
Implementation of decisions passed by the High Power Committee.
Proper resettlement of populated areas.

We are ready for our march to Delhi,” BKP leader Sukhbir Khalifa said. “We will start from under the Maha Maya flyover in Noida and reach the Parliament complex by noon to demand compensation and benefits under the new laws.

#WATCH | Noida, Uttar Pradesh: Traffic congestion seen at Chilla Border as farmers from Uttar Pradesh are on a march towards Delhi starting today. pic.twitter.com/A5G9JuT1KM
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) December 2, 2024

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DHL Cargo Plane Crashes in Vilnius: 1 Dead, 3 Injured, Investigation Underway

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 10:31:00 +0000

DHL Cargo Plane Crashes in Vilnius: 1 Dead, 3 Injured, Investigation Underway

Vilnius, Lithuania -- A DHL cargo plane crashed into a house Monday in the capital of this Baltic nation, killing one person on board and injuring three passengers, authorities said.

The plane was flying from Leipzig, Germany, but around 5:30 a.m. local time (10:30 p.m. ET Sunday) it crashed on Pea Street, an arterial road running through the city, less than a mile short of its destination airport.

"According to preliminary data, a cargo aircraft with 4 people crashed near the Vilnius International Airport at 5.30 AM local time. 1 person was proclaimed dead, 3 injured," Lithuania's national police force told media in an emailed statement.

According to a statement released by the Department of Fire Protection and Rescue, "it was found out that a cargo plane crashed and a house nearby caught fire. From preliminary data, three victims were rescued from the plane wreckage, and one dead was pulled out."

The cause of the crash has already been put under investigation.

According to Reuters, a government spokesperson for its National Crisis Management Center confirmed that residents of the house survived the crash. Reports indicated that police said in a news conference that 12 people had been evacuated from the house.

According to Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT, the Republic Vilnius University Hospital was treating two people wounded in the accident, without making it clear about their condition.

In a statement, Vilnius Airport confirmed the crash and said special services and rescue teams are working at the site.

While the investigation begins into the crash, speculation will quickly turn to whether it could have been an act of sabotage.

Western security officials have accused Russian agents of sending two incendiary devices to DHL hubs in Germany and the United Kingdom as part of a larger plot to start fires on board planes bound for America.

In July, a package exploded at a DHL depot in Leipzig and another burst into flames at a DHL depot in Birmingham, England.

Police in Poland said it arrested four people in connection with the plot.

The national prosecutor's office of Poland stated that the saboteurs "intended to test the transfer channel for such parcels which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada."

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier this month dismissed these reports as "vague misinformation" and said they were not supported by evidence.

A Swiftair 737-400 operated for DHL crashed in a residential area short of the runway while attempting to land in Vilnius this morning at approximately 03:30 UTC. https://t.co/FxzJhUlLZL pic.twitter.com/IylMZiFKtf
— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) November 25, 2024

Russia hit Ukraine with new intermediate-range ballistic missile

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Fri, 22 Nov 2024 09:42:00 +0000

Russia Deploys MIRV-Equipped Hypersonic Oreshnik Missile in Ukraine: What It Means?

On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia deployed a hypersonic new intermediate-range ballistic missile-the Oreshnik-against Ukraine. He claimed that the projectile, capable of performing at ten times the speed of sound, hit a military-industrial facility in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. With this missile, even the most advanced European anti-aircraft systems would prove ineffectual against it, Putin said.

Modern air defense systems exist worldwide, and anti-missile defenses created by the Americans in Europe can’t intercept such missiles.

Putin made the statement on live television about how this attack represented Russia's response to Ukraine's using US and British missiles to hit Russian territory earlier in the week. He threatened that if there were more attacks, Russia would aim its strikes back very powerfully and even hinted that NATO countries providing arms to Ukraine could be targeted.

Pentagon:

- Russia's experimental intermediate-range ballistic missile launched at Ukraine was based on the RS-26 Rubezh ICBM model;

- The US was notified by Russia about the launch briefly before it occurred through nuclear risk reduction channels. pic.twitter.com/a9bq8e8IZ3
— Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) November 21, 2024

What You Need to Know About the Oreshnik Missile?

Russia has added the Oreshnik missile to its growing hypersonic arsenal. This intermediate-range missile can travel up to 5,500 kilometers (3,400 miles) and carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. It’s based on the RS-26 Rubezh, a missile originally designed for both types of payloads. Putin said the Oreshnik was developed in response to the US placing similar missiles in Europe.

The missile strike on Dnipro used a technology called Multiple Independently-Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs), which allows one missile to release several warheads, each targeting a different location. Although MIRVs were initially created for nuclear weapons, this attack used conventional ones. Video of the strike showed multiple fire trails and explosions, supporting claims of MIRV use. Analysts agreed the missile is a challenge for air defenses, though Russia’s claims about its military advancements are often met with skepticism.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the attack “a brutal escalation” and a violation of international law. He urged world leaders to take a strong stand, warning that failing to act could encourage Putin.

US officials, speaking anonymously, suggested the missile’s impact might be limited, as Russia likely has only a small number of these experimental weapons. However, the attack has raised concerns about the war’s direction. UK Defence Secretary John Healey called the situation “serious” and accused Russia of increasing attacks on civilians and infrastructure.

The strike happened just as the US approved Ukraine’s use of longer-range Western missiles to hit targets inside Russia. This decision, which angered Moscow, coincided with reports that North Korean troops are now supporting Russian forces.

Meanwhile, Putin updated Russia’s nuclear policy to allow nuclear responses to non-nuclear attacks from countries backed by nuclear powers. The US dismissed concerns that its policy decisions could escalate the conflict, blaming Russia’s actions for increasing tensions.

Ever wonder what an ICBM re-entering the atmosphere
at 6 km per second looks like (mach 20)?

Well, Dnipro, a city in Ukraine was the first city in human history to find out.

Russia is completely unhinged. pic.twitter.com/SF5qpItz7c
— Tablesalt 🇨🇦🇺🇸 (@Tablesalt13) November 21, 2024

Russia Fires ICBM at Ukraine Amid Escalating Tensions

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 12:41:00 +0000

Russia Fires ICBM at Ukraine Amid Escalating Tensions

Russia launched an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) at Ukraine just a day after Vladimir Putin revised Moscow's nuclear doctrine. The ICBM, equipped with a conventional (non-nuclear) warhead, serves as a serious warning to Ukraine and its Western allies that Moscow's boundaries must be acknowledged.

ICBMs, which are typically designed to carry nuclear warheads, can also be utilized with conventional warheads. The development, technology, and design of ICBMs were intended to prepare a nation for a response in a nuclear scenario. Moscow's decisive action follows the recent approval from US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, allowing Ukraine to deploy Western long-range cruise and ballistic missiles to strike deep into Russian territory. Shortly after these approvals from Washington and London, Kyiv launched a US-made ATACMS missile and a UK-made 'Storm Shadow' missile aimed at Russian regions. Kyiv has stated that this marks the first instance of Moscow firing an ICBM, as both sides experienced significant escalations in the conflict, which reached its 1,000th day on Wednesday. Today, the Ukrainian Air Force issued a statement indicating that Russian forces had targeted the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro with various missile types this morning. They noted that the objective was to damage Ukrainian infrastructure. The statement further mentioned, "In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation." According to an AFP news report, a source within the Ukrainian Air Force confirmed that this was the first time an ICBM had been fired since the onset of the war in Ukraine. When asked about the ICBM launch, Moscow sidestepped the inquiry. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated he had "nothing to say on this topic." However, after updating its nuclear doctrine this week, the Kremlin asserted that it was making "maximum effort" to prevent a nuclear conflict. The new policy permits Moscow to utilize atomic weapons against certain threats.

The Russian spokesperson emphasized that Russia is committed to doing everything possible to prevent such a conflict. In a statement, Ukraine's Air Force reported that it successfully intercepted six missiles launched by Moscow, though it did not clarify if one of them was a Russian ICBM. Reports indicate that Russian airstrikes have caused damage to multiple homes in Dnipro and led to significant destruction throughout the city, including the destruction of an industrial complex and a rehabilitation center. Moscow also claimed that its air defense systems intercepted two Storm Shadow missiles, but it did not specify whether these interceptions occurred within Ukrainian airspace or over Russian territory. The war between Russia and Ukraine, now lasting more than two and a half years, has drifted further from diplomacy and dialogue, marked by a significant escalation from both sides, particularly after the grim milestone of 1,000 days of conflict. Both nations have deployed deadly long-range missiles to demonstrate their military strength, even as numerous world leaders have called on Putin and Zelensky to engage in diplomatic efforts to reach a resolution to the war.

Delhi Government Implements 50% Work-from-Home Policy Due to Severe Pollution

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 07:44:00 +0000

Delhi Government Implements 50% Work-from-Home Policy Due to Severe Pollution

The Delhi government has announced that half of its staff will work from home today as the city struggles with high air pollution. The Air Quality Index (AQI) in many parts of Delhi-NCR is over 450, considered "severe." This has triggered Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), the strictest set of measures to deal with dangerous pollution.

Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, said, *"To reduce pollution, the government has decided that 50% of staff in government offices will work from home. A meeting to discuss this will be held at 1 PM today at the Secretariat."*

Earlier, The government introduced staggered office timings for its employees and those of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD).

Restrictions have also been placed on older vehicles. BS-IV and older diesel medium and heavy goods vehicles (MGVs and HGVs) registered in Delhi are banned, except for essential services. The same ban applies to BS-III petrol vehicles.

To protect students, schools for Classes 10 to 12 have been closed temporarily.

Last year, the Delhi government worked with IIT Kanpur to look into cloud seeding as a way to combat pollution. Preparations for this year's operations started in August, but a meeting about it is still pending.

प्रदुषण कम करने के लिए दिल्ली सरकार ने सरकारी दफ़्तरो में वर्क फ्रॉम होम का लिया निर्णय

50% कर्मचारी करेंगे घर से काम

इसके इम्पलिमेंटेशन के लिए सचिवालय में आज दोपहर 1 बजे अधिकारियों के साथ होगी बैठक
— Gopal Rai (@AapKaGopalRai) November 20, 2024

Putin Signs Decree Expanding Nuclear Weapon Use

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:20:00 +0000

Putin Signs Decree Broadening Russia’s Nuclear Weapon Use Rules

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Tuesday that expands the circumstances under which Moscow might use nuclear weapons, sending a clear signal to the West and Ukraine.

This decision coincides with the 1,000th day of Russia's military campaign in Ukraine and follows the United States granting Kyiv permission to use long-range missiles to target military sites within Russia. The updated doctrine states that Russia may consider deploying nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear state if that state is backed by nuclear powers. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday that "aggression by a non-nuclear state with the participation of a nuclear state is considered a joint attack," clearly referring to Ukraine and its Western allies. Peskov emphasized the need to align Russia's principles with the current situation, describing the update as a "very important" document that should be "studied" internationally. He reiterated that Russia has always regarded nuclear weapons as a deterrent, asserting they would only be used if Russia felt "forced" to act. Throughout the nearly three-year conflict in Ukraine, Putin has made numerous nuclear threats, raising alarms in the West over what it deems reckless rhetoric. The new doctrine also permits Moscow to respond with nuclear force in the event of a "massive" air assault, even if only conventional weapons are employed. When the Kremlin first announced these proposed changes in September, Peskov referred to it as a "warning" to anyone considering an "attack on our country by various means, not necessarily nuclear." Additionally, the new doctrine extends Moscow's nuclear protection to its close ally Belarus. On the 1,000th day of the conflict, Peskov stated that the "collective West" had initiated a "war" against Russia, vowing that Moscow would continue its "special military operation" until completion.

UP Road Accidents: 2 Bikers Killed, 36 Injured Amid Heavy Smog

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 09:31:00 +0000

Deadly Smog in Uttar Pradesh: Multiple Accidents, 2 Dead, more than 36 Injured

Two bikers lost their lives, and nearly 36 people were hurt in separate accidents caused by smog in Noida and other parts of western Uttar Pradesh early this morning.

On the Eastern Peripheral Expressway, a truck crashed into another truck due to poor visibility. Soon after, a bus traveling from Panipat to Mathura failed to notice the trucks and hit them from behind. Around 12 passengers on the bus were injured and taken to the hospital. Police arrived at the scene to clear the road.

In Firozabad, near Agra, six vehicles collided after a pick-up truck broke down on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. The cars behind it could not see the stopped truck due to thick smog. Several people were injured and rushed to Saifai Medical College. The crash happened near Nasirpur. One person involved in the accident said, "We couldn’t see anything, and our car hit another car that had already hit the truck. Then three or four more cars crashed into ours."

In Bulandshahr, a speeding truck hit a bike from behind, killing the rider. The biker, Mansharam, was from Mainpuri. The truck driver has been arrested by the police.

Another accident happened in Badaun when an unknown vehicle hit a bike. The rider, a teacher named Santosh Singh, was on his way to school in Mau. Ten other people were hurt in similar crashes in the area.

Many parts of North India, including Delhi, are dealing with very poor air quality and thick smog. Pollution levels are extremely high, making the air dangerous to breathe. Visibility is very low, and people are reporting sore throats, headaches, and difficulty breathing. Authorities are asking residents to stay indoors as much as possible.

GREATER NOIDA: ईस्टर्न पेरिफेरल एक्सप्रेसवे हाईवे पर तेज रफ्तार का कहर, दो ट्रक आपस में टकराए, पीछे से आ रही बस भी ट्रक में टकराई, बस में बैठे लगभग 19 लोग घायल, घायलो को अस्पताल भिजवाया गया।#GreaterNoida #EasternExpresswayHighway #RoadAccident #TheMidPost pic.twitter.com/7a2kZguren
— The MidPost (@the_midpost) November 19, 2024

उत्तर प्रदेश के नोएडा में कोहरे के चलते खतरनाक सड़क हादसा
- तीन वाहन आपस में टकराए, बस में सवार 19 लोग घायल
- पानीपत से मथुरा जा रही थी बस
- ईकोटेक 1 थाना क्षेत्र के अंतर्गत ईस्टर्न पेरिफेरल एक्सप्रेस वे पर हुआ हादसा#UttarPradesh #Accident #UttarPradeshNews #Noida #Mathura… pic.twitter.com/ap6grI9RsN
— Nedrick News (@nedricknews) November 19, 2024

Delhi Faces Severe Pollution: AQI Hits 1,600, Flights Diverted, Emergency Measures Enforced

noreply@blogger.com (Ajay Singh) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 11:22:00 +0000

Delhi Faces Severe Pollution: AQI Hits 1,600, Flights Diverted, Emergency Measures Enforced

Delhi woke up to dangerously high pollution levels on Monday, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) reaching between 1,300 and 1,600 in several areas, according to IQAir. Mundka recorded the highest AQI at 1,591, while areas like Dwarka and Rohini also saw extremely poor air quality.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported an overall AQI of 485, marking the air as 'severe-plus'. The smog has caused low visibility, disrupted travel, and led to the suspension of most school classes, except for grades 10 and 12.

Emergency Measures Under GRAP Stage IV

Authorities have enforced the highest level of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to reduce pollution. This includes:

Banning construction and demolition
Shutting non-essential industries
Restricting older diesel vehicles
Promoting work-from-home

Health Warnings Issued

Doctors are advising residents to stay indoors, wear N95 masks, and avoid outdoor activities as the smog increases health risks like respiratory and heart problems.

14 Flights Diverted to Jaipur, Dehradun Amid Low Visibility

Amid the challenges of rising air pollution, 14 Delhi-bound flights have been diverted to Jaipur and Dehradun so far on Monday. Flights were diverted under 'Captain Minima' operating procedures. According to these procedures, the pilot must meet minimum operating standards for landing. Due to dense fog covering the skies of the national capital and subsequent low visibility, flights were diverted.

Earlier in the day, reports said 11 flights were diverted to other cities like Jaipur and Dehradun, however, the number has now gone up to 14. On Monday morning, the Delhi airport issued an advisory to passengers that flight operations may be affected, but 'low visibility procedures' are still underway at the airport. The advisory asked passengers to contact their respective airlines for 'updated information' about their flights.

Airports in Delhi, Chandigarh and Amritsar are worst hit due to fog. Earlier on Sunday, 26 per cent of IndiGo flights, 43 per cent of Air India flights and 34 per cent of SpiceJet flights were delayed due to low visibility.

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