Kyiv: Russia's overnight drone attack cut power to over 4,00,000 consumers in Ukraine's northeast region of Sumy on Monday, Ukraine's energy ministry said in a statement via the Telegram messaging app.
Work to restore power continued into the morning as 91 settlements remained without power in the region, the Energy Ministry and local authorities said on Telegram.  Ukraine downed 12 out of 13 drones used by Russia in the attack.
—Reuters

Overnight drone attack by Russia disrupts power for 400,000 in Ukraine's Sumy, with ongoing restoration efforts. 12 drones shot down; crisis persists.

Russia's overnight drone attack cut power to over 4,00,000 consumers, says Ukraine's Energy Ministry

Jerusalem: Israel's armed forces have begun evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah ahead of a threatened assault on the southern Gazan city, an Israeli broadcaster said on Monday.
The military gave no immediate confirmation of the report on Army Radio, which said evacuations were focused on a few peripheral districts of Rafah, from which evacuees would be directed to tent cities in nearby Khan Younis and Al Muwassi.  In what appeared to be the beginning of a civilian evacuation ahead of a ground assault, however, the Israeli military called on Palestinians in eastern parts of Rafah to move to a nearby "humanitarian area".
In a statement, the military said posters, text messages, phone calls and media announcements would be used to “encourage the gradual movement of civilians in the specified areas”.
Watch: <a href="https://twitter.com/cogatonline/status/1787349646089547982?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1787349646089547982%7Ctwgr%5E92bada7fd58cc2f07106099a9574d06876a34403%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fworld%2Fisrael-military-begins-evacuating-palestinian-civilians-from-rafah-radio-says-3009263" target="_self">https://twitter.com/cogatonline/status/1787349646089547982?</a>
Seven months into its offensive against Hamas, Israel has said Rafah harbours thousands of the Palestinian Islamist group’s fighters and that victory is impossible without taking the city.  But with more than a million displaced Palestinians sheltering in Rafah, the prospect of a high-casualty operation worries Western powers and neighboring Egypt.
—Reuters

Israeli forces evacuate Palestinian civilians in Rafah, Gaza, amid threats of an assault, raising international and regional concerns.

Israel military begins evacuating Palestinian civilians from Rafah, radio says

New York: In a veiled attack on Pakistan, India at the United Nations General Assembly said that Islamabad harbours a "most dubious track record" in all aspects, as it slammed "destructive and pernicious" remarks made by Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations. Her remarks came after Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Munir Akram remarks against India, including references to Kashmir, BJP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and Indian Muslims.  In her address at the UN General Assembly meeting on agenda item 'Culture of Peace', Ruchira Kamboj said the culture of peace is deeply ingrained in the rich history, diverse traditions, and profound philosophical tenets in India. She called the doctrine of Ahimsa the "bedrock of India's commitment to peace." Kamboj said, "In this Assembly, as we endeavour to cultivate a culture of peace amid these challenging times, our focus remains steadfast on constructive dialogue. We thus choose to set aside the remarks from a certain delegation which not only lack decorum but also detract from our collective efforts due to their destructive and pernicious nature." "We would strongly encourage that delegation to align with the essential principles of respect and diplomacy that must always guide our discussions or is that too much to ask of a country that harbors a most dubious track record on all aspects in itself," she added. In her remarks, Kamboj said that India is concerned by the escalating attacks on churches, monasteries, gurudwaras, mosques, temples and synagogues and asserted that these acts require a "swift and united response" from the global community. Kamboj said, "In our world today, we face significant challenges arising from geopolitical tensions and uneven development. The growing intolerance, discrimination, and violence based on religion or belief indeed demand our urgent attention. We are particularly concerned by the escalating attacks on sacred sites, including churches, monasteries, gurudwaras, mosques, temples, and synagogues." "Such acts require a swift and united response from the global community. It is crucial that our discussions therefore forthrightly address these issues, resisting political expediencies. We must tackle these challenges directly and ensure that they are solved. central to our policy, dialogues and international engagements," she added. India's envoy to the UN stated that terrorism stands in direct opposition to the culture of peace and sows discord and breeds hostility. She called it essential for member states to work together to nurture a genuine culture of peace. She said, "I will also state that terrorism stands in direct opposition to the culture of peace and the core teachings of all religions which advocate compassion, understanding and coexistence. It sows discord, breeds hostility and undermines the universal values of respect and harmony that underpin cultural and religious traditions worldwide. It is essential for member states to work together actively to nurture a genuine culture of peace and to view the world as a united family, as my country strongly believes." She emphasised that significance of peace is "paramount" in today's global landscape. She further said, "It champions dialogue over discord, urging nations to favour diplomacy and communication above confrontation or warfare. This is especially relevant as we navigate ongoing conflicts worldwide that demand open communication dialogue, and mutual respect to forge lasting peace." Stressing that ancient Indian texts promote values of harmony and compassion, Ruchira Kamboj said, "As far as my country, India, is concerned, the culture of peace is deeply ingrained in its rich history, diverse traditions, and profound philosophical tenets. Ancient Indian texts like the Vedas and the Upanishads promote values of harmony, compassion, and non-violence, principles that have shaped my country's ethos." Kamboj noted that India's cultural mosaic is a testament to tolerance and co-existence. She stated that festivals like Diwali, Eid, Christmas and Nowruz transcend religious boundaries. She said, "The doctrine of Ahimsa, championed by Mahatma Gandhi, continues to be a bedrock of India's commitment to peace. And with its remarkable religious and linguistic diversity, India's cultural mosaic is a testament to tolerance and coexistence. Festivals such as Diwali, Eid, Christmas, and Nowruz transcend religious boundaries, celebrating shared joys among diverse communities. The country's myriad languages, dialects, and cuisines, alongside its rich tapestry of races, colors, and landscapes, contributes to the resilience and richness of India's composite culture." Emphasizing that India has historically been a refuge for persecuted faiths, Kamboj said, "India is not only the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, but also a stronghold for Islam, Judaism, Christianity, and Zoroastrianism. It has historically been a refuge for persecuted faiths, illustrating its longstanding embrace of diversity." She commended Bangladesh for presenting a resolution on the follow-up to the Declaration and Program of Action, which India proudly co-sponsors." She stated that India remains dedicated to upholding ideals of humanity, democracy and non-violence. She said that referenced a quote Kamboj said, "In keeping with its civilizational values, India remains dedicated to upholding the ideals of humanity, democracy, and nonviolence. I will conclude, Mr President, with a profound quote from our sacred Bhagavad Gita that encapsulates the essence of a culture of peace. I quote, 'When a person responds to the joys and sorrows of others as if they were his own, he attains the highest state of spiritual union'." —ANI

In a veiled attack on Pakistan, India at the United Nations General Assembly said that Islamabad harbours a "most dubious track record" 

Pakistan Harbours Most Dubious Track Record: India At UN General Assembly

Male: A 30-year-old Indian worker, injured during a dredging incident, died near here on Friday, a local media report said.
Identified by local police as an Indian man, the expat was injured while aboard a dredger at Hulhumale’ lagoon at around 10:30 am local time, news portal Sun.mv reported.  Quoting the police, the news portal said, The Hulhumale’ Hospital declared the expatriate dead on arrival after he was brought in following the incident. The person was not identified by the police, except that he was 30 years old and from India.  The incident is under further investigation by the police, the report said, highlighting the failure to adhere to proper safety standards.
—PTI

A 30-year-old Indian worker died in a dredging accident at Hulhumale' lagoon, prompting police investigation into safety negligence.

Indian worker dies in worksite accident in Maldives

Karachi: A senior journalist was killed and seven other people were injured in a bomb attack in Pakistan's restive Balochistan province on Friday, police said.
Muhammad Siddiq Mengal, a senior journalist and also the president of the Khuzdar Press Club, was killed when a remote-controlled bomb hit his vehicle on the Sultan Ibrahim highway on the outskirts of Khuzdar town,' a police official said.
"Seven other people were also injured in the blast," he said.  Balochistan has been witnessing a series of terrorist activities for several years.  Most recently, on Thursday at least one died and 20 others were injured in twin landmine blasts that occurred near Thaikedar Naddi in the Duki district of Balochistan. The first explosion occurred when a truck hit a landmine, followed by a second blast as people gathered at the scene.  On Friday last, unknown assailants opened fire in the Kali Tarata area of Pishin district and injured two senior police officers, including a DSP and SHO. In a similar incident in the Tump area of the district, two labourers were killed by armed men.  In 2023, Pakistan ranked 150 out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF), a non-profit that defends and promotes freedom of information.  According to a report by Freedom Network, an independent national media watchdog, at least 53 journalists were murdered in the country from 2012 to 2022. Only in two cases have convictions been obtained.
—PTI

Senior journalist Muhammad Siddiq Mengal killed in a bomb attack in Balochistan. Rising violence and press freedom concerns loom large in Pakistan.

Pakistan journalist killed, 7 others injured in bomb blast in Balochistan province

Dubai: Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia, which has disrupted global shipping to display its support for Palestinians in the Gaza conflict, is now offering a place for students suspended from US universities after staging anti-Israeli protests.
Students have rallied or set up tents at dozens of campuses in the United States in recent days to protest against Israel's war in Gaza, now in its seventh month.
Demonstrators have called on President Joe Biden, who has supported Israel's right to defend itself, to do more to stop the bloodshed in Gaza and demanded schools divest from companies that support Israel's government.  Many of the schools, including Ivy League Columbia University in New York City, have called in police to quell the protests.  "We are serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from US universities for supporting Palestinians," an official at Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, told Reuters. "We are fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can."  Sanaa University had issued a statement applauding the "humanitarian" position of the students in the United States and said they could continue their studies in Yemen.  "The board of the university condemns what academics and students of US and European universities are being subjected to, suppression of freedom of expression," the board of the university said in a statement, which included an email address for any students wanting to take up their offer.
The US and Britain returned the Houthi militia to a list of terrorist groups this year as their attacks on vessels in and around the Red Sea hurt global economies.  The Houthi's offer of an education for US students sparked a wave of sarcasm by ordinary Yemenis on social media. One social media user posted a photograph of two Westerners chewing Yemen's widely-used narcotic leaf Qat. He described the scene as American students during their fifth year at Sanaa University.
—Reuters

Amidst the Gaza conflict, Yemen's Houthi militia extends sanctuary to US students protesting in support of Palestinians.

Houthis offer education to students suspended in US protest crackdown

By Paul Haskell-Dowland for The Conversation
Joondalup: Responding to a resurgence in gender-based violence and deaths in Australia, the National Cabinet has committed almost A$1 billion to a range of strategies.  Tackling “online harms” was among the new commitments, including the introduction of a pilot programme to explore the use of age-checking technologies to restrict children’s access to inappropriate material online.  Under-age exposure to adult content is considered to be a contributory factor to domestic violence through fuelling harmful attitudes towards relationships. Controlling access to adult material is also aligned with debate over access to social media sites and other age-related restrictions.  While the details are yet to come, a roadmap for this was proposed more than a year ago by the eSafety Commissioner. Recent events have clearly spurred action, but there are questions over the effectiveness of tools to check the age of website visitors.  Implementing and enforcing these will be challenging and there is the potential for people to bypass such “age assurance” controls. But while there’s no easy fix, there are some checks that could help.
What’s being proposed?  In March 2023, the eSafety Commissioner published a “Roadmap for age verification”, which outlined the risks of children accessing inappropriate content (primarily online pornography).  This was a comprehensive report, identifying current approaches, views from various industry representatives, and highlighting existing legislative and regulatory frameworks.  Disappointingly, this was not the first such offering. A 2020 Parliamentary paper “Protecting the age of innocence” also discussed similar issues and made similar recommendations:  It’s now not a matter of “if” a child will see pornography but “when”, and the when is getting younger and younger.  Some of the data in the 2023 report is quite shocking, including:  * 75 per cent of children aged 16–18 have seen online pornography  * One third of those were exposed before the age of 13  * Half saw it between ages 13 and 15.  The report made extensive recommendations, including:  Trial a pilot before seeking to prescribe and mandate age assurance technology.
Assurance versus verification  While they may sound similar, there are distinct differences between age assurance and age verification.  Age assurance is most often seen in social media settings where an individual is asked for their date of birth. It’s effectively a self-declaration of age. This can also be found in certain applications (such as Facebook’s Messenger Kids) where a parent is nominated to confirm a child can have access to a service.  It may also use biometrics to attempt to determine a person’s age, for example by using a webcam to visually classify a person’s age range based on appearance.  Age verification is a more rigorous approach, where some form of identity is provided and verified against a trusted source. A simple example can be seen in online systems where identity is verified using a driver’s licence or passport.  Will it work?  The concept of checking a person’s age seems to be a simple and effective solution. The challenge is the reliability of the mechanisms available.  Asking a user to enter their date of birth is clearly open to misuse. Even seeking secondary approval (say, from a parent) would only work if there was a mechanism to confirm the relationship.  Similarly, a biometric approach depends on access to a webcam (or other sensor) and would itself raise concerns over privacy.  In verifying a person’s age, we are really talking about verifying identity – a topic steeped in controversy itself.  While ID verification is potentially a more reliable approach, it depends on trust and the secure access and storage of our identity records.  Given recent data breaches (including Outabox just this week, as well as Optus and Medibank incidents), any proposed system would have to rely on more than simply entering a passport number or other identifier. Perhaps it could use the myGovID service the government is currently expanding.
It needs coordinated effort  It is worth noting that any solution would likely see a verification request pushed from the content provider to an Australian-based (likely government managed) service.  This would simply provide a confirmation to the content provider that a user has been confirmed as an “adult”. It is unlikely any proposed system would require the entry of identity data into an overseas website that would then be stored outside Australia.  But with so much of the adult content itself hosted overseas, it will require a coordinated effort to enforce and to ensure that providers have the ability to connect to age verification systems in Australia.  Won’t kids just bypass it anyway?  The reality is, no system is perfect. With age assurance, children can enter fake details – or genuine information from another person – to claim they are older. Even the use of biometrics can potentially be bypassed with the cooperation of an older relative, photo filters or future AI applications.  Age verification offers potential. But for it to work, the verification process must confirm not just the age of the claimed identity, but the authenticity of the person attempting to verify their age. For example, a child could access stolen identity documentation to enter a legitimate driver’s licence or passport.
Finally, these checks are likely to be specific to Australia, with service providers implementing a solution for connections originating within the country. With easy access to virtual private networks (VPNs) or the use of anonymised browsers, such as Tor, there are many ways to potentially evade these controls.  While we may not have a simple solution, imposing constraints that affect the majority of underage access is still a worthwhile project.  Some children will always seek to access illicit materials. Those determined enough will always find a way, just as plenty of children still find a way to smoke and drink.  But doing nothing is not an option – and this may well protect at least some impressionable minds.  (Paul Haskell-Dowland is a Professor of Cyber Security Practice at Edith Cowan University)

Australia commits nearly A$1 billion to combat gender-based violence, introducing age verification to limit children's access to harmful online content and boost online safety.

Australia to trial ‘age assurance’ tech to bar children from online porn: What is it and will it work?

Brussels: Jeanine, 79, finds today's music too "boom boom" and she prefers old time tunes but that did not stop her hitting the dance floor at Brussels' largest night club along with 10 other elderly residents of three nursing homes in the Belgian capital.
They ended up staying at the "Lift Brussels" night club until 3:30 am. "I was amazed and I found this evening extraordinary," Jeanine said, adding that she had not gone dancing at a club for at least 30 years. The 11 pensioners - nine women and two men - were taken to the night club by non-profit association Papy Booom as part of a series of non-conventional activities offered to retired people to keep them active and break the loneliness many of them experience. "Happiness overcomes old age" is the motto of the association, founded by Youssef Kaddar, who has worked with the elderly in nursing homes since 2010. After the women had been made up and had had their hair done, they were taken by Kaddar and associate Sonia Flohimont to a creperie called 'Capuccino' for a coffee and were then driven to the night club in a limousine. "These sorts of activities allow us to live again. We have the feeling of existing again," said Simone Nestor, 81. The night out is part of a broader programme offered by Papy Booom to help the elderly become more active again in society. After several years working in nursing homes, Kaddar said he grew tired of offering the same boring activities and realised that lots of residents were still able to do much more. "We try to offer them activities they are not supposed to do," he said, including balloon flights, sports contests, making online videos and tutoring schoolchildren.
—Reuters

Elderly taken to Brussels night club by Papy Booom. Joyful night breaks loneliness, promotes active aging, social inclusion.

'Boom, boom': Ageing boomers discover Brussels' largest night club

Elderly taken to Brussels night club by Papy Booom. Joyful night breaks loneliness, promotes active aging, social inclusion

Kathmandu: In a bid to offer Nepalese readers insights into India's global presence, a book encapsulating speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in various countries and international forums from 2014 to 2024 was unveiled by authors Bhupendra Bahadur Chhetri and Sagar Chand. Titled "Bishwo Manch ma Narendra Modi," translated as "Narendra Modi in the World Stage," the book was introduced during a ceremony in Kathmandu on Tuesday. Chhetri meticulously compiled Modi's speeches, while Chand skillfully translated them into Nepali language. The compilation spans speeches delivered by PM Modi from 2014 to early 2024 during his various international engagements, shedding light on India's diplomatic approach and global perspectives. Speaking about the significance of the book, co-author Sagar Chand expressed, "Not only the Nepali readers, but politicians, young and old, along with journalists covering diplomacy, should acquaint themselves with the issues discussed by our neighboring countries and how they present themselves." He emphasized Modi's "Neighbour First" policy and its relevance to Nepal's diplomatic landscape. "When he (Narendra Modi) became the Prime Minister in 2014 he had reiterated that he will be adopting 'Neighbour First' policy, which draws the attention of neighboring countries, why? Because, a country like Nepal- smaller in terms of economy and geography, cannot be a participant in all world forums, by chance if we get the chance to participate then we don't get a chance to present our take, that's why we are dependent on our big neighbours. This is when the presentation and issues that are being raised become our primary concern. The streamlined 'Neighbour First' policy of PM Modi, being implemented in international forums makes this book a must-read for us," Sagar Chand told ANI. The book features 29 speeches by PM Modi, meticulously translated into Nepali, aiming to inform readers about India's role at the global platform. Chand underscored the transformative impact of PM Modi's leadership on India's global stature, making each of the translated speeches a crucial read. In a related context, a January 2024 report by the World Economic Forum highlighted India's significant contribution of 16 per cent to global development in 2023. India's robust economic growth, reaching 7.2 per cent during the 2022-2023 period, consistently positioned it among the top nations within the G20. The authors' endeavor to elucidate PM Modi's speeches comes at a time when India's infrastructure, internet accessibility, and relations with the Western world are evolving, amplifying its presence on the global stage. Published by Indigo Ink, the book is priced at NRS 549 (Rs 343) and provides invaluable insights into PM Modi's engagements on the world platform. PM Modi has made four visits to Nepal, including his attendance at the SAARC meeting. His first visit was in August 2014, followed by the SAARC meeting of 2014. He visited again in May 2018 and most recently in May 2022. During these visits, Modi traveled extensively across Nepal, from Janakpur and Lumbini to Muktinath. —ANI

In a bid to offer Nepalese readers insights into India's global presence, a book encapsulating speeches by Prime Minister Narendra Modi 

Nepalese Authors Publish Book Featuring Speeches Of PM Modi Made At International Forums

Beijing: At least 19 people have been killed after a part of a highway collapsed in Southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported citing local media. The state broadcaster said that a 17.9-metre (58.7-foot) stretch of the S12 highway between Meizhou city and Dabu county caved in at 2:10 am on Wednesday (18:10 GMT on Tuesday), trapping dozens of people in 18 vehicles.
"19 people have been confirmed dead, and 30 are receiving all-out emergency care in hospital", Al Jazeera reported citing CCTV.
 As per officials, the people who were taken were "not currently at risk."
 Videos circulating online shared by local news outlets showed flames and smoke billowing from a deep pit into which the cars appeared to have fallen.
 Currently, about 500 people are on-site for the rescue operation. The cause of the collapse is not known yet.&nbsp;

In a tragic event on Wednesday, a significant portion of the S12 highway in Southern China's Guangdong province collapsed, resulting in the death of at least 19 individuals. This incident occurred between Meizhou city and Dabu county, with a 17.9-meter stretch of the highway caving in at around 2:10 am local time, according to reports from Al Jazeera citing local media. The collapse trapped approximately 18 vehicles, leading to flames and smoke emanating from a deep pit, a horrifying scene captured in videos that circulated online.

At least 19 killed, dozens injured after highway collapses in southern China

At least 19 people have been killed after a part of a highway collapsed in Southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday

New York: Highlighting India's digital public infrastructure, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj, on Thursday said that India has achieved an 80 per cent financial inclusion rate within six years, a feat that would have taken decades without such digital infrastructure. Addressing a session at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday, Kamboj said that India's journey offers powerful lessons for other nations embarking on digital transformations. "Within six years, India has achieved an 80 per cent financial inclusion rate, a feat that would have taken decades without such digital infrastructure," she said. "As we gather here today to celebrate the empowerment of billions in India, we remind ourselves of the words of Secretary-General Antonio Guterres that partnerships must continue to be at the heart of our strategy and embracing the spirit of our G20 leadership "Sabka Saat Sabka Vikas," together for everyone's growth," Kamboj added. She further underscored that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has noted in its working paper the benefits of India's digital journey. "India's journey offers powerful lessons for other nations embarking on digital transformations, emphasising a design approach focused on shared building blocks to spur innovation across ecosystems," Kamboj said. She further shared the story of a woman named Geeta, a mother of two and a tailor from a small town in India, Khurja, Uttar Pradesh. "She never had the chance to attend university. Every day she stitches clothes for her neighbours, earning her wage in crumpled bills of tens and hundreds. With every stitch, she weaves her dreams not just for herself but for her children, ensuring that they receive the education that she missed," Kamboj said. She continued Geeta's routine included a monthly trip to the city bank, trading a day's earnings for a bus ride to deposit her hard-earned savings. She dreamed of saving enough to expand her small tailoring business into something much bigger and she aspired to be a businesswoman. "One day in 2016, a change sparked when a customer asked if she would accept payment via India's United Payments interface or the UPI. Unfamiliar, but intrigued, Geeta decided it was time to learn something new," Kamboj said. She found a tutorial video by the Press Information Bureau, produced by the Indian government and what she discovered was nothing short of a revolution, Kamboj added. Emphasising that Geeta opened up a world where she could connect with customers, not just in her locality, but across the country, Kamoj added that, today, Geeta doesn't make those trips to the bank anymore. "Instead, she spends that time at a children's school, watching them learn and grow, secure in the knowledge that their future is bright. Payments for her tailored clothes now come instantly to her phone from all over India. She saves for her business and pays for her children's tuition, all through a digital wallet on her mobile," she said. Kamboj further stressed that now, Geeta has become what she always wanted to be, a successful businesswoman empowered by the digital age. Now this transformation was made possible by the India stack, a pioneering force in building digital public infrastructure, turning a billion dreams like Geeta's into reality, Kamboj emphasised. "It has revolutionised everyday transactions in India, from buying vegetables to consuming street food like the famous Indian panipuri. From taking loans to saving money," she added. Kamboj further stressed, "Let's inspire and be inspired as we work together to build a digitally empowered world." —ANI

Highlighting India's digital public infrastructure, Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ruchira Kamboj

'Within 6 Years, India Achieved 80% Financial Inclusion Rate, Feat That Would Have Taken Decades...': Ruchira Kamboj

A huge blast at Iraq's Kalso military base used by the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) on Saturday was the result of an explosion in ammunition and rocket storage, state media reported on Tuesday citing the investigators' report.
No warplanes or drones were spotted in the sky above Iraq's Babil province at the time of the explosion, according to the final report of the Iraqi military technical committee which investigated the explosion.  The blast killed a member of the PMF security force that includes Iran-backed groups.
Highly explosive material used in manufacturing ammunition was identified and the remnants of rockets were found 150 meters away from the explosion site, the report said.  State media did not say explicitly whether the explosion was believed to be an accident.  The blast occurred nearly a week after Iran fired a barrage of missiles and drones at Israel in response to a presumed Israeli airstrike that destroyed part of Iran's embassy in Damascus on April 1, killing seven Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers.  The PMF includes Iran-backed groups which, operating under the banner of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, have attacked US troops in the region and targeted Israel since the eruption of the Gaza war, declaring support for the Palestinians.
—Reuters

Explosion at Iraq's Kalso military base linked to ammunition mishap kills PMF member. Investigation reveals no drone activity; tension escalates in Middle East.

Blast at Iraq's PMF base caused by explosion in ammunition storage: Report

A Chinese woman died tragically on Saturday after slipped and fell into a crater while posing at Indonesia's volcano park in East Java.
31-year-old Huang Lihong was on a guided tour of Ijen with her husband when they climbed to the edge of the crater despite the tour guide's warnings, as per a report in The New York Post.  It reportedly took the rescuers nearly two hours to retrieve her body.  While Lihong maintained a distance of around 2-3 km from the edge while posing initially, she soon started moving backwards to capture a better picture.  However, as she inched backwards, she stepped on her clothes and fell off the cliff from a height of 75 m, The death has reportedly been classified as an accident.  Known for its 'blue flames', the Ijen volcano complex hosts several other craters and has become a tourist spot for hikers and nature enthusiasts.  Recently, a view of the Ijen had become viral on the internet owing to the electric-blue flames erupting from a volcano.
Watch! Indonesia's Kawah Ijen volcano: <a href="https://twitter.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1745163716260208991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1745163716260208991%7Ctwgr%5Ec3b667f423e8338d414b431f528bdd3801320f3e%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fworld%2Ftourist-dies-after-falling-into-volcano-while-posing-for-photo-in-indonesia-2990528" target="_self">https://twitter.com/gunsnrosesgirl3/status/1745163716260208991?</a>
While the lava in this volcano is like any other, it derives its blue colour from the sulphur pockets in the rock. When this sulphur comes in contact with the oxygen in the air, it ignites giving an illusion of the lava being blue in colour when infact, it is the surface of the molten rock that gets covered in blue flame.  This is not the first time a tourist has died here. In February this year, a Polish touris died while trekking at the Ijen Crater Nature Tourism Park. However, the cause of the death was reportedly suspected to be tiredness and a history of illness.  There are around 400 active volcanoes in Indonesia. Recently the country had to shut a provincial airport and evacuate hundreds of people from the vicinity of the Ruang volcano after it belched explosive plumes of lava, rocks and ash for days, officials, declaring the highest alert on the situation. More than 800 people were evacuated from the area, with authorities widening the evacuation zone further after the volcanology agency raised the alert status.  Last year in December, more than 20 people were killed after Marapi, one of Sumatra's most active volcanoes, erupted and spewed grey clouds of ash as high as 3 km (2 miles), only to erupt again in January this year.
—Input from Reuters

Chinese tourist dies in tragic accident at Indonesia's Ijen volcano. Despite warnings, she fell into crater while posing for a photo.

Tourist Dies in Indonesia After Falling into Volcano While Posing for Photo

Moscow: An ally of President Vladimir Putin warned Europe on Tuesday that Russia has already drafted legislation to retaliate if nearly $300 billion of Russian assets were seized by the West and used to help Ukraine.
After President Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine in 2022, the United States and its allies prohibited transactions with Russia's central bank and finance ministry, blocking around $300 billion of sovereign Russian assets in the West.  Top officials in the United States want to seize the assets to help support Ukraine, though some bankers and European officials are worried that simply taking the assets would create a dangerous precedent.  The US House of Representatives passed legislation on Saturday including a bill with a provision that would allow the confiscation of Russian sovereign assets, though the lion's share of the assets are in Europe.  "We also have a prepared answer," Valentina Matviyenko, the speaker of the Russian upper house of parliament, was quoted as saying by state news agency RIA. "We have a draft law, which we are ready to consider immediately, on retaliatory measures."
"And the Europeans will lose more than we do," Matviyenko, who is a member of Russia's powerful Security Council, said.  Matviyenko did not give specifics on what the response would be to the seizing of Russian assets which is still under discussion in the West.  One option being discussed by the West is to confiscate the income on the underlying assets without taking the actual asset itself.  Putin says the West unleashed what he casts as an economic war against Russia, but has touted both the resilience of the Russian economy, which grew 3.6 per cent last year, and the failure of sanctions of stop Russian trade.  The Kremlin has repeatedly said that any seizure of its assets would go against all the principles of free markets which the West proclaims and that it would undermine confidence in the US dollar and euro while deterring global investment and undermining confidence in Western central banks.  Russia has said it will challenge any confiscation of its assets in the courts.
Some Russian officials have suggested that if Russian assets are confiscated then foreign investors' assets stuck in special so-called type "C" accounts in Russia could face the same fate.  It is not clear exactly how much money is in these accounts.  The speaker of the lower house of the Russian parliament, Vyacheslav Volodin, said on Monday that Russia had grounds to seize Western assets after the move by the US House of Representatives.  Volodin said that of the $280 billion of Russian assets frozen abroad, only $5 to $6 billion was in the United States while about 210 billion euros ($224 billion) was in the European Union.
—Reuters

Tensions escalate as Russia threatens retaliatory measures amid talks of seizing Russian assets by the West to aid Ukraine.

Russia warns Europe: If you take our assets, we have a response that will hurt

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi on Monday agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism as they discussed ways to promote cooperation between their countries, months after the two neighbours carried out tit-for-tat air strikes against alleged terrorist hideouts on rival lands.
Raisi, the first head of state of any country to visit Pakistan after the February 8 general elections, was welcomed by PM Sharif at the Prime Minister House where the Iranian leader inspected the Guard of Honour.  During their talks, President Raisi and Prime Minister Sharif agreed on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.  It added that the two leaders also held discussions to increase trade and communication links between their countries.  Addressing a joint press conference, Iranian President Raisi said that the existing bilateral trade volume was “not acceptable” and added that Iran and Pakistan have decided to increase the trade volume to $10 billion.  Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/iranian-president-lands-in-pakistan-for-three-day-visit-to-mend-ties" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/iranian-president-lands-in-pakistan-for-three-day-visit-to-mend-ties</a>&nbsp;
"We are committed to strengthening relations at high levels.... Economic and trade volume between Iran and Pakistan is not acceptable. We have decided as a first step to increase trade volume between our two countries to $10 billion," Raisi said.
On his part, Sharif called for strengthening Pak-Iran ties despite challenges. "We have to keep this relationship strong despite the challenges we both face," he said.  Sharif said that he had detailed discussions with President Raisi on “religious, cultural, diplomatic, investment, and security matters” during their meeting.  He described Raisi as an 'ocean of political intelligence and wisdom' and said that Iran would progress further under his leadership.  "Pakistan and Iran can prosper and our borders can see progress,” Sharif said, expressing hope that the shared border can adapt for trade and business.  He expressed hope for the relationship between the neighbours to be “firm and stable”, noting that today was an opportunity to “make this friendship a happy and prosperous one”.  Prime Minister Sharif and President Raisi planted a tree on the lawn of the Prime Minister House as the world marked Earth Day on Monday.  Sharif was quoted as saying that the entire nation welcomed the Iranian President's visit while Raisi expressed gratitude to the premier for the warm welcome accorded to him, Radio Pakistan reported.
<a href="https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1782282799384240201?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1782282799384240201%7Ctwgr%5E8acbe8a8590d463911f88b6c0be17314de50d7d3%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.deccanherald.com%2Fworld%2Firanian-president-ebrahim-raisi-and-pakistan-pm-shehbaz-sharif-agree-on-joint-efforts-to-eradicate-terrorism-months-after-tit-for-tat-air-strikes-2988943" target="_self">https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1782282799384240201?</a>
Raisi, who arrived in Pakistan on a three-day official visit to promote cooperation, was accorded a warm welcome at the Islamabad Airport and was received by Housing Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Iran Mudassir Tipu, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on social media platform X.  The Iranian President is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation comprising the Foreign Minister and other members of the Cabinet and senior officials, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.  Soon after Raisi's arrival, Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar called on the Iranian President in Islamabad, where they discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments, Radio Pakistan reported.  Raisi and Dar “emphasised the importance of enhanced efforts to further consolidate bilateral relations in diverse fields”, it said, adding that they also “affirmed commitment to peace and constructive dialogue for resolving regional challenges”.  President Raisi has an extensive programme in Pakistan and is scheduled to meet President Asif Ali Zardari, Senate Chairman Yusuf Raza Gilani and Speaker of the National Assembly Ayaz Sadiq.  He will also visit Lahore and Karachi and meet with the provincial leadership, the Foreign Office said.  “The two leaders will participate in a ceremony regarding naming a highway in Islamabad as Iran Avenue,” Radio Pakistan earlier said, adding that the Prime Minister would also host a lunch for the Iranian president and his delegation.  “The two sides will have a wide-ranging agenda to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran ties and enhance cooperation in diverse fields including trade, connectivity, energy, agriculture, and people-to-people contacts,” according to the FO statement.  The talks will focus on regional and global developments and bilateral cooperation to combat the common threat of terrorism.  Pakistan and Iran enjoy strong bilateral ties anchored in history, culture and religion. This visit provides an important opportunity to further strengthen Pakistan-Iran relations, according to the Foreign Office.
Raisi is visiting Pakistan months after the cordial ties between the two neighbours suffered a setback when Tehran shocked Islamabad by carrying out airstrikes against alleged militant hideouts in the restive Balochistan province in January.  Pakistan swiftly responded by using killer drones and rockets to carry out “precision military strikes” against what it called “terrorist hideouts” in Iran’s Siestan-Balochistan province, killing 9 people.  However, the two sides acted fast to restrain tempers through diplomatic channels. Raisi's visit is expected to further cement their ties.
—PTI

Pakistan and Iran leaders vow to enhance cooperation and trade, focusing on security and economic ties. Read about President Raisi's strategic visit and discussions.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif agree on joint efforts to eradicate terrorism months after tit-for-tat air strikes

Islamabad: Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrived in Islamabad on Monday on a three-day official visit, the foreign office said, amid tight security in the Pakistani capital.
The visit, which Pakistan's foreign office said would run until Wednesday, comes as the two Muslim neighbours seek to mend ties after unprecedented tit-for-tat military strikes this year.  "The Iranian president is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation," Pakistan's foreign ministry said in a statement, adding that the group also included the foreign minister, other cabinet members and senior officials.  Raisi will meet Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and other officials, besides visiting the eastern city of Lahore and southern port city of Karachi, it added.  Major highways in Islamabad were blocked as part of the security measures for Raisi's arrival, while the government declared a public holiday in Karachi.  Raisi's visit is a key step towards normalising ties with Islamabad, but Iran's supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khameni, not the president, has the last say on state matters, such as nuclear policy.  Also Read: <a href="https://www.thehawk.in/posts/israel-planned-bigger-attack-on-iran-but-scaled-it-back-to-avoid-war" target="_self">https://www.thehawk.in/posts/israel-planned-bigger-attack-on-iran-but-scaled-it-back-to-avoid-war</a>&nbsp;
Tension is also high in the Middle East after Iran launched an unprecedented attack on Israel a week ago and central Iran in turn suffered what sources said was an Israeli attack on Friday.  Pakistan and Iran have had a history of rocky relations despite a number of commercial pacts, with Islamabad being historically closer to Saudi Arabia and the United States.
Their highest profile agreement is a stalled gas supply deal signed in 2010 to build a pipeline from Iran's South Fars gas field to Pakistan's southern provinces of Balochistan and Sindh.  Despite Pakistan's dire need of gas, Islamabad has yet to begin construction of its part of the pipeline, citing fears over U.S. sanctions - a concern Tehran has rejected.  Pakistan said it would seek waivers from the US, but Washington has said it does not support the project and warned of the risk of sanctions in doing business with Tehran.  Faced with the possibility of contract breach penalties running into the billions of dollars, Islamabad recently gave the go-ahead for construction of an 80-km (50-mile) stretch of the pipeline.
—Reuters

Iranian President Raisi's visit to Pakistan aims to improve ties amid security concerns and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Iranian president lands in Pakistan for three-day visit to mend ties

Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that the support of the United States, Britain and France for Ukraine was stoking serious strategic risks that had raised the risk of a direct confrontation between the world's biggest nuclear powers.
Lavrov said the United States and NATO were obsessed with the idea of inflicting "strategic defeat" on Russia and there were risks in such confrontation that could lead to an increased level of nuclear danger.  "The Westerners are teetering dangerously on the brink of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences," Lavrov said.
The United States and its allies say they are helping Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression and that it is Russia that is aggravating East-West tensions, including by issuing repeated warnings about the danger of a nuclear conflict.  Lavrov said: "Of particular concern is the fact that it is the 'troika' of Western nuclear states that are among the key sponsors of the criminal Kyiv regime, the main initiators of various provocative steps. We see serious strategic risks in this, leading to an increase in the level of nuclear danger."  The three Western countries with nuclear weapons are the United States, Britain and France.
—Reuters

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warns of escalating nuclear risks as tensions rise between Russia and Western powers over support for Ukraine.

Russia says West is teetering on brink of conflict between nuclear powers

Tel Aviv: Israel abandoned plans for a much more extensive counterstrike on Iran after concerted diplomatic pressure from the United States and other foreign allies and because the brunt of an Iranian assault on Israel soil had been thwarted, according to three senior Israeli officials.
Israeli leaders originally discussed bombarding several military targets across Iran last week, including near Tehran, the Iranian capital, in retaliation for the Iranian strike April 13, said the officials, who spoke on the discussion of anonymity to describe the sensitive discussions.  Such a broad and damaging attack would have been far harder for Iran to overlook, increasing the chances of a forceful Iranian counterattack that could have brought the Middle East to the brink of a major regional conflict.  In the end — after President Joe Biden, along with the British and German foreign ministers, urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to prevent a wider war — Israel opted for a more limited strike Friday that avoided significant damage, diminishing the likelihood of an escalation, at least for now.  Still, in the view of Israeli officials, the attack showed Iran the breadth and sophistication of Israel’s military arsenal.  Instead of sending fighter jets into Iranian airspace, Israel fired a small number of missiles from aircraft positioned several hundred miles west of it Friday, according to the Israeli officials and two senior Western officials briefed on the attack. Israel also sent small attack drones, known as quadcopters, to confuse Iranian air defenses, according to the Israeli officials.  Military facilities in Iran have been attacked by such drones several times in recent years, and on several occasions Iran has said it did not know who the drones belonged to — a claim interpreted as Iranian reluctance to respond.  One missile Friday hit an antiaircraft battery in a strategically important part of central Iran, while another exploded in midair, the officials said. One Israeli official said that the Israeli air force intentionally destroyed the second missile once it became clear that the first had reached its target, to avoid causing too much damage. One Western official said it was possible the missile had simply malfunctioned.  The officials said Israel’s intention was to allow Iran to move on without responding in kind, while signaling that Israel had developed the ability to strike Iran without entering its airspace or even setting off its air defense batteries. Israel also hoped to show that it could hit those batteries in a part of central Iran that houses several major nuclear facilities, including a uranium enrichment site at Natanz, hinting that it could have also reached those facilities if it had tried.  The Israeli military declined to comment.  The path to this attack began April 1, when Israel struck an Iranian Embassy complex in Damascus, Syria, killing seven Iranian officials, including three senior military leaders. Iran had not retaliated after several similar strikes in the past, leading Israeli officials, they say, to believe that they could continue to mount such attacks without drawing a significant Iranian response.  This time proved different: Within a week, Iran began privately signaling to neighbors and foreign diplomats that its patience had reached a limit, and that it would respond with a major strike on Israel — its first ever direct attack on Israeli soil.
During the week of April 8, Israel began preparing two major military responses, according to the Israeli officials.  The first was a defensive operation to block the expected Iranian attack, coordinated with the US Central Command — its top commander, Gen. Michael E. Kurilla, visited Israel that week — as well as with the British, French and Jordanian militaries.  The second was a huge offensive operation to be carried out if the Iranian strike materialized. Initially, Israeli intelligence believed that Iran planned to attack with a “swarm” of large drones and up to 10 ballistic missiles, the Israeli officials said. As the week progressed, that estimate grew to 60 missiles, heightening Israeli desire for a strong counterattack.  Israel’s military and political leaders began discussing a counterstrike that could begin as soon as Iran began firing the drones — even before it was known how much damage, if any, they caused. According to one official, the plan was presented to Israel’s war Cabinet by the military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, and his air force chief, Tomer Bar, early Friday, April 12 — two days before Iran’s attack.  Israel’s intentions changed after Iran attacked, the officials said. The attack was even bigger than expected: With more than 100 ballistic missiles, 170 drones and some 30 cruise missiles, it was one of the largest barrages of this kind in military history.  But Israel’s defenses, which were coordinated with pilots from the United States, Britain, France and Jordan, took down most of the missiles and drones, and there was only limited damage on the ground, reducing the need for a swift response. And there were questions about whether Israel should risk taking its focus off defense while the assault was still underway, two officials said.  The turning point, however, was an early-morning phone call between Netanyahu and Biden, during which the US president encouraged the Israeli leader to treat the successful defense as a victory that required no further response, according to three Israeli and Western officials, who described those discussions on the condition of anonymity. Netanyahu emerged from the call opposed to an immediate retaliation, the Israelis said.  The following day, the Israeli government began signaling to foreign allies that it still planned to respond, but only in a contained way that fell far short of what it had previously planned, according to one of the senior Western officials.  Instead of a broad counterattack that might leave Iran’s leaders believing they had no option but to respond in kind, Israeli officials said, they settled on a plan that they hoped would make a point to Iranian officials without publicly humiliating them.  They initially planned the attack for Monday night, the Israeli officials said, pulling out at the last minute amid fears that Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed Lebanese militia that has been engaged in a low-level conflict with Israel since October, might significantly increase the intensity of its strikes on northern Israel.  Foreign officials continued, without success, to encourage Israel not to respond at all, then signaled their willingness to accept an Israeli attack that left Iran with the option of moving on without losing face, according to an Israeli and a Western official.  After Israel finally carried out its attack early Friday morning, Iranian officials did exactly that — focusing on the small drones rather than the missiles and dismissing their impact.  Officials in Tehran also largely avoided blaming Israel for the assault. That, coupled with Israel’s own decision not to claim responsibility for it, helped to reduce the risk of an escalation.
—International New York Times

Israel opts for a restrained counterattack on Iran, heeding US advice to prevent a larger conflict, after thwarting an Iranian assault with minimal damage.

Israel planned bigger attack on Iran, but scaled it back to avoid war

Male [Maldives]: Maldivians started voting in parliamentary elections Sunday, marking a crucial ballot for President Mohamed Muizzu, whose policies are closely monitored by India and China, both vying for influence in the Island nation, The Washington Post reported. Both countries are looking forward to it because the strategic location of the Maldives in the Indian Ocean makes it a sought-after prize for New Delhi and Beijing.
<a href="https://twitter.com/ElectionsMv/status/1781919136421200175" target="_self">https://twitter.com/ElectionsMv/status/1781919136421200175</a>&nbsp;
In a post on X, the Election Commission of Maldives shared the video of the Coordination Center for the 2024 Parliamentary Elections. Pictures from the election site were also shared showing people waiting in a queue for their turn to vote.
<a href="https://twitter.com/ElectionsMv/status/1781921311838847348" target="_self">https://twitter.com/ElectionsMv/status/1781921311838847348</a>&nbsp;
According to The Washington Post, Muizzu's election as president last year sharpened the rivalry between India and China, as the new leader adopted a pro-China stance and worked to remove Indian troops stationed on one of the country's islets.  Securing a parliamentary majority will be a difficult challenge for Muizzu due to rifts among his allies and the entry of additional parties into the race, according to the US-based news outlet. A total of 368 candidates from six political parties and independent groups are vying for 93 seats in Parliament. This marks an increase of six seats from the previous Parliament, adjusted to accommodate population growth, per The Washington Post.
About 284,000 people are eligible to vote and tentative results are expected to be announced late Sunday. During his presidential campaign, Muizzu adopted the slogan "India out," accusing his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by granting India to much influence. Approximately 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives, primarily engaged in operating two aircraft donated by India and aiding in sea rescue operations. Muizzu has taken steps to have civilians take over those activities. Tensions escalated when Indian social media activists launched a boycott of Maldives tourism in response to derogatory remarks made by three Maldivian deputy ministers about PM Modi. These comments were prompted by Modi's suggestion to promote tourism in Lakshadweep, India's own island chain similar to the Maldives According to recent Maldives government statistics, the number of Indian tourists has fallen, dropping that country from being the top source of foreign visitors to No. 6. Muizzu visited China earlier this year and negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and inbound flights from China. In 2013, the Maldives joined China's "Belt and Road" initiative, which was meant to build ports and highways to expand trade and China's influence across Asia, Africa and Europe.
—ANI

Maldivians vote in key parliamentary elections with President Muizzu's policies under scrutiny by India and China, impacting strategic interests in the Indian Ocean.

Voting begins for Maldives parliamentary election

Memphis [Tennessee]: Two people were killed while 14 others were admitted to hospital after a block party turned deadly at a park in Memphis, Tennessee according to police as per a CNN report. According to the Memphis Police Department, three of those injured in the incident on Saturday were immediately taken to hospitals in severe condition, and 11 more arrived at hospitals in private vehicles.
According to CNN, police said the shooting happened at a party where up to 300 people ahd gathered.  Addressing a press conference, police disclosed that "a total of 16 victims were shot at the event." Officers responded at 7:19 pm (local time) to the scene, where they found five victims with gunshot wounds. Three of them were taken to local hospitals and two men were pronounced dead at the scene, as per CNN. According to the police, no suspects were in custody as of Saturday night. Police believe at least two people opened fire at the event, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis said. It's unclear what led to the violence.  Following this, Davis said on Saturday evening, "We are working tirelessly tonight to identify the individuals who were involved in this shooting." The investigation into the shooting remains ongoing. Davis said the department has received video footage from the scene and is looking for those responsible. Davis also asked anyone with footage of the incident or information to contact law enforcement. According to the Gun Violence Archive, the deadly incident extends the list of more than 115 mass shootings reported in the United States so far this year.  The archive, like CNN, defines a mass shooting as one in which at least four people are shot, excluding the shooter.
—ANI

Memphis shooting: 2 killed, 14 injured at block party. Police investigate as community reels.

The Hawk

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Russia's overnight drone attack cut power to over 4,00,000 consumers, says Ukraine's Energy Ministry

The Hawk

World

Russia's overnight drone attack cut power to over 4,00,000 consumers, says Ukraine's Energy Ministry

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