देश-विदेश

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    Lavrov rules out immediate Ukraine ceasefire

    ByJustpaste.in

    Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has ruled out the possibility of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, arguing that any truce must form part of a long-term and sustainable settlement rather than serve as a temporary pause in the conflict. In an interview with Russian state television, Lavrov said Moscow would continue to take stronger measures against Western support that, according to Russia, strengthens Ukraine’s military capabilities. He accused Western countries of prolonging the war by providing Kyiv with military and other forms of assistance. Lavrov maintained that Russia would only consider a ceasefire if it could lead to a lasting political solution. He said an immediate halt to fighting would not address what Moscow considers the underlying causes of the conflict and could allow Ukraine to strengthen its forces and resume hostilities later. The Russian foreign minister also accused the United States of involvement in attacks against Russia. His remarks came as Moscow seeks clarification from the US State Department over alleged American intelligence cooperation with Ukraine. Despite the escalating rhetoric, Lavrov said Russia had not rejected dialogue with representatives of US President Donald Trump. He indicated that Moscow remained open to discussions with Trump’s envoys, suggesting that diplomatic channels between Washington and Moscow remain available. Lavrov’s comments highlight the difficult path toward a ceasefire as Russia and Ukraine continue to disagree over the conditions for ending the war. Moscow has repeatedly called for a settlement that addresses its security demands, while Kyiv and its Western allies have pushed for a durable peace that preserves Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.

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    Drone attack damages oil tanker in Strait of Hormuz

    ByJustpaste.in

    A drone attack targeted an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz, causing minor damage to the vessel but leaving all members of the crew safe, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The maritime security agency said the incident took place as the tanker was navigating the strategically important waterway. The drone strike caused limited damage to the vessel, but authorities reported no casualties or injuries among the crew. UKMTO also said the incident did not result in any environmental damage. There were no reports of an oil spill, leakage or other pollution following the attack, easing concerns about a possible impact on the marine environment. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important shipping routes, particularly for global energy supplies. Large volumes of crude oil and petroleum products pass through the narrow waterway every day, linking major oil-producing countries in the Gulf with international markets. The latest attack has once again highlighted security concerns surrounding commercial shipping in the region. Any disruption or attack involving an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz can raise concerns about the safety of maritime traffic, insurance costs and the uninterrupted movement of energy supplies. Authorities continue to monitor the situation and advise commercial vessels operating in the area to remain alert to potential security threats.

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    Record rainfall strands thousands at Japan Airport…

    ByJustpaste.in

    TOKYO: Record-breaking rainfall in Japan’s Chiba prefecture left thousands of travellers stranded at Tokyo’s Narita International Airport, disrupted roads and rail services and claimed at least eight lives, as emergency crews and soldiers joined relief efforts on Friday. More than 360 millimetres of rain fell within 24 hours in parts of Chiba, an area adjoining Tokyo, triggering widespread flooding during one of Japan’s busiest holiday periods. Authorities said the downpour also disrupted power supplies, leaving more than 20,000 homes without electricity. The eight fatalities included a person who was reportedly trapped inside a submerged vehicle, according to Japanese public broadcaster NHK, citing local authorities and police. The unprecedented rainfall caused major disruption at Narita airport, where around 7,000 passengers were stranded after transport services were severely affected. Airport staff provided sleeping bags, drinking water and snacks as travellers spent the night inside terminals. Minoru Yamasaki, a 48-year-old Chiba resident returning from holiday, described the difficult situation, saying he waited about four hours for a taxi before returning to the airport after a hotel could not accommodate him. Airport officials said most flights were expected to operate normally on Friday, although transport links remained affected. Several railway services were suspended, while some trains connecting Narita with Tokyo resumed, helping reduce congestion around the international airport. Major highways in Chiba were also closed, forcing motorists onto alternative routes and creating severe traffic jams. In Chiba city, among the worst-hit areas, hundreds of residents spent the night at temporary evacuation centres in government buildings. Tokyo Electric Power reported that flooding at a power substation contributed to widespread outages. Gas supplies to nearly 13,000 households were also temporarily disrupted. Chiba Governor Toshihito Kumagai described the situation as extremely unusual, saying he had never experienced a disaster of this scale. Weather authorities said 367mm of rain was recorded over 24 hours, surpassing the previous Chiba record of 309mm set in October 2013. With further disruption possible, authorities continued rescue and recovery operations while urging residents to remain alert to flooding and other weather-related hazards.

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    Washington WWII memorial vandalised with soap and …

    ByJustpaste.in

    WASHINGTON: A World War Two memorial in the heart of Washington was vandalised with soap and graffiti, triggering an investigation and renewed concerns over the protection of one of the US capital’s most significant sites of remembrance. The National World War II Memorial was reportedly targeted on Thursday, when its fountain was filled with soap, creating bubbles and suds across the water. Graffiti was also painted on one of the memorial’s surfaces, including the words “Clean hands Dirty $”, while red and green paint was splattered around the area. Police and National Guard personnel quickly converged on the memorial, which was surrounded by yellow crime scene tape as investigators examined the damage. A plainclothes investigator was seen measuring the affected area, while workers later arrived to remove the graffiti. The US Interior Department condemned the incident and pledged that authorities would identify those responsible. “The vandalism that occurred is an utter disgrace and will not be tolerated,” the department said in a statement. It added that US Park Police were at the scene and that the investigation was continuing. The Friends of the National WWII Memorial, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to preserving the site, also condemned the act, describing the memorial as a “sacred place of remembrance”. The group stressed that although Americans have many venues for political expression, debate and disagreement, a national memorial dedicated to those who served in the war should not be used as a target for vandalism. Dedicated in 2004, the memorial commemorates the 16 million Americans who served in the armed forces during World War Two, including around 400,000 who died during the conflict. It features 56 granite pillars surrounding an elliptical plaza on the National Mall. Located near the Washington Monument, the memorial occupies a prominent position in the US capital and attracts visitors throughout the year. The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Washington, where debates over national history, public monuments and their symbolism have become increasingly contentious. Despite deep political divisions in the United States, the country’s role in World War Two remains widely associated with national sacrifice and unity. The war’s legacy, however, continues to generate debate, including over the US decision to use atomic bombs against Japan in 1945. According to the National Park Service, construction of the memorial began in 2001 and was completed in 2004. It was formally dedicated on May 29, 2004, during Memorial Day weekend and opened to the public that year. Authorities have not publicly identified a suspect. The investigation remains ongoing as officials assess the damage and work to restore the memorial.

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    South Indian actress Shakeela undergoes neck surgery after excessive phone use

    ByJustpaste.in

      South Indian actress Shakeela has revealed that her excessive use of mobile phones left her with a serious neck problem that eventually required surgery costing around Rs300,000 Indian rupees. The 53-year-old actress shared her experience in a video posted on her YouTube channel and urged people, especially parents, to limit unnecessary mobile phone use. Shakeela, who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films, said her habit of playing games and watching videos on her phone for several hours caused significant damage to her neck. She explained that she would often lie on her side in bed for long periods while using her phone. “I used to play games on my phone continuously for four hours while lying on my side in bed,” Shakeela said. She added that she would only get up occasionally to have tea or coffee before returning to her phone. After playing games, she would spend hours watching reels on YouTube and Instagram. According to the actress, maintaining an incorrect posture while using her phone, combined with prolonged screen time, affected important blood vessels in her neck and eventually led to serious health complications. She underwent surgery in Chennai and said that a titanium screw was also used during the procedure. After returning home, doctors advised Shakeela to wear a neck collar until she recovered. She said that following the surgery, she has needed assistance even with basic activities such as getting out of bed and eating. Shakeela stressed that mobile phones are useful devices when used responsibly, but excessive use can have serious consequences. She advised people not to spend unnecessary hours watching videos or playing games, even if the content is entertaining. She also issued a warning to parents, urging them to avoid giving mobile phones to children unnecessarily. According to her, children should use phones only for essential activities and educational or useful content rather than spending long periods watching short videos and playing games. The actress said that people could end up paying a heavy financial and physical price for excessive phone use, adding that her own experience had cost her around Rs300,000 and caused considerable pain and difficulty. Shakeela Begum was born in Chennai. Her mother, Chand Bee, was from Andhra Pradesh, while her father, Chand Basha, was from Tamil Nadu. She began her acting career with a Tamil film in 1995. However, she gained widespread recognition after appearing in the Malayalam film Kinnarathumbikal, released in 2000. Over the years, Shakeela became a well-known name in South Indian cinema, particularly for her work in Malayalam films. Her latest health experience has now prompted her to use her public platform to raise awareness about responsible mobile phone use and the potential health risks associated with prolonged screen time and poor posture.

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    South Indian actress Shakeela undergoes neck surgery after excessive phone use

    ByJustpaste.in

      South Indian actress Shakeela has revealed that her excessive use of mobile phones left her with a serious neck problem that eventually required surgery costing around Rs300,000 Indian rupees. The 53-year-old actress shared her experience in a video posted on her YouTube channel and urged people, especially parents, to limit unnecessary mobile phone use. Shakeela, who has worked in Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada and Telugu films, said her habit of playing games and watching videos on her phone for several hours caused significant damage to her neck. She explained that she would often lie on her side in bed for long periods while using her phone. “I used to play games on my phone continuously for four hours while lying on my side in bed,” Shakeela said. She added that she would only get up occasionally to have tea or coffee before returning to her phone. After playing games, she would spend hours watching reels on YouTube and Instagram. According to the actress, maintaining an incorrect posture while using her phone, combined with prolonged screen time, affected important blood vessels in her neck and eventually led to serious health complications. She underwent surgery in Chennai and said that a titanium screw was also used during the procedure. After returning home, doctors advised Shakeela to wear a neck collar until she recovered. She said that following the surgery, she has needed assistance even with basic activities such as getting out of bed and eating. Shakeela stressed that mobile phones are useful devices when used responsibly, but excessive use can have serious consequences. She advised people not to spend unnecessary hours watching videos or playing games, even if the content is entertaining. She also issued a warning to parents, urging them to avoid giving mobile phones to children unnecessarily. According to her, children should use phones only for essential activities and educational or useful content rather than spending long periods watching short videos and playing games. The actress said that people could end up paying a heavy financial and physical price for excessive phone use, adding that her own experience had cost her around Rs300,000 and caused considerable pain and difficulty. Shakeela Begum was born in Chennai. Her mother, Chand Bee, was from Andhra Pradesh, while her father, Chand Basha, was from Tamil Nadu. She began her acting career with a Tamil film in 1995. However, she gained widespread recognition after appearing in the Malayalam film Kinnarathumbikal, released in 2000. Over the years, Shakeela became a well-known name in South Indian cinema, particularly for her work in Malayalam films. Her latest health experience has now prompted her to use her public platform to raise awareness about responsible mobile phone use and the potential health risks associated with prolonged screen time and poor posture.

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    Rhea Chakraborty opens up about years of suspicion…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Indian actress Rhea Chakraborty has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of her life, saying that she spent years under suspicion following the death of her former boyfriend and actor Sushant Singh Rajput. Rhea’s life changed dramatically in 2020 after Sushant Singh Rajput was found dead at his Mumbai residence. The case attracted enormous public attention, while Rhea faced intense scrutiny, criticism and legal proceedings. Months ago, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) reportedly filed a closure report in the case, providing major relief to Rhea. She was cleared of the allegations connected to the case. Rhea and her brother Showik Chakraborty had also been arrested by India’s Narcotics Control Bureau in connection with a drugs-related case linked to the investigation into Sushant’s death. The actress recently discussed her experience while appearing on the second season of The Traitors. During a conversation with host Karan Johar, she was asked whether she would prefer to present herself as innocent or as a traitor in order to survive the show. Rhea chose the role of the innocent. Explaining her decision, she said that she had finally received a clean chit and that people had learned she was innocent. She added that she had remained under suspicion for a very long time and no longer liked the feeling of being viewed through that lens. The actress has previously spoken about the impact the controversy had on her life. She said the experience affected her mental well-being and that she struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder following the intense period of public and legal scrutiny. For Rhea Chakraborty, the recent developments appear to represent an important turning point. After years of controversy surrounding her name, the CBI closure report has allowed her to publicly emphasize her position and move forward. Her comments on The Traitors have once again brought attention to the long-running controversy, while also highlighting the personal toll she says the ordeal took on her. Rhea Chakraborty says she is innocent, and her latest remarks show how deeply the years of suspicion and public scrutiny continue to shape her perspective on that chapter of her life.

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    Nearly 600 Israeli settlers enter Al-Aqsa mosque c…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Nearly 600 Israeli settlers entered the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East Jerusalem on Thursday under Israeli police protection, according to a local official cited by Anadolu Agency. An official from Jerusalem’s Islamic Endowments Department said at least 584 settlers entered the compound during the morning period through the Moroccan Gate. The official added that additional groups were expected to enter after noon prayers. Eyewitnesses reported that some of the incursions involved prayers, religious rituals and dancing. Such activities have become a source of heightened tension because of disputes surrounding the longstanding arrangements governing access and worship at the holy site. The latest incident occurred on the first day of a new month in the Hebrew calendar, a period when Israeli settler visits to the compound have traditionally increased. According to the report, Israel began allowing such entries into the compound in 2003. Since then, visits have taken place regularly, except on Fridays and Saturdays, with the number of participants increasing over the years. The Al-Aqsa Mosque compound is one of the most sensitive religious and political sites in Jerusalem. It is Islam’s third-holiest site and holds profound religious significance for Muslims around the world. The site is also known to Jews as the Temple Mount, who associate the area with the historical location of two ancient Jewish temples. Competing religious and political claims over the site have contributed to repeated tensions in Jerusalem. East Jerusalem, where Al-Aqsa Mosque is located, was occupied by Israel during the 1967 Arab-Israeli War. Israel later annexed the entire city in 1980, a move that has not been recognised by the international community. The latest entry of hundreds of Israeli settlers under police protection is likely to draw further attention amid the longstanding tensions surrounding access to and activities at the holy compound. The incident underscores the continuing sensitivity of Al-Aqsa Mosque and its central role in the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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    Pakistan’s Major General Qazi appointed as new U…

    ByJustpaste.in

    UN Secretary-General António Guterres has appointed Pakistan Army Major General Jawwad Ahmed Qazi as the new Force Commander of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO). Major General Qazi, who has been awarded with the Hilal-e-Imtiaz (Military), brings more than 35 years of military leadership, operational command and international peacekeeping experience to his new assignment. His appointment reflects Pakistan’s longstanding contribution to United Nations peacekeeping operations. During his military career, Major General Qazi has held several senior command, staff and instructional positions in Pakistan and abroad. His previous appointments include serving as General Officer Commanding of an Infantry Division, Force Commander Northern Areas and Director General at the Ministry of Defence. He has also gained direct experience in UN peacekeeping, having served with the United Nations Transitional Administration in Eastern Slavonia, Baranja and Western Sirmium (UNTAES) in Croatia earlier in his career. Pakistan has welcomed the appointment, describing it as another significant contribution to international peace and stability. The country continues to support UN peacekeeping efforts by providing trained contingents and experienced military leaders for missions around the world. Major General Qazi’s appointment further highlights Pakistan’s extensive experience and continued commitment to global peacekeeping and international security.

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    Air India to introduce mandatory drug testing for all Pilots

    ByJustpaste.in

      Air India is set to introduce mandatory substance testing for all its pilots from Thursday, going beyond the drug-screening requirements currently imposed by aviation regulators. The decision comes days after the captain of an Air India flight involved in a serious mid-air incident reportedly tested positive for marijuana, raising fresh concerns about flight safety and crew fitness. According to an internal memo circulated by the airline, the expanded testing programme will check pilots for substances and medications prohibited under aviation regulations. The screenings will be carried out at several locations, including the airline’s training academy in Gurugram, briefing centres and offices, as well as other facilities designated according to pilots’ home bases. Pilots working for Air India Express, the airline’s budget subsidiary, will also be included in the new testing programme. Air India said in the memo that although existing regulations already require airlines to conduct random testing on at least 10% of their flight crew for psychoactive substances every year, the company believes additional measures are necessary. The airline said the broader testing initiative was being introduced to strengthen safety standards and reassure passengers, employees and other stakeholders. The announcement follows an investigation into an incident involving an Air India Airbus A320neo travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi on August 4. During the flight, the aircraft unexpectedly lost around 300 feet, or approximately 91 metres, of altitude while cruising. According to a source familiar with the matter, the aircraft’s captain tested positive for marijuana during a confirmatory drug test. The incident has prompted increased scrutiny of pilot health and safety procedures at the airline. The flight was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it experienced what authorities described as a “momentary altitude variation” while flying over Odisha in eastern India. Although the aircraft subsequently continued its journey and landed safely in Delhi, the sudden change in altitude reportedly resulted in injuries to 13 passengers and four crew members. Indian aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine what caused the sudden altitude change and whether any operational or human factors were involved. Earlier, Reuters reported that India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had summoned Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson following the incident. A source familiar with the matter said the summons was related to the investigation and the airline’s handling of the situation. Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the summons or the investigation. Wilson, however, told news channels that the airline had provided the ministry with an update on the progress of the investigation. The introduction of mandatory testing represents a significant expansion of Air India’s internal safety measures. By testing its entire pilot workforce rather than relying solely on the minimum regulatory requirement for random checks, the airline aims to strengthen oversight of substances that could potentially affect pilots’ ability to perform their duties. The move also comes at a sensitive time for Air India, as the airline faces continued scrutiny over operational safety following several recent incidents. Aviation authorities and industry observers are expected to closely monitor the findings of the investigation into the Phuket-to-Delhi flight. Air India’s expanded testing programme is intended to ensure that pilots remain fit to operate aircraft and comply fully with aviation safety regulations. The airline said the initiative would reinforce its commitment to maintaining high safety standards and restoring passenger confidence as investigations into the August 4 incident continue.