The Taliban-led Ministry of State for Natural Disaster Management in Afghanistan has confirmed that the death toll in the recent floods has gone up to 66, the Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported. According to a statement issued by the Taliban-led ministry, 66 people have died and 36 others have been injured due to recent floods. The Taliban-led ministry said that 235 houses have been destroyed and 600 heads of cattle have been killed due to recent floods, as reported by the Khaama Press. Furthermore, the United Nations Office in Afghanistan said that they will make efforts to provide permanent housing to flood-impacted people to address their urgent needs. Dozens of people have lost their lives, roads have been damaged and house roofs have collapsed due to rainfall and floods in recent days in Afghanistan, Khaama Press reported. Meanwhile, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has said that 32 people have died and 44 others have been injured due to recent floods in Afghanistan. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 08:50 AM IST | Kabul | ANIThe US has offered support for reforms to United Nations institutions, including the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said in a press briefing on Wednesday. When asked about Tesla CEO Elon Musk's statement regarding India's lack of a permanent seat at the UNSC, Vedant Patel said, "The President has spoken about this before in his remarks to the UN General Assembly, and the Secretary has alluded to this as well. We certainly support reforms to the UN institution, including the Security Council, to make it reflective of the 21st-century world that we live in. I don't have any specifics to offer on what those steps are, but certainly, we recognise that there is a need for reform, but I will leave it at that for now." In January, Elon Musk called India not having a permanent seat in the UNSC as 'absurd.' He said that nations with excess power don't want to relinquish it. In a post on X, Musk said, "At some point, there needs to be a revision of the UN bodies. Problem is that those with excess power don't want to give it up. India not having a permanent seat on the Security Council, despite being the most populous country on Earth, is absurd. Africa collectively should also have a permanent seat imo." India has long sought a permanent seat on the Security Council to better represent the interests of the developing world. The nation's quest has gained momentum with support from the international community. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is composed of 15 member states, including five permanent members with veto power and ten non-permanent members elected for two-year terms. The five permanent members of the UNSC include China, the United Kingdom, France, Russia, and the United States. The non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council are elected for 2-year terms by the UNGA. Ahead of the first phase of the Lok Sabha elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in its election manifesto titled 'Sankalp Patra', vowed to pursue permanent membership for the country in the United Nations Security Council. In its manifesto released on April 14, the BJP stated, "We are committed to seeking permanent membership in the UN Security Council to elevate Bharat's position in global decision-making." Earlier in January, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stressed growing global support for India's permanent membership at the United Nations Security Council and said that sometimes things are not given generously, and one has to seize them. "With each passing year, the feeling in the world is that India should be there, and I can feel that support...The world does not give things easily and generously; sometimes you have to take them," the EAM said while responding to a question about a permanent seat for India at the UNSC. He made the remarks at 'Manthan': Townhall meeting in Maharashtra's Nagpur. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 08:45 AM IST | Washington | AgenciesIsrael Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday met at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem with British Foreign Secretary David Cameron and German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock. During the meetings, Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated that Israel would maintain its right to self-defense. The Prime Minister thanked the British Foreign Secretary and the German Foreign Minister for their unequivocal support and for their countries' unprecedented standing up in defense of the State of Israel against Iran's attack. Prime Minister Netanyahu also briefed them on the scope of the humanitarian assistance and the continued fighting in Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu rejected the claims of international organizations regarding famine in Gaza and said that Israel was going above and beyond in the humanitarian sphere. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 08:35 AM IST | Tel Aviv | ANIAn Indian national awaiting deportation because of his illegal entry into the United States has died at a hospital in Atlanta, federal authorities said Wednesday. The Indian Consulate in New York has been notified about the death of Jaspal Singh, 57, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said, adding that his next of kin have also been notified about it. Singh died at a hospital in Atlanta on April 15. An autopsy is pending to determine the official cause of death, ICE said. Singh, an Indian citizen, first entered the US legally on October 25, 1992. On January 21, 1998, an immigration judge ordered Singh's removal from the US, and on an unknown date, Singh returned to India voluntarily. On June 29, 2023, he was arrested by US Customs and Border Protection's Border Patrol officers while illegally reentering the United States at the US-Mexico Border. Border Patrol transferred custody of Singh to Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), Atlanta. He was detained at a federal processing centre in Atlanta where he continued his immigration proceedings. When a non-citizen dies at a detention centre, it is mandatory for the ERO to make notifications to Congress, nongovernmental organisation stakeholders and the media and posts a news release with relevant details on its public website within two business days. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 08:33 AM IST | Washington | PTIAmid the ongoing conflict between Kyiv and Moscow, at least 17 people were killed and several others were injured after three Russian missiles hit a busy downtown district of Chernihiv in Ukraine just before noon on Wednesday (local time), The New York Times reported, citing Ukrainian officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the death toll, reported by the office of Ukraine's prosecutor general, might increase. He blamed Ukraine's lack of air defences for the loss of life. Ukraine's prosecutor general said that 61 people had been reported wounded. In a statement, Zelenskyy said, "This would not have happened if Ukraine had received enough air defence equipment and if the world's determination to counter Russian terror was also sufficient," according to The New York Times report. He said, "Terrorists can destroy lives only when they first manage to intimidate those who are able to stop terror and protect life." The district where the missiles hit is a crowded part of the city near a university and hospital. Speaking over the phone, Oleksandr Lomako, the head of Chernihiv city government, said, "I personally saw dead people on the road killed by shrapnel and smashed cars covered in blood." He said, "I looked through the dates of birth of the victims; so many young people there." He said that rescue workers were still carrying out search for victims in the rubble. He added, "This strike is just one more confirmation that Ukraine urgently needs air defense systems and ammunition," The New York Times reported. Chernihiv is located on the border with Russia and missiles are often seen overhead. Russia launches attacks at towns and cities across Ukraine. Lomako said, "They used to be downed," adding, "But not any more, it seems." Ihor Klymenko, Ukraine's minister of internal affairs, said, "Among those killed as a result of Russian shelling is a 25-year-old police lieutenant." Klymenko said, "The woman lived in a neighbouring house, was at home on sick leave. A fatal shrapnel wound." In the beginning of the war, Russian forces surrounded Chernihiv and it suffered massive destruction. However, people have returned to the region after the Russians were pushed out and Ukraine's air defences improved, the report said. As missiles flew into the skies, fierce fighting between Russia and Ukraine continued across the front. Russia has been pushing into the outskirts of Chasiv Yar, hoping to take control over the hilltop fortress and open the way to carry out sustained attacks on the last major cities, which are still under Ukrainian control. About 35 miles south of Chasiv Yar, Ukrainians are trying to hold new lines after being driven Avdiivka at the start of the year. As US military assistance has largely been suspended since the start of the year, the Western-supplied air defence systems required to shoot down near-Russian missile attacks are nearly out of ammunition. It has increased the urgency of Ukraine's efforts to hit Russian weapons at their source in Russia and occupy parts of Ukraine. In an interview with PBS, Zelenskyy said that delays in US support have resulted in recent losses along the front, according to The New York Times report. He said, "I can tell you, frankly, that without this support, we will have no chance of winning." This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 08:30 AM IST | Kyiv | ANIThe United States and its allies are discussing options “both inside and outside the UN system” to create a new mechanism for monitoring North Korea over its nuclear weapons programme, the American ambassador to the United Nations said on Wednesday. Russia last month vetoed a UN resolution in a move that effectively abolished monitoring by UN experts of Security Council sanctions against North Korea, which prompted Western accusations that Moscow was acting to shield its arms purchases from North Korea to fuel its war in Ukraine. “I look forward to engaging with both the Republic of Korea and Japan, but like-minded (countries) as well, on trying to develop options both inside the UN as well as outside the UN. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 07:58 AM IST | Seoul | AgenciesThree Russian missiles slammed into a downtown area of the northern Ukrainian city of Chernihiv on Wednesday, hitting an eight-floor apartment building and killing at least 11 people, authorities said. At least 22 people were wounded in the morning attack, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said. Chernihiv lies about 150 km north of the capital, Kyiv, near the border with Russia and Belarus, and has a population of around 2,50,000 people. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
18 April,2024 07:53 AM IST | Kyiv | AgenciesIsraeli forces in central Gaza destroyed rocket launchers and Hamas terror infrastructure, while also eliminating terrorists, the Israel Defence Forces said on Wednesday morning. One of the strikes was on a Hamas squad operating an armed drone near Israeli troops. In additional strikes, Israeli aircraft struck several rocket launchers that were primed to fire rockets at Israel. More than 40 targets were struck, including underground launching posts, booby-trapped buildings, military structures where armed terrorists operated, observation posts, and underground locations. At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the remaining 134 hostages, Israel recently declared 31 of them dead. Iran vows to respond British Foreign Secretary David Cameron said on Wednesday that Israel “is making a decision to act” in response to Iran’s missile and drone attack over the weekend, while Iran warned that even the “tiniest” invasion of its territory would bring a “massive and harsh” response. Israel has vowed to respond to Iran’s unprecedented attack without saying when or how, leaving the region bracing for further escalation after months of unrest linked to the ongoing war in Gaza. Israel’s closest allies, including the United States and the United Kingdom--which helped it repel the Iranian attack--are trying to limit any further escalation. Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi meanwhile warned Israel against any retaliation as he addressed an annual army parade, which had been relocated to a barracks from its usual route and was not carried live on state TV— possibly because of fears that it could be targeted. UN appeals for $2.8 bn to help Palestinians The United Nations appealed for USD 2.8 billion to provide desperately needed aid to 3 million Palestinians, stressing that tackling looming famine in war-torn Gaza requires not only food but sanitation, water and health facilities. Andrea De Domenico, the head of the UN humanitarian office for Gaza and the West Bank, told reporters that “massive operations” are required to restore those services and meet minimum standards ¿ and this can’t be done during military operations. Italy seeks G7 message to ease Mideast tensions Group of Seven foreign ministers are meeting on the Italian resort island of Capri, with soaring tensions in the Mideast and Russia’s continuing war in Ukraine topping the agenda. Under Italy’s rotating stewardship, the G7 leaders are expected to issue a united call for Israel to exercise restraint after Iran’s unprecedented weekend attack involving hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles fired toward the Jewish state. 1,200No of people killed in Oct 7 Hamas attack
18 April,2024 07:50 AM IST | Tel Aviv | AgenciesQuizzed about reported statements by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on crossing borders to kill terrorists, the Biden administration said the US would not involve itself on the matter but 'encouraged India and Pakistan to avoid any escalation and find a resolution through dialogue'. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller was responding to questions at a news conference on Tuesday on alleged operations by India in other countries to eliminate terrorists. When asked if Modi and Singh's comments can be seen as 'confessions' on the alleged 'assassination of (Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh) Nijjar in Canada, (designated terrorist Gurpatwant Singh) Pannu's murder-for-hire plot in New York, and killings in Pakistan', Miller said the US will not get involved in the matter. 'The United States is not going to get into the middle of this, but we do encourage both India and Pakistan to avoid escalation and find a resolution through dialogue,' the State Department spokesperson said. To a question on why the US has not considered sanctions on India over the matter, Miller said, 'I am never going to preview any sanctions actions, which is not to say that there are any coming. But when you ask me to talk about sanctions, it's something that we don't discuss openly.' Earlier this month, Singh, referring to New Delhi's assertive approach to dealing with cross-border terrorism, had said if terrorists try to disturb peace in India or carry out terror activities, a befitting response will be given, and if they run away to Pakistan, India will enter the neighbouring country to kill them. The defence minister was responding to a question on a report by British newspaper 'The Guardian' that claimed Indian intelligence agencies carried out assassinations of terrorists in Pakistan as part of an emboldened approach to national security after 2019. Modi had reportedly also made similar comments in the context of stern action against cross-border terrorism. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 April,2024 10:11 AM IST | Washington | PTIWhite House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has said that the US will impose new sanctions on Iran's missile and drone programmes and new sanctions against entities backing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's Defence Ministry in the coming days. In a statement, Sullivan said, "Following Iran's unprecedented air attack against Israel, President Biden is coordinating with allies and partners, including the G7, and with bipartisan leaders in Congress, on a comprehensive response." "In the coming days, the United States will impose new sanctions targeting Iran, including its missile and drone program as well as new sanctions against entities supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Iran's Defence Ministry," he added. Jake Sullivan said that US also expects its allies and partners to impose sanctions against Iran. He said that the US continues to work to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defence and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran's missile and UAV capabilities. Sullivan said, "We anticipate that our allies and partners will soon be following with their own sanctions. In addition, we continue to work through the Department of Defense and U.S. Central Command to further strengthen and expand the successful integration of air and missile defence and early warning systems across the Middle East to further erode the effectiveness of Iran's missile and UAV capabilities." He noted that the new sanctions and other measures will continue a "steady drumbeat of pressure" to contain and degrade Iran's military capacity and effectiveness and confront the full range of its problematic behaviours. He recalled that the US, in the past three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, has imposed sanctions against more than 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism. Jake Sullivan said, "Over the last three years, in addition to missile and drone-related sanctions, the United States has sanctioned over 600 individuals and entities connected to terrorism, terrorist financing and other forms of illicit trade, horrific human rights abuses, and support for proxy terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Kataib Hezbollah. The pressure will continue. "We will not hesitate to continue to take action, in coordination with allies and partners around the world, and with Congress, to hold the Iranian government accountable for its malicious and destabilising actions," he added. On April 14, US President Joe Biden met with the national security team for updates on Iran's attacks against Israel, calling its commitment to Israel's security against threats from proxies and Iran "ironclad." In the wake of Iranian drone strikes on Israel on Saturday, Biden held a meeting with his national security team. In a post on X, Biden stated, "I just met with my national security team for an update on Iran's attacks against Israel. Our commitment to Israel's security against threats from Iran and its proxies is ironclad." Earlier on Saturday, Iran launched several drones and missiles towards Israel in retaliation for the alleged Israeli air strike on its consulate in Syria that resulted in the killing of Iran's three top generals, The Times of Israel reported. On Sunday morning, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari also said that 99 per cent of the 300 or so projectiles fired by Iran at Israel overnight were intercepted by air defences. "The Iranian threat met the aerial and technological superiority of the IDF, combined with a strong fighting coalition, which together intercepted the vast majority of the threats," Hagari said. In addition, Hagari said that Iran fired 120 ballistic missiles at Israel. "As you can see now, the base is functioning and continues to perform its tasks. In the picture, you can see the runway at Nevatim," he said, showing live footage from the airbase." Lauding Israeli forces for intercepting Iranian missiles and drones, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Sunday that it was an "incredible military achievement" by Israel. In his remarks at the NBC News 'Meet The Press', Kirby said that the action taken by Israel demonstrates an extraordinary example of military superiority. He stated that the action shows that Israel has friends. He said that the US will continue to help Israel defend itself. Asked about the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) statement that 99 per cent of the missiles and drones were intercepted by Israeli and US forces, Kirby responded, "Where things stand this morning is just an incredible military achievement by Israel and quite frankly the United States and other partners that helped Israel defend itself against more than three hundred drones and missiles. I mean, it's just an extraordinary example of military superiority that Israel demonstrated to the whole world last night." "And I think Israel also demonstrated that it has friends, that it's not standing alone. That it's not isolated on the world stage. Now, whether and how the Israelis will respond? That's going to be up to them. We understand and respect that. But, the President's been very clear: we don't seek a war with Iran. We're not looking for escalation here. We will continue to help Israel defend itself," he added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 April,2024 10:07 AM IST | Washington | ANIAt least 13 people, including seven children, were killed and over 25 others were injured after a strike targeted an Al-Maghazi refugee camp in central Gaza on Tuesday, CNN reported, citing Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital officials. A graphic video obtained from eyewitness Nihad Owdetallah, showed several casualties lying on the floor, CNN reported. Several people seem to be running around in panic, shouting and trying to count and carry the dead bodies. Speaking to CNN, Owdetallah, who resides in the camp, said that he heard an explosion at around 3:40 pm (local time) on Tuesday, around 30 to 40 metres away from him. He said, "I immediately walked to see what happened and found dead bodies thrown on the ground." He said that people were screaming and kids were dead on the ground. Footage captured for CNN from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital shows casualties and injured people being taken in as the emergency room was crowded with patients. Family members were crowding near their loved one's dead bodies, holding onto them and crying, according to a CNN report. A video from a mortuary at the hospital shows families trying to identify their loved ones. Pointing to a white body bag with a young boy's bloodied face exposed, Fatmeh Issa said, "This is my son," CNN reported. Another man said, "They have nothing to do with anyone! They are civilians. Have mercy on us. You are killing children. You are not killing an army or fighters; you are killing children who were peacefully playing in the street." A video shows him handing a young girl's dead body to another man. The man who received her body said she was his daughter. He said, "This is my oldest daughter... her name is Lujain, and she is nine years old. A strike hit them while they were playing out in the street. They are all just children." Outside the hospital, people were looking distressed as they were crying out for their loved ones. Dozens of people offered prayers at the yard for the deceased before they were taken for burial, according to CNN report. Since the war between Israel and Hamas started in October, more than 10,000 women have been killed in Gaza, according to estimates by UN Women in a report published on Tuesday, CNN reported. The report said, "Six months into the war, 10,000 Palestinian women in Gaza have been killed, among them an estimated 6,000 mothers, leaving 19,000 children orphaned," according to CNN report. According to report, more than 1 million Palestinian women and girls in the Gaza Strip are facing "catastrophic hunger," with almost no access to food, safe drinking water, functioning toilets or running water, creating life-threatening risks. It further said, "One child is injured or dies every 10 minutes. The Israel Defence Forces stated that they have been trying to to reduce harm to civilians in Gaza. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
17 April,2024 10:02 AM IST | Gaza City | ANIADVERTISEMENT
