International News
US Deploys Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Near Israeli-Hamas Conflict Zone
In the current conflict between the Palestinian Hamas militant group and Israel, over 700 Israelis and 500 Palestinians have lost their lives.
The escalation in casualties resulted from Saturday’s attacks by Hamas from Gaza, prompting retaliatory air strikes by Israel.
Israel’s health ministry reports over 700 Israeli fatalities, 100 abductions, and more than 2,500 injuries.
Israeli strikes have claimed the lives of approximately 370 Palestinians, as reported by the health ministry in Gaza, with 2,200 people sustaining injuries.
The Israeli government has officially declared war on Hamas, marking a significant escalation.
While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had rhetorically stated the country was at war on Saturday, Sunday’s decision by the Israeli cabinet formalizes this stance, comparable to a congressional declaration of war in the United States.
Hundreds of Hamas fighters have been killed, thousands wounded, and scores captured by Israeli troops, as announced by an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson.
The counterattack commenced at 3:45 a.m. local time on Sunday, with Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari revealing the use of “tens of tons of bombs.”
Approximately 800 targets, including Hamas launching pads, were destroyed, with 50 planes focusing on 120 targets in Beit Hanoun alone, eradicating all identified Hamas gathering points in that area.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden has authorized further assistance for Israel, as revealed in a White House statement. A US Navy carrier strike group, led by the USS Gerald R. Ford, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, is en route to the eastern Mediterranean Sea, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
The carrier, observed sailing with the Italian Navy earlier in the week, will be joined by guided missile destroyers and guided missile cruisers, indicating an increased military presence as Israel readies for a significant campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
In response to regional tensions, the United States is reinforcing its fighter jet presence in the area, deploying squadrons of F-35, F-15, F-16, and A-10 aircraft.
This move follows recent months’ escalation of aggression by Iranian forces in various regions, including Syria and the Gulf of Oman. The increased deployment signals a strategic effort to address and counter potential threats in the Middle East.
International News
Turkish Model Arrested Over Plan To Sleep With 100 Men In 24 Hours
A 23-year-old Turkish OnlyFans model, Ezra Vandan, also known as Azranur AV, has been detained in Istanbul for publicly announcing her plan to engage in sexual activity with 100 men within 24 hours.
The announcement, made on social media, sparked outrage and led to her arrest by the Istanbul Security Branch Directorate’s Morality Bureau.
Vandan had shared her intentions on January 14, 2025, posting a photo of herself in red lingerie with the caption: “My goal is to break a Turkish record first, then a world record! I’m starting with 100 men in 24 hours.”
She reportedly planned to live-stream the event, which was widely criticised as “obscene” and “damaging to societal morals.”
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According to reports, the post drew the attention of authorities, who initiated an investigation and apprehended her while she awaited a cosmetic surgery operation in Atasehir. Footage captured her being escorted down the stairs of a hospital by female officers, her wrists bound behind her.
In a controversial twist, Vandan allegedly uploaded a revealing image taken during her arrest by a police officer, captioning it, “I had the photo taken by one of the officers, he didn’t object much.”
Her husband, Pedram Behdar Vandan, 25, was also briefly detained but later released.
The Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace has charged Vandan with obscenity, resisting an officer on duty, and slander, stating that her actions and posts were “damaging to moral values” and “provocative to society.”
Defending herself in court, Vandan argued that her posts were personal and did not harm anyone. “I do not deserve to be judged,” she said.
The case has reignited debates in Turkey about personal freedom and societal values.
International News
Train Accident In Maharashtra Claims 11 Lives After Panic Over Fire Alarm
Eleven passengers tragically lost their lives on Wednesday in Maharashtra, India, after jumping off a moving train amid fears of a fire, only to be struck by an oncoming train.
The incident occurred in Jalgaon district, approximately 400 kilometres from Mumbai, and has once again highlighted safety issues in India’s extensive railway network, which serves millions of passengers daily.
Ayush Prasad, a senior district official, confirmed the fatalities and stated that five other passengers are receiving medical treatment. “People were run over by a train,” he said, without clarifying if the fire alarm was genuine or false.
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According to a spokesperson for Indian Railways, the chaos began when someone activated the “alarm chain” on the Mumbai-bound train, prompting several passengers to disembark. Tragically, they were struck by a train traveling in the opposite direction.
India’s interior minister, Amit Shah, expressed his grief over the incident, saying, “Deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this accident.” Maharashtra’s chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis, described the tragedy as “deeply disturbing” and said he was “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives” in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite efforts to modernise the railway infrastructure with a $30 billion investment aimed at improving safety and connectivity, accidents remain a significant concern. Official records indicate that an average of 20,000 people died annually in rail-related accidents between 2017 and 2021.
In 2023, one of the country’s deadliest rail disasters claimed nearly 300 lives when a passenger train collided with a stationary goods train, leading to further collisions.
India continues to grapple with balancing its rapid economic growth with ensuring the safety of its ageing railway network.
International News
WHO Expresses Regret Over US’ Withdrawal
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed regret on Tuesday over the decision by President Donald Trump’s administration to withdraw the United States from the global health body.
WHO spokesperson Tarik Jasarevic addressed the media, stating, “The World Health Organization regrets the announcement that the United States of America intends to withdraw from the organisation.
“We hope the United States will reconsider and we look forward to engaging in constructive dialogue to maintain the partnership between the USA and WHO, for the benefit of the health and well-being of millions of people around the globe.”
The move comes after Trump, on his first day back in the White House, signed an executive order initiating the U.S. withdrawal from the WHO, citing dissatisfaction with the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its failure to implement necessary reforms.
He also criticized the alleged political influence over the WHO. “That’s a big one,” Trump said, referring to his previous attempt to exit the organization in 2020, which was blocked by President Joe Biden in 2021.
Public health experts have sharply criticized the decision. Dr. Ashish Jha, former White House COVID-19 response coordinator, called the move a “strategic error,” warning that it could potentially increase China’s influence in global health matters.
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Lawrence Gostin, a professor at Georgetown University, labeled the decision as “a cataclysmic presidential decision,” adding that it undermines both world health efforts and U.S. leadership on the global stage.
In response, China reiterated its support for the WHO.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman, Guo Jiakun, emphasized, “The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened. China will, as always, support the WHO in fulfilling its responsibilities… and work towards building a shared community of health for humanity.”