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  • UAE offers condolences to Nepal after bus crash kills 19

    UAE offers condolences to Nepal after bus crash kills 19

    The United Arab Emirates has formally expressed its profound sympathy and solidarity with the nation of Nepal following a catastrophic bus accident that claimed multiple lives in the mountainous Dading region. Through an official statement released by its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the UAE conveyed its heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the people of Nepal, while also extending wishes for a swift recovery to those injured in the tragedy.

    The fatal incident occurred in the early hours of Monday when a passenger bus veered off a treacherous mountain road in western Nepal, plummeting an estimated 200 meters (650 feet). According to police reports cited by Reuters, the crash resulted in the deaths of 19 individuals, including three foreign nationals identified as citizens of Britain, China, and India. The vehicle was carrying 44 passengers at the time of the accident.

    In addition to the fatalities, 25 people sustained injuries, among them a New Zealander and another Chinese national. The injured victims are currently receiving medical treatment at hospitals in the capital city of Kathmandu. The bus was reportedly en route to Kathmandu when the devastating plunge occurred, highlighting the ongoing challenges of road safety in Nepal’s difficult terrain.

  • Philippines’ Duterte authorised murders, ICC told as hearings open

    Philippines’ Duterte authorised murders, ICC told as hearings open

    The International Criminal Court commenced landmark proceedings on Monday, hearing explosive allegations that former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte personally authorized murders and hand-selected victims during his controversial anti-drug campaign. Despite being deemed fit to participate, the 80-year-old former leader was absent from The Hague after his defense team successfully petitioned for his non-appearance.

    ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang opened the week-long confirmation hearings by asserting that the proceedings serve as “a reminder that those in power are not above the law.” Prosecutors presented a meticulously constructed case detailing Duterte’s alleged pivotal role in extrajudicial killings spanning his tenure as mayor of Davao City through his presidency from 2016 to 2022.

    The prosecution team presented video evidence showing Duterte repeatedly threatening to eliminate criminals, with prosecutor Julian Nicholls stating emphatically: “He repeatedly promised to kill people. He said it. He did it. That is who he is.” The charges encompass three distinct counts of crimes against humanity involving at least 76 specific murders, though prosecutors emphasized this represents “merely a fraction” of the actual death toll estimated to reach thousands.

    Defense attorney Nicholas Kaufman mounted a vigorous counter-argument, characterizing the charges as “grievously misplaced and politically motivated.” While acknowledging his client’s unconventional leadership style filled with “hyperbole, bluster and rhetoric,” Kaufman maintained Duterte’s complete innocence and asserted that prosecutors selectively edited his speeches while ignoring numerous instances where he emphasized legal compliance.

    The proceedings attracted polarized demonstrations outside the courthouse, reflecting the deep divisions surrounding Duterte’s legacy. Victims’ families gathered at a Manila community center expressed disappointment at Duterte’s absence, with one relative speculating “maybe he does not want to own up to his sins.”

    The confirmation hearings will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to a full trial, with judges required to issue their written decision within 60 days following the week’s proceedings.

  • Medical charter flight from Ranchi to Delhi crashes with 7 onboard: Indian media

    Medical charter flight from Ranchi to Delhi crashes with 7 onboard: Indian media

    A specialized medical transport aircraft operating between Ranchi and New Delhi has crashed under tragic circumstances in India’s eastern Jharkhand state. The Beechcraft King Air B90L aircraft, operated by Redbird Airways, vanished from radar surveillance shortly after departure on Monday evening with seven individuals aboard.

    According to aviation authorities cited by India’s ANI news agency, the ill-fated flight was conducting a dedicated medical evacuation mission. The passenger manifest included a patient requiring urgent medical transfer accompanied by a specialized medical team consisting of a doctor and paramedic, in addition to flight attendants and crew members.

    Emergency response teams have been dispatched to the suspected crash site in Chatra district, approximately 110 kilometers from Ranchi. Search and rescue operations are currently underway amid challenging terrain conditions, though officials have not yet confirmed any survivor accounts from the remote crash location.

    The aviation incident marks another concerning episode in India’s regional air safety record, coming amidst increased scrutiny of medical evacuation protocols and charter flight operations. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has initiated a formal investigation to determine the precise cause of the tragedy, examining factors ranging from technical failure to weather conditions prevalent during the evening departure.

    This medical evacuation tragedy echoes similar incidents globally, including a recent private jet accident in Maine, United States, that claimed eight lives, highlighting the inherent risks associated with specialized air transport operations even with advanced safety protocols in place.

  • Look: Empty airport, cars buried under snow as blizzard rages through northeast US

    Look: Empty airport, cars buried under snow as blizzard rages through northeast US

    A severe winter storm has brought the northeastern United States to a standstill, creating unprecedented disruption across multiple states. Major transportation hubs, including international airports, have suspended all operations, leaving terminals eerily empty and runways blanketed in deep snow. Ground transportation has suffered equally severe impacts, with countless vehicles completely submerged under massive snowdrifts, rendering roads impassable.

    The powerful blizzard, characterized by hurricane-force winds and near-zero visibility conditions, has triggered widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. Emergency services have issued stern warnings for citizens to remain indoors as conditions continue to deteriorate rapidly. Meteorological agencies report this storm system represents one of the most intense winter events to hit the region in decades, with snowfall accumulations already exceeding historical records in several areas.

    State governments have activated emergency response protocols, deploying National Guard units to assist in rescue operations for stranded motorists. The comprehensive shutdown of infrastructure has affected commerce, education, and essential services, with no immediate timeline for restoration of normal operations. Weather models indicate the system will continue to generate dangerous conditions throughout the region for at least another 24-48 hours before gradually moving offshore.

  • Indian, British, Chinese citizens among 19 killed in Nepal bus crash

    Indian, British, Chinese citizens among 19 killed in Nepal bus crash

    A catastrophic bus accident in Nepal’s mountainous Dhading district has resulted in 19 fatalities and 25 injuries, with citizens from multiple nations among the victims. The tragedy occurred in the pre-dawn hours of Monday when the vehicle veered off a treacherous mountain road near Behighat, plummeting approximately 200 meters (650 feet).

    The ill-fated bus was transporting 44 passengers from the popular tourist destination of Pokhara to the capital city of Kathmandu when the accident transpired approximately 80 kilometers west of the capital. According to official police statements, the deceased included citizens from the United Kingdom, China, and India. Among the injured, who are currently receiving medical treatment at Kathmandu hospitals, were a New Zealander and another Chinese national.

    This devastating incident highlights the persistent road safety challenges in Nepal’s difficult mountainous terrain, where inadequate infrastructure and hazardous conditions contribute to frequent accidents. The Nepalese government has promptly responded by initiating a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

    Road transportation accidents remain a critical public safety concern throughout Nepal, with hundreds of fatalities recorded annually. The country’s rugged geography and underdeveloped road network present ongoing challenges for both local commuters and international visitors alike. This particular tragedy underscores the vulnerabilities of road travel in developing nations with complex topographies.

  • India blocks Middle East Eye journalist’s X account

    India blocks Middle East Eye journalist’s X account

    The Indian government has formally blocked the X (formerly Twitter) account of Azad Essa, a US-based South African journalist serving as a senior reporter for Middle East Eye (MEE). The action was communicated via an official email from X Support on February 20th, citing a legal directive from India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000.

    The notification stated that while X is legally compelled to restrict access to Essa’s content within India, his account remains accessible internationally. The platform advised the journalist to seek legal recourse through Indian courts to challenge the blocking order, though it emphasized it could not provide legal counsel.

    Essa, whose reporting extensively covers India-Israel relations, stated he received no specific explanation for the ban. He characterized the move as emblematic of deteriorating press freedoms in India and accused X of complicity in suppressing journalism while publicly championing free speech.

    This incident occurs against a backdrop of escalating tensions between X and the Indian government. Six months prior, the platform expressed concerns about censorship after temporarily blocking Reuters accounts following government requests—a move later denied by Indian authorities. In March 2025, X initiated legal proceedings against the Indian government over proposed policies that would expand officials’ authority to issue content removal requests. By May, these tensions culminated in approximately 8,000 takedown requests from Indian authorities during heightened India-Pakistan tensions.

    The journalist’s blocking coincides with deepening India-Israel relations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is reportedly planning an upcoming visit to Israel to strengthen bilateral ties, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing the cooperation as part of a strategic “hexagon of alliances” countering radical elements in the Middle East.

    Essa, author of “Hostile Homelands: The New Alliance Between India and Israel,” reported experiencing sustained harassment from India’s right-wing factions over his coverage of India-Israel relations and Kashmir. He documented coordinated disinformation campaigns and personal threats aimed at discrediting his work.

  • Over 7,000 US flights cancelled; New York closes schools as blizzard slams US Northeast

    Over 7,000 US flights cancelled; New York closes schools as blizzard slams US Northeast

    A catastrophic winter storm has brought the Northeastern United States to a virtual standstill, triggering massive travel disruptions, widespread power outages, and emergency declarations across multiple states. The powerful blizzard, which began its assault on Monday, has dumped over a foot of snow (30cm) throughout the region, with some areas anticipating accumulations reaching two feet.

    The aviation sector has been particularly devastated, with FlightAware.com reporting approximately 5,700 Monday cancellations and an additional 1,600 Tuesday flights preemptively scrapped. The air travel collapse has been most severe at major Northeastern hubs including New York’s John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia, Boston’s Logan, and Newark Liberty International airports.

    New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani issued urgent pleas for residents to remain indoors as emergency crews battled to clear impassable roads. ‘I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home,’ Mamdani emphasized. The city’s public school system joined numerous districts across the region in closing facilities amid the dangerous conditions.

    Meteorologist Bob Oravec from the National Weather Service’s Weather Prediction Center confirmed the storm met official blizzard criteria, characterized by sustained wind gusts reaching 40-60 mph from Delaware through Boston. ‘It’s a pretty big storm and it’s definitely a blizzard,’ Oravec stated, noting that some areas including Eastern Long Island and Nantucket recorded gusts exceeding 60 mph.

    The storm’s impact extended beyond transportation, knocking out power to thousands of homes and businesses while forcing the unprecedented closure of the United Nations headquarters complex in Manhattan. New York Governor Kathy Hochul activated 100 National Guard members to assist in Long Island, New York City and the Lower Hudson Valley—regions expected to bear the brunt of the heavy snow and coastal winds.

    State responses varied across the affected region. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey declared a state of emergency and ordered non-essential government workers to remain home. Connecticut implemented commercial vehicle bans on limited-access highways, while New Jersey suspended train and bus commuter lines indefinitely. The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority announced complete service suspension through Monday.

    The Department of Homeland Security warned that powerful wind gusts reaching 70 mph created significant risks of falling trees and extended power outages across the Northeast. Despite ongoing funding challenges, FEMA confirmed its disaster-response operations continue uninterrupted with life safety and property protection remaining top priorities.

  • India’s HAL denies reports of latest Tejas aircraft crash, says was ‘minor incident’

    India’s HAL denies reports of latest Tejas aircraft crash, says was ‘minor incident’

    India’s state-owned aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) has formally refuted circulating media reports characterizing a recent incident involving its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft as a crash. The company issued an official statement clarifying that the event constituted merely “a minor technical incident on the ground” rather than an aerial mishap.

    Addressing speculation that emerged on Monday, February 23, 2026, HAL utilized social media platform X to provide factual corrections regarding the aircraft’s condition. Contrary to earlier reports suggesting substantial airframe damage from suspected brake failure, the aerospace firm emphasized the Tejas platform’s exceptional safety credentials, noting it maintains “one of the world’s best safety records among contemporary fighter aircraft.”

    The manufacturer revealed that following standard operational protocols, a comprehensive analysis of the technical issue is underway. HAL confirmed it is collaborating closely with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to implement resolutions promptly. This cooperative investigation aims to determine the root cause of the ground incident while ensuring continued operational reliability.

    Initial media accounts had described a scenario where the combat aircraft reportedly experienced system malfunctions during return to base following a training sortie, allegedly necessitating pilot ejection. These reports suggested the incident represented the latest in a series of technical challenges for the platform, with some outlets indicating the IAF had temporarily grounded the fleet—a claim not addressed in HAL’s current statement.

    The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of India’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities and follows recent aviation safety discussions within the region regarding various aircraft platforms.

  • New US military-led group aided Mexico’s hunt for ‘El Mencho’ cartel boss

    New US military-led group aided Mexico’s hunt for ‘El Mencho’ cartel boss

    A recently established U.S. military-led intelligence unit played a pivotal role in supporting the Mexican military operation that resulted in the death of notorious drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, alias ‘El Mencho’. The shadowy leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) was killed during a raid in western Jalisco state on Sunday, triggering widespread retaliatory violence across multiple Mexican states.

    The Joint Interagency Task Force-Counter Cartel (JITF-CC), formally launched last month, specializes in intelligence gathering against drug trafficking organizations operating along the U.S.-Mexico border. According to U.S. defense officials speaking anonymously, the multi-agency task force provided critical intelligence that aided Mexican authorities in locating one of Mexico’s most elusive criminal figures.

    Mexican Defense Ministry officials confirmed receiving ‘complementary information’ from U.S. counterparts but emphasized the operation was exclusively planned and executed by Mexican forces without physical U.S. military involvement. A former U.S. official revealed that American agencies had compiled an extensive target package on El Mencho, incorporating intelligence from multiple law enforcement and security agencies.

    The operation’s success represents a significant victory in Mexico’s protracted war against drug cartels responsible for smuggling billions of dollars worth of narcotics, particularly fentanyl and cocaine, into the United States. The Trump administration has intensified pressure on Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum’s government to combat drug trafficking, including threats of direct intervention.

    Brigadier General Maurizio Calabrese, leading the JITF-CC, described how the task force applies counterterrorism methodologies developed against groups like al Qaeda and Daesh to map cartel networks. While noting fundamental differences in motivations, Calabrese emphasized the importance of identifying entire criminal ecosystems for effective disruption.

    The aftermath of El Mencho’s death has been marked by extreme violence, with Mexican Security Minister Omar Garcia Harfuch reporting 25 National Guard members and one security guard killed in 27 separate cartel attacks. Authorities confirmed 30 cartel operatives and one bystander killed, with at least 70 arrests across seven states as government forces monitor potential cartel restructuring.

    The JITF-CC represents part of a broader U.S. strategy that includes increased military operational control along the border and controversial strikes on suspected drug vessels in international waters, measures that have faced legal challenges from Democratic lawmakers and experts.

  • Trump threatens countries that would ‘play games’ with tariffs

    Trump threatens countries that would ‘play games’ with tariffs

    Former President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to international trading partners, threatening severe economic retaliation against nations attempting to exploit last week’s Supreme Court decision that curtailed his tariff-imposing authority. Through his Truth Social platform on Monday, Trump declared that any country engaging in what he termed ‘games’ regarding the judicial ruling would face substantially higher import duties than previously negotiated.

    The Supreme Court’s landmark decision struck down Trump’s use of emergency economic powers to implement country-specific tariffs, dealing a significant blow to his economic nationalist agenda. In response, Trump has pivoted to alternative legislative mechanisms to announce new 15 percent duties on imports, asserting his presidential authority to bypass Congressional approval for tariff implementation.

    Trump’s social media statements emphasized his unconventional interpretation of the court ruling, claiming it actually granted him ‘far more powers and strength’ through licensing authorities that could enable aggressive trade measures against foreign nations. This stance contradicts legal experts’ reading of the decision as a limitation on executive trade powers.

    US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has meanwhile called for international partners to maintain existing tariff agreements with Washington, indicating potential tension between diplomatic channels and Trump’s confrontational approach. The development signals continued turbulence in global trade relations as the former president challenges both judicial and international trading norms.