作者： admin

In a landmark court hearing on Tuesday, Tetsuya Yamagami, the 45-year-old gunman accused of assassinating Japan’s former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, pleaded guilty to the charges. The shocking murder, which occurred in broad daylight in July 2022, sent ripples across a nation unaccustomed to gun violence and exposed deep-seated issues surrounding the influence of the Unification Church on Japanese politics. Yamagami, handcuffed and with a rope around his waist, appeared in the Nara court, where he admitted to the crime in a barely audible voice. His lawyer indicated plans to contest certain charges, including violations of arms control laws, as Yamagami had allegedly used a handmade weapon. The trial, delayed due to a suspicious item found in 2023, has been a focal point of national attention, particularly for its exploration of Yamagami’s motivations. Prosecutors revealed that Yamagami harbored deep resentment toward the Unification Church, blaming it for derailing his life. He initially sought to target Church executives but, unable to procure a firearm, decided to craft his own. Yamagami believed that killing a figure as influential as Abe would draw public scrutiny to the Church. Abe had faced criticism for his perceived ties to the sect, which has been accused of exploiting its members. Yamagami’s lawyers argued that his life was devastated by the Church, citing his mother’s extreme financial devotion to the sect and the subsequent collapse of their family. The assassination prompted a national reckoning, leading to the resignation of four ministers and the dissolution of the Church’s Japanese arm. It also spurred Japan to further tighten its already stringent gun control laws, introducing penalties for sharing firearm-making tutorials online.

In a landmark development for Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, citizens of member states now have access to comprehensive healthcare services across the region, regardless of their country of residence or visit. This initiative underscores the GCC’s commitment to fostering unity and equal treatment among its citizens. During 2023, over 204,000 Gulf nationals benefited from government medical services outside their home countries, as revealed by Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the GCC, during a meeting of GCC health ministers. The scope of healthcare services varies based on the duration of stay. Visitors staying up to three months are entitled to primary healthcare, emergency and ambulance services, and hospitalisation for critical cases until the emergency is resolved. For those residing in a GCC country for over three months, with valid residency and property ownership or lease contracts, all health services in hospitals and government health centres are accessible. The GCC region boasts an extensive healthcare infrastructure, with over 863 hospitals and 3,400 health centres and complexes. This initiative reflects the GCC’s vision of a ‘collective homeland,’ where citizens enjoy benefits equivalent to those of nationals in each member state. In the UAE, GCC nationals working in the private sector are treated equally to Emirati nationals in terms of employment and insurance coverage, as per Cabinet Resolution No. 72/5 of 2007. This policy, however, does not impact the Emiratisation quota for UAE citizens in the private sector. The move highlights the GCC’s dedication to enhancing regional integration and improving the quality of life for its citizens.

A retired US colonel involved in the investigation into the killing of Palestinian-American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh has asserted that she was deliberately shot by an Israeli soldier. In an interview with Zeteo News, Steve Gabavics, who served as chief of staff at the Office of the United States Security Coordinator for Israel and the Palestinian Authority (USSC) at the time of the incident, revealed that his findings concluded the shooting was intentional. Gabavics also accused the Biden administration of downplaying the results to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel. Israeli forces killed Abu Akleh during a raid in Jenin, occupied West Bank, in May 2022, sparking international outrage. While the Israeli army claimed the shooting was accidental, independent investigations and Gabavics’s evidence suggest otherwise. Gabavics presented his findings to General Michael Fenzel, who dismissed them, citing Israeli officials’ claims of a tragic accident. Gabavics expressed frustration over the US government’s perceived bias toward Israel, stating, ‘The favoritism is always toward the Israelis. Very little of that goes to the Palestinians.’

A bus operated by Air India’s ground-handling service provider, AI SATS, caught fire at Terminal 3 of New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Tuesday. The incident occurred near bay number 32, close to a parked aircraft. Fortunately, no passengers were onboard at the time, and there were no reported injuries or casualties. Airport emergency teams, including the Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) unit, responded promptly, extinguishing the blaze within minutes and preventing it from escalating. The Delhi Airport Authority confirmed that the bus was stationary and vacant during the incident, and all airport operations remained unaffected. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the airport emphasized that passenger and staff safety remains their top priority. The swift action of the emergency teams ensured that the situation was contained without disrupting flight schedules or causing harm to individuals. This incident highlights the efficiency of the airport’s emergency response protocols and their commitment to maintaining operational continuity even in unforeseen circumstances.