Middle East

ISIL ringleader nabbed in Syria's Aleppo

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The Turkish Intelligence Agency (MIT) on Monday nabbed the Daesh ringleader in Syria’s Aleppo city, Abdullah al Jundi, who planned attacks against the Turkish forces in the Operation Euphrates Shield, and Olive Branch zones, Anadolu Agency reported.

Al Jundi, codenamed Hattab El Muhacir, was responsible for planning actions against vehicles belonging to the Turkish security forces in Syria, according to information obtained from the security forces.

The terrorist was nabbed during an operation conducted by MIT and the local security forces affiliated with the Syrian National Army in the Operation Euphrates Shield zone.

The terrorist also provided information about the members of the organization carrying out terror activities.

Some digital material belonging to the organization was also seized during the operation, disclosing Daesh’s action plans, and disrupting the organization’s activities.

MNA/PR

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Taiwan Detects 2 Chinese Balloons Crossing Median Line On New Year

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Taiwan Detects 2 Chinese Balloons Crossing Median Line On New Year

Taiwanese authorities have so far reported six incidents in December (Representational)

Taipei, Taiwan:

Two Chinese balloons were detected moving across the median line separating Taiwan from China, with one flying directly above the island, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence said Tuesday.

The balloons were seen crossing the median line over the Taiwan Strait — a sensitive waterway separating the island from China — late January 1 at two locations, one near the western city of Chiayi and another by Keelung in the north. 

An accompanying graphic released by the ministry showed one balloon headed east directly above the island after appearing northwest of Chiayi on the western coast.

They were at “the altitude of approximately 30,000 and 32,000 feet (9-10 kilometres),” it said in a statement.

“The balloons headed northeast and disappeared at 23:43 yesterday and 00:43 today.”

The sightings of Chinese balloons began last month as the island’s pivotal presidential election on January 13 approaches. 

Taiwanese authorities have so far reported six incidents in December.

Chinese balloons became a politically fraught topic in February when the United States shot down what it called a spy balloon over its territory, with Beijing saying the craft was a civilian airship blown off course. 

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

World

Israel kills 7th Palestinian prisoner since Operation al-Aqsa

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The new fatality, which occurred on Monday, has increased to seven the number of Palestinian inmates killed in the regime’s prisons since October 7, 2023, when the Gaza Strip’s Resistance movements launched Operation al-Aqsa Storm.

The Palestinian Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees’ Affairs and the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society (PPS) announced the development in a joint statement. 

They identified the victim as 23-year-old Abdul Rahman Bassem al-Bahsh from the city of Nablus in the northern part of the occupied West Bank.

The assassination of al-Bahsh took place while he was being detained under a 35-month sentence at Megiddo prison near the city of Haifa in the northern part of the occupied Palestinian territories, the commission and the PPS said.

They added that al-Bahash was the first Palestinian inmate to be killed by Israeli forces on the first day of 2024, and the seventh since October 7, 2023.

The Palestinian bodies added that al-Bahsh’s assassination “confirms that the occupation continues without no deterrent or any consideration to carry out more assassinations against prisoners…in addition to the systematic crimes of torture and abuse.”

Reacting to Israel’s new crime, the Palestinian Resistance Movement Hamas issued a statement, saying the crime coincides with reports about field executions, brutal torture, and inhumane conditions faced by the Palestinian inmates, especially those who are from Gaza.

“We affirm that these assassinations and crimes will backfire on the usurping occupation as fire and hell,” Hamas said.

The movement added that the Resistance combatants will teach this occupier appropriate lessons for the continuation of its crimes and brutality against our men, women, and children.”

Thousands of Palestinian prisoners are currently languishing in Israeli jails. 

Back in April, a joint report by a group of Palestinian rights advocacy groups revealed that the occupying entity is keeping about 4,900 Palestinian inmates, including many women and children, behind bars.

The regime’s jail authorities usually keep Palestinian prisoners under deplorable conditions without proper hygienic standards. However, since Operation al-Aqsa Storm, the occupying regime has heightened its campaign of systematic torture, harassment, and repression against Palestinian inmates.

Following the operation, the regime also launched a genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip, which has so far claimed the lives of close to 22,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

AMK/PressTV

Middle East

‘Resistance will teach Israel lessons for atrocities against Palestinians’

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The Palestinian Hamas resistance movement has denounced the death of another Palestinian abductee at an Israeli-run detention center in the occupied territories, vowing to teach the regime unforgettable lessons for its ongoing atrocities against Palestinians.

“The occupiers committed the seventh execution of our prisoners from the occupied West Bank, with the assassination of Abdul Rahman al-Bahsh at Megiddo Prison,” the Gaza-based group said in a statement released late on Monday.

“We condemn the continuation of such assassinations amid the silence of international human rights bodies and advocacy groups for prisoners of war,” the statement added.

Hamas noted that the deaths of Palestinian abductees would eventually harm the occupying Tel Aviv regime.

In a separate statement, Hamas also urged the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and human rights organizations to shoulder their responsibilities concerning Palestinian abductees.

The Palestinian resistance group highlighted that female Palestinian abductees are encountering systematic and arbitrary malnutrition and medical negligence.

“We urge international human rights institutions to shed light on the challenges that Palestinian prisoners, particularly the 76 female detainees who mostly hail from the Gaza Strip, are facing at Israeli prisons. Human rights organizations need to document such violations, and take them to competent courts,” Hamas stated.

“Certainly and equivocally, Zionist criminal leaders and liable figures will be held accountable for these heinous violations and acts of cruelty,” the statement read.

The Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs announced in a statement on Monday evening that Bahsh, 23, who had been imprisoned since May 31, 2022, and later sentenced to jail time for “security offenses”, had died at Megiddo Prison.

The commission stated that the Israel Prison Service (IPS) inconsiderately continues to assassinate more Palestinian detainees in its detention centers, and subjects them to systematic torture and abuse.

The death of Bahsh, who was affiliated with the Fatah resistance movement, brought to seven the number of Palestinian abductees who have died in Israeli detention centers since October 7 after Gaza-based resistance groups launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm.

There are reportedly more than 7,000 Palestinians held in Israeli jails. Hundreds of the inmates have been apparently incarcerated under the practice of administrative detention.

Human rights organizations say Israel violates all the rights and freedoms granted to prisoners by the Fourth Geneva Convention. They say administrative detention violates their right to due process since the evidence is withheld from prisoners while they are held for lengthy periods without being charged, tried, or convicted.

Palestinian detainees have continuously resorted to open-ended hunger strikes in an attempt to express outrage at their detention. Israeli jail authorities keep Palestinian prisoners under deplorable conditions without proper hygienic standards. Palestinian inmates have also been subject to systematic torture, harassment, and repression.

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CBI Closes Probe In 2019 IPL Betting Case Over Lack Of Evidence

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CBI Closes Probe In 2019 IPL Betting Case Over Lack Of Evidence

After two years of investigation, the agency closed the investigation. (Representational)

New Delhi:

The Central Bureau Of Investigation has closed its probe into alleged cricket betting in the 2019 Indian Premier League (IPL) matches, sources said on Tuesday. The central agency had filed two cases in 2022, saying that matches in 2019 were influenced based on inputs received from Pakistan.

After two years of investigation, the agency closed the investigation for “want of evidence”, they added.

In May 2022, the CBI had booked eight people — Sajjan Singh, Prabhu Lal Meena, Ram Avatar Meena and Amit Kumar Sharma from Rajasthan, Gurram Satish and Gurram Vasu from Hyderabad and Dileep Kumar from Delhi — for “influencing outcome of IPL matches” based on inputs received from Pakistan. “In the garb of betting related to IPL matches, they are cheating the general public by inducing them for betting,” the agency had said.

It also said one racket was allegedly operating since 2010 while another was on since 2013.

The central agency had invoked Prevention of Corruption Act in its case as the agency suspected role of public servants in the case. It was alleged that the accused opened bank accounts using “fake IDs / KYC documents in connivance with bank officials”.

“A part of money received from the general public in India on account of betting activities is also being shared with their associates based in foreign countries using hawala networks” was the tip off on which the agency started its investigation.

The agency had further alleged that the above accused and their associates were in contact with a Pakistani suspect ‘Waqas Malik’ through a Pakistan phone number.

Middle East

OPEC+ begins voluntarily reducing oil output by 2.2 mln bpd

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The policy will be in force throughout the first quarter and, depending on market conditions, the petroleum producers’ cartel may begin progressively returning reduced volumes to the market, according to TASS.

Following the November 30 OPEC+ summit, the member countries of the cartel decided on additional voluntary cuts in oil output to achieve a balance in the market.

Thus, Saudi Arabia will reduce output by 1 mln bpd until the end of March 2024, while Russia will deepen its reduction in oil deliveries to world markets from 300,000 bpd to 500,000 bpd. Other OPEC+ nations will lower output by a total of nearly 700,000 bpd, including Iraq (by 223,000 bpd), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (by 163,000 bpd), Kuwait (by 135,000 bpd), Kazakhstan (by 82,000 bpd), Algeria (by 51,000 bpd) and Oman (by 42,000 bpd). These cuts are not part of the OPEC+ agreement and remain optional.

Given that Saudi Arabia is extending production cuts already in effect since July 2023 and is not deepening them, and that Russia is cutting its already reduced supply volumes by another 200,000 bpd, the volume of new cuts for the market will reach only 896,000 bpd.

In addition to fresh cuts, a number of OPEC+ members will continue to honor their agreements to reduce output by 1.66 mln bpd by the end of 2024. This measure has been in effect since May 2023. Under the relevant agreement, Saudi Arabia is voluntarily reducing production by 500,000 bpd, Russia by 500,000 bpd, Iraq by 211,000 bpd, the UAE by 144,000 bpd, Kuwait by 128,000 bpd, Kazakhstan by 78,000 bpd, Algeria by 48,000 bpd, Oman by 40,000 bpd, and Gabon by 8,000 bpd, according to the assumed reduction obligations.

Thus, the overall volume of voluntary reductions in oil production by OPEC+ countries will be 3.86 mln bpd until the end of the first quarter of 2024.

RHM/PR

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Watch: French Chefs Top Pizza With 1001 Types Of Cheese, Set World Record

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Watch: French Chefs Top Pizza With 1001 Types Of Cheese, Set World Record

The world record for most varieties of cheese on a pizza was recently brokem

Do you love lots of cheese on your pizza? Well, if you like variety as much as quantity, you’ll be delighted to know of a unique pizza that recently broke a Guinness World Record (GWR). It was topped with not just 10 or 100, but 1001 types of cheese. This stunning treat was created by Benoit Bruel and Fabien Montellanico, two French pizza chefs. Their efforts were aided by cheesemaker Sophie Hatat Richart-Luna and the YouTuber Florian OnAir. The previous holder of the world record for most varieties of cheese on a pizza was Morgan Niquet, who had put 834 different cheesy toppings in 2021.

Also Read: Watch: Man Balances 88 Spoons On His Body, Breaks Own World Record

Latest and Breaking News on NDTV

Wondering how the team managed to keep the pizza intact? Benoit has revealed that the pizza dough was pre-cooked to help it bear the weight of the toppings. The harder cheeses were placed on the base first, followed by the softer cheeses on top. Each type was represented by a two-gram cube. Furthermore, GWR has explained that “a cookie cutter was placed around the mound of cheese to hold it together while it cooked.” The cutter was removed after two minutes and the pizza was allowed to bake for 20 more seconds.

Also Read: Two Australian Friends Visit 99 Bars In One Day, Set World Record

“It’s been a real feat being among the cheesemakers as well as being on the farms to meet the producers who are so passionate about their profession,” Benoit told GWR. According to the official site, 940 of the cheeses used for the pizza were French, while the remaining 61 were from other countries. This is not the first time Benoit has been involved in setting this particular record. Back in 2020, he had made a pizza topped with 254 kinds of cheese. His new record is partly a result of him “spending five months scouring France for more varieties of cheese,” as per GWR.

Also Read: World Record For Largest Grilled Cheese Sandwich Broken – Weighs Almost 190 Kilos

World

South Korean opposition leader stabbed in neck (+VIDEO)

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Lee, who heads the main opposition Democratic Party, was stabbed on the left side of his neck by a man who lunged out of the crowd as he was walking with journalists on Tuesday morning. Emergency officials have said he is not in a critical condition, although his exact status is unknown.

Pictures in South Korean media showed 59-year-old Lee lying on his back on the ground with his eyes closed, as officials crowded around him and one pressed a cloth against his neck.

Democratic Party party spokesman Kwon Chil-seung said the politician was being flown to Seoul National University in the capital, after receiving emergency treatment at Pusan National University Hospital.

Medical staff at the latter hospital suspected damage to a jugular vein that carries blood from the head to the heart. “There is concern that there could be large haemorrhage or additional haemorrhage, according to medical staff,” Kwon said.

The attack, seen in video footage and photographs, unfolded while Lee was touring the site of a proposed airport in Busan.

The assailant, wearing a paper crown with Lee’s name on it, initially approached the politician asking for an autograph. He then attacked him with a weapon that was between 20 and 30cm (8 and 12 inches) long.

Arrested at the scene, the assailant has refused to answer police questions about his motives, according to daily Busan Ilbo.

RHM/PR

Middle East

Israel pulling out thousands of troops from Gaza as Smotrich calls for Jewish settlements

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The Israeli military says it will pull out five brigades, or several thousand troops, from the Gaza Strip as it goes ahead with its bloody war on the besieged Palestinian territory.

In a statement on Monday, the regime’s army said that the soldiers were being taken out of Gaza in the coming weeks for training and rest.

“This move is expected to significantly alleviate economic burdens and enable troops to gather strength for upcoming activities in the next year, as the fighting will persist and their services will be needed,” it added.

The announcement came as fighting has tapered off in the northern areas of Gaza, though clashes continue to rage in the south.

Earlier, Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari said the regime’s army was making adjustments to its deployment in Gaza, in anticipation of a long war ahead.

“The goals of the war require lengthy fighting, and we are prepared accordingly,” he noted.

Meanwhile, an unnamed Israeli official said that some of the five brigades withdrawn will prepare for a potential second front against the Lebanese Hezbollah resistance movement.

‘Gradual shift to lower intensity operations’

A US official said that Israel’s drawdown of troops from Gaza signifies a potential beginning of operations with reduced intensity in the territory’s north, stressing, however, that the conflict in that area persists.

“This appears to be the start of the gradual shift to lower intensity operations in the north that we have been encouraging… I’d caution though there is still fighting in the north and this does not reflect any changes in the south,” the official told Reuters.

A few days ago, the Israeli army’s much-hyped Golani Brigade was forced to withdraw from Gaza to “reorganize its ranks” after suffering huge losses at the hands of resistance fighters.

Israel waged the brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the occupying entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people.

However, almost three months into the war, Tel Aviv has failed to achieve its declared objective of eliminating Hamas and finding Israeli captives in Gaza, despite killing at least 21,978 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injuring 57,697 others.

Israeli ministers call for Palestinians’ expulsion from Gaza

Speaking on Monday, Israel’s finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the regime “will permanently control the Gaza Strip to ensure security”.

He stressed that the objective would be achieved through the “permanent presence of Israeli forces” along with “establishing Jewish settlements,” adding that he would present the plan soon to the regime’s war cabinet. 

“Those who think that the solutions in the Gaza Strip will be similar to those tried in the past are mistaken,” he said.

Similarly, Israel’s extremist security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said the war presents an “opportunity to concentrate on encouraging the migration of the residents of Gaza,” branding such a policy as “a correct, just, moral and humane solution.”

Veteran Arab lawmaker at the Israeli parliament Ahmad Tibi condemned Smotrich and Ben-Gvir, saying their rhetoric was “inciting genocide.”

“A day will come and these two senior ministers in the Israeli government will stand before an international tribunal for war crimes,” he stated.

Top News

From sleep tourism to food tourism, here are travel trends to look forward in 2024

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As we step into 2024, the robust travel sentiment persists, and anticipates a sustained surge in demand from the dynamic Indian market.

Published Date – 12:47 PM, Tue – 2 January 24


From sleep tourism to food tourism, here are travel trends to look forward in 2024


New Delhi: The unwavering appetite for exploration among Indian travellers is evident. As we step into 2024, Rajeev Kale – President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited, believes that the robust travel sentiment persists, and anticipates a sustained surge in demand from the dynamic Indian market.

The onset of new beginnings brings positivity and anticipation and reveals key trends gaining traction among Indian consumers in 2024, further accelerating to meet evolving preferences.

“Event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of Young India’s millennials, young professionals, and Gen Z. Their keen interest in the thrill of live concerts, events, and cultural immersion is poised to be a driving force for travel in the upcoming year. This demographic seeks immersive experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, reflecting a desire for dynamic and culturally rich journeys,” says Rajeev.

As we look ahead, the tourism industry anticipates the following trend not only to persist but to evolve, shaping the preferences and choices of contemporary Indian travellers.

Sleep Tourism and Wellness Retreats for Rejuvenation: Young Indians are diverging significantly from the travel habits of previous generations, moving away from tightly scheduled sightseeing holidays to embrace more relaxed vacations. The current generation, burdened by work fatigue, seeks opportunities for rest and rejuvenation.

Trends like sleep tourism, which go beyond uninterrupted sleep to include activities like yoga, swimming, and spa wellness therapy, are gaining widespread popularity. Consequently, accommodations offering soundproof rooms, sleep consultations, recorded sleep meditations, pillow menus, sleep kits, and concierge services are experiencing a surge in demand. Notable destinations for such experiences include Goa, Coorg, Mysore, Kodaikanal, Alleppey, and Puducherry.

At the same time, more people are choosing wellness retreats for peace and well-being. This has led to a noticeable increase in yoga and meditation tourism in places like Rishikesh, Mysore, and Pondicherry, showing how people today prefer a holistic approach to travel.

Personalised and Curated Travel: Indians increasingly seek personalised and tailor-made journeys, gaining more control over their itineraries. The demand for fully customisable private holidays, especially among discerning travellers, is on the rise. This trend caters to those looking for premium, experience-led travel, with a focus on a leisurely exploration of a destination’s history, culture, cuisine, and hidden gems. This is anticipated to attract interest from High Net Worth Individuals (HNIs), multigenerational families, ad-hoc groups of friends, and honeymooners/couples, reflecting a preference for exclusive and tailored travel adventures.

Visa-Friendly Destinations on the Rise: The recent announcements of free visa travel to countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Kenya are expected to spark increased interest among Indian travellers. The accessibility of easy-visa and visa-on-arrival options in these destinations further contributes to the growing appeal for hassle-free international travel.

Top Destinations Overview: We foresee Australia, New Zealand, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Hungary, and Finland to be top choices when it comes to long-haul journeys. Meanwhile, those opting for shorter getaways favour bustling locations such as Singapore, Malaysia, the Maldives, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Ras Al Khaimah, Oman, Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Bhutan. And for those seeking something mid-way, destinations like South Korea, Japan, and Turkiye offer compelling options.

Hidden Gems and Offbeat Destinations: The quest for unique and lesser-explored locales continues to gain momentum, with travellers seeking authentic and offbeat experiences beyond conventional tourist destinations. Domestic destinations such as Meghalaya, Ziro, Ponmudi, Sandakphu, Gokarna, Halebidu, Patan, Varkala, Mandu, Tawang, Hampi, Jawai and many more will continue to pop up on travellers itineraries for more unconventional travel.

Adventure Tourism: The thrill of adventure is a constant driver for Indian travellers, with a growing demand for experiences such as trekking, wildlife safaris, and adrenaline-pumping activities. Destinations that will continue to cater to this demand include Rishikesh, Manali, Aamby Valley, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Goa, Kovalam, Auli, Bir Billing, Gulmarg, and Vagamon.

Sports Tourism: The intersection of sports and travel remains a significant trend, with enthusiasts travelling to witness major sporting events, tournaments, and championships across the globe.

Travel for Festivals: Cultural celebrations and festivals around the world attract Indian travellers, seeking to immerse themselves in diverse traditions and celebrations.

Luxury Travel: There is a sustained interest in luxury travel experiences, with discerning travellers seeking exclusive accommodations, personalised services, and opulent amenities.

Food Tourism: Culinary exploration remains a key trend, with travellers increasingly interested in discovering local cuisines, street food, and culinary traditions.

Cruise Holidays: Cruises continue to be a popular choice, offering a unique blend of luxury, entertainment, and the opportunity to explore multiple destinations in a single journey.

Astro Tourism: Catering to celestial enthusiasts, Astro Tourism involves travel experiences centred around stargazing, celestial events, and astronomical wonders.

Travel During Shoulder Season (Off-Season Travel): Embracing off-season travel allows for a more serene and economical exploration of destinations, avoiding peak tourist times.

Instant Holidays (Holidays On-the-Go/Short Booking Window): Catering to the fast-paced lifestyles of modern travellers, instant holidays involve spontaneous bookings and short planning windows.

Skip-Gen Travel (Grandparents Travelling With Their Grandchildren): A growing trend where grandparents create memorable travel experiences with their grandchildren, fostering intergenerational bonds.

Plan-Free Travel (Plan on the Move): Emphasising spontaneity and flexibility, plan-free travel allows for on-the-go decision-making, and adapting plans based on immediate preferences.

Religious Tourism: Spiritual journeys remain a focal point, with travellers seeking profound experiences at sacred destinations. Notable among these are the Vaishno Devi Temple in Jammu and Kashmir, Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh, Rameshwaram in Tamil Nadu, Shirdi in Maharashtra, Hemkund Sahib in Uttarakhand, Jagannath Temple in Puri, Odisha, and the Golden Temple in Amritsar, Punjab.