Politics

Israel launches ground invasion of Gaza

Bengaluru/ Gaza, July 18 (ANI): Gaza city was rocked by a sequence of blasts in the early hours of Friday, as Israel launched a Gaza ground campaign after 10 days of bombardments from the air and sea failed to stop militants_ rocket attacks, stepping up an offensive that already has taken a heavy toll on civilian lives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement late on Thursday that he had given orders to destroy tunnels that militants use to infiltrate Israel and carry out attacks. Meanwhile, back in India, Urging the central government and the United Nations to take a call on the ongoing Gaza crisis, locals in Bengaluru city of Karnataka took to streets to show solidarity for the victims. International calls for a ceasefire have grown as the death toll has mounted in the worst flare-up of Israeli-Palestinian violence for almost two years, sparked by the murder of three Israeli teenagers and revenge killing of a Palestinian youth.

Jul 18, 2014

Malaysia Airlines crash in Ukraine killing 295 aboard

Hrabove, Ukraine, July 18 (ANI): A Malaysian airliner was brought down over eastern Ukraine killing all 295 people aboard and sharply raising the stakes in a conflict between Kiev and pro-Moscow rebels. The plane was enroute to Kuala Lumpur from Amsterdam, and it is being said that it was shot down. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said on Friday that _Russian-backed rebels_ were apparently behind the shooting down of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jetliner. Ukraine_s state security chief has accused Russian military intelligence officers of involvement with pro-Russian rebels in the downing of the airliner on Thursday, but Western leaders have until now been less quick to assign blame. Russian President Vladimir Putin also expressed sorrow for the loss and blamed the region_s military conflict in general. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama also offered his condolences.

Jul 18, 2014