Middle East Crisis: Tensions escalate after assassination of Hamas Leader
Tehran: Tensions have escalated in the Middle East following the assassination of Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. The incident has led to a series of retaliatory actions and heightened threats in the region. Iran-backed groups, including Hezbollah, have vowed revenge against Israel, intensifying the volatile situation.
On Sunday, Hezbollah launched dozens of Katyusha rockets at Israel, targeting the settlement of Beit Hillel. This attack was described as a response to Israeli airstrikes on the Lebanese villages of Kfar Kela and Deir Siriane. In a statement, Hezbollah declared that their actions were in support of the Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip and a response to the injuries suffered by civilians in the Israeli attacks.
The situation has attracted international concern, with the United States taking steps to support Israel's defense. US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed the threats posed by Iran and its allied groups with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, emphasizing the need for de-escalation and the benefits of a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators gathered in Istanbul to protest the killing of Haniyeh, with prominent figures condemning Israel's actions. The Iranian government expects Hezbollah to expand its targets beyond military sites, potentially deepening the conflict.
As the crisis unfolds, global leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have expressed hope that Iran will refrain from further escalatory actions.
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
