Air India to resume Tel Aviv-Delhi flights
Jerusalem, Jan 23: With ceasefire holding up in the north and south of Israel, several major international airlines, including Air India, have announced plans to resume flights to Israel expanding connectivity to the war-torn region. “It’s official now. We are resuming flights from March 2, 2025,” a representative for Air India in Israel told PTI. Several Indians staying in Israel felt a sigh of relief as the Indian carrier’s website opened bookings on the said route. (PTI)
Flights between Turkiye, Syria resume after 13 years
Istanbul, Jan 23: Commercial flights between Turkiye and Syria resumed on Thursday after 13 years with a Turkish Airlines flight from Istanbul to Damascus. Turkish media showed Syrian families draped in their national flag singing pro-opposition songs and cheering as they prepared to board flight TK0846 to Damascus. Passengers continued their celebrations inside the plane, singing the uprising anthem “Hold your head up high, you are a free Syrian.” One man sobbed while waiting for takeoff. “I missed Syria and am happy to fly back,” said Fuad Abdulhalid, who has lived in Turkey for 12 years. (AP)
5 treated after stabbing in London, 1 held
London, Jan 23: Five people have been treated following a stabbing on Thursday morning in south London, according to London’s Ambulance Service. London’s Metropolitan Police said a man has been arrested following the stabbing in Croydon. British media reports said the stabbing happened near an Asda supermarket. The ambulance service said one person was taken to a major trauma centre in London and four other people were hospitalized. (AP)
Cops probe bomb threats affecting over 240 schools
Budapest, Jan 23: Police in Hungary said Thursday they were investigating bomb threats that were sent to more than 240 schools across the country, resulting in classes being cancelled at some schools. The threats, which came in the form of emails, were identical in their text and likely sent by a single sender, police said in a statement. Officers were being dispatched to all affected institutions. No explosives or explosive devices were found in the buildings inspected so far, police added. Gergely Gulyás, chief of staff to Prime Minister, said that “education in most schools in the country proceeds smoothly,” and that school administrators could decide for themselves whether to send students home. (AP)
Man convicted of stalking Chinese ex-official gets jail
New York, Jan 23: A man who taped a sinister note to a Chinese ex-official’s door in New Jersey was on Wednesday sentenced to 16 months in prison. He was convicted of participating in what US authorities called a Beijing-driven pressure campaign targeting expatriates. Zheng Congying was one of three men convicted at the first trial highlighting US claims that China’s government harasses and intimidates dissidents and critics on foreign soil. (AP)