N Korea, Russia begin building road link
Seoul, May 1: North Korea and Russia have begun building their first road link, the two countries announced, hailing the construction of a bridge over a border river as a major development that will further expand their booming ties. Russia’s Tass news agency reported Wednesday that the bridge would be 1 kilometre long and its construction is expected to take 1 ½ years, and North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency said the bridge would expand cross-border travel of people, tourism and circulation of commodities. Relations and exchange programmes between the two countries have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying ammunitions and troops to support Russia’s war against Ukraine. (AP)
Wildfire rages across Israel, sparks national emergency
Jerusalem, May 1: A massive wildfire raging through Israel has triggered a national emergency in the nation, forcing the evacuation of thousands and casting dense plumes of smoke over Jerusalem. Authorities have described the blaze as one of the most severe in the nation’s history, erupting on Wednesday — coinciding with Israel’s Memorial Day for fallen soldiers — and spreading swiftly due to strong winds and parched conditions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sounded the alarm, warning that the fast-advancing fire could reach Jerusalem itself. “This is a national emergency, not just a local one.” (IANS)
Iran executes ‘high-ranking spy’ of Mossad
Tehran, May 1: Iran has executed a “high-ranking spy” of Israel’s Mossad intelligence agency, the media reported. The executed, identified as Mohsen Langarneshin, was convicted of providing field and technical support for Mossad’s operations in Iran, including the assassination of Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, a member of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps, in Tehran in May 2022, the Mizan news agency of the Iranian judiciary report said on Wednesday. (IANS)
Personnel killed in clashes with terrorists in Pak
Peshawar, May 1: Three police personnel of the Counter Terrorism Department were killed and two others injured in clashes with terrorists during an operation in northwest Pakistan, police said on Thursday. Two terrorists were also killed and others wounded in the clashes, but their accomplices managed to take them away, police said. According to police, the Counter Terrorism Department Bannu Police were conducting an operation against terrorists when they encountered them in the Spin Tangi area. (PTI)
UK could hit 30 degrees Celsius
London, May 1: The UK is set for its hottest day of the year so far on Thursday, and temperatures could hit 30 degrees Celsius at the earliest recorded point in the calendar, forecasters said. Following one of the warmest and driest Aprils on record, forecasters said the mercury will likely peak in London, before cooler weather starts to drift in from the north on Friday – bad timing for those looking to bask in the sunshine over the coming three-day weekend. Monday is a public holiday in the UK. (AP)