- Russia thwarts assaults by Ukrainian forces, while Ukraine airstrikes Russian fronts | WION Live WION
- Watch NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt Excerpt: Ukraine accuses Russia of misinformation over failed offensive announcement NBC Insider
- Ukraine accuses Russia of misinformation over failed offensive announcement NBC News
- Russia-Ukraine war: Pro-Kyiv militia claims control of Novaya Tavolzhanka | WION Speed News WION
- Russia launches air strike on Kyiv, city official says attack repelled | Russia-Ukraine War | WION WION
- View Full Coverage on Google News
Tag Archives: Thwarts
Iran thwarts drone attacks on Isfahan military site | Military News
Iranian defence ministry says a loud blast heard in Isfahan was caused by ‘unsuccessful’ drone attacks.
Iran’s defence ministry has reported several drone attacks on a military plant in the country’s central city of Isfahan.
The attacks were “unsuccessful” and there were no casualties, the ministry said in a statement early on Sunday.
“One of [the drones] was hit by the … air defence and the other two were caught in defence traps and blew up,” said the statement carried by the state news agency, IRNA. “Fortunately, this unsuccessful attack did not cause any loss of life and caused minor damage to the workshop’s roof,” it said.
The ministry did not say who was suspected of carrying out the attack.
The statement came shortly after Iranian media reported a loud blast in Isfahan.
News agencies published a video showing a flash of light at the plant, said to be an ammunitions factory, and footage of emergency vehicles and fire trucks outside the plant.
The ministry said the attack “has not affected our installations and mission … and such blind measures will not have an impact on the continuation of the country’s progress”.
Reports of the drone attacks in Isfahan also came as Iran’s state TV also said a fire had broken out at an oil refinery in an industrial zone near the northwestern city of Tabriz.
It said the cause was not yet known as it showed footage of firefighters trying to extinguish the blaze.
There have been several explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in the past few years.
They come amid a long-running shadow war between Iran and Israel.
The two countries are at loggerheads over Tehran’s nuclear programme.
Israel says Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies.
In July last year, Iran said it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish fighters working for Israel who planned to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan.
Iran also blamed Israel for the assassination of its top nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, in 2020, as well as an attack on its underground Natanz nuclear facility in April 2021 that damaged its centrifuges.
Israel has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Israeli officials rarely acknowledge operations carried out by the country’s secret military units or its Mossad intelligence agency.
Iran thwarts drone attack on military site – state media
DUBAI, Jan 29 (Reuters) – A loud explosion at a military plant in Iran’s central city of Isfahan was caused by an “unsuccessful” drone attack, Iranian state media reported on Sunday, citing the defence ministry.
“One of (the drones) was hit by the … air defence and the other two were caught in defence traps and blew up. Fortunately, this unsuccessful attack did not cause any loss of life and caused minor damage to the workshop’s roof,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the state news agency IRNA.
Iranian news agencies earlier reported the loud blast and carried a video showing a flash of light at the plant, said to be an ammunitions factory, and footage of emergency vehicles and fire trucks outside the plant.
In July, Iran said it had arrested a sabotage team made up of Kurdish militants working for Israel who planned to blow up a “sensitive” defence industry centre in Isfahan.
The announcement came amid heightening tensions with arch-enemy Israel over Tehran’s nuclear programme. Israel says Iran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Tehran denies this.
“(The attack) has not affected our installations and mission…and such blind measures will not have an impact on the continuation of the country’s progress,” the defence ministry statement said.
There have been a number of explosions and fires around Iranian military, nuclear and industrial facilities in the past few years.
In 2021, Iran accused Israel of sabotaging its key Natanz nuclear site and vowed revenge for an attack that appeared to be the latest episode in a long-running covert war.
The blasts at sensitive Iranian sites have at times caused concern amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear programme with Israel and the United States.
Israel has long threatened military action against Iran if indirect talks between Washington and Tehran fail to salvage a 2015 nuclear pact.
Reporting by Dubai newsroom; Editing by Daniel Wallis, Cynthia Osterman and Josie Kao
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Fireworks canceled: Megadrought thwarts 4th of July plans in western states over fire fears
“Specific areas that are particularly vulnerable are all the way from Oregon to Mexico. All of California is vulnerable,” Cal Fire Battalion Chief John Heggie said, given the ongoing drought and warm temperatures.
Fire prevention patrols will be out in force to seize of illegal fireworks, and there will be zero tolerance, Heggie added.
A city in Colorado will continue its show
While some areas are canceling their shows, a city in Colorado is choosing to keep with tradition.
Louisville, Colorado, a city northwest of Denver, is hoping to continue its firework show in an effort to prevent wildfires. The city’s website pointed out it is hoping to “reduce the number of illegal private shows” with their display, which is actively monitored by the fire department.
Six months ago, the Marshall fire devastated parts of Boulder County, including Louisville. Burning more than 6,000 acres, the fire reached the golf course where the city will host its firework show Monday.
“We have actually scaled back the firework display this year in order to focus on the community experience leading up to the fireworks,” the city of Louisville’s website noted. “The intent of the celebration is to be inclusive and welcoming to the entire community as we heal from the Marshall fire together.”
On the south side of Denver, another town has chosen to cancel its fireworks show because of the current wildfire danger. Castle Rock, Colorado, has been under Stage 1 fire restrictions since April. Norris Croom, a fire chief in Castle Rock, said the show was not worth the risk.
“We did not want to jeopardize the safety of our community due to an errant firework or debris fallout,” Croom emphasized.
More than half of Colorado is experiencing drought, making the environment very sensitive to wildfires. Only professional, permitted firework displays are allowed in the state, and all other fireworks are considered illegal.
California officials warn about the dangers of fireworks
Another town affected by recent wildfires is opting to do something radically different.
North Lake Tahoe, which went through the Caldor Fire in 2021, will skip fireworks in favor of a drone light display.
“The decision was made in consideration of fire and environmental risks posed by a pyrotechnic fireworks display, shifting a long-standing tradition with an innovative new approach,” a release from the city announced.
However, a traditional fireworks display will go on as planned in South Lake Tahoe, an area evacuated in August because of the Caldor Fire.
Claremont, California, a far eastern suburb of Los Angeles, is replacing its firework show with a free community concert. The city explained in a news release water restrictions due to the ongoing drought played a large role in their decision to cancel.
“Preparation for the fireworks show requires extensive watering in the days leading to the show, accounting for approximately 650,000 gallons of water,” the news release stated.
With a hot and dry holiday weekend ahead, officials in California are reminding residents of the state’s vulnerability to wildfires, given the ongoing drought.
“The reality is that every year we have wildfires started by legal and illegal fireworks,” Heggie acknowledged.
Heggie’s biggest concern is small explosives like bottle rockets and roman candles, and people using “safe and sane” fireworks in areas where they are illegal.
He warned, “Please understand that your good intentions may have devastating effects.”
Pacific Gas and Electric Company is also asking customers to “put safety first” and to follow local rules and regulations regarding fireworks.
New Mexico governor signs an executive order to ban fireworks
The governor of New Mexico, Michelle Lujan Grisham, signed an executive order in late April urging counties, cities, and local governments to consider banning certain fireworks due to “severe drought and fire conditions” across the state.
And as the largest wildfire in New Mexico history continues to burn, cities like Albuquerque are hoping to prevent further devastation.
“Albuquerque has a unique wildland urban interface with open space areas that are in constant threat of fires,” the city fireworks ordinance noted. “These fires would endanger the lives of those who live nearby and many species of wildlife.”
The city has prohibited fireworks in open spaces but has allowed fireworks purchased from retail stores and stands within city limits.
“Read the Warning Label. If it reads ‘WARNING’, it is illegal. If it reads ‘CAUTION’, it is legal.” the fireworks ordinance reads.
Albuquerque has already begun patrolling throughout the city ahead of the holiday. The city warns “those who are caught will be cited and will have a mandatory court appearance.”
Albuquerque will continue its free Freedom Fourth show on the Fourth of July, which includes professional fireworks.
Laser lights in lieu of fireworks
Replacing its traditional firework show, Salt Lake City, Utah, is hosting a Laser Light Night twice in July.
Lynze Twede, an event manager for Salt Lake City Public Lands, said the city council voted to shift the funding from a firework display to an “alternative event” earlier this year.
“[The city council] wanted to make a change and try to be an example to improve our air quality and not contribute to the already high fire danger,” Twede stressed.
Salt Lake City hopes to captivate its audience and entertain people of all ages with the transition to a laser light display hosted on July 2 and July 23.
“People can still come and expect to see an awe-inspiring show. But with this new and innovative way, we’re just lighting up our skies a little differently this year,” Twede added.
Much of western Utah, including Salt Lake City, is under a red flag warning Saturday through Monday “for wind and low relative humidity,” according to the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City.
Strong, southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph are forecast with wind gusts up to 45 mph possible Sunday and Monday afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to decrease through the overnight hours.
And across Arizona, the Pipeline Fire recently forced hundreds of Flagstaffs residents to evacuate. The fire is mostly contained, but Flagstaff’s burn risk remains.
To continue its city’s annual celebration, Flagstaff is hoping to have a safe event utilizing a new laser light show in its historic downtown.
“The shift from traditional fireworks to a laser light show was the responsible action to take due to extreme fire risk with the dry and hot conditions in the Northland,” said Flagstaff City Manager Greg Clifton. “It is extremely important to have a safe celebration and be fire aware.”
The United States Forest Service cautioned fire restrictions can vary from place to place, so it is important to look into local burn bans.
The Arizona-New Mexico border can expect scattered thunderstorms throughout the holiday weekend due to the southwest monsoon, which has improved drought conditions slightly across the two states, but the summer outlook across the West continues to look hot and dry.
Top producer Russia thwarts move to redefine ‘conflict diamonds’
JOHANNESBURG, June 16 (Reuters) – Russia, supported by Belarus, Central African Republic, Kyrgyzstan and Mali, has torpedoed a Western-backed proposal to discuss whether its diamonds are funding war ahead of an international conflict diamond meeting in Botswana, letters seen by Reuters show.
The rift in the Kimberley Process (KP), which certifies rough diamond exports, risks paralyzing the body which makes decisions by consensus.
The letters, which have not been previously reported, show a dispute over a proposal by Ukraine, the European Union, Australia, Britain, Canada, and the United States to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and whether to broaden the KP’s definition of conflict diamonds to include state actors at its June 20-24 meeting in Botswana.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
The United States and Britain have already placed sanctions on Russia’s Alrosa (ALRS.MM), the world’s largest producer of rough diamonds, which accounted for around 30% of global output last year, and is partly state-owned. read more
A draft agenda dated May 20 included an hour-long slot to discuss the issue, but the item was removed after objections from Russia, Belarus, Central African Republic (CAR), Kyrgyzstan, and Mali.
“We find ourselves at an impasse,” Botswana’s KP chair Jacob Thamage told participants – who include 85 nations, industry representatives, and civil society organisations – in a June 9 letter urging them to find common ground.
The KP defines conflict diamonds as gems used to fund rebel movements seeking to undermine legitimate governments.
Officially labelling Russian diamonds “conflict diamonds” would require widening the definition. The KP Civil Society Coalition has been calling for such a change for years, along with some KP member countries.
The certification scheme, designed to eliminate the trade in so-called “blood diamonds”, was set up in 2003 in the wake of devastating civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone, and Liberia, which were largely financed by the illicit diamond trade.
Russia’s KP delegate said in a May 20 letter that the situation in Ukraine has “no implications” for the Kimberley Process and is “absolutely beyond the scope” of its certification scheme.
Belarus, CAR, Kyrgyzstan and Mali all similarly argued that the proposal was “political” or outside the scope of the KP, and that its inclusion on the agenda was inappropriate. All four countries have backed Russia in recent United Nations General Assembly votes.
War-torn CAR is the only country in the world currently under a partial KP embargo for rough diamond exports. Russia, with which it has close trade and security ties, has worked to lift those restrictions.
Mali also has close ties with Russia. Hundreds of Russian military contractors have deployed there since the beginning of this year to help the government fight insurgents.
“If the Kimberley Process is to be a credible guarantor that diamonds exported with a KP certificate are actually conflict-free, it cannot refuse to consider the valid questions that have been raised about whether rough diamonds exported by Russia are financing its invasion of Ukraine,” Canada’s Ioanna Sahas Martin wrote to the KP chair earlier this month.
In a letter to the chair on Monday, Ukraine KP representative Andrii Tkalenko proposed two amendments to the certification scheme: To widen the definition to include government actors, and to allow KP countries, by a majority vote, to expel a country that infringes on another KP member’s sovereignty.
Britain, the European Union and the United States also said Russia should step down from the KP committees it currently chairs. read more
“Inaction would undermine the credibility and integrity of the Kimberley Process not only as a conflict prevention mechanism but also as a trade regulation mechanism,” the European Commission’s Marika Lautso-Mousnier said in a letter.
Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com
Reporting by Helen Reid
Editing by Amran Abocar, Sandra Maler and Mark Potter
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Disney Apologizes After Employee Thwarts Marriage Proposal
In a phone interview on Monday, Ante, 31, who lives near Stuttgart, Germany, and works in I.T., said he and his fiancée, 26, were perplexed and saddened after his proposal was waylaid.
“Disneyland stands for dreams,” he said. “Our moment was destroyed.”
He said that he had been planning the proposal since Christmas, when his fiancée gave him the tickets to Disneyland. In the four years they have been together, Ante added, the magic of Disney has played an important role in their relationship.
Early on in their relationship, he said, he gave her a rose in a glass dome, similar to the enchanted rose in “Beauty and the Beast.” They’ve watched nearly every one of Disney’s films, he said, adding that he had agonized for months over exactly where, how and when to propose.
By the time they got to the theme park, Ante said, he felt he could no longer wait until the fireworks show in the evening. “I was too excited,” he said. Before climbing up to the stage, he said, he whispered into an employee’s ear, asking her for permission.
Disney did not immediately answer questions about whether that was the case, or whether the employee who shunted them off the stage had faced disciplinary action.
In the aftermath of his marred plan, Ante said, he and his fiancée weren’t even sure if she had said yes. He said they had settled on a nearby bench, where he put the ring on her finger, and together, they quietly watched the clip of the proposal on his phone (which he had initially handed to a stranger to film with).