ROME: A DJ from London was escorted off a easyJet flight by armed police in Italy after a fellow passenger told the crew she did not feel safe travelling along with him. Mehary Yemane-Tesfagiorgis, a man of Eritrean heritage, was on his way to Gatwick from Rome, when the flight captain told him he would have to leave the aircraft following a complaint about his behaviour. The 34-year old DJ by profession, endured questioning for more than 15 hours before he was told he was okay to travel. He is now seeking legal advice. A spokesperson from the airlines said they “have to take security-related concerns seriously.”
WhatsApp encryption ‘a blow to surveillance’
WASHINGTON: Whatsapp has announced it has completed a move to fully encrypt all the content within its app, enhancing user privacy. The move comes after the FBI successfully hacked into the iPhone of a terror suspect following Apple's refusal to co-operate in unlocking the device. While previously only text-based messages were sent in one-to-one conversations using Whatsapp were encrypted, now, all content, including voice calls, videos and group conversations across both iOS and Android will be covered by “end-to-end encryption”.
Lanka grants dual citizenship to 1,500 expatriates
COLOMBO: Sri Lankan government has issued dual citizenship certificates to 1,500 expatriates, presented by the Minister of Internal Affairs SB Navinne at a ceremony held at the BMICH. The function was jointly organised by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Northwestern Development and Cultural Affairs and, the Department of Immigration and Emigration. Navinne said the dual citizenship scheme was halted by the previous government. Dual citizenships were granted to expatriates after a lapse of four years. More than 40,000 currently enjoy the provision.
Further probe into Pathankot attack on: Pak
ISLAMABAD: While Pakistan believes the Pathankot airforce base attack was stage-managed by India, Islamabad has announced that further investigations were underway into the attack. It also dutifully pointed out that witnesses from the Indian security forces were not produced before the Joint Investigation Team that had visited India, even though it was allowed to visit the crime scene. Pakistani media has been rife lately with quotes from JIT sources saying the investigators had concluded that the attack was stage-managed by India. In a statement issued by the Pakistan foreign ministry, Islamabad said the JIT's visit to India should be seen in the context of its commitment to effectively fight terrorism in all its forms, adding that further investigations were underway.
Man who shouted ‘jihad’ on flight jailed for 9 months
ALEXANDRIA: A man from New York who required a United Airlines flight to return to northern Virginia's Dulles Airport has been sentenced to nine months in prison. The 36 year old David Patrick Diaz shouted the word “jihad” and rushed to the cockpit saying there was something in the belly of the plane. He pleaded guilty to interfering with a flight crew. In the plane from Dulles to Denver, Colorado, Diaz had to be tackled by a group of passengers to be subdued. His lawyer cited mental illness and alcohol as a cause. He was also ordered to pay $22,000 in restitution to United.
Kerala techie abducted in Libya by rebel forces
NEW DELHI: Yet another Indian is suspected to have been abducted by rebels in war-torn Libya. Media reports say 43 year old Regi Joseph of Kozhikode, Kerala, was kidnapped by anti-government forces from his office at Souk al Jumaa near Libyan national capital Tripoli, on March 31. An infrastructure engineer with Al Diwan Company, Joseph had been living in the country with his wife and three daughters for the last two years. His wife works as nurse in the Tripoli-based TMC hospital, and has sought help from the Indian embassy established there.
Pop star dies of snake bite
KARAWANG: In a tragic incident, a pop star died on stage, mid-performance as she continued to sing for around 45 minutes despite being bitten by a cobra. Irma Bule, who was bitten mid-performance by a cobra, was known for wearing snakes during her acts but the king cobra which she danced with during her last performance had not been defanged, a report said.
Obese flyer booted out of US flight
NEW YORK: A man was forced to undertake a “walk of shame” as he was kicked off a United Airlines flight in Las Vegas owing his overweight. Errol Narvaez claims to have been stranded in the city after he was asked to leave a flight to New Jersey for being too large. “I never want anyone to treat me like that again,” said the 31 year old. He said he had paid for pre-boarding and sat in his newly assigned seat, when he said, a man in his row grabbed a flight attendant and said, “The flight is five hours. I need to be comfortable. I need to be compensated.” He was later asked to leave the plane and, pay for a new flight. “If you do the math, how many people witnessed this? There was about 100 people. Watching me as I'm walking from the back of the plane to the front,” Narvaez alleged.
Five killed as quake rocks Pakistan, Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: A 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit Pakistan, Afghanistan and India on Sunday, leaving five people fatally injured in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Post damage caused by the quake, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed federal, civil, military and provincial rescue and relief agencies to mobilise all resources to ensure safety of the people. North and northwest India was shaken by the natural disaster measuring 6.8 on the Richter Scale. The quake hit came close to the first anniversary of the disastrous Nepal earthquake which had hit last year on April 2, claiming the lives of thousands in the region.
27 militants killed in Afghan air strike
KABUL: Air strikes in Kunduz and Nangarhar province of Afghanistan in the past two days killed at least 27 militants, as per official sources. A series of strikes were conducted against Islamic State loyalists in Achin district of the eastern Nangarhar province which also left 11 people dead. Security forces backed by NATO-led Resolute Support troops also captured 10 Taliban fighters including group commander Mullah Dad Gul in Kunduz, the official added. Dasht-e-Archi and the neighbouring Chardara and Imam Sahib districts have been regarded as Taliban hotbed in the northern Kunduz province.
Two Indian students stabbed to death in Ukraine
NEW DELHI: Two Indian students studying at a medical college in Ukraine were fatally stabbed in attacks carried out by three Ukrainian nationals. The victims have been identified as Pranav Shaindilya from Muzaffarnagar, and Ankur Singh from Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Also hurt was Indrajeet Singh Chauhan from Agra, who was also stabbed but is recuperating in a hospital. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup addressed the incident saying, “In an unfortunate event, three Indian students in Uzhgorod Medical College were stabbed by three Ukrainian nationals at around 3 am in the morning of Sunday, April 10. The embassy has spoken to the families of the two deceased students. All necessary actions are being taken to complete the formalities for sending the two bodies to India.”
Amid furore over Zuma ties, Guptas quit SA firm
JOHANNESBURG: South African beleaguered Gupta family has called to quit their company over increasing calls for a probe into the Indian-origin businessman's alleged influence in the President Jacob Zuma government. The three Gupta brothers- Ajay, Atul and Rajesh, faced pressure for the past few months after several high-ranking members of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), including the current deputy minister of finance, claimed the family offered them government positions, including appointments as ministers. The family has denied all allegations that have been termed as “state capture”. “It is with deep regret and a heavy heart, that following a period of sustained political attack on our family and our businesses, we took the decision yesterday to resign all executive and non-executive positions held in Oakbay Investments, by Gupta family members,” the family said in a statement.
