At least 12 people have killed at Kabul airport since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital city on Sunday.

On Thursday, news agencies reported the statistics, citing both the Taliban and NATO.

The Taliban also advised individuals who did not have the legal authority to fly out of the country to depart the airport on Thursday.&nbsp; 
 
The Islamist militant movement conquered Afghanistan at lightning speed as foreign troops withdrew, surprising even its leaders and leaving them to fill a power vacuum in many places. 
 
Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee Afghanistan since the hardline Islamist militants swept into the capital on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces and ending two decades of war.

Taliban leaders have in recent days repeatedly vowed not to seek revenge against their opponents, while seeking to project an image of tolerance.

They have also sought to portray growing political authority, with Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar returning from exile and other senior figures meeting ex-president Hamid Karzai.

But the United States said Wednesday the Taliban were reneging on pledges to allow Afghans who worked with the United States and its allies out of the country.

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 12 people have killed at Kabul airport since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital city on Sunday. On Thursday, news agencies reported the statistics, citing both the Taliban and NATO.

At least 12 people have killed at Kabul airport since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan's capital city on Sunday. On Thursday, news agencies reported the statistics, citing both the Taliban and NATO. The Taliban also advised individuals who did not have the legal authority to fly out of the country to depart the airport on Thursday. The Islamist militant movement conquered Afghanistan at lightning speed as foreign troops withdrew, surprising even its leaders and leaving them to fill a power vacuum in many places. Tens of thousands of people have tried to flee Afghanistan since the hardline Islamist militants swept into the capital on Sunday, completing a stunning rout of government forces and ending two decades of war. Taliban leaders have in recent days repeatedly vowed not to seek revenge against their opponents, while seeking to project an image of tolerance. They have also sought to portray growing political authority, with Taliban co-founder Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar returning from exile and other senior figures meeting ex-president Hamid Karzai. But the United States said Wednesday the Taliban were reneging on pledges to allow Afghans who worked with the United States and its allies out of the country. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghanistan crisis: 12 people have been killed at Kabul airport since Sunday

In Pics | Kabul airport mobbed as Afghans make a desperate dash to exit

Families&nbsp;and friends were overjoyed at London's&nbsp;Heathrow&nbsp;Airport on Monday after a travel rule change meant they could&nbsp;reunite&nbsp;after 18 months of pandemic separation.

"Very, very excited. It means the world," said Sue Blake, as she waited to greet her son, daughter-in-law and grandson who had flown in from New York and who she last saw two years ago.

"It's a big chunk of his life and I'm so thrilled for him that he can come here," she said of the eight-year-old.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/heathrow-airlines-tell-uk-to-open-up-travel-as-hopes-rise-for-us-visitors-400841">Also read |&nbsp;Heathrow, airlines tell UK to open up travel as hopes rise for US visitors</a>

Watching the&nbsp;hugs&nbsp;and&nbsp;tears&nbsp;in the arrivals hall,&nbsp;Heathrow's boss urged Britain to remove barriers to travel, not add to them, amid speculation that the government was poised to impose more rules.

"Let's just make it easier now for people to travel,"&nbsp;Heathrow's chief executive John Holland-Kaye told Reuters.

Britain, where the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has nearly reached 130,000, reopened its borders to large parts of the world on Monday, scrapping quarantine for fully vaccinated arrivals from the European Union, excluding France, and the United States.

Families and friends were overjoyed at London's Heathrow Airport on Monday after a travel rule change meant they could reunite after 18 months of pandemic separation.

Families and friends were overjoyed at London's Heathrow Airport on Monday after a travel rule change meant they could reunite after 18 months of pandemic separation. "Very, very excited. It means the world," said Sue Blake, as she waited to greet her son, daughter-in-law and grandson who had flown in from New York and who she last saw two years ago. "It's a big chunk of his life and I'm so thrilled for him that he can come here," she said of the eight-year-old. Also read | Heathrow, airlines tell UK to open up travel as hopes rise for US visitors Watching the hugs and tears in the arrivals hall, Heathrow's boss urged Britain to remove barriers to travel, not add to them, amid speculation that the government was poised to impose more rules. "Let's just make it easier now for people to travel," Heathrow's chief executive John Holland-Kaye told Reuters. Britain, where the death toll from the coronavirus pandemic has nearly reached 130,000, reopened its borders to large parts of the world on Monday, scrapping quarantine for fully vaccinated arrivals from the European Union, excluding France, and the United States.

'It means the world': Families and friends reunite at UK's Heathrow

In what could lead to the cancellation of cargo and passenger fights, the airport catering to the&nbsp;second largest metro area of&nbsp;Nevada state in the United States has been&nbsp;facing an acute shortage of&nbsp;jet fuel.&nbsp;

It can result in&nbsp;potential restriction of&nbsp;the flow of tourists and essential goods into the northern part of the state.

In a statement late on Saturday, the political leaders of the state pledged to minimise disruption at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. They also said that they will&nbsp;ensure the aerial fight against Western wildfires isn't hampered.

The passengers have been advised to check with their airline for any delays in order to avoid any kind of inconvenience.

The airport, which is the nearest passenger terminal to Lake Tahoe, also serves Reno, a popular gambling destination.

Gov&nbsp;Steve Sisolak, Sens&nbsp;Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and US Rep&nbsp;Mark Amodei&nbsp;wrote, "To be clear, further failure to secure adequate fuel supplies is unacceptable."

Across the West region in the US, airport officials have been voicing concerns about jet fuel shortages. They have also raised concern of its&nbsp;effect on what is shaping up to be a very busy wildfire season.

The demand for the jet fuel&nbsp;declined sharply and supply chains atrophied during the coronavirus pandemic. As the economy picks up, they are&nbsp;yet to bounce back in the West.

Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority spokeswoman Stacey Sunday, said the Reno airport's shortage is caused by a confluence of factors, including a scarcity of tanker truck drivers and high demand from passenger airlines and firefighting aircraft.

(With inputs from agencies)

In what could lead to the cancellation of cargo and passenger fights, the airport catering to the second largest metro area of Nevada state in the United States has been facing an acute shortage of jet fuel.

In what could lead to the cancellation of cargo and passenger fights, the airport catering to the second largest metro area of Nevada state in the United States has been facing an acute shortage of jet fuel. It can result in potential restriction of the flow of tourists and essential goods into the northern part of the state. In a statement late on Saturday, the political leaders of the state pledged to minimise disruption at the Reno-Tahoe International Airport. They also said that they will ensure the aerial fight against Western wildfires isn't hampered. The passengers have been advised to check with their airline for any delays in order to avoid any kind of inconvenience. The airport, which is the nearest passenger terminal to Lake Tahoe, also serves Reno, a popular gambling destination. Gov Steve Sisolak, Sens Catherine Cortez Masto and Jacky Rosen, and US Rep Mark Amodei wrote, "To be clear, further failure to secure adequate fuel supplies is unacceptable." Across the West region in the US, airport officials have been voicing concerns about jet fuel shortages. They have also raised concern of its effect on what is shaping up to be a very busy wildfire season. The demand for the jet fuel declined sharply and supply chains atrophied during the coronavirus pandemic. As the economy picks up, they are yet to bounce back in the West. Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority spokeswoman Stacey Sunday, said the Reno airport's shortage is caused by a confluence of factors, including a scarcity of tanker truck drivers and high demand from passenger airlines and firefighting aircraft. (With inputs from agencies)

Fuel shortage triggers flight delays at Nevada airport in US

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he would discuss with his US&nbsp;counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday a plan for Turkey to operate and guard Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, adding there was no final decision yet. 
 
Ankara has offered to run and guard the airport after NATO's withdrawal, and has been in talks with allies, namely the United States, on financial, political and logistical support. Security of the airport is key for the operations of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan after the withdrawal. 
 
Speaking to a group of reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Akar said talks on the details of the mission were still underway, and that the airport must be operational so the Afghan government is not isolated from the world following the pullout. 
 
"From making certain decisions at the United Nations, NATO, to reaching an agreement with the Afghan government, as well as political, financial, and logistical support, we are in contact with various countries. Meanwhile, our talks with the Americans also continue," Akar said. "No final decision has been made yet, but our talks continue." 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he would discuss with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday a plan for Turkey to operate and guard Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, adding there was no final decision yet.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said he would discuss with his US counterpart Lloyd Austin on Wednesday a plan for Turkey to operate and guard Kabul's Hamid Karzai airport after the NATO withdrawal from Afghanistan, adding there was no final decision yet. Ankara has offered to run and guard the airport after NATO's withdrawal, and has been in talks with allies, namely the United States, on financial, political and logistical support. Security of the airport is key for the operations of diplomatic missions out of Afghanistan after the withdrawal. Speaking to a group of reporters after a cabinet meeting on Monday, Akar said talks on the details of the mission were still underway, and that the airport must be operational so the Afghan government is not isolated from the world following the pullout. "From making certain decisions at the United Nations, NATO, to reaching an agreement with the Afghan government, as well as political, financial, and logistical support, we are in contact with various countries. Meanwhile, our talks with the Americans also continue," Akar said. "No final decision has been made yet, but our talks continue." (With inputs from agencies)

Turkish, US defence ministers to discuss Kabul airport plan on Wednesday

Dubai's state&nbsp;airport&nbsp;operator is hoping for a "flood" of travellers as the&nbsp;coronavirus&nbsp;pandemic eases, targeting&nbsp;passenger&nbsp;traffic through&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;International&nbsp;Airport&nbsp;to grow 8% to 28 million this year as demand rebuilds.

Terminal 1 is reopening this Thursday after a 15-month closure. Operations were consolidated through Terminals 2 and 3 last year as the pandemic took hold.

"People think it will trickle back. I don't believe that. I believe it will be an absolute flood of demand when people get the confidence to travel again,"&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths told Reuters on Sunday.

The&nbsp;airport, one of the world's busiest, could see over 40 million&nbsp;passengers this year if it was "really, really lucky," Griffiths said, though it was likely to be somewhere between 24.7 million and 34.3 million.

"We're comfortable with that mid-range of about 28 (million)."

Terminal 1 has an annual&nbsp;passenger&nbsp;capacity of 18 million, while the entire&nbsp;airport&nbsp;can handle up to 100 million.

Griffiths estimated the terminal's reopening would result in 3,500 additional jobs at the&nbsp;airport, including those working in retail, hospitality, security and immigration.

By the autumn, 90% of the 260 destinations served from&nbsp;Dubai&nbsp;airport&nbsp;prior to the pandemic could be restored, Griffiths said, up from 63% today.

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Dubai&nbsp;announced on Saturday some restrictions on&nbsp;passengers flying from India, South Africa and Nigeria would ease from Wednesday.

The&nbsp;airport&nbsp;handled 5.75 million&nbsp;passengers in the first quarter, a 67.8% fall compared to the same quarter in 2020 before the pandemic halted traffic.

In 2020,&nbsp;passenger&nbsp;traffic plummeted 70% to 25.9 million from 86.4 million in 2019. The&nbsp;airport&nbsp;is the base of state carriers Emirates and flydubai&nbsp;whose entire operations are&nbsp;international&nbsp;flights.

Over a two-week period starting Thursday, 66 foreign airlines will move from Terminal 2 and 3 to Terminal 1.

Terminal 3, where Emirates operates from, will continue to operate with two of its three concourses for the time being.

Dubai's second&nbsp;airport, Al Maktoum&nbsp;International, will also remain closed to commercial&nbsp;passenger&nbsp;flights.

Dubai's state airport operator is hoping for a "flood" of travellers as the coronavirus pandemic eases, targeting passenger traffic through Dubai International Airport to grow 8% to 28 million this year as demand rebuilds.

Dubai's state airport operator is hoping for a "flood" of travellers as the coronavirus pandemic eases, targeting passenger traffic through Dubai International Airport to grow 8% to 28 million this year as demand rebuilds. Terminal 1 is reopening this Thursday after a 15-month closure. Operations were consolidated through Terminals 2 and 3 last year as the pandemic took hold. "People think it will trickle back. I don't believe that. I believe it will be an absolute flood of demand when people get the confidence to travel again," Dubai Airports Chief Executive Paul Griffiths told Reuters on Sunday. The airport, one of the world's busiest, could see over 40 million passengers this year if it was "really, really lucky," Griffiths said, though it was likely to be somewhere between 24.7 million and 34.3 million. "We're comfortable with that mid-range of about 28 (million)." Terminal 1 has an annual passenger capacity of 18 million, while the entire airport can handle up to 100 million. Griffiths estimated the terminal's reopening would result in 3,500 additional jobs at the airport, including those working in retail, hospitality, security and immigration. By the autumn, 90% of the 260 destinations served from Dubai airport prior to the pandemic could be restored, Griffiths said, up from 63% today. Also Read | Biden to host Israeli President Rivlin on June 28: White House Dubai announced on Saturday some restrictions on passengers flying from India, South Africa and Nigeria would ease from Wednesday. The airport handled 5.75 million passengers in the first quarter, a 67.8% fall compared to the same quarter in 2020 before the pandemic halted traffic. In 2020, passenger traffic plummeted 70% to 25.9 million from 86.4 million in 2019. The airport is the base of state carriers Emirates and flydubai whose entire operations are international flights. Over a two-week period starting Thursday, 66 foreign airlines will move from Terminal 2 and 3 to Terminal 1. Terminal 3, where Emirates operates from, will continue to operate with two of its three concourses for the time being. Dubai's second airport, Al Maktoum International, will also remain closed to commercial passenger flights.

Dubai airport targets 28 million passengers this year, CEO says

Foreign forces should hold 'no hope' of keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the US and NATO withdraw troops, the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;said Saturday, warning the security of embassies and airports would be the responsibility of Afghans.

It comes as western diplomats and military officials scramble to work out how to provide security for any future civilian presence they keep in the country.

Turkey has reportedly said it is prepared to keep troops in Afghanistan to protect Kabul airport, the main exit route for western diplomats and humanitarian workers.&nbsp;

"Every inch of Afghan soil, its airports and security of foreign embassies and diplomatic offices is the responsibility of the Afghans, consequently no one should hold out hope of keeping military or security presence in our country," a statement issued by the&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;on Saturday said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/intense-iran-nuclear-talks-resume-as-germany-calls-for-rapid-progress-391080">Also Read |&nbsp;'Intense' Iran nuclear talks resume as Germany calls for rapid progress</a>

"If anyone does make such a mistake, the Afghan people and the Islamic Emirate shall view them as occupiers and shall take a stance against them," it added.

The United States is in the final stages of completing a military drawdown, alongside NATO forces, by September 11 -- twenty years after they invaded Afghanistan and toppled the&nbsp;Taliban.

The decision to end America's longest war has raised fears that an emboldened&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;could topple the Western-backed government in Kabul.&nbsp;

The possibility of keeping troops in Afghanistan is expected to be discussed during a meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels on Monday.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last month the alliance would provide funding to help run Kabul airport and train Afghanistan's special forces after it had left.

Turkish media later reported that Ankara was willing to maintain a presence in the country, including at the country's main gateway, if NATO provided financial support.

The&nbsp;Taliban&nbsp;has attempted to calm foreign missions by saying they could "continue their operations as usual", after Australia closed its embassy citing an "increasingly uncertain security environment".

The militants have in recent weeks made territorial gains in and around the country, including in provinces close to the capital.

On Saturday, at least seven civilians were killed in two separate explosions in the city, the Interior Ministry said, the latest in a series of bombings targeting buses.&nbsp;

Foreign forces should hold 'no hope' of keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the US and NATO withdraw troops, the Taliban said Saturday, warning the security of embassies and airports would be the responsibility of Afghans.

Foreign forces should hold 'no hope' of keeping a military presence in Afghanistan after the US and NATO withdraw troops, the Taliban said Saturday, warning the security of embassies and airports would be the responsibility of Afghans. It comes as western diplomats and military officials scramble to work out how to provide security for any future civilian presence they keep in the country. Turkey has reportedly said it is prepared to keep troops in Afghanistan to protect Kabul airport, the main exit route for western diplomats and humanitarian workers. "Every inch of Afghan soil, its airports and security of foreign embassies and diplomatic offices is the responsibility of the Afghans, consequently no one should hold out hope of keeping military or security presence in our country," a statement issued by the Taliban on Saturday said. Also Read | 'Intense' Iran nuclear talks resume as Germany calls for rapid progress "If anyone does make such a mistake, the Afghan people and the Islamic Emirate shall view them as occupiers and shall take a stance against them," it added. The United States is in the final stages of completing a military drawdown, alongside NATO forces, by September 11 -- twenty years after they invaded Afghanistan and toppled the Taliban. The decision to end America's longest war has raised fears that an emboldened Taliban could topple the Western-backed government in Kabul. The possibility of keeping troops in Afghanistan is expected to be discussed during a meeting of NATO leaders in Brussels on Monday. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said last month the alliance would provide funding to help run Kabul airport and train Afghanistan's special forces after it had left. Turkish media later reported that Ankara was willing to maintain a presence in the country, including at the country's main gateway, if NATO provided financial support. The Taliban has attempted to calm foreign missions by saying they could "continue their operations as usual", after Australia closed its embassy citing an "increasingly uncertain security environment". The militants have in recent weeks made territorial gains in and around the country, including in provinces close to the capital. On Saturday, at least seven civilians were killed in two separate explosions in the city, the Interior Ministry said, the latest in a series of bombings targeting buses.

Taliban says security of airports, embassies to be 'Afghan responsibility'

The United States believes keeping an international diplomatic presence in Kabul requires a 'functioning, secure' airport, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday, suggesting that embassies could be forced to close without one. 
 
The statement came a day after a Taliban spokesman effectively rejected Turkey's proposal that its troops remain to guard and run the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the departure of the rest of the US-led foreign force. 
 
The Taliban's position poses serious questions for the United States, other countries and international organisations with missions in Kabul about how to evacuate personnel from landlocked Afghanistan should fighting threaten the capital. 
 
"We underscore that a functioning, secure airport is essential to any international diplomatic presence and will benefit Afghan travellers and the Afghan economy," the State Department spokesperson said in response to the Taliban statement. 
 
The spokesperson declined to elaborate. But their comment appeared to be a message to the Islamist Taliban that unless countries with embassies in Kabul feel that their diplomats can safely access a functioning airport, they could close their missions. 
 
US&nbsp;officials have said they believe the insurgents seek international legitimacy and an end to their pariah status. 
 
Australia shuttered its embassy in Kabul last month because of security concerns. US&nbsp;Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week vowed to keep the US&nbsp;embassy open. 
 
President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from America's longest war, stalled peace talks and unrelenting violence are fueling fears that Afghanistan is headed into an all-out civil war that could return the Taliban to power. 
 
Biden is expected to discuss the issue when he holds talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels on Monday. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The United States believes keeping an international diplomatic presence in Kabul requires a 'functioning, secure' airport, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday, suggesting that embassies could be forced to close without one.

The United States believes keeping an international diplomatic presence in Kabul requires a 'functioning, secure' airport, a State Department spokesperson said on Friday, suggesting that embassies could be forced to close without one. The statement came a day after a Taliban spokesman effectively rejected Turkey's proposal that its troops remain to guard and run the Hamid Karzai International Airport after the departure of the rest of the US-led foreign force. The Taliban's position poses serious questions for the United States, other countries and international organisations with missions in Kabul about how to evacuate personnel from landlocked Afghanistan should fighting threaten the capital. "We underscore that a functioning, secure airport is essential to any international diplomatic presence and will benefit Afghan travellers and the Afghan economy," the State Department spokesperson said in response to the Taliban statement. The spokesperson declined to elaborate. But their comment appeared to be a message to the Islamist Taliban that unless countries with embassies in Kabul feel that their diplomats can safely access a functioning airport, they could close their missions. US officials have said they believe the insurgents seek international legitimacy and an end to their pariah status. Australia shuttered its embassy in Kabul last month because of security concerns. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken this week vowed to keep the US embassy open. President Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from America's longest war, stalled peace talks and unrelenting violence are fueling fears that Afghanistan is headed into an all-out civil war that could return the Taliban to power. Biden is expected to discuss the issue when he holds talks with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Brussels on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

US says diplomatic presence in Kabul requires 'functioning, secure airport'

A rocket attack on Wednesday evening targeting Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are posted, was carried out with a "booby-trapped drone", a security official told AFP -- a technique increasingly used by pro-Iran groups.

A rocket attack on Wednesday evening targeting Baghdad airport, where US soldiers are posted, was carried out with a "booby-trapped drone", a security official told AFP -- a technique increasingly used by pro-Iran groups. Also Read | Two drones intercepted, shot down over Iraqi air base: Military An hour earlier five rockets had targeted an airbase to the north where US sub-contractors operate, another security source said.

Baghdad airport attack carried out with 'booby-trapped drone'

Thailand witnesses a surge in COVID cases.

Bangkok airport turned into a vaccination centre

A new study has found that domestic travel bans to control Covid infections may be inadvisable as India battles a severe second wave of the deadly virus.

Depending on their duration, these restrictions can lead to more rather than fewer infections overall, especially when there is a large urban-rural migrant population, it indicated.

As India battles a severe second wave of COVID-19, state governments are once again faced with the question: Should they use travel bans to control disease transmission?

In the first wave of COVID-19, most states chose this option. The hardships faced by migrant workers prevented them from returning home to their villages were seen as a necessary sacrifice to reduce the spread of disease into rural India.

In the second wave, the Delhi government has urged migrants not to leave. Other cities may follow suit. A new research paper by academics at the University of Chicago suggests that imposing travel bans can counter-intuitively increase the total spread of the disease, creating a lose-lose situation.

This outcome occurs when a country has a large migrant population that is prevented from leaving an urban hotspot and returning to rural areas. The researchers show that if the net effect of a travel ban is to delay the movement of these people, rather than prevent it entirely, the policy can lead to more cases overall.

The paper uses detailed data on rural-urban migration, travel ban policies, and COVID-19 cases to show that this lose-lose outcome occurred in India during the first wave, due to travel bans imposed on migrants wishing to leave Mumbai.

Elaborating on the findings, Anant Sudarshan, South Asia Director of The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago and one of the study authors, said: "The national lockdown in the first wave trapped millions of migrants inside big cities like Mumbai that were fast-growing coronavirus hotspots.

"Eventually people were able to leave, but variations in government policy meant that the length of time they were detained depended on where they wanted to go. In the case of rural districts where people could return quicker—using the Shramik Special Trains for example—cases rose modestly at the destination.

"But for those areas where bans were in effect longer, there was a much more intensive coronavirus increase, likely because the returning population was now more likely to be infected, having been trapped in the hotspot longer."

Apart from Mumbai, the paper further analyses data from five other countries where migration is prevalent—China, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, and Kenya.

Together these countries comprise roughly 40% of the global population and all of them had initial outbreaks in a few hotspot locations.

The researchers used epidemiological data, migration data, and information on travel bans from all these countries to show that although exceptionally long bans may work to reduce total cases, moderate durations are associated with significant increases in disease spread.

Fiona Burlig, Assistant Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, one of the co-authors of the study, adds: "The evidence indicates that if the duration of a travel ban is not long enough, we may end up imposing hardship on people while perversely seeing more spread of infection.

"Getting the duration wrong is easy because it is not possible to predict in advance what the optimal length should be, and in a democracy, such restrictions cannot be easily sustained. There may be merit in letting people go home early, and indeed encouraging them to do so, rather than forcing them to stay."

(With inputs from agencies)

A new study has found that domestic travel bans to control Covid infections may be inadvisable as India battles a severe second wave of the deadly virus. Depending on their duration, these restrictions can lead to more rather than fewer infections overall, especially when there is a large urban-rural migrant population, it indicated.

A new study has found that domestic travel bans to control Covid infections may be inadvisable as India battles a severe second wave of the deadly virus. Depending on their duration, these restrictions can lead to more rather than fewer infections overall, especially when there is a large urban-rural migrant population, it indicated. As India battles a severe second wave of COVID-19, state governments are once again faced with the question: Should they use travel bans to control disease transmission? In the first wave of COVID-19, most states chose this option. The hardships faced by migrant workers prevented them from returning home to their villages were seen as a necessary sacrifice to reduce the spread of disease into rural India. In the second wave, the Delhi government has urged migrants not to leave. Other cities may follow suit. A new research paper by academics at the University of Chicago suggests that imposing travel bans can counter-intuitively increase the total spread of the disease, creating a lose-lose situation. This outcome occurs when a country has a large migrant population that is prevented from leaving an urban hotspot and returning to rural areas. The researchers show that if the net effect of a travel ban is to delay the movement of these people, rather than prevent it entirely, the policy can lead to more cases overall. The paper uses detailed data on rural-urban migration, travel ban policies, and COVID-19 cases to show that this lose-lose outcome occurred in India during the first wave, due to travel bans imposed on migrants wishing to leave Mumbai. Elaborating on the findings, Anant Sudarshan, South Asia Director of The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago and one of the study authors, said: "The national lockdown in the first wave trapped millions of migrants inside big cities like Mumbai that were fast-growing coronavirus hotspots. "Eventually people were able to leave, but variations in government policy meant that the length of time they were detained depended on where they wanted to go. In the case of rural districts where people could return quicker—using the Shramik Special Trains for example—cases rose modestly at the destination. "But for those areas where bans were in effect longer, there was a much more intensive coronavirus increase, likely because the returning population was now more likely to be infected, having been trapped in the hotspot longer." Apart from Mumbai, the paper further analyses data from five other countries where migration is prevalent—China, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Africa, and Kenya. Together these countries comprise roughly 40% of the global population and all of them had initial outbreaks in a few hotspot locations. The researchers used epidemiological data, migration data, and information on travel bans from all these countries to show that although exceptionally long bans may work to reduce total cases, moderate durations are associated with significant increases in disease spread. Fiona Burlig, Assistant Professor at the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago, one of the co-authors of the study, adds: "The evidence indicates that if the duration of a travel ban is not long enough, we may end up imposing hardship on people while perversely seeing more spread of infection. "Getting the duration wrong is easy because it is not possible to predict in advance what the optimal length should be, and in a democracy, such restrictions cannot be easily sustained. There may be merit in letting people go home early, and indeed encouraging them to do so, rather than forcing them to stay." (With inputs from agencies)

Domestic travel curbs can lead to more COVID-19 cases: Study

E484K is the new variant of coronavirus which is found in Japan. Variants of this new strain is claimed to have come from overseas while 2 fresh cases also have been found at the airport. Talking about COVID-19, Japan has till now 400,000 cases of the epidemic and over 7000 deaths.

Japan: New Strain of COVID-19 found at the airport

An Indian-origin California man, Aditya Singh, has been detained for hiding out at Chicago's&nbsp;O'Hare International Airport for nearly three months claiming he was too afraid of getting exposed to the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus.</a>

Singh, a 36-year-old man, has now been detained by the local authorities on charges of&nbsp;felony criminal trespass in a restricted area of the airport and&nbsp;misdemeanor theft, as per the prosecutors.

As per the officials, Singh had arrived at the O'Hare airport on October 19 and hid out in the airport's&nbsp;security zone ever since without being found.&nbsp;Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz, who presided over the case, could not register the facts as true, due to the shocking nature of the incident.

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"So if I understand you correctly,” Ortiz said, “you’re telling me that an unauthorized, nonemployee individual was allegedly living within a secure part of the O’Hare airport terminal from Oct. 19, 2020, to Jan. 16, 2021, and was not detected? I want to understand you correctly," Ortiz said.

After three months of successful hiding, Singh was caught in the act when two employees of the United Airlines approached and questioned him, demanding his identity card. Singh, slyly, showcased the&nbsp;airport ID badge that he was wearing. This badge was later identified to be of an&nbsp;operations manager, who had reported it to be missing on October 26.

The United Airlines employees, on identifying the incident, informed the police, who then took him into custody within hours from the&nbsp;Terminal 2 near Gate F12 of the airport.

With a master's degree in hospitality, Singh has a clear record and has had no reported criminal incidents, according to the&nbsp;Assistant Public Defender Courtney Smallwood. He has been reported to be unemployed and a current residence of&nbsp;Los Angeles suburb of Orange.

Singh has been asked to pay&nbsp;$1,000 as a release fees and has been put under a permanent 'no entry' list from this airport.

"The court finds these facts and circumstances quite shocking for the alleged period of time that this occurred," Judge Oritz said. "Being in a secured part of the airport under a fake ID badge allegedly, based upon the need for airports to be absolutely secure so that people feel safe to travel, I do find those alleged actions do make him a danger to the community."

An Indian-origin California man, Aditya Singh, has been detained for hiding out at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for nearly three months claiming he was too afraid of getting exposed to the deadly coronavirus.

An Indian-origin California man, Aditya Singh, has been detained for hiding out at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport for nearly three months claiming he was too afraid of getting exposed to the deadly coronavirus. Singh, a 36-year-old man, has now been detained by the local authorities on charges of felony criminal trespass in a restricted area of the airport and misdemeanor theft, as per the prosecutors. As per the officials, Singh had arrived at the O'Hare airport on October 19 and hid out in the airport's security zone ever since without being found. Cook County Judge Susana Ortiz, who presided over the case, could not register the facts as true, due to the shocking nature of the incident. Also read| Virgin Galactic launches 10 satellites to orbit in landmark test flight "So if I understand you correctly,” Ortiz said, “you’re telling me that an unauthorized, nonemployee individual was allegedly living within a secure part of the O’Hare airport terminal from Oct. 19, 2020, to Jan. 16, 2021, and was not detected? I want to understand you correctly," Ortiz said. After three months of successful hiding, Singh was caught in the act when two employees of the United Airlines approached and questioned him, demanding his identity card. Singh, slyly, showcased the airport ID badge that he was wearing. This badge was later identified to be of an operations manager, who had reported it to be missing on October 26. The United Airlines employees, on identifying the incident, informed the police, who then took him into custody within hours from the Terminal 2 near Gate F12 of the airport. With a master's degree in hospitality, Singh has a clear record and has had no reported criminal incidents, according to the Assistant Public Defender Courtney Smallwood. He has been reported to be unemployed and a current residence of Los Angeles suburb of Orange. Singh has been asked to pay $1,000 as a release fees and has been put under a permanent 'no entry' list from this airport. "The court finds these facts and circumstances quite shocking for the alleged period of time that this occurred," Judge Oritz said. "Being in a secured part of the airport under a fake ID badge allegedly, based upon the need for airports to be absolutely secure so that people feel safe to travel, I do find those alleged actions do make him a danger to the community."

Indian-origin man hides at airport for three months fearing exposure to COVID-19

Explosion rocks Yemen's Aden airport. According to reports at least 2 explosion and gunfire heard as cabinet members will leaving the aircraft. At least 26 people dead and dozens injured in the attack.

Blasts at Yemen airport as new unity government arrived

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday issued guidelines for airlines, airports, air passengers and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of domestic passenger flight operations from May 25 amid the coronavirus lockdown.

According to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), passengers must have the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones which has to be verified by CISF or airport staff at the entry gate. However, Aarogya Setu app is not mandatory for children below 14 years of age.

Social distancing, usage of authorised taxis for commute and more usage of digital payments are some of the norms laid out by the ministry.&nbsp;

Following is the detailed list of guidelines by the&nbsp;civil aviation ministry:&nbsp;

 
Do's

<ul>
	<li>Social Distancing and Minimum touch</li>
	<li>Agreeing to the self-declaration form</li>
	<li>Registering on the Aarogya Setu App</li>
	<li>Digital payments</li>
	<li>Use of authorized taxis</li>
	<li>Baggage limitations- Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag allowed</li>
	<li>Ensure web check-in and obtain a boarding pass</li>
	<li>Passenger to download the baggage/tag baggage identification number, print it and affix it on the bag at a prominent place</li>
	<li>In case the passenger is not able to print the baggage tag, then he/she should mention the PNY number, and his/her name on a thick piece of paper and affix it or tag it with a strong string.</li>
	<li>Before entering the terminal, passenger to ensure that he/she is wearing a mask</li>
	<li>Airlines to inform passengers reporting time at the airport is at least two hours before the scheduled time for flight's departure.</li>
</ul>

Dont's

<ul>
	<li>Passenger should not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone</li>
	<li>Passenger should not travel if he/she has been tested positive for COVID-19</li>
	<li>Vulnerable persons such as pregnant women, very elderly, passengers with ailments are advised to avoid travel</li>
	<li>Passenger to board the aircraft in a sequential manner</li>
	<li>Passenger advised minimizing the use of the lavatory</li>
	<li>No queuing on planes for bathrooms, only one companion with children and elderly</li>
	<li>No meals to be served, passengers cannot bring their food. &nbsp;Water bottles kept on every seat</li>
	<li>No newspapers/magazines allowed on board</li>
	<li>Upon arrival, passengers to wait with social distancing for baggage to arrive</li>
</ul>

Other important instructions for air passengers

<ul>
	<li>If a passenger who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey he/she shall be liable for penal action</li>
	<li>The airlines shall ensure that the boarding pass is issued only after the passenger confirms to all required declarations</li>
	<li>In case of a PNR having more than one passenger, the declaration would be deemed to be covering all the passengers mentioned in the PNR</li>
</ul>

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday issued guidelines for airlines, airports, air passengers and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of domestic passenger flight operations from May 25 amid the coronavirus lockdown.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday issued guidelines for airlines, airports, air passengers and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of domestic passenger flight operations from May 25 amid the coronavirus lockdown. According to the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), passengers must have the Aarogya Setu app on their mobile phones which has to be verified by CISF or airport staff at the entry gate. However, Aarogya Setu app is not mandatory for children below 14 years of age. Social distancing, usage of authorised taxis for commute and more usage of digital payments are some of the norms laid out by the ministry. Following is the detailed list of guidelines by the civil aviation ministry: Do's Social Distancing and Minimum touch Agreeing to the self-declaration form Registering on the Aarogya Setu App Digital payments Use of authorized taxis Baggage limitations- Only one check-in bag and one cabin bag allowed Ensure web check-in and obtain a boarding pass Passenger to download the baggage/tag baggage identification number, print it and affix it on the bag at a prominent place In case the passenger is not able to print the baggage tag, then he/she should mention the PNY number, and his/her name on a thick piece of paper and affix it or tag it with a strong string. Before entering the terminal, passenger to ensure that he/she is wearing a mask Airlines to inform passengers reporting time at the airport is at least two hours before the scheduled time for flight's departure. Dont's Passenger should not travel if he/she is staying in a containment zone Passenger should not travel if he/she has been tested positive for COVID-19 Vulnerable persons such as pregnant women, very elderly, passengers with ailments are advised to avoid travel Passenger to board the aircraft in a sequential manner Passenger advised minimizing the use of the lavatory No queuing on planes for bathrooms, only one companion with children and elderly No meals to be served, passengers cannot bring their food. Water bottles kept on every seat No newspapers/magazines allowed on board Upon arrival, passengers to wait with social distancing for baggage to arrive Other important instructions for air passengers If a passenger who is not permitted to fly, undertakes an air journey he/she shall be liable for penal action The airlines shall ensure that the boarding pass is issued only after the passenger confirms to all required declarations In case of a PNR having more than one passenger, the declaration would be deemed to be covering all the passengers mentioned in the PNR

Domestic flights resume from May 25: Here are the dos and don'ts for flyers

Over the past 4 days, three globe master cargo plains of the US Air Force arrived in India. Marine One is a part of cargo plains. Trump will use Marine One to fly from the stadium to the airport.

Trump's security equipment arrives in India

A futuristic<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beijings-new-multi-billion-dollar-starfish-airport-set-to-open-in-september-231977"> new airport </a>in Beijing, which is expected to become one of the busiest in the world, was opened by President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

Xi declared the starfish-shaped airport open in brief remarks at a ceremony inside the huge terminal, days before the country holds a grand celebration to mark 70 years of Communist rule.

Located 46 kilometres south of Tiananmen Square, the Beijing Daxing International Airport will operate at full capacity in 2040, with eight runways and the potential to receive 100 million passengers per year.

The airport is seen as a fitting embodiment of the "Chinese dream" Xi has offered his fellow citizens.&nbsp;

Both foreign and domestic carriers have announced plans to move their operations to the new airport.

British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Finnair have already announced their new routes to Daxing to tap the potential of the&nbsp;new aviation hub.

The SkyTeam alliance, which includes Delta, Air France, and Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), was expected to move over to the new airport, along with their partners Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines.&nbsp;Delta and Air France said that the decision to whether move airports had not yet been made.

The third-largest Chinese airline, Air China, is expected to keep flying the bulk of its flights from Beijing Capital International Airport.

"Switching airports can be a complex decision for airlines," said aviation analyst John Strickland.&nbsp;

"Airlines would prefer to see a new airport open and overcome teething problems before moving services from another well tried and tested airport", he added.

The maiden flight from the airport is scheduled at 0730 GMT, according to Chinese flight tracking app Umetrip.

Soaring Growth

At 700,000 square metres - about the size of 100 football pitches - the new structure will be one of the world's largest airport terminals.

The building was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who died in 2016.

Inside, it stands out for its flowing, curved lines and the use of natural light that filters down to the lowest levels of the building through the openings on the roof.

Underneath the terminal is a train station and a metro line that will allow travellers to reach the city centre in 20 minutes.

The project cost $17.5 billion.

At full capacity, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/beijing-new-airport-starts-test-flights-on-monday-218368">Daxing</a> would be the world's largest single terminal in terms of traveller capacity, according to its designers.

Atlanta airport in the United States -&nbsp;the world's busiest airport - can receive more than a hundred million passengers but across two terminals.

The current Beijing Capital International Airport - the world's second-largest -&nbsp;is already overflowing, with just over 100 million passengers annually.&nbsp;

"Daxing is an extension of the phenomenal growth of the aviation market in China," said Shukor Yusof, head of Malaysia-based aviation consultancy Endau Analytics.

Air transport is booming in China as living standards increase along with peoples' desire to travel.

It is expected to surpass the US to become the world's biggest aviation market by the mid-2020s, according to the International Air Transport Association.&nbsp;

By 2037 the country will have 1.6 billion plane journeys each year -&nbsp;a billion more than in 2017, the organisation estimates.

A futuristic new airport in Beijing, which is expected to become one of the busiest in the world, was opened by President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. Xi declared the starfish-shaped airport open in brief remarks at a ceremony inside the huge terminal, days before the country holds a grand celebration to mark 70 years of Communist rule.

A futuristic new airport in Beijing, which is expected to become one of the busiest in the world, was opened by President Xi Jinping on Wednesday. Xi declared the starfish-shaped airport open in brief remarks at a ceremony inside the huge terminal, days before the country holds a grand celebration to mark 70 years of Communist rule. Located 46 kilometres south of Tiananmen Square, the Beijing Daxing International Airport will operate at full capacity in 2040, with eight runways and the potential to receive 100 million passengers per year. The airport is seen as a fitting embodiment of the "Chinese dream" Xi has offered his fellow citizens. Both foreign and domestic carriers have announced plans to move their operations to the new airport. British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Finnair have already announced their new routes to Daxing to tap the potential of the new aviation hub. The SkyTeam alliance, which includes Delta, Air France, and Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM), was expected to move over to the new airport, along with their partners Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. Delta and Air France said that the decision to whether move airports had not yet been made. The third-largest Chinese airline, Air China, is expected to keep flying the bulk of its flights from Beijing Capital International Airport. "Switching airports can be a complex decision for airlines," said aviation analyst John Strickland. "Airlines would prefer to see a new airport open and overcome teething problems before moving services from another well tried and tested airport", he added. The maiden flight from the airport is scheduled at 0730 GMT, according to Chinese flight tracking app Umetrip. Soaring Growth At 700,000 square metres - about the size of 100 football pitches - the new structure will be one of the world's largest airport terminals. The building was designed by Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid, who died in 2016. Inside, it stands out for its flowing, curved lines and the use of natural light that filters down to the lowest levels of the building through the openings on the roof. Underneath the terminal is a train station and a metro line that will allow travellers to reach the city centre in 20 minutes. The project cost $17.5 billion. At full capacity, Daxing would be the world's largest single terminal in terms of traveller capacity, according to its designers. Atlanta airport in the United States - the world's busiest airport - can receive more than a hundred million passengers but across two terminals. The current Beijing Capital International Airport - the world's second-largest - is already overflowing, with just over 100 million passengers annually. "Daxing is an extension of the phenomenal growth of the aviation market in China," said Shukor Yusof, head of Malaysia-based aviation consultancy Endau Analytics. Air transport is booming in China as living standards increase along with peoples' desire to travel. It is expected to surpass the US to become the world's biggest aviation market by the mid-2020s, according to the International Air Transport Association. By 2037 the country will have 1.6 billion plane journeys each year - a billion more than in 2017, the organisation estimates.

Beijing futuristic airport opens ahead of China's 70th anniversary

In three separate cases read over Sunday and Monday, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 5.1 kg of gold worth 2 crores that were hidden by passengers&nbsp;in their personal effects.

Five members have been arrested in connection with these cases, including a person who was waiting outside the arrival lounge to collect the goods.&nbsp;

On Monday, based on information Salim, 40, of Ernakulam(Kerala) who had arrived by AirAsia flight FD 153 from Bangkok was intercepted at the exit on suspicion of carrying gold. He appeared to be walking in a suspicious manner and when questioned he gave evasive replies. On frisking him and his baggage, two gold cut bars which were wrapped with adhesive tape weighing 1 Kg, valued at Rs. 39 lakhs were found concealed in his socks. The bars were recovered and seized under the Customs Act 1962.

On questioning, he informed that the gold was to be handed over to an unknown person outside the airport. He was taken out of the airport and when one person approached him to take delivery, he was apprehended.

A senior customs official told WION, “People who come to collect the goods tend to escape, but this time around we have nabbed him. We have also learnt that the kingpin is based out of Kerala and are working on nabbing him as well. We have seized gold in larger volume as well, but this is higher than the usual recovery which amounts to a few lakhs."

In another case on Monday, based on inputs, a family of three Ashraf Ali, 59, Saira Banu, 50 and their son Mohammed Salih, 23, from Chennai who had arrived by same flight were intercepted at the exit. On personal search, 10 zip lock pouches containing rubbery material were recovered, concealed inside their innerwear. On extraction 2.5 gold valued at Rs. 97 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the parents were arrested.

On Sunday, based on an information one Saidalavi Kunnathodi, 51 of Malappuram (Kerala), who arrived from Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways Flight EY238 was intercepted at the exit. His checked-in baggage was taken up for examination. A water motor pump was found inside his baggage. On dismantling the pump a cylindrical gold bar weighing 1.64 Kg valued at Rs 64 lakhs was found concealed inside the rotor portion of the motor. The gold was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the passenger was arrested. 
&nbsp;

In three separate cases read over Sunday and Monday, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 5.1 kg of gold worth 2 crores that were hidden by passengers in their personal effects.

In three separate cases read over Sunday and Monday, customs officials at Chennai airport seized 5.1 kg of gold worth 2 crores that were hidden by passengers in their personal effects. Five members have been arrested in connection with these cases, including a person who was waiting outside the arrival lounge to collect the goods. On Monday, based on information Salim, 40, of Ernakulam(Kerala) who had arrived by AirAsia flight FD 153 from Bangkok was intercepted at the exit on suspicion of carrying gold. He appeared to be walking in a suspicious manner and when questioned he gave evasive replies. On frisking him and his baggage, two gold cut bars which were wrapped with adhesive tape weighing 1 Kg, valued at Rs. 39 lakhs were found concealed in his socks. The bars were recovered and seized under the Customs Act 1962. On questioning, he informed that the gold was to be handed over to an unknown person outside the airport. He was taken out of the airport and when one person approached him to take delivery, he was apprehended. A senior customs official told WION, “People who come to collect the goods tend to escape, but this time around we have nabbed him. We have also learnt that the kingpin is based out of Kerala and are working on nabbing him as well. We have seized gold in larger volume as well, but this is higher than the usual recovery which amounts to a few lakhs." In another case on Monday, based on inputs, a family of three Ashraf Ali, 59, Saira Banu, 50 and their son Mohammed Salih, 23, from Chennai who had arrived by same flight were intercepted at the exit. On personal search, 10 zip lock pouches containing rubbery material were recovered, concealed inside their innerwear. On extraction 2.5 gold valued at Rs. 97 lakhs was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the parents were arrested. On Sunday, based on an information one Saidalavi Kunnathodi, 51 of Malappuram (Kerala), who arrived from Abu Dhabi by Etihad Airways Flight EY238 was intercepted at the exit. His checked-in baggage was taken up for examination. A water motor pump was found inside his baggage. On dismantling the pump a cylindrical gold bar weighing 1.64 Kg valued at Rs 64 lakhs was found concealed inside the rotor portion of the motor. The gold was recovered and seized under Customs Act 1962 and the passenger was arrested.

5.1 kg gold worth 2 crore hidden in socks, innerwear, motor pump seized in Chennai airport; 5 arrested

Toxic haze from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesians-choked-by-forest-fire-haze-pray-for-rain-249464">Indonesian forest fires</a> closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race.

Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazing out of control on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-shuts-schools-as-forest-fires-choke-borneo-sumatra-islands-250025">Sumatra and Borneo islands</a>, with Jakarta deploying thousands of security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them.

Indonesian blazes belch smog across Southeast Asia annually, but this year's are the worst since 2015 and have added to concerns about wildfire outbreaks <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/indonesia-forest-fires-surge-stoking-global-warming-fears-249212">worldwide exacerbating global warming</a>.

On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to "very unhealthy" levels on an official index in many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline shrouded by dense smog.

Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across Malaysia due to air pollution, with over one million pupils affected, according to the education ministry.

A growing number of Malaysians were suffering health problems due to the haze, with authorities saying there had been a sharp increase in outpatients at government hospitals many suffering dry and itchy eyes.

Indonesian authorities said hundreds of schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra were shut, without providing a precise number, while about 1,300 were closed in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo.

Borneo is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei.

Poor visibility closed seven airports in the Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport ministry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have already been diverted and cancelled in the region in recent days due to the smog.

'Singapore smog race?'

Air quality in Singapore worsened to unhealthy levels and a white smog obscured the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three towers and boat-shaped top level.

The worsening pollution increased fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Organisers say the possibility of haze is one of the issues in their contingency plan for Sunday's showpiece night race, but have not given further details.

The city-state's tourism board said spectators would be able to buy masks as protection from the haze if conditions did not improve and assistance would be provided for those who feel unwell, the Today news portal reported.

The fires have sparked tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia.

Indonesia's environment minister initially suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires despite satellite data showing hundreds of blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in its neighbour, prompting anger from her Malaysian counterpart.

Indonesia later sealed off dozens of plantations where it said fires were blazing, including some owned by Malaysia-based firms, deepening the row.

But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation forcing its companies to tackle fires on plantations abroad.

Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he said, adding: "Of course, if we find they are unwilling to take action, we may have to pass a law to make them responsible."

The Indonesian government has insisted it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this year's fires have been worsened by dry weather and experts believe there is little chance of them being extinguished until the onset of the rainy season in October.

Indonesia's meteorology, climate and geophysics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 hotspots areas of intense heat detected by satellite that indicate a likely fire had been sighted, most of them on Sumatra.

Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race.

Toxic haze from Indonesian forest fires closed schools and airports across the country and in neighbouring Malaysia Wednesday, while air quality worsened in Singapore just days before the city's Formula One motor race. Illegal fires to clear land for agriculture are blazing out of control on Sumatra and Borneo islands, with Jakarta deploying thousands of security forces and water-bombing aircraft to tackle them. Indonesian blazes belch smog across Southeast Asia annually, but this year's are the worst since 2015 and have added to concerns about wildfire outbreaks worldwide exacerbating global warming. On Wednesday, air quality deteriorated to "very unhealthy" levels on an official index in many parts of peninsular Malaysia, to the east of Sumatra, with the Kuala Lumpur skyline shrouded by dense smog. Nearly 1,500 schools were closed across Malaysia due to air pollution, with over one million pupils affected, according to the education ministry. A growing number of Malaysians were suffering health problems due to the haze, with authorities saying there had been a sharp increase in outpatients at government hospitals many suffering dry and itchy eyes. Indonesian authorities said hundreds of schools in hard-hit Riau province on Sumatra were shut, without providing a precise number, while about 1,300 were closed in Central Kalimantan province on Borneo. Borneo is shared between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Poor visibility closed seven airports in the Indonesian part of Borneo, the transport ministry in Jakarta said. Scores of flights have already been diverted and cancelled in the region in recent days due to the smog. 'Singapore smog race?' Air quality in Singapore worsened to unhealthy levels and a white smog obscured the striking waterfront skyline, featuring the Marina Bay Sands casino resort with its three towers and boat-shaped top level. The worsening pollution increased fears that this weekend's Formula One race may be affected. Organisers say the possibility of haze is one of the issues in their contingency plan for Sunday's showpiece night race, but have not given further details. The city-state's tourism board said spectators would be able to buy masks as protection from the haze if conditions did not improve and assistance would be provided for those who feel unwell, the Today news portal reported. The fires have sparked tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia. Indonesia's environment minister initially suggested the haze was from Malaysian fires despite satellite data showing hundreds of blazes in Indonesia and only a handful in its neighbour, prompting anger from her Malaysian counterpart. Indonesia later sealed off dozens of plantations where it said fires were blazing, including some owned by Malaysia-based firms, deepening the row. But Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who has struck a diplomatic tone throughout the crisis, said Malaysia may pass legislation forcing its companies to tackle fires on plantations abroad. Malaysia wants its firms with sites overseas to put out blazes contributing to the haze, he said, adding: "Of course, if we find they are unwilling to take action, we may have to pass a law to make them responsible." The Indonesian government has insisted it is doing all it can to fight the blazes. But this year's fires have been worsened by dry weather and experts believe there is little chance of them being extinguished until the onset of the rainy season in October. Indonesia's meteorology, climate and geophysics agency said Wednesday that over 1,000 hotspots areas of intense heat detected by satellite that indicate a likely fire had been sighted, most of them on Sumatra.

Schools, airports closed as Indonesia fires spark fears for Singapore F1

Three more people died as torrential rain and flash floods battered southeastern Spain, raising the death toll to five with the rising waters causing havoc for travellers and forcing 3,500 people from their homes, officials said Friday.

The latest fatality was a man whose body was found in the area of Redovan, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) southwest of the city of Alicante, a spokeswoman for the emergency services said, without giving details.

Earlier in the day, a 36-year-old man died in the Andalusia region after his car was swept away in the rushing waters, the local emergency services said. His empty car had been found earlier in the day.

Also in the morning, a middle-aged man died in the coastal city of Almeria after his car got stuck in a tunnel that flooded within minutes, they said.

City mayor Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco told Cadena Ser radio that police managed to save two other people who were also in the vehicle but were unable to save him.

Two other people, a 61-year-old man and his sister, 51, died on Thursday when their vehicle was swept away as fast-moving waters swamped a road in Caudete, a municipality around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the port city of Valencia.

Parts of southeastern Spain have since Wednesday suffered some of the heaviest rainfall on record, which has caused chaos on the roads, cutting public transport and prompting rivers to burst their banks, flooding homes.

In Redovan, the floodwaters reached knee-height with residents working tirelessly to bail out the water with buckets, an AFP photographer said, while rescuers were using diggers and trucks to rescue other stranded locals.

More than 3,500 people have been evacuated from their homes, the interior ministry said.

Some 3,000 state security forces, including police, firefighters and soldiers from a military emergency unit, were taking part in the rescue operation, the ministry said.

During the afternoon, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska flew in to survey the damage, taking a helicopter ride over the waterlogged town of Orihuela, some five kilometres south of Redovan, a spokesman said.

Footage broadcast on Spanish media showed emergency services personnel using a jet ski to inspect a flooded highway tunnel as rivers of brown water gushed down the streets, in some cases washing cars away.

'Very critical'

The regional airport in Almeria was closed for several hours on Friday with the floodwaters making it difficult for workers to reach it, forcing the cancellation of two flights and the diversion of two others to Malaga, Spanish airports operator AENA said.

The airport in Murcia was shut down for the day and 22 flights that had been due to land in Palma on the holiday island of Mallorca were diverted to other Spanish airports, it added.

In October 2018 torrential rain and flash floods killed 13 people in Mallorca.

Rail service was suspended on several routes in Valencia and Murcia, state-owned train operator Renfe said in a statement.

Authorities urged people in the area not to drive and stay home if possible.

"The situation remains very critical," Fernando Lopez Miras, head of the Murcia regional government, told Spanish public television TVE.

Schools were closed across the Valencia region on Friday, as well as in Murcia and parts of Andalusia, authorities said.

In Valencia alone, more than 689,000 students were affected, according to the regional government.

Three more people died as torrential rain and flash floods battered southeastern Spain, raising the death toll to five with the rising waters causing havoc for travellers and forcing 3,500 people from their homes, officials said Friday.

Three more people died as torrential rain and flash floods battered southeastern Spain, raising the death toll to five with the rising waters causing havoc for travellers and forcing 3,500 people from their homes, officials said Friday. The latest fatality was a man whose body was found in the area of Redovan, some 50 kilometres (30 miles) southwest of the city of Alicante, a spokeswoman for the emergency services said, without giving details. Earlier in the day, a 36-year-old man died in the Andalusia region after his car was swept away in the rushing waters, the local emergency services said. His empty car had been found earlier in the day. Also in the morning, a middle-aged man died in the coastal city of Almeria after his car got stuck in a tunnel that flooded within minutes, they said. City mayor Ramon Fernandez-Pacheco told Cadena Ser radio that police managed to save two other people who were also in the vehicle but were unable to save him. Two other people, a 61-year-old man and his sister, 51, died on Thursday when their vehicle was swept away as fast-moving waters swamped a road in Caudete, a municipality around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the port city of Valencia. Parts of southeastern Spain have since Wednesday suffered some of the heaviest rainfall on record, which has caused chaos on the roads, cutting public transport and prompting rivers to burst their banks, flooding homes. In Redovan, the floodwaters reached knee-height with residents working tirelessly to bail out the water with buckets, an AFP photographer said, while rescuers were using diggers and trucks to rescue other stranded locals. More than 3,500 people have been evacuated from their homes, the interior ministry said. Some 3,000 state security forces, including police, firefighters and soldiers from a military emergency unit, were taking part in the rescue operation, the ministry said. During the afternoon, Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska flew in to survey the damage, taking a helicopter ride over the waterlogged town of Orihuela, some five kilometres south of Redovan, a spokesman said. Footage broadcast on Spanish media showed emergency services personnel using a jet ski to inspect a flooded highway tunnel as rivers of brown water gushed down the streets, in some cases washing cars away. 'Very critical' The regional airport in Almeria was closed for several hours on Friday with the floodwaters making it difficult for workers to reach it, forcing the cancellation of two flights and the diversion of two others to Malaga, Spanish airports operator AENA said. The airport in Murcia was shut down for the day and 22 flights that had been due to land in Palma on the holiday island of Mallorca were diverted to other Spanish airports, it added. In October 2018 torrential rain and flash floods killed 13 people in Mallorca. Rail service was suspended on several routes in Valencia and Murcia, state-owned train operator Renfe said in a statement. Authorities urged people in the area not to drive and stay home if possible. "The situation remains very critical," Fernando Lopez Miras, head of the Murcia regional government, told Spanish public television TVE. Schools were closed across the Valencia region on Friday, as well as in Murcia and parts of Andalusia, authorities said. In Valencia alone, more than 689,000 students were affected, according to the regional government.

Death toll from Spain floods rises to five

In Indonesia, Smog from the forest fires came over the cities and covers it up. This forces Airport to shut and cancel flights.

Indonesia: Smog over the cities disrupts flights, forces Airport to shut

Hong Kong protests to step ahead, protesters plan to block airport. Watch this video to know more.

Hong Kong protests to step ahead, protesters plan to block airport

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Thousands&nbsp;of&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;at&nbsp;US airports faced delays late on Friday because of an&nbsp;outage&nbsp;of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-chief-john-sanders-quits-amid-outcry-over-child-detainees-230455">US Customs and&nbsp;Border&nbsp;Protection's</a> (CBP) processing systems, officials said.

CBP said in a statement the&nbsp;outage&nbsp;was temporary and "officers continue to process international&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;using alternative procedures until systems are back online.

&nbsp;Travellers&nbsp;at some ports of entry are experiencing longer than usual wait times."

People at various&nbsp;US airports posted videos on social media sites of lengthy lines at processing checkpoints and several airports warned of extensive delays.

&nbsp;Passengers disembarking at Dulles Airport in the Washington, DC area reported delays of two to four hours.

After several hours, CBP issued a statement saying its&nbsp;computers were coming back online.

Thousands of travellers at US airports faced delays late on Friday because of an outage of US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) processing systems, officials said.

Thousands of travellers at US airports faced delays late on Friday because of an outage of US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) processing systems, officials said. CBP said in a statement the outage was temporary and "officers continue to process international travellers using alternative procedures until systems are back online. Travellers at some ports of entry are experiencing longer than usual wait times." People at various US airports posted videos on social media sites of lengthy lines at processing checkpoints and several airports warned of extensive delays. Passengers disembarking at Dulles Airport in the Washington, DC area reported delays of two to four hours. After several hours, CBP issued a statement saying its computers were coming back online.

Thousands of US travellers delayed by Border Protection computer outage

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing's next move.

Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement faces a major test this weekend as it tries to muster another huge crowd following criticism over a recent violent airport protest and as concerns mount over Beijing's next move. Ten weeks of protests have plunged the international finance hub into crisis with the communist mainland taking an increasingly hardline tone, including labelling the more violent protester actions "terrorist-like". Chinese state media have put out images of military personnel and armoured personnel carriers across the border in Shenzhen, while the United States has warned Beijing against sending in troops, a move many analysts say would be a reputational and economic disaster for China. The nationalistic Global Times newspaper said there would not be a repeat of the Tiananmen Square crackdown, in which hundreds or even thousands are believed to have been killed if Beijing moves to quash the protests. "The incident in Hong Kong won't be a repeat of the June 4th political incident in 1989," it said, insisting the country now had more sophisticated approaches. It was a rare reference to the bloody events, which are taboo in China. Hong Kong's protests were sparked by opposition to a plan to allow extraditions to the mainland, but have since morphed into a wider call for democratic rights in the semi-autonomous city. Millions of people have hit the streets while clashes have broken out between police and small groups of hardcore protesters for 10 consecutive weekends. For most of that time, US President Donald Trump has taken a hands-off approach to the unrest but began speaking up this week, suggesting any potential trade deal with Beijing could be upended by a violent response from the mainland. Speaking on Thursday, Trump urged his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to meet protesters and solve the crisis "humanely". Huge Sunday rally planned Activists are now planning to hold a major rally on Sunday, which is being billed as a "rational, non-violent" protest designed to show the movement still maintains broad public support after suffering a setback earlier in the week. On Tuesday, protesters blocked passengers from boarding flights at the city's airport and later assaulted two men they accused of being Chinese spies. The shocking images damaged a movement that until then had largely only targeted the police or government institutions, and prompted some soul-searching among protesters. China's propaganda apparatus seized on the violence, with state-media churning out a deluge of condemnatory articles, pictures, and videos. Sunday's rally is being put together by the Civil Human Rights Front, a protest group that advocates non-violence and has previously been the driving force behind record-breaking rallies in June and July that saw hundreds of thousands of people hit the streets. "This coming Sunday should be another million-strong march. Hong Kong people can't be defeated, Hong Kongers soldier on," prominent pro-democracy lawmaker Claudia Mo wrote on Facebook. But the likelihood of renewed clashes over the weekend remains high. On Saturday, activists have vowed to gather in Hung Hom and To Kwa Wan two harbourside districts popular with mainland Chinese tourists despite police banning their proposed marches. And while police have permitted protesters on Sunday to rally in a major park on Hong Kong island, they have forbidden demonstrators from marching through the city. Previous bans in the last few weeks have simply been ignored by demonstrators, leading to running battles with riot police. Authorities say they have been compelled to ban recent rallies because of increasing violence used by hardcore protesters, who have often targeted police stations alone their marching routes with bricks, slingshots and Molotov cocktails. Toe the line Hong Kong maintains freedoms unknown on the authoritarian mainland under a 50-year deal that came into effect when the former colony was handed back to China by Britain in 1997. Many Hong Kongers say those liberties are being eroded and have hit the streets in huge numbers in recent years. Yet their demands to elect their leaders and halt sliding freedoms have fallen on deaf ears. The current protests are the biggest threat to Beijing's authority since the handover and as violence has escalated, party leaders have only hardened their tone. Beijing has also ordered Hong Kong's companies and influential tycoons to toe the line. On Friday Cathay Pacific announced the shock resignation of its CEO Rupert Hogg after the Hong Kong carrier was excoriated by Beijing because some staff supported the pro-democracy protests. Many tycoons have published statements calling for an end to the protests, the latest coming from the city's wealthiest man Li Ka-Shing who took out adverts in seven Hong Kong newspapers.

Hong Kong protesters face crucial weekend test after airport setback

Flights were cancelled after protesters took over terminals

Breaking News: Hong Kong airport cancels departing flights

Flights have resumed from the Libyan capital's sole functioning airport as calm returned Monday to the outskirts of Tripoli after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../rocket-fire-hits-libya-airport-breaking-eid-truce -242334">temporary truce was violated </a>the previous day.

"Reopening airspace at Mitiga international airport after maintenance and cleaning... so that airlines can renew their flights," the facility's management said late Sunday on Facebook.

The UN-recognised government and forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar had agreed on a truce for the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha that began on Sunday.

Haftar launched an offensive to take Libya's capital in early April, but encountered stiff resistance, resulting in months of stalemate in southern Tripoli's outskirts.&nbsp;

Flights from Mitiga airport were suspended for several hours Sunday after rocket fire hit the airport, a few metres (yards) from the runway where planes were parked.

Located east of Tripoli, Mitiga is a former military airbase that has been used by civilian traffic since Tripoli international airport suffered severe damage during fighting in 2014.

Mitiga is in a zone under the control of forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and has often been targeted.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army and the GNA had Saturday agreed to a UN-sponsored humanitarian truce for Al-Adha, although the GNA listed conditions, including a cessation of troop movements.

The GNA blamed Haftar's forces for the attack on the airport, in which no casualties or serious damage were reported, and for a separate alleged attack in the Soug al-Jomaa district of Tripoli.

Over the past four months, 1,093 people have been killed in the fighting and 5,752 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), while more than 120,000 people have been displaced.

Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Flights have resumed from the Libyan capital's sole functioning airport as calm returned Monday to the outskirts of Tripoli after a temporary truce was violated the previous day.

Flights have resumed from the Libyan capital's sole functioning airport as calm returned Monday to the outskirts of Tripoli after a temporary truce was violated the previous day. "Reopening airspace at Mitiga international airport after maintenance and cleaning... so that airlines can renew their flights," the facility's management said late Sunday on Facebook. The UN-recognised government and forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Haftar had agreed on a truce for the three-day Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha that began on Sunday. Haftar launched an offensive to take Libya's capital in early April, but encountered stiff resistance, resulting in months of stalemate in southern Tripoli's outskirts. Flights from Mitiga airport were suspended for several hours Sunday after rocket fire hit the airport, a few metres (yards) from the runway where planes were parked. Located east of Tripoli, Mitiga is a former military airbase that has been used by civilian traffic since Tripoli international airport suffered severe damage during fighting in 2014. Mitiga is in a zone under the control of forces loyal to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) and has often been targeted. Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army and the GNA had Saturday agreed to a UN-sponsored humanitarian truce for Al-Adha, although the GNA listed conditions, including a cessation of troop movements. The GNA blamed Haftar's forces for the attack on the airport, in which no casualties or serious damage were reported, and for a separate alleged attack in the Soug al-Jomaa district of Tripoli. Over the past four months, 1,093 people have been killed in the fighting and 5,752 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), while more than 120,000 people have been displaced. Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Moamer Kadhafi in 2011.

Libya airport reopens after truce-violating rocket fire

The diversified Adani Group is adding another revenue stream by entering the airport space and has set up a new company called Adani Airports Ltd.

The group's flagship company Adani Enterprises has incorporated the new company for acquiring, promoting, operating, maintaining, developing, designing, constructing, upgrading, modernising, renovating, expanding and managing airports in India and abroad.

"Adani Airports Ltd is incorporated in India and registered with the Registrar of Companies at Ahmedabad in Gujarat on August 2 and is yet commence its business operations," Adani Enterprises said in regulatory filings at stock exchanges on Saturday.

In February, the Adani Group won the mandate to run all six government-owned airports that were put up for privatisation.

It bagged a 50-year contract for the operation, management, and development of airports in Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru to become the third-largest private airport operator after GMR Group and GVK Group.

The six airports together handled 30 million passengers - 23.6 million domestic and 6.4 million international - last fiscal year, marking a growth of 22 per cent over the previous year.

Last November, the government had cleared the privatisation of these six airports under the Airports Authority of India on the public-private partnership model.

The Adani Group is an integrated business conglomerate in India which consists of six publicly traded companies with combined revenues of 13 billion dollars (about Rs 90,000 crore).

With a presence in agri logistics, bunkering, coal and mining, defence and aerospace, edible oil and food products, it has global footprints across Australia, Bangladesh, China, Dubai, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, and the United States.&nbsp;

The diversified Adani Group is adding another revenue stream by entering the airport space and has set up a new company called Adani Airports Ltd. The group's flagship company Adani Enterprises has incorporated the new company for acquiring, promoting, operating, maintaining, developing, designing, constructing, upgrading, modernising, renovating, expanding and managing airports in India and abroad.

The diversified Adani Group is adding another revenue stream by entering the airport space and has set up a new company called Adani Airports Ltd. The group's flagship company Adani Enterprises has incorporated the new company for acquiring, promoting, operating, maintaining, developing, designing, constructing, upgrading, modernising, renovating, expanding and managing airports in India and abroad. "Adani Airports Ltd is incorporated in India and registered with the Registrar of Companies at Ahmedabad in Gujarat on August 2 and is yet commence its business operations," Adani Enterprises said in regulatory filings at stock exchanges on Saturday. In February, the Adani Group won the mandate to run all six government-owned airports that were put up for privatisation. It bagged a 50-year contract for the operation, management, and development of airports in Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Jaipur, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram, and Mangaluru to become the third-largest private airport operator after GMR Group and GVK Group. The six airports together handled 30 million passengers - 23.6 million domestic and 6.4 million international - last fiscal year, marking a growth of 22 per cent over the previous year. Last November, the government had cleared the privatisation of these six airports under the Airports Authority of India on the public-private partnership model. The Adani Group is an integrated business conglomerate in India which consists of six publicly traded companies with combined revenues of 13 billion dollars (about Rs 90,000 crore). With a presence in agri logistics, bunkering, coal and mining, defence and aerospace, edible oil and food products, it has global footprints across Australia, Bangladesh, China, Dubai, Indonesia, Myanmar, Singapore, and the United States.

Adani Group sets up new company to manage airport businesses

Several hundred protesters calling for democracy and some chanting "free Hong Kong" converged on the Chinese-ruled city's airport on Friday as neighbouring Singapore advised its citizens to avoid parts of the territory.

Airport authorities said operations wouldn't be affected, but advised passengers to arrive early given the risk of disruption.

The former British colony of Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997, is embroiled in its worst political crisis for decades after two months of increasingly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-official-urged-hong-kong-villagers-to-drive-off-protesters-before-violence-at-train-station-238563">violent protests that have posed</a> one of the gravest populist challenges to China's leader Xi Jinping since he took office.

The demonstrations, mushrooming up almost daily, saw the defacement of China's main representative office last weekend, triggering warnings from Beijing this was an attack on China's sovereignty.

What started as an angry response to a now-suspended extradition bill, which would have allowed defendants to be sent to the mainland for trial, now includes demands for greater democracy, the resignation of Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, and even keeping mainland Chinese tourists out of Hong Kong.

Some protesters, dressed in helmets and seated on the ground of the arrivals hall, held up signs calling on the government to withdraw the extradition bill completely, while chants of "Free Hong Kong" reverberated around the building.

"The world has been watching us in the past few weeks," said Jeremy Tam, a former pilot and lawmaker who helped organise the protest with other aviation sector employees.

"We simply believe that the airport is the most direct way for all tourists to explain what is happening in Hong Kong."

Singapore urged its citizens in a travel advisory on Friday to avoid parts of Hong Kong where protests may be taking place, noting the airport demonstration.

Watch:&nbsp;Anti-government protests intensify in Hong Kong

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"If you are already in Hong Kong, you should take all necessary precautions to ensure your personal safety," it read.

"Protests which are meant to be peaceful may still have the potential to turn violent with little or no notice."

Some protesters handed out flyers explaining the city's crisis to tourists.

Others condemned the failure of police to protect citizens and protesters from a frenzied attack by armed men at a train station last Sunday that shocked the city. Police sources say some of these men had triad backgrounds.

Members of the public, tourists and pilots, flight attendants and other aviation workers signed a petition urging the Hong Kong government to prosecute the attackers.

The Flight Attendants' Union for Hong Kong's main carrier Cathay Pacific had earlier urged its members to "stand up for our human rights and be connected with the rest of the HongKongers" on its Facebook page.

"United Hong Kong Stands!" it added.

An investment banker at a US bank told Reuters he had rescheduled his flight from Hong Kong to Beijing to another day, over concerns flights possibly being grounded should the protest escalate. 
&nbsp;

Several hundred protesters calling for democracy and some chanting "free Hong Kong" converged on the Chinese-ruled city's airport on Friday as neighbouring Singapore advised its citizens to avoid parts of the territory.

Several hundred protesters calling for democracy and some chanting "free Hong Kong" converged on the Chinese-ruled city's airport on Friday as neighbouring Singapore advised its citizens to avoid parts of the territory. Airport authorities said operations wouldn't be affected, but advised passengers to arrive early given the risk of disruption. The former British colony of Hong Kong, which returned to China in 1997, is embroiled in its worst political crisis for decades after two months of increasingly violent protests that have posed one of the gravest populist challenges to China's leader Xi Jinping since he took office. The demonstrations, mushrooming up almost daily, saw the defacement of China's main representative office last weekend, triggering warnings from Beijing this was an attack on China's sovereignty. What started as an angry response to a now-suspended extradition bill, which would have allowed defendants to be sent to the mainland for trial, now includes demands for greater democracy, the resignation of Hong Kong’s chief executive, Carrie Lam, and even keeping mainland Chinese tourists out of Hong Kong. Some protesters, dressed in helmets and seated on the ground of the arrivals hall, held up signs calling on the government to withdraw the extradition bill completely, while chants of "Free Hong Kong" reverberated around the building. "The world has been watching us in the past few weeks," said Jeremy Tam, a former pilot and lawmaker who helped organise the protest with other aviation sector employees. "We simply believe that the airport is the most direct way for all tourists to explain what is happening in Hong Kong." Singapore urged its citizens in a travel advisory on Friday to avoid parts of Hong Kong where protests may be taking place, noting the airport demonstration. Watch: Anti-government protests intensify in Hong Kong "If you are already in Hong Kong, you should take all necessary precautions to ensure your personal safety," it read. "Protests which are meant to be peaceful may still have the potential to turn violent with little or no notice." Some protesters handed out flyers explaining the city's crisis to tourists. Others condemned the failure of police to protect citizens and protesters from a frenzied attack by armed men at a train station last Sunday that shocked the city. Police sources say some of these men had triad backgrounds. Members of the public, tourists and pilots, flight attendants and other aviation workers signed a petition urging the Hong Kong government to prosecute the attackers. The Flight Attendants' Union for Hong Kong's main carrier Cathay Pacific had earlier urged its members to "stand up for our human rights and be connected with the rest of the HongKongers" on its Facebook page. "United Hong Kong Stands!" it added. An investment banker at a US bank told Reuters he had rescheduled his flight from Hong Kong to Beijing to another day, over concerns flights possibly being grounded should the protest escalate.

Hundred of protesters chanting 'free Hong Kong' converge on the Chinese-ruled city's airport

Malaysian authorities said on Wednesday (June 26) they had seized more than 5,000 smuggled terrapins at Kuala Lumpur airport last week. Two Indian nationals were travelling with 5,255 red-eared sliders, a semi-aquatic species of turtle, in baskets within their luggage.

Malaysia seizes over 5,000 smuggled terrapins at airport

This segment of WION brings to you top stories of the morning from across the globe. Watch this video to get updated with the latest information.

WION Speed News: Watch top national and international news of the morning - June 04th, 2019

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