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Rescue efforts in flood-stricken southern Brazil were hampered on Wednesday (May 8) by renewed rain and the threat of lightning and strong winds. These weather conditions risk worsening calamity that has already claimed at least 100 lives and displaced over 163,000 people.

The floods that started last week, caused by unusually heavy rains, have destroyed highways and bridges in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.

Around 128 people are still missing, the state's civil defense authority said and urged people living close to the Patos lagoon to leave their homes immediately.

The army soldiers were seen using the amphibious armored cars to rescue people from flooding in Canoas, where the waters have reached a depth of some three meters (10 ft) and the streets can only be navigated by boat.

"I have been living in this tractor with my children, to survive this calamity. We believe it will pass," an exhausted Farias told Reuters. He said he had slept little and eaten less.

<h2>RISK OF MORE FLOODS</h2>

Brazil's disaster center placed the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul under high risk as heavy rain is expected to resume imminently. Weather forecaster MetSul warns of very large floods of serious proportions for the area.

In neighboring Uruguay, storms and flooding have closed highways and left nearly 800 people displaced and over 3,000 people without power, the government said.

In Brazil, many residents in and around Porto Alegre, a city of 1.3 million people, have been living in darkness after power companies cut off electricity for security reasons.

The residents have faced shortages of products, especially drinking water. Supermarket managers said there was no access for supply trucks or employees trying to get to work. Mineral water sales were restricted in some supermarkets.

Meanwhile the volunteer rescue operations after dark in Porto Alegre were also hampered by looting. 
"We are not going out to rescue people at night without an armed escort, because it has become too risky," volunteer Lauro Strogulski said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Rescue efforts in flood-stricken southern Brazil were hampered on Wednesday (May 8) by renewed rain and the threat of lightning and strong winds. These weather conditions risk worsening calamity that has already claimed at least 100 lives and displaced over 163,000 people.

Rescue efforts in flood-stricken southern Brazil were hampered on Wednesday (May 8) by renewed rain and the threat of lightning and strong winds. These weather conditions risk worsening calamity that has already claimed at least 100 lives and displaced over 163,000 people. The floods that started last week, caused by unusually heavy rains, have destroyed highways and bridges in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Around 128 people are still missing, the state's civil defense authority said and urged people living close to the Patos lagoon to leave their homes immediately. The army soldiers were seen using the amphibious armored cars to rescue people from flooding in Canoas, where the waters have reached a depth of some three meters (10 ft) and the streets can only be navigated by boat. "I have been living in this tractor with my children, to survive this calamity. We believe it will pass," an exhausted Farias told Reuters. He said he had slept little and eaten less. RISK OF MORE FLOODS Brazil's disaster center placed the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul under high risk as heavy rain is expected to resume imminently. Weather forecaster MetSul warns of very large floods of serious proportions for the area. In neighboring Uruguay, storms and flooding have closed highways and left nearly 800 people displaced and over 3,000 people without power, the government said. In Brazil, many residents in and around Porto Alegre, a city of 1.3 million people, have been living in darkness after power companies cut off electricity for security reasons. The residents have faced shortages of products, especially drinking water. Supermarket managers said there was no access for supply trucks or employees trying to get to work. Mineral water sales were restricted in some supermarkets. Meanwhile the volunteer rescue operations after dark in Porto Alegre were also hampered by looting. "We are not going out to rescue people at night without an armed escort, because it has become too risky," volunteer Lauro Strogulski said. (With inputs from agencies)

Fresh rains hinder rescue efforts in flood-ravaged southern Brazil

A Boeing 737-300 crashed during takeoff in Senegal on Thursday (May 9), injuring 11 passengers. Four of the 11 had&nbsp;serious injuries. Six additional passengers were escorted inside the airport for medical checks.

The Air Senegal aircraft HC 301, which was headed for Bamako, the capital of Mali, veered off the runway, according to a statement from Dakar's Blaise Diagne airport in the morning.

The pilot had suffered minor injuries, while the majority of the 78 people on board were unharmed.

"We inform you that Blaise Diagne international airport has reopened. Airport operations have resumed as normal," said LAS, which is made up of the Turkish business Limak, the publicly owned airport operator AIBD, and another Turkish entity, Summa.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨✈️Another Day another Boeing Disaster - this time in Senegal as the plane skids off the runway injuring multiple persons. 
 
Boeing are effective at killing off whistle blowers but not operating safe planes, it would appear. <a href="https://t.co/ijCISJ57Ok">pic.twitter.com/ijCISJ57Ok</a>
— Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) <a href="https://twitter.com/BGatesIsaPyscho/status/1788506433677345249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 9, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

The airport's operations were paused, and emergency services were brought in to evacuate passengers, according to a statement.

According to LAS, the Diass airport, located 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Dakar, reopened shortly after midday.

"We inform you that Blaise Diagne international airport has reopened. Airport operations have resumed as normal," LAS said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/business-economy/investigation-initiated-following-boeing-cargo-planes-landing-mishap-in-istanbul-719575" hreflang="en">Investigation initiated following Boeing cargo plane's landing mishap in Istanbul</a>

"All the airport emergency services have been mobilised for the evacuation of passengers and their care, as per the plan," LAS added.

The event happened at roughly 1:00 GMT, and an investigation is being conducted to find out the reason behind it.

Transair, the private business that leased the aircraft to Air Senegal, has not commented on the incident. Boeing also has not released an official statement about the incident.

Though the reason for the incident is unknown, it comes at a time when the manufacturer's safety record is under scrutiny.

This incident came a day after a Boeing 767 FedEx cargo plane touched down at Istanbul airport without its front landing gear deployed, which did not open.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Oh no!! Another Boeing mishap! This could have been catastrophic!! 
 
Fire the DEI hires!!! 
Enough!! <a href="https://t.co/eu3CRQ4Sfj">pic.twitter.com/eu3CRQ4Sfj</a>
— Sheri™ (@FFT1776) <a href="https://twitter.com/FFT1776/status/1788244895544537520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

In January, an unused door broke off of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max shortly after takeoff in the United States. The company is under criminal investigation for that incident. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

A Boeing 737-300 crashed during takeoff in Senegal on Thursday (May 9), injuring 11 passengers. Four of the 11 had serious injuries. Six additional passengers were escorted inside the airport for medical checks.

A Boeing 737-300 crashed during takeoff in Senegal on Thursday (May 9), injuring 11 passengers. Four of the 11 had serious injuries. Six additional passengers were escorted inside the airport for medical checks. The Air Senegal aircraft HC 301, which was headed for Bamako, the capital of Mali, veered off the runway, according to a statement from Dakar's Blaise Diagne airport in the morning. The pilot had suffered minor injuries, while the majority of the 78 people on board were unharmed. "We inform you that Blaise Diagne international airport has reopened. Airport operations have resumed as normal," said LAS, which is made up of the Turkish business Limak, the publicly owned airport operator AIBD, and another Turkish entity, Summa. 🚨✈️Another Day another Boeing Disaster - this time in Senegal as the plane skids off the runway injuring multiple persons. Boeing are effective at killing off whistle blowers but not operating safe planes, it would appear. pic.twitter.com/ijCISJ57Ok — Concerned Citizen (@BGatesIsaPyscho) May 9, 2024 × The airport's operations were paused, and emergency services were brought in to evacuate passengers, according to a statement. According to LAS, the Diass airport, located 50 kilometres (30 miles) from Dakar, reopened shortly after midday. "We inform you that Blaise Diagne international airport has reopened. Airport operations have resumed as normal," LAS said. Also read: Investigation initiated following Boeing cargo plane's landing mishap in Istanbul "All the airport emergency services have been mobilised for the evacuation of passengers and their care, as per the plan," LAS added. The event happened at roughly 1:00 GMT, and an investigation is being conducted to find out the reason behind it. Transair, the private business that leased the aircraft to Air Senegal, has not commented on the incident. Boeing also has not released an official statement about the incident. Though the reason for the incident is unknown, it comes at a time when the manufacturer's safety record is under scrutiny. This incident came a day after a Boeing 767 FedEx cargo plane touched down at Istanbul airport without its front landing gear deployed, which did not open. Oh no!! Another Boeing mishap! This could have been catastrophic!! Fire the DEI hires!!! Enough!! pic.twitter.com/eu3CRQ4Sfj — Sheri™ (@FFT1776) May 8, 2024 × In January, an unused door broke off of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max shortly after takeoff in the United States. The company is under criminal investigation for that incident. (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: 'Another day, another Boeing disaster': Boeing 737 plane crashes in Senegal, 11 injured

While attending a military parade on Red Square to commemorate Victory Day, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered a combative address on Thursday criticizing Ukraine and its Western backers for their purported attempts to "distort" history and inflame regional tensions.

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Taipei's coast guard said Thursday (May 9) that a fleet of seven Chinese ships and five coast guard vessels were detected around Taiwan's outlying island of Kinmen.&nbsp;

"Around 15:00 (0700 GMT), a fleet of seven ships ... belonging to China's maritime and fishery departments entered our restricted waters," it said.&nbsp;

Taipei's coast guard added that another four Chinese coast guard ships did the same and that a fifth "sailed outside our waters".&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/flight-attendants-busted-for-funneling-8mn-drug-money-through-jfk-airport-using-security-clearance-719688">Flight attendants busted for funneling $8mn drug money through JFK airport using security clearance</a>

<h2>China criticises US&nbsp;</h2>

Meanwhile, the Chinese military slammed an American destroyer's passage through the Taiwan Strait less than two weeks before the island's new president takes office.&nbsp;

Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, who is also the spokesperson for China's Eastern Theatre Command, accused the United States of having "publicly hyped" the passage of the USS Halsey on Wednesday.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-considers-restrictions-on-chinas-access-to-advanced-ai-software-including-models-behind-chatgpt-719605">US considers restrictions on China's access to advanced AI software, including models behind ChatGPT</a>&nbsp;

Li said in a statement that the command, which oversees operations around the strait, "organised naval and air forces to monitor" the ship's transit.&nbsp;

According to the US Navy's 7th Fleet, the Halsey "conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law".&nbsp;

In a statement, the fleet said that the guided missile destroyer transited through a corridor in the strait that is "beyond the territorial sea" of any coastal state.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Taipei's coast guard said Thursday (May 9) that a fleet of seven Chinese ships and five coast guard vessels were detected around Taiwan's outlying island of Kinmen.

Taipei's coast guard said Thursday (May 9) that a fleet of seven Chinese ships and five coast guard vessels were detected around Taiwan's outlying island of Kinmen. "Around 15:00 (0700 GMT), a fleet of seven ships ... belonging to China's maritime and fishery departments entered our restricted waters," it said. Taipei's coast guard added that another four Chinese coast guard ships did the same and that a fifth "sailed outside our waters". Also read: Flight attendants busted for funneling $8mn drug money through JFK airport using security clearance China criticises US Meanwhile, the Chinese military slammed an American destroyer's passage through the Taiwan Strait less than two weeks before the island's new president takes office. Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, who is also the spokesperson for China's Eastern Theatre Command, accused the United States of having "publicly hyped" the passage of the USS Halsey on Wednesday. Also read: US considers restrictions on China's access to advanced AI software, including models behind ChatGPT Li said in a statement that the command, which oversees operations around the strait, "organised naval and air forces to monitor" the ship's transit. According to the US Navy's 7th Fleet, the Halsey "conducted a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law". In a statement, the fleet said that the guided missile destroyer transited through a corridor in the strait that is "beyond the territorial sea" of any coastal state. (With inputs from agencies)

Taipei coast guard says 12 Chinese ships detected around outlying Taiwan island

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Russia: Snow blankets several Moscow districts

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South China Sea drills: US and Philippines forces sink mock enemy ship

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Israel-Hamas War: Gaza hospitals have only three days' fuel left, says W.H.O.

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UK: Labour MP Keir Starmer's decision to admit Elphicke met with Labour outrage

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International action urged to prevent genocide in Sudan's Darfur, says report

US President Joe Biden warned that he will stop supplying weapons if Israeli forces launch a major invasion in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are taking refuge and thousands have been evacuated. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Biden threatens to stop supplying weapons to Israel if it tries to invade Rafah

Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin ordered a u-turn on the country’s landmark cannabis policy, saying the plant should be soon classified as a narcotic again and its use limited to medical and health purposes. Watch in for more details!

Thailand Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin seeks to criminalise cannabis again

Israel-Hamas War: US warns Israel of halting supply of weapons and artillery shells

Amid the diplomatic standoff between Maldives and India, Maldivian Foreign Minister Moosa Zameer is currently on his first official visit to India. Zameer arrived in New Delhi on Wednesday, the two sides are likely to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

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The European Union is considering expanding its sanctions against Russia to target the country's Liquefied Natural Gas industry. This move comes after 13 rounds of previous sanctions, with concerns that Russia's fossil fuel revenue remains a significant financial lifeline. Watch to know more.

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Federal prosecutors revealed on Wednesday (May 8) that a group of four commercial airline flight attendants exploited their security clearance to sneak in $8 million in drug money through JFK International Airport while capitalising on looser security protocols to funnel the illicit funds through airport checkpoints over several years. This was outlined in federal indictments unsealed by the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, media reports said.&nbsp;

US Attorney Damian Williams, while highlighting the severity of the situation said, “These flight attendants smuggled millions of dollars of drug money and law enforcement funds that they thought was drug money from the United States to the Dominican Republic over many years by abusing their privileges as airline employees".

The investigation, conducted by Williams’ office and agents from the US Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Task Force, employed confidential informants to dismantle the scheme. “Today’s charges should serve as a reminder to those who break the law by helping drug traffickers move their money that crime doesn’t pay,” Williams added.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/intel-and-qualcomm-hit-as-us-halts-chip-exports-to-china-amid-security-concerns-719643">Intel and Qualcomm hit as US halts chip exports to China amid security concerns</a>

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The accused individuals - Jarol Fabio, Sarah Valerio Pujols, Charlie Fernandez, and Emmanuel Torres - allegedly initiated the trafficking as early as 2014, ferrying the money to the Dominican Republic under the guise of their flight attendant roles for various international airlines, names of which were not disclosed in media reports.&nbsp;

<section>
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Exploiting more lenient security measures for airline staff, the flight attendants managed to execute the scheme, receiving compensation, a portion of the drug proceeds, for their services as couriers.

Upon arrival in the DR, they transferred the cash to contacts involved in drug trafficking.
</section>

Ivan Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New York, said,&nbsp;“This investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and has illuminated methods that narcotics traffickers are utilising."&nbsp;

“Today’s announcement should serve as a warning to all airline personnel,” Arvelo said in a statement adding, “HSI New York will not tolerate employees’ attempts to abuse their power for the sake of transporting illicit goods.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Federal prosecutors revealed on Wednesday (May 8) that a group of four commercial airline flight attendants exploited their security clearance to sneak in $8 million in drug money through JFK International Airport while capitalising on looser security protocols to funnel the illicit funds through airport checkpoints over several years.

Federal prosecutors revealed on Wednesday (May 8) that a group of four commercial airline flight attendants exploited their security clearance to sneak in $8 million in drug money through JFK International Airport while capitalising on looser security protocols to funnel the illicit funds through airport checkpoints over several years. This was outlined in federal indictments unsealed by the US Attorney’s Office in the Southern District of New York, media reports said. US Attorney Damian Williams, while highlighting the severity of the situation said, “These flight attendants smuggled millions of dollars of drug money and law enforcement funds that they thought was drug money from the United States to the Dominican Republic over many years by abusing their privileges as airline employees". The investigation, conducted by Williams’ office and agents from the US Homeland Security Investigations’ El Dorado Task Force, employed confidential informants to dismantle the scheme. “Today’s charges should serve as a reminder to those who break the law by helping drug traffickers move their money that crime doesn’t pay,” Williams added. Also Read | Intel and Qualcomm hit as US halts chip exports to China amid security concerns Also Read | Eight injured in Ukrainian attacks on Russia's Belgorod, says governor The accused individuals - Jarol Fabio, Sarah Valerio Pujols, Charlie Fernandez, and Emmanuel Torres - allegedly initiated the trafficking as early as 2014, ferrying the money to the Dominican Republic under the guise of their flight attendant roles for various international airlines, names of which were not disclosed in media reports. Watch | Israel war: Biden threatens Israel of weapons & artillery shells supply cut × Exploiting more lenient security measures for airline staff, the flight attendants managed to execute the scheme, receiving compensation, a portion of the drug proceeds, for their services as couriers. Upon arrival in the DR, they transferred the cash to contacts involved in drug trafficking. Ivan Arvelo, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations New York, said, “This investigation has exposed critical vulnerabilities in the airline security industry and has illuminated methods that narcotics traffickers are utilising." “Today’s announcement should serve as a warning to all airline personnel,” Arvelo said in a statement adding, “HSI New York will not tolerate employees’ attempts to abuse their power for the sake of transporting illicit goods.” (With inputs from agencies)

Flight attendants busted for funneling $8mn drug money through JFK airport using security clearance

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