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North Korea on Sunday (Jan 7) conducted live-fire exercises on its western coast, Seoul's military said in a statement.

This was the third consecutive day of military drills conducted by Pyongyang near its disputed maritime border with the South.

Seoul's army said that North Korea had "conducted artillery fire with over 90 rounds north of Yeonpyeong island from 1600 to 1710 (0400 to 0510 GMT) today".&nbsp;

"We issue a stern warning that North Korea's repeated artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone poses a threat to the peace on the Korean Peninsula and escalates tensions and strongly urge that it be stopped immediately."

South Korea had warned the residents on the border island of Yeonpyeong to stay indoors.

"North Korean gunfire is currently being heard," stated a text message that was sent to all residents on Sunday afternoon, as per news agency AFP.

"Troops on Yeonpyeong Island are currently responding, but residents are advised to be careful of outdoor activities," the message said.

North Korea fired artillery rounds in the same vicinity on Friday and Saturday, close to the thinly populated islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong, which are located just south of the de facto sea boundary between the two sides.

"North Korean forces conducted artillery fire with over 60 rounds" northwest of Yeonpyeong Island on Saturday afternoon, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement.

North Korea's shells, on Friday as well as on Saturday, landed in a buffer zone that was created under a 2018 deal aimed at reducing tensions between the two sides.

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The military accord fell apart in November last year after Pyongyang launched a spy satellite.

Seoul's military said Saturday that "the repeated artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone by North Korea poses a threat to the peace on the Korean Peninsula and escalates tensions".

"North Korea, following its claim of the complete nullification of the 'September 19 Military Agreement', continues to threaten our citizens with ongoing artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone," the JCS said, referring to the 2018 deal.&nbsp;

"In response, our military will take appropriate measures," it said.

<h2>Live-fire drills 'natural response' to South Korea threats, says North&nbsp;</h2>

Pyongyang after firing more than 200 artillery shots on Friday (Jan 5) said that the live-fire exercises were a "natural response and countermeasure" to South Korean drills, condemning Seoul's claim that it had threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula.

North Korea released a statement saying that its drills did "not even have any indirect impact on Baengnyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island", where residents were told to evacuate by local authorities, according to KCNA's report.

South Korean defence ministry, condemned the fire drills calling it a "provocative act" and urged North to stop, warning Seoul would take "appropriate measures" in response.

"We gravely warn that the entire responsibility of such crisis-escalating situations lies with North Korea and strongly urge for its immediate halt," Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a press conference.

"Under close coordination between South Korea and the United States, our military is tracking and monitoring related activity, and will conduct corresponding measures to North Korea's provocations."

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea on Sunday (Jan 7) conducted live-fire exercises on its western coast, Seoul's military said in a statement. This was the third consecutive day of military drills conducted by Pyongyang near its disputed maritime border with the South.

North Korea on Sunday (Jan 7) conducted live-fire exercises on its western coast, Seoul's military said in a statement. This was the third consecutive day of military drills conducted by Pyongyang near its disputed maritime border with the South. Seoul's army said that North Korea had "conducted artillery fire with over 90 rounds north of Yeonpyeong island from 1600 to 1710 (0400 to 0510 GMT) today". "We issue a stern warning that North Korea's repeated artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone poses a threat to the peace on the Korean Peninsula and escalates tensions and strongly urge that it be stopped immediately." South Korea had warned the residents on the border island of Yeonpyeong to stay indoors. "North Korean gunfire is currently being heard," stated a text message that was sent to all residents on Sunday afternoon, as per news agency AFP. "Troops on Yeonpyeong Island are currently responding, but residents are advised to be careful of outdoor activities," the message said. North Korea fired artillery rounds in the same vicinity on Friday and Saturday, close to the thinly populated islands of Yeonpyeong and Baengnyeong, which are located just south of the de facto sea boundary between the two sides. "North Korean forces conducted artillery fire with over 60 rounds" northwest of Yeonpyeong Island on Saturday afternoon, Seoul's Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement. North Korea's shells, on Friday as well as on Saturday, landed in a buffer zone that was created under a 2018 deal aimed at reducing tensions between the two sides. Also read: Kim Jong Un’s sister claims S Korea 'misjudged' sound of explosives as artillery fire The military accord fell apart in November last year after Pyongyang launched a spy satellite. Seoul's military said Saturday that "the repeated artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone by North Korea poses a threat to the peace on the Korean Peninsula and escalates tensions". "North Korea, following its claim of the complete nullification of the 'September 19 Military Agreement', continues to threaten our citizens with ongoing artillery fire within the prohibited hostile act zone," the JCS said, referring to the 2018 deal. "In response, our military will take appropriate measures," it said. Live-fire drills 'natural response' to South Korea threats, says North Pyongyang after firing more than 200 artillery shots on Friday (Jan 5) said that the live-fire exercises were a "natural response and countermeasure" to South Korean drills, condemning Seoul's claim that it had threatened peace on the Korean Peninsula. North Korea released a statement saying that its drills did "not even have any indirect impact on Baengnyeong Island and Yeonpyeong Island", where residents were told to evacuate by local authorities, according to KCNA's report. South Korean defence ministry, condemned the fire drills calling it a "provocative act" and urged North to stop, warning Seoul would take "appropriate measures" in response. "We gravely warn that the entire responsibility of such crisis-escalating situations lies with North Korea and strongly urge for its immediate halt," Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) spokesperson Col. Lee Sung-jun said in a press conference. "Under close coordination between South Korea and the United States, our military is tracking and monitoring related activity, and will conduct corresponding measures to North Korea's provocations." (With inputs from agencies)

North Korea conducts live-fire drills near maritime border on third consecutive day

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Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has denied claims made by South Korea that&nbsp;Pyongyang fired dozens of artillery rounds near their border on Saturday (Jan 6).&nbsp;

Seoul's military had claimed that North Korea fired over&nbsp;60 artillery rounds near Yeonpyeong Island which landed in a buffer zone, set up under an inter-Korean military accord signed on Sept&nbsp;19, 2018, to reduce border tensions.

"Our military did not fire a single shell into the water area,"&nbsp;Kim Yo Jong was quoted as saying by state news agency KCNA.&nbsp;

She added that the military had instead detonated explosives that simulated the sound of gunfire 60 times and "watched the reaction" of the South Korean forces who mistook them for missiles.&nbsp;

"The result was exactly as we expected. They misjudged the sound of explosives as gunfire, assumed it was an artillery fire provocation, and shamelessly made up a lie," she added.&nbsp;

"In the future, they will misjudge even the rumbling sound of thunder in the northern sky as artillery fire from our military," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tensions-in-korean-peninsula-north-korea-conducts-artillery-drills-near-south-korean-islands-wion-676856">Watch |&nbsp;Tensions in Korean Peninsula: North Korea conducts artillery drills near South Korean islands</a>

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<h2>South Korea warns civilians</h2>

Notably, South Korea on Friday told civilians on Yeonpyeong Island, located about 115 km east of Seoul in terms of aerial distance,&nbsp;to evacuate after North Korea fired around 200 artillery shells off its west coast.

"About 200 shots were fired by North Korea (near) Yeonpyeong Island," a defence ministry official said at a briefing.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kim-jong-uns-sister-calls-out-usa-for-double-standards-over-n-koreas-spy-satellite-664463">Also read |&nbsp;Kim Jong Un’s sister calls out USA for 'double standards' over N Korea's spy satellite</a>

Hours later, South Korean defence ministry described it as a&nbsp;"provocative act" and urged North to stop, warning Seoul would take "appropriate measures" in response.

The shells reportedly splashed into the maritime buffer zone north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between both Koreas in the Yellow Sea.

On Sunday afternoon (Jan 7), South Korea media reports, citing military sources, claimed that North Korea had once again fired shots into the sea north of&nbsp;Yeonpyeong island.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has denied claims made by South Korea that Pyongyang fired dozens of artillery rounds near their border on Saturday (Jan 6).

Kim Yo Jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has denied claims made by South Korea that Pyongyang fired dozens of artillery rounds near their border on Saturday (Jan 6). Seoul's military had claimed that North Korea fired over 60 artillery rounds near Yeonpyeong Island which landed in a buffer zone, set up under an inter-Korean military accord signed on Sept 19, 2018, to reduce border tensions. "Our military did not fire a single shell into the water area," Kim Yo Jong was quoted as saying by state news agency KCNA. She added that the military had instead detonated explosives that simulated the sound of gunfire 60 times and "watched the reaction" of the South Korean forces who mistook them for missiles. "The result was exactly as we expected. They misjudged the sound of explosives as gunfire, assumed it was an artillery fire provocation, and shamelessly made up a lie," she added. "In the future, they will misjudge even the rumbling sound of thunder in the northern sky as artillery fire from our military," she said. Watch | Tensions in Korean Peninsula: North Korea conducts artillery drills near South Korean islands × South Korea warns civilians Notably, South Korea on Friday told civilians on Yeonpyeong Island, located about 115 km east of Seoul in terms of aerial distance, to evacuate after North Korea fired around 200 artillery shells off its west coast. "About 200 shots were fired by North Korea (near) Yeonpyeong Island," a defence ministry official said at a briefing. Also read | Kim Jong Un’s sister calls out USA for 'double standards' over N Korea's spy satellite Hours later, South Korean defence ministry described it as a "provocative act" and urged North to stop, warning Seoul would take "appropriate measures" in response. The shells reportedly splashed into the maritime buffer zone north of the Northern Limit Line (NLL), the de facto maritime border between both Koreas in the Yellow Sea. On Sunday afternoon (Jan 7), South Korea media reports, citing military sources, claimed that North Korea had once again fired shots into the sea north of Yeonpyeong island. (With inputs from agencies)

Kim Jong Un’s sister claims S Korea 'misjudged' sound of explosives as artillery fire

Voting in Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections saw a voter turnout of 27.5 percent till 3PM. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to secure a fourth straight term in office following a boycott led by the country's key opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Bangladesh General Elections: 27.5% voter turnout recorded till 3 PM: EC

An Air Canada flight was diverted to the Canadian city of Winnipeg after a 16-year-old passenger allegedly attacked a family member mid-air, said the police. The teenager who was reportedly restrained by the crew and passengers was later arrested.&nbsp;

<h2>About the incident</h2>

The alleged assault took place on Air Canada Flight 137 on Wednesday (Jan 3) which was flying&nbsp;from the Canadian city of Toronto to Calgary, according to a statement by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.&nbsp;

The 16-year-old boy assaulted another passenger, who police said was a family member.&nbsp;

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Around 12:20 pm (local time), Winnipeg Richardson International Airport RCMP “received a report of a flight diversion to Winnipeg due to an unruly passenger on board who had assaulted a passenger,” said the Canadian police.&nbsp;

“Airline employees and passengers were able to restrain the youth following the assault,” it added. The 16-year-old boy, who was not identified was said to be from Grande Prairie, a city in northwest Alberta.

The flight was diverted to Winnipeg where upon landing, the suspect was promptly arrested and later taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation, said the police.&nbsp;

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“The adult passenger was treated on scene for minor physical injuries,” the RCMP said in a statement, adding that “No other passengers required medical assistance.”

<h2>Passenger behaviour</h2>

Notably, there has been an uptick in the number of incidents related to unruly passengers especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

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According to a recent report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the number of such incidents reported has risen from 1,161 in 2019 to 2,031 in the last year.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

An Air Canada flight was diverted to the Canadian city of Winnipeg after a 16-year-old passenger allegedly attacked a family member mid-air, said the police. The teenager who was reportedly restrained by the crew and passengers was later arrested.

An Air Canada flight was diverted to the Canadian city of Winnipeg after a 16-year-old passenger allegedly attacked a family member mid-air, said the police. The teenager who was reportedly restrained by the crew and passengers was later arrested. About the incident The alleged assault took place on Air Canada Flight 137 on Wednesday (Jan 3) which was flying from the Canadian city of Toronto to Calgary, according to a statement by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The 16-year-old boy assaulted another passenger, who police said was a family member. ALSO READ | Air Canada: 49-year-old disabled man drags himself off plane as airline didn't provide wheelchair Around 12:20 pm (local time), Winnipeg Richardson International Airport RCMP “received a report of a flight diversion to Winnipeg due to an unruly passenger on board who had assaulted a passenger,” said the Canadian police. “Airline employees and passengers were able to restrain the youth following the assault,” it added. The 16-year-old boy, who was not identified was said to be from Grande Prairie, a city in northwest Alberta. The flight was diverted to Winnipeg where upon landing, the suspect was promptly arrested and later taken to the hospital for a medical evaluation, said the police. ALSO READ | Air Canada kicks out two passengers who refused to sit on vomit-soiled seats “The adult passenger was treated on scene for minor physical injuries,” the RCMP said in a statement, adding that “No other passengers required medical assistance.” Passenger behaviour Notably, there has been an uptick in the number of incidents related to unruly passengers especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. ALSO READ | US-based firm sues Air Canada over $17 million gold and cash heist According to a recent report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the number of such incidents reported has risen from 1,161 in 2019 to 2,031 in the last year. (With inputs from agencies)

Air Canada plane diverted after 16-year-old 'attacks' family member mid-flight

Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) led by former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has boycotted the ongoing 12th parliamentary elections, after PM Sheikh Hasina denied its demand to resign and let a caretaker government run the election.

Bangladesh General Elections: Opposition BNP and allies parties boycott polls

Four days after a devastating twin bomb attack rocked southern Iran, claiming the lives of at least 91 people during a memorial ceremony near the tomb of Qasem Soleimani, a video has surfaced online. The footage shows a chilling glimpse into the moment one of the bombs exploded on January 3.

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The health ministry in the Gaza Strip said on Sunday (Jan 7) that two journalists were killed in an Israeli air strike in the war-torn region as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates.

The health ministry in the Gaza Strip said on Sunday (Jan 7) that two journalists were killed in an Israeli air strike in the war-torn region as the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalates. According to the health ministry and medics, Mustafa Thuria, a video stringer for AFP news agency, and Hamza Wael Dahdouh, a journalist with Al Jazeera television network, were killed while they were travelling in a car. Hamza's father Wael al-Dahdouh is Al Jazeera's bureau chief in the Gaza Strip and was also recently wounded in a strike, AFP reported. He was wounded after his wife and two children were killed by a separate Israeli strike in the initial weeks of the war which started on Oct 7 last year. Thuria, meanwhile, joined AFP in 2019. In a statement, Hamas' media office condemned the killings. "We condemn this heinous crime committed by the Israeli occupation army in a bid to intimidate and prevent media coverage," it said. 77 journalists killed since the war started According to the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists, by Dec 31 last year, at least 77 journalists and media workers had been killed since the war started on Oct 7. Among the 77 killed, 70 were Palestinians, four Israelis, and three Lebanese. The death toll in Gaza Strip has climbed to 22,835 with 113 people killed in the last 24 hours, the health ministry claimed on Sunday. A total of 58,416 people had been wounded during the three months of fighting. Also read: Israel says it ‘dismantled’ Hamas command structure in north Gaza; at least 7 killed in West Bank raid On Saturday, the Israeli army said that it "dismantled" Hamas' military leadership in northern Gaza, adding its forces killed more "terrorists" in central Gaza, including in a drone strike in the Bureij refugee camp, a built-up urban area. An early morning Israeli strike in Jenin killed six Palestinians, while an Israeli border police officer died when a roadside bomb hit her vehicle Sunday, AFP reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Health ministry in Gaza says two journalists killed in Israeli strike

Following the winding up of UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy's start-up investment firm Catamaran Ventures in December last year, the country's main opposition party has raised questions about the impact of the closure on other companies.

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Two journalists have been killed in alleged Israeli air strike in southern Gaza this morning the health ministry and medics confirmed to AFP.

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During an address on the eve of Orthodox Christmas, on Saturday (Jan 6) Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to support soldiers "fighting to defend Moscow’s interests". Meanwhile, wives of Russians mobilised to fight in Ukraine symbolically laid flowers at the flame of an unknown soldier near the Kremlin and demanded the return of their husbands from the front.

<h2>Putin’s change in tone</h2>

“Many of our men, our courageous, heroic guys, Russian warriors, even now, on this holiday, defend the interests of our country with arms in hand,” said the Russian president at a late Saturday meeting with families of Russian soldiers who have died in Ukraine.&nbsp;

He also said that he has ordered his government to ramp up support for those who fight and call on his people to be merciful and just.&nbsp;

It has also been reported that Putin, who is facing elections in March, has been softening his speeches to focus on traditional Russian values and unity.&nbsp;

“I would like our meeting to be a clear, understandable signal to all my colleagues throughout the Russian Federation, and at all levels – a clear signal to ensure that my colleagues are always and everywhere with you, I repeat, any level of power,” he told the families gathered at a chapel at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow.

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In a separate greeting for the occasion issued on the Kremlin’s website, Putin&nbsp;called on his citizens to follow the “unshakable” values of “goodness, mercy and justice” and on the Russian Orthodox Church to help strengthen “the institution of families” and patriotism.&nbsp;

Notably, this year Putin did not call for a ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the holiday – like he did last year – which many Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 6-7.&nbsp;

Orthodox Christmas services were also held in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian, unlike the rest of the war-torn country.&nbsp;

Kyiv <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukrainians-to-officially-celebrate-christmas-on-december-25-for-the-first-time-in-snub-to-russia-673201">celebrated its Christmas</a> on December 25 after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law last July to change the date of the Christmas holiday from January 7 partly to “renounce Russian heritage”.&nbsp;

<h2>Protest near Kremlin</h2>

Amid growing anger among relatives of reservists whom Putin mobilised in September 2022, months after Russia began invading Ukraine, some 15 women, according to AFP, braved the winter cold to place red flowers at the site in the heart of the capital which is also right beneath the walls of the Kremlin.&nbsp;

“We want to draw the authorities’ attention and that of the public to our appeal. We have tried several means. We made a written appeal to lawmakers, officials, administrations – but we were not heard,” Maria, a 47-year-old sales manager, whose husband was mobilised in November 2022, told the news agency.&nbsp;

She added, “It’s not fair. They are civilians, they are not soldiers. Our husbands can’t stay there.”

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While protests and criticism, particularly about what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine are dealt with swiftly in Moscow, mobilisation is said to be a sensitive subject for authorities, who have so far refrained from repressing what has become a nascent movement of revolt.

Maria Semyonova, a legal assistant, urged authorities to “negotiate peace” in Ukraine at a protest where police, according to AFP, did not intervene.&nbsp;

The protest is “the only peaceful action that has not yet been banned by law,” Paulina, the mother of a one-year-old child, told the news agency.&nbsp;

She added, “I feel like we’re annoying them. But no one will remain silent. We shall carry on every day, every Saturday.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

During an address on the eve of Orthodox Christmas, on Saturday (Jan 6) Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to support soldiers "fighting to defend Moscow’s interests".

During an address on the eve of Orthodox Christmas, on Saturday (Jan 6) Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to support soldiers "fighting to defend Moscow’s interests". Meanwhile, wives of Russians mobilised to fight in Ukraine symbolically laid flowers at the flame of an unknown soldier near the Kremlin and demanded the return of their husbands from the front. Putin’s change in tone “Many of our men, our courageous, heroic guys, Russian warriors, even now, on this holiday, defend the interests of our country with arms in hand,” said the Russian president at a late Saturday meeting with families of Russian soldiers who have died in Ukraine. He also said that he has ordered his government to ramp up support for those who fight and call on his people to be merciful and just. It has also been reported that Putin, who is facing elections in March, has been softening his speeches to focus on traditional Russian values and unity. “I would like our meeting to be a clear, understandable signal to all my colleagues throughout the Russian Federation, and at all levels – a clear signal to ensure that my colleagues are always and everywhere with you, I repeat, any level of power,” he told the families gathered at a chapel at his residence in Novo-Ogaryovo outside Moscow. ALSO READ | Prez Biden kept in dark about Austin’s hospitalisation, US defence secretary pledges transparency In a separate greeting for the occasion issued on the Kremlin’s website, Putin called on his citizens to follow the “unshakable” values of “goodness, mercy and justice” and on the Russian Orthodox Church to help strengthen “the institution of families” and patriotism. Notably, this year Putin did not call for a ceasefire in Ukraine to coincide with the holiday – like he did last year – which many Orthodox Christians celebrate on January 6-7. Orthodox Christmas services were also held in parts of Ukraine occupied by Russian, unlike the rest of the war-torn country. Kyiv celebrated its Christmas on December 25 after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a law last July to change the date of the Christmas holiday from January 7 partly to “renounce Russian heritage”. Protest near Kremlin Amid growing anger among relatives of reservists whom Putin mobilised in September 2022, months after Russia began invading Ukraine, some 15 women, according to AFP, braved the winter cold to place red flowers at the site in the heart of the capital which is also right beneath the walls of the Kremlin. “We want to draw the authorities’ attention and that of the public to our appeal. We have tried several means. We made a written appeal to lawmakers, officials, administrations – but we were not heard,” Maria, a 47-year-old sales manager, whose husband was mobilised in November 2022, told the news agency. She added, “It’s not fair. They are civilians, they are not soldiers. Our husbands can’t stay there.” ALSO READ | Ukraine war: At least 11, including 5 children, killed in Russian strikes in Pokrovsk While protests and criticism, particularly about what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine are dealt with swiftly in Moscow, mobilisation is said to be a sensitive subject for authorities, who have so far refrained from repressing what has become a nascent movement of revolt. Maria Semyonova, a legal assistant, urged authorities to “negotiate peace” in Ukraine at a protest where police, according to AFP, did not intervene. The protest is “the only peaceful action that has not yet been banned by law,” Paulina, the mother of a one-year-old child, told the news agency. She added, “I feel like we’re annoying them. But no one will remain silent. We shall carry on every day, every Saturday.” (With inputs from agencies)

Putin vows to support soldiers fighting in Ukraine while wives mobilise protest near Kremlin

Latest in Israel-Hamas war: Six dead in West Bank as violent clashes erupt in Jenin following Israeli raid. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has arrived in Turkey, his first stop in the week-long new West Asia trip. This is US' top diplomat's fourth crisis visit to the region amid escalating tensions. Watch the video to know more!

Israel-Hamas war: PM Netanyahu says war must not be stopped until Hamas is eliminated

Voting in Bangladesh's 12th parliamentary elections saw a voter turnout of 27.5 percent till 3 PM. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is set to secure a fourth straight term in office following a boycott led by the country's key opposition party, the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

Bangladesh General Elections: 27.5% voter turnout recorded till 3PM: EC

Taiwan's defence ministry accused China on Saturday of threatening aviation safety and waging psychological warfare on the island's people with a recent spate of balloons spotted near or over the island, days before key Taiwanese elections.

Taiwan accuses China of psychological warfare

Frontdesk, a prominent prop tech start-up based in the United States, recently sent shockwaves through its entire workforce by firing them all over a brief Google meet call that lasted two minutes, as reported by TechCrunch. The&nbsp;employees—comprising full-time, part-time workers, and contractors—were all left in a state of shock and uncertainty about their future.&nbsp;

Jesse DePinto, Frontdesk's CEO, conveyed the news during the virtual meeting. The abrupt termination announcement also unveiled the company's decision to seek state receivership as an alternative to declaring bankruptcy.

Despite attempts to obtain a response from Frontdesk, the company has remained reticent, directing its customers to find alternative accommodations and await further communication within the next two weeks through its website.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/tech-layoffs-2023-dell-to-lay-off-6500-employees-cut-5-of-its-global-workforce-amid-uncertain-future-559204">Also read |&nbsp;Tech layoffs 2023: Dell to lay off 6,500 employees, cut 5% of its global workforce amid 'uncertain future'</a>

<h2>Frontdesk's rise and fall</h2>

Established in 2017, Frontdesk initially secured a significant $26 million in investments from notable backers, including JetBlue Ventures, Veritas Investments, and Sand Hill Angels.

However, the startup encountered a series of setbacks, culminating in its recent struggle to sustain operations.

Frontdesk's attempt to pivot towards full building management through an additional funding round failed to materialise, exacerbating operational challenges.

Interestingly, this turn of events occurred despite the company's seemingly optimistic outlook, evidenced by its recruitment drive for a chief of staff position just two months prior to the mass layoffs.

The company faced mounting difficulties, including issues with rental payments for multiple properties. This led to strained relations with landlords due to insufficient communication, further contributing to the company's woes.

Also watch |&nbsp;Elon Musk launches new AI start up

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-launches-new-ai-start-up-to-compete-with-openai-583170/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The root cause of Frontdesk's challenges lies in its business model, primarily focused on short-term apartment rentals—a strategy laden with financial hurdles.

Escalating costs and a volatile demand for short-stay accommodations rendered the company's business model unsustainable.

(With inputs from agencies)

Frontdesk, a prominent prop tech start-up based in the United States, recently sent shockwaves through its entire workforce by firing them all over a brief Google meet call that lasted two minutes, as reported by TechCrunch.

Frontdesk, a prominent prop tech start-up based in the United States, recently sent shockwaves through its entire workforce by firing them all over a brief Google meet call that lasted two minutes, as reported by TechCrunch. The employees—comprising full-time, part-time workers, and contractors—were all left in a state of shock and uncertainty about their future. Jesse DePinto, Frontdesk's CEO, conveyed the news during the virtual meeting. The abrupt termination announcement also unveiled the company's decision to seek state receivership as an alternative to declaring bankruptcy. Despite attempts to obtain a response from Frontdesk, the company has remained reticent, directing its customers to find alternative accommodations and await further communication within the next two weeks through its website. Also read | Tech layoffs 2023: Dell to lay off 6,500 employees, cut 5% of its global workforce amid 'uncertain future' Frontdesk's rise and fall Established in 2017, Frontdesk initially secured a significant $26 million in investments from notable backers, including JetBlue Ventures, Veritas Investments, and Sand Hill Angels. However, the startup encountered a series of setbacks, culminating in its recent struggle to sustain operations. Frontdesk's attempt to pivot towards full building management through an additional funding round failed to materialise, exacerbating operational challenges. Interestingly, this turn of events occurred despite the company's seemingly optimistic outlook, evidenced by its recruitment drive for a chief of staff position just two months prior to the mass layoffs. The company faced mounting difficulties, including issues with rental payments for multiple properties. This led to strained relations with landlords due to insufficient communication, further contributing to the company's woes. Also watch | Elon Musk launches new AI start up The root cause of Frontdesk's challenges lies in its business model, primarily focused on short-term apartment rentals—a strategy laden with financial hurdles. Escalating costs and a volatile demand for short-stay accommodations rendered the company's business model unsustainable. (With inputs from agencies)

Head-spinning move: US startup lays off entire 200-member staff over a two-minute Google Meet call

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