Houthis Vow To Continue Attacks On Israel-Linked Ships

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Yemen's Houthi group has vowed to further deter Israel-linked ships from taking the Red Sea route, amid reports of a fresh attack on ships in the Gulf of Aden.

Sanaa, Jan 16: Yemen's Houthi group has vowed to further deter Israel-linked ships from taking the Red Sea route, amid reports of a fresh attack on ships in the Gulf of Aden.

"We will continue to prevent Israeli ships or those heading to Israeli ports until the aggression and siege on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip stops," Houthi-run al-Masirah TV quoted a source in the Houthi naval forces as saying on Monday.

Meanwhile, the Houthi TV channel reported that Mohammed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator of the group, also confirmed that attacks on "Israeli ships or those foreign ships heading to the Israeli ports" will continue, Xinhua news agency reported.

"US strikes (on Houthi camps in Yemen) and threats will not stop our military operations," Abdulsalam added.

The remarks of the Houthis came hours after the British Maritime Trade Operations reported a new attack in the Gulf of Aden on Monday. It said investigations are ongoing and advised ships navigating the international shipping lanes near Yemen to take caution.

On Sunday, the US Central Command said its navy forces shot down an anti-ship missile fired from an area under Houthi control in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

The missile was heading toward a US battleship stationing in the Red Sea and intercepted by a fighter jet off Hodeidah, the US Central Command added in a statement on X.

Read More International News

The escalation came less than 24 hours after the Houthis claimed that one of their positions was bombed in a US-UK air strike. The US Central Command has not commented on the Houthi allegation.

(IANS)

Naveen Patnaik Govt Has Reached Its Expiry Date: Dharmendra Pradhan's Jibe At BJD

by Hemanta Pande

Jharsuguda, May 6 : Union Minister and BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Sambalpur, Dharmendra Pradhan on Monday launched a scathing attack on Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik saying that the BJD government has reached its expiry date and BJP's government will be formed in the state.

"Odisha is a state of possibilities...PM Modi has pledged to better the lives of the poor. The govt here has reached its expiry date. BJP's govt will be formed in Odisha on June 10," he said.

Further, he attacked Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik by stating that despite making several promises to the people of Odisha, he failed to provide them with basic necessities such as drinking water and water for irrigation.

"He (Naveen Patnaik) showed many dreams to the people of Odisha but he could not even provide drinking water & water for irrigation to them. About 40 per cent of children do not study past matriculation here. PM Modi has raised hope for the poor and instilled confidence in women," he said.

Pradhan's comments come after Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his remark that "June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government, saying that "BJP is daydreaming about forming government in Odisha."

Sharing a video on X, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) media coordinator Saurabh Srivastava wrote, "BJP daydreaming about forming a government in Odisha, says CM Naveen Patnaik."

Earlier in the day, while addressing a public rally in Behrampur, PM Modi exuded confidence in the BJP forming a "double engine government" in Odisha for the first time and stated that he is glad to be present in the pious land of Lord Jagannath.

"June 4 is the expiry date of the BJD government... On June 4, BJP's CM face will be announced. On June 10, the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM will take place, in Bhubaneswar. Today, I am here to invite all of you to the swearing-in ceremony of BJP's CM," he said.

Also Read: 'BJP CM will take oath in Odisha on June 10', roars PM Modi at Berhampur rally

The state of Odisha will hold Assembly elections and Lok Sabha elections in four phases from May 13 to June 1, with vote counting scheduled for June 4.

In the 2019 Assembly election, Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won 112 out of 146 seats, while Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) won 23 seats and Congress won 9.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) won the majority of seats in the state, while the BJP and the Congress brought up the rear. The BJD won 12 seats, the BJP finished a close second at 8, and the Congress bagged just a lone seat. (ANI)

Odisha Reeling Under Heat Wave, Mercury Breaches 42°C At 13 Places

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 6: Odisha continued to reel under heat wave conditions as the mercury level on Monday breached 42 degree Celsius at 13 places in the State.

According to the Bhubaneswar meteorological centre, Balangir was the hottest place in the state today with a maximum temperature of 44.5 degree Celsius.

Balangir was followed by Titlagarh at 44 degree Celsius, Boudh at 43.5 degree Celsius, Jharsuguda and Sambalpur each at 43.4 degree Celsius, Bhawanipatna and Bargarh each at 43 degree Celsius.

While Sundargarh recorded 42.9 degree Celsius, the maximum temperature was 42.6 degree Celsius at Rourkela, 42.5 degree Celsius at Malkangiri, 42.3 degree Celsius at Sonepur, 42.1 degree Celsius at Angul and 42 degree Celsius at Hirakud.

The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack recorded 39.8 degree Celsius and 37.2 degree Celsius, respectively.

Read More Odisha News

Naveen’s Close Aide VK Pandian Throws Open Challenge To PM Modi

by Hemanta Pande

Bhubaneswar, May 6: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will have its own government in Odisha on June 10, giving an indication that the Naveen Patnaik-led regional Biju Janata Dal (BJD) will be voted out of power, — BJD’s key strategist V Karthikeyan Pandian countered his statement and said, “Naveen Patnaik will be sworn-in as CM of the state for a record sixth term on June 9.”

The rare slugfest between PM Modi and Pandian created flutters in political circles. Curious people began discussing among themselves as to whose assertion was stronger.

While many maintained that the Prime Minister Modi cannot make such a big assertion without having clear understanding of the ground situation as it would cost him his reputation, the others who have been keeping a close watch on the bureaucrat-turned politician, vouched that the latter cannot go wrong as all his previous articulations have proved right.

“Naveen Patnaik will take oath as the chief minister of Odisha for the sixth consecutive time between 11.30 am to 1.30 pm on June 9," Pandian said on Monday afternoon.

At two separate meetings - Berhampur and Nabarangpur in Odisha, the PM on Monday said, “On June 4, BJP will emerge victorious in Odisha Legislative Assembly polls. On June 6, we will name our Odisha chief minister candidate and on June 10, our CM will take oath of office.”