In a significant move aimed at protecting air travellers, the Union Ministry of Civil Aviation has directed airlines to ensure that at least 60 per cent of seats on every flight are offered without any additional selection fee. The decision follows widespread complaints from passengers about hidden charges, particularly for seat selection.

The directive has been issued through the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, which has introduced a series of passenger-friendly norms to enhance transparency and improve the overall flying experience.

Under the new guidelines, airlines have also been instructed to seat passengers travelling on the same PNR together, preferably in adjacent seats. This is expected to address long-standing concerns among families and group travellers, who often face inconvenience due to scattered seating arrangements.

The regulator has further emphasised the need to safeguard passenger rights in situations such as flight delays, cancellations, and denied boarding. Airlines have been asked to prominently display these rights across their websites, mobile applications, booking platforms, and airport counters to ensure better awareness.

In addition, carriers must establish clear and transparent policies regarding the carriage of sports equipment, musical instruments, and pets. The move comes in response to frequent complaints over inconsistent rules and high charges. Airlines have been directed to align such policies with safety and operational standards while ensuring they are communicated in a simple and passenger-friendly manner.

To improve accessibility, the regulator has also asked airlines to share passenger rights information in regional languages.

Israeli Prime Minister appears alongside US envoy, addresses conspiracy theories and ongoing conflict remarks

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly dismissed viral rumours about his death, appearing in a fresh video alongside US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.

The video surfaced after days of speculation online, where misleading posts questioned his absence and circulated claims about altered footage showing him with “six fingers.”

In the clip, Huckabee jokes that US President Donald Trump had asked him to personally check on Netanyahu. Responding with humour, Netanyahu says, “Yes, Mike. Yes, I’m alive.”

Rumours and online claims gain traction

Speculation had intensified across social media as tensions escalated between Israel and Iran.

Some posts claimed Netanyahu had not been seen publicly, while others pointed to a previous video where his hand appeared unusual, fuelling conspiracy theories about manipulated or AI-generated footage.

Remarks on iran conflict

During the interaction, Netanyahu also made comments referencing Israeli strikes, mentioning Iranian figures including Ali Larijani and Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani.

Using a metaphorical tone, he spoke about “erasing names” from a list, while praising US support and reiterating Israel’s stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Huckabee responded in a lighter tone, joking that his own name was not on the list, to which Netanyahu replied that he was among the “good guys.”

Earlier video mocked conspiracy

Before releasing this clip, Netanyahu had already addressed the rumours in another video posted online. Sitting at a café, he joked about being “dead for coffee,” using a phrase implying strong liking.

He also directly responded to the “six fingers” claim by showing both hands to the camera and inviting viewers to count his fingers.

The videos appear aimed at countering misinformation circulating online as geopolitical tensions continue in the region.

In a major escalation aimed at restoring maritime movement, the United States has carried out airstrikes on Iranian missile positions near the Strait of Hormuz using powerful deep-penetration bombs.

The US military confirmed that multiple 5,000-pound bunker buster munitions were used to target hardened missile infrastructure along Iran’s coastline. According to an official statement, the sites housed anti-ship cruise missiles that posed a significant threat to international shipping in the strategic waterway.

The strikes mark the first major US military action to reopen the Strait of Hormuz after Iran reportedly shut it down in response to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel.

Strait disruption triggers global concern

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global النفط transit route, with nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passing through it. Its closure has severely disrupted shipping activity and triggered a sharp rise in global energy prices.

The US action appears to be aimed at neutralising immediate threats to vessels and restoring safe passage through the region.

Allies reluctant to back US move

The development comes amid reports that several US allies, including NATO members, have declined calls from President Donald Trump to support efforts to secure the strait.

Expressing frustration, Trump criticised allies for not contributing even limited resources such as minesweepers, despite longstanding US support to NATO. He maintained that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains a priority for global security.

However, Iran has consistently denied pursuing nuclear weapons, stating that its nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes, including energy production.

Use of bunker buster bombs

The bombs used in the operation are designed to destroy fortified or deeply buried targets. These 5,000-pound munitions, often referred to as bunker busters, are capable of penetrating hardened structures before detonation.

While powerful, they are smaller compared to the 30,000-pound bombs reportedly used by the US in previous strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.