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UAE deports former Egyptian PM Ahmed Shafik to Cairo

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[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]His whereabouts remain unknown in Egypt, family not informed

In a sudden development, UAE authorities deported former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik to Cairo on Saturday, while he along with family were about to leave for France. Reports confirmed his arrival in Cairo but his whereabouts were still not disclosed. Shafik had recently announced his intention to run for the presidency.

UAE news agency WAM has disclosed that Shafik left the Emirates for Egypt without giving any details on why or how he departed. It said his family had remained behind in the Emirates. He was sent to Cairo in a private aircraft.

According to Reuters, former Egyptian PM Ahmed Shafik’s daughter May Shafik, told that authorities had come for him at his home and sent him to Cairo. “We were about to leave to travel to France. They came and took him. They deported him in a private plane. They said they will deport him to Egypt,” May said.

She was suspicious about the intention of his deportation at a time he had announced his plan to contest presidential election and said, “Just because he announced he will run for president they deported him to Egypt and I don’t know what will they do to him.”

She said Shafik had been prevented from leaving the UAE in previous days but had then received assurances that he could travel freely. She did not specify who gave the assurances. The UAE denied placing movement restrictions on Shafik.

Earlier on Friday she said that his father was preparing to depart, first for Europe and the US before reaching to Egypt for starting his election campaign. Shafik narrowly lost to Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt’s 2012 election before fleeing overseas.

Reports from Cairo say that security arrangements were high when Shafik landed in a private plane in Cairo airport on Saturday evening. Egyptian authorities escorted Shafik in a motorcade that was waiting for him outside the airport, reports Reuters.

Shafik’s whereabouts are unknown his family said hours after he left the airport, and officials did not issue any statement about his location.

 

On Wednesday last, Shafik had claimed, in a video message to Aljazeera network, that he was prevented from leaving the UAE after he announced his intention of contesting the presidential election to be held sometime next year.

Ahmed Shafiq was country’s PM for just over a month in 2011 during pro-democracy Arab Spring, leading to the fall of Hosni Mubarak. Thereafter, Mohammed Morsi of Muslim Brotherhood was elected as President who was removed in 2013 in a coup led by Sisi, then Egypt’s defence minister, but Shafiq remained in the UAE.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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Val Kilmer, iconic star of Top Gun and Batman Forever, dies at 65

Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, best known for roles in Top Gun and Batman Forever, has died at 65 following a battle with pneumonia.

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Veteran Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, known for his powerful performances in blockbuster films like Top Gun, Batman Forever, The Doors, and Heat, passed away at the age of 65 in Los Angeles. His daughter, Mercedes, confirmed he died of pneumonia. Kilmer had previously battled throat cancer, diagnosed in 2014, and had undergone a tracheotomy that affected his voice and limited his screen appearances.

Remembering a multifaceted performer

Born Val Edward Kilmer on December 31, 1959, in Los Angeles, he was the youngest student ever admitted to the prestigious Juilliard School at age 17. Kilmer’s early work in comedies like Top Secret! and Real Genius quickly brought him into the limelight. His career skyrocketed with the role of Iceman in Top Gun (1986), starring opposite Tom Cruise.

Kilmer’s portrayal of Jim Morrison in The Doors (1991) earned acclaim for its intensity and authenticity. His role as Doc Holliday in Tombstone and as part of the ensemble cast in Michael Mann’s Heat further solidified his standing in Hollywood. In 1995, Kilmer stepped into the iconic cape and cowl as Batman in Batman Forever, following Michael Keaton.

Tributes pour in

Filmmaker Michael Mann paid homage, calling Kilmer’s talent “brilliant and variable” and said the news was “tremendously sad.” Actor Josh Brolin remembered him as “smart, brave and uber-creative,” while British actor David Thewlis called him “extraordinary” and a “friend.” Actor Will Kemp and others remembered Kilmer for his generosity and unique presence on set.

US actor Josh Gad credited Kilmer for shaping the films of his childhood, while James Woods lauded his unforgettable performance as Doc Holliday.

A legacy beyond the screen

Kilmer, who married actress Joanne Whalley in 1988 and had two children with her, was also a visual artist, drawing inspiration from his film characters. In 2021, he released Val, a deeply personal documentary composed of decades of personal video footage, showcasing the ups and downs of his career and life post-cancer.

Despite health setbacks, Kilmer made a memorable return to the screen in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), once again portraying Iceman. His brief but emotional appearance was praised by fans and co-star Tom Cruise alike.

Film critics and industry insiders agree: Kilmer was never just another leading man. With an unpredictable, often edgy screen persona, he brought depth and complexity to every role he played.

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Iran puts missile defence on standby after Trump’s bombing comment

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US airstrikes in Yemen: 31 killed after Donald Trump launches large-scale strikes on Houthis

Iran’s armed forces have positioned missiles capable of hitting US-affiliated sites globally, the Tehran Times reported hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to “bomb” the country in response to nuclear negotiations with Tehran.

The report noted many of these missiles are housed in underground silos across Iran, engineered to withstand airstrikes.

On Sunday, Trump had told journalists that if Iran failed to meet US demands it would face unprecedented bombing. The bombing, Trump, said will be of a scale Iran has never seen before.

He also pointed towards reinstating secondary tariffs on Iran and its trade partners, suggesting that a decision would be made in the following weeks based on Tehran’s response.

The Tehran Times reported that Iran’s military is poised with missiles capable of striking US-related targets amid Trump’s ongoing threats of military intervention if an agreement on the nuclear programme isn’t reached. During his presidency, Trump withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which had placed strict restrictions on Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump reaffirmed that his administration remains open to talks, but emphasized that Iran must show its commitment to curtailing its nuclear endeavors.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian addressed the issue through state media. He rejected the idea of direct negotiations with the US but acknowledged the possibility of continuing indirect discussions, facilitated by Oman.

“The supreme leader has also indicated that indirect negotiations can proceed. We do not shy away from negotiations; rather, their unreliability has caused issues for us. They must demonstrate their ability to create trust regarding their decisions, and I hope this will happen,” Pezeshkian was quoted as saying. In summary, tensions are escalating as Iran prepares its military capabilities in response to Trump’s threats, while diplomatic efforts continue on a potentially indirect basis.

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Myanmar earthquake: Toll crosses 1,600, rescue ops continue; satellite images show extent of devastation across Mandalay

In Thailand, the situation is similarly grim. Reports indicate a rise in the death toll to 17 as of Sunday, with city officials confirming 32 injuries and 83 individuals still unaccounted for, primarily linked to a 30-story construction tower that collapsed.

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Satellite imagery has captured the devastating impact of the recent 7.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar, leading to cataclysmic destruction and resulting in the loss of over 1,600 lives. As international aid efforts mobilize, the country’s death toll has reached 1,644. In Mandalay, residents are desperately searching through the rubble for survivors, while aftershocks continue to shake the already ravaged city.

In Thailand, the situation is similarly grim. Reports indicate a rise in the death toll to 17 as of Sunday, with city officials confirming 32 injuries and 83 individuals still unaccounted for, primarily linked to a 30-story construction tower that collapsed.

In response to the disaster, India has launched its Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations. A specialized rescue contingent from the 50 (I) Para Brigade was deployed to Myanmar under Operation Brahma. This team, consisting of 118 members with medical and communication capabilities, arrived at Naypyitaw International Airport yesterday, led by the brigade’s commander.

After unloading crucial supplies and equipment, the team has moved to a nearby harbor area, located approximately 45 minutes from the airport. Today marks the beginning of the mission’s expansion, with a reconnaissance unit that includes an officer and a Junior Commissioned Officer heading into Mandalay, situated 160 miles north of their current base.

Mandalay has been designated as the primary operational center, and plans are in place for the full team to arrive later this morning. While aerial deployment is the primary strategy, road access is also being considered to facilitate the establishment of the operational theater.

In light of the earthquake, neighboring countries have dispatched warships and aircraft filled with relief supplies and rescue teams. India, China, and Thailand, alongside Malaysia, Singapore, and Russia, are among those providing support.

Indian military planes have conducted multiple flights into Myanmar, delivering essential supplies and search-and-rescue teams to Naypyitaw, where significant destruction has occurred. The Indian Army is also working to set up a field hospital in Mandalay, with two navy vessels on their way to Yangon, Myanmar’s commercial center, carrying additional supplies.

Chinese rescue teams have also arrived, including a group that entered via land from Yunnan province, as reported by China’s embassy in Myanmar. Additionally, a 78-member team from Singapore, equipped with rescue dogs, has been active in Mandalay today, according to media reports.

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