LIVE: Drilling at Silkyara tunnel on hold again, workers await rescue

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8:21 AM

Israel-Hamas truce to start today, 13 hostages to be freed in first batch

A four-day cease-fire between Israel and Hamas will begin on Friday morning, with civilian hostages and Palestinian prisoners set to be freed later in the afternoon, Qatar announced on Thursday, according to CNN. According to Majed Al-Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's foreign ministry, the cease-fire will begin at 7 am local time, with 13 women and children captives set to be released at 4 pm. According to Al-Ansari, the list of captives scheduled to be freed has been sent to the Israeli intelligence service, Mossad.

8:10 AM

China says no novel pathogens detected in surge of pneumonia cases: WHO

Following a pressing demand from the World Health Organisation to reveal more information on the surge in respiratory illnesses among children, China said there is no detection of any unusual or novel pathogens. Some of these increases are occurring earlier in the season than usual, although this is not surprising given the easing of COVID-19 limitations, as seen in other nations.

8:03 AM

Israel-Hamas clash: IDF kills Hamas Naval leader Jallah in air strike

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) eliminated the commander of Hamas' Khan Yunis naval force, Amar Abu Jallah. Abu Jallah was killed in an air strike. Amar Abu Jallah said the Israel Defence Forces were involved from the beginning of the fighting in Gaza in sending a number of attempted naval attacks that were thwarted by Israeli forces.

 

8:02 AM

Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Drone cameras being used for monitoring

The drone cameras are being used to monitor the situation in Uttarkashi's Silkyara tunnel in which 41 workers are trapped, officials said early Friday.The workers have been trapped for 13 days after a portion of the under-construction tunnel collapsed on November 12.

8:01 AM

SC to hear Kerala govt's plea against state Guv on bill clearance

The Supreme Court on Monday had sought the response of the Centre and Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan's office on a plea of the state government accusing him of not granting assent to several bills cleared by the Assembly. A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra took note of the submissions made by senior advocate K K Venugopal, alleging a delay on the governor's part in granting assent to eight bills. The court will hear the Kerala government's plea Today.