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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iranian Government Aircraft Make Mysterious Dash To Oman
Iran's primary presidential plane and two other government airliners have touched down in the Omani capital Muscat. The highly unusual arrivals come amid reports that the regime in Tehran is looking to negotiate an end to the ongoing conflict with Israel, as well as growing speculation that the United States may be about to directly enter the fighting in a major way. Where exactly the Iranian aircraft, a pair of Airbus A321s and an Airbus A340, originally departed from is unclear. The trio of aircraft used the callsigns JJ25, JJ26, and JJ28. At the time of writing, there has been no official word about the purpose of the flights or who might be on them. The 3 aircraft that have left Iran and landed in Muscat, Oman are 2 x A321 and 1 x A340. — Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) June 18, 2025 שלושה מטוסים ממשלתיים של איראן המריאו בשעה האחרונה מדרום המדינה ונחתו במסקט בירת עומאן. אחד מהם הוא המטוס הנשיאותי, אשר שימש עד לאחרונה את הנשיא מסעוד פזשכיאן. מטרת הטיסה לא ברורה: האם הגיעו לשיחות תיווך בעומאן, או שמא מולטו מן המדינה ועליהם נוסעים. — avi scharf (@avischarf) June 18, 2025 Publicly available air traffic control recordings suggest that a fourth aircraft from Iran may be inbound to Muscat. However, there does not appear to be any clear indication of this yet from available online flight tracking data. Per @liveatc JJ25 advising Muscat Ground that there are going to be a total of four aircraft coming from Iran? What's going on? — Thenewarea51 (@thenewarea51) June 18, 2025 As noted, the Iranian A340, which carries the Iranian registration code EP-IGA, has been used to transport Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in the past, including to the United States for the main annual United Nations General Assembly meeting last year. Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force (IRIAF) used the Airbus A340-313X aircraft (Serial 5-8405, registration EP-IGA) to carry the Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to the New York's John F. Kennedy aircraft (MSN:257) was part of the fleet of Air Canada (C-GDVV),… — FL360aero (@fl360aero) September 23, 2024 There are several possible reasons for the arrival of the Iranian aircraft in Oman. A major Iranian delegation could have arrived in Muscat for new negotiations around ending the current conflict with Israel. Iran and Oman have solid diplomatic ties, and the latter has often served as an intermediary between the regime in Tehran and the West. Oman had just recently been facilitating talks between the United States and Iran over the latter country's nuclear ambitions. Iran has been reportedly reaching out to foreign partners about the possibility of a deal to end the current crisis, though publicly the regime in Tehran remains defiant in the face of ongoing Israeli strikes. 'They want to negotiate. I ask: why didn't they negotiate two weeks ago,' U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters today, while also raising the prospect of an Iranian delegation visiting the White House. 'It is very late to be talking.' Trump on the Iranians: "they even suggested to come to the White House"Says it's "very late" to be talking, "there's a big difference between now and a week ago" (these bits are in a different clip) — Gregg Carlstrom (@glcarlstrom) June 18, 2025 'I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do,' Trump also said when asked about whether the U.S. military might begin to launch its own strikes on Iran. When asked it the US would strike Iran's nuclear facilities, Trump said: 'I may do it. I may not do it. I mean, nobody knows what I'm going to do"Trump also asked what his message is to the Supreme Leader of Iran and said: 'I say good luck.' — Selina Wang (@selinawangtv) June 18, 2025 There remains no clear evidence of American forces taking a new offensive role in the conflict, though a major U.S. build-up is continuing, as you can read more about here. Online flight tracking data today did show two U.S. Air Force KC-135 aerial refueling tankers flying eastward over Israel and then up along the Jordanian-Iraqi border, the purpose of which is also unclear. Pair of tankers working just south of the Syrian border over Jordan. KC-135R 58-0069 #AE04F6 KC-135R 63-7985 # — Evergreen Intel (@vcdgf555) June 18, 2025 Two U.S. KC-135R Stratotanker planes are flying over Israel . — ILRedAlert (@ILRedAlert) June 18, 2025 In response to Trump's remarks, Iran's mission to the United Nations made a post on X publicly rejecting the possibility of a White House visit and negotiations while 'under duress.' Israeli authorities have also rejected talk of a diplomatic resolution to the current conflict. Iran mission to UN not surprisingly rejects Trump's apparent idea for the Iranians to come to the White House — Laura Rozen (@lrozen) June 18, 2025 If the Iranian aircraft touching down in Oman are not tied to a diplomatic mission, they could also be carrying individuals seeking to escape the current conflict. Israel has notably been striking Iran's capital Tehran, as well as other locations across western Iran, with virtual impunity for days now. Similarly, the movement of the aircraft could be about keeping them safe from expanding Israeli strikes on Iranian air bases in the event that they might be called upon to help senior regime officials evacuate in the future. As an interesting comparative case, during the Gulf War in 1991, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein ordered much of his country's air force to flee to neighboring Iran, despite the historical enmity between the two regimes, to escape destruction by the U.S.-led coalition. A number of Iranian airliners, including ones belonging to Mahan Air and Fars Air Qeshm, which have been linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), were previously tracked leaving Tehran over the weekend. As TWZ noted at the time, those flights were already risky given Israeli air activity. Out of Tehran now — Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) June 14, 2025 Fars Air QeshmBoeing 747-281F# — 360°Radar (@wipljw) June 14, 2025 TWZ has reached out to the White House and the U.S. State Department for additional information. In response to our queries, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) also directed us to contact the White House. With Iran's main presidential plane and other government-operated airliners now in Oman, more details about why they have made the trip may now begin to emerge. Howard Altman contributed to this story. Contact the author: joe@
Hindustan Times
8 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Guest Column: Yoga is India's gift to the world for wellness
Yoga, an invaluable gift of India's ancient tradition, offers a holistic approach to health and well-being, encouraging inner peace and balance in a rapidly changing world. The theme of the 11th International Day of Yoga is: Yoga for One Earth One Health. It inspires a unified movement, transcending geographies, cultures, and professions. Thanks to the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the acceptability of yoga has been enhanced to the extent that it is practised as a way of life and has given India a unique recognition before the international fraternity. On September 27, 2014, in his address to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), PM Modi proposed to dedicate June 21 as the day to celebrate yoga across the world. Less than three months later, on December 11, 2014, 193 members of the UNGA and 173 co-sponsor countries unanimously approved the resolution, which agreed that yoga offers a holistic approach to health and well-being, and that widespread promotion about its benefits is necessary for the global population's health. Ten years later, UNGA president Dennis Francis underscored its significance by terming yoga 'a powerful metaphor for the United Nations itself', underlining the power of yogic practices in addressing the physical and mental health problems of the modern world. The mass participation stands testament to the fact that the world has now accepted and is celebrating yoga. A remarkable 24.53 crore people participated globally, social media recorded 3.48 crore engagements, community radio reached to 26 lakh participants, and 177 UN member nations extended their support to India's initiative. Internationally, Indian embassies and yoga institutes engaged around 5.45 lakh people. Shaping yoga economy In today's fast-paced world as yoga supports physical and mental health, it has witnessed tremendous growth over the past decade by finding a way into the hearts and homes of millions across the world. No surprise, a new yoga economy is creating fresh employment opportunities with the growth of yoga tourism, the establishment of yoga retreats and resorts, and the booming market for related apparel and equipment. As of 2023, over 30 crore people practise yoga worldwide. That number keeps climbing, and it's fair to assume that future datasets will show an increase in practitioners and professionals. This expanding ecosystem directly contributes to a demand for skilled professionals, a need being actively addressed by government initiatives. Potential for growth The global yoga industry, including classes, teacher trainings, retreats, and products, is now worth more than $88 billion. Government initiatives promoting AYUSH education and training are fostering a skilled workforce, meeting industry demands. The AYUSH sector is likely to generate nearly 30 lakh job opportunities in the near future. India has over 7,55,780 registered AYUSH practitioners, reflecting the country's strong foundation in traditional systems of medicine and holistic healthcare. The Skill India Mission, through the Beauty & Wellness Sector Skill Council (B&WSSC) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), had trained 1.3 lakh students as yoga instructors and trainers as of 23 June, 2022. The AYUSH department has established the Yoga Certification Board for yoga practitioners. Over 100 major institutions in India and 10 from abroad have been granted certifications from this board. Expansion of Ayush With government support, India's Ayush market which was $2.85 billion in 2014 has gone up to $43.4 billion in 2023 and exports doubled from $1.09 billion to $2.16 billion. The ever-growing entrepreneurial ecosystem has led to the growth of MSMEs in Ayush from 38,216 in August 2021 to 53,023 in January 2023, an increase of about 40% in a year. The startups are also booming in this sector is booming with the number of DPIIT-recognised startups reaching 900 in December 2022. As Ayush methods are creating business opportunities all over the country, 52% of these startups are from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, creating about 8,500 jobs. Looking ahead Both yoga and Ayush can be promoted among the youth as a career option with global opportunities. Indian universities could offer professional degrees or certifications that can prepare such professionals. Yoga needs to be promoted as preventive wellness tool which focuses on developing a healthy lifestyle. Teaching yoga should made part of the school curriculum. The Indian medical fraternity is among the largest in the world. Indian doctors have global reputation and today they are practising all around the world therefore it is important to make medical professionals yoga ambassadors. International Yoga Day has become a global public health movement with millions of people across the globe embracing yoga and making it a part of their daily lives. With each passing day, now Yoga is reaching even more people and deepening its worldwide. The writer is a member of the Rajya Sabha. Views expressed are personal.
Mint
15 hours ago
- Health
- Mint
Watch: NDRF-trained Indian pariah dog joins yoga session in Udhampur ahead of International Yoga Day
A trained canine from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) became the star of a yoga session held today at the 13th Battalion campus in Sui, Udhampur, a day before the 11th International Yoga Day on June 21. A video shared by the news agency ANI captures the four-legged yogi mirroring NDRF rescuers as they flow through asanas. Positioned on its mat, the dog patiently waits for its trainer's cue. With a simple prompt, it rises to its hind legs, then smoothly transitions into a side stretch, seamlessly blending into the group practice. This pup has been under NDRF training for two years and now regularly participates in their yoga drills, making today's session both impressive and heartwarming. India will commemorate its 11th International Yoga Day this June 21 under the theme of 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', spotlighting yoga's power to unite human wellbeing with environmental balance. June 21 was chosen for its universal symbolism—it marks the summer solstice, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, embodying themes of energy, balance, and renewal central to yoga philosophy. The idea of an International Day of Yoga was first proposed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. By December that year, the UN officially designated June 21 as the global celebration of yoga. This year's International Day of Yoga will spotlight 10 key initiatives, headlined by 'Yoga Sangam'—a large-scale demonstration set to take place at 1,00,000 locations across India. Other events under the campaign include Yoga Bandhan, Yoga Park, Yoga Samavesh, Yoga Prabhava, Yoga Connect, Harit Yoga, Yoga Unplugged, Yoga Mahakumbh, and Samyoga. The initiative continues to promote global awareness around the physical, mental and emotional benefits of yoga—a practice that blends mind and body, thought and action, offering a comprehensive path to wellness.
Indian Express
18 hours ago
- General
- Indian Express
World Refugee Day 2025: Date, theme, history, significance — all you need to know
World Refugee Day 2025 Date, History, and Theme: World Refugee Day is a global observance established by the United Nations, dedicated to honouring the strength and resilience of refugees worldwide. This day also emphasises the importance of advocating for their rights. According to the United Nations 1951 Refugee Convention, refugees are 'individuals who fled their home and country due to 'a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion'. This day was first observed globally on 20 June 2001, to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention on the Status of Refugees. Formerly known as Africa Refugee Day, it was changed to this day when the United Nations General Assembly declared it an international day in December 2000. World Refugee Day falls on Friday, 20 June 2025, this year. It will focus on the theme 'Solidarity with Refugees,' a call for action to move beyond mere words and take meaningful actions to support them. According to the UN, every minute, 20 people leave everything to flee conflict, persecution, or terror, and World Refugee Day serves as an opportunity to build empathy and understanding for their predicament, as well as to recognise their resilience in reconstructing their lives. Together, we can fight for their right to safety, get support for their economic and social inclusion, and lobby for solutions to their problems. Every person has the right to seek safety. 💙 Whoever they are. 💙 Wherever they come from. 💙 Whenever they are forced to flee. This #WorldRefugeeDay — and every day — we stand with all refugees, everywhere. — UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) June 17, 2025
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
MP to hold ‘Yoga with Soldiers' at Someshwara Beach
Mangaluru: In celebration of International Day of Yoga , a 'Yoga with Soldiers' event will be held at 3pm on June 21 at the scenic Someshwara Beach, one of Dakshina Kannada's renowned tourist spots, said Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta. Capt Chowta has invited the public to participate in the session. Following the proposal by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 21 as International Day of Yoga. This year's theme for the 11th International Yoga Day is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' highlighting yoga as a beneficial practice for our health and holistic development, he said. "To promote tourism in Dakshina Kannada, the 'Yoga with Soldiers' event was organised at various tourist destinations in the district. Last year, it was successfully held at Sasihithlu, known for adventure water sports. This time, preparations are under way to conduct the yoga session at the historic Someshwara Temple Beach," the MP said. Someshwara Beach captivates everyone with its majestic allure. Our hope is that this enchanting tourist and religious site will attract even more visitors globally. This is a small effort to introduce our tourist destinations to the world. Capt Chowta has urged local social media influencers, media representatives, and the public to visit, create high-quality content showcasing the beauty of this location, and encourage more tourists to visit. The 'Yoga with Soldiers' event will also see participation from local achievers, sports personnel, ex-servicemen, lifeguards, social workers, and other dignitaries, with interested individuals encouraged to join, he added.
