Latest news with #C-130Hercules
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- General
- GMA Network
China issues radio challenge vs PAF aircraft en route Pag-asa Island
Chinese forces issued a radio challenge to a Philippine Air Force (PAF) cargo aircraft headed to Pag-asa Island. In Chino Gaston's Tuesday report on '24 Oras,' the PAF C-130 Hercules was carrying officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and some members of the media to conduct an inspection of Pag-asa Island. The AFP aimed to show the new structures and the current situation of Pag-asa Island and other military outposts in the Kalayaan Island Group. Also onboard the plane were a number of residents and elementary school teachers. However, as the plane neared Pag-asa, China issued a radio challenge. 'Before we landed, there was a radio challenge. There was one radio challenge that occurred but hindi na ito nag prosper and with that ang sagot naman ng ating mga piloto, of course, we are asserting pa rin and holding our sovereign with this. We conducted itong media embedded maritime patrol na makita talaga natin yung situation in the area,' AFP spokesperson Colonel Francel Padilla said. (Before we landed, there was a radio challenge. There was one radio challenge that occurred, but it did not prosper and our pilots' response has always been the same: we are attesting and holding our sovereign. We conducted a media-embedded maritime patrol to show the situation in the area.) The new airport control tower is almost finished, while the current three-kilometer long runway is currently being extended to accommodate larger aircraft. These developments are in stark contrast to a decaying watchtower and derelict amphibious tanks deployed by the military in the 1970s around the island. The island's electricity comes from a community generator while a desalination plant converts seawater to drinking water. A fisherman told reporters that fishing in the waters off Pag-asa has been difficult due to the presence of the Chinese and Vietnamese vessels. He mentioned their crews used cyanide to catch fish. Due to the bad weather and strong waves on Tuesday morning, Chinese fishing militia vessels surrounding the island were only observed in the afternoon once the weather improved. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
13 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Transponders off, tensions on: How Sheikh Hasina pulled off dramatic escape from Bangladesh
In a meticulously orchestrated operation, former Bangladesh Prime Minister departed Dhaka on August 5, 2024, under a veil of secrecy, amid escalating political unrest. She landed at Hindon Airport in India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Hasina's aircraft remained the most tracked plane that day. As per real-time data from the flightradar24 website, Bangladesh Air Force aircraft AJAX1431 become the most tracked plane globally, with over 29,000 people following its route at one point of time. Here's how the escape took place: The Bangladesh Air Force's Lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft, designated AJAX1431, took off from Bangabandhu Airbase at 3.09pm, officially listed as a training flight. To obscure its trajectory, the aircraft's transponders and automatic geolocator systems were deactivated until it neared Indian airspace over West Bengal, The Daily Star reported citing sources. Upon approaching Indian airspace, AJAX1431 reactivated its transponders at waypoint "BEMAK" and altered its course from Kolkata to Hindon Air Force Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. This clandestine departure occurred just 30 minutes before protesters seized the Gono Bhaban, Hasina's official residence. Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, unaware of Hasina's departure, was preparing to announce her resignation. In a later interview, he acknowledged the volatile situation and the potential risks to Hasina's life had she remained in the country. "When I was holding discussions with the political parties, somebody informed me that she is going to exit the country, she is on the run. I did not know that she was leaving the country. I think that if she had stayed, it could have been a risk to her life. Definitely, nobody would have wanted an extra-judicial killing to have happened. The situation was extremely volatile," he said.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
16 Mexican migrants detained near San Diego in third major boat interception in months
Representative image The US Coast Guard intercepted a 25-foot sailboat carrying 16 Mexican nationals off the coast of California on Saturday and handed them over to border patrol, the agency said. The overcrowded boat was first spotted by a Coast Guard lockheed C-130 Hercules aircraft about 54 miles off the coast of Point Loma near San Diego. A cutter was dispatched and the vessel, Petrel, stopped the sailboat and took the migrants into custody, according to a Coast Guard press release issued Sunday. All of those on board said they were from Mexico. The Coast Guard has increased efforts to intercept migrant vessels following US President Donald Trump 's promise to deport illegal immigrants in the US. This latest interception comes after similar incidents in recent months. Earlier this month, a 'panga-style' boat carrying Russian nationals and migrants from the Dominican Republic was stopped about three miles off the coast of Puerto Rico. In February, a 30-foot sailboat packed with 132 Haitian migrants, including women and children, was intercepted about 50 miles off the Florida coast. One of the largest recent interceptions happened last year, when over 300 Haitian migrants were stopped near the Bahamas and sent back home.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Post
US Coast Guard nabs 16 Mexican immigrants crammed aboard sailboat off the California coast
The US Coast Guard intercepted a 25-foot sailboat crammed with 16 illegal Mexican immigrants off the coast of California on Saturday and turned them over to the border patrol, the agency said. The crowded boat was spotted by a Coast Guard Lockheed C-130 Hercules airplane about 54 miles off the shore of Point Lima near San Diego, with a cutter then dispatched to intercept the craft, the Coast Guard said in a press release on Sunday. 3 The Coast Guard intercepted this sailboat about 54 miles off the coast of Point Loma, California. USCG 3 A sailboat stopped off the California shoreline was packed with 16 Mexican immigrants, officials said.. USCG The cutter Petrel then stopped the boat and took the immigrants into custody, the agency said. They said all of the migrants on board claimed they were Mexican nationals. The Coast Guard has stepped up efforts to intercept and transport migrants since President Donald Trump took office this year with a promise to deport illegal immigrants in the US. 3 The Saturday Coast Guard operation is the latest in a stepped up effort to stop immigrants trying to reach the US. USCG Earlier this month, another crew stopped a 'panga-style' boat loaded with Russian nationals and migrants from the Dominican Republic about 3 miles off the coast of Puerto Rico. In February, a Coast Guard cutter intercepted an 'overloaded' 30-foot sailboat boat packed with 132 Haitian migrants about 50 miles off the Florida coastline including women and children. In one of the largest high-seas intercept, more than 300 migrants from Haiti were stopped near the Bahamas trying to reach US soil and were returned back home in June of last year.
News18
4 days ago
- Business
- News18
Erdogan's Gamble: Why Siding With Pakistan Is A Losing Bet Against Modi's India
Last Updated: Turkey's political alignment with Pakistan contrasts sharply with its economic interests with India The geopolitical landscape is witnessing increasing strain between India and Turkey, driven by Ankara's persistent alignment with Pakistan. While historical ties once facilitated cooperation, Turkey's vocal support for Islamabad, coupled with the use of Turkish drones by Pakistan in cross-border attacks, has severely deteriorated bilateral relations. Ankara's strategy, aimed at bolstering its influence in the Islamic world, is an ill-advised gamble. Continued economic engagement with India would be far more advantageous than its current political posturing. However, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan seems bent on destroying ties, especially those hard-won and easily lost. Ankara's aligned stance and military complicity Erdoğan has unequivocally sided with Pakistan, particularly after India's counter-terror action, Operation Sindoor. Ankara openly condemned New Delhi's military actions, labelling them provocative and a potential trigger for wider conflict. This stance is not new; Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan's position on Kashmir, with Erdoğan affirming solidarity with the 'Kashmiri brothers" in February 2025 and seeking to raise the issue globally. advetisement Such diplomatic assertiveness has emboldened Pakistan, allowing it to circumvent international scrutiny of its terror-sponsoring activities. Turkey's support has also led Pakistan to raise the Kashmir issue unnecessarily in forums such as the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, albeit unsuccessfully. Furthermore, this support has a military dimension. Turkish C-130 Hercules transport planes deliver military cargo to Pakistan, alongside the docking of Turkish naval vessels in Karachi. More critically, preliminary findings identified Turkish-manufactured Asisguard Songar models, or similar Turkish-origin drones, as those used by Pakistan in cross-border strikes during heightened tensions. Direct military support, along with diplomatic backing, demonstrates the depth of this partnership. Consequently, Turkey has become Pakistan's second-largest arms supplier after China, marked by collaborative military projects and joint exercises. India's strategic recalibration and countermeasures India has not remained passive. New Delhi has embarked on a strategic recalibration, deepening ties with countries that are either Ankara's regional rivals or those with which it has strained relations. This includes strengthening defence and intelligence-sharing mechanisms with nations like Greece, Cyprus, Israel, and France. Its proactive policy in West Asia, seeking robust strategic ties with key Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) players such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE, also serves as a counterbalance to Turkish expansionism and its aspirations for leadership in the Islamic world. Furthermore, India views the Turkey-Pakistan axis not merely as a military threat but also as a challenge in narrative warfare and diplomatic influence. Both Ankara and Islamabad are investing in state-backed media outlets and social media campaigns to internationalise issues that India considers internal, specifically Kashmir. In response, India is enhancing its indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aiming for strategic autonomy and reducing vulnerabilities to shifting geopolitical allegiances. The growing call within India for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism reflects public anger and provides a direct economic lever against Turkey's perceived support for terrorism. The diminishing economic returns for Ankara Critically, Turkey's political alignment with Pakistan contrasts sharply with its economic interests with India. Data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reveals that India has consistently maintained a significant trade surplus with Turkey. Advertisement In FY22-23, India's trade surplus with Turkey stood at $5.4 billion, which, while still substantial, reduced to $2.9 billion in FY23-24. From April to February in FY24-25, exports to Turkey were $5.2 billion, and imports stood at $2.84 billion, a surplus of approximately $2.7 billion—an economic relationship heavily skewed against Ankara. The economic repercussions of Turkey's political choices are becoming increasingly evident. India's overall merchandise trade with Turkey contracted to approximately 63% of FY22-23 levels by FY24-25. This decline, predating the most recent surge in tensions, reflects Turkey's souring relations with India amid Ankara's outbursts on Kashmir. Following widespread calls across India for a boycott of Turkish goods and tourism, major travel companies such as EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have advised against or suspended bookings to Turkey. Cleartrip reported a 260% rise in cancellations to Turkey within a single week. While India's imports from Turkey—including mineral oil, gold, and marble—represent a minuscule portion of its total inbound shipments, the overall trade volume, particularly India's substantial exports of mineral fuels, auto parts, and pharmaceuticals, demonstrates that continued economic ties are far more beneficial to Turkey than its current confrontational political alignment. advetisement Conclusion Erdoğan's gamble of siding with Pakistan against India is fundamentally flawed. While it may serve his domestic political agenda and aspirations for regional leadership, it comes at a significant cost to Turkey's economic interests. top videos View All India is a rapidly growing economic power with a massive market and significant geopolitical weight. It has demonstrated its resolve to counter hostile alignments through diplomatic recalibration, fiscal measures, and a robust defence posture. Turkey's trade deficit with India, coupled with the immediate and tangible impact of Indian boycott calls, shows that a continued confrontational stance offers minimal returns. For Ankara, abandoning its flawed foreign policy necessitates a pragmatic re-evaluation of its priorities. Economic prosperity through balanced relationships may ultimately yield greater dividends than a strategically ill-advised political alliance. About the Author Sohil Sinha tags : defence erdogan Kashmir Operation Sindoor pakistan trade turkey Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 30, 2025, 20:38 IST News opinion Opinion | Erdogan's Gamble: Why Siding With Pakistan Is A Losing Bet Against Modi's India
