World

2 Climbers Suffering From Hypothermia Await Rescue Off Denali, North America’s Tallest Mountain

Published

6 months ago

2024-05-30

Denali | AP News Image

JUNEAU, Alaska — Two climbers awaited rescue near the summit of North America’s tallest mountain Wednesday, a day after they and a third member of their team requested assistance after summiting Denali during the peak of the climbing season, according to officials at Denali National Park and Preserve.

Their condition was not immediately known. The third climber was rescued late Tuesday. According to park spokesperson Paul Ollig in an email to The Associated Press, all three have expertise in climbing high-elevation foreign peaks, and two had previously climbed Denali.

Denali | Fox 9 News Image

2 Climbers Suffering From Hypothermia Await Rescue Off Denali, North America’s Tallest Mountain

At 1 a.m. Tuesday, park authorities received an SOS message from the three climbers, suggesting that they were hypothermic and unable to descend after reaching the 20,310-foot (6,190-meter) peak.

According to a park service statement, they communicated until around 3:30 a.m., when they texted intentions to descend to a flat region known as the “Football Field” at around 19,600 feet (5,974 meters).

Rangers did not hear from the climbers after that, and the location of their satellite communication device remained the same. The park’s high-altitude helicopter could not fly almost 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Talkeetna to Denali Tuesday morning due to cloud cover, so the park requested assistance from the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center. The Alaska Air National Guard dispatched an HC-130J aircraft from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage to search for the climbers.

Before noon Tuesday, two climbers were up the mountain between 19,000 and 20,000 feet (5,791 and 6,096 meters). A climbing guide spotted the third climber at around 18,600 feet (5,669 meters).

Conditions eased enough Tuesday evening for the high-altitude chopper to make another try, landing at a climbers’ tent at 14,200 feet (4,328 meters).

Denali | Field Mag

2 Climbers Suffering From Hypothermia Await Rescue Off Denali, North America’s Tallest Mountain

National Park Service mountaineering patrol rangers treated two climbers from another expedition for frostbite. The helicopter team transported the climbers to Talkeetna.

On Tuesday night, a third attempt was made to contact the three climbers who had issued the distress message. According to the park, one of them had dropped to a camp at an elevation of 17,200 feet (5,243 meters) and was suffering from severe frostbite and hypothermia. The climber, who received assistance from a guided party until a park service crew came, was airlifted from the mountain and eventually transported from Talkeetna.

According to the park service, an experienced expedition guide on the top mountain helped the other two climbers at the “Football Field,” but was obliged to descend to the 17,200-foot (5,243-meter) high camp for safety reasons when clouds returned.

Rescuers could not reach the two climbers Wednesday due to cloud cover and strong winds. Park service officers waited for conditions to improve before making any further attempts.

According to Ollig, the park spokesperson, it is unknown how much survival equipment the two climbers have, but “it is likely minimal.”

2 Climbers Suffering From Hypothermia Await Rescue Off Denali, North America’s Tallest Mountain

“Typically, on a summit day teams will often go up lighter, with more limited survival gear, so they can move faster,” he explained.

While this is “certainly a dramatic rescue operation, it is not necessarily out of the ordinary.”

Currently, 506 climbers aim to summit Denali, and the park service says Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of the busiest two weeks of the climbing season.

Another 117 climbers have finished their attempts to ascend the summit. Of those, 17 made it to the peak.

Denali National Park and Preserve is approximately 240 miles (386 kilometers) north of Anchorage.

SOURCE – (AP)

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World

Trudeau Condemned in India By Sikhs and Hindus

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-11

Geoff Thomas

A protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau erupted in Delhi, India, on Sunday.

A protest against Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau erupted in Delhi, India, on Sunday, November 10, in response to the attack on a Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada. Hindus and Sikhs united to protest in front of the Canadian embassy in Delhi.

During the protest, a member of the Sikh Global Forum stated, “We are here to demonstrate that Sikhs have not attacked Hindus; we are both linked by blood relations.”

For Hindus, Guru Tegh Bahadur and Guru Gobind Singh sacrificed for their religion. How can they fight with one another? We are here at the Canadian Embassy to deliver a memorandum,” PTI reported.

VIDEO | Members of Hindu Sikh Global Forum stage protest at Canada Embassy in New Delhi, condemning the violence that occurred near a temple in Canada’s Brampton on November 4.

(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/n147TvqRQz) pic.twitter.com/P4BLJnSYKW

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 10, 2024

People from the Hindu Sikh Global Forum were on their way to the High Commission of Canada, Chanakyapuri, to condemn the attack on a Hindu Temple in Canada when they were stopped near Teen Murti Marg by Delhi Police.

#WATCH | Delhi: People of the Hindu Sikh Global Forum on their way to the High Commission of Canada, Chanakyapuri, to protest against the attack on a Hindu Temple in Canada, were stopped at Teen Murti Marg by Police. pic.twitter.com/ONaXu46gJi

— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2024

Notably, Khalistanis stormed a prominent Hindu temple in Brampton, Canada, with Canadian police officials implicated. The incident raised concerns about the safety of Hindus in Canada.

Relations between India and Canada have been strained for more than a year, and there is little indication of improvement as recriminations persist.

Because Sikhs play an important role in Canadian politics, both the ruling Liberal Party and the opposition parties court them. India accused Trudeau of engaging in “vote bank politics.” Canada respects India’s territorial integrity and sovereignty but cannot restrict its citizens’ political activity.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with members of the Sikh Caucus.

Recent Indian statements have once again portrayed Trudeau as responsible for the worsening of relations. However, even under a different government, India cannot be certain or optimistic that Canada will comply with its demands for restrictions on Sikh activism.

In April this year, Prime Minister Trudeau, Conservative opposition leader Pierre Poilievre, New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh, Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, and several legislators attended a Sikh event in Toronto, demonstrating the community’s clout.

India opposed the use of “Khalistan” slogans on the day. Years ago, it was clear that relations between Canada and India were strained.

Trudeau traveled to India in February 2018 as part of a high-profile tour. The Indian media claimed the state visit was “downgraded” because Modi did not join his guest on a tour to Gujarat.

The media also noted that Modi did not send a tweet greeting Trudeau.

Surprisingly, the Indian Foreign Ministry addressed Prime Minister Trudeau’s 2018 visit in a statement in October, claiming that it was “aimed at currying favor with a vote bank,” but “rebounded to his discomfort.”

In recent days, Canada and India have exchanged additional allegations. The most significant of these concerns are those of Home Minister Amit Shah, often regarded as the most powerful man behind Modi in the Indian government.

India Slams Trudeau for Leaking Baseless Allegations

India Slams Trudeau for Leaking Baseless Allegations

Geoff Thomas

Geoffrey Thomas is a seasoned staff writer at VORNews, a reputable online publication. With his sharp writing skills and deep understanding of SEO, he consistently delivers high-quality, engaging content that resonates with readers. Thomas' articles are well-researched, informative, and written in a clear, concise style that keeps audiences hooked. His ability to craft compelling narratives while seamlessly incorporating relevant keywords has made him a valuable asset to the VORNews team.

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World

Hamas Leaders Ordered to Leave Qatar

Published

2 days ago

2024-11-11

Geoff Thomas

Qatar has instructed Hamas leaders to leave the country

Qatar has ordered Hamas leaders to leave the country in response to a US request to stop Qatar’s support for the terrorist organization.

In a series of high-stakes communications, Washington informed Qatar that Hamas’ continued presence in Doha is no longer acceptable in light of the militant group’s rejection of recent ceasefire and hostage exchange proposals, prompting Qatar to deliver a similar message to Hamas leaders about ten days earlier.

A US official emphasized the US stance, telling Reuters that “after rejecting repeated proposals to release hostages, its leaders should no longer be welcome in the capitals of any American partner.” We made this clear to Qatar after Hamas’ rejection weeks ago.”

Despite US pressure, three Hamas officials have denied that Qatar formally requested their departure, Reuters reports.

Since 2012, Qatar has sheltered Hamas leaders as part of a deal to encourage negotiations, particularly during times of heavy tension between Hamas and Israel.

In recent months, Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has led many rounds of discussions to end the carnage in Gaza—a goal that has proven elusive since Hamas rejected a previous cease-fire agreement in mid-October.

The Biden administration’s effort for a resolution in Gaza has acquired urgency as Israel’s retaliatory strikes have ravaged the area, killing an estimated 43,000 Palestinians and causing enormous destruction.

Meanwhile, the recent election of Republican Donald Trump as the next US president has reportedly reduced President Biden’s clout in the last weeks of his presidency.

Previous rounds of talks collapsed when Israel imposed new criteria, including a prospective military presence in Gaza, which Hamas interpreted as changing “last-minute goalposts.”

Last year, similar discussions mediated in Doha resulted in a seven-day cease-fire in Gaza, allowing captives to be released and humanitarian aid to be delivered, but hostilities immediately resumed.

Qatar’s long-standing stance as a mediator has come under growing scrutiny from US politicians. Fourteen Republican senators recently wrote to the Department of State, seeking penalties on Hamas officials in Qatar, their extradition, and a demand that Qatar “end its hospitality” to Hamas.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, has defended his country’s hosting of Hamas officials, claiming that their presence promotes crucial diplomatic conversations.

Source: Reuters

Hamas Calls for Peace After Trump Wins Election

Hamas Calls for Peace After Trump Wins Election

Geoff Thomas

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World

Iraq Prepares to Allow Men to Marry 9 Years Old Girls

Published

3 days ago

2024-11-10

Geoff Thomas

Iraq to Allow Men to Marry 9 Years Old Girls

The proposed legal change also deprives women of rights to divorce, child custody and inheritance.

Iraq is preparing to lower the legal age of consent from 18 to 9 years old, allowing males to marry young children. The legislative amendment also strips women of their rights to divorce, child custody, and inheritance.

Iraq’s parliament, which is dominated by a coalition of orthodox Shia Muslim parties, is set to vote on an amendment to repeal the country’s “personal status law”.

The legislation, also known as Law 188, was hailed as one of the most progressive in the Middle East when it was established in 1959. It establishes an overarching set of norms for Iraqi families, regardless of religious affiliation.

In addition to lowering the legal marriage age, the amendment would deny women the right to divorce, child custody, and inheritance.

According to the ruling coalition, the decision is consistent with a rigorous interpretation of Islamic law and aims to safeguard young females from “immoral relationships.”

On September 16, the change to Law 188 received its second reading.

It is not the first time Shia parties in Iraq have attempted to reform the personal status law; previous proposals failed in 2014 and 2017, partly due to opposition from Iraqi women.

However, according to Dr Renad Mansour, a senior research fellow at Chatham House, the coalition currently has a substantial legislative majority and is close to passing the amendment.

According to experts and campaigners, the amendment would effectively eliminate the country’s most vital women’s rights.

Iraq already has a high rate of child marriage. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (Unicef), approximately 28% of women in Iraq marry by the age of 18.

This is due to a loophole in personal status law that allows religious leaders, rather than judges, to officiate hundreds of marriages each year, including those involving girls as young as 15, with approval from the father.

Unregistered weddings are common among Iraq’s economically destitute, ultraconservative Shia populations.

However, because the marriage is not legally recognized, the females and any children they have are denied a wide range of privileges. Hospitals, for example, may refuse to accept women for deliveries unless they have a marriage certificate.

According to The Telegraph, the amendment would legitimize these religious weddings, increasing the danger of sexual and physical assault against young girls, as well as denying them access to education and jobs.

The proposed amendment is the governing coalition’s latest attempt to limit women’s rights.

In April, it also made same-sex relationships punishable by up to 15 years in prison despite failing to impose the death penalty. Last year, it decided that media outlets should replace the term “homosexuality” with “sexual deviance” across all platforms.

The term “gender” has also been prohibited.

Before voting on the latest modifications, the Iraqi parliament will hold a formal debate. Women’s rights advocates have accused the government of wanting to “legalize child rape” in response to the action.