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Weeks before a new leader takes office, China chastises the US for allowing a ship to transit across the Taiwan Strait.

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Weeks before a new leader takes office, China chastises the US for allowing a ship to transit across the Taiwan Strait.

Taiwan, Taipei — Less than two weeks before the new president of Taiwan takes office, the Chinese military denounced the passage of an American destroyer across the Taiwan Strait, and Beijing and Washington are working incongruously to resume regular military exercises.

China’s Eastern Theatre Command spokeswoman, Navy Senior Capt. Li Xi, charged that the United States had “publicly hyped” the USS Halsey’s passing on Wednesday. The command, which is in charge of operations near the strait, “organised naval and air forces to monitor” the ship’s passage, according to a statement made by Li.

The Halsey “performed a routine Taiwan Strait transit on May 8 through waters where high-seas freedoms of navigation and overflight apply in accordance with international law,” according to the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet.

According to a statement from the military, the guided-missile destroyer passed through a strait corridor that is “beyond the territorial sea” of any coastal state.

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As a concept, it stated, “Halsey’s transit through the Taiwan Strait demonstrates the United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation for all nations.” “No one in the global society should be subjected to intimidation or coercion in order to forfeit their rights and liberties. Everywhere that international law permits, the US military operates and flies.

Beijing views the announcements as a way to retaliate against China’s claim to some degree of control over who can pass freely through the strait, so Beijing’s accusation that the transit was “publicly hyped”—basically meaning it was played up for maximum political effect—has become standard procedure. Neither that the Chinese response was any louder nor that the U.S. Navy had behaved any differently in this most recent instance.

The Defence Ministry of Taiwan declared that it was adequately informed of the destroyer’s passing.

According to the ministry, “the Taiwanese military was closely monitoring the surrounding sea and airspace throughout the transit, and the situation remained normal.”

The last time such a passage occurred was on April 17, the day after the defence chiefs of the United States and China met for the first time since November 2022 in an attempt to ease tensions in the area. After then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022, Beijing halted all military-to-military communication, causing the relationship to come to a standstill. In retaliation, China launched missiles over Taiwan and intensified its military exercises, appearing to be a practice run for an island-wide navy and air defence.

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China and Taiwan, the democratic self-governing island nation where President-elect William Lai Ching-te will take office on May 20, are separated by the 160-kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait. The Democratic Progressive Party of Lai is in favour of Taiwan’s de facto independence, which allows it to have close unofficial ties with the United States and other major countries.

Around critical dates, like the presidential and legislative elections in January of this year, Taiwan’s military raises its state of alertness, fearing that China would try to intimidate voters and sway public opinion in favour of Beijing’s insistence that unification between the sides is inevitable by using its far more powerful military.

The two sides divided after a civil war in 1949, and in a futile attempt to prevent voters from supporting candidates they disliked, China fired missiles close north and south of the island and conducted military drills as recently as 1996. Since then, China has mostly avoided the spotlight when it comes to elections, preferring to gain the favour of business associations and provide lawmakers and local authorities who are interested in unity sponsored trips to the mainland.

China views the passage of warships from the United States, Britain, and other countries as a challenge to its sovereignty, despite the fact that the often traversed Taiwan Strait is an international waterway and essential to world trade.

China attempts to weaken Taiwan’s defences and scare its 23 million people—many of whom solidly support its de facto independence—by sending military ships and warplanes into the strait and other regions surrounding the island virtually every day.

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China nearly daily sends military ships and aeroplanes into the Taiwan Strait and other nearby regions in an attempt to erode Taiwan’s defences and intimidate its 23 million citizens, many of whom firmly support the island’s de facto independence.

The U.S. Navy not only crosses the Taiwan Strait but also engages in what it refers to as freedom of navigation operations, sailing and flying close to South China Sea features that are held by China. Many of these features are man-made islands that have been “militarised” over time with radar stations, air strips, and other equipment.

China reacts angrily to such actions, blaming the United States of destabilising the region, and claims almost all of the South China Sea, a major maritime route for international trade. It frequently uses its own resources to follow American ships and aircraft and demands that they leave the region right away. China’s claims have been rejected by an arbitration tribunal supported by the United Nations, a decision Beijing has disregarded, while the United States maintains that it has the legal authority to sail in the area.

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UK man buys World War I shipwreck for just ₹34,000 after spotting it on Facebook Marketplace

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Dom Robinson, a UK shipwreck enthusiast, has purchased a sunken 1917 cargo ship for just 300 pounds online. The 3,300-tonne ship, which spans 330 feet, was sunk by a German submarine off the coast of Cornwall on November 27, 1917. Since then, it has remained submerged beneath the sea. Robinson, a diving enthusiast and shipwreck researcher, has.

Discovered around 20 to 25 shipwrecks over the past few years. He uses seabed scans to search for anomalies and investigates them. Robinson shares these underwater adventures on his YouTube channel. He has identified around 20 or 25 shipwrecks in the last couple of years Finding it particularly rewarding as each shipwreck has a story associated with it. However.

His wife Suzi, who bought the ship, was furious and called it a waste of money. Despite this, Robinson remains hopeful about one particular discovery he still hopes to make – the ship’s bell In an extraordinary turn of events, Dom Robinson, a 53-year-old British diver and shipwreck enthusiast, has become the legal owner of a World War I-era shipwreck after.

Purchasing it for just £300 (approximately ₹34,000) on Facebook Marketplace. The wreck in question is the SS Almond Branch, a 3,300-tonne, 330-foot-long cargo ship that was torpedoed by a German submarine on November 27, 1917, off the coast of Cornwall. The vessel has but found only “a big pile of rusting iron” . Undeterred, Robinson proceeded with the purchase.​

It from the British government in the 1970s but found little valuable material. After the transaction, Robinson became the legal owner of the wreck, which he plans to preserve for its historical value, continuing his passion for underwater exploratio.

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Robinson, who has been passionate about exploring shipwrecks since childhood, came across the listing for the SS Almond Branch on Facebook Marketplace in January 2025. Recognizing the opportunity, he contacted the seller, who had previously acquired the wreckage from the British government in the 1970s. The original owner had hoped to uncover valuable materials

Following the transaction, Robinson received formal ownership documentation from the UK’s Receiver of Wreck, the government official responsible for managing shipwreck ownership. This official recognition made him the legal owner of the SS Almond Branch. Robinson, an experienced diver with over 40 years of exploration and more than 20 identified underwater.

While the SS Almond Branch contains little salvageable treasure, Robinson values it as a historical relic and a personal diving site. He notes that the wreck has general cargo remains and a missing gun mount, sparking curiosity about its past. Despite his ownership, the site remains accessible to other divers, allowing for continued exploration and study.

This unique acquisition highlights the intersection of modern technology, historical preservation, and personal passion. Robinson’s purchase underscores the potential for individuals to engage with history in unconventional ways, turning a simple online marketplace transaction into a profound connection with the past wrecks, including three..

Royal Navy ships, shares his underwater adventures on his YouTube channel, Deep Wreck Diver A UK man, Dom Robinson, purchased a World War I-era shipwreck for just ₹34,000 (£300) after spotting it on Facebook Marketplace. The wreck, the SS Almond Branch, was torpedoed by a German submarine in 1917 and had been submerged off Cornwall’s coast.

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Robinson, an experienced diver, recognized the opportunity and bought the wreck from a previous owner who had acquired it from the British government in the 1970s. While the wreck holds little material value, Robinson now legally owns it and plans to preserve its historical significance, continuing his passion for shipwreck exploration.

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Saudi Billionaire Prince

Why is 36-year-old Saudi billionaire Prince Al-Waleed called the ‘Sleeping Prince’?

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Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal, also known as the “Sleeping Prince,” has been in a coma since a 2005 car accident while studying at a military college. He has been in a coma for nearly 20 years, and his family remains hopeful. Prince Al-Waleed has been on a ventilator and is fed through a feeding tube for the past two decades. In 2019, he reportedly showed slight signs.

Despite medical advice to end life support, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, stood on life support. of awareness, but these gestures did not signal a to full consciousness firm in his belief His family remains hopeful for his recovery and the continued support he on life support receives in Riyadh and chose to continue the fight for his son’s life.

Prince Al-Waleed is not a direct son or brother of the current monarch, but his grandfather, on life support. Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, was one of the many sons of King Abdulaziz Al Saud, the founding monarch of modern Saudi Arabia. King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the current ruler, is also a son of King Abdulaziz, making him Prince Al-Waleed’s great-uncle.

Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, often referred to as the “Sleeping families dealing with long-term comatose conditions.​ Prince,” has been in a coma since 2005 following a severe car accident in London. At the time, he was a 16-year-old military college student. The accident resulted in a brain hemorrhage, leaving him unconscious dependent.

Now 36 years old, Prince Al-Waleed remains hospitalized at King Abdulaziz Medical City in Riyadh, where he is kept alive through mechanical ventilation and a feeding tube. Despite medical advice to consider ending life support, his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal Al Saud, has steadfastly refused, expressing unwavering faith in his son’s potential recovery. He has stated,

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In 2019, there were brief signs of limited awareness when Prince Al-Waleed reportedly moved his fingers and slightly turned his head. These moments, though fleeting, provided a glimmer of hope to his family Prince Al-Waleed is the great-grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia, making him a member of the royal House of Saud. His father, Prince.

The term “Sleeping Prince” has become synonymous with Prince Al-Waleed’s prolonged coma, symbolizing both the tragedy of his condition and the enduring hope of his family. His story has resonated deeply within Saudi Arabia and beyond, highlighting the emotional Khaled, is a nephew of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the current monarch complexities faced by.

As of April 2025, Prince Al-Waleed continues to receive care, with his family and supporters holding onto hope for his recover families dealing with long-term comatose conditions If God had wanted him to die in the accident, he would have been in his grave now Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled bin Talal of Saudi Arabia, often referred to as the “Sleeping Prince,” has remained.

At the time of the incident, he was just 16 years old and studying at a military college in London. The accident resulted in a severe brain hemorrhage, and despite immediate medical intervention, he slipped into a coma from which he has never fully recovered. Today, he is 36

The nickname “Sleeping Prince” was coined by the media and public, symbolizing the rare and prolonged nature of his unconscious state. Unlike typical coma -Waleed has shown occasional signs of minimal responsiveness over movements and finger twitches—moments that his family has held onto with great hope.

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World

WATCH: UK vlogger impressed by clean, efficient Delhi Metro, tells tourists not to get scammed by auto drivers

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A UK vlogger’s video of public transport in Delhi has sparked mixed reactions on social media. The vlogger, Edd Owen, praised the Delhi Metro but also criticized auto drivers as scammers. The video, which shows Ed waiting for a metro to Dwarka, has sparked debate on social media.

The vlogger’s review of the Delhi Metro has sparked debate on the benefits of public transport in India, particularly for tourists seeking spiritual and hospitality experiences UK-based travel vlogger Edd Owen recently shared his positive experience with the Delhi Metro, highlighting its cleanliness, efficiency, and affordability. In a video posted on Instagram, Owen contrasted.

In his video, Owen remarked, “You assume when you come to Delhi, it’s going to be Tuk Tuk drivers trying to rip you off, smelly, trash everywhere. What no one tells you is they’ve got a very clean, efficient, reliable, and well-connected metro system.” He showcased various metro stations equipped with amenities like KFC, Adidas, and Crocs outlets, emphasizing.

Owen’s video has garnered significant attention on social media, with many users praising the Delhi Metro’s standards. Some compared it favorably to other international transit systems, while others highlighted similar efficient public transportation options in cities like Mumbai. ​While Owen’s comments about auto-rickshaw drivers sparked some debate, his overall.

UK-based travel vlogger Edd Owen has taken the internet by storm with his glowing review of the Delhi Metro, calling it one of the cleanest and most efficient public transport systems he has experienced. In a video shared on his Instagram account, Owen enthusiastically praised the metro’s infrastructure, connectivity, and affordability—while issuing a light-hearted.

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Owen, known for exploring global cities and sharing first-hand travel insights, began his Delhi vlog with the typical expectations many foreign travelers have: chaotic traffic, unreliable transportation, and the infamous ‘Tuk Tuk’ haggling experience. However, his impressions quickly shifted as he boarded the Delhi Metro for the first time.

“You assume when you come to Delhi, it’s going to be tuk-tuk drivers trying to rip you off, smelly, trash everywhere. What no one tells you is they’ve got a very clean, efficient, reliable, and well-connected metro system,” Owen said in his video, which has since gone viral across multiple social platforms. The reel captures his journey through multiple metro stations.

Owen was particularly impressed by the air-conditioned coaches, the affordable fares—mentioning he only paid ₹20 for a ride—and the frequency of trains, which he noted were on time and never overcrowded during his experience. His helpful signage, security, and the ease of using metro cards.

Social media users applauded Owen’s balanced portrayal of Delhi. “Glad someone is showing this side of Delhi. The metro is one of the best things that happened to the city,” wrote a user. Others chimed in with similar sentiments, saying that more use than relying on taxis or autos, which often overcharge visitors.

Owen’s candid observation about tuk-tuk scams resonated with both Indian locals and fellow travelers. Several users commented that while not all auto-rickshaw drivers overcharge, the lack of standardized fares and bargaining culture often results in tourists paying more than necessary. In contrast, the Delhi Metro provides a transparent, structured fare system that’s.

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This isn’t the first time Delhi Metro has earned praise from international visitors. Over the years, the system—operated by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC)—has won accolades for cleanliness, sustainability, and innovation. It serves over 5 million commuters daily and spans more than 390 kilometers, making it one of the largest metro networks in the world.

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