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Russian Cargo Ship Sinks After Exploding In Mediterranean Sea —- Foreign Ministry
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
An explosion in the engine room caused a Russian cargo ship called Ursa Major to sink in the Mediterranean Sea between Spain and Algeria and two of its crew are missing, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.
The vessel, which was built in 2009, was controlled by Oboronlogistika, a company that is part of the Russian Defense Ministry’s military construction operations, which had previously said it was en route to the Russian far eastern port of Vladivostok with two giant port cranes lashed to its deck.
The Foreign Ministry’s crisis center said in a statement that 14 of the ship’s 16 crew members had been rescued and brought to Spain, but that two crew were still missing. It did not say what had caused the engine room explosion.
Unverified video footage of the ship heavily listing to its starboard side with its bow much lower down in the water than usual was filmed on Monday by a passing ship and published on Russia’s life.ru news outlet on Tuesday.
Ursa Major
Oboronlogistika, the ship’s ultimate owner, said in a statement on 20 December that the ship, which LSEG data showed was previously called Sparta III, had been carrying specialized port cranes due to be installed at the port of Vladivostok as well as parts for new ice-breakers.
Two giant cranes could be seen strapped to the deck in the unverified video footage.
LSEG ship tracking data shows the vessel departed from the Russian port of St. Petersburg on 11 December and was last seen sending a signal at 5:04 p.m. ET on Monday between Algeria and Spain.
On leaving St. Petersburg it had indicated that its next port of call was the Russian port of Vladivostok, not the Syrian port of Tartous which it has called at previously.
The operator and owner is a company called SK-Yug, part of Oboronlogistika, according to LSEG data. Oboronlogistika and SK-Yug declined to comment on the ship’s sinking.
Spanish news outlet El Espanol said on its website that crew members had been evacuated to the Spanish port of Cartagena and that several vessels, including a Spanish Navy ship, had taken part in rescuing the crew.
It said the vessel had been due to arrive in January 22 in Vladivostok.
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READ latest updates on DC crash: Rescue team still searching for bodies after air disaster
28 bodies pulled out, crash maybe US deadliest in 24yrs
At least 28 bodies were pulled from the icy waters of the Potomac River after an American Airlines jet carrying 60 passengers and four crew members collided with an Army helicopter while landing at Ronald Reagan National Airport near Washington D.C., officials said Thursday.
Crews were still searching for other casualties but did not believe there were any survivors, which would make it the deadliest U.S. air crash in nearly 24 years.
Here’s the latest:
What caused the collision? There was no immediate word on the cause of the collision. Officials said flight conditions were clear as the jet coming from Wichita, Kansas, was making a routine landing when the helicopter flew into its path.
Three soldiers were onboard the helicopter during a training flight, an Army official said.
What’s known about the victims?
Passengers on the flight included a group of figure skaters, their coaches and family members who were returning from a development camp that followed the U.S.
Figure Skating Championships in Wichita.
What’s the latest on the recovery efforts? The body of the plane was found upside down in three sections in waist-deep water.
The wreckage of the helicopter was also found. Some 300 first responders were on scene as of early Thursday morning.
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Indian Couples In US Rush C-Sections Ahead of Trump’s Birthright Citizenship Deadline
Indian couples in the United States are scheduling early C-section deliveries to ensure their children are born before February 20, 2025.
This rush follows an executive order by President Donald Trump that ends automatic citizenship for children born to non-citizen parents after February 19.
According to the Times of India, Trump issued the directive shortly after taking office. Under the new rule, babies born in the U.S. to non-citizens will no longer qualify for citizenship by birth.
Many Indian parents, especially those on temporary visas like H-1B and L1 or waiting for Green Cards, are trying to beat the deadline. Babies born before February 19 will still be granted U.S. citizenship, making early delivery a priority for many expectant parents.
Despite due dates being weeks away, reports indicate that several couples are contacting doctors to schedule early C-sections.
Dr. S.D. Rama, a gynecologist in New Jersey, said his clinic has seen a surge in C-section requests, including from women as early as seven months pregnant. One couple even requested delivery in February, though the baby was due in March.
A major reason for this rush is the long-term immigration benefits. Previously, U.S.-born children could sponsor their parents for Green Cards once they turned 21. For Indian nationals facing decades-long backlogs in visa processing, this was a crucial pathway to legal residency.
However, medical professionals are warning against premature deliveries. Texas-based obstetrician Dr. S.G. Mukkala highlighted the risks, including respiratory issues and neurological complications. Despite this, he has received about 20 requests for early deliveries in recent days.
For undocumented immigrants, the situation is even more critical. Without birthright citizenship, their children will have no claim to legal status, leaving many families uncertain about their future in the U.S.
As the February deadline approaches, Indian families across the country are making difficult decisions to secure a future for their children in America.
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Watch out for upcoming episode of ‘Your Family Lawyer ‘ this Saturday
Again, seasoned lawyer, Chinye Chuma this Saturday will unearth inherent dangers in familyhood.
Chinye known for his incisive and clear cut analysis will this Saturday highlight how one can swim through legal challenges in marriages and family matters.
WATCH out!
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