Downing of Ukraine jet 'unforgivable mistake' — Iran president

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran on Saturday said it unintentionally shot down the Ukrainian airliner that crashed this week killing 176 people, calling it an "unforgivable mistake".

The Ukraine International Airlines plane came down on Wednesday shortly after Iran launched missiles at bases hosting American forces in Iraq in response to the killing of Qasem Soleimani, one of Iran's top generals, in a US drone strike.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran deeply regrets this disastrous mistake," Iranian President Hassan Rouhani tweeted.

"Armed Forces' internal investigation has concluded that regrettably missiles fired due to human error caused the horrific crash of the Ukrainian plane & death of 176 innocent people," he added.

"Investigations continue to identify & prosecute this great tragedy & unforgivable mistake."


Earlier, Iran's official IRNA news agency had published a statement from the military saying the Boeing 737 was mistaken for a "hostile plane" at a time when enemy threats were at the highest level.

The admission came a day after Iran's civil aviation chief denied claims that the plane had been shot down, as international pressure mounted on Tehran to conduct a credible investigation after several Western governments blamed a missile strike.

The disaster came as tensions soared in the region after the Soleimani killing, and fears grew of an all-out war between the United States and Iran.


Washington has said the Soleimani strike was carried out to prevent "imminent", large-scale attacks on US embassies. Iran had vowed "severe revenge" for Soleimani before launching missiles at the bases in Iraq.

"Human error at time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to disaster," Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif tweeted.

"Our profound regrets, apologies and condolences to our people, to the families of all victims, and to other affected nations."

Iran has invited the United States, Ukraine, Canada and others to join the crash investigation.

The majority of passengers on UIA Flight PS752 which had just taken off from Tehran were Iranian-Canadian dual nationals but also included Ukrainians, Afghans, Britons and Swedes.

It was Iran's worst civil aviation disaster since the US military shot down an Iran Air plane over the Gulf by mistake in July 1988, killing all 290 people on board.

Video footage of the UIA 737, which the New York Times said it had verified, emerged and appeared to show the moment the airliner was hit.

A fast-moving object is seen rising at an angle into the sky before a bright flash appears, which dims and then continues moving forward. Several seconds later, an explosion is heard and the sky lights up.

Many airlines from around the world cancelled flights to and Iran in the wake of the crash, or rerouted flights away from Iranian airspace.

Nations around the world have called for restraint and de-escalation, and fears of a full-blown conflict have subsided after US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that Iran appeared to be standing down after targeting the US bases in Iraq.

source: philstar.com

Surrounded by military leaders, Trump talks of ‘calm before the storm’

WASHINGTON — After discussing Iran and North Korea with U.S. military leaders on Thursday, President Donald Trump posed for a photo with them before dinner and declared the moment “the calm before the storm.”

“You guys know what this represents?” Trump said after journalists gathered in the White House state dining room to photograph him and first lady Melania Trump with the uniformed military leaders and their spouses. 




“Maybe it’s the calm before the storm,” he said.

What storm?

“You’ll find out,” Trump told questioning reporters.

Classical music played in the background and tables were set in the nearby Blue Room for a fancy meal.

The White House did not immediately reply to a request to clarify Trump’s remark.

Earlier in the evening, while seated with the top defense officials in the cabinet room, Trump talked about the threat from North Korea and preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

“In North Korea, our goal is denuclearization,” he said. “We cannot allow this dictatorship to threaten our nation or our allies with unimaginable loss of life. We will do what we must do to prevent that from happening. And it will be done, if necessary, believe me.”

During his speech to the United Nations General Assembly last month, Trump said the United States would “totally destroy” North Korea if needed to defend itself or U.S. allies.

The president on Thursday also had tough words for Iran, saying the country had not lived up to the spirit of an agreement forged with world powers to curb its nuclear program.

A senior administration official said on Thursday

that Trump was expected to announce soon he would decertify the landmark agreement.

Trump has filled top posts within his administration with military generals, including his chief of staff, retired General John Kelly, and national security adviser, Lieutenant General H.R. McMaster. McMaster, who normally dresses in civilian clothes at the White House, wore his uniform for the meeting.

Without being specific, Trump pressed the leaders to be faster at providing him with “military options” when needed.

“Moving forward, I also expect you to provide me with a broad range of military options, when needed, at a much faster pace. I know that government bureaucracy is slow, but I am depending on you to overcome the obstacles of bureaucracy,” he said during their cabinet room meeting.

source: interaksyon.com

29 injured as Saudia jet makes emergency landing

JEDDAH - A Saudi Arabian Airlines jet made an emergency landing in Muslim holy city Medina in the west of the kingdom on Sunday, injuring 29 people, an aviation authority spokesman said.

The Saudia aircraft was travelling from Iran's second city of Mashhad with 315 passengers on board, General Authority of Civil Aviation spokesman Khalid al-Khaybari told AFP.

Of the 29 people injured, 11 were taken to hospital, while the rest were treated at the airport's medical centre, he said.

Khaybari did not elaborate on the type of aircraft or the cause of the emergency landing.

Footage posted online showed a plane landing apparently without its rear landing gear down and leaving a trail of flame along the runway.

source: interaksyon.com

Gallant Gilas Pilipinas falls to mighty Iran, settles for silver medal in FIBA Asia Championship

The Philippine national men’s basketball team battled gallantly before succumbing to basketball powerhouse Iran, 85-71, in the title game of the FIBA Asia Championship.

Gilas Pilipinas had to settle for a silver medal, the country’s best finish in the tournament since winning the Asian title in 1985.

With the Philippines’ top center Marcus Douthit out, 7-foot-2 Iran behemoth Hamed Haddadi dominated the post with 29 points and 16 rebounds.  





Despite missing top scorer and rebounder Marcus Douthit coming into the match, the Philippines stayed within striking distance, falling behind by just a single point, 34-33, at halftime.

Iran opened up a 10-point lead in the third quarter as the Philippines got into early penalty, struggling in the paint with key big man Marc Pingris visibly hobbling with a sprained ankle.

Timely hits from Jeff Chan and Jimmy Alapag made sure Gilas never got too far behind.

Mahdi Kamrani, however, nailed a three-pointer at the third quarter buzzer gave Iran a 62-53 advantage.

Iran then flexed its might, starting the final period on an 8-1 run to push its edge to 16 points.

Gilas cut the deficit to 11, but an unsportsmanlike foul called on Gary David for bumping Samad Nikkhah Bahrami allowed Iran to score four straight points for a 78-63 advantage with less than three minutes remaining.

Ranidel De Ocampo responded with a four-point play over Haddadi come within 11, 78-67. But Kamrani played the fireman role for Iran, nailing a tough runner as Gilas couldn’t come any closer than 12 points the rest of the way.

Tempers flared during the physical match, with Haddadi getting into a verbal altercation with coach Chot Reyes in the second quarter and several players involved in physical tussles.

Without the inside presence of Douthit, the Filipinos faltered from the field against the bigger Persians, making just 32 percent of their shots.

The Talk ‘N Text duo of Jayson Castro and Jimmy Alapag led the Philippines with 18 and 13 points apiece.

Bahrami and Kamrani added 19 and 15 each for Iran, which won its third Asian title in the last four stagings.

source: interaksyon.com

Summit of Islamic nations opens in Cairo

CAIRO - The 12th summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation opened in Cairo on Wednesday, with Syria's civil war and the battle against Islamist militants in Mali topping the agenda.

The meeting gathers the leaders of 26 of the OIC's 57 states, including the presidents of Iran and Turkey.

Senegalese President Macky Sall gave the opening remarks, making his last address before handing the OIC's rotating presidency to Egypt's first Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi.

He urged the summit to support the sovereignty of Mali, threatened by "terrorist groups" who are committing "crimes" against the Malian people.

source: interaksyon.com

Pope expresses solidarity with disaster victims in PH, Iran, China

CASTEL GANDOLFO, Italy - Pope Benedict XVI on Sunday expressed solidarity with the victims of natural disasters in Iran, the Philippines and China which have claimed hundreds of lives.

"My thoughts at this moment are with the Asian populations, especially those in the Philippines and the People's Republic of China who have been hit by torrential rain," he said at his summer residence south of Rome during Angelus prayers.

Floods in the Philippines have claimed at least 85 lives while at least 16 people have died in China in the wake of Typhoon Haikui, which left a trail of devastation in the country's east.

The pontiff also spoke of people "in the northwest of Iran who are victims of a terrible earthquake."

Hundreds of villages were flattened by twin earthquakes on Saturday killing at least 227 and leaving 1,380 injured.

"These events have claimed numerous victims and injured many, led to thousands being displaced and caused serious damage," the pope said.

"Our brothers have our solidarity and our support," he said, calling on those gathered for the Angelus to pray for the victims and those affected by the disasters.

source: interaksyon.com