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Cross border chaos - Middle East escalation disrupts flights out of Bali with multiple cancellations, passengers stranded

Cross border chaos - Middle East escalation disrupts flights out of Bali with multiple cancellations, passengers stranded

"The escalation in the Middle East conflict has disrupted flight operations at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, with multiple international flights from the region cancelled as of Monday. Footage from the departure lounge shows passengers sorting luggage and walking through the Bali airport terminal, heading to their gates, as flight information screens display a cancelled flight to Dubai. Some travellers said they were unsure about onward connections and the possibility of further disruptions. “I have another flight from New Delhi, and I don’t know what’s happened next,” said passenger Archam. “It’s already rescheduled, but maybe something happens in the next three hours - nobody knows,” he added. A total of 75 flights have been cancelled since Sunday, including 28 departures and 32 arrivals. This comes after the US and Israel first attacked Iran on Saturday morning. Tehran said it was responding with strikes on Israel and US assets in the region, with strikes reported in countries right across the Gulf region.   On Sunday, Donald Trump confirmed that three US military personnel were killed and admitted that more deaths were 'likely' on the American side. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was confirmed killed in a strike on Saturday.  It comes after a number of rounds of negotiations between the Americans and Iranians in the preceding weeks."

Jumping over fire! China's Chaozhou villagers leap over flames for prosperity and to banish evil spirits

Jumping over fire! China's Chaozhou villagers leap over flames for prosperity and to banish evil spirits

"The air in Jieyang, a city in Chaozhou, southern China's Guangdong Province, crackled with heat and anticipation as crowds gathered to witness a breathtaking showcase of collective courage to attract prosperity and banish evil spirits and disasters in the year ahead. Footage captured on Sunday, February 1, reveals a thunderous chorus of drumbeats and chants, as a group of local men hoisted a sedan chair, gripping it tightly while moving as one. They charged directly towards bonfires, leaping through them in succession. Before leaping through the fire, these courageous participants splashed water on themselves. The event drew nearby villagers and out-of-town photography enthusiasts eager to witness the spectacle. They gripped the sedan chair tightly, synchronised their steps, and launched themselves through the flames. Sparks erupted around them like fireworks, their silhouettes momentarily illuminated against the orange glow before they landed safely on the other side. The crowd erupted in cheers, yet there was no time for respite. More bonfires awaited them down the path, each larger and hotter than the last. The bearers, their faces streaked with soot and sweat, and with each leap, they not only escaped the physical flames but also symbolically cast off the metaphorical disasters and evil spirits threatening their community. As the final fire was jumped, although the sedan chair bore singe marks, it remained intact, and the bearers collapsed onto the ground. Spectator Yan Lei remarked, "I travelled from Chengdu after hearing about this event from friends online. This time, I brought my camera to capture these folk customs, the vibrant atmosphere, and the festive spirit of Chinese New Year." Yan Lei added, "I feel absolutely exhilarated. This scene embodies the essence of Chinese New Year and is a distinctive hallmark of Guangdong and the Chaoshan region. For me, it's an artistic moment to capture on camera, but for those who leap through the flames, it symbolises their courage and resolve to strive for a better life. It’s truly magnificent!" The ancient fire-jumping ritual is known as ‘tiao huo’ locally. However, in Chaozhou, it is not just individuals braving the flames; the ceremony centres on the group of bearers who carry a sacred sedan chair—typically a statue or representation of a local deity revered by the community—who must navigate the inferno collectively. This tradition is celebrated annually on the 13th day of the first lunar month. The community believes that by carrying their deity through the flames, they purify the god's power, receive direct blessings, and express their collective faith."