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Iranian Missile Hits Key Israeli Scientific Facility Amid Escalating Tensions
In a serious escalation of hostilities between Iran and Israel, an Iranian missile struck the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, south of Tel Aviv, early Sunday morning. The institute is one of Israel’s most prestigious scientific centers and plays a significant role in supporting the country’s military technologies.
Founded in 1934 by Chaim Weizmann and later renamed in his honor after he became Israel’s first president, the Weizmann Institute is internationally recognized for its cutting-edge research across various scientific fields. It is home to approximately 2,500 researchers and staff and hosts advanced academic programs in disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science, and biology.
More than an academic institution, the Weizmann Institute has long been regarded as a strategic asset within Israel’s national security infrastructure. It contributes to several military-linked research programs, including the development of artificial intelligence systems for battlefield decision-making, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), secure communications, electronic warfare technologies, and alternative GPS navigation systems.
Sources suggest these activities make the institute a high-value target for Iran, particularly following recent Israeli airstrikes on Iranian military facilities and high-profile scientists. While the full extent of the damage remains unclear, Israeli media outlets have been notably restrained in their reporting, in line with military censorship rules that prohibit disclosing sensitive information regarding strategic facilities.
Military and government officials have yet to release details on potential casualties or the operational impact of the strike. The lack of visual documentation or official statements has fueled speculation about a significant breach in Israel’s air defense capabilities.
The missile strike marks a dangerous turning point in the ongoing confrontation, as Iran’s targeting of a prominent scientific and military-linked institution highlights both strategic intent and precise targeting capabilities.
The Weizmann Institute receives substantial funding from the Israeli government and is supported by international organizations, enabling it to spearhead scientific and technological initiatives with global collaboration. The attack could therefore have diplomatic repercussions, particularly if investigations confirm damage to projects involving foreign researchers or international funding.
As regional tensions continue to rise, the targeting of such a prominent research facility underscores the expanding scope of the conflict and the increasing vulnerability of infrastructure previously considered secure.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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