Hundreds of Drones Light Up Seoul’s Night Sky

Three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles were programmed to form images above the Han river. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport/AFP
Three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles were programmed to form images above the Han river. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport/AFP
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Hundreds of Drones Light Up Seoul’s Night Sky

Three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles were programmed to form images above the Han river. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport/AFP
Three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles were programmed to form images above the Han river. South Korea's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport/AFP

Hundreds of drones lit up the night sky in Seoul for a spectacular showcase of motivational and awareness messages as the world battles the coronavirus pandemic.

Three hundred unmanned aerial vehicles were programmed to form images above the Han river -- which runs through the South Korean capital -- for the eyecatching flash mob.

The show began with messages reminding people of key precautionary measures, including wearing masks, washing hands and keeping a two-meter distance from others.

The drones created images of a mask surrounded by coronavirus particles, quickly shuffling to form two hands and water droplets against the dark night sky.

The 10-minute show shifted to messages of gratitude for medical personnel in the frontlines of the pandemic as well as all South Koreans for their collective efforts.

"THANKS TO YOU," the drones wrote in the sky next to a heart shape, then formed a silhouette of the Korean peninsula with the message: "Cheer up, Republic of Korea."

The government-organized event on Saturday night was not advertised in advance in consideration of social distancing rules, the transport ministry said.



Harris Pushes Netanyahu to Ease Suffering in Gaza: 'I Will not be Silent'

US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Harris Pushes Netanyahu to Ease Suffering in Gaza: 'I Will not be Silent'

US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
US President Joe Biden is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minster Benjamin Netanyahu, as he visits Israel amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Tel Aviv, Israel, October 18, 2023. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein//File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

 US Vice President Kamala Harris pressured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to help reach a Gaza ceasefire deal that would ease the suffering of Palestinian civilians, striking a tougher tone than US President Joe Biden, according to Reuters.

"It is time for this war to end," Harris said in a televised statement after she held face-to-face talks with Netanyahu.

Harris, the likely Democratic presidential nominee after Biden dropped out of the election race on Sunday, did not mince words about the humanitarian crisis gripping Gaza after nine months of war between Israel and Hamas militants.

"We cannot allow ourselves to be numb to the suffering and I will not be silent," she said.

Also, Biden on Thursday raised with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the need to close gaps to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, remove obstacles in flow of aid and protect civilian lives in military operations, the White House said.

Harris' remarks were sharp and serious in tone and raised the question of whether she would be more aggressive in dealing with Netanyahu if elected president on Nov. 5. But analysts do not expect there would be a major shift in US policy toward Israel, Washington's closest ally in the Middle East.

Netanyahu will meet Harris' Republican rival, Donald Trump, on Friday at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club in Florida.

A ceasefire has been the subject of negotiations for months. US officials believe the parties are closer than ever before to an agreement for a six-week ceasefire in exchange for the release by Hamas of women, sick, elderly and wounded hostages.