Bus Crash in Central Mexico Leaves Scores of Casualties

People sit near a barrier with sandbags as a precaution to prevent probable flooding caused by the overflowing of the Papaloapan river, as heavy rains are expected, in Tlacotalpan, Mexico, October 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yahir Ceballos
People sit near a barrier with sandbags as a precaution to prevent probable flooding caused by the overflowing of the Papaloapan river, as heavy rains are expected, in Tlacotalpan, Mexico, October 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yahir Ceballos
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Bus Crash in Central Mexico Leaves Scores of Casualties

People sit near a barrier with sandbags as a precaution to prevent probable flooding caused by the overflowing of the Papaloapan river, as heavy rains are expected, in Tlacotalpan, Mexico, October 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yahir Ceballos
People sit near a barrier with sandbags as a precaution to prevent probable flooding caused by the overflowing of the Papaloapan river, as heavy rains are expected, in Tlacotalpan, Mexico, October 25, 2024. REUTERS/Yahir Ceballos

At least 24 people died and five others were injured when a bus crashed on a highway in Mexico's central state of Zacatecas on Saturday, local authorities said.
The accident occurred in the early morning hours when the bus carrying the victims collided with the back of a tractor-trailer carrying corn.
Zacatecas Governor David Monreal confirmed the casualties in a post on social media, promising to provide support for the victims.
Efforts were ongoing on Saturday morning to recover some of the bodies that had fallen into a ravine, a local government official who asked not to be named told Reuters.
Images shared on social media showed rescue teams and security forces, including military personnel, securing the area while rescuers worked to recover the bodies.
The bus was headed for Ciudad Juarez, a border city in the state of Chihuahua, though it was not immediately confirmed whether migrants were among the victims.



Israel Signs $500 Mln Deal on Interception System that Strikes Down Rockets, Missiles and Drones

06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
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Israel Signs $500 Mln Deal on Interception System that Strikes Down Rockets, Missiles and Drones

06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)
06 August 2022, Israel, Sderot: The Israeli Iron Dome missile defense system fires an interceptor missile. (dpa)

Israel’s Defense Ministry said Monday it has signed a $500 million deal to begin production of a laser interception system that can strike down incoming rockets, missiles and drones.

The Iron Beam will be produced by two Israeli companies and is expected to be ready in a year’s time, the ministry said.

Israel already has an elaborate, multilayered aerial defense system that relies on interceptors to strike down incoming missile fire and drones. But Israel has said the Iron Beam system will be a game changer because it would be much cheaper to operate than existing systems. It is expected to be operational within a year

The aerial defense array includes the Iron Dome, which intercepts short range missiles and drones, David’s Sling, which intercepts medium-range missiles, and The Arrow, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles.

“The Iron Beam will complement the Iron Dome, and the combination of laser and missile interception will further strengthen our defense systems against rockets, missiles, UAVs, cruise missiles, and additional threats,” the ministry said.

The vast majority of missiles and drones fired at Israel during the ongoing Mideast wars have been intercepted. However, some have made it through and drones have become a particular challenge to shoot down.