Israel readied to mark 70 years since the country’s creation on Wednesday, celebrating its improbable economic success and military prowess but facing a range of political and security challenges. READ ALSO: Russian research institute develops new HIV medicineIsraelis call it Independence Day as it marks the end of British mandatory rule in Palestine and the birth of a sovereign Jewish state. At sunset the mood changes sharply as the 24-hour Independence Day party kicks off. An air strike attributed to Israel on April 9 at Syria’s T-4 airbase left 14 people dead, including seven Iranian personnel. It was shot down by an Israeli helicopter, and Israel in retaliation attacked what it said were the drone’s Iranian control systems in Syria.

Source: Punch April 18, 2018 16:30 UTC