News - Malayalam PhotoGalleryphotogallery.malayalam.samayam.comInteresting photogallery from Malayalam Samayam en-us2015 Times Internet Limited.http://syndication.indiatimes.com/Malayalam Samayam Photogalleryhttp://images.photogallery.indiatimes.com/photo.cms?msid=48053890http://photogallery.malayalam.samayam.comSun, 29 Jun 2025 17:09:59 +0530Force For Good: Inheritance of wordshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/112524526.cmsMidnight’s Children, Salman RushdieWed, 14 Aug 2024 16:54:53 +0530BCCLAmbani family kicks off Anant and Radhika’s wedding celebrations with mass wedding for underprivileged coupleshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/111515540.cmsMumbai, 2nd July 2024: The Ambani family, known for their philanthropic values, initiated the wedding festivities for Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant with a 'Samuh Vivah' (Mass Wedding) for over 50 underprivileged couples from Palghar, about 100km from Mumbai. The event, held at Reliance Corporate Park, was attended by nearly 800 guests, including the couples' families. Upholding the principle' Manav seva hi Madhav seva' – 'Service to humanity is service to God,' the Ambanis have a tradition of starting significant family occasions with acts of service, a tradition that was once again upheld on this joyous occasion. Smt. Nita Ambani, Shri Mukesh Ambani, and their family extended heartfelt wishes to the couple. Each couple received gold ornaments, including Mangalsutra, wedding rings, nose rings, and silver ornaments like toe rings and anklets. Brides were gifted a cheque of Rs. 1.01 Lakh as 'streedhan.' Additionally, couples received household items for a year, including 36 essential items, appliances, and bedding. The event was not just about the wedding, but also a celebration of Indian culture. The grand dinner and the traditional Tarpa Dance by the Warli Tribe added a layer of cultural richness to the event. The Ambani family's initiative celebrated the couples' unions and highlighted their commitment to social welfare, sharing joy and seeking blessings from the larger community.Fri, 05 Jul 2024 17:05:27 +0530Michaung causes widespread damage in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, subsides into cyclonic stormhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/105777215.cmsThe flooding in Chennai following heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Michaung have claimed 17 lives so far, officials said on Tuesday. According to the police, as many as 10 incidents of drowning and electrocution have been reported for which medical assistance was rendered. As Cyclone Michaung made landfall on Tuesday, an incessant downpour lashed Chennai even as its fury from Monday ebbed significantly. The rains and the subsequent flooding from the storm literally brought the state capital to a standstill, disrupting normal life and also resulting in fatalities and damage to property. The city police shared an update on the prevailing situation, informing that about 16 subways have been closed due to waterlogging. Further, according to officials, trees that lay uprooted on roads were removed at 69 places in the GCP police station area. Earlier, on Tuesday, DMK MP Kanimozhi said the Tamil Nadu government is much more prepared to deal with the situation than in 2015, when incessant rains caused flooding in Chennai, causing loss of lives and property damage. “In the last two days, we had more than 33 cm of rainfall, which is much more than what we had in 2015. However, the government was better equipped to deal with the situation this time. Many people have been evacuated (from low-lying areas) and moved to (relief) shelters,” Kanimozhi told ANI on Tuesday. “As many as 411 relief shelters have already been arranged. Water has also been pumped out of most of the areas and power has been restored to more than 60-70 percent of the houses,” the DMK MP added. In an attempt to flush rainwater out of the city, another corporation of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, dispatched twelve 41-HP motors to Chennai for flood relief operations. Meanwhile, holding out hope of some respite, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that the cyclone is likely to weaken as it lay centred over south-coastal Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening. “Severe Cyclonic Storm MICHAUNG weakened into a Cyclonic Storm at 1530 hrs IST, lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of December 5, over south-coastal Andhra Pradesh, about 25 km west-northwest of Bapatla and 60 km north-northeast of Ongole. Likely to move nearly northwards & weaken further,” the IMD said in a post on X.Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:06:55 +0530AFPSmog chokes Delhi-NCR as air quality turns severe, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104936453.cmsAs air quality in several parts of Delhi-NCR plunged to the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning, people said they experienced breathing problems and irritation in the eye among others. There was a thick haze blanketing the skyline of the national capital and adjoining areas as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400 mark at multiple locations. Moreover, AQI at multiple locations in Noida also plunged to the ‘severe’ category with Sector 62, Sector 1 and Sector 116 recording 483, 413 and 415 respectively. In the wake of the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday. Stage III of the GRAP is implemented when the AQI hits Severe in the range of 401-450. As part of its response to combat pollution the state government can impose strict restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in certain areas and may suspend physical classes in schools for primary grade children up to Class 5. The Delhi government has since suspended primary school classes.Fri, 03 Nov 2023 12:51:21 +0530ReutersHurricane Otis batters Mexico, causes widespread devastation in Acapulcohttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104747103.cmsHurricane Otis caused at least 27 deaths and major devastation as it lashed Mexico’s resort city of Acapulco as a scale-topping category 5 storm. Otis crashed into Acapulco with furious winds of 165 miles (270 kilometres) per hour, shattering windows, uprooting trees, triggering landslides and largely cutting off communications and road links with the region. The storm partially destroyed many buildings, leaving gaping holes in the walls of high-rise towers. Most of the victims were swept away by overflowing rivers, according to authorities. The government began an airlift to deliver aid and materials to the region. Otis rapidly intensified within hours from a tropical storm to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before hitting land, taking authorities by surprise. The World Meteorological Organization described the hurricane as “one of the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones on record.” The government said that it had activated an emergency plan to bring essential supplies. The military was distributing 100,000 food packages and 800,000 litres of water, with more supplies on the way, a statement said. Hurricanes hit Mexico every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November, though few make landfall as a Category 5. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change.Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:08:49 +0530ReutersPalestinians begin mass exodus within Gaza after Israel’s evacuation orderhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104420393.cmsPalestinians scrambled to flee northern Gaza after the Israeli military ordered nearly half the population to evacuate south and carried out limited ground forays ahead of an expected land offensive a week after Hamas’ bloody, wide-ranging attack into Israel. Israel renewed calls on social media and in leaflets dropped from the air for some 1 million residents to move south, while Hamas urged people to stay in their homes. The UN and aid groups have said such a rapid exodus would cause untold human suffering, with hospital patients and others unable to relocate. Families in cars, trucks and donkey carts packed with possessions crowded a main road heading away from Gaza City as Israeli airstrikes continued to hammer the small, besieged territory. Thousands of people, who fled their homes, crammed into a UN-run school-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah, a city south of the evacuation zone. Many slept outside on the ground without mattresses, or in chairs pulled from the classrooms. The mass evacuation order applies to all of Gaza City, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Israel’s military said it planned to target underground Hamas hideouts, but Palestinians and some Egyptian officials fear Israel’s ultimate aim is to push Gaza’s people out through the southern border with Egypt. Israel has called up some 360,000 reserves and massed troops and tanks along the border with Gaza, but no decision has been announced on whether to launch a ground offensive. An assault into densely populated Gaza would likely bring even higher casualties on both sides in brutal house-to-house fighting. “We will destroy Hamas,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Friday night.Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:16:03 +0530AFPIsrael launches fresh airstrikes on Gaza and battles to repel Hamashttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104276655.cmsIsrael intensified its bombardments of the Gaza Strip after declaring war and vowing to destroy the “military and governing capabilities” of the enclave’s Hamas rulers, as Israeli soldiers fought to secure the border and dislodge Gaza gunmen from areas of southern Israel. At least 700 people have reportedly been killed in Israel, a staggering toll on a scale the country has not experienced in decades, and more than 400 have been killed in Gaza. Palestinian militant groups claimed to be holding over 130 captives from the Israeli side. More than two days after Hamas launched its unprecedented incursion out of Gaza, Israeli forces were still battling militants holed up in several locations. Meanwhile, Israel hit more than 1,000 targets in Gaza, its military said, including airstrikes that levelled much of the town of Beit Hanoun in the enclave’s northeast corner. Over the weekend, the Israeli Security Cabinet declared war and approved “significant military steps” in response to the Hamas attack. In a statement, Netanyahu’s office said the aim will be the destruction of Hamas’ “military and governing capabilities” to an extent that prevents it from threatening Israelis “for many years.” Israel has carried out major military campaigns over the past four decades in Lebanon and Gaza that it portrayed as wars, but without a formal declaration. The eruption of violence comes at a difficult time for Israel, which is facing the biggest protests in its history over Netanyahu’s proposal to weaken the Supreme Court while he is on trial for corruption.Mon, 09 Oct 2023 12:09:57 +0530AFPSikkim flash floods leave behind trail of destruction, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104182552.cmsAt least 14 people died and over 100 went missing, including 22 army personnel, after a cloudburst over Lhonak Lake in north Sikkim triggered a flash flood in the Teesta River basin, officials said. The flood in Sikkim that started around 1:30 am was made worse by the release of water from Chungthang dam. Over 3,000 tourists from various parts of the country were reported to be stranded in different parts of Sikkim, Sikkim Chief Secretary VB Pathak said. Several people missing and injured have been reported from Chungthang in Mangan district, Dikchu, Singtam in Gangtok district and Rangpo in Pakyong district. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Wednesday to take stock of the situation in the state and assured him of all possible support. The Sikkim government said the natural calamity has been declared as a disaster. Several towns, including Dikchu, Rangpo and Singtam located in the Teesta basin, have also been flooded with the upsurge in the river. Meanwhile, all schools located in Mangan, Pakyong, Namchi and Gangtok districts will remain closed till October 8, the education department said. Parts of National Highway-10, the main link between Sikkim and the rest of the country, were washed away, the officials said, adding, a flood alert has been issued for North Bengal and Bangladesh through which the Teesta flows. Meanwhile, downstream North Bengal was badly affected too as water from the swollen Teesta river inundated parts of Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar districts. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that 10,000 people have been rescued and kept in 190 relief camps in nine districts in the southern and northern parts of the state.Thu, 05 Oct 2023 13:46:49 +0530AP​Ankara attack results in dead suspects, injured officers​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104101101.cmsOn October 1, 2023, the city of Ankara, Turkey, experienced its first terrorist attack in years when a bomb went off near the Turkish Interior Ministry. The shocking event unfolded just hours before a scheduled parliamentary session, intensifying the urgency and concern around the incident. Two assailants were involved in the attack: one hurled a small explosive device at the ministry building, while the other engaged in gunfire with the guards at the ministry's entrance gate before detonating another bomb. Both attackers were killed during the assault, and two police officers sustained injuries. Authorities swiftly neutralised the first attacker as he tried to enter the ministry compound. The event has left the nation on high alert, particularly since no group has yet claimed responsibility, leaving the attackers' affiliations and motives unclear. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan responded to the incident by describing it as the "final flutters of terrorism," suggesting a belief that such acts are waning. Nonetheless, the attack has raised questions about security measures and the effectiveness of counter-terrorism efforts in Turkey, given that it occurred at such a high-profile location and ahead of an important political event.Mon, 02 Oct 2023 11:44:40 +0530Reuters​Russia-Ukraine war: Russian air strike impacts Odesa port and grain installations​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103954656.cmsRussian air strikes and shelling are making it hard for Ukraine to send out grain, a key global food source. The latest attacks badly damaged the port of Odesa and grain stores, Ukrainian officials said. The fighting is intense as Ukraine pushes back against Russia in the south and east, and gains support with new US tanks. In one big attack on Odesa, grain stores were destroyed, affecting nearly 1,000 tons of grain and leaving two people dead. Ukraine's military shot down 19 drones and 11 missiles, most aimed at Odesa. The energy ministry said over 1,000 people lost power in the area. Two older people died in a separate air strike in southern Kherson, where more deaths and injuries also occurred due to Russian shelling. Ukraine says these air strikes are a weak answer to their own successful attack on Russia's Black Sea navy. President Zelenskiy thanked allies for new weapons and said more are coming. Meanwhile, Ukraine is stepping up its own strikes, which Russia says have hit its territory. The goal of these attacks, according to Ukraine, is to stop it from exporting grain, something the world is watching closely. Despite the challenges, Ukraine is finding alternative ways like river and road routes to continue sending grain to Africa and Asia.Tue, 26 Sep 2023 13:47:20 +0530AFPFrom Chandrayaan-3 to eco-friendly Ganpati: Unique pandals illuminate Ganesh Chaturthi celebrationshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103802965.cmsGanesh Chaturthi is being celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervour across the nation to honour Lord Ganesha, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati. The 10-day festival started on Tuesday, ushering in a wave of excitement and devotion that has captivated hearts across India. Social media platforms are abuzz with pictures and videos showcasing the artistry of theme-based pandals, each one distinguished by its unique and creative designs. One of the most sought-after themes this year is Chandrayaan-3, India’s successful mission to the moon. Some other unique pandals included chocolate Ganesha, eco-friendly Ganpati Bappa and several others. The pandals have become the centre of attraction for visitors, especially for children. Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated every year with great fervour, with thousands of devotees thronging temples and pandals for the darshan of the Lord Ganesha. The festival ends with elaborate immersion processions on Anant Chaturdashi, 10 days from the start of Ganesh Chaturthi. Wed, 20 Sep 2023 12:28:29 +0530BCCLLibya floods: Over 11,000 dead, thousands still missinghttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103683249.cmsImages taken by satellite show the physical devastation from a flood that killed more than 11,000 people in the eastern Libyan city of Derna. Two dams above Derna burst early Monday under the pressure from rain dropped by a storm. The pent-up water swept blocks of low-lying downtown Derna out to the Mediterranean Sea. Many said they heard loud explosions as the dams exploded. A flood several meters (many feet) high rolled down a mountainside into the city. Untold numbers are buried under mud and debris that includes overturned cars and chunks of concrete. The death toll soared over 11,300 as search efforts continue, Marie el-Drese, secretary-general of the Libyan Red Crescent, told a news agency. She said that an additional 10,100 had been reported missing. Health authorities previously put the death toll in Derna at 5,500. The floods have displaced at least 30,000 people in Derna, according to the UN’s International Organization for Migration, and several thousand others were forced to leave their homes in other eastern towns, it said. Bridges and other basic infrastructure have also been wiped out, especially buildings near the Wadi Derna river.Fri, 15 Sep 2023 12:06:58 +0530AFPMorocco earthquake: Death toll crosses 2800, rescue operation underwayhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103602153.cmsThe death toll in the Morocco earthquake has passed 2800 after a powerful 6.8 earthquake hit the country on Friday last week, Al Jazeera reported. The rescue operation is still underway in the country in order to find the survivors. Search and rescue teams from Spain, the United Kingdom, and Qatar have joined Moroccan rescue efforts after a magnitude 6.8 earthquake slammed the High Atlas Mountains late Friday, with the epicentre 72 kilometres (45 miles) southwest of Marrakesh, according to Al Jazeera. According to state television, the death toll has grown to 2,862, with 2,562 people injured. The traditional mud brick buildings that were common in the area, according to rescuers, limited the odds of locating survivors because they had disintegrated. Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives in the quake. Taking to X, PM Modi said, “Extremely pained by the loss of lives due to an earthquake in Morocco. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the people of Morocco. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. India is ready to offer all possible assistance to Morocco in this difficult time.” The earthquake took place at 03:41:01 (UTC+05:30) at a depth of 18.5 km. The magnitude of the earthquake caused pulses to travel from Sidi Ifni in the south to Rabat in the north and beyond. Tue, 12 Sep 2023 13:58:05 +0530​G20 Summit: Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets world leaders at Bharat Mandapam​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103530354.cmsOn Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted international leaders at Bharat Mandapam, the place where the G20 summit is happening. Some of the first people to arrive included Antonio Guterres, the head of the United Nations, Kristalina Georgieva, who leads the International Monetary Fund, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, who is in charge of the World Trade Organisation. Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, was also one of the early arrivals. They gathered at Pragati Maidan, which is a newly constructed venue for the event. The meeting place had a special background featuring a model of the Konark Wheel. This is a very old artifact from the 13th century that stands for the ideas of time moving on, things getting better, and change being a constant factor in life. Prime Minister Modi welcomed these global leaders and dignitaries to discuss important matters that affect countries all around the world. The G20 summit is a key meeting where the leaders of 20 major economies gather to talk about international issues. The presence of leaders from powerful organisations like the UN, IMF, and WTO makes it a highly significant event.Sat, 09 Sep 2023 13:33:38 +0530​Hong Kong comes to a standstill due to severe flooding following record-breaking rainfall since 1884​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103503725.cmsUnprecedented rainfall wreaked havoc in Hong Kong last Friday, flooding metro stations and trapping drivers. With the highest hourly rainfall since 1884, the city was thrown into chaos, leading to school closures and business disruptions. The extreme weather came on the heels of Typhoon Saola, which had also severely affected the city. Roads became impassable torrents, with rescue operations underway to assist stranded motorists. Transport services like the Mass Transit Railway, major bus, tram and ferry routes were severely affected or halted. This severe downpour even led to rocks and debris from landslides blocking the roads, making the situation even more precarious for residents. Footage showed floodwaters gushing into subway stations and even into the first floors of some buildings. Injuries were reported, and the government warned that such extreme conditions would likely continue. Meanwhile, the neighbouring city of Shenzhen also experienced record-breaking rain, affecting transport and leading to school closures. The two cities braced for further extreme weather conditions, raising concerns about travel and public safety.Fri, 08 Sep 2023 15:09:38 +0530ReutersJanmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103460450.cmsMany Hindus around the world celebrated Krishna Janmashtami, the birthday of the Hindu god Krishna. This year, Krishna Janmashtami will be celebrated for two consecutive days i.e. September 06 and 07, 2023. The birth celebrations occur on the eighth day after the full moon in the month of Bhadrapada, or during August-September; in some parts of southern India the celebrations are held during the fifth lunar month of Shravana, which is in July-August. In Sanskrit, Krishna means “dark” or “black,” and like the deity Vishnu with whom he is associated, Krishna is often depicted as dark-skinned. He is identified as the eighth avatar, or incarnation, of the deity Vishnu in many texts, while other sources identify Krishna as the highest divine being. He is especially loved for his divine attributes of compassion, protection and friendship. The observance of Krishna Janmashtami has moved far beyond its place of origin in Krishna’s homeland of Vrindavan, in north-central India, where Krishna is said to have been raised. Today, in the global community of about 1.2 billion Hindus, Krishna Janmashtami is considered an important holiday among all lineages and traditions. On the first day of the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, activities culminate in a “Krishna puja,” a devotional form of worship using a form or an image, such as an idol of Krishna. After midnight, statues of Krishna are bathed in milk and water, dressed in new clothes and venerated in homes and temples. Devotees enjoy a celebratory meal after breaking the daylong fast. In addition to fasting during the holiday, Krishna’s devotees sing songs called “bhajans,” or “kirtans,” dedicated to Krishna, reenact episodes from mythology about his life, known as “Krishna Lilas,” and perform folk dances, or “garbhas.” In northern India, Krishna Janmashtami is followed the next day by a raucous and spirited event called “Dahi Handi,” loosely translated as “curds in an earthen pot.” Young men and boys imitate the childish pranks of “Makhan Chor,” an epithet given to Krishna in his beloved form during his childhood as a “butter thief.” Folklore is full of stories about Krishna and his childhood friends stealing sweetened butter from the village gopis, or cow herdesses. To engage in the reenactment, a pot of sweetened butter and curds is suspended in midair, while teenage boys dressed as cowherds form human pyramids, climbing on each other’s backs to reach and break the pot, sharing the sweet yogurt within. Janmashtami is being celebrated across the country with full fervour. Several lord Krishna temples were decked up to celebrate the occasion with religious fervour, pomp and fanfare. The temples were decorated with lights as well as flowers.Thu, 07 Sep 2023 12:35:59 +0530BCCLHeavy rainfall triggers flash floods in Spain, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103383776.cmsAt least three people died and three were missing as record rainfall caused heavy flooding in central Spain, shutting roads, subway lines and high-speed train connections, authorities said on Monday. Helicopters were sent to rescue people, who had sought refuge on the roofs of their homes in the Toledo area some 50 km (31 miles) southwest of Madrid, emergency services said. The sudden downpour on Sunday and early Monday transformed streets into rivers of mud that swept away cars and trash bins in Madrid, Catalonia, Castile-La Mancha and Valencia regions. Hail also fell in many areas. Several roads in the Madrid region were closed as half a dozen bridges were torn down by water overflowing the riverbanks. The defence ministry said it had deployed army engineers to build a so-called Bailey bridge, a type of portable truss bridge, in Aldea del Fresno to connect the banks after the original bridge was swept away. Several subway lines were closed in central Madrid early on Monday, though the service was re-established in most of the city during the morning, subway operator Metro de Madrid said in a statement. Some high-speed connections between Madrid and the southern region of Andalusia have resumed, but trains were operating at lower-than-normal speeds.Tue, 05 Sep 2023 12:45:56 +0530ReutersTyphoon Haikui unleashes heavy rainfall and strong winds in Taiwanhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103345828.cmsTaiwan woke up Monday to uprooted trees, floods, and persistent rainfall after Typhoon Haikui made landfall on the island and swept overnight across its central mountain ranges. Haikui initially appeared to leave the island but made a second landfall early Monday in southwestern Kaohsiung, before it was downgraded to a severe tropical storm. Destruction was seen in coastal Taitung, a mountainous county in lesser-populated eastern Taiwan where the storm directly hit the day before. Haikui, the first typhoon landfall in Taiwan in four years, forced the evacuation of more than 7,000 people across the island, particularly from landslide-prone mountainous regions. Hundreds of flights were cancelled and businesses were closed. More than 217,000 households temporarily lost power through the day. By Monday morning, 58,000 homes still had no electricity, while schools and businesses remained closed in 14 cities as torrential rain bucketed down. Nearly 80 people were injured during the typhoon, according to authorities, though they were minor, mostly due to fallen trees and car accidents. Haikui is now expected to bring strong winds and rain to the south and northeast, and to Taiwan’s outlying islands of Kinmen and Penghu.Mon, 04 Sep 2023 11:51:23 +0530AFPHong Kong and parts of southern China come to near standstill as Super Typhoon Saola approacheshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103271283.cmsMost of Hong Kong and parts of southern China came to a near standstill with classes and flights cancelled as Super Typhoon Saola edged closer. The typhoon could make a landfall in southern China and many workers stayed at home. Students in various cities had the start of their school year postponed to next week. Hong Kong’s stock market trading was suspended and more than 400 flights were cancelled or delayed in the key center for regional business and travel. China Railway Guangzhou Group said nearly 4,000 trains were suspended between Thursday and Sunday, state media CCTV earlier reported. As the city braced for heavy rains and strong winds Friday morning, about 170 people sought refuge at temporary shelters, with some ferry and bus services halted. Residents living in low-lying areas had placed sand bags at their doors to prevent their homes being flooded. China’s National Meteorological Center said Saola could make landfall from Huidong County to Taishan city in Guangdong province, neighbouring Hong Kong, between Friday night and Saturday morning. But it also did not rule out it would move west near the shore of central Guangdong. In recent months, China had some of the heaviest rains and deadliest flooding in years across various regions, with scores killed, including in outlying mountainous parts of the capital Beijing. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 11:33:45 +0530AFPDelhi decked up ahead of G20 Summit, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103197446.cmsAs the national capital is set to host the big G20 Summit, the streets and public areas in New Delhi are being decked with decorative lights, ornamental plants, fountains and hoardings. Cleaning of roads and other public areas is being done. The G20 Summit will be held in Delhi on September 9 and 10. India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1 last year. Delhi NCT government’s public works department and municipal corporation are busy round the clock to make the Summit a grand success. G20 was founded in 1999 after the Asian financial crisis as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss global economic and financial issues. It was upgraded to the level of Heads of State or Government in the wake of the global economic and financial crisis of 2007, and, in 2009, was designated the “premier forum for international economic cooperation”. The G20 nations represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population.Wed, 30 Aug 2023 11:02:50 +0530ReutersBRICS Banquet Dinner: World leaders congratulate Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Chandrayaan-3’s successhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103013634.cmsAt the banquet dinner during the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was congratulated by several world leaders including Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on the success of Chandrayaan-3. Earlier on Wednesday, PM Narendra Modi while referring to the Chandrayaan-3 mission, said the enthusiasm of our diaspora in South Africa for India’s achievements in the space sector is truly gladdening. “Feeling the fervour all the way from Johannesburg for Chandrayaan-3! The enthusiasm of our diaspora in South Africa for India's achievements in the space sector is truly gladdening,” PM Modi tweeted on Wednesday. Chandryaan-3 on Wednesday successfully performed a soft landing on the moon. ISRO tweeted, “Chandrayaan-3 Mission: ‘India, I reached my destination and you too!’ Chandrayaan-3 has successfully soft-landed on the moon! Congratulations, India!” This makes India the fourth country – after the US, China, and Russia – to have successfully landed on the moon’s surface; it has earned a place in record books as the first to touchdown on the south side of Earth’s only natural satellite. Special screenings of the soft landing were organised across the country, including schools, science centres, and public institutions. ISRO made the live action available on the ISRO website, its YouTube channel, Facebook, and public broadcaster DD National TV. The Prime Minister, who is in South Africa for the BRICS Summit, joined the live telecast of Chandrayaan-3 landing online. The spacecraft was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota on July 14, 2023. Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:51:42 +0530ANI​Chandrayaan-3 triumphs: Moon's south pole welcomes Earth's newest guest!​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102989075.cms​On July 14, 2023, India marked a milestone in space exploration with the successful liftoff of the Chandrayaan-3 mission, using its LVM3 M4 launch vehicle. The spacecraft, managed by ISTRAC/ISRO in Bengaluru, has maintained excellent health throughout its journey. A meticulous series of orbit-raising operations altered the spacecraft's original Earth orbit from 41,762 km x 173 km to a lunar-centric orbit of 153 km x 163 km by August 16. The critical Lunar Orbit Insertion was successfully executed on August 5, setting the spacecraft into a designated path around the Moon. Further orbital adjustments followed to fine-tune its trajectory. On August 17, a significant landmark was achieved when the Lander Module was successfully detached from the Propulsion Module, settling into a 113 km x 157 km lunar orbit. As of August 23, the mission successfully concluded its final phases of orbit circularisation and landing preparations. De-boosting operations were undertaken to lower the spacecraft's lunar orbit further, culminating in a pivotal powered descent that commenced at approximately 1745 Hrs. IST. With these accomplishments, Chandrayaan-3 stands as a testament to India's growing capabilities in space exploration.​Wed, 23 Aug 2023 18:20:55 +0530AFPCanada wildfires: Thousands flee homes across British Columbiahttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102932814.cmsAs tens of thousands of people were under evacuation orders across British Columbia and firefighters battled raging wildfires throughout Canada, fire chiefs in a region known as a summer destination for families said they have made some progress in the struggle. There’s “finally a bit of a glimmer of hope,” West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Broland told a news conference of the progress being made in the Lake Okanagan region of southern British Columbia, an area of picturesque resort towns surrounded by mountains. Meanwhile, hundreds of fires continued to rage across British Columbia and 35,000 people were under evacuation orders Sunday. The provincial government has issued a state of emergency and urged people not to travel for non-essential reasons to the central interior and southeast portions of the province due to “significant” wildfire activity. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the approval of British Columbia’s request for federal assistance and said the government was deploying assets from the Canadian Armed Forces to assist in evacuations. Canada has seen a record number of wildfires this year that have also caused choking smoke in parts of the US. All told, there have been more than 5,700 fires, which have burned more than 137,000 square kilometers (53,000 square miles) from one end of Canada to the other, according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre. There are still more than 1,000 active fires in the country, according to the agency.Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:50:59 +0530APTropical Storm Hilary lashes Southern California with heavy rain, flooding warning soundedhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102893976.cmsHeavy rains pounded huge swaths of California on Sunday as Tropical Storm Hilary raced in from Mexico, bringing warnings of potentially life-threatening flooding in the typically arid southwestern United States. With people already on edge, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hit near the southern California town of Ojai but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. As of Sunday afternoon, Hilary's core was in California packing maximum sustained winds of 60 miles (95 kilometers) per hour, after barreling up Mexico's Baja California Peninsula, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said of the tropical weather event which was rare for southern California. The storm was moving at the brisk pace of 23 mph (37 kph). By Sunday night, the NHC warned of “potentially historic” rainfall expected to “cause life-threatening to locally catastrophic flash, urban, and arroyo flooding” in parts of the state through early Monday. Beaches were ordered closed and people rushed to stores to stock up on water and other essentials. Flash flood and even tornado warnings were issued for some areas. Hilary earlier reached Category 4, the second-most powerful on the five-step Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, but was downgraded to a tropical storm as it headed towards the densely populated Mexican border city of Tijuana. Despite the weakening, US Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell urged people to take the dangers seriously. “Hurricane Hilary is going to be a serious impact and threat to southern California,” she said. California Governor Gavin Newsom declared an emergency for much of the state’s southern area. “Stay safe, California,” he wrote on social media as Hilary approached. Authorities opened five storm shelters and deployed more than 7,500 personnel, including several hundred National Guard soldiers as well as swiftwater rescue teams, Newsom’s office said. In San Diego, people filled sandbags to prepare for possible flooding, while lifeguards warned people to stay out of the sea. The Mexican army opened 35 shelters providing refuge to 1,725 people affected by the storm. Some areas in Oregon and Idaho were also expected to see heavy rain and possible flash flooding, the NHC said. Tornadoes were possible in southeast California, western Arizona, southern Nevada and far southwest Utah, it said. The Mexican government deployed almost 19,000 soldiers in the states most affected by the storm, while the federal electric utility sent 800 workers and hundreds of vehicles to respond to any outages. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change.Mon, 21 Aug 2023 11:29:52 +0530AFP​Ukrainian troops prepare for counterattack​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102852214.cmsUkraine reported intense clashes across its front line on August 14th, highlighting "some success" in reclaiming territories occupied by Russian forces, particularly near the Staromaiorske village, 60 miles from the Russian-controlled Donetsk. Despite setbacks from extensive Russian minefields and robust defences, Ukrainian troops have advanced on two fronts in the south, with battles ongoing for the control of the nearby settlement, Urozhaine. Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar emphasised the challenges posed by the heavily mined territory, concrete fortifications, and frequent Russian mortar, artillery and aerial attacks. She confirmed the Ukrainian army's gains, notably around the devastated city of Bakhmut—the site of the conflict's most brutal confrontation. There, Ukrainian forces reclaimed almost 2 square miles in the past week. Maliar also highlighted the increased Russian aggressions around eastern towns, Kupyansk and Lyman, suggesting Russia's amplified efforts follow Ukrainian advancements in the Bakhmut region. Presently, Russia occupies roughly 20% of Ukraine, encompassing the Crimea peninsula, portions of Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson, which include significant parts of Ukraine's coastal line and the industrial core of Donbas.Sat, 19 Aug 2023 12:25:00 +0530ReutersPrime Minister Narendra Modi hoists National Flag at Red Fort on 77th Independence Dayhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102742632.cmsOn August 15, 2023, during India's 77th Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a 90-minute speech from the Red Fort, marking his third-longest in his decade-long tenure as PM. His longest was in 2016, spanning 94 minutes. His shortest speech was in 2017 at 57 minutes. In his 10th Independence Day address, Modi highlighted his government's policies and subtly targeted the Gandhi family. He emphasized India's growing global stature and achievements, particularly in the economic realm, where India has emerged as the world's fifth-largest economy despite global COVID-19 challenges. Modi reiterated his government's commitment to developing all societal sections. He cited the Ayushman Bharat scheme, crediting it for uplifting 13.5 crore people from poverty. Furthermore, he underscored the long-term impact of the current policies, suggesting they will shape India's next millennium. The Prime Minister expressed ambitions to propel India's economy to third place globally within five years. Indirectly critiquing the Congress party, Modi denounced corruption, dynasty politics, and appeasement, labelling them as detrimental to the nation's character. He expressed confidence in his leadership continuity beyond 2024 and stated his commitment to inaugurating the schemes he launches. Modi also celebrated Indians' dominance in the global startup ecosystem, highlighting that Indians head the world's top three startups.Tue, 15 Aug 2023 13:03:02 +0530Russian missile strikes hit eastern Ukrainian city of Pokrovskhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102523139.cmsTwo Russian missile strikes on the east Ukrainian city of Pokrovsk, including on a residential building, killed at least five people and wounded several others, Kyiv said on August 07, 2023. President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow had struck an “ordinary residential building,” publishing footage of a typical Soviet-era five-storey building that had its top floor destroyed. Ukraine said search and rescue operations were ongoing. Pokrovsk lies some 70 kilometres (43 miles) north-west of the city of Donetsk, held by Russia, and some 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the frontline. “Five people died,” Igor Klymenko, Ukraine’s minister of internal affairs, said on Telegram. The second attack killed a high-ranking emergency official of the Donetsk region, he added. He later said the number of wounded increased to 31. “Among them are 19 police officers, five rescuers and one child.” Igor added that the rubble was still “being cleared” and that “search and rescue operations are ongoing.” Zelensky had earlier warned of “victims” in the strike, sharing a video of people clearing rubble from the building. Pokrovsk had a pre-war population of around 60,000 people.Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:19:24 +0530Reuters​Nature strikes back with Slovenia's worst floods resulting in six fatalities​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102508292.cmsHeavy rains have battered two-thirds of Slovenia for days, resulting in an estimated €500 million ($549 million) in damages. While buildings and bridges were destroyed, residents like Drago Hudofisk, from the village of Prevalje, emphasized the importance of life over material losses. Watching his family home disappear into mud, Hudofisk remarked on nature's retaliation, saying, "Water has the power, it destroys everything." Thousands were evacuated from northwest and central Slovenia, with emergency services working relentlessly to rescue and clear paths. Since Friday, the floods have claimed six lives, including two Dutch tourists believed to have been struck by lightning and four Slovenians who were either killed or drowned. By Monday, the Slovenian Environment Agency noted that floodwaters were receding, but some regions remained inaccessible. A levee collapse along the Mura river necessitated further evacuations. The ski town of Kranj raised concerns over potential pollution in the Sava river, impacting Croatia, Bosnia and Serbia due to damaged sewage systems. The European Union extended support through machinery and engineering teams. Additionally, Slovenia sought assistance from NATO in the form of helicopters, soldiers, and temporary bridges. Neighbouring countries Croatia and Hungary dispatched helicopters, while Germany sent a civil protection unit.Mon, 07 Aug 2023 20:07:35 +0530Reuters​Hiroshima commemorates the 78th year since the atomic bombing​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102477229.cmsOn this solemn occasion, Hiroshima's mayor emphasised the pressing need for nuclear disarmament. The mayor's sentiments resonate with a global plea for peace and highlight the urgency of avoiding a similar catastrophe in the future. Furthermore, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed his concerns about the increasing challenges in realizing a nuclear-free world, especially with escalating geopolitical tensions. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's statement further emphasized the global gravity of the situation. By reflecting on the visits of various world leaders to Hiroshima and their interactions with the resilient survivors, Guterres underscored the city's significant role in spearheading the campaign for nuclear disarmament. His alarming words about the "drums of nuclear war" beating again serve as a poignant reminder that the world stands on the precipice of potential disaster, necessitating collective action and cooperation to avert another tragedy. Hiroshima stands not just as a testament to human resilience but also as a continuous call for peace, urging the world to remember the horrors of nuclear war and to unite in preventing its recurrence. The tragic history of Hiroshima remains a stark reminder of the profound impact and long-lasting consequences of nuclear warfare. On the 78th anniversary of the US atomic bombing, the residents of Hiroshima, along with officials and visitors, paid their respects to the countless lives lost due to the devastating force of the world's inaugural nuclear attack. The pain and suffering of this Japanese city have never faded away, with the aftermath of the attack continuing to shape its narratives.Sun, 06 Aug 2023 19:34:21 +0530AFPTyphoon Doksuri caused rivers in China to overflow, leaving residents strandedhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102469746.cmsTyphoon Doksuri, one of the most potent storms in recent years, wreaked havoc in northern China with record-breaking rainfall, surpassing Beijing's 140-year record. The deluge, which equated to an entire year's rain for Hebei province, tested China's disaster-response capabilities. As Doksuri's remnants reach China’s northeastern provinces, an area as large as Britain is dealing with the aftermath—managing overflows from reservoirs and rescuing tens of thousands stranded in their homes. By Thursday, over 1.2 million Hebei residents had been evacuated. The rainfall volume surpassed Hebei's reservoir capacity more than twice. The critical Hai river basin, inclusive of Hebei and Beijing, faces its gravest flood challenge since the 1996 Yangtze river basin flood, which claimed approximately 2,800 lives. Hebei authorities intensified their disaster emergency response, while Beijing remained alert for potential landslides. Water levels might take a month to normalize in Hebei, with Zhuozhou being the worst-affected city, where about 100,000 residents, one-sixth of its population, have been evacuated. Rapid urbanization has heightened flood risks in China, with expanding cities encroaching on floodplains. Additionally, climate change-induced extreme weather exacerbates the situation. Northeastern provinces anticipate rainfall up to 50% above average this August, according to China's national forecaster.Sun, 06 Aug 2023 16:30:56 +0530ReutersJustin Trudeau and Sophie Trudeau of Canada have decided to part wayshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102399238.cmsCanadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife, Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, have announced their separation, surprising many, just a week following a major cabinet reshuffle. Despite dwindling opinion polls, Trudeau appears determined to lead the Liberal Party towards a fourth election victory. Their 18-year-long marriage, well-known due to their public profiles, is ending after what Trudeau described on Instagram as "many meaningful and difficult conversations". The decision, arguably one of Trudeau's most significant personal challenges, does not appear to have deterred his political ambitions. "He's running again," a source close to Trudeau confirmed. The couple have agreed legally to prioritise their children's upbringing. Despite the separation, the family plans to vacation together next week. Trudeau, 51, is known for his emphasis on family, having brought his wife and children on the campaign trail during his three consecutive victories beginning in 2015. With the next election slated for October 2025, Trudeau's campaign is expected to have a different dynamic. "The shuffle was a political clearing of the decks and this is a sort of personal clearing... he seems determined to stay on as leader of the Liberal Party," noted Roderick Phillips, a history professor at Carleton University, Ottawa.Thu, 03 Aug 2023 21:08:58 +0530Reuters​Afghanistan has imposed a ban on beauty salons​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102101550.cmsThe Taliban's decision to close women's beauty salons in Afghanistan will leave thousands jobless and further devastate the country's economy. Approximately 60,000 women are expected to lose their employment and 12,000 businesses to close as a result of this policy, which is due to take effect on July 25, 2023. The move has been criticized by the UN and the International Labour Organization (ILO) as a significant setback for female entrepreneurs and an obstacle to economic recovery. Despite the Taliban's claims of supporting female-owned businesses and respecting women's rights as per their interpretation of Islamic law, this decision is seen as a clear contradiction to these assertions. The closure of beauty salons eliminates not only crucial livelihoods but also safe, female-only spaces for Afghan women. Amid already existing sanctions on the banking sector, reduced development aid, and anticipated declines in humanitarian funding, this new order is a significant blow to women's role in Afghan society and the country's economic stability. Protests against the ban have been met with severe repression, underscoring the severity of the situation.Tue, 25 Jul 2023 13:30:37 +0530ReutersSan Diego Comic-Con 2023: A glimpse into the world of cosplay and pop culturehttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102075663.cmsPeople wear ‘Star Wars’ costumes as they attend Comic-Con International in San Diego, California, US on July 21, 2023. Mon, 24 Jul 2023 14:21:02 +0530Reuters​Mumbai engulfed by intense downpours​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102042630.cmsToday is anticipated to see continued rainfall in parts of Maharashtra, as declared by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), with a 'red alert' for 'heavy to very heavy rainfall' in the district of Palghar and an 'orange alert' for Mumbai, Thane, Raigad and Ratnagiri districts. PTI reports indicate that the weather department anticipates substantial rain in the state's capital today. Consequently, the civic chief advises citizens to stay indoors and only leave if necessary. Isolated regions in Pune district's mountainous areas, Konkan and Madhya Maharashtra, are also expected to experience 'heavy to extremely heavy rain' today, as per IMD's forecast. On July 21, Mumbai experienced substantial rainfall, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and traffic disruptions in the city and suburbs. The IMD observatories in both Colaba and Santacruz reported substantial rainfall, logging 92.2 mm and 115.2 mm, respectively, from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Telangana is also expected to face significant rainfall on Saturday, with a 'red alert' already being issued on July 21. The Hyderabad Meteorological Center states that a low-pressure system over South Odisha and North Andhra Pradesh's coast, along the West Central Bay of Bengal, and an associated cyclonic circulation extending up to 7.6 kilometres above mean sea level are the causes behind the anticipated widespread rainfall. The IMD has also issued an 'orange alert' for four districts in Odisha, predicting 'heavy to very heavy rainfall'.Sat, 22 Jul 2023 21:00:46 +0530BCCL​Full-scale Malibu Dreamhouse of Barbie available for booking on homestays portal​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102021270.cmsFans of Barbie have a unique opportunity to rent the Malibu DreamHouse of the iconic doll, available on the homestays portal. Not only will they experience the fabulous life of Barbie, but they can also choose to stay in Ken's room for two separate overnight stays. The recent renovation of the DreamHouse highlights the signature Barbie pink aesthetic. Guests are invited to delve into Ken's extensive wardrobe, engage in line dancing on the alfresco disco deck, and join a friendly "beach off" contest near the infinity pool. Visitors will also receive an exclusive set of yellow-and-pink Impala skates and surfboards, souvenirs from "the Kendom". "Everyone has dreams, and Barbie's lucky to have a house full of them. But now, it's my turn, and I can't wait to welcome guests in this unique - one could even say, one-of-a-Ken – residence," Ken stated in a press release. The date of July 21 was selected to celebrate the release of Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" movie, featuring stars like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, America Ferrara, Kate McKinnon, Issa Rae, Rhea Perlman and Will Ferrell.Fri, 28 Jul 2023 09:26:26 +0530Reuters​Uncontrollable wildfires intensify across Greece​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102034858.cmsUnprecedented wildfires, fanned by a dry spell and heatwave, continue to ravage Greece, forcing evacuations from villages in Rhodes and Athens. The fire, initially detected on the island of Rhodes, known for its resorts, has spread almost to its centre, the Greek Fire Service reported. While no immediate threat to residential areas was written, people in Apollonia, Laerma, Eleousa, Salakos and Dimylia have been warned to prepare for evacuation. Over 86 firefighters, supported by three aircraft and three helicopters, have been deployed to control the situation. Fires have also been raging near Athens, prompting the deployment of additional forces and evoking international aid. Greece has activated the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism for rescue and humanitarian assistance, attracting firefighting planes from France and Italy. Nikolaos from the Special Forestry Operations Unit described this summer as more challenging than previous years, foreseeing more heat and fires in August. The EU, concerned about the heatwave's devastating consequences, has tasked a satellite to assess damage in the Attica region. Despite controlling three large fires in Drama, Boeotia, and Messinia, officials anticipate rising temperatures up to 115 degrees, heightening fire risks.Sat, 22 Jul 2023 13:22:23 +0530ReutersGlimpses from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s France and UAE visit, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101820046.cmsFrance’s President Emmanuel Macron (L) welcomes India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to a dinner at The Louvre Museum in Paris on July 14, 2023.Mon, 17 Jul 2023 13:00:44 +0530AFPDelhi Floods: Overflowing Yamuna inundates parts of Delhi, life comes to grinding halthttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101756100.cmsLife came to a standstill in several areas of India’s capital after water from the swollen Yamuna river that runs through New Delhi flowed in through a broken drain regulator, authorities said. The river’s levels were at their highest in 45 years this week, following unusually heavy rainfall in New Delhi and hilly northern states, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of people during the last two days, as the river breached its banks. Roads around the historic Red Fort were flooded, with several vehicles abandoned in several places, leaving just their windshields and roofs showing above the water. “To prevent water from flowing into the city, we are trying to create a dam,” said Saurabh Bharadwaj, Delhi's flood control and irrigation minister. Sacks would be stacked up to achieve this, he added, while authorities were renting a new regulator to be installed once the flow of water is brought under control. The work would take four or five hours more, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal estimated after a visit to the site. Authorities are also turning to national disaster response officials and the army for help in the repair work, Kejriwal had said on Twitter earlier. The roads around the Rajghat memorial to India’s apostle of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, were inundated, with some water flowing into the memorial area as well. Also flooded were several private and government offices, including the police headquarters, in Delhi’s ITO area.Fri, 14 Jul 2023 15:38:29 +0530AFPHeavy rains cause widespread disruption, floods and landslides in north Indiahttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101634130.cmsTorrential rain across northern India has killed at least 22 people, as well as causing landslides and flash floods in the region, authorities and local media said on July 10, 2023. Schools in New Delhi were closed after heavy rains lashed the NCR over the weekend, and authorities in the Himalayan states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand asked people not to venture out of their homes unless necessary. At least 22 people died in floods and landslides in the northern states of Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab on Sunday. In the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, flash floods over the weekend brought down a bridge and swept away several hutments. Authorities used helicopters to rescue people stranded on roads and bridges because of the rain. Streets across the northern states, including in Delhi, Punjab and Uttarakhand were flooded. In some areas, rescue personnel used rubber rafts to rescue people stranded inside their homes, local media said. Delhi, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh have received 112%, 100% and 70% more rainfall than average so far in the current monsoon season that started on June 1, according to the department.Mon, 10 Jul 2023 14:10:22 +0530APIsrael launches massive military operation in West Bank city of Jeninhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101513114.cmsThe Israeli military withdrew its troops from a militant stronghold in the occupied West Bank, ending an intense two-day operation that killed at more than 10 Palestinians, drove thousands of people from their homes and left a wide swath of damage in its wake. One Israeli soldier was also killed. The army claimed to have inflicted heavy damage on militant groups in the Jenin refugee camp in an operation that included a series of airstrikes and hundreds of ground troops. However, it remained unclear whether there would be any long-lasting effect after nearly a year and a half of heavy fighting in the West Bank. Ahead of the withdrawal, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to carry out similar operations if needed. “At these moments we are completing the mission, and I can say that our extensive operation in Jenin is not a one-off,” he said during a visit to a military post on the outskirts of Jenin. “We will eradicate terrorism wherever we see it and we will strike at it.” The Jenin raid was one of the most intense Israeli military operations in the West Bank since an armed Palestinian uprising against Israel’s open-ended occupation ended two decades ago. Since early 2022, Israel has been carrying out near daily raids in the West Bank in response to a series of deadly Palestinian attacks. It says the raids are meant to crack down on Palestinians militants and said they are necessary because the Palestinian Authority is too weak. Israel captured the West Bank, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians seek those territories for their hoped-for independent state. Wed, 05 Jul 2023 14:46:13 +0530Reuters#WorldView From France unrest to Canada wildfire smoke; these images capture the significant moments of the weekhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101387193.cmsFirefighters stand as they extinguish burning vehicles during clashes between protesters and police, after the death of Nahel, a 17-year-old teenager killed by a French police officer during a traffic stop, in Nanterre, Paris suburb, France on June 28, 2023. Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:07:28 +0530ReutersPM Narendra Modi flags off 5 Vande Bharat Express trains from Bhopalhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101301737.cmsPrime Minister Narendra Modi launched five semi-high speed Vande Bharat Express trains from Bhopal’s Rani Kamlapati Railway (RKMP) station on June 27, 2023. With this, Bhopal will have three Vande Bharat Express trains, the first being launched on April 1. This happens to be the third visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Bhopal’s Rani Kamlapati Railway station in the past two years. The first time he visited was on November 15, 2021 when it was renamed after Gond Queen Rani Kamlapati. Prior to that, the station was known as Habibganj railway station. Modi’s second visit was on April 1 this year to flag off the first Vande Bharat Express train from Bhopal to New Delhi. On June 27, 2023, he visited the same railway station, which has been developed under the PPP model, to flag off five Vande Bharat Express trains. Accompanied by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, PM Modi arrived at Rani Kamlapati railway station, where MP CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan along with Union Ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Narendra Singh Tomar welcomed him. PM Modi, meanwhile, interacted with school children boarded in Vande Bharat Express trains and boosted their confidence. The school children were excited after meeting him. The five Vande Bharat Express trains were flagged-off are - Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal)-Jabalpur Vande Bharat Express, Khajuraho-Bhopal-Indore Vande Bharat Express, Madgaon (Goa)-Mumbai Vande Bharat Express, Dharwad-Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express, and Hatia-Patna Vande Bharat Express.Tue, 27 Jun 2023 12:44:33 +0530BCCLEgypt and India bolster ties as Narendra Modi makes first trip to Cairohttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101273944.cmsEgypt and India discussed strengthening ties in areas including defence, trade and food security during a state visit to Cairo by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the two countries said on Sunday. On his first trip to Egypt, Narendra Modi met Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Egyptian ministers appointed to an “India unit” after a state visit by Sisi to India in January during which a “strategic partnership” was announced. Both sides said talks on Sunday covered areas including trade and investment, information technology, renewable energy and pharmaceuticals. “Prime Minister (Modi) and President Sisi also discussed further cooperation in G-20, highlighting the issues of food and energy insecurity, climate change and the need for Global South to have a concerted voice,” a statement from Modi’s office said, adding that the talks had also addressed defence and security ties. India is seen as keen to boost ties with Egypt partly to secure trade through the Suez Canal. It exported $4.11 billion of goods to Egypt in the last fiscal year, while importing $1.95 billion. During his two-day visit to Cairo, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also visited the 11th Century Al Hakim mosque, which was renovated by Bohra Muslims, a Shi’ite offshoot with a large presence in Modi’s home state of Gujarat.Mon, 26 Jun 2023 12:55:29 +0530AP​Joe Biden and Narendra Modi look forward to US-India partnership​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101243725.cmsU.S. President Joe Biden and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi meet with senior officials and CEOs of American and Indian companies in the East Room of the White House in Washington, U.S., June 23, 2023.Sat, 24 Jun 2023 21:44:32 +0530ReutersGujarat braces for Biparjoy, more than 74,000 people evacuatedhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/101012943.cmsWith cyclone Biparjoy likely to make landfall near Jakhau Port in Gujarat’s Kutch district on June 15, the state administration has shifted more than 74,000 people living near the coast as a precaution and deployed disaster management units for rescue and relief measures, said officials on Wednesday. With the cyclone in the Arabian Sea barrelling towards the Gujarat coast, parts of the Saurashtra-Kutch region received heavy rains accompanied by strong winds, the Met department said. This will be the second cyclone to hit the state in two years after Tauktae in May 2021. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), cyclone Biparjoy would make landfall near Jakhau Port on Thursday evening as a ‘very severe cyclonic storm’ with maximum wind speed reaching up to 150 kilometres per hour. Of the total 74,345 people moved to temporary shelters in eight coastal districts, nearly 34,300 were evacuated in Kutch district alone, followed by 10,000 in Jamnagar, 9,243 in Morbi, 6,089 in Rajkot, 5,035 in Devbhumi Dwarka, 4,604 in Junagadh, 3,469 in Porbandar district and 1,605 in Gir Somnath district, said a release by the Gujarat government. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Wednesday night reached the State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) in Gandhinagar and held a meeting with top officials to review the situation and steps taken so far by the administration in view of the approaching cyclone, said the release. As per the government, 15 teams of NDRF (National Disaster Response Force), 12 of SDRF (State Disaster Response Force), 115 teams of the state road and building department, and 397 of the state electricity department have been deployed in different coastal districts. “Officials of departments of electricity and road & building have also reached designated spots to restore connectivity and power supply. We have also deployed teams carrying HAM radio sets and satellite phones in the coastal region for better communication,” said Commissioner of Relief, Alok Kumar Pandey. The Western Railway said 76 trains have been cancelled, 36 short-terminated and 31 short-originated as a precautionary measure to ensure safety of passengers and train operations. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was briefed about the evacuation measures across 164 coastal villages, a CMO statement said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday spoke to the three service chiefs and reviewed the preparations of the armed forces to deal with the impact of the cyclone. After reviewing the preparations, Singh said the armed forces are ready to provide every possible assistance to civil authorities in tackling any situation or contingency that may arise due to the cyclone. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also separately reviewed the preparedness measures being taken in Kutch. He visited the Bhuj Air Force station to take stock of the preparations made by Garuda Emergency Response Team of the Indian Air Force. He also reviewed the availability of oxygen, ventilators and critical care beds in Kutch district government hospitals, trust-run hospitals and other hospitals in the region. Cyclone Biparjoy is very likely to cross Saurashtra and Kutch and adjoining Pakistan coasts between Mandvi (Gujarat) and Karachi (Pakistan) near Jakhau Port by the evening of June 15 as a very severe cyclonic storm with maximum sustained wind speeds of 125-135 kmph gusting to 150 kmph, the IMD said. Due to this, a few places in Porbandar, Rajkot, Morbi, Junagadh and remaining districts of Saurashtra and North Gujarat regions are likely to receive heavy to very heavy rainfall on Thursday.Thu, 15 Jun 2023 12:39:11 +0530AP#WorldView: From Odisha train accident to collapse of Ukraine’s Nova Kakhovka dam; these images capture the significant moments of the weekhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/100868093.cmsRescue workers search for survivors at the site of a train collision after the accident in Balasore district in the eastern state of Odisha in India on June 3, 2023. At least 288 people were killed in the crash, and 1,200 injured.Fri, 09 Jun 2023 12:03:52 +0530ReutersCanada wildfires shroud New York in haze and smoke, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/100841075.cmsSmoke and haze from Canadian wildfires shrouded New York as cities along the US East Coast issued air pollution warnings and thousands evacuated their homes in Canada. The devastating fires have displaced more than 20,000 people and scorched about 3.8 million hectares of land in Canada. More than 100 million people across the northeastern United States, and extending west to Chicago and south to Atlanta, were under pollution warnings after the smoke drifted hundreds of miles from Canada, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said. The thick pollution delayed flights and forced the postponement of sporting events. Mayor Eric Adams told New Yorkers to limit outdoor activity to “the absolute necessities,” adding, “This is not the day to train for a marathon.” All outdoor activities at New York City’s public schools were suspended, as the smog enveloped the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline. The Federal Aviation Administration said it had slowed traffic to and from the city’s airports due to reduced visibility. US President Joe Biden said on Twitter that more than 600 firefighters along with other personnel and equipment had been sent to Canada to help battle the blazes. Scientists have warned that rising temperatures are increasing the risk of extreme weather, including the hot, dry spells that often fan wildfires.Thu, 08 Jun 2023 11:48:24 +0530ReutersDefence Minister Rajnath Singh holds bilateral talks with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austinhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/100785770.cmsDefence Minister Rajnath Singh held a bilateral meeting with United States Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin in New Delhi on June 5, 2023. US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti was also present during the meeting. The US Defence Secretary, who arrived in India a day ago on a two day long visit, inspected the Tri-Services Guard of Honour in the presence of the Defence Minister at the Manekshaw Centre in the national capital. After his arrival, the US Defence Secretary tweeted, “I’m returning to India to meet with key leaders for discussions about strengthening our Major Defense Partnership.” “Together, we’re advancing a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he said. Austin’s New Delhi visit will prominently focus on advancing India-US new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives and continuing with the efforts to expand operational cooperation between the US and Indian militaries. The Pentagon, while elaborating on the details of the Defence Secretary’s visit said, “After Singapore, Secretary Austin will visit New Delhi to meet with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and other leaders as the United States and India continue to modernize the US-India Major Defence Partnership.” “This visit provides an opportunity to accelerate new defence innovation and industrial cooperation initiatives and drive ongoing efforts to expand operational cooperation between the US and Indian militaries,” it said. The visit holds particular significance as it comes over two weeks ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming state visit to Washington later this month. This is the US Defence Secretary’s second visit to India after a previous trip to the country in March, 2021.Tue, 06 Jun 2023 11:58:21 +0530AFPOdisha Train Accident: More than 200 dead, 900 injured; massive search and rescue operations underwayhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/100721099.cmsThe death toll in the tragic train derailment in Odisha’s Balasore district has increased over 200, with at least 900 people injured, the South Eastern Railway said on June 3, 2023. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw visited the accident site and announced a detailed high-level inquiry will be conducted and an independent inquiry by the rail safety commissioner. On Friday evening, 17 coaches of the Coromandel Express and SMVT-Howrah Super Fast Express derailed, leading to one of the worst railway accidents in the country in the last 15 years. In a bulletin, the SE Railway said, “Train number 12841 Shalimar-Chennai, Coromandal Express and Train number 12864 Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express got derailed near Bahanaga Bazar Railway station at around 6.55 p.m. on June 2. Accident Relief trains with medical equipment, doctors and paramedics have rushed to the site from Kharagpur and Bhadrak.” “As per the information received till now, there are 238 casualties. Around 650 injured passengers have been taken to the Hospitals of Gopalpur, Khantapara, Balasore, Bhadrak and Soro,” the SE Railway added. According to railways, Coromandel Express was headed towards Chennai, while Sir M Visvesvaraya-Howrah Superfast Express was coming towards Howrah with 1,000 passengers, when this accident took place on Friday evening. A senior railway ministry official said that the massive train accident happened after coaches of Coromandal Express derailed and hit a standing goods train on one side while some capsized on opposite rail track on which SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express, which was coming from Yashwantpur side and going towards Howrah. The SMVP-Howrah Superfast Express hit the capsized coaches and a massive accident took place. More than 200 ambulances along with 30 buses have been pressed into service, Odisha Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena said. He also said that 7 teams of NDRF, 5 teams of ODRAF and 24 fire service units, local police and volunteers kept up the search for survivors and bodies trapped in the heap of mangled coaches throughout the night. The Railways have also announced an inquiry by AM Chodhary, CRS/SE Circle. He said that the rescue operation is still underway. Railways has cancelled several trains on the Chennai-Howrah route, which is one the busiest routes of the national transporter.Sat, 03 Jun 2023 11:48:59 +0530AP#WorldView: From Venezuelan migrant crisis to Cannes Film Festival 2023; these images capture the significant moments of the weekhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/100526025.cmsPolice evict migrants, mostly from Venezuela, from a camp that was located in front of the migration detention center where migrants died during a fire in March, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico on May 22, 2023Fri, 26 May 2023 15:04:59 +0530ReutersForce For Good: Inheritance of wordshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/112524526.cmsMidnight’s Children, Salman RushdieWed, 14 Aug 2024 16:54:53 +0530BCCLMichaung causes widespread damage in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, subsides into cyclonic stormhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/105777215.cmsThe flooding in Chennai following heavy rains triggered by Cyclone Michaung have claimed 17 lives so far, officials said on Tuesday. According to the police, as many as 10 incidents of drowning and electrocution have been reported for which medical assistance was rendered. As Cyclone Michaung made landfall on Tuesday, an incessant downpour lashed Chennai even as its fury from Monday ebbed significantly. The rains and the subsequent flooding from the storm literally brought the state capital to a standstill, disrupting normal life and also resulting in fatalities and damage to property. The city police shared an update on the prevailing situation, informing that about 16 subways have been closed due to waterlogging. Further, according to officials, trees that lay uprooted on roads were removed at 69 places in the GCP police station area. Earlier, on Tuesday, DMK MP Kanimozhi said the Tamil Nadu government is much more prepared to deal with the situation than in 2015, when incessant rains caused flooding in Chennai, causing loss of lives and property damage. “In the last two days, we had more than 33 cm of rainfall, which is much more than what we had in 2015. However, the government was better equipped to deal with the situation this time. Many people have been evacuated (from low-lying areas) and moved to (relief) shelters,” Kanimozhi told ANI on Tuesday. “As many as 411 relief shelters have already been arranged. Water has also been pumped out of most of the areas and power has been restored to more than 60-70 percent of the houses,” the DMK MP added. In an attempt to flush rainwater out of the city, another corporation of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore, dispatched twelve 41-HP motors to Chennai for flood relief operations. Meanwhile, holding out hope of some respite, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) informed that the cyclone is likely to weaken as it lay centred over south-coastal Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday evening. “Severe Cyclonic Storm MICHAUNG weakened into a Cyclonic Storm at 1530 hrs IST, lay centered at 1730 hrs IST of December 5, over south-coastal Andhra Pradesh, about 25 km west-northwest of Bapatla and 60 km north-northeast of Ongole. Likely to move nearly northwards & weaken further,” the IMD said in a post on X.Wed, 06 Dec 2023 13:06:55 +0530AFPToxic haze blankets Delhi-NCR as air quality worsens, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/105002506.cmsPollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday morning were recorded around seven to eight times higher than the government-prescribed safe limit, as toxic air persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day. Stringent curbs, including a ban on entry of polluting trucks, came into effect in Delhi on Sunday as its air quality entered the ‘severe plus’ category for the second time in three days due to unfavourable wind conditions and a sharp rise in farm fires across north India. Several cities in neighbouring Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan have also reported hazardous air quality. Unfavourable meteorological conditions combined with vehicular emissions, paddy straw burning, firecrackers and other local pollution sources contribute to hazardous air quality levels in Delhi-NCR during the winter every year. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, asked Delhi and NCR states to order a ban on construction work related to linear public projects and allow 50 per cent of the staff in government and private offices to work from home. Under Stage IV of GRAP, only CNG, electric, and BS VI-compliant vehicles from other states are allowed to enter Delhi. Exemptions are granted only to those involved in essential services. All medium and heavy goods vehicles not engaged in essential services are also banned in the capital, according to the latest CAQM order. The Delhi government has also announced the closure of all primary schools for two days in an effort to safeguard young children from hazardous pollution. Delhi's air quality ranks among the worst in the world's capital cities.Mon, 06 Nov 2023 12:00:48 +0530AFPSmog chokes Delhi-NCR as air quality turns severe, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104936453.cmsAs air quality in several parts of Delhi-NCR plunged to the ‘severe’ category on Friday morning, people said they experienced breathing problems and irritation in the eye among others. There was a thick haze blanketing the skyline of the national capital and adjoining areas as the Air Quality Index (AQI) breached the 400 mark at multiple locations. Moreover, AQI at multiple locations in Noida also plunged to the ‘severe’ category with Sector 62, Sector 1 and Sector 116 recording 483, 413 and 415 respectively. In the wake of the worsening air quality, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) invoked the third stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on Thursday. Stage III of the GRAP is implemented when the AQI hits Severe in the range of 401-450. As part of its response to combat pollution the state government can impose strict restrictions on BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in certain areas and may suspend physical classes in schools for primary grade children up to Class 5. The Delhi government has since suspended primary school classes.Fri, 03 Nov 2023 12:51:21 +0530ReutersKellogg School of Management: From architectural elegance to scenic surroundingshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/105262318.cmsThe Kellogg School of Management offers a dynamic learning environment to studentsThu, 16 Nov 2023 16:39:55 +0530BCCLA visual symphony: From academic ambience to cityscape harmony to urban explorationshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/105260584.cmsWith a mix of study and camaraderie, Chicago Booth offers its students a vibrant lifeThu, 16 Nov 2023 15:49:21 +0530BCCL - Non CopyrightHurricane Otis batters Mexico, causes widespread devastation in Acapulcohttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104747103.cmsHurricane Otis caused at least 27 deaths and major devastation as it lashed Mexico’s resort city of Acapulco as a scale-topping category 5 storm. Otis crashed into Acapulco with furious winds of 165 miles (270 kilometres) per hour, shattering windows, uprooting trees, triggering landslides and largely cutting off communications and road links with the region. The storm partially destroyed many buildings, leaving gaping holes in the walls of high-rise towers. Most of the victims were swept away by overflowing rivers, according to authorities. The government began an airlift to deliver aid and materials to the region. Otis rapidly intensified within hours from a tropical storm to the most powerful category of the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale before hitting land, taking authorities by surprise. The World Meteorological Organization described the hurricane as “one of the most rapidly intensifying tropical cyclones on record.” The government said that it had activated an emergency plan to bring essential supplies. The military was distributing 100,000 food packages and 800,000 litres of water, with more supplies on the way, a statement said. Hurricanes hit Mexico every year on both its Pacific and Atlantic coasts, usually between May and November, though few make landfall as a Category 5. Scientists have warned that storms are becoming more powerful as the world gets warmer with climate change.Fri, 27 Oct 2023 12:08:49 +0530ReutersPalestinians begin mass exodus within Gaza after Israel’s evacuation orderhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104420393.cmsPalestinians scrambled to flee northern Gaza after the Israeli military ordered nearly half the population to evacuate south and carried out limited ground forays ahead of an expected land offensive a week after Hamas’ bloody, wide-ranging attack into Israel. Israel renewed calls on social media and in leaflets dropped from the air for some 1 million residents to move south, while Hamas urged people to stay in their homes. The UN and aid groups have said such a rapid exodus would cause untold human suffering, with hospital patients and others unable to relocate. Families in cars, trucks and donkey carts packed with possessions crowded a main road heading away from Gaza City as Israeli airstrikes continued to hammer the small, besieged territory. Thousands of people, who fled their homes, crammed into a UN-run school-turned-shelter in Deir al-Balah, a city south of the evacuation zone. Many slept outside on the ground without mattresses, or in chairs pulled from the classrooms. The mass evacuation order applies to all of Gaza City, home to hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. Israel’s military said it planned to target underground Hamas hideouts, but Palestinians and some Egyptian officials fear Israel’s ultimate aim is to push Gaza’s people out through the southern border with Egypt. Israel has called up some 360,000 reserves and massed troops and tanks along the border with Gaza, but no decision has been announced on whether to launch a ground offensive. An assault into densely populated Gaza would likely bring even higher casualties on both sides in brutal house-to-house fighting. “We will destroy Hamas,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Friday night.Sat, 14 Oct 2023 14:16:03 +0530AFPApple opens its first retail store in Indiahttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/99579039.cmsIn a major development for Apple enthusiasts in India, the tech giant has opened its first retail store in the country. The store, located in Mumbai, marks a significant milestone for the company's expansion into the Indian market. The Apple store, which spans over 20,000 square feet, is located in the heart of Mumbai's high-end shopping district. The store's design is a reflection of Apple's signature minimalist aesthetic, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a large video wall, and spacious product display areas. Speaking about the launch, Apple CEO Tim Cook said, "We're thrilled to open our first retail store in India, one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a market that holds tremendous potential for Apple. We look forward to bringing the best of Apple to our customers here." The Mumbai store will offer customers the full range of Apple products, including the iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and AirPods, as well as a range of accessories. The store will also offer a range of services, including the Genius Bar, where customers can receive technical support and troubleshooting assistance. The opening of the Mumbai store is part of Apple's wider strategy to expand its presence in India, a market where the company has traditionally struggled due to high import duties and a lack of infrastructure. In recent years, Apple has made significant investments in the country, including the launch of its online store in 2020 and the announcement of a $1 billion manufacturing plant in 2021. Tue, 18 Apr 2023 12:40:57 +0530APIndia's oldest billionaire Keshub Mahindra passes away at 99http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/99451384.cmsIndia's oldest billionaire and veteran industrialist, Keshub Mahindra, passed away at the age of 99. Mahindra, who was the chairman emeritus of the Mahindra Group, had been admitted to the hospital earlier this week due to age-related health complications. Mahindra was a towering figure in the Indian business world, having led the Mahindra Group for over three decades. Under his leadership, the group diversified into various industries, including automobiles, aerospace, and hospitality. He was also a vocal advocate for sustainable business practices and was known for his philanthropic initiatives. Born in Lahore in 1923, Mahindra started his career in the Tata Group before joining Mahindra & Mahindra in 1947. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the company's chairman in 1988. He continued to play an active role in the group's affairs even after stepping down as chairman in 1997. Mahindra was also known for his contributions to the Indian economy and was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian award, in 2005. He was also a member of various government committees and was a key figure in shaping India's economic policies. The news of Mahindra's passing has been met with sadness and condolences from across the business and political spectrum. Many have paid tribute to his contributions to the Indian economy and his leadership in the business world. In a statement, Anand Mahindra, the current chairman of the Mahindra Group, said, "He was a visionary leader who believed in the power of entrepreneurship to drive change and create a better world. He will be deeply missed by all of us." Mahindra's passing is a significant loss for the Indian business community, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations of entrepreneurs and business leaders in the years to come.Thu, 13 Apr 2023 08:57:54 +0530BCCLFM Nirmala Sitharaman presents Budget 2023 http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/97519200.cmsRailways get Rs 2.4 lakh crore, which is the highest ever allocation to it.Wed, 01 Feb 2023 13:28:12 +0530ReutersOver 500 corporate bigwigs throng to watch Natasha Malpani Oswal's 'Uunchai' celebratory screeninghttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/95525493.cmsAfter Anupam Kher's mother of all Uunchai premieres for the entertainment industry, the Corporates and financial industry doyens assembled to be part of the Uunchai celebratory screening by Uunchal producer Natasha Malpani Oswal at PVR Juhu. Over 500 corporate bigwigs are actually taking time off their busy schedules to participate and witness Rajshri's most ambitious film to date helmed by director Sooraj R Barjatya. The film strives to tell people to seek and scale Everest within, and in the process finding oneself, through the journey of the protagonists Amitabh Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Danny Denzongpa, Sarika, Neena Gupta and Parineeti Chopra. It is this voyage of self-discovery that seems to have attracted the corporates, who as sources tell us, actually want their employee force to watch the film and come back armed with hope, heart and happiness. It looks like Uunchai is actually the film that will celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in the real sense by infusing fresh blood into Indians today! Uunchai, incidentally, sees Sooraj Barjatya, deviate from his musical family fiesta to go on a road trip to the Everest base camp, and is shot at 17000 plus feet above sea level, with a senior star cast, and produced by Rajshri Productions in association with Mahaveer Jain Films and Boundless Media. Uunchai, directed by Sooraj R Barjatya is in theatres now.Tue, 15 Nov 2022 12:04:15 +0530BCCL - Non Copyright2023 Tata Nexon and Nexon EV facelift launched, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103680773.cmsTata Motors launched the much-awaited 2023 Nexon facelift at an ex-showroom price of Rs 8.1 lakh on September 14, 2023. The company has updated the car with exciting new features, futuristic design and new transmission options. The 2023 Tata Nexon facelift comes in four variants - Smart, Pure, Creative and Fearless. Tata Motors had already opened pre-bookings for the car on September 4. The company also unveiled the facelift of Nexon EV. As per a teaser shared by the company on social media, the TATA Nexon facelift EV will be available in four different colours including Pristine White, Intense Teal, Daytona Grey and Flame Red. The top variant of the Tata Nexon facelift will go up to Rs 13 lakh (ex-showroom), the company announced. The 2023 Tata Nexon facelift is powered by a 1.2-litre turbocharged engine that is capable of generating 118 bhp of power and 170Nm of peak torque. Another option with a 1.5-litre diesel engine generating 113 bhp of power was also revealed. The 2023 Tata Nexon facelift also gets a voice-operated electric sunroof, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system along with a fully digital instrument cluster. The new model’s safety features include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and three-point seat belts for all seats. The Nexon EV facelift that was unveiled is being offered with two battery options - 40.5kwh and 30kwh. The first one (called Nexon MR) has a range of 325 kilometres, while the variant with the bigger battery (called Nexon LR) can go up to 465 kilometres in a single charge, as claimed by the company. The MR variant starts at a price of Rs 14.74 lakh and goes up to Rs 17.84 lakh. The LR variant has a price range of Rs 18.19 lakh to Rs 19.94 lakh.Fri, 15 Sep 2023 10:31:50 +0530Hero MotoCorp launches Karizma XMRhttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103207335.cmsHero MotoCorp re-introduced the Karizma brand in the country on August 29, 2023. It launched the Karizma XMR priced at an introductory price of Rs 1.72 lakh (ex-showroom). The 210cc bike comes with a liquid cooled petrol engine mated with six speed transmission. In July this year, Hero MotoCorp introduced locally produced Harley-Davidson X 440 in the market. The all new Karizma XMR comes with new exterior designs with DRLs, fully new digital instrument console with Bluetooth connectivity, a 6-speed gearbox, slip-on handle, slip and assist clutch, adjustable windscreen and turn-by-turn navigation and dual disc brakes.Wed, 30 Aug 2023 14:52:10 +0530BCCL30 images of swanky cars at Shanghai Auto Show 2023http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/99605155.cmsA Ford Ranger is displayed at the Auto Shanghai show, in Shanghai, China.Wed, 19 Apr 2023 11:50:06 +0530ReutersBest swanky cars at Auto Expo 2023http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/97047782.cmsA model poses with Kia KA4 at the Auto Expo 2023, in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh.Tue, 17 Jan 2023 11:05:12 +0530IANS5Ambani family kicks off Anant and Radhika’s wedding celebrations with mass wedding for underprivileged coupleshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/111515540.cmsAmbani family kicks off Anant and Radhika’s wedding celebrations with mass wedding for underprivileged couplesFri, 05 Jul 2024 17:05:27 +0530Silicon Valley is talking about: Colour, confetti and camaraderiehttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/110094085.cmsSilicon Valley is talking about: Colour, confetti and camaraderieTue, 14 May 2024 00:41:42 +0530​​​Highlights from the grand Speak for India 2024 Delhi-NCR Edition​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/108872718.cms​​​Highlights from the grand Speak for India 2024 Delhi-NCR Edition​Fri, 29 Mar 2024 14:05:28 +0530​Ganesh Visarjan 2023: Devotees Immerse Idols in Water to Mark Festival's Final Day and Bid Farewell to Lord Ganesha ​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/104010888.cms​Ganesh Visarjan 2023: Devotees Immerse Idols in Water to Mark Festival's Final Day and Bid Farewell to Lord Ganesha ​Thu, 28 Sep 2023 13:28:37 +0530AFPFrom Chandrayaan-3 to eco-friendly Ganpati: Unique pandals illuminate Ganesh Chaturthi celebrationshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103802965.cmsFrom Chandrayaan-3 to eco-friendly Ganpati: Unique pandals illuminate Ganesh Chaturthi celebrationsWed, 20 Sep 2023 12:28:29 +0530BCCLJanmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see pictureshttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103460450.cmsJanmashtami celebrated with religious fervour across India, see picturesThu, 07 Sep 2023 12:35:59 +0530BCCL​Notting Hill Carnival 2023​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/103250424.cms​Notting Hill Carnival 2023​Thu, 31 Aug 2023 17:56:45 +0530Reuters​Embarking on spiritual odyssey: An enlightening journey to Mecca​http://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102179604.cms​Embarking on spiritual odyssey: An enlightening journey to Mecca​Fri, 28 Jul 2023 14:55:34 +0530ReutersSan Diego Comic-Con 2023: A glimpse into the world of cosplay and pop culturehttp://photogallery.indiatimes.com/articleshow/102075663.cmsSan Diego Comic-Con 2023: A glimpse into the world of cosplay and pop cultureMon, 24 Jul 2023 14:21:02 +0530Reuters