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India: Several killed in train collision in West Bengal
Deutsche Welle
17 Jun 2024, 19:55
Photo: Diptendu Dutta/AP Photo/picture alliance
A goods train crashed into a passenger train in India's West Bengal state, killing several with more injured. Rescue operations are underway.
A cargo train collided with a passenger train in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal on Monday, killing at least 15 people and injuring several others, local police reported.
Senior police official Abhishek Royin told the Reuters news agency that at least 15 bodies have been pulled from the mangled carriages.
Images broadcast on Indian media showed the wreckage of derailed carriages following the incident in the Phansidewa area of Darjeeling district. One carriage had been thrust dangerously high into the air, balancing on another one.
What we know about the crash
"Doctors, ambulances and disaster teams have been rushed to the site for rescue, recovery, medical assistance," State Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee shared on X.
The Kanchanjunga Express train was on the way to Sealdah station in the state capital Kolkata from the northeastern state of Tripura, and the accident occurred near the New Jalpaiguri station.
The daily train is popular among tourists traveling to the hilly hotspot of Darjeeling which offers visitors a cooling escape from summer heat.
Railway authorities said the cargo train overshot a signal before it rammed into the passenger train. Three of the four derailed compartments of the passenger train were carrying cargo, the other was carrying passengers, Northeast Frontier Railway spokesperson Sabyasachi De said.
"We have confirmation of seven deaths and 39 passengers admitted at a local hospital with various injuries," local police officer Iftikar-Ul-Hassan told AFP news agency.
Rescue operations underway
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a post on X. "I pray that the injured recover at the earliest. Spoke to officials and took stock of the situation. Rescue operations are underway to assist the affected," he said.
Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw shared on X that the injured were being transported to a hospital, and senior officials had reached the site.
"We just saw the bodies of a dead driver and a guard. Their bodies were taken out. Some more bodies may be under the crash site, but we don't yet know for sure," Rajesh Kumar Singh from the Railway Protection Force told AFP.
Train accidents are common in India's rail network, which is one of the largest in the world. More than 14,000 trains transport over 12 million people across India every day.
Recently, authorities have started investing in upgrading the system with better stations and electronic signal systems. But accidents continue to be frequent.
In June last year, nearly 300 people died when three trains collided. Most accidents are a result of human error or faulty signaling.
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Japan: Typhoon Shanshan brings heavy rains, halts transport
Typhoon Shanshan continued its journey after making landfall in Kyushu. The intensity decreased on the second day, but rains and winds still continued.
Typhoon Shanshan continued its slow journey across Japan on Friday, causing torrential rains and disrupting transport.
Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on the island of Kyushu on Thursday. It had weakened by Friday morning, but winds of up to 126 km (78 miles) per hour were still blowing.
The typhoon was near the coastal city of Kunisaki in Oita Prefecture at 8:45 a.m. (2345 GMT) and moving northeast, said authorities.
Heavy rains preceding the typhoon had killed a family of three on Tuesday, and two more were reported dead yesterday. Dozens have been injured, especially as the strong winds and rain shattered glass windows and ripped off roof tiles.
Which areas have been affected
More than four million people had been advised to evacuate, and authorities issued the highest alerts in some areas.
However, only some 30,000 had been evacuated as of Thursday, mainly in Kyushu, disaster management minister Yoshifumi Matsumura said.
Around 125,000 households in seven prefectures had no power in Kyushu, according to Kyushu Electric Power Co.
Locals in the town of Ninomiya near Tokyo were asked to move to higher locations as a river flooded.
The Japanese Meteorological Agency said parts of Kyushu saw record rains, including Misato town which saw 791.5 millimeters (31 inches) in 48 hours.
Bullet trains in Kyushu were halted, and the route between Tokyo and Osaka was not running either. Several ferry and rail services were also canceled. Japan Airlines and ANA had already canceled about 600 flights for Friday.
Work remained suspended at factories of automakers Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, as well as chipmakers like Tokyo Electron.
Just earlier this month, Japan had been hit by Typhoon Ampil which disrupted transport and caused injuries and damage.
Japan has been seeing stronger and more intense typhoons, which tend to last longer due to climate change, say scientists.
Kamala Harris, Tim Walz defend policy ideas in TV interview
In the first major interview of her presidential campaign, Kamala Harris spoke about how she would tackle a raft of pressing domestic and international issues. Her vice presidential pick, Tim Walz, also was there.
US Vice President Kamala Harris on Thursday defended her policy stances during the first major television interview of her presidential campaign.
Sitting with her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Harris addressed a wide array of subjects, including illegal migration, the economy, and the conflict in Gaza.
The 59-year-old Democratic presidential candidate said her positions had evolved on issues such as fracking and illegal migration over the Mexican border.
'I think the most important and most significant aspect of my policy perspective and decisions is my values have not changed,' Harris told CNN's Dana Bash.
Harris also said she would name a Republican to serve in her Cabinet if elected.
'Turning the page' on Trump
The first female, Black and South Asian vice president in US history meanwhile brushed aside Donald Trump's recent comments questioning her racial identity. 'Same old, tired playbook,' she said.
Harris noted that Americans were ready to 'turn the page' on divisions she blamed on Trump.
'Sadly in the last decade, we have had in the former president someone who has been pushing an agenda and an environment that is about diminishing the character and the strength of who we are as Americans, really dividing our nation,' she said.
'And I think people are ready to turn the page on that.'
On economy and immigration
The interview comes as polls show Harris and Trump remain neck and neck in battleground states.
Harris stressed her focus on strengthening the economy and addressing the cost of living.
She repeated her pledge to give tax cuts to families in the first year of a child's life 'to help pay for that car seat, or the crib, or the baby clothes.'
She also stated that she would not ban fracking, a key issue in the battleground state of Pennsylvania where November's election could be decided: 'As president, I will not ban fracking.'
On irregular immigration, she acknowledged that it's a problem and vowed 'consequences' for those illegally crossing the US-Mexican border.
'I believe there should be consequence. We have laws that have to be followed and enforced that address and deal with people who cross our border illegally... and I would enforce our laws as president going forward,' Harris said.
What did Harris say about the Mideast conflict?
When it came to foreign policy, Harris said a cease-fire and hostage release deal was needed in Gaza, noting that "too many innocent Palestinians have been killed."
She, however, reiterated support for Israel and said she would not change US President Joe Biden's policy on supplying Israel with arms for its military campaign in Gaza against local militant group Hamas.
'Israel has a right to defend itself ... and how it does so matters. Far too many innocent Palestinians have been killed, and we have got to get a deal done,' she said.
DW's Washington Bureau Chief Ines Pohl said that Harris didn't gain much from the interview.
'Overall, she did not significantly gain anything from this, but she also did not lose anything. Given her poor history with interviews in the past, this could be seen as a success,' Pohl said. 'However, all eyes will now be on the debate with Donald Trump on September 10th, which will have a significantly greater impact than the oddly structured interview with CNN.'
Hurun India Rich List 2024 / Gautam Adani surpasses Mukesh Ambani
With a wealth of Rs 11.6 lakh crore, Gautam Adani (62) and his family replaced Mukesh Ambani and clinched the no.1 spot in the 2024 Hurun India rich list, a report said on Thursday. The report says India minted a new billionaire every 5 days last year.
Reliance Industries chairman and managing director Ambani's overall net worth increased by 25 percent to Rs 10.14 lakh crore, as per the 2024 Hurun India Rich List.
In 2023's report, Adani's wealth declined by 57 percent to Rs 4.74 lakh crore, and Ambani was way ahead with a fortune of Rs 8.08 lakh crore.
Hurun India Rich List 2024:
Mukesh Ambani has taken the second top spot in the 2024 Hurun India Rich List, with a wealth of Rs 1,014,700 crore. Shiv Nadar & family of HCL Technologies is in third place this year with a wealth of Rs 314,000 crore.
S Poonawalla & family of Serum Institute of India holds the fourth position in the list followed by Dilip Shanghvi of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries.
Over the past five years, six individuals have consistently remained in the India Top 10. Leading the list is Gautam Adani & family, followed by Mukesh Ambani & family, Shiv Nadar, Cyrus S. Poonawalla & family, Gopichand Hinduja & family, and Radhakishan Damani & family.
Youngest Billionaire in India:
The youngest on the 2024 Hurun India rich list is 21-year-old Kaivalya Vohra of Zepto, a $5 bn quick commerce startup. His co-founder Aadit Palicha, 22, is the second youngest on the list.
India to continue work with interim government: Jaishankar
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that India will continue to work with the current interim government of Bangladesh.
He said this at an event in Delhi on Friday (August 30).
Jaishankar said, since the independence of Bangladesh, the relationship between the two countries has gone through various ups and downs. It has to be admitted that there has been a political change in Bangladesh and political changes can disrupt relations. But it is natural that we will discuss with the government who is in power.
Before this, on August 17, Prime Minister of India had a phone conversation with the chief advisor of Bangladesh Dr Muhammad Yunus. Dr Yunus assured the Indian Prime Minister of full security of all minorities including Hindus in Bangladesh.
Latest informations about Cyclone 'Asna'
A deep depression formed in the Arabian Sea has developed into a strong cyclone. The storm will hit the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat in the next 24 hours.
NDTV reported this news on Saturday (August 31) quoting India's Central Meteorological Department (IMD).
According to the report, the approaching cyclone has been named 'Asna'. Pakistan has kept this name. Apart from Gujarat, 'Asna' will also hit Pakistan's southeastern province, Sindh.
According to the latest IMD forecast, it is currently 250 km off the west coast of Naliya city in Gujarat, 160 km off the coast of Karachi in Pakistan and 350 km off the coast of Pasni in Balochistan. At present, Asna is moving at a speed of 14 kilometers per hour.
Apart from this, there is a distinct low pressure over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North-West Bay of Bengal. It may also slowly rise over the land and join the monsoon axis.
Due to the influence of both, rains may increase in North-Eastern region of Bangladesh especially Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi regions from September 3 or 4.
Impact of Cyclone Asna in Bangladesh
A deep depression formed in the Arabian Sea has developed into a strong cyclone. The storm will hit the coast of the western Indian state of Gujarat in the next 24 hours.
In the meantime, 24 people have died due to heavy rains in Pakistan. Although the cyclone hit India and Pakistan, there is no danger of hitting Bangladesh. The Meteorological Department has said that there may be rain in the country under its influence.
India's Central Meteorological Department (IMD), Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) and Bangladesh Meteorological Department (BMD) reported this news on Saturday (August 31).
NDTV reported that the approaching cyclone has been named 'Asna'. Pakistan has kept this name. Apart from Gujarat, 'Asna' will also hit Pakistan's southeastern province, Sindh.
According to the latest IMD forecast, it is currently 250 km off the west coast of Nalia city in Gujarat, 160 km off the coast of Karachi in Pakistan and 350 km off the coast of Pasni in Balochistan.
At present, 'Asna' is moving at a speed of 14 kilometers per hour. Due to this, heavy rains have started in Jamnagar, Surat, Porbandar, Morbi, Dwarka and Kutch districts of Gujarat since last Wednesday night.
Floods have occurred in many areas of these districts due to heavy rains. However, in the last 24 hours, the highest rainfall has occurred in Kutch district.
IMD senior meteorologist Ramashray Yadav said, 'Kutch district has received 882 mm of rain in the last 24 hours, which is at least 50 percent more than the normal period. Apart from this, Surat and Kutch districts also received heavy rainfall in the last 24 hours.
Quoting the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD), The Dawn reported that there is no direct threat to the coastal areas of their country due to Cyclone Asna. However, its impact is likely to bring gusty winds and moderate to heavy rains in several cities of Sindh and Balochistan between Friday and Saturday.
Thirteen members of a family were killed when the roof of their house collapsed due to a landslide in Upper Dir in the north. The victims were in their homes in Ramyal village when the landslide hit early Friday morning. At least 9 people lost their lives in rain-related incidents in Jamshoro, Dadu and Mirpurkhas districts of Sindh. Apart from this, more than 30 people were injured. A man and his sister died in a village in Toba Tek Singh. Apart from this, three people from the same family were injured when the roof of the house collapsed due to heavy rain.
Meteorologist Manowar Hossain told the media about whether this cyclone will have any effect on Bangladesh on Friday (August 30) night. He said, a cyclone (Asana) has formed in Gujarat, India. It may move north-west and coincide somewhat with the monsoon axis.
Apart from this, there is a distinct low pressure over the west-central Bay of Bengal and adjoining North-West Bay of Bengal. It may also slowly rise over the land and join the monsoon axis. Due to the influence of both, rains may increase in North-Eastern region of Bangladesh especially Sylhet, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Rajshahi regions from September 3 or 4.
Switzerland: Inmates escape from jail near German border
Two men, an Algerian and a Tunisian, who were jailed for serious crimes have escaped. It is still unclear how the two were able to get out of the prison in Basel.
Two prisoners have escaped from jail in the Swiss city of Basel, authorities said on Friday evening.
It was not immediately clear how they had managed to escape.
Both were in prison for serious crimes.
One of them is a 37-year-old Algerian national. He is accused of intentional homicide, grievous bodily harm and robbery, among other crimes, according to Swiss media outlet SRF.
The other escaped man is a 22-year-old Tunisian, who is accused of damage to property, trespassing and illegally entering Switzerland.
The Bässlergut prison from where the two men escaped is located right on the border with Germany.
Police are searching for the fugitives internationally, Swiss authorities said.
