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Hajj stampede: At least 310 killed in Saudi Arabia

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At least 310 people taking part in the Hajj pilgrimage have been killed in a stampede near the Islamic holy city of Mecca, officials in Saudi Arabia say.
Another 450 people were injured in the incident at Mina, which occurred as two million pilgrims were taking part in the Hajj’s last major rite.
They converge on Mina to throw stones at pillars representing the devil.
Preparations for the Hajj were marred when a crane collapsed at Mecca’s Grand Mosque this month, killing 109 people.
The Saudi civil defence directorate said on Twitter that 4,000 personnel had been sent to the scene of Thursday’s stampede, along with more than 220 emergency and rescue units. The injured are being taken to four hospitals in the area.

Pilgrims converged on Mina to cast stones at a pillar representing the devil

Pilgrims converged on Mina to cast stones at a pillar representing the devil

n the past decade the Saudi authorities have improved infrastructure for safety reasons

n the past decade the Saudi authorities have improved infrastructure for safety reasons

Photos published by the directorate showed rescue workers treating the injured on stretchers and loading them on to ambulances.

It said the victims were of “different nationalities”, without providing details.
The UK Foreign Office said it was in contact with the local authorities and was urgently seeking more information about whether British nationals were involved.
The civil defence directorate did not say what caused the stampede.
However, Al Jazeera English’s Basma Atassi in Mina reported that it took place among tents erected on Street 204, and not where people were throwing stones at the Jamarat pillars – which are surrounded by a five-storey bridge-like structure.

Hajj: Deadly incidents
2015: 310 pilgrims killed in a stampede in Mina
2006: 364 pilgrims die in a crush during the stone-throwing ritual
1997: 343 pilgrims killed and 1,500 injured in fire
1994: 270 killed in stampede
1990: 1,426 pilgrims killed in stampede inside tunnel leading to holy sites
1987: 400 people die as Saudi authorities confront pro-Iranian demonstration

“There were a group of pilgrims sitting on the floor. Another group walked over to them and the stampede took place,” she said.
Mina, a large valley about 5 km (3 miles) from Mecca, also houses more than 160,000 tents where pilgrims spend the night during the pilgrimage.
The stampede was the deadliest at the Hajj since 2006, when more than 360 pilgrims were killed in the same area.
The Saudi authorities have been working on improving transport and other infrastructure in the area in an attempt to try to prevent such incidents.
The Hajj is the fifth and final pillar of Islam. It is the journey that every able-bodied adult Muslim must undertake at least once in their lives if they can afford it.

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Porn video played at Patna Railway Station on TV screens, officials take strict action

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A bizarre occurrence took place on Sunday morning about 9:30 am at the Patna train station in Bihar, when a porn film was broadcast on the station’s TV screens for three minutes. Disgruntled, pople reported the event to the GRP and the RPF.

After reporting the incident to the Government Railway Police and receiving no response, the Railway Protection Force contacted Dutta Communication, the agency responsible for running advertisements on the screens, and asked the agency to stop relaying the porn clip in front of people, including women and children.

The incident, which allegedly occurred on platform number 10, was captured on a passenger’s smartphone.

The railway authorities then filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Dutta Communication, leading to the company’s disqualification from future contracts with the Railways. Moreover, the agency has been fined as a result of the unfortunate occurrence.

There were rumours that the railway company had cancelled its contract with the company responsible for airing adverts on the station’s TVs. The Railway Department, however, has said that they are launching their own investigation into the situation.

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Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb’ Shiv Sainik has become the CM: Eknath Shinde

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Panaji: Shiv Sena leader Eknath Shinde on Friday said that not only his Assembly colleagues but Maharashtra is happy that Balasaheb Thackrey’s Shiv Sainik has become Chief Minister of the State.

Supported by BJP, Shinde on Thursday took oath as the chief minister of Maharashtra after enjoying support of breakway section of Shiv Sena MLAs and other Independents.

The chief minister after taking the oath in Mumbai came back to Goa during the midnight to meet his colleagues who had supported him to rebel against outgoing CM Uddhav Thackrey.

Talking to reporters at Goa Airport, Shinde said that Maharashtra could see this day because of his 40 plus 10, total 50 MLAs.

“My colleagues (MLAs) and entire Maharashtra is  happy that Balasaheb Thackrey’s Shiv Sainik has become the chief minister of the state,” he commented.

The chief minister said that the government will do the works that are expected from them by the people from Maharashtra.

Shinde said that his government will work to deliver justice to every section of the society.

“We will also take ahead vision of Balasaheb Thackrey,” he commented.

When asked about the cabinet expansion, Shinde said that the future strategy would be discussed in the meeting with the colleagues.

Shinde along with his supporting MLAs had arrived in Goa on Wednesday night. On Thursday afternoon, Shinde had left for Mumbai.

In a series of political developments that unfolded in Mumbai, Shinde was sworn-in as the chief minister even as BJP leader Devendra Fadanavis took oath as the Deputy Chief minister of Maharashtra.

His swearing-in was celebrated by Shiv Sena MLAs who continued to remain in a resort at Dona Paula in Goa.

After landing at Dabolim Airport, Shinde went to the resort, located 30 kms away from the Airport, where the MLAs supporting him were waiting to welcome him. (GoaNewsHub)

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PM dedicates to the nationl electrified route network of KRCL

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Panaji: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday dedicated to the nation the electrified route network of Konkan Railway Corporation Limited in virtual mode from Bengaluru. Union minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik, State Public Works Department Minister Nilesh Cabral and others were present for the function at Margao Railway station. The Prime Minister inaugurated the electrified route. A cargo train was the first one to run on the electrified route from Margao Railway Station. A senior KRCL official said that on the Southern end of KRCL jurisdiction, Railway Electrification of Mangalore- Shoranur section is completed. “On the Northern end, Railway Electrification of Panvel-Pen-Roha section, a short stretch of 75.86 KM, is also completed. Further, Railway Electrification of Hospet-Hubli-Vasco-da-Gama section of South Western Railway is under progress,” he said.

The official said that in such a scenario, Railway Electrification of KRCL portion of the route had become necessary for seamless train operations over the entire west coast connecting North, Central and Southern India on electric traction. He said that Konkan Railway passes through dense forest cover of Sahayadri hills along the Western Coastal Strip. “This region is endowed with rich natural beauty and mineral resources. Electrification of Konkan Railway route will not only prove to be a major step in conserving its rich natural heritage and flora and fauna of the region but also help in its economic development,” he added. The official said that the electrification project was taken up with a cost of Rs 1100 Cr on 20 per cent Equity and 80 per cent Debt. “The Equity portion of Rs 200 Cr was funded promptly by the shareholders of KRCL i.e Ministry of Railways, Govt. of Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Kerala. The remaining amount of Rs 900 Cr was arranged through Long Term Rupee loan from a consortium of lenders consisting of State Bank of India and EXIM Bank,” he said.

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