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India-Russia Nuclear Cooperation: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project | Minister Jaishankar

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Jaishankar’s visit, coinciding with Russia’s BRICS presidency, explores collaborations in military systems, addressing delays in spare parts, and discussing geopolitical challenges and climate change impact on shipping routes

Published Date – 05:10 PM, Sat – 30 December 23


India-Russia Nuclear Cooperation: Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project | Minister Jaishankar


India and Russia expand civilian nuclear cooperation, focusing on small modular reactors. Jaishankar’s visit, coinciding with Russia’s BRICS presidency, explores collaborations in military systems, addressing delays in spare parts, and discussing geopolitical challenges and climate change impact on shipping routes.

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Seven Uncapped Players Named In South Africa's Test Squad For New Zealand

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Only two of the players who were in South Africa’s Test win over India on Thursday are in a 14-man squad for two Tests in New Zealand in February. Cricket South Africa on Saturday named a squad which includes seven uncapped players, including a new captain in left-handed opening batsman Neil Brand. Batsman Keegan Petersen and David Bedingham are the only players who were part of South Africa’s innings win in the first Test against India in Centurion. Due to a ruling by Cricket South Africa, no players contracted to franchises in the SA20 competition, which overlaps with the Tests, were eligible for selection.

Despite having to travel with a makeshift squad, Test coach Shukri Conrad said he was confident that the team would be competitive.

“The players selected for this tour have every chance of challenging New Zealand,” said Conrad, who pointed out that most of the players had shown their ability while playing for South Africa A in recent series against West Indies A and India A.

Brand, 27, was born in Johannesburg but went to high school in England at King’s College, Taunton.

He has a solid first-class record with 2906 runs at an average of 39.27. He is also a capable left-arm orthodox spin bowler who has taken 72 wickets at an average of 30.81.

The early announcement of the touring party appeared to end speculation that opening batsman Dean Elgar might be persuaded to delay his retirement from international cricket beyond the second Test at Newlands in Cape Town, starting on Wednesday.

Elgar was named man of the match in the first Test against India after scoring 185 in South Africa’s only innings. He will lead the team in the second Test following an injury to Temba Bavuma.

South African squad:

Neil Brand (capt), David Bedingham, Ruan de Swardt, Clyde Fortuin (wkt), Zubayr Hamza, Tshepo Moreki, Mihlali Mpongwana, Duanne Olivier, Dane Paterson, Keegan Petersen, Dane Piedt, Raynard van Tonder, Shaun von Berg, Khaya Zondo.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Bolivian Ex President Evo Morales Barred From Running For 2025 Re-Election

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Bolivian Ex President Evo Morales Barred From Running For 2025 Re-Election

Evo Morales first took power in 2006 and was extremely popular

La Paz, Bolivia:

Bolivia’s Constitutional Court has disqualified former president Evo Morales from running for re-election in 2025, reversing a ruling that had let him seek a fourth term in 2019.

It said on its website that term limits provide “an ideal measure for ensuring that someone does not perpetuate themself in power.”

Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, Morales first took power in 2006 and was extremely popular until he tried to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term in office in 2019.

He won that vote but was forced to resign amid deadly protests over alleged election fraud, and fled the country. He returned after his then ally Luis Arce won the presidency in October 2020.

Morales has since fallen out with Arce.

Saturday’s announcement from the court reversed a ruling it had made in 2017 which effectively found that being able to run for re-election is a “human right.”

The new ruling cannot be appealed.

Morales denounced the new ruling as evidence of what he called complicity against him among judges, the government and the right wing in Bolivia.

The court’s decision means that people in Bolivia can serve no more than two terms as president — either consecutively or not.

Morales has said he wanted to run for president in 2025, as he locks horns with Arce, who had been his ally and served as economy minister for most of Morales’ time in power since 2006.

The about-face by the Constitutional Court is based on criteria of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which does not consider re-election to be a human right.

That court issued an amicus ruling in 2021, at the request of Colombia, on the idea of presidents seeking re-election in an open-ended fashion.

When Morales resigned and left the country he was replaced by lawmaker Jeanine Anez, who now faces trial on charges of staging a coup against him.

“The court has ended Morales’ delirium of getting re-elected forever,” Anez said on X, the former Twitter.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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"Modi Does What He Promises": PM On Why People Trust His 'Guarantees'

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'Modi Does What He Promises': PM On Why People Trust His 'Guarantees'

PM Modi was speaking at a public rally in Ayodhya

Ayodhya (Uttar Pradesh):

Highlighting his recent state election slogan, “Modi ki Guarantee,” Prime Minister Modi asserted that the country trusts his guarantee because he diligently works to fulfill them. During a one-day visit to Ayodhya, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 46 projects worth Rs 15,700 crore.

The events included the inauguration of Ayodhya Dham Junction, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, and the flagging off of 6 Vande Bharat and 2 Amrit Bharat trains.

“The strength of Modi’s guarantee lies in the fact that Modi does what he promises. Today, the country has faith in Modi’s guarantee because he puts in all his efforts to fulfill the guarantees he gives. This city of Ayodhya is also a witness to this,” he stated.

Expressing eagerness for the upcoming consecration at the Ram Temple, PM Modi proclaimed himself a devotee of every particle and person in India.

PM Modi reached Ayodhya on a one-day visit, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 46 projects worth Rs 15700 crore. Along with inaugurating Ayodhya Dham Junction and Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, PM Modi also flagged off 6 Vande Bharat and 2 Amrit Bharat trains.

“I am a devotee of every particle and person of India, I too am eagerly awaiting the day of Pran Pratishtha (Consecration) at the upcoming Ram Temple,” he added.

On this occasion, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and both the Deputy CMs of the state welcomed and felicitated the Prime Minister by presenting him with the statue of Bal Ramlala.

“The campaign of Viksit Bharat is getting new energy from Ayodhya. If any country in the world wants to reach new heights of development, it will have to take care of its heritage. Our heritage inspires us. Shows us the right path. Present-day India is progressing by seamlessly blending the old and the new. There was a time when Ramlala resided in a tent in Ayodhya. Today, not only has Ram Lalla found a permanent abode, but also four crore impoverished citizens of the country have been provided with homes,” PM Modi added.

The Prime Minister further said that while India is beautifying its pilgrimages, India is also immersed in digital technology

“Along with the reconstruction of Kashi Vishwanath Dham, more than 30 thousand Panchayat Bhawans are also being constructed. The revival of Kedar Dham is accompanied by the establishment of more than 300 medical colleges across the country. Not only is Mahakal Lok being built, but over two lakh tanks for clean drinking water have also been built. On the one hand, we are measuring the distance between the moon and the sun, and on the other, we are bringing back mythological idols to India,” PM Modi asserted.

Keeping in mind the desire of everyone to be present for Pran Pratishtha, the Prime Minister also requested everyone to plan their visit to Ayodhya only after the programme of 22nd January as it is important from the point of view of security and arrangements. He asked everyone to plan their visit after 23rd January.

“We waited for 550 years, wait for some more time”, he requested.

Preparing the people of Ayodhya for innumerable visitors in the future, the Prime Minister reiterated his emphasis on cleanliness and asked them to make Ayodhya the “cleanest city of the country.”

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister urged all pilgrimage sites and temples in the country to launch cleanliness campaigns from January 14 to January 22. He emphasized that Lord Ram belongs to the entire nation and asked that there be no litter around any of our temples or pilgrimage sites when he arrives.

On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnav, Jyotiraditya Scindia, VK Singh, UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Brajesh Pathak, BJP State President Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh, State Government Minister Surya Pratap Shahi. were present.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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6 Dead After Massive Fire In Maharashtra Glove Factory

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6 Dead After Massive Fire In Maharashtra Glove Factory

“Extinguishing work is currently in progress,” he added.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

At least six people were killed in a massive fire that broke out at a hand glove manufacturing company in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in the early hours of Sunday, officials said.

According to Fire department officials, the blaze erupted around 02:15 am at the factory in Waluj MIDC area.

“We received a call at 2:15 a.m. When we reached the incident site, the entire factory was on fire. Locals informed us that six people were trapped inside. Our officers entered and the bodies of six people have been recovered,” Mohan Mungse, a fire officer, told ANI.

“Extinguishing work is currently in progress,” he added.

Earlier, locals claimed at least five workers were trapped inside the building. 

Officials with the fire department later confirmed the deaths of six people in the fire incident.

Workers said that the company was closed, and they were sleeping when the fire broke out.

“10-15 workers were sleeping inside the building when the fire broke out. Some managed to escape, but at least five were trapped inside,” one of the workers had told ANI.

Meanwhile, dousing operations are ongoing, and the exact cause behind the fire is not ascertained yet.

More details are awaited.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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Researchers find new uses of artificial DNA

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The practicality of this discovery depends on whether or not cells can recognise and use synthetic nucleotides to make proteins.

Published Date – 05:23 PM, Sat – 30 December 23


Researchers find new uses of artificial DNA


California: Researchers have moved one step closer to realising the potential of synthetic DNA. There are just four letters in the genetic alphabet, which stand for the four nucleotides, which are the molecules that make up all DNA.

The practicality of this discovery depends on whether or not cells can recognise and use synthetic nucleotides to make proteins. Scientists have long questioned whether it is possible to synthesise additional nucleotides in the lab and add new letters to the alphabet.

The promise of synthetic DNA is getting closer thanks to research at the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of California, San Diego.

The results, which were published in Nature Communications, may make it easier for researchers to design unique proteins and produce new medications.

One of the most significant enzymes in the production of proteins, RNA polymerase, was shown by the researchers to be able to identify and transcribe a fake base pair in precisely the same way as it works with natural base pairs.

“Considering how diverse life on Earth is with just four nucleotides, the possibilities of what could happen if we can add more are enticing,” said senior author Dong Wang, PhD, a professor at Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UC San Diego.

“Expanding the genetic code could greatly diversify the range of molecules we can synthesize in the lab and revolutionize how we approach designer proteins as therapeutics.” Wang co-led the study with Steven A. Benner, PhD, at the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution, and Dmitry Lyumkis, PhD, at Salk Institute for Biological Studies.

The four nucleotides that comprise DNA are called adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). In a molecule of DNA, nucleotides form base pairs with a unique molecular geometry called Watson and Crick geometry, named for the scientists who discovered the double-helix structure of DNA in 1953.

These Watson and Crick pairs always form in the same configurations: A-T and C-G. The double-helix structure of DNA is formed when many Watson and Crick base pairs come together.
“This is a remarkably effective system for encoding biological information, which is why serious mistakes in transcription and translation are relatively rare,” said Wang.

“As we’ve also learned, we may be able to exploit this system by using synthetic base pairs that exhibit the same geometry.” The study uses a new version of the standard genetic alphabet, called the Artificially Expanded Genetic Information System (AEGIS), that incorporates two new base pairs.

Originally developed by Benner, AEGIS began as a NASA-supported initiative to try to understand how extraterrestrial life could have developed.

By isolating RNA polymerase enzymes from bacteria and testing their interactions with synthetic base pairs, they found that the synthetic base pairs from AEGIS form a geometric structure that resembles the Watson and Crick geometry of natural base pairs.

The result: the enzymes that transcribe DNA can’t tell the difference between these synthetic base pairs and those found in nature.

“In biology, structure determines function,” said Wang. “By conforming to a similar structure as standard base pairs, our synthetic base pairs can slip in under the radar and be incorporated in the usual transcription process.” In addition to expanding the possibilities for synthetic biology, the findings also support a hypothesis that dates back to Watson and Crick’s original discovery.

This hypothesis called the tautomer hypothesis, says the standard four nucleotides can form mismatched pairs due to tautomerization, or the tendency of nucleotides to oscillate between several structural variants with the same composition.

This phenomenon is thought to be one source of point mutations, or genetic mutations that only impact one base pair in a DNA sequence.

“Tautomerization allows nucleotides to come together in pairs when they aren’t usually supposed to,” said Wang.

“Tautomerization of mispairs has been observed in replication and translation processes, but here we provide the first direct structural evidence that tautomerization also happens during transcription.” The researchers are next interested in testing whether the effect they observed here is consistent in other combinations of synthetic base pairs and cellular enzymes.

“We are excited to assemble a multidisciplinary collaborative team with Steve and Dmitry that allow us to tackle the molecular basis of transcription on the expanded alphabet,” said Wang.
“There could be many other possibilities for new letters besides what we’ve tested here, but we need to do more work to figure out how far we can take it.”

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North Korea Plans To Launch 3 More Spy Satellites In 2024: Report

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North Korea Plans To Launch 3 More Spy Satellites In 2024: Report

Pyongyang has yet to release any imagery from the new satellite.

Seoul:

North Korea says policy goals for next year includes launching three additional military reconnaissance satellites and building unmanned aerial vehicles to advance North Korea’s military, state media KCNA reported on Sunday.

“Based on the experience of successfully launching and operating the first reconnaissance satellite in 2023, the task of launching three additional reconnaissance satellites in 2024 was declared to vigorously promote the development of space science and technology,” the report said at a major policy-setting year-end meeting presided by leader Kim Jong Un.

The plan was laid out as part of Kim’s address to the meeting, in which he said the country has no choice but to press forward with his nuclear ambitions and forge deeper ties with anti-U.S. countries as Pyongyang is facing unprecedented confrontational moves by the U.S., a reference that likely includes Russia.

Kim also said Pyongyang has now ruled out the possibility of unifying with South Korea, adding the country must fundamentally change its principle and direction towards South Korea.

North Korea says it successfully launched its first military spy satellite on Nov. 21, transmitting photos of the White House, the Pentagon, U.S. military bases and “target regions” in South Korea.

That successful launch was preceded by two failed attempts last year when its new Chollima-1 rocket crashed into the sea.

The move raised regional tensions and sparked fresh sanctions from the U.S., Australia, Japan and South Korea. Pyongyang has yet to release any imagery from the new satellite, leaving analysts and foreign governments to debate its capabilities.

The apparent success also came after Russian President Vladimir Putin promised to help North Korea build satellites. South Korean officials said Russian aid likely made a difference in the success of the mission, though experts said it was unclear how much help Moscow could have provided.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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NZ vs BAN 3rd T20I: Preview, Fantasy Picks, Pitch And Weather Reports

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New Zealand will face Bangladesh in the 3rd T20I of Bangladesh’s tour of New Zealand, 3 T20I Series 2023 on Sunday, December 31 at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand. The match will start at 5:30 AM IST. New Zealand and Bangladesh have played 2 matches in the series, with Bangladesh winning 1 game while the other match was abandoned due to rain. In their previous encounter in this series, Mahedi Hasan was the Man of the Match and James Neesham scored the highest fantasy points for New Zealand with 103 match fantasy points while Mahedi Hasan topped the fantasy points leaderboard for Bangladesh with 98 match fantasy points.

The last match between New Zealand and Bangladesh was abandoned.

NZ vs BAN, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui Pitch Report
The pitch at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui is a balanced track. The average 1st innings score at this venue in the last 20 matches is 161 runs. The team batting first at this venue has won 55 per cent of its matches, so the toss does not make much of a difference here. The team winning the toss may decide to bat or bowl depending on the ground conditions.

Pace or Spin?

The venue is suited for both Pacers and Spinners alike.

Weather Report for Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Temperature will hover around 22 degrees Celsius and humidity is expected to be around 81 per cent. Winds at a speed of 4.64 m/s are expected. Cloud cover is expected, so expect some movement to aid the pace bowlers. Light rain is forecasted which may affect playing conditions.

NZ vs BAN Fantasy XI Prediction: Top Batter and Wicket-Keeper Picks

Tim Louis Seifert

Tim Seifert is a wicket-keeper and has an average of 41 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.6 and is a very consistent player in terms of fantasy points. He is a top-order opening batter, who bats right-handed and also keeps wickets. In the recently played 5 matches, this player has scored 0, 43, 48, 19, 39 runs averaging 29.8 per match.

Glenn Dominic Phillips

Glenn Phillips is a batter and has an average of 48 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.5 and is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. Glenn Phillips is a top-order right-handed batter. In the recently played 5 matches, he has scored 0, 42, 69, 22, 41 runs averaging 34.8 per match.

Najmul Hossain Shanto

Najmul Hossain Shanto can be a good pick for your Dream11 Team. This player has an average of 45 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.8. Najmul Hossain Shanto is a top-order left-handed batter. In the last 5 matches, he has scored 43 runs at an average of 8.6 per match.

NZ vs BAN Fantasy XI Prediction: Top Bowler Picks

Inderbir Singh Sodhi

Ish Sodhi is a Bowler and has an average of 41 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.4 and is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. This player is a leg-break bowler and in the recently played 4 matches Ish Sodhi has taken 0, 0, 2, 3, 2 wickets at an average of 1.4.

Timothy Grant Southee

Tim Southee is a bowler and has an average of 58 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 7.2 and is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler and in the recently played 3 matches, this player has taken 3 wickets at an average of 0.6. Tim Southee has done very well against this opposition, taking 0, 1, 2, 2, 3 wickets in the recent matches.

Mohammad Rishad Hossain

Rishad Hossain is a bowler and has an average of 25 match fantasy points in the last 5 games, a fantasy rating of 6.6 and is a good player for your Fantasy Team. He bowls leg-break googly and in the recent 4 matches, this player has taken 1, 1, 0, 1, 0 wickets at an average of 0.6.9

NZ vs BAN Fantasy XI Prediction: Top All-Rounder Picks

Mitchell Josef Santner

Mitchell Santner is a safe bet for your Fantasy Team. Mitchell Santner has an average of 47 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.6. He is a left-handed batter. In the last 3 matches, this player has scored 23, 0, 9, 0, 0 runs averaging 6.4 per match. Mitchell Santner also bowls decently, bowling slow left-arm orthodox and in recent matches, has taken 0, 1, 0, 2, 3 wickets at an average of 1.2 per match.

Afif Hossain Dhrubo

Afif Hossain is a good player for your Dream11 Fantasy Team. He has an average of 38 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.5. This player is a top-order batter, who bats left-handed. In the recent 3 matches, Afif Hossain has scored 0, 1, 0, 20, 7 runs averaging 5.6 per match.

Rachin Ravindra

Rachin Ravindra can be a good pick for your Dream11 Team. He has an average of 37 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.4. This player is a top-order left-handed batter. In the recent 3 matches, Rachin Ravindra has scored 0, 17, 19, 0, 0 runs averaging 7.2 per match.

NZ vs BAN Fantasy XI Prediction: Top Captain and Vice-Captain Picks

Tim Louis Seifert

Tim Seifert is a very consistent player in terms of fantasy points. He has an average of 41 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.6. This player is a top-order opening right-handed batter and also keeps wickets. In the last 5 matches, Tim Seifert has scored 149 runs at an average of 29.8 per match.

Glenn Dominic Phillips

Glenn Phillips is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. He has an average of 48 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 8.5. This player is a top-order right-handed batter. In the recent 5 matches, Glenn Phillips has scored 174 runs averaging 34.8 per match.

Inderbir Singh Sodhi

Ish Sodhi is a bowler and has an average of 41 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.4 and is a good player for your Fantasy Team. He bowls leg-breaks and in the last 4 matches, this player has taken 0, 0, 2, 3, 2 wickets at an average of 1.4.

Mark Sinclair Chapman

Mark Chapman is a batter and has an average of 38 match fantasy points in the last 10 games, a fantasy rating of 8.1 and can be a good pick for your Dream11 Team. Mark Chapman is a left-handed batter. In the last 5 matches, he has scored 93 runs at an average of 18.6 per match.

Najmul Hossain Shanto

Najmul Hossain Shanto is a fairly consistent player in terms of fantasy points. This player has an average of 45 match fantasy points in the last 10 games and a fantasy rating of 7.8. Najmul Hossain Shanto is a top-order batter, who bats left-handed. In the last 5 matches, he has scored 43 runs averaging 8.6 per match.

NZ vs BAN Fantasy XI team

Wicket-Keepers: Tim Seifert and Rony Talukdar

Batters: Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Najmul Hossain Shanto and Finn Allen

All-Rounders: Afif Hossain and Rachin Ravindra

Bowlers: Ish Sodhi, Adam Milne and Hasan Mahmud

Captain: Tim Seifert

Vice-Captain: Mark Chapman

New Zealand vs Bangladesh head-to-head record in T20I

New Zealand and Bangladesh have battled against each other on 19 occasions in T20s. While New Zealand have won 14 matches, Bangladesh have emerged victorious in 4 instances.

The last 5 T20 contests have seen New Zealand win 3 times and Bangladesh on 1 occasion. The highest score in these 5 games is 208 by New Zealand whereas the lowest has been 72 by New Zealand.

New Zealand vs Bangladesh, 3rd T20I prediction

New Zealand are expected to win the next fixture as they have won three of the last 5 matches against Bangladesh.

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Eurostar Train Service To Resume Today After Flooding In Tunnel Near London

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Eurostar Train Service To Resume Today After Flooding In Tunnel Near London

It was not immediately clear what had caused the flooding in the railway tunnels.

Paris/London:

Eurostar train services linking London with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam will fully resume on Sunday, the company said in a statement late on Saturday, after flooding in railway tunnels in southeastern England forced mass cancellations.

“There will be some speed restrictions in place in the morning which may lead to delays, and stations are expected to be very busy,” Eurostar said.

On Saturday the tunnel flooding brought international rail traffic between London and the European mainland to a halt, disrupting New Year travel for thousands of passengers – the second major headache for customers this holiday season.

On Dec. 21, a surprise industrial strike by French workers thwarted Christmas travel plans for thousands.

It was not immediately clear what had caused the flooding in the railway tunnels under the River Thames near Ebbsfleet, east of London.

Television footage showed water gushing into one of the tunnels and covering the track, while at St Pancras station in London hundreds of stranded passengers with suitcases sat waiting on the concourse.

“Eurostar has been working to ensure everyone affected has been supported in all of our stations,” the company said in its latest update on the situation.

“Customers have had the option to re-book onto alternative services or opt for a refund,” it added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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6 Dead After Massive Fire In Maharashtra Glove Factory

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6 Dead After Massive Fire In Maharashtra Glove Factory

“Extinguishing work is currently in progress,” he added.

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

At least six people were killed in a massive fire that broke out at a hand glove manufacturing company in Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar in the early hours of Sunday, officials said.

According to Fire department officials, the blaze erupted around 02:15 am at the factory in Waluj MIDC area.

“We received a call at 2:15 a.m. When we reached the incident site, the entire factory was on fire. Locals informed us that six people were trapped inside. Our officers entered and the bodies of six people have been recovered,” Mohan Mungse, a fire officer, told ANI.

“Extinguishing work is currently in progress,” he added.

Earlier, locals claimed at least five workers were trapped inside the building. 

Officials with the fire department later confirmed the deaths of six people in the fire incident.

Workers said that the company was closed, and they were sleeping when the fire broke out.

“10-15 workers were sleeping inside the building when the fire broke out. Some managed to escape, but at least five were trapped inside,” one of the workers had told ANI.

Meanwhile, dousing operations are ongoing, and the exact cause behind the fire is not ascertained yet.

More details are awaited.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)