Eco-friendly Ganesha
An artist gives finishing touches to an eco-friendly Ganesha idol in Coimbatore on August 21, 2018, for the forthcoming Vinayaka Chathurthi festival.
The clay idols of Lord Ganesaha are two inches to two feet high while the paper mache idols are three feet to 13 ft high. Artisans have made 3,000 clay idols and 300 paper mache idols for this year's Vinayaga Chathurthi. The idols are priced from Rs. 20 to Rs. 20,000.
Restoration work in full swing in Kerala
Aided by naval and defence personnel, authorities have started repairing the damaged networks including the pumping station in Aluva. According a prss relase by the Navy, assistance were provided by a team from Naval Ship Repair Yard to the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) to repair transformers at the Aluva pumping station on a war footing to ensure the restoration of water supply to Kochi area.
Transformers repaired on Monday night were handed over to the pumping station on Tuesday for providing water supply by the KWA. This has ensured availability of fresh water to all the affected areas in a short span of time, the release said.
Personnel from Naval Ship Repair Yard fixing the repaired transformers at Aluva pumping station on Tuesday.
Italy allows docking of ship with migrants
Migrants on board Italian coast guard ship Diciotti at the Catania harbour on August 21, 2018.
Italy will let its coastguard ship carrying 177 migrants it rescued five days ago dock in Sicily, ending a standoff with Malta, its Transport Minister said on Monday, though it was not clear when and if the migrants would be allowed to disembark. The European Commission also said it was working on a solution to share out the migrants aboard the Diciotti with Italy's EU partners after a request from Italy the previous day. “The Diciotti ship will dock in Catania,” Transport Minister Danilo Toninelli said on Twitter without specifying when. “Now Europe must hurry to do its part.”
Concerns around fake news
WhatsApp CEO Chris Daniels meets Electronics & Information Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad in New Delhi on Tuesday.
WhatsApp CEO Chris Daniels is in India this week as the company attempts to address concerns around fake news on its messaging platform which have led to horrific crimes like mob lynching. According to sources, Mr. Daniels will be in India for 4-5 days, starting Tuesday, and meet business and government officials during his visit. One of the persons aware of the proposed visit said that WhatsApp officials plan to discuss measures being undertaken to counter the issue of fake news on its platform as well as the impending launch of its payments services in the country.
Brief Korean reunions bring cheer to separated families
North Koreans arrive to meet their South Korean family members during a separated family reunion meeting at the Diamond Mountain resort in North Korea on August 21, 2018. Dozens of elderly South Koreans crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea on Monday for heart-wrenching meetings with relatives most haven't seen since they were separated by the turmoil of the Korean War.
Dozens of elderly South Koreans crossed the heavily fortified border into North Korea on Monday for heart-wrenching meetings with relatives most haven't seen since they were separated by the turmoil of the Korean War. The weeklong event, the first of its kind in nearly three years, was arranged as the rival Koreas boost reconciliation efforts amid a diplomatic push to resolve a standoff over North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.
Turnbull survives leadership vote
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, right, and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack leave after a party room meeting at Parliament House in Canberra on August 21, 2018.
Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull survived a leadership challenge Tuesday, defeating a senior minister in an internal government ballot that is unlikely to settle questions of his support. Mr. Turnbull called the vote at a meeting of conservative Liberal Party lawmakers as speculation mounted about his support within the government. Government lawmaker Nola Marino said Mr. Turnbull won 48 votes to 35. One lawmaker abstained and another was away on sick leave.
China, El Salvador establish ties
El Salvador's Foreign Minister Carlos Castaneda, left, and China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi shake hands at a signing ceremony to mark the establishment of diplomatic relations between El Salvador and China at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China on August 21, 2018.
Taiwan broke off diplomatic ties with El Salvador on Tuesday as the Central American country defected to rival Beijing in the latest blow to the self-ruled island China has been trying to isolate on the global stage. The break in ties means Taiwan is recognised as a sovereign nation by only 17 mainly small, developing countries. In Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi announced that his government has established ties with El Salvador.
Eid al-Adha observed
Filipino Muslims pray outside the Blue Mosque in observance of Eid al-Adha, the second most important holiday in the Muslim world, in suburban Taguig city, east of Manila, Philippines on August 21, 2018.
Eid al-Adha or the Feast of Sacrifice is marked in the Philippines with prayers and the slaughter of goats and cows and their meat being given to the poor.
(With inputs from Agencies)
