AP PHOTOS: Millions of Muslims embark on the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca
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Yahoo
8 hours ago
- Yahoo
Devastating floods leave hundreds dead, stranded in just 24 hours — here's what we know
Devastating floods leave hundreds dead, stranded in just 24 hours — here's what we know At least 243 people died over the span of 24 hours in India and Pakistan as torrential downpours caused widespread flash flooding and landslides, according to the Associated Press. "The death toll may rise, as we are still looking for dozens of missing people," an official told the AP. With more heavy rain in the forecast, the situation could become even more dire. What's happening? The rainfall struck mountainous areas of Northern Pakistan and India's Himalayan region, hitting difficult-to-reach, remote villages. Also affected were roughly 4,000 pilgrims who were making the annual trek to a Hindu shrine located at 9,500 feet of elevation, per the AP. The community kitchen that had been set up to feed the pilgrims was swept away in the floodwaters with 200 people inside along with numerous cars and motorbikes, according to the AP. Despite official warnings about the risk of heavy rains and flooding, thousands of tourists had flocked to resorts in the popular region, known for its picturesque scenery. Emergency personnel were in the process of evacuating thousands of tourists trapped by the floods and landslides. A rescue helicopter on a relief mission was carrying five people, including two pilots, when it crashed in the area because of the harsh weather conditions, per the AP. The torrential rains were caused by cloudbursts, which are defined as sudden, extremely aggressive rainfall events that result in more than 100 millimeters (3.9 inches) of rainfall per hour, according to Himalayan Geographic. Cloudbursts form when monsoon clouds hit cold air. Because of the mountainous nature of the Himalayas, cloudbursts are more likely to form, and, when they do, they are more likely to be trapped over a relatively small geographic area. "Unlike cyclones, forecasting a cloudburst is very difficult due to the dynamics of rapidly developing clouds over a very small area," Himalayan Geographic said. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. All these factors made for a deadly combination, though there have been other similar tragedies this summer. Pakistan's National Disaster Management Authority said that 556 rain-related deaths have occurred since June 26, per the AP. What does flooding in India and Pakistan mean for the rest of the world? Experts analyzing recent extreme rainfall events in the region have concluded that rising global temperatures have contributed significantly to the severity of the storms. A study released in early August found that "the 30-day maximum rainfall over the study region is now 22% more intense than it would have been in a climate that had not been warmed … due to the burning of fossil fuels, and, to a small extent, deforestation." This trend has not been limited to the Himalayas. For every 1 degree Fahrenheit that air temperatures increase, the air can absorb 4% more water, according to Climate Central. When this water eventually falls back to Earth as precipitation, the result is more precipitation per hour. One study looking at U.S. cities found that 88% of the 144 cities examined have experienced increased rainfall per hour since 1970. Of those cities that experience more severe storms, rainfall per hour increased by 15%. As the devastating flooding in India and Pakistan as well as recent floods in Texas and New York have demonstrated, this more intense rainfall can easily overwhelm local flood-mitigation measures. Whether natural or human-made, these flood-mitigation systems have a limited capacity for absorbing and carrying excess water. When that capacity is exceeded, the results can be devastating, and not only for the regions that are directly impacted. Flash floods and landslides take lives, destroy homes and businesses, and devastate crops and livestock, resulting in higher food prices and insurance premiums well beyond the floodwaters' reach. What's being done about flooding around the world? In order to avoid the worst impacts of rising global temperatures, the world needs to transition away from burning dirtier, nonrenewable fuels such as coal and natural gas and toward cleaner, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar. To help spur this transition forward, you can use your voice, take local action, and support political candidates who share your policy priorities. You can also contact your elected representatives to demand action. Taking things a step further, installing solar panels on your home and driving an electric vehicle are great ways to reduce heat-trapping pollution while also saving money on electricity and gas. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
San Francisco Chronicle
a day ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Air Canada could shut down completely unless the airline and its flight attendants reach a deal
TORONTO (AP) — A complete shutdown of Air Canada is looming if the union representing the flight attendants of the country's dominant air carrier and the airline fail to reach an agreement by early Saturday. More than 10,000 flight attendants are poised to walk off the job around 1 a.m. EST on Saturday, followed by a company-imposed lockout. It threatens to impact about 130,000 travelers a day. The Canadian carrier said it expects to call off 500 flights by the end of Friday ahead of the deadline. It already started canceling flights on Thursday in expectation of the massive work stoppage that could impact hundreds of thousands of travelers. A full grounding could affect some 25,000 Canadians a day abroad who may become stranded. "We strongly urge the parties to work with federal mediators and get a deal done. Time is precious and Canadians are counting on you," Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu said in a statement Friday. By midday Friday, Air Canada had called off 87 domestic flights and 176 international flights that were scheduled to depart on Friday and Saturday, according to aviation analytics firm Cirium. On Thursday, when the airline said it was beginning it's 'phased wind down' of most operations, 18 domestic flights and four international flights were canceled. Canadian Union of Public Employees, or CUPE, which represents the flight attendants, refused to voluntarily submit to arbitration. 'The appropriate course of action is for Air Canada to return to the table and resume good faith bargaining,' it said in a statement. The union, which represents about 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants, and the airline say disagreements over key issues, including pay raises, have brought contract talks to a standstill. How long the planes will be grounded remains to be seen. Air Canada Chief Operating Officer Mark Nasr said the decision to lock out the union members even if it meant halting flights would help facilitate an orderly restart, 'which under the best circumstances will take a full week to complete.' Air Canada and CUPE have been in contract talks for about eight months, but they have yet to reach a tentative deal. The union put it to a vote at the end of July and 99.7% approved a strike. On Wednesday, it gave Air Canada a 72-hour strike notice. The airline responded with a so-called lockout notice, saying it would prevent the flight attendants from working on Saturday. The union said it rejected a proposal from the airline to enter a binding arbitration process that would have prevented flight attendants from walking off the job, saying it prefers to negotiate a deal that its members can then vote on.
Time Business News
a day ago
- Time Business News
Latest Umrah 2025 Updates
The sacred journey of Umrah highlights itself as a spiritual priority for several Muslims all around the world. In 2025, there are significant updates and advancements made by the Saudi Arabian Government that have shaped the overall experience of the Umrah practice. This exclusive post will help you explore the latest updates that have been implemented over the Umrah practice for a better experience of Umrah 2025. The Saudi Arabia authorities have revolutionized their Umrah policies and documentations for 2025, this highlights a comprehensive technological transformation also. With these updates, it is guaranteed that performers will experience a more enhanced and convenient Umrah practice as the technology advancement has improved the digital systems that now count the crowd levels in a few seconds making the management easy and exceptional. These noticeable updates portray Saudi Arabia's commitment and promising nature towards modernizing religious affairs while keeping the spiritual essence within the Islamic boundaries. If you are planning your Umrah journey this year then make sure to select the right October Umrah packages that offers an ideal combination of services including accommodations, flights, transfers, and other essentials. With updates in the digitized application system Saudi Arabia has made it easy to eliminate physical checksups and paperworks. Pilgrims can now reserve their booking online with various travel agencies such as Dua Travels UK. Pilgrims can now complete their entire visa process through authorized travel agencies or the official Saudi visa portal. These both options are valid 24/7, making the visa application process convenient. With updated digital proceedings pilgrims will notice a huge shift within the processing time and transparency throughout the journey. Authentic agencies promise a quick process without delays and inconveniences. Pilgrims have noticed a great reduction in processing time, with standard applications that are now completed within 48-72 hours. The technological advancement has made an exclusive improvement from the previous processing windows that used to extend the entire processing period for several weeks. This quick timeline allows performers to plan their divine pilgrimage with greater flexibility, reducing the inconveniences often because of the lengthy waiting periods. The addition of visa validity to one year with multiple entry allowance highlights a standard shift in approaching Umrah practice. Pilgrims can now also make multiple visits within a 12-month time period, with up to 90 days stay allowance. This approaching quality assists you with your travelling schedule, allowing you with a more convenient journey. Planning to travel during the off-peak season makes it convenient for the pilgrims to experience the essence of this holy journey as the crowd level is moderate and the weather condition is better, which makes it easy for the pilgrim to experience the historical and Islamic sites of the Holyland. Months Temperature Crowd Level Accommodation rate Benefits Average savings September Warm-Moderate (25-32°C) Low-Medium 25% below peak – Post-Ramadan – Good hotel availability- Extended daylight hours 25-30% October Pleasant (22-28°C) Low 30% below peak – Ideal walking conditions- Comfortable temperatures- Excellent service quality 30-35% November Cool-Mild (18-25°C) Moderate 35% below peak – Perfect weather for rituals- Minimal crowds- Best accommodation deals 35-40% December Cool (15-22°C) Moderate to High 35% below peak – Christmas/New Year flexibility- Peaceful atmosphere- Enhanced privacy 35-40% January 2026 Mild-Cool (14-20°C) Low-medium 30% below peak – Winter comfort- Shorter queues- Personalized attention 30-35% February 2026 Mild (16-23°C) Low-Medium 25% below peak – Pre-spring conditions- Good balance of comfort- Reasonable pricing 25-30% It is important for the pilgrims who are planning to book for these off-peak seasons that they must reserve three to five months before the actual performance month. There are various travel agencies that offer reliable services to the pilgrims to experience the best of their Umrah pilgrimage. If you want to experience a more approachable sacred practice then it is ideal to book for off-peak seasons in 2025, allowing pilgrims to explore the ziyarat points and historical sites without experiencing much crowd. Pilgrims can also witness a shift in weather during these months, making the pilgrimage even more appealing and comfortable. Moving into 2025 with an upgraded Umrah approach makes the journey even more flexible. This exclusive journey has never been more approachable before as it has after the vision 2030 has got incorporated. The Saudi government took these initiatives to uplift the overall experience of the Umrah journey with the help of which pilgrims can now experience a more convenient side of the holy journey. The ideal updates for year 2025 from digitalized visa application within minimal time limit to easy entries and calculation of the crowds, highlights the modern approach of the country within the premises of religious affairs. Make sure you search for the best Hajj and Umrah Travel agency in UK to witness these services and servations on time without experiencing delays. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
