Somerset accident: Multiple casualties in U.K. school bus crash, say police
Avon and Somerset Police said the bus was carrying 60-70 people and was heading to Minehead Middle School at the time of the crash, and that the "large majority" of passengers had been taken to a nearby rest centre.
Police declared the collision a major incident, meaning an event with serious consequences that requires special arrangements from emergency services.
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The Print
4 hours ago
- The Print
Maratha forts, Khudiram Bose & Shubhanshu Shukla—highlights of PM Modi's latest ‘Mann ki Baat'
'Eleven forts in Maharashtra; one in Tamil Nadu. Each fort has a chapter of history attached to it. Every stone is a testimony to a historical event,' Prime Minister Modi asserted as he took listeners on a journey through India's rich cultural, historical, and ecological heritage. The forts, spread across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, collectively, can now be called 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India', as named by the Indian government in the nomination dossier submitted to UNESCO for World Heritage status in 2024-25. New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the recognition of 12 Maratha forts collectively as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in his address for the 124th edition of his radio programme, 'Mann Ki Baat'. His 'Mann Ki Baat' address highlighted several of India's recent achievements and milestones—from Shubhanshu Shukla's space mission to rare bird surveys. Besides, Prime Minister Modi also dived into the excitement surrounding the upcoming festive season. The UNESCO recognition, which came at the 47th Session of the World Heritage Committee held in Paris, made the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' the country's 44th property to receive such global recognition. The twelve forts included in the UNESCO listing are Salher, Shivneri, Lohagad, Khanderi, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala, Vijaydurg, and Sindhudurg—all in Maharashtra—and Gingee in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Modi encouraged citizens to visit the historic forts and learn more about India's rich past. 'These forts are not just bricks and stones; they are symbols of our rich heritage. Values and self-respect still echo from the high walls of these forts. I urge the citizens to visit them, learn about their history, and take pride in it,' he added. Month of revolution Reflecting on the significance of the upcoming month in India's freedom struggle in his 'Mann Ki Baat' address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reminded listeners that August is a month of sacrifice and revolution, leading to Independence. Modi highlighted freedom fighters, such as Khudiram Bose and the countless unnamed heroes, who laid down their lives for the nation. Paying tribute to Khudiram Bose—in particular—the Prime Minister said, 'Let us not merely remember them in textbooks, but live by their ideals.' Khudiram Bose was sentenced to death at the age of 18 during British rule over the Muzaffarpur Conspiracy Case—an attempted assassination of a British judge The Prime Minister also called on citizens to keep the legacy of Indian revolutionaries alive through acts of service, civic responsibility, and unwavering patriotism. 'When Khudiram Bose walked towards the gallows, there was a smile on his face,' he recalled during his 'Mann ki Baat' address. 'After such countless sacrifices, after centuries of penance, we attained Independence. The country's die-hard patriots nurtured the freedom movement with their blood.' Prime Minister Modi also reminded listeners of 7 August, the day the Swadeshi Movement began in 1905, breathing new life into the Indian handloom industry. Now celebrated as the 'National Handloom Day', 7 August inspired success stories in the handloom sector from Maharashtra to Bihar and Odisha, the Prime Minister stated. 'Just like Khadi strengthened the freedom movement, today our textile sector is a pillar of progress,' he added. Also Read: 'Mann Ki Baat' is the 'Mann Ki Baat' of millions of Indians: PM Modi in 100th episode Homecoming of Shubhanshu Shukla The 124th edition of 'Mann Ki Baat' started with Prime Minister Modi's celebration of the return of astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla—a proud moment for the nation as Shukla became the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to go to space and the first Indian to board the International Space Station (ISS). Prime Minister Modi recalled how the country came together to honour the historic achievement, marking a significant milestone in the Indian space journey. He also recalled the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 in August 2023, calling it another defining moment, which will inspire the youth and ignite a passion for space and science across the country.'The recent years have witnessed a surge in interest towards space, science, and innovation,' the Prime Minister added. Shubhanshu Shukla's participation in the Axiom 4 Mission made history at a time when the Indian space start-up ecosystem is growing rapidly—a fact the PM mentioned in his address. 'Just five years ago, the country had fewer than 50 companies in this sector. Today, that number has grown to over 200 space-focused start-ups, driving technological advancements, creating employment, and propelling India's ambitions in global space exploration,' he said. First-ever grassland bird census During his 'Mann ki Baat', Prime Minister Narendra Modi also turned his focus to wildlife and conservation at one time. He highlighted a groundbreaking initiative from Kaziranga National Park in Assam, which, for the first time, saw a dedicated Grassland Bird Census. The survey focused specifically on bird species that depend on Kaziranga's unique grassland ecosystem. 'This is a significant milestone in our conservation efforts,' PM Modi said. The survey, a collaboration among forest officials, scientists, and bird watchers, has deepened the understanding of grassland bird biodiversity in Kaziranga. In the census, more than 40 bird species, including several rare ones, were identified. Prime Minister Modi explained that the identification process became possible through a combination of expert knowledge and modern technology. The team installed sound recording devices in the fields, and the recorded bird calls were later analysed using Artificial Intelligence, allowing researchers to identify the bird species without disturbing them. 'When technology and sensitivity come together, understanding nature becomes so easy and deep,' he said. The Prime Minister also encouraged young naturalists and researchers to participate in such initiatives, emphasising the critical role of protecting and celebrating the country's rich biodiversity. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Nelson Mandela was influenced by Gandhi. And was aware non-violence strategy had to evolve
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
My monsoon survival story
When I return to Mumbai, I find my bedcovers smelling musty. They remind me of a friend's complaint about her South American trip—how the rainforest's beauty came with mold creeping into everything: clothes, drawers, even her journals and her graph paper. So too with Mumbai's rains. Inside, it's cozy; outside, a watery wonderland. Rain pelts off the coconut palms, a lone kite perches on the tree outside my window, and the garden below is a pool of brown water, a still life mirror of caramel and bronze. But like the rainforests, this paradise too has its price. 'I'm being eaten alive—it's got to be bed bugs,' my youngest groans. When the sun grudgingly appears, I haul our mattresses onto the ledge, only for her to wake with fresh bites by morning. Mumbai monsoon greens. The rain doesn't relent. Grey skies sag; a plane skids off the waterlogged runway. Yet the city marches on—autos plow through ankle-deep water, buses cough along their routes, and we join the clogged traffic, hunting for new mattresses and lights. In the car, Anand Bakshi's lyrics fill the space between raindrops. It's the month of rains, the breeze creates a noise, in the much loved Savan ka Mahina song. These words seem written for this city, for this season. For this is Bambai, the place young Anand Prakash Bakshi once sold his schoolbooks to try and reach. At fifteen, he joined the navy, hoping Karachi would be a stepping stone; instead, he was nearly jailed for rebelling against the British. Pressured into the army, he finally made it to this city—only to knock on studio doors until his money ran out. Nagmein Kisse Kahaniyan, his son Rakesh's book, tells these stirring stories of stubborn dreams. I came to the book through a happy circumstance. After raving to a friend about Rakesh's Director Diaries—a treasure trove of Bollywood behind-the-scenes stories—I learned she knew him. This is Mumbai's magic: where art and art lovers intersect casually. When Rakesh heard of my admiration, he sent me this book that he wrote on his father's life. Grey Mumbai skies. Now, as the rain continues to fall, Bakshi's songs play on: Main shayar toh nahin, Gaadi bula rahi hai, One two ka four, four two ka one, my name is Lakhan. The songs, the city, the savan ka mahina connect us in an inextricable way. When we reach the Lohar Chawl market, it is still raining. 'I don't believe in umbrellas, Mama,' my daughter declares, her sister nodding. The girls walk happily through the drizzle. I think back to their younger selves - their shrieks of delight when I'd let them play in the rain, the risk of a cold and fever notwithstanding - for what greater pleasure can there be than dancing in the rain? On the street outside, a sodden kitten with grey green eyes watches us from behind a Havells switchboard, her orange-and-white fur plastered to her skin. Inside a light fittings store, there are chandeliers, standing lamps and wall lights in antique brass. But when the shopkeeper brings us white light spotlights, my daughter wrinkles her nose. 'Ugh Mama, tube light white is so hospital-y, please can we have warm white? ' Not a fan of white light myself, I promptly agree. Proper lighting isn't just functional, she writes; it affects how we feel, I recently read in Frida Ramstedt's excellent The Interior Design Handbook. She recommends five to seven light points in every room— bright overhead lights for illumination and layered light that shifts mood, draws attention to a painting, or creates a pool of comfort in a dark corner. The day ends with no mattresses—just pendant lamps that create cosy reading corners to curl into. It's enough, I think. In a city where the rains seep into everything, these warm white lights keep the dampness and the grey skies at bay. Dear Reader, what's your favourite monsoon survival ritual to help you lighten up when skies turn grey? (Sonya Dutta Choudhury is a Mumbai-based journalist and the founder of Sonya's Book Box, a bespoke book service. Each week, she brings you specially curated books to give you an immersive understanding of people and places. If you have any reading recommendations or reading dilemmas, write to her at sonyasbookbox@ The views expressed are personal)
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First Post
a day ago
- First Post
US President Trump's Scotland visit blends politics and business at new golf site
President Donald Trump landed in Scotland to inaugurate a new golf course in Balmedie while blending presidential duties with business promotion. The visit, labeled a 'working trip' by the White House, also includes meetings with UK and EU leaders. read more Lashed by cold winds and overlooking choppy, steel-gray North Sea waters, the breathtaking sand dunes of Scotland's northeastern coast rank among Donald Trump's favourite spots on earth. 'At some point, maybe in my very old age, I'll go there and do the most beautiful thing you've ever seen,' Trump said in 2023, during his New York civil fraud trial, talking about his plans for future developments on his property in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD At 79 and back in the White House, Trump is making at least part of that pledge a reality, landing in Scotland on Friday as his family's business prepares for the Aug. 13 opening of a new golf course bearing his name. Trump will be in Scotland until Tuesday, and plans to talk trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The Aberdeen area is already home to another of his courses, Trump International Scotland, and the Republican president is also visiting a Trump course near Turnberry, around 200 miles (320 kilometers) away on Scotland's southwest coast. Trump said upon arrival on Friday evening that his son is 'gonna cut a ribbon' for the new course during his trip. Eric Trump also went with his father to break ground on the project back in 2023. Using a presidential overseas trip — with its sprawling entourage of advisers, White House and support staffers, Secret Service agents and reporters — to help show off Trump-brand golf destinations demonstrates how the president has become increasingly comfortable intermingling his governing pursuits with promoting his family's business interests. The White House has brushed off questions about potential conflicts of interest, arguing that Trump's business success before he entered politics was a key to his appeal with voters. White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers called the Scotland swing a 'working trip.' But she added Trump 'has built the best and most beautiful world-class golf courses anywhere in the world, which is why they continue to be used for prestigious tournaments and by the most elite players in the sport.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump family's new golf course has tee times for sale Trump went to Scotland to play his Turnberry course during his first term in 2018 while en route to a meeting in Finland with Russian President Vladimir Putin. But this trip comes as the new golf course is already actively selling tee times. 'We're at a point where the Trump administration is so intertwined with the Trump business that he doesn't seem to see much of a difference,' said Jordan Libowitz, vice president for the ethics watchdog organization Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. 'It's as if the White House were almost an arm of the Trump Organization.' During his first term, the Trump Organization signed an ethics pact barring deals with foreign companies. An ethics framework for Trump's second term allows them. Trump's assets are in a trust run by his children, who are also handling day-to-day operations of the Trump Organization while he's in the White House. The company has inked many recent, lucrative foreign agreements involving golf courses, including plans to build luxury developments in Qatar and Vietnam, even as the administration negotiates tariff rates for those countries and around the globe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump's first Aberdeen course sparked legal battles Trump's existing Aberdeenshire course, meanwhile, has a history nearly as rocky as the area's cliffs. It has struggled to turn a profit and was found by Scottish conservation authorities to have partially destroyed nearby sand dunes. Trump's company also was ordered to cover the Scottish government's legal costs after the course unsuccessfully sued over the construction of a nearby wind farm, arguing in part that it hurt golfers' views. And the development was part of the massive civil case, which accused Trump of inflating his wealth to secure loans and make business deals. Trump's company's initial plans for his first Aberdeen-area course called for a luxury hotel and nearby housing. His company received permission to build 500 houses, but Trump suggested he'd be allowed to build five times as many and borrowed against their values without actually building any homes, the lawsuit alleged. Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable last year and ordered his company to pay $355 million in fines — a judgment that has grown with interest to more than $510 million as Trump appeals. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Golfers-in-chief Family financial interests aside, Trump isn't the first sitting U.S. president to golf in Scotland. That was Dwight D. Eisenhower, who played in Turnberry in 1959. George W. Bush visited the famed course at Gleneagles in 2005 but didn't play. Many historians trace golf back to Scotland in the Middle Ages. Among the earliest known references to game was a Scottish Parliament resolution in 1457 that tried to ban it, along with soccer, because of fears both were distracting men from practicing archery — then considered vital to national defense. The first U.S. president to golf regularly was William Howard Taft, who served from 1909 to 1913 and ignored warnings from his predecessor, Teddy Roosevelt, that playing too much would make it seem like he wasn't working hard enough. Woodrow Wilson played nearly every day but Sundays, and even had the Secret Service paint his golf balls red so he could practice in the snow, said Mike Trostel, director of the World Golf Hall of Fame. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Warren G. Harding trained his dog Laddie Boy to fetch golf balls while he practiced. Lyndon B. Johnson's swing was sometimes described as looking like a man trying to kill a rattlesnake. Bill Clinton, who liked to joke that he was the only president whose game improved while in office, restored a putting green on the White House's South Lawn. It was originally installed by Eisenhower, who was such an avid user that he left cleat marks in the wooden floors of the Oval Office by the door leading out to it. Bush stopped golfing after the start of the Iraq war in 2003 because of the optics. Barack Obama had a golf simulator installed in the White House that Trump upgraded during his first term, Trostel said. John F. Kennedy largely hid his love of the game as president, but he played on Harvard's golf team and nearly made a hole-in-one at California's renowned Cypress Point Golf Club just before the 1960 Democratic National Convention. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'I'd say, between President Trump and President John F. Kennedy, those are two of the most skilled golfers we've had in the White House,' Trostel said. Trump, Trostel said, has a handicap index — how many strokes above par a golfer is likely to score — of a very strong 2.5, though he's not posted an official round with the U.S. Golf Association since 2021. That's better than Joe Biden's handicap of 6.7, which also might be outdated, and Obama, who once described his own handicap as an 'honest 13.' The White House described Trump as a championship-level golfer but said he plays with no handicap.
