Vietnam President in Japan, Fire at Malviya Nagar in Delhi, and other news in pictures

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (left) and his wife Nguyen Thi Hien (fourth from right) are escorted by Japan's Emperor Akihito (third from left) and Empress Michiko (second from right) during a welcome ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (left) and his wife Nguyen Thi Hien (fourth from right) are escorted by Japan's Emperor Akihito (third from left) and Empress Michiko (second from right) during a welcome ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on Wednesday.   | Photo Credit: AP

 

Published at 11:30 am

Tran Dai Quang visits Japan

Vietnam's President Tran Dai Quang and his wife Nguyen Thi Hien are on a state visit to Japan. The Japan Emperor and Empress will host a state banquet in honour of Mr. Quang and Ms. Hien. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is  also scheduled to hold a meeting with Mr. Quang.

Published at 10:30 a.m.

Banking services impacted as PSU staff go on strike

Members of the United Forum of Bank Unions staging a protest against union government and demand 2 per cent Hike in the wage bill at SBM head office.

Members of the United Forum of Bank Unions staging a protest against union government and demand 2 per cent Hike in the wage bill at SBM head office.   | Photo Credit: V Sreenivasa Murthy

 

Banking activities in public sector banks across the country have been interrupted as employees go on two-day nation-wide strike against the meagre 2% salary hike offered by the management – Indian Banks Association.

 

 

Published at 10:00 am

Fire at Malviya Nagar in Delhi

Total 65 fire tenders are at the spot trying to douse the fire.

Total 65 fire tenders are at the spot trying to douse the fire.   | Photo Credit: R.V. Moorthy

 

A major fire broke out in a godown in South Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area on Tuesday afternoon. About 13 buildings, a school and a gym have been evacuated. Nearby hospital have been alerted in case of any injury. Total 65 fire tenders pressed into service so far. Likely to take a few more hours to douse.

Published at 9:00 am

Narendra Modi meets Indonesia President Joko Widodo

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia President Joko Widodo talk during their meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indonesia President Joko Widodo talk during their meeting at the presidential palace in Jakarta, Indonesia.   | Photo Credit: Reuters

 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is on his first-ever official visit to Indonesia, met President Joko Widodo on Wednesday. They are expected to have discussed bilateral cooperation in a broad range of areas, including maritime, trade and investment.

 

Published at 8:00 am

UNSC to meet on Gaza rocket firings on Israel

Smoke rises following an Israeli strikes on Gaza City, early on Wednesday. Palestinian militants bombarded southern Israel with dozens of rockets and mortar shells while Israeli warplanes struck targets throughout the Gaza Strip in the largest flare-up of violence between the sides since a 2014 war.

Smoke rises following an Israeli strikes on Gaza City, early on Wednesday. Palestinian militants bombarded southern Israel with dozens of rockets and mortar shells while Israeli warplanes struck targets throughout the Gaza Strip in the largest flare-up of violence between the sides since a 2014 war.   | Photo Credit: AP

 

The U.N. Security Council will meet on Wednesday to discuss Palestinian rocket strikes on Israel, at the request of the United States which wants the top U.N. body to strongly condemn the attacks. The rocket and mortar firings from the Gaza Strip were claimed by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, prompting Israel to respond with air strikes on bases of the militant Palestinian groups.