US: Explosion at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana Prompts Evacuations

An explosion occurred at Smitty’s Supply in Roseland, Louisiana on Friday, August 22, prompted mandatory evacuations within a one-mile radius. The blast at the automotive manufacturing facility, which employs around 400 people, caused no reported injuries. Residents reported feeling the ground shake and saw black residue, believed to be oil, falling from the sky.

Tomato prices skyrocket in India due to incessant rains

STORY: Tomato prices skyrocket in India due to incessant rains DATELINE: June 29, 2023 LENGTH: 00:01:37 LOCATION: New Delhi CATEGORY: SOCIETY SHOTLIST: 1. various of the India gate 2. various of rainfall 3. various of agricultural land 4. various of the vegetable market 5. various of tomatoes 6. various of people buying tomatoes STORYLINE: Tomato prices have shot up at least three to four times in India over the past one week, from 30 Indian Rupees (36 U.S. cents) to around 120 Indian Rupees (1.46 U.S. dollars) per kilogram, owing to loss of crops caused by heavy rains in several parts of the country. In Delhi and surrounding areas, tomatoes were available at 100-120 Indian Rupees (1.22-1.46 dollars) per kilogram, while in the financial capital Mumbai they were sold for around 80 Indian Rupees (97 cents) per kilogram, in western city of Kolkata for 75 Indian Rupees (91 cents) per kilogram, and in southern city of Chennai for around 70 Indian Rupees (85 cents) per kilogram. A top government official has r

Fans flock to Tokyo zoo for panda's last day before China return

Visitors flocked to Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo on Sunday to bid goodbye to a hugely popular female giant panda on her last day with the public before her return to China. Xiang Xiang's final appearance before she leaves Japan on Tuesday was subject to enormous demand, with many taking photos of her on the landmark day and some reduced to tears as their one-to-two minute time with the panda came to an end. Admission to see the giant panda was limited to a pre-selected lottery of 2,600 entries a day. The final time slot on Sunday was so popular that there were around 70 times as many applicants as there were available entries. While her time in Japan was originally set to conclude once she had turned 2, the loan saw five extensions due to the coronavirus pandemic.