Latest news LIVE updates: WHO airlifting medical supplies to Lebanon

Lebanese Prime Minister declared a national mourning on Wednesday for the victims of the explosions that took place the previous evening. Stay tuned for latest news live updates

4:43 PM

As many as 100 killed, nearly 4,000 injured in two explosions in Beirut: Lebanese Red Cross

As many as 100 people were killed and nearly 4,000 injured in two huge explosions that rocked downtown Beirut, the Lebanese Red Cross said on Wednesday.

 

The blasts took place on Tuesday evening (around 6.10 p.m. local time), shaking buildings all over the city while also causing severe damage and casualties, Xinhua reported. President Michel Aoun said that 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate, used in fertilisers and bombs, had been stored for six years at the port without safety measures. He said that was "unacceptable".

 

Officials did not say what caused the blaze that set off the blast. A security source and media said it was caused by welding work being carried out on a hole in the warehouse.

 

"It's like a war zone. I'm speechless," Beirut's Mayor Jamal Itani told the media while inspecting the damage on Wednesday that he estimated would lead to losses in the billions of dollars.

4:25 PM

Latest News LIVE: Sensex, Nifty pare early gains to end flat; HDFC Bank, RIL tumble

Domestic equity benchmarks Sensex and Nifty surrendered early gains to end flat on Wednesday as profit-booking emerged in market majors Reliance Industries and HDFC Bank, according to a PTI report.

 

After rallying 452 points during the day, the BSE Sensex slipped in the red to end 24.58 points or 0.07 per cent lower at 37,663.33. The NSE Nifty inched up 6.40 points or 0.06 per cent to close at 11,101.65.

 

HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries were among the top laggards, tumbling over 1 per cent, as investors booked profits after their recent bull run. PowerGrid, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Nestle India and HCL Tech too ended with losses. On the other hand, Tata Steel rallied over 6 per cent, followed by Titan, Maruti, Bharti Airtel and M&M.

4:21 PM

High risk of flash floods over some parts of Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and coastal Karnataka sub-division: IMD

4:15 PM

Bombay HC adjourns hearing on PILs seeking CBI probe in Sushant Singh Rajput death case

The Bombay High Court has deferred till Friday the hearing on two Public Interest Litigations seeking a CBI probe into the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice A S Gadkari adjourned the hearing on Wednesday after the Maharashtra government submitted that it had not been served copies of the two PILs.

 

The bench was hearing two pleas, one filed by Nagpur resident Sameet Thakkar, and another by Priyanka Tibrewal, a lawyer practising in the Calcutta High Court.

 

Rajput, 34, was found hanging at his apartment in suburban Bandra on June 14.

4:02 PM

Sensex ends 24.58 points lower at 37,663.33; Nifty advances 6.40 points to 11,101.65

4:01 PM

Latest News LIVE update: Heavy rain lashes parts of Mumbai; visuals from near Churchgate

3:44 PM

Latest News LIVE: Maruti Suzuki launches new S-Cross Petrol

3:21 PM

Rupee gains 10 paise to close at 74.94 (provisional) against US dollar

2:58 PM

Russia's Emergencies Ministry sends doctors, rescuers to Beirut after deadly explosion

The Russian Ministry of Emergencies told Sputnik it would send on Wednesday five aircraft with a mobile hospital, doctors, rescue workers and public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor staffers to Lebanon, recently hit by a powerful explosion that resulted in over 70 deaths and over 4,000 injuries.

 

"As part of the humanitarian operation, five aircraft of the Russian Ministry of Emergencies will be sent to Lebanon's Beirut to provide assistance and eliminate the consequences of yesterday's massive explosion," the Ministry said. The planes will deliver to Beirut a mobile hospital, doctors, rescue workers and Rospotrebnadzor staffers with a special laboratory for detecting COVID-19.

 

"All the experts will have special suits and protective gear, taking into consideration the COVID-19 situation," the Ministry added.

2:47 PM

Latest News LIVE: Russia to send five planeloads of aid to Lebanese capital's Beirut

Russia's emergency officials say the country will send five planeloads of aid to Beirut after an explosion in the Lebanese capital's port killed at least 100 people and injured thousands on Tuesday.

 

Russia's Ministry for Emergency Situations will send rescuers, medical workers, a makeshift hospital and a lab for coronavirus testing to Lebanon. France, Jordan and other countries also say aid is on the way, news agency AP reported.

 

International aid in the form of emergency workers and medical personnel is heading to Lebanon a day after a massive explosion devastated Beirut's port, killing at least 100 people and wounding thousands. France says it is sending two planes with dozens of emergency workers, a mobile medical unit and 15 tons of aid. French President Emmanuel Macron's office says the aid should allow for the treatment of some 500 victims.

2:24 PM

Uber to hire 140 more engineers in India for expanding tech, product teams

Uber said on Wednesday it is recruiting 140 more engineers for its tech teams in Bengaluru and Hyderabad to build cutting-edge products in areas such as rider and driver growth, delivery, marketplace, customer service, digital payments, risk and compliance, safety, and finance technology.

 

These expansion plans are in line with its vision to make mobility and delivery more accessible, and to become the backbone of transportation in thousands of cities across the globe, it said in a statement.

 

Uber recently hired Jayaram Valliyur as senior director to lead its global finance technology team, spread across multiple geographies.

2:18 PM

Five staffers of Dutch Embassy injured in Beirut explosion, says Foreign Minister

Five staffers of the Dutch Embassy in Lebanon were injured in the dramatic explosion in the port of Beirut, Dutch Foreign Minister Stef Blok said.

 

The massive explosion that hit the Lebanese capital on Tuesday has resulted in at least 78 fatalities and over 4,000 injuries, causing damage to half of the city buildings, according to the governor. Lebanese Red Cross Secretary-General George Kettaneh said earlier in the day that the number of victims could reach 100.

 

According to Lebanese Prime Minister Hassan Diab, the blast was caused by improper storage of 2,750 tonnes of ammonium nitrate.

2:05 PM

Latest News LIVE: Indian cricket fraternity mourns deadly Beirut explosion

Indian skipper Virat Kohli and his teammates extended their thoughts and prayers to the people of Lebanon after a powerful explosion in the port of Beirut claimed 78 lives and injured more than 4,000 people.

 

"The death toll from the blast increased to 78, more than 4,000 were injured," Al Jazeera television channel reported citing the Lebanese Health Ministry. Taking to Twitter Kohli wrote, "Heartbreaking and shocking. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lebanon."

 

India's opening batsman Mayank Agarwal also expressed his condolences to the people affected by the explosion.

1:52 PM

The fervour that befits an occasion like this is here for all to see in spite of the coronavirus pandemic: PM Modi

1:51 PM

Lebanese PM appeals for help after Beirut blast

Prime Minister Hassan Diab, in a short televised speech, has appealed to all countries and friends of Lebanon to extend help to the small nation, saying: We are witnessing a real catastrophe.

 

He reiterated his pledge that those responsible for the massive explosion at Beirut's port will pay the price, without commenting on the cause.