With an aim to provide flight-like hospitality to passengers onboard, Indian Railways has implemented a pilot project where it would deploy air hostesses and flight stewards in India's supreme train, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/vande-bharat-expresss-delhi-varanasi-ac-chair-car-ticket-to-cost-rs-1850-executive-class-rs-3520-196698">Vande Bharat Express</a>.

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been given the responsibility to supervise the trail project. The service has already been started in Vande Bharat Express.

In a big step aimed at enhancing passengers' convenience, the IRCTC has brought 34 trained air hostesses and flight steward on Vande Bharat Express for the duration of six months for a trail service. If turned out to be successful, such a service is likely to be implemented in other trains as well.

Speaking to ANI, IRCTC spokesperson Siddhartha Singh said, "The IRCTC is working hard to provide supreme services to passengers".

Singh explained that usually, a licensee caterer pays Rs 8,000-10,000 per month to the person who serves food on board to passengers.&nbsp;

However, to provide the best service, the IRCTC is paying Rs 25,000 per month to these air hostesses and flight stewards for better services.

In February this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the train's maiden run from New Delhi to Varanasi.

The train is designed and developed by a Chennai-based Railways Production unit, Integral Coach Factory in just 18 months which also includes the in-house design and manufacture, computer modelling and working etc.

Adding up the green footprints, this fully 'Make in India' train has regenerative braking system in the coaches which can save up to 30 per cent of electrical energy.

With an aim to provide flight-like hospitality to passengers onboard, Indian Railways has implemented a pilot project where it would deploy air hostesses and flight stewards in India's supreme train, Vande Bharat Express.

With an aim to provide flight-like hospitality to passengers onboard, Indian Railways has implemented a pilot project where it would deploy air hostesses and flight stewards in India's supreme train, Vande Bharat Express. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has been given the responsibility to supervise the trail project. The service has already been started in Vande Bharat Express. In a big step aimed at enhancing passengers' convenience, the IRCTC has brought 34 trained air hostesses and flight steward on Vande Bharat Express for the duration of six months for a trail service. If turned out to be successful, such a service is likely to be implemented in other trains as well. Speaking to ANI, IRCTC spokesperson Siddhartha Singh said, "The IRCTC is working hard to provide supreme services to passengers". Singh explained that usually, a licensee caterer pays Rs 8,000-10,000 per month to the person who serves food on board to passengers. However, to provide the best service, the IRCTC is paying Rs 25,000 per month to these air hostesses and flight stewards for better services. In February this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had flagged off the train's maiden run from New Delhi to Varanasi. The train is designed and developed by a Chennai-based Railways Production unit, Integral Coach Factory in just 18 months which also includes the in-house design and manufacture, computer modelling and working etc. Adding up the green footprints, this fully 'Make in India' train has regenerative braking system in the coaches which can save up to 30 per cent of electrical energy.

Flight-like hospitality by air hostesses in Vande Bharat Express

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) railway station on Sunday after the Central railway made an announcement of trains cancelled and diverted due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Mumbai.

Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ward officer from L Ward distributed food packages and tea to the stranded passengers at the railway station.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-rainfall-intensity-to-continue-for-next-24-hours-says-imd-240659">rainfall intensity in Mumbai</a> is very likely to continue for the next 24 hours.

All schools and colleges will be closed in Mumbai on Monday.

''Due to the IMD warning for tomorrow, holiday declared for schools &amp; colleges in Mumbai &amp; MMR, Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts,'' CMO Maharashtra tweeted.

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Due to the IMD warning for tomorrow, holiday declared for schools &amp; colleges in Mumbai &amp; MMR, Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MumbaiRains?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MumbaiRains</a>
— CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) <a href="https://twitter.com/CMOMaharashtra/status/1158042278230994944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 4, 2019</a></blockquote>
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IMD has issued 'red alert' for Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Nasik, Pune, Satara and Kolhapur districts for August 4.

Watch:&nbsp;NDRF deployed in Mumbai as heavy downpour inundates low-lying areas

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/mumbai-ndrf-deployed-in-city-as-heavy-downpour-inundates-low-lying-areas-238795/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Heavy rainfall has caused water logging in several areas of Mumbai, including Sion, Nagpada, Nala Sopara, Santa Cruz, Andheri, and Chembur.

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) railway station on Sunday after the Central railway made an announcement of trains cancelled and diverted due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Mumbai.

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) railway station on Sunday after the Central railway made an announcement of trains cancelled and diverted due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Mumbai. Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Ward officer from L Ward distributed food packages and tea to the stranded passengers at the railway station. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that the rainfall intensity in Mumbai is very likely to continue for the next 24 hours. All schools and colleges will be closed in Mumbai on Monday. ''Due to the IMD warning for tomorrow, holiday declared for schools & colleges in Mumbai & MMR, Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts,'' CMO Maharashtra tweeted. Due to the IMD warning for tomorrow, holiday declared for schools & colleges in Mumbai & MMR, Palghar, Thane, Raigad districts.#MumbaiRainsLiveUpdates #MumbaiRains — CMO Maharashtra (@CMOMaharashtra) August 4, 2019 × IMD has issued 'red alert' for Palghar, Thane, Raigad, Nasik, Pune, Satara and Kolhapur districts for August 4. Watch: NDRF deployed in Mumbai as heavy downpour inundates low-lying areas Heavy rainfall has caused water logging in several areas of Mumbai, including Sion, Nagpada, Nala Sopara, Santa Cruz, Andheri, and Chembur.

Hundreds stranded at railway station after heavy rains in Mumbai

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/over-100-flights-cancelled-as-hong-kong-protesters-launch-city-wide-strike-240696">Over 100 flights cancelled as Hong Kong protesters launch city-wide strike</a>

More than 100 flights were cancelled in Hong Kong on Monday morning with airport authorities warning passengers of potential disruption, as pro-democracy protesters kick off a city-wide strike.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hate-has-no-place-in-our-country-trump-on-us-mass-shootings-that-killed-29-240694">Mental illness problem if you look at both cases: Trump on US shootings</a>

President Donald Trump said Sunday that "hate has no place" in the United States after two mass shootings left 29 dead and sparked accusations that his rhetoric was part of the problem.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/section-144-imposed-in-jk-internet-services-suspended-240701">Section 144 imposed in J&amp;K; internet services suspended</a>

Mobile internet services have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir(J&amp;K) and all educational institutes have been shut in Srinagar until further orders with the government imposing section 144 in the state.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-paso-shooting-suspect-charged-with-capital-murder-police-240716">El Paso shooting suspect charged with 'capital murder': Police</a>

The suspected shooter in the El Paso massacre that left 20 people dead has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, police said Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/hundreds-stranded-at-ltt-railway-station-as-heavy-rain-hits-normal-life-in-mumbai-240700">Hundreds stranded at LTT railway station after heavy rains in Mumbai</a>

Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) railway station on Sunday after the Central railway made an announcement of trains cancelled and diverted due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Mumbai.

Over 100 flights cancelled as Hong Kong protesters launch city-wide strike More than 100 flights were cancelled in Hong Kong on Monday morning with airport authorities warning passengers of potential disruption, as pro-democracy protesters kick off a city-wide strike.

Over 100 flights cancelled as Hong Kong protesters launch city-wide strike More than 100 flights were cancelled in Hong Kong on Monday morning with airport authorities warning passengers of potential disruption, as pro-democracy protesters kick off a city-wide strike. Mental illness problem if you look at both cases: Trump on US shootings President Donald Trump said Sunday that "hate has no place" in the United States after two mass shootings left 29 dead and sparked accusations that his rhetoric was part of the problem. Section 144 imposed in J&K; internet services suspended Mobile internet services have been suspended in Jammu and Kashmir(J&K) and all educational institutes have been shut in Srinagar until further orders with the government imposing section 144 in the state. El Paso shooting suspect charged with 'capital murder': Police The suspected shooter in the El Paso massacre that left 20 people dead has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, police said Sunday. Hundreds stranded at LTT railway station after heavy rains in Mumbai Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at the Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) railway station on Sunday after the Central railway made an announcement of trains cancelled and diverted due to heavy rainfall and waterlogging in Mumbai.

News brief: Big stories of the day

Asian shares slid to 6-1/2-month lows on Monday and the yuan plunged as a rapid escalation in the Sino-US trade war drove nervous investors to safe-havens such as the yen, bonds and gold.

US President Donald Trump abruptly decided on Thursday to slap 10% tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports, stunning markets and ending a month-long trade truce. China vowed on Friday to fight back.

In response, China's yuan weakened beyond the key 7-per-dollar threshold in a move that threatens to lead to massive capital outflows.

"We could see a more prolonged period of risk aversion," analysts at Singapore-based TD Securities wrote in a note.

"We think the latest development reiterates our view that trade will remain a lingering headwind for the economy and business investment in particular."

Asian shares sold off broadly with every single market posting steep losses.

Japan's Nikkei tumbled almost 2% to the lowest since early June, while Australian shares slipped about 1% to spend their fourth straight session in the red. South Korea's Kospi tumbled 1.2% to hit the lowest since December 2016.

That left MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 1.7% to 495.68, a level not seen since late January and marking the longest stretch of losses since October 2018.

In China, shares opened lower, with the blue-chip index skidding 1% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined 2.2%.

E-Mini futures for the S&amp;P500 fell 1% in Asian trading.

Oil prices were also pulled down again on demand worries.

The grim mood followed declines on Wall Street on Friday with MSCI's gauge of world stocks posting its largest weekly loss of the year.

The trade war between the world's two largest economies has already disrupted global supply chains and slowed economic growth.

The abrupt escalation capped a critical week for global markets after the US&nbsp;Federal Reserve delivered a widely anticipated interest rate cut and played down expectations of further easing.

However, investors were not buying Fed Chair Jerome Powell's claim that the 25-basis-point rate reduction was a mere "mid-cycle adjustment to policy".

Futures are now pricing in deeper cuts than before last week's Fed meeting. The terminal US rate is now seen at 1.22%, 93 basis points below the current effective rate.

TD is forecasting five more cuts from the Fed, amounting to 125 basis points of easing, over next year.

Expectations of further monetary policy easing sent the dollar skidding. It slipped to a seven-month trough of 105.78 against the Japanese yen while the dollar index against a basket of six major rivals inched lower to 97.91 after two straight days of losses.

The Australian dollar, a liquid proxy for emerging market assets, slipped to a fresh seven-month trough at $0.6748 after losing 1.6% last week.

The yen and the Swiss franc were boosted by safe-haven demand from the escalating trade tensions. Trump is also eyeing tariffs on the European Union but is yet to make any formal announcements.

The euro held firm after two days of gains against the dollar at $1.1119.

Sterling hovered near 2017 lows at $1.2159, pressured by concerns about Britain exiting the European Union without a deal in place. The pound has been whiplashed since late last month when Boris Johnson, a figurehead for the "leave" campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum, became the country's prime minister.

Safe-haven assets have been in vogue with yields on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes at 1.7890%, their lowest since Trump's election in November 2016, from 1.8550% on Friday.

German 10-year government bond yields on Friday dropped to an all-time low of -0.502% and the country's entire government bond yield curve turning negative for the first time ever.

Spot gold firmed to $1,451.61, within striking distance of a recent high of $1,452.60.

Oil extended losses with US crude off 26 cents at 55.40 and Brent down 35 cents at $61.54.

Asian shares slid to 6-1/2-month lows on Monday and the yuan plunged as a rapid escalation in the Sino-US trade war drove nervous investors to safe-havens such as the yen, bonds and gold.

Asian shares slid to 6-1/2-month lows on Monday and the yuan plunged as a rapid escalation in the Sino-US trade war drove nervous investors to safe-havens such as the yen, bonds and gold. US President Donald Trump abruptly decided on Thursday to slap 10% tariffs on $300 billion in Chinese imports, stunning markets and ending a month-long trade truce. China vowed on Friday to fight back. In response, China's yuan weakened beyond the key 7-per-dollar threshold in a move that threatens to lead to massive capital outflows. "We could see a more prolonged period of risk aversion," analysts at Singapore-based TD Securities wrote in a note. "We think the latest development reiterates our view that trade will remain a lingering headwind for the economy and business investment in particular." Asian shares sold off broadly with every single market posting steep losses. Japan's Nikkei tumbled almost 2% to the lowest since early June, while Australian shares slipped about 1% to spend their fourth straight session in the red. South Korea's Kospi tumbled 1.2% to hit the lowest since December 2016. That left MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan down 1.7% to 495.68, a level not seen since late January and marking the longest stretch of losses since October 2018. In China, shares opened lower, with the blue-chip index skidding 1% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng index declined 2.2%. E-Mini futures for the S&P500 fell 1% in Asian trading. Oil prices were also pulled down again on demand worries. The grim mood followed declines on Wall Street on Friday with MSCI's gauge of world stocks posting its largest weekly loss of the year. The trade war between the world's two largest economies has already disrupted global supply chains and slowed economic growth. The abrupt escalation capped a critical week for global markets after the US Federal Reserve delivered a widely anticipated interest rate cut and played down expectations of further easing. However, investors were not buying Fed Chair Jerome Powell's claim that the 25-basis-point rate reduction was a mere "mid-cycle adjustment to policy". Futures are now pricing in deeper cuts than before last week's Fed meeting. The terminal US rate is now seen at 1.22%, 93 basis points below the current effective rate. TD is forecasting five more cuts from the Fed, amounting to 125 basis points of easing, over next year. Expectations of further monetary policy easing sent the dollar skidding. It slipped to a seven-month trough of 105.78 against the Japanese yen while the dollar index against a basket of six major rivals inched lower to 97.91 after two straight days of losses. The Australian dollar, a liquid proxy for emerging market assets, slipped to a fresh seven-month trough at $0.6748 after losing 1.6% last week. The yen and the Swiss franc were boosted by safe-haven demand from the escalating trade tensions. Trump is also eyeing tariffs on the European Union but is yet to make any formal announcements. The euro held firm after two days of gains against the dollar at $1.1119. Sterling hovered near 2017 lows at $1.2159, pressured by concerns about Britain exiting the European Union without a deal in place. The pound has been whiplashed since late last month when Boris Johnson, a figurehead for the "leave" campaign in the 2016 Brexit referendum, became the country's prime minister. Safe-haven assets have been in vogue with yields on benchmark 10-year Treasury notes at 1.7890%, their lowest since Trump's election in November 2016, from 1.8550% on Friday. German 10-year government bond yields on Friday dropped to an all-time low of -0.502% and the country's entire government bond yield curve turning negative for the first time ever. Spot gold firmed to $1,451.61, within striking distance of a recent high of $1,452.60. Oil extended losses with US crude off 26 cents at 55.40 and Brent down 35 cents at $61.54.

Asian stocks skid to 6-1/2-month lows as US-China trade row shakes markets

The suspected shooter in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-paso-shooting-walmart-massacre-to-be-probed-as-domestic-terror-case-240685">El&nbsp;Paso&nbsp;massacre that left 20 people dead</a> has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, police said Sunday.

"The suspect has been charged for capital murder," police spokesman Sergeant Robert Gomez told a news conference.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Saturday's rampage appeared to be a hate crime, and police cited a manifesto they attributed to the suspect as evidence that the bloodshed was racially motivated.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/walmart-to-keep-selling-guns-despite-recent-shootings-at-its-stores-in-el-paso-240710">Also read:&nbsp;Walmart to keep selling guns despite recent shootings at its stores in El Paso</a>

On Twitter, US President Donald Trump branded the shooting "an act of cowardice," adding, "I know that I stand with everyone in this country to condemn today's hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people."

Police said the suspect Patrick Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas opened fire with a rifle on shoppers, many of them bargain-hunting for back-to-school supplies, then surrendered to officers who confronted him outside the store.

El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen said the suspect was cooperating with investigators.

Watch:&nbsp;United States bloody history of mass shootings

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-bloody-history-of-mass-shootings-240651/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"He basically didn't hold anything back," Allen said at Sunday's news conference but declined to elaborate.

The suspected shooter in the El Paso massacre that left 20 people dead has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, police said Sunday.

The suspected shooter in the El Paso massacre that left 20 people dead has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, police said Sunday. "The suspect has been charged for capital murder," police spokesman Sergeant Robert Gomez told a news conference. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said Saturday's rampage appeared to be a hate crime, and police cited a manifesto they attributed to the suspect as evidence that the bloodshed was racially motivated. Also read: Walmart to keep selling guns despite recent shootings at its stores in El Paso On Twitter, US President Donald Trump branded the shooting "an act of cowardice," adding, "I know that I stand with everyone in this country to condemn today's hateful act. There are no reasons or excuses that will ever justify killing innocent people." Police said the suspect Patrick Crusius, 21, of Allen, Texas opened fire with a rifle on shoppers, many of them bargain-hunting for back-to-school supplies, then surrendered to officers who confronted him outside the store. El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen said the suspect was cooperating with investigators. Watch: United States bloody history of mass shootings "He basically didn't hold anything back," Allen said at Sunday's news conference but declined to elaborate.

El Paso shooting suspect charged with 'capital murder': Police

Despite two deadly shootings at its stores in less than a week, American retail giant Walmart has no plans to stop selling guns and ammunition, a spokesman said Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-paso-shooting-walmart-massacre-to-be-probed-as-domestic-terror-case-240685">A man opened fire with an assault rifle</a> at a Walmart in Texas on Saturday, killing 20 people, just four days after a disgruntled employee shot dead two coworkers and wounded a responding police officer at one of the massive chain's stores in Mississippi.

"We are focused on supporting our associates, our customers and the entire El Paso community," spokesman Randy Hargrove said.

Following the El Paso shooting, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon posted a note on Instagram saying he "can't believe" it was the second such in a week.

"My heart aches for the community in El Paso, especially the associates and customers at store 2201 and the families of the victims," he wrote.

"I'm praying for them and I hope you will join me."

Walmart founder Sam Walton loved guns -- so much so that the American gun manufacturer Remington named a hunting rifle model after him. But the retail giant maintains that its target audience is sport shooters and hunters.

Walmart has made gun policy changes over the years, such as in 1993, when it stopped selling handguns.

The company stopped selling semi-automatic rifles in 2015, and after the Parkland, Florida shooting in February 2018 -- which saw 17 people killed at a high school -- Walmart raised the minimum age to buy guns and ammunition in its stores to 21.

Watch:&nbsp;Gunman kills 20 at Texas Walmart store

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-shooting-gunman-kills-20-at-texas-walmart-store-240658/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Additionally, "Walmart goes beyond federal law requiring all customers to pass a background check before purchasing any firearm," said Hargrove.

He also noted that all new Walmart employees are required to complete an active shooter training program, which they then must pass on a computer four times a year.

But since it is the largest retail chain in the United States, Walmart continues to attract criticism for its enduring stock of firearms.

When the company tweeted it was "in shock" after the tragedy in El Paso, many Twitter users replied: "Stop selling guns."

Despite two deadly shootings at its stores in less than a week, American retail giant Walmart has no plans to stop selling guns and ammunition, a spokesman said Sunday.

Despite two deadly shootings at its stores in less than a week, American retail giant Walmart has no plans to stop selling guns and ammunition, a spokesman said Sunday. A man opened fire with an assault rifle at a Walmart in Texas on Saturday, killing 20 people, just four days after a disgruntled employee shot dead two coworkers and wounded a responding police officer at one of the massive chain's stores in Mississippi. "We are focused on supporting our associates, our customers and the entire El Paso community," spokesman Randy Hargrove said. Following the El Paso shooting, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon posted a note on Instagram saying he "can't believe" it was the second such in a week. "My heart aches for the community in El Paso, especially the associates and customers at store 2201 and the families of the victims," he wrote. "I'm praying for them and I hope you will join me." Walmart founder Sam Walton loved guns -- so much so that the American gun manufacturer Remington named a hunting rifle model after him. But the retail giant maintains that its target audience is sport shooters and hunters. Walmart has made gun policy changes over the years, such as in 1993, when it stopped selling handguns. The company stopped selling semi-automatic rifles in 2015, and after the Parkland, Florida shooting in February 2018 -- which saw 17 people killed at a high school -- Walmart raised the minimum age to buy guns and ammunition in its stores to 21. Watch: Gunman kills 20 at Texas Walmart store Additionally, "Walmart goes beyond federal law requiring all customers to pass a background check before purchasing any firearm," said Hargrove. He also noted that all new Walmart employees are required to complete an active shooter training program, which they then must pass on a computer four times a year. But since it is the largest retail chain in the United States, Walmart continues to attract criticism for its enduring stock of firearms. When the company tweeted it was "in shock" after the tragedy in El Paso, many Twitter users replied: "Stop selling guns."

Walmart to keep selling guns despite recent shootings at its stores in El Paso

HSBC on Monday announced its Group Chief Executive John Flint had stepped down after less than two years on the job, as the banking giant revealed decent first-half profits but warned it faced "challenging" geopolitics.

The surprise announcement came shortly before an earlier than expected results release in which the London-headquartered behemoth reported pre-tax profit was up 15.8 per cent at $12.4 billion for the first half of the year.

Flint, who has spent three decades at HSBC, was keen to lower costs with the Asia-focused bank facing the double uncertainties caused by both the US-China trade war and Britain's impending departure from the European Union.

HSBC gave no specific reason for Flint's sudden departure, but said it needed a change at the top as it warned investors of difficult times ahead.&nbsp;

"In the increasingly complex and challenging global environment in which the bank operates, the board believes a change is needed to meet the challenges that we face and to capture the very significant opportunities before us," Group Chairman Mark Tucker said.

Flint, 51, said: "I have agreed with the board that today's good interim results indicate that this is the right time for change, both for me and the bank."

HSBC said it would look both internally and externally for a new leader and that Noel Quinn, head of the commercial banking division, will be interim CEO in the meantime.

"Although not carrying out his day-to-day duties after today, he (Flint) remains available to assist HSBC with the transition," the bank said in a statement.&nbsp;

The move comes just weeks after its US chief Patrick Burke retired following a reorganisation of its North American business.

Flint's departure came despite the good results announced on Tuesday with pre-tax profit of $6.2 billion for the second quarter.&nbsp;

The bank also said it would soon begin a buyback of up to $1 billion, according to a statement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

But there are headwinds on the horizon.&nbsp;

In Asia -- which is acutely vulnerable to the ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing -- the bank said the outlook "is less certain". 
Brexit was also weighing on the bank's future.&nbsp;

"The outlook has changed. Interest rates in the US dollar bloc are now expected to fall rather than rise, and geopolitical issues could impact a significant number of our major markets," the bank said.&nbsp;

"In the near term, the nature and impact of the UK's departure from the European Union remain highly uncertain," it added.

"We are managing operating expenses and investment spending in line with the increased risks to revenue," the Asia-focused firm said.

HSBC on Monday announced its Group Chief Executive John Flint had stepped down after less than two years on the job, as the banking giant revealed decent first-half profits but warned it faced "challenging" geopolitics.

HSBC on Monday announced its Group Chief Executive John Flint had stepped down after less than two years on the job, as the banking giant revealed decent first-half profits but warned it faced "challenging" geopolitics. The surprise announcement came shortly before an earlier than expected results release in which the London-headquartered behemoth reported pre-tax profit was up 15.8 per cent at $12.4 billion for the first half of the year. Flint, who has spent three decades at HSBC, was keen to lower costs with the Asia-focused bank facing the double uncertainties caused by both the US-China trade war and Britain's impending departure from the European Union. HSBC gave no specific reason for Flint's sudden departure, but said it needed a change at the top as it warned investors of difficult times ahead. "In the increasingly complex and challenging global environment in which the bank operates, the board believes a change is needed to meet the challenges that we face and to capture the very significant opportunities before us," Group Chairman Mark Tucker said. Flint, 51, said: "I have agreed with the board that today's good interim results indicate that this is the right time for change, both for me and the bank." HSBC said it would look both internally and externally for a new leader and that Noel Quinn, head of the commercial banking division, will be interim CEO in the meantime. "Although not carrying out his day-to-day duties after today, he (Flint) remains available to assist HSBC with the transition," the bank said in a statement. The move comes just weeks after its US chief Patrick Burke retired following a reorganisation of its North American business. Flint's departure came despite the good results announced on Tuesday with pre-tax profit of $6.2 billion for the second quarter. The bank also said it would soon begin a buyback of up to $1 billion, according to a statement on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. But there are headwinds on the horizon. In Asia -- which is acutely vulnerable to the ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing -- the bank said the outlook "is less certain". Brexit was also weighing on the bank's future. "The outlook has changed. Interest rates in the US dollar bloc are now expected to fall rather than rise, and geopolitical issues could impact a significant number of our major markets," the bank said. "In the near term, the nature and impact of the UK's departure from the European Union remain highly uncertain," it added. "We are managing operating expenses and investment spending in line with the increased risks to revenue," the Asia-focused firm said.

HSBC CEO John Flint resigns as bank faces 'challenging' geopolitics

Power was mostly restored in Jakarta and&nbsp;Indonesia's heavily populated Java island after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tens-of-millions-hit-by-indonesia-power-blackout-240594">widespread electricity outage</a> on Sunday that the state utility PLN blamed on disruptions at several power plants.

Tens of millions of people were affected by the blackout which plunged buildings in the sprawling capital -- home to about 30 million people -- into darkness and forced the temporary closure of its new mass rapid transit system.

Passengers were safely evacuated from several MRT carriages when the power went out, according to the system's operator, while commuter trains were also affected.

Electricity was restored by around 11:00 pm local time in most parts of the capital, nearly 12 hours after disruptions started. While the megacity has been hit by blackouts before, Sunday's shutdown was unusually long.&nbsp;

PLN said the massive outage happened when a gas turbine at a major power plant went down and by disruption at another facility. Both are on the western end of Java, the Southeast Asian archipelago's most populous island.

Jakarta's hospitals and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport were not affected because they have backup power generators, officials said.

The blackout caused sporadic disruptions in mobile phone services and cash machines, while some apartment buildings were left in the dark.

Outages also turned off some traffic lights, aggravating the capital's notorious congestion.

Power was mostly restored in Jakarta and Indonesia's heavily populated Java island after a widespread electricity outage on Sunday that the state utility PLN blamed on disruptions at several power plants.

Power was mostly restored in Jakarta and Indonesia's heavily populated Java island after a widespread electricity outage on Sunday that the state utility PLN blamed on disruptions at several power plants. Tens of millions of people were affected by the blackout which plunged buildings in the sprawling capital -- home to about 30 million people -- into darkness and forced the temporary closure of its new mass rapid transit system. Passengers were safely evacuated from several MRT carriages when the power went out, according to the system's operator, while commuter trains were also affected. Electricity was restored by around 11:00 pm local time in most parts of the capital, nearly 12 hours after disruptions started. While the megacity has been hit by blackouts before, Sunday's shutdown was unusually long. PLN said the massive outage happened when a gas turbine at a major power plant went down and by disruption at another facility. Both are on the western end of Java, the Southeast Asian archipelago's most populous island. Jakarta's hospitals and Soekarno-Hatta International Airport were not affected because they have backup power generators, officials said. The blackout caused sporadic disruptions in mobile phone services and cash machines, while some apartment buildings were left in the dark. Outages also turned off some traffic lights, aggravating the capital's notorious congestion.

Power restored in Indonesia after tens of millions hit by electricity outage

President Donald&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said Sunday that "hate has no place" in the United States after two mass shootings left 29 dead and sparked accusations that his rhetoric was part of the problem.

The rampages turned innocent snippets of everyday life into nightmares of bloodshed: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/el-paso-shooting-walmart-massacre-to-be-probed-as-domestic-terror-case-240685">20 people were shot dead</a> while shopping at a crowded Walmart in El Paso, Texas on Saturday morning, and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ohio-mass-shooting-gunman-killed-within-30-seconds-after-firing-started-say-police-240693">nine more outside a bar</a> in a popular nightlife district in Dayton, Ohio just 13 hours later.

"Hate has no place in our country,"&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;said, but he also blamed mental illness for the violence.

"This is also a mental illness problem if you look at both of those cases," added the US president, who is under increased pressure over mass shootings.&nbsp;

"These are really people that are very, very seriously mentally ill," he said, despite the fact that police have not confirmed this to be the case.

"We have to get it stopped. This has been going on for years... and years in our country," the president said.

In Texas, 26 people were wounded, and 27 in Ohio, where the shooter was killed in roughly 30 seconds by police who were patrolling nearby and prevented a casualty toll that could have been many times greater.

100-round drum magazine

Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl told a news conference that the quick police response was "crucial," preventing the shooter from entering a bar where "there would have been... catastrophic injury and loss of life." 
But the shooter still managed to mow down dozens of people.

Biehl said the gunman wore a mask and a bullet-proof vest and was armed with an assault rifle fitted with a 100-round drum magazine.&nbsp;

"You could see the bodies actually start to fall and we knew it was bigger than just even a shoot-out," Anthony Reynolds, who was outside the Dayton bar when the shooting started, told NBC News.&nbsp;

Police named the gunman as a 24-year-old white man called Connor Betts and said that his sister was among those killed. She had gone with him to the scene of the massacre.

Six of the nine people shot dead were black, but Biehl said the gunman's motive was still unclear.

In Texas, police said the suspect surrendered standing on a sidewalk near the scene of the massacre. He was described in media reports as a 21-year-old white man named Patrick Crusius.

He was believed to have posted online a manifesto denouncing a "Hispanic invasion" of Texas. El Paso, on the border with Mexico, is majority Latino.

'Amplifying and condoning' hate

Six of the 20 people killed in the El Paso shooting were Mexican, the country's president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said Sunday.

The manifesto posted shortly before the shooting also praises the killing of 51 Muslims at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in&nbsp; 
March.

Police said the suspected shooter has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, and a federal official said investigators are treating the El Paso shooting as a case of domestic terrorism.

While the country stood aghast over its latest spasm of gun violence,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;ordered flags to be flown at half-mast for five days.

At the Walmart in El Paso, terrified shoppers cowered in aisles or ran out of the store as gunfire echoed.

Most of the victims were inside the store but some were also in the parking lot outside, police said.

"Shooting kids and women and men, to him it mostly mattered that they were Hispanic," said Manuel Sanchez, a resident of the city.

These were the 250th and 251st mass shootings this year in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive, an NGO that defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people are wounded or killed.

The latest two shootings ended a particularly tragic week for gun violence in America: three people died in a shooting at a food festival last Sunday in California, and two more Tuesday in a shooting in a Walmart in Mississippi.

On Twitter,&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;described the El Paso attack as "an act of cowardice." 
But critics said&nbsp;Trump's custom of speaking in derogatory terms about immigrants is pushing hatred of foreigners into the political mainstream and encouraging white supremacist thinking that can lead to violence.

"To pretend that his administration and the hateful rhetoric it spreads doesn't play a role in the kind of violence that we saw yesterday in El Paso is ignorant at best and irresponsible at worst," said the Southern Poverty Law Center, a major civil rights group.

It cited&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;actions like calling Mexican migrants rapists and drug dealers and doing nothing when a crowd at a&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;rally chanted "send her back" in reference to a Somali-born congresswoman.

The Republican mayor of El Paso, Dee Margo, seemed to discount any race element to the Texas shooting, telling Fox News the gunman was "deranged."

But several Democratic presidential hopefuls said&nbsp;Trump&nbsp;bears some of the blame for such violence.

Watch:&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />Gunman kills 20 at Texas Walmart store

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/texas-shooting-gunman-kills-20-at-texas-walmart-store-240658/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Our president isn't just failing to confront and disarm these domestic terrorists, he is amplifying and condoning their hate," Mayor Pete Buttigieg tweeted.

"Mr President: stop your racist, hateful and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Your language creates a climate which emboldens violent extremists," Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that "hate has no place" in the United States after two mass shootings left 29 dead and sparked accusations that his rhetoric was part of the problem.

President Donald Trump said Sunday that "hate has no place" in the United States after two mass shootings left 29 dead and sparked accusations that his rhetoric was part of the problem. The rampages turned innocent snippets of everyday life into nightmares of bloodshed: 20 people were shot dead while shopping at a crowded Walmart in El Paso, Texas on Saturday morning, and nine more outside a bar in a popular nightlife district in Dayton, Ohio just 13 hours later. "Hate has no place in our country," Trump said, but he also blamed mental illness for the violence. "This is also a mental illness problem if you look at both of those cases," added the US president, who is under increased pressure over mass shootings. "These are really people that are very, very seriously mentally ill," he said, despite the fact that police have not confirmed this to be the case. "We have to get it stopped. This has been going on for years... and years in our country," the president said. In Texas, 26 people were wounded, and 27 in Ohio, where the shooter was killed in roughly 30 seconds by police who were patrolling nearby and prevented a casualty toll that could have been many times greater. 100-round drum magazine Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl told a news conference that the quick police response was "crucial," preventing the shooter from entering a bar where "there would have been... catastrophic injury and loss of life." But the shooter still managed to mow down dozens of people. Biehl said the gunman wore a mask and a bullet-proof vest and was armed with an assault rifle fitted with a 100-round drum magazine. "You could see the bodies actually start to fall and we knew it was bigger than just even a shoot-out," Anthony Reynolds, who was outside the Dayton bar when the shooting started, told NBC News. Police named the gunman as a 24-year-old white man called Connor Betts and said that his sister was among those killed. She had gone with him to the scene of the massacre. Six of the nine people shot dead were black, but Biehl said the gunman's motive was still unclear. In Texas, police said the suspect surrendered standing on a sidewalk near the scene of the massacre. He was described in media reports as a 21-year-old white man named Patrick Crusius. He was believed to have posted online a manifesto denouncing a "Hispanic invasion" of Texas. El Paso, on the border with Mexico, is majority Latino. 'Amplifying and condoning' hate Six of the 20 people killed in the El Paso shooting were Mexican, the country's president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, said Sunday. The manifesto posted shortly before the shooting also praises the killing of 51 Muslims at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand in March. Police said the suspected shooter has been charged with murder offences that can carry the death penalty, and a federal official said investigators are treating the El Paso shooting as a case of domestic terrorism. While the country stood aghast over its latest spasm of gun violence, Trump ordered flags to be flown at half-mast for five days. At the Walmart in El Paso, terrified shoppers cowered in aisles or ran out of the store as gunfire echoed. Most of the victims were inside the store but some were also in the parking lot outside, police said. "Shooting kids and women and men, to him it mostly mattered that they were Hispanic," said Manuel Sanchez, a resident of the city. These were the 250th and 251st mass shootings this year in the US, according to the Gun Violence Archive, an NGO that defines a mass shooting as an incident in which at least four people are wounded or killed. The latest two shootings ended a particularly tragic week for gun violence in America: three people died in a shooting at a food festival last Sunday in California, and two more Tuesday in a shooting in a Walmart in Mississippi. On Twitter, Trump described the El Paso attack as "an act of cowardice." But critics said Trump's custom of speaking in derogatory terms about immigrants is pushing hatred of foreigners into the political mainstream and encouraging white supremacist thinking that can lead to violence. "To pretend that his administration and the hateful rhetoric it spreads doesn't play a role in the kind of violence that we saw yesterday in El Paso is ignorant at best and irresponsible at worst," said the Southern Poverty Law Center, a major civil rights group. It cited Trump actions like calling Mexican migrants rapists and drug dealers and doing nothing when a crowd at a Trump rally chanted "send her back" in reference to a Somali-born congresswoman. The Republican mayor of El Paso, Dee Margo, seemed to discount any race element to the Texas shooting, telling Fox News the gunman was "deranged." But several Democratic presidential hopefuls said Trump bears some of the blame for such violence. Watch: Gunman kills 20 at Texas Walmart store "Our president isn't just failing to confront and disarm these domestic terrorists, he is amplifying and condoning their hate," Mayor Pete Buttigieg tweeted. "Mr President: stop your racist, hateful and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Your language creates a climate which emboldens violent extremists," Senator Bernie Sanders wrote on Twitter.

Mental illness problem if you look at both cases: Trump on US shootings

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit India in October this year during which she will discuss bilateral issues including water sharing in common rivers, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said here on Sunday.

It will be Hasina's first visit to India after assuming office for the third consecutive term.

The dates will be finalised during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's two-day visit to Dhaka on August 20-21, Dhaka Tribune has reported.

The agenda of Hasina's visit will include discussion on all bilateral, regional and international issues, with a greater focus on the issue of sharing water from 54 trans-boundary rivers between the neighbours.

Previously, the Teesta water agreement was slated to be inked between the two countries on September 6, 2011, during the visit of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka. But the proposed deal was called off after repeated objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The water-sharing issue was once again discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June 2015. Prime Minister Modi had assured Shiekh Hasina that the waters of the river would be shared while looking forward to achieving a quick resolution to the issue.

India and Bangladesh share 54 common streams with the Teesta being a major one and the water sharing dispute between the two neighbours is not something new.

The Teesta River is a 309 km long river flowing through Sikkim.

It carves a way for itself through the verdant Himalayas in temperate and tropical river valleys and forms the border between Sikkim and West Bengal.

The flow of the river is crucial for Bangladesh from December to March for that they require 50 per cent of the river's water supply, while India claims a share of 55 per cent.

However, Momen denied media reports that India has sought land from Bangladesh to expand the Agartala airport in Tripura.

"I did not get any letter in this regard... I have no knowledge about it," he was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit India in October this year during which she will discuss bilateral issues including water sharing in common rivers, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said here on Sunday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to visit India in October this year during which she will discuss bilateral issues including water sharing in common rivers, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said here on Sunday. It will be Hasina's first visit to India after assuming office for the third consecutive term. The dates will be finalised during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's two-day visit to Dhaka on August 20-21, Dhaka Tribune has reported. The agenda of Hasina's visit will include discussion on all bilateral, regional and international issues, with a greater focus on the issue of sharing water from 54 trans-boundary rivers between the neighbours. Previously, the Teesta water agreement was slated to be inked between the two countries on September 6, 2011, during the visit of former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Dhaka. But the proposed deal was called off after repeated objections by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. The water-sharing issue was once again discussed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Dhaka in June 2015. Prime Minister Modi had assured Shiekh Hasina that the waters of the river would be shared while looking forward to achieving a quick resolution to the issue. India and Bangladesh share 54 common streams with the Teesta being a major one and the water sharing dispute between the two neighbours is not something new. The Teesta River is a 309 km long river flowing through Sikkim. It carves a way for itself through the verdant Himalayas in temperate and tropical river valleys and forms the border between Sikkim and West Bengal. The flow of the river is crucial for Bangladesh from December to March for that they require 50 per cent of the river's water supply, while India claims a share of 55 per cent. However, Momen denied media reports that India has sought land from Bangladesh to expand the Agartala airport in Tripura. "I did not get any letter in this regard... I have no knowledge about it," he was quoted as saying.

Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina to visit India in October to discuss bilateral issues

A gunman dressed in body armour <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-less-than-a-minute-gunman-kills-9-people-in-ohio-mass-shooting-240677">opened fire in downtown Dayton</a>, Ohio, early on Sunday, killing nine people including his&nbsp;sister&nbsp;and wounding 27 others, authorities said, in the second deadly US mass shooting in less than a day.

Police officers who were on routine patrol nearby arrived on the scene in less than a minute and shot the attacker dead, likely preventing a much higher casualty toll, police and the city's mayor said.

"In less than one minute, Dayton first responders neutralized the shooter," Mayor Nan Whaley said at a news conference. "I'm just still completely amazed at the heroic nature of our police department."

Assistant Police Chief Matt Carper named the gunman as Connor Betts, a 24-year-old white male from Bellbrook, Ohio, and said his&nbsp;sister&nbsp;Megan Betts, 22, was among those killed.

Carper told reporters the shooting began at 1 a.m. local time in Dayton's Oregon District, a historic neighbourhood popular for its nightclubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops.

The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear, and investigators believe the individual had acted alone, Carper said.

The victims were four women and five men and ranged in age from 22 to 57, authorities said, adding that the youngest was the gunman's&nbsp;sister. Six of the nine people killed were African-American.

Watch:&nbsp;<meta charset="utf-8" />United States bloody history of mass shootings

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-states-bloody-history-of-mass-shootings-240651/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"There isn't much discrimination in the shooting," Carper told reporters. "It happened in a very short period of time."

Of the 27 people injured, four remained in serious condition and one person in critical, medical authorities said.

Whaley said the suspect wore body armour and fired a rifle with .223-caliber rounds from high-capacity ammunition magazines.

Had police officers not confronted the suspect as quickly as they did, "hundreds of people in the Oregon District could be dead today," the mayor said.

FBI agents were assisting in the investigation.

The shooting in Dayton, a riverfront city of about 140,000 people in southwestern Ohio, came just 13 hours after a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, where 20 people were killed and 26 others wounded. The 21-year-old suspect in that shooting was arrested.

The Ohio shooting was the third major outbreak of US gun violence, coming seven days after a teenager killed three people with an assault rifle at a food festival in Northern California before taking his own life.

The latest shooting occurred outside a Dayton tavern called Ned Peppers Bar.

The Dayton Daily News cited a Facebook post from James Wilson, who said he was a customer sitting on a patio just outside the bar when the&nbsp; 
shooting occurred in front of the establishment.

"He (a gunman) tried to get into the bar but did not make it through the door," Wilson wrote. "Someone took the gun from him and he got shot and is dead."

One witness, Anthony Reynolds, said he heard gunfire that sounded like it was coming from a high-powered weapon.

"Just boom boom boom boom boom boom rapid," he said. "You could tell there's a big gun. You're not going to get those from no handgun. You're not."

Deb Decker, a spokeswoman for emergency services in Montgomery County, Ohio, told CNN the assailant had been making his way to Ned Peppers from another bar when someone grabbed the barrel of his rifle, and he drew a handgun, but was then shot as police arrived.

The mayor said the carnage in Dayton marked the 250th mass shooting in the United States so far this year, a figure that could not immediately be verified.

A gunman dressed in body armour opened fire in downtown Dayton, Ohio, early on Sunday, killing nine people including his sister and wounding 27 others, authorities said, in the second deadly US mass shooting in less than a day.

A gunman dressed in body armour opened fire in downtown Dayton, Ohio, early on Sunday, killing nine people including his sister and wounding 27 others, authorities said, in the second deadly US mass shooting in less than a day. Police officers who were on routine patrol nearby arrived on the scene in less than a minute and shot the attacker dead, likely preventing a much higher casualty toll, police and the city's mayor said. "In less than one minute, Dayton first responders neutralized the shooter," Mayor Nan Whaley said at a news conference. "I'm just still completely amazed at the heroic nature of our police department." Assistant Police Chief Matt Carper named the gunman as Connor Betts, a 24-year-old white male from Bellbrook, Ohio, and said his sister Megan Betts, 22, was among those killed. Carper told reporters the shooting began at 1 a.m. local time in Dayton's Oregon District, a historic neighbourhood popular for its nightclubs, restaurants, art galleries and shops. The motive behind the shooting was not immediately clear, and investigators believe the individual had acted alone, Carper said. The victims were four women and five men and ranged in age from 22 to 57, authorities said, adding that the youngest was the gunman's sister. Six of the nine people killed were African-American. Watch: United States bloody history of mass shootings "There isn't much discrimination in the shooting," Carper told reporters. "It happened in a very short period of time." Of the 27 people injured, four remained in serious condition and one person in critical, medical authorities said. Whaley said the suspect wore body armour and fired a rifle with .223-caliber rounds from high-capacity ammunition magazines. Had police officers not confronted the suspect as quickly as they did, "hundreds of people in the Oregon District could be dead today," the mayor said. FBI agents were assisting in the investigation. The shooting in Dayton, a riverfront city of about 140,000 people in southwestern Ohio, came just 13 hours after a mass shooting at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas, where 20 people were killed and 26 others wounded. The 21-year-old suspect in that shooting was arrested. The Ohio shooting was the third major outbreak of US gun violence, coming seven days after a teenager killed three people with an assault rifle at a food festival in Northern California before taking his own life. The latest shooting occurred outside a Dayton tavern called Ned Peppers Bar. The Dayton Daily News cited a Facebook post from James Wilson, who said he was a customer sitting on a patio just outside the bar when the shooting occurred in front of the establishment. "He (a gunman) tried to get into the bar but did not make it through the door," Wilson wrote. "Someone took the gun from him and he got shot and is dead." One witness, Anthony Reynolds, said he heard gunfire that sounded like it was coming from a high-powered weapon. "Just boom boom boom boom boom boom rapid," he said. "You could tell there's a big gun. You're not going to get those from no handgun. You're not." Deb Decker, a spokeswoman for emergency services in Montgomery County, Ohio, told CNN the assailant had been making his way to Ned Peppers from another bar when someone grabbed the barrel of his rifle, and he drew a handgun, but was then shot as police arrived. The mayor said the carnage in Dayton marked the 250th mass shooting in the United States so far this year, a figure that could not immediately be verified.

Sister of gunman among nine dead in Ohio mass shooting

By Akash Rai

French mountaineer Bryan Mestre recently discovered the alarming site of&nbsp;melting of glaciers at the height of 11,100 ft on the Mont Blanc mountain range, the highest mountain in the Alps.

Mestre was shocked to discover the lake&nbsp;at such a high altitude&nbsp;measuring around 100 feet-wide,&nbsp;in a place where temperatures are normally too cold to support liquid water.&nbsp;

It is to believe that a direct impact of the recent heatwave in Europe resulting in&nbsp;such a large meltdown of the glacious above, forming this lake.&nbsp;

Speaking exclusively to WION, Bryam shared his experience and raised some serious concern regarding climate change.

Here are the excerpts from his conversation with WION.

WION:&nbsp;Tell us what did you saw when you reached the height of 11,000 ft on Mont Blanc mountain range?

Bryan Mestre:&nbsp;I was going past Col de Rochefort, at the foot Dent du Géant, a deep blue lake, made from the melting of the glacier and the intense heat that struck the continent at the end of June 2019.

WION: Was&nbsp;this your first experience to capture such a huge lake at the height of 11,000 ft?

Bryan Mestre:&nbsp;Yes it was, I have been to this very place six times before.

WION:&nbsp;How&nbsp;worrying sign it is?

Bryan Mestre:&nbsp;It very worrying, it shouldn't be happening not at this altitude. I know that for some people, 3400 metres is low, in the Himalayas there are towns and plantations at this altitude, but every massif is different and has it's own climate and ecosystem, usually, the freezing altitude in the Alps in summer is around 2900-3000 metres.

WION:&nbsp;As a mountaineer what impact have you noticed in the mountain range due to climate change/global warming?

Bryan Mestre:&nbsp;Massive changes, all the routes have changed, some have disappeared, crumbling down in massive rockfalls, or just have ice. An article came out recently, about Rébuffat's (famous French alpinist) the Alps 100's finest climbs, today, less than 10 of the 100 are still doable.

WION:&nbsp;We are noticing glaciers all over the world are melting at an exponential speed, what is your stand on this, and how we can overcome this?

Bryan Mestre:&nbsp;I am afraid, we as single individuals cannot do much, unless we drastically change our habits like stopping our fuel consumption, stop consuming too much electricity and water. States can do a lot more, like stop coal power plants, develop hydrogen, nuclear and green energy, ban tourism cruise ship (a dozen of these ships burn more fuel than all of the world's cars in a year).

WION:&nbsp;Do you believe that people are not realising their responsibility towards the climate and environment?

Bryan Mestre:&nbsp;I believe that slowly people are realizing it, but there isn't much they can do, and since governments are not helping at all, the little they do is shadowed and becomes insignificant.

WION: Do you think the time has come to&nbsp;sound an alarm about global warming?

Brayan Mestre:&nbsp;I think the alarm has been raised long ago, AlGore, Dicaprio, the United Nations, everybody keeps talking about it, people in the mountains, forests, and coasts that are directly affected keep trying to manage something, but governing powers just don't care. It doesn't generate enough profit for them to step in. They don't care what they will leave behind when they will be gone.

By Akash Rai French mountaineer Bryan Mestre recently discovered the alarming site of melting of glaciers at the height of 11,100 ft on the Mont Blanc mountain range, the highest mountain in the Alps.

By Akash Rai French mountaineer Bryan Mestre recently discovered the alarming site of melting of glaciers at the height of 11,100 ft on the Mont Blanc mountain range, the highest mountain in the Alps. Mestre was shocked to discover the lake at such a high altitude measuring around 100 feet-wide, in a place where temperatures are normally too cold to support liquid water. It is to believe that a direct impact of the recent heatwave in Europe resulting in such a large meltdown of the glacious above, forming this lake. Speaking exclusively to WION, Bryam shared his experience and raised some serious concern regarding climate change. Here are the excerpts from his conversation with WION. WION: Tell us what did you saw when you reached the height of 11,000 ft on Mont Blanc mountain range? Bryan Mestre: I was going past Col de Rochefort, at the foot Dent du Géant, a deep blue lake, made from the melting of the glacier and the intense heat that struck the continent at the end of June 2019. WION: Was this your first experience to capture such a huge lake at the height of 11,000 ft? Bryan Mestre: Yes it was, I have been to this very place six times before. WION: How worrying sign it is? Bryan Mestre: It very worrying, it shouldn't be happening not at this altitude. I know that for some people, 3400 metres is low, in the Himalayas there are towns and plantations at this altitude, but every massif is different and has it's own climate and ecosystem, usually, the freezing altitude in the Alps in summer is around 2900-3000 metres. WION: As a mountaineer what impact have you noticed in the mountain range due to climate change/global warming? Bryan Mestre: Massive changes, all the routes have changed, some have disappeared, crumbling down in massive rockfalls, or just have ice. An article came out recently, about Rébuffat's (famous French alpinist) the Alps 100's finest climbs, today, less than 10 of the 100 are still doable. WION: We are noticing glaciers all over the world are melting at an exponential speed, what is your stand on this, and how we can overcome this? Bryan Mestre: I am afraid, we as single individuals cannot do much, unless we drastically change our habits like stopping our fuel consumption, stop consuming too much electricity and water. States can do a lot more, like stop coal power plants, develop hydrogen, nuclear and green energy, ban tourism cruise ship (a dozen of these ships burn more fuel than all of the world's cars in a year). WION: Do you believe that people are not realising their responsibility towards the climate and environment? Bryan Mestre: I believe that slowly people are realizing it, but there isn't much they can do, and since governments are not helping at all, the little they do is shadowed and becomes insignificant. WION: Do you think the time has come to sound an alarm about global warming? Brayan Mestre: I think the alarm has been raised long ago, AlGore, Dicaprio, the United Nations, everybody keeps talking about it, people in the mountains, forests, and coasts that are directly affected keep trying to manage something, but governing powers just don't care. It doesn't generate enough profit for them to step in. They don't care what they will leave behind when they will be gone.

Glaciers melting at height of 11,000 ft on Mont Blanc mountain range: French mountaineer Bryan Mestre to WION

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Zee News Rajasthan

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