After a two-year break, a botanical garden in the Colombian capital has reopened one of it's iconic orchid exhibition. The exhibition will show more than 1,500 specimens of the plant.

Colombia reopens orchid exhibition after pandemic break

A relatively docile animal, with sparse history of violent behaviour, has caused trauma for a British man who claimed that he was attacked by a “swarm of” otters when he was out for a morning walk in a botanical garden in Singapore.

Graham George Spencer, a British citizen living in Singapore, told The Straits Times newspaper that he was chased, pinned down and bitten “26 times in 10 seconds” by a family of 20 otters.

“I actually thought I was going to die,” said Spencer, who lives in Singapore and is reportedly in his sixties.

He claimed that the animals were provoked by a runner, who may not have spotted them as it was still early morning.

“Because it was very dark, he never saw them. And he just ran straight into them. And he was treading on them," Spencer told a local outlet, Mothership.sg.

Spencer said the otters bit his ankles and he fell to the ground. They then started biting his legs and buttocks, and one bit his finger as he put his hands up to shield his face.

His friend managed to ward the creatures off by screaming at them, he said. The pair were then chased by the otters as they tried to seek help from a visitors' centre.

Spencer said that he needed stitches for some of his 26 wounds and was given a tetanus injection and antibiotics.

Staff at the park where Spencer was attacked told him that the incident is “under investigation”, he said.

The island is believed to be home to 10 families of otters, or about 90 in total, according to reports.

Although they seem benign, they do have a history of attacking people. As recently as May, a 77-year-old man was reportedly bitten by an otter on the leg while exercising near the Kallang River in Singapore.

According to the Washington Post, river otters were once driven away by pollution in the 1970s, but have since returned as the country’s waterways have been cleaned up in recent years.

The animals are common sights in hospital lobbies and condominium pools, and have even been seen drinking from public fountains.

(With inputs from agencies)

A relatively docile animal, with sparse history of violent behaviour, has caused trauma for a British man who claimed that he was attacked by a “swarm of” otters when he was out for a morning walk in a botanical garden in Singapore.

A relatively docile animal, with sparse history of violent behaviour, has caused trauma for a British man who claimed that he was attacked by a “swarm of” otters when he was out for a morning walk in a botanical garden in Singapore. Graham George Spencer, a British citizen living in Singapore, told The Straits Times newspaper that he was chased, pinned down and bitten “26 times in 10 seconds” by a family of 20 otters. “I actually thought I was going to die,” said Spencer, who lives in Singapore and is reportedly in his sixties. He claimed that the animals were provoked by a runner, who may not have spotted them as it was still early morning. “Because it was very dark, he never saw them. And he just ran straight into them. And he was treading on them," Spencer told a local outlet, Mothership.sg. Spencer said the otters bit his ankles and he fell to the ground. They then started biting his legs and buttocks, and one bit his finger as he put his hands up to shield his face. His friend managed to ward the creatures off by screaming at them, he said. The pair were then chased by the otters as they tried to seek help from a visitors' centre. Spencer said that he needed stitches for some of his 26 wounds and was given a tetanus injection and antibiotics. Staff at the park where Spencer was attacked told him that the incident is “under investigation”, he said. The island is believed to be home to 10 families of otters, or about 90 in total, according to reports. Although they seem benign, they do have a history of attacking people. As recently as May, a 77-year-old man was reportedly bitten by an otter on the leg while exercising near the Kallang River in Singapore. According to the Washington Post, river otters were once driven away by pollution in the 1970s, but have since returned as the country’s waterways have been cleaned up in recent years. The animals are common sights in hospital lobbies and condominium pools, and have even been seen drinking from public fountains. (With inputs from agencies)

‘I thought I was going to die’: Man claims he was attacked by otters in Singapore

With severe travel restrictions in China during the coronavirus outbreak, it seemed that most people would miss this year's cherry blossom season. Botanical gardens in Shanghai remain closed to contain the virus that has caused the COVID-19 disease, but you can still enjoy them on the internet.

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A probe has been ordered into a major security breach during Prime Minister Modi&#39;s recent visit to Noida to inaugurate the Magenta line of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). &nbsp;

Two police officers have been pulled up for the incident.&nbsp;

Modi&#39;s convoy lost its way on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway while going to the helipad at Botanical Garden from Amity University.

The report quoting Gautam Budh Nagar Superintendent of Police Love Kumar said that the convoy left Amity University at 2.35 pm and used the service road at the expressway to proceed towards Botanical Garden.

One of the security vehicles, which was leading the convoy, took a turn before the designated one to proceed on the expressway. There was no security arrangement in that patch considering the Prime Minister was travelling.

The convoy had to be later stopped for at least two minutes following the wrong turn.

According to Kumar, departmental proceedings have been initiated against police personnel responsible for the lapse.

PM Modi on Monday flagged off the much-awaited Delhi Metro&#39;s Magenta line connecting Noida to South Delhi.&nbsp;

The Prime Minister boarded the metro train at the Botanical station and deboarded at Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also accompanied the Prime Minister during the maiden trip of the Magenta line, defying a 29-year-old &#39;Noida&#39; superstition of no serving UP chief minister visiting Noida.

BJP member Mahendra Nath Pandey and state Governor Ram Naik too attended the inauguration ceremony.

Following this, the Prime Minister went to Amity University where he addressed a public gathering.

Modi's convoy lost its way on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway while going to the helipad at Botanical Garden from Amity University.

A probe has been ordered into a major security breach during Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Noida to inaugurate the Magenta line of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Two police officers have been pulled up for the incident. Modi's convoy lost its way on the Noida-Greater Noida expressway while going to the helipad at Botanical Garden from Amity University. The report quoting Gautam Budh Nagar Superintendent of Police Love Kumar said that the convoy left Amity University at 2.35 pm and used the service road at the expressway to proceed towards Botanical Garden. One of the security vehicles, which was leading the convoy, took a turn before the designated one to proceed on the expressway. There was no security arrangement in that patch considering the Prime Minister was travelling. The convoy had to be later stopped for at least two minutes following the wrong turn. According to Kumar, departmental proceedings have been initiated against police personnel responsible for the lapse. PM Modi on Monday flagged off the much-awaited Delhi Metro's Magenta line connecting Noida to South Delhi. The Prime Minister boarded the metro train at the Botanical station and deboarded at Okhla Bird Sanctuary metro station. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also accompanied the Prime Minister during the maiden trip of the Magenta line, defying a 29-year-old 'Noida' superstition of no serving UP chief minister visiting Noida. BJP member Mahendra Nath Pandey and state Governor Ram Naik too attended the inauguration ceremony. Following this, the Prime Minister went to Amity University where he addressed a public gathering.

Probe ordered into security breach during Modi's recent Noida visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday advocated the use of public transport to save on fuel and costs associated with the import of petroleum, saying travelling on a metro train should be a &quot;prestige issue&quot;.

Addressing a rally after inaugurating a 12-km stretch of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-delhi-metros-magenta-line-27654">Delhi Metro&#39;s Magenta Line</a>, PM Modi said governments incur a lot of cost in creating infrastructure but when it is ready it benefits generations to come.

Modi said by 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, he wants to cut down on imported petroleum products.

He said a multi-modal transportation system will ensure that use of fuel is cut down, which will help the common man save money and also be useful for the environment.

On December 24, 2002, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a ride on the metro, Modi recalled. &quot;It was a historic moment. Since then, the Metro network in NCR has expanded considerably,&quot; he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/live-updates-modi-inaugurates-delhi-metros-magenta-line-27646">Read: Highlights of PM Modi&#39;s speech after inaugurating Magenta Line</a>

We live in an era in which connectivity is all important, the prime minister said.

&quot;Without connectivity, life comes to a standstill. This Metro... is not only for the present but also for future generations,&quot; he said.

There was need to change the mindset so that people prefer using public transport than their private vehicles, the PM said, adding that travelling on a metro should be a &quot;prestige issue&quot;.

The 12.64-km stretch, which was inaugurated by PM Modi today, runs between Kalkaji and Noida&#39;s Botanical Garden and accounts for a travel time of 19 minutes, thus facilitating easy access for commuters from South Delhi to Noida, and vice versa. UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/yogi-adityanath-attends-metro-inauguration-function-pm-modi-praises-him-for-breaking-noida-jinx-27660">Yogi Adityanath</a> were present at the inauguration function.

The coaches on th new Magenta Line will have an LED display, power charging capacity and colourful seats, while the stations will portray themes of nature, yoga, and cultural landmarks. The Magenta Line also marks the usage of the first platform screen doors (PSDs), which are glass-made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.

Modi said by 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, he wants to cut down on imported petroleum products.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday advocated the use of public transport to save on fuel and costs associated with the import of petroleum, saying travelling on a metro train should be a "prestige issue". Addressing a rally after inaugurating a 12-km stretch of Delhi Metro's Magenta Line, PM Modi said governments incur a lot of cost in creating infrastructure but when it is ready it benefits generations to come. Modi said by 2022, when India celebrates its 75 years of Independence, he wants to cut down on imported petroleum products. He said a multi-modal transportation system will ensure that use of fuel is cut down, which will help the common man save money and also be useful for the environment. On December 24, 2002, then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee took a ride on the metro, Modi recalled. "It was a historic moment. Since then, the Metro network in NCR has expanded considerably," he said. Read: Highlights of PM Modi's speech after inaugurating Magenta Line We live in an era in which connectivity is all important, the prime minister said. "Without connectivity, life comes to a standstill. This Metro... is not only for the present but also for future generations," he said. There was need to change the mindset so that people prefer using public transport than their private vehicles, the PM said, adding that travelling on a metro should be a "prestige issue". The 12.64-km stretch, which was inaugurated by PM Modi today, runs between Kalkaji and Noida's Botanical Garden and accounts for a travel time of 19 minutes, thus facilitating easy access for commuters from South Delhi to Noida, and vice versa. UP Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath were present at the inauguration function. The coaches on th new Magenta Line will have an LED display, power charging capacity and colourful seats, while the stations will portray themes of nature, yoga, and cultural landmarks. The Magenta Line also marks the usage of the first platform screen doors (PSDs), which are glass-made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.

Inaugurating Delhi Metro's Magenta Line, PM Modi asks people to use public transport & save fuel costs

The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro that will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida, has many firsts to its credit, including platform screen doors (PSDs) and a hi-tech signalling technology for movement of trains, officials said on Friday.

The 12.64-km section, part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor, has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25.

&quot;This Line will have many firsts to its credit. For the first time in India, trains will run unattended. The platform screen doors (PSDs) are being used here for the first time,&quot; DMRC chief spokesperson Anuj Dayal said.

PSDs, installed to enhance commuter safety, are glass- made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs.

&quot;Besides, a new-age technology, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology will be used that can facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds, will also be pressed into service,&quot; Dayal said.

He was interacting with reporters after a preview of the corridor, ahead of its mega launch on Christmas.

Initially trains will operate with the frequency of five minutes and 14 seconds on this section, the DMRC said.

After the new section of the Delhi Metro is opened, commuters will be able to travel directly to the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station from Botanical Garden in 19 minutes. The travel time Blue and Violet lines of the metro takes 52 minutes with interchange point at the Mandi House station.

&quot;The new line would be officially launched by the Hon&#39;ble Prime Minister in the afternoon at the newly-built Kalkaji Metro Station of the Magenta Line. From 5 PM it would be open to the public,&quot; Dayal said.

Dayal and other DMRC officials also said that the recent accident at the Kalindi Kunj Metro depot was purely a &quot;human error&quot; during maintenance, and there was no reason to worry.

Metro&#39;s new generation trains, which can run without drivers, will run on this section aided by the CBTC signalling technology.

&quot;The trains would essentially be driverless, but there would be roving attendants. We would keep this mechanism say for a year or two.

&quot;We would get passengers feedback on this and once we realise that we have people&#39;s confidence, we will remove those attendants, to make them fully driverless,&quot; the chief spokesperson said.

A senior DMRC official, who was present at the interaction, said, &quot;passengers safety is our utmost concern and it has been taken care of on this line&quot;.

While the Kalkaji Mandir station falls in Delhi, the Botanical Garden station is located in Noida.

The old Kalakaji Mandir station is part of the Violet Line (Kahmere Gate-Escorts Mujesar) and the old Botanical Garden is part of the Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida City Centre).

The Botanical Garden has been developed as the metro&#39;s first-ever inter-change station outside the boundaries of Delhi.

Dayal said the new line would also prove economical for commuters, besides saving time.

&quot;The 28-km stretch between the Kalkaji Mandir and Botanical Garden costs Rs 50. Now, with direct connectivity, the ride has been reduced to 12 km, costing Rs 30,&quot; he said.

The DMRC authorities said that 10 trains would operate on this new line, while two would be kept on reserve.

The coaches running on this line have electronic information display, power charging capacity, including directly through USB ports, and colourful seats of different shades. They also have enhanced carrying capacity.

The new trains are also energy efficient and save about 20 per cent of energy, the DMRC said.

&quot;The trains on this line will have six cars, four of them would be driving cars,&quot; Dayal said.

The new stations have been tastefully decorated, reflecting themes of nature, Yoga, and cultural landmarks.

At the new Kalkaji Mandir station, ceramic murals of the Lotus Temple, ISKCON Temple and nature-themed artworks, and paintings showing birds have been displayed.

Seven stations of the line are in Delhi - Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Two stations are in Noida - Botanical Garden Metro station and Okhla Birds Sanctuary.

The ride from the Botanical Garden station to the Okhla Birds Sanctuary station offers breathtaking view of the sanctuary. Also, metro&#39;s third bridge over the Yamuna has come up at the Kalindi Kunj on this section. It runs parallel to the the Okhla Barrage.

The 12.64-km section, part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor, has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25.

The new Magenta Line of the Delhi Metro that will directly connect Kalkaji in south Delhi to Noida, has many firsts to its credit, including platform screen doors (PSDs) and a hi-tech signalling technology for movement of trains, officials said on Friday. The 12.64-km section, part of the upcoming Botanical Garden (Noida)-Janakpuri West (Delhi) corridor, has nine stations and is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on December 25. "This Line will have many firsts to its credit. For the first time in India, trains will run unattended. The platform screen doors (PSDs) are being used here for the first time," DMRC chief spokesperson Anuj Dayal said. PSDs, installed to enhance commuter safety, are glass- made screens installed near the edge of platforms that open only when a train arrives and shut after it departs. "Besides, a new-age technology, Communication Based Train Control (CBTC) signalling technology will be used that can facilitate movement of trains with a frequency of 90 to 100 seconds, will also be pressed into service," Dayal said. He was interacting with reporters after a preview of the corridor, ahead of its mega launch on Christmas. Initially trains will operate with the frequency of five minutes and 14 seconds on this section, the DMRC said. After the new section of the Delhi Metro is opened, commuters will be able to travel directly to the Kalkaji Mandir Metro Station from Botanical Garden in 19 minutes. The travel time Blue and Violet lines of the metro takes 52 minutes with interchange point at the Mandi House station. "The new line would be officially launched by the Hon'ble Prime Minister in the afternoon at the newly-built Kalkaji Metro Station of the Magenta Line. From 5 PM it would be open to the public," Dayal said. Dayal and other DMRC officials also said that the recent accident at the Kalindi Kunj Metro depot was purely a "human error" during maintenance, and there was no reason to worry. Metro's new generation trains, which can run without drivers, will run on this section aided by the CBTC signalling technology. "The trains would essentially be driverless, but there would be roving attendants. We would keep this mechanism say for a year or two. "We would get passengers feedback on this and once we realise that we have people's confidence, we will remove those attendants, to make them fully driverless," the chief spokesperson said. A senior DMRC official, who was present at the interaction, said, "passengers safety is our utmost concern and it has been taken care of on this line". While the Kalkaji Mandir station falls in Delhi, the Botanical Garden station is located in Noida. The old Kalakaji Mandir station is part of the Violet Line (Kahmere Gate-Escorts Mujesar) and the old Botanical Garden is part of the Blue Line (Dwarka-Noida City Centre). The Botanical Garden has been developed as the metro's first-ever inter-change station outside the boundaries of Delhi. Dayal said the new line would also prove economical for commuters, besides saving time. "The 28-km stretch between the Kalkaji Mandir and Botanical Garden costs Rs 50. Now, with direct connectivity, the ride has been reduced to 12 km, costing Rs 30," he said. The DMRC authorities said that 10 trains would operate on this new line, while two would be kept on reserve. The coaches running on this line have electronic information display, power charging capacity, including directly through USB ports, and colourful seats of different shades. They also have enhanced carrying capacity. The new trains are also energy efficient and save about 20 per cent of energy, the DMRC said. "The trains on this line will have six cars, four of them would be driving cars," Dayal said. The new stations have been tastefully decorated, reflecting themes of nature, Yoga, and cultural landmarks. At the new Kalkaji Mandir station, ceramic murals of the Lotus Temple, ISKCON Temple and nature-themed artworks, and paintings showing birds have been displayed. Seven stations of the line are in Delhi - Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Milia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. Two stations are in Noida - Botanical Garden Metro station and Okhla Birds Sanctuary. The ride from the Botanical Garden station to the Okhla Birds Sanctuary station offers breathtaking view of the sanctuary. Also, metro's third bridge over the Yamuna has come up at the Kalindi Kunj on this section. It runs parallel to the the Okhla Barrage.

Magenta line: PSDs, hi-tech signalling among firsts for DMRC

With Christmas around the corner, the DMRC has announced a gift for the daily commuters this year.&nbsp;

People commuting between Noida to south Delhi will reach home early as Delhi Metro has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate its newly constructed Magenta line on December 25.&nbsp;

The 12.64-km Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden section will be open for public from the same day.

The section will provide an additional and more direct connectivity as commuters travelling from Noida to South Delhi can get off at Kalkaji Mandir station instead of changing trains at Rajiv Chowk.

The opening of this corridor is expected to bring down the travel time by approximately 40 minutes.

Botanical Garden which currently sees a footfall of 30,000 commuters, as the Blue Line makes a pit-stop there is expected to rise to 97,780 commuters as it turns into the first interchange station in Noida.

The to be inaugurated Magenta line offers its commuters to travel in the first &#39;driverless&#39; trains of Delhi Metro. It has platforms that are equipped with screen doors which function as protective barriers.

The section has nine stations in which Kalkaji Mandir is underground and the others are elevated.

Nine stations which fall under this portion are - Botanical Garden, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar-Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Millia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir. 
&nbsp;

Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the newly constructed line on December 25

With Christmas around the corner, the DMRC has announced a gift for the daily commuters this year. People commuting between Noida to south Delhi will reach home early as Delhi Metro has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate its newly constructed Magenta line on December 25. The 12.64-km Kalkaji Mandir-Botanical Garden section will be open for public from the same day. The section will provide an additional and more direct connectivity as commuters travelling from Noida to South Delhi can get off at Kalkaji Mandir station instead of changing trains at Rajiv Chowk. The opening of this corridor is expected to bring down the travel time by approximately 40 minutes. Botanical Garden which currently sees a footfall of 30,000 commuters, as the Blue Line makes a pit-stop there is expected to rise to 97,780 commuters as it turns into the first interchange station in Noida. The to be inaugurated Magenta line offers its commuters to travel in the first 'driverless' trains of Delhi Metro. It has platforms that are equipped with screen doors which function as protective barriers. The section has nine stations in which Kalkaji Mandir is underground and the others are elevated. Nine stations which fall under this portion are - Botanical Garden, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, Kalindi Kunj, Jasola Vihar-Shaheen Bagh, Okhla Vihar, Jamia Millia Islamia, Sukhdev Vihar, Okhla NSIC and Kalkaji Mandir.

Delhi Metro's Christmas gift: 'Magenta line' to cut time between Noida to South Delhi

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