A dramatic scene was caught on traffic police camera on a&nbsp;Minneapolis-area city of Arden Hills where a light aircraft made an emergency landing on an interstate.

The single-propellor plane had to make an emergency landing as the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot decided to land his carrier in the middle of an interstate highway, without giving the traffic police a chance to stop the incoming traffic.

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ICYMI: A plane landed on 35W last night. (Yes, really!) 
 
While this isn't *quite* what we mean by a "multimodal transportation system," we're glad no one was injured and are impressed by the pilot's effort to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/zippermerge?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#zippermerge</a> from above! <a href="https://t.co/imPdiQ1wMX">pic.twitter.com/imPdiQ1wMX</a>
— Minnesota Department of Transportation (@MnDOT) <a href="https://twitter.com/MnDOT/status/1334631479603843073?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2020</a></blockquote>
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When the plane made the landing, an SUV was already running ahead of it, and two other cars had to pull emergency brakes as soon as they saw this unexpected dramatic landing. The&nbsp;Ramsey County Deputy's Federation posted pictures of this&nbsp;plane versus vehicle in Arden Hills where the nose of the plane can be seen breaking into the hood of a black-coloured SUV. However, the department also informed that no one was hurt in this dramatic landing and crash.

<img alt="Plane landing" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="df52d455-ee04-4d24-b640-35427392522a" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Plane%20landing%20%281%29.jpg" />

This touchdown is being applauded by experts who appreciated the pilot for his quick wit and his efforts of trying and succeeding in pulling a zipper merge while matching the speed of the vehicles running on the highway.

The incident was handled by the&nbsp;Minnesota State Patrol and&nbsp;Ramsey County Deputy's Federation in a joint effort.

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Tonight deputies responded to a plane versus vehicle in Arden Hills, MN. No, you didn't read that wrong! While in...
Posted by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RCDFederation/">Ramsey County Deputy's Federation</a> on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/RCDFederation/posts/161823885682664">Wednesday, December 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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A dramatic scene was caught on traffic police camera on a Minneapolis-area city of Arden Hills where a light aircraft made an emergency landing on an interstate.

A dramatic scene was caught on traffic police camera on a Minneapolis-area city of Arden Hills where a light aircraft made an emergency landing on an interstate. The single-propellor plane had to make an emergency landing as the aircraft experienced an engine failure. The pilot decided to land his carrier in the middle of an interstate highway, without giving the traffic police a chance to stop the incoming traffic. ICYMI: A plane landed on 35W last night. (Yes, really!) While this isn't *quite* what we mean by a "multimodal transportation system," we're glad no one was injured and are impressed by the pilot's effort to #zippermerge from above! pic.twitter.com/imPdiQ1wMX — Minnesota Department of Transportation (@MnDOT) December 3, 2020 × When the plane made the landing, an SUV was already running ahead of it, and two other cars had to pull emergency brakes as soon as they saw this unexpected dramatic landing. The Ramsey County Deputy's Federation posted pictures of this plane versus vehicle in Arden Hills where the nose of the plane can be seen breaking into the hood of a black-coloured SUV. However, the department also informed that no one was hurt in this dramatic landing and crash. This touchdown is being applauded by experts who appreciated the pilot for his quick wit and his efforts of trying and succeeding in pulling a zipper merge while matching the speed of the vehicles running on the highway. The incident was handled by the Minnesota State Patrol and Ramsey County Deputy's Federation in a joint effort. Tonight deputies responded to a plane versus vehicle in Arden Hills, MN. No, you didn't read that wrong! While in... Posted by Ramsey County Deputy's Federation on Wednesday, December 2, 2020 ×

WATCH| Light weight plane makes dramatic landing on Minnesota's busy highway

35 people were hurt in a 63-vehicle, chain-reaction crash on a foggy and icy stretch of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/miss-america-2020-bio-chemist-camille-schrier-performs-science-experiment-in-talent-round-wins-the-crown-269353">Virginia</a> highway early on Sunday, state police said.

All westbound lanes of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia, about 80 km&nbsp;southeast of Richmond, remained closed Sunday afternoon as authorities worked at the scene of the pileup, which began shortly before 8 AM. EST, the Virginia State Police said on Twitter.

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UPDATE: All EASTBOUND lanes have reopened on I-64 at the Queens Creek bridge in <a href="https://twitter.com/YorkCountyVAGov?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@YorkCountyVAGov</a>. All WESTBOUND lanes remain closed at this time. Traffic being detoured to Route 199 (exit 242). <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hrtraffic?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hrtraffic</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/VaDOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@VaDOT</a>
— VDOT Hampton Roads (@VaDOTHR) <a href="https://twitter.com/VaDOTHR/status/1208782959270076416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 22, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Fog and icy conditions were present on the road at the time of the accident, police said in a tweet.

"#VSP investigation continues into 63-vehicle chain-reaction&nbsp;crashes," the police tweeted. "35 transported for treatment. No fatalities reported."

The injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening, the police tweeted.

Video footage of the scene showed a sea of cars that had collided with one another or the interstate barricade, some with their doors, trunks and bumpers mangled.

A representative for the state police could not immediately be reached for comment.

35 people were hurt in a 63-vehicle, chain-reaction crash on a foggy and icy stretch of a Virginia highway early on Sunday, state police said. All westbound lanes of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia, about 80 km southeast of Richmond, remained closed Sunday afternoon as authorities worked at the scene of the pileup, which began shortly before 8 AM.

35 people were hurt in a 63-vehicle, chain-reaction crash on a foggy and icy stretch of a Virginia highway early on Sunday, state police said. All westbound lanes of Interstate 64 in York County, Virginia, about 80 km southeast of Richmond, remained closed Sunday afternoon as authorities worked at the scene of the pileup, which began shortly before 8 AM. EST, the Virginia State Police said on Twitter. UPDATE: All EASTBOUND lanes have reopened on I-64 at the Queens Creek bridge in @YorkCountyVAGov. All WESTBOUND lanes remain closed at this time. Traffic being detoured to Route 199 (exit 242). #hrtraffic @VaDOT — VDOT Hampton Roads (@VaDOTHR) December 22, 2019 × Fog and icy conditions were present on the road at the time of the accident, police said in a tweet. "#VSP investigation continues into 63-vehicle chain-reaction crashes," the police tweeted. "35 transported for treatment. No fatalities reported." The injuries ranged from minor to life-threatening, the police tweeted. Video footage of the scene showed a sea of cars that had collided with one another or the interstate barricade, some with their doors, trunks and bumpers mangled. A representative for the state police could not immediately be reached for comment.

35 people injured in 63-vehicle pileup on Virginia highway

Hundreds of French farmers angered by international trade deals and government policy drove tractors along the main highways into Paris on Wednesday, blocking commuter traffic and adding to the social unrest facing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-commissions-president-elect-faces-final-vote-264765">President Emmanuel Macron</a>.

On the A1 autoroute, an artery that links the capital to the north of France and its ports, one group temporarily blocked three lanes of traffic.

"No rural France without farmers. Let us get on with our jobs," one farmer wrote on his tractor.

Another in a convoy flanked by police motorcyclists took aim at the president: "Macron, answer us! Save farmers."

Farmers unions said their members would converge on Avenue Foch, a wide boulevard flanked by some of Paris' most luxurious properties near the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris.

The two main farm unions are staging the protest and demanding a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron to express grievances over policies they say hurt French agriculture, such as the phasing out of the weedkiller glyphosate.

"We want to warn everyone that if there are no more farmers in France it has a knock-on effect on the French economy," 29-year-old farmer Alix Heurtaut told Reuters ahead of the protest.

Macron, 41, faces growing discontent against his social and economic reform agenda across French society.

His government last week announced emergency financing in a failed attempt to head off further hospital strikes and has been locked in negotiations with unions this week over pension reform ahead of nationwide transport strikes on December&nbsp;5th.

Resentment among farmers has been growing at what they call "agri-bashing", or criticism of agriculture over issues ranging from pesticide use to animal welfare.

Attacks on livestock farms and butcher's shops by vegan activists have caused particular outrage. Longstanding tensions with environmental associations have meanwhile deepened amid debates about banning glyphosate and restricting pesticide use near residential areas.

Farmers widely blame Macron for rushing to ban glyphosate by 2021, going beyond the current European Union policy, although the government has promised exemptions for farms that have no viable alternative.

Macron has also been under pressure from farmers over EU trade deals with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/tennis-raonic-withdraws-from-canadas-davis-cup-team-261552">Canada</a> and the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uks-boris-johnson-very-worried-about-trade-tensions-tariff-hikes-245371">Mercosur bloc</a> of South American countries, which farming groups say will usher in imports of cheaper agricultural goods produced to lower standards.

A food law passed by Macron's government, which aimed to give farmers a fairer share of profits, has failed to dispel discontent over modest revenues.

France is the largest agricultural producer in the EU and the biggest beneficiary of subsidies under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.

Farm unions are gearing up for negotiations over the next EU budget, which could see agricultural spending trimmed due to Britain's planned exit from the bloc.

Hundreds of French farmers angered by international trade deals and government policy drove tractors along the main highways into Paris on Wednesday, blocking commuter traffic and adding to the social unrest facing President Emmanuel Macron.

Hundreds of French farmers angered by international trade deals and government policy drove tractors along the main highways into Paris on Wednesday, blocking commuter traffic and adding to the social unrest facing President Emmanuel Macron. On the A1 autoroute, an artery that links the capital to the north of France and its ports, one group temporarily blocked three lanes of traffic. "No rural France without farmers. Let us get on with our jobs," one farmer wrote on his tractor. Another in a convoy flanked by police motorcyclists took aim at the president: "Macron, answer us! Save farmers." Farmers unions said their members would converge on Avenue Foch, a wide boulevard flanked by some of Paris' most luxurious properties near the Arc de Triomphe in central Paris. The two main farm unions are staging the protest and demanding a meeting with President Emmanuel Macron to express grievances over policies they say hurt French agriculture, such as the phasing out of the weedkiller glyphosate. "We want to warn everyone that if there are no more farmers in France it has a knock-on effect on the French economy," 29-year-old farmer Alix Heurtaut told Reuters ahead of the protest. Macron, 41, faces growing discontent against his social and economic reform agenda across French society. His government last week announced emergency financing in a failed attempt to head off further hospital strikes and has been locked in negotiations with unions this week over pension reform ahead of nationwide transport strikes on December 5th. Resentment among farmers has been growing at what they call "agri-bashing", or criticism of agriculture over issues ranging from pesticide use to animal welfare. Attacks on livestock farms and butcher's shops by vegan activists have caused particular outrage. Longstanding tensions with environmental associations have meanwhile deepened amid debates about banning glyphosate and restricting pesticide use near residential areas. Farmers widely blame Macron for rushing to ban glyphosate by 2021, going beyond the current European Union policy, although the government has promised exemptions for farms that have no viable alternative. Macron has also been under pressure from farmers over EU trade deals with Canada and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries, which farming groups say will usher in imports of cheaper agricultural goods produced to lower standards. A food law passed by Macron's government, which aimed to give farmers a fairer share of profits, has failed to dispel discontent over modest revenues. France is the largest agricultural producer in the EU and the biggest beneficiary of subsidies under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. Farm unions are gearing up for negotiations over the next EU budget, which could see agricultural spending trimmed due to Britain's planned exit from the bloc.

French farmers clog highways to protest at 'agri-bashing'

Badrinath Highway, which was shut after debris and boulders blocked the road in Lambagad area following heavy rains on Friday, is expected to reopen on Saturday morning.

Around 200 <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kartarpur-corridor-talks-india-to-focus-on-facilities-for-pilgrims-234441&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjXgKSej7HjAhUEVH0KHfxGAAgQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1J9iQvL6xG2P7yGqFJpnNo">pilgrims</a> have been put up in Badrinath and around 800 pilgrims en route to Badrinath are accommodated at a gurudwara in Govindghat.

Commencement of road clearing operation by the local administration will depend on the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/videos/storm-barry-bears-down-on-new-orleans-with-extreme-rainfall-flooding-risk-235208&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjE37q3j7HjAhVOfysKHVIsDyQQFjADegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw1MufwRcybL7EoDNFZqM1Hb">rainfall</a> witnessed in the morning, officials said.

The region is witnessing a heavy influx of tourists due to the pilgrim season in northern India.&nbsp;

Normally, driving, trekking or walking on treacherous roads in the mountains gets riskier during annual <a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-receive-below-average-monsoon-rains-in-next-two-weeks-imd-235233&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwilnq7yj7HjAhWKSH0KHckUBMkQFjABegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw36W0uwandC8znkyWCblTKn">monsoon</a> rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand especially when landslides hit the mountainous states.

This year, the footfall of Char Dham yatra pilgrims has crossed 15 lakh.&nbsp;

The pilgrims come to visit the circuit of four ancient pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath - which is collectively referred to as `Char Dham Yatra`.

Badrinath Highway, which was shut after debris and boulders blocked the road in Lambagad area following heavy rains on Friday, is expected to reopen on Saturday morning.

Badrinath Highway, which was shut after debris and boulders blocked the road in Lambagad area following heavy rains on Friday, is expected to reopen on Saturday morning. Around 200 pilgrims have been put up in Badrinath and around 800 pilgrims en route to Badrinath are accommodated at a gurudwara in Govindghat. Commencement of road clearing operation by the local administration will depend on the rainfall witnessed in the morning, officials said. The region is witnessing a heavy influx of tourists due to the pilgrim season in northern India. Normally, driving, trekking or walking on treacherous roads in the mountains gets riskier during annual monsoon rains in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand especially when landslides hit the mountainous states. This year, the footfall of Char Dham yatra pilgrims has crossed 15 lakh. The pilgrims come to visit the circuit of four ancient pilgrimage sites in Uttarakhand - Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath - which is collectively referred to as `Char Dham Yatra`.

Badrinath Highway shut after boulders block road; expected to reopen today

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was re-opened for one-way traffic this morning after being closed due to heavy snowfall and rain, officials said.

The traffic was suspended last evening on the highway.

&quot;Traffic will move from Jammu to Srinagar. No vehicle will be allowed in the opposite direction,&quot; a traffic official said.

&ldquo;The highway was cleared of all hurdles and traffic was allowed from Srinagar to Jammu this morning as per schedule,&rdquo; an official of traffic department said.

The traffic was suspended last evening on the highway

The Jammu-Srinagar national highway, the only road linking Kashmir with rest of the country, was re-opened for one-way traffic this morning after being closed due to heavy snowfall and rain, officials said. The traffic was suspended last evening on the highway. "Traffic will move from Jammu to Srinagar. No vehicle will be allowed in the opposite direction," a traffic official said. “The highway was cleared of all hurdles and traffic was allowed from Srinagar to Jammu this morning as per schedule,” an official of traffic department said.

Jammu-Srinagar highway reopened for one-way traffic

An Amtrak passenger train derailed on Monday during its inaugural run along a faster route through Washington state, sending part of the train crashing down onto a major highway and killing an unknown number of passengers, authorities said.

The derailment caused &quot;multiple fatalities,&quot; Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the local sheriff&#39;s office, told reporters at the scene, though he did not offer a specific number. The train struck several cars on the highway, he added, causing injuries but no additional deaths.

Seventy-seven people were transported to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston counties, the Tacoma-based CHI Franciscan Health healthcare network said in a statement. Four of them were considered &quot;level red&quot; patients with the most severe injuries.

Approximately 78 passengers and five crew members were aboard the train, Amtrak said in a statement.

People escaped the derailed train by kicking out windows, passenger Chris Karnes told local news outlet KIRO 7.

&quot;All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill,&quot; Karnes said. &quot;The next thing we know, we&#39;re being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there&#39;s water gushing out of the train. People were screaming.&quot;

The derailment occurred on the first day Amtrak trains began using a new inland route between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia, part of a project to reduce travel time, according to an October news release from the state&#39;s transportation department.

The rerouting takes trains along Interstate 5, eliminating a major choke point for passenger trains in Tacoma and allowing trains to reach speeds of 79 miles per hour (127 km per hour), the department has said.

Monday&#39;s train, which had been scheduled to depart Seattle at 6 a.m. (1400 GMT) for Portland, Oregon, was the first to run along the new route, which uses tracks owned by a local commuter line.

It was not immediately clear whether the derailment, which came during a busy travel time one week before the Christmas holiday, was connected to the rerouting.

The train derailed around 7:30 a.m. (1530 GMT) in DuPont. A photograph posted by a Washington State Police spokeswoman showed an upside-down train car partially crushed on the highway, with a second car dangling off the overpass.

Authorities warned drivers to avoid the area, and southbound lanes remained closed.

The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team of investigators to the site, the federal agency said on Twitter.

&quot;Thank you to the first responders on the scene,&quot; Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote in a Twitter message. &quot;We&#39;re praying for everyone on board the train, and ask everyone to hold them in your thoughts.&quot;

The mayor of one of the towns through which the rerouted trains travel warned earlier this month that the high-speed trains were dangerously close to cars and pedestrians.

&quot;Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens,&quot; Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson told transportation officials in early December, according to Seattle&#39;s KOMO News.

Part of the train came crashing down onto a major highway

An Amtrak passenger train derailed on Monday during its inaugural run along a faster route through Washington state, sending part of the train crashing down onto a major highway and killing an unknown number of passengers, authorities said. The derailment caused "multiple fatalities," Ed Troyer, a spokesman for the local sheriff's office, told reporters at the scene, though he did not offer a specific number. The train struck several cars on the highway, he added, causing injuries but no additional deaths. Seventy-seven people were transported to hospitals in Pierce and Thurston counties, the Tacoma-based CHI Franciscan Health healthcare network said in a statement. Four of them were considered "level red" patients with the most severe injuries. Approximately 78 passengers and five crew members were aboard the train, Amtrak said in a statement. People escaped the derailed train by kicking out windows, passenger Chris Karnes told local news outlet KIRO 7. "All of a sudden, we felt this rocking and creaking noise, and it felt like we were heading down a hill," Karnes said. "The next thing we know, we're being slammed into the front of our seats, windows are breaking, we stop, and there's water gushing out of the train. People were screaming." The derailment occurred on the first day Amtrak trains began using a new inland route between the cities of Tacoma and Olympia, part of a project to reduce travel time, according to an October news release from the state's transportation department. The rerouting takes trains along Interstate 5, eliminating a major choke point for passenger trains in Tacoma and allowing trains to reach speeds of 79 miles per hour (127 km per hour), the department has said. Monday's train, which had been scheduled to depart Seattle at 6 a.m. (1400 GMT) for Portland, Oregon, was the first to run along the new route, which uses tracks owned by a local commuter line. It was not immediately clear whether the derailment, which came during a busy travel time one week before the Christmas holiday, was connected to the rerouting. The train derailed around 7:30 a.m. (1530 GMT) in DuPont. A photograph posted by a Washington State Police spokeswoman showed an upside-down train car partially crushed on the highway, with a second car dangling off the overpass. Authorities warned drivers to avoid the area, and southbound lanes remained closed. The National Transportation Safety Board was sending a team of investigators to the site, the federal agency said on Twitter. "Thank you to the first responders on the scene," Washington Governor Jay Inslee wrote in a Twitter message. "We're praying for everyone on board the train, and ask everyone to hold them in your thoughts." The mayor of one of the towns through which the rerouted trains travel warned earlier this month that the high-speed trains were dangerously close to cars and pedestrians. "Come back when there is that accident, and try to justify not putting in those safety enhancements, or you can go back now and advocate for the money to do it, because this project was never needed and endangers our citizens," Lakewood Mayor Don Anderson told transportation officials in early December, according to Seattle's KOMO News.

US: Amtrak train on new route derails in Washington state, several killed

Seven people&nbsp;including a child&nbsp;died and at least 20 suffered injuries in a bus-truck collision in the Southern part of Bangladesh on Friday night. &nbsp;

Media reports said that the accident happened near the Gopalganj area when a passenger bus travelling to Pirojpur district hit a truck parked on the Dhaka-Khulna highway.&nbsp;

The injured were immediately taken to the hospital.&nbsp;

According to media reports, five people had died on the way to the hospital and a baby boy succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

The injured were immediately taken to the hospital

Seven people including a child died and at least 20 suffered injuries in a bus-truck collision in the Southern part of Bangladesh on Friday night. Media reports said that the accident happened near the Gopalganj area when a passenger bus travelling to Pirojpur district hit a truck parked on the Dhaka-Khulna highway. The injured were immediately taken to the hospital. According to media reports, five people had died on the way to the hospital and a baby boy succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

Seven killed in bus-truck collision on Dhaka highway

A Peruvian judge on Thursday ordered former president Alejandro Toledo to spend up to 18 months in jail while prosecutors prepare criminal charges against him for allegedly taking $20 million in bribes from Brazilian builder Odebrecht SA.

Toledo, who has denied taking any bribes related to a lucrative highway contract Odebrecht won in his 2001-2006 term, was in France last week.

His lawyer said Toledo would not flee but declined to say what country he was in.

Judge Richard Concepcion said Toledo should be sought for arrest in Peru and abroad.&nbsp;

The evidence uncovered so far in a far-reaching graft probe, including testimony from an Odebrecht executive and bank records, merits putting Toledo in &quot;preventive prison&quot; while charges of influence peddling and money laundering are prepared against him, Concepcion said.

If found guilty, Toledo could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, lead prosecutor Hamilton Castro said.

Odebrecht has been at the center of a growing graft scandal in Latin America since admitting to doling out hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes from Peru to Panama.

The revelation, made in U.S. courts in December, threatens to implicate presidents and former presidents who once promoted the hydroelectric plants, highways and irrigation canals that Odebrecht has built in the past two decades.

Toledo &quot;laughed at Peruvian society, he laughed at the expectations Peruvian society had for...clean public work projects,&quot; Castro said in a public hearing.&nbsp;

Toledo`s attorney Heriberto Benitez said the evidence was not strong enough to jail Toledo without a trial, calling the move a hallmark of autocratic regimes.

Some $10 million in transfers from Odebrecht have been traced to offshore companies linked to Yosef Maiman, an Israeli businessman and longtime friend of Toledo tasked with receiving the bribes, Castro said.

Maiman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.&nbsp;

(Reuters)

Toledo was in France last week. Judge Richard Concepcion said he should be sought for arrest in Peru and abroad

A Peruvian judge on Thursday ordered former president Alejandro Toledo to spend up to 18 months in jail while prosecutors prepare criminal charges against him for allegedly taking $20 million in bribes from Brazilian builder Odebrecht SA. Toledo, who has denied taking any bribes related to a lucrative highway contract Odebrecht won in his 2001-2006 term, was in France last week. His lawyer said Toledo would not flee but declined to say what country he was in. Judge Richard Concepcion said Toledo should be sought for arrest in Peru and abroad. The evidence uncovered so far in a far-reaching graft probe, including testimony from an Odebrecht executive and bank records, merits putting Toledo in "preventive prison" while charges of influence peddling and money laundering are prepared against him, Concepcion said. If found guilty, Toledo could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison, lead prosecutor Hamilton Castro said. Odebrecht has been at the center of a growing graft scandal in Latin America since admitting to doling out hundreds of millions of dollars in bribes from Peru to Panama. The revelation, made in U.S. courts in December, threatens to implicate presidents and former presidents who once promoted the hydroelectric plants, highways and irrigation canals that Odebrecht has built in the past two decades. Toledo "laughed at Peruvian society, he laughed at the expectations Peruvian society had for...clean public work projects," Castro said in a public hearing. Toledo`s attorney Heriberto Benitez said the evidence was not strong enough to jail Toledo without a trial, calling the move a hallmark of autocratic regimes. Some $10 million in transfers from Odebrecht have been traced to offshore companies linked to Yosef Maiman, an Israeli businessman and longtime friend of Toledo tasked with receiving the bribes, Castro said. Maiman did not immediately respond to requests for comment. (Reuters)

Peru: Judge orders 18 months of prison for ex-president Alejandro Toledo in corruption case

A Himalayan Shangri-La that was closed to visitors until 1992, the former Buddhist kingdom of Upper Mustang in Nepal is facing unprecedented change as a new highway brings modernity to the roof of the world. 
 
Kerosene lamps have given way to solar panels, denim sneakers have replaced hand-stitched cowhide boots and satellite dishes are taking over the rooftops of homes dotted across the region, which borders Tibet. 
 
The former kingdom&#39;s days as a cultural time capsule are numbered - and change cannot come soon enough for young people like Tsewang Norbu Gurung, who lives in its walled capital, Lo Manthang. 
 
&quot;I remember when Nepali TV first came here, less than 10 years ago. We used to pay Rs20 (18 cents) for a three-hour sitting in someone&#39;s house,&quot; said Gurung. 
 
Today, nearly everyone owns their own television - imported from China or India - and young men like 30-year-old Gurung spend their evenings watching Bollywood films, Tibetan mythological dramas or soccer matches. 
 
Sitting with friends at a local teashop, their eyes glued to a television screen showing a Euro 2016 match, Gurung said the road had transformed life in Lo Manthang. 
 
&quot;Earlier, everything - rice, oil, basic supplies - had to be carried up on mules, it would take so many days, now it takes just one day in a vehicle,&quot; he said. 
 
Gurung, who runs a souvenir shop, worked as a labourer on the road that was completed in 2014, connecting Upper Mustang with India and China - a modest throwback to an era when the region dominated trans-Himalayan commerce in salt, wool and spices. 
 
For generations, traders led caravans through this forbidding high-altitude desert, passing vast canyons and red mountains that, legends say, are stained with the blood of a demon killed by the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. 
 
Nepal annexed the kingdom of Lo, as it was known then, in the 18th century but allowed the king to retain his title. It renamed the area Upper Mustang. 
 
For decades it saw virtually no foreign visitors and was accessible only by foot or horseback, leaving its residents cut off from outside influence until the road was completed a few years ago.&nbsp; 
 
The local Loba community, who speak a variant of Tibetan, retained their Buddhist practices even as the cultural revolution hit religious traditions in neighbouring Tibet.&nbsp; 
 
Upper Mustang&#39;s isolation was so absolute that its royal family only boarded a plane for the first time in 1995, on visits to the US and Germany. 
 
Former crown prince Jigme Singi Palbar Bista grew up in a cavernous five-storey palace with 108 rooms, but the family did not live in luxury. 
 
With no electricity and with firewood scarce, palace staff would burn yak dung to heat the rooms. 
 
There were no high schools in Upper Mustang, so the prince would spend days trekking or riding to Jomsom on the region`s outskirts. 
 
&quot;We are not like other royals... not that kind of luxury,&quot; the 60-year-old told AFP. 
 
Nepal&#39;s transition from a monarchy to a republic in 2008 ruled out any chance of Bista inheriting the throne, making his father the last king of a 600-year-old dynasty. 
 
The father-of-three now devotes his time to running a tour agency and doing charity work while overseeing repairs to the palace after last year`s earthquake. 
 
But the Lobas still regard Bista as a spiritual guardian and approach him for help resolving land disputes that would otherwise have to be filed in court. 
 
Nepal&#39;s government has sought to preserve Upper Mustang`s unique culture by keeping tourist numbers down, charging a minimum visitors&#39; fee of $500. 
 
But many fear the road threatens the region`s unique identity as younger Lobas embrace modernity, swapping handspun Tibetan robes for made-in-China jeans.&nbsp; 
 
Lo Manthang`s gates are no longer locked at night to keep horses from running out. Instead, motorbikes crowd its cobblestone streets. 
 
&quot;It`s important to save our culture so it reflects our identity. Otherwise there will be nothing special left about (Upper) Mustang,&quot; said Khenpo Kunga Tenzin, head of Lo Manthang`s Monchoe Dragkar Thegchen Ling monastery. 
 
&quot;We had our own identity, our own way of dressing... but now it`s all disappearing, it will all be gone.&quot; 
 
Poised between an isolated past and an uncertain future, young Lobas like shopkeeper Gurung are more positive. 
 
&quot;When I realize that my generation doesn`t know local songs or dances, I feel a bit ashamed,&quot; he said. 
 
&quot;But overall I am optimistic about the future. Things are getting better... life is getting easier&quot;. 
 
(AFP)

Kerosene lamps have given way to solar panels and denim sneakers have replaced hand-stitched cowhide boots

A Himalayan Shangri-La that was closed to visitors until 1992, the former Buddhist kingdom of Upper Mustang in Nepal is facing unprecedented change as a new highway brings modernity to the roof of the world. Kerosene lamps have given way to solar panels, denim sneakers have replaced hand-stitched cowhide boots and satellite dishes are taking over the rooftops of homes dotted across the region, which borders Tibet. The former kingdom's days as a cultural time capsule are numbered - and change cannot come soon enough for young people like Tsewang Norbu Gurung, who lives in its walled capital, Lo Manthang. "I remember when Nepali TV first came here, less than 10 years ago. We used to pay Rs20 (18 cents) for a three-hour sitting in someone's house," said Gurung. Today, nearly everyone owns their own television - imported from China or India - and young men like 30-year-old Gurung spend their evenings watching Bollywood films, Tibetan mythological dramas or soccer matches. Sitting with friends at a local teashop, their eyes glued to a television screen showing a Euro 2016 match, Gurung said the road had transformed life in Lo Manthang. "Earlier, everything - rice, oil, basic supplies - had to be carried up on mules, it would take so many days, now it takes just one day in a vehicle," he said. Gurung, who runs a souvenir shop, worked as a labourer on the road that was completed in 2014, connecting Upper Mustang with India and China - a modest throwback to an era when the region dominated trans-Himalayan commerce in salt, wool and spices. For generations, traders led caravans through this forbidding high-altitude desert, passing vast canyons and red mountains that, legends say, are stained with the blood of a demon killed by the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. Nepal annexed the kingdom of Lo, as it was known then, in the 18th century but allowed the king to retain his title. It renamed the area Upper Mustang. For decades it saw virtually no foreign visitors and was accessible only by foot or horseback, leaving its residents cut off from outside influence until the road was completed a few years ago. The local Loba community, who speak a variant of Tibetan, retained their Buddhist practices even as the cultural revolution hit religious traditions in neighbouring Tibet. Upper Mustang's isolation was so absolute that its royal family only boarded a plane for the first time in 1995, on visits to the US and Germany. Former crown prince Jigme Singi Palbar Bista grew up in a cavernous five-storey palace with 108 rooms, but the family did not live in luxury. With no electricity and with firewood scarce, palace staff would burn yak dung to heat the rooms. There were no high schools in Upper Mustang, so the prince would spend days trekking or riding to Jomsom on the region`s outskirts. "We are not like other royals... not that kind of luxury," the 60-year-old told AFP. Nepal's transition from a monarchy to a republic in 2008 ruled out any chance of Bista inheriting the throne, making his father the last king of a 600-year-old dynasty. The father-of-three now devotes his time to running a tour agency and doing charity work while overseeing repairs to the palace after last year`s earthquake. But the Lobas still regard Bista as a spiritual guardian and approach him for help resolving land disputes that would otherwise have to be filed in court. Nepal's government has sought to preserve Upper Mustang`s unique culture by keeping tourist numbers down, charging a minimum visitors' fee of $500. But many fear the road threatens the region`s unique identity as younger Lobas embrace modernity, swapping handspun Tibetan robes for made-in-China jeans. Lo Manthang`s gates are no longer locked at night to keep horses from running out. Instead, motorbikes crowd its cobblestone streets. "It`s important to save our culture so it reflects our identity. Otherwise there will be nothing special left about (Upper) Mustang," said Khenpo Kunga Tenzin, head of Lo Manthang`s Monchoe Dragkar Thegchen Ling monastery. "We had our own identity, our own way of dressing... but now it`s all disappearing, it will all be gone." Poised between an isolated past and an uncertain future, young Lobas like shopkeeper Gurung are more positive. "When I realize that my generation doesn`t know local songs or dances, I feel a bit ashamed," he said. "But overall I am optimistic about the future. Things are getting better... life is getting easier". (AFP)

Himalayan Shangri-La moves towards modernity via new highway

A vehicle that was part of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee&#39;s convoy met with an accident today. Mukherjee was unhurt. 
 
The President was on his way to the Bagdogra airport, 58 km away from Darjeeling, to catch a flight to the Indian capital, New Delhi, when one of his escort vehicles skidded off the highway into a 30-feet&nbsp;gorge in Sonada, about 17 km from Darjeeling. &nbsp; 
 
Mukherjee was on a three-day visit to Darjeeling, a hill station in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. 
 
The President&rsquo;s official Twitter handle announced that he was safe just minutes after the accident took place. 
 
&ldquo;Car in President&#39;s carcade from Darjeeling to Bagdogra goes off road, minor injuries to security personnel; #PresidentMukherjee safe,&rdquo; read the Tweet.&nbsp; 
 
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the President to ask about his well being after the accident. 
 
According to residents of the region, it was raining and visibility was low due to which the escort vehicle fell into the gorge. 
 
Five security personnel remained stuck until police&nbsp;personnel reached the spot to rescue them. All were rescued and rushed to the Kurseong hospital for treatment. Later, they were shifted to Siliguri hospital for better treatment.&nbsp; 
 
&ldquo;All five injured have been rescued and rushed to Kurseong hospital. They have been given first aid and it appears that no one has any serious injury. All are conscious and talking. Their names are&nbsp;Deep Shankar Rudra IPS, AP Singh, Pijus of SSU, S K Biswas of Darjeeling, Goutam Sen, driver of the vehicle. The President&#39;s team has decided to take A P Singh along with them to Delhi and his further tests will be done there. Other four injured are being moved to Siliguri district hospital for further treatment,&rdquo; said Anurag Srivastav, district magistrate of Darjeeling district, where the&nbsp;accident took place.&nbsp; 
 
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee&rsquo;s convoy was following the President&rsquo;s convoy when the accident took place. Banerjee immediately stepped in to monitor the rescue&nbsp;operation.

Pranab Mukherjee was on his way to catch a flight to the Indian capital, Delhi, when one of his escort vehicles fell into a 30-feet gorge

A vehicle that was part of Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's convoy met with an accident today. Mukherjee was unhurt. The President was on his way to the Bagdogra airport, 58 km away from Darjeeling, to catch a flight to the Indian capital, New Delhi, when one of his escort vehicles skidded off the highway into a 30-feet gorge in Sonada, about 17 km from Darjeeling. Mukherjee was on a three-day visit to Darjeeling, a hill station in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal. The President’s official Twitter handle announced that he was safe just minutes after the accident took place. “Car in President's carcade from Darjeeling to Bagdogra goes off road, minor injuries to security personnel; #PresidentMukherjee safe,” read the Tweet. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on the President to ask about his well being after the accident. According to residents of the region, it was raining and visibility was low due to which the escort vehicle fell into the gorge. Five security personnel remained stuck until police personnel reached the spot to rescue them. All were rescued and rushed to the Kurseong hospital for treatment. Later, they were shifted to Siliguri hospital for better treatment. “All five injured have been rescued and rushed to Kurseong hospital. They have been given first aid and it appears that no one has any serious injury. All are conscious and talking. Their names are Deep Shankar Rudra IPS, AP Singh, Pijus of SSU, S K Biswas of Darjeeling, Goutam Sen, driver of the vehicle. The President's team has decided to take A P Singh along with them to Delhi and his further tests will be done there. Other four injured are being moved to Siliguri district hospital for further treatment,” said Anurag Srivastav, district magistrate of Darjeeling district, where the accident took place. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s convoy was following the President’s convoy when the accident took place. Banerjee immediately stepped in to monitor the rescue operation.

Car in Indian President's convoy meets with accident in Darjeeling

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