Asia
3 dead as cyclone Fani hits eastern India
New Delhi, May 3 (Xinhua/UNB) -- Three people died in India's eastern state of Odisha as the extremely severe cyclone Fani hit the state on Friday morning and continued till beyond noon.
Kolkata airport to be closed from 3 pm today to 8 am tomorrow
Dhaka, May 3 (UNB)- Cyclone Fani made a landfall in Puri on Odisha coast around 8 am, triggering heavy rainfall coupled with high velocity winds with speed of 175 kmph in vast areas, reports NDTV. The area along Puri is witnessing strong winds. Large areas in Puri and other places were submerged with water as heavy rains battered the entire coastal belt of the state. Several trees were uprooted and thatched structures destroyed at some places including Bhubaneswar.
Cyclone Fani Hits Odisha, Trees Uprooted, Villages Submerged
Dhaka, May 3 (UNB)- Cyclone Fani, the strongest storm in India in two decades, hit Odisha this morning and has started making its impact felt. Large areas in the temple town of Puri and other places were submerged as heavy rain battered the coast, according to officials, reports NDTV.
India prepares for 'extremely severe' Bay of Bengal cyclone
New Delhi, May 02 (AP/UNB) — Indian authorities have evacuated hundreds of thousands of people along the country's eastern coast ahead of a cyclone moving through the Bay of Bengal.
Catholic services in Sri Lanka capital canceled for 2nd week
Colombo, May 2 (AP/UNB) — Catholic services are being canceled for a second weekend in Sri Lanka's capital after the government warned of more possible attacks by the same Islamic State-linked group that carried out Easter suicide bombings.
Thai king appoints consort as queen ahead of coronation
Bangkok, May 2 (AP/UNB) — Thailand's King Maha Vajiralongkorn has appointed his consort as the country's queen ahead of his official coronation on Saturday.
UN adds leader of outlawed Pakistan group to sanctions list
Islamabad, May 2 (AP/UNB) — In a major diplomatic win for India, the United Nations added the leader of an outlawed Pakistani militant group to its sanctions blacklist Wednesday after the group claimed responsibility for a February suicide attack in disputed Kashmir that killed 40 Indian soldiers.
Maoist rebels kill 15 police commandos, driver in west India
New Delhi, May 1 (AP/UNB) — Maoist rebels on Wednesday attacked a van carrying police commandos in the insurgents' stronghold in western India and killed 15 officers and their driver, officials said.
Japan gets a new emperor as Naruhito vows to pursue peace
Tokyo, May 1 (AP/UNB) — Emperor Naruhito inherited the sacred sword and jewel Wednesday that signaled his succession as the 126th member of his family to rule Japan, pledging in his first public address to follow his father's example by devoting himself to peace and sharing the people's joys and sorrows.
Sri Lanka lifts social media ban imposed after Easter blasts
Colombo, Apr 30 (AP/UNB) — Sri Lanka's president has lifted a nationwide social media ban that was imposed after Easter suicide bomb attacks that killed 253 people.