TOKYO -- A female body found off the coast of central Japan has been identified as that of 14-year-old Hanon Kiso, who went missing during recent torrential rains in Ishikawa prefecture, the Japan Coast Guard said Thursday.
Kiso, a junior high school student from Wajima City in the prefecture, had been missing since the record-breaking rainfall on Sept. 21, when her home was swept away by a mudflow amid the rain. (Japan-Heavy Rain)
- - - -
ISLAMABAD -- The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) said Thursday that its foreign exchange reserves had increased 1.17 billion U.S. dollars.
During the week ending on Sept. 27, total foreign exchange reserves of the bank reached around 10.7 billion dollars, the central bank said in a statement. (Pakistan-Foreign Reserves)
- - - -
JAKARTA -- Indonesia's most active volcano, Mount Merapi, emitted 21 lava flows toward southwest Thursday, according to the Geological Disaster Technology Research and Development Center.
"The lava flows are moving toward Kali Bebeng, reaching up to 1,500 meters," said Agus Budi Santoso, head of the center. (Indonesia-Volcano)
- - - -
COLOMBO -- The Election Commission of Sri Lanka announced on Thursday that steps will be taken to hold the local government elections soon after the parliamentary election concludes in November.
A press release issued by Chairman of the Election Commission R.M.A.L. Rathnayake said the commission planned to set a date for the local government elections immediately after the parliamentary election concludes. (Sri Lanka-Elections) ■
