NAY PYI TAW -- Myanmar's Union Parliament announced on Thursday that it will elect the country's president on Friday, with three vice presidents having passed the scrutiny of presidential candidate qualifications.
The vice presidents are Min Aung Hlaing, Nan Ni Ni Aye, and U Nyo Saw. (Myanmar-Presidential Election)
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ISLAMABAD -- At least 25 people have been killed and dozens injured in rain-related incidents in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province since March 25, authorities said Thursday.
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported widespread damage, with 77 houses affected, including 33 destroyed. The worst-hit districts include Kohat, Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan and Karak. (Pakistan-Rain-Death)
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HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) government on Thursday filed an application with the Court of First Instance for forfeiture of the offense-related properties of Jimmy Lai in order to achieve the important objectives of preventing and suppressing acts and activities endangering national security.
The application was made in accordance with the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR and the Implementation Rules for Article 43 of the Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR. (HK-Jimmy Lai-Forfeiture)
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MANILA -- Two pilots were killed on Thursday when their air cargo plane crashed outside the perimeter of an airport in Barangay Decalacho in Coron, Palawan, in the Philippines, according to the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group (PNP-ASG).
The PNP-ASG said the accident occurred at around 11 a.m. local time outside the perimeter of the Busuanga Airport. Initial investigation revealed that the aircraft had suddenly crashed and exploded upon takeoff after picking up live fish products. (Philippines-Air Crash)
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KABUL, April 2 (Xinhua) -- Flash floods triggered by heavy rains have killed at least 51 people and injured 89 others across Afghanistan over the past week, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Management Authority said on Thursday.
The floods have devastated large parts of the country, causing not only loss of life but also extensive financial and property destruction, according to Hafiz Mohammad Yusuf Hammad, the authority's spokesman. More than 2,600 houses were ruined utterly or partially. (Afghanistan-Floods) ■
