COLOMBO -- At least 11 people remained missing and about 50 were injured in a fire that broke out in an elderly care facility in Horana, Sri Lanka's Western Province.
According to the police, about 45 residents of the facility were safely evacuated to secure locations, while several others are believed to have remained inside the premises when the blaze spread. Rescue operations are currently underway. (Sri Lanka-Fire)
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BANGKOK -- Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was fully discharged from his sentence with immediate effect under a royal pardon decree, Justice Minister Rutthapol Naowarat confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters, Rutthapol said Thaksin met the conditions of the royal pardon decree published in the official Royal Gazette on Tuesday, which removes the need for him to remain under probation until Sept. 9. (Thailand-Thaksin-Pardon)
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SEOUL -- South Korea's ruling liberal Democratic Party was forecast to take a dominant lead in the local elections, a joint exit poll by the country's three major broadcasters showed Wednesday.
The Democratic Party was projected to secure 11 out of 16 races for metropolitan mayors and provincial governors, leaving the main conservative opposition People Power Party ahead in just one region, while the rest remained too close to call. (South Korea-Local Elections)
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NEW DELHI -- At least 18 foreign nationals were killed in a fire that broke out at a hotel in New Delhi, India, local media reported.
According to the report, the deceased foreign nationals were from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique and Liberia. The total death toll of the fire currently stands at 21, with more than 40 taken to nearby hospitals for medical treatment. The exact cause of the fire is still under investigation. (India-Fire) ■
