India

Bad weather hampers rescue

Bad weather hampered rescue operations on Sunday in northern India, where up to 1,000 people are feared to have died in landslides and flash floods that have left pilgrims and tourists stranded without food or water. So far 557 bodies have been found after torrential rains struck the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on June 15.

Malaysia

Worst smog in 16 years

Malaysia's government declared a state of emergency in two southern districts choked by smoke from forest fires in Indonesia as air pollution levels reached a 16-year high on Sunday. Environment minister G. Palanivel said the air pollutant index hit 750 in the town of Muar - the highest reading seen in Malaysia for 16 years - on Sunday morning.

Turkey

More violence in Taksim Square

Turkish police used water cannon to disperse thousands gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square on Saturday to observe a memorial for four people killed during recent anti-government protests. The officers later fired tear gas and rubber bullets, and in some cases beat people with batons, to scatter demonstrators who regrouped in side streets.

AFP-AP

(China Daily 06/24/2013 page10)