As many as 13 persons were killed and four injured in lightning strikes at different places in Odisha, officials said on Friday.


13 killed in lightning strikes in Odisha


IANS Automatic

The Punjab government claimed on Friday that there has been a 45 per cent drop in stubble burning cases in the state during the 2017 paddy harvesting season as compared to 2016.


45 per cent drop in stubble burning in Punjab


Even the incidence of rains that caused huge damage across Kerala have come down, three more deaths were reported on Friday, taking the death toll to 20 since the last two weeks.


Three more deaths in Kerala even as rains lessen


At least 11 people have died after an amphibious "duck boat" carrying tourists capsized in stormy weather in the US state of Missouri, police said.


11 killed in US boat capsize


Philippines was on alert on Friday as tropical storm Ampil intensified, leading to fears of heavy rainfall, extensive flooding and landslides, according to the country's meteorological agency.


Flood warnings issued as storm intensifies in Philippines


Strong winds and rain across Mongolia caused a massive power blackout across the country, an official said on Friday. A total of 75 subdivisions in eight provinces were left without power.


Massive power blackout hits Mongolia


At least two persons were killed and two others went missing in a flash flood triggered by Typhoon Son Tinh in Vietnam's Thanh Hoa province on Friday, an official said.


Typhoon Son Tinh makes landfall, 2 killed in Vietnam


Two persons have died and three others have been buried in rubble on a hillside after a cloud burst triggered heavy rains in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, an official said on Friday.


2 dead in Uttarakhand cloud burst


Filmmaker, art director and anchor Omung Kumar has a soft side for dogs, especially strays and abandoned ones. It is because of this that he agreed to design the 2019 calendar for an NGO committed to welfare of animals.


Omung Kumar turns to painting for a cause


Myanmar on Thursday joined the India-initiated International Solar Alliance (ISA), becoming the 68th member of the grouping that is aiming at optimum utilisation of solar energy.


Myanmar joins International Solar Alliance


The Haryana State Pollution Control Board has imposed prohibition on establishing new pyrolysis plants (for extraction of fuel oil from waste rubber tyres) in the state till the study in the local effects caused on health and environment by them is completed, a spokesperson said on Thursday.


Haryana bans new pyrolysis plants


Even as the death toll in Kerala due to rains climbed to 17 with the recovery of one more body, the Centre on Thursday assured that a central team will soon visit the state to assess the damage caused in at least eight districts.


Central team to visit Kerala for assessing rain damage


An alert for heavy rains has been sounded in Uttarakhand for the next 36 hours, an official said on Thursday.


Alert sounded for heavy rains in Uttarakhand


The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested two persons and seized six pieces of ivory weighing over 9 kg near a bus stand in Siliguri, officials said on Thursday.


Six pieces of ivory seized in West Bengal, two held


Blind faith and superstition have taken over parts of Bihar as people sacrifice thousands of frogs to appease rain Gods in the state that has seen a 42 per cent deficit in rainfall this monsoon.


Frog sacrifice in rain-starved Bihar


Bodies of two of the 19 missing fishermen were found in the Bay of Bengal on Wednesday by rescuers, an official said.


Bodies of two of 19 missing fishermen found in Bay of Bengal


Incessant heavy downpour continued on Wednesday in Gujarat's Saurashtra region, taking the death toll in the state to 32, officials said.


Incessant downpour continues in Saurashtra and south Gujarat, toll reaches 32


The death toll in Kerala in the heaviest rains in five years and floods has touched 16, with unabated rains badly affecting life in the central districts of Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Idukki.


Central Kerala badly hit by rains, 16 dead


Chairing Delhi's first "Green Budget" review meeting on Wednesday, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said the work of installing solar panels, promoting clean fuel and planting 30 lakh trees in Delhi is on track.


Sisodia reviews Delhi's first 'Green Budget' meeting


City electricity distribution company (discom) BSES Yamuna Power Ltd (BYPL), supplying to central and east Delhi, on Wednesday said it has signed a power sale agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to procure 100 MW of wind power at competitive rates.


BYPL to procure 100 MW wind power at competetive rate


PETA India has called on e-commerce sites -- OLX and Quikr -- to end the sale of live animals, saying this kind of trade treats them as unfeeling commodities and puts them at risk of being purchased by abusive people.

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