IN BRIEF (Page 12)

India

5 dead from cyclone in India, Bangladesh

At least five people in India and Bangladesh were killed in the accidents or rains triggered by Cyclone Bulbul, which barreled into southwestern parts of Bangladesh on Sunday, according to local media. At least three people were reportedly killed by falling trees in three southwestern Bangladesh districts. Also one death each has been reported from the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha due to heavy rain triggered by the "very severe" cyclonic storm. The storm made landfall near Sagar Islands in West Bengal with its status downgraded to "severe" from "very severe" on Saturday night as the gale wind speed dropped to about 115-125 kilometers per hour. In Bangladesh, it damaged houses, uprooted trees, snapped power and communication lines, disrupted rail, road and air traffic. Hundreds of thousands of people were moved into storm shelters.

Japan

Emperor greets public in parade

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako waved and smiled from an open car in a motorcade marking his enthronement on Sunday before hundreds of thousands of delighted well-wishers who cheered, waved small flags and took photos from both sides of packed sidewalks. Security was extremely tight with police setting up 40 checkpoints leading to the area. Selfie sticks, bottles and banners - and even shouting - were not allowed inside the restricted zone. Residents in high-rise apartments along the road were advised not to look down from their windows or balconies. Naruhito succeeded his father Akihito on May 1 following his abdication, and formally ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in a palace ceremony last month.

United Nations

70 nations pledge to reduce food waste

More than 70 countries have pledged to do more to cut down on the amount of food lost due to poor refrigeration. The countries signed the pledge on Saturday at an annual meeting of the Montreal Protocol where ministers, government officials and experts work on regulating man-made chemicals used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that are harmful to the ozone layer. The meeting took place at the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in Rome. About one-third of the world's food is lost or wasted and the hope is that developing better methods to keep food cold while it's stored and transported will reduce waste.

Agencies - Xinhua

(China Daily 11/11/2019 page12)