Briefly

BRAZIL

Cyclone leaves 11 dead, 20 missing

At least 11 people were killed and 20 were missing after a cyclone tore through southern Brazil, Agence France-Presse quoted the local authorities as saying on Saturday. "According to the state branch of Protection and Civil Defense, 11 people died from the effects of the cyclone," the government of Rio Grande do Sul state said in a statement. "Eighteen people are still missing in Caraa and two in Tres Forquilhas," it said. Rio Grande do Sul governor Eduardo Leite visited the worst-affected areas by helicopter on Saturday with other government and rescue officials.

INDIA

Sweltering heat kills 34 in Uttar Pradesh

Sweltering heat has killed 34 people in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, health officials said on Saturday. The deaths were reported at a hospital in Ballia district, about 412 km southeast of Lucknow, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh. "On Thursday, 23 deaths were recorded, and on Friday, 11 more deaths were reported," Ballia Chief Medical Officer Jayant Kumar said. Local health officials have asked people, especially those aged above 60, to stay indoors and avoid venturing out during the daytime.

Agencies - Xinhua