Briefly

S. ASIA

Floods, landslides kill 56 in India, 14 in Nepal

Heavy rain and storms have triggered floods and landslides that killed 56 people in India, while in Nepal, 14 have died, with authorities warning on Sunday that more flash floods are possible. India's Uttar Pradesh state recorded 66.5 millimeters of rain between Friday and Sunday morning, compared with a normal 7.6 mm for the period, a state relief official said. In a separate incident in Nepal, several local workers were missing after an avalanche buried the 7,126-meter Himlung base camp in the northern Manang district, hiking officials said.

SWITZERLAND

Voters to decide on neutrality in polls

Swiss voters went to the polls on Sunday to decide on whether to approve a more restrictive form of neutrality that would block their country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO. According to the latest projections by state broadcaster SRF, more than two-thirds voted against a proposal for a strictly defined version of neutrality to be written into the constitution.

CAMBODIA

Area set up to protect Siamese crocodiles

Cambodia has established its first crocodile genetic conservation area to safeguard the critically endangered Siamese crocodile, conservationists announced in a joint press release on Saturday. Announced by the Ministry of Environment, the Boeung Veal Veng site features a 315-hectare nesting area. The area is home to the largest remaining wild population of Siamese crocodiles, with about 40 individuals.

AGENCIES-XINHUA