BANGLADESH: A truck carrying iron rods and extra passengers overturned on a major highway early today in central Bangladesh, leaving at least 15 people dead and 10 others injured, police said.

The crash happened after the driver lost control at Soratoil area in Tangail district, 52 miles north-west of the capital Dhaka.

JAPAN: More than 20 people developed sore throats near a luxury department store in Tokyo’s posh Ginza shopping area today after a person apparently sprayed an unidentified substance.

The Tokyo Fire Department said 26 people complained of suddenly developing throat pain and felt unwell near the Ginza Six shopping complex, and all but one of them were taken to a hospital. 

CAMBODIA: Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha was granted a royal pardon today from his 27-year sentence for treason, a month after an appeals court affirmed his conviction and punishment.

Senate president Hun Sen, acting as head of state in the absence of King Norodom Sihamoni, issued the pardon freeing Mr Sokha from house arrest.

LAOS: Rescuers have been racing against time to reach seven people trapped in a cave in central Laos since last week.

A group of villagers in Xaisomboun province went looking for gold on May 19, but heavy rain triggered flash flooding that blocked the exit, according to Laos and Thai rescue teams.

One of the group escaped before the exit was blocked and alerted authorities.