NEW DELHI: Over 2,000 people were evacuated and coastal districts put on high alert in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa as the states braced themselves for a cyclonic storm that was likely to hit late on Sunday. In West Bengal, six districts, likely to be affected had been alerted and people were asked not to venture near the seas.

Tobacco ad ban

NEW DELHI: The Union Health Ministry is contemplating a ban on advertisements of tobacco and tobacco products that have been identified as the most important cause of fatal heart disease in country, an official said.

Jeev wins title

BANGKOK: India's Jeev Milkha Singh birdied the third play-off hole to edge out Myanmar's Zaw Moe and Taimur Hussain of Pakistan in a dramatic climax to the $ 220,000 Lexus International golf today. Jeev picked up $ 35,530 for his fourth title on the Asian PGA and his first victory since the Asia Cup in Korea three years ago.

Transporters' stir

NEW DELHI:Transporters, who have threatened an indefinite strike from Oct 21 if the price of diesel is not rolled back, began a relay fast here on Sunday. The agitation of the All India Motor Transport Congress began with a march.