Manila (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Typhoon Kaemi dumped heavy rains and unleashed strong winds on the northern Philippines on Monday as it headed for Taiwan, forcing the stock exchange, government offices and schools to shut down.
Beijing (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - China's southeastern province of Fujian, a major victim of deadly Tropical Storm Bilis, is bracing for more devastation with Typhoon Kaemi expected to hit mid-week, state media said Monday.
Tehran (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Iran reiterated Monday it will not halt sensitive uranium enrichment work -- which is at the centre of fears the country could acquire nuclear weapons -- to resolve a standoff with the West.
Bangkok (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - The UN's Asian regional commission called Monday for increased efforts to complete a tsunami warning system, after some 600 people died last week when killer waves struck Indonesia's Java island.
Seoul (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - South Korea's state electricity monopoly said Monday it has postponed construction of a power transmission tower in North Korea due to tension over its missile tests.
Hanoi (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Vietnam sent back two smuggled orangutans to Indonesia on Monday in a speedy repatriation environmentalists said sent a strong signal to illegal wildlife traffickers.
Kuala Lumpur (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Thailand's candidate for the UN's top job will seek the support of the United States, China and its Southeast Asian neighbours at a regional meeting here this week, officials said Monday.
Beijing (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Eleven people were killed and six others remain missing following an explosion at a coal mine in northern China on Monday, state press reported.
Beijing (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - The Chinese government and banking officials refused to comment Monday on a report the Bank of China had frozen its North Korean accounts because of Pyongyang's alleged illegal financial activities.
New York (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - US microprocessor giant AMD will acquire Canadian technology company ATI in a deal valued at approximately 5.4 billion dollars, the companies said Monday in a joint statement.
Bhubaneshwar, India (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - India tested two surface-to-air Trishul missiles Monday in the eastern state of Orissa, a day after a similar launch from the site, defence officials said.
Beijing (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Forty million farmers have lost their land in China over the past decade due to urbanization, with another 15 million to suffer a similar fate over the next five years, a government report said.
Washington (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - Pakistan is building a powerful new nuclear reactor for producing plutonium, The Washington Post reported Monday, citing independent analysts.
Beijing (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - The foreign ministers of feuding neighbors China and Japan will hold talks at an Asian forum in Malaysia this week, the two sides said Monday, with North Korea to be a key issue on the agenda.
Washington (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - A growing number of Americans are setting up mini-refineries in their homes to produce biodiesel, a fuel made from waste cooking oil which is cleaner and cheaper than the petrol sold in gas stations.
Seoul (AFP) Jul 24, 2006 - The Bank of China has frozen North Korean accounts in response to a US-led crackdown on Pyongyang's alleged illegal financial activities, a South Korean legislator said Monday.
