Quake in Indonesia

JAKARTA: An earthquake measuring 5.7 on the Richter scale shook Sulawesi island on Monday. “There were no reports of casualties or property damage,” a meteorologist said. — AFP

Four US soldiers hurt

KANDAHAR: An explosion near a US military vehicle in southern Afghanistan on Monday wounded four American troops, a US military spokesman said. A police chief said it was a suicide assault for which a purported Taliban spokesman took responsibility. — AP

6 killed in China clash

BEIJING: Six villagers were killed and eight hurt when several hundred allegedly hired thugs descended on Shengyou village in Hebei province and clashed with locals over a land dispute, reports said on Monday. — AFP

Separatist leader held

DHAKA: A senior member of a Myanmar separatist group has been arrested in Bangladesh on suspicion of illegal arms trafficking, reports said on Monday. Authorities described the man as “commander Thaingjuthoi of the National United Party of Arakan.” — AFP

Two killed in floods

TAIPEI: Floods caused by torrential rain have claimed two lives and forced authorities to evacuate hundreds of residents from low-lying areas in Taiwan, officials said on Monday. — AFP

HK election hopeful

HONG KONG: Hong Kong’s next chief executive, Donald Tsang, is likely to be selected early, it emerged on Monday. Reports said that he was certain to emerge as the only candidate. Election hopefuls have until Thursday to submit their names for the July 10 selection process, when an 800-strong panel will choose the next leader. — AFP

One killed in Thailand

BANGKOK: One man died and three others were injured when two bombs exploded in Thailand’s restive Muslim-dominated southern provinces, police said on Monday. The bombs exploded as a garbage truck entered the police station for its regular collection. — AFP

UN plea to China

KUALA LUMPUR: China should grant North Koreans fleeing their country refugee status instead of sending them back to their homeland, where they fear persecution, Vitit Muntarbhorn, the UN monitor of human rights in North Korea, said on Monday. He said China should abide by its obligations under international refugee conventions. — AP

Victims in hospital

NEW DELHI: Four of the 26 injured, when hydrogen filled balloons burst into flames during a candlelight rally against child labour at India Gate, were still in hospital on Monday, a day after the mishap, authorities said. — HNS

Malay ex-MP dead

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s oldest ex-MP, Mahima Singh Thaliwal, died at the age of 99. Thaliwal was a founder member of the Malaysian Indian Congress and the Malaysian Sikh Union. — HNS

Rescue operation on

BEIJING: Rescuers searched on Monday for 15 people missing days after a flood swept over a school in northeastern China, with the toll of 92, expected to rise, reports said. — AFP