■ Myanmar
18 fast for Suu Kyi
About 18 activists fasted yesterday to protest the detention of Myanmar pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. The US State Department reported last week that Suu Kyi was on a hunger strike. However, a Red Cross official on Saturday said Suu Kyi was well and not refusing food after a team from the organization visited her. The fast at Lumpini Park in the Thai capital began early yesterday and was scheduled to last 12 hours, according to the Bangkok-based human rights group Forum Asia, which organized the protest. "Today's event aims to send the message that ... [Myanmar's government] must release Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners immediately and unconditionally," the group said. Sunday marked the
■ China
Corruption clampdown
The son of a disgraced former Chinese governor and five others have been sentenced to up to 15 years in prison for corruption, in a major expose of graft linking government officials, private businessmen and state corporations. Li Bo, the son of former Yunnan province Governor Li Jiating, was given the heaviest sentence by the Kunming Municipal Intermediate Court. Beginning in 1996, Li Bo allegedly collected more than 15 million yuan (US$1.8 million) in bribes and kickbacks involving contracts for tobacco and gasoline, the Beijing Morning Post said. Sentenced with him was the former governor's mistress, Xu Fuying, and a former county chief was given the second-heaviest sentence -- 10 years -- for corruption and embezzlement.
■ Indonesia
Four die escaping fire
Four people died after leaping early yesterday from a burning ballroom on the top floor of a hotel on an Indonesian tourist island, police said. Nineteen others were injured in the fire on Batam island, sparked by a cigarette during a late-night wedding in the nine-story Harmoni Hotel's ballroom, police duty officer Bachrul Effendi said. It took firefighters two hours to put out the fire, which began at around 4am, he said.
■ Pakistan
Al-Qaeda hunters attacked
Attackers fired three rockets at an airport housing Pakistan military troops hunting for al-Qaeda and Taliban fugitives, but there were no injuries or damage, a military official said yesterday. The attack occurred late Friday in Bannu, a conservative tribal city about 250km southwest of the capital, Islamabad, said Major General Shaukat Sultan, a military spokesman. There was no claim of responsibility and Sultan said officials were investigating who was responsible. Two rockets exploded in deserted areas inside the airport grounds. The third rocket failed to explode, he said.
■ North Korea
Pyongyang sets up parade
North Korea has moved missiles and tanks to an airport near its capital for a military parade marking the founding anniversary this week of its communist government, reports said yesterday. North Korea is using the parade and other programs for tomorrow's national day celebrations to boost unity in a stand-off with the US over the Stalinist state's nuclear ambitions, South Korea's Yonhap news agency said. Scud missiles, tanks and military vehicles have gathered in Mirim Airport near Pyongyang for the parade, it said. North Korea was "decked in a festive attire to celebrate" the anniversary, according to the official Korean Central News Agency.
■ Northern Ireland
Trimble wins tense vote
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