COMMANDO ATTACK: Gunfire continued to be heard for hours after the school was taken, as troops hunted down militants who had escaped the scene
Russia's hostage crisis came to a chaotic climax yesterday, erupting into explosions, gunfire and screams of fleeing children as commandos stormed the school where militants strapped with bombs had held hundreds of captives for a third day. More than 100 people were killed and 400 others wounded, reports said.

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By Huang Tai-lin
President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) on Thursday cautioned his constituents to take seriously China's plans to enact a unification law.

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MORE CAUTIOUS: Citing lower than expected demand the chip manufacturer lowered revenue and profit forecasts, sparking a sell-off of technology shares
A sell-off in tech stocks following Intel Corp's disappointing outlook pushed Asian shares lower yesterday, overpowering pockets of strength in some financial, consumer and industrial issues.

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The Cabinet sent the controversial "March 19 Shooting Truth Investigation Special Committee Statute" back to the opposition-controlled Legislative Yuan for reconsideration yesterday, in effect vetoing the legislation.

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France said it had received word that two French reporters held captive in Iraq were alive while one of their employers claimed the kidnappers had handed them over to an Iraqi opposition group, raising hopes that the hostages could soon be released.

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