Headlines from the Associated Press

Rescuers at China quake epicenter, digging by hand

By AUDRA ANG — Thu, 15 May 2008 06:35:23 GMT

HANWANG, China (AP) -- Soldiers rushed to shore up a dam cracked by this week's powerful earthquake, and rescuers came by helicopter and ship Wednesday into the isolated epicenter but still were forced to dig for survivors with their bare hands....

Provincial official: 15 die in Afghan suicide bomb

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:30:27 GMT

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- An official says a suicide bomber wearing a burqa has killed 15 people and wounded 22 others in a crowded market in southwestern Afghanistan....

Myanmar says military-backed constitution approved

Thu, 15 May 2008 06:13:33 GMT

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Myanmar has announced that a military-backed constitution was overwhelmingly approved by voters in last week's referendum....

Thu, 15 May 2008 05:54:31 GMT

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- Myanmar government says military-backed constitution has been overwhelmingly approved by voters...

South Korea will aid North on food 'if asked'

By HYUNG-JIN KIM — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:48:19 GMT

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- South Korea's foreign minister said Thursday his government is willing to talk with North Korea about food aid to the communist country....

Indonesia to provide bird flu data online

By ROBIN McDOWELL — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:43:07 GMT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Indonesia's health minister said Thursday she would start sharing all genetic information about her country's bird flu virus with a new global database, to monitor whether the disease is mutating into a dangerous pandemic strain....

Red Cross: Up to 128,000 may have died in Myanmar

Thu, 15 May 2008 05:16:20 GMT

YANGON, Myanmar (AP) -- The Red Cross estimated Wednesday that the cyclone death toll in Myanmar could be as high as 128,000 - a much larger figure than the government tally. The U.N. warned a second wave of deaths will follow unless the military regime lets in more aid quickly....

UN chief secures support for more access in Myanmar

By JOHN HEILPRIN — Thu, 15 May 2008 05:03:15 GMT

UNITED NATIONS (AP) -- A frustrated U.N. chief said Wednesday he secured support from Myanmar, its neighbors and key donors Wednesday to increase the flow of cyclone relief aid and to convene a possible donors' conference this month....

AP video shows China earthquake's first moments

By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN — Thu, 15 May 2008 01:13:32 GMT

CHENGDU, China (AP) -- The moment that a devastating earthquake struck central China, the hills surrounding the city of Chengdu shook, people ran outside in confused panic, and a thick, white cloud of dust enveloped a mountain reserve....

Residents: missile strike hits Pakistan village

By HABIBULLAH KHAN — Wed, 14 May 2008 23:22:49 GMT

KHAR, Pakistan (AP) -- A suspected missile strike late Wednesday destroyed a house and killed about a dozen people in a Pakistan border village that was targeted by the U.S. military two years ago in the hunt for al-Qaida's No. 2 leader....