Army officer seeks local truce with NPA due to ‘restive’ Mayon

Bombshell conspiracies in the Philippines
MANILA - A spate of deadly bombings has rocked stability in the Philippines, setting off conspiracy theories about whether Muslim rebels, internationally linked terrorists or President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's government are behind the mysterious attacks.
...
Former House speaker Jose de Venecia has claimed publicly that the bombs are part of a broad destabilizing plot to justify the declaration of martial law and suspension of democracy, including potentially democratic polls scheduled for next year in which Arroyo is barred by constitutional term limits from seeking re-election.

Speaker: No constituent assembly at SONA
Speaker Prospero Nograles downplayed yesterday allegations of former Speaker Jose de Venecia Jr. that administration lawmakers would use the joint session of Congress when President Arroyo delivers her State of the Nation Address (SONA) next week to convene a constituent assembly or con-ass and introduce amendments to the Constitution.

Philippine bombings: No one is a suspect and everyone is to blame
The first bombs exploded outside two Catholic cathedrals on the restive southern Philippine island of Mindanao. They were followed by a series of blasts two days later that raised the toll to 12 dead and 100 injured.

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U.S. ready for talks and sanctions for North Korea
SEOUL (Reuters) - The United States is ready to hold talks with North Korea if the conditions are right but will also press U.N. sanctions to punish Pyongyang for its nuclear and missile tests, a senior U.S. envoy for Asia said on Saturday.
I really don't know whether to scream or hurl.

New tensions as NKorea seizes SKorean fishing boat

3rd Bomb Failed, Saving Lives In Jakarta Attacks

Wife of fugitive militant detained
Ariana Rahma is married to Malaysian fugitive Noordin Mohammad, who is thought to also have masterminded Bali bombings.

China, Taiwan in direct exchange

China slams Uighur leader Kadeer's Japan visit: report
TOKYO (Reuters) - China's ambassador to Japan on Monday slammed a planned Tokyo visit by Uighur leader Rebiya Kadeer, in an apparent escalation of Beijing's campaign against the exile it accuses of instigating deadly ethnic riots.

Deadly riot by China steelworkers scuttles merger

China denies 10,000 Uighurs have disappeared

Abortions Surge in China; Officials Cite Poor Sex Education
How 'bout that one-child policy!

China Detains Prominent Legal Activist
Chinese authorities detained a prominent legal activist, escalating a clampdown on dissent ahead of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Communist Party rule.

China’s PLA opens its doors to raise trust quotient

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Magnitude 4.8 - OFF WEST COAST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND, N.Z.

Magnitude 5.2 - NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Magnitude 4.7 - NEW BRITAIN REGION, PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Magnitude 4.0 - SOUTHERN ALASKA

Magnitude 4.8 - EASTERN TURKEY

Magnitude 4.7 - SOUTHERN MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE

Magnitude 4.5 - RAT ISLANDS, ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA

Aftershocks continue in Fiordland

Magnitude 5.8 - TONGA

Magnitude 4.6 - KENAI PENINSULA, ALASKA

Magnitude 5.4 - SOUTH OF SUMBAWA, INDONESIA

Magnitude 4.6 - HOKKAIDO, JAPAN REGION

Magnitude 4.8 - KOMANDORSKIYE OSTROVA, RUSSIA REGION

Volcanic Ash Threatens Aviation Across North Pacific

Two Hualien farmers tap mud volcano for free gas - China

Magnitude 4.5 - TAJIKISTAN

Another small earthquake beneath LAX

5,200 people affected in Nagchu earthquake
The July 24 quake.

In Japan, getting ready for the Big One

Comet 'unlikely to wipe out Earth'
Duh! Might kill a few billion, but the Book is clear, comets aren't the end.