yangtze blocked for construction of second largest dam

China has blocked the flow of the country's longest river to build it second-largest hydro power project. The Xiludo power station on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, also known as Jinsha River in that area, will be the largest dam downstream, when it is completed in 2015 at a cost of more than 50 billion yuan.The Yangtze was last blocked in 1997 for the 18.2megawatt three gorges dam, the world largest hydro power project. When completed, the dam will stand 278m high with a reservoir containing 11.57 billion cu m of water.

Bhutto freed from house arrest after just hours

Pakistani opposition leader Benazir Bhutto was freed from house arrest late yesterday, hours after she was stopped from leaving her Islamabad home to lead a rally against the president.The detention order has been withdrawn.Ms Bhutto, the politician most capable of galvanising mass protest aginst general Musharraf's imposition for emergency rule, appealed to police to like her through her cordon.

Oil and sulfur split in Black Sea catastrophe

A Russian oil tanker split into two during fierce storm yesterday, spilling at least 2,000 metric tons of fuel into a strait leading to the black sea, leading to one of the worst environmental disasters in the region in years.Three other cargo vessels sank in the storm. It would take several years to clean up the oil spill. Two freighters carrying sulphur also sank nearby .Storms of Ukraine's coast also sank a ship which was carrying 5,600 tonnes of scrap metal.They were 17 people on board...two crew members were found on the shore, the other 15 sailors are still missing.

Malaysia's oldest varisity out of world's top 200

Malysian universities have crashed out of the world top-200 in global rankings, jeopardising the antions attempt to lure foreign students.Three years ago, they had University Sains Malaysia among the top first 100 and other two universities top 200.Now none of the Malaysian University are in the top 200.

RALLY'S WET ENDING

Malaysia's opposition and human rights groups yesterday condemned the authorities for trying to supress the biggest political rally in a decade with tear gas, water cannons and arrest.Organiser said at least seven people were beaten by the police, and that some needed to be treated in the hospital,including a broken leg. Prime Minister Adbullah had vowed to shut down Saturday rally in Kuala Lumpur, held to campaign for electrical reforms as the Nation heads for polls expected to be held early next year.