Plan to reopen Kinabalu

KOTA KINABALU - Sabah is hoping to reopen Mount Kinabalu to climbers by September, said Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Masidi Manjun.

However, the number of climbers would be limited to fewer than 100 per climb for safety purposes, The Star reported. The mountain has been closed to climbers since the June 5 earthquake that killed 18 people.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

India, China to help Nepal

KATHMANDU - India and China pledged nearly US$1.5 billion (S$2 billion) in aid for earthquake reconstruction in impoverished Nepal yesterday, as the Asian giants attempt to help it get back on its feet and expand their influence in the buffer state.

Nepal's government has estimated the cost of recovery at over US$6.6 billion, one-third of the country's gross domestic product. India offered US$1 billion, while China pledged US$483 million.

REUTERS

Pakistan frees Thai students

BANGKOK - A group of Thai students who were detained in Pakistan, after one of them was caught carrying a gun through Lahore's airport, returned home yesterday after officials secured their release.

The Thai government has said that the students are not linked to any insurgent groups.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

China slams US over Bill

BEIJING - China's Defence Ministry expressed anger yesterday after the United States Senate passed a Bill which would encourage Taiwan to take part in US military exercises.

The Bill passed last week states that Taiwan "should be encouraged to participate in exercises that include realistic air-to-air combat training", as well as advanced training for its ground forces, attack helicopters and surveillance aircraft.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE