Fighting in northern Myanmar leaves 2 dead

YANGON • Two civilians were killed yesterday when fighting broke out in a northern Myanmar town, in a region long plagued by ethnic rebel insurgencies.

The latest clashes, near the Myanmar-China border, are another blow to Ms Aung San Suu Kyi's hopes of forging a nationwide peace deal after years of war in the border region.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Penang region hit by floods after heavy rain

GEORGETOWN • Several flood-prone areas in Penang were inundated in the wee hours of the morning yesterday after six hours of unrelenting rain.

Among the affected areas on the island were Jalan P. Ramlee, Kampung Makam and Kampung Dodol. Several areas on the mainland, such as Mak Mandin, Seberang Jaya and Jalan Raja Uda, were also hit by flash floods.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

Ancient ruins , artefacts found in northern China

SHIJIAZHUANG • Ruins of a large granary, along with ancient jars, pots, bowls and coins, have been discovered in northern China's Hebei province, the authorities said yesterday.

Covering an area of about 52,000 sq m in Linxi County, the ruins are believed to have been constructed during the Tang Dynasty, from AD618-907.

XINHUA