Beijing - About 1,200 people were evacuated Wednesday after an earthquake measuring 5 on the Richter scale damaged homes in China's south-western province of Yunnan, the government and state media said.

The State Seismological Bureau said it recorded the quake at 5:35 am (2135 GMT Tuesday) with an epicentre in Yunnan's Yingjiang county and a depth of about 10 kilometres.

Many homes collapsed in towns and villages close to the epicentre and about 1,200 people were evacuated, the official Xinhua news agency quoted local authorities as saying.

Hamburg - Chinese efforts at curbing smog during the Olympic Games by banning half of the 3 million vehicles from Beijing's roads has highlighted the problems caused by mass motorisation in the world's megacities.

Seven of the world's biggest cities with a population of more than 10 million currently exceed World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines on air pollution.

The problem is caused mainly by a growing population of older and badly maintained cars which spewing excess sulphur dioxide, diesel particulates and carbon monoxide into the air.

Karachi, Aug 20: The Chinese government has reportedly detained 35 Pakistanis visiting China to watch Olympics after they were suspected of planning to attack proceedings of the Games.

China has asked the Pakistani government for details of the arrested in a letter that alleged 35 suspected Pakistani militants had arrived in China to attack proceedings at the Games, reported the Daily Times.

According to the paper, Col Anjum Sheikh Saeed of the Foreign Security Department wrote to the Interior Ministry on August 18 ordering the authorities concerned to collect details of those detained.

Beijing - Spain wants to use illuminated bathing costumes for the team synchronized swimming final at the Olympics, but the international swimming federation FINA was still studying the proposal Tuesday.

"Their excuse is that you cannot use accessories, but this is not an accessory because otherwise sequins would be an accessory too," team member Andrea Fuentes said.

"They are still looking into it, it is not certain. We will know tomorrow or the day after," she added.

Beijing, Aug. 19: China’s Foreign Ministry hopes that President Musharraf’s departure from office will not compromise Pakistan’s political stability or economic progress.

Tractor major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) has decided to invest $26 million