Typhoon Morakot Affects over 8 Million People in East China
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, the typhoon named Morakot has affected around 8.8 million people in Fujian, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Anhui, causing, a direct economic loss of nearly 10 billion Yuan. Late last night at around 10:30, a massive landslide occurred in Pengxi, Zhejiang Province, causing six or seven apartment buildings to collapse and burying an unknown number of residents. The Ministry of Civil Affairs had allocated over 500 million Yuan in fund to help the 7 typhoon-stricken provinces.

 
Plane back to Urumqi after threat
Late last night, the China-bound Afghan plane finally arrived at Urumqi after being diverted to Kandahar on Sunday night due to a bomb threat. The president of Kam Air, Mr. Zamarai Kamgar was on the aircraft. He said the entire incident "might have been a hoax" spread by the airline's competitors. Carrying 168 people, including five Chinese citizens, the aircraft was earlier denied permission to land in Urumqi and had to turn around and make an emergency landing in Kandahar.

UnionPay Service Now Available in Taiwan
The mainland banking system, UnionPay, announced yesterday (Aug 10th) in Taipei that saving cards and credit cards with UnionPay services can now be used in Taiwan. With this new option, Chinese Mainlanders shall no longer have to pay the 2% currency-exchange commission.