Gen. Than Shwe may meet with Suu Kyi

Myanmar's military leader may meet with dissident leader Aung San Suu Kyi this week according to reports released on Thursday. The country made headlines recently over its crackdown on protests led largely by Buddhist monks.

eFluxMedia (press release)

Myanmar Junta Leader May Meet With Suu Kyi Wall Street Journal - 2 hours ago AP YANGON, Myanmar -- Myanmar military leader Gen. Than Shwe told a United Nations envoy this week that he will meet with opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, but with preconditions, state media reported Thursday.

Myanmar cracks down on monks, blocks internet

The government cracked down on protesting Buddhist monks and their supporters in Myanmar killing at least 10 and injuring or detaining many others.

Rangoon also blocked land-line access to the internet and surrounded key Buddhist temples in the country.

Monks had joined protests in the country condemning a fuel price hike. The demonstrations continued to swell reaching into the tens of thousands before the government began confronting the protesters earlier this week. According to some reports, hundreds have been killed in the violence.

Myanmar crackdown brings condemnation (AP)

AP - Myanmar's suppression of pro-democracy demonstrators drew condemnation and protests Friday particularly in surrounding Asian countries. ASEAN envoys and China urged the country to exercise restraint in dealing with the protests.

Shanghai praces for Typhoon Wipha

Although it is expected to weaken dramatically before reaching Shanghai in China, Typhoon Wipha could still be the most damaging storm to hit the area in a decade.

After passing over Taiwan, Wipha was still a Category 3 typhoon although it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm over the next 12 hours.

More than 2 million people have been evacuated throughout China ahead of the massive cyclone.

China's official government website issued a statement said to come from both President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao that "demanded that relevant provinces and cities strengthen their guard against the typhoon, increase implementation of defence measures ... and safeguard the lives and safety of the people"

Typhoons normally strike the Chinese coast during the summer months as they move northwest across the South China Sea from Southeast Asia.

Shaghai has evacuated 291,000 people and stopped all construction in the city. Two FIFA Women's World Cup matches scheduled for Wednesday in Shanghai and Hangzhou have been postponed to Thursday. The Shanghai match will be relocated to Hangzhou.

Pedestrian in Taipei walk through rain brought by Typhoon Wipha.AFP/Patrick Lin photo via Yahoo News.