Taipei- Taiwan's stocks plunged 3.19 per cent Thursday as investors lost confidence in the island's economic outlook, despite a government announcement of a
180 billion Taiwan dollar (5.6 billion US) economic stimulus package, dealers said.

The Weighted Price Index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange opened lower and continued its downward trend to close at 6251.95 points, down 206.06 points or 3.19 per cent from the previous trading session.

Taipei- The United States Thursday rejected requests for political asylum from three Taiwan-based Chinese pro-democracy activists, saying they should seek asylum in Taiwan.

The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), the de-facto US embassy in Taiwan, made the decision one day after Cai Lujun and Wu Yalin climbed over the wall into AIT's compound in Taipei to seek asylum, for themselves and Chen Rongli, a third activist who remained outside the compound.

Taipei - Two Chinese pro-democracy activists, unable to get sanctuary in Taiwan, on Wednesday entered the de facto US embassy in Taipei to seek political asylum in the United States.

Cai Lujun, 40, and Wu Yalin, 49, jumped over the wall to gain entry into the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) compound Wednesday afternoon to apply for asylum from Washington.

Taipei Taiwan is concerned about Paraguay's intention to recognize China after Paraguayan Foreign Minister Alejandro Hamed said that Asuncion will make a decision on diplomatic relations within months, a newspaper reported Wednesday.

According to the Liberty Times, Hamed said Tuesday in Brazil that Paraguay's new government has begun a new era for the South American nation's diplomacy, and one of its goals is to launch full relations with China.

"The new government will make a decision on this issue within a few months," the Liberty Times quoted Hamed as saying in Brazil's capital Brasilia, where he is preparing for President Fernando Lugo's visit to Brazil starting September 17.

Taipei - Taiwan's leading female ultra-marathon runner has had to have both legs amputated after blisters on her foot developed into an infection, press reports said Tuesday.

Chiu Shu-jung, 51, remains in a coma in a French hospital following the amputation of her left leg on August 31 and of her right leg on September 1, the China Times daily said.

President Ma Ying-jeou has instructed Taiwan's foreign ministry to assist the French hospital in saving Chiu's life, the Central News Agency reported.

Chiu, 51, a mother of two and a clerk at the China Steel Corp, took part in the annual 1,500-kilometre ultra-marathon race, La Trans Gaule, between August 13 and 31.

Taipei - A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale jolted Taiwan Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The quake, which struck at 3:43 pm (0743 GMT), shook high-rise buildings in Taipei, sending jittery residents into the streets.

The quake was centred 86 kilometers east of the north-eastern coastal county of Ilan at a depth of 89 kilometers, said officials with the Central Weather Bureau's earthquake centre.

The officials said the earthquake was felt in most parts of Taiwan.