TAIPEI: A major earthquake struck Taiwan tonight, knocking down buildings and cutting power, state radio reported. The radio said the earthquake was estimated at 7.3 on the open-ended Richter Scale and its epicentre was believed to be Nantou, a seismically active area in central Taiwan. The main quake was followed by several aftershocks. Earlier estimates had put the earthquake's strength at 6.0 on the Richter Scale. It struck just before 1800 GMT.

BJP man abducted

GUWAHATI: The BJP nominee for Dhubri constituency, Dr Pannalal Oswal, was abducted by United Liberation Front of Assam militants on Monday, official reports reaching here said.

Naxals kill 4 in AP

KARIMNAGAR: In a major offensive on the eve of re-polling in Andhra Pradesh, Naxalites of the outlawed People's War Group triggered a landmine blast, killing four policemen including a sub-inspector at Yamanapally in Karimnagar district on Monday.

Nadeem case

LONDON: The London magistrateis expected to give his ruling on the extradition of Bollywood music director Nadeem Akhtar Saifi on Tuesday. Counsel for Nadeem urged the London magistrate to drop the extradition case on the ground of ``insufficient evidence.''