AP - As teams continued the biggest search and rescue operation in Texas history, a new phase of the disaster wrought by Hurricane Ike was only beginning as thousands of people faced long stays in crowded shelters because their homes were damaged or destroyed.

AFP - Crude oil prices dropped nearly two dollars Sunday in New York, dipping to 99.30 dollars, as traders were reassured over Hurricane Ike's relatively limited effect on oil production in the US Gulf Coast region.

AFP - A giant panda born and raised in western Japan has given birth to two cubs, a zoo official said Sunday.

Reuters - Rescuers made their way through piles of debris and inundated streets in Texas seaside towns on Sunday after Hurricane Ike flooded hundreds of miles of U.S. coastline, cut power to millions and pummeled the oil hub of Houston.

AFP - US energy production is not expected to suffer serious disruptions due to Hurricane Ike, which slammed the Texas coast at the most important US oil production area, a risk assessment firm said Saturday.

Reuters - A powerful typhoon packing winds of up to 160 kph (100 mph) hit northeastern Taiwan on Sunday, dumping up to a meter of rain, causing hundreds of mudslides, injuring 14 and forcing the cancellation of dozens of flights.

AP - Democrats sought on Saturday to drum up support for compromise legislation on offshore drilling, challenging Republicans to break from Bush administration policies that neglect development of alternative energy sources.

AFP - A US astronaut of Mexican origin, part of the crew for an Atlantis Space Shuttle voyage in July 2009, presented a project for a Mexican space agency to senators here Friday.

AFP - US President George W. Bush announced on Saturday restrictions on imported gasoline had been suspended in response to Hurricane Ike, which disrupted operations at Gulf Coast oil refineries and prompted gas price-gouging in southeastern states.