Japan's emperor hospitalized due to bronchitis
Japan's Emperor Akihito was admitted to hospital Sunday night due to symptons of a light form of bronchitis.
Kyodo News said the emperor, 77, has been hospitalized as a precaution because of the deterioration due to the fever of symptoms of a light form of bronchitis that he has occasionally exhibited, and he appears to be fatigued and has lost some resistance to fight his illness.
The emperor developed a fever on Thursday and his doctor diagnosed him with a cold. He has refrained from conducting official duties since Friday.
The emperor was last hospitalized eight years ago at the University of Tokyo Hospital, where he underwent surgery for prostate cancer.
Cabinet members approved Sunday that Crown Prince Naruhito will temporarily take the role of the emperor in affairs of state.
Editor: Mu Xuequan
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 23:19:17 FeedbackPrintRSS
TOKYO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Philippines' Muslim rebels mull holding dialogue with critical Catholic bishops
Philippines' Muslim rebels mull holding dialogue with critical Catholic bishops
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) said Sunday it was planning to hold a dialogue with three Catholic bishops who have been critical on the 5-million pesos ( 116,279 U.S. dollars) fund given by the Philippine government to the Muslim rebels' foundation.
Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, said the MILF peace panel led by Mohagher Iqbal was seriously considering to invite Bishops Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran, Ilagan Bishop Elenito Galido and Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Colin Bagaforo, after they separately expressed critical views on the donation to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute.
"We will reach out to them first through a mutually acceptable go-in-between. We have very reliable line of communication with the Catholic Church," Mantawil said.
The government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, handed down in August to the MILF the fund to assist the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute.
But some sectors, including the prelates, criticized the government following the Oct. 18 encounter in Al Barka town, Basilan province between government troops and MILF militants, resulting to the death of 19 soldiers.
Critics have accused the MILF of using the fund to buy weapons against the government, but the MILF denied the allegation.
The MILF has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Muslim sub-state in the south of the predominantly Catholic country. Peace talks between the government and the MILF stalled in August 2008 following the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain.
A final peace deal with the government will touch the issues of autonomy and the civil settlement of the rebel group's 11,800- strong guerrilla fighters.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:54:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front ( MILF) said Sunday it was planning to hold a dialogue with three Catholic bishops who have been critical on the 5-million pesos ( 116,279 U.S. dollars) fund given by the Philippine government to the Muslim rebels' foundation.
Jun Mantawil, head of the MILF peace panel secretariat, said the MILF peace panel led by Mohagher Iqbal was seriously considering to invite Bishops Leonardo Medroso of Tagbilaran, Ilagan Bishop Elenito Galido and Cotabato Auxiliary Bishop Colin Bagaforo, after they separately expressed critical views on the donation to the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute.
"We will reach out to them first through a mutually acceptable go-in-between. We have very reliable line of communication with the Catholic Church," Mantawil said.
The government, through the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, handed down in August to the MILF the fund to assist the Bangsamoro Leadership and Management Institute.
But some sectors, including the prelates, criticized the government following the Oct. 18 encounter in Al Barka town, Basilan province between government troops and MILF militants, resulting to the death of 19 soldiers.
Critics have accused the MILF of using the fund to buy weapons against the government, but the MILF denied the allegation.
The MILF has been fighting government troops for decades to establish a self-rule Muslim sub-state in the south of the predominantly Catholic country. Peace talks between the government and the MILF stalled in August 2008 following the aborted signing of the Memorandum of Agreement on Ancestral Domain.
A final peace deal with the government will touch the issues of autonomy and the civil settlement of the rebel group's 11,800- strong guerrilla fighters.
Editor: Deng Shasha
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:54:19 FeedbackPrintRSS
MANILA, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Situation among tourists stranded in Nepal stressful but not chaotic: authorities
Situation among tourists stranded in Nepal stressful but not chaotic: authorities
The situation in Lukla, north east of Nepal where hundreds of tourists and visitors have been stranded, is getting stressful, authorities said.
The tourists have been stranded in the Tenzing- Hillary Airport in Lukla since Tuesday following sudden change in weather condition.
The small airport which is located at an altitude of 2,860 meters is one of the busiest airports in Nepal as it is the gateway for tourists visiting Mount Everest (Mt. Qomolangma).
Although rescue operations have been planned and prepared, the bad weather is still preventing rescue flight operators from reaching the spot.
A local resident and hotel worker in the region Kumari Sherpa informed Xinhua over phone on Saturday that the region is being over packed with tourists who are making space under tents in the airport.
"We are running out of service," Sherpa had said.
Likewise, President of Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) Santosh Subba told Xinhua that there is no doubt the situation has been stressful, but it is not as chaotic as it is being portrayed.
"There are a large number of tourists in the region and its adding up every day. It is being populated beyond its capacity," he said. "But it surely does not resemble the hype that is being portrayed." "We have been making sure that food stuffs are not exorbitantly priced. We have been coordinating with the local authorities to make sure that such instances are checked," he said.
"The food supplies in Lukla will last for few more days in case the weather is not clear and rescue flights cannot be operated," according to Sherpa.
"It is definitely not an easy situation and people are obviously stressed. Hotel workers are overloaded with tasks and tourists are panicking because they have to catch early flights back to their countries," Sherpa further added.
Sherpa said the HRA is working closely with the Tourists Crisis Cell (TCC), Trekkers' Agency Association Nepal, and Nepal Tourism Board to create pressure to concerned bodies and prevent any chaotic situation. "We learnt that the private companies were charging huge amount during the rescue operations. We have directed flight operators not to do so and warned them of severe actions if found to be done so," Sherpa told Xinhua.
He also said tourists were using hike trails to other destinations where they can have easy access to rescue or transportation back to Kathmandu.
"Tourists have been taking hike trails to other destinations. Some 1000 tourists have gathered in Surke which is a two-hour walk below Lukla because rescue flights are somehow being able to reach there," he said.
"We will do our best to avoid every odd situation," Sherpa said.
Similar situation in the same region which lasted for 15 days last year also had a large number of stranded tourists resulting in a severe food crisis.
In January 2008, the airport was renamed in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first persons to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
The surrounding terrain, thin air, highly changeable weather and the airport's short, sloping runway make it one of the most challenging landing strips in the world.
Only small aircraft and choppers with limited seat capacity can make its way to the airport which is also hampering the rescue of such a large number of tourists.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:34:45
The situation in Lukla, north east of Nepal where hundreds of tourists and visitors have been stranded, is getting stressful, authorities said.
The tourists have been stranded in the Tenzing- Hillary Airport in Lukla since Tuesday following sudden change in weather condition.
The small airport which is located at an altitude of 2,860 meters is one of the busiest airports in Nepal as it is the gateway for tourists visiting Mount Everest (Mt. Qomolangma).
Although rescue operations have been planned and prepared, the bad weather is still preventing rescue flight operators from reaching the spot.
A local resident and hotel worker in the region Kumari Sherpa informed Xinhua over phone on Saturday that the region is being over packed with tourists who are making space under tents in the airport.
"We are running out of service," Sherpa had said.
Likewise, President of Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) Santosh Subba told Xinhua that there is no doubt the situation has been stressful, but it is not as chaotic as it is being portrayed.
"There are a large number of tourists in the region and its adding up every day. It is being populated beyond its capacity," he said. "But it surely does not resemble the hype that is being portrayed." "We have been making sure that food stuffs are not exorbitantly priced. We have been coordinating with the local authorities to make sure that such instances are checked," he said.
"The food supplies in Lukla will last for few more days in case the weather is not clear and rescue flights cannot be operated," according to Sherpa.
"It is definitely not an easy situation and people are obviously stressed. Hotel workers are overloaded with tasks and tourists are panicking because they have to catch early flights back to their countries," Sherpa further added.
Sherpa said the HRA is working closely with the Tourists Crisis Cell (TCC), Trekkers' Agency Association Nepal, and Nepal Tourism Board to create pressure to concerned bodies and prevent any chaotic situation. "We learnt that the private companies were charging huge amount during the rescue operations. We have directed flight operators not to do so and warned them of severe actions if found to be done so," Sherpa told Xinhua.
He also said tourists were using hike trails to other destinations where they can have easy access to rescue or transportation back to Kathmandu.
"Tourists have been taking hike trails to other destinations. Some 1000 tourists have gathered in Surke which is a two-hour walk below Lukla because rescue flights are somehow being able to reach there," he said.
"We will do our best to avoid every odd situation," Sherpa said.
Similar situation in the same region which lasted for 15 days last year also had a large number of stranded tourists resulting in a severe food crisis.
In January 2008, the airport was renamed in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first persons to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
The surrounding terrain, thin air, highly changeable weather and the airport's short, sloping runway make it one of the most challenging landing strips in the world.
Only small aircraft and choppers with limited seat capacity can make its way to the airport which is also hampering the rescue of such a large number of tourists.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:34:45
Pakistani Prime Minister leaves for Russia to attend SCO summit
Pakistani PM leaves for Russia to attend SCO summit
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani left for the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Sunday to attend the session of the Council of Heads of Government of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States, officials said.
The meeting will be held on Monday and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had invited Gilani to the summit, according to the Prime Minister's office.
The session will discuss issues of coordination among the countries amid acute problems faced nowadays by the world economy to determine further steps aimed at developing trade, economic and humanitarian ties between the SCO member states, observers and other regional partners, it said.
The Russian Prime Minister also expressed his desire in the letter to meet Gilani on the occasion of the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting at Saint Petersburg.
Putin said that he is confident that the forthcoming session will promote the intensification of cooperation between the SCO member states and Pakistan.
The SCO, an intergovernmental mutual-security organization, was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Pakistan has the status of observer along with India, Iran and Mongolia.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said the country is desirous of becoming a full member of this forum on account of its immense potential for dealing with common challenges. The Prime Minister will seek support of the member states for Pakistan's quest to become the SCO member.
Gilani's visit will also afford an opportunity to exchange views with Putin, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations are characterized by increasing mutual trust and commonality of interests. There is a strong desire on both sides to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit," it said.
"The SCO is an important regional security organization whose profile and scope of agenda has assumed great importance over the years," the statement said.
The SCO deals with issues of common regional concern, including regional trade, connectivity, energy cooperation, security-related collaboration, drug trafficking as well as extremism and terrorism.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:22:21 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani left for the Russian city of St. Petersburg on Sunday to attend the session of the Council of Heads of Government of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Member States, officials said.
The meeting will be held on Monday and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin had invited Gilani to the summit, according to the Prime Minister's office.
The session will discuss issues of coordination among the countries amid acute problems faced nowadays by the world economy to determine further steps aimed at developing trade, economic and humanitarian ties between the SCO member states, observers and other regional partners, it said.
The Russian Prime Minister also expressed his desire in the letter to meet Gilani on the occasion of the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting at Saint Petersburg.
Putin said that he is confident that the forthcoming session will promote the intensification of cooperation between the SCO member states and Pakistan.
The SCO, an intergovernmental mutual-security organization, was founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Pakistan has the status of observer along with India, Iran and Mongolia.
The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said the country is desirous of becoming a full member of this forum on account of its immense potential for dealing with common challenges. The Prime Minister will seek support of the member states for Pakistan's quest to become the SCO member.
Gilani's visit will also afford an opportunity to exchange views with Putin, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
"Pakistan-Russia bilateral relations are characterized by increasing mutual trust and commonality of interests. There is a strong desire on both sides to deepen and expand bilateral cooperation for mutual benefit," it said.
"The SCO is an important regional security organization whose profile and scope of agenda has assumed great importance over the years," the statement said.
The SCO deals with issues of common regional concern, including regional trade, connectivity, energy cooperation, security-related collaboration, drug trafficking as well as extremism and terrorism.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 19:22:21 FeedbackPrintRSS
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Provincial council member shot dead in southern Philippine city
Provincial council member shot dead in southern Philippine city
Unidentified gunmen shot dead a local official of a southern Philippine city early Sunday, police and local officials said.
Rafael Viduya, 58, a provincial council member of Surigao del Sur province was shot dead by two male suspects as he stepped out of a Catholic church after attending Mass in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur around 10 a.m., said Superintendent Martin Gamba, a regional police spokesperson.
Two other male suspects served as lookouts during the attack, Surigao del Sur governor Johnny Pimentel said, adding the provincial government has already tasked a police team to investigate the incident.
Ronilo Jauregue, Bislig City police chief, said the suspects fled on motorcycles as bystanders rushed Viduya to a nearby hospital but the victim was declared dead upon arrival by physicians.
"It could be personal, political or the handiwork of (leftist) New People's Army guerrillas. The police are exploring all possible angles," Pimentel told Xinhua by mobile phone, adding a 100,000 pesos (2,325 U.S. dollars) bounty has been put up for anyone who could provide information leading to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
Recovered from the crime scene were seven fired pistol cartridges, police said.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 18:44:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAVAO CITY, Philippines, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Unidentified gunmen shot dead a local official of a southern Philippine city early Sunday, police and local officials said.
Rafael Viduya, 58, a provincial council member of Surigao del Sur province was shot dead by two male suspects as he stepped out of a Catholic church after attending Mass in Bislig City, Surigao del Sur around 10 a.m., said Superintendent Martin Gamba, a regional police spokesperson.
Two other male suspects served as lookouts during the attack, Surigao del Sur governor Johnny Pimentel said, adding the provincial government has already tasked a police team to investigate the incident.
Ronilo Jauregue, Bislig City police chief, said the suspects fled on motorcycles as bystanders rushed Viduya to a nearby hospital but the victim was declared dead upon arrival by physicians.
"It could be personal, political or the handiwork of (leftist) New People's Army guerrillas. The police are exploring all possible angles," Pimentel told Xinhua by mobile phone, adding a 100,000 pesos (2,325 U.S. dollars) bounty has been put up for anyone who could provide information leading to the identification and arrest of the perpetrators.
Recovered from the crime scene were seven fired pistol cartridges, police said.
Editor: Lu Hui
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 18:44:46 FeedbackPrintRSS
DAVAO CITY, Philippines, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Floods creeping towards bus terminals, subway stations, train lines in Bangkok
Floods creeping towards bus terminals, subway stations, train lines in Bangkok
Floodwaters continued to spread in Bangkok, crossing Lat Phrao intersection and beginning to creep towards nearby bus terminals, subway stations and skytrain stations.
Although it is on the edge of being flooded, Mor Chit bus terminal, a gateway to northern and northeastern parts of the country, is still operational. Likewise, the subway and skytrain stations in the affected area are still operating normally.
According to Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, all 18 subway stations remained providing services as usual but two of them -- Ratchadapisek and Phaholyothin -- are under closed watch as floodwaters keep rising and overflow the first step of the stations' entrance.
Since late Saturday, a two-lane road underneath the Mor Chit skytrain station has been inundated but its service has not yet been affected.
The metro stations are protected against two-meter high floods. Floods of 3.5 meters above mean sea level. The skytrain service is still available if flood waters rise up to two meters. However, both subway and train services would not be able to continue if the water is higher than two meters.
The outer part of northern Bangkok has started to flood during the last week of October and floodwaters have continued to move to inner city. Until present, 13 districts of Bangkok's overall 50 districts have been affected. Authorities have ordered evacuation in eight districts while seven others are under closed watch, forcing some 11,000 evacuees to take shelters at evacuation centers across the city.
Heavy monsoon rains and tropical storms have fueled the country worst floods in over 50 years since late July. More than 500 people were confirmed dead in flood-related incidents while some 9. 4 million suffered. Indulge in the capital city could raise damage cost up to 23 billion to 28 billion U.S. dollars, the recent estimation said.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 18:09:11
Floodwaters continued to spread in Bangkok, crossing Lat Phrao intersection and beginning to creep towards nearby bus terminals, subway stations and skytrain stations.
Although it is on the edge of being flooded, Mor Chit bus terminal, a gateway to northern and northeastern parts of the country, is still operational. Likewise, the subway and skytrain stations in the affected area are still operating normally.
According to Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand, all 18 subway stations remained providing services as usual but two of them -- Ratchadapisek and Phaholyothin -- are under closed watch as floodwaters keep rising and overflow the first step of the stations' entrance.
Since late Saturday, a two-lane road underneath the Mor Chit skytrain station has been inundated but its service has not yet been affected.
The metro stations are protected against two-meter high floods. Floods of 3.5 meters above mean sea level. The skytrain service is still available if flood waters rise up to two meters. However, both subway and train services would not be able to continue if the water is higher than two meters.
The outer part of northern Bangkok has started to flood during the last week of October and floodwaters have continued to move to inner city. Until present, 13 districts of Bangkok's overall 50 districts have been affected. Authorities have ordered evacuation in eight districts while seven others are under closed watch, forcing some 11,000 evacuees to take shelters at evacuation centers across the city.
Heavy monsoon rains and tropical storms have fueled the country worst floods in over 50 years since late July. More than 500 people were confirmed dead in flood-related incidents while some 9. 4 million suffered. Indulge in the capital city could raise damage cost up to 23 billion to 28 billion U.S. dollars, the recent estimation said.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 18:09:11
India tops Asian family business percentage share
India tops Asian family business percentage share
India has the highest percentage share of family businesses in Asia, accounting for 67 percent of total listed companies with market capitalization of more than 50 million U.S. dollars, local daily The Times of India reported on Sunday.
The newspaper quoted Credit Suisse as saying in a research report on Thursday that 663 out of 983 listed Indian firms were family businesses and they account for half of all corporate hirings.
Family businesses in India account for 46.8 percent of the total market capitalization. Indian energy major Reliance Industries, top IT exporter Tata Consultancy Services, mobile operator Bharti Airtel and No. 3 software exporter Wipro are among the top 20 firms in the Credit Suisse "Asian Family Business Basket," according to the report.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 16:20:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
India has the highest percentage share of family businesses in Asia, accounting for 67 percent of total listed companies with market capitalization of more than 50 million U.S. dollars, local daily The Times of India reported on Sunday.
The newspaper quoted Credit Suisse as saying in a research report on Thursday that 663 out of 983 listed Indian firms were family businesses and they account for half of all corporate hirings.
Family businesses in India account for 46.8 percent of the total market capitalization. Indian energy major Reliance Industries, top IT exporter Tata Consultancy Services, mobile operator Bharti Airtel and No. 3 software exporter Wipro are among the top 20 firms in the Credit Suisse "Asian Family Business Basket," according to the report.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 16:20:11 FeedbackPrintRSS
NEW DELHI, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Rescue operations of stranded tourists in NE Nepal hampered
Rescue operations of stranded tourists in NE Nepal hampered
The rescue operations of more than 2,000 stranded tourists in Lukla, northeast of Nepal is being badly hampered due to adverse weather condition.
The tourists have been stranded in the Tenzing- Hillary Airport in Lukla since Tuesday following sudden change in weather condition.
The small airport which is located at an altitude of 2,860 meters is one of the busiest airports in Nepal as it is the gateway for tourists visiting Mount Everest (Mt. Qomolangma).
Although the government of Nepal, the Nepal Army (NA), trekkers ' association and other rescue operators have been making severe efforts to rescue the tourists, the adverse weather condition is badly affecting the rescue operations.
Talking to Xinhua, spokesperson of the Nepal Army Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri said that the NA chopper failed to fly towards the rescue destination owing to poor visibility caused by bad weather condition.
"We have our flights on stand-by. As soon as the weather visibility improves, our teams are ready for rescue," Chhetri said.
"One of our flight will head towards Lami Danda for rescue. The flight for Lukla is also on stand-by and we are opting for every possible measures to rescue the tourists," Chhetri said.
The NA agreed on Saturday to use its MI-17 helicopter to rescue stranded foreign tourists in northeastern Nepal.
The NA helicopter with 18 seats will leave for Lukla after the weather condition gets slightly improved.
It will rescue the patients and the tourists who have to arrive in Kathmandu to catch their international flights in first priority, said Anjan Kumar Thapa, treasurer of the Trekking Association of Nepal.
In January 2008, the airport was renamed in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first persons to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
The surrounding terrain, thin air, highly changeable weather and the airport's short, sloping runway make it one of the most challenging landing strips in the world.
Only small aircraft and choppers with limited seat capacity can make its way to the airport which is also hampering the rescue of such a large number of tourists.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 16:13:17
The rescue operations of more than 2,000 stranded tourists in Lukla, northeast of Nepal is being badly hampered due to adverse weather condition.
The tourists have been stranded in the Tenzing- Hillary Airport in Lukla since Tuesday following sudden change in weather condition.
The small airport which is located at an altitude of 2,860 meters is one of the busiest airports in Nepal as it is the gateway for tourists visiting Mount Everest (Mt. Qomolangma).
Although the government of Nepal, the Nepal Army (NA), trekkers ' association and other rescue operators have been making severe efforts to rescue the tourists, the adverse weather condition is badly affecting the rescue operations.
Talking to Xinhua, spokesperson of the Nepal Army Brigadier General Ramindra Chhetri said that the NA chopper failed to fly towards the rescue destination owing to poor visibility caused by bad weather condition.
"We have our flights on stand-by. As soon as the weather visibility improves, our teams are ready for rescue," Chhetri said.
"One of our flight will head towards Lami Danda for rescue. The flight for Lukla is also on stand-by and we are opting for every possible measures to rescue the tourists," Chhetri said.
The NA agreed on Saturday to use its MI-17 helicopter to rescue stranded foreign tourists in northeastern Nepal.
The NA helicopter with 18 seats will leave for Lukla after the weather condition gets slightly improved.
It will rescue the patients and the tourists who have to arrive in Kathmandu to catch their international flights in first priority, said Anjan Kumar Thapa, treasurer of the Trekking Association of Nepal.
In January 2008, the airport was renamed in honor of Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, the first persons to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
The surrounding terrain, thin air, highly changeable weather and the airport's short, sloping runway make it one of the most challenging landing strips in the world.
Only small aircraft and choppers with limited seat capacity can make its way to the airport which is also hampering the rescue of such a large number of tourists.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 16:13:17
Major Hindu fasting being observed in Nepal
Major Hindu fasting being observed in Nepal
A major religious fasting is being observed in Nepal and around the world among the Hindu population.
Prabodhini Ekadashi which is considered to be the brightest fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik (mid November) is also observed as the festival of lights of the gods.
The ritual is dedicated to one of the key Hindu god Lord Vishnu.
Talking to Xinhua, culture expert Dirgha Raj Prasain said that the day is observed as the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four month long sleep.
"The period of his sleep is known as Chaturmas and this day marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his sleep," Prasain said.
"Ekadashi or the 11th day of the lunar day is generally observed as fast among the upright devotees of the religion, but this is more significant as the rituals are more seriously observed," Prasain said.
"Likewise Tulsi or the Holy Basil is worshipped and a ritual marriage of the plant with Lord Vishnu is performed," according to Prasain.
Lord Vishnu is regarded as the husband of Holy Basil.
Prasain said the devotees of Lord Vishnu observe strict fast refraining from any unholy eateries including meat, garlic and onions in their food to please the Lord.
Devotees in large number also gather in the temples of Lord Vishnu to offer their prayers and get blessings from the Lord.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 15:57:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
KATHMANDU, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
A major religious fasting is being observed in Nepal and around the world among the Hindu population.
Prabodhini Ekadashi which is considered to be the brightest fortnight of the Hindu month of Kartik (mid November) is also observed as the festival of lights of the gods.
The ritual is dedicated to one of the key Hindu god Lord Vishnu.
Talking to Xinhua, culture expert Dirgha Raj Prasain said that the day is observed as the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his four month long sleep.
"The period of his sleep is known as Chaturmas and this day marks the awakening of Lord Vishnu from his sleep," Prasain said.
"Ekadashi or the 11th day of the lunar day is generally observed as fast among the upright devotees of the religion, but this is more significant as the rituals are more seriously observed," Prasain said.
"Likewise Tulsi or the Holy Basil is worshipped and a ritual marriage of the plant with Lord Vishnu is performed," according to Prasain.
Lord Vishnu is regarded as the husband of Holy Basil.
Prasain said the devotees of Lord Vishnu observe strict fast refraining from any unholy eateries including meat, garlic and onions in their food to please the Lord.
Devotees in large number also gather in the temples of Lord Vishnu to offer their prayers and get blessings from the Lord.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 15:57:24 FeedbackPrintRSS
KATHMANDU, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Sri Lanka records over 7,000 child abuse complaints
Sri Lanka records over 7,000 child abuse complaints
Sri Lankan authorities said Sunday that over 7,000 complaints of children being abused have been recorded this year.
The National Child Protection Authority said most of the complaints included children being sexually abused or molested by their parents, guardians or people known to the victims.
Sri Lanka has a national telephone hotline to report child abuse and most of the complaints had been received on the hotline and they were authenticated, said Anoma Dissanayake, the chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority.
Dissanayake said people with political links in Sri Lanka are also believed to be involved in child abuse but the incidents go unreported owing to the political connections of the suspects.
The Sri Lankan police on Sunday reported two incidents of 15- year-old girls being raped by their lovers.
Both incidents had taken place in remote areas far from the capital Colombo and similar incidents had been reported last week as well, the police said.
Dissanayake said that there are concerns over the rising number of child abuse cases being reported both to her organization and the police.
The Sri Lankan government minister in charge of the welfare of women and children Tissa Karaliyadda told Xinhua that stiff laws need to be introduced to address child abuse cases in Sri Lanka.
He said that the Sri Lankan government hopes to bring amendments to the existing laws to address the issue.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 13:46:39 FeedbackPrintRSS
COLOMBO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Sri Lankan authorities said Sunday that over 7,000 complaints of children being abused have been recorded this year.
The National Child Protection Authority said most of the complaints included children being sexually abused or molested by their parents, guardians or people known to the victims.
Sri Lanka has a national telephone hotline to report child abuse and most of the complaints had been received on the hotline and they were authenticated, said Anoma Dissanayake, the chairperson of the National Child Protection Authority.
Dissanayake said people with political links in Sri Lanka are also believed to be involved in child abuse but the incidents go unreported owing to the political connections of the suspects.
The Sri Lankan police on Sunday reported two incidents of 15- year-old girls being raped by their lovers.
Both incidents had taken place in remote areas far from the capital Colombo and similar incidents had been reported last week as well, the police said.
Dissanayake said that there are concerns over the rising number of child abuse cases being reported both to her organization and the police.
The Sri Lankan government minister in charge of the welfare of women and children Tissa Karaliyadda told Xinhua that stiff laws need to be introduced to address child abuse cases in Sri Lanka.
He said that the Sri Lankan government hopes to bring amendments to the existing laws to address the issue.
Editor: Yang Lina
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 13:46:39 FeedbackPrintRSS
COLOMBO, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Haqqani leader captured in east Afghanistan: NATO
Haqqani leader captured in east Afghanistan: NATO
Afghan and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in east Afghanistan captured Bari Ali, a mid-level Taliban leader, during a cordon and search operation on Thursday, an ISAF press release said on Sunday.
The Afghan National Army (ANA) used loudspeakers and a pre- written script to call out Ali in an effort to have him surrender to coalition forces willingly in Laghman Province, some 260 km east of Afghan capital Kabul.
Ali and two other individuals, one of which was identified as his brother, Roshan Zilmai, surrendered to coalition forces without incident. "The three were detained by Coalition forces and transported to a nearby facility for further questioning," said the statement from ISAF Regional Command-East.
"Ali is known to command Taliban fighters in conflicts with Coalition forces. The capture of Ali is expected to sever the lines of communication between senior level Taliban and low-level insurgents," ISAF believes.
The ANA confiscated weapons, hand grenades, tactical fighting gear and multiple cell phones during the search.
"The operation ended with no injuries or casualties to Coalition forces and civilians and no damage to equipment. Ali remains in the custody of Coalition forces," the press statement claims.
Also on Thursday in Laghman Province, another Haqqani leader Rashid Ahmad Arshad at a traffic control point was captured, as a Saturday ISAF press release said.
The detained Arshad "aided Haqqani by moving weapons and contraband throughout eastern Afghanistan ... Combined forces set- up the traffic control point after receiving information of insurgent movement in the area in Laghman Province."
The ISAF has intensified its operations targeting Haqqani Network, which, loyal to Afghan Taliban, is comparatively active in southeastern Afghanistan and Kabul, after the Network was blamed for the Sept. 13 around-20-hour raid against the U.S. embassy and the ISAF headquarters in Afghan capital Kabul.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 11:00:27 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
Afghan and NATO-led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in east Afghanistan captured Bari Ali, a mid-level Taliban leader, during a cordon and search operation on Thursday, an ISAF press release said on Sunday.
The Afghan National Army (ANA) used loudspeakers and a pre- written script to call out Ali in an effort to have him surrender to coalition forces willingly in Laghman Province, some 260 km east of Afghan capital Kabul.
Ali and two other individuals, one of which was identified as his brother, Roshan Zilmai, surrendered to coalition forces without incident. "The three were detained by Coalition forces and transported to a nearby facility for further questioning," said the statement from ISAF Regional Command-East.
"Ali is known to command Taliban fighters in conflicts with Coalition forces. The capture of Ali is expected to sever the lines of communication between senior level Taliban and low-level insurgents," ISAF believes.
The ANA confiscated weapons, hand grenades, tactical fighting gear and multiple cell phones during the search.
"The operation ended with no injuries or casualties to Coalition forces and civilians and no damage to equipment. Ali remains in the custody of Coalition forces," the press statement claims.
Also on Thursday in Laghman Province, another Haqqani leader Rashid Ahmad Arshad at a traffic control point was captured, as a Saturday ISAF press release said.
The detained Arshad "aided Haqqani by moving weapons and contraband throughout eastern Afghanistan ... Combined forces set- up the traffic control point after receiving information of insurgent movement in the area in Laghman Province."
The ISAF has intensified its operations targeting Haqqani Network, which, loyal to Afghan Taliban, is comparatively active in southeastern Afghanistan and Kabul, after the Network was blamed for the Sept. 13 around-20-hour raid against the U.S. embassy and the ISAF headquarters in Afghan capital Kabul.
English.news.cn 2011-11-06 11:00:27 FeedbackPrintRSS
KABUL, Nov. 6 (Xinhua)
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