Police, Zelaya's followers clash in Honduras

TEGUCIGALPA, Nov. 29 -- Followers of ousted Honduran President Manuel Zelaya and police clashed on Sunday in San Pedro Sula, north of the country, during a protests against the general elections being held.

Police check the id of a supporter of ousted President Manuel Zelaya during a protest against the elections in San Pedro Sula November 29, 2009. Honduras chooses a new president on Sunday but neither Zelaya nor arch-rival and de facto leader Roberto Micheletti are running in the election, which could give a new president the chance to take Honduras beyond the political gridlock that has divided the Central American nation and cut off international aid. (Xinhua/Reuters photo)
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Local radio station Radio Globo reported on Sunday that it was a peaceful protest in the Cental Park of San Pedro Sula, of some 1,000 people against the elections and to demand "freedom" and the restoration in power of Zelaya.

According to local radio station Radio Uno, the police used tanks to surround the protesters in the Park, at the time it threw them water and tear gas, the people escaped in direction to Radio uno, based in San Pedro Sula.

Radio Uno said its building is surrounded by police. This is the first incident during the electoral day, which to the moment had been carried with tranquillity.

About 4.6 million Hondurans were registered to vote on Sunday to choose the country's president, three vice presidents, 128 deputies to the National Congress, 20 members of the Central American parliament, and 298 mayors among more than 13,000 candidates.

The electoral authorities have established more than 5,200 voting centers across the country and abroad, including six centers in the United States.

Among the five presidential candidates, only two were believed to stand greater chance to win the presidency: Porfirio Lobo of the National Party and Elvin Santos of the Liberal Party.

(Xinhua)

Death toll from ferry capsize in S Bangladesh rises to 53

Crowds of local citizens gatered at the site of the capsized ferry boat. A ferry capsized in Bangladesh's Bhola district on Nov 27, 2009.

DHAKA, Nov. 29 -- The death toll from ferry capsize in Bangladesh's Bhola district, 197 kms southeast of capital Dhaka, rose to 53, as the divers of Bangladesh Navy and fire service found 18 more bodies on Sunday, and the ferry was already lifted from the river, police said.

A woman is rescued from a capsized ferry in the remote coastal village Bhola, some 255 kms south of Dhaka.

The divers are now searching for more bodies inside the ferry, a list of 103 people were still missing, district officials told Xinhua by phone.

The ferry was lifted by the salvage ship Hamza on its arrival at the scene from Barisal, a neighboring district and 169 kms south of capital Dhaka.

The district administration has handed over 49 bodies to the relatives. Hundreds of people gathered on the bank of the Tentulia river anxiously waited overnight looking for their relatives, who were on board the ferry, according to private news agency Bdnews24.com.

Bangladeshi President Zillur Raman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is attending the Commonwealth Summit Trinidad and leader of the opposition Begum Khaleda Zia in separate messages expressed deep shock at the deaths and extended sympathy to members of bereaved families and also prayed for eternal peace of the departed souls.

A ferry carring many passengers who were returning home from Dhaka to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha, one of the biggest holidays for Muslim, capsized Friday night in Nazirpur ferry station when the passengers tried to get down from the ferry in a mess.

Millions of people have left the capital for their hometowns by trains, buses and ferries to celebrate Eid-ul-Azha which falls on Nov. 28 this year in Bangladesh.

Inland Water Transport authorities earlier said about 1,000 people die in ferry accidents on an average every year in the country.

The ferry services never maintain list of passenger for which none can exactly say how many passengers a ferry carries.

Locals cry after a ferry, the M.V. Coco-4, overturned in the river Tetulia, near Lalmohon town in Bhola district November 28, 2009.

Locals react after a ferry, the M.V. Coco-4, overturned in the bank of the river Tetulia, near Lalmohon town in Bhola district November 28, 2009.
(Reuters)

Mainland stars, movies win film awards in Taiwan

Chinese actress Li Bingbing (C), Hong Kong actor Nick Cheung (L) and Chinese actor Huang Bo hold their awards for Best Leading Actor and Actress at the 46th Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan Province, Nov. 28, 2009. (Xinhua/Wu

TAIPEI, Nov. 28 -- Chinese mainland actors and movies received a series of titles of the 46th Taiwan Golden Horse Award Saturday night.

Li Bingbing took the best actress award for her performance in "The Message", an espionage movie produced by Huayi Brothers Media Group and Shanghai Film Group.

Huang Bo shared the best actor title with Nick Cheung from Hong Kong with his performance in "Cow", which is the first time for the award to have a shared best actor title.

Wang Xueqi and Yu Shaoqun won the best supporting actor and the best newcomer titles for their performance in "Forever Enthralled", a biographical movie for renowned Beijing Opera artist Mei Lanfang.

Cao Yu with "City of Life and Death", a movie depicting the Nanjing Massacre during Japanese army's invasion of China, won the best cinematography, and "Crazy Racer" won the best special visual effects.
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Tourist products presented in SW China's Guizhou

A folk artist shows the wooden Dixi Opera mask at the tourist products fair held in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 27, 2009. The 2009 "Colorful Guizhou" tourist products fair kicked off on Friday. Dozens of handicraftsmen presented their stunts at the fair.

Girls of Miao ethnic group shows handmade embroideries at the tourist products fair held in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 27, 2009.

Women of Miao ethnic group show the handmade silver decorations at the tourist products fair held in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 27, 2009.

A girl of Miao ethnic group shows handmade embroideries at the tourist products fair held in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 27, 2009.

A folk artist carves a wooden handicraft at the tourist products fair held in Guiyang, capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 27, 2009.
(Xinhua/Peng Nian)

Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show kicks off in Taipei

Xie Fengkun from southwest China's Chengdu City shows his sugar sculpture at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009. The Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show "Root and Soul" kicked off in Taipei on Friday, in which a total of 230 precious exhibits or live performances were presented to visitors.

Xie Fengkun from southwest China's Chengdu City performs the making of sugar sculpture at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009.

Wu Yuanxin from Nantong City performs the printing and dyeing technique at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009.

Ma Xiqin performs the making of wooden new year picture at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009.

Wang Peng performs zither at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009.

Photo taken on Nov. 27, 2009 shows the Dixi Opera masks at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan.

Photo taken on Nov. 27, 2009 shows the Dixi Opera masks at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan.

Qiao Jinhong from Wuxi City performs bamboo carving at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009.

Visitors listen to the music of Erhu, a two-stringed wooden instrument, at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan, Nov. 27, 2009.

Fu Duanfeng performs Quanzhou puppet drama at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan.

Fu Duanfeng performs Quanzhou puppet drama at the Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Show held in Taipei, Taiwan.
(Xinhua/Wu Ching-teng)

Dinosaur skeleton to be auctioned in Paris

An 8 metre long, 100 million years old Spinosaurus dinosaur is seen during a presentation at an auction room in Paris November 27, 2009. The dinosaurs are part of a collection of fossils, minerals and paleontological specimens to be auctioned in the French capital on December 1 and 2.

Workers put the final touches to an 8 metre long, 100 million years old Spinosaurus dinosaur during a presentation at an auction room in Paris November 27, 2009.

Workers are seen next to the skull and jaws of an 8 metre long, 100 million years old Spinosaurus dinosaur during a presentation at an auction room in Paris November 27, 2009.

An 8 metre long, 100 million years old Spinosaurus dinosaur is seen during a presentation at an auction room in Paris November 27, 2009.
(Reuters)

Eid al-Adha Festival celebrated in Muslim world

Muslims pray during the festival of Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Nov. 28, 2009.

Muslims pray during the festival of Eid-ul-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Nov. 28, 2009.

Staff members in Istiqlal Mosque seize a head of cattle in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 27, 2009. Beef and mutton made from the cattle and sheep that were donated by Indonesian President Susilo and Vice President Boediono will be distributed to poor people the next day, or the festival of Eid al-Adha, free of charge.

A staff member in Istiqlal Mosque checks beef in Jakarta, Indonesia, Nov. 27, 2009. Beef and mutton made from the cattle and sheep that were donated by Indonesian President Susilo and Vice President Boediono will be distributed to poor people the next day, or the festival of Eid al-Adha, free of charge.

Children look at sheep for sacrifice at a mosque in New Delhi, capital of India, on Nov. 28, 2009. Muslims in India celebrated the traditional Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha on Saturday.

Muslims distribute mutton to the poor in surrounding slums at a mosque in New Delhi, capital of India, on Nov. 28, 2009. Muslims in India celebrated the traditional Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha on Saturday.

Muslims celebrate the Eid al-Adha at a mosque in New Delhi, capital of India, on Nov. 28, 2009. Muslims in India celebrated the traditional Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha on Saturday.

A muslim reads Koran at a mosque in New Delhi, capital of India, on Nov. 28, 2009. Muslims in India celebrated the traditional Islamic feast of Eid al-Adha on Saturday.(Xinhua/Wang Ye)

Emene Alexandra crowned Miss Model of World Int'l Grand Final Contest

Winner Emene Alexandra (C) from France is crowned at the 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 26, 2009. The 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest was concluded in Shenzhen on Thursday, attracting 60 contestants around the world in the competition.

Contestants present evening dress at the 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 26, 2009. The 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest was concluded in Shenzhen on Thursday, attracting 60 contestants around the world in the competition.

Contestants present swim suits at the 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 26, 2009. The 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest was concluded in Shenzhen on Thursday, attracting 60 contestants around the world in the competition.

Winners pose for a group photo at the 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 26, 2009. The 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest was concluded in Shenzhen on Thursday, attracting 60 contestants around the world in the competition.

Contestants present ethnical dress at the 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest held in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 26, 2009. The 21st Miss Model of the World International Grand Final Contest was concluded in Shenzhen on Thursday, attracting 60 contestants around the world in the competition.
(Xinhua/Yuan Shuiling)

Traditional Chinese medicine benefits 9,000 HIV/AIDS sufferers

BEIJING, Nov. 26 -- The pilot program to treat HIV/AIDS with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) had benefited 9, 267 people, said the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Thursday.

The program was jointly initiated by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the administration in five provinces in 2004. The effort had been expanded to include another 12 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.

A total of 160 million yuan (23.4 million U.S. dollars) had been spent, mainly on personnel training, traditional medicine, clinical investigation and management.

And treatment had been provided free of charge. A total of 5,972 people were receiving the treatment as of June and 1,570 of them had been treated for 48 months.

"Standard treatment of TCM has been proved effective in treating HIV/AIDS, " said Xu Zhiren, director of the medical department of the administration, "Like improving and stabilizing the immune function of the patients.

Xu said statistics from the clinic analysis indicated that TCM could ameliorate symptoms include fever, coughing, asthenia and diarrhea.

A total of 319,877 people in China had been registered HIV positive, including 102,323 AIDS patients and 49,845 deaths, as of Oct. 31, according to statistics released on a national AIDS control meeting.
(Xinhua)

Flood warning degrades in Cumbria, Britain

CUMBRIA, Britain, Nov. 26-- There is only one flood warning remains in force in Cumbria on Thursday, which was badly damaged by the record flood last week.

A bridge destroyed by flood is seen in Cockermouth, northwest England, Nov. 26, 2009. The British Environment Agency has announced that only one flood warning remains in force in Cumbria, a week after unprecedented rainfall prompted some of the country's worst ever flooding, while Cumbria County Council has said that 21 road bridges are still closed.

The Environment Agency in Britain said the warning remained in force in Keswick, with two further flood alerts at Seathwaite and Crosby-on-Eden.

An official said weather conditions will improve in the weekend. Friday and Saturday will have some showers, but the weekend will largely remain dry.

Local resident Ruth Greenhalgh's house is in a mess after a flood in Cockermouth, northwest England, Nov. 26, 2009. The British Environment Agency has announced that only one flood warning remains in force in Cumbria, a week after unprecedented rainfall prompted some of the country's worst ever flooding, while Cumbria County Council has said that 21 road bridges are still closed.

Twenty-one road bridges remained closed in Cumbria, and three of them collapsed during the downpour.

Cumbria is one of Britain's most popular tourist destinations and tourism is one of the county's biggest industries, bringing in over 15.3 million tourists and over 1.1 billion pounds last year. But now, thousands of visitors wondered whether to visit there during this festive season.

People push a car that has been flooded in Cockermouth, northwest England, Nov. 26, 2009. The British Environment Agency has announced that only one flood warning remains in force in Cumbria, a week after unprecedented rainfall prompted some of the country's worst ever flooding, while Cumbria County Council has said that 21 road bridges are still closed.

A man carries books dipped in flood from a bookstore in Cockermouth, northwest England, Nov. 26, 2009. The British Environment Agency has announced that only one flood warning remains in force in Cumbria, a week after unprecedented rainfall prompted some of the country's worst ever flooding, while Cumbria County Council has said that 21 road bridges are still closed.

A worker repairs a cloaca in Cockermouth, northwest England, Nov. 26, 2009. The British Environment Agency has announced that only one flood warning remains in force in Cumbria, a week after unprecedented rainfall prompted some of the country's worst ever flooding, while Cumbria County Council has said that 21 road bridges are still closed.
(Xinhua/Zeng Yi)

Millions of spectators line streets of Manhattan for Thanksgiving Day Parade

NEW YORK, Nov. 26-- Millions of spectators lined the streets of Manhattan, New York, Thursday morning for the 83rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

"We've been wanting to see this parade for years, and we finally made it," said Jacquesa de Villepin, a tourist from France, with his twin preschool daughters and wife standing around him.

A Spiderman balloon passes through Times Square during the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York, the U.S., Nov. 26, 2009.

"My kids shrieked and shouted so happily when they saw the familiar cartoon faces passing by," he said. "My wife and I enjoyed the parade as well."

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is an annual parade presented by Macy's, one of the world's largest department stores that produces the annual event, a well known parade which has been held on the streets of New York City annually since 1924.

A Buzz Lightyear balloon marches during the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York, the U.S., Nov. 26, 2009.

The route is slightly longer this year which organizers say allowed for more spectators.

Children and adults alike from across the world, particularly from Europe, lined up Wednesday night near the Museum of Natural History to see Snoopy, Sponge Bob, and dozens of other characters take shape.

This year, Spiderman returned to the lineup for the first time in 10 years, Mickey Mouse appeared as a sailor, and the Pillsbury Doughboy made his debut.

A clown hails the spectators during the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York, the U.S., Nov. 26, 2009.

In addition to the big balloons, this year's parade featured 1,500 cheerleaders, 800 clowns, 10 marching bands and 24 floats.

Closing out the parade as always was Santa Claus, who was riding high on a brand new sleigh.

Most stores remained closed the day for Thanksgiving and will be reopen on Black Friday, which is the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States, indicating the beginning of the traditional Christmas shopping season. The term dates back to at least 1966, although its usage was primarily on the East coast.

A music band pass through the Times Square during the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York, the U.S., Nov. 26, 2009.

The parade, which began at 9 a.m. and ended at around 12 p.m. Eastern Time, bypassed Broadway for the first time this year to avoid pedestrian plazas at Times and Herald Squares.

All government offices, financial markets and schools were closed on the day.

Balloons of cartoon characters pass through the Times Square during the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York, the U.S., Nov. 26, 2009.

Miss America Katie Stam waves to the crowds from a Statue of Liberty float on the Times Square during the 83rd Macy's Thanksgiving parade in New York, the U.S., Nov. 26, 2009.
(Xinhua/Shen Hong)