U.S. Military Hands Over Security Responsibilities of Another Province to Local Authorities; Death Toll Expected to Rise After 6.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Pakistan; McCain and Obama in Florida; McCain Blasts Obama's Economic Plan; Obama 30-Minute Ad Set t

QUETTA: A strong earthquake jolted Balochistan early Wednesday killing over 150 people, injuring and government buildings, officials said.

The 6.5 magnitude tremor struck villages and small towns 45 miles north of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, around, 4:33 a.m., according to the state television.
hundreds of others and destroying houses
The epicenter of the earthquake was about 400 miles southwest of Islamabad, with towns and villages in the Ziarat district appeared to be the worst hit area. The cities and towns struck by the tremor included Pishin, Qila Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Sibbi and Mastung, rural areas all lying close to Balochistan's border with Afghanistan.

The death toll could rise as rescue workers move into more remote villages. Hundreds of others had been injured in the tremor and perhaps 15,000 left homeless and in need of help.

Officials said that more than 150 dead bodies had been recovered so far and the government was providing food, shelter and medical care to those who survived the devastation.

Pakistan's army rushed its medical teams on helicopters into Khawas and other towns and villages, 25 doctors are busy providing first aid to the injured.

Balochistan's capital, Quetta, was spared the brunt of the force, but there were injuries.

"We were fast asleep at the time of quake and when awakened by the shocks we took no time to come out of our houses," said Wahidullah, a resident of Quetta.

Wednesday's earthquake was the deadliest since a magnitude 7.6 temblor struck Pakistani-controlled Kashmir and other northern regions on October 8, 2005, killing over 80 thousand people and injuring thousands of others.

Rize - İkizdere - Petran yaylasıÇekim ve Motaj bana ait

Danny Williams says lots of great things about Pop. The leaders of the Liberals and NDP respond as well.

Here is the text of his statement:

The following statement was issued by the Honourable Danny Williams, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Tribute to the late Judge Michael J. Monaghan

I rise in this honourable House to pay tribute to the late Judge Michael J. Monaghan, who passed away on April 27th following a valiant battle with cancer.

For nearly two years since his appointment in June 2006, he served as the Provincial Court Judge in Stephenville, capping a wonderful career in law and community service in this province reaching back four decades.

He was a lawyer's lawyer and a judge's judge, in that he brought to his practice and the bench a human, practical, realistic, intelligent yet compassionate side that few are fortunate enough to possess.

Following his graduation from Dalhousie Law School, he spent most of his career practising criminal law, family law and civil litigation in Corner Brook, where he partnered with both our current Minister of Finance and the current chief justice of the province's Supreme Court of Appeal, former Premier Clyde Wells.

Named Queen's Counsel in 1983, he also was a member of the Law Society of Newfoundland, the Canadian Bar Association, the Rotary Club of Corner Brook and the Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade. He held directorships at Air Canada, the Churchill Falls (Labrador) Corporation, Gateway Cable Limited and the Nursing Advisory Board of the Western Memorial Hospital Corporation.

He was a former president of the Victorian Order of Nurses and, more recently, he served our province on the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation board of directors and the Ireland Business Partnerships advisory board.

Judge Monaghan demonstrated a strong commitment to his region and his province by standing as a candidate in both federal and provincial elections -- and all of us in this House recognize the commitment and sacrifices required to stand as a candidate.

He was a truly exceptional family man, lawyer and judge, a dedicated business leader, a tireless volunteer and -- to me personally -- a valued friend. Mike and his treasured wife of 38 years, Uschi, raised a wonderful family and brought their intense passion for this province to friends all over the world.

Both professionally and personally, Mike made a profoundly positive difference in the lives of innumerable people and served our province with pride and distinction.

His unique laugh and his back slapping humour lit up every room he entered. It was always a pleasure to be in his presence. I personally will miss him, as will countless others in Corner Brook, Stephenville, throughout the west coast, across our province and around the world.

I ask all Members to join me in expressing our deepest sympathies to the Monaghan family and our sincere appreciation for all they have contributed to the betterment of Newfoundland and Labrador.

NWG-DVD-146 - Even though the province of Yunnan in the southwest of China is one of the country's poorest regions, the Stone Forest Of Shilin whose bizarre rock formations rise up to thirty metres into the sky is one of the country's most beautiful natural treasures.



Erosion formed Yunnan's amazing natural works of art while the earth's crust began almost imperceptibly to rise moving the forest's pinnacles higher into the sky.



The Chinese created some extremely descriptive names for the various rocky areas of Yunnan Shilin such as 'The Cluster Of Pinnacles That Supports The Sky', just one of many colourful names given to the rock formations.

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Jiuzhaigou Valley (simplified Chinese: 九寨沟; traditional Chinese: 九寨溝; pinyin: Jiǔzhàigōu; lit. "Valley of Nine Villages"; Tibetan: Sicadêgu) is a nature reserve in northern Sichuan province of China. It is known for its many multi-level waterfalls and colorful lakes, and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1992. It belongs to the category V (Protected Landscape)in the IUCN system of protected area categorization.Geography and climate

History
The remote region was inhabited by various Tibetan and Qiang peoples for centuries, but was not officially discovered by the government until 1972. Extensive logging took place until 1979, when the Chinese government banned such activity and made the area a national park in 1982. An Administration Bureau was established and the site officially opened to tourism in 1984; layout of facilities and regulations were completed in 1987. The site was inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997.

Since opening, tourist activity has increased every year: from 5,000 in 1984 to 170,000 in 1991, 160,000 in 1995, to 200,000 in 1997, including about 3,000 foreigners. Visitors numbered 1,190,000 in 2002.[1] As of 2004, the site averages 7,000 visits per day, with a quota of 12,000 being reportedly enforced during high season. The Town of Zhangzha at the exit of the valley and the nearby Songpan County feature an ever-increasing number of hotels, including several polished five-stars.

Rize Gully

Panda Lake
Five Flower LakeThe 18 km long Rize Gully (日则沟, pinyin: Rìzé Gōu) is the south-western branch of Jiuzhaigou. It contains the largest variety of sites and is typically visited first. Going downhill from its highest point, one passes the following sites:

The Primeval Forest (原始森林 Yuánshǐ Sēnlín) is a preserved ancient woodland. It is fronted by spectacular views of the surrounding mountains and cliffs, including the 500 m high blade-shaped Sword Rock (剑岩 Jiàn Yán).
Swan Lake (天鹅海, Tiān'é Hǎi) is a 2250 m long, 125 m wide picturesque lake named for its visiting swans and ducks.
Grass Lake (草海, Cǎo Hǎi) is a shallow lake covered in intricate vegetation patterns.
Arrow Bamboo Lake (箭竹海, Jiànzhú Hǎi), covering an area of 170,000 m², is a shallow lake with a depth of 6 m. It lies at an elevation of 2,618 m, and was a main feature site for the 2002 Chinese film Hero.
Panda Lake (熊猫海, Xióngmāo Hǎi) features curious color patterns of blue and green. It empties into the multi-stream, multi-level Panda Waterfalls, dropping 78m in 3 steps.
Five Flower Lake (五花海, Wǔhuā Hǎi) is a shallow multi-colored lake whose bottom is criss-crossed by ancient fallen tree trunks.
Pearl Shoal (珍珠滩, Zhēnzhū Tān) is a wide, gently sloping area of active calcareous tufa deposition covered in a thin sheet of flowing water. It empties into the famous Pearl Waterfalls, where the shoal drops 28 m in a 310 m wide broad curtain of water. A scene of the television adaptation of Journey to the West was filmed there.
Mirror Lake (镜海, Jìng Hǎi) is another quiet lake casting beautiful reflections of the surroundings when the water is calm.

Zechawa Gully
The Zechawa Gully (则查洼沟, Zécháwā Gōu) is the south-eastern branch of Jiuzhaigou. It is approximately the same length as Rize gully (18 km ) but climbs to a higher altitude (3150 m at the Long Lake). Going downhill from its highest point, it features the following sites:

Long Lake (长海, Cháng Hǎi) is the highest, largest and deepest lake in Jiuzhaigou, measuring 7.5 km in length and up to 103 m in depth. It reportedly has no outgoing waterways, getting its water from snowmelt and losing it from seepage. Local folklore features a monster in its depths.
Five-Color Pond (五彩池, Wǔcǎi Chí) is one of the smallest but most spectacular bodies of water in Jiuzhaigou lakes. Despite its very modest dimensions and depth, it has a richly colored underwater landscape with some of the brightest and clearest waters in the area.
The Seasonal Lakes (季节海, Jìjié Hǎi) are a series of 3 lakes (Lower, Middle and Upper) along the main road, that change from empty to full during each year.

Access to the site
Jiuzhaigou, compared to other high-traffic scenic spots in China, is notoriously difficult to access by land. Most tourists reach the valley by a 10 hour bus ride from Chengdu along the Minjiang River canyon, prone to frequent rockslides and mudslides that can add several hours to the trip. As of 2004, further delays were incurred by the construction of a new highway which, when completed, should greatly facilitate the journey. Since 2003, it has been possible fly from Chengdu or Chongqing to an airport on a 11311 ft. high mountain side near Songpan County, and then take an hour-long bus ride to Jiuzhaigou, or a two-hour bus ride to Huanglong. From 2006, a daily flight to Xi'an had been opened in peak season. There is also a new helipad near the valley.

Many provinces on alert of more flooding
WATCH VIDEO
Source: CCTV.com | 06-19-2008 09:53
Zhejiang and Anhui provinces have experienced more heavy downpours since Monday. As the water level of the Yangtze River continues to rise, cities along the river are on alert. This comes as flood waters in south China's Guangdong province slowly recede.

The rain has mainly continued in Northwestern and Central parts of Zhejiang Province, which could cause reservoirs to flood. The local authority issued a level-two emergency response plan on Wednesday to cope with the emergency. It urged related sectors to keep a close eye on the reservoirs and dams.

The southern part of Anhui province encountered another round of rainfall Wednesday. Some reservoirs in Xuancheng city are now in danger of flooding. Over 100 emergency teams are now deployed to patrol the situation of the reservoirs.

The water level of the Pearl River in Guangdong province is now below the warning level. Flood peaks from the Xijiang and the Beijiang, two major rivers in Guangdong province, have converged and run into the South China Sea.

But authorities say the flood threat in the Pearl River Delta is not likely to ease, as major dams there are in danger of bursting after being soaked by over 20 days of heavy downpours.

The authorities are stepping up flood prevention measures in many parts of China.

In Jiangxi, the provincial government is asking departments concerned to follow an emergency response plan to strengthen prevention measures.

On Wednesday, flood prevention plans were also carried out in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province and Chongqing municipality.

The central government has issued a level-three emergency response plan to cope with the heavy rainstorms that have lashed many parts of China since the end of May.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday allocated 95 million yuan in relief funds to the worst-hit Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Jiangxi province.



Editor:Xiong Qu

The Underworld is divided into 13 provinces each harbouring the most evil beings that even hell wouldn't take. The Gatekeeper, ruler of all, has perished. Each leader of a province was sumonned to battle each other untill a new leader would rise. Inspired by the boardgame 'Nightmare/Atmosfear'

Aftershocks continue to hit hard in Sichuan Province, and the risks for the survivors continue to rise

SelectPlusAP Top StoriesAP Top StoriesThe Associated PressHere's the latest news for Friday May 23: Death toll in China rises; Wild weather in Colorado; Court reversal in Texas; Holiday weekend travel.[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE]This is A-P NewsMinute. The death toll following last week's massive earthquake in china continues to rise. In one province alone the death toll has risen by more than 14 thousand in the past two days. The death toll around the country stands at more than 55 thousand. Wild weather is affecting a good deal of our country. Tornadoes touched down in Colorado, California and Kansas. Colorado had the worst damage. One person is confirmed dead ... More than a dozen others were hurt. Child welfare officials are deciding whether to appeal a court decision that allows hundreds of kids to return to a polygamist ranch. A state appeals court ruled yesterday that the state failed to prove the children were in any danger. This weekend kicks off the unofficial start to summer. Millions of Americans are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend, but Triple A expects the number of travelers to be down one percent compared to last year. One of the major reasons for that ... High gas prices which are approaching four dollars a gallon.___ ___, The Associated Press with AP NewsMinute. (****END****) VOICE:---------------------------------------PRODUCER:---------------------------------------VIDEO APPROVAL:--------------------------------------- Station: Affiliation: Location: Contact: Number:

PlusTwo Women Rescued a Week After China QuakeTwo Women Rescued a Week After China QuakeThe Associated PressTwo women were pulled alive from collapsed buildings in Beichuan, China, a week after a devastating earthquake. Meanwhile, the country observed a nationwide mourning period. (May 19)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:Beichuan]Nearly seven days after an earthquake rocked central China, two women were pulled from the rubble of fallen buildings. The women were rescued in Beichuan. They were taken to hospitals, but their conditions are unknown. Crews are focusing on areas where supermarkets and markets once stood. Officials say people trapped could survive by eating food in the collapsed stores. (nats of event)At 2:28 in the afternoon--the hour that the quake struck--the country of one-point-three billion people ground to a halt for three minutes. People mourned the more than 34-thousand confirmed dead from the disaster. Officials expect that number rise above 50-thousand. Nearly a quarter million have been injured.(nats of official)The Vice-Governor of Sichuan Province says more than 60-thousand people have been rescued. [Notes:Wenchuan] Signs of normalcy are returning to parts of the province. A branch of the Agricultural Bank of China reopened. Officials say supplies of water and food are being delivered. But some people don't want to stay and waited for buses to take them out of the region. [Notes:Chengdu]Once night fell, residents of Chendu held a candlelight vigil. The city is the capital of the hardest-hit province. There were tears as people spelled out the date of the disaster in light. ___ ___, The Associated Press.

The 7.9 magnitude tremor, which was focused in China's Sichuan Province, is estimated to have killed at least 50000 people — and that toll is expected to rise dramatically as rescue teams continue to reach the most affected areas. In cities near the earthquake's epicenter, thousands are buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings. Many people are still missing.

The Chinese government estimates that as many as 4.9 million homes have been destroyed. One county is reporting that more than 80 percent of buildings have been destroyed.

Parents lost their only child; Children lost their parents; many people lost everything and become homeless.

They need help to rebuild their lives! Your kindness and generosity will be greatly appreciated!

Please make donation to American Red Cross or Canada Red Cross online or phone or mail or other ways found on their websites.

http://american.redcross.org
http://www.redcross.ca

In UK, please go to UK Red Cross site:

China Earthquake Appeal launched
http://www.redcross.org.uk/news.asp?id=81083

To China Red Cross directly, please
visit
http://www.redcross.cn
Please also check whether your company or charities will match your contribution.

Thanks!

VPG-DVD-157 - YUNNAN

Kunming is located in the Chinese province of Yunnan in south west China.

The Buddhist temple of Ykan Ton Si dates back to the Tang Dynasty. The design of the city's largest temple complex was influenced by many diverse ethnic groups. The highlight of the complex is a lake in the middle of which a number of bridges lead to an octagonal pavilion. The Temple Of Total Penetration (yes, that's it's name!) is a tranquil and peaceful haven amid the busy alleys of Kunming's old town.

In the west of Yunnan Province there are magnificent views from Xi Shan Mountain across Dian Lake and nestling among the rocks there are numerous temples that were once the scene of ritual sacrifice. On the downward journey the temples loom larger and larger while earthenware images of Buddha depict various stages of life.

Yunnan's most famous site is the unique Stone Forest of Shi Lin. Its limestone rock originated from a long since dried--up ocean when the elements set to work on creating its fantastic and bizarre forms. The most amazing formations were given dramatic names such as The Sea Of Fire, Dragon's Tooth and Heavenly Sword. Pagodas, columns and strange flowers appear to rise from the rock and to facilitate access, tunnels and paths have been cut into the rock face.

The Venice Of The Far East is the nickname of the ancient Chinese city of Lijiang in the northwest of Yunnan Province. The picturesque centre of the old town of Dayan is an architectural gem. Three rivers and several small creeks flow through the historic cit and there are various splendid stone bridges date back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

Buy Shan is a typical village of the region. Just as it was hundreds of years ago with farmers slowly leading their ox wagons through the village. The houses were built over a period of more than two hundred year between the Ming and Qing Dynasties in 14 and 16 A.D.

Yunnan Province - place of simplicity, exquisite culture and spectacular natural wonders!

Tuk tuk ralley in the Bangkog streets.
February 2001.
Bangkok is the 22nd most populous city in the world[1] . Bangkok province or the areas bounded by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), has a registered population nearing 6 million people, and the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, which covers five provinces surrounding the capital province in the central region of Thailand registers a little over 10 million. However, like many large cities, the city has seen a great flux of immigrants who are not properly listed in the city's administration. The population is therefore much more realistic in the band of 15-20 million.

Bangkok is a magnet for foreigners escaping turmoil in their homeland or simply for business. It has long been the gateway to Asia for foreign interests seeking new markets. The city is a major economic and financial center of Southeast Asia and has one of the fastest rates in the world for construction of high rise buildings. The city's wealth of cultural sites makes it one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. The capital is part of the heavily urbanized triangle of central and eastern region of Thailand which stretches from Nakhon Ratchasima along Bangkok to the industrialized eastern seaboard. This urbanized area contains 20 million registered Thais in addition to millions of illegal aliens searching for work in the most prosperous region in Indochina

Poulet au citron à ma façon : Ingrédients pour 4 personnes : - 2 poulet de 1 kg chacun - 4 échalottes - 50 cl de crème fraîche liquide - 40 cl de vin blanc sec - 40 cl d'eau

Moravia occupies most of the eastern third of the Czech Republic including the South Moravian Region and the Zlín Region, as well as parts of the Moravian-Silesian, Olomouc, Pardubice, Vysočina and South Bohemian regions.

In the north, Moravia borders Poland and Czech Silesia; in the east, Slovakia; in the south, Lower Austria; and in the west, Bohemia. Its northern boundary is formed by the Sudetes mountains which become the Carpathians in the east. The meandering Dyje flows through the border country with Austria and there is a protected area on both sides of the border in the area around Hardegg.

At the heart of the country lie the sedimentary basins of the Morava and the Dyje at a height of 180 to 250 m. In the west, the Bohemian-Moravian Heights rise to over 800 m although the highest mountain is in the north-west, the Praděd in the Sudetes at 1490 m. Further south lie the Jeseníky highlands (400 to 600 m) which fall to 310 m at the upper reaches of the River Oder (the Moravian Gate) near Hranice and then rise again as the Beskids to the 1322 m high Lysá hora. These three mountain ranges plus the "gate" between the latter two form part of the European Watershed. Moravia's eastern boundary is formed by the White Carpathians and Javorniky.

Between 1782--1850, Moravia (also thus known as Moravia-Silesia) has also included a small portion of the former province of Silesia - the so-called Austrian Silesia (when Frederick the Great annexed most of ancient Silesia (the land of upper and middle Oder river) to Prussia, Silesia's southernmost part remained with the Habsburgs).

Lying directly on the equator and serving as the main gateway into the Provincial capital of Pontianak. Founded in 1771 by Syarif Abdul Rahman Al-Kadri of Saudi Arabia, the city is now a bustling economic hub as well as home to a sizeable university and a giant indoor sports stadium. Canals crisscross the city and one of Indonesia's longest rivers, the Kapuas (1143 km long), divides the town in two, providing an essential and historical communications link. Like Java and Sumatra, West Kalimantan was once an important cultural crossroads.

Hinduism reached West Kalimantan by about the year 400 and evidence of both early Hindu and Buddhist civilizations in the region have been discovered. Stone carvings and ceramics can be traced as far back as the 5th century, but it is the influence of Islam that has had the most impact on this region.

The advent of Islam in West Kalimantan occurred at about the same time as the rise of the first Islamic Kingdom in Aceh in the 15th century. Islam was rapidly embraced and various kingdoms grew in strength and power, particularly because of Kalimantan's strategic importance along trade routes to China and Philippines.

The advent of Islam in West Kalimantan occurred at about the same time as the rise of the first Islamic Kingdom in Aceh in the 15th century. Islam was rapidly embraced and various kingdoms grew in strength and power, particularly because of Kalimantan's strategic importance along trade routes to China and Philippines.

West Kalimantan covers an area of over 146.807 sq km, rich in a variety of minerals and precious stones, and remains largely unexplored. Coastal areas are mainly swamp lands with more than 100 rivers sculpting the flat plains. In the mountainous eastern parts of the province, away from the city and plains, there are many Dayak villages.

The Dayaks have ancient traditions and beliefs which are expressed in various forms ; earlobes elongated by heavy earrings, tattoos, intricate paintings, designs and carvings and wonderful dances of respect, heroism, welcome and cure. A large Chinese population, Malays and other Indonesian ethnic groups account for the rest of the inhabitants of the province.

Vilma qui fait des tarte au riz sur la pointe des pied et.... au phone mdr !

Get ready for the Dimensional Shift

Photo of Mirage in Penglai City in China on May 7, 2006

http://i20.tinypic.com/2jbpsmb.jpg

Thousands of tourists and local residents witnessed a mirage of high clarity lasting for four hours off the shore of Penglai City in east China's Shandong Province on Sunday.

Mists rising on the shore created an image of a city, with modern high-rise buildings, broad city streets and bustling cars as well as crowds of people all clearly visible.

The city of Penglai had been soaked by two days of rain before the rare weather phenomenon occurred.

The mirage took place during the week-long Labor Day holiday. The small city received over 30,000 tourists on Sunday.

Experts said that many mirages have been recorded in Penglai, on the tip of Shandong Peninsula, throughout history, which made it known as a dwelling place of the gods.

They explained that a mirage is formed when moisture in the air becomes warmer than the temperature of sea water, which refracts rays of sunlight to create reflections of the landscape in the sky.

China Radio International News Broadcast 2006-05-07 19:57:23

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/811/2006/05/07/421@85556.htm

Image of Galactic Federation of Light First Contact Positions around the earth

http://i24.tinypic.com/25j8lk7.jpg

11 11

Surf Session Point Jeffreys Bay

J-Bay offers some of the most consistent waves on the planet. Located some 600 Km west of Cape Town, in Eastern Cape Province, J-Bay is near some of South Africa's wildest coastline. Inland is some of Africa's most spectacular rainforest, complete with beautiful animals.

Not long ago this was a sleepy town, but now J-Bay sports round-the-clock development with low-rise apartments (you could live and surf here), beachside resorts, and dozens of cafes. Ask any local, though, and they'll tell you J-Bay is a surf town.

Relaxed and friendly, even the rich and famous want a piece of the action. Along the coast you will spot some worldclass surfers mansions to grace a beach. The beauty continues all the way down to the break at Cape St. Francis, immortalized by the 1960's movie "Endless Summer". And if you want to see the pros in action, come in July during the world famous Billabong Pro. It's held at "Supertubes" beach. The top pros have called Supertubes the most perfect and predictable wave in the world.

Best time to go in between the end of May and the end of August.Many are making J-Bay a summer vacation destination because there is much to do around the Jeffreys Bay area.

Our thanks to local surfer Sven Herselman of East London for help with this article.

http://www.livethelife.tv

At least 22 were killed Tuesday when a newly built bridge in Central China collapsed. The 1,076 foot stone bridge over the Tuo river in central Hunan province broke apart and fell into the waters below as over 100 workers were removing scaffolding on the structure. The death toll could rise significantly higher as 46 people are still missing. The cause of the bridge collapse is under investigation, but it nonetheless raises serious concerns about the way the Chinese government is conducting its nationwide construction boom. Tuesday's collapse is the second fatal bridge collapse in the last two months as nine people were killed in June when a section of a bridge in Guangdong province plunged down after a cargo vessel ran into one of its pillars.

Last week marked the start of the one-year countdown to the Summer Olympic Games which will be hosted by China in 2008. Yet the latest bridge collapse will undoubtedly bring scrutiny to the safety of the Chinese transportation system which will be so vital to the games' success. The local media have expressed a great deal of concern that some contractors may be cutting corners in their rush to complete their projects, while local governments put too much emphasis on new projects while failing to ensure the proper maintenance of old structures. The China Daily even published a story that 6,300 bridges have been categorized by the government as dangerous because of structural damage. The secretary general of China's Institute of Bridge and Structural Engineering, Xiao Rucheng, was even quoted as saying that many of the country's new bridges were being built too fast and were poorly designed.

Visit YourWorldTimes.com for more in-depth coverage of the world's top headlines.

Despite announcing in Baguio City on December 30, 2002, that she would not contest the presidential elections of 2004, Arroyo changed her mind and decided to seek a new six-year term. During a large gathering in her home province of Pampanga, Arroyo declared that she had decided to "defer her retirement," citing the growing clamor from her supporters to run in the election. Because of this turnaround, her popularity rating suffered.

The 2004 election was seen as a chance for Arroyo to solidify the credibility of her administration, which was marred by questions of legitimacy since its 2001 rise to power. Arroyo fought a bitter campaign with the opposition candidate, Joseph Estrada's best friend, fellow popular film actor Fernando Poe, Jr. She was commonly seen as the intellectual heavyweight, as opposed to Poe, who did not finish high school. Other candidates were former Senator Raul Roco, Senator Panfilo Lacson, and evangelist Eduardo Villanueva.

Arroyo lagged behind Poe in the polls prior to the campaign season, but her popularity steadily climbed to surpass Poe's. This success was later attributed to her political machinery, the K4 Coalition dominated by the LAKAS Party (she assumed co-chairmanship of LAKAS with De Venecia in 2002); her choice of running mate, the popular senator, Noli De Castro; her endorsement by influential religious groups; and the loyal support of provinces such as Cebu and Pampanga, among others.

As predicted by the later polls, she won the presidential election in 2004, with a narrow margin of a million votes over her closest rival, Poe.

Allegations that her campaign funds used taxpayers' money emerged during the campaign when the national elections were in full swing. Arroyo's victory was marred by accusations of cheating ....

"BILANGIN ANG BITUIN SA LANGIT" (Regal Films, 1989) - Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit is the Guy & Pip love team's award-winning movie. Nora won Best Actress for this film in Urian, Famas, and FAP while Tirso won Best Actor in Star, Famas, and FAP.
A melodramatic and panoramic portrait of the rise and fall of a poor, hard-working, and determined barrio lass and her lifetime stormy relationship with a childhood sweetheart. Legendary Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III are magnificent in dual roles, in a love-hate affair that spans generations, from their high school days in the province, to their twilight years in the big city.