China signs 19 purchase contracts with Turkey


Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), addresses the China-Turkey Economic Trade and Cooperation Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, Nov. 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
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ISTANBUL, Turkey, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and Turkish business people signed 19 contracts here Friday on the purchase of Turkish commodities worth about 230 million U.S. dollars.

Visiting China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin attended the signing ceremony after the Sino-Turkish economic and trade cooperation forum which was attended by government officials and business people from the two countries.

Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said in his speech delivered at the forum that China and Turkey should make further plans on the future development of bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

China-Turkey trade volume exceeded 10 billion U.S. dollars last year and the figure for this year is expected to reach 13 billion U.S. dollars.

He called on business people from both countries to make joint efforts to further tap cooperation potentials, increase mutual investment, expand cooperation in infrastructure construction and project engineering, and enhance multi-lateral economic and trade cooperation.


Jia Qinglin (back,R), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), attends a signing ceremony of China-Turkey commodity purchase after addressing the China-Turkey Economic Trade and Cooperation Forum in Istanbul, Turkey, Nov. 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Tao)



The Chinese side is ready to speed up cooperation with the Turkish side in communications and tourism, said Jia.

He also urged the two sides to create more and better opportunities for bilateral business cooperation.

On the current international financial crisis, Jia said the Chinese side will cooperate with the international community including Turkey in this regard and make its due contributions to safeguarding international financial stability and promoting world economic growth.

Jia arrived here Friday from Ankara to continue his official goodwill visit as guest of Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Koksal Toptan.

Turkey is the second leg of Jia's four-nation visit which has taken him to Jordan and will also take him to Laos and Cambodia.
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Traditional ceremony for pre-Christmas market in Germany


Rebekka Volland, dressed as a gold-foiled Christ Child, recites the traditional prologue for the opening ceremony of Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


A boy inspects Christmas figures before the opening ceremony of Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


An overview shows Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Rebekka Volland (C) dressed as a gold-foiled Christ Child, recites the traditional prologue for the opening ceremony of Germany's oldest Christkindlesmarkt (Christ Child Market) in Nuremberg, November 28, 2008. The first official record of this pre-Christmas market dates back to 1628. A list of notices for stall holders from 1737 shows that almost all of Nuremberg's craftsmen were represented. Every year, Germany's traditional markets, such as the centuries-old Christkindlesmarkt in medieval Nuremberg, draw millions of visitors, both local and foreign. They open before the first Sunday of Advent and continue until December 24 at 12 noon. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Real Madrid President promises new signings for January and the summer

MADRID, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon promised late on Thursday night that his club was close to signing players to strengthen the first team squad in the New Year as well as bringing in new faces next summer.

A series of injuries, especially in attack, where Ruud Van Nistelrooy is out for the season, have highlighted a lack of depth in Real Madrid's squad.


Ramon Calderon flashes a victory sign as he celebrates after declaring himself the winner of Real Madrid soccer club's presidential election in Madrid July 2, 2006. Calderon promised late on Thursday night that his club was close to signing players to strengthen the first team squad in the New Year as well as bringing in new faces next summer. (Xinhua/Reuters file Photo)


The club never signed a replacement for Robinho when he left for Manchester City at the end of the summer and with Roberto Soldado also leaving for Getafe, the club now lacks options in attack.

Speaking on Radio Marca, Calderon said the club was now working to resolve that problem.

"They will be two or three important footballers, who will excite the fans. We won't have any problems presenting them in June," said Calderon.

However, while promising new players for next season, Calderon added that the club was also working on strengthening the squad for the current campaign.

"I am told that they will be two young players with the ability to help us and that they will be able to play in the Champions League," he said, before expressing his confidence in the players already at the club and in coach Bernd Schuster.

"We have a very good squad and a great coach. The current and future project at Real Madrid is in the hands of Bernd Schuster," said Calderon.
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U.S. Shuttle Endeavour leaves space station for home

WASHINGTON, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. space shuttle Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station at 9:47 a.m. EST (1447 GMT) on Friday, wrapping up a 12-day operation, according to NASA TV.

As a tradition, space station commander Mike Fincke rang a bell and said "Endeavour departing." NASA mission control in Houston has confirmed the "physical separation" between the two spacecraft.


The Space Shuttle Endeavour is seen with the earth in the background after undocking from the International Space Station (ISS) in this Nov. 28, 2008 image from NASA TV. Endeavour undocked from the International Space Station at 9:47 a.m. EST (1447 GMT) on Friday, wrapping up a 12-day operation, according to NASA TV. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


After Pilot Eric Boe backs the orbiter 450 feet (about 137 meters) from the station, he was to perform a full fly-around to allow crew members to collect video and imagery of the orbiting station. He was to perform the final separation engine burn at 12:15 a.m. EST (1715 GMT) to begin the trip home.

Later in the day, the crew was to use the shuttle robot arm and the 50-foot (15 meters) long Orbiter Boom Sensor System to conduct an inspection of the shuttle's thermal protection system.

Endeavour arrived at the station on Nov. 16. The mission, designated STS-126, delivered a series of supplies and equipment necessary to double the station's crew size from three to six by spring next year.


The Space Shuttle Endeavour is seen, with the earth in the background and part of the International Space Station in the foreground, after undocking from the ISS in this view from NASA TV Nov. 28, 2008.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


The new facilities now on the station include two sleeping quarters, a second toilet, a resistance exercise device and a water purification system that can turn urine and waste water into drinking water.

During Endeavour's stay, astronauts carried out four space walks, servicing the station's two Solar Alpha Rotary Joints that allow its solar arrays to track the sun.

Endeavour also delivered a new station crew member, Expedition 18 Flight Engineer Sandra Magnus. Magnus replaced astronaut Greg Chamitoff, who returned to Earth aboard the shuttle.

Endeavour was scheduled to land at Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 1:19 p.m. EST (1819 GMT) on Sunday.
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Wal-Mart clerk in New York dies in rush

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- A Wal-Mart worker has died after being trampled by "a throng of unruly shoppers" shortly after the Long Island store in New York opened Friday, MSNBC quoted police as saying.

Unconfirmed reports said that a pregnant woman also miscarried as the crowd rushed in.


Shoppers make their way through Roosevelt Field Mall during "Black Friday" in Garden City, New York Nov. 28, 2008. A Wal-Mart worker has died after being trampled by "a throng of unruly shoppers" shortly after the Long Island store in New York opened Friday, MSNBC quoted police as saying. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Nassau County police said that the 34-year-old Wal-Mart worker was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead at about 6 a.m. ET, an hour after the store opened.

The report quoted a police statement as saying that a throng of shoppers "physically broke down the doors, knocking him to the ground."

Shopper Jessica Keyes was cited by the Daily News that she saw a woman being knocked down near where the worker lay dying.

According to Keys, when paramedics arrived they told the woman that "there's nothing we can do. The baby is gone."

Stores across the city are luring shoppers on Black Friday -- the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season -- with extended hours and deep discounts.
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Swiss Sinologist: Far-sighted policies bring great progress in China

GENEVA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- China has made tremendous progress in many fields in the past years thanks to its far-sighted policies of reform and opening-up, according to a well-known Swiss Sinologist.

The reform policies have not only led to fast economic growth and the improvement of people's living standards, but also opened the door for exchanges with the outside world and made China an influential world power, Professor Harro von Senger told Xinhua in a recent interview.

Von Senger, a leading Sinologist and law expert, is best known for introducing China's ancient "36 stratagems" to the West in a German book first published in 1988.

A frequent visitor to China, he said the country's progress has also covered the area of human rights.


The reform policies have not only led to fast economic growth and the improvement of people's living standards, but also opened the door for exchanges with the outside world and made China an influential world power. (Xinhuanet Photo)


"Now the Chinese government attaches great importance to human rights, and it holds a very open attitude on this issue," he said, adding that he was in Beijing in April for a workshop on human rights and development.

Von Senger, who studied at Peking University from 1975 to 1977,said he was impressed by the progress Chinese universities have made in the past three decades and also lauded the country's overall educational system.

"In the 1970s, only a few Chinese universities ran law courses, and those courses were only limited to domestic students," he recalled.

"So I chose history and philosophy, two of the four majors that were on offer to foreigners as well at Peking University," he said.

"Now the situation is completely different... nearly all major Chinese universities have a Department of Law, and all courses are open to foreigners," he added.

According to the Sinologist, the policies of reform and opening-up are a product of the forethought of Chinese leaders, and there is no doubt that these policies will continue in years to come.
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Experts warn men buying sex aggravates AIDS spread in Asia


Girls look at candles during an AIDS International Candlelight Memorial in Belgrade May 18, 2008. The large number of men in Asia who seek prostitution has become an important medium for the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region, UN health officials warned Friday.
(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

MANILA, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- The large number of men in Asia who seek prostitution has become an important medium for the spread of HIV/AIDS in the Asia Pacific region, UN health officials warned here Friday.

At the launching ceremony of a on-line database on HIV/AIDS on Friday, Anupama Rao Singh, head of UNICEF East Asia-Pacific Regional office said there are estimated 75 million Asian men "regularly" buying sex from about 10 million Asian females who sell it, according to studies of the Commission of AIDS in Asia.

"We cannot overlook the threat of HIV's continued transmission through the sex trade," Singh said. "Because the implications on HIV trend among women and children are grave."

She said that throughout Asia, an alarmingly large number of wives were found infected by their husbands or sex partners who engaged in unprotected sex trade. And the virus can still be passed on to the next generation when the wives become pregnant.

Experts of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), World Health Organization (WHO), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) gathered Friday in the Philippine capital of Manila to unveil the on-line database that will facilitate researchers, policy-makers and civil groups who would need to do AIDS/HIV research in the region.

The site (www.aidsdatahub.org) contains consistently updated information on core HIV/AIDS indicators and national response in 24 countries and regions in east, southeast, and south Asia.

At the ceremony, Amala Reddy, regional program advisor of UNAIDS Asia and the Pacific, warned that because the "relatively large size" of men who buy sex, they have become a "powerful factor" in the spread of HIV/AIDS in the region.

She said that in Asia, about 50 million women who have no other behavior other than being the wives of men who are on this trend (buying sex) unfortunately risk being contracted with HIV/AIDS.

According to data revealed by UNICEF, Asian women, categorized as low-risk group, now represent less than 25 percent of all HIV infections but the proportion could have shoot up to 30 percent by2015, mostly infected through their husbands and sex partners.

Quoting UNAIDS report, Reddy said currently there are 5 million people in Asia living with HIV/AIDS with around 400,000 people being newly infected every year.

She said the number is likely to soar to 500,000 by 2010 when the accumulated number of HIV infection cases in Asia rise up to 10 million.

Reddy said, however, UNAIDS experts don't expect the infection percentage of population in Asia will be as high as the case of Africa, for most infection in Asia are concentrated in high risk groups such as sex workers, intravenous drug users, men who have sex with men.

In Asia, there are around 20 million intravenous drug users and men who had sex with men, according to the report of Commission of AIDS in Asia, published earlier this year.

Massimo Ghidinelli, WHO regional advisor on HIV/AIDS, said besides men who buy sex, men who have sex with men (MSM) without using condom is another high-risk group that needs particular attention in the region.

He said WHO even could not get a "fully accurate picture" on the exact magnitude of the contribution of MSM to AIDS spread because of the sensitivity of the issue and neglects of the governments.

"It is a new phenomenon and we have insufficient understandings and studies." Ghidinelli said. "The problem may be much greater than what we have believed."

But UN health officials said the use of condom has been proved an effective way to stem the virus spread.

"There should be mass awareness campaigns, aggressive promotion of condom usage. The experience in Thailand and Cambodia proves it works," Reddy said.

"We know the ways. It is only that political leaders have to have the political will to do the right things," she added.
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"WALL-E" and "Thunder" top DVD charts

BEIJING, Nov. 29 -- A small, waste-collecting robot has captured the hearts of DVD consumers, much as it did in theaters earlier this year.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment's "WALL-E" was the top seller and No. 2 renter on the home entertainment charts, topping the Nielsen VideoScan First Alert sales chart and scoring a strong second-place finish on Home Media Magazine's rental chart for the week ended Nov. 23.


The animated character "Wall-E" is shown in this undated publicity photo released to Reuters April 23, 2008 in a scene from the Disney/Pixar film of the same name. A small, waste-collecting robot has captured the hearts of DVD consumers, much as it did in theaters earlier this year. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


"WALL-E" also was the week's No. 1 Blu-ray Disc seller.

Fellow new release "Tropic Thunder," from Paramount, debuted at No. 2 on the overall home video sales chart and the Blu-ray sales chart.

But in rental stores the comedy, which earned 110.5 million U.S. dollars at the domestic box office, saw the most action during the week, bowing at No. 1 on Home Media Magazine's rental chart. "WALL-E" finished not far behind, with 83.2 percent as much rental activity, a strong showing for an animated family title geared toward the sell-through market.

A third theatrical film making its DVD debut, Warner Home Video's "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," bowed at No. 5 on the sales chart and No. 6 on the rental chart.

The previous week's top seller, Paramount/DreamWorks' "Kung Fu Panda," slipped to No. 3 on the overall home video sales chart, and the previous week's top renter, Universal Studios' "Hellboy II: The Golden Army," fell to No. 4 with a 37 percent drop in rental demand.

(Source: China Daily/Agencies)
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New York stores lure shoppers with Black Friday deals

NEW YORK, Nov. 28 (Xinhua) -- Stores across New York City are luring shoppers on Black Friday -- the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season -- with extended hours and deep discounts.


People shop during "Black Friday" sales at a store in New York Nov. 28, 2008. Stores across New York City are luring shoppers on Black Friday -- the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season -- with extended hours and deep discounts. (Xinhua Photo)


Faced with the country's bleak economic outlook, many stores are "pulling out all the stops," with some offering coffee and donuts or maps to hot items, according to a report available on www.ny1.com.

"I came to get my daughter the talking Dora (doll), which originally is priced for 130 dollars, but today it was priced for 60 dollars," said a shopper who was shopping at the Toys-R-Us store in Times Square. "I also bought her Dora vanity set for about 50 dollars and the original price on it was about 80 dollars,90 dollars."


People shop during "Black Friday" sales at the Best Buy store in Westbury, New York Nov. 28, 2008. Stores across New York City are luring shoppers on Black Friday -- the traditional kickoff to the holiday shopping season -- with extended hours and deep discounts. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Early risers at Bestbuy store in Long Island City said the deals are worth the lack of sleep.

"I saved at least 600 dollars for this," said shopper Junior Sanders who bought a Samsung Flat-Panel LCD HDTV at 1500 dollars. "There's a lot of good deals. A lot of stuff, buy-two, get-one-free, 50 percent off some stuff, 30 percent off, everything," he added.


A shopper leaves with a television set as others wait in line to enter a store during "Black Friday" sales at the Best Buy store in Westbury, New York Nov. 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

"You can waste a whole bunch of money for one laptop, and you can get one at half its price," said Sussie Wiess, who had been standing in the line for 29 hours. "So, you can get a whole bunch of stuff for the quantity of one, for the price of one."

Analysts say last year, the Thanksgiving weekend accounted for about 10 percent of all holiday sales, but stores hope to earn similar profits this year.

"Consumers are definitely cutting back spending this holiday season," said Amanda Gengler of Money Magazine. "A recent survey from consumer reports survey shows 59 percent of consumers say they will buy fewer gifts this year. Also more people will be likely to stick to a budget this year."

Gengler said that the average American shopper plans to spend 545 dollars on spending, or 91 dollars less than last year.


A customer holds his purchased electronics during "Black Friday" sales at the Best Buy store in Westbury, New York Nov. 28, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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Official: siege close to end at Taj hotel

At least three-four militants are believed to be hiding inside the Taj hotel.
·Security forces secured the 5-star Trident Oberoi hotel and a Jewish center Nariman House.
·Two militants were killed at the Trident Oberoi hotel and 11 militants were also eliminated.


Soldiers take position near the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai November 28, 2008. A chief of an Indian commando unit flushing out militants at the hotel said on Friday that he saw 12 to 15 bodies in one room. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


MUMBAI, Nov. 29 (Xinhua) -- Intermittent gunshots were fired during the night of Friday as commandos were fighting militants hiding inside the Taj Mahal hotel in India's financial city of Mumbai, where a group of armed militants launched bombing attacks on 10 popular places on Wednesday.

At least three-four militants are believed to be hiding inside the luxury hotel, a top official was quoted by IANS news as saying early Saturday morning. The official said that he expected the siege to be over by the morning.

Security forces secured the 5-star Trident Oberoi hotel and a Jewish center -- Nariman House -- late Friday, but gunmen continued to hold out inside the Taj Mahal hotel.


Soldiers take position near the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai, India, Nov. 28, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)


At the Nariman House, a residential complex housing a prayer hall, commandos were air-dropped from helicopters in a first such operation ever. Two militants were killed but not before five of the hostages were eliminated by them.

When the Trident Oberoi hotel was cleared of the militants Friday afternoon, as many as 30 hostages were found dead in the hotel, raising the toll in the worst terrorist strike against India to over 160 including 16 security personnel, the Press Trustof India said.

Two militants were killed at the Trident Oberoi hotel and 11 militants were also eliminated.


Smoke billows from a room in Taj Mahal Hotel following explosions and a gun battle in Mumbai, India, Nov. 28, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
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Late goal gives Milan 2-2 draw with Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, England _ Filippo Inzaghi scored the equalizer in the second minute of injury time after Ronaldinho fired in a 30-meter free kick as AC Milan hit back from two goals down for a 2-2 UEFA Cup draw with Portsmouth on Thursday.


Portsmouth's Peter Crouch shoots on goal against AC Milan during their UEFA Cup soccer match at Fratton Park in Portsmouth November 27, 2008. [Agencies]

Second half strikes by Younes Kaboul and Nwankwo Kanu appeared to have put FA Cup winner Portsmouth on the way to a famous victory over star studded Milan in a thrilling group match.

But Ronaldinho, who came on with his team losing 2-0 with 16 minutes to go, drove a trademark free kick into the top corner of the net. And Inzaghi, who earlier hit the post and the bar, collected a lobbed pass from Gianluca Zambrotta, controlled it first time and prodded the ball home for the equalizer.

"Ronaldinho reopened the game with an excellent free kick," Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "It changed the face of the game in some way.

"Inzaghi had a good game and he was unlucky because he hit the post twice. He scored a really important goal."

Portsmouth defender Glen Johnson, who set up both his teams goals with crosses but was judged to have fouled Ronaldinho for his free kick, said it should not have been given.

"In my opinion it was never a foul," he said. "It's one of those things, I suppose. Ronaldinho can cause havoc when he's on those free-kicks, as he showed."

On a night when Kanu outshone Kaka and Peter Crouch was a constant problem for the Milan defense, Portsmouth thrilled its noisy army of fans at Fratton Park with a performance of speed and power after surviving early scares.

A little over two years ago, the thought of Portsmouth playing AC Milan in a European competition appeared fanciful.

Pompey has not won a major title since the 1950 league championship and Milan, one of the aristocrats of European football, had won the most prestigious title, the Champions League, for the seventh time.

But this was what Pompey fans had been dreaming of, watching the likes of Kaka and Andriy Shevchenko playing at 20,250-capacity Fratton Park stadium, which looks like a throwback to the 1960s with its wooden walls and unsightly steel girders.

Milan could well have been two goals up by the break after Filippo Inzaghi shot weakly against the post in the 10th minute and later in the half floated a lob that beat goalkeeper David James but flicked the top of the bar.

But Portsmouth, despite missing several key players through injury, shook the Milan defense with crosses aimed at the lanky Peter Crouch, who went close three times with a header and two acrobatic shots.

The home side kept making chances and was rewarded with a well taken goal in the 62nd minute.

Former Inter Milan striker Kanu laid the ball back to Glen Johnson whose first time cross from the right was headed powerfully home by Younes Kaboul.

"We're all going on a European tour," the Pompey fans sang in celebration of the goal and they were cheering again 11 minutes later.

Johnson burst clear of two tacklers down the right and Kanu was waiting at the far post to slide his low cross into the net.

Ronaldinho was sent on to try and turn the game and, after he appeared lucky to get a free kick 30 meters out, bent a shot into the top corner.

Then Inzaghi came up with the injury time equalizer.

Milan remains unbeaten with seven points from three games while Portsmouth now has one from two.


Portsmouth's Peter Crouch (R) challenges AC Milan's Mathieu Flamini for the ball during their UEFA Cup soccer match at Fratton Park in Portsmouth November 27, 2008. [Agencies]


Portsmouth's Younes Kaboul (L) and AC Milan's Mathieu Flamini fight for the ball during their UEFA Cup soccer match at Fratton Park in Portsmouth November 27, 2008. [Agencies]


AC Milan's Filippo Inzaghi (C) celebrates scoring his injury time equaliser between Portsmouth's Younes Kaboul (R) and Sylvain Distain (L) to make it 2-2 during their UEFA Cup soccer match at Fratton Park in Portsmouth November 27, 2008. [Agencies]


AC Milan's Ronaldinho (R) struggles with Portsmouth's Papa Bouba Diop for the ball during their UEFA Cup soccer match at Fratton Park in Portsmouth November 27, 2008. [Agencies]
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Lewis Hamilton receives Bambi media awards


Formula one driver Lewis Hamilton poses with the trophy during the 60th Bambi media awards ceremony in the southwestern German town of Offenburg Nov. 27, 2008. Each year, the German media company Hubert Burda Media honours celebrities from the world of entertainment, literature, sports and politics with the Bambi awards. [Xinhua]


German tennis legend Boris Becker arrives for the 60th Bambi media awards ceremony in the southwestern German town of Offenburg Nov. 27, 2008. [Xinhua]


German weightlifter Matthias Steiner poses during the 60th Bambi media awards ceremony in the southwestern German town of Offenburg November 27, 2008. [Agencies]


Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton (L) poses with tennis legend Boris Becker during the 60th Bambi media awards ceremony in the southwestern German town of Offenburg November 27, 2008.[Agencies]


German boxer Regina Halmich arrives on the red carpet for the 60th Bambi media awards ceremony in the southwestern German town of Offenburg November 27, 2008. [Agencies]
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Ishikawa gets blanket security after bomb scare

TOKYO - Japanese schoolboy golfer Ryo Ishikawa is being protected by a battery of security guards after a bomb scare before this week's Casio World Open.


Japan's Ryo Ishikawa holds his trophies after winning the ABC Championship in Kato, western Japan, November 2, 2008. [Agencies]

The 17-year-old was surrounded by 10 bodyguards as police helicopters buzzed overhead during Thursday's first round following a phone call to a local newspaper by a man claiming to have buried mines at the course.

The threat followed a minor explosion which shattered windows in the clubhouse last week, prompting Japan Golf Tour Organisation (JGTO) officials to further tighten security.

"After the person called to say there were land mines, security and police combed the course with metal detectors before the tournament. They didn't find anything," the JGTO's Chieko Hataguchi told Reuters on Friday.

"We have around 300 security people in place now. We are carrying out bag checks on fans and we have extra security in and around the players' locker room."

Police had already deployed round-the-clock security before the bomb threat was made by the caller who demanded the November 27-30 tournament be cancelled.

Ishikawa, one of Japan's biggest celebrities, shot a two-under-par 70 despite the commotion at the Kuroshio Country Club on the southern island of Shikoku.

"While I was playing it didn't feel that strange," he told Japanese media, playing games on his mobile phone while receiving a post-round massage. "It was a little unusual maybe, but I was able to concentrate on my golf."

Police, who were still examining the 7,300-yard course with flashlights late on Wednesday, have also increased security at hotels where players are staying around the city of Kochi.

In 1999, bullets were fired at a hotel near the same golf course while the Japanese professional baseball team the Hanshin Tigers were holding a training camp.
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Vancouver Olympic countdown clock stops running

OTTAWA -- The countdown clock for the 2010 Winter Olympics stopped running Thursday, but officials say no vandalism was taking place.

Olympic officials were notified early Thursday morning that the six-meter digital clock had stopped running, its normally luminescent face turned blank.

It appears the problem originated with faulty wiring.

"It doesn't appear to be vandalism, so we're grateful for that, " says Renee Smith-Valade, a spokesperson for the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee.

She said a maintenance crew is working to reset the piece. The clock counting down to the Paralympic Games is still working.

The darkened clock face drew crowds outside of Vancouver's Art Gallery, where visitors took pictures beside the stopped timepiece.

"I'm looking at it and it looks sad really," a visitor said, "I guess we're not going to have the Olympics anymore. I'd say get it back running and we can get back on track for the Olympics."

The official Omega Olympic countdown clock was unveiled among protests at a three-year countdown celebration for the 2010 Games in February 2007.

The clock, which measures 20-feet high and weighs 1,170 kilograms, counts down the remaining days, hours, minutes and seconds to the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

It was built by EEC Industries of North Vancouver, B.C., with three massive columns of steel, Plexiglas and red cedar.

The 2010 Olympic Games take place in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.
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Bangkok's airport paralyzed after protesters' intrusion, big loss expected

BANGKOK, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport was paralyzed on Wednesday, with most flights canceled for the day, after protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) expanded their besiege on state agencies to the airport on Tuesday evening in a showdown to topplethe government led by premier Somchai Wongsawat.

The escalated political confrontation is expected to cause more loss to the country's image and tourism industry.


Anti-government protesters block Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport November 25, 2008. Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport was paralyzed on Wednesday, with most flights canceled for the day, after protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) expanded their besiege on state agencies to the airport on Tuesday evening in a showdown to topplethe government led by premier Somchai Wongsawat.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)



Thousands of passengers, many of them foreigners, were stranded at the airport after the PAD stormed into the passenger terminal, blocked the toll way towards the airport on Tuesday evening, prompting the Airports of Thailand (AOT) to shut down the airport's operation after 9:00 p.m. (1400 GMT) for now.

To add to the tensity, four explosions happened early Wednesday morning near the Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don Mueangdomestic airport, injuring at least 12 people.

The PAD announced Wednesday that the protesters would occupy and shut down the Suvanarbhumi airport until Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat resigns.

Some foreign embassies, including those of China and United States, have warned its citizens against travelling to Thailand for now or staying away from demonstration sites in the country to avoid possible harm.

Thai airliners on Wednesday canceled most of their international flights outbound or inbound. On Tuesday night, some international flights heading to Suvarnabhumi were forced to shift destinations to land at nearby countries like Singapore or other provincial airports in Thailand like Chiang Mai, or return to origins.

Thai Airways International (THAI), the country's flagship carrier on Wednesday that its 16 flights initially scheduled to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport on the day were diverted to Don Mueang airport and U-Tapao airport in Chon Buri province, some 200kilometers from Bangkok.

All its inbound and outbound flights from Suvarnabhumi are temporarily suspended until the airport resumes normal operations, the company's statement said.

Bangkok Airways announced that it canceled 24 domestic and international flights to and from the Suvarnabhumi Airport Wednesday.

The budget airliner Thai Air Asia said its 28 flights to and from Suvarnabhumi on Wednesday were canceled.

Serirat Prasutanon, director of the Suvarnabhumi airport, said the PAD besiege caused the airport to lose about 50 million baht (1.43 million U.S. dollars) of income daily. Some 700 flights use the airport daily, but now most of them were canceled.

The PAD protests, especially the intrusion into airports, are expected to deal another big blow to the already sluggish Thai economy, which is foreign-investment and tourism-oriented, at a time just weeks away from the peak tourist season during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Olarn Chaipravat, Deputy Prime Minister overseeing economic policy, acknowledged that the PAD protests would undermine the country's image abroad and hurt investor confidence.

"They (PAD) have the right to protest, but they must consider the rights of others. And they should also consider the damage caused to the entire country," Olarn was quoted by Bangkok Post assaying.

The PAD stormed airports in key tourist hubs in the country, prompting brief shutdowns of Krabi, Phuket and Hat Yai airports in Thai south in August when they seized state agencies and occupied the Government House, in their first mass battle to bring down the Somchai government, which the PAD said is a proxy of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The government had to set up a temporary office at the Don Mueang airport, the former Bangkok International Airport before Suvarnabhumi opened in September, 2006, and now used for domestic and military use.

On Tuesday, the PAD besieged Don Mueang airport at initial reports that the charter plane boarding Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat from Peru was to land there. But the flight was reportedly delayed and the premier was expected to arrive in Thailand on Wednesday en route a yet-to-confirm provincial airport.

Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), predicted that the Thai tourism business will suffer great loss next year because of the political turmoil.

Tourism and Sports Minister Weerasak Kohsurat said authorities were working with the Thai Travel Agents Association and Airports of Thailand to assist tourists and advise on alternative travel routes to Suvarnabhumi airport.


Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi International Airport was paralyzed on Wednesday, with most flights canceled for the day, after protesters led by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) expanded their besiege on state agencies to the airport on Tuesday evening in a showdown to topplethe government led by premier Somchai Wongsawat.(Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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Bush pardons 2008 Thanksgiving turkey "Pumpkin"


U.S. President George W. Bush (C) gathers with children and National Turkey Federation officials as he pardons "Pumpkin", the 2008 Thanksgiving turkey, during a ceremony in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington Nov. 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


U.S. President George W. Bush (L) stands next to turkey farmer Nathan Hill, of Elsworth, Iowa, after he pardons "Pumpkin," the National Thanksgiving Turkey in the Rose Garden of the White House, Nov. 26, 2008. Pumpkin will travel to Disneyland later today to participate in the Thanksgiving Day Parade in California. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


A turkey stands in its pen at the Seven Acres Poultry Farm in North Reading, Massachusetts, Nov. 26, 2008, one day before the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Turkeys stand in their pen at the Seven Acres Poultry Farm in North Reading, Massachusetts, Nov. 26, 2008, one day before the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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ALBA discusses solutions to financial crisis


Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez, sponsor of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) addresses the 3rd extraordinary summit of the ALBA in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on Nov. 26, 2008. During the one-day meeting of the ALBA on Wednesday, the presidents of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Honduras and Ecuador discussed possible solutions to the current financial crisis. The ALBA trade alliance, set up by Cuba and Venezuela in 2004 as a fair trade alternative to U.S.-backed free trade policies, includes Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Caribbean island of Dominica.(Xinhua Photo)


Leaders of seven countries attend the 3rd extraordinary summit of the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) pose for a group photo in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, on Nov. 26, 2008. During the one-day meeting of the ALBA on Wednesday, the presidents of Venezuela, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Honduras and Ecuador discussed possible solutions to the current financial crisis. The ALBA trade alliance, set up by Cuba and Venezuela in 2004 as a fair trade alternative to U.S.-backed free trade policies, includes Bolivia, Nicaragua, Honduras and the Caribbean island of Dominica.(Xinhua Photo)
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6 foreigners among 101 dead in terror attacks in Mumbai

·At least 101 have been killed in the attacks by gunmen in Mumbai Wednesday night.
·Militants struck at the city's most high-profile targets.
·Some media reports attributed the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba.

MUMBAI, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- At least 101 people have been killed in the attacks by gunmen in Mumbai Wednesday night, police said on Thursday.

"At least six foreigners have been killed and the death figure has gone up to 101 now," Ramesh Tayde, a senior police officer, said from Mumbai's control room.


Blood stains the floor amid scattered luggage after an attack at the Chattrapati Shivaji train station in Mumbai. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)



In one of the most violent terror attacks on Indian soil, Mumbai came under an unprecedented night attack as militants used heavy machine guns, including AK-47s, and grenades to strike at the city's most high-profile targets, killing at least 101 and injuring hundreds of others, according to latest reports.

The places under attack include the hyper-busy CST rail terminus, the landmark Taj Hotel at the Gateway and the luxury Oberoi Trident at Nariman Point, the domestic airport at Santa Cruz, the Cama and GT hospitals near CST, the Metro Adlabs multiplex and Mazgaon Dockyard.

The attacks have taken a tragic toll on the city's top police brass: The high-profile chief of the anti-terror squad Hemant Karkare was killed, Mumbai's additional commissioner of police (east) Ashok Kamte was gunned down outside the Metro, and celebrated encounter specialist Vijay Salaskar was also killed.

The attacks appeared to be aimed at getting international attention as the attackers took up to 40 British nationals and other foreigners hostage. The chairman of Hindustan Unilever Harish Manwani and CEO of the company Nitin Paranjpe were among the guests trapped at the Oberoi. All the internal board members of the multinational giant were reported to be holed up in the Oberoi hotel.

Two attackers were reported holed up inside the Oberoi Hotel. Fresh firing has been reported at Oberoi and the Army has entered the hotel to flush out the militants.

An unknown outfit, Deccan Mujahideen, has sent an email to news organizations claiming that it carried out the Mumbai attacks.

The Army and Navy in Mumbai were put on alert. Some 65 Army commandos and 200 NSG commandos were being rushed to Mumbai, said Indian Home Minister Shivraj Patil.

The Navy commandos too have been asked to assist the police. Special secretary M L Kumawat is in constant touch with the state police.

Some media reports attributed the attack to Lashkar-e-Taiba, one of the largest militant organizations in South Asia. There were also unconfirmed reports that some of the attackers came in by sea. A boat laden with explosives was recovered later at night off the Gateway of India.
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China's top political advisor starts visit to Turkey


Jia Qinglin (Front,L), chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), is welcomed upon his arrival at the airport in Ankara, capital of Turkey, Nov. 26, 2008. Jia started an official goodwill visit to Turkey on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ju Peng)


ANKARA, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Jia Qinglin arrived here Wednesday, starting an official goodwill visit to Turkey as guest of Koksal Toptan, speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

In a written statement delivered upon arrival at the airport, Jia, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said both China and Turkey have a long history and splendid culture, and friendly exchanges between the two peoples date back to ancient times.

"We are satisfied with the ever-expanding cooperation between China and Turkey in the political, economic and other fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1971," said Jia.

He said he is convinced that with efforts from both sides, China-Turkey friendship and cooperation will register new and even bigger development.

During his visit, Jia will have an in-depth exchange of views with Turkish leaders on how to further consolidate and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation.

"I sincerely hope that my visit will further enhance the friendship between the two peoples and our bilateral cooperation in all fields so as to the benefit our two countries and peoples," said Jia.

Turkey is the second leg of Jia's four-nation visit which has taken him to Jordan and will also take him to Laos and Cambodia.
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Exhibition of Zhejiang's famous sculptors held


A visitor views a sculpture during an exhibition of Zhejiang's famous sculptors at the gallery of China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 26, 2008. The exhibition kicked off here Wednesday, displaying more than 60 works.(Xinhua Photo)


A visitor views a sculpture during an exhibition of Zhejiang's famous sculptors at the gallery of China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 26, 2008.(Xinhua Photo)


A visitor views a sculpture during an exhibition of Zhejiang's famous sculptors at the gallery of China Academy of Art in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 26, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)
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Liverpool, Inter and Atletico through; Chelsea made to wait

LONDON, Nov. 26 (Xinhua) -- Five-time winners Liverpool, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid advanced into the Champions League last 16 while Chelsea must wait for the final group match after a 1-1 draw at Girondins Bordeaux on Wednesday.

Captain Steven Gerrard scored the only goal at Anfield against Olympique Marseille to send Liverpool through. Atletico Madrid grabbed the other berth in Group D after a 2-1 home win over PSV Eindhoven behind closed doors.


Liverpool's Steven Gerrard celebrates after scoring during their Champions League soccer match against Olympique Marseille in Liverpool, northern England, Nov. 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Inter safely progressed from Group B despite a surprise 1-0 home defeat to Panathinaikos.

Chelsea still have to work to join fellow Premier League sides in the last 16 as a 83-minute Alou Diarra header cancelled out Nicolas Anelka's goal for Chelsea.


Fernando (R) of Bordeaux fights for the ball with Franck Lampard (L) of Chelsea during their Champions League soccer match at the Chaban Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France, Nov. 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Roma went top of Group A on nine points after a 3-1 win at CFR Cluj but still have to secure a draw facing Bordeaux, now on seven, to get through. Chelsea, a point behind Roma, will host Cluj.

Group C produced two big-scoring matches. Barcelona beat Sporting 5-2 in a game of qualifiers to seal the top spot while Shakhtar Donetsk secured a UEFA Cup place, available to the eight third-placed teams, after a 5-0 home rout of Basel thanks to a Jadson hat-trick.


Barcelona's players celebrate a goal against Sporting during their Champions League soccer match at Alvalade stadium in Lisbon November 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Panathinaikos scored a shock winner against Inter on 69 minutes when Josu Sarriegi pounced from close range after Giannia Goumas' header had been parried by Julio Cruz.

Inter had its best chance in the 11th when Adriano hit the post on a sharply angled shot.

They created little else afterwards until the final minutes when coach Jose Mourinho had four strikers on the field and his team laid siege to the Panathinaikos goal.

The loss left Mourinho fuming although they still progressed with eight points, one more than Panathinaikos and two clear of Anorthosis, who squandered a 2-0 lead at home to draw 2-2 with Werder Bremen.

"Panathinaikos deserves this win and we deserved to lose," said Mourinho.

"We played a slow game and in the first half basically didn't create anything. We didn't fight for the lose balls. I think the players were tired, that's the explanation I prefer."

The unlikely win put Panathinaikos in a better position for a knockout stage slot as they need only a draw in their final game against Anorthosis Famagusta in Athens.

Liverpool only rode their luck to advance as Marseille dominated possession for long periods but were made to pay for a atemporary reprieve.


Liverpool's Xabi Alonso (L) and Javier Mascherano (R) challenge Olympique Marseille's Vitorino Hilton for the ball during their Champions League soccer match in Liverpool, northern England, Nov. 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Gerrard, restored to Liverpool's line-up from a groin injury, provided the highlight of a poor Liverpool display after 23 minutes. He stole in unmarked on the end of Xabi Alonso's ball to the far post to head powerfully in.

Chelsea failed to complete a clear sweep of English teams but are expecting little trouble against eliminated Cluj in their final game.

Luiz Felipe Scolari's side struggled with Petr Cech forced to make excellent early saves before Frank Lampard put Nicolas Anelkaclean through to score with a low finish on 60 minutes.

An unmarked Alou Diarra headed in from a corner to equalise with seven minutes to go. Chelsea were under further pressure as Lampard was dismissed for a second yellow card three minutes later but the hosts were unable to take the advantage.


Ateltico Madrid's Diego Forlan (L) and PSV Eindhoven's Francisco Rodriguez head the ball during their Champions League soccer match at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid November 26, 2008.. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)


Liverpool's Javier Mascherano (L) challenges Olympique Marseille's Lorik Cana for the ball during their Champions League soccer match in Liverpool, northern England, Nov. 26, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)
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