China says aims to banish superstition, promote knowledge

China says aims to banish superstition, promote knowledge


China says aims to banish superstition, promote knowledge

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:54 PM PDT

Falun Gong practitioners participate in a protest against China's crackdown on Falun Gong followers in front of the Chinese embassy in BucharestBy Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - China is struggling to get its estimated 100 million religious believers to banish superstitious beliefs about things like sickness and death, the country's top religious affairs official told a state-run newspaper. Wang Zuoan, head of the State Administration of Religious Affairs, said there had been an explosion of religious belief in China along with the nation's economic boom, which he attributed to a desire for reassurance in an increasingly complex world. ...


China criticizes US for its human rights record

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:48 PM PDT

BEIJING (AP) — China slammed the human rights record of the United States in response to Washington's report on rights around the world, saying that U.S. military operations have infringed on rights abroad and that political donations at home have thwarted the country's democracy.

China says aims to banish superstition, promote knowledge

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:54 PM PDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - China is struggling to get its estimated 100 million religious believers to banish superstitious beliefs about things like sickness and death, the country's top religious affairs official told a state-run newspaper.

Reduced security blamed for Taliban attack

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:37 PM PDT

The Taliban fighters who blew up a half-dozen U.S. Marine fighter jets on a sprawling NATO base last fall were able to walk easily onto the encampment because patrols of the perimeter had been scaled back and watchtowers left unmanned, according to senior military officials.

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Family in Dagestan defends Boston suspects

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 05:17 PM PDT

Mother of Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev says her sons are innocent and "controlled by the FBI".

Analysis: Rough start to post-Chavez era augurs badly for Venezuela

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:07 PM PDT

CARACAS (Reuters) - About the only tranquil place in Caracas over the last few days is a hilltop military museum housing the remains of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez.

Analysis: Rough start to post-Chavez era augurs badly for Venezuela

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:06 PM PDT

Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures after being sworn into office in CaracasBy Andrew Cawthorne CARACAS (Reuters) - About the only tranquil place in Caracas over the last few days is a hilltop military museum housing the remains of late socialist leader Hugo Chavez. Visitors tip-toe around his marble sarcophagus, reprimanded by guards if their voices rise above whispers. Outside, a shell-shocked nation is still reeling both from Chavez's death from cancer last month and a week of violence and recriminations over the disputed election to succeed him. ...


Rich political novice the favorite to win Paraguayan presidency

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:02 PM PDT

Man handles campaign billboard of Paraguay's presidential candidate Efrain Alegre of the ruling Liberal Party in AsuncionBy Daniela Desantis and Hilary Burke ASUNCION (Reuters) - Paraguayans go to the polls on Sunday in a presidential election that could return the center-right Colorado Party to power less than a year after the nation's leftist leader was impeached. Millionaire businessman Horacio Cartes, 56, is the Colorado Party candidate and front-runner in the race, most polls show. A political novice, he vows to reform his party, which was tainted by corruption during its 60-year reign through 2008. ...


China rushes relief after Sichuan quake kills 180

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 09:56 PM PDT

Zheng Xianlan, a 58-year-old corn farmer, awakens after spending the night sleeping on a sofa outside her house which was damaged by an earthquake near Shangli town in southwestern China's Sichuan province, Sunday, April 21, 2013. Residents awoke Sunday after spending the night outdoors or in their cars in the town near the epicenter of a powerful earthquake that struck the steep hills of China's southwestern Sichuan province, leaving at least 160 people dead and more than 6,700 injured. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)YA'AN, China (AP) — Rescuers and relief teams struggled to rush supplies into the rural hills of China's Sichuan province Sunday after an earthquake left at least 180 people dead and more than 11,000 injured and prompted frightened survivors to spend a night in cars, tents and makeshift shelters.


Rich political novice the favorite to win Paraguayan presidency

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:03 PM PDT

ASUNCION (Reuters) - Paraguayans go to the polls on Sunday in a presidential election that could return the center-right Colorado Party to power less than a year after the nation's leftist leader was impeached.

North Korea moves two more missile launchers: report

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 08:50 PM PDT

Military officials applaud together with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, during the Unhasu concert in PyongyangBy Jane Chung SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has moved two short-range missile launchers to its east coast, apparently indicating it is pushing ahead with preparations for a test launch, a South Korean news agency reported on Sunday. South Korea and its allies have been expecting some sort of North Korean missile launch during weeks of heightened hostility on the Korean peninsula. ...


China hits back at U.S. in annual human rights survey

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 08:47 PM PDT

Chinese national flags flutter in front of the Great Hall of the People before the opening ceremony of Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in BeijingBEIJING (Reuters) - China accused the United States on Sunday of spying on its own citizens, discriminating against women and ethnic minorities and allowing gun crime to run out of control, in Beijing's annual rebuttal to Washington's criticism of its rights record. The U.S. government's yearly survey of human rights around the world issued last week said that repression and coercion in China were routine, especially for rights activists and people living in Tibet and the heavily Muslim region of Xinjiang. ...


Conservatives 'likely to win Paraguay poll'

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 08:42 PM PDT

Businessman Horacio Cartes of the Colorado Party leads in most polls ahead of presidential election on Sunday.

North Korea moves two more missile launchers: report

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 08:51 PM PDT

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has moved two short-range missile launchers to its east coast, apparently indicating it is pushing ahead with preparations for a test launch, a South Korean news agency reported on Sunday.

China hits back at U.S. in annual human rights survey

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 08:47 PM PDT

BEIJING (Reuters) - China accused the United States on Sunday of spying on its own citizens, discriminating against women and ethnic minorities and allowing gun crime to run out of control, in Beijing's annual rebuttal to Washington's criticism of its rights record.

Boston bombing investigation turns to motive

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:21 PM PDT

Surviving suspect of Marathon blasts in "serious condition" and unable to speak due to throat injuries, authorities say.

Insight: Pakistan cleric tries hand at politics

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 06:37 PM PDT

Radical Sunni cleric Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi addresses his supporters during his election campaign in Jhang, Punjab provinceBy Michael Georgy JHANG, Pakistan (Reuters) - When Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi greets supporters on the Pakistan election trail, he opens his pitch with the kind of promises to the poor that any other politician might make. But behind the reassuring rhetoric lies what his opponents believe is a dangerous agenda - to gain a foothold in parliament and further his designs to oppress Pakistan's Shi'ite minority. ...


Opposition, election body differ on Venezuela vote audit

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 07:23 PM PDT

Venezuela's opposition leader Henrique Capriles gestures as he arrives at a news conference in CaracasBy Daniel Wallis and Deisy Buitrago CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's opposition and electoral authority expressed on Saturday widely differing expectations for an audit of the contested April 14 presidential election, a day after Nicolas Maduro was sworn in to succeed the late Hugo Chavez. Opposition leader Henrique Capriles, who says there were thousands of irregularities, wants a manual recount of all ballots cast in the vote, but has accepted the electoral body's decision to carry out a more limited electronic audit. ...


Rescuers struggle to reach China quake zone

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:55 PM PDT

A view of a collapsed building after a 6.6 magnitude earthquake hit southwestern China's Sichuan provinceBy Michael Martina and Maxim Duncan LUSHAN, China (Reuters) - Rescuers struggled to reach a remote corner of southwestern China on Sunday as the toll of the dead and missing from the country's worst earthquake in three years climbed to 203 with more than 11,000 injured. The 6.6 magnitude quake struck in Lushan county, near the city of Ya'an in the southwestern province of Sichuan, close to where a devastating 7.9 temblor hit in May 2008 killing some 70,000. ...


China rushes relief after Sichuan quake kills 179

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 08:47 PM PDT

Zheng Xianlan, a 58-year-old corn farmer, awakens after spending the night sleeping on a sofa outside her house which was damaged by an earthquake near Shangli town in southwestern China's Sichuan province, Sunday, April 21, 2013. Residents awoke Sunday after spending the night outdoors or in their cars in the town near the epicenter of a powerful earthquake that struck the steep hills of China's southwestern Sichuan province, leaving at least 160 people dead and more than 6,700 injured. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)YA'AN, China (AP) — Rescuers and relief teams struggled to rush supplies into the rural hills of China's Sichuan province Sunday after an earthquake left at least 179 people dead and more than 6,700 injured and prompted frightened survivors to spend a night in cars, tents and makeshift shelters.


Mixed Martial Artist Jon Jones Is Mighty, Yet Measured

Mixed Martial Artist Jon Jones Is Mighty, Yet Measured


Mixed Martial Artist Jon Jones Is Mighty, Yet Measured

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 09:40 AM PDT

Although Jon Jones contends "I don't enjoy hitting people; I enjoy outsmarting them," there are far more accurate representations of his strategy and tactics.
    

Greece's ruling conservatives regain narrow lea: poll

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:58 PM PDT

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece's ruling conservatives have regained a narrow lead over anti-bailout leftists, an opinion poll published on Saturday showed.

O'Sullivan eases through at Worlds

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:55 PM PDT

Four-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan beats Marcus Campbell 10-4 in their first round match at the Crucible.

Japan's Aso: Recovery 'Few Years' Away

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:52 AM PDT

Japan's finance minister said it may take longer to cure Japan of deflation than the two-year goal that the Bank of Japan has set and a self-sustaining economic recovery is at least "a few years" away.

Japan Joins Talks to Form Free-Trade Bloc

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 11:47 AM PDT

Japan received the green light to become the 12th nation to join talks to form a massive Asia-Pacific free-trade bloc, gaining approval from final holdout Canada.

Rape of 5-year-old sparks outcry in India

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:28 PM PDT

BELLARY, India — Anger over sexual assaults erupted on the streets of the Indian capital once again Saturday, as hundreds of people protested the rape of a 5-year-old girl and continuing violence against women and children despite strengthened new rape laws.

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US readies aid package for Syria rebels

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:17 PM PDT

John Kerry, US secretary of state, expected to pledge $130m in non-lethal assistance during "Friends of Syria" summit.

Russian tycoon top of rich list

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 11:10 AM PDT

Tycoon and Arsenal FC shareholder Alisher Usmanov tops the annual Sunday Times list of the wealthiest people in Britain and Ireland with a £13.3bn fortune.

Syria opposition voices frustration with international backers

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:51 AM PDT

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Syrian opposition figures voiced frustration with their international backers on Saturday in the face of reluctance from some to supply the rebels with weapons and a call for them to distance themselves from extremist forces.

Boston Attacks Turn Spotlight on Troubled Chechen Region

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:41 AM PDT

With the Chechen background of the suspects in the Boston attacks, questions arise about a connection to the bloody conflict in the Russian republic of Chechnya, which has appeared calm for some time.
    

Iraq’s First Vote Since U.S. Exit Is Mostly Calm

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:26 AM PDT

Limiting violence is one gauge of success, but observers are also waiting to see whether the results will embolden the prime minister to expand power along sectarian lines.
    

VIDEO: 'I survived Boston and Texas blasts'

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:39 AM PDT

Joe Berti, a software company chief executive and gym owner, survived both the marathon bombing in Boston and, days later, the fertiliser plant explosion in Texas.

Sunderland 1-0 Everton

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 09:32 AM PDT

Paolo Di Canio's fruitful reign as Sunderland manager continues as his team beat Everton to move closer to survival.

Egypt's Morsi plans to reshuffle cabinet

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 10:23 AM PDT

In exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, President Mohamed Morsi says reshuffle will involve several "key ministries".

In Texas, Mourning First Responders Who Paid With Their Lives

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 09:46 AM PDT

Days after a fertilizer plant explosion destroyed homes and killed at least 14 in West, Tex., the magnitude of the human toll had barely started to settle in.
    

Man arrested for India child-rape atrocity

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:59 PM PDT

Neighbour taken into custody as five-year-old rape victim is left fighting for her life in New Delhi hospital.

Italian Lawmakers, After Stalemate, Re-elect President to Second Term

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 11:51 AM PDT

Amid growing political chaos, lawmakers on Saturday elected President Giorgio Napolitano for a second term, in an effort to break a profound deadlock in the euro zone's third-largest economy.
    

After Egyptian Revolution, an Influx of Copts at a Queens Church

Posted: 19 Apr 2013 07:47 PM PDT

Since the Egyptian uprising in 2011, St. Mary and St. Antonios Coptic Orthodox Church in Ridgewood, Queens, has seen an influx of parishioners, and it hasn't been quite the same.
    

Egypt's Mursi plans cabinet reshuffle

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 12:21 PM PDT

CAIRO (Reuters) - Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi said on Saturday he planned to reshuffle his cabinet in a move that could help build political consensus around a $4.8 billion loan Cairo is seeking from the International Monetary Fund.

QPR 0-2 Stoke

Posted: 20 Apr 2013 09:18 AM PDT

Stoke moved closer to Premier League survival with a rare away win that all but seals Queens Park Rangers' fate.