Portugal smash seven goals past North Korea in World Cup rout

Portugal took a big step to escaping the World Cup's so-called "group of death" by crushing North Korea 7-0 in a rematch of the two nations' famous 1966 clash in South Africa on Monday। Forty-four years ago, the communist country's team shocked the soccer world by taking a 3-0 lead after only 24 minutes of their quarterfinal in England, but the Europeans hit back to win 5-3 with four goals from star forward Eusebio। There was to be no repeat in rain-drenched Cape Town, as Portugal found form after the disappointing opening draw with the Ivory Coast and claimed second place in Group G ahead of Friday's final round of matches. Carlos Queiroz's team led just 1-0 at halftime thanks to a 29th-minute strike from Raul Meireles as the North Koreans again showed the fighting spirit that tested Brazil in their opening 2-1 defeat. But the floodgates opened in the second spell as Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida and Tiago scored in the space of eight minutes, then substitute Liedson netted to clinch the biggest winning margin of the tournament so far । Captain Cristiano Ronaldo and then Tiago again compounded the Koreans' misery, giving the Portuguese a massive goal-difference advantage over the Ivorians ahead of their eagerly-anticipated showdown with leaders Brazil. The Brazilians have already qualified for the second round, with six points from two victories, while the Portuguese have four points and the Ivory Coast one. "We got seven goals but only three points. We need to be more ambitious and determined for the next phase," Queiroz told AFP. "We were very determined to win this game but the game we played today will not help us overcome Brazil. We don't want Brazil to score any goals because this will put our reputation, our prestige, into question." Portugal went close to opening the scoring in the seventh minute when defender Ricardo Carvalho hit the post with a powerful header from a corner. Meireles, who scored the winner in the second leg of Portugal's qualifying playoff against Bosnia, broke the deadlock when he ran onto a fine threaded pass from midfielder Tiago and slotted coolly past Ri Myong-Guk. Eight minutes after halftime, winger Simao fired a shot through the goalkeeper's legs after being set up by Meireles and Almeida. Striker Almeida, recalled after missing the first match, then headed in Fabio Coentrao's left-wing cross on 56 minutes before Ronaldo laid on the third goal for Tiago on the hour mark. Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, hit the crossbar in the 71st minute as he was denied his first goal of the tournament -- a similarly spectacular effort against the Ivory Coast also smashed into the woodwork. Liedson made it 5-0 after the besieged Korean defense failed to cut a cross by fellow substitute Duda 10 minutes later. Ronaldo finally found the net with two minutes to play, showing his trademark cheeky skill as he pushed the ball past the keeper and then juggled the rebound on his back before slotting into the empty goal. Tiago added his second just a minute later with a powerful header from a cross by another replacement, Miguel Veloso ......................

New Zealand hold Italy; Paraguay outclass Slovakia

Reigning world champions, Italy have been held to a 1-1 draw by New Zealand in their World Cup Group F match at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit। The All Whites took a shock lead after seven minutes when Shane Smeltz turned in Simon Elliot's free kick from close range। Replays showed that Smeltz was offside when Kiwi defender Winston Reid flicked the ball on to him, but the lineman's flag stayed down। The goal instigated a frenzied period of Italian pressure which eventually told when referee Carlos Batres awarded a penalty after defender Tommy Smith tugged at Daniele De Rossi's shirt in the Kiwi's penalty area. Striker, Vincenzo Iaquinta stepped up and sent keeper Mark Paston the wrong way to level the scores. Italy continued to press in the second half but found no route through a spirited and steadfast defense expertly organized by Kiwi captain Ryan Nelsen. Despite throwing on all his three substitutes by the 61st minute, Italian coach, Marcello Lippi and his players found their attacking edge continually blunted. Even their long range efforts were dealt with. In the 70th minute, Riccardo Montolivo's 25-yard drive fizzed towards goal only for keeper Paston to produce the save of the match and push the ball to safety. The stalemate continued, but New Zealand's Chris Wood could have won it for the All Whites in the 83rd minute when he shot narrowly wide of Federico Marchetti's left post.The result leaves Italy progression to the knockout stage in doubt. A win against Slovakia would ensure qualification, but they must rely on New Zealand getting a result against Paraguay to have any chance of topping their group. Coach Lippi said his team lacked "lucidity." "The result is 1-1 so we just have to pull up our socks and win our next game because we don't want to go home early," Lippi said, AFP reported. "We are in a difficult situation but we are not in a panic situation. We will have to win the next match." For New Zealand, a team ranked 73 places below Italy in FIFA's official world rankings, the result is one to savor. "It's an incredible result and it's way above anything we have achieved before against the stature of our competitors," New Zealand's coach Ricki Herbert said, AFP reported. "Anything is possible and we're doing okay for a team who some say shouldn't be playing at this World Cup," he added.

North Korea urges peace treaty, wants sanctions dropped

North Korea on Monday proposed replacing the 1953 armistice that ended the Korean War with a formal peace treaty, a step it said would pave the way for breaking the international impasse over its nuclear program।
But the communist state said international sanctions imposed after a series of nuclear weapons and missile tests should be lifted before it returns to the negotiating table, a suggestion the United States quickly dismissed.
The cease-fire that ended the three-year Korean War never led to a permanent peace treaty, leaving the North Korean-South Korean border the world's most heavily militarized frontier.
In a statement carried by the official news agency KCNA, North Korea said that a final settlement of the conflict is "essential" to talks aimed at persuading it to dismantle its nuclear program.
"When the parties are in the state of war where they level guns at each other, distrust in the other party can never be wiped out, and the talks themselves can never make smooth progress, much less realizing the denuclearization," it said. "Without settling such [an] essential and fundamental issue as war and peace, no agreement can escape from frustration and failure as now."
Pyongyang has refused to return to the talks, which also involve the United States, Russia, China, South Korea and Japan, insisting that it wants to talk directly with the U.S. government. But Washington says it will not lift sanctions or normalize relations with the North until it takes irreversible steps toward dismantling its nuclear program.
"We're not going to pay North Korea for coming back to the six-party process," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Monday.

North Korea: Shelling near South was drill

North Korea says artillery shells it fired Wednesday in waters near South Korea were part of an annual training drill।
The North Korea shelling led to the two countries exchanging fire Wednesday, South Korean state-run media reported.
Both countries fired in the air, without reports of casualties, the Yonhap News Agency quoted a South Korean official as saying.
"We have confirmed North Korea's firing of several artillery shells, but they did not cross" the two countries' maritime border, said Park Sung-woo, of Seoul's joint chiefs of staff, according to Yonhap. "We are on high military alert."
"Following the firing by North Korea, South Korea responded by shooting vulcan canons into the air, a statement that it would not be intimidated by saber-rattling by the communist neighbor," Yonhap said.
North Korea's state-run media said the shelling was part of its annual military training.
"Artillery units of the Korean People's Army staged an annual artillery live shell firing drill in waters of the West Sea of Korea Wednesday morning," the KCNA news agency said. "No one can argue about the premeditated exercises staged by KPA units in waters of the north side. Such firing drill by the units of the KPA will go on in the same waters in the future, too."
That exchange came a day after North Korea declared a "no sail zone" in a disputed area of the Yellow Sea, Yonhap said.
The two sides last exchanged gunfire in the disputed area in November, the first such violent incident in seven years.

Elin Nordegren hopes to save marriage

Elin Nordegren is hoping to save her marriage to Tiger Woods because she doesn't want to raise their two children without a father।
"Elin wants a solid family life," a Florida source told PEOPLE. "She was a child of divorce and felt her dad slighted her. She absolutely does not want that to happen to Sam and Charlie. So she wants to keep her family together even if she and Tiger live together as friends instead of lovers."
During the past week, Nordegren, 30, reportedly visited her husband at the Gentle Path sexual addiction clinic in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, where he has been getting treatment.
During the middle of the six-week counseling session, a patient's spouse is invited to visit for about a week, according to a former patient of the alcohol addiction section of the Hattiesburg clinic.
"This is the rough part where the patient has to admit to his wife that he [cheated]," the former patient told PEOPLE.

Steve Irwin Returning to Fremantle January 28th

The Sea Shepherd flagship Steve Irwin will arrive back in Fremantle on Thursday, January 28th, to make emergency helicopter repairs, refuel, re-provision, and drop off rescued crew from the Sea Shepherd ship Ady Gil, which sank after being deliberately rammed and cut in two by the Japanese vessel Shonan Maru No. 2. The Steve Irwin is expected to turn around within 48 hours to return in pursuit of the Japanese whaling fleet along the coast of Antarctica. The Sea Shepherd ship Bob Barker continues to pursue the Japanese whaling fleet in the Antarctic. With two Sea Shepherd ships, the whaling fleet can be kept on the run by one vessel while the other resupplies. Captain Pete Bethune of the Ady Gil will be returning to the campaign as an officer onboard the Steve Irwin. Four of the six Ady Gil crew will disembark from the Steve Irwin in Fremantle. "There is nothing that is easy about this campaign this year," said Captain Paul Watson. "The supply lines are long, the hunting area is vast, hostile and remote, and this year the Japanese are more violently aggressive than any year before. Despite these obstacles, I am confident that we will once again be able to diminish kill quotas and that we will be able to save the lives of hundreds of whales."

Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Established in 1977, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society (SSCS) is an International non-profit conservation organization whose mission is to end the destruction of habitat and slaughter of wildlife in the world's oceans in order to conserve and protects ecosystems and species। Sea Shepherd uses innovative direct-action tactics to investigate, document, and take action when necessary to expose and confront illegal activities on the high seas। By safeguarding the biodiversity of our delicately-balanced ocean ecosystems, Sea Shepherd works to ensure their survival for future generations। Founder and President Captain Paul Watson, is a renowned, respected leader in environmental issues। Visit http://www.seashepherd.org/ for more information.

"Tiger wants to the marriage"

Woods, according to a Florida insider, also wants to hold onto his family and will do whatever it takes to make that happen.
"Tiger wants to go back to being a golf star with major endorsements," the insider told PEOPLE. "He wants his clients, who have kids of their own, to think he is a good family man. He had hoped all along that his wife's initial furor would die down so they could discuss the situation and behave rationally."
Added the insider, "Keeping the family together is very important to Tiger so he is doing whatever it takes to keep Elin from leaving him and taking the kids." (Sam is 2, and Charlie is 11 months.)
If Nordegren does decides to continue the marriage, she would likely put on a happy face, take care of children and continue taking courses at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, while Woods would go back to playing golf and fulfilling his endorsement contracts, according to the insider
"Elin is as smart as a whip and a wonderful, caring mother," the insider said. "She is a special kid, well educated and capable. But she could be lonely forever."

Moon holds talks with GPK

Visiting United States Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary (PDAS) of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon met with Nepali Congress president Girija Prasad Koirala at the latter's residence in Maharajgunj, Kathmandu on Wednesday morning।The American official expressed his great concern for the ongoing peace process and constitution drafting process during his meet and Koirala assured him that the country would accomplish its duty in the stipulated time।According to Dr Suresh Chalise, foreign affairs advisor of Koirala , Moon expressed his hope that the newly formed High-Level Political Mechanism led by Koirala would end Nepal's ongoing political deadlock।Moon had met Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal, UCPN-Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Defence Minister Bidhya Devi Bhandari and ओथेर.

Maoists may call off strike

The High-Level Political Mechanism meeting today began on a tense note as Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal and Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal came down heavily against each other for making aggressive remarks recently।It was HLPM’s first meeting after it was formed on January 8। The three-hour meeting was convened at the residence of Nepali Congress leader Girija Prasad Koirala in Maharajgunj।Prachanda objected to the PM’s recent remark to do to Maoists what Sri Lanka had done to the LTTE, while the PM objected to Maoist leaders’ remarks not to include him in the mechanism, sources told THT। However, the two calmed down later. Koirala calmed down the duo, saying their comments did not augur well for the nation at this critical time. “You should show statesmanship,” he told them. He urged the Maoists to withdraw their planned strike, reasoning it may trigger untoward incidents from both the sides - the state and the protesters - vitiating the atmosphere of talks. Prachanda reacted positively to the request of the NC and the CPN-UML bosses to withdraw all protest programmes, including the scheduled indefinite strike, said sources. Prachanda said his party would dwell on the request and spell its decision in the HLPM’s next meeting scheduled for January 22. “We requested the NC and the UML to be sympathetic to our concerns if they were serious to end the present political deadlock,” said Prachanda, emerging from the meeting. UML leader Bharat Mohan Adhikari, who attended the meeting, said, “Going by what transpired in today’s meeting, we can expect a positive result at the January 22 meeting. However, the party’s past record of reneging on promises makes us wary.” Meanwhile, the HLPM today formed a six-member task force to prepare its Terms of Reference and to do the groundwork to induct other political parties in the mechanism. The task force is mandated to submit its report on the two issues at the next meeting of the HLPM. The task force includes Arjun Narsingh KC and Krishna Prasad Sitaula from the NC, Narayan Kaji Shrestha and Dev Gurung from the UCPN-M and Bharat Mohan Adhikari and Yuvraj Gyanwali from the CPN-UML. It will initiate meet tomorrow to accomplish the mandated tasks, NC leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula told THT. “The HLPM should focus on peace, stability and new constitution to save the nation from disaster,” Sitaula quoted Koirala as saying.

Detained teacher thrashed black and blue

Police today released Mahantha Yadav, a teacher of Nepal Railway Secondary School, after 17 hours of detention on the allegation of his involvement in the murder of the body guard of Parsa assistant CDO Bam Bahadur Malla on January 11. Mahantha had been subjected to physical torture, which resulted in a broken tooth and blue scars for the victim.Harihar Yadav, headmaster of the school, told mediapersons that police had held Mahantha accusing him of being the mind behind the shooting at the assistant CDO, which had caused the body guard’s murder.“I was pushed into 3 different vehicles one after another. Police personnel thrashed me brutally,” the victim lamented, showing his scars during a press conference this morning. “They threatened to shoot me if I denied the charge.”However, Parsa SP Rajendraman Shrestha said Mahantha could have sustained minor injuries in course of arrest.

Rawal parlys with Indian ministers

Visiting Home Minister Bhim Rawal met Indian Minister for External Affairs SM Krishna in the latter’s office in South Block here today.Both the ministers discussed Nepal’s peace process, cross border crime and extradition treaty. Minister Krishna, who had just returned from a three-day visit to Nepal, reassured India’s cooperation in bringing Nepal’s peace process to a logical conclusion. Rawal said he told the Indian ministers that Nepal needed more time to study the new extradition treaty before signing the document which has already been initiated.Nepal’s Ambassador to India Rukma Shamsher Rana, who was privy to the meeting, said Nepal knew that the signing of extradition treaty was one of the top priorities of India, which knew that Nepali government wanted a consensus among political parties on the issue.Rawal said he raised the issue of cross border crime and need of increased cooperation between the two countries to bolster security across the border. In recent months, India has been raising the issue of Nepali soil being used by anti-India elements to foment terror in India and pump fake Indian currency into the Indian market. On the other hand, Nepal has also been raising the issue of some armed groups operating from across the border.Rawal said Indian Minister for External Affairs Krishna and Home Minister P Chidambaram have assured him of India’s help in bolstering security across the border. Both the sides expressed their commitment not to let anybody use their territory against each other, according to Rawal.Asked if Minister Krishna made any remarks about UCPN-Maoist for the latter’s anti-India campaign in Nepal, Ambassador Rana said Krishna did not make any comment about the Maoists but echoed the same views on the peace process which he did in Kathmandu.Though Krishna expressed disappointment against their campaign against India, he said India would treat Maoists like any other political party.Indian Home Minister assured Rawal of cooperation and assistance in modernising Nepal’s police force, including the construction of Nepal Police Academy. “We have discussed some of the points of memorandum of understanding regarding Nepal Police Academy and the issues would soon be resolved,” Rawal said.Also today, Rawal visited Delhi Police Headquarters to take a first-hand information of the Delhi Police .Separately, India’s Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Rawal that both the countries needed to be more vigilant amidst heightened security concerns ahead of commonwealth games next year in the Indian capital, according to Rana.

Health centres sans medicine for months

Scarcity of medicine in health facilities across the district due to the lack of budget has ridiculed the government declaration of providing free medical treatment to the people।Officials said the dearth of drugs had persisted for about two months। Binod Kumar Giri, chief, District Public Health Office, said the budget allocated for this fiscal year had not been received.There are 35 sub-health posts, 10 health posts and five primary health centres in the district. Cetamol is the only medicine available in the medical centres. The government had made available 28 kinds of medicine to sub-health posts, 35 kinds to health posts and 50 kinds to primary health centres for free distribution. ‘’We have not been able to supply medicines as demanded simply due to the lack of funds,” the chief said. The office distributed medicines worth Rs 15 million last year. Last year as well, the drug supply is said to have lasted only six months. Health workers in rural areas said most of the medicine supplied last year was of poor quality or expired.The scarcity is said to have been created by irregularities in tender process for procuring medicine. Meanwhile, DPHO, said the medicine purchased for this year had been over while distributing the same to the diarrhoea-hit people

US may lift terrorist tag off Maoists

In response to repeated pleas from the Unified CPN-Maoist to delist them as a terrorist organisation, visiting US Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Patrick Moon today said the US government would consider removing the party from the list।He, however, said his government would take the decision according to the report presented by the US embassy in Nepal. “Moon said the US government would consider changing their policy towards us, removing us from the terrorist list and behaving with us as another political party,” Krishna Bahadur Mahara, the party’s foreign department chief, said after Moon’s meeting with Maoist chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ at the latter’s residence in Nayabazar this morning.Moon told mediapersons that he had discussed with the Maoist supremo peace process and other current issues. He said he was impressed by the commitment of Prachanda and stressed on the need for consensus and co-operation among political parties in order to lead the peace process to a logical conclusion.According to Mahara, they also discussed issues including

Nepal bade leprosy adieu

The government today officially declared the elimination of leprosy from the country, with the prevalence rate of 0।89 per 10,000 people।Uma Kanta Chaudhary, Minister for Health and Population, announced the achievement made with regard to the infectious disease। He said there are 2,445 lepers under treatment in Nepal at present. Of them, 80 per cent are from the Tarai districts. Thirty-two per cent of the newly detected patients are female, eight per cent children while three of them developed disability before treatment.Dr Alexander Andjaparidize, World Health Organisation representative to Nepal, said the achievement had been possible due to a joint effort of all concerned. “There should be continuous monitoring of the achievement,” he noted, adding that WHO was looking forward to assisting Nepal to solve health problems. Committed determination, strong political and social commitments and rapid response toward the disease were major helping factors to achieve the goal, he opined.Yohei Sasakawa, WHO goodwill ambassador for the elimination of leprosy, said the disease was a major public health concern in Nepal and said the government had prioritised the programme. He said the country should now pave way for its eradication.Dr Praveen Mishra, secretary, MoHP, said the government was considering rehabilitating leprosy patients to save them social stigma.

Cold kills elderly man in Jhapa

An elderly person died from the extreme cold in Jhapa on Tuesday। According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Bir Bahadur Limbu, 76 of Shivagunj-9, Jhapa, who froze to death due to extreme cold conditions ।The elderly and children have mostly been affected due to the decreasing temperature in the district since a few days. Two elderly people and an infant died due to the cold in the district earlier.An elderly person died from the extreme cold in Jhapa on Tuesday. According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Bir Bahadur Limbu, 76 of Shivagunj-9, Jhapa, who froze to death due to extreme cold conditions।The elderly and children have mostly been affected due to the decreasing temperature in the district since a few days. Two elderly people and an infant died due to the cold in the district earlier.

The Himalayan Times

The Himalayan Times is an English-language newspaper distributed in Nepal. The Himalayan times has been a recent entry into the Nepalese newspaper market but it has already gained grounds due to high standard of journalism and its broad appeal to the masses. International Media Network Nepal Pvt. Ltd. is the publisher of the Himalayan Times. The Himalayan Times is the largest selling English broadsheet in Nepal. It has also been credited for putting Charles Sobhraj behind bars by publishing his picture in a tourist hub of Kathmandu.The Himalayan Times is also noted for its spat with its rival in the largest selling Newspaper chain of Nepal: Kantipur. The war of sorts lead to the latter spearheading a negative campaign about the newspaper. The Himalayan Times was then accused of being a ploy of wealthy Indians and being run from India by Kantipur, while in fact both publications are backed in large part by Indian sourcesNoted for its high standard of journalism , The Himalayan Times has always published news without fear or apprehension . Even during the takeover by King Gyanendra of Feb 1,2005 ,the Himalayan Times published many articles critical of the king.

Annapurna BAse Camp Trekking

Annapurna Base Camp trekking is a outstanding Trekking on the hill of the Annapurna south specially designed for those trekkers who love to enjoy the flora and fauna, panoramic view of the Himalayan range। Annapurna Base Camp trekking is a outstanding Trekking on the hill of the Annapurna south specially designed for those trekkers who love to enjoy the flora and fauna, panoramic view of the Himalayan range in a comfortable way including Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Fishtail, Nilgiri, Tukuche Peak and other Himalayan ranges. It is an ideal trekking best called as a typical walk right into the heart of the mountains and our gentle walk start from lowland to the wonderful high mountains with breathtaking view of the Annapurna range. The walk ends at a point where you are virtually surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks. The trekking involves numerous ascents and descents but not so hard to challenge as there are many alternative routes to the sanctuary, all meeting at Chhomrung. This trekking provides an excellent opportunity to experience the enthralling glimpse of rich culture, typical Nepalese lifestyle and ultimate excitement of trekking in the Himalayas at the high elevation. Fact of Annapurna Base Camp TrekkingTrekking Destination: Annapurna Base Camp Group Size: Min-1 Highest Access of the Trekking: 4180M; Grade: Moderate ** Transportation: Bus, Car, Land cruiser or Aero plane Mode of Trekking Tour: Tea house/camping Trekking Hour: Approximately 5-6 hours each day Total Days: 15 Days Itinerary in Detail Day 01. Arrive at Kathmandu airport (1345meters). You will be met by our representative and transfer to hotel and a short brief about the trekking after refreshment. Day 02. Drive from Kathmandu to Pokhara. Day 03. One hour drive to Nayapul by private Car / Van, then trek to Tikhedhunga. Day 04. Trek to Ghorepani. Day 05. Hiking to Poonhill - back to Ghorepani, and trek to Tadapani. In the morning, we will get up early and go for hiking to Poon Hill. From here you will see fantastic view of sunrise, and panoramic view of Himalayas, including Mt. Dhaulagiri, Annapurna South, Fishtail and others. Then, we will come back to Ghorepani, have a hot breakfast, and continue walking to Tadapani. Day 06. Trek to Chhomorung. Day 07. Trek to Dovan. Day 08. Trek to Machhapuchhre Base Camp (M.B.C). Day 09. Trek to Annapurna Base Camp and have a enjoy the panoramic view of Himalayas. Day 10. Trek back to Bomboo. Day 11. Trek to Jhinu. Day 12. Trek to Deurali. Day 13. Trek to Phedi and Drive back to Pokhara. Day 14. Drive back to kathmandu. Day 15. Transfer to international airport for your final flight देपर्तुरे

SOS Rescue Teams Have Arrived

The Emergency Relief Program for Haiti is being led by Johann Denk from our Regional Office in Costa Rica. The volunteers from the Dominican Republic are psychologists and social workers who will begin the much needed psychological crisis counseling for survivors. At least another 15 psychologists and social workers from Costa Rica are expected to follow within the coming days. The first steps to be taken by the SOS team are: 1) Assess the situation at the SOS Children's Village in Santo and the neighboring communities which are heavily affected by the earthquake. Determining the fate of hundreds of families who have been supported by our family strengthening programs in Haiti is a priority. 2) Coordinate the arrival of a larger team that is expected to come in the next days. 3) Prepare for the receipt and distributino of relief items. The first shipment of ten tons of supplies for Haiti left this morning at 11 AM local time from Santo Domingo to the border of Jimani. The transport is led by Wilfredo Rosario, Director of the Dominican SOS Children's Village in Los Jardines. This shipment includes both donated and purchased supplies. The list of supplies includes: Water Canned food, milk, juice, pasta Medicines Tents Sleeping bags Lamps Large plastic tables Fuel: 200 gallons of diesel and 100 gallons of gasoline Shovels, picks, metal scissors, cement, saws, hammers The truck will remain on the border of Jimani, and will start tomorrow with the Haitian Army convoy. The army will guard the truck to the village of Santo. It has been confirmed by the Dominican government that a mobile clinic will be installed at the SOS Children's Village in Santo. Equipment and medical staff are planned to arrive on January 18. At SOS Children's Villages in the Dominican Republic, four teams are working hard to increase the effective coordination of actions. Efforts are focused on the purchase of food, medicine and other items, as well as efforts to continue receiving donations in kind.

Volunteer Society Nepal works for women and children to improve their lives in Nepal

VSN http://www.vsnnepal.org is playing an active role in linking rural Nepali people with experienced medical and health personnel from both Nepal and around the world. The Volunter Society Nepal Health Program mobilizes Health volunteers in medical and health areas, to rural and urban places where the government is unable to provide a formal health institution. Many rural Nepali people are often reluctant to go to the hospital and other modern health services because of orthodox thinking, superstition and other cultural influences. Some Nepali people may visit a witchdoctor when they are suffering from an illness, so they sometimes die as a result of avoiding modern medications. By living and working with rural communities, Health Program volunteers also increase the exposure of rural Nepali people to modern medicine. VSN Nepal welcomes all interested medical and health personnel and students, including students, professionals, organizations, associations and other groups to join the Health

VSN Health volunteer examining a child in Nepal

Health Program volunteers will be involved in one or more of the following programs: (1) Working in Health Institutions Most of the health institutions in rural areas in Nepal do not have trained and experienced medical personnel, instead relying on the services of untrained and inexperienced medical personnel. In this program, trained and experienced health volunteers will be assigned to sub-health posts, hospitals, and other health institutions, either being run by the government or a local community, in rural or urban settings. Placement of volunteers in these health institutions will increase the capacity of Nepali health workers to provide better medical facilities when doctors and experienced medical personnel are not available. Volunteers will work alongside doctors, nurses and other health workers, providing training to untrained and/or inexperienced personnel. Volunteers will be assisted by a Nepali translator, increasing the transfer of knowledge between the volunteer and Nepali health workers. Volunteers will work for 5 -6 hours each day, six days a week. (2) Organising Health Camp During their time working in a health institution, health volunteers will be deployed to work in health camps for between two and five days. Volunteers will work alongside their Nepali counterparts to examine patients, distribute medicine and consult with communities about sanitation and health care. Volunteers? participation in health camps will raises local awareness of health and sanitation in rural communities. (3) Health and sanitation awareness In this program, volunteers will mainly be involved in working with the youth clubs, women's groups, and other local organizations, teaching them about proper health and sanitation. In addition, volunteers will provide First-Aid information to the local people in rural villages, thereby providing them with a practical and sustainable life-skill. Volunteers will also give similar First Aid courses to children in government schools, lasting from several days to a week in duration. The volunteers? major role in this program is to educate and mobilize community groups who can then pass the information onto the community at large. This program is particularly suitable for medical students and volunteers with health training experience however we do accept other applicants, provided they have some experience in this area. VSN Nepal encourages all interested medical and health personnel, including students, professionals, organizations, associations and other groups to join the Health Program and make a lasting contribution towards supporting needy Nepali people.

Reach a consensus regarding

A committee under the Constituent Committee for System of Governance on Monday submitted its concept paper and preliminary report to CA chairman Subash Nembang. Chairman Sambhu Hajara Dusadh submitted the report.
The report comprises all the proposals backed by the three different political parties regarding the governance and electoral system as even the election failed to deal with them. The Maoists were of the view that the country should get a directly elected president while the NC and UML demanded an executive prime minister elected through the parliament and a ceremonial president. In the same way, Terai Madhes Democratic Party backed the concept of president elected by the federal parliaments.
The CA lawmakers will hold a broad discourse from January 24 before the concept gets the final nod.
The parties failed to reach a consensus regarding the issue as they stuck to their demands, as a result none of the proposals were able to garner a majority. The matter was furthermore worsened as the election failed to resolve it.
With this, ten thematic committees of the total 11 submitted their preliminary reports so far with State Restructuring and Power Sharing being the sole exception.
However, the report failed to garner the full support of its 43 members as some of the UML lawmakers and member Saroj Kumar Yadav have not signed the report। Yadav is out of the valley while the UML lawmakers lost a common stance that they had a long time ago, which resulted in them boycotting the last meeting and refusing to sign the report.

The Washerman and The Donkey

A STORY is told of an over-credulous washerman who was childless। This preyed upon his mind very much and was a permanent cause of unhappiness। One day, in the course of his work, he went to the house of the town kazi (or magistrate). He heard the kazi reproaching one of his pupils in this wise: "Not long ago you were a jackass; I made a man of you," etc. The washer-man did not wait to hear the rest. He hastened home with all speed and told his wife that he had made a discovery which they were to lose no time in utilizing. "The kazi, my dear," said the washerman, "can make a man of a donkey. Why should we fret any longer for a child? Let us take our donkey to him and beg of him to transform him." The washerman and his wife, with their donkey, were shortly after this conversation on their way to the kazi.
Their mission being explained with many supplications, the kazi, quick-sighted, and with an eye to business, accepted the charge, and promised to effect the metamorphosis in a year. The washerman on his part promised to give his services free for that period. A year passed in waiting and in happy hopes. On the appointed day the washerman and his companion presented themselves before the kazi. The kazi took them aside and pointed out a strong young man among his pupils. "There," he whispered to the washerman, "is your donkey. You see the change: now persuade him and take him home." The washerman and his wife flew to their newly created son, and with many endearing terms prepared to embrace him and made other affectionate advances. Amazed at this unaccountable conduct of these low people, the lad resisted at first, but as they persisted, he grew furious. After receiving many a cuff from the lad, a happy idea struck the washerman's wife: turning to her husband she said, "Go you and fetch his peg, rope, and grain-bag; perhaps they may remind him of what he was once." The washerman in hot haste went home and fetched them. But it seemed to make matters worse. The washerman held up each of these articles to the young man's view, and said, in the most persuasive tone he could command, "Come home, my son. Do you forget the day you were my donkey? This was the peg to which I would tether you, this your tether rope, and this your food-bag; come to your home!" By this time a jeering crowd had gathered round the young man, and this so infuriated him that he turned to and gave the washerman the soundest thrashing he had ever received in his life. The poor dupe of a washerman---the story says---went home thoroughly convinced that what fate had ordained it was useless to fight against, looking upon his punishment as a just return for his presumption.

The Peacock and the Tortoise

ONCE upon a time a peacock and a tortoise became great friends. The peacock lived on a tree on the banks of the stream in which the tortoise had his home; and daily the peacock after he had a drink of water danced near the stream and displayed his gay plumage for the amusement of his friend. One unfortunate day, a bird-catcher who was on the prowl caught the peacock and was about taking him away to the market. The unhappy bird begged of his captor to allow him to bid his friend the tortoise good-bye, as it would be the last time he would see him. The bird-catcher allowed him his prayer and took him to the tortoise, who was greatly moved to see his friend a captive. The tortoise asked the bird-catcher to let the peacock go; but he laughed at the request, saying that was his means of livelihood. The tortoise then said, "If I make you a handsome present, will you let my friend go?" "Certainly," answered the bird-catcher, that is all I want." Whereupon the tortoise dived into the water and in a few seconds came up with a handsome pearl, which, to the great astonishment of the bird-catcher, he handed to him. This was beyond his expectabons, and he let the peacock go immediately. A short time after, the avaricious man came back and told the tortoise that he thought he had not paid enough for the release of his friend, and threatened that, unless a match to that pearl was obtained for him, he would again catch the peacock. The tortoise, who had already advised his friend to betake himself to a distant jungle on being set free, was greatly enraged at the greed of this man. "Well," said the tortoise, "if you insist on having another pearl like it, give it to me and I will fish you out an exact match for it." The cupidity of the bird-catcher prevented his reasoning that "one in the hand was equal to two in the bed of the stream," and he speedily gave the pearl to the wily tortoise, who swam out with it saying, "I am no fool to take one and give two!" and forthwith disappeared, leaving the bird-catcher to be sorry ever after for his covetousness.

Interesting ancient India tales & stories for kids

WHILE a deer was eating wild fruit, he heard an owl call "Haak, haak" (a spear), and a cricket cry, "Wat" (surrounded), and, frightened, he fled। In his flight he ran through the trees up into the mountains and into streams। In one of the streams the deer stepped upon a small fish and crushed it almost to death। Then the fish complained to the court, and the deer, owl, cricket, and fish had a lawsuit। In the trial came out this evidence:
As the deer fled, he ran into some dry grass, and the seed fell into the eye of a wild chicken, and the pain of the seed in the eye of the chicken caused it to fly up against a nest of red ants. Alarmed, the red ants flew out to do battle, and in their haste, bit a mongoose. The mongoose ran into a vine of wild fruit and shook several pieces of it on the head of a hermit who sat thinking under a tree. "Why did you, O fruit, fall on my head?" cried the hermit. The fruit answered: "We did not wish to fall; a mongoose ran against our vine and threw us down." And the hermit asked, " O mongoose, why did you throw the fruit?" The mongoose answered: "I did not wish to throw down the fruit, but the red ants bit me, and I ran against the vine." The hermit asked, " O ants, why did you bite the mongoose?" The red ants replied: "The hen flew against our nest and angered us." The hermit asked: " O hen, why did you fly against the red ants' nest?" And the hen replied: "The seed fell into my eyes and hurt me." And the hermit asked, " O seed, why did you fall into the hen's eyes?" And the seed replied: "The deer shook me down." The hermit said unto the deer, "O deer, why did you shake down the seed?" The deer answered: "I did not wish to do it, but the owl called, frightening me, and I ran." "O owl," asked the hermit, "why did you frighten the deer?" The owl replied: "I called, but as I am accustomed to call---the cricket, too, called."
Having heard the evidence, the judge said, "The cricket must replace the crushed parts of the fish and make it well," as he, the cricket, had called and frightened the deer. The cricket was smaller and weaker than the owl or the deer, therefore had to bear the penalty.

‘Naulakha tara’

At 73, Ambar Gurung is frail. He needs help to walk. But there is a twinkle in his eyes, his heart still beats with the same deep love for the Nepali nation that stirred us all once with the song, ‘Naulakha tara’ and most recently with the country’s new national anthem.
Here in Nepalganj this week, Ambar Dai ends his Paleti concert with ‘Naulakha tara’. His voice frays when he gets to the part ‘…niyali hera hamilai bhijeko chhaina parela’, but you can still detect the soothing texture of a famous voice that is unmistakably Ambar Gurung’s. The haunting words take us all back to an era of innocent national pride, of diasporic longing for the motherland, and a time when life was simpler and violence hadn’t torn the country apart.
Two emotions bring tears to Ambar Gurung’s eyes। One is the memory of youth and of friends who have passed on when young musicians break into Aruna Lama’s ‘Samalera rakha’ and ‘Pheri kali phulera’ whose lyrics he wrote 50 years ago. The other is the sorrow of war, and the fear of fragmentation of a nation – a nation he has devoted his life to uniting through music.When he visited our People After War photo exhibition in Nepalganj earlier that day, Ambar Dai lingered over a photograph of a father being embraced by his daughter and son who were fighting on opposite sides during the war. The cover picture of People After War, taken by Charles Haviland shows Maoist guerrilla Juna Rai and the Army soldier Bhuban Rai reunited with their father at their home in Khotang after the war।“Yo Nepali daju baini bich ko ladain rahechha. It was a war between Nepali brothers and sisters,” says Ambar Dai. He says he has been inspired to compose a piece dedicated to reconciliation between Nepalis. The man who put to music ‘Sayaun thunga phul ka hami’, the lyricist who has brought a strong sense of Nepali-ness through his songs, is aghast that politicians are only talking about dividing rather than uniting.
In the news broadcast from Kathmandu this morning, I listen to Pushpa Kamal Dahal giving a speech at a gathering of his supporters in which he says: “Only 10,000 died in the war, the next war will see one million dead, we will swim in blood.” They never learn.

Nepal’s septuagenarian reclaims Everest record

Sherchan, left, shakes hands with Nepalese Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal in Kathmandu yesterday, as he receives a certificate formally recognising him as the oldest man to climb Mt Everest A 78-year-old grandfather from Nepal has wrested back from his Japanese rival the record of being the oldest man to conquer Mt Everest, the highest peak in …

Hundreds of thousands of animals to be sacrificed at Hindu festival in southern Nepal

Hundreds of thousands of Hindus gathered at a temple in southern Nepal on Tuesday for a ceremony involving the slaughter of more than 200,000 animals, a festival that has drawn the ire of animal-welfare protesters.

Ten Alternative Plants that Cleanse the Liver, Part II

The key to optimal health is optimal liver function. Responsible for detoxification and digestion among many other tasks, the liver is the largest internal organ in the body (the skin is the largest organ overall). The liver is also one of the fastest growing organs in the body and it can even regenerate itself after losing 75% of its own tissue. A healthy liver will promote quick healing of most any condition. This article, the second of a two-part series, will explore 5 lesser-known examples of natural foods that are known to cleanse and detoxify the liver.

German Chamomile (flower) Chamomilla recutita

German chamomile (similar to Roman chamomile) is an aromatic, slightly bitter flower that is familiar to tea drinkers। The medicinal uses however are not so well known। Chamomile contains the volatile oils proazulenes, farnesine, alpha-bisabolol and spiroether। Chamomile also contains the flavonoids anthemidin, luteoliin and rutin, along with the bitter glycoside anthemic acid,coumarins and tannins। Used since the 1st century AD, chamomile has many uses including treating disorders of the liver, lung, skin and digestive tract। Chamomile helps relieve pain and nervous tension, and helps with auto-immune disorders such as Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome। Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and carminative properties।

NEPAL: Floods, landslides hit food stocks

Food insecurity has increased for thousands of families in Nepal’s far- and mid-west regions as a result of flooding and landslides earlier this month.

According to the Nepal Red Cross Society (NRCS), the country’s largest humanitarian organization, more than 60 people were killed and some 4,000 displaced as a result of the unseasonal rains; 25,000 families, most of whom have lost their food stocks, are affected.

“The worst impact has been on food security during this harvesting period. This has left many farmers in a state of shock,” Pitamber Sharma, head of the NRCS disaster department, told IRIN in Kathmandu.

Many had been wrong-footed by the late rains: “This is absolutely shocking for us all because the monsoon had never been delayed like this,” Sharma said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said thousands of families had lost stocked food and seeds for the next planting season.

Emergency food will be a major need of flood- and landslide-affected families over the coming three months, with many paddy fields still under water, and large areas of harvested crops washed away, it said.

The districts affected include Dadeldhura, Acham, Bhajang, Bajura, Doti, Baitadi, Jumla, Rukum and Darchula in the Hill Region and Kailali, Kanchanpur, Banke, Bardiya and Dang in the Terai Region bordering India. “Some of the affected districts are already among the most chronically food insecure areas - where people grow their crops largely for subsistence। And when they lose them, they don’t have anything,” Richard Ragan, country representative of the World Food Programme (WFP) in Nepal, told IRIN।

“Last winter’s drought had already affected Nepal’s food production greatly and many of the families still do not have enough production to sustain the food security of their families,” Oxfam’s Prabin Man Singh said.

Migration

The result has been migration to the cities and this was likely to continue unless more food aid was provided and rural livelihoods in these areas were supported, he said.

Some agricultural experts say there is also an urgent need for further studies of landslide-vulnerable areas.

“The landslides and floods in future are possibly going to increase due to the constant erratic rainfall due to climate change,” Narendra Khadga Chettri, director of Support Activities for Poor Producers of Nepal (SAPPROS), a local NGO, said.

“The landslides in the hills this time were quite huge and there was a lot of damage. We have to absolutely be alert now,” Chettri warned.

Climate Change Hits Crop Yields In Nepal

Mountainous Nepal is "extremely vulnerable" to climate change despite its contribution of just 0.025 percent of the global greenhouse gas emissions, among the lowest in the world.

Nepal, where nearly 80 percent of its 27 million people depend on farm income, does not have enough irrigation network and poor farmers rely on rainfall which has become irregular and unpredictable, the group said.

"The most vulnerable families are forced to exercise coping strategies that include skipping meals, consuming less," it said in the report titled: "Even the Himalayas Have Stopped Smiling."

Hari Dahal, a senior official of the agriculture ministry, said Nepal was experiencing the impact of climate change but played down hunger fears. "There is no situation where we'll be drastically trapped in hunger," he said.

Oxfam said the average annual temperatures in Nepal had increased by 0.06 degrees Celsius between 1977 and 2000, the intensity being much higher in the Himalayas.

Farmers were changing crop patterns from rice paddy that needs more water to vegetables, selling assets like livestock because there was not enough water for them and are migrating in search of work.

"Communities told us crop production is roughly half that of previous years," said Oxfam's Nepal country director, Wayne Gum. "Some said that while they used to grow enough food for three to six months of the year, last year many could only grow enough for one month's consumption."

According to a World Food Programme estimate more than 3.4 million people in Nepal currently require food assistance, due to a combination of natural disasters, including last year's winter drought - one of the worst in the country's history.

Experts say the rise in temperatures in the Himalayas had accelerated melting of thousands of glaciers that supply water to major Asian rivers whose basins are home to 1.5 billion people from Pakistan to Myanmar, including parts of India and China.

Americans arrested in Pakistan had bright futures

Five Americans arrested this week in Pakistan were "wholesome," devout young men who participated in a youth program at a community mosque in suburban Virginia, representatives of the congregation said Friday.
"I have always known these kids as fun-loving, career-focused children that had a bright future for themselves," said Mustafa Abu Maryam, youth coordinator at the I.C.N.A. Center, an affiliate of the the Islamic Circle of North America, in Alexandria, Virginia. "As far as I know they were wholesome kids. Very goofy. You know, talked about girls. Very wholesome."
Portraits of Ahmed Abdullah Minni, Umar Farooq, Aman Hassan Yemer, Waqar Hussain Khan, and Ramy Zamzamand -- whom police say were transferred Saturday from the small town where they were seized to a more secure location in Lahore -- are slowly emerging. A sixth man -- the father of one of the five -- also was arrested, police said.
Pakistani authorities described the men as college students who "were of the opinion that a jihad must be waged against the infidels for the atrocities committed by them against Muslims around the वर्ल्ड
Abu Maryam said members of the community are struggling to come to terms with news of their arrests in Pakistan amid suspicions they were plotting terror attacks and seeking a way to fight American troops abroad.
"I hope all of this is not true. I hope it is not what it seems," Abu Maryam said.
Representatives of the mosque -- a modest, one-story brick house on a residential street --expressed surprise over the arrests and described the community as a small, tight-knit, patriotic congregation.
"Our youth group has always focused on community service, community involvement and community oriented events. Our main focus is to be a positive force of good in our young men's lives, Abu Maryam said
Next to the mosque is a home surrounded by a tall white fence listed in the name of the mother of Umar Farooq, one of the men arrested.
The accounting student at George Mason University was born in 1985 in Sargodha, Pakistan, the city where the five Americans were arrested on Wednesday, according to a report released by Pakistani authorities.
His mother said she and her husband were already in Pakistan looking for a wife for their son when she received news that her son was in the country. She said she assumed that he was there to surprise her, but he was arrested before she could meet him.
She defended her son's innocence, insisting that he was in the country to visit her and to look for a wife.
Down the street from the mosque is a house listed in the name of A. Minni, a 20-year-old American born in Virginia who is believed to be Ahmed Abdullah Minni, the focus of the Pakistan report.
Minni regularly went online to watch attacks on the U.S. military in Afghanistan, leaving comments praising the actions, the report said. That caught the attention of militants and he was eventually contacted by a person named Saifullah, the report said.
Without commenting directly on the arrests, Abu Maryam defended the mosque's activities, saying discussion of jihad had no place in the congregation or the youth program.
"Our group discussions never talked about politics, never talked about fighting against anyone, indirectly or directly. On the contrary, we always promoted being compassionate toward others and good stewards for humanity."
A few blocks south of the mosque is the housing complex where Ramy Zamzam, 22, rose from humble beginnings to Howard University's College of Dentistry.
On campus, Zamzam was known as a cheerful, engaging student who enthusiastically took part in Muslim student activities. He was a member of several Facebook groups, including the Muslim Doctor Network, Tooth, FASTING MONDAYS AND THURSDAYS and Every Substitute Teacher On Earth Has Butchered My Last Name.
News of his arrest set Howard's campus abuzz with speculation over why the student would leave campus before finals were set to begin.
"If Ramy was not here to take his exams it means he's throwing away this academic year," former university chaplain Imam Johari Abdul-Malik said.
"If he does not comes back not only does he risk this year but perhaps he's thrown away his hopes of having the life, the American dream that his family sacrificed [for]."

Thriving small businesses still struggling to get loans

Andy Shallal's small business is a rare success in a sea of hard-luck stories.
The owner of several popular bookstore cafes, called "Busboys and Poets" in the Washington area, Shallal said his annual revenue tops $14 million.
But the success hasn't persuaded his bank to give him the loan he wants to expand two of his stores and add 40 employees. Shallal said the only way his bank would lend him money was if he used his home as collateral.
"I want to have a loan that's really a business loan that's going to use my business as collateral," Shallal told CNN. "And I was told no, in these economic times it's very difficult for banks to give money this way."
Small-business owners across the country have voiced similar frustrations, complaining that -- despite billions of taxpayer dollars in relief funds and exhortations from lawmakers to help Main Street -- banks are still holding back on loans.
President Obama will tackle the issue Monday when he meets with bank leaders to discuss upcoming financial . He is expected to push banks to increase small-business lending, along with a host of other reforms to the industry.
But industry analysts say the liquidity problem won't be easily solved. One small-business expert said stricter government regulations have pulled banks in two directions.
"The banks are going to say, 'Look, it's not like we don't want to lend, it's that we're constrained from lending as a result of the new focus and the new attention from the crisis," said Anne Mathias, an analyst with Concept Capital. "[They will say] 'the regulators are telling us you need to be more careful, you need to have more capital, your capital needs to be more liquid.' "
Scott Talbott, who represents some of the country's largest financial firms at Financial Services Roundtable, said banks are still lending, but they've gotten more wary of potential risk.
"You've seen an increase or a tightening of the credit standards," Talbott said. "So banks are cautious now about lending in terms of who our borrower is. We're looking to make good, solid loans that can be repaid."

Thais detain plane with weapons from North Korea

Thai authorities seized a cargo aircraft carrying tons of weapons from North Korea during a refueling stop in Bangkok, a government official said.
The pilot told Thai authorities the aircraft was headed to Sri Lanka, but its final destination was unknown, according to Panitan Wattanayagorn, a spokesman for the Thai prime minister.
It contained about 35 tons of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades, shoulder-launched rockets and tubes that may be missile components, the spokesman said.
The plane, which was detained Saturday, had five people onboard -- four from Kazakhstan and one from Belarus. They will appear in court Monday on charges related to illegal weapons smuggling, the spokesman said.
Thai government officials acted after working with several intelligence agencies for several weeks, the spokesman said. The cargo was taken to a military base while the plane, which is registered in Georgia, remains at Don Muang.
Sri Lanka officials said there were no shipments scheduled in the country either by air or sea from North Korea.
"We have asked the Sri Lanka embassy in Bangkok to obtain details from the Thai authorities," the ministry said. "We will have more information on the progress of their investigation later on Sunday."
Such an aircraft could not have landed in any of Sri Lanka's airports without prior authorization, officials in Colombo said.

Alistair Darling denies benefit rise pre-election 'con'

The claim came after it emerged Mr Darling did not set aside funding to pay for rises for more than one year।
Mr Darling told BBC Radio 4's Today the increases, in child and disability benefit, were "not temporary".
He also defended his decision to delay vital spending decisions until after next year's general election.
He said he had not carried out a full spending review because of continued economic "uncertainty" but insisted spending growth in non-protected areas would be "pretty much flat".
'Honest'
How much each department gets will depend on unemployment levels and how much money they have been able to squeeze out in efficiency savings, the chancellor suggested.
"Frontline" spending in schools and hospitals will be protected from cuts, he stressed.
In Wednesday's pre-Budget report, Mr Darling announced a 1.5% rise in child benefit and disability benefits from April - just weeks ahead of the expected date of the general election.
He also announced an above-inflation 2.5% increase to the basic state pension.
This was followed on Thursday by an announcement that jobseeker's allowance and incapacity benefits would rise by 1.8% from April next year.
It makes me angry that bankers will get bonuses when the public sector, who work with the most vulnerable members of society, will receive pay-cuts
Rachel Gilroy, Crawley
Mr Darling said he was waiving the normal requirement to link the rise to the rate of inflation the previous September, as this would have led to the benefits being frozen because inflation was negative at that point.
But the Conservatives pointed to Treasury documents suggesting the benefits would rise in April 2011 by less than whatever the inflation rate-linked rise should be.
Tory spokesman Andrew Selous said it was "completely unacceptable and deeply cynical" to increase benefits before an election only to cut them afterwards.
And shadow chancellor George Osborne, for the Conservatives, said the government's economic plans should be "honest".
Mr Osborne told Today: "We have got to stop having a pre-election con where you put benefits up weeks before a general election and cut them afterwards."
But Mr Darling denied "electioneering" with the increases, insisting that the benefits would be reviewed again in 12 months' time and said the extra cash will not be taken back.
George Osborne criticised the ''cynical'' pre-Budget announcements
"I brought forward some of the increases in child benefit and disability benefits - 1.5% - because I thought it would be better to do that rather than have a situation where those benefits were frozen.
"Every year the government has to have a review of benefits. In 12 months' time we will look at what the situation is and we will know what inflation is in 12 months. The announcement I made yesterday in relation to those particular benefits was for this year.
"I was quite deliberately bringing the thing forward, because otherwise you would have had a situation where these benefits were frozen and I thought that would be a little bit unfair.
"A 1.5% increase in benefits I don't think can, with the best will in the world, be called electioneering.
"It is not a temporary rise, it is a rise we have put in this year and it is not going to be taken back. We will look at it again next year."
'Foolish things'
Lib Dem Treasury spokesman Vince Cable said the government should "spell out honestly to the electorate some of the things that would have to be cut".
Vince Cable: ''We all have to be much more honest with the electorate''
He said Mr Darling was right not to "rush into" spending cuts - but he said no areas should be "ring-fenced".
He told Today: "I think the more you impose ringfences and restrictions and sacred cows, the more difficult it is then for everybody else, and often very damaging cuts have to be made elsewhere."
He said it was important not to cut indiscriminately in "sensitive" areas such as hospitals and schools, but added: "There are some vast amounts of foolish things that this government has created, these curriculum authorities, an oppressive inspection regime - a lot of these things have got to go and we have got to be very firm about that."
And on health he said: "Vast sums have gone into the health service, it hasn't always been used efficiently and we should be honest enough to acknowledge that there are ways in which this could be done better."
Mr Darling is also facing claims his plan to raise National Insurance by an additional 0.5% "will lead to a real cut in health spending" because of increases in its vast wages bill.
National Insurance
George Osborne said it was "nonsense" for ministers to say they could raise NI and protect NHS budgets because the health service is such a big employer.
He said the tax would leave the NHS with a £446m-a-year bill
But Health Secretary Andy Burnham, who has unveiled his vision for the NHS over the next five years, said he was "amazed" the Tories were using this line of attack, as health spending increases were "locked in" and any efficiency savings would be reinvested in patient care.
"The NHS is getting a 5% increase next year because of the National Insurance increase. It will lock-in that uplift for years to come," he told the BBC News Channel.
The government said "difficult decisions" had to be made in order to reduce the UK's £178bn deficit but any spending cuts would come when the economy was growing again.
In his pre-Budget report, Mr Darling said there would be a 0.5% rise in National Insurance, on top of a 0.5% rise already announced, and a 1% cap on public pay settlements from 2011.
The increase, limited to those earning more than £20,000 a year, will hit about 10 million workers.
According to Treasury estimates, someone earning £30,000 will be £90 a year worse off and someone on £40,000 will be £190 worse off, while someone earning £10,000 a year will be £110 better off।