InfoAnda - Christchurch holds prayers for quake victims

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Sienna Miller Was "Terrified" Of Handling Guns When Filming Her New Film "GI Joe" | 29 May 2009
G8 calls on Iran to halt election violence | 27 June 2009
DNA test sets US inmate free after 35 years in jail | 18 December 2009

Eurocopter says Taiwan helicopters for civil use | 6 February 2010

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Christchurch holds prayers for quake victims

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Australia China India Indonesia Japan Malaysia Philippines Thailand Vietnam Christchurch holds prayers for quake victims By KRISTEN GELINEAU,Associated Press - Sunday, February 27 Send IM Story Print CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – Residents held open-air prayers for the dead and missing Sunday on the lawns of churches cracked and shattered in New Zealand's earthquake while teams continued their search through debris of one of the country's worst disasters. "As our citizens make their way to church this Sunday they will be joined in prayer by millions around the world," said Mayor Bob Parker of the devastated city of Christchurch. "For now we are truly comforted by the thoughts and prayers of so many." The official death toll rose Sunday to 147 and was expected to rise further, Police Superintendent Dave Cliff said. Prime Minister John Key has said the quake, which decimated the city's downtown, may be the country's "single-most tragic" disaster. When the quake ripped through the city last Tuesday, the city's churches were among the hardest-hit buildings. Among them was the iconic Christchurch Cathedral, at the heart of the city, which suffered massive damage, its bell tower in ruins and 22 people potentially lying dead inside. Still, many residents of the largely Christian city found a way to hold Mass on Sunday. Parishioners set up rows of chairs in the sunlight and under the shade of trees on the lawn of St. Barnabas, an 86-year-old Anglican church where the quake cracked stone walls, shattered some stain glass windows and left the tower sinking. Wails of passing police cars and the roar of a military chopper overhead occasionally interrupted the sermon. Rev. Philip Robinson later tried to rally a somber crowd. "This is not called Christchurch for nothing," he said, drawing smiles from a few. "We will rise again." After the service, people gathered by a table on the lawn to have coffee, scones and banana bread, and to comfort those still struggling. Megan Blakie, 45, stood in the crowd, eyes brimming with tears. "I just am struggling with where's God in all of this?" she said. "It's not shattered my faith, but it's hard to keep going." Outdoor services also were held at other churches and at a library, where attendees arrived on bicycle or on foot and sat in folding chairs. Church leaders had canceled a larger, multi-denominational service in a park for fear of clogging road access for emergency services. Members of New Zealand's indigenous Maori community held a tradition ceremony at the ruined cathedral to bless spirits of the dead believed buried under the rubble there. Other Christchurch residents chose to spend their Sunday in more secular surroundings, such as the botanical gardens, where oak trees insulate the pathways from the noise of the city's rescue and recovery operations. The Robb family, brothers Neville and Graeme and their wives Gael and Michelle, met in the gardens, as they do every Sunday, to walk their dogs. "You feel guilty doing something so normal when there is so much suffering," Michelle Robb said. "But the dogs need walking." Some 56 percent of New Zealanders have a Christian religious affiliation and nearly 35 percent profess no religion, while religious groups like Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism are growing as immigrants arrive. The multinational team of more than 600 rescuers scrabbling through wrecked buildings in the central city last pulled a survivor from the ruins at mid-afternoon Wednesday, making it four days without finding anyone alive. Rescue coordinator Jim Stuart-Black said Sunday that rescuers were "still in active rescue mode" and continued "to look in every possible place for survivors," but that finding more survivors was increasingly unlikely. "We are starting to move into the miracle stage of the operation," he said. Cliff, the police superintendent, said the official death toll rose to 147 based on the number of bodies brought to a special morgue. He said list of the missing was "over 200," and clarified Sunday that police assume that bodies already collected and awaiting identification will end up matching names on the missing list, leaving just "over 50 people unaccounted for." Only six bodies have been publicly identified. New Zealand's deadliest disaster was a 1931 temblor that killed 256 people. Engineers and planners said Saturday the city's decimated central area may be completely unusable for months to come and that up to a third of the buildings may need to be razed and rebuilt. Key, the prime minister, said the government would announce an aid package Monday for an estimated 50,000 people who will be out of work for months due to the closure of downtown. He also called for two minutes of silence on Tuesday to remember both victims and the ordeal of the survivors. ___ Associated Press writers Steve McMorran in Christchurch, New Zealand, and Ray Lilley in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles New Zealand quake city prays for miracles amid rubble Reuters - 35 minutes ago Thai agency says army did not kill Reuters cameraman Reuters - 1 hour 1 minute ago North Korea threatens military action over South Korea campaign Reuters - 1 hour 21 minutes ago Thailand's 'Red Shirts' urge release of colleagues AP - Sunday, February 27 Philippine rebels kill 3 soldiers, wound 4 others AP - Sunday, February 27 News Search Top Stories China targets 7% growth, to rein in inflation: Wen Europe races to meet 'Mad March' debt deadline Full house at space station as Discovery docks China Premier Wen pledges to contain prices Discovery docks with International Space Station More Top Stories » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed 'Runaway millionaire' arrested in NZ: police Oral sex linked to cancer risk Tanker victory spells risks for Boeing US billionaire Buffett ready for more takeovers Key tribes abandon Yemen president More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Sunday, 27 February 2011
Terror in Tripoli as pressure builds in Yemen
Egypt committee proposes 8-year cap on presidency
Iran confirms unloading fuel from Bushehr reactor
US billionaire Buffett ready for more takeovers
Two wounded in Gaza in Israel bombing raids: medics
Discovery docks with International Space Station
Iran to 'remove fuel' from Bushehr nuclear plant
Three killed in Tunisia clashes |
Iraq's largest oil refinery shut by bombing
Bomb kills nine civilians in Afghanistan
After 30 years of Mubarak, Egypt to limit terms |
Iraq attack prompts refinery closure
Japan senior lawmaker sees PM resignation as an option
Damaged cathedral symbolizes NZ city's anguish
Armani's secret agents dazzle Milan
Nintendo launches 3-D console in Japan
Winter's Bone seeks indie film honors |
After 30 years of Mubarak, Egypt to limit terms
Videogame makers seek footing on shifting landscape
China targets 7% growth, to rein in inflation: Wen
Iraqi Shi'ite cleric urges reform after protests
U.S. tells Gaddafi it is time to go as revolt closes in |
Europe races to meet 'Mad March' debt deadline
Facebook page calls for Qatar emir's ouster
North Korea threatens military action over South Korea campaign |
Full house at space station as Discovery docks
Iran confirms unloading fuel from Bushehr reactor
Irish opposition claims historic poll victory |
China Premier Wen pledges to contain prices
Calls on Facebook to oust Syria's Assad
Two wounded in Gaza in Israel bombing raids: medics
New Zealand quake city prays for miracles amid rubble |
England down France to keep rugby Slam dream alive
Thai agency says army did not kill
Three killed in Tunisia clashes: government |
North Korea threatens military action over South Korea campaign
New Zealand quake city prays for miracles amid rubble
Shi'ite dissident returns to Bahrain from exile |
North Korea threatens to attack South Korea, US
Hollywood braces for Razzies
Christchurch holds prayers for quake victims
Philippine rebels kill 3 soldiers, wound 4 others
'King's Speech' spotlights stress of stuttering
Exclusive
North Korea threatens to fire at South Korea
Year after 'Cove' Oscar, activists shift tactics
Weather forecast for the Asia-Pacific region
New Zealand earthquake toll at 146 dead
New Zealand earthquake toll at 145 dead
Spain's tourism sector gets boost from Arab revolts
'Airbender,' 'Sex and the City" win worst film gongs
Tourists flock to Bali's 'Eat, Pray, Love' sage
Superstition still widespread in high-tech Asia
Stars gather as 'King's Speech' eyes Oscars crown
The whimsy and menace of Moamer Kadhafi
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
"The Last Airbender" crowned worst film at Razzies
Shattered cathedral is quake city's 'broken heart'
Islam inspires Turkish designer in Milan debut
Black Swan sweeps independent film awards |
The Last Airbender crowned worst film at Razzies |
Charlie Sheen gives TV Interview to ABC |
Foreign films navigate rough waters to reach Oscars |
Ten Afghans killed in bomb blast: officials
Call for Egypt reform referendum expected this week
India bat against England in W. Cup clash
Turkey faces struggle to revive EU bid
Explosion kills 8 Afghans in south
Tunisia prime minister resigns after protests |
Two dead in Oman clashes with protesters |
Egypt to call March referendum this week: lawyer |
Saudi king orders more state jobs and faces reforms calls |
Weapons and ammunition found in searches in restive Southern Thailand
China protest call smothered in police blanket |
More Thai workers return, with tales of robbery and attacks
Bahraini Shi'ite leader hints could accept king |
Afghan parliament elects ex-warlord as speaker |
31 Thai workers injured in gas explosion
North Korea threatens US, South with 'all-out war'
Chinese in Greece relieved to be out of Libya
China protest call smothered in police blanket
Thai agency says army did not kill Reuters cameraman
Philippine rebels kill 3 soldiers, wound 4 others
Thailand's 'Red Shirts' urge release of colleagues
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph	VPN on MacOSX	BlogMeter 1.01