SHANGHAI, CHINA: Cruise in luxury between Shanghai and Chongqing

2010-3-1

By Wang Xiang

CONSTRUCTION has started on the world's most luxurious river cruise liner that will eventually sail between Shanghai and southwestern Chongqing Municipality.

The 15,000-ton ship cost more than 150 million yuan (US$21.97 million) and will sail along China's longest inland river Changjiang River.  Shanghai will be the terminal of its seven-day maiden voyage next May, reported Chongqing-based CQnews.net today.

The 136-meter long ship owned by Chongqing Traffic and Travel group will complete regular seven-day trips from Chongqing to Shanghai, said a manager with the cruise operator Gong Li.
Gong said the group will spend more than 2 billion yuan to build 10 such liners and the ships will also offer one-day trips around Chongqing.

The report said the liners are at the maximum size Changjiang River could accommodate.

Equipped with two presidential suites, two restaurants and several cigar bars, the most luxurious will take just 300 passengers.

View Shanghai Daily Article

RUSSIA: On this day: March 2

One of Russia's oldest and most admired folk choirs, the Pyantnisky Choir was named after its distinguished founder, Mitrofan Pyantnisky (1864-1927). A connoisseur of Russian folklore, he toured the country with an old phonograph and recorded every folk song he heard. His collection amounted to 400 hundred songs.

 
On March 2, 1911, the choir assembled by Pyatnitsky gave its first performance. The event instantly attracted attention; for the first time in history a choir consisted of peasants with no musical background, as Pyatnitsky based his selection process solely on the participants’ talent. Hailing originally from different Russian regions, they had no permanent residence in Moscow and had to travel back home after each performance. In 1918 Lenin accidentally heard the choir and, smitten by the heartfelt peasant singing, allotted them a cottage in Moscow.

In 1938 the choir expanded, joined by a dance ensemble and a folk orchestra. Though successful on the surface, the choir saw each concert as a predicament. Stalin deemed himself responsible for the choir’s repertoire and frequently came to watch them perform. When that happened, regardless of their fear, the choir had to sound as patriotic and optimistic as they could.

Today the choir still enjoys great love and popularity among people, and upholds its uniqueness by maintaining only authentic folk songs in its repertoire.

http://rt.com/Russia_Now/2010-03-02.html

OLYMPICS: Final Medal Standings from the Winter Olympics Games in Vancouver

Gold

Silver

Bronze

Total

S. Korea

6

6

2

14

China

5

2

4

11

Russia

3

5

7

15

Japan

0

3

2

5

Of the countries above, S. Korea had the most gold medals (6) and the second highest total (14). 

Russia had the highest total (15) but only 3 gold medals. 

China fell just behind S. Korea for the number two slot in the gold medal count with 5 medals. 

Japan did not win any gold medals and was only awarded a total of 5 medals.