Schools officially reopened for the third term yesterday. However, days before the opening of the term, there were media reports that the Ministry of Education had temporarily closed down 11 schools in various parts of the country for defying a standing order that prohibits teaching in schools during holidays.

While most major Asian bourses were closed for holidays, markets that were open in the region fell Monday as concerns about Lehman Brothers, Merrill Lynch and American International Group shock investors' confidence.

The Ministry of Education has over the past few weeks been carrying out a crackdown on schools and teachers engaged in conducting lessons during the holidays (coaching).

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Boy wizard Harry Potter won't be whipping up his magic when the fall film season begins next week, but Hollywood is hoping momentum from summer hits like "The Dark Knight" and a wide mix of new movies will keep audiences happy into the holidays.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Boy wizard Harry Potter won't be whipping up his magic when the fall film season begins next week, but Hollywood is hoping momentum from summer hits like "The Dark Knight" and a wide mix of new movies will keep audiences happy into the holidays.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Boy wizard Harry Potter won't be whipping up his magic when the fall film season begins next week, but Hollywood is hoping momentum from summer hits like "The Dark Knight" and a wide mix of new movies will keep audiences happy into the holidays.

NEW YORK, Aug 29 (IPS) - As Muslims begin one of their most important
holidays -- the month of Ramadan -- charitable organisations
serving the American Muslim community are taking what some
observers believe is a desperate last step to keep the U.S.
government from shutting them down.