XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

XINHUA PHOTOS OF THE DAY

(240803) -- BEIJING, Aug. 3, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A chariot is pulled during the celebration of Rato Machindranath Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, Aug. 1, 2024. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for good harvest. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT

(240802) -- LALITPUR, Aug. 2, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A chariot is pulled during the celebration of Rato Machindranath Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, Aug. 1, 2024. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for good harvest. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT

(240802) -- LALITPUR, Aug. 2, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- A chariot is pulled during the celebration of Rato Machindranath Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, Aug. 1, 2024. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for good harvest. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT

(240802) -- LALITPUR, Aug. 2, 2024 Photo by Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM) -- People attend a celebration of Rato Machindranath Festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, Aug. 1, 2024. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for good harvest. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua/ABACAPRESS.COM

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(240512) -- LALITPUR, May 12, 2024 (Xinhua) -- This photo taken on May 11, 2024 shows a scene during the celebration of Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for a good harvest. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(240512) -- LALITPUR, May 12, 2024 (Xinhua) -- Devotees in traditional attire are seen during the celebration of Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 11, 2024. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for a good harvest. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(240512) -- LALITPUR, May 12, 2024 (Xinhua) -- A chariot is seen during the celebration of Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 11, 2024. Local people worship Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for a good harvest. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(230508) -- LALITPUR, May 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People in traditional attire dance during the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 8, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

(230508) -- LALITPUR, May 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People in traditional attire participate in a chariot procession held to mark the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 8, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

(230508) -- LALITPUR, May 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A girl in traditional attire participates in a chariot procession held to mark the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 8, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Pedro Nuno Santos elected PS Secretary General

Lisbon, 16/12/2023 - PS election night, at the Socialist Party headquarters in Largo do Rato in Lisbon. Pedro Nuno Santos, elected the new Secretary-General of the PS.

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(230523) -- LALITPUR, May 23, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Performers play musical instruments during a Rato Machindranath festival celebration in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 22, 2023. Local people pray to Rato Machindranath, the god of rain, for a good harvest. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(230522) -- LALITPUR, May 22, 2023 (Xinhua) -- Devotees pull the chariot of Rato Machindranath during the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 22, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(230508) -- LALITPUR, May 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People in traditional attire dance during the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 8, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

(230508) -- LALITPUR, May 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People in traditional attire participate in a chariot procession held to mark the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 8, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT PROCESSION

(230508) -- LALITPUR, May 8, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A girl in traditional attire participates in a chariot procession held to mark the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 8, 2023. Rato Machindranath is known as the god of rain and both Hindus and Buddhists worship Machindranath for good rain to prevent drought during the rice harvest season. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(230425) -- LALITPUR (NEPAL), April 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- A devotee makes offerings during the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(230425) -- LALITPUR (NEPAL), April 25, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People celebrate the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, on April 25, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT MAKING

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT MAKING

(230419) -- LALITPUR, April 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People make a 18-meter-tall chariot for the upcoming Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 19, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT MAKING

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL-CHARIOT MAKING

(230419) -- LALITPUR, April 19, 2023 (Xinhua) -- People make a 18-meter-tall chariot for the upcoming Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 19, 2023. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

IMF's Rato to resign around October for personal reasons

IMF's Rato to resign around October for personal reasons

TOKYO, Japan - File photo of International Monetary Fund Managing Director Rodrigo Rato. Rato said June 28 that he intends to leave his post around October for ''personal reasons'' following the conclusion of the 2007 Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the IMF and World Bank Group.

New IMF chief urges Japan to continue reforms, open market

New IMF chief urges Japan to continue reforms, open market

TOKYO, Japan - New International Monetary Fund chief Rodrigo Rato speaks at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on June 22. He said he has urged Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi to continue reform efforts and open up the Japanese market as the economy recovers.

Okuda meets with Spanish economy minister

Okuda meets with Spanish economy minister

MADRID, Spain - Hiroshi Okuda (L), chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), is in talks with Rodorigo de Rato, Spanish deputy prime minister and minister of the economy, at the prime minister's office in Madrid on July 11.

NEPAL-LALITPUR-LIVING GODDESS

NEPAL-LALITPUR-LIVING GODDESS

(220607) -- LALITPUR, June 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Living Goddess Kumari is worshipped at Rato Machhindranath Temple in Bungamati, Lalitpur, Nepal, June 7, 2022. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-LIVING GODDESS

NEPAL-LALITPUR-LIVING GODDESS

(220607) -- LALITPUR, June 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Living Goddess Kumari is worshipped at Rato Machhindranath Temple in Bungamati, Lalitpur, Nepal, June 7, 2022. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-LIVING GODDESS

NEPAL-LALITPUR-LIVING GODDESS

(220607) -- LALITPUR, June 7, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Living Goddess Kumari is worshipped at Rato Machhindranath Temple in Bungamati, Lalitpur, Nepal, June 7, 2022. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

NEPAL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHINDRANATH FESTIVAL

(220601) -- LALITPUR, June 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Devotees pull the chariot of Rato Machindranath during the Rato Machindranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, June 1, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

(220506) -- LALITPUR, May 6, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Devotees pull the chariot of Rato Machendranath during the Rato Machendranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 6, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

(220505) -- LALITPUR, May 5, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Devotees are seen during the chariot procession on the first day of the Rato Machendranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 4, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

(220505) -- LALITPUR, May 5, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Devotees pull the chariot of Lord Rato Machendranath during the first day of the Rato Machendranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 4, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

NEAPL-LALITPUR-RATO MACHENDRANATH-FESTIVAL

(220505) -- LALITPUR, May 5, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A devotee is seen during the chariot procession on the first day of the Rato Machendranath festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 4, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-CHARIOT MAKING

NEPAL-LALITPUR-CHARIOT MAKING

(220501) -- LALITPUR, May 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- The idol of Rato Machendranath is enthroned in a chariot in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 1, 2022. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-CHARIOT MAKING

NEPAL-LALITPUR-CHARIOT MAKING

(220501) -- LALITPUR, May 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- Elderly makers watch the final phase of Rato Machendranath chariot making in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 1, 2022. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-CHARIOT MAKING

NEPAL-LALITPUR-CHARIOT MAKING

(220501) -- LALITPUR, May 1, 2022 (Xinhua) -- The final phase of Rato Machendranath chariot making is seen in Lalitpur, Nepal, May 1, 2022. (Photo by Hari Maharjan/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-FESTIVAL PREPARATION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-FESTIVAL PREPARATION

(220427) -- LALITPUR, April 27, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A priest paints an idol ahead of Rato Machendranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 27, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-FESTIVAL PREPARATION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-FESTIVAL PREPARATION

(220427) -- LALITPUR, April 27, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A priest paints an idol ahead of Rato Machendranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 27, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

NEPAL-LALITPUR-FESTIVAL PREPARATION

NEPAL-LALITPUR-FESTIVAL PREPARATION

(220427) -- LALITPUR, April 27, 2022 (Xinhua) -- A priest paints an idol ahead of Rato Machendranath chariot festival in Lalitpur, Nepal, April 27, 2022. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

A woman lights straw while devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Locals light straw while devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Locals light straw while devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Locals light straw while devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Final Day of Chariot Festival in Nepal

Locals light straw while devotees carry the idol of Rato Machhindranath into the temple as the chariot festival of Rato Machhindranath concludes amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease(COVID-19) at Bungamati in Lalitpur, Nepal September 14, 2020. (Credit:Sunil Pradhan/Kyodo News Images)