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As hundreds of soldiers worked yesterday to unblock a debris-clogged river threatening to flood survivors of the earthquake that ravaged Sichuan province, the region`s Population and Family Planning Committee announced that families whose child was killed, severely injured or disabled in the disaster would be allowed to have another child.

Yesterday`s emergency announcement affects parents in thecity of Chengdu, which has 10million people, as well as two of the hardest-hit cities, Dujiangyan and Pengzhou, The Australian has reported.

The May 12 quake was particularly painful to many Chinese because it killed so many only children.

China`s one-child policy was launched in the late 1970s to control its exploding population and ensure better education and healthcare.

The law limits couples to one child but allows exceptions for ethnic groups, rural families and families where both parents were only children.

The death toll from the quake was revised up last night to 65,080, with more than 23,000 people still missing.

Officials have not been able to estimate the number of children killed, but at least 5498 Chinese children are believed to have been left on their own, either because they were orphaned or separated from their parents.

About 7000 classrooms were destroyed in the quake, which hit during school hours.

Many Chinese have shown interest in adopting earthquake orphans, and yesterday`s announcement says there are no limits on the number of earthquake orphans a family can adopt.

A couple that adopts will not be penalised if they later have their own biological child.

Click here to read the full report from The Australian.

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Today`s Top Picks

Heartbreak over Potter actor death

THE brother of a Harry Potter star killed in a wave of street violence that has shocked the UK has paid tearful tribute to his "best friend".

• Pay day: Rescued divers asked to cough up
• `Drunk`: `Threesome` minister was booted from party
• Palme d`Or: Aussies among winners at Cannes

Search for more stories on this topic on Newstext, our news archive service. Click here

Also in World

• Quake: China eases one-child policy
• Colombo: Seven dead, 63 hurt in train bombing
• Dubai: Cross-dressers arrested to `protect` tourism
• North Battleford: Skydiver postpones historic jump
• Moscow: Nine dead after cargo plane crashes
• Geneva: Over 80 per cent of fisheries overfished
• Georgia: Russian fighter jet `downed spyplane`
• Minneapolis: Tornadoes, storms kill at least eight

Video

Watch this Video NOW!

Wrestling superstar

WE talk to WWE star Batista, aka The Animal, prior to the SmackDown/ECW June tour.

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• Online profiles unmasked
• How to save wet mobile phones
• Rachael Taylor on film Shutter
• Jimmy Barnes` extraordinary life

More Video

Blogroll

Splat!

Are Gen Y really a bunch of greedy attention-seekers?

• Fully Chic: Invasion of the bodysnarkers
• Ask Bossy: First time in love - can it last?
• Jack Marx Live: In pursuit of Qantas
• Blogocracy: Both sides pathetic on petrol
• Smart Investing: Prepare for tax return changes
• Squanderlust: Planning for future success
• Technology:Are you constantly online?
• Justin Herald: Time to go on a financial diet

Advertisement

Planning a Holiday? - Visit our Europe section for the latest destination offers!

 

Overflowing with benefitsExperience life the Platinum Way With American Express Platinum

 

Online Auctions Online auctions on a range of big brands. Bid Now! Dontmissout.com.au

 

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  What is RSS?
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