Manali, Oct. 8 : The tourist resort of Manali recently played host to the concluding part of the Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association (HASTPA) sponsored Hercules Mountain Biking Himachal 2008.

The 10-day event, saw the participation of cyclists from 13 countries.

"The objective was to promote tourism, in Himachal Pradesh. This was a very big initiative to promote tourism in this area," said Mohit Sood, Director, Himalayan Adventure Sports and Tourism Promotion Association.

The main objective of event was to promote adventure sports and tourism in Himachal Pradesh.

Manila - The Philippines' year-on-year inflation rate rose to 12.5 per cent in August, near a 17-year-high, despite the easing of world fuel prices, the government said Friday.

The National Statistics Office (NSO) said the August index was the highest since December 1991, when the inflation rate hit 13.2 per cent.

The figure was higher than July's 12.3 per cent and the 2.4 per cent in August 2007.

Manila  -