| Auction of $7 Renoir Canceled Over Ownership Questions Posted: 29 Sep 2012 02:45 PM PDT | A Renoir painting purchased at a flea market for seven US dollars is believed to be one stolen from the Baltimore Museum of Art in 1951. Full story: A Virginia auction house said on Friday it was working with federal investigators to determine the legal ownership of a Renoir painting that was purchased at a flea market for seven US dollars. The Potomack Company auction house canceled the sale of the painting "Paysage Bords de Seine" by Pierre-Auguste Renoir after information was presented that the work was stolen from the Baltimore Museum of Art decades ago. The painting was to have gone under the hammer on Saturday, but ownership questions halted the sale. [Elizabeth Wainstein, Owner, The Potomack Company]: "We had a phone call from the Baltimore Museum of Art from the director letting us know that they had discovered in their files after the Washington Post had been there, that the painting—there was a notation that the painting had been stolen in 1951. And once we learned that, we immediately contacted the FBI and withdrew the painting from the auction." A Virginia woman bought the signed French Impressionist painting at a West Virginia flea market, hoping the frame would be of some use. She ignored the work until it turned up again while she was cleaning her house. She had it appraised by Potomack in July and the auctioneers verified it as a Renoir and estimated its worth at 75000 to 100000 US dollars. [Elizabeth Wainstein, Owner, The Potomack Company]: "She's <b>...</b> | Views: 38 0 ratings | | Time: 01:47 | More in News & Politics |
|
| The Fallout from Bo Xilai's Downfall Posted: 29 Sep 2012 01:00 PM PDT | Former high-flying Chongqing Party Secretary Bo Xilai was expelled from the Chinese Communist Party on Friday, and he'll face a criminal trial as well. Bo's fate has been raised many times on China Focus and China News since February. We had predicted it before, but now it's clear--he's being taken down, hard. It's a big win for his political opponents, but it could also have significant and dangerous long-term fallout for the Communist Party. | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 14:03 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Asia's Rich Crave Luxury Handmade Cars Posted: 29 Sep 2012 06:44 AM PDT | Despite the economic outlook, handcrafted luxury cars made in Malaysia are still in high demand in Asia and the Middle East, with customers willing to wait up to two years for the car of their dreams. Full Story: A hundred car craftsmen are hard at work at this small factory on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. They polish the elegant body and fit it with custom-made parts. Leather is cut and stitched by hand to create the seats of the Bufori Motor Car luxury vehicles which can cost anywhere from 15000 to 30000 US dollars. But despite the hefty price tag, the cars are wildly popular among the rich in Asia and the Middle East and the factory can't keep up with demand, despite global economic doldrums. The business is owned by a family of Lebanese-Australians who started their business in Sydney, and moved to Malaysia in 1992 to meet the growing demand from Asian customers. Gerry Khouri, the founder and managing director of the Bufori company explains how much time and effort goes into each car. [Gerry Khouri, Bufori Founder and Managing Director]: "If you look at a mass-produced car maker, 50 man hours is considered too much. We are talking 3500 is how fast this car we can make by hand, and 9000 for the big one. It's a lot of man hours we got into these cars. We literally make these cars by hand, we don't buy parts, assemble, and say that it is a car. We literally make the car from scratch to what you see." With this many hours put into each car, customers have to wait at <b>...</b> | Views: 120 6 ratings | | Time: 02:33 | More in Autos & Vehicles |
|
| Chicken Hotel Offers Comfort for Hens Posted: 29 Sep 2012 06:33 AM PDT | Chicken owners in Britain now have a hotel to check their hens in at while they are abroad. A British chicken owner has opened up a chicken hotel, so when Brits go on holiday, their hens can enjoy themselves too. An increasing number of British are rearing their own hens. In response, Julie Smith has opened Fowlty Towers, a play off of the BBC comedy series "Fawlty Towers." Her business model—caring for hens. And she is set on giving the chickens a five-star stay. [Julie Smith, Owner of Fowlty Towers]: (Female English) "Well, rehoming ex-battery hens, a lot of people asked what they would do when they went on holiday with the hens, so I started looking after them as a favour and then I thought well it might be a bit of a business and we'll try and get them sorted so we ended up with lots of people ringing up and asking if I could look after their hens when they went on holiday. Somebody went in and had a baby and just respite really, so they don't have to get up so early in the morning and this is how 'Fowlty Towers' started." Located in the village of Cowden, Julie has thirteen of her own re-homed battery hens, or ex-commercial chickens. And she says she treats her guests like her own. That means they are pampered with a daily supply of fresh vegetables and have their own garden and ten foot run pens. [Julie Smith, Owner of Fowlty Towers]: (Female English) "Of course the best place for any animal including hens would be in their own home, that's what they're used to, but <b>...</b> | Views: 14 2 ratings | | Time: 01:38 | More in Pets & Animals |
|
| British PM Cameron Walks the Streets of Rio de Janeiro Posted: 29 Sep 2012 05:47 AM PDT | British Prime Minister David Cameron visits an NGO in one of the poorest neighborhoods in Brazil, accompanied by some of this year's Olympic medalists. Full Story: British Prime Minister David Cameron walks the streets of one of the poorest neighborhoods in Brazil. The British Prime Minister is accompanied by some of the medalists from this year's Olympic Games in London. He's given a warm welcome at the "Fight for Peace" NGO led by a British philanthropist. The organization provides alternatives for young people in disadvantaged communities through boxing and other projects. Cameron arrived in Rio Thursday (September 28) for talks with local officials and members of the country's Olympic team. The Prime Minister is set to fly to the country's capital of Brasilia to meet with President Dilma Rousseff later on Friday. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 39 3 ratings | | Time: 00:53 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Bird Blamed for Fatal Nepal Plane Crash Posted: 29 Sep 2012 05:41 AM PDT | A light aircraft crashed and burst into flames in Kathmandu after hitting a bird on take-off killing all 19 people on board, including British and Chinese passengers. Full Story: Flames devour what's left of a light aircraft that crashed on take-off from Kathmandu, killing all 19 people on board. Seven British and five Chinese passengers are among the dead. Before the crash, the pilot radioed air traffic controllers saying the aircraft had hit a bird. The plane was bound on a clear morning for Lukla—a gateway to Mount Everest. The crash of the propeller-driven Dornier aircraft is the sixth fatal air accident in less than two years in Nepal, where more than a dozen small private carriers often brave bad weather to fly to mountain areas where there are no proper roads. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 38 1 ratings | | Time: 00:44 | More in News & Politics |
|
| On The Money: East, go East! Posted: 29 Sep 2012 07:12 AM PDT | Will Russia's trade balance shift towards the Asia-Pacific region? Does Putin's speech at the latest APEC summit mean Russia is determined to change gears? How significant of a turn could it be? And who would benefit the most? Peter Lavelle is joined by Ben Aris, Simon Fentham-Fletcher and Eric Kraus to discuss what Russia should do about its small share of trade in APEC. Follow Peter Lavelle on Twitter twitter.com RT LIVE rt.com Subscribe to RT! www.youtube.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com Follow us on Google+ plus.google.com RT (Russia Today) is a global news network broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. RT is the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark. | Views: 1059 35 ratings | | Time: 23:16 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Russia-China missile defense? 'Maybe not right now' Posted: 29 Sep 2012 08:07 AM PDT | RT talks to Dr Teng Jianqun from China's center for arms control. RT LIVE rt.com Subscribe to RT! www.youtube.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com Follow us on Google+ plus.google.com RT (Russia Today) is a global news network broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. RT is the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark. | Views: 3227 112 ratings | | Time: 10:42 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Diplomacy Backfire: 'Regime change calls as only solution for Syria burst crisis' Posted: 26 Sep 2012 02:46 AM PDT | The intesified terror attacks on the Syrian capital however did not receive much condemnation from the UN - its General Assembly is meeting in New York this week. Instead, it's calls for regime change that have grown louder - with US President Barack Obama setting the mood by reiterating his commitment to forcing Bashar Assad to go. RT LIVE rt.com Subscribe to RT! www.youtube.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com Follow us on Google+ plus.google.com RT (Russia Today) is a global news network broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. RT is the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark. | Views: 6245 110 ratings | | Time: 03:26 | More in News & Politics |
|
| US infrastructure doomed? Posted: 01 Aug 2012 02:36 PM PDT | The US pumps tons money abroad for reconstruction in Iraq and Afghanistan, but it ignores the country's very own infrastructure problems. Five years after a bridge collapse in Minneapolis left 13 people dead and 150 injures, Rachel McCleery of the Urban Land Institute Initiative asks RT's Kristine Frazao of America has bother to invest in its own infrastructure. Like us and/or follow us: twitter.com www.facebook.com | Views: 4854 135 ratings | | Time: 08:31 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Giant Golden Moon Lands in Hong Kong's Victoria Park Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:05 PM PDT | The Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival is just around the corner and organizers of festivities in Hong Kong are getting ready. Lanterns light the pathways of Victoria Park and this year a special lantern is set on the water. The Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the Moon Festival. It falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, that's September 30th. The holiday is based on a love story between an earth bound mortal and a celestial maiden who lives on the moon. The architects of this year's winning lantern design were inspired by this folk tale. [Kristof Crolla, Winning Designer]: (male, English) "It's a lantern for the mid-Autumn festival and it symbolizes a legend. And it's a very local legend about Chang'e who is a moon goddess who lives on the moon, she was banished there. And once per year she was visited by her husband, Houyi, so it's, it's a story about love and being reunited. We took this quite literally and we thought that this love and the passion that could come from this would be so hot that the moon would actually catch fire. So we thought that we would bring a flaming moon down into Victoria Park and through that make it into a big light and sound spectacle." The Golden Moon lantern is six stories high and is made from steel, bamboo, cloth, and LED lights. The flaming moon sits atop a body of water. The lanterns light pathways that wind through its center. Multicolored lights move in a light show reflected in the water <b>...</b> | Views: 65 4 ratings | | Time: 01:39 | More in News & Politics |
|
| 5 Chinese Amongst Victims in Nepal Plane Crash Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:05 PM PDT | It was a clear sunny day when the small Dornier aircraft took off from the Kathmandu airport in Nepal. The plane was on its way to a base camp by Mount Everest on Friday, but it never made it. The plane ran into a bird shortly after takeoff, killing all 19 passengers on board. Five Chinese passengers, and seven British were among the dead. All other victims were Nepal natives. The plane was on route to Lukla, an airport near the base of Mount Everest. The majority of the passengers were tourists who had come to Nepal to hike. This is the 6th plane crash in Nepal in less than two years, and the second this year. Tourism officials worry that this could deter tourists from travelling in Nepal, which has eight of the world's 14 highest mountains. Tourism in Nepal currently makes up 4% of the economy. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 7 0 ratings | | Time: 00:49 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Island Dispute Heats up Between China and Japan at UN Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:05 PM PDT | The Chinese Foreign Minister told the United Nations on Thursday that the Diaoyu or Senkaku islands were stolen from China by the Japanese in 1895, and that the Japanese governments recent purchase of them is unacceptable. [Yang Jiechi, Chinese Foreign Minister]: (Chinese, male) "China urges Japan to immediately revoke its wrong decision to 'buy' the Diaoyu Islands and stop all actions that undermine China's territorial sovereignty." Japan's cabinet secretary has replied that Japan would promote and explain its views on the disputed islands. [Osama Fujimure, Japanese Cabinet Secretary]: (Japanese, male) "This is what China is insisting unilaterally and we see it as totally baseless. There will be a time for us to counter-argue and we will do it properly." The islands, situated in waters rich in natural gas deposits, and a haven for fishing, have been administered by Japan since 1895, but China has declared them "sacred territory," and Taiwan also claims sovereignity over them. Both China and Japan have patrol boats in the area, and there are concerns that an incident may occur, sparking a bigger conflict. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said on Wednesday there would be no compromise on the island issue. Threats are now becoming personal; Japanese media reports that a sealed envelope containing a rifle bullet addressed to the Japanese Prime Minister was delivered to the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. Japanese police are investigating. For more news and videos visit <b>...</b> | Views: 408 10 ratings | | Time: 01:28 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Beijing Rights Activists Monitored Ahead of Party Congress Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:03 PM PDT | Renowned Chinese rights activist Hu Jia says Chinese authorities have stepped up surveillance of dissidents in Beijing. The move is likely related to the upcoming 18th Communist Party Congress. According to Hu, Beijing police have been approaching his acquaintances, telling them to leave the city next month. [Hu Jia, Chinese Rights Activist] (male, Chinese) first part of first "A lot of friends have gotten these so called 'suggestions' from Beijing police, telling them to leave during the 18th Party Congress. If they don't leave, they'll lose their personal freedom. It's clear they are creating this atmosphere of fear." Hu Jia says his phone has been tapped. The former political prisoner, who suffers from liver disease, says police have put him under house arrest for 11 days, and he has not been allowed to leave home. [Hu Jia, Chinese Rights Activist] (male, Chinese) 2nd "This string of actions is like a human rights and humanitarian disaster. The 18th Party Congress is no more than a gathering to divvy up power. All the internal Party conflicts is because of the vested interest of those in power. My plan is, regardless of what happens in the 18th Party Congress, I want to remain in this city." Beijing-based human rights lawyer Jiang Tianyong says his colleagues have also been asked to leave. According to German media Deutsche Welle, rights activists including Bao Tong, the former aide to ousted Communist Party Secretary Zhao Ziyang, have also been placed under house <b>...</b> | Views: 2 0 ratings | | Time: 01:27 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Bo Xilai Dismissed From Communist Party Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:03 PM PDT | Bo Xilai, the former communist party chief of Chongqing, has been expelled from the Chinese Communist Party and is facing criminal charges. That's according to an official announcement posted by state-run Xinhua News Agency. It came on Friday evening before a week-long national holiday. According to Xinhua, Bo committed corruption and abuse of power, took "massive bribes" both directly and through family members. He allegedly violated Party discipline, and had inappropriate sexual relations. Xinhua said the investigation revealed Bo's (quote) "suspected involvement in other crimes," which may mean more charges against Bo when his case goes to trial. The seriousness of the accusations against Bo surprised some on the streets of Beijing. [Sun Peizhu, Beijing Resident]: (Male, Mandarin) "I was very surprised. At the beginning, when Bo Xilai led the 'patriotic singing campaign' in Chongqing, I thought he was a really great person. I would never have thought that he would be like that, so I am very surprised." The report also seems to show that the Party's investigation on Bo goes all the way back to his time as mayor of Dalian, governor of Liaoning province, and commerce minister. That's a change from the previous investigations of Bo's right-hand man Wang Lijun and his wife Gu Kailai, which focused on events in Chongqing and the murder of British businessman Neil Heywood. According to Xinhua, Bo's expulsion from the Party will be ratified at one of the last meetings of the <b>...</b> | Views: 8 1 ratings | | Time: 01:49 | More in News & Politics |
|
| 18th Party Congress Announced, Delayed To November 8th Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:03 PM PDT | The Chinese regime has at last announced the date for its 18th Party Congress. On November 8th, current leaders Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao will hand over their posts to the next generation of leaders. This once-in-a-decade power transition comes amidst a politically rocky year for the Chinese Communist Party. The date for the Party Congress was declared after state-run media announced the expulsion of disgraced official Bo Xilai from the Party. The man once tipped to enter the top ruling circle—the Politburo Standing Committee—has been accused of a myriad of crimes. The scandal surrounding Bo Xilai exposed a fierce factional infighting within the inner ranks of the Communist Party. Some observers had speculated it would delay the 18th Party Congress, which normally takes in mid to late October. NTD senior China analyst Heng He believes senior leaders have delayed the Congress to November, because the dust over Bo Xilai has not settled. [Heng He, NTD Senior China Analyst] (male, Chinese) 1st "I think they had to push it back in order to deal with Bo Xilai. I've always said that Bo's case will conclude before the 18th Party Congress, because the new leadership would not want to take over this hot potato. Also, there's been no precedent for this kind of internal struggle, or ideological struggle, to extend to incoming leaders." Bo Xilai has been accused of massive corruption, abuse of power and other unspecified crimes. Chinese political commentator Lan Shu speculates the <b>...</b> | Views: 51 2 ratings | | Time: 02:26 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Two Days of Chinese Cooking in Times Square Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:01 PM PDT | Over the last two days, top Chinese chefs from around the world have pitted their meat cleavers and woks against each other in the middle of Time Square, New York. It's all for NTD's 5th International Chinese Culinary Competition. After seven preliminary rounds yesterday, five western celebrity chefs tried their hand at a classic Sichuan Cuisine in the first ever Fire up the Wok Competition. French chef Antoine Camin wooed judges with his dish, which drew out the sweet and sour hint that's essential to Kung Pao Chicken. All of this happened in a specially designed set that brought the ancient Chinese capital of Chang'an back to life. Today was the finals to find the master chefs, and the winners will be announced later tonight. Up for grabs is $10000 for each winner in the five main Chinese cuisine styles. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 38 2 ratings | | Time: 00:48 | More in News & Politics |
|
| China News - September 28th, 2012: Bo Xilai Kicked Out of Communist Party Posted: 28 Sep 2012 09:01 PM PDT | In today's NTD China News, disgraced politician Bo Xilai is kicked out of the Chinese Communist Party. State-run media announced on Friday that Bo has also been removed from all official positions. He faces accusations of massive bribery, sexual misconduct and various other crimes. Bo Xilai's expulsion from the Communist Party pushes back the 18th Party Congress to November 8th. Beijing's rights activists are facing more pressure from authorities as the Party Congress approaches. Japan and China trade words over their islands dispute at the United Nations. Five Chinese are amongst 19 dead after a plane crashed in Nepal. A giant "golden moon" lands in Hong Kong's Victoria Park in preparation for the Mid-Autumns Festival. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 112 0 ratings | | Time: 13:26 | More in Shows |
|
| Discovering China - NTD's Chinese Culinary Competition in Times Square NYC Posted: 28 Sep 2012 08:56 PM PDT | This week Ben Hedges brings you a special program from NTD's 5th Annual Chinese Culinary Competition in Times Square NYC. | Views: 79 5 ratings | | Time: 08:47 | More in Shows |
|
| Hunt Jumps for Gold in Cliff Diving Championship Posted: 28 Sep 2012 07:07 PM PDT | Hunt wins Cliff Diving World Series Full script: Cliffdiving is definitely not a pastime for the faint of heart. But it's not just about adrenaline and thrill-seeking, either. And at this year's Cliff Diving World Series, the competing divers show how they have sculpted the sport into an art. Jumping from a height of almost 90 feet, these artists do flips, twists, and somersaults all before hitting the water. Defending champion Gary Hunt just won his third-successive title on Thursday when he won the final stage of the 2012 competitions in Oman. [Gary Hunt, Cliff Diving World Champion]: "It was really the best competition I've ever done. I've never scored over 500 and to do it today when it counts I just can't believe it. I'm still a bit in shock." Five thousand fans watched on as Hunt performed his trademark 'triple quad' dive for a total of 506.85 points. The Brit defeated the nine-time world champion, Orlando Duque, who came in second in Oman, and in the overall championship. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 6 2 ratings | | Time: 01:09 | More in Sports |
|
Comments