| Fans Lay Flowers on Andy Williams Hollywood Star Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:45 PM PDT | Fans remember legendary crooner Andy Williams, as flowers are placed on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Full story: The American singer Andy Williams has died at his family home, aged 84. Williams charmed audiences in the 1950s and 60s with songs such as "Moon River" and "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You". He had 18 gold records and three platinum hits, and in his peak years was a regular on television with his own variety show. Fans remember him as flowers are placed on his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. [Ana Martinez, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Producer]: "On behalf of the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Hollywood Historic Trust we place these flowers for Andy Williams, who received a star many years ago. We have many fond memories of him singing "Moon River." I remember as a kid watching his show and seeing the Osmond kids on his show. That's, I think, how they got their start. So I'm sure they're very sad right now, to see that their good friend and mentor has passed away. We send our condolences to his family with all our love from Hollywood." [Peter Pena, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Passerby]: "When I was younger, he had his own specials. I remember him as a crooner. Just singing a lot of songs, the top 40, older people music, but I remember him." Williams continued touring into his 80s, including performing at his Moon River Theater in city of Branson, Missouri. He died on Tuesday evening after a yearlong battle with cancer, his family said in a statement. For <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:27 | More in People & Blogs |
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| Teenager Survives "Most Venomous" Snake Bite Posted: 27 Sep 2012 03:40 PM PDT | An Australian teenager survives being bitten by an Inland Taipan, one of the world's most venomous snakes. Full story: An Australian teenager has survived being bitten by one of the world's most venomous snakes. The Inland Taipan has venom so powerful that just one drop can kill 100 men. And yet the 17 year old boy was bitten on the hand on Wednesday and lived to tell the tale. [Judy Martin, Reptile Rescuer]: "We were shocked. We've never seen a Taipan before. They're not from this area and to have somebody bitten by an Inland Taipan is quite serious. He needs to take out a lottery ticket. He is extremely lucky to still be alive." The boy took himself to a local hospital just north of Sydney, with the snake in a plastic tub. He has now been transferred to Newcastle's Mater Hospital. The Inland Taipan usually lives in central Australia's arid deserts, hundreds of miles from the coast. It is not yet known why the snake was so far from its natural habitat. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 32 2 ratings | | Time: 00:49 | More in Pets & Animals |
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| US, UN Urged to Help End Forced Organ Harvesting in China Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:42 PM PDT | An international medical advocacy group is urging the US to lead the charge to pressure the Chinese regime to end its alleged practice of forcibly taking organs from prisoners of conscience. Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH) on Thursday delivered a petition with nearly 25000 signatures to the office of Susan E. Rice, the US Ambassador to the United Nations. Dr. Liu, a member of the group, says the American public has been very supportive. [Dr. Liu, Member, Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting] "Since August 21st, in less than five weeks, we've collected more than 23400 signatures. We can see that people want the truth, and are calling on the Chinese communist government to immediately end forced organ harvesting." Human rights organizations have accused the Chinese regime of systematically pillaging organs from prisoners of conscience. Activists who have investigated the claims say many of the victims are practitioners of Falun Gong. The spiritual practice is persecuted in China, and some estimate between 40000 to 60000 adherents may have been killed for their organs. The petition to Ambassador Rice outlines evidence that supports the claims, including details of recorded phone conversations that reveal senior Communist Party officials are behind it. It also urged the US to reveal whether Wang Lijun, the former police chief of Chongqing, provided any information about forced organ harvesting when he fled to the US consulate in Chengdu in February. Wang <b>...</b> | Views: 9 1 ratings | | Time: 01:46 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Largest Steelmaker Baoshan Shutting Mill Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:11 PM PDT | China's largest listed steelmaker, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., is shutting down one of its plants, as the sluggish manufacturing sector continues to take a toll.The company announced on Thursday that its Shanghai mill will suspend production in order to avoid more operating losses. China is the world's largest steel producer and consumer, but with the cooling economy, demand has plummeted. Shipbuilding orders are shrinking, and housing construction has also slowed, as regulators attempt to rein in the heated property market. According to industry group China Iron & Steel Association, Chinese steelmakers have largely been losing money this year. The slow demand for steel has pushed down prices, squeezing profit margins for producers. It's not just the steel industry that's feeling the pinch. China's National Bureau of Statistics released a report today, showing profits for Chinese industrial companies falling 6.2% in August compared to last year—the steepest decline in recent months. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 33 2 ratings | | Time: 01:00 | More in News & Politics |
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| Japan PM: No Compromise on Islands Posted: 27 Sep 2012 12:05 PM PDT | Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said Wednesday that Japan will not compromise on ownership of disputed islands in the East China Sea, known as "Senkaku" to Japan and "Diaoyu" to China. Noda's remarks came at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where he addressed fellow member nations on the recent altercation with China's Communist Party authorities. [Yoshihiko Noda, Japanese Prime Minister]: "As far as the Senkaku Islands are concerned, they are an inherent part of our territory in light of history and also of international law. It's very clear, and there are no territorial issues as such, therefore there could not be any compromise, which means set backs from this basic position. I have to make it clear." Both China and Japan claim ownership of the isolated East China Sea islands. Relations imploded after Japan's government bought the islands from their private owner. Last week the dispute triggered violent anti-Japanese protests in China, where a volatile political transition is underway. Some of the protests escalated into looting and violence. Economic impacts are among the chief concerns of both countries, which face highly uncertain prospects in the currently fraught global climate. Japanese automakers Toyota, Nissan, and Suzuki, are curtailing production in China. Noda said that the dispute will "not affect adversely bilateral relationships," and is seeking to resolve the issue "calmly". But Noda's ruling party faces an upcoming election and is <b>...</b> | Views: 1 1 ratings | | Time: 01:57 | More in News & Politics |
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| 40 Year Anniversary of China-Japan Relations Strained Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:56 AM PDT | A Japanese delegation met with Chinese officials in Beijing today to discuss trade issues and acknowledge 40 years of good trade relations. But the anniversary comes at frosty time. Tensions between the two Asian nations have peaked over heated disputes over the Diaoyu, or Senkaku Islands. Japan's former Foreign Minister, Yohei Kono, expressed his feelings towards the occasion. [Yohei Kono, Minister for Foreign Affairs]: "The conditions are rather different from when I met Your Excellency in the spring, and I come this time with a heavy heart." Anti-Japan protests took place all around China last week after Japan bought the disputed islands from its private owners. The chain of small and uninhabited islets is surrounded by rich fishing waters and possibly sit atop a large oil and natural gas reserve. The dispute has strained relations between the world's second and third largest economies. Chinese citizens called for a boycott of Japanese goods, and Japanese businesses were targeted during last week's demonstrations. Chinese authorities have issued strong statements against Japan's claim over the islands. Earlier this week, state-run Xinhua News Agency reported that events to celebrate the 40 year anniversary in Beijing would be cancelled. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 26 1 ratings | | Time: 01:15 | More in News & Politics |
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| Ai Weiwei Loses Tax Fine Appeal Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:45 AM PDT | A Chinese court upheld a huge tax evasion fine against China's famous contemporary artist Ai Weiwei on Thursday, in a case that has tarnished the country's human rights reputation. It was Ai's second appeal against a $2.38 million US dollar tax evasion penalty imposed on the company he works for. That company, Beijing Fake Cultural Development Ltd. Is owned by Ai's wife, and produces his art and designs. On Thursday, Ai went to the Beijing Court but was not given a chance to defend himself. [Ai Weiwei, Chinese Artist]: "I never imagined the court would disregard the facts this much and be so unreasonable, and so insulting." Ai says the court only gave notice of the hearing by phone, and his lawyers were unable to be there. [Ai Weiwei, Chinese Artist]: " law requires that they give a written statement of notice three days in advance, so our lawyers had no time to come, some are away on work, or in France, so we had to come as representatives to collect this." The case is widely seen by activists as an attempt to muzzle the outspoken artist, who has repeatedly criticized the Chinese regime for flouting the rule of law and the rights of citizens. Courts are controlled by the ruling Communist Party and rarely accept lawsuits filed by dissidents. [Ai Weiwei, Chinese Artist]: "People say 'you knew the result of this from the beginning.' That's true. The result today is not the result we should have been given. China should be changing every day, but in truth this is not <b>...</b> | Views: 4 1 ratings | | Time: 02:04 | More in News & Politics |
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| A "Golden Week" of Chinese Travel Havoc Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:34 AM PDT | This weekend is the start of the "Golden Week" holiday in China—a whole week of holidays, combining the Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day holidays. But with it comes traffic jams and booked out public transport—not to mention crowds. [Wu Xionghui, Head of Hunan Highway Management]: "During the dual holidays, it's estimated the vehicle flow, especially cars, will triple. The Changsha-Xiangtan Highway has an average daily flow of more than 30000 vehicles but during the National Day holiday, the traffic flow may double to about 60000." Apart from the traffic, there's now a new challenge—trying to book public transportation tickets online during the holiday period. The Ministry of Railways recently upgraded the ticket booking website before the holiday rush, but it doesn't seemed to have helped. Users have reported the website crashing after too much web traffic, or taking too long to process tickets. Some say they've had to wait half an hour to confirm their ticket booking online. Adding to the problem is the time limit set for booking tickets—you can only book 10 days before departure—not much time to book tickets before the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday. Many are left wondering how the 330 million yuan, or US$49 million, used to make the website was spent. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 20 2 ratings | | Time: 01:22 | More in News & Politics |
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| Giant Panda Cubs Get Their Own Play Area in Sichuan Posted: 27 Sep 2012 11:28 AM PDT | Here in Sichuan at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, eight giant panda cubs have found their new home. Born in 2011, the pandas have left the care and protection of their mothers and are now living here. The panda cubs spend their time in the indoor and outdoor play areas specially set up for their healthy growth. One panda cub poses for a photograph after seeing the camera. Another panda is exploring the rocking horse. It loves riding the horse...but needs a little more practice. Two cubs are playing on a hanging barrel, and both the cubs are trying to push each other out of the barrel. [Wu Kongju, Breeder at Panda Base]: "Only healthy panda cubs have such curiosities. If a cub is in a bad condition, it won't be curious about anything around it. Curiosity is a sign of the cub being healthy, physically and mentally." The playful pandas don't seem to mind being away from their mothers. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 35 2 ratings | | Time: 01:03 | More in Pets & Animals |
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| China Uncensored - Why Rip Someone's Heart Out? Posted: 26 Sep 2012 09:06 PM PDT | Why is China harvesting the organs of Falun Gong practitioners? In this episode of China Uncensored, Chris Chappell takes a look back at the history of the persecuted spiritual practice and the wave of terror instigated by the Chinese regime at the hands of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin. But it doesn't stop in China. The Chinese Communist Party is exporting its persecution to the US. Now, Falun Gong finds itself at the center of a major battle for political power within the highest echelons of the Communist Party. Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com | Views: 273 30 ratings | | Time: 04:33 | More in News & Politics |
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| China News - September 26, 2012: Bo Xilai Reportedly in Massive Corruption Scandal Posted: 26 Sep 2012 06:23 PM PDT | In today's NTD China News, an investigation has found that Bo Xilai is implicated in corrupt dealings totaling 100 million yuan, while he was in Liaoning province, according to Deutsche Welle, citing inside sources. Internet freedom in China has worsened in 2012, according to a report by US-based Freedom House published this week. Tibetans in exile gathered in India to discuss their prospects under China's incoming leadership. China's Shanghai Composite Index falls its lowest point since 2009. Japanese carmakers are scaling back production inside China, after riots over the disputed Diaoyu, or Senkaku Islands hurt sales. Foxconn remains an attractive prospect for young Chinese workers, who turned out in the thousands today to interview for assembly line positions. An unusual motorcycle race takes place in Chongqing, with motorcyclists riding up stairways. NTD's fifth International Chinese Culinary Competition to take place center stage in New York's Time Square this Thursday and Friday. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 323 8 ratings | | Time: 16:47 | More in Shows |
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