| South Korean Singles Gathered in Seoul for Large-scale Blind Date Posted: 25 Dec 2012 05:22 PM PST | South Korean singles brave cold weather for large-scale blind date on Christmas Eve, highlighting woes of the young and lovelorn in a rapidly aging nation. Full Story: More than 3 thousand single men and women crowded into Seoul's financial and political district of Yeouido on Monday (December 24th). South Korean singles braved sub-zero weather and slippery ice for what's been dubbed the first-ever "Solo Battle," a flash-mob blind date using social media to spread the word. An unusual event perhaps, but one that highlighted the woes of the young and lovelorn in a rapidly aging nation. Participants moved in a backdrop of vendors selling roses, heat packs and toy handcuffs. The men wore white clothes and the women wore red and pink in accordanced with the dress code. Both groups scoped out potential candidates of the opposite sex for a possible date. The action began at the preset time of 15:24 local time (0624 GMT). The "24" reflects the date of Christmas eve. Yu Tae-hyung, one of the organizers, said the event was conceived from the large number of complaints by the lonely he received on his Facebook account. [Yu Tae-hyung, One of the "Solo-Battle" Organizers]: "As Christmas approached, a number of people have worried about being lonely during the season. So I planned this 'Solo-Battle' for many people to be able to get together at once." One of the spectators was lucky to win a date. [Kim Ji-hoon, "Solo-Battle" Spectator]: "I thought of coming here with my friend just to <b>...</b> | Views: 19 2 ratings | | Time: 02:22 | More in Travel & Events |
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| Santa Takes a Waterskiing Break Posted: 25 Dec 2012 03:58 PM PST | Santa, with some spare time on his hands, pauses his delivery of Christmas presents to waterski near Washington. Full story: Nothing takes the cheer out of Christmas like a cold, wet, blustery wind whipping off the river and pelting the faces of tourists gathered to watch the annual Washington spectacle of -- wait for it! -- Santa on water-skis. The annual event takes place at the foot of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, which connects Washington and Maryland. But it didn't seem to wow the tourists who dutifully gathered on Christmas Eve. The actor dressed in his Santa suit and lightweight red bag of presents was way too thin for the role and his beard was askew at mid-chin. And he seemed less accustomed to waterskis than to his customary one-horse open sleigh. Whatever the reason, more than a few people filtered away before the finale. Perhaps they preferred to wait for the real spectacle of the genuine Santa slipping down the chimney to deliver presents to the children of the world. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 3 0 ratings | | Time: 00:54 | More in News & Politics |
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| Ai Weiwei Retweets Organ Harvesting Petition to the White House Posted: 25 Dec 2012 01:10 PM PST |
| Christmas Gets a Gangnam Style Twist in Shanghai Posted: 25 Dec 2012 01:07 PM PST |
| Pope Appeals for Peace in Syria Posted: 25 Dec 2012 11:02 AM PST | Pope Benedict delivers his "Urbi et Orbi" blessing, saying hope cannot die for peace in Syria, Mali and Nigeria. Full Story: Pope Benedict, prepares to deliver his Christmas message to the world. Thousands gather in St. Peters Square to hear his message. The 85-year-pontiff calls for peace in the world's trouble spots. [Pope Benedict]: "Yes, may peace spring up for the people of Syria, deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenseless, and reaps innocent victims. Once again I appeal for an end to the bloodshed, easier access for the relief of refugees and the displaced, and dialogue in the pursuit of a political solution to the conflict." The leader of the world's more than 1 billion Roman Catholics also condemned conflicts in Mali and Nigeria. The Pope's message followed a Christmas Eve Mass when he called on people to find room for God in their fast-paced lives. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:14 | More in News & Politics |
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| Christmas Eve Flooding Wrecks Holiday Travel in UK Posted: 25 Dec 2012 10:29 AM PST | Flooding from recent heavy rain has forced some homeowners to evacuate, and people are urged not to travel in southwest England. Full Story: Flooding continues in parts of southwest England after days of rain have continued onto the saturated ground. UK's Environmental Office issued six severe flood warnings on Saturday, and while warnings were downgraded, flood risks remain across Cornwall, Devon and Somerset. The weather has caused havoc for residents and Christmas travelers. Residents in Braunton were forced to evacuate and many rail lines are blocked by floodwaters as rivers have burst their banks. Authorities have given out sandbags to home and shop owners in an attempt to keep waters at bay. The main rail route into Devon and Cornwall is blocked until Friday, and officials urged people not to travel in the southwest. While the rain is expected to ease on Christmas Day into Boxing Day, it is just a short respite; heavy rain is expected through the rest of the week. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 12 2 ratings | | Time: 00:54 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Overlap Between Labor and Prisons Posted: 24 Dec 2012 03:00 PM PST |
| Jiang Zemin Writes a Preface Against Xi's Eight Regulations Posted: 25 Dec 2012 06:08 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Former general secretary Jian Zemin indirectly appeared after the 18th Party congress. Mainland media extensively reported on a preface Jiang wrote for an ancient poetry anthology. The preface directly challenged Xi's eight regulations, saying the leader "can't send congratulatory letters, messages or inscriptions". How will Xi Jinpin respond? —Let's see the report. A book on ancient poetry anthology premiered in Beijing's "The Great Hall of the People" on December 22. A poem and other scripts by Jiang Zemin were recorded in the book, along with a preface written by him. The Chinese Communist Party(CCP)'s mouthpiece media, the People's Network, Xinhua, Zhongxin Network, CCTV and Xinwen Lianbo reported the event on a large scale. Also, politburo member and state councilor, Liu Yandong, presented the premiere and gave a speech. The Minister of the CCP Central propaganda department donated the book to some relevant CCP units. Two days later, Xinhua Network once again reported on Jiang, saying that he had titled the book "Yellow Mum". Also in December, the new general secretary Xi Jinping had proposed eight regulations to "improve the work style" of the CCP's Political Bureau. The regulations forbade individuals from publishing papers, writings, speeches, congratulatory letters and messages, or inscriptions—only those coming from the CCP's Central Committee would be allowed. International media also <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 03:44 | More in News & Politics |
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| Network Real-name System Mostly Benefits Corrupt Officials Posted: 25 Dec 2012 06:04 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Recently, on Chinese networks, a series of corruption cases was exposed, showing the increasing influence of the Internet. Chinese Internet users have posted, searched, and used insider reporting to expose corrupt officials. This has won the worlds' admiration. However, good things rarely last long. "Network Real-name System" (NRS) will soon become legislation. This means that netizens voicing their concerns must register online with their real-names. Some Internet users believe that the NRS legislation aims to strengthen the supervision of public opinion. No one dares to report corrupt officials on the network again. Thus, the "anti-corruption network" will likely come to an end. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has used an excuse of closing "vulgar" websites and Internet rumors and began thorough investigations of websites. Thus, various systems were suggested, from the Internet real-name system to microblogging real-name systems. On Dec. 24, the CCP Standing Committee drafted a decision to strengthen network information protection. This confirmed that "NRS" will soon be a legislation. Chinese netizens, who speak on the Internet, must register their real-name in the future. Xinhua News Agency, the CCP's mouthpiece media, disclosed part of the contents of the draft. Among them, the draft stipulates that the network background service will implement management of user's identities. Gu Chuan, visiting <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 04:00 | More in News & Politics |
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| UK Media: Chinese Communist Party Patriotic Education Warps Chinese Worldview Posted: 25 Dec 2012 06:01 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com During an anti-Japanese demonstration this September in Xi'an, a man named Cai Yang cracked the skull of a Japanese car owner. Cai Yang asserted that he is being patriotic, and was boycotting Japanese goods. However, the object of Cai's attack was not a Japanese person but a was 50-year-old Chinese citizen. How could this happen with today's Chinese people? UK media comment that this is a warped worldview formed by Chinese Communist Party (CCP) patriotic education. Financial Times Chinese website published an article on Dec. 24. It stated that patriotic education has warped Chinese people's worldview. Cai Yang's mother defended her son, saying that "Cai has long been instilled with such a world view in school." "That is, Japan is an evil nation." "Most of the recent TV programs and TV serials all involve anti-Japanese stories. How can you not hate the Japanese then?" Financial Times Chinese commented that, "her words really make sense." Gong Shengli, Chinese Scholar: "Chinese people view it as a channel to vent, by boycotting Japanese products and protesting Japan's occupation of the Diaoyu Islands. In this way, Japan actually wasn't given due condemnation. Rather, many Chinese became victims of such a riot." The FT article reviews that after the 1989 Tiananmen incident and the collapse of the former Soviet Union and Eastern Bloc, the CCP launched a nationwide neo-patriotic education campaign which <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 04:02 | More in News & Politics |
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| Will Guangdong"s New Leader Policy Work? Posted: 25 Dec 2012 06:39 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Hu Chunhua was promoted to Guangdong party secretary, from the position of Inner Mongolia party secretary. Recently, he mentioned "ability to organize" and "ability to fight" at a provincial Standing Committee (SC) meeting. His words are considered eloquent, especially the slogan, "Empty talk ruins the country, practical work prospers the country." Can Hu Chunhua manage to run Guangdong better than Wang Yang did? Let"s take a look. On December 18th, Hu Chunhua chaired a provincial level Standing Committee meeting. He said, in order to do well in Guangdong, the key point is to organize better Standing Committee meetings; to develop the Standing Committee as a unity team, a practical team, a team with ability of organize and fight." Liu Yingquan, former History Professor in Shandong: "Training the SC to have ability to fight and organize, means the current officials including members of SC have no abilities to fight and organize, that they are useless. The Chinese Communist Party"s (CCP) system caused many problems, it is like an incurable disease! What he stressed on is just one point, he only casually mentioned it, I think it won"t produce any effect." Media in mainland China reported, in China, many officials haven"t truly served their jobs, haven"t worked practically. Their common problems are lack of "ability to fight," no matter whether they are high or low level officials, corruption is common <b>...</b> | Views: 43 0 ratings | | Time: 04:46 | More in News & Politics |
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| Italians Get Political for Christmas Posted: 24 Dec 2012 07:29 PM PST | The resignation of Prime Minister Mario Monti and the subsequent dissolution of parliament has put a political spin on Christmas in Italy this year. Monti tendered his resignation on Friday (December 21) evening and President Giorgio Napolitano dissolved the parliament the next day. For most of his 13 months in office Monti repeated that he would withdraw from politics when his term ended. After keeping his supporters waiting for weeks to know whether he would lead them in Italy's upcoming election, Monti held an eagerly awaited news conference on Sunday (December 23) - and announced that they would have to wait a little longer. In September he changed tack and said he would be willing to serve a second term but only if the election produced no clear winne. In the last few weeks he let it be known that he was considering actually running in the election. Monti's indecision over whether to stand or not mirrors similar changes of position made by his predecessor Silvio Berlusconi a couple of months earlier. Politics and Monti's future plans were the main topics of conversation in Rome on Christmas Eve. [Attilio Cherubini, Rome Resident] "Monti does not love his neighbor, especially the poor. I will no longer go to vote. But if I did, as an athletic man and as a man, even if all of them are the same, thieves, I like Berlusconi." The picture is now somewhat clearer and can be summed up as follows: Monti will present a list of policy priorities and wait to see if a credible <b>...</b> | Views: 4 1 ratings | | Time: 03:51 | More in News & Politics |
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| Santa Elephants Bring Christmas Cheer To Thai School Children Posted: 24 Dec 2012 04:20 PM PST | Reindeers and elves are not the only kind of helpers for Santa - Here come the elephants to the Thai town of Ayutthaya Pachyderms both big and small paid a visit to children at the Jirasartwitthaya School on Christmas Eve to dance to Christmas songs and hand out toys. [Kamolchanok Sanamthong, Fourth Grader] "I will take (the dolls) to my mother, too." And it wasn't just the children who were happy to see the elephants. [Michael St. Clair, American Teacher] "Oh this is the best day of the year. This is the best day of the year when the elephants come. Where else do you get elephants at other than Jirasart? Elephants and kids love it, the teachers love it. Everybody loves the elephants." Students took turns not only grabbing dolls and toys, but feeding the elephants as well. Teachers say this year's event was more raucous than the previous year where parts of Thailand were flooded. [Jintana Aroonrieng, School Teacher] "It's clear (of trouble) this year. We have this elephant (Christmas) event every year. But last year was quiet and lonely because of the flood. I feel good this year because there's no flood." Last year's floods closed schools down for weeks. Jirasartwitthaya School is the largest private school in Ayutthaya with approximately 3500 students ages 3 to 15 years old. For more news and videos visit - english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter.com - http Add us on Facebook - on.fb.me | Views: 28 4 ratings | | Time: 01:19 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Overlap Between Labor and Prisons Posted: 24 Dec 2012 03:01 PM PST |
| Anti Rape Protests Continue Posted: 24 Dec 2012 07:06 AM PST | Protests over the gang rape of a medical student continue in New Delhi despite assurances by officials to prioritize safety for women. Full Story: Protests over the gang rape of a medical student continue in New Delhi despite assurances by officials to prioritize safety for women. Emotions run high as protests continue in India's capital after the shocking gang rape of a medical student on a moving bus last week. Clashese between demonstrators and police prompted a ban on gatherings of more than five people on Sunday... but still, the protests persisted. Government officials are calling for calm. [Sheila Diskshit, Chief Minister of Delhi State]: "People must bring in calm and peace before any worthwhile step forward can be taken. So therefore we appeal to all the people in Delhi, the entire cabinet appeals that there should be peace and calm, sot that the next steps which both the Government of India and the police are contemplating, they can come into effect." Last week a 23 year old medical student was beaten and raped for almost an hour before her attackers stripped her of her clothes and threw her out of the moving bus. Doctors say she is responding to treatment but remains in critical condition. Besides a quick recovery for the victim, demonstrators are calling for increased protection for woman, and fast tracking of rape cases through the judicial system. New Delhi has the highest number of sex crimes amongst India's major cities. Six men have been arrested for the <b>...</b> | Views: 74 3 ratings | | Time: 01:17 | More in News & Politics |
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| Dalian PX Chemical Project Never Stopped Posted: 25 Dec 2012 12:33 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com August 2011 witnessed tens of thousands of Dalian citizens protesting against a local p-xylene (PX) chemical project. Local authorities of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) promised to halt and relocate the project. Recently, China"s media unveiled that this PX project has actually never stopped. The company prohibits its employees to leak the information. The news exposure has greatly outraged local public, as they felt they were fooled by CCP local authorities. An executive of Dalian-based Fujia Group confirmed to media that the company"s PX chemical project has never stopped. Fujia staff also said that the Fujia Dahua PX has resumed production for nearly one year. Yet, it is a taboo subject within the company, and the staff are banned from leaking the information to outsiders. China"s Beijing News reported that at the operation site in Fujia Dahua factory, dense smoke is seen. It surges, filling the air with irritant acid odor. The security gate guards carefully check ID of people entering the premises. Around the plant are dozens of lead chemical storage tanks. At the back of the factory is a floodwall of several kilometers under construction. In August 2011, a typhoon breached one of the factory's protective dykes. The storm triggered a leak in its two chemical storage tanks, the smell of irritant odor spreading to the nearby areas. On Aug. 14th tens of thousands of Dalian protesters took to the <b>...</b> | Views: 20 1 ratings | | Time: 04:19 | More in News & Politics |
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| A Rare Close-Up of Chinese Leader Xi Jinping Posted: 25 Dec 2012 12:30 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On December 23, the Chinese Communist Party(CCP)'s mouthpiece media published a series of figure articles on the new CCP leaders. Firstly of Xi Jingping—the report released Xi"s family photos including scenes from his countryside labor days; Xi riding a bike with his daughter and him with his wife Peng Liyuan. The outside world says, the CCP is purposefully imitating Western politicians in order to gain popularity. However, if they are within the CCP"s system, can they change the fate of the CCP? On December 23 the CCP"s mouthpiece media, Xinhua News published a series of feature articles and lengthy introductions of the new General Secretary Xi Jinping and the incoming Prime Minister Li Keqiang. The 15000-word article introduces Xi Jinping—primarily reviewing his growth process and official experience— telling of his suffering during the Cultural Revolution; starvation; and of his wandering around and being jailed. Xi had later taken an initiative to apply to the northern Shaanxi rural area among other things. The article "The public are the source of our strength" stresses that Xi was a grassroots character and cared about people. Also reported was the declarations Xi made after taking office including "The people's yearning for a better life, is our goal." We asked American social problems researcher Zhang Jian, 'Can Xi Jinping really change the fate of the Chinese people?" [Zhang Jian American <b>...</b> | Views: 10 1 ratings | | Time: 04:14 | More in News & Politics |
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| Can PR Eliminate Conflict Between Public and Police? Posted: 25 Dec 2012 12:27 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com In recent years, the relationship between police and civilians in Mainland China has continued to deteriorate. This has resulted in frequent clashes. Under this situation, Chinese People's Public Security University established the Police Public Relations Research Center, which specializes in training the so-called "public relations police." The director of the center says that the establishment is meant to promote "harmony between police and society." But what is the source of contention between the police and the public? Commentators say that the CCP must first change its way of maintaining social stability. Others say that Chinese authorities create new laws to conceal injustice, causing more and more injustice. Therefore, it is difficult for police and society to be harmonious. Mainland Chinese media reports state that the Chinese People's Public Security University established the Police Public Relations Research Center in Beijing on Dec. 22. This center will start to recruit graduate students from 2013, to train professional high-end PR police. Sun Juan, Director of the PR Research Center told media that the center is established to promote a "harmonious development" for the relationship between police and public. Commentators believe that public relations training will not be able to solve the current problems in Mainland China. What the police are lacking is not theoretical knowledge. Hua Po <b>...</b> | Views: 15 0 ratings | | Time: 04:53 | More in News & Politics |
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