| Torrential Rains Cause Floods in Queensland, Australia Posted: 26 Jan 2013 05:43 AM PST | Torrential rain in Queensland, Australia, has caused flooding in the northern part of the state, as ex-tropical cyclone Oswald moves south. Full Story: Torrential rains flood northern parts of Australia's Queensland state on Friday, causing chaos for residents. Large parts of the state are on severe weather alert as the rains now move southwards. The heavy rains—the remnants of Tropical Storm Oswald—caused some major highways and dozens of roads to be cut off, isolating towns and flooding properties. Some residents said they were struggling to get rid of the water in and around their houses. Authorities say those living in southeast Queensland are due to experience heavy rainfall and strong winds this weekend. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 00:41 | More in News & Politics |
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| Seven Shot Dead in Egypt Protests Posted: 26 Jan 2013 04:53 AM PST | Army troops have been deployed in Suez, Egypt, after seven protesters and a soldier were shot dead in clashes on the second anniversary of the uprising against Hosni Mubarak. Full Story: The army move in to the Egyptian city of Suez, where seven people have been shot dead in violent protests. Unrest flared on Friday, as Egypt marked the second anniversary of the uprising. Hundreds of people were injured across the country. In Cairo, thousands gathered in Tahrir Square to rally against President Mohamed Mursi. Demonstrators are angry at the president and his Islamist allies for what they say is a betrayal of the revolution. As protests continued into the night, clashes also broke out at the presidential palace as demonstrators tried to scale a barricade. Tear gas was fired to disperse the protesters. Some have been camped outside the palace since November. Analysts say the widespread demonstrations lay bare the country's deep divide. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:00 | More in News & Politics |
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| Preparations for Rio de Janiero Carnival Underway Posted: 26 Jan 2013 04:25 AM PST | The Rio de Janeiro Carnival is just around the corner and preparations in the city are advancing quickly. Rio de Janeiro city workers at the Sambadrome, Carnival grounds are pulling out all the stops. This carpenter was working under the intense Brazilian heat on Friday (January 25) in preparation for the thousands of people that will flood the city. He says preparing for the world famous festivities is a source of pride. [Raimundo Domingues, Carpenter]: "I'm very proud to be a part of it and to contribute so it can be a great celebration." While some labor under scorching temperatures, others are enjoying the pre-festival grounds. Tourists from around the world could be seen snapping pictures and posing in animated costumes. Andrea Nutzel and her husband came all the way from Germany to witness the Brazilian Carnival. This Argentine tourist says he's looking forward to the festivities. City officials expect an estimated six million people to flood the city streets. The Rio de Janeiro Carnival runs from February 8 to the12. 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: 01:08 | More in News & Politics |
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| Baby Born with Heart Outside Chest Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:51 PM PST | A Texas baby, born with part of her heart outside her body, defies the odds and leaves hospital following a successful surgery. Full story: Baby Audrina was born with one third of her heart outside of her body - a rare and often fatal heart condition. It was first discovered when her mother, 25-year old Ashley Cardenas was 16 weeks pregnant. Barely a day after her birth on October 15th, baby Audrina was rushed for open heart surgery. Doctors at the Texas Children's Hospital in Houston operated on her for 6 hours. They had to create a cavity to fit her tiny, beating heart and then cover it with skin from other parts of her body. Three months later, baby Audrina is thriving and making progress every day. But doctors say they will eventually perform reconstructive surgery to give her a sternum when she's older. [Ashley Cardenas, Mother]: "They will actually take part of her rib bones to perform some type of protection over her heart that will eventually grow with her but all that depends on how big and strong she grows before they'll decide on doing surgery, plastic surgery for that." For now, baby Audrina must wear a protective shield around her chest that will protect her heart as she continues to grow. Only eight in one million babies are born with this rare heart condition. Of those eight, 90 percent are either stillborn or die within the first three days of life. But despite the odds, Audrina is leaving the hospital today. [Ashley Cardenas, Mother]: "I'm very excited <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:51 | More in News & Politics |
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| Somalia Witnesses Art Rebirth After Al-Shabaab's Exit Posted: 25 Jan 2013 04:29 PM PST | Al-Shabaab's exit from Mogadishu and the improved security situation in the Somali capital have led to a new wave of artistic advancement. Full story: After the Al-Shabaab terrorist group exited the Somali capital, a new wave of artistic expression hit Mogadishu. Somalia is slowly but steadily witnessing a rebirth of art. Artists say they don't need to paint in secret anymore after being forced to paint underground during the civil war. They are using Mogadishu's Centre for Research and Dialogue as their studio. Art, sports, and various other forms of entertainment were forbidden by the extremist al-Shabaab and artists received death threats. Suspected al-Shabaab fighters murdered a prominent peace activist and patron of the arts. With the support of several development agencies, the artist patron's friends and successors are overseeing a project that helps Somali artists. The artists are creating pieces about Somalia's dramatic change. [Ahmednur H. Abdulle, Director, Centre for Research and Dialogue]: "Al-Shabaab people believe that art is 'haram'—prohibited in Somali religion—but as soon as al-Shabaab started defeating (started being defeated) these artists came out. That's the only time they can come out and show their talent to the public. Before that they couldn't, they could not even come out from their homes." The East African country now has an interim constitution, parliament and president. The artists say they want to inspire and educate others about the rights <b>...</b> | Views: 4 0 ratings | | Time: 01:33 | More in News & Politics |
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| 11 Chongqing Officials Dismissed For Sex Videos Posted: 26 Jan 2013 01:11 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On Jan. 24th the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Chongqing City committee made an announcement. It said that 10 high-level officials and management in state-owned companies were sacked. Eight of them are the top leaders in major regions. Online exposing of sex tape scandals caused 11 officials to be punished. 10 of the officials are: Peng Zhiyong, party secretary of Jiulong District, Fan Mingwen in Bishan County, Han Shuming, vice secretary in Changshou District, Ai Dong in Shizhu Tujia County, Luo Dengyou, transportation discipline committee secretary, Xie Huajun, chairman in Chongqing Machinery & Electronics Holding Ltd, Zhou Tianyun, Chairman of Chongqing Property Group and Chongqing International Trust Ltd, and South-West Stocks Ltd and vice chairman of Chongqing City Investment Group. The previous day, Southern Metropolis Daily (SMD) reported a detailed story of how Xiao Ye, founder of Yonghui Group, used sex as bait to blackmail Chongqing officials, which made officials including Lei Zhengfu become victims of sex scandal. SMD emphasized that officials in the sex tapes weren't in their current positions at the time, but they were promoted afterwards. Journalist Zhu Ruifeng who first disclosed the sex tapes on the Internet said that due to Hong Kong media and Voice of America constantly reporting on the scandals, more Chongqing officials were dismissed. Unfortunately, these officials' punishment are <b>...</b> | Views: 2 0 ratings | | Time: 04:19 | More in News & Politics |
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| Reforming Re-education Through Labor System? Detainees Still Illegally Sentenced. Posted: 26 Jan 2013 01:08 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) recently announced it would soon end re-education through forced labor system. The news has made the Chinese people very happy. Later, official media changed the word "stop" to "reform" and proposed the "correction of laws on illegal actions". The Chinese public have accused the authorities of making no substantial changes. Also some information suggests that mental hospitals would replace the labor camps. Recently, it was even suggested that the labor camps were preparing to sentence the remaining detainees. On January 22, the US Minghui website published news exposing that the mainland labor camps were speeding up to the sentencing of Falun Gong detainees. They are preparing to imprison them and continue to persecute them. Recently, media released articles called, "labor camp system makes no substantial changes", and "mental hospitals will replace labor camps." The articles highlighted that this so-called reform of the labor camp system is only a change in name, but all of its characteristics remain the same. The New York Times also pointed out that the CCP would find another way to detain Chinese dissidents. This may be through using mental hospitals. Chen Jiangang, Beijing lawyer: "Within the current system, I don't think it can change the current situation of severe human rights abuses in mainland China. When you remove the labor camp system, another system will <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 04:07 | More in News & Politics |
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| German Media: Hearing Date of Bo Xilai Case Still Unknown Posted: 26 Jan 2013 12:51 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Internationally, the Bo Xilai case is deemed the biggest political scandal of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime. Now once again, the case has become the media focus. On January 25th Hong Kong's Ta Kung Pao reported that Bo Xilai case will be heard on Jan. 28th in Guiyang, Guizhou. It will last for three days. Reportedly, a Deutsche Presse Agentur journalist asked staff at Guiyang's People's Court. He was told "It's impossible". Two staff at Guiyang Intermediate Court told Deutsche Welle that they haven't received instruction or material on the case. They have no idea whether the hearing will be held in the court, but where seems to be the focus of world attention. Gao Yingpu To Be Released Six Months Early Radio Free Asia reported that Gao Yingpu, media professional, will be released on January 20th six months early. Gao Yingpu, jailed for criticizing "Chongqing Model", was given three years for "inciting subversion of state power" Gao Yingpu's wife said she was informed only a few days ago. not knowing the reason of his early release. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) offered no explanation. Some commentators believe that Gao's early release may relate to the incoming hearing of the Bo Xilai case. Gao Yingpu, a graduate of Journalism from Wuhan University, was former editorial director for Asia-Pacific Economic Times. He also served as director of the Editor-in-Chief Office for Chongqing-based <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 03:02 | More in News & Politics |
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| Reporters Act As Spies For Central Government Posted: 25 Jan 2013 11:01 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com After the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 18th Congress leadership transition, financial expert Wang Qishan took a seat on the Standing Committee. He was appointed as secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI). Sources said that Wang will strike hard to catch the head of financial corruption and that Wang is very familiar with princelings' illegal fundraising. Financial media in Mainland China, including Caijing magazine, recently not only joined the anti corruption campaign, but is also taking on the role of spying for the CCDI. Sources said that several Caijing senior reporters are using their investigation experience to work as anti-corruption experts. Wang Qishan was a son-in-law of former Vice Premier Yao Yilin. Wang participated in the reform since Zhao Ziyang's era, and was very clear about the economic situation in China. He was given an important position by Xi Jinping, thus officials called him Xi's "street cleaner." Previously, overseas Twitter revealed that Wang's anti- corruption target is in the financial area of private fundraising. Both Liu Lefei, son of Standing Committee member Liu Yunshan, and Li Tong, daughter of former Standing Committee member Li Changchun, will be the first target in private fundraising. Li Tong and Liu Lefei used fundraising to make a fortune. Recently, overseas media revealed again that after Chinese New Year, this anti-corruption <b>...</b> | Views: 4 0 ratings | | Time: 04:23 | More in News & Politics |
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| US Congressmen Speak Out Again for Gao Zhisheng Posted: 25 Jan 2013 10:57 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Gao Zhisheng, the prominent human rights lawyer in China, remains imprisoned by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Recently, Gao Zhisheng was selected as one a number one candidate for the Defending Freedoms Project. This distinction was given by US Congressman Tom Lantos from the Human Rights Commission. The Commission's co-chair Frank R. Wolf has personally written to Gao Zhisheng, to inform him of this news. In his letter, Representative Wolf wrote, "Your faith is an inspiration, as is your pursuit of justice, even at great risk to your personal safety and well-being. The Chinese Communist Party, just as the Soviet Union before it, is destined for the 'ash heap of history." The Epoch Times reported that Rep. Wolf had appealed to the new CCP administration, to quickly address with the human rights cases left unsolved from the out-going leadership. He also called for the early release of Gao Zhisheng. Geng He, Gao Zhisheng's wife, told NTD that she read this letter in morning the day before. Geng He: "The letter is full of sincerity, my family and I have all felt gratified at it. They have campaigned for China's human rights for a long time. I've printed and sent the letter to Gao Zhisheng and his relatives in China. I hope they will feel solid by reading this letter, and knowing the Commission's two chairmen are both concerned about Gao Zhisheng." Gao Zhisheng has defended vulnerable groups in China <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 04:56 | More in News & Politics |
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| Li Keqiang Has Banned "Buttock Leads Head". Can This Protect Food Safety? Posted: 25 Jan 2013 10:53 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Food safety in China hasn't any bottom line now. Li Keqiang will take over as Prime Minister in March. Li said few days ago that he will build a safety guard for food to ensure people are "Safe on the tongue". He asked that the government transform the function and that it doesn't engage in "buttock leads head". What's the outside world's opinion on this? Let's see! The China News Agency reported that Li Keqiang holds a concurrent post as the director of Food Safety Commission on the State Council. On January 24, when presiding over the 5th plenary meeting of the Food Safety Commission, Li said that the food safety is an important basic livelihood issue that relates to everybody. Supervision of the food market should be strengthened and food should be the most important government issue. Li pointed out that the key to administrative reform is transforming the government's function, this will affect various interests. But officials should nevertheless think about the overall situation and not engage in parochialism, which is "buttock leads head". Lan Shu, a political commentator analyzed that Li Keqiang's words show clearly that the limited reform that he and the General Secretary Xi Jinping have promoted is meeting strong resistance, and that moving forward will be hard. Lan Shu: "The so-called don't engage in 'parochialism' means don't engage in the vested interest's group. For 'buttock leads head <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 04:10 | More in News & Politics |
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