| Mysterious Baltic Sea Object Raises More Questions Posted: 20 Jun 2012 10:43 AM PDT | For more news visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Follow us on Facebook ☛ me.lt Ocean X team returns from their first expedition investigating the mysterious object they discovered in the Baltic Sea. The expedition was supposed to provide answers, but instead yielded yet more questions. It has also broadened the minds of those involved! [Peter Lindberg, Treasure Hunter]: "We have experienced things that I really couldn't imagine and I have been the team's biggest skeptic regarding these different kind of theories. I was kind of prepared just to find a stone or cliff or outcrop or pile of mud but it was nothing like that, so for me it has been a missing experience I must say." The team were completely dwarfed by the mysterious object, which is about 60 meters in diameter and lying almost 80 meters down on the bottom of the Baltic Sea. There are visible formations on top of the object, which are set at a 90 degree angle and look like passageways or walls, as well as something that looks like it could be a staircase. The divers also found a hole about 25 centimeters in diameter, though it is not yet known where it leads. In addition, they found circular forms of small rocks that appear to have been placed like a pearl necklace. Geologists who follow their work haven´t been able to explain what it is yet. Alongside the mystery, there were also many difficulties. The most serious was the temperature of the water. [Stefan Hogeborn, Professional Diver]: "We <b>...</b> | Views: 8 1 ratings | | Time: 03:33 | More in Science & Technology |
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| Florence Opera Academy Hosts NTD Vocal Competition Contestants Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:40 PM PDT | For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me Three lucky opera singers from across the world will receive specialized instruction in Italy, thanks to a scholarship provided by the Florence Opera Academy. Hailing from Taiwan, Germany and Canada, the three are contestants of the 2011 New Tang Dynasty Vocal Competition. Now they're off to Florence to take master classes in the operatic style of Bel Canto. The teacher -- renowned soprano Silvia Bossa - went to New York last year to select the singers who would most benefit from the artistic scholarship. [Silvia Bossa, Artistic Director, Florence Opera Academy]: "We chose people who were in need of us, we saw something very good, but who were missing something, [to give them] some idea that could help them continue their studies and then to make an Italian experience, with the Italian repertoire." The three spent a week in individual sessions, learning traditional techniques in Bel Canto. [Guezel Zakir, Soprano]: "Throughout the whole week I put tremendous effort into practicing my breathing, going much further than I have ever done before. Ms. Bossa asked us to sing with the whole body, even including the face. The whole body should be used when singing." [James Ciantar, Tenor]: "This experience is invaluable. I would tell every opera singer who really wants to learn the true Bel Canto technique of the Italian style of singing, to take advantage of an <b>...</b> | Views: 6 1 ratings | | Time: 02:37 | More in Music |
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| Teacher Arrested After Rape Exposed Online Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:48 PM PDT | For more news and videos visit ➡ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me A 27-year-old elementary school teacher has been dismissed in northwestern Gansu province. He is accused of raping his students, state-run China Daily has reported. Liu Junhong, who is married, taught at the Zhulian Primary School in Biyan town for two years. In May of this year, eight of his students revealed that they have been sexually assaulted or raped by him at school. The students are aged between 9 and 13 years old. Parents of the girls say local authorities initially ignored their calls for an investigation. They later turned their pleas online, and that's when authorities responded. [Parents of Rape Victim]: "The Education Department and the County government officials came to my house, we pushed them out. Because when we tried to appeal to the County government they pushed us out. Why didn't do anything before we posted this incident online?" The parent says local officials offered to pay them money to resolve the matter. [Parents of Rape Victim]: "The head of the Education Department said they would pay me 20000 Yuan. I said I don't want money, are we in a period where the law can be bought?" Though the rapes were exposed in May, there's been little media coverage until this week. State-run media reported over the weekend that Liu was arrested on June 8th on rape charges. The school's principal and the head of the local Education Department have <b>...</b> | Views: 20 1 ratings | | Time: 01:33 | More in News & Politics |
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| Bo Xilai's French Connection Arrested in Cambodia Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:34 PM PDT | For more news and videos visit ➡ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me In what may be a new twist to the far-reaching scandal surrounding disgraced politician Bo Xilai and his wife, Gu Kailai—a French national has been arrested in Cambodia. The French Embassy confirmed today the arrest of Patrick Devillers. He is an architect with ties to the Bo family. According to the New York Times he was hired by Bo in the 1990's and may have set up an architectural firm with Gu Kailai. How Devillers is involved in Bo's scandal is unclear. Some speculate his arrest is related to China's investigation into the death of Neil Heywood, a British national. Gu Kailai is currently detained for his alleged murder. Cambodian police told the AFP that Devillers' arrest was done in cooperation with Chinese authorities, and that Chinese officials are demanding his handover. Devillers awaits extradition to either China or France. The political scandal surrounding Bo Xilai is China's worst in decades, and has shown factional warfare in China's top leadership. | Views: 6 0 ratings | | Time: 00:59 | More in News & Politics |
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| Chinese Authorities Threaten Dancers Don't Participate in NTD's Competition Posted: 19 Jun 2012 11:00 PM PDT | For more news and videos visit ➡ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me We've learned that the Chinese regime recently issued a secret order to dance schools and other organizations. The order calls on them to stop dancers from joining NTD's 2012 International Classical Chinese Dance competition. Since 2007, NTD has held a series of international competitions aimed at reviving China's traditional culture. Among these is the International Classical Chinese Dance competition. Director of NTD's Competition Series Lijuan Ma says this is not the first time Chinese authorities have tried to interfere. In 2007, a dancer from Mainland China was threatened. [Lijuan Ma, Director, NTD's International Competition Series]: "Because he wanted to join, the Chinese Communist Party wrote a lot of articles to slander and attack him, they also threatened him to get him to not join. But he made up his mind, because he sees the competition is a way for him to further his career development." The regime's involvement is not limited to intimidating possible participants from Mainland China. [Lijuan Ma, Director, NTD's International Competition Series]: "They do what they can to suppress, damage and scare the people involved. They use different methods...when we rent a hall, they'll interfere and prevent the venue from providing us the space." NTD Senior China Analyst Wen Zhao believes the Chinese regime is targeting NTD because the competition series <b>...</b> | Views: 8 0 ratings | | Time: 02:34 | More in News & Politics |
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| Airbus Offers Wider Passenger Seats Posted: 19 Jun 2012 10:36 PM PDT | For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me Here's some good news for air travelers. Aircraft manufacturer Airbus will offer wider seats for passengers who want more space. Wider seats for wider passengers -- Airbus has some good news for air travelers who would like more space as it is offering extra-wide seats for those willing to pay for it. [Suzana Hrnkova, Head of Cabin Interiors Marketing for Airbus]: "Over the last 30 years, human bodies have changed. We are bigger, taller, larger shoulders, larger hips. Even our kids are getting bigger, taller than we used to be. So we have an idea to offer extra comfort, extra comfort for our people who want to pay for it and generate additional revenue potential for airlines." Airbus says the new wide, primarily aisle seats, will span 20 inches instead of the regular 18. This also accommodates passengers who are overweight, those traveling with babies below the age of two or business travelers with laptops. But an inch for you means one less for your neighbor -- seats adjacent to the premium wide seats will now only be 17 inches wide, which Airbus says is the average width of rival Boeing's economy class seat. With obesity rates on the rise, the offer may come as welcome news for some passengers. Airbus says 20 airlines have already expressed interest. The new seats will be available in the next 18 months. | Views: 8 1 ratings | | Time: 01:28 | More in News & Politics |
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| BREAKING News: 2 more Tibetans Self-immolate inside Tibet June, 20, 2012 Posted: 20 Jun 2012 05:59 AM PDT | Share this Video +Click here www.youtube.com June 20: In reports coming out of Tibet, two young Tibetans set themselves on fire today in Zatoe town of Keygudo, Kham, eastern Tibet calling for Tibet's independence, Freedom, and long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. News Link: phayul.com Ngawang Norphel, 22 and Tenzin Khedup, 24, set themselves ablaze at about 3.30 pm (local time). Both of them were carrying Tibetan national flags in their hands at the time of their self-immolation protest. Tenzin Khedup passed away in his fiery protest while the condition and whereabouts of Ngawang Norphel is not yet known. Confirming the reports, Jamyang Soepa, a member of the standing committee of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile said that the two young Tibetans set themselves ablaze calling for Tibet' independence. "Ngawang Norphel and Tenzin Khedup called for independence and freedom in Tibet and the long-life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama before setting themselves on fire," Soepa said citing sources. In images received by exile Tibetans, huge flames and black smoke could be seen bellowing up from their bodies, lying on the road next to parked cars and motorbikes. In a 7-second video clip of their self-immolation protest, Ngawang Norphel and Tenzin Khedup could be seen standing next to each other and raising the 'banned in Tibet' Tibetan National just before fire envelopes their bodies. While one of them immediately falls down on the ground, the second self-immolator trips and then <b>...</b> | Views: 8 3 ratings | | Time: 00:08 | More in News & Politics |
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| Is Zhang Dejiang Opposing Wen Jiabao? Posted: 19 Jun 2012 09:01 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On June 18, Zhang Dejiang, twice referred to recently ousted Bo Xilai as "Comrade" in his speech at Chongqing Congress. Zhang is a member of the Central Political Bureau, and party secretary in Chongqing. According to analysts, Zhang Dejiang was from Jiang Zemin's faction. However, he swore to support Hu and Wen after Bo's downfall. Zhang's speech contrasts with that of Wen Jiabao during a press conference at the Two Congresses. This indicates Zhang hasn't detached himself completely from Jiang's faction, and may even oppose Wen Jiabao. At the Chongqing Congress, Zhang Dejiang commented that the "Wang Lijun event, murder of Neil Heywood, and 'Comrade' Bo Xilai's severe disciplinary problems, have hurt both the party and nation's image badly. They have seriously affected the future development of Chongqing. We should distinguish the achievement by Chongqing's cadres and people in the last five years from the issues of Wang Lijun, and Comrade Bo Xilai." It is reported that after Bo Xilai's and Wang Lijun's downfall, Jiang's faction discarded Bo and dispatched Zhang Dejiang (from Jiang's faction) to replace Bo as Chongqing's mayor. After the central CCP decided to investigate Bo's case, Zhang Dejiang immediately claimed "to maintain a high degree of unity with the central party led by Hu Jintao." However, recent information says Zhang Dejiang's attitude towards "Bo and Zhou's punishment" is unclear. Wen <b>...</b> | Views: 51 2 ratings | | Time: 04:07 | More in News & Politics |
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| "Deity Ai": World's First Biography About Ai Weiwei Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:58 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com "Deity Ai", the world's first biography book about Ai Weiwei is due to be released on June 20th in Hong Kong. The book tells the story of "an artist, a citizen, a person who acts together with his compatriots to fight a life-or-death war against a superpower on this planet." It seems that all Ai Weiwei has done is to help himself and other people to get recourse to their life dignity from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), according to the author. And the book is intended to express support and tribute to warrior Ai Weiwei, says the author. The book "Deity Ai" was authored by Du Bin, contract photographer of the New York Times. In this book, Du Bin outlines how Ai Weiwei grew up. Ai spent his childhood in herding goats while living with his parents in exile on the countryside. After returning to Beijing, he found his spiritual paradise in joining the Stars Painting Society, however, negative forces were gathering; Later, Ai quit the Beijing Film Academy and went abroad to seek freedom. Finding himself bored with old-fashioned school studies, Ai began to meet with a wide variety of people and take part in various demonstrations. His father's serious illness brought him back to China where he made a living by designing buildings. Ai participated in the design of the Bird's Nest Stadium for the Beijing Olympic Games. While understanding that the CCP actually used the Olympics Games to sugar up its <b>...</b> | Views: 5 1 ratings | | Time: 05:18 | More in News & Politics |
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| China Asks Cambodia to Extradite Frenchman Linked to Bo Xilai Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:52 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Patrick Devillers, a French architect linked to the Bo Xilai scandal has been arrested in Cambodia. On June 19, Cambodian police revealed the arrest of Devillers was carried out in cooperation with Beijing, who is seeking his extradition. Police chief Phnom Penh said they were considering whether to send Devillers to China or France. Reuters previously reported that a mysterious figure, possibly Devillers, played a key role in the Bo case. Evidence shows that Devillers had a close business and personal relationship with Gu Kailai, the wife of former Chongqing party secretary, Bo Xilai. Reports said that 52-year-old Devillers was allegedly one of Gu's lovers. Devillers was hired by Bo, mayor of Dalian in the 1990s, to design the layout of a new street grid and city landmarks. He has been close to Bo's family since. News of Deviller's arrest comes a week after He Guoqiang, a member of the Politburo Standing committee, paid a visit to Phnom Penh, during which multi-million dollar infrastructure deals were signed. It is unclear whether there is any link between He Guoqiang's visit and Deviller's arrest. However, Cambodia is a close ally to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen often praises Beijing's no-strings-attached aid. China Careless With Its Poverty But Gives Aid to IMF On June 18, at the G20 Summit in Los Cabos Mexico, China announced its offering of US $43 billion to <b>...</b> | Views: 6 0 ratings | | Time: 03:27 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Dilemma of "Home Buying Wave" Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:49 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Since May 2012, China's real estate market is going up. the "Home Buying Wave" seems to be coming back. Experts point out that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), fearing people will protest against the high real estate prices, has to curb the real estate market' prices increase. However, weak long-term real estate can't drive the demand, leading China's economy to a dead-end. In order to secure growth, the government had loosened the policies on investment. Nevertheless this is again used by interest groups, to invest in real estate and push up the real estate market. According to China's National Bureau of Statistics, in May, housing turnover increased from 16.37 to 19.12%. The price did not increase. Curbing the price and encouraging sales is still the key strategy for the real estate market. This year, China's central bank consecutively dropped the deposit reserve ratio. On June 7, the central bank announced interest cut for the first time in three years. This will help reduce the home buyers' mortgage burden, and the rigid requirements for new home buyers. Professor Xie Tian from University of South Carolina's Aiken School of Business analyzed the issue. Prof. Xie thinks that to promote high growth, the CCP had loosened investment policies. Large amounts of money end up in the interest groups'hands. Real estate is the area targeted for highest profits. Prof. Xie Tian: "China is in a dilemma [on <b>...</b> | Views: 17 1 ratings | | Time: 03:27 | More in News & Politics |
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| Flood of Pseudo-PhDs Found Among Chinese Officials Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:47 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Micro-blogs exposed that the Hebei Province vice Governor, Yang Rui, had plagiarized 180000 characters from a total of 200000 characters in his doctoral thesis. The plagiarism has made many people question the quality of the doctoral dissertations of Chinese leaders and the believability of their PhD degrees. It is known that, out of the 250 or so new members of the Provincial Standing Committees in 19 provinces, 60 members had used a PhD title in their resumes—yet only 11 had completed their doctoral studies before doing politics. The other 49 members were undertaking a doctoral program while holding a political position. How many of their degrees are genuine? Let's find out more with our reporter. Deutsche Welle reported that, a Sina micro-blogger named 'China Business Newspaper Yan Yaobin' posted accusations that the Hebei Province Vice Governor, Yang Rui, plagiarized 180k of the characters in his 200k character doctoral thesis. A detailed comparison showed that Yang Rui's thesis titled: 'Research on the Hebei Province's Economic Structure in the Perspective of a Harmonious Society', had up to 80% copied material, with the original part being less than 20%. Gong Shengli, China's financial think-tank researcher: "In China, such problems are common; China's academic standards have always had a huge loophole. We've all seen such a thing—from a University president to a National Academy of Sciences <b>...</b> | Views: 20 0 ratings | | Time: 03:43 | More in News & Politics |
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| No Politics and Law Committee, No Harmful Effects Posted: 19 Jun 2012 08:43 PM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Li Wangyang, a fighter for democracy in Shaoyang (Hunan Province), died mysteriously. It is reported that he was murdered by CCP Politics and Law Committee, provoking anger of the people from all walks of life both home and abroad. Wang Xiaotong, a China 5.12 earthquake volunteer who almost died in the inter-provincial killing by CCP Politics and Law Committee in Shaoyang, said, "if you dig deeper, you will find the bigger picture of the CCP Politics and Law Committee in Shaoyang." On June 18, Wang Xiaodong said during an interview with the Epoch Times said a police officer of CCP Politics and Law Committee in Shaoyang once mentioned, "if they want to kill someone within a range of 2 km, you won't find the corpse." Many unidentified human rights activists were executed secretly this way. Wang Xiaodong said one of his friends was the director of the State Council's, "Internal Strategy Reference" Magazine. Recently, his friend told him, "If the CCP Politics and Law Committee exists; there will not be any peace in the country." Jun, the manager of "Rights Movement" blog said, the Politics and Law Committee is an illegal organization even according to the CCP constitution. Hu Jun, the manager of "Rights Movement" blog: "For a long time after Jiang Zemin took office, he used the Politics and Law Committee to suppress Falun Gong. Jiang grew the Politics and Law Committee bigger and stronger, like a growing <b>...</b> | Views: 14 0 ratings | | Time: 03:56 | More in News & Politics |
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