| Man Without Arms And Legs Swims The Bering Strait Posted: 20 Aug 2012 10:32 AM PDT | A French swimmer who lacks legs and arms on Friday successfully swam the frigid waters separating Alaska and Russia, with the aid of paddle-like prosthetics. Philippe Croizon, whose limbs were amputated after a 1994 electrical accident when he was just 26, swam from Alaska's Little Diomede Island, to the Russian maritime border near Big Diomede Island. He completed the approximately 2.5 miles in just over an hour, despite the heavy fog and very cold water. [Philippe Croizon, Limbless Swimmer]: "Just to say that nothing is impossible. We can all succeed in life despite of what happens to us. There is no difference. We are all equal." Following previous waterway crossings including the English Channel and the Red Sea, Croizon has now linked all 5 major continents. The limbless swimmer seeks to raise awareness of the abilities of handicapped people, and the Bering Strait expedition was assisted by the nonprofit organization Handicap International. Croizon will now travel to London to work as a radio and television commentator during the Paralympic Games. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:11 | More in Sports |
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| Six Years On, Counting Costs of China's Three Gorges Dam Posted: 20 Aug 2012 09:51 AM PDT | The Three Gorges Dam was built, in part, to help end the flooding of the Yangtze. It was also intended to allow convenient movement of goods and people, and to provide cheap, non-polluting power. Yet according to some observers inside China and overseas, the project has failed to materialize these benefits since being finished in 2006. They say it's replaced the disasters of unpredictable flooding with an all-too-predictable washing away of countless towns and settlements on the banks of the Yangtze River. Meanwhile, the estimated $50 billion USD that the dam cost has, by most measures, a long way to go before being seen as ultimately profitable. In early July, Ma Tianxin, who lived in a town in Hubei Province along the Yangtze River, was forced to flee with his family after a landslide tore cracks through the walls of his house and spoiled his farmland. Now the deep fissure running through the family's former home is just one more sign of the potential disaster looming for those living along the river. The landslides were exacerbated by the Three Gorges' reservoir behind the dam, says Chen Zhongshun, an independent environmental protection advocate. [Chen Zhongshun, Environmental Protection Advocate]: "The reservoir construction has weakened the mountain slopes. Many cities along the Yangtze River are built on those mountain slopes. People cannot settle down if the mountains are not stable. They worry every day. How long can that kind of life last? It is not safe for <b>...</b> | Views: 5 2 ratings | | Time: 03:03 | More in News & Politics |
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| 62 Year old Attempts to Swim From Cuba To Florida Posted: 20 Aug 2012 07:47 AM PDT | 62 year old Diana Nyad attempts for the fourth time to swim the astonishing 103 miles between Cuba and Florida -- without a cage to protect her from sharks... Full Script: US swimmer Diana Nyad set out on Saturday for her fourth attempt at swimming from Cuba to Florida. The 62-year-old hopes to swim the 103 miles in just 60 hours. As well as being one the world's top long distance swimmers, Nyad is also extremely brave: she will make the journey without a cage to protect her from the numerous sharks known to prowl these waters. In addition, last time she embarked on the epic undertaking she had to stop after 40 hours of swimming -- due to jellyfish stings. Speaking at a news conference before taking the plunge, Nyad described her hope for greater understanding and cooperation between the US and Cuba: [Diana Nyad, US Swimmer]: "I hope Cuba/Florida becomes the new English Channel and I hope a Cuban can swim across. Legally." Nyad already holds the world record for the longest ocean swim - 102.5 miles from the Bahamas to Florida. For more news and videos visit ➡ www.ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me | Views: 16 2 ratings | | Time: 01:13 | More in News & Politics |
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| Train Drives Through Marketplace - AMAZING! Posted: 20 Aug 2012 09:43 AM PDT | Watch possibly the world's most unusual fresh food market, as shoppers and vendors make for trains eight times a day. Full script: Everyday, vendors at this market on the outskirts of Bangkok arrange their seafood, vegetables and flowers under large shades, and wait for customers and the trains to come. The Talad Rom Hub market, or "the closed umbrella market", looks like any other fresh food market in Thailand. However, it is built on a railway track that sees eight trains a day. When the train warning siren goes off, people on the tracks have just three minutes to clear the way. Customers move aside, and the 200 vendors swiftly push back awnings and their wares in a well-rehearsed move as they wait for the train to rumble past. Pailin Worakum, Fish Vendor "Yes, we have so little time (to move away from the tracks) but all the vendors can make it in time. We are already used to this." As soon as the train passes, it's back to business. The unusual market has become a big hit with tourists, with around 500 visiting daily. Railway officials say there have been no major accidents since the railway market started. For more news and videos visit ☛ english.ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 63 4 ratings | | Time: 01:07 | More in News & Politics |
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| Taiwanese Rice Farmers Smash World Record Posted: 20 Aug 2012 06:53 AM PDT | Farmers in Taiwan smashed the Guinness World Record on Saturday for the largest number of people transplanting rice seedlings on a plot of land. A total of 1215 farmers in the country's northern Taoyuan county took part in the seed transplanting extravaganza. [Cheng Dong, Guinness World Record Judge]: "Until now, the record for the largest number of people planting at once was set in Thailand on May 6, 2010, and there were 904 participants. But today in Taoyuan, Taiwan the number is 1215 people. This is a new world record." As well as setting a new world record, the event helped to keep alive traditional farming methods. [Huang Min-liang, 60-Year-Old Farmer]; "The skills of the older generation in replanting seedlings are gradually being lost. This event can serve to teach young people, that's one point. Another point is, we can encourage the effective re-use of abandoned farmland." Ninety-six-year-old Chen Huo-teng, the event's oldest participant, has been a rice farmer for nearly 70 years. [Chen Huo-teng, 96-Year-Old Farmer]: "As a farmer this is the happiest day of my life. There are so many people, but I get to stand in the middle. It's really fun. This event is good for agriculture." Around 700 enthusiastic supporters stood on the sidelines and encouraged the farmers. For more news and videos visit ➡ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me | Views: 43 10 ratings | | Time: 01:38 | More in News & Politics |
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| Anti-Japan Protest Become Anti-Communist Posted: 20 Aug 2012 02:11 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On August 19, many cities in mainland China held Anti-Japan demonstrations over the disputed Diaoyu islands (Uotsuri Jima). Armed police forces and helicopters were sent to keep the protesters in order. However, protests in some places were out of control, where protesters clashed with police. Angry protesters turned over police cars, while some shouted,"Down with the Chinese Communist Party," (CCP). In Shenzhen, some protesters damaged cars made in Japan and some restaurants were ruined. Police were beaten, and one policeman's car, which was made in Japan, was turned over. Some protesters were detained as a result. In Shandong province, an Anti-Japan parade turned into "Anti-CCP and Anti-Chengguan" parades. The protesters held "Anti-Chenguan" banners, walking to the city hall. In Chengdu, police blocked the road of the parade, and protesters clashed with police. Many students and residents were beaten and injured. Some people's hands were broken, and students were arrested. Protesters shouted "Down with the CCP." Netizens: Oppose Communism First, Then Japan This activity has incited great discussion on the internet. Many people believe this rally took place under the intricate planning and manipulation of the CCP. Some claim it is an attempt to avert the public eye and question whether it is a political conspiracy. Yet, Boxun quoted what one party member said from the CCP Propaganda Department. The <b>...</b> | Views: 17 1 ratings | | Time: 02:18 | More in News & Politics |
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| Gu Kailai To Get Suspended Death Penalty? Posted: 20 Aug 2012 12:20 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On August 17th The Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s International Communication Office of Anhui Province said that the sentence on Gu Kailai will be heard on the morning of August 20th at Hefei Intermediate People's Court. Some analysts believe that among all the crimes committed by Gu Kailai, her poisoning of Heywood is the least important crime and the simplest one to deal with. Therefore, the CCP will probably give Gu a suspended death penalty before the 18th National congress to keep her alive for further investigation of other cases. Currently, the relationship between Gu Kailai and corpse processing plants in Dalian has aroused wide attention from global media. On the morning of August 20th, Gu Kailai's murder case will be adjudicated at Hefei Intermediate People's Court. Senior legal expert, Zhao Yuanming believes that Gu will get a suspended death penalty since she has committed many other crimes which have yet to be investigated and she can provide evidence on Bo Xilai's case. (Zhao Yuanming, Legal Expert):"Many political cases will be hard to investigate if Gu were executed. Even if the truth can be revealed without Gu, it will be still hard to handle in case that one of the culprits is dead. Currently, Bo Xilai's case has yet to be put on trial. Gu Kailai is an insider or even creator of many Bo's activities. Therefore she will be kept alive as a witness. If she was found to have committed <b>...</b> | Views: 10 1 ratings | | Time: 05:34 | More in News & Politics |
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| Beijing Regime Utilizes Anti-Japan Demonstrations Posted: 20 Aug 2012 12:16 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Arrested Hong Kong citizens have been deported by Japan after landing on the Diaoyu Islands (Uotsuri Jima). After the incident, several demonstrations erupted in several Chinese cities. The protests were not stopped by the on-site police force. In reality, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has said a lot, but done very little about the issue. Although it has ships patrolling near the Diaoyu Islands, the regime did not protect the arrested Hong Kong citizens. Scholars say that this issue has exposed the CCP's weaknesses. The regime has actually utilized "nationalism" to transfer public attention from the intense domestic conflicts it faces. On August 19, demonstrations against Japanese occupation of the Diaoyu Islands arose in a number of cities in China. This included Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Anyang, Nanjing, Nanning, Chengdu and Hangzhou. In Guangzhou, outside the Japanese Consulate General, the demonstrating masses held CCP flags and banners. They chanted slogans, and staged sit-ins and marches. Lots of police vehicles were alerted nearby. Public security cleared a route for the parade. Meanwhile, many people in camouflage clothing were videotaping the scene. Protests ended at noon, which was earlier than scheduled. Organizers revealed approximately 900 people participated. They applied to the authorities to set up Guangzhou branch of an Association for Protecting the Diaoyu Islands. According to <b>...</b> | Views: 14 1 ratings | | Time: 04:21 | More in News & Politics |
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| Geleshan Closure Leads to Questions Over Murderer's Death Posted: 20 Aug 2012 12:11 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The Chinese officials reported that Zhou Kehua, suspect of the August 10 Chongqing shooting and multiple murder and robbery offender was killed in Shapingba. However, people have many doubts about Zhou Kehua's death. Recently, Chongqing Geleshan was shut down for fire prevention. Police conducted an investigation at Sichuan International Studies University. The reality of Zhou Kehua's death grew more complicated and confusing. Chongqing official media claimed that in light of the high-grade forest fire forecast, part of the mountain forest in Chongqing such as Geleshan and Tieshanping have been shut down for around the clock monitoring and inspections; Unauthorized persons and vehicles are prohibited from entering the mountains. NTD reporters: "Have you received notice to not operate?" A farmhouse in Chongqing: "Yes. Someone is here checking." Internet users broke the news on the microblogs that a large number of police gathered at Chongqing martyrs tomb, and police were conducting interrogations at a Sichuan International Studies University dormitory near Geleshan. The officials previously reported that Zhou Kehua had hidden in Geleshan, and the authorities had sent tens of thousands of soldiers and police to arrest him. Therefore, the authorities' actions have naturally caused questioning about whether or not Zhou Kehua was killed. Netizens analyzed the deceased looked more like a plain- clothes <b>...</b> | Views: 3 0 ratings | | Time: 03:52 | More in News & Politics |
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| Jiang's Aims on June 4th Massacre and Falun Gong Crackdown Posted: 20 Aug 2012 12:08 AM PDT | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The 18th National People's Congress (NPC) is approaching. Different political factions in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) have disclosed news on redressing June 4th event. Some news stated Jiang Zemin has proposed redressing the June 4th injustice to all Standing Committee members. This proposal promoted political reform, but did not include Hu Jintao in discussion. 'The Trend' magazine in Hong Kong published a review article regarding this news. In the review, it is the first time that two political stances of Jiang Zemin were exposed in public. One is that the crackdown on Falun Gong should never be loosened. The second is that the June 4th event should never be redressed. In the last few months, a lot of media have reported that the CCP might redress June 4 Tiananmen Square massacre. Some reports stated that it's possible that Xi Jinping will redress the injustice. Some reports stated that three Vice Chairmen of the People's Congress and Vice Chairman of the National Political Consultative Conference also asked to redress the June 4th event. Jiang Zemin has benefited most from the June 4th event. However, some reports have said that even Jiang Zemin has met with all current Standing Committee members, except Hu Jintao, to seek a solution to the June 4th event. Hong Kong's "The Trend" magazine published a review article written by "Guan Yun Xian Ren". The article analyzed the reason for Jiang's <b>...</b> | Views: 11 0 ratings | | Time: 04:31 | More in News & Politics |
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| Gu Kailai Receives Death Sentence with Reprieve, Witnesses Say Posted: 19 Aug 2012 11:01 PM PDT | A Chinese court has sentenced Gu Kailai, wife of disgraced Communist Party official Bo Xilai, to death with a two-year reprieve after finding her guilty of murdering British businessman Neil Heywood. The sentence was reported by witnesses to the trial, as only state-run media were allowed in the courtroom. It means Gu is likely to face life in prison, if she doesn't commit an offense in the next two years. The outcome is not a surprise to many analysts, including NTD Senior China Analyst Chen Zhifei, who predicted the outcome. He said that it would be the safest sentence to keep the Communist Party stable ahead of the 18th Party Congress. And that Gu, as one of the Party's elite, would be unlikely to actually be executed. During her trial, Gu did not deny charges that she poisoned Heywood last November. Zhang Xiaojun, a Bo family aide who admitted helping Gu with the murder, received a 9-year jail sentence, a witness said. Gu's trial is possibly a prelude to formal punishment of her husband Bo Xilai. He is under investigation for alleged violations of Party discipline—an accusation that covers corruption, abuse of power and other misdeeds. For more news and videos visit ➡ www.ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ➡ http Add us on Facebook ➡ on.fb.me | Views: 105 5 ratings | | Time: 01:16 | More in News & Politics |
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