| Russia to Ban Smoking in Public Places Posted: 25 Jan 2013 03:29 PM PST | Russian parliament members back a law that would ban smoking in public places. Russia has the second largest cigarette market in the world. Full Story: On Friday (January 25) Russian lawmakers backed a ban on smoking in bars, cafes and other public spaces. The new law is meant to promote healthier living in the world's second largest tobacco market. Supported by President Vladimir Putin, the bill was voted through in a second reading in the lower house of parliament. [Vladimir Ovsyanin, Parliament Deputy]: "We were consolidated in voting for this law because, undoubtedly, the format of the law is aimed at minimizing the smoking of tobacco in Russia. It's right. But this needs to be more actively promoted." The law must go through one more reading in both the lower and upper houses before being signed off by Putin. The ban also prohibits tobacco advertising entirely and restrict sales from kiosks. The bill signals a culture shift in Russia. [Victor Vodolatsky, Parliament Deputy]: "(The smoking ban) is needed in order for, once again, our children, our youth to be healthy. In order for them to not only not smoke, but so that they would also not use everything that illegals bring in(to the country). And many residents of Russia who don't smoke are suffering from smokers. This passive smoking harms our society." However, the bill is controversial with Russian smokers. It will also affect kiosk owners and tobacco companies. If passed, the restrictions will be phased in and are <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:30 | More in News & Politics |
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| Bicycle Taxis On The Rise In Jakarta Posted: 25 Jan 2013 12:34 PM PST | More bicycle taxis on Jakarta streets as a cheap and green way to beat the traffic Full Story: Residents in Jakarta have been increasingly turning to bicycle taxis to help beat the city's notorious traffic jams. One main advantage of bicycle taxis is that their riders are exempt from current traffic rules, at least for now. [Daryanto, Bicycle Taxi Rider]: "I can ride my bike against the traffic, the police won't stop me and I don't have to follow traffic laws, so that makes bicycle taxis faster than other modes of transport." First available in the 70s, the bicycle taxis have become more popular in recent years as people find it a cheap and green alternative to motorcycles and cars. A ride on a bicycle taxi costs 20 cents to $1 USD while a motorbike taxi driver would charge around $1 to $2.50 USD. [Susi Laweni, Office Worker]: "I use a bicycle taxi, it is cheaper and saves time, because this way we get cheap transportation, it saves time, and we can ride through small allc Other bicycle taxi riders said they had an edge over the motorcycle. [Sumanto, Bicycle Taxi Rider]: "We can ride faster than motorcycles in traffic jams, we can lift the bicycle if needed, and motorcycles cannot do this." Traffic congestion is a real problem in Jakarta. More than nine million people living within the city limits and another five million reside in sprawling suburban districts. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:21 | More in News & Politics |
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| Dramatic Flood Rescue in Australia Posted: 25 Jan 2013 09:51 AM PST | Boy rescued from fast moving floodwaters in Australia's central Queensland. Full story: Police rescued a 14-year-old Australian boy from fast moving flood waters near the town of Rockhampton in central Queensland on Friday. There have been about 20 swift water rescues in central Queensland since midnight. Torrential rains generated by ex-tropical cyclone Oswald caused flooding in the north of the state. The severe weather has been moving south causing flooding to most of the state. Some major highways and more than 70 roads have been cut off across the region. 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: 00:29 | More in News & Politics |
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| 7000 Crocodiles On The Loose Posted: 25 Jan 2013 08:51 AM PST | 15000 crocodiles escape from South African reptile farm, only half of them have been recaptured. Full story: 7000 Crocodiles on the loose. It could be the storyline for the next big Hollywood disaster movie, but this is a reality in South Africa today. 15000 crocodiles escaped from a reptile farm earlier this week, and only half of them have been recaptured. Most are thought to now be in the Limpopo River, one of southern Africa's biggest rivers. At least one croc was found on a local school rugby field. And how did the terrifying reptiles escape? The farm gates were opened to protect the crocodiles from rising flood waters. One thing is for sure: now is not a good time to swim in the Limpopo river. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 6 0 ratings | | Time: 00:38 | More in News & Politics |
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| Subway Sued For Conning Customers Posted: 25 Jan 2013 07:36 AM PST | Global sandwich giant Subway sued for conning customers with false advertising. Full Story: A consumer in the United States has filed a lawsuit against Subway, accusing the company of false advertising. Ngyuen Buren from Chicago measured his "footlong" sandwich, and found it only 11 inches rather than 12. Mr Buren says it is like paying for a dozen eggs, and only receiving eleven. And the problem is not just restricted to the United States. Matt Corby from Australia posted an image online of his under-sized Subway sarnie, and it has already received 100000 views. It is thought that some disgruntled consumers are looking to claim millions of dollars in compensation from the global sandwich giant. Subway say they will work harder to ensure all their sandwiches worldwide are the correct size as advertised. The verdict on the lawsuit has not yet been decided. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 93 6 ratings | | Time: 00:47 | More in News & Politics |
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| Students Learn Cossack Traditions at Russian School Posted: 24 Jan 2013 11:08 PM PST | Students keep the traditions of Russian Cossacks alive at an academy in southern Russia. The Cossacks were a military society that protected Tsarist Russia hundreds of years ago. Full story: In the southern Russian city of Novocherkassk, boys are studying the skills and culture of the Don Cossacks. This was the free-wielding military society that settled along the Don River hundreds of years ago. [Denis Valender, Cadet]: "I joined this Cossack cadet school because I have always admired Don (Cossacks') traditions. And also I like that here you get a proper education as well. I really like that here we study something that you don't get in ordinary school, for example the foundation of the Orthodox culture, the history of Cossacks and the foundation of ethics. I also found a lot of new friends here." The Don Military School of Emperor Alexander III was founded in 1898, but relocated to Egypt and then Yugoslavia in 1920. The academy reopened as a Sunday School in 1991 and became an official school again in 1994. In addition to academic subjects, cadets today march in formation before classes, wearing intricate uniforms recalling those of their forebears who protected Tsarist Russia. But their studies also concentrate on modern military science - from handling firearms to performing Morse Code - along with classes on the Russian Orthodox religion. Cadets also learn the Cossacks' tradition of martial arts and showmanship. [Maxim Grigoriev, Cadet]: "Since the old days, juggling <b>...</b> | Views: 10 6 ratings | | Time: 01:44 | More in News & Politics |
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| Italian Mafia Tighten Grip On Soccer Posted: 24 Jan 2013 10:42 PM PST | As Italy prepares for general elections, we look at the growing role of the mafia in drug smuggling and local soccer teams. Full story: With Italy heading towards elections at the end of February, the hold of the mafia on society and business is making headlines. Here we look at the role of the mob in drug smuggling, and also in local soccer teams. This port in Gioia Tauro is the biggest in southern Europe, the perfect place for the Italian mafia to move drugs into the country. Shipments from Central and South America can be concealed in any one of the huge number of containers. And a small bag of just 45 kilos has a street value of 12 million US dollars, making it very hard to find. But magistrates and law enforcement -- and especially finance police working closely with customs authorities - are stepping up to the mark. During the first 10 months of 2012, seizures of cocaine at Gioia had already doubled from figures in 2011. Another growing phenomenon In Italy is the disturbing link between the mafia and sport. Soccer clubs are used as vehicles to launder drug money, and also give crime bosses prestige in the community. In the southern town of Rosarno, the local football team was formally controlled by the mafia. The regional court took over the management of the club in 2010 and confiscated the squad from the crime gang. The team has now dissolved because businessman are too afraid to sponsor the club. However, there are some success stories. In the city of Quarto <b>...</b> | Views: 85 3 ratings | | Time: 01:55 | More in News & Politics |
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| Tuo Zhen May Step Down, Return To Beijing Posted: 24 Jan 2013 09:29 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Guangdong's 1st section of People's Political Consultative Conference (PPCC) opened on January 23. Southern Weekend's (SW) New Year' Greeting, censored at the beginning of this month, became the meeting's focus. Tuo Zhen, the propaganda director of Guangdong Province, attended the meeting, but left quickly. Yang Jian, party secretary of Nanfang Daily Media Group, and Guangdong' propaganda vice director, avoided journalists' questions on the SW incident. Yang simply replied, "The incident has been resolved." The BBC reported, Hu Chunhua, Guangdong party secretary, and Tuo Zhen, refused to answer media' questions about SW incident during the meeting on Thursday. Prior to this, foreign media constantly reported that officials involved in SW incident could be removed. Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper reported, Xi Jinping ordered to remove Tuo Zhen. However, this may be postponed until March, after Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) two annual meetings of People's Congress and PPCC. Hong Kong's South China Morning Post English version cited sources with close ties to the Guangdong government. The report said that Wang Genghui, vice editor-in-chief of Nanfang Daily Media Group, will take over Huang Can. Huang Can is an editor-in-chief there since 2009, but will now be moved to another position internally. However, a former senior editor of Southern Weekend, requesting anonymity, denied this rumor. Interviewee X <b>...</b> | Views: 25 0 ratings | | Time: 04:01 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Household Registration System Facilitates Corruption Posted: 24 Jan 2013 09:25 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The terms "House-Uncle" and "House-Sister" have recently become the new hot topics in China's media. These phrases were newly invented by Chinese netizens, as a way of identifying corrupt officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) regime. Reportedly, many officials owned dual or multiple Hukou (record of official household registration). Tis has greatly shocked the ordinary Chinese people. Commentators indicate that multiple home ownership has facilitated these CCP officials to commit corruption. Media commented that exposure of multi-Hukou holders is a must. Gong Aiai, former Vice President at Rural Commercial Bank in Shenmu county, Shaanxi Province, has recently become notorious. It was disclosed that Gong owns real estate worth over 1 Billion yuan. The Beijing Times newspaper confirmed the news, and added that Gong also holds at least four Hukou. Three of these Hukou were registered in Shaanxi, and the other was in Beijing, but all were under different names. Under existing regulations, each Chinese citizen is allowed to have only one Hukou, and one ID number. The Qilu Evening News in Shandong commented that the Hukou system confines many civil rights in China. This includes marriage, house buying, social welfare benefits, opening bank accounts, and application for passports, as well as the right to elect and to be elected. The article says that once the regulation is undermined, it will be <b>...</b> | Views: 15 0 ratings | | Time: 04:20 | More in News & Politics |
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