| Russian Orthodox Believers Wash Sins in Freezing River Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:17 PM PST | Orthodox Christians all across Russia jump into icy waters to wash off their sins and to kick start a healthy new year as they celebrate Epiphany. Full story: Thousands of people jumped in frigid waters all across Russia on Saturday (January 19) to mark the Russian Orthodox Epiphany. In Moscow, according to Orthodox tradition, priests first blessed the water in a hole cut in the frozen Moscow River before believers could take the holy bath. The age-old ritual commemorates the baptism of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River, or the Epiphany, which the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates on the 19th of January, in the middle of the Russian winter. By bathing on this day, believers symbolically wash off their sins. Many, however, also believe the dip in the cold water is good for their health. One man, dressed in a white robe and wearing a cross said the water didn't feel cold. [Gennady, Participant]: "In the beginning, you go in and it's cold. But after getting in, the water becomes hot immediately. In general the water is hot, not cold." Elena said she liked the way she felt after exiting the cold water. [Elena, Participant]: "Well, it's cold, but then it becomes great, really light in your spirit and warm." Religion aside, Russians have long believed in the beneficial effects of bathing in freezing water. Many do so throughout the winter, earning them the nickname of "morzhi," or walruses. Temperatures in Moscow on Saturday hovered around eight degrees Fahrenheit. For more <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:23 | More in News & Politics |
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| Armstrong's Admits to Drug Use: Masseuse Will Not Sue Posted: 19 Jan 2013 11:05 AM PST | Lance Armstrong's former masseuse Emma O'Reilly says she's surprised her former boss has admitted to doping. But she's got no plans to sue him after he tried to discredit her. Full story: Lance Armstrong's former masseuse Emma O'Reilly tried to expose Armstrong's doping in 2003. She was consequently sued by Armstrong for trying to expose him. Now he has admitted to the doping scandal-something he has been denying for years. But O'Reilly has decided not to sue Armstrong despite his admission to the doping on Thursday (January 18). [Emma O'Reilly, Former Masseuse of Lance Armstrong]: "More move on with my life, which is my way of always dealing, keep going with my life. And suing him, how would I employ his tactics?" Armstrong admitted the truth with talk-show host Oprah Winfrey - he cheated his way to a record seven Tour de France titles with systematic use of banned, performance-enhancing drugs. [Emma O'Reilly, Former Masseuse of Lance Armstrong]: "In a sense it's old news to me....I'm just really surprised that he actually admitted it. Wow, he actually gave straight answers. I thought it was a great introduction from Oprah, to kind of just 'yes' and 'no' and he gave 'yes' and 'no' answers." O'Reilly added, vindication at being right was not her overriding emotion at watching Armstrong's confession. [Emma O'Reilly, Former Masseuse of Lance Armstrong]: "I've never ever felt vindication. I can never think of another word to use but I hate that word because it suggests <b>...</b> | Views: 34 1 ratings | | Time: 01:51 | More in News & Politics |
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| New Mayan Burial Ground Discovered Near Chichen Itza Posted: 19 Jan 2013 07:14 AM PST | Mexican archaeologists discover various Mayan burial sites reportedly dating back 1200 years near the ruins of ancient world wonder Chichen Itza. Full Story: Archaeologists in Mexico have uncovered various 1200 year-old Mayan burial grounds near the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza in southern Mexico. Recent excavations to expand a highway revealed the latest archaeological find just 12 miles from Chichen Itza. Archaeologists found at least seven bones in rectangular graves, as well as some 30 ceramic pieces, pottery, plates, glasses, obsidian points, jade beads and seashell earrings at the site. Archaeologist, Marisa Carrillo, said the findings are important because they indicate a large settlement and an occupation period. [Marisa Carrillo, Archaeologist]: "The interesting thing about these burial grounds are the offerings found. The offerings mark an occupation period. The ceramics, the chronology make us realize these burials were important in that period because of the type of offerings used. We found, each burial contained two, three and even four offerings and in some cases, these offerings were imported, brought from other regions with glyphs and preserved pieces." Estimated to date back to 600 to 800 CE before the peak of Chichen Itza's classical period, the burial sites reveals an important population of Mayan communities may have inhabited the region away from the ancient capital city, the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said in a news release <b>...</b> | Views: 88 14 ratings | | Time: 02:11 | More in News & Politics |
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| The Murder of Four Women Rocks Guatemala Posted: 19 Jan 2013 06:07 AM PST | Amnesty International calls on Guatemalan authorities to do more to end violence against women in the country. It comes after four females were murdered in Guatemala City. Full story: The recent murders of four females has sent shockwaves through Guatemala. It has triggered an outcry by human rights activists who say Guatamala needs to do more to protect its female citizens. The bodies of two girls, aged six and twelve, were found dumped on a street in Guatemala City on Wednesday morning. The girls were reportedly strangled. News of the brutal murders came as authorities discovered the bodies of another two young women who were shot dead outside a school in the same neighborhood. Police are trying to establish whether the killings are linked. At a news conference in the capital, the Guatemalan President called for more action to end the violence against women. [Otto Perez, Guatemalan President]: "Incidents such as yesterday's have an impact across all of Guatemalan society. We are very sorry and we are obliged to put our best effort and give our best response so these incidents can stop. Part of this is to get those responsible for this and there is no impunity. Clearly, this obliges us this year to provide more and better results to Guatemalans. This year we will not have any excuses when we are finishing up the year and there is another report, there will be no excuse for not improving the rates of security for Guatemalans." Perez has also launched a national campaign <b>...</b> | Views: 22 1 ratings | | Time: 02:13 | More in News & Politics |
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| US Shuns Investment In Gun Makers After Newtown Killing Posted: 18 Jan 2013 01:57 PM PST | After the shooting in Newtown, some of the biggest US pension funds are shunning investment in gun makers. Full story: After the shooting in Newtown, some of the biggest US pension funds are shunning investment in gun makers. The California State Teachers' Retirement System or "Cal STRS" represents more than eight-hundred-and-fifty-thousand teachers in California. It made a strong statement about guns last week. Cal STRS says it will be divesting itself of its stakes in gun companies that make assault weapons. That's including Freedom Group, which makes the Bushmaster semi-automatic rifle used to kill 20 children and 6 adults in Newtown. Cal STRS says this latest incident, which occurred at a school and involved fellow educators and the children they cherish, was a tipping point for it. The incident spoke to the correctness of their actions. It appears the shooting has become a tipping point for other pension funds too. Several states are reviewing their holdings in gun manufacturers. Analyst, Rommel Dionisio, who covers gunmaker Smith & Wesson, says the business had expected the consequences of the Newtown shooting. [Rommel Dionisio, Analyst]: "Certainly this has caused negative downward pressure on some of these companies like Sturm Ruger and Smith & Wesson as well. This is a trend we expect to continue certainly with public sentiment after the Newtown tragedies." Mr. Dionisio says assault rifles have been one of the fastest growing categories of the firearms industry <b>...</b> | Views: 102 5 ratings | | Time: 01:55 | More in News & Politics |
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| A Very Bleak Outlook for China in 2013 Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:10 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Gordon Orr, chairman of McKinsey consulting firm in Shaighai, made ten predictions about China in 2013. Among them, the price of pork or chicken will double. A third tier city will declare bankruptcy, and the non-performing loans of Chinese banks may surge. However, scholars believe that China's actual situation is worse than the predictions. Let's read the report. On January 17th the Wall Street Journal published the article "China's 2013: McKinsey executives 10 predictions". Chairman Gordon Orr's first prediction is that protests will heat up, and become more successful. In recent years, protesting activities have been encouraged by their rate of success, plus the role of influential social media. People are now more willing to "loudly" protest. Economist Jian Tianlun: "In fact, in the past ten years, protests have been on the rise. They are either for human rights, anti-demolition, belief, or economic issues. The disparity between the rich and the poor and the variety of social conflicts continue to intensify. From the economic point of view, income disparity is particularly serious and continues to intensify each year." Jian Tianlun said, over the years, it is disproportionate to the revenue and economic development of most Chinese people. It is extremely unfair social distribution. Thus, the increase of protests is inevitable. The recent "Southern Weekly" incident showed that people were <b>...</b> | Views: 142 5 ratings | | Time: 04:32 | More in News & Politics |
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| Officials' Luxury Property Creates Abnormal Real Estate Figures Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:07 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com At the end of last year, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) held an economics meeting. In the meeting, Macro-control policies for controlling real estate were determined to be important in 2013. Investigations show that nearly 90% of the urban population in China had no ability to buy housing. In contrast, 90% of CCP officials owned several houses or their properties were worth more than 10 Million RMB. What are the true facts that caused this situation in China's real estate today? Let's see the expert analysis. An investigation by the CCP Central Policy Bureau, and State Council Research Office, showed that 95% of Vice Provincial leaders owned properties worth more than 10 Million RMB. 86% of Municipality cadres owned property worth more than 10 Million RMB. The districts investigated include Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Fuzhou and Wuhan. Some preliminary findings suggested that this wasn't the whole truth. It found 80% of public officials lied about their properties. Some properties nominally belong to their parents or children, or they may use a pseudonym or nominee. Xia Ming, Professor of Politics at New York City University, pointed out that early in the history of the CCP, it seized and expanded property from capitalists and landlords, by using workers and peasants. During the period of reform and opening up, it sacrificed workers and peasants wealth, transferring <b>...</b> | Views: 33 0 ratings | | Time: 04:50 | More in News & Politics |
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| Bo Xilai Trial Facilitates Infighting Within High Level Posted: 19 Jan 2013 12:02 AM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com A few days ago, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection suddenly announced that the case of Bo Xilai Chongqing Party Secretary, has been transferred to judicial branches. The media recently disclosed two letters to Bo Xilai and other people from Bo Xilai's 91-year-old mother-in-law. The analysts pointed out that the Bo Xilai case may be going to trial soon. These actions show that some people want to reduce Bo Xilai's sentence, and infighting within the high level is looming. On January 16, Voice of America disclosed two letters written in 2012 by Fan Chengxiu, Bo Xilai's 91-year-old mother-in-law. One letter, written on April 6, 2012, to Bo Xilai praised his accomplishment. Another letter, was written on May 24, 2012 to former Communist Party General Secretary Hu Jintao and Politburo member Li Yuanchao. She asked to see Bo Xilai. At the same time, Wang Zheng, a college teacher, wrote a letter again to the top level of the Party, including the new General Secretary Xi Jinping. Wang asked for a fair trial for Bo Xilai. Political commentator Lin Zixu said bringing up these two letters at this moment is mainly to test Xi Jinping's attitude. Xi Jinping's reaction will play a key role in how Bo Xilai will be judged. Lin Zaixu: "Up till now, there has been no decision on Bo Xilai. The emergence of these two letters is for the purpose of confusing observers. It is obvious some people hope Bo's <b>...</b> | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 04:24 | More in News & Politics |
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| Why Is Zhao Benshan Out Of The Spring Festival Gala? Posted: 18 Jan 2013 11:44 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com On Jan. 18th, China Central TV made an announcement on its official microblog page- Spring Festival Gala. It said that Comedian Zhao Benshan was dissatisfied with the sketch he had prepared for the show, so he is out. Prior to this, media revealed that Zhao was a core person involved in "Zhou Yongkang and Bo Xilai conspired coup." If the was coup successful, Zhou was promised he could take over the Cultural Minister's position. Five years ago, Bo and Zhao were implicated along with Yilishen in an illegal fundraising case. Zhao bowed out of last year's program. Sources said it was because he was too close to Bo Xilai and Wang Lijun. This year, Zhao was out again. Some comments said that now, right before Bo Xilai's trial, Zhao was out. The reason isn't as simple as saying his comedy sketch wasn't good enough. Tibetans Self-Immolation Toll Reach 100 On Jan. 18th in Amdo region of Tibet, now called Hongyuan County in Aba, Sichuan Province, a young Tibetan set himself on fire at 3pm and died on the site. This is the second Tibetan self-immolation incident this year. Self-immolation figure has reached 100 in total. Facebook sources said that the young Tibetan's name could be Tsering Phuntsok, or Dumchok Dorje. He left a wife and two children behind. His body was snatched by military police. The local monastery held prayers for his death. Kunga Tashi, currently serving in the Dalai Lama's representative <b>...</b> | Views: 8 0 ratings | | Time: 02:47 | More in News & Politics |
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| China's Postgraduates Dying for Government Jobs Posted: 18 Jan 2013 11:42 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com In recent years, the civil service exam in China is become very popular, with a growing number of applicants yearly. This was also seen in the recent recruitment of sanitation workers in the city of Harbin. This low paid job has seen heavy competition, even among graduates with Masters' degrees. Is this a reflection of employment pressures or is it the devaluation of Master's degrees? Observers think that the sanitation worker job acts as a springboard. The goal of the well-educated applicants is to become officials. Let's look at what is happening in today's China. Wang Yang, an excluded candidate for Harbin's sanitation worker recruitment, is a Master's graduate. He said, "I would even die to become a government institution employee." Thus, a new term was created, that of "dying for getting government jobs". Nationwide public concern is growing towards employment issues for China's well-educated job seekers. Some question why graduates, after years of hard study, are competing to be street sweepers? In reality, lots of well-educated applicants in China think it is worthwhile to get any public service job, even a cleaner. Reportedly, the most attractive workplace for 2013 college graduates are state-owned enterprises. Liu Kaiming, Director of a civil think tank in Shenzhen: "It really mirrors a big social problem. So many elites are seeking government jobs now, and the root cause is the political <b>...</b> | Views: 34 0 ratings | | Time: 04:19 | More in News & Politics |
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| Liu Yunshan Becomes President of Central Party School Posted: 18 Jan 2013 11:38 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Liu Yunshan, the new member of Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Standing Committee took over as the president of Central Party School, as arranged before. Some scholars think the conservative Liu Yunshan leading the base of CCP's "ideology", shows again that the new leadership adheres to the "left" route. Some people have even analyzed the relationship between Liu and "his new boss" Xi Jinping based on Liu's career development. On January15, Liu Yunshan passed in the graduation ceremony of Central Party School in high-profile in his first time as the president. This arrangement has attracted attention both inside and outside of China. Liu Yunshan is 66 years old now. He was Minister of Central Propaganda Department from October 2002. In the past ten years, he was known for his conservative views, and the strict control on public opinion. In November 2012, Liu Yunshan entered the CCP Standing Committee and ranked No. 5 in a total of 7 members. He is in charge of the party's department of Organization & Human Resources and Ideology. Liu Yinquan, the chairman of the Central Committee of Chinese Social Democratic Party, "A person like Liu Yunshan has taken over the Central Party School. He must strengthen the teaching of Marx, Lenin, and Mao's theories, and strengthen the teaching of dialectic materialism. Historical materialism and other traditional communist theories. This will train officials to be more <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 04:26 | More in News & Politics |
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| Tibetan Street Singer in Amdo TIBET Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:13 PM PST |
| Opera Resonates Underground in Australia Posted: 18 Jan 2013 05:32 PM PST | An Australian miner has taken his love for opera to another level by creating a unique experience for opera lovers in some very unusual settings—many of them underground. The idea for underground opera was unearthed when long-time miner Bruce Edwards was alone one day in a mine. [Bruce Edwards, Miner and Founder of Underground Opera]: "I had a sing and it sounded great. And I thought, if I can sound good down here, imagine what some good singers would be like." That idea has now become a reality. [Bruce Edwards, Miner and Founder of Underground Opera]: "We actually produce opera concerts around the country and, where we can, we put them underground in mines, tunnels and caves." So where could you expect to experience an underground opera? [Bruce Edwards, Miner and Founder of Underground Opera]: "Places like the Jenolan Caves in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales or the Capricorn Caves in Rockhampton, which are absolutely beautiful. Or even to the extent of taking an audience 61 meters down a gold mine in Bendigo or Mt Isa." These operas are not limited to underground settings—they are also performed in other unusual places. [Bruce Edwards, Miner and Founder of Underground Opera]: "Power stations in Ipswich. We have a series opera on the island which we run on Magnetic Island off Townsville. Coming up in March is North Stradbroke Island, which will be a beautiful spot where our singers' backdrop will be the sun setting down over Moreton Bay and Peel Island." Mother <b>...</b> | Views: 30 2 ratings | | Time: 02:55 | More in Entertainment |
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| Cocaine Boat Busted in Honduras Posted: 18 Jan 2013 04:10 PM PST | The Honduran navy seizes about 880 pounds of cocaine after a shootout. The incident left one suspected drug trafficker from Jamaica killed and another arrested. Full story: On Wednesday (January 16) Honduran naval forces recovered around 880 pounds of cocaine en route to the United States. The drugs were seized on a boat in eastern Honduras, manned by a two-men from Jamaica. The drugs were tightly packed in 13 separate bundles. One of the men was arrested while another died after a shootout with naval forces. Honduran Defense Minister Marlon Pascua, told reporters that the whole operation took about two-and-a-half-hours. [Marlon Pascua, Honduran Defense Minister]: "These people, due to their IDs and the statement given from the arrested person, are from Jamaica and the drugs are in possession of the authorities as well as the arrested man and the body of the deceased person." Pascua said these were the first illegal drugs seized so far this year. He added Honduran security forces would be more vigilant going forward. Trafficking routes have shifted in recent years as governments crack down on smugglers, forcing security teams to adapt. The Central American country is a main hub for South American cocaine destined for the United States. The United States estimates that 90 percent of South American cocaine heading to the United States passes through Central America. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 552 5 ratings | | Time: 01:22 | More in News & Politics |
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| President Obama New Look Wax Model Parade Posted: 18 Jan 2013 11:38 AM PST | Updated wax statues of US first couple paraded in Washington DC Full Story: To mark the second inauguration of US President Barack Obama, Madame Tussauds wax museum in Washington, DC on Thursday exhibited new look wax statues of the first couple. Museum workers have updated the statues to reflect the times. The President Obama statue now has more grey hair, and First Lady Michelle Obama has hair and make-up more in line with 2013. Their outfits also have been changed to represent what they wore on the 2012 Election Night. When the first couple arrived outside the museum, they were greeted by statues of past presidents and their wives, including former President Bill Clinton, former First Lady and current US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President John F. Kennedy, Jr. and former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 5 ratings | | Time: 00:46 | More in News & Politics |
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| Baby Elephant Falls Into Well! Posted: 18 Jan 2013 08:07 AM PST | Elephant calf falls into a well, and then gets stuck under the bulldozer! Full story: Imagine going to the village well to collect some water, and finding - an elephant! Yes, this unfortunate calf fell into the well in Jojodih village in eastern India. Luckily the well was not too deep, and the elephant was able to crawl out once local villagers had dug a passageway with earthmoving equipment. But the young elephants's ordeals were still not over, as the calf then got stuck under the bulldozer that dug the passageway! After some anxious moments the elephant was finally free, to the great delight of the large crowd that gathered. The calf then scampered off back into the forest to join its herd. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 86 12 ratings | | Time: 00:34 | More in News & Politics |
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| Get Ready! Rio Carnival Is Nearly Here! Posted: 18 Jan 2013 06:03 AM PST | Preparations hot up for Rio de Janeiro carnival in Brazil. Full Story: Preparations are in full swing at the Grande Rio Samba School for the 2013 Rio de Janeiro Carnival. Last year Grande Rio were voted the fifth best samba school in the carnival, but this time around they hope to be number one. This year Grande Rio's carnival theme song will talk about a more serious subject: oil. The majority of Brazil's oil resources are concentrated off the coast of Rio de Janeiro state, and currently the state keeps most of the oil revenue. Now Congress is trying to pass a law so the federal government can collect the oil revenue and distribute it among all 26 states in Brazil. Last November, thousands of Rio residents took to the streets to protest. Grande Rio's Artistic Director, Roberto Szaniecki, says the school will put on a great show. [Roberto Szaniecki, Grande Rio's Artistic Director]: "We have a strong theme which talks about oil and its royalties, we talk about the city of Rio de Janeiro, and we are all really enthusiastic about it, and of course we are planning a grandiose carnival celebration." Samba schools in Rio work all year-round to make sure everything is ready for the world famous two days of festivities. Their budget runs into the millions of dollars and they employ a workforce of thousands. During Carnival season, the whole country literally stops to party. [Edson Oliveira, President of Grande Rio Samba School]: "Each (samba) school has 4000 participants, that <b>...</b> | Views: 159 4 ratings | | Time: 01:49 | More in Entertainment |
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| US Default Would Be Catastrophic -- IMF Posted: 18 Jan 2013 05:33 AM PST | International Monetary Fund: US default would be "catastrophic" Full Story: International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde says the current fight in Washington over the debt ceiling and the threat of possible default is a very serious matter. She made the comments in a sit-down interview following a New Year's press briefing. [Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund]: "If it is not resolved appropriately - by it being raised on time and earlier than the last time if possible - it could be catastrophic for the global economy, which is why everybody thinks that it will not happen and I very strongly hope that all parties, all views will converge in the national interest of the US economy and in the international interest of the global economy. Because to imagine the US economy would be in default, would not honor the payments that it owes, is just unthinkable." A veteran of political battles herself - as a former French finance and economy Minister - Lagarde is confident a solution will come. [Christine Lagarde, Managing Director, International Monetary Fund]: "I have huge faith in the United States and I very much welcome US leadership on that issue and I hope that this is resolved properly and on time." And she goes on to say - it's the getting the "on time" part right that poses the most harmful risk to the global economy. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 164 9 ratings | | Time: 01:30 | More in News & Politics |
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