| Americans abandoning dollar to bank with China? Posted: 20 Jan 2011 03:08 PM PST | Chinese president Hu Jintao has called the US dollar dominated world currency a product of the past, indicating moves to eventually make the Yuan a new global bill. American customers can now open an account with The Bank of China, one of the country's main state owned lenders, and swap their dollar for Yuan. | Views: 7730 103 ratings | | Time: 02:46 | More in News & Politics |
|
| 'US nuclear power plants very vulnerable to cyber attacks' Posted: 25 Feb 2013 10:35 AM PST | The competition between the US and China has gone digital - and the Western superpower isn't feeling confident. Key intelligence figures think America is already losing a major cyber war, after accusing Beijing of hacking into Washington's security. RT discusses this with former Pentagon offficial Michael Maloof. RT LIVE rt.com Subscribe to RT! www.youtube.com Like us on Facebook www.facebook.com Follow us on Twitter twitter.com Follow us on Google+ plus.google.com RT (Russia Today) is a global news network broadcasting from Moscow and Washington studios. RT is the first news channel to break the 500 million YouTube views benchmark. | Views: 3975 93 ratings | | Time: 04:14 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Gang-Rape Case Continues to Unravel Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:01 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The gang-rape case involving Li Tianyi, son of singer Li Shuangjiang, is continuing. On February 26, news was released on a micro-blog that Li Tianyi had been released on bail. The day before, an online message revealed that the victim had withdraw her lawsuit. A settlement had been reached. It was also unveiled that Li Tianyi's family was carrying out a planned rescue operation. The family had got legal advice from lawyers to help Li Tianyi escape legal sanctions. Commentators don't consider this news groundless or without basis. On February 26, a netizen alleged in his micro-blog: "At 8:26 am, Li Tianyi released on bail, is on the way home." The news aroused criticism among netizens. They think it is a provocation against the rule of law and the Constitution. Some netizens disbelieve the news, saying that Li Tianyi could not have met bail conditions. Tang Jingling, Lawyer, China: "As we've learned so far, if he is charged for involvement in a gang rape, it's unlikely he would be released on bail, since rape is a felony. But it seems that the news was not officially released. So it's possible that they might change the charges by some means." On the evening of February 24, another netizen revealed in his micro-blog: "Beijing sources said, lawyers had offered advice to Li Tianyi's family. 1. Any confession should only be that Li Tianyi was an accomplice. 2. The victim should be defamed as a bargirl <b>...</b> | Views: 12 0 ratings | | Time: 04:14 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Environmentalist Attacked in Home by Over 40 People Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:34 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com In his micro-blog, Chen Yuqian, a Zhejiang environmentalist, offered a reward of 300000 yuan. He asked the of local environmental protection chief to swim in a river to experience water quality. On February 24, Chen Yuqian was mauled by a gang of over 40 people. On February 26, Radio Free Asia reported that over 40 people broke into Chen Yuqian's house. They smashed furniture and beat Chen for about five hours. Although receiving the emergency call, the police's arrival was very late. At the scene, the police just stood by and didn't stop the atrocities. The report said Chen Yuqian's daughter believes that Chen suffering this attack has to be related to his offering of the 300000 yuan reward. She said that the police did not deal with the thugs afterwards. Chen Yuqian was jailed in 2009 for disclosing local severe pollution caused by a mill, which was operated by local village officials. After his release, Chen became a victim of official land grabbing. He has petitioned for years to the authorities, but each time was intercepted or detained. Stability Maintenance Escalates Ahead of "Two Sessions" On the eve of the Chinese Communist Part (CCP) Two Sessions, China has seen escalation of maintaining stability. Across the country, large numbers of rights activists were arrested, or had personal freedoms restricted. 64tianwang.com reported that the petitioners were placed under local surveillance, and <b>...</b> | Views: 16 1 ratings | | Time: 02:35 | More in News & Politics |
|
| National Soil Pollution Data: State Secret or Public Asset? Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:34 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com In 2006, the Ministry of Environmental Protection (MEP) and the Ministry of Land and Resources (MLR) conducted a joint soil pollution survey. However, the data is yet to be made known to the public. On January 30, Beijing lawyer Dong Zhengwei requested MEP to publicize the survey data. MEP replied that the data is a "state secret" and cannot be disclosed. The public believes the soil pollution data is closely related to people's health. Thus MEP cannot simply use the excuse of "state secret" to deprive the public from its right to known. Via online submission and email, Dong Zhengwei submitted two requests urging the MEP to release the data. One of the submissions requested to publicize the methods used during the investigation and statistical data; the other requested to publicize the cause of soil pollution and the prevention measures. Dong Zhengwei says, he received an official reply on February 24. The MEP wrote, "The National Soil Pollution survey data is a state secret, according to the provisions of Article 14 of the Open Government Information Regulations." Dong Zhengwei: "They make decisions according to their will; this is a shortcoming of the currently existing legislation. From the existing dozens of regulations, environmental data, especially soil pollution, does not count as a state secret, as defined by Article 14." Dong said, prior to this, MEP told media several times, they would <b>...</b> | Views: 6 0 ratings | | Time: 04:19 | More in News & Politics |
|
| "King of Gambling" Plays Infernal Affairs—Bo Family Involved Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:29 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com "Neptune" is a huge extrajudicial secret social network hub in the high seas. Lian Zhuozhao—"the king of gambling on the high seas"— organized a special union with Huang Guangyu, mainland China's former richest man, among others. They run the gambling boat and are involved in money laundering and other illegal activities. A latest survey shows that Gu Kailai, the wife of former CCP Chongqing secretary Bo Xilai, and their family are involved with Lian's casino and underground banks. The cover story of the latest Finance Magazine reported a real "infernal affair" involving Lian Zhuozhao—known as: "the king of gambling on the high seas". Reports say, Lian Zhuozhao and Huang Guangyu along with Chen Shaoji, the top man in politics and law in Guangdong; Xu Zongheng, the former Shenzhen mayor; Wang Yuanhua, the former discipline inspection commission secretary in Zhengjiang and Guangdong; Zheng Shaodong, the former assistant minister of the ministry of public security; and other powerful political and business elites had organized a special benefit-related union. They connected stolen money with loans, and underground banks with foreign banks, through the gambling boat and the money laundering network. The underground business works with the public sector —a lot of smuggling, money laundering and bribery appear through networks between businessmen and politicians. Finance Magazine reported that Lian Zhuozhao <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 03:48 | More in News & Politics |
|
| How Does Wang Qishan Act Over Anti-Corruption? Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:27 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com After the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) 18th Congress, the new leadership vowed to fight corruption. They made several important statements in a working report. Wang Qishan, the secretary of the Central Discipline Inspection Commission, said that members aren't allowed to intervene in relevant cases because they are not allowed to abuse the power for personal gain. Under the one-Party system, how does Wang punish corrupt officials? At a second session of CCP's 18th Congress, Wang Qishan put together a work report. He said each level in the discipline department must maintain political discipline as a priority. One who breaks a rule will be severely punished, and is absolutely not allowed to publicize expressions against the central government. Also not allowed is having an independent policy dealing with the central government, disobeying central government orders or choosing not to carrying them out. The report also said using one's position to help family members do business or strengthen control and supervision of the children of governmental staff members who have moved abroad is prohibited. CCP state media have traditionally reported a lot on Wang Qishan's report. The media encouraged further study of the report, and to carry out the spirit of the 18th Congress. To work hard to develop the CCP's characteristics and anti-corruption initiatives towards a new level. Gao Yu, former Xinhua News <b>...</b> | Views: 9 1 ratings | | Time: 04:46 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Accused UK cardinal resigns, cites health reasons Posted: 26 Feb 2013 04:43 PM PST | Vatican watchers say Cardinal Keith O'Brien's resignation amid allegations of inappropriate behavior is a "bombshell' for the Catholic Church. Full Story: A day after Britain's top Catholic official denied allegations he behaved "inappropriately" with other priests --- Cardinal Keith O'Brien is resigning his post. The 74-year-old priest cited health reasons for his decision. Vatican watchers like Sarah De Nordwall of Catholic Voices say they're stunned by the announcement. [Sarah De Nordwall, Catholic Voices]: "After all the cardinal has been such a strongly outspoken advocate for the rights of the unborn, and it's just a shame that someone with so much transparency around important issues hasn't really been very transparent about himself Paddy Agnew of the Irish Times. [Paddy Agnew, Vatican Correspondent for The Irish Times]: "It would be a huge surprise at any time, coming on the eve of the conclave, it's a bombshell because this is a guy who, as far as we know, until three hours ago, was going to be one of the people to elect the successor to Benedict XVI. While O'Brien is still allowed to participate in the conclave, he says he won't be heading to Rome Papal biographer Marco Politi says the O'Brien news points to a shift in the church. [Marco Politi, Papal Biographer]: "The first one who started the domino effect was Pope Benedict with his resignation. And certainly he has began during his papacy a move towards cleanness and transparency in sex abuse scandals." More <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:35 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Russians Hunt For Meteorite Fragments Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:54 PM PST | Thousands of Russians are braving snow and ice to search for meteorite fragments in the remote Urals region. Full story: A meteor that exploded over Russia's Ural mountains and sent fireballs blazing to earth, has set off a rush to find fragments of the space rock, which hunters hope could fetch thousands of dollars a piece. The February 15 blast and ensuing shockwave shattered windows, injured almost 1200 people, and caused about $33 million worth of damage, according to local authorities. It also started a "meteorite rush" around the industrial city of Chelyabinsk, where groups of people have started combing through the snow and ice. Hundreds of cars can be seen parked along the road passing through the area where the meteorite exploded. Residents from Chelyabinsk and nearby towns and villages rushed to the area, hoping to find a meteorite fragment after what was described by scientists as a once-in-a-century event. They searched the snowy fields and forests, some using professional metal detecting gear, collecting stones they hoped would prove to be the real thing. Around 400 fragments have already been reported found, with a group from the Urals Federal University claiming to have discovered one weighing 1,8 kilos. Nothing has been said so far about the origins of the meteor, which US space agency NASA estimates was 55 feet across before entering Earth's atmosphere, weighing about 10000 tons. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:24 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Janet Jackson Married Qatari Billionaire in Secret Last Year Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:49 PM PST | Janet Jackson says she married Qatari billionaire Wissam Al Mana last year, quashing rumors of an upcoming wedding. Full story: Janet Jackson said on Monday (February 25) that she married her Qatari businessman boyfriend last year, quashing media reports of upcoming nuptials. Jackson, 46, the younger sister of the late singer Michael Jackson, was engaged to billionaire Wissam Al Mana, 37, last year, but kept the news under wraps. According to a statement released by the two, they were married in "a quiet, private, and beautiful ceremony." The two met in 2010 at a hotel opening in Dubai. The American singer is known for keeping her private life from the media, rarely speaking out about her ex-husbands. She married soul singer James DeBarge in 1984, and the marriage was annulled a year later. Her 1991 marriage to music video director Rene Elizondo ended in divorce in 2000. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 3 ratings | | Time: 02:30 | More in People & Blogs |
|
| Americans Have The Right To Be Stupid - John Kerry US Secretary of State Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:22 PM PST | US Secretary of State John Kerry says Americans have the right to be stupid, during a meeting in Berlin. Full Story: US Secretary of State John Kerry is making his first trip overseas since replacing Hillary Clinton as the nation's top diplomat. Meeting with a group of youths in Berlin on Tuesday, Kerry said that in America "you have the right to be stupid". [John Kerry, US Secretary of State] "We live and breathe the idea of religious freedom and religious tolerance, whatever the religion, and political freedom and political tolerance, whatever the point of view. I mean, you know, some people have sometimes wondered why our Supreme Court allows one group or another to march in a parade even though it's the most provocative thing in the world and they carry signs that are an insult to one group or another. And the reason is that, that's freedom, freedom of speech. In America you have the right to be stupid, if you want to be, and you have the right to be disconnected to somebody else if you want to be. And we tolerate it and somehow we make it through that. Now I think that's a virtue. I think that's something worth it fighting for." The comments were made hours before Kerry was due to hold key diplomatic talks with high ranking officials. For more news and videos visit ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter http Add us on Facebook on.fb.me | Views: 344 11 ratings | | Time: 01:18 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Psy Performs "Gangnam Style" At President's Inauguration Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:19 PM PST | K-Pop superstar Psy performs "Gangnam Style" at the inauguration of South Korea's new president. Full Story: K-Pop superstar Psy delighted an audience of 70000 in Seoul on Monday, during the inauguration of South Korea's new president. Psy danced and sang his hit song "Gangnam Style", with some members of the audience joining in. The performance came before new President Park Geun-hye took her oath, becoming the first female president of South Korea. Psy, also from South Korea, scored a massive international hit with "Gangnam Style", making history last December when the video became the first ever to reach 1 billion views on You Tube. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 3 0 ratings | | Time: 00:36 | More in Entertainment |
|
| EU Insists on Key Reforms in Ukraine Before Signing Key Agreement Posted: 26 Feb 2013 03:03 PM PST | The EU-Ukraine Summit was held on February 25 in Brussels on a key co-operation agreement. Officials in Kiev hope to sign the Association Agreement in November, but Ukraine must make some key reforms first. Full story: Ukraine's President says his country's fully committed to signing a key co-operation agreement between Ukraine and the European Union. [Viktor Yanukovych, Ukrainian President]: "I want to assure you that the Ukrainian government is set to make every effort to achieve this, a strategically important goal." Yanukovych's statement comes in the wake of an EU-Ukraine summit in Brussels on Monday, where European leaders affirmed their intention to sign what's called the Association Agreement. But there is a condition. EU leaders stress that Ukraine must show progress in three areas: one - ensure fair elections. Two - resolve the problem of selective justice. And three - carry out a series of reforms, particularly in the judiciary. The summit has also led to the creation of a Ukraine-EU Commission, bringing together members from all opposing factions in the Ukrainian Parliament. [Arseniy Yatsenyuk, Head of "Fatherland" Faction]: "We believe that such a multi-partisan committee should work with our European partners and European MP's, and it should be the highest political body which will draft laws with respect to Ukraine's accession to the European Union." Many experts say the conditions imposed by the EU are steps Ukraine would need to take anyway if it wants to <b>...</b> | Views: 0 1 ratings | | Time: 02:14 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Olivier Voisin - French Photographer Wounded in Syria Dies Posted: 26 Feb 2013 12:33 PM PST | French photographer Olivier Voisin, working for Reporters Without Borders has died after being hit by shrapnel while covering an opposition group in Syria. Full Story: He died in a Turkish hospital on Sunday from his wounds. Voisin's friend said they had been hoping to take him to a hospital in Paris but his condition was critical. [Alex Monchovet, French Journalist] "When we learned he had to stay here, we understood that his condition was very critical and it was a matter of days, even hours." Voisin was working for Reporters Without Borders, following the operations of an armed opposition group near Idlib, in northwestern Syria. This amateur footage that Reuters cannot independently verify purports to show people fleeing a recent air strike in the province. Idlib has witnessed heavy fighting in the two-year conflict, which has killed an estimated 70000 people so far. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 30 2 ratings | | Time: 00:58 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Nigerian Islamists Threaten to Kill French Family Posted: 26 Feb 2013 11:37 AM PST | Gunmen claiming to be from the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram released video Monday threatening to kill a kidnapped French family of seven and demanding the release of comrades. Full Story: Terror for a French family of seven. On Monday, gunmen claiming to be from the Nigerian Islamist group Boko Haram released video threatening to kill a kidnapped French family, if authorities there and in nearby Cameroon don't release their imprisoned comrades. "They want the liberation of their brothers in Cameroon and their women imprisoned in Nigeria." Reuters is unable to verify the content of the video but one of the apparent kidnappers read a message directed, in part, at French President Francois Hollande. [Masked Man]: "We are fighting the war he has declared on Islam everywhere, and so he knows that we are present everywhere to rescue our brothers." In Paris, French Prime Minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said his ministry is still trying to verify the video, saying the family is probably being held in Nigeria. The incident highlights the risk to French citizens in Africa after Paris sent thousands of troops into Mali last month to oust Muslim militants. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 22 1 ratings | | Time: 01:14 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Deadly Hot Air Balloon Crash in Egypt Posted: 26 Feb 2013 10:37 AM PST | Eighteen Asian and European tourists died when a hot air balloon crashed early on Tuesday near the ancient Egyptian town of Luxor. Full Story: Officials say the crash was caused by a mid-air explosion in the hose that connects the balloon's burner and gas canister. The pilot survived by jumping from the basket when it was about 10 meters from the ground. One tourist also survived. The explosion took place at around 1000 feet, as the hot air balloon passed over Luxor's famous pharaonic temples, and tombs of the Valley of the Kings. 18 Asian and European tourists have died in a hot air balloon crash near the ancient Egyptian town of Luxor. The balloon came to ground on the west bank of the Nile river. Its wreckage was scattered in an open field, where rescuers recovered what appear to be the bodies of some of the victims. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 78 1 ratings | | Time: 00:47 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Around 50 Whales Beached in Chile's Strait of Magellan Posted: 26 Feb 2013 06:53 AM PST | Local fishermen discover close to 50 beached short-finned pilot whales in Chile's Strait of Magellan. Full story: Close to 50 beached pilot whales were discovered in southern Chile's Strait of Magellan on Sunday. Fishermen in the area were the first to notice the pod of short-finned pilot whales stranded ashore a beach about 65 miles south of Punta Arenas. [Jorge Carcamo, Fisherman]: "Around four in the afternoon we were getting closer to our port and you could see the [beached] whales from the boat. You could see two at first and then when we got closer, sadly, we counted the 46 or more [beached whales]." After notifying the Chilean army, the fishermen worked to get as many of the massive mammals - most of which measured in at 20 feet long - back to sea. [Juan Diaz, Fisherman]: "We never thought there would be so many. We went to the deep area and saw no more than three, but when we went to see them we looked towards the hill and we saw what was there [a pod of beached whales]. But we never imagined they would be alive. We thought they were dead. At least 80 percent were alive." While the reasons behind whale strandings are still unclear, pilot whales are a species that commonly strand themselves on beaches around the globe. Chilean Navy Official, Claudio Zuniga, said that every effort would be made to save the grounded marine animals. [Claudio Zuniga, Chilean Navy Official]: "We have deployed a patrol boat, the LCG-Punta Arenas, that is going to arrive in the zone in a <b>...</b> | Views: 39 9 ratings | | Time: 01:41 | More in News & Politics |
|
Comments