| Pope Changes Church Conclave Law Posted: 25 Feb 2013 04:32 PM PST | Pope Benedict XVI changes the law of the Catholic Church, allowing cardinals to begin the conclave to choose a new pontiff early. Full Story: Pope Benedict has changed Roman Catholic Church law. The Vatican said on Monday that the pontiff has amended the constitution, allowing for the conclave to begin selecting his successor. Before, cardinals had to wait 15 days after the papacy becomes vacant to begin the conclave. However, a Vatican spokesperson said it would be impossible to set an exact date now. [Father Tom Rosica, Vatican Press Secretary]: "In terms of the beginning of the conclave, that is only determined once the cardinals begin meeting. We cannot expect that meeting to take place before March 1, obviously the day after the Sede Vacante and we have no other information until the cardinals decide and the general congregation, when the conclave will come. Will they announce that at the first meeting? They might not. We have to wait a few days before that happens." Pope Benedict is to resign on February 28, meaning the process can now start before March 15. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 2 0 ratings | | Time: 00:59 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Italy Election Closes After Second Day Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:39 PM PST | Italian comedian and blogger Beppe Grillo casts his vote in one of the closest and least predictable polls in years. Full story: Italian comedian and blogger Beppe Grillo casts his vote in his hometown of Genoa, Italy. According to recent polls, his 5-Star Movement party could win 16 percent of the popular vote in elections that close today. A political newcomer, Grillo's national campaign tour in a camper van channeled the frustration of everyday Italians tired of a failing economy, austerity measures and rampant corruption. After voting, Grillo accused other politicians of "scheming", adding that Italy's economy is in ruins. The only way to get out of this mess is to start over and revolutionize politics. The election is one of the most closely watched and unpredictable votes in years. Voter surveys place Prime Minister Mario Monti's central-left coalition in the lead, with Silvio Berlusconi's right-leaning party close behind. Many worry that a surge of protest votes could result in a new government unable to pull the country from its economic slump. [Giorgia Agostino, Voter]: "I'm not hopeful. I don't feel represented by any party. I just tried to limit the damage." The stakes are high, since Italy is the euro zone's third largest economy and a political stalemate could reawaken market instability. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 2 0 ratings | | Time: 01:19 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Italian Election Polls Show Close Race Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:31 PM PST | Voting ends in Italian elections with first exit polls showing the center-right party only slightly ahead of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's coalition. Full story: Voting ended at 3pm local time (1400GMT) in the Italian elections on Monday (February 25). Initial exit polls showed the center-left coalition led by Pier Luigi Bersani leading Silvio Berlusconi's center-right bloc. People were casting their ballot up to the very end. [Stefania Fiorentini, Voter]: "It can't be worse than last time. I am hopeful, I hope Italians will now cast a sensible vote, at least for something new, at least for a change." [Gianfranco Cavallieri, Voter]: "I didn't know who to vote for that's why I left it to the very last minute." The poll for SkyTG 24 news television put the center-left on 34.5 percent in the lower house and 37 percent in the Senate. Berlusconi's coalition with the Northern League was 29 percent in the lower house and 31 percent in the Senate. Beppe Grillo's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement was on 19 percent in the lower house and 16.5 percent in the Senate, Outgoing Prime Minister Mario Monti's centrist coalition was on 9.5 percent in the lower house and 9 percent in the Senate. The poll showed the center-left and Berlusconi's alliance neck and neck in the Senate race in the key region of Lombardy. The center-left was ahead in the regions of Sicily and Campania and Berlusconi's bloc was well ahead in Veneto. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntdtv.org Follow us <b>...</b> | Views: 0 0 ratings | | Time: 01:40 | More in News & Politics |
|
| US Secretary of State John Kerry meets UK's Prime Minister Posted: 25 Feb 2013 03:00 PM PST | New US Secretary of State John Kerry meets British Prime Minister David Cameron in London - the first stop on his first foreign trip at his new post. Full Story: Newly appointed US Secretary of State John Kerry arrives at 10 Downing Street in London, accompanied by British Foreign Secretary William Hague. His meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron kicks off his first foreign visit as part of his new post. He arrived in the UK on Sunday - the first stop of a nine-nation, 11-day trip across Europe and the Middle East. Kerry views his first trip as a listening tour - but the leaders he meets will undoubtedly want to hear whether he has any new ideas on Syria, Iran, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. After talks with allies in London, Berlin and Paris, the centrepiece of Kerry's tour is a visit to Rome, where he hopes to meet members of the Syrian opposition as well as a wider group of nations seeking to support them in their struggle against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. | Views: 1 0 ratings | | Time: 01:05 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Italians Surprise with Interior Design Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:54 PM PST | Italian designers are well acquainted with the latest in interior design. European masters presented a diversity of styles at the "Interior Mebel" Exhibition in Kiev. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 0 1 ratings | | Time: 02:42 | More in News & Politics |
|
| US Secretary of State Kerry Says Assad "Has to Go" Posted: 25 Feb 2013 02:21 PM PST | US Secretary of State John Kerry says that continued violence in Syria represents further evidence that it is time for Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad to relinquish his post, and that world powers are willing to negotiate "in good faith" with Iran on its nuclear program. Full Story: John Kerry called for Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to relinquish his post after the continued violence in the country. [John Kerry, US Secretary of State]: "The Assad regime has rained down rockets on Aleppo in recent days, and that is just the latest example of Assad's brutality. We condemn this indiscriminate killing of innocent civilians, and we condemn it in the strongest terms. And it is just further evidence that Assad has to go." The new Secretary of State is in London, the first foreign stop in his new position. He spoke aside Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague, both calling for support for Syria's opposition. He also said that world powers would be willing to negotiate with Iran on its nuclear program. [John Kerry, US Secretary of State]: "President Obama has been crystal clear about this, and as we've repeatedly made clear that the window for a diplomatic solution simply cannot by definition remain open forever, but it is open today. It is open now, and there's still time, but there's only time if Iran makes the decision to come to the table and to negotiate in good faith. We're prepared to negotiate in good faith, in mutual respect, in an effort to avoid whatever terrible <b>...</b> | Views: 9 1 ratings | | Time: 01:31 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Mexican Priest Uses Superheroes In Mass Posted: 25 Feb 2013 01:06 PM PST | Meet the Mexican priest who uses superheroes and water guns to liven up Mass for children. Full Story: A Mexican priest is using plastic water guns to spray churchgoers with holy water in the northern Mexican city of Saltillo. Father Humberto Alvarez also adorns his robes with images of comic-book superheroes such as Superman and Batman, to entertain the children during Mass. Alvarez says his unorthodox methods make the children smile, and forget about the hardship of life in an area where organized crime and drug-related violence is rampant. [Father Humberto Alvarez, Priest]: "With this toy we seek to break the protocol of mass, and we can do something to reach out to the children and get smiles and joy from children who have never played with water, never had fun with water, and never played with a water gun. With this gesture we involve them in the celebration." Alvarez only uses the superhero robes and water gun when holding children's Mass, but switches back to his normal attire and practices when holding Mass for adults. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 10 0 ratings | | Time: 01:07 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Pope Benedict XVI Gives Last Sunday Address Posted: 25 Feb 2013 12:52 PM PST | Pope Benedict gives his last Sunday address to thousands gathered in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City as he prepares to leave his post this week. Full Story: Crowds cheer for Pope Benedict during his last Sunday address before he steps down this week. Speaking in Italian, he told Catholics gathered in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City that he was not abandoning the Roman Catholic Church. Instead, he would continue to follow God's will and concentrate further on prayer and meditation. Benedict is the first pope to leave his post in 600 years. Under his reign, the church has been beset by corruption and child sexual abuse scandals. Many also say the pope lacked the charisma and power to unify of his predecessor Pope John Paul II. The papacy will become vacant on Thursday evening as cardinals around the world prepare their to elect a new leader from amongst their ranks. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 3 0 ratings | | Time: 00:53 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Castro Announces Retirement After 2018 Term Posted: 25 Feb 2013 11:36 AM PST | Cuban President Raul Castro announces he will step down from power in 2018. Full Story: Cuban President Raul Castro announced Sunday he will step down from power when his current term is over in 2018. Castro made the announcement during a national assembly meeting, and left no question about his goals while in office. I was not elected to restore capitalism, he said, I was elected to continue perfecting socialism. But since taking office from his sick brother Fidel, 81 -year old Raul did make some changes. He loosened restrictions on travel and personal property and moved the economy in a more market-friendly direction. In another surprise announcement, parliament named 52-year-old Miguel Diaz-Canel as Castro's vice president, and likely successor when he steps down in 2018. 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: 00:52 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Park Geun-hye, First Female President Inaugurated in South Korea Posted: 25 Feb 2013 09:08 AM PST | Park Geun-hye (박근혜) is inaugurated as South Korea's first female president. Full Story: South Korea's first female president Park Geun-hye was inaugurated during a ceremony in Seoul Monday. During her speech, the 61-year-old daughter of South Korea's former military ruler Park Chung-hee, spoke plainly about her plans for dealing with North Korea. "I will not tolerate any action that threatens the lives of our people and the security of our nation," she said. Park beat her liberal opponent in December's polls after one of the most hotly contested elections in years. In a nod to the tradition and conservatism that helped her win the election, Park changed into customary Korean clothing called a Hanbok before entering the presidential residence, or Blue House as its known. Later Park held bilateral meetings with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Japanese Vice Prime Minister Taro Aso. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 68 4 ratings | | Time: 00:57 | More in News & Politics |
|
| 'Survival of N. Korea regime depends on nuclear weapons' Posted: 12 Feb 2013 11:51 PM PST | The UN Security Council has issued a stern rebuke to North Korea over its third nuclear test - as it held an emergency meeting in response to the test, which was in defiance of international regulations. The organisation says it plans to beef-up the sanctions already in place for the country's previous atomic exercises. China was among those who criticised North Korea's nuclear test. However, war correspondent and columnist Eric Margolis thinks the relations between the two allies are unlikely to sour. 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: 19333 128 ratings | | Time: 05:17 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Sword Swallowing Skills Sparkle Posted: 25 Feb 2013 05:29 AM PST | Performers in Los Angeles show off their sword swallowing skills to celebrate World Sword Swallower's day. Full Story: This Hollywood sidewalk became an impromptu stage for several daring performers on Saturday. Well trained sword swallowers showed off their skills as part of World Sword Swallowers Day. In front of some skeptical crowds, the performers slid steel swords down their throats. Amy Amnesia is a relative newcomer to the art of sword swallowing. [Amy Amnesia, Sword Swallower]: "This is actually my first public sword swallowing. I've been practicing at home for a couple of months now and it takes an awful lot of work to retrain your body to accept the fact that there is a solid piece of steel in your oesophagus." The display of sword swallowing skill in Los Angeles was part of a worldwide effort, which featured performers at 20 different locations around the globe. For more news and videos visit ☛ ntd.tv Follow us on Twitter ☛ http Add us on Facebook ☛ on.fb.me | Views: 44 2 ratings | | Time: 00:52 | More in People & Blogs |
|
| General's Son A Gang Rape Suspect Posted: 24 Feb 2013 09:45 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com The Haidian District Branch of Beijing Public Security Bureau made a public announcement on February 22. It said, Li Tianyi, son of Chinese famed tenor Li Shuangjiang, and other four were detained as suspects of a gang rape. Two years ago, Li Tianyi was sent to a government correction facility for one year for provocation. However, he committed crime again only several months after being released, which shocked the Chinese public. On February 19, a female called the police station in Haidian District, Beijing. She claimed that she was gang raped by Li and several others in a hotel room after drinking with them. On February 20, the police captured Li and other four suspects. They were detained for involvement in a gang rape. Later the suspect "Li" was confirmed to be Li Tianyi. Li Tianyi was born in April, 1996. His father Li Shuangjiang is the incumbent director of the Department of Music at the Art College of Chinese People's Liberation Army. At the age of four, Li Tianyi was selected as an Olympic ambassador of China. Two years ago, he gain fame as a newsmaker. On August 6, 2011, Li Tianyi almost crashed into a couple＇s car while driving a BMW without a driver＇s license. He and his partner then beat the couple, and were sent to a correction facility for one year for provocation. Li was released last September. And in less than half a year he was arrested again. Zhao Shilin, professor in Philosophy <b>...</b> | Views: 32 1 ratings | | Time: 04:04 | More in News & Politics |
|
| Chinese Netizens Scold Major General On Weibo Posted: 24 Feb 2013 07:47 PM PST | Follow us on TWITTER: twitter.com Like us on FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com Vice Minister of World Military Research Department of the Academy of Military Sciences in China, Luo Yuan -- dubbed one of "the hawks" in Chinese military, recently opened his first Sina Weibo account. He claims the purpose of opening the account is to spread and share the truth timely and precisely. One of Luo's post says "Protect the nation's rights externally, punish the traitors internally". This received over 200000 comments. Many netizens asked "Who are the traitors?" "Who makes the decision?" Some other people asked "Why did he put people after nation, Party, and military?" Meanwhile, Luo's personal background was also searched out and revealed by netizens. Although he is high profile anti-Americanism, he once left his front-line post during the Vietnam War. His brother is the general manager of Warom Group in the US. Thousands of people on the Internet questioned and laughed at Luo for his overseas relationship and being a deserter. This anti-American military expert has been pushed to the forefront of public opinion. Calling On Officials to Publicize Properties; Citizens Are Arrested Activists put up banners to call on officials to publicize their properties in Chongqing on February 24. Local police officers arrested them. VOA reported that activists including Xuzhou Citizen Zhang Kun and Zhuhai writer Ruan Yunhua put up banners and flags in front of Chongqing Jiefangbei Plaza, collecting <b>...</b> | Views: 26 0 ratings | | Time: 02:46 | More in News & Politics |
|
Comments