<![CDATA[NTDTV - World]]>

<![CDATA[NTDTV - World]]> http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/index.html <![CDATA[Princess Estelle Wins Hearts]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 01:20:21 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-23/princess-estelle-wins-hearts.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-23/princess-estelle-wins-hearts.html

[Cecilia Svensson, Reporter NTD News]:

“Today Sweden’s new Royal Princess Estelle is christened here at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm. The Princess was born the twenty third of February and is second in line to succession to the Swedish throne after her mother Crown Princess Victoria.”

Princess Estelle, Silvia, Ewa, Mary the Duchess of Ostergotland is her full name and title.

Among the guests are royals and ministers from Europe.

Many others have also come to Stockholm castle to catch a glimpse of the little princess.

[Unidentified Visitor]:

“We drove two hundred fifty kilometers to see this. We hope to see them when they come out from the church.”

According to a recent study from SOM Institute, the Swedish people's trust in the royal house is the lowest in many years.

[Unidentified Resident]:

“I think Daniel, Victoria and Estelle will strengthen the position. I have hope that our monarchy will last into the future.”

The low confidence could be related to a book that was published two years ago about the Swedish King's unofficial private life.

[Unidentified Resident]:

“I think the numbers have been down a lot but it’s up now I think. Those things with the King have died down and everybody is looking forward.”

According to the study, King Carl XVI Gustaf has less popularity than his daughter Crown Princess Victoria. As a public figure, she has the largest support ever measured in a Swedish study.

Perhaps Princess Estelle is just what the Swedish monarchy needs to be able to recover its lost popularity among the Swedish people.

NTD News Stockholm, Sweden

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 44 <![CDATA[Egyptians Prepare to Vote in Presidential Election]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 23:02:11 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_middleeast_africa/2012-05-22/egyptians-prepare-to-vote-in-presidential-election.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_middleeast_africa/2012-05-22/egyptians-prepare-to-vote-in-presidential-election.html

Fishermen on the Mediterranean in Alexandria, Egypt.

It's a tough way to make a living, in a country where nearly half of all Egyptians live on less than $2 a day.

On Wednesday, Egyptians will go to the polls for the first time in six decades for a presidential election whose outcome no one knows in advance.

Many are looking for help.

[Mohamed Abdel Mohsen, Egyptian Fisherman]:

"What I need from the next president is to take care of the people and to meet their essential needs, which we are lacking nowadays."

Local surveys indicate that one in four Egyptians live below the poverty line. The nation is crippled by widespread illiteracy, lack of food and medical supplies and inadequate access to clean water.

[Ibrahim Mohamed, Egyptian Fisherman]:

"We need a good monthly pension. It should be raised so we have enough to live. We want cheap food prices. The excessive prices drive us mad, we are not able to survive."

Twelve candidates are competing in the race for the presidency after the public uprising that put an end to Hosni Mubarak's autocratic regime in February last year.

The first round takes place on May 23 and 24, with a possible run-off on June 16 and 17. About 50 million of Egypt's 82 million population are eligible to vote.

In Cairo, preparations are under way. Ballot boxes are delivered, as polling stations are set up.

If no candidate wins more than 50 percent in the first round, the top two vote-getters will fight it in a run-off in June. The army has pledged to hand power to the new president by July 1, and insists it is not siding with any candidate.

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 0 <![CDATA[JP Morgan's Financial Report Arouses Concern]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 22:58:39 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-22/jp-morgan-s-financial-report-arouses-concern.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-22/jp-morgan-s-financial-report-arouses-concern.html

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission will look into the "appropriateness and completeness" of JP Morgan Chase Co's financial reporting, SEC Chairman Mary Schapiro told the U.S. Senate's Banking Committee on Tuesday.

[Mary Schapiro, Chairman, U.S. Securites and Exchange Commission]:

"Finally, your invitation letter requested that I address recent trading losses reported by JP Morgan Chase. Our best information is that the trading activities in question took place in the bank in London and perhaps at other affiliates -- but not in the broker dealer that is directly supervised by the SEC. Although the Commission does not discuss investigations publicly, I can say that in circumstances of this nature, where the activity does not appear to have occurred in one of our regulated entities, the SEC would be primarily interested in, and focused on, the appropriateness and completeness of the entity's financial reporting and other public disclosures."

Earlier this month, JP Morgan said it had lost at least $2 billion - a figure that's expected to grow - on trades tied to credit derivatives.

Schapiro said her agency's probe will focus on the accuracy of the company's first-quarter financial and earnings statements.

The SEC, however, did not have direct oversight of the trades because they took place outside of the regulated brokerage.

Schapiro added that had the final rules required by the 2010 Dodd-Frank financial oversight law been in place, the SEC would have had a better idea of the trades that led to the losses at JP Morgan.

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 0 <![CDATA[2012 Olympic Torch Sale Sparks Reactions]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 22:54:53 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/2012-olympic-torch-sale-sparks-reactions.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/2012-olympic-torch-sale-sparks-reactions.html

One of the London Olympics 2012 torchbearers has already sold her torch on the auction website eBay.

Sarah Milner Simonds, who ran on Monday, has reportedly sold hers for 153,000 pounds sterling (USD 241,900) for charity.

Speaking before completing her run Simonds says the money would be used for a community allotment.

[Sarah Milner Simonds, London Olympics 2012 Torchbearer]:

"I'm a practical person and I really want that piece of design to go to a collector who really wants to keep and look after a piece of our history. "I want that to go to a good home and actually I know quite a few people in the communities that I work with who could think of something to do with that money."

The torchbearer, who was nominated for her work as a community gardener, said she was dismayed after receiving "unpleasant" e-mails.

Other torches have already appeared for sale on the website.

[George Jeeves, London Olympics 2012 Torchbearer]:

"I have heard that that there are a few people that have put them on eBay. I think that should be a criminal offence, it's disgusting."

Torchbearer, triple jump Olympic gold medallist and London Olympic Organizing Committee member Jonathan Edwards.

[Jonathan Edwards, Former Olympic Triple Jump Champion]:

"People buy them, they're private property and I think as a member of the organizing committe I just hope they go to a good home. I won't be selling mine on eBay anyway."

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 0 <![CDATA[F-15 Fighter Jets Scramble To Meet Jetliner]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 19:57:03 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/f-15-fighter-jets-scramble-to-meet-jetliner.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/f-15-fighter-jets-scramble-to-meet-jetliner.html

A transatlantic flight from Paris has been diverted to Bangor, Maine on Tuesday after a passenger “exhibited suspicious behaviour.”

Two F-15 fighter jets were scrambled to escort US Airways flight 787, which departed from Charles de Gaulle Airport around 11:00 local time. The destination had been Charlotte, North Carolina, but was rerouted.

"TSA is aware of reports of a passenger who exhibited suspicious behaviour during flight. Out of an abundance of caution the flight was diverted to BGR (Bangor) where it was met by law enforcement," said the US Transportation Security Administration in a statement.

The office of New York’s US Congressman Peter King said a Cameroon-born French woman handed a note to flight staff, stating she had an explosive device on her person.

The Boeing 767 was carrying 179 passengers and nine crew members. It is scheduled to land in Charlotte Tuesday afternoon. <<<<---may want to edit this depending on time of posting

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 12 <![CDATA[Wrestling Against the Odds: India's first female Olympic wrestler]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 17:43:45 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2012-05-22/Wrestling-Against-the-Odds-India-s-first-female-Olympic-wrestler.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2012-05-22/Wrestling-Against-the-Odds-India-s-first-female-Olympic-wrestler.html

Geeta Phogat is unique among women in India.

She's making history as the nation's first female wrestler to qualify for the Olympics taking place this year in London.

Geeta's now training at Asia's largest sports institute in Punjab state but life could have been very different.

[Geeta Phogat, Female Olympic Wrestler]:

"If I was not a wrestler, or if my father hadn't been a good coach, I would have been married by now."

Geeta started training in an enclosure adjoining a cattle shed in her village home.

Her father was her coach.

Her mother says he gave her a very hard time.

[Daya Kaur, Geeta's Mother]:

"She used to get thrashings from her father. He used to keep a stick. If she was late, even by one minute in the morning, she used to get it. If she performed badly during practice she would face the stick as well."

Back in Geeta's home state of Haryana, her father still coaches other girls including her youngster sister Babita.

Babita's also an international wrestler.

She bagged a silver medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

But here wrestling is widely viewed as a male sport.

Haryana state is notorious for its gender bias.

Sex-selective abortion is a regular practice among parents anxious to avoid the financial burden of having daughters.

Geeta's father Mahavir Singh, himself a former wrestler, says poverty was a big obstacle.

[Mahavir Singh, Geeta's Father]:

"Milk, vegetables, everything is so expensive and I had to provide five daughters with an athlete's diet. That would cost a minimum of 200 rupees (3.6 U.S. dollars) a day and I had five athletic daughters which means at least 1, 000 rupees (18.4 dollars) a day. Where do I get that money from."

Against the odds the Phogat sisters are celebrities in their home village.

Now Geeta's carrying the nation's hope for an Olympic gold in London, and the aspirations of more young Indian women that their futures too can differ from traditional expectations.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 51 <![CDATA[SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Successful]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 15:57:07 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-22/SpaceX-Falcon-9-Launch-Successful.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-22/SpaceX-Falcon-9-Launch-Successful.html

[NASA Launch Announcer]:

“T-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 0, and launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, as NASA turns to the private sector to resupply the International Space Station.”

The first commercial flight to dock with the International Space Station is on its way after a successful launch at 3:44:38 on Tuesday morning.

Ushering in the next stage of privatized space flight, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Now in orbit, the SpaceX Dragon capsule will make its way towards the ISS, bringing with it a half-ton of non-essential supplies.

The capsule itself is reusable and can carry up to seven passengers, though this flight is unmanned.

The launch was originally planned for 4:55 am EDT this past Saturday. It was cancelled at the last second after computers detected a higher-than-allowed pressure reading. Seconds after the engine began firing they were automatically shut down. After being inspected, engineers discovered a faulty engine check valve.

Nine Merlin 1C engines power the Falcon 9 vehicle, which is able to lift 23,000 pounds into Low Earth Orbit. An additional Merlin engine provides the thrust to bring the Dragon capsule to the ISS, which is a low earth orbit station.

The Dragon will orbit earth for a few days while performing a series of system tests. It’s expected to dock with the ISS on Friday.

With its Space Shuttle program retired and still decades away from buildings its own manned space vehicles, NASA will use private companies and the space programs of other countries for many of its missions.

SpaceX tweeted an image, taken from the Dragon capsule while in orbit.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 45 <![CDATA[Man Survives Plunge into Niagara Falls]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 13:16:25 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-22/man-survives-plunge-into-niagara-falls.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-22/man-survives-plunge-into-niagara-falls.html

On Monday, a 40 year old man survived after a 174-foot plunge over Niagara's Horseshoe Falls.

The man, unnamed, is the third person to live through such an attempt. However, he received life-threatening injuries.

Witnesses claim they saw the man purposely climbing over the 20-feet wall and jumping into the water. About 675,000 gallons of water passes the Horseshoe Fall per second.

He was flown by air ambulance to a Hamilton, Ontario hospital.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 27 <![CDATA[Sean Penn Hosts Haiti Fundraiser at Cannes]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 12:37:30 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-22/sean-penn-hosts-haiti-fundraiser-at-cannes.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-22/sean-penn-hosts-haiti-fundraiser-at-cannes.html

Actor Sean Penn hosted a fundraiser for Haiti at the Cannes Film Festival to raise awareness for the poverty-stricken country.

The Haiti Carnival in Cannes, sponsored by Italian designer Georgio Armani, comes two years after an earthquake caused over 200,000 deaths in the area. Dubbed by president Michel Martelly “Ambassador-at-large for Haiti,” Sean Penn has been a notable champion for Haiti’s plight, which is one of the world’s poorest countries.

The actor co-hosted the gala alongside Czech model Petra Němcová and director Paul Haggis.

[Paul Haggis, Director & Sean Penn, Actor]:
Haggis: "Sean and I were in bed, no --"
Penn: "Alright big mouth, give me my ring back."
Haggis: "Sean pulled us together on this. We're all doing different events around the world, we both did events here last year. It was the idea that we needed to work together and so we sat down and said we should do this together and here we are."

The hosts represented three charities: Sean Penn’s Haitian Relief Organization, Němcová's Happy Heart's Fund and Haggis' Artists for Peace and Justice.

Petra Němcová formed the Happy Hearts Fund in 2005 in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. She lost her fiancé during that catastrophe, and sustained many serious injuries herself.

With Haitian bands and dancers performing at the fundraiser, Němcová helped highlight the country’s entertainment industry.

[Petra Němcová, Fashion Model]:
"Behind you here, RAM, it's a Haitian band and they are definitely bringing the Haitian carnival spirit to Cannes. You will see beautiful masks, Haitian masks, made from recycled cement bags, which there are centre pieces which people can also buy and through that support, you will hear and see and feel Haitian spirit."

Hollywood actors Ben Stiller, Gerald Butler, Diane Kruger and many other notable celebrities also turned out to the star-studded event.

[Ben Stiller, Actor]:
"Me talking to you on a television screen about reminding people about what's going on there still is as important as anything to hear the message that Haiti is still going through the aftermath of that quake which is going to go on for years. And they still need our help to help them help themselves to fight through that adversity, the country's had a tough go in its whole history so that's what this kind of message is about, it's about getting this message out there, keeping it out there, keeping it in the news."

Tickets for the black tie event went for $7500 each, and tables cost as much as $100,000. Items, such as meet-and-greets with Bono and vacation packages, were auctioned off. All proceeds went towards the hosts’ three charities.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 199 <![CDATA[Penguins Find New Home]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 11:14:05 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-22/Penguins-Find-New-Home.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-22/Penguins-Find-New-Home.html

Four penguins, rescued from South America last year, have finally found their new home in Long Beach, California.

The Magellanic Penguins will live in the new June Keyes Penguin Habitat at the Aquarium of the Pacific.

The birds were stranded on a beach by Rio de Janerio, Brazil - well north of their natural habitat. When found, the four penguins were near-starvation.

[Jeff Gacade, Aquarium of the Pacific Mammalogist]:

"Probably what ended up happening was they were following food source up that far north, the food sources appeared and they were stranded and they didn't know where to go."

Magellanic Penguins are a threatened species, partially due to climate change and declining fish populations.

The penguins will join nine others at the habitat, which simulates their species’ native rocky beach. Visitors will be able to see the birds from both above and below the water level.

The June Keyes Penguin Habitat opened last Thursday, May 17.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,1 21 <![CDATA[Flesh-Eating Bacteria Infects Three in U.S.]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 09:57:45 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-22/Flesh-Eating-Bacteria-Infects-Three-in-U-S-.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-22/Flesh-Eating-Bacteria-Infects-Three-in-U-S-.html

Three cases of Necrotizing Fasciitis—flesh-eating bacteria—are raising concern in the US.

The flesh-eating bacteria enter a person’s bloodstream through minor traumas such as cuts, or after surgery.

The National Necrotizing Fasciitis Foundation says, “[The bacteria] gets into the body, quickly reproduces, and gives off toxins and enzymes that destroy the soft tissue and fascia, which quickly becomes gangrenous.”

Discovering the infection early or late can significantly impact the resulting damage, since the infected part of the body must be removed, in all cases—a consequence that’s very real to some.

24-year-old Georgian student, Aimee Copeland, lost both her arms and feet to the flesh-eating bacteria, after cutting her leg in a zip-line accident along Little Tallapoosa River in Carrollton, Georgia.

Aimee’s Father posted on his official blog this morning: “Aimee is still a very sick girl…she had a tracheotomy yesterday, which should help her in her recovery, as well as bravely said ‘let’s do this’ when explained how she would need to have her hands and her remaining foot removed. That surgery happened yesterday afternoon.”

Aimee’s Father, Andy Copeland said he told his daughter before the operation, "Your mind is beautiful, your heart is good and your spirit is strong.”

Her Father said he left the room with tears in his eyes.

"I wasn't crying because Aimee was going to lose her hands and foot, I was crying because, in all my 53 years of existence, I have never seen such a strong display of courage." said Copeland.

In the same week, 36-year-old Lana Kuykendall from South Carolina contracted the infection after giving birth to 2 girls on May 7.

Kuykendall has now been through her fifth surgery to remove the infected tissues in her lower leg.

The third case involves a landscaper from Cartersville, Bobby Vaughn, who is being treated at the same Georgia hospital as Aimee Copeland.

With so many cases of infection, Americans are beginning to worry for their own safety.

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 411 <![CDATA[Princess Estelle Wins Hearts in Sweden]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 09:44:22 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/estelle-princess-of-sweden-wins-harts.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-22/estelle-princess-of-sweden-wins-harts.html

Today Sweden’s new Royal Princess Estelle is christened here at the Royal Chapel in Stockholm.

The Princess was born the twenty third of February and is second in line to succession to the Swedish throne after her mother Crown Princess Victoria.
Princess Estelle, Silivia, Ewa, Mary the Duchess of Ostergotland is her full name and title.
Among the guests are Royals and ministers from Europe.
Also many others have come to Stockholm castle to catch a glimpse of the little princess.

“We drove two hundred fifty k:s to see this. We hope to see them when they come out from the church”

Although it is not noticed today, according to a recent study from SOM Institute shows that the Swedish people's trust in the royal house is the lowest in many years.

“I think Daniel, Victoria and Estelle will strengthen the position. I have hope that our monarchy will last into the future.”

The low confidence could be related to a book that was published two years ago about the Swedish King unofficial private life.

“I think the numbers have been down a lot but it’s up now I think. Those things with the King have died down and everybody is looking forward.”

According to the study the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf has less popularity as his daughter Crown Princess Victoria.
She is the most supported public persons ever measured in a study.

Perhaps it is Princess Estelle just what the Swedish Monarchy needs to be able to recover its lost popularity among the Swedish people.

NTD News Stockholm, Sweden

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 136 <![CDATA[Suicide Blast Kills Scores in Yemen Capital]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 23:03:25 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_middleeast_africa/2012-05-21/suicide-blast-kills-scores-in-yemen-capital.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_middleeast_africa/2012-05-21/suicide-blast-kills-scores-in-yemen-capital.html

Yemeni officers run to help their fallen comrades after they hear a large explosion during a military parade rehearsal.

Scores were killed by the blast caused by a suicide bomber, dressed in army uniform.

More than 90 people were killed and 60 wounded ... and the death toll is rising.

Officers were horrified by the scene:

[Slaim Al-Wasie'i, Military Battalion Officer]:

"We deplore this criminal act, this is a massacre. We were standing in the military parade, getting ready for the next stage, when we suddenly heard a strong explosion, and we saw blood and legs flying everywhere, arms and legs flying in the air. The information we have from the hospital is that there are between 80 and 100 casualties, including both dead and injured."

Military sources say Yemen's defense minister and chief of staff were present, but were unhurt in the blast.

The explosion coincided with a U.S.-backed offensive against al-Qaeda-linked militants in the south, which has seen heavy fighting over the weekend.

The parade was set to be part of Yemen's national day celebration scheduled for Tuesday to commemorate the unification of the north and south.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 15 <![CDATA[Rebels Shell Governent Troops in the Democratic Republic of Congo]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 23:01:01 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_middleeast_africa/2012-05-21/rebels-shell-governent-troops-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_middleeast_africa/2012-05-21/rebels-shell-governent-troops-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo.html

The sound of heavy fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Government troops are moving toward the front line on Sunday to face off against the rebel M23 group, amid reports of heavy shelling.

Clashes erupted last month after Congolese President Joseph Kabila sought to arrest General Bosco Ntaganda, known as the "Terminator," who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes.

Hundreds of residents have been forced to flee their villages, escaping to areas controlled by government soldiers.

Thousands of others have already fled to Rwanda and Uganda in recent weeks.

The violence has left many children orphaned, and reports of rape are on the rise.

[Mary Ngabire, Rutshuru Resident]:

"We are afraid of the ongoing war, women are being raped, and we are not able to go to the farms so we are very afraid."

The ICC has been seeking Ntaganda's arrest since 2006 on charges of conscripting child soldiers into his rebel militia.

It announced new charges this week including murder, ethnic persecution and rape.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 31 <![CDATA[NATO Summit Protesters Test Chicago Police]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:57:24 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-21/nato-summit-protesters-test-chicago-police.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-21/nato-summit-protesters-test-chicago-police.html

Police and anti-war protesters clash in Chicago where NATO leaders are thrashing out their exit strategy from Afghanistan.

The Sunday anti-war march that drew up to 3,000 people was largely peaceful.

However, there were some tense moments between a group of black-clad protesters in bandanas and riot police in full gear - one man was arrested.

The leaders gathered at the McCormick Place convention center, in President Barak Obama's hometown, to organize the hand over of combat operations to Afghan forces by the middle of next year.

They are expected to endorse a U.S.-backed strategy for a gradual exit from Afghanistan.

The move is intended to hold the Alliance together after France decided to pull out early.

Although many feared the summit would result in major violence on Chicago's streets, there have been only a few, relatively minor incidents so far.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 17 <![CDATA[Shock Serb Elections Unnerve Region]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:54:26 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/shock-serb-elections-unnerve-region.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/shock-serb-elections-unnerve-region.html

The surprise victory of rightist opposition leader Tomislav Nikolic in Serbia's presidential elections is a turning point for the country breaking from almost 12 years of Democratic Party rule.

Serbs blame the liberal incumbent Boris Tadic for the under performing economy and rife corruption.

But the man they chose in a close-run vote is a nationalist associated with the bloody collapse of Yugoslavia.

First amongst his tasks was to reassure the EU by saying Serbia will not stray from its European path.

[Milic Rajkovic, Belgrade Resident]:

"First of all the problem of corruption has to be dealt with and brought to an acceptable level, we need to look towards Europe, and we must not change that course, because that has no alternative."

The victory of the former ultra nationalist has caused unease among Serbia's ex-Yugoslav neighbors, who see him as the ideological heir of Serbia's ousted strongman Slobodan Milosevic.

[Hamdi Tasholli, Pensioner]:

"It is bad for Serbia which is in decline. The main figure of the Serbian radicalism and chauvinism is Nikolic."

Nikolic was in government in 1999 when Serb forces expelled almost 1 million ethnic Albanians from Kosovo and NATO intervened with air strikes.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 76 <![CDATA[Quake in Italy Shatters Historical Sites]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:47:38 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/quake-in-italy-shatters-historical-sites.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/quake-in-italy-shatters-historical-sites.html

An earthquake Sunday in northern Italy continues to take its toll.

In a town near the quake's epicenter a church stands in ruins.

The 6.0 quake struck early in the morning Sunday.

It was followed by a series of jolting aftershocks, which have left a trail of debris.

At least two of them reached magnitude 5.1, sowing fresh panic, further damaging already weakened buildings and causing more structures to collapse.

Residents scramble for food and shelter.

[Mirella De Pauli, Local Resident]:

"We found a shop that was open and even found some bread. In Dosso it seems we are fine. We even feel we've been fortunate in this misfortune. Most of us slept outside and now we're going around to see what actually happened."

Authorities say the damage done to Italy's artistic heritage is the greatest since a devastating earthquake in 1997

Civil protection units working in the area say local residents are asking for more tents so families can sleep in them overnight without having to return to their homes.

Some do not want to take any chances

[Massimo Franciosa, Local Resident]:

"Let's hope we can go back home and this doesn't drag on. But for the next three, four nights I'm certainly going to sleep out and then I will see if the situation has stabilized."

Sunday's earthquake killed four factory workers who were on the night shift, an elderly woman who was hit by a beam and two women who died of shock.

It also caused an estimated 200 million euros in damage to agriculture and left behind a swathe of destruction.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 21 <![CDATA[Old Beatles Photo Takes New Direction at Auction]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 22:44:46 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/old-beatles-photo-takes-new-direction-at-auction.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-21/old-beatles-photo-takes-new-direction-at-auction.html

A rare photograph showing the Beatles walking across the Abbey Road pedestrian crossing could fetch up to 31,500 USD, a London auction house said on Monday.

This one is a collector's item with a difference: the version that was printed on the 1969 Abbey Road album shows the band walking from the photographer's left to right.

In the version up for sale by Bloomsbury auctions John Lennon, wearing a white suit and shoes, leads the group from right to left.

On the album, Paul McCartney is walking barefooted, but in this shot he is wearing chunky sandals.

[Sarah Wheeler, Photography Expert, Bloomsbury Auctions]:

"I think one of the reasons why this photograph has had so much attention is because it is an outtake from the original cover. The Beatles are walking towards Abbey Road studios rather than away from Abbey Road studios, Paul McCartney is wearing sandals rather than being barefoot, which he is in the original cover, so for Beatles fans I think that's really interesting."

The fact McCartney was without any shoes or socks on the album cover prompted a string of bizarre conspiracy theories among some fans who believe that McCartney actually died in the sixties and had been replaced by a body double.

They see the album cover as filled with hidden clues - with McCartney's bare feet representing his difference from the rest of the band.

McCartney has always claimed, however, that his bare feet were merely the result of him having kicked off his sandals as it was such a hot day and the new outtake photograph appears to confirm that.

[Sarah Wheeler, Photography Expert, Bloomsbury Auctions]:

"I think the main reason they didn't choose this shot as the final cover is because the Beatles are all walking out of step with one another."

The auction house has put a conservative estimate of 11,300-14,500 US dollars on the photograph, though experts say it may go for much more than that.

[Sarah Wheeler, Photography Expert, Bloomsbury Auctions]:

"I expect this photograph to do very well indeed because of all the interest we've been having in it. I think it could well double the high estimate and even make up to 20,000 pounds."

The photograph was one of just a handful taken outside the Abbey Road studios in St John's Wood, north-west London, during the rapid shoot by the late Iain Macmillan as a police officer held up the traffic.

This print is one of 25 ever created and is being sold by a private collector from within the music industry.

The auction is set for 13 hundred GMT on May 22nd.

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,1 136 <![CDATA[SpaceX Launch Rescheduled to May 22]]> Mon, 21 May 2012 15:12:00 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-21/SpaceX-Launch-Rescheduled-to-May-22.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_NorthAmerica/2012-05-21/SpaceX-Launch-Rescheduled-to-May-22.html

The SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch—aborted in the last second before lift-off—has been rescheduled for 3:44 am on Tuesday, the Florida Today reports.

The ship is to be the first commercial vehicle to visit the International Space Station. Developed by SpaceX, its Dragon cargo capsule is to bring a half ton of non-essential supplies (e.g., food, clothes) to the crew of the ISS.

The capsule itself is reusable and can carry up to seven passengers, though this flight is to be unmanned.

All seemed to be going according to plan for the 4:55 am EDT launch on Saturday. As the countdown winded down, the engines began firing at the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch pad a few seconds before take-off. However, with half-a-second left, the computer had cancelled the launch.

The AP uploaded a video of the launch to its YouTube page. A NASA spokesman released a statement on its website.

“A SpaceX Falcon 9 aborted its launch May 19 moments after its engines ignited when computers detected higher pressure readings than allowed.

The center engine pressure built above limits and a shutdown occurred one-half second before liftoff, SpaceX officials said.”The rocket was brought back from the launch pad to a hangar, where it was inspected.

“Engineers discovered a faulty check valve on the Merlin engine,” SpaceX said in a statement.

Nine Merlin 1C engines power the Falcon 9 through the first-stage of the launch. Another one will be used for the remainder of the journey to the ISS. As NASA develops its next line of space vehicles, it plans to use private companies, such as SpaceX, and other nations’ space programs to shuttle its astronauts to and from the ISS.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 34 <![CDATA[A Royal Christening ]]> Sun, 20 May 2012 10:03:53 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-20/a-royal-christening-.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-20/a-royal-christening-.html

The newest member of the Swedish Royal Court is being christened in the Royal Chapel on Tuesday.
Princess Estelle’s name is French and means ‘star’. The Swedish Royal Family has ancestors from 18th century France.
The little Princess has already been given the title Duchess of Ostergotland and governs a region even though it doesn’t give her any real political power.
The event will be broadcast live on TV in Europe.

NTD News, Stockholm, Sweden

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0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0 261 <![CDATA[Chris Smith: Chen's Arrival a Call to Double Efforts on Rights]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 23:22:06 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-19/congressman-chris-smith-chen-guangcheng-s-arrival-a-call-to-double-efforts-on-rights.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-19/congressman-chris-smith-chen-guangcheng-s-arrival-a-call-to-double-efforts-on-rights.html

United States Congressman Chris Smith says justice is not yet done, even as blind Chinese rights lawyer Chen Guangcheng arrives in the United States with his family on Saturday.

Speaking at Newark Airport to a media entourage before Chen’s arrival, Congressman Smith stressed the need to double the efforts to improve human rights in China.

[Chris Smith, United States Congressman]
“The baton has to be picked up by lawmakers, Presidents, Prime Ministers all over the world, and not think, oh, Chen’s safe, end of story. No, beginning of story. The scrutiny of the one child policy has to begin in earnest.”

Congressman Smith is a vocal supporter of Chen, a self-taught lawyer who defended victims of forced abortions and sterilizations under the Chinese regime’s one-child policy.

[Chris Smith, United States Congressman]
“He sought to defend the women from the cruelty of forced abortion in China, which is common place, and many in the west, especially in the United States have looked away, or refused to believe this horror story that is going on.”

Though Chen has reportedly been warned by Chinese authorities to keep a low profile while in the United States, Congressman Smith believes Chen will not be silenced.

[Chris Smith, United States Congressman]
“I do believe that now he is out, he will have a multitude of venues, and I will invite him to testify before my subcommittee on human rights, as well as before the China commission which I also chair, and I am sure he will get invitations from many to tell what he knows in an unfettered way."

Congressman Smith also called on the international community to ensure the safety of Chen’s family and supporters back in China.

[Chris Smith, United States Congressman]
“There are a large number of family members, his brother, his nephew, who now remain at great risk of retaliation, and the United States government, the Congress, the Executive Branch, governments around the world need to rally around the other Chens, and around the friends.”

Chen Guangcheng and his family arrived in the Unites States on Saturday May 19th. It comes less than a month after his dramatic escape from illegal house arrest in Dongshigu Village in Shandong province.

NTD News, New York

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 216 <![CDATA[G8 Leaders Arrive at Camp David]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 05:35:56 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-19/g8-leaders-arrive-at-camp-david.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_northamerica/2012-05-19/g8-leaders-arrive-at-camp-david.html

US President Barack Obama greets world leaders at the start of the Group of Eight summit.

One by one, leaders from eight of the world's largest economies met Obama at the entrance of Camp David, a woodland retreat in Maryland.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

Attending their first G8 summit were Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and newly elected French President Francois Hollande.

Topping the agenda—Europe's debt crisis.

Earlier, Obama made clear he was aligning himself with Hollande's drive for more economic stimulus rather than the belt-tightening austerity programs spearheaded by Germany.

Although, ultimately, economic policy outcomes are not expected from the closed-door meetings.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 50 <![CDATA[Demonstrators Protest Against Buckingham Palace Dinner for Monarchs]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 05:32:52 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/demonstrators-protest-against-buckingham-palace-dinner-for-monarchs.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/demonstrators-protest-against-buckingham-palace-dinner-for-monarchs.html

Inside Buckingham Palace, heads of state from around the world were treated to a banquet on Friday as Britain's Queen Elizabeth celebrated her Diamond Jubilee, the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

But outside the world-famous palace, a small group of demonstrators protested against the presence of some of the guests, accusing them of having blood on their hands.

[Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist]:
"I think it's astonishing that the Queen has been allowed to make the massive misjudgment of inviting seven royal dictators to celebrate her diamond jubilee. These people do not respect human rights; Britain does. They should not be here.”

The main target for the protest was the king of Bahrain, whose regime stands accused of human rights abuses during months of unrest by the majority Shi'ite population against the ruling Sunni Muslim Khalifa family.

[Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist]:
"The invitation to the king of Bahrain is particularly objectionable given the ongoing very grave human rights abuses perpetrated by his regime. In the last year or so, at least 50 protesters have been killed, one and a half thousand arrested and nearly 2,000 injured and wounded in attacks by the security forces, including doctors and nurses who were beaten and tortured by the king's regime. The idea that he should be in the palace tonight or at Windsor Castle today—it's absolutely wrong."

Also on the guest list earlier in the day at a Windsor Castle lunch was Swaziland's King Mswati III.

Activists accuse Mswati of living a life of luxury while many of his people have trouble feeding themselves.

[Peter Tatchell, Human Rights Activist]:
"I am sure the vast majority of people would not wish these dictators to be entertained at Buckingham Palace tonight. We are a democracy, we stand for human rights, these dictators do not, they've got no business being here, they should not be feted by the Royal family—they should be treated as pariahs."

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 253 <![CDATA[Olympic Flame Arrives on British Soil]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 05:29:24 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/olympic-flame-arrives-on-british-soil.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_europe/2012-05-19/olympic-flame-arrives-on-british-soil.html

Cheers as the Olympic flame arrives on British soil—after making a special flight from Athens aboard a British Airways flight.

Britain's Princess Anne and David Beckham were among the delegation traveling with the flame.

The soccer star and former England soccer team captain is playing a key role in the upcoming Olympics.

[David Beckham, Soccer Star]:
"To be part of this team bringing the flame not just to England but to the east end of London, like you say, and to a part of London where I grew up—I am very proud of that."

Starting Saturday, the flame will spend the next 70 days criss-crossing Britain ahead of the opening ceremonies on July 27th.

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0,0,0,0,1,0,0,0 40 <![CDATA[Australian Man Runs Half Marathon Distance in Hot Air Balloon]]> Sat, 19 May 2012 05:26:29 GMT EST http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2012-05-19/australian-man-runs-half-marathon-distance-in-hot-air-balloon.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/news_asia/2012-05-19/australian-man-runs-half-marathon-distance-in-hot-air-balloon.html

An Australian runner completed a half-marathon while running in a hot air balloon on Thursday.

Rob Ginnivan ran 13 miles on a treadmill, powered by a small generator.

He had to brave the cold and the altitude above the Australian capital, Canberra, to complete his task.

Although he is an experienced runner, it took him twice as long as normal to run the distance because he could only take small steps on the treadmill.

He said he also encountered other difficulties.

[Rob Ginnivan, Marathon Runner]:
"What I didn't count on was that the basket actually tilted, so it was like running up a hill. Every time I took a step, the basket would sway from left to right so I kind of had this sea type motion being in the air. It was quite bizarre and made it very difficult."

Hot air balloon pilot Ewan Roberts said conditions for the flight also had to be taken into consideration.

[Ewan Roberts, Hot Air Balloon Pilot]:
"The biggest issue was finding a day when we could fly for about three hours, which is quite unusual for a regular balloon ride."

Ginnivan is raising money for the Heart Foundation by running on land, at sea, and in the air. His target is $95,000 US dollars.

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