<![CDATA[NTDTV - Lifestyles]]>

<![CDATA[NTDTV - Lifestyles]]> http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/index.html <![CDATA[DJ Granny Rocks the Dance Floor in Warsaw Disco]]> Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:29:48 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2012-01-14/dj-granny-rocks-the-dance-floor-in-warsaw-disco.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2012-01-14/dj-granny-rocks-the-dance-floor-in-warsaw-disco.html

This 73-year-old lady spends her retirement days behind a DJ console watching people dance to her rhythms.

Wika Szmyt plays disco, rumba or samba for a mostly elderly audience because she feels she is giving them a new lease on life.

[Wika Szmyt, DJ]:
"I think that retirement is like second life and we should organize this life in some way. There is nothing worse than standing in one place. For me, it's because I love music, I have always had a connection with art, cabaret, poetry."

[Tadeusz Lipiec, Pensioner]:
"I come here to spend the last days of my life in a pleasant way, because we don't have much left to live."

[Krystyna Dudzinska, Pensioner]:
"I come here pretty often for some time, every Wednesday. There is a group who likes to dance and it's great gymnastics."

Wika says dancing changes people’s outlook on life.

[Wika Szmyt, DJ]:
"Dancing changes their mood for the better, more fun. They don't think about passing, about preparing a gravestone and planting flowers on it. They think about life, and that's what music gives you. That's what music gives you."

The former youth counselor decided she can still share with others even after she retired. She learned how to use sound mixing gear by herself and says even experienced—and much younger—DJ's give her respect.

DJ Wika plays in a Warsaw club three days a week but has also been involved in other musical projects, including parties where she plays for a younger and more demanding audience.

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<![CDATA[China Fashion Week Showcases Menswear Collections]]> Tue, 01 Nov 2011 11:25:48 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-11-01/china-fashion-week-showcases-menswear-collections.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-11-01/china-fashion-week-showcases-menswear-collections.html

In Beijing, menswear collections debuted at the 2011 China International Fashion Week. Designers from across China showcased their designs on the catwalk.

The founder of Cabbeen—a Fujian-based menswear company—says the inspiration for his apparel came from traditional weaving techniques, incorporating patterns from nature.

[Yang Ziming, Founder of Cabbeen]:
“Actually I'm very interested in the modern handicraft, because I have been many places in the world, and I see that ancient handicraft is still very eye-catching so far.”

A different collection, "VLOV", focused on simplicity, featuring seamless styles. For a change of pace, men’s sportswear was also added to the runway this year. The designs were drastically different from other fashion collections.

China Fashion Week wraps up today.

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<![CDATA[Thailand Floods Cancel Chinese Tourist Trips]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:24:56 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-28/thailand-floods-cancel-chinese-tourist-trips.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-28/thailand-floods-cancel-chinese-tourist-trips.html

Many travel agencies in China canceled their package tours to Thailand due to the prolonged flooding there.

Widespread floods from heavy monsoon rains and tropical storms since late July, have lashed 62 provinces in Thailand, affecting some 9.4 million people.

According to a travel agency in Zhuhai City, they had to cancel almost all their tours to Thailand.

[Zhang Junjie, Travel Agent]:
"Some of our clients did not want to go on the trip. About five package tours have been canceled. Normally we have one or two package tours to Thailand every week. It is a popular destination among Southeast Asian countries."

Another travel agency in Zhuhai also had to cancel five of its package tours to Thailand.

[Li Yu, Travel Agent]:
"Currently, the trips to Bangkok will be canceled for sure. Whether trips to other routes, like Phuket, will continue or not we cannot say for certain. If there are no floods in the destination areas, we will consider running the tours."

Meanwhile, the prices of Thai fruits in Shanghai have also gone up. The prolonged floods in Thailand have blocked local traffic, affecting the country's exports.

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<![CDATA[Shanghai’s “Good Samaritan” a Fake?]]> Fri, 28 Oct 2011 10:17:32 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-28/shanghai-s-good-samaritan-a-fake-.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-28/shanghai-s-good-samaritan-a-fake-.html

A video showing ‘Good Samaritans’ may be a fake, the Shanghai Daily reported. The video has gone viral and several TV stations in China have picked it up. It shows people rushing to the aid of a pregnant woman. But Netizens have identified those ‘Good Samaritans,’ and even the car that was used to take the woman to a hospital, as belonging to online promotions company, Erma Shanghai.

The state-run Shanghai Daily investigated and found the pregnant woman did not match any of the patients registered at the hospital where she was supposedly admitted.

The publicity stunt, as some are calling it, comes just on the heels of the widely discussed hit-and-run case of Wang Yue, a two-year-old girl who died last Friday.

A director at the company, Wang Yang, denied the incident was staged and claimed their employees just happened to be at the right place at the right time. The company later admitted the employees had faked their identities in the video, but still claims the incident is true.

In an interview with the Shanghai Daily, Wang was quoted as saying, "I don't understand why nowadays no one actually believes in good deeds…In such a society without trust, where every helper is regarded as an actor, who would offer a helping hand to anyone?"

Besides Wang’s claim, the video is sparking more discussion on the morality of Chinese society.

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<![CDATA[Life in Mong Kok, the World's Most Crowded Place]]> Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:31:59 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-26/life-in-mong-kok-the-world-s-most-crowded-place.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-26/life-in-mong-kok-the-world-s-most-crowded-place.html

The world is becoming a more crowded place as it is set to welcome the 7th billion human at the end of this month.

But living with people all around you is part of Hong Kongers' everyday life, especially those who live in a district that is in the Guinness World Records for being the world's most densely populated place on Earth.

Mong Kok, which literally means "busy corner" in Cantonese, has on average 130-thousand people squeezed inside one square kilometer - equivalent to putting about 900 people inside a football pitch.

Although Mong Kok is one of the most popular shopping areas in Hong Kong, residents complain of air, noise and light pollution and the overstretched transport network.

District Councillor Paul Zimmerman said the compact nature of city living has its pros and cons.

[Paul Zimmerman, Hong Kong District Councillor]:
"You see the roads are congested, there is overcrowding, there are noise pollution issues. There are some anger among the community, some people have been throwing acid from roofs are hurting people. But it was associated to noise and overcrowding pressure. But those are the kinds of things that come with it. The good thing, of course, is that it's very efficient. Hong Kong is energy efficient compared to other cities because we are so compact. Because so many people are living very closely together, sharing public facilities."

For Hong Kong residents, living near Mong Kok has its advantages and disadvantages.

[Frank Yong, Shopper in Mong Kok]:
"Pollution is the problem. As you can see there are many cars. There are good things and bad things. It's very busy here but you can find many shops here that you can't find anywhere else."

Hong Kong's neighbor, Macau, is also in the record books for the most densely populated territories, with nearly 20-thousand people per square kilometer in 2010.

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<![CDATA[Siberian Cranes Migrate to China]]> Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:22:09 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-26/siberian-cranes-migrate-to-china.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-26/siberian-cranes-migrate-to-china.html

Thousands of Siberian cranes have made their way southward to China’s northeastern Jilin Province. They’re making a 50 to 60 day stop in the Momoge Nature Reserve in Baicheng City, before continuing further southward.

Siberian cranes are a critically endangered species, with their numbers totaling 3,500, according to the International Crane Foundation (ICF). Fewer natural habitats, poaching and a low reproductive rate have all led to a decrease in the crane population.

In summer, Russia serves as the cranes’ northernmost lair and breeding ground. The cranes’ annual migration consists of coming to China’s Momoge Nature Reserve twice—once in fall and once in spring—before returning north again in the summer.

Water is pumped into the Momoge Nature Reserve to grow grasses and other pants to imitate the natural environment for the cranes. Around 100 species of other birds also inhabit the reserve.

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<![CDATA[Northeast China City Gets First Snowfall]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2011 08:49:27 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-18/northeast-china-city-gets-first-snowfall.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-18/northeast-china-city-gets-first-snowfall.html

Residents in Shuangyashan City, Heilongjiang Province saw the first snow of the year on Sunday night. The high that day was a mere 39 degrees Fahrenheit. Accumulated snow caused branches from roadside trees to snap. The light snow fell throughout Monday morning and continued through the afternoon.

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<![CDATA[Rare Photos of Amur Leopard Captured]]> Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:34:44 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-13/rare-photos-of-amur-leopard-captured.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-13/rare-photos-of-amur-leopard-captured.html

Researchers say that they have recently captured two clear photos of the endangered amur leopard in a forest in northeast China's Jilin Province. It’s the first time Chinese professional researchers have got photos of the rare animal since 1949.

The amur leopard, one of the world's most endangered large cats, has been spotted in a forest in the province's Yanbian prefecture, according to a doctoral candidate at Peking University named Sun Ge. Automatic infrared cameras were set up in the forest to capture images of the animal.

Sun and his assistant set up 40 cameras three months ago, returning to collect photos every twenty days. One of the cameras managed to capture the animal on September 19 in Wangqing County, which borders Russia and North Korea.

Sun's work is part of a field research project jointly sponsored by Jilin's provincial forest authorities and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

China's frontier guard troop previously took pictures of the amur leopard on April 13 this year in the Huichun Nature Reserve in Yanbian, according to the WWF.

The total number of amur leopards living in the wild is believed to be less than 50 worldwide, with about ten living in China.

The number was arrived at from interviewing researchers, as no systematic field research concerning the animals has ever been conducted in China.

The species used to be more widely distributed, but shrunk later due to a lack of prey, environmental damage and poaching.

A nature reserve in Wangqing County will play an important role in future protection work for the amur leopard, as it is the most important habitat for the leopard and may be the first habitat for female tigers from the Russian forest.

The Jilin Forestry Department is planning to establish a habitat on Changbaishan Mountain for Siberian tigers, while the Wangqing Provincial Nature Reserve will be promoted to national reserve status, both of which will provide better living conditions for the amur leopard.

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<![CDATA[LED Kites Mistaken for UFOs in Shanghai]]> Thu, 13 Oct 2011 11:31:37 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-13/led-kites-mistaken-for-ufos-in-shanghai.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-13/led-kites-mistaken-for-ufos-in-shanghai.html

On Monday night in Shanghai, residents gathered around puzzled by the colored lights flying in the sky. The UFO-like sight turned out to be kites equipped with LED lights.

"I feel curious about the object. I don't know what it is. It can't move like a plane and can change color into green and red alternatively."

The kites are pretty large, measuring nearly six feet wide, with as many as 280 LED lights attached. The lights flash in succession forming different patterns and shapes. The large one is said to be worth around three to five hundred dollars.

These bright kites are much easier to spot than elusive stars at night.

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<![CDATA[Greek Musician Yanni Adopts Chinese Panda]]> Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:07:24 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-12/greek-musician-yanni-adopts-chinese-panda.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-12/greek-musician-yanni-adopts-chinese-panda.html

Greek musician Yanni adopted a baby female panda from southwest China on Sunday. The two-month-old panda is from the Chengdu Giant Panda Research Base. The base invited Yanni to adopt the panda, saying they had chosen the Greek music star because of his inspiring and harmonious music. Traditionally an invitation to adopt a panda is reserved for countries rather than personalities. The singer has named the panda "Santorini" which is partly based on the Greek word for "peace".

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<![CDATA[Hairy Crabs Given Authenticity Tags to Ward off Fakes]]> Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:52:22 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-11/hairy-crabs-given-authenticity-tags-to-ward-off-fakes.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-11/hairy-crabs-given-authenticity-tags-to-ward-off-fakes.html

With counterfeit goods rampant everywhere, China has resorted to authenticity tags for even its crabs. Hairy crabs, that fetch around $46 each, are a prized delicacy sold in restaurants and markets across the nation.

They’re harvested across the Yangtze River Delta region, and the most sought-after ones are from Yangcheng Lake. To counter fake crabs sold in the region, the Yangcheng Lake Crab Association has begun tagging every real crab with a unique serial number.

[Zhuo Zhengtao, Director, Xinyang Crab Farm]:
"This thing is, there are too many fake hairy crabs being sold in the markets. The real hairy crabs from Yangcheng Lake are seen as fakes. No one can tell the real ones from the fake. The only way to know is to check the authenticity tags that are distributed by the crab association."

The tags have a phone number and the name of the farm where the crab originated from. Crab farmers hope this measure will regain the trust of customers.

[Zhang Youzhen, Shanghai Resident]:
“When I buy hairy crabs myself, I still worry about it. But nowadays, they do inform the public quite well using advertisements. They are using this authenticity tag, so that we can tell the real ones from the fake. Also, if you go buy them at the specialty stores, they should be the authentic ones.”

The crabs are particularly popular in Shanghai. They are only available for harvesting from September to November.

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<![CDATA[In China's Changbai Mountains, First Snow Marks Winter's Onset]]> Mon, 10 Oct 2011 11:44:23 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-10/in-china-s-changbai-mountains-first-snow-marks-winter-s-onset.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-10/in-china-s-changbai-mountains-first-snow-marks-winter-s-onset.html

The high mountains are blanketed with a layer of soft white snow, and the Tianchi--or Heavenly Pond--is hemmed in by white mountain peaks, a bit like an icy theater stage.

The fiery red leaves are now spilling down the mountainside, matched with the white snow uphill present a beautiful mixed view of autumn and winter.

The fantastic scene can be seen only in later autumn and the beginning of winter, according to local tourism sources.

The Tianchi or Heavenly Pond is usually well-frozen by the end of October.

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<![CDATA[Husband and Wife Clean the Great Wall for 10 Years]]> Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:51:09 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-07/husband-and-wife-clean-the-great-wall-for-10-years.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-07/husband-and-wife-clean-the-great-wall-for-10-years.html

You might think your job is tough, but imagine climbing the Great Wall of China everyday to pick up people's trash.

Chang Shitou and Qian Erling, husband and wife, have worked at the Badaling section of the Great Wall for over ten years as waste collectors.

Every day they start cleaning at 8:00 in the morning and finish around six at night. Noon is the busiest time of the day.

Many regard these picturesque heights as perfect for a picnic, but they often don’t clean up after themselves. When families finish eating, they leave a trail of evidence behind them.

Chang's wife, Qian Erling, is up on the wall as much as him. She basically walks up a mountain to collect garbage, as her territory is a 2,600 foot length of wall that slopes up at an angle of 70 degrees.

[Qian Erling, Cleans the Great Wall]:
"(Chang) helps me to carry some rubbish. Sometimes we help each other."

As darkness comes, visitors clear out and waste collectors begin the hardest work: they take all the garbage to the foot of the mountain.

[Tourist]:
"I think we should take the initiative and put our trash in our bags."

With over 100 pounds of garbage strapped to his back, Chang takes calculated steps. After a couple of trips like this, Chang will struggle to walk after a hard day's work.

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<![CDATA[A Dozen Newborn Pandas Shown to Public in Chengdu ]]> Fri, 07 Oct 2011 11:24:10 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-07/a-dozen-newborn-pandas-shown-to-public-in-chengdu-.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-07/a-dozen-newborn-pandas-shown-to-public-in-chengdu-.html

On Wednesday, in China’s Sichuan Province, a dozen newborn panda cubs were brought out for the public to see for the first time.

They were greeted by tens of thousands of fans who waited to see the newborns at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding and Research Center.

Attendants have been hard at work caring for, taking temperatures and weighing the baby pandas since they were born. Of the 12 babies, there are four pairs of twins.

Including these 12 newborns, the center is now home to a total of 108 giant pandas, making it one of the most successful panda breeding centers.

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<![CDATA[Autumn Scenery Delights Visitors to Huanglong]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:15:45 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-03/autumn-scenery-delights-visitors-to-huanglong.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-10-03/autumn-scenery-delights-visitors-to-huanglong.html

The Huanglong Scenic Area in China’s Sichuan Province is beautiful all year, but autumn is particularly stunning.

The area, famous for its pristine beauty and historical significance, is located in northern Sichuan's Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture.

The area features colorful pools, snow-topped mountains, a diverse forest ecosystem, and breathtaking gorges.

One of the main attractions is "The Yellow Dragon Gully" – which resembles a giant golden dragon stretching down the valley.

[Dai Juan, Visitor]:
"It's really beautiful. We can't find beautiful scenery like this in the city. The pools are even more beautiful with the sunlight, as it gives the water a pretty golden color."

The area contains almost 700 colorful pools of various shapes, sizes and colors, formed as melting snow from the mountains reacts with calcium carbonate in underground water.

The Wucai Pool, Huanglong's most famous feature, is nearly 12,800 feet above sea level, but that doesn’t stop visitors hiking up to see it.

[Li Gang, Visitor]:
"The pools are bursting with color. This natural feature is so well preserved. It's like heaven on Earth."

The rich forests are another beautiful feature of the area. The different elevations create views unique to the Huanglong Scenic Area.

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<![CDATA[Paralyzed Puppy Finds New Lease on Life on Wheels]]> Sat, 27 Aug 2011 07:05:54 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-08-27/paralyzed-puppy-finds-new-lease-on-life-on-wheels.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-08-27/paralyzed-puppy-finds-new-lease-on-life-on-wheels.html

A paralyzed puppy, left beaten and abandoned on railway tracks in central Poland, has been rescued by an animal shelter, nursed back to health and given a specially adapted wheelchair trolley enabling it to run about as any puppy would.

The four month old dog, very similar to an Alsatian, was spotted by a train driver who saw it lying on train tracks with two other puppies. The man called the animal shelter after repeated attempts to raise the alarm with authorities failed.

Shelter staff said that for days trains drove over the stricken animals, beating them to a state of paralysis. Only one of the three dogs survived.

The dog has been named Ciuchcia, which in English translates as Choo Choo, as in ‘choo choo train’. She was nursed back to health and given a custom-made wheelchair trolley. She now runs about the yard chasing and playing with the shelter's feline residents.

Maria Mrozinska, who works at the shelter, said that Choo Choo’s story brought a wonderful response from the public.

[Maria Mrozinska, Animal Shelter Worker]:
"We are very happy that she's made it, that she's got her trolley. People have big hearts–we receive letters from all over the place, even from America. We get calls from people who are very happy that we have managed to help this dog. These people show us the good in society and we are all very happy."

Benefactors have even offered to pay for any treatment that could help the paralyzed puppy regain use of her legs. Choo Choo is booked for an M.R.I scan in September to see if there is any chance she might walk again.

Regardless of the outcome, Choo Choo's story has a much better chance of a happy ending now, with at least two offers of adoption already registered.

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<![CDATA[Taiwanese Magician Buried for 100 Hours]]> Sun, 05 Jun 2011 03:03:39 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-06-05/taiwanese-magician-buried-for-100-hours.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-06-05/taiwanese-magician-buried-for-100-hours.html

As a timer counted down to the final second, men started digging out dirt to help a Taiwanese magician climb out from an acrylic booth after being buried alive for 100 hours.

Immediately after his release, Igo - the young magician who specializes in mind magic - thanked everyone with a frail voice and was delivered to hospital by a pre-arranged ambulance.

Igo made his public debut by entering a phone booth that was filled with 3.6 tons of dirt on top of him.

His life was sustained by a breathing tube, which also received water for him every two hours from members of his performance troupe.
Several safety measures were in place, including a hammer that could break the acrylic walls in an emergency.

Sensors were attached to Igo's body to monitor his physical responses, such as his body temperature, heart rate, and breathing. An alarm would sound if any of these indicated danger.

[Chang Chia-lun, Art Director, Mirror Theater Troupe]:
"The only channel for him to communicate with the outside world is his hand. His right hand is left outside. This hand can interact with people and also provides us with important messages, including his discomfort. If he gestures with the pinky, then the plan will be immediately terminated to release him. But he has not given us the sign so far.”

With one hand sticking out of the dirt filled tank, Igo also wrote on a drawing pad to communicate with the outside world.

Chang said that the situation reached a critical moment just three hours after the challenge began - Igo's heart rate surged to 220 beats per minute, but he calmed down within half an hour.

Igo's creative mind is not new to his close friends who stopped by to cheer him on.

[Kenny Keng, Igo's Stylist]:
"I've known Igo for many years, and he never thinks like ordinary people, so I am not surprised by this unique idea. I wish him success.”

But other visitors, like 30-year-old designer Erica Chen, looked at the dangerous stunt with disapproval.

[Erica Chen, Designer]:
"I don't think this is a good presentation, and I don't even think this is magic, this is only a human body challenge. I don't really agree with this type of performance."

During the four days, more than 10,000 visitors shook Igo's hand and took photographs next to his booth, sending well wishes and support. Some also delivered gifts and flowers.

Chang said Igo spent three years bringing his body to top physical condition with daily jogging, and a diet rich in vitamins. In the final week before this challenge, he only took in fluids to control metabolism, and practiced the burying routine for 24 hours.

The stunt, Chang added, was not only a physical challenge, but also a reminder to love the earth while reflecting on recent disasters around the world.

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<![CDATA["Super Sherpa" Scales Mount Everest for Record 21st Time]]> Sat, 28 May 2011 20:06:14 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-28/-super-sherpa-scales-mount-everest-for-record-21st-time.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-28/-super-sherpa-scales-mount-everest-for-record-21st-time.html

A 51-year-old Nepali mountaineer nicknamed "Super Sherpa" climbed Mount Everest for a record 21st time on May 11th. He broke his own record for the most summits of the world's highest mountain.

Apa Sherpa, who lives in the United States, reached the 29,000-foot peak of the mountain along the Southeast Ridge route, pioneered by New Zealand's Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, who were the first to reach the top of the world in 1953.

Apa was accompanied by American Chris Shumate, Bruno Gremior of Switzerland and four other Sherpa climbers.

Apa's Eco Everest Expedition team was made from climbers from different countries that set out to collect five tons of decades-old garbage – discarded oxygen cylinders, gas canisters, torn tents, ropes and plastic dumped by past climbers.

During a news conference Apa said it is important for the younger generation to take on his role.

[Apa Sherpa, Record Breaking Climber]:
"What I want now is to give the responsibility to the young people of the country and let them do the things that we have been doing."

The objective of the latest expedition was to climb in an eco-sensitive manner and to keep Everest clean.

When asked if he would ascend the mountain again, Apa said he was retiring.

[Apa Sherpa, Record Breaking Climber]:
"My intention is not to participate in trekking and to not even go to Base Camp. I want to help with whatever the country needs, but I feel that it is my last trip beyond Base Camp, and I won't do the 22nd attempt."

Apa first climbed the summit of Everest in 1990.

Hundreds of climbers are on Everest during the current March-May climbing season to try to reach the top from the Nepali and Tibetan sides of the mountain.

More than 3,100 climbers have made at least 5,100 ascents of Mount Everest since Hillary and Norgay.

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<![CDATA[India's Crocodile Rehab Center Draws Hundreds of Tourists]]> Sat, 28 May 2011 19:59:43 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-28/india-s-crocodile-rehab-center-draws-hundreds-of-tourists.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-28/india-s-crocodile-rehab-center-draws-hundreds-of-tourists.html

A crocodile rehabilitation center set up by the forest department in India’s southern Tamil Nadu state is attracting children and adults alike.

The farm raises more than 120 crocodiles of the marsh or mugger variety. Thousands of tourists from all over the country visit every year.

Visitors say the center is a very interesting place.

[Nalini Kumar, Tourist]:
"We have only seen crocodiles in newspapers and on television. We are seeing real crocodiles for the first time. The children are happy and it is very nice here."

Forest officials say they charge reasonable prices to make the center accessible to everyone. The entrance fee at the farm is just one rupee per person, or less than 3 U.S. cents.

[Senthil Kumar, District Forest Officer]:
"In addition to other attractive things in Hogenakkal, we are having our rehabilitation center. And in order to encourage children, and conservation among elders, we have opened this crocodile rehabilitation center for the tourists also. Since it is of educative purposes, we do not charge heavy amounts."

The center was established in 1975 and has been working to protect crocodiles from hunters who kill them for their meat and skin.

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<![CDATA[Forest Officials Rescue Two Abandoned Leopard Cubs in Western India]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 11:05:09 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-26/forest-officials-rescue-two-abandoned-leopard-cubs-in-western-india.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-26/forest-officials-rescue-two-abandoned-leopard-cubs-in-western-india.html

On Wednesday, forest officials rescued two leopard cubs found abandoned in a dry well in Veraval City in India's Gujarat state.

Villagers informed forest officials when they found the two cubs.

The forest officials have been feeding the cubs and have decided to keep the pair at the place that they were found so that they can trap their mother.

[Aparnathi, Forest Official, Veraval Range]:
"We have found two leopard cubs in a dry well as their mother had left them abandoned. The leopard cubs were sitting in a dried up well and it seems that the cubs are two months old. We have set up a cage to capture the mother leopard."

The increasing demand for animal hides in the international market poses a constant threat to the leopard and tiger population of India from poachers.

If this trend continues, wildlife officials fear leopards might soon become extinct.

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<![CDATA[Tiger Quintuplets Born in Northeast China]]> Wed, 25 May 2011 12:31:03 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-25/tiger-quintuplets-born-in-northeast-china.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-25/tiger-quintuplets-born-in-northeast-china.html

An 11-year-old Manchurian tiger recently gave birth to quintuplets in a zoo in China's Heilongjiang Province.

[Ma Guoqing, Breeder]:
"They are very healthy and their conditions at this stage are stable.”

The record number of cubs born at one time was set by another Manchurian tiger in the same zoo. That tiger gave birth to sextuplets in 2009.

The mother was currently only taking care of four of her five cubs, with the fifth one being kept with another female tiger.

[Ma Guoqing, Breeder]:
"The mother tiger, which just gave birth to five cubs, may not have enough milk to feed them. Therefore we will have to find a surrogate mother to shoulder the excessive responsibility. It is also good for the health of the tiger cubs.”

The Manchurian tiger, also known as the Northeast China tiger, is ranked among the top 10 most endangered species in the world.

Tigers once roamed huge swathes of China, right up to the east coast.

But their population has collapsed due to habitat destruction and poaching for tiger products to use in traditional medicine.

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<![CDATA[Rare White Kiwi Bird Makes Debut in New Zealand]]> Tue, 24 May 2011 10:06:20 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-24/rare-white-kiwi-bird-makes-debut-in-new-zealand.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-24/rare-white-kiwi-bird-makes-debut-in-new-zealand.html

A rare white kiwi made its first media appearance on Tuesday, after it hatched at the Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre near Wellington on May 1st.

The kiwi is a flightless bird native to New Zealand and is the country's national symbol.

The small bird has been named 'Manukura' by Maori elders.

Manukura is not an albino but a rare offspring of a North Island Brown Kiwi.

It’s being hand-reared by Department of Conservation officers for four to six months, and is being fed a diet of minced meat and vegetables.

According to Birdlife International, the North Island Brown Kiwi is endangered.

The current population of 38,400 has decreased by as much as 86 percent over the past 36 years, due to predators and loss of habitat.

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<![CDATA[Artificial Beach Underway in Gujarat, India]]> Mon, 23 May 2011 11:35:41 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-23/artificial-beach-underway-in-gujarat-india.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-23/artificial-beach-underway-in-gujarat-india.html

In a bid to attract tourists, authorities in India's Gujarat state will build an artificial beach on six acres of land near the world-renowned Somnath Temple.

The beach is being developed in a public-private partnership. The beach campus will house a garden, swimming pool and will have provisions to protect tourists from the high waves.

[Deep Patel, Mine Engineer]:
"Our plan is to create a garden and an artificial beach. You can see we have already started construction, and the breakwater will be one kilometer long. The wall behind Somnath temple is a protective wall, which is about 400-500 meters long."

The Somnath temple attracts hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over India and abroad every week.

The construction of the artificial beach is likely to increase tourist activity in the area after it becomes fully operational this December.

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<![CDATA["Floating Island" Cultural Center Opens in Seoul, South Korea]]> Mon, 23 May 2011 11:31:51 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-23/-floating-island-cultural-center-opens-in-seoul-south-korea.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-23/-floating-island-cultural-center-opens-in-seoul-south-korea.html

The world's largest artificial floating island, housing three inter-connected cultural centers on Seoul's Han River, was unveiled to the public on Saturday. It's the latest addition to the city's multi-billion dollar makeover.

Thousands of people turned out for the partial opening of the five acre development, which was privately funded at a cost of about $88 million.

It is scheduled for completion in September.

Seoul's mayor was re-elected after his campaign to turn the city into northeast Asia's leading business hub and a top tourist destination.

[Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul]:
"The Han River and Namsan are symbols of Seoul."

About 59 million people visited the river last year.

[Liu Kyoung-gee, Assistant Mayor, Han River Project]:
"People will visit this 'floating island' for sure when they come to visit the Han River. They can enjoy the river's beautiful scenery here, and this island provides a place to hold various meetings and great performances."

The island can accommodate 6,200 people.

The biggest of the three islets is three stories high and includes a 700-seat convention hall.

The other two islets will be used for cultural and aquatic events, including yachting.

Many Seoul citizens welcome the new sight.

[Ahn Hyo-jin, Student]:
"I'm glad that now there is a place where I can have some tea and talk with my friends near the river after school."

[Lee Eun-jung, Visitor]:
"I came here and saw the observatory. It was so beautiful. I felt like I was in Europe. I want to show this to my parents, who are living in the countryside."

The island's safety measures are designed to keep it in position and afloat in the event of a flood or bad weather.

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<![CDATA[Burning Tree Retains Green Leaves in Varanasi, India]]> Mon, 23 May 2011 11:20:15 GMT http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-23/burning-tree-retains-green-leaves-in-varanasi-india.html http://english.ntdtv.com/ntdtv_en/ns_life/2011-05-23/burning-tree-retains-green-leaves-in-varanasi-india.html

In an unusual phenomenon, this neem tree continues to bear fresh leaves, although its trunk is burning.

The tree is believed to be 400 years old.

Local residents first saw smoke coming from the tree trunk five days ago.

[Ghanshyam, Local]:
"The interior of the trunk has caught fire. But the branches have fresh green leaves. We have still not understood why such a thing has happened.”

Indians hold the neem tree sacred, and many beliefs are centered on this tree.

Thousands of believers headed to Varanasi to marvel at and worship the “burning tree.”

But some residents took the slow fire in the tree as a bad omen.

The neem has been closely associated with the life and culture of people in the Indian sub-continent, and is used for its many medicinal qualities.

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