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For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CA giant picture of Queen Elizabeth II and her family was unveiled on the River Thames on Friday ahead of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations on June 3. Rigged up onto the face of the Sea Containers building, the 330 x 220 foot canvas weighs almost two tons and is the largest ever photograph of the Royal Family. The image is of the Royal Family at the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977, taken by an unknown photographer. A manager from the graphic design agency overseeing the project says that the giant picture is a celebration of the royal occasion. [Stephen Hanover, Overseeing Project]:"A perfect opportunity for when the flotilla rolls in, to celebrate in style with a picture of the Silver Jubilee in the background."The giant picture began as a small image of which the resolution was increased to enable the creation of a larger banner. The image was then printed on to a number of sections - 42 in total - over one week. The sections were then fabricated so as to be suitable for application on to the scaffolding. [Stephen Hanover, Overseeing Project]:"You can imagine, a banner this size - to produce it in so many sections; the weight of the pieces of the material are very very high. We have to transport them up to the thirty meter height of the building, so internally, because the building in being refurbished, it's a bit of a logistical nightmare to get the pieces in position so that we can drop them off of the top of the building." The picture took approximately one month to produce and install and involved a production team of 30 to 40 people.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CThe speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, known as the Rada, expressed embarrassment on Friday one day after proceedings in the chamber dissolved into a fist fight among deputies.The deputies were fighting over a bill drafted by Ukraine's ruling party, which aims to make Russian an official language - equal to Ukrainian - in many parts of the country.Ukraine has a population of 43 million, with 27 regions in total - the law is proposed for the 13 regions where there are sizeable numbers of Russian-speaking citizens. The violent scuffles broke out between deputies from President Viktor Yanukovich's ruling Regions party, and lawmakers from pro-Western opposition parties, who want to preserve Ukraine's cultural and political independence from its powerful neighbor Russia. Speaker Vladimir Litvin said he was ashamed by the spectacle, which was caught on video that immediately went viral across the world. [Vladimir Litvin, Ukrainian Upper Rada Speaker]:"We need to harness the courage and buffoonery (shown in the brawl) and go the people, because everyone says 'they are acting on behalf of the people' so we need to go to the people and tell the truth, and they will support or not support (us). We cannot keep torturing the country. The whole world is laughing at us."The draft bill proposes using Russian as an official language equal to Ukrainian in some civic institutions such as schools, hospitals and courts, in the regions where a Russian-speaking population is in the majority. Opposition deputies consider the law an attempt by Yanukovich's party to divide Ukrainians ahead of upcoming parliamentary elections in October, as well as being a threat to the existence of Ukrainian language.

On Tuesday, the spring summer edition of Fashion Rio was held at Rio de Janeiro.The Oh, Boy! brand made their debut at the show. Oh, Boy! Designer Daniele Schewartz got her inspiration from traditional and modern aspects from Tokyo.[Daniele Schwartz, Designer of Oh, Boy!]:"When we thought about the oriental culture we decided to focus on Japan, Tokyo specially. But we cannot forget about the other cultures that come from the orient that are also very important. We decided to not talk only about the traditional part, we decided to bring a little of Tokyo's innovations to the runway." However, not everyone was satisfied. A group of models on the sidelines were protesting for more use of black models in the show. For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C[Ruth, Model and Protester]: "We are trying to make a statement, and that statement is that black is beautiful. And as you know there are so little opportunities for people of color." Fashion Rio will run until May 26.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.com Follow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevision Add us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2C On Wednesday, some of the most sought after celebrities attended Swiss jeweler de Grisogono's annual Cannes Film Festival party. Located at Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc in neighboring French city Antibes, this Cannes party is one celebrities love attending. [Irina Shayk, Russian Model]: "You know Cannes is always some exciting moment in every people('s) life (lives). I think it's beautiful women, beautiful dresses, jewelry, it's just a really exciting place to be." Alec Baldwin, an American actor, arrived hand-in-hand with his fiancee Hilaria Thomas. He is currently working on a documentary about Cannes. Chris Tucker, an American actor and comedian, shared his feelings about working with Robert DeNiro on his upcoming film "The Silver Linings Playbook." [Chris Tucker, American Actor and Comedian]: "Oh I loved it (working with Robert DeNiro in upcoming film). Yeah I was nervous, I was messing up some lines and he was like (imitating DeNiro) 'It's ok, it's ok. Do it again, do it again. I was like 'Ok!'" Taio Cruz completed the event with a performance of his songs "Hangover" and "Break Your Heart".

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CA Senate Committee at the Czech Parliament deliberates on a resolution calling for an end to repression against followers of the Falun Gong spiritual practice in China.A Senate Committee at the Parliament of the Czech Republic has met to discuss a draft parliamentary resolution calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong adherents in China.The Committee on Education, Science, Culture, Human Rights and Petitions invited representatives of the Falun Gong movement, Amnesty International and the daughter of a Falun Gong practitioner currently jailed for his beliefs in China to take part in the meeting.The resolution calls for the People's Republic of China to lift the ban on the Falun Gong spiritual discipline and stop politically-motivated repression -- including torture -- against its members. It also identifies jailed Falun Gong adherents as prisoners of conscience and demands their release.The committee is also calling on the Czech government -- and the President -- to raise the issue of repression against Falun Gong directly with the Chinese authorities.[Jaromir Jermar, Committee Chairman]:"The Czech government and President [should] use all appropriate opportunities in dealing with government officials to press the People's Republic of China to stop the persecution of Falun Gong and to release all Falun Gong practitioners and prisoners of conscience."The Committee will now take the resolution to top Czech officials and call for action.It also plans to get the message directly to the Ambassador of China -- and let him know the Committee would like to see positive change in the human rights arena in China.NTD News, PragueMichal Kos

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CWith food security a growing concern and agricultural land in short supply, the Agritech Exhibition in Tel Aviv, Israel, is introducing some agricultural innovations. Here's a quick look at some of this year's exhibits.Managing your garden by remote-control might sound like a gardener's dream. Today it can be done as easily as checking your email.[Sharon Ben-Bassat, Sales Manager, Calgon Company]: "The user logs on through the internet with their name and password, and can change the volume of irrigation from his armchair. We are connected to meteorological websites so we can adjust the irrigation based on the amount of water that the plant has lost."Follow-up and management of the irrigation can be done through a Smartphone.While many view organic agriculture as a symbol of modernization, Palestinian company Canaan Fair Trade proves the opposite. This company represents 43 small agricultural farms which have been using sustainable methods to cultivate olives and other fruit for hundreds of years. [Nasser AbuFarhat, CEO, Canaan Fair Trade, Genin]: "Most of our traditional farms are still organic by nature. So it's a matter of fulfilling the regulation and documentation for the certification that gives the small farmers an edge and an added value in the international market. Well I think that the main thing that we do is to combine between environment and accountability - social accountability - and to empower small farmers to sustain a life."Most of the product is exported to the US, Europe and Japan, but the company is now trying to penetrate the neighboring Israeli market. Reporter: Aviva Grunpeter Photographer:Anat MarkramNTD, Tel Aviv, Israel.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CUnlike anything he has attempted before, Kanye West produced, wrote, and directed a short art film, "Cruel Summer." The film, inspired by his G.O.O.D Music record label, premiered at the Cannes Film Festival last Wednesday, May 23, and will be open to the public Friday.West promised that the movie will be "a fusion of short film and art installation" and an "immersive seven-screen experience."The Doha Film Institute (DFI) and Emirati director, Mohammed Saeed Harib, served as creative and cultural advisor. Saeed Harib mentioned that this movie is an experience for everyone working on the project.[Mohammed Saeed Harib, Emirati Director]:"It's an experience, let me tell you this is a visual experience, a musical experience, and a creative experience. You know this is not a movie, this is an experience and I think for us, everybody working on this project - we knew there was something pioneering about it."He also mentioned that the film is one of the few examples of productions that were made in the Middle East.[Mohammed Saeed Harib, Emirati Director]:"This is one of many films that were made in the Middle East, you know we had Mission: Impossible not so long ago and having Kanye West come over I think people are realizing there's something to showcase in the Middle East."Actress Razan Jammal, who stars in the film, agreed that the Middle East offers potential for the industry to rise.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CLeaders of EU countries met for an informal summit on Wednesday evening to discuss growth and jobs in Europe. It was the first summit for newly elected President of France and the first summit to focus directly on growth. Here's more.European leaders agreed that growth measures should go hand-in-hand with dealing with deficits as they left an informal EU summit in the early hours of Thursday. Three main pillars for stimulating growth have been identified: fiscal consolidation, structural reforms for competitiveness and targeted investment.The summit is the first one dedicated specifically to boosting economic growth and creating jobs in the euro zone; it was closely watched by the European Parliament and civil society.[Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament]:"This is the 24th summit we've had since the beginning of the crisis in 2008 and it is the first summit that is specifically dealing with employment and growth." The summit took place during difficult time when European economic growth is at a standstill.[Francois Hollande, President of France]:"Today the European growth is at zero in 2012, and there is recession in the euro zone. And the expectations for 2013 are relatively pessimistic as the total growth for the European Union is around 1%."Severe concerns are mounting about the Greek economy and the Spanish banking sector. Prime Minister of Spain Mariano Rajoy confirmed his commitment to deficit reduction.[Mariano Rajoy, Prime Minister of Spain]:"I defended the need for control in public spending, that's to say that the public sector does not spend what it doesn't have, and I reaffirmed Spain's commitment to control the public deficit."European leaders stressed that they want Greece to remain in the euro zone, while respecting its financial commitments.NTD, Brussels

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CThe US Navy assault ship, the USS Makin Island, arrives to dock in Hong Kong on Friday, May 25th. The ship joins the amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, which arrived two days earlier.The visit comes amid a seven-week stand off between Chinese forces and the Philippines over the disputed Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea.China, the Philippines and several other countries all have competing territorial claims in the sea, which carries 5 trillion dollars worth of ship bourn trade annually and boasts 10 percent of global fish recourses. The US also claims national interests in the South China Sea, and recently took part in military exercise with the Philippines, to the anger of the Chinese regime. The USS Makin Island wasn't involved in these exercises, but Captain Pringle says the ship stands ready to ensure peace in the region.[Captain Cedric Pringle, Commanding Officer]:"The navy's position is consistent with the U.S. position. Our policy is that we hope that the claims involved and the claimants involved resolve them peacefully."Reporter: "and if they don't? ""Well, we're always obligated to ensure peace and stability throughout the region."Despite the looming tensions in the region, some crewmembers with connections to Hong Kong are taking time to relax.[Sergeant Kong, US Navy]:"But I grew up in the United States, for so many years not being back for 15 or 16 years. So now that I'm finally back, I get to see my grandmother, my uncle, my aunt and I miss them very much. So it's a pleasure to be here and love Hong Kong."The USS Makin Island was commissioned in 2009. The ship has a primary mission of deploying marine landing forces and a secondary mission of sea control and power projection. It is currently deployed as part of the US Navy's 7th fleet.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CUS-based human rights NGO Human Rights Watch released a report in early May stating that "there are serious problems in the Chinese Communist Party's Chengguan system which need to be urgently solved". This has been followed up on May 23rd with a 76-page report, which goes into greater detail on the range of human rights abuses associated with the Chengguan system.Officially, the Chengguan, or City Urban Administrative and Law Enforcement Bureau, is defined as an auxiliary police agency which manages the execution of civil laws or regulations in urban areas. Yet despite not handling criminal matters, the unit has rapidly gained a reputation for severe abuses since its inception in 1997. The separately-run Chengguan are often seen as a tool of local officials, who can use them at will to suppress dissent or accomplish other political tasks.There are thousands of officers working for the agency, in 656 Chinese cities. Human Rights Watch's report records dozens of cases in which Chengguan have allegedly violated human rights by illegally detaining or beating victims.Often victims are street vendors or those with similar work. These are favored targets for harassment and extortion by Chengguan officials. Some of the listed victims told HRW that it is quite normal for them to be physically beaten, while some of them were extralegally arrested or had arbitrary fines imposed.Chinese lawyer Li Tiantian points out that, aside from these violations, even the Chengguan's very management of street vendors and the like is outside the framework of Chinese law.[Li Tiantian, Chinese Attorney]:"There's no law to authorize any department, organization or individual to manage the street vendors. Without any law to enforce, in fact any kind of such management is illegal."

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2COn Thursday, Amnesty International released its 2012 annual report. It says that in 2011, the human rights situation deteriorated in China with more onslaughts of persecution across the Mainland... making it arguably one of the worst years since the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.The report focused on violations of freedom of speech, the persecution of activists and illegal land grabs and demolitions. It also referenced human rights violations in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Tibet. It says this year was especially bad due to the Arab Spring movement in the Middle East and North Africa back in February. The Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, was fearful that those protests would spread to China and challenge its rule. Harassment, intimidation, arbitrary and illegal detention, and enforced disappearances towards dissent intensified.In the report, Amnesty says that ethnic minority regions were under heightened security in China. The authorities increased ongoing efforts to bring all religious practices under state control... including harsh persecution of individual religious practitioners. One of the persecuted groups mentioned was the Falun Gong meditation practice, which has been targeted for elimination by the CCP since 1999. The report referenced a transformation campaign by Chinese authorities, aimed at making Falun Gong practitioners give up their faith through brainwashing, as well as mental and physical torture.It detailed the story of Falun Gong practitioner Wang Xiaodong, who was arrested in his home in Hebei Province in March. He was previously detained for nine years, being subjected to torture and forced labor. When he was arrested this year, authorities didn't allow representation from any lawyer. As a result, 2,500 residents from his hometown signed a petition demanding his release.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CUS Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen urged the Chinese regime to stop sending North Korean defectors back to the reclusive state.Ros-Lehtinen, who chairs the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs, joined South Korean lawmaker Park Sun-young in a rally on Thursday in front of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.[Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chair, US House Cmte. on Foreign Affairs]:"To the cold-hearted regime in Beijing we call out to you, as Moses did to Pharaoh over three thousand years ago: Mr. Hu [Hu Jintao], let these people go! Let these people go! Let these people go! Let these people go! Let these people go!"The rally follows months of campaigning after South Korean media reported Chinese authorities had detained about 30 North Korean refugees and planned to send them back to North Korea.Ros-Lehtinen and Park called on Chinese leader Hu Jintao to allow North Korean defectors to pass through China so they can go to democratic nations like South Korea.[Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Chair, US House Cmte. on Foreign Affairs]:"Mr. Hu, let all North Korean refugees have safe passage to South Korea and other democratic nations! Tell Pyongyang to immediately release all South Korean and Japanese abductees!"Ros-Lehtinen arrived in Seoul on Tuesday for a four-day visit. Her party met with South Korean president Lee Myung-bak and other ministers to discuss North Korea and other issues.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CToday is voting day number two for Egypt's first freely contested presidential election. People are eagerly lining up to cast their ballot.Some did not attend the first day of voting on Wednesday to avoid the crowds. Others waited until the afternoon to avoid the heat of the day. Residents are basing their votes on different reasons. Some like Nasser Hassan want to keep politics and religion separate.[Nasser Hassan, Egyptian Voter]: "Look, to be honest I won't say who I voted for, but I kept my distance from all of the religious candidates. So anyone who is related to the Islamist movement, I stayed away from. That's because religion is supposed to be separate from politics." Some keep the needs of the country as top priority when voting.[Ali Ahmed Ismail Al-Garhi, Egyptian Voter]: "I voted based on what the country needs right now, and based on what is appropriate for the current circumstances. And what is appropriate is ideas put forward by the revolution, and for the revolution to continue and succeed." There are some who vote for the candidate they believe will guarantee more future freedom and peace. [Fatma Awad, Egyptian Voter]: "I want the candidate I vote for to do good things for the country, and to rescue the country from the mess that it is in. I want freedom, I want justice, I want the country to be safe. I want all these good things for our country. I want our country to no longer have thuggery in it, or things like that. I want our country to be good again like it was in the past." In February 2011, Egypt's former president Mubarak was ousted out of office. The general who took charge after him promised to handover the presidency by July 1.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CIt was the night for the next American Idol announcement.The 16-year-old half-Filipina, Jessica Sanchez, and the 21-year-old guitar player from Georgia, Philip Phillips, walked down the red carpet on Wednesday night (May 23). Fellow American Idol winners, Carrie Underwood, Jordin Sparks, and Scotty McCreery, were on hand to congratulate the two.[Scotty McCreery, Season 10 Winner of "American Idol"]:"They are nervous, but hopefully trying to take it all in. It will be a wild night for them and I hope they remember it all."[Lauren Alaina, Season 10 Runner-Up of "American Idol"]:"I like them both... I don't really know who I want to win. Philip is from Georgia and Jessica is the same age I was on the show. I wish them both the same success as they can possibly get. I don't know I can't really say."Grammy award-winning singer Chaka Khan, shared her wisdom to the two aspiring idols.[Chaka Khan, Singer]:"To get good management and a good lawyer, don't sign anything until your lawyer is there, collect half the money before you go on stage the per half when your finish. those are important things. Those are things I had to learn over a long period of time."The announcement of the winner was broadcasted live, featuring performances by Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Reba McEntire, Aerosmith, and more. The winner will be awarded a recording contract.

For more news and videos visit ☛ http://english.ntdtv.comFollow us on Twitter ☛ http://twitter.com/NTDTelevisionAdd us on Facebook ☛ http://on.fb.me/s5KV2CDid the Chinese regime's J-20 Stealth Jet test flight in 2011 foreshadow the current political power struggle?Well, the former U.S. Ambassador to China, John Huntsman, has confirmed that Chinese regime leader Hu Jintao did not know about that test flight in January 2011, which took place during a visit by U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates.Huntsman was in New York on Wednesday, attending an event organized by the National Committee on United States-China Relations. Huntsman said Secretary Gates was not pleased about the J-20 test flight, and brought it up with Chinese leader Hu Jintao. Huntsman said Hu was taken by surprise.[John Huntsman, Former U.S. Ambassador to China]:"When Hu Jintao turned to the Defense Minister, and said something to the effect of, is this true? Did it fly? And I looked at that and I though, wow, this is a rare moment. And I think the Chinese side looked over at the U.S. side and probably figured there were some Chinese speakers in the crowd. And the Liang Guanglie turned to General Ma who then turned to one or two others, and back the response came to President Hu Jintao: No Secretary Gates, you're not to take offence at this, it was only a scientific research experiment."Liang Guanglie is the Chinese Defense Minister, and General Ma is Ma Xiaotian, the General of the People's Liberation Army. So from what Huntsman said, it would appear that Hu did not know about a major military exercise that took place under his watch while the U.S. Defense Secretary was in town.Huntsman said this apparent broken chain of communication indicated something about the Chinese regime.