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154media
Dear viewers, I'm migrating to a new account for 2012. New acc is 154thmedia2012
(2 months ago)
LONDON: The world rang in the New Year on Sunday with a string of specta...
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LONDON: The world rang in the New Year on Sunday with a string of spectacular firework displays watched by millions but overshadowed by fears at what the economic crisis in Europe could bring in 2012.
Sydney and Hong Kong set the standard with glittering extravaganzas, while London launched a firework display over the River Thames to usher in a year in which it will host the Olympic Games.
Tens of thousands of revellers descended on Scotland's capital Edinburgh to attend its Hogmanay street party. The city saw around 80,000 party-goers welcoming 2012 before erupting into a mass rendition of "Auld Lang Syne".
But in other European cities the eurozone crisis loomed large despite the pyrotechnics.
In a New Year's address, Italian President Giorgio Napolitano delivered a stark message calling on the nation to make sacrifices to "prevent the financial collapse of Italy".
In Madrid, many wanted to forget their country's financial woes for the night, gathering in the Puerta del Sol -- the square that became a focal point for the "indignant" protest movement.
"Today is a day to forget the crisis," said Luis Zorrilla, a 46-year-old teacher as he celebrated, adding that in the New Year state employees like he and his wife would have to "cope with a difficult situation".
Earlier, Sydney kicked off the celebrations. At the stroke of midnight, the harbour exploded in a blaze of colour and light that drew more than 1.5 million people to crowded foreshores and city landmarks.
Shapes of clouds and hearts floated above Australia's biggest city, while glittering lights cascaded off the focal point of the display, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and fireworks launched from barges and rooftops exploded overhead.
"Every year we make sure our celebrations are bigger and better than the one before," Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore said.
Two hours later there were celebrations in Tokyo as the clock struck midnight with balloons released, fireworks set off and the Tokyo Tower lighting up in blue.
It was then Hong Kong's turn in the limelight with the city's harbour lit up by a barrage of fireworks fired from several of its iconic buildings, delighting partygoers crammed on to the waterfront and in pleasure boats.
Meanwhile, in Singapore, some 300,000 people ushered in the new year at the iconic Marina Bay area, where an eight-minute fireworks display marked the arrival of 2012.
Russia's Far Eastern regions of Chukotka, Kamchatka and Magadan, eight hours ahead of Moscow, became the first parts of the vast country to see in the New Year.
Russian state news agencies reported that among the first revellers in 2012 were border guards on Ratmanov island in the Bering Strait that lies just four kilometres from US territory across the international dateline.
In Moscow, thousands gathered in Red Square for another massive firework display that sent rockets 140 metres (400 feet) into the midnight sky.
But the sale of all alcohol was banned in a bid to prevent the revelry getting out of hand.
And the mood was less festive in Russia's second city of Saint Petersburg, where last-minute gift shoppers worried about the economic hard times ahead.
"I expect that things will be worse next year, especially from the economic point of view. I fear that the next year is going to be very hard," said 59-year-old alina Fedorchenko.
As the clock moved through the time zones, celebrations in Dubai centred on the Burj Dubai skyscraper, the world's tallest manmade structure, with a pyrotechnics display even more extravagant than last year's.
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(2 months ago)
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154media uploaded a new video
(2 months ago)
SEOUL, South Korea: North Korea said Saturday its new leader Kim Jong-Un...
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SEOUL, South Korea: North Korea said Saturday its new leader Kim Jong-Un has formally been appointed supreme commander of the 1.2 million-strong military, in another sign he is rapidly tightening his grip on power.
Jong-Un had already been declared "supreme leader" of the country during memorial ceremonies for his late father Kim Jong-Il on Thursday, as the nation ended 13 days of mourning.
"The dear respected Kim Jong-Un... assumed the supreme commandership of the Korean People's Army at the behest of leader Kim Jong-Il," according to the official news agency.
It said the decision was proclaimed Friday at a meeting of the political bureau of the ruling party's central committee.
Jong-Un, aged in his late 20s, was made a four-star general in September 2010 and given important party posts as his father groomed him for the country's second dynastic succession.
He was swiftly proclaimed "great successor" after Kim senior died of a heart attack on December 17 at the age of 69.
Reports following his father's death suggested Jong-Un was already in control of the armed forces. But Saturday's statement was the first official confirmation of his accession to the role.
Jong-Un inherits the world's fourth largest armed forces and a national policy known as Songun that prioritises its welfare over that of civilians.
During Thursday's memorial service, ceremonial head of state Kim Yong-Nam told a vast crowd in Pyongyang that the country under its new chief would "march firmly along the path of Songun taught by great leader Kim Jong-Il".
The meeting Friday of the Workers' Party of Korea (WPK) "underlined the need to hold Kim Jong-Un in high esteem as the only centre of unity, cohesion and leadership of the WPK, devotedly defend him politically and ideologically and give fuller play to the might of the political and ideological power", the news agency said.
With the world eyeing the new regime for any signs of change, the impoverished but nuclear-armed nation delivered a warning Friday that it would not be altering course.
We "solemnly declare with confidence that the south Korean puppets and foolish politicians around the world should not expect any change", said a statement from the National Defence Commission, the top decision-making body.
The North said it would never have dealings with the current conservative South Korean government, which it designates as "traitors", and harshly criticised Seoul for perceived slights during the mourning process for Kim.
"We will surely force the group of traitors to pay for its hideous crimes committed at the time of the great national misfortune," it said.
A "sea of tears" shed by the North's army and people would "turn into that of retaliatory fire to burn all the group of traitors".
Despite the bellicose language, analysts said the North was warning the world against any interference during the transition and that the chance of any provocation was low.
North Korea also announced Saturday that it would issue gold and silver coins to mark the 20th anniversary of late leader Kim Jong-Il's appointment as military commander.
The North's official news agency made the announcement minutes after saying that Jong-Un had taken over the post.
It said the coins would mark the former leader's "immortal achievements".
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(2 months ago)
The recurrence of a seemingly giant North Korean soldier in pictures fro...
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The recurrence of a seemingly giant North Korean soldier in pictures from Kim Jong-il's funeral procession in Pyongyang has led speculation over the mystery figure to 7' 8" basketball star Ri Myung Hun.
The towering figure looms over his fellow soldiers at the funeral in Korean capital Pyongyang, standing out from the thousands of other representatives of the North Korean army.
The curious images were taken by the Korean Central News Agency and appear to show an unknown giant among the ranks.
The disappearance of an entire television crew in certain photographs from the late North Korean leader's memorial service led international news agency Reuters to claim the set of images had been digitally altered, but the recurrence of the 'giant' soldier in more than one picture, and viewed from all angles, suggest he is person not pixels.
Speculation over the identity of the soldier was quick to spread across the internet, with the most likely suspect being Korean basketball star Ri Myung Hun Standing at 7' 8" Myung Hun once attempted to play in the NBA but decided to remain in North Korea. He has previously held the record of world's tallest man.
The death of Kim Jong-il has marked the succession of his son Kim Jon-un as the country's leader. Hopes that this would bring about a more progressive North Korea have been dashed however after a statement from the government warned that the nation would not be changing under new rule.
North Korea's national defence agency said: 'We declare solemnly and confidently that foolish politicians around the world, including the puppet forces in South Korea, that they should not expect any changes from us.'
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(2 months ago)
SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy grew 4.8 per cent in 2011, significantly ...
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SINGAPORE: Singapore's economy grew 4.8 per cent in 2011, significantly slower than the dramatic rebound of 14.7 per cent growth in 2010.
It is slightly below the forecast of around five per cent by the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who announced the growth figures in his 2012 New Year message on Saturday, described the pace of growth for the year as "steady".
He warned that with the external environment uncertain and debt problems in Europe far from solved, 2012 will look like a difficult year for the global economy.
He said that Singapore, as a small, open country, will inevitably be affected.
Mr Lee said 2011 was a significant year for Singapore, when its people went to the polls twice, and elected a new government and President.
He said that having made a significant political transition, the country and its people are now adjusting to new norms in a changed environment.
Mr Lee said that amidst this flux, Singapore needs to be confident of its position and clear about its priorities and plans to build a better country.
The prime minister said the government is working hard to tackle the immediate challenges.
It is committed to keeping homes affordable to all Singaporeans.
In 2011, it launched 25,000 Build-to-Order (BTO) flats, which enabled many first timers to book their HDB flats.
In 2012, it's launching another 25,000 BTO flats.
In the private property market, the new Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty will moderate capital inflows and foreign demand, and help to stabilise prices.
Mr Lee said the government will redouble efforts to improve the public transport system and expand the train and bus network.
It will identify and put right the causes of the recent Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) service disruptions.
The Circle Line, completed in October, now transports 300,000 commuters daily, and more MRT lines are on the way.
Mr Lee said the government will also continue to enhance bus services to improve the daily commuting experience.
But these improvements will take time, and he urged the commuting public to "bear with us".
Mr Lee said beyond these pressing concerns, the government is attending to long-term issues to improve Singaporeans' lives.
Healthcare, he said, must stay affordable and accessible to give Singaporeans peace of mind.
The government is enhancing the education system to give young Singaporeans the best possible start in life.
Mr Lee stressed the importance of upholding inclusive growth and social mobility as pillars of a united Singapore.
He said this calls both for upgrading skills and productivity to improve wages, and for strengthening social safety nets.
And given Singapore's low birth rate, the country needs to find workable solutions to keep society and the economy vibrant and forward-looking.
Mr Lee described population as a "particularly complex challenge" which involves unavoidable trade-offs.
He said these issues will be discussed in the coming year, so that Singaporeans understand better what is at stake, and the choices they must make as a nation.
Mr Lee said overall, there is every reason to be confident and optimistic.
He said Singaporeans pulled together as one nation to overcome the 2008 Global Financial Crisis and stressed that the country must never lose its strengths.
He expressed confidence that Singaporeans will continue to bond as one people and "walk shoulder to shoulder into a brighter tomorrow" in a changing world.
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154thmedia2012
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