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Jones Hall in downtown Houston is famous for its amazing architecture and hosting some of the worlds best productions. We spoke to one of the stage managers, who says Divine Performing Arts stop in Houston was unique. [Mark Bumgardenner, Backstage Manager]: The way they incorporated it with the back drop and the video projectors and the scenery behind it that was constantly changing that matched the costumes that matched the whole set and then the live orchestra, I mean you can't, thats rare, you can't find that anywhere. Thats excellent. Over the last 14 years, he has overseen performances like Disneys Lion King and Jerry Seinfeld the comedian, which involve complex backdrops and lighti...

STORY: Divine Performing Arts has found a receptive audience in Houston. But its not just its entertainment value that is appreciated--people walking away from the performances with a firmer grasp on Eastern traditions. [Prof. Jerry Chi, Business School Director]: "Watching this evenings performance I felt that it was really a wonderful opportunity, letting Western society understand that Chinese people also have this great, wondrous culture. The performances were all beautiful, and extraordinarily professional. I also felt it was really moving, and the details of the performances were all smoothly and correctly done." [Professor Moli, Baylor College of Medicine]: "Chinese culture spread t...

STORY: The Chinese New Splendor has left Jonathan Cao, from the Chinese Coalition for Citizens Rights, thinking about all that China has lost under communist rule. [Jonathan Cao, Chinese Coalition for Citizens' Rights]: "In China we dont have freedom of speech; we dont have freedom of association. We dont have freedom of religion and freedom of religious belief." He says Chinese people used to value virtues and have high moral standards, but the last 60 years of communism have made some Chinese pursue personal gain at the expense of others, culminating in poisoning children for profit with the melamine-milk scandal. [Jonathan Cao, Chinese Coalition for Citizens Rights]: "What we want, wha...

ANCHOR: And as you may know, the Divine Performing Arts is on a worldwide tour. Today we introduce you to one student from mainland China who says the show makes him proud to be Chinese. STORY: Tang Chunhui is a student from mainland China. He first saw Divine Performing Arts last weekend in Brooklyn, New York. [Tang Chunhui, Mainland Chinese Student]: "The performance was just like the Chinese name, Shenyun. It's something utterly beautiful, and to describe this performing company, I'd just say it's filled with a sense of art. His experience watching the show, he says, made him feel proud of Chinas ancient heritage. [Tang Chunhui, Mainland Chinese Student]: "I think it's a pleasure to b...

ANCHOR: Transportation between Eastern and Western Bolivia is suspended due to damage caused by heavy rains. Hundreds of people have been left stranded for days. STORY: Heavy rains have been wreaking havoc in Bolivia. A major road connecting eastern and western Bolivia will remain blocked for at least another five days. Hundreds of stranded passengers decided leave the area on foot, but many have nowhere to go. Crews have been working to clear the highway and build walls to contain the disaster. But rain continues to unleash mounds of asphalt, increasing the affected area from 50 to 250 meters. About one thousand vehicles have been stuck on the route, trapped by mud and large rocks. ...

ANCHOR: In Athens, an unknown gunmen shot a 21 year-old policeman who is now in serious condition. Hundreds of police officers and their families gathered outside to protest against the shooting. STORY: The officer was with a group of riot police guarding the Ministry of Culture when at least two weapons were fired at the officers, striking him three times. Police officers said they were frustrated by the lack of clear initiative by politicians, on what the role of the police should be on whether it should be more or less heavy handed during street riots. [Yannis Makris, Police Union President]: "We want to condemn this political tolerance. During all this phenomenon, there was no po...

ANCHOR: Berlin Zoo's celebrity polar bear Knut feels right at home. He is enjoying Germany's current cold snap, but other zoo animals are less fond of the frosty weather. Zookeepers say some animals like antelopes have to be kept indoors so they don't slip on the ice and hurt themselves. STORY: It's perfect weather for polar bears. And Knut, Berlin Zoo's most famous resident, could think of nothing better than splashing about in his icy pool as temperatures in the German capital hovered around minus eight degrees Celsius. Knut wasn't the only one enjoying the Arctic conditions. And elephants can also have fun in the snow, says Andre Schuele, a vet at Berlin Zoo. [Andre Schuele, Berlin ...

ANCHOR: For our market report today, let's take a look at a report on how Japan's economy is doing. Already in a recession, business turnover for some industries, like cars, was the worst on record. it was also a bad month for department and retail stores. Here's that report. STORY: The slowdown in the world's No.2 economy has been staggering and nowhere more so than at its sales counters. Already in recession, December turnover for businesses like cars was the worst on record, while some of its $72-billion department and retail stores saw the biggest monthly drop ever. Aeon, Japan's No.2 retailer, slashed its outlook Wednesday and warned of its first net loss in seven years, while Ta...

In Russia, members of a spiritual group persecuted in China are facing increasing levels of discrimination by their own government. The main text of Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, was recently named an extremist publication by Russia's Ministry of Justice. That means if people are found selling or even owning the book, they could be fined. Here's more on the story. STORY: The Russian Falun Dafa Association says this action follows a pattern of discrimination against the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners in Russia. [Sun Lezhi, Russian Falun Dafa Association]: The decision of the court in Krasnodar and the actions of Ministry of Justice are illegal and baseless, we dont acknowle...

In India, a nationwide strike of tens of thousands of truckers continues on its third day. So far, it has affected food prices and the livelihood of market workers. Lets have a look. The All India Motor Transport Congress, representing about 6 million trucks across the country, started an indefinite strike on Monday. They are demanding reduction of diesel prices and withdrawal of service tax on truckers. The truckers vowed to stay off the roads until their demands are met. Although the strike has not had a great impact so far, vegetable traders say the prices have slightly gone up at Azadpur, the city's biggest vegetable market. [Ashok Kumar, Vegetable Trader]: "The strike has led to a hi...