TV audience sharply down for second Trump-Clinton debate, despite tape furor

By Jill Serjeant and Lisa Richwine | NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES

The television audience for the second debate between White House contenders Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton fell sharply from their first, record-breaking encounter, despite the drama caused by a 2005 video of Trump boasting about groping women.

Nielsen data for 11 broadcast, cable and public television channels on Monday showed that some 66.5 million Americans tuned into the bitter 90-minute debate on Sunday, well below the record 84 million that watched the first face-off two weeks ago.

The figures do not include millions more who watched the debate online, through social media or in bars and restaurants.

Second presidential debates tend to attract smaller TV audiences, but attention was high going into Sunday's matchup after the emergence of the Trump video prompted several Republican politicians to abandon him.

However, the second debate took place in the same time slot as NBC's popular "Sunday Night Football," which was watched by about 15 million Americans, Nielsen data showed. NBC did not carry the debate.

People gather to watch the presidential town hall debate at Village Pourhouse Downtown bar in Manhattan, New York, U.S., October 9, 2016. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly

While the National Football League game, along with Major League Baseball play-offs, likely pulled viewers away from the debate, many Americans already may have made up their minds on candidates, said Tom Hollihan, communication professor at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School.

"When we get to mid-October, history tells us people have already made their decisions," he said. "They lock themselves into their viewpoints and are less open to new information."

The furor over the Trump tape and his attacks on Hillary Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton, for alleged sexual misconduct also may have turned off some viewers.

Sunday's debate, the second of three before the Nov. 8 election, was remarkable for the brutal nature of the exchanges between Trump and Clinton, his Democratic rival.

"While in the past families might have made a commitment to watch a presidential debate, I think many in this case were saying, 'Why should I do that? Why should I have to answer my kids’ questions about these topics?'" Hollihan said.

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The TV audience ranked below the nation's top 10 most-watched presidential encounters, and below that for President Barack Obama's first and second 2012 debates with Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Last week's vice presidential debate between Republican Mike Pence and Democrat Tim Kaine drew 37 million Americans - the lowest audience for a VP debate since 2000.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant and Lisa Richwine; Editing by Bill Trott and Jonathan Oatis)

I offer solution on Italicum to demolish alibis says Renzi

ANSA) - Rome, October 10 - Premier and Democratic Party (PD) leader Matteo Renzi on Monday said he was offering a solution to a debate on Italy's electoral law so as to heal a PD rift on the December 4 referendum on overhauling Italy's political machinery. Opening A PD executive meeting, Renzi said that "ever since I've been leader there has never been a moment without internal rows, a permanent clash".
    He told the PD executive that he was "trying to offer a solution" to heal the PD rift. "I have the task of facing the issue of the combination of the Constitutional reform and the electoral law," he said. "Since the Constitutional reform is so important it's my task to seek a point of agreement even more. If everyone tries to use the electoral law as an alibi, we'll dismantle them, so as not to miss the opportunity for Constitutional reform".
    Renzi said that in order to heal the rift he proposed that the Italicum electoral law would be "immediately" tabled in the competent committees in the "two weeks after" the December 4 referendum.
    Renzi said that the PD should open a "profound and serious discussion" about all aspects of the Italicum electoral law: "run-off yes or no - and you know what I think about that - bonus for the party or the coalition and the way MPs are elected (constituencies, preferences or - but I don't advise it - balloting). "This not to miss the chance" offered by the referendum, he said.
    Renzi said a representative from the PD's dissenting minority should be included in a delegation to all other parties to "use these weeks and months" before the referendum to frame suggestions for a new electoral law immediately after the referendum. Renzi was set for another reckoning with Pier Luigi Bersani, one of his predecessors at the head of PD, at the meeting of the party executive.
    At the meeting Bersani, a part of a minority within the PD that is frequently hostile to government policy and to Renzi's leadership of the party, was expected to announce he will vote No in the Constitutional referendum.
    The overhaul seeks to end Italy's unusual 'perfect bicameralism' system blamed for decades of political gridlock.
    It includes the controversial transformation of the Senate into an leaner assembly of local-government representatives with limited powers to save money and make passing legislation easier. On Sunday Renzi blasted Bersani, pointing out that he has "voted yes to this reform three times". Culture Minister Dario Franceschini called on the PD rebels to think again about voting No to the reform in an interview published Monday by Corriere della Sera, saying that "at the moment stronger leaders are needed, not weaker ones". Gianni Cuperlo, another senior PD figure who is frequently critical of Renzi, warned that the party was "in danger of a split".
    In an interview with La Stampa, Cuperlo called on Renzi to appease his opponents within the PD by changing the Italicum election law to make sure people get to directly vote in the members of the revamped Senate.
    Just before the executive met, Renzi took to the Internet to reiterate he was determined to change Italy. Renzi said in his e-news he was "doing his best" for a "changing Italy".
    This was despite a climate of "permanent quarrelling, as if we were a cross between a petulant talk-show and a tiring soap opera," he said. Renzi recalled his recent tour of Italy campaigning for a Yes vote in the referendum and said there was "a lot of talk about technical and self-involved issues inside the Roman political world". Earlier, Renzi said Italy must "stop being the homeland of divisions and start being the homeland of vision" if Italians are to realise their "potential". The premier went on to say that "I've been premier for two and a half years.
    "The fact that I became premier, and I'm not saying this in jest, shows that anything is possible in Italy.
    "I don't come from an important family, I have no noble ancestors.
    "And after these two and half years I come to tell you that I'm more convinced of out potential than on Day One.
    "You can't go on saying No without proposing alternatives".
    Meanwhile Rome Mayor Virginia Raggi said that she will meet Renzi "soon". When asked if the talks would include the cash-strapped capital's budget, Raggi replied: "yes, (we'll discuss) a little of everything". Renzi recently opened fire on Raggi for sinking Rome's bid for the 2024 Olympics last month.
    Furthermore, Raggi's environment chief Paola Muraro said she was taking legal action against Renzi for saying she was linked to people in the Capital Mafia corruption case.
    Muraro is under investigation for alleged misconduct during her 12-year tenure as a highly paid consultant at Rome's AMA trash company. Renzi argued this shows that Raggi's anti-establishment 5-Star Movement (M5S) was not the break from the past it claims to be. Renzi's PD hit back by suing Raggi for tweeting Sunday that unlike the PD, the M5S was never in business with the Capital Mafia crime ring.

Science news-

Russian experts have learned to move the icebergs in the Arctic seas

© RIA Novosti. Faith Kostamo

MURMANSK, October 10 -. RIA Novosti Participants of the expedition "Rosneft" on the icebreaker "Kapitan Dranitsin" with the scientific support of the "Akademik Tryoshnikov" vessel for the first time in Russian history held in the Kara Sea towing icebergs experiments, many of which are in the tens of times the size of the ice-breaker, told reporters the participants of a unique campaign in Murmansk.

© RIA Novosti. Faith Kostamo

"Rosneft" will try to learn how to influence the movement of icebergs in the Arctic

Drifting icebergs pose a real danger to navigation and management of industrial activities on the Arctic shelf.Russian scientists have developed a unique technology that allows to change the trajectory of the icebergs drift. The expedition set off from Murmansk in mid-September. Its participants managed to conduct 18 experiments in tow, and the weight of the largest iceberg has exceeded one million tonnes.

The task - to tame the icebergs

The challenge to manage icebergs in the Arctic seas seems ambitious and hardly - every schoolboy knows that the surface of the water rises only about 10% of the ice blocks, the hidden underwater portion can be of any size and shape. To cope with this problem come from employees "Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute".

"The experience of using the icebreaker to tow icebergs -. Russia's first Before that there were attempts to carry out such experiments, they have not been targeted - in 2006" Mikhail Somov "tried, but unsuccessfully - properly this experiment was unprepared, lucky they were not accompanied" - said the deputy head of the expedition senior researcher Evgeny Makarov Institute.

© RIA Novosti. Ramil Sitdikov

Go to the photo bank

For the Ministry of Defence develop buoy systems for use in the Arctic

Arctic Institute on the instructions of "Rosneft" Experts have proved the possibility of such experiments. It was planned that the participants of the expedition will conduct 12 experiments, but they have managed to surpass the plan. "Run 18 experiments on the towing of icebergs, of which only two can be considered unsuccessful rest were good We were able to move, move, change direction nine icebergs..", - Said the head of the expedition, "Iceberg-summer 2016" Alexei Chernov.

Blocks of ice with unknown parameters

About cunning icebergs known not only because of the "Titanic". Floating ice blocks can carry a drilling platform to cause harm to the courts, to nullify the efforts to the offshore industry. The only way to avoid a lot of problems - to move the iceberg, or drag it to the side, but it's just only in words.

"Iceberg is a block of ice with unknown parameters. We only see the tip. At the bottom can be very different keel ... He can turn, begin to drift to the other side, can do cases, if there is still a floating structure, and the iceberg starts to drift on it" - says the deputy head of the expedition.

© RIA Novosti. Faith Kostamo

Go to the photo bank

Arctic, all-inclusive: the ice storm, the bears

Work to tow the iceberg, according to experts, require a jeweler's precision - to predict how to behave in a block of ice, it is not always possible. The task is complicated and weather conditions of the high seas - the excitement, wind, poor visibility.

Iceberg weighing a million tons

"Iceberg stood icebreaker came, we did a circle etched rope, then from the deck to catch the free end, raised, secured, stretched and began to haul in the right direction. The biggest (iceberg) which we are" caught ", was more than 150 meters in length , the same width and more than 100 in depth - in total more than a million tons was, "- says the head of the expedition.

"Displacement of the vessel - 15 thousand tons of icebergs with a similar displacement of almost no - they are more than 100 thousand tons, at times greater than the maximum iceberg was more than a million tons -. Had to take care not to break the tow ropes," - says chief mate "Dranitsyna" Albert Mospan.

icebreaker team also was pleased with the results of the work. According to the participants of the expedition, it is Captain has to make difficult decisions and to take responsibility. "We appreciate the work perfectly, this experiment was first conducted no damage to the ship and the equipment is not applied You can take this experiment as the basis for further work..", - Says Mospan.

© RIA Novosti. Valery Melnikov

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Ice robot to develop the Arctic subsoil can conduct seismic survey

Moving icebergs can be faster

The main results of the expedition, according to its members - the Russian specialists were able to prove that the work on the movement of icebergs - on forces to man, and the experiments open up new opportunities for those who work in the Arctic seas.

"The greatest joy - those technical solutions that we adopted before the start of the experiment - they all survived, everything was possible to say with certainty that if such a problem in practice, on the battlefield will be delivered -. It is possible to solve this problem", - with welcomes the head of the expedition.

Set records for high-speed movement of the ice blocks in the open sea until no one is going. According to head of the expedition, in the future it is possible to carry six to eight tows per day subject to availability of a sufficient number of specialists and equipment.

Most Italians are hoping for Clinton's victory in US elections

ROME, Oct. 10 -. RIA Novosti, Sergei Startsev The vast majority of Italians hoped that a victory in the upcoming presidential elections in the United States will win the Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, it follows from published on Monday, a public opinion poll results, which was implemented Milanese specialized institute Lorien Consulting .

© AP Photo / Patrick Semansky

Mihranyan: Clinton debates and Trump have made depressing

According to a survey conducted a month before the US presidential elections, 73% of Italians would like to become the new president of the former US Secretary of State, while its rival Donald Trump favored only 4% of respondents. With regard to the real chances of candidates to succeed the 51% of Italians believe that victory will Clinton and only 15% are confident that the race for a seat in the White House, the Republican candidate will win.

The organizers of the survey point out in this connection that the Italians, as, however, and Europeans in general, traditionally occupied by pro-democracy position.However, Trump candidacy further strengthened this sentiment, as many in the Apennines experience in connection with his possible victory frank fear for the future, especially because of the proclaimed policy of isolationism billionaire. It is noteworthy that the preference for Clinton widespread even among those Italians who describe their political views as right: 69% of them sympathize with Clinton and only 10% - Trump.

© AP Photo / Rick T. Wilking / Pool

The media do not give a decisive advantage Trump or Clinton after the debate

I should add that such sentiments are widespread in the political elite of Italy.In particular, the Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, speaking in June at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, said publicly that he would prefer to work with in the future, "Mrs. US president."

The survey Lorien Consulting also show that 63% of Italians believe in the influence of the election results in the United States on the situation in their country, with 24% of respondents believe that this influence is strong.

United States presidential election will be held on 8 November. The current head of state Barack Obama is finalizing her second term and can not run again

In China, the 114-year-old woman married a 71-year-old man

© Fotolia / Tobilander

BEIJING, Oct. 10 -. RIA Novosti, Ivan Bulatov In China, the wedding, where the 114-year-old Chinese woman married to a man who 71 years old, said on Monday portalthe Sina .

© Fotolia / Tyler Olson

Scientists: marriage increases the chances to beat cancer

The wedding ceremony was held in the county Baciu County Kashgar Xinjiang China.

As the groom said he achieved his lover more than a year. According to him, they met in a nursing home. The man said that at first he liked his future wife prepares. Later, as noted by the groom, he realized that he liked the woman "is also a very good man."

As the portal, she repeatedly refused the man, but he never ceased to take care of it.In the end, she agreed to the wedding, and they registered their relationship.

Leaders of Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan spoke to the Energy Forum

ISTANBUL, Oct 10, -. RIA Novosti The presidents of Russia, Turkey and Azerbaijan, Vladimir Putin, Erdogan and Aliyev talked briefly in anticipation of the Energy Forum.

© RIA Novosti. Alexei Druzhinin

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Putin arrived in Istanbul, where he will meet with Turkish and Venezuelan counterparts

It was reported earlier that Putin will speak at a special session of the World Energy Congress in Istanbul.

After the leaders took their seats in the hall, they have something vividly discussed. To the left of the Russian leader was his Turkish counterpart, and on the right - Azerbaijan.

World Energy Congress held in Istanbul on October 9-13. It is expected that countries participating in the forum during individual meetings and negotiations will discuss the situation with oil prices.

OPEC at an informal meeting in Algiers on September 28 agreed to limit production in the range of 32,5-33 million barrels of oil per day, but on specific limits for each of the countries is no cartel agreements. The final decision should be taken at the official meeting of the organization, which will be held on November 30 in Vienna.

Vladimir Titov and Shinsuke Sugiyama will discuss the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East.on dt 13oct2016.