Category Archives: Asia

Four billion!?

Posted on 9 August 2008 by Robert

Surely these media claims that four billion people watched the ceremony is stinking hyperbole Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Cultures, China, Sport | 2 Comments

‘Free Tibet’ flags made in China

Posted on 28 April 2008 by Robert

Loving it: The factory in Guangdong had been completing overseas orders for the flag of the Tibetan government-in-exile. Workers said they thought they were just making colourful flags and did not realise their meaning. But then some of them saw … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Human Rights, Sport, Tibet | 2 Comments

Ask the Dalai Lama

Posted on 17 April 2008 by Robert

Adrian Hamilton has a good idea. Continue reading →

Posted in China, Sport | 2 Comments

The World’s Regulator

Posted on 3 January 2008 by Robert

Britain: the World’s Independent Regulator! It has nice ring to it, don’t you think? Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Asia | 3 Comments

The Deposed Prime Minister

Posted on 31 December 2007 by Robert

One bug-bear of mine is the way Nawaz Sharif is referred to by the media. He is typically referred to as “opposition leader” or “former Prime Minister”. He is both those things, but he is also the deposed Prime Minister of Pakistan, the last person to win a democratic election. An incumbent of sorts! Continue reading →

Posted in Asia | Leave a comment

Bhutto

Posted on 29 December 2007 by Robert

There is nothing to do but continue with Christmas, but now you know that somewhere, people are mourning. The next tangerine is more sour than the last. Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Terrorism | 6 Comments

Shilpa’s Shoddy Show

Posted on 8 November 2007 by Robert

Sam Marlowe is scathing about Shilpa’s new show: Given the anguish and humiliation that Shilpa Shetty suffered in the Celebrity Big Brother house this year, the British public are probably prepared to forgive her almost anything. Even so, she is … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Theatre | 2 Comments

The Contradictions of Beauty

Posted on 27 September 2007 by Robert

Who smears the lipstick on her face / So she can go to the drinking place / And when each night is at an end / She’ll rub the make-up off again Continue reading →

Posted in Asia | 7 Comments

Critical Mass

Posted on 26 September 2007 by Robert

Yury Drakakhrust: “How many protesters in the streets does it take to bring an authoritarian government down? … The model comprises two elements: the level of popular support for the opposition (dissidents) and the number of people who can be mobilised for action (activists)” Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Human Rights | Leave a comment

Chinese Reincarnation

Posted on 2 September 2007 by Robert

This caption, from BBC News early on Saturday morning, caught my eye: China Buddhism New Regulations on Reincarnation There is plenty of debate in the UK (and in Europe) about the parameters of political discourse, and the role played by … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, China, Photo-Blog, Religion | 3 Comments