Are You Optimistic About China?

Over the last 6 months, the question “Are you optimistic about China?” has been coming up on a regular basis. For some who ask me this question it is a economic question – can china weather the current economic cycle, while for others it is a question of environmental sustainability – Will China drown in [...]

Schwarzenegger cautions against ignoring wildfire evacuations

(CNN) — Three people hurt in a growing wildfire in California were burned because they “did not listen” to orders to evacuate, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Sunday after declaring a state of emergency.
“I want to urge everyone living near any of the fires, please, listen and follow evacuation orders from local officials. They will not [...]

DTV Production launches World Fighting program

China DTV Production Co., Ltd last week launched China’s first professional fighting TV program “World Fighting” in Beijing.
 The program, under the support by China Bokesen Culture and Sport Co, Ltd, will broadcast worldwide main sports events including martial art, boxing, taekwondo, Judo, wrestle, fighting and Thai Boxing.
 The program will be launched soon in CCTV’s TV [...]

The Big Mandarin Debate: Where to Study?

By Susie Gordon
At the start of my first ever Mandarin lesson in a popular language school in Shanghai last year, my tutor placed my brand new textbook in front of me (a slim volume for which I had paid the rather surprising sum of one hundred yuan) and pointed to the phrase: 学习汉语全球热 (xue xi [...]

Yen Rises as Japan’s Opposition Ends LDP’s Half-Century Reign

(Bloomberg) — The yen strengthened for a fifth day against the euro after the opposition Democratic Party of Japan swept to power in the nation’s general elections yesterday, spurring optimism the new government may stimulate the economy.
Japan’s currency gained versus all 16 major counterparts after public broadcaster NHK said the DPJ captured 308 of the [...]

What’s the story, morning glory? Older brother quits the band

http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/music/whats-the-story-morning-glory-older-brother-quits-the-band/2009/08/29/1251394632667.html
Guy Jackson
OASIS co-founder Noel Gallagher has quit the British rock group in the middle of its European tour because he can no longer work with his brother Liam after a series of rows.
Noel announced ”with some sadness and great relief [that] I quit Oasis tonight”, in a band website statement.
The announcement came after the group [...]

8 Common Misconceptions About China Debunked

By Sarah Meik
Despite China’s growing global dominance, misconceptions about the world’s most populous nation still abound. Many foreigners still believe cold war-era stereotypes that bear little to no resemblance to contemporary China. Like the Berlin Wall, these stereotypes must too fall: from creativity to kung fu, comedy to corruption, 8 common misconceptions foreigners have about [...]

Bangarra’s two decades of joyous movement

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,26002667-16947,00.html
Deborah Jones
Fire: A Retrospective. Bangarra Dance Theatre. Drama Theatre, Sydney Opera House, August 28. Tickets: $55-$65. Bookings: 02 9250 7777. Ends September 26. Brisbane, October 7-10; Newcastle, October 30-31, Melbourne, November 6-14; Canberra, November 20-21.
YOU don’t have to know anything about Bangarra Dance Theatre to find Fire: A Retrospective an extremely enjoyable evening of dance, [...]

Culture club in the kitchen

http://www.smh.com.au/news/entertainment/tv–radio/culture-club-in-the-kitchen/2009/08/31/1251570651060.html
Kelsey Munro discovers a surprising lack of celebrity drama in one master chef.
LIKE Tetsuya or Nigella, she’s famous enough to go by one name now. Yet Adelaide artist Poh Ling Yeow – known to the 2 million Australians who watched MasterChef (and most of the rest of the country) as just Poh – has so [...]

Gallagher brothers look back in anger as Noel storms out of Oasis

(The Guardian)
By Damien Pearse, Tim Jonze and Rosie Swash
Fans stunned at news of break at Paris concert

Some might say it’s been on the cards for a long time, but with a few choice words on the band’s website last night Noel Gallagher announced he was quitting Oasis and bringing to an end one of the [...]