Sophisticated technologies for archaeologists

Nowadays, fairly sophisticated technologies and tools are available to archeaologists for different tasks involved in one single project, such as site'-identification and examination of the things they have found.

UN chief criticises attempt to deny Holocaust

At the NAM Summit held in Tehran yesterday, UN''s Secretary-General Ban Ki'-'moon criticised threat to the existence of Israel and denial of the Holocaust perpetrated by the Nazis who ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945. Nazi Germany invaded Poland in'1939 and it occupied a large part of Europe until it was militarily defeated by Allied forces in 1945.

Archaeologists in UK searching for royal tomb

Reportedly, UK's archaeologists have begun to search for King Richard III's tomb. Modern archaeology helps us to better understand the past with concrete 'finds' which can be used to tell some real stories about how humans lived and how societies were structured in bygone times. Rational understanding and knowledge of different stages of the past enables us to see more clearly what have changed and what have not.

Japan's dispute with Russia over Kuril Islands

Japan''s territorial dispute with Russia over the Kuril Islands '( known as 'Northern Territories in Japan ) 'has been ongoing since WWII was over. 'The 2 countries have not even signed a peace treaty to end it. Before subjugating 'the Korean Peninsula in 1910 'and ruling it for 35 years,'Japan first defeated China's navy in 1895 and Russia's in 1905. After gaining complete control of the Korean Peninsula, Japan's army took control of the North Eastern portion of China in 1931 and set up a puppet Manchukuo regime'as a'staging post for the subsequent full-scale invasion and subjugation of mainland China from 1937 to 1945. In between, Japan's army landed at Russia''s Far East during Russia's Civil War ('1917-1923') to support the counter-revolutionary "Whites".

Tribute to first man on moon, Neil Armstrong

Certainly, 'like Yuri Gagarin, 'Neil Alden Armstrong will be honoured in the history of science and also remembered by many in the world as a man who was willing and capable to perform an extraordinary task for the advancement of scientific knowledge. May him now rest in peace.

Russia's naval vessels set sail for Kuril Islands

Reportedly, Russia's 2 naval vessels have set sail for the Kuril Islands, which are known in Japan as Northern'Territories. Last September,'in response to Japan''s pretty persistent claim on the Kurils, Russia flew two bombers 'around Japan. 'Japan''s territorial and 'history rows with China and South Korea have also 'clearly escalated in the last 15 days.

ROK stands firm on call for Japanese emperor

South Korea has reportedly rejected Japan's demand 'for apology over President Lee Myung-bak''s open call for Japan's emperor to apologise for Japan''s 35'-year subjugation and oppression of the Korean people. Meanwhile, Toru Hashimoto, one of the many rightwing politicians in Japan who is also 'the Osaka Mayor, 'has reportedly said that there is no evidence to show that Korean women were forced into sex slavery by Japan's military in wartimes and he asked South Korea to prove it. Other rightwing figures, like Tokyo''s Governor Shintaro Ishihara and Nagoya''s 'Mayor Takashi 'Kawamura deny the 1937 Nanjing Massacre. For years, history textbooks for Japan's schools have been subject to scrutiny in neighbouring countries, 'especially China and South Korea. Seen in this context, President Lee Myung-bak is not an ill-mannered or mad man but a voice of conscience for many Koreans and Chinese.

South Korea regains historical building in U.S

Amid its pretty bitter and on-going rows with Japan, South Korea has regained its historical building in Washington 'D.C. Between 1890s to 1941,'Japan attempted to subjugate its neighbours in Northeast Asia. South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak has recently called on Japan''s emperor to apologise for'Japan's colonial rule in the Korean Peninsula.

Japan's position & situation in Northeast Asia

Will Japan''s replacements of its ambassadors to China, 'South Korea and America change the situation in Northeast Asia and Japan''s own position '? 'Like it or not, there is now a strategic flux in that region. Knowledge of Japan''s imperial policies and also military activities in Northeast Asia 50 years before the 'surprise' attack on Pearl Harbour and outbreak of the 'Pacific War is essential for fuller understanding of the on'-ground sentiments as well as states' actions and reactions. Fuller understanding of Northeast Asia's strategic history can help to reduce the chances of political misjudgement and'/or miscalculation.

Japanese ruler under spotlight in history row

Reportedly, 'politicians in re-assertive Japan are strategising to take counter-measures against South Korea 'for, 'among some other 'high-profile acts of defiance, 'urging 'Japan's emperor to apologise for the colonial rule in the Korean Peninsula, including organised sex slavery. Imperial Japan''s' aggression against its Asian neighbours began fifty years before its 'surpsise' attack on America''s Navy at Pearl Harbour.

Japan to replace envoys to China, ROK & U.S

According to a news report in Japan, 'the country plans to replace the incumbent ambassadors to China, South Korea and the United States. There are observations' that Japan''s foreign and defence policies are increasingly coming under the influence and pressure of rightwingers. Meanwhile, the KMT administration in Taiwan has reportedly accused Japan of "furtively occupying" the Diaoyu Islands ('Senkaku' to Japan). The revival of rightwing nationalism in Japan''s' domestic politics has pushed the country into a fairly precarious position in Northeast Asia.

Japan's strategic direction under observation

Given the' resurgence of rightwing nationalism 'in its internal politics, Japan's disputes with its Northeast Asian neighbours are very unlikely to end in any foreseeable future. What is Japan's strategic direction ?

ROK defies Japan with a monument on Dokdo

South Korea has officially unveiled a stone monument on Dokdo which Japan claims as'Takeshima. Japan's territorial and/or wartime legacy rows with China and Russia have clearly intensified 'in recent months.

Resurgence of rightwing nationalism in Japan

The conduct of Japan''s regional relations in 'Northeast Asia is said to be under the 'ideational influence or political pressure 'of a resurgent rightwing nationalist movement symbolised by 'Mr. Shintaro Ishihara.

Seoul rejects Tokyo's legal proposal on Dokdo

Reportedly, 'South Korea has rejected Japan's proposal to forward the Dokdo/Takeshima dispute to the International Court of Justice ('ICJ'). Japan also engages in territorial disputes with both Russia and China. Meanwhile, Japan''s Cabinet has decided to set free 14 Hong Kongers, including 2 TV journalists, who sailed to the Diaoyu'/'Senkaku Islands.

Butterflies around Fukushima reactor mutate

A scientific research in Japan has found mutant butterlies around the damaged nuclear reactor in Fukushima. Meanwhile, the concern over invasive species 'hitchhiking' on Japan's tsunami debris, 'which floats across the Pacific Ocean, remains among some scientists in America. Within Japan, the nuclear crisis has accelerated the resurgence of an anti-nuclear movement which opposes the restart of nuclear reactors.

Russia to send 2 naval vessels to Kuril Islands

Russia is reportedly sending two naval vessels to the Kurils'/'Northern Territories as a signal for Japan, which disputes Russia's sovereignty. Japan also locks horns bullheadedly 'with South Korea as well as China over two groups of islets and other issues, such as sex slavery during wars and leading politicians' or officials' visits to the Yasukuni Shrine. There is an observation among Japan''s regional neighbors that there are disturbing signs of rightwing shift in Japan''s domestic politics as the economy is not in good condition and the credibility of politicians on both sides of the divide is more widely questioned in recent years.

ROK wants Japan to settle issue of sex slaves

Earlier today, 'South Korea''s President Lee Myung-bak called on Japan to settle the issue of Japanese military's sex slaves ('comfort women') from the 'Korean Peninsula. 'Meanwhile, 'Japan has reportedly filed an official protest against Lee's'call for Japan's ruler'Akihito to apologise.

War shrine in Japan still controversial in ROK

The plan of two Japanese cabinet ministers to visit 'the controversial Yasukuni Shrine has added another very emotional issue to the South Korea'-'Japan disputes over territory and legacy of Japan''s militarism. Such sentiment is widespread and intense throughout the two Koreas. Japan colonised the Korean Peninsula for 35 years from 1910 to 1945.

ROK & Japan in bitter rows over islets & past

Reportedly, South Korea's President Lee Myung-bak has asked Japan's monarch Akihito for a formal apology over Japan's colonial rule in the Korean Peninsula. South Korea and Japan also bitterly lock horns over Dokdo/Takeshima which is also known as Liancourt Rocks in the U'.S. Japan also engages in territorial disputes with both China and Russia. Of course, 'North Korea's sentiment towards Japan is very well known.

Olympic Games in London close with success

The Olympic Games 2012 held in London is, without doubt, a success as there was no major security incident and 'female athletes from all countries on earth 'were given opportunities to participate and excel. Given the hard times, Britain''s own athletes performed very well too.

Glimpses of undersea life in a colourful video

The video clip titled Life Below The Waves provides some interesting and colourful glimpses of different forms of life beneath the seas and oceans. There are hypotheses that human originated from this realm.

7 mummies from ancient Egypt scanned in UK

Reportedly, 7 mummies from ancient Egypt have been examined by a modern CT scanner in the U.K. Archaeologists' works and studies help us to make the past comprehensible with tangible or touchable 'finds', like the skeletons of kings and queens, or fossils or bones of animals.

Archaeologists in China discover 6 characters

6 Chinese-language characters used in antiquity have reportedly been discovered by archaeologists in China. 'Archaeology in China is highly specialised nowadays to study or examine all dimensions of the finds.

Mayan tomb in antiquity unearthed in Mexico

A 1,300-year old royal Mayan tomb was recently unearthed by German archaeologists in Mexico.'Last year, a skeleton thought to belong to a Mayan queen was found at a famous archaelogical area in Guatemala.

Unemployment in Eurozone records new high

Unemployment in the Eurozone has reportedly hit record high in June. Certainly, Spain's condition is shocking. How long will the crisis last ? Reportedly, the UK rate has dropped slightly because of the Olympics, while that of Germany has been affected by contagion and moved up. Of special concern is the massive number of youngsters without jobs.