Les Miserables performed at a British concert

Although there is now Hooper's very famous movie,'Les Miserables as performed at the'10th Anniversary Concert at the Royal Albert Park in London in 1995, is still very memorable to those who watched it then. In the performance, 'Fantine' was played by (Valentine) Ruth Henshall. The novel was penned by Victor Hugo who was a republican and deist.

Daniel Day-Lewis wins Oscar for 'Lincoln' role

Britain-born Daniel Day-Lewis, who plays US' great president Abraham Lincoln in the famous movie, 'won the Oscar 2013 for Best Actor. The historical movie 'is now being screened at major cinemas in Malaysia.

Hathaway wins Oscar for Les Miserables show

Anne Hathaway, who plays the fairly pitiable Fantine in Tom Hooper's Les Miserables, has won the Oscar Award for Best Supporting Actress in the famous movie. Les Miserables was first written by Victor Hugo who also penned another masterpiece The Hunchback Of Notre Dame. In his mature life, Hugo ('1802-1885') was a deist and also republican.

Chinese New Year celebration to end tonight

Today is the last day of the 15-day Chinese New Year celebration. Let us express our gratitude to Malaysians who worked during the festive holidays to provide essential or emergency services, like operators of public transport systems,'doctors, nurses, firefighters and policemen.

Horsemeat-in-food fear spreads to Hong Kong

The horsemeat-in-food fear has reportedly spread to' Hong Kong from Europe. Recently,'it was also exposed in Britain that food with donkey meat has also been found by UK authorities investigating the scandal.

Lincoln film to be screened in M'sian cinemas

Steven Spielberg's movie Lincoln is going to be screened in Malaysia's cinemas very soon. Some of Lincoln's speeches have been republished by Penguin in a civic series of booklets which are useful as references for students of American Studies in the universities or working adults who are interested in enhancing their knowledge of America's history. America was a former British colony which achieved its independence as a modern republic 'in a revolutionary war against the colonial ruler.

Recession-hit economy of Japan shrinks again

Reportedly, Japan''s economy 'shrank for a third quarter at the end of last year. 'Meanwhile, 'the monetary and currency policy implemented by Japan''s government to boost export continues to be controversial. The once admirable post-WWII economy of Japan began to decline in the early 1990s and its position as the second single largest economy('in terms of nominal GDP') on earth was taken over by China in 2011. Chapter 3 of British professor Duncan McCargo's Contemporary Japan ( London, Palgrave MacMillan, 3rd Editon ) outlines Japan''s 'Changing Political Economy' 'from 1945 to 2012, and provides observers as well as analysts with some pertinent 'and critical questions to think about.

Horsemeat scandal NOT unprecedented in UK

According to a British report, the horsemeat scandal, which has been spreading accross Europe, is not that unprecedented, as it happened (and was also openly reported in the media) before in Britain in 1948.

Obama delivers State of Union address (2013)

President Barack Obama has delivered the State of the Union 'address to the citizens of America. Clearly, Obama is pressing for the need to balance profit-maximising agenda with concerns for less well-off folk.

Russia-Japan territorial row in larger context

How would Russia and Japan manage or ultimately solved the dispute over Kuril Islands/Northern Territories ? There is rising rightwing and assertive nationalism in Japan as well as Russia's increasing concerns over strategic space in the Far East which borders on US-allied Japan. Also, Japan has territorial disputes with China as well as South Korea.

Russia denies Japan's airspace violation claim

Yesterday, Japan openly accused Russia of violating its airspace. The allegation was denied by Russia which seems to be also irritated by a new agency set up lately by Abe''s cabinet to defend territorial claims. South Korea has officially protested against 'the establishment of the governmental agency in Tokyo and called for its '"immediate closure".

Russia's naval drills begin around Kuril Islands

Russia's naval exercises have reportedly begun around Kuril Islands in Russia's Far East ('known in Japan as Northern Territories'). Russia is also concerned over a new agency set up by Abe's government. Japan was attacked in the North by USSR''s forces in the last stage of WWII. Earlier,'the Soviet Red Army joined forces with Chinese resistance to expel Japan's imperial soldiers from Northeast China that fell in 1931. Russia and Japan have still not signed any peace treaty to end WW'II. Almost needless to say, Japan's territorial rows with China and South Korea are still ongoing while the resurgence of rightwing nationalism has also raised public concerns even in the United States and Britain.

Tom Paine remembered not by skull or bones

Some historical figures,'such as Thomas Paine whose conviction have transformed the world, are remembered NOT by their skulls or bones, but great ideas which have accelerated progress in the world-historic process of emancipation of mankind from feudalism and superstition. Paine's great ideas are preserved in writings, such as Common Sense.

Leicester remains confirmed King Richard III's

The skull and bones dug out by British archaeologists under a car park in Leicester are now confirmed to belong to King Richard III. The find is indeed a fairly historic success from 'an archaeological perspective.

Japan's PM Abe vows new statement on WWII

Japan's PM Shinzo Abe reportedly said that he wants to release a new statement on WW'II. A day earlier, the LDP chief already said that he wants to change Japan's post-WW'II and US-made peace constitution.

PM Abe wants to change Japan's Constitution

Japan''s right-wing nationalist PM Shinzo Abe has reportedly said that he wants to change his country's post-WWII 'pacifist constitution. His Education Minister 'Hakubun Shimomura 'said earlier that statements on wartime history made by previous administration will be reviewed. Despite its economic difficulties, Japan is believed to be determined to increase sharply its 'defence' spending. 'There are now also calls in Japan''s ultra-nationalist circle to develop Japan's own nuclear bombs.