Monday, April 29, 2013

Scientists in America found earth-like planets

Reportedly, scientists in America have found '2 earth-like planets and the discovery is thought to be a breakthrough. Recently, a hypothesis also says that life (on earth)'could come from bacteria in outer space.

Saturday, April 27, 2013

Moscow works for fine-weather V-Day Parade

Reportedly, authorities in Moscow are making arrangments to ensure that the weather would be fine for the Red Square Parade 2013. Last year, it was good enough for the solemn, colourful and musical event. Every year, people in Russia also commemorate V-Day and remember anti-fascist fighters in WW II with concerts and other cultural events. The Red Army of the Russia-cored former Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany and speeded up the final downfall of imperial Japan in 1945.

George W. Bush Library now open in America

Now, there is a George W. Bush Library in the United States. Serving president Obama was present (and made a speech) at the dedication. Now, Bush''s memoirs 'Decision Points are also available in paperback.

Thursday, April 25, 2013

USA Library of Congress honours a great song

Recently, Simon & Garfunkel's famous song The Sound of Silence was listed for preservation by the Library of Congress in the US. Simon & Garfunkel''s songs, like 'Scarborough Fair, are well known in Malaysia.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Thursday, April 18, 2013

'Katyusha' also a great Russian song for V-Day

Another great folk song Russians sing to commemorate the annual V-Day is Katyusha. Russia is always a land of passionate songs and also great music that enthuse people who do not even know the language. Of course,'famous composer'(Pyotr Ilyich)'Tchaikovsky was a Russian.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Great Russian song for V-Day commemoration

One of the fairly touching Russian folk songs Farewell of Slavianka is usually played during events to commemorate the country's victory in WWII. The USSR lost some 25 million lives in its Great Patriotic War. From 1918 to 1922, Russia was also bedeviled by a civil war between the Red ('Lenin''s Bolsheviks and allies') and White or anti-Red forces.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Russia prepares for annual Red Square Parade

According to a report from Russia, 'the country is preparing for the V-Day Parade on the Red Square in Moscow.'The parade is to remember the military victory of Soviet''Red Army over Nazi Germany in WWII. After defeating Hitler''s Germany, the Red Army moved eastward and joined forces with the Chinese resistance to fight Japanese troops in Northeast China.'The former USSR lost some 25 million lives in WWII.

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Thatcher's personal achivements indisputable

Although there are many sharp disagreements over Thatcher's legacy, her personal achivements are indisputable. For a grocer's daughter to graduate from Oxford and to become the first female and three-term prime minister of her nation'is certainly very admirable and inspiring. Thatcher (1925-2013) 'was not a deity, but she was also not a demon.

Friday, April 12, 2013

Ken Livingstone criticises Thatcher's legacies

Ken Livingstone,'a former London mayor and an icon of Britain's Hard Left, has written a rational critique of what is known as Thatcherism. To be sure, Thatcher was not a deity but she was not a demon either. Her socio'-'economic and political legacies can be discussed rationally in many years to come because the world is very unlikely to end soon. Meanwhile,'it is really unfortunate that Professor Eric Hobsbawm had passed away late last year and is unable to contribute to the debates.

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Thatcher's economic legacy open for debates

The economic legacy of UK's ex-PM Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) is being debated not only by the British people but also in, among other countries on earth, Germany. The German economy  performs better than most of the Western countries 'which are still facing hard times. The jobless rate within the Eurozone has lately hit a record 12% high .

Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Thatcher's economic legacy debatable indeed

Indeed, Margaret Thatcher's economic legacy should be discussed and debated as class polarisation persists. But, to personally curse a dead Thatcher or 'celebrate' her death or'/and plan to disrupt her funeral is void of any political justification and indefensible on any moral basis.

Tuesday, April 09, 2013

China remembers Thatcher for HK's handover

UK's ex-PM Margaret Thatcher (1925-2013) was a controversial figure both at home and abroad.'In China, the Iron Lady is well remembered for the'very historic role she played for Hong Kong to be handed back. Some people in Hong Kong, 'however, feel "betrayed" by her decision. Hong Kong was 'leased' 'to Britain in the aftermath of the Opium War. Hong Kong was also occupied by militaristic Japan from 1941 to 1945. Diplomatically, UK recognised Chairman Mao's PRC on 6 January 1950.

Monday, April 08, 2013

Russia projects power through naval exercise

According to one report, Russia's 'surprise' naval exercise in the Black Sea is meant to project power towards Europe and the Middle East.'It is also hinted that Russia's warships could return to the Indian Ocean. By now, it is already known that Russia is re-asserting in its Far East.

Saturday, April 06, 2013

90th anniversary of great grandfather's death

I went for Qing Ming tombs-sweeping in hometown Ipoh this morning. 2013 CE marks the 90th anniversary of great grandfather's departure. The 'old' Chinese letters carved on his tombstone are still fully legible.

Tuesday, April 02, 2013

Russia to despatch navy to Mediteranean Sea

Russia has reportedly planned to send a permanent naval fleet to the Mediteranean Sea. A few days ago, Russia also began a surprise and massive drill on the Black Sea. It is still unhappy over NATO's missile defence programme 'that it sees as being detrimental to its security. Russia is concerned over what it sees as NATO's eastward expansion.