Beijing was struck by a heavy yellow dust storm on Saturday. The dust originated from the deserts in northeast of China which was carried by strong wind into the eastern regions, including neighbouring countries such as Korea. The phenomenon happens seasonally every year, and Beijing is often the most affected city.
The world’s shortest man, He Pingping, died at age 21 last Saturday in Rome. He was in the Italian capital to film for a TV programme when he was admitted to hospital two weeks ago for chest problems.
He was born in Wulanchabu, China, with a form of primordial dwarfism; he was officially recognised as the world’s shortest man (74.6cm) in 2008 [via BBC].
The man had lived a colourful life albeit a short one, travelling places and meeting all sorts of people. Unfortunately he couldn’t fulfil his dream of living-a-normal-life. Rest in peace.
The pic shows He Pingping and world’s tallest man Sultan Kösen (2.47m).
Having a ‘fat little baby’ is a good thing from Chinese perspective, but a family in China’s Shanxi Province is having serious problem with their overweight baby girl.
The two-year-old is weighed at 41.5 kg, which is three to four times heavier than average baby her age. She doesn’t look THAT heavy from the photo; but she’s obviously huge, and there’s worrying signs on her twisted feet.
The reason for her obesity is unknown yet, but there’s probably some health issue (hormone etc.) involved. Hope she’ll get normal soon with proper help.
[Archive] Check out a 2007 story of another super obese Chinese baby.
Korean figure skater Kim Yuna has won the gold medal of women’s figure skating at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver [official results here].
Kim scored 150.06 points in the free program on Thursday night (local time) with a new world record total of 228.56 points to earn South Korea its first ever Olympic gold medal in figure skating.
Japan’s Mao Asada and Canada’s Joannie Rochette retained their position from the short program to win the silver and bronze.
The term Grand Slam is not often used in figure skating, but it’s worth mentioning that Kim has became the first lady to hold the title of 4CC, World Championships, Grand Prix Final, and Winter Olympics at the same time.
Time to claim my free beer from the Korean guys lol. [Image from Chosun][Kr]
Kim Yuna series
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Korean athletes have been doing quite well at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, but all eyes were on 19-year-old world figure skating champion Kim Yuna’s record breaking performance in the short program on Tuesday.
Went to Deoksugung Palace again two weeks ago to see the royal guard-changing ceremony, a re-enactment of the traditional royal practise. The show was cancelled during my first visit because of extreme cold weather.
The location I stood at wasn’t ideal for photoshoot, facing their backside most of the time lol. Still, here’s a few pics that’s worth a look…
The New7Wonders project have shortlisted the 27 finalists of the New seven wonders of nature. You can view all the finalist at the official website; below are (copied & pasted) info of the 11 finalists from Asia…
BU TINAH ISLAND, United Arab Emirates
Off the western shores of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, lies a unique natural treasure, wild n undisturbed by human activity: Bu Tinah Island.
Bu Tinah’s thriving ecosystem forms a unique living laboratory with key significance for climate change research. An undisturbed paradise, Bu Tinah has much to teach mankind about environmental protection and survival.
Umida Akhmedova, a prominent photographer and film-maker in Uzbekistan has been found guilty of slandering the nation through her work which portrays people in Uzbekistan as backward and poor [more on BBC].
Akhmedova could face up to three years in prison, but the judge said she would automatically be pardoned under an amnesty. Below are some of her photography works in question…
