The American agricultural scientist won the 1970 Nobel Peace Prize for pioneering the Green Revolution and developing high-yielding crops that helped to prevent hundreds of millions of people from dying through famine.

Read more about Norman Borlaug at Timesonline & Wiki

Scientists are often unsung heroes. We should sometimes reflect on what we are enjoying these days and thanks those folks that make things happen for us.

Norman Borlaug (1914-2009) from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Kaohsiung County was the worst hit area; a deadly mudslide buried Hsiaolin village and nearby neighbourhood, with over 600 villagers feared dead.

Philippines and China were also affected by the typhoon; while Japan hit by tropical storm Etau at the same period. Death toll includes 23 in the Philippines, 13 in Japan and six in China [according to Guardian]

Morakot hit Taiwan late night on August 7 and caused 14+ hours of havoc before leaving for China; but heavy rain continued to pour, which caused massive flood (and landslide, mudflow etc.) particularly in southern Taiwan.

Taiwanese are no strangers to typhoon; but rescue effort appeared to be short-handed because of the unexpected scale of devastation. Hope that more survivors could be rescued, God bless.

Taiwan badly hit by Typhoon Morakot from YeinJee's Asian Journal

It will be the first time in history that both nations are participating in the same tournament.

North Korea will be making only their 2nd appearance; their first was a fairy tale journey in 1966 in which they defeated European giant Italy en route to the quarter finals, a result that stunned the footballing world.

South Korea on the other hand is the most successful Asian team in World Cup history and will be making their 8th appearance in 2010. Their best result was 4th place in 2002 when they were joint host (with Japan) for the event.

The Koreans met in the qualifying stage in which the southern counterpart has the upper hand with a win and a draw. The northern boys are unlikely to get their revenge in 2010 though, as chances are pretty slim for them to meet each other.

North-South Korea qualified for 2010 World Cup from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Life is good for a Saudi princess.

A Saudi’s princess Paris diary from YeinJee's Asian Journal

My heart wrenched when I watched the kids swimming in the river like a fun-filled swimming pool; it’s saddening, yet reminded me of how blessed I am.

Dhaka’s polluted Buriganga River from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Roh left a suicide note on his computer that he was going through hard times, apparently referring to the recent bribery probe surrounding him and his family [more on Yonhap]

Roh, 62, was South Korea’s President in 2003-2008. He moved to Bongha Village, near his birthplace, after leaving the office in March 2008.

Reports have suggested that investigation on Roh and his family is likely to be ended following his death; and it might be what Roh was hoping for.

His death still sounds fishy though… leaving a suicide note on PC instead of a hand written one? And amusingly discovered by his aides in hours? Who would bother to check his PC shortly after his death? It’s just a bit too convenient imo.

Former S. Korean President dies in suspected suicide from YeinJee's Asian Journal

It’s unsure why she jumped (certainly not accidental); it’s beyond stupidity. She’s lucky though, that the bears have lost some predator instinct after years in enclosure.

Polar bear attacks woman at Berlin Zoo from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The Chinese claims that 300,000 civilians and unarmed soldiers were brutally killed by the Imperial Japanese Army during the confrontation in 1937.

The association started planting trees around the memorial in 1986; and over 1000 delegates (including some ex-soldiers) have visited the place since then, with some 60,000 trees being planted in the area [image from NJ1937 (Cn)]

Besides being apologetic, the association also hopes to spread their anti-war message and to teach younger Japanese generations about the part of war history that are often neglected (sometime twisted) in Japanese text book.

Nanking Massacre will always be a pain for the Chinese; I am not suggesting that they should forget or forgive the Japanese for what they did, it’s out of my business. I hope that the Chinese could be reminded though, that there are at least some Japanese people that are working to amend the damages from their past.

Japanese planted 60,000 peace tree in Nanjing from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Kim broke her own record in the women’s short program with 76.12 points in the short program (video), and took the gold medal with a total of a record 207.71 points… the first woman to surpass 200 since the new scoring system was adapted in 2005.

Yuna Kim raised the bar again from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The debate started on March 14th following a SBS (Korean Tv) report which indicated that Kim was obstructed by Japanese skaters during 4CC in February. English subbed video of the SBS news below…

To be frank the interview was ambiguous… we can’t be sure if Kim was implicating anything; and it was SBS that directly linked the Japanese skaters into the saga.

Regardless, damage has already been done; Japanese media has picked up on the news and retaliated on the matter… followed by battle of words between netizens.

Kim and Japan’s Mao Asada are hot favourites to win the gold at Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics; the duo are set to compete for the 2009 ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Los Angeles next week.

Japan and Korea’s ice rink rivalry heated up from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Nakagawa was slurring his words and appeared to be out of focus; he later apologised for his behaviour, but denied he was drunk and attributed the situation to overdosed of cold medicine instead (which is later revealed as a possible combo of both)… obviously the apology and explanation were not enough to save his job.

Japanese minister drunk (or drugged?) at G7 conference from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The building is part of the iconic CCTV tower complex and is to house CCTV’s cultural centre and the then nearly completed Mandarin Oriental Hotel.

Initial investigations suggested that the fire was caused by illegal fireworks by CCTV. Fireworks are generally allowed at the traditional Lantern Festival, the last day of Chinese New Year; but the fireworks that caught the fire was dangerous and needed approval (which CCTV didn’t get) before being allowed in downtown Beijing.

Beijing’s CCTV Headquarters on fire from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Australia – Australian wildfire death toll past 170 [Youtube]

Indonesia – Traditional dance becomes victim of pornography law [Jakartapost]

Iran launched its first domestically made satellite [BBC]

Italy faces constitutional crisis over coma woman [Guardian]

Pakistan – Polish man beheaded in Pakistani militant video [Guardian]

Nature – Trees migrating north due to warming [Natgeo]

Sweden aims to lift nuclear ban [BBC]

UK – 8-year-old girl starved to death after dental operation [Timesonline]

General roundup (February 10, 2009) from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The 18-year-old sensation scored 72.24 points on Wednesday (Feb 4), the highest total for a short program under the new judging system. Her performance at the long program (on Friday) was not as impressive, but it’s enough for her to claim the title.

On the other hand, Chinese figure skaters Pang Qing and Tong Jian won the pair skating title, making this event a rather successful outing for Asians.

[Update] Kim broke her record again in the world championship in March.

Kim Yuna sets figure skating record from YeinJee's Asian Journal

The shopping vouchers (Image by James Tung)

Taiwan’s citizens and eligible residents (foreign spouses etc.) are receiving shopping vouchers worth NT$3,600 (USD107) from the government, regardless of age and financial capability (wealthy people are encouraged to donate the vouchers though).

The distribution has started on January 18th, just soon enough for Chinese New Year spending spree. The vouchers are valid until September 2009 and not exchangeable to cash… so the people are ‘forced’ to spend on it.

USD107 might not seem much, but for a small family of four… it added up to USD428, which should be quite useful during the current economic situation.

Taiwanese get free vouchers from government from YeinJee's Asian Journal

Australia – Rafael Nadal won first Australian Open crown, defeating Roger Federer [ATP]

China – Birth defects soar due to environmental pollution; a baby is born with physical defects every 30 secs in China [Chinadaily]

Enviromental – Many effects of climate change are irreversible [BBC]

Iraq – A fibreglass-and-copper monument (pic) is built in honour of the Iraqi journalist who threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference [Youtube]

Japan – PM Taro Aso has announced a 1.5 trillion yen (USD17bn) aid package to help Asian countries weather the economic downturn [BBC]

North Korea – North Korea is scrapping all pacts with South Korea and warned that the downward relations has pushed the peninsula to the brink of war [Reuters]

South Korea – Asiana Airlines, Korea’s second-largest air carrier, is named Airline of the Year by ATW (Air Transport World) magazine [ATW]

Thailand – Deja vu… tens of thousands of protesters held a rally in Bangkok calling on the new Thai government to resign [Youtube]

General roundup (February 1, 2009) from YeinJee's Asian Journal