After a sensational performance in February’s 4CC, Korean figure skater Kim Yuna has set another new record in the ISU World Figure Skating Championships over the weekend at Los Angeles and won the competition by a huge margin.
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.
Japanese and Korean netizens are on war of words following allegations that Japanese figure skaters had repeatedly impeded Korean figure skater Kim Yuna’s warm ups before competitions.
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.
Shoichi Nakagawa resigned on Tuesday (Feb 17) as Japan’s Finance Minister following his embarrassing behaviour at a news conference during the G7 meeting in Rome…
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.
Beijing police have detained twelve people over Monday night’s (Feb 11) massive fire at the unfinished headquarters of China Central Television (CCTV) which resulted in the death of a firefighter and seven other injuries.
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.
General news and info from various sources…
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]
Korean figure skating star Kim Yuna has set a new world record for the ladies’ short program en-route to winning the women’s single title at the 08/09 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships (4CC) in Vancouver, Canada…
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.
Taiwanese government is spending NT$83 billion (USD2.47 billion) on their shopping voucher program to boost domestic consumption and stimulate the economy.
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.
Some general news and info from various sources…
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]
