The world seems to be on pause while everyone's attention have been put on the Olympics. Shortly before the Olympics, Stephen Prothero, a religion scholar from Boston University wrote in CNN's blog that the Dalai Lama should condemn the immolations: If the Dalai Lama were to speak out unequivocally against these deaths, they would surely stop. So in a very real sense, their … [Read more...] about Stephen Prothero tells CNN viewers “Dalai Lama should condemn immolations”
Xinhua: Details of intentional homicide trial of Bogu Kailai, Zhang Xiaojun
Following are trial details of the Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun murder of British citizen Neil Heywood just released by Xinhua on Twitter. Given the great interest for this case within the Western press, I've decided to quote the report below. HEFEI, Aug. 10 (Xinhua) - The attention-grabbing intentional homicide trial of Bogu Kailai and Zhang Xiaojun opened Thursday in … [Read more...] about Xinhua: Details of intentional homicide trial of Bogu Kailai, Zhang Xiaojun
The Political Olympics
As the Olympics wind down in London, there can be little doubt in anyone's mind that this Olympics is about politics. How else can one explain the string of smears against Chinese athletes and their performances - coming from unexpected sources such as the prestigious journal of Nature - all in the name of "science and objectivity" - as well as expected sources such as the NY … [Read more...] about The Political Olympics
Nature apologizes to readers and Ye Shiwen
If there is anything that the British should be the most proud of, it is their establishment of the science peer review process. Because of it, science research work are inspired to be top notch and published works stand scrutiny. This culture has taken root firmly in America and other developed countries. Developing countries like China are too working to have it ingrained. … [Read more...] about Nature apologizes to readers and Ye Shiwen
Ye Shiwen follow-up: media scorecard (BBC & New York Times)
First, let me emphasize that I don’t believe or even suspect the 800m freestyle Olympic gold medal winner Kathie Ledecky is doping. Yes, she came from nowhere (ranked #55 in 2011) and had a huge one-year improvement (4.2%), but these aren’t unheard of for teenagers. For example, the 2004 200m backstroke gold medal winner, Zimbabwean Kristy Coventry had the similar trajectory … [Read more...] about Ye Shiwen follow-up: media scorecard (BBC & New York Times)