The police chief of Wusu, Xinjiang autonomous region has officially been fired for his role in a sex and hiring scandal, uncovered last week. We’re not sure which part of his offense is worse, keeping twin mistresses or abusing his power by promoting them, but either way, Qi Fang is gone. And for the record — it’s... Read more »
A not-in-my-backyard-type protest took place yesterday in our fair city, featuring about 300 demonstrators in Chaoyang District who didn’t like that a proposed high-speed rail connecting Beijing and Shenyang would run so close to their homes. People’s Daily reports that Shenyang officials have been eagerly anticipating the start of construction since the plan was publicized on... Read more »
Alicia first saw this slideshow on China News, but it’s since migrated to Sina, and if you thought a slideshow of scantily clad women doing Gangnam Style wouldn’t make it to People’s Daily, under the headline, “40 sweet beauties dance Gangnam Style in bikini,” you have been living under a rock. Catch up. These ladies (and... Read more »
"Get to know the contestants of 2012 MISS UNIVERSE® Pageant," reads this YouTube description.
Do we have to? More information about Miss China: Xu Jidan is 22, a model from Jilin province, 1.8 meters tall, and a graduate of Shanghai Donghua University. Apparently she dances flemenco. For winning Miss China, she won a ridiculous 3.68 million yuan diamond tiara -- not ridiculous because she didn't deserve it, or the results were manipulated, or she isn't worth it... but because 3.68 million yuan.
This weekend has not been good to Tracy McGrady. On Friday he suffered the indignity of having to run off the court because of diarrhea — to say nothing of the indignity of a 10-point performance in a 30-point home loss. Yesterday in Beijing, against the defending champs, he was involved in what could have been... Read more »
Perhaps it's safe to say the excitement surrounding Tracy McGrady's arrival to Qingdao and the CBA's Double Star Eagles has worn off. In his debut, T-Mac got stripped clean with 10 seconds to go in a tie game, then watched Sundiata Gaines drill a buzzer-beater on the other end. Less than a week later, his team entered the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead against Bayi, only to lose it and then watch China's resident old-timer, Wang Zhizhi, hit a game-winning five-footer (controversy notwithstanding, as the game clock started late and probably gave Wang the extra half-second he needed to get the shot off).
Thanks to everyone who came out tonight for the Beijinger’s Super Quiz to benefit Ping An Medical Foster Home. The event raised 28,000 yuan last year, and I’m sure the Beijinger will be around soon to tell you how we did this time around. Congratulations to the winners, Girls with Low Self-Esteem, pictured above (host Jonathan White... Read more »
According to AFP, more than 20 people in Hanoi have been arrested today for anti-China protests. About 200 protesters waved banners and chanted, “Down with China’s aggression!” A similar demonstration was broken up in Ho Chi Minh City. AFP: Vietnam, which has begun exploring for oil in what it claims as its territorial waters, last week... Read more »
Modern magic is as much about presentation as illusion, because we've all seen elephants disappear, women sawed in half, men levitate.
Please turn your attention to France's Yann Frisch, who nailed the above cups-and-balls trick at the inaugural China Beijing International Magic Convention last week. The video has gotten more than 1 million views since being posted December 1, and one can see why: not for the illusion itself, which is rather simple (quick hands, maybe someone under the table), but the build-up, the storytelling, the execution that must have taken years to perfect, the Godot-esque absurdity and humor of it all.
