adamconnors.net » Surrealpolitik

Alternative China prize aims to divert attention

Adam Connors — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 15:29:15 +0000

A group of Chinese nationalists have forged ahead with their alternative to the Nobel Prize, the Confucius Peace Prize.

Chinese authorities remain outraged with the Nobel Committee’s plans to honour imprisoned dissident Liu Xiaobo on Friday.

But the chairman of Norway’s Nobel Committee says the award is not a push for Western values in China, but for universal human rights.

Presidency uncertain as Haiti cholera source found

Adam Connors — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 15:42:43 +0000

The results of the first round of voting in Haiti’s presidential election has seen the government-backed candidate scrape close to elimination.

But the results – disputed by some independent observers – were not clear enough for supporters of the third-placed candidate, who have taken to the streets.

Meanwhile, a French medical team has confirmed the worst that the UN’s Nepalese peacekeepers are the most probable source of the nation’s first bout of cholera.

China claims nations will boycott Nobel

Adam Connors — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 15:46:43 +0000

China has continued to voice its disappointment with the Nobel Peace Prize Committee and its choice of jailed dissident Liu Xiaobo.

Its foreign ministry now claims more than 100 nations will boycott Friday’s ceremony in Norway, but the committee claims otherwise.

Former Taiwan president begins long sentence

Adam Connors — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 14:46:48 +0000

Former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian has been moved to Taipei Prison to see out the remainder of his 19-year jail sentence.

The former activist lawyer who went on to become the first democratically elected leader in Chinese history was convicted last month for graft and bribery amounting to nearly $US15 million.

If you want more on the fall of Chen Shui-bian see my 2008 feature The year of living democracy for Radio Australia and ABC The World Today.

Jailing of Solomons MP sets off riot

Adam Connors — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:40:47 +0000

There’s been an outbreak of violence in the Solomon Islands capital following the sentencing of the country’s fisheries minister and MP for North Malaita province.

Prime Minister Danny Philip has called for calm.

Haiti from bad to worse

Adam Connors — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 15:45:58 +0000

There have been protests in Haiti ahead of this weekend’s presidential poll.

The earthquake battered country is now also dealing with an outbreak of election-related violence along with its devastating cholera epidemic.

Filipinos mixed on Pope condom clarification

Adam Connors — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 15:48:18 +0000

There’s been a mixed reaction in the Philippines to the Pope’s comments on the selective use of condoms.

Health advocates in the majority Catholic nation see it as a sign of change, but others are not so sure.

Insights into Burmese icon Suu Kyi

Adam Connors — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 15:36:45 +0000

Burma’s recently released democracy leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has given more insight into the affects upon her and her family after 15 years of incarceration.

She’s not shied away from her choice to stay in Burma to try and motivate change from within.

Nor is she convinced her freedom will last.

Asia celebrates, cautions royal couple

Adam Connors — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:27:24 +0000

The engagement of Prince William and Kate Middleton has not just made headlines in Commonwealth countries where the prince will one day be their head-of-state.

Romance has its own international language, and the people of Asia are thrilled with the engagement, while offering their own wise words of advice.

Fiery Shanghai highrise toll climbs

Adam Connors — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 15:46:08 +0000

Bodies continue to be found in the burned-out shell of a 28-storey apartment building in Shanghai, a day after unlicensed welding sparked a spectacular blaze in a busy city district.

Police have charged eight men over the fire, that has so far claimed 53 lives and hospitalised more than 70.