Dennis Rodman To Go Back to North Korea

Via Huff Post Live August 29, 2013

Just pause for a second and realize how incredibly MAGNIFICENT this title is: "Dennis Rodman Headed Back To North Korea". Seriously, with the way world events are now happening, this could turn out to be one of the greatest headlines of all of 2013:

"Dennis Rodman Headed Back To North Korea"

AWESOME!!!

OK, let's break it down some. Back in March of this year, the five-time NBA Champion, seven-time NBA rebound king and NBA Hall of Fame inductee Dennis Rodman visited Kim Jong Un and the Pirate Bay (temporarily) moved to Pyongyang. And since his first visit, other political events have occurred that could make this next trip a whole lot more meaningful if Rodman can successfully secure the release of Korean/American citizen Kenneth Bae. However, that is one big, huge "if", indeed.

Now, of course, this time around there will be more haters. And they're going to say that Rodman's a "traitor" and a "media whore" et al. And that Vice unethically manipulated and then paid off the DPRK elite etc. Or that the White House is secretly setting up the visit since it is now uninvited blah blah blah. But, maybe the real reason why this wonderful reunion is happening again is very simple and very human: Dennis Rodman and Kim Jong Un are just good friends.

And is there any better reason than that?

Associated Press/AP news video of Dennis Rodman returning to North Korea on September 3, 2013:



Related:

Vice HBO Documentary "Basketball Diplomacy"

Vice, Rodman, Globetrotters Meet DPRK Players

NKBA Kim Jong Un & Dennis Rodman Video Game

Edward Snowden Short Film From Hong Kong

Via Entertainment Weekly June 30, 2013

Just released about a month ago, here is the very first short film about American surveillance secrets whistle blower Edward Snowden and his controversial Hong Kong international spy debut entitled "Verax":



"Verax" was Snowden's secret codename and it means "truth teller" in Latin.

CREDITS:

Directed and produced by
Jeff Floro 謝夫發露 (Junk Shot)
Edwin Lee 李健恩 (Fallout Media)
Shawn Tse 謝兆龍 (Junk Shot)
Marcus Tsui 崔正傑 (Immortal Peach)

Associate producer
Cassandra Chan (Slate Takes)

Written by
Edwin Lee
Marcus Tsui

See also:

Shocking Undercover North Korean News Video

Mother & Baby Panda Rejoined @ Taipei Zoo

Just over a month ago, first-time mother panda Yuanyuan gave birth to a beautiful daughter named Yuanzai at the Taipei Zoo. However, Yuanyuan accidentally broke Yuanzai's foot while carrying her. There was some concern that the mother might kill or eat the baby so they had to temporarily separate the two. The zoo's nurses and veterinarians took very good care of the baby panda and on August 12th, mother and baby met for a brief, but very emotional moment.

Then earlier today (Aug 13th) both mother and baby were reunited and Yuanyuan breastfed Yuanzai with no problems. Below is an incredible video of the two coming together again:



See also:

Because China: Panda Bully on China Airways

Chinese Pigs Chasing Chinese Pigs

A Beautiful Birthday Present From Julie Watai

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Released earlier today, on her birthday, here is an exceptionally beautiful fine art photograph by Japan's one and only Julie Watai. The model is Hanami-chan and this was taken at the studio of sculptor/designer Kaz Asada in Osaka, Japan.

Thank you for this wonderful gift Julie! Happy Birthday! お誕生日おめでとうございます!!

Related:

Earphone Model Yurika Kubo x Julie Watai

New Hardware Girls Photos by Julie Watai

mishmash*Julie Watai Featured on TiVo

Chinese Pigs Chasing Chinese Pigs

Via Metro.co.uk and ITN August 4th 2013

Yes, that headline is correct as a truckload of piglets overturned in Guiyang province in southwest China forcing highway police to chase after the escaped squealing swine. A truly hilarious modern-day episode of The Keystone Cops followed as the speedy piglets continued to evade the slow, dumbfounded police officers trying to apprehend them. Here is a very funny ITN news video of this comic chase scene:



Of course the police finally caught them, but they didn't go away quietly.



Related:

Because China: The Big Blue Ploice Truck

Chinese F.A.P. Police Car Photo

US Reporters Pwn China's Ministry of Hacking

Hamish & Andy 'Ultimate Japanese Wingman'

Last month, Australia's dynamic comedy duo Hamish and Andy filmed some of episode three of their popular TV show "Hamish & Andy's Asia Gap Year" in downtown Shibuya, Tokyo. A segment of that third chapter is entitled "Ultimate Japanese Wingman" in which Hamish tries his best to find a new girlfriend for his buddy Andy. This hilarious skit starts out simple and cute but then snowballs right over the top!





See also:

"Japanese Tour Guide" w/ Tom Green

SNL: J-Pop America Fun Time Now!

Chinese Female Special Forces Photo

Embiggen

Via Xinhua English.news.cn July 30, 2013

Just released earlier today, here is a nice shot from Xinhua English.new's photo essay on the Soldiers of China's female special forces unit. Editor: Fang Yang

Related:

Because China: People's Liberation Army in Action!

Chinese Military Multifunction Shovel Demo Video

Jiuzhaigou Valley, Sichuan, China

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Here is a very beautiful photo of Jiuzhaigou Valley, in Sichuan, China. This is a nature reserve located within the Min mountains near the Tibetan plateau. A vast area of 180,000 acres it features water falls, gorgeous lakes and snowy mountain tops. Jiuzhaigou Valley was registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992 and a World Biosphere Reserve in 1997.

See also:

Somewhere in Southern China...

Ascending Mt Hua in China = NOPE!

China China China China China China China

Flawed Fukushima Fruit & Vegetables w/ Radiation

Two-Headed Corn

Via MSN Now July 15, 2013

Recent photos from a Korean website of many irradiated and malformed fruit and vegetables from Fukushima, Japan have gone viral and are now being reported by mainstream news entities. And these are not pretty pictures, indeed:


Deformed Peaches


Hand-Shaped Radish


Giant Cabbages

More photos...

Related:

Fukushima Deformed Baby Rabbit w/ No Ears

News Documentary on Food Safety in Japan

Chinese Police Fire on Tibetan Monks

Via The Guardian July 9, 2013


According to the US-based International Campaign for Tibet, Chinese police opened fire on a group of Tibetan monks that was gathered on a sacred mountain to celebrate the 78th birthday of their spiritual leader the Dalai Lama. Two monks were shot in the head and others were seriously injured by the surprise attack that included the use of tear gas. The ICT group is now demanding that the US government pressure the Chinese government into investigating these shootings of unarmed Tibetans. Chinese security officials have used severe methods of crowd control in Tibet in the past, but the use of firearms is rare. Here is an audio recording of this news report from The Guardian:



UPDATE: Via Radio Free Asia

"At least eight Tibetans were injured when Chinese police fired gunshots and used tear gas to disperse about 1,000 monks and nuns who had gathered in a restive county in Sichuan province at the weekend to mark the birthday of Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, according to local residents and exile groups."

"They said that policemen also beat some in the crowd and smashed the windows of vehicles used to ferry the monks and nuns to the lower slopes of a mountain regarded as sacred in Tawu (in Chinese, Daofu) county on Saturday to commemorate the Dalai Lama's 78th birthday."

Continued...

See also:

Tibetan Jamphel Yeshi Self Immolates in India

Chinese Convict 'Leaving Fear Behind' Tibetan Producer

Meanwhile in Qingdao, China...

Via The Telegraph Friday, July 5, 2013

A massive green algae invasion has landed in Qingdao and other seaside areas in Eastern China. The algae is reported to not be toxic to humans or damaging to water quality. But, apparently, it really stinks! Here is a BBC News video on this largest-ever swarm of the harmless "sea lettuce":



See also:

Chinese Army Kills Asian Hornets' Nest With Fire

Shanhaiguan: Where The Great Wall Meets The Sea

US Citizen Kenneth Bae In DPRK Prison

Via CNN July 3, 2013

An American citizen currently being held in a North Korean prison, pleaded for forgiveness and help from the US Government yesterday in an exclusive video from CNN.

In a trial in Pyongyang on April 30, 2013 Pae Jun Ho aka Kenneth Bae was convicted of "hostile acts to bring down its government" and for planning religious activities against the state, according to KCNA. Bae confessed to all of his "crimes" and was given a 15-year sentence of hard labor.

"Although my health is not good, I am being patient and coping well," Bae said. "And I hope that with the help of the North Korean government and the United States, I will be released soon."

A pro North Korean group located in Tokyo, Choson Sinbo, was granted permission to make this interview video which they gave to CNN:



Related:

Premiere of "Camp 14 - Total Control Zone"

Canadian DPRK Documentary "The Defector"

North Korean Concentration Camp Drawings

Earphone Model Yurika Kubo x Julie Watai

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Just released by Julie Watai, here is a beautiful new photo of Japanese super model/actor/singer Yurika Kubo 久保ユリカ taken at the e☆earphone e☆イヤホン shop in Akihabara.

Visit: Yurika Kubo's Official Website

See also:

Julie Watai w/ Headphones by Dr Dre & e-earphone

New Hardware Girls Photos by Julie Watai

Fairy Tale Antenna x Julie Watai

Meanwhile back on Japanese TV.......

Via I Love Living in Japan June 23, 2013

No, this is not the Godzilla Gaijin aka 'The Pink Guy-Jin':

Nope.


Instead, this is a funny photoshop exaggeration of Japan's beloved former volleyball champion Motoko Obayashi 大林素子.

See also:

Japanese TV Fishing = Tentacle Porn (NSFW)

This is Japanese TV. That is All.

Meanwhile on Japanese TV...

Vice HBO Documentary "Basketball Diplomacy"

The Harlem Globetrotters and kids on a Pyongyang Playground.

Filmed back in February with Dennis Rodman, the Harlem Globetrotters, correspondent Ryan Duffy, and broadcast just last week on HBO, here is the long-awaited Vice documentary "Basketball Diplomacy":



Related:

Vice, Rodman, Globetrotters Meet DPRK Players

Harlem Globetrotters vs DPRK Practice Game

Vice, Rodman, Globetrotters Meet DPRK Players

Last night Vice had their first season finale on HBO with the broadcast of their recent trip to North Korea. If you remember, back in February 2013 Vice correspondent Ryan Duffy and three members of the Harlem Globetrotters became the first American delegation to play together with North Korean athletes in a friendly exhibition basketball game in Pyongyang. The country's young, enigmatic leader Kim Jong Un attended the game with NBA hall-of-famer Dennis Rodman at his side. The game ended in a very diplomatic 110-110 tie and on the next day Duffy and the Globetrotters had a chance to talk directly with the North Korean players during lunch. Here is a part of that conversation:



Related:

Harlem Globetrotters vs DPRK Practice Game

NKBA Kim Jong Un & Dennis Rodman Video Game

New Laowai Film: "This Is Sanlitan" Trailer

Via This Is Sanlitun June 13, 2013

Just a couple weeks ago the official teaser trailer for the upcoming laowai indy comedy film entitled "This Is Sanlitan" was released on youtube. This full-length feature film celebrates both foreigners and local Chinese people living in Sanlitan, Beijing.

The main character is "Gary" who is played by Carlos Ottery. Gary has come to China seeking his slice of the Chinese economic dream. However, things don't work out so well and he loses his wife and son and all of his money and becomes quite desperate. How he recovers becomes the main plot of the film. Scheduled for release in late 2013, this movie was directed by Robert Ingi Douglas, and stars Carlos Ottery, Ai Wan, Christopher Loton, Hua Gaoxiang and Cromwell Cheung. Here is the funny sneak peak preview:



See also:

2013 DPRK Travelogue by Chrystian Cohen

"Seeking Asian Female" Movie Trailer

"Jiro Dreams of Sushi" Trailer

Meanwhile Sony Pwns Xbox w/ New PS4

Via Polygon Jun 11, 2013

Yesterday at the E3 press conference, basically Sony took over the gaming world with the announcement of the all new Playstation 4 to be sold for $100.00 less than Microsoft's new Xbox One. In addition to that lowball, Sony threw Microsoft a wicked curve with their announcement that the PS4 will support used games.

"When a gamer buys a PS4 disc, they have the rights to use that disc, resell it, lend it to a friend or keep it forever," said CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment America Jack Tretton.

To show that they really mean it, or to add insult to injury, Sony released this Official PlayStation Used Game Instructional Video:



Called strike three. Microsoft is OUT!

See also:

NKBA Kim Jong Un & Dennis Rodman Video Game

Lollipop Chainsaw Video Game Trailers

Trailer: My Girlfriend is The President

'Monster Hunters Unite' Capcom Promo Video

Japan's Play-With-Yourself Toilet Game