The World's Plaidiest News Source

Tibetan in Taiwan Triple Chafes China

• World
• East Asia-Pacific

Synopsis: His Holiness the Dalai Lama is an internationally recognized figure that is respected and venerated by most folks in the world?but not all. The Lama is currently visiting Taiwanese typhoon victims, which is seriously pissing off China. Who is this guy, what is the deal with this place called Tibet, and why do the Chinese hate him so damn much? The Plaid Avenger tackles the backstory to these sticky Asian issues, and outlines the current Chinese challenges of Tibet, Taiwan, and the Lama too.

Related Stories:
Dalai Lama begins Taiwan visit
Taiwan asked by China to cancel Dalai Lama events
Tibet not seeking independence from China: Dalai Lama
Taipei Fault Lines

Keywords: Dalai Lama, Tibet, Ma Ying-jeou, Taiwan, China, Hu Jintao, Wen

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Adios Aso! Hello Hatoyama!

• World
• East Asia-Pacific

Synopsis: Holy Suzuki! Big change is underway in the staunchly stoic country of Japan! After over fifty years of continuous hold on the Diet (the Congress of Japan) and the Prime Minister position, the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan is getting ready to get trashed in today?s election?.thus paving the way for the major opposition party of Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) to take power. This is the first time since World War 2 that a new political voice will be expressed in the home state of Godzilla. This plaidcast covers who these parties are, why the LDP is losing power, and how this political change in the Pokemon state will be affecting its relationship with the US, Asia, and the world.

Related Stories:
Japanese Opposition Wins Elections in Landslide
Opposition Party Wins by a Landslide in Japan
DPJ takes power in landslide win

Keywords: Japan, Taro Aso, Yukio Hatoyama, LDP, DPJ, US, Prime Minister

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Chaos in Kandahar, Afghanistan Afire!

• World
• South Asia & Central Asia

Synopsis: While most of the world sits idly by, the US-led NATO mission in Afghanistan is quickly going to hell in a hand-basket. Despite US President Barack Obama sending an additional 17,000 US troops to stabilize the country (mostly in an effort to have the recent elections go smoothly), the US and its NATO allies are losing ground to the Taliban…badly. This plaidcast covers some of the reasons for the Taliban resurgence, why this effort is not solely a US one, and most importantly why the entire world has a vested interest in the US not losing this fight.

Related Stories:

Keywords: Afghanistan, Taliban, al-Qaeda, US, NATO, Hamid Karzai, Pakistan, India, Russia, China

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A Zoom in to Zuma, the Next President of South Africa

• World
• Sub-Saharan Africa

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New American Latitudes, New American Attitudes!

• World
• The Americas

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