The 16th Asian Games are now underway in the southern Chinese metropolis of Guangzhou. This is the second largest multi-sport event after the Olympics and hugely popular throughout the continent. By Norma Costello. 

In the lead up to the games, the Guangdong government launched a campaign to “civilise” city dwellers with the slogan ‘I love Guangzhou’. It’s a hard sell and not without good reason.

[Pictured: A 'Civilize Guangzhou' wall. Below: Building the Asian Games]

In the rather ironic settings of Lloyds bank in London, Senator Shane Ross addressed members of the Irish International Business Network (IIBN) last Monday on the banking and financial crisis in Ireland. Answering questions from a plethora of Irish entrepreneurs and bankers, Ross spoke of endemic cronyism and corruption in Ireland. After delivering a speech covering material from his books 'The Bankers and The Wasters', Ross took a Q&A session from members of the IIBN.