'Offensive' Web Content Targeted in Asia
(wsj.com)
- For whatever reason this is a disturbing article. Sounds very much like Big Brother take one for me. Plus this: "South Korea also allows people to be criminally punished for defamation
and the country is one of just a few, including Japan, where truth is
not allowed as a defense against libel." Maybe I should be reading the constitution of my own country and see if that's also the case there.
On the other hand, are we entitled to enjoy unlimited freedom of speech? Why so?
China Fuels Energy Innovation
(wsj.com)
- Interesting trend to keep an eye out for
Tuesday, 6 December 2011
Thursday, 24 November 2011
25/11/11 Daily News Clipping
US blocks key fund in climate agreement
(FT.com)
- Economic downturn is just an excuse. What shows here is the lack of ability/ capacity to handle a number complex multifaceted problems at once. We have expanded too fast over the past two decades but we didn't realise that we are no longer in the driving seat. Economic problem, environmental issues, political turmoil, collapse of faith in capitalism/ socialism/ and sometime human nature, poverty & despair, inequality in wealth, survival of the poor in rich countries, pollution etc - none of the politicians today or governments can solve any of those problems. We have grown and become a monster that no one can control. The nuclear crisis in Japan was a perfect example of how we have failed ourselves and can only sit and watch the fatal destruction of our home taking place right in front of our eyes at the end of the day - and there is nothing we can do about it.
(FT.com)
- Economic downturn is just an excuse. What shows here is the lack of ability/ capacity to handle a number complex multifaceted problems at once. We have expanded too fast over the past two decades but we didn't realise that we are no longer in the driving seat. Economic problem, environmental issues, political turmoil, collapse of faith in capitalism/ socialism/ and sometime human nature, poverty & despair, inequality in wealth, survival of the poor in rich countries, pollution etc - none of the politicians today or governments can solve any of those problems. We have grown and become a monster that no one can control. The nuclear crisis in Japan was a perfect example of how we have failed ourselves and can only sit and watch the fatal destruction of our home taking place right in front of our eyes at the end of the day - and there is nothing we can do about it.
Monday, 15 August 2011
16/08/11 Daily News Clipping
North Sea oil spill is 'substantial'
(ft.com)
- Yet another one...
On another note, given the recent slump in market activities and the chaos in both the US and euro zone, I can't help but to think that it has become quite evident that the investors have lost faith in the policy makers/ governments in the western countries, rather than in the industries/ sectors/ companies. It is clear that companies and individuals have cash and strong purchasing power, however it is the overall looming outlook of the economic - i.e. macroeconomic situation controlled by the governments - that's preventing both from spending/ investing.
Another example of wrong people decision - and it has been like this for decades! There is a need to fundamentally examine the kind of people that we appoint to government jobs and also the election system per se. Strictly speaking, there may be something wrong with the common value of "what makes a good country leader" that's shared by most people, however the bigger problem most likely lies in the system which gives birth to the policy makers/ politicians.
(ft.com)
- Yet another one...
On another note, given the recent slump in market activities and the chaos in both the US and euro zone, I can't help but to think that it has become quite evident that the investors have lost faith in the policy makers/ governments in the western countries, rather than in the industries/ sectors/ companies. It is clear that companies and individuals have cash and strong purchasing power, however it is the overall looming outlook of the economic - i.e. macroeconomic situation controlled by the governments - that's preventing both from spending/ investing.
Another example of wrong people decision - and it has been like this for decades! There is a need to fundamentally examine the kind of people that we appoint to government jobs and also the election system per se. Strictly speaking, there may be something wrong with the common value of "what makes a good country leader" that's shared by most people, however the bigger problem most likely lies in the system which gives birth to the policy makers/ politicians.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
29/06/11 Daily News Clipping
Have been on the road for work lately... And it's the first time that I see how it is possible (one day) for me to actually become a Diamond member of Marco Polo's...
China enters shale gas era with tender offer
(ft.com)
- The current Fortune 500 companies list is bound to change at some stage as more and more Chinese companies only need to feed on domestic market/ demand in order for them to grow to a meaningful size versus other global players. Also, given that China has larger shale gas reserves than even the US, they will potentially open up for sale to foreigners at some stage.
China enters shale gas era with tender offer
(ft.com)
- The current Fortune 500 companies list is bound to change at some stage as more and more Chinese companies only need to feed on domestic market/ demand in order for them to grow to a meaningful size versus other global players. Also, given that China has larger shale gas reserves than even the US, they will potentially open up for sale to foreigners at some stage.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
09/06/11 Daily news clipping
US universities in Africa "land grab"
- I often wonder if people make decisions solely based on commercial reasons or would they tap into their conscience first as well? In this case, the investors can claim that the projects/ investments would do good to the region however it seems that in the greater scheme of game it would impose a greater external cost to the society as a whole. Obviously the investors can argue that they have no such knowledge about the overall situation in the country and impacts their action could cause onto other regions. The government should be the one to oversee such and take all factors into consideration before entering into a deal with the investors. This is all very nice but the problem with Africa is precisely that governments do not act in the best interest of their people.
More revolution to come...
Breakdown points in power shift in cartel
- This is quite interesting and worth keep an eye out for.
- I often wonder if people make decisions solely based on commercial reasons or would they tap into their conscience first as well? In this case, the investors can claim that the projects/ investments would do good to the region however it seems that in the greater scheme of game it would impose a greater external cost to the society as a whole. Obviously the investors can argue that they have no such knowledge about the overall situation in the country and impacts their action could cause onto other regions. The government should be the one to oversee such and take all factors into consideration before entering into a deal with the investors. This is all very nice but the problem with Africa is precisely that governments do not act in the best interest of their people.
More revolution to come...
Breakdown points in power shift in cartel
- This is quite interesting and worth keep an eye out for.
Monday, 30 May 2011
31/05/11 Daily News Clipping
Germany to scrap nuclear power by 2022
(ft.com)
- This is the first major political shift from nuclear to green therefore significant and indicative. A number of trends to follow:
(1) public consensus has been moving towards green and reached a critical mass whereby their influence already "outnumbers" those of the relevant industries or interested groups;
(2) change in policy/ political campaign and if this would encourage more global cooperation or violent "land-grab" activities for resources;
(3) continuation in renewable energy technology development - this includes both large scale and also home-use small scale technology;
(4) potential growth in "home-grown" energy by way of using new technology in certain part of the house (e.g. solar panel, recycle of rain water) or even combining with everyday life (e.g. electricity generated by running on a treadmill or cycling in the gym);
(5) new types of urban planning - closer to energy sources such as the sun, wind, water etc - and design - main streets run north-south so that sufficient sunlight can be taken up by the buildings/ solar panels etc.
(ft.com)
- This is the first major political shift from nuclear to green therefore significant and indicative. A number of trends to follow:
(1) public consensus has been moving towards green and reached a critical mass whereby their influence already "outnumbers" those of the relevant industries or interested groups;
(2) change in policy/ political campaign and if this would encourage more global cooperation or violent "land-grab" activities for resources;
(3) continuation in renewable energy technology development - this includes both large scale and also home-use small scale technology;
(4) potential growth in "home-grown" energy by way of using new technology in certain part of the house (e.g. solar panel, recycle of rain water) or even combining with everyday life (e.g. electricity generated by running on a treadmill or cycling in the gym);
(5) new types of urban planning - closer to energy sources such as the sun, wind, water etc - and design - main streets run north-south so that sufficient sunlight can be taken up by the buildings/ solar panels etc.
Monday, 23 May 2011
24/05/11 Daily news clipping
India starts trade talks with African countries in effort to rival China
(guardian.co.uk)
- Another scramble for Africa.
(guardian.co.uk)
- Another scramble for Africa.
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