MELBOURNE–Yet again a story I’ve done lately has developed beyond its original brief. Firstly the story I did about members of Japan’s ruling party calling for an alternate currency, later front page of FT, is notable. But the fact that Giles Ungpakorn has fled Thailand is more notable. Full story: Claims lese majeste overused in Thailand
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Mental Notes: February 2009
MELBOURNE–Things are supposed to get easier with a mobile lifestyle, but no. If one was already several years ahead of said curve, it’s a case of redeveloping yer systems AKA this website. Built it nearly 8 years ago. Needs upgrading. Aaarrgh. No time.
Japan govt members consider printing new money
While most of the world’s economies come to terms with the massive crash of the international finance system, Japan instead finds itself in a familiar situation. The world’s second-largest economy had just pulled itself out of fifteen years of stagnant growth when the global financial crisis hit, and its central bank had tried almost everything just to achieve that aim.
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India outsourcing to survive Satyam fall
At the start of this year, India was rocked by revelations that the huge software and outsourcing group Satyam had overestimated its profits to the tune of around $US1 billion. Before his arrest, chairman and IT poster-boy Ramalinga Raju said he had been “riding a tiger, not knowing how to get off without being eaten”.
Mental Notes: January 2009
MELBOURNE–Like the hopeless fanboy that I am, I’ve managed to talk Mrs Sue into a quick trip to Auckland, New Zealand, on Tuesday next week to see Stereolab on Wednesday night. I am wetting my little knickers.
Stereolab return
Stereolab
When: Wed, 28 January 09
Doors open: 9:00 pm
Kings Arms Tavern, Auckland
Holy lord, Stereolab return!
SKorean carmaker demise felt around world
In every industrialised nation across the world, a country’s automotive industry continues to be a massive driver of the economy, employment, technological advancement and even self esteem. Some nations have perfected design and development, some have perfected manufacturing, and all share their relative strengths with each other to make great cars. So as South Korea’s fifth-largest carmaker Ssangyong went into receivership, which was owned by China’s largest, and supplied by Australia’s smallest component manufacturers, a classic example of the flow on effect followed.
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Asia Pacific Review January 16 2009
Human rights group Amnesty calls on Thailand’s security forces to halt the use of torture in the country’s south; the Sri Lankan military takes control of the Jaffna peninsula from the Tamil Tigers; and India’s Slumdog Millionaire wins four Golden Globes, becoming a contender for the Academy Awards.
Huge cash injection for China state media
Large Western media organisations could do nothing but shake their heads this week as reports came out of China that $US7 billion dollars was to flow into state media. While newspapers, television, radio, and even internet properties in the Western world were being gutted by their parent organisations, China spoke of expanding its reach in an aggressive global drive to improve “brand China”.
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Mental Notes: January 2009
MELBOURNE–Funny that in President Bush’s final press conference he mentioned the ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner as the first embarrassing item to mind in reviewing his presidency.
