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”.

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 … Continue reading “Huge cash injection for China state media”

Thaksin continues to dodge extradition to Thailand

Over this past weekend, it was confirmed that Britain had revoked the visas of fugitive former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and his wife – barring them from re-entering the UK. The billionaire had been living in London after skipping bail in August to avoid corruption charges in Thailand. On Monday, the Reuters news agency … Continue reading “Thaksin continues to dodge extradition to Thailand”

Court first for Indian brain scan technology

An Indian court in July became the first in the world to convict a suspect based on evidence from some widely-unproven brain scanning technology. In one Indian state alone, around 75 crime suspects and witnesses have undergone the controversial technique since 2006. But fellow scientists, ethicists and the forensics community are extremely apprehensive about the … Continue reading “Court first for Indian brain scan technology”

Mental Notes: May 2004

SYDNEY–Just completed the final The Bridge, Sydney Album Show, so the final entry and tracklists of the show’s page on fbi.org.au follows. Sydneyfolk, listen this Sunday 7-10am when I do Weekend Overhang, the Sunday brekky show for one week only. Streaming MP3s of previous WOs here. WHO.com lives! Soft-launched, awaiting hardening :P WABS–In Melbourne Thurs … Continue reading “Mental Notes: May 2004”