CHINA - The Skyscraper Indicator: Why Now Is Not The Time To Buy

“The “Skyscraper Indicator”, used by Edward Dewey in the 1940s, correlates human optimism to the number of high-rise buildings erected. Simply put, when humans are optimistic, they build toward the sky. Major economic downturns usually follow.”

INDONESIA - Water water everywhere and not a drop of leadership in sight

“The floods in Jakarta seem to be getting worse as bad weather prevails. Latest news reports estimate up to 200,000 people being made homeless. . . Driving around Jakarta, listening to the accounts of others and listening and watching news reports on radio and TV provide an astounding impression to this national disaster: there is nobody really in charge.

MALAYSIA - Dr M nominated for Nobel Peace Prize

“It is now known that four non-governmental organisations in Bosnia and Herzegovina have nominated Dr Mahathir — the most demonised Prime Minister in Malaysian press history — for the Nobel Peace Prize 2007.”

SOUTH KOREA - Freedom From Consumer Slavery

“The Korean government decided to ignore international standardization efforts back in 1998 because it had to 빨리빨리 everything. Gotta have it now, can’t wait, can’t wait. Now that the world, having been on one standard, has moved in a different direction, Korea suddenly finds itself sitting high and dry. And now, Korean sites don’t play well with the rest of the planet.

SINGAPORE - Alert: PAP moves to counter criticism in cyberspace… anonymously

“It’s a shameful day for Singapore in light of the international blogosphere. According to the Straits Times (an intentional leak?), the People’s Action Party (PAP) has members going into Internet forums and blogs to rebut anti-establishment views and to put up postings anonymously.”

CHINA - Saturday PR blog: I’m sorry, the government has killed your story

“Most of the time, self-censorship is the rule. However the propaganda ministry –中宣部– also sends out guidance on sensitive issues to major media. Editors who want to keep their jobs are expected to toe the line.”

CHINA - China Bans Sperm & Egg Trade

“The most interesting thing about China’s newly issued ban is that it implies the country has in recent years been home to a rather sizable market for human sperm, eggs and embryos. And that that market was tainted enough by fraud and general underhandedness that the government felt obliged to step in.”