nomad4ever

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Indonesia is planning to build 4 Nuclear Powerplants by 2025, with the first one going into service no later than 2016 in Jepara/Central Java, on the slopes of Mount Muria, despite strong opposition from local residents and environmental activists.

Due to its growing economy, there is demand for an additional 5.000 megawatts of electricity, building Nuclear Plants is said to make the country less dependent on fossils like oil or coal, while providing the necessary power at ease.

The question is: why build Nuclear Reactors in an area plastered with Volcanoes and prone to earthquakes, flooding and tsunamis? Aren’t there any alternatives? Luckily there are:

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written by Chris

Dear Gloria, I just saw you on CNN, asking the US and the international community for helping the families and finding survivors of the latest ferry disaster, which hit the Philippines just 2 days ago.

The “MV Princess of the Stars” ran aground, capsized and sank just a mile off Sibuyan Island in heavy storms, caused by Typhoon Fengshen. A total of 864 people were aboard, with only about 57 rescued so far.

Why this is another sad event which causes thousands of family members to grieve for their loved ones lost; it was just another regrettable tragedy waiting to happen:

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written by Chris

Fuel prices in Indonesia are fixed by the government and don’t float according to market conditions. This leads to unbelievably cheap costs of fuel of Rp 4.500 per liter (app. USD 0.50).

While that was basically great for the population and led to an increased use of fuel - making oil-rich Indonesia basically an Oil Importer instead of an Exporter a few years back - it did cost the country an ‘arm and a leg’ in fuel subsidies.

Changing that policy caused national unrest and riots the last time they tried in 2005. Now things look a bit more calmer; but still fuel prices have to go up to save the country from sliding into bankruptcy in the mid-term:

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written by Chris

Freedom of Speech and Expression are cornerstones and the lifeblood of any democracy. For a free people in mature societies to govern themselves - they must be free to express themselves - openly, publicly, and repeatedly; in speech and in writing.

How else can one put the finger in the wound and take part in discussions about what hinders a country in its progress?

Most Westerners don’t know that Indonesia is a very young democracy. This leads to surprising insights, which surface when you look a bit deeper into the woven society fabric on its long-winding road towards ‘real’ Democracy:

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written by Chris

While some of Indonesia’s famed airlines obviously try their best to get their acts together - this can’t be said about the most notorious suspect - Adam Air.

Over the last 2 years, there were various rumors that Adam Air’s license might be revoked, if they didn’t clean up their mess and come up with concepts how to improve their safety standards and maintenance regime.

But - as often in Indonesia - nothing much followed, except maybe some money changing hands and things continued as usual.

Nothing much followed? Not exactly:

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written by Chris

Malaysia is a great country! Unspoiled beaches, excellent diving spots, mountains surrounded by misty fog, exotic fauna and flora and a healthy, vast rain forest are attracting plenty of visitors. Islands like Pulau Langkawi, Tioman, Penang, the Perhentians or locations like Genting Highlands have a legendary reputation with travelers.

The country embraced tourism already many years ago and the slogan “Malaysia - truly Asia” will ring in your ears forever; once you saw the mesmerizing advertising campaigns on CNN, BBC or other global TV stations.

However, Malaysia’s politics were never that idyllic and recent years were no exception:

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written by Chris

Wanted to share with you quickly some interesting web sites I found recently:

“The Secret History of the Credit Card” is an outstanding documentary and interesting piece of investigative journalism. The critically acclaimed and award-winning show is now available online as a 5-part Video Streaming Series. It’s an in-depth look into a secretive yet very successful industry. You can learn how your Credit Score is calculated, what methods Visa, Master, American Express and others use to keep you spending and how they earn big bucks from you paying only the minimum charge or nothing at all.

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written by Chris