Categories
Economics

[1363] Of a sensible policy on electricity

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 11 (Bernama) — Independent power producers (IPPs) could end up supplying power to an electricity exchange instead of directly to Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) once the current power purchase agreements (PPAs) expire, said Minister of Energy, Water and Communications Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik.

[…]

Dr Lim said under the proposed exchange, TNB would buy electricity from the most cost-effective power producers. [Govt Mulls Electricity Exchange For TNB. Bernama. September 11 2007.

I am excited because this suggestion provides a basis for a better policy compared to what Malaysia is having at the moment.

Categories
Economics

[1362] Of another bad news for Malaysian export-driven economy

As Malaysian electrical and electronics export takes a hit from slower US demand, news from the third largest market for Malaysian export might not be welcomed:

TOKYO – Japan’s economy contracted in the April-June quarter, the government said Monday in a revision of its preliminary estimate that it had expended.

The latest data suggest that the world’s second largest economy – which has been recovering in recent years – may be suffering a slowdown in its pace of growth, making it harder for the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates anytime soon. [Japan Says Economy Contracted in 2Q. Associated Press via Forbes. September 10 2007]

Categories
Conflict & disaster History & heritage

[1361] Of in memory

Public Domain. By Derek Jensen.

Categories
Sports

[1360] Of ducks evolving into carnivores

They just had roasted wolverines:

ANN ARBOR — Before any absurd rationalizations about whatever happens the rest of this season for this Michigan offense, please note that it lost its way even before losing its veteran quarterback.

A week after the most shocking loss in Wolverines history, they suffered their most lopsided loss since Woody Hayes decided to go for two points “because I couldn’t go for three,” way back in 1968.

That kind of historic defeat doesn’t happen on one side of the ball, and as lousy as U-M’s defensive greenhorns have proven themselves, the high-profile offense is in no position to assess blame.

Another stunning home loss — 39-7, to Oregon — can not disguise the comprehensive breakdowns this time, including those by the unit upon which the Wolverines pinned their erstwhile national championship hopes.

National championship? Dead.

Heisman Trophy hopes? Dead.

Michigan as an offensive machine?

Dead. [How low can Michigan go? The Grand Rapids Press via MLive. September 8 2007]

Some fans are really angry.

The sky was a gentle blue, but it was raining on the Wolverines, a kind of rain that rarely falls on their home field. They were getting embarrassed, shown up, outplayed on national television in every way you can get outplayed in football.

And it was raining boos.

Yes, those were Michigan fans making that ugly noise, fans wearing maize-and-blue shirts, fans who came out believing last week’s shocking loss to Appalachian State was a fluke. And perhaps it was. Last week was an upset.

This was just a butt-kicking.

And it won’t be the last. Not if Michigan keeps playing this way. At the moment, the sweetest invitation you can get in college football may be a Saturday in Ann Arbor. The 39-7 defeat to Oregon, the fourth loss in a row for Michigan going back to last season — worst stretch since 1967 — wasn’t David shaking down Goliath. [MAIZE AND BOO: U-M loses game, crowd and respect after woeful 0-2 start. Mitch Albom. Detroit Free Press. September 8 2007]

Next week is Notre Dame and the venue is Ann Arbor. If that game turns out to be ugly, maybe Coach Carr should part away peacefully from Michigan.

And finally, from the New York Times:

Screenshot. Fair use. Copyrights by NYT.

Sigh…

Categories
Environment

[1359] Of a joke from Australia

APEC agrees to a climate change pact:

SYDNEY, Australia – Pacific Rim leaders on Saturday said the world needs to “slow, stop and then reverse” greenhouse gas emissions, and adopted modest goals to curb global warming. Thousands of demonstrators rallied to demand stronger action.

Some experts and activists dismissed as ineffective the program adopted by the presidents of the United States, China, Russia and leaders of other Asia-Pacific economies at an annual summit – which did not set goals for cutting countries’ output of polluting gases. [APEC Leaders Forge Climate Change Pact. Forbes. September 8 2007]

They agree actions need to be taken but they refuse to take action. This pact is as useless as APEC.