China's thirst for oil exposes weakness of globalization

Taiwanese steel plant in Vietnam attacked by rioters - media | Reuters: "May 15 (Reuters) - A steel plant owned by Formosa Plastics Group, Taiwan's biggest investor in Vietnam, was attacked by rioters overnight, Taiwanese media reported on Thursday."

Senior Citizens should be allowed to travel on public transport for FREE

The Real Singapore: "Why can’t the government, with all the surpluses (of taxpayers’ money) it has been accumulating every year provide a card for Senior Citizens that removes all encumbrances and allows free travel, renewable every two years?

I am sure that will not pose a problem to a cash-rich government like ours. Only then will it show that the government truly appreciate the sacrifices made by the Pioneer Generation, and the like, during the tumultuous years of the Fifties and Sixties. Only then will it move a few notches closer to the high standards (for Senior Citizens) set by our northern neighbours, who are not even a First World Country like us."

Singapore MRT, free early morning train rides extended another year

AsiaOne : "The Land Transport Authority (LTA) is extending free pre-peak travel on the rail network by one year to 23 June 2015. Commuters who end their journey before 7.45am on weekdays at 18 designated MRT stations in the city area will continue to enjoy free travel. Commuters who exit at these stations between 7.45am and 8am will continue to be given a discount of up to 50 cents off their train fare."

Japan finds the cleanest energy - saved energy

The Energy Collective: "These temporary measures have proven to have long term impact. They've dramatically increased the awareness of energy use and energy efficiency, with large companies running high-profile lasting programs. As a result, power consumption never rebounded despite GDP growth, as energy conscious practices became ingrained. More importantly, there is huge potential for technical measures to reduce energy usage even further - a resource that has only begun to be tapped into."

Record high ridership on Taipei's tomb-sweeping buses

CNA ENGLISH NEWS: "Taipei, April 6 (CNA) Free buses for people heading to clean up ancestral graves in Taipei for Tomb Sweeping Day carried a record high number of 775,843 passengers this year, according to bus operators.

The buses, a measure meant to alleviate traffic as people flocked to public cemeteries, made 16,476 trips on March 22-23 and 29-30 and the three-day Tomb Sweeping Day weekend April 4-6."

Local labor groups voice concerns over free trade impact

CNA ENGLISH NEWS: "In a joint statement, the workers' union of top telecom provider Chunghwa Telecom and 16 other organizations argued that the capital flows and profits brought by free trade only benefit capitalists, not their low-level employees.

In terms of Taiwan's growth, for example, wages have actually decreased over the years as the economy has continued to expand, they said."

Taiwan should reject trade agreements and focus on #peakoil

So-called free trade agreements make banks free to enslave you with debt, and trade small business for corporate jobs and unemployment.

Taiwan does not need to give in to any of the big powers trying to force their way in. We should focus on reducing the use of fossil fuels.

Reduce the bus fares gradually to zero. Gradually increase motor fuel tax. Get away from sprawl and development and fix what we already have.