I felt that there are too much happenings in the year of 2008. Wars, economy crisis, president elections, would year 2009 also that chaos ? Since today is the last day of 2008, I would like to review the biggest news that had happen during this past year.
#1 Iceland faces Bankruptcy
We have heard big companies filing bankruptcy, banks losing out their funds and real estate hitting low due to economic downturn, but Iceland as an country has been hit real hard and possibilities of facing bankruptcy. Iceland has proven itself in the past, turning themselves from Europe's poorest countries to one of the wealthiest, but that does not really help them with the current situation. The government have take over and swooped up assets of the country's 3 largest bank, Kaupthing, Lansbanki & Glitnir, but the trouble does not seems to go away. What would happen next ?
#2 India's Mumbai terrorist attack and death of Singaporean Ms. Lo Hwei Yen.
An unexpected terrorist attacks in Mumbai, leaving almost 200 dead and 300 injured when the assault was ended after 60 hours of chaos and carnage. This also resulted loss of life in one of our fellow Singaporean, Ms Lo Hwei Yen, who was taken hostage and later found dead on the 19th floor of the Oberoi Hotel. Rest in peace.
#3 Barack Obama - USA new president
The democratic presidential nominee marked an extraordinary moment in America's history as he won the 2008 presidential election. Barack Obama became the country's first African-American leader and the 44th president of the United States. He entered the rat race in a economic downturn and its' people and the world are putting in trust and as well, pressure to see his performance in reviving the economy in 2009. Also perhaps problems created by George W. Bush in the past 4 years.
The earthquake occurred on May 12, 2008, scaled at 8.0, has already left 70,000 dead, 380,000 injured and almost 4.8 million people homeless. This number could be still increasing at the current moment. What a bad year for China ! Luckily, none of the 2008 Summer Olympics venues were affected and the event went on with it's grand opening on August 8, 2008. A mixed of sadness and joy for China.
After breaking away from Soviet Union, Georgia has emerged itself as one of the more democratic countries in the region through the leadership of President Mikheil Saakashvili. Yet, they faced conflict over the separatist region and eventually lost the war after continually airstrikes and overwhelming weapon power from the Russians. Russia also ended up losing through the economy in the cause of the war. The anti-government are putting blames on President Mikheil Saakashvili which see the loss of war as a humiliation for Georgia.
After the new president take over, there are swift actions taken by the government to take down the former Taiwan president, Chen Shui Bian in connection with a series of corruption-related scandals. He is currently behind bars awaiting for the trial results. If convicted, he might face up to 25 years or more in the prison.
#7 Honda withdrawal from Formula 1
Yen exchange are getting higher and higher each day, but the smiles on Japanese car makers are not getting any bigger. The economic crisis has resulted Honda's company budget to tighten and thus the decision to withdraw from F1 was announced. Accordingly to some source from the Japanese news, Japanese are sadden and disappointed because this represents their status and pride in the racing world. There are also news about Toyota, Mitsubishi and Subaru withdrawing from the Rally racing as well.
While I was studying in Japan, the biggest news which the Koreans are discussing everyday, beef beef and beef. South Korea was once a big market for US beef, but after the 'mad-cow disease' breakout in 2003, the import are stopped since. The prime minister, Lee Myung-Bak has again allowed US beef import into South Korea earlier this year, it has created quite a chaos scene in South Korea. I was actually there to see the protest !!! Thousands gathered around the streets and sit down in the middle of a open road, protesting against the decisions made by the PM.
#9 China's dairy product caused a stir in the world
First, it was the frozen dumplings, then came the milk powder. China's poisonous milk powder caused quite chaos in some of the asia countries, which includes Singapore as well. It was said that the milk powder was concocted with an overdose of melamine, and there are reports of thousands of infant sick and even death after drinking the milk formula. Should they not be stricter with their QC ?
#10 Not spending my day out ?
I suppose that during the 31st of every year, I would be out somewhere celebrating with my friends. But this time round, I have decided to stay at home and watch TV, popping some popcorn on my sofa.... Sorry guys, no BBQ this year... Well, at least I managed to post this article right ?
Finally, the festival are over and the crowd are dispersing. It was time that we have to return to Osaka (else we will be sleeping on the streets of Kobe), however, my Korean friend wasted no time but to take more photos before leaving the beautiful decorated Kobe.
