General stuff

Wednesday, January 17, 2007

T3W4: Naomi given five days of menial labour

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2551204,00.html
Last updated: 17 Jan 2007

Summary
- Naomi Campbell will have to take a break from her whirlwind schedule of fashion shows to complete five days of menial work in New York after being sentenced yesterday to perform community service for hurling a mobile phone at her maid.

-The London-born model could find herself cleaning bedpans in a hospital or filing in a local government office after she pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless assault to her maid. Accusing her of stealing a designer jeans from her.

-The guilty plea marked her first criminal conviction, despite other tangles with the courts. In 2000 a Canadian court gave her an absolute discharge after she pleaded guilty to threatening to throw an assistant out of a moving car. She agreed to attend anger management classes.

Response

Despite Naomi Campbell being a supermodel, she still received her punishment for commiting crimes. This shows that the law does not actually sides on the rich and famous, contray to beliefs. For assautling at her maid, she have to face charges and, in the end, have to do community service which involves menial labour and pay for her maid's medical charges, to make up for her mistake.The court’s ruling followed months of negotiations between Mr Breitbart, Campbell's lawyer and the prosecutors who were determined not to be soft on a celebrity.

I belived that the punishment is fair, as I believed that being a public figure, even a supermodel has a responsibility towards the society.

T1W3: Skype founders bring free television to the Internet

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/252987/1/.html
Last updated: 17 Jan 2007

Summary

-The founders of revolutionary Internet telephony firm Skype said they "combined the best of TV and the best of the Internet" in a venture called Joost to enable people to watch television online with "choice, control and flexibility".

-"People are looking for increased choice and flexibility in their TV experience, while the entertainment industry needs to retain control over their content," said Joost chief executive Fredrik de Wahl.

-Luxembourg-based Joost claimed to be the first global television distribution platform that brought content owners, advertisers, and audiences together in an interactive, community-driven environment.

-Joost was working with television studios and other content owners that could use traditional money-making tactics such as advertising to profit from online viewers, according to Joost vice president Hendrik Werdelin.

-"The problem with TV is there is never anything on, there is too much advertising, there is always clutter, no sense of community and you can't get the shows you want when you want," Werdelin said.

-Joost will be competing against video-sharing websites such as Google-owned YouTube and a host of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) services displayed last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Response

Recently, there is the increasing popularity of video-sharing websites. Such websites gain much popularity as they enable people to watch television online with "choice, control and flexibility". This provides convenience to people.
However, the problem of most video-sharing websites will be that entertainment may not be able to retain their control over the programmes they aired. Videos are also distributed indiscriminately. Although Joost have their own security to prevent such happenings, we still have to wait and see whether it is effective and whether they have a foolproof method.

T1W2: Surfing Muslims unveil 'burkini'

Source: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/01/16/burqini.reut/index.html
Last updated: 16 Jan 2007

Summary

-In a lycra revolution, a cover-all swimming costume is bringing Muslim women on to Australian beaches as lifeguards, unzipping tensions which divided parts of Sydney little over a year ago.

-The shift follows race riots between ethnic Lebanese Australians and white Australian youths at Cronulla Beach in Sydney's south in the lead-up to Christmas in 2005

-Cars, shops and churches were damaged in the violence, which followed an attack on a pair of beach lifeguards.

-The full-length lycra suit with hijab head-covering is not too figure hugging to embarrass, but is tight enough to allow its wearer to swim freely. It will soon be manufactured in the iconic red and yellow of Australia's surf life saving movement.

-The burkini is making its appearance during the 100th anniversary of surf life saving in Australia, which began on Sydney's famous Bondi Beach and has grown to count 115,000 volunteers in more than 300 clubs.

Response

The Burkini is an excellent piece of innovation of swimsuits. Not only it is able to relieve the racial tension in Australia, it also provides an opportunity for muslims ladies to be able to swim. It is their religion when the ladies decide to wear the veil, they stop swimming/surfing due to their modesty reasons. With the Burkini, they are able to do so.

In addtion, the design of the Burkini also allows protection from the sun and sand. Thus, it useful not only to the Muslims ladies, but to other ladies who wear it as well, as the extra coverage also provides extra protection.

T1W1: Migrant Power

Source: http://www.economist.com/daily/news/displaystory.cfm?story_id=8545116&top_story=1
Last updated: 16 Jan 2007

Summary

-On Tuesday January 16th the World Bank issued a report on migration and remittances in eastern Europe and Central Asia since the fall of the Berlin Wall
>>> An initial surge of migration was attributed to ethnic reconsolidation after the removal of artificial barriers. Since then, migration has slowed but remains a significant force, helping to reshape lives and whole economies throughout the region.

-Migrants make up nearly a tenth of Russia’s population.

-Much of this is because of ethnic resettlement, but there has also been rapid movement of workers seeking economic opportunity from the region’s poorer nations. Then there is the impact of migrants from the newer members of the European Union (EU) travelling westwards to seek work in richer countries.

-Given the limited supply of bright young people, it seems unwise to ship them abroad to add value to other economies. Yet there is some compensation. For many countries, the remittances those workers send home are vitally important.

-As migration changes, shorter-term movements will bring migrants home with wealth accumulated abroad and human capital in the form of knowledge and new institutional norms that can improve domestic life.

Response

With globalization and more countires opening up their economy, eg China, migration has shown an increasing trend. The migration here is also known as volunteery migration, whereby people migrate to improve their standard of living. Examples of such migration are the rural-urban migration, another will be the urban-urban migration. In these case, people migrate because they believe that they are able to have better lives and better opportunities to wherever they are going.

It is important to recognise the benefits brought about by migration, as it is able to bring in accumulated wealth or knowlege that may be vital for the country's further development, especially with globalisation. This is because this may be an opportunity for a country to boost its growth, as there is further expection for the trend of migration to continue.

GPDAYANDNIGHT 2007

NEW YEAR. NEW ARTICLES FOR SCHOOL TERM.

COMMENTARIES HERE ARE COPYRIGHT.

Thursday, August 31, 2006

T3: Article 4

Title: California heats up the political climate with greenhouse gas law
Last updated: 1 September 2006
Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2337759,00.html

Summary

-ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER, the Governor of California, has thrown down the gauntlet to the White House by introducing new laws bringing in America’s toughest controls on greenhouse gas emissions.

-The legislation will make California the first state to cap emissions of carbon dioxide and other gases thought to be responsible for global warming.

-Bush Administration has rejected the idea of controls on emissions repeatedly, withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol in 2001 and seeking to cast doubt on the science of global warming.

-The Global Warming Solutions Act will force the state’s leading industries, such as utility plants and oil and gas refineries, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020 — a reduction of about 25 per cent.

-Democrats and other supporters hailed the breakthrough as an historic moment not just for California but also for the country.

-Allen Zaremberg, the president of the California chamber of commerce, said. “Being the only state to have absolute caps on carbon emissions puts California at a competitive disadvantage. Companies could leave California, taking their jobs and greenhouse gas emissions with them — having little impact on global climate change but a severe negative impact on California’s economy.”

-The legislation will also provide added incentives for some out-of-state companies to impose restrictions on themselves, such as the energy companies that provide California with $30 billion (£16 billion) of fossil fuel-derived energy.

Response

I agree with Mr Arnold Schwarzenegger's actions. We should recognise the detriments that Global Warming will bring in the future, instead of just concerning with ourselves with the current economy. Furthermore, I believed that the governor will not implement any legislations without considerations to California's economy. It is also admirable of Mr Schwarzengger to implement the Global Warming Solutions Act, even with opposition from the President. Despite being a Republican, he is able to put aside political differences, to work with the Democrats to implement the legislation.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

T3: Article 3

Title: Singapore attacked over blog gag
Last updated: 6 April 2006
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4882746.stm

Summary
-The government has extended censorship laws to ban podcasts and videocasts that carry political content.

-Media watchdog Reporters without Borders said the ban would prevent democratic debate on the net.

-It is enforced under a 2001 law that seeks to prevent overt advertising by political parties.

-Outside of election periods, bloggers and website managers have to register with the Media Development Authority (MDA) if they want to write about party politics.

-However during elections even registered users are prohibited from open political discussion.

-The government said that anyone breaking the ban faces legal action.

-Recently the government relaxed some of its laws in an attempt to market the country as a hub for arts and culture. Foe example, the film, Brokeback Mountain, passed film censors this year, in spite of the country's stringent laws against homosexuality.

Response

Technology has improvead a great deal within the past few years. To maintain the law and order within the country, the Singapore government has now implemented more laws to prevent the abuse of such technology, such as extension of the censorship laws to ban podcasts and videocasts that carry political content. To some people, this can also be seen as an attempt by the PAP to retain their hold in politics in Singapore. But to some, this can be seen as an attempt to maintain peace within the country. This is because some unconstructive views over politics made by some inconsiderate people may be overly publicised by the media, giving citizens the wrong information or impression. Thus the issues regarding censorship must be looked into at greater perspectives, as this can become a sensitive issue.

However, the government have also seen relaxing certain laws to make Singapore a more open-minded society. This can be seen in the example of the movie, Brokeback mountain.

T3: Article 2

Title: Singaporeans donate less money but volunteer more time: survey
Last updated: 13 July 2006
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/218938/1/.html

Summary
-A survey has found that Singaporeans donated less money to charities, but volunteered more of their time.

-The good news is more youths aged 15 to 24 took up volunteer work, from 25 percent in 2004 to 28 percent in 2006. These volunteering activities exclude the compulsory Community Involvement Programme in schools.

-In total, there are 30,000 more volunteers in 2006, bringing the total number to 470,000, or 15.5 percent of the population.

-Singaporeans chalked up 40 percent more hours of volunteer work than 2 years ago.

-49 million hours were clocked, equivalent to $1.12b in wages, or some 0.58 percent of the GDP.

-However, total donations dropped by $97m to $341m.

-NVPC says the problems in the charity scene last year caused public confidence to take a dive.

Response

The dip in people doanting money and the rise in people doing volunteery work, in my opinion is a good thing after all. Although money, most of the time, is more practical for the organisations, however, people willing to set aside their daily work to volunteer their efforts also show that more and more people are taking charity more seriously. In addition, the people volunteering may also learn more to be more caring, friendly, or even outgoing during the process in helping out others. Furthermore, although total donations dropped by $97m, but the equivalent wages to the work done by the volunteers are worthed $1.2b. Instead of paying others to do the jobs, there are the volunteers. While helping others, people can also learn that the more they help, the more meaningful it gets. This way, both sides will get to benefit.

T3: Article 1

Title: Zidane heads out of football
Last updated: 10 July 2006
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/newsenglish/witn/2006/07/060710_zidane.shtml

Summary
-defeat of France by Italy in the final of the World Cup has brought to an end the career of one of its finest players.

-Many uncommitted fans supported France because of his presence.

-A shy and retiring man, he is proud of his Algerian ancestry and has never sought the limelight. But his footballing genius has given him what he said he craved - respect for what he and his family had achieved.

-But head butt of Zinedine Zidane on his Italian opponent which led to his sending off has tarnished his illustrious image.

Response

Many versions of what really happen during the World Cup Finals, to cause Zidane to head butt Italy's Marco Materazzi have surfaced. Including repeated insults towards his family by Materazzi to Zidane. Although the former has denied all accusations. If the insults are true, then Zidane's actions are understandable. However, that dosen't mean that we should condone his behaviour. Zidane should consider the big picture first and manage his anger in a better way. Being the key player in the team , and it is during the Finals, when millions of people are watching live, he should have waited the game to end before he reacts to Materazzi's taunts. That period not only is crucial to the team of France, but also allows him to cool off and calms down. Unfortunately, Zidane choose to settle the score with violence at that moment, in the middle of the crucial extra time. The aggression not only marred his illustrious image but also end his whole career with a bitter taste.

On the other hand, wat happened cannot be changed. Instead of pointing fingers to Zidane for the lost of France. People should also consider the pressure he is withsatnding at that moment of time. Insults at that time may be too much for a person to take. Maybe, next time Zidane and many more other people can redirect their anger for better constructive causes. As the saying goes, an angry musician can come up with a brilliant song; an angry painter can come up with a great work of art.

Wednesday, June 21, 2006

Article 6

Title: Lens solution the culprit in worldwide contact lens scare
Last updated: 09 June 2006
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/212830/1/.html

Summary
-Contact lens maker Bausch and Lomb has discovered that the cause of the recent spate of fungal eye infections worldwide is the ReNu lens cleaning solution itself.

-Most contact lens cleaning solutions contain just one polymer, but ReNu MoistureLoc multipurpose contact lens solution has three.

-Its manufacturer, Bausch and Lomb, thought this would keep the eyes of contact lens users moist and comfortable, but the formula ended up trapping fungus instead of killing it.

-So it is a formulation problem. And the fungus grows by the day with each repeated use.

-But doctors say users themselves must also practice good contact lens cleaning and care regimens.

-The institute is also working with microbiologists on a case control study.

Response

Although Singapore's quality control is good but there may be times where cases are overlook. From the above example, it shows that personal hygiene is very important. Users should practice good contact lens cleaning and care regimens, to prevent eye infections. Eyes are very important as they enable us to see. Fungal corneal infection is very serious as it may cause permanant blindness. Although Bausch and Lomb is a reputable company, it also will cause formulation problem in its contact lens solution. Thus people should also put in extra effort in cleaning their own lenses, to protect their precious eyes.

Luckily, the matter is revealed quickly to the public. If not, there may be dire consequences if people continue the usage of the contact lens solution.

Article 5

Title: Students create new bread flavours for the UK market
Last updated: 21 June 2006
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/214804/1/.html

Summary
-Four Singapore Polytechnic students have developed five new bread flavours, while on a six-week attachment at a bakery in the United Kingdom.

-"In Singapore, when we have green bread, people usually associate them with pandan or kaya flavour. But in the UK, when they see green bread, they usually think the bread is mouldy, and they won't try the bread at all"

-The students are among the first Asian interns at the bakery, and the managing director has expressed an interest to employ some of them when they graduate.

-Bakery is also hoping to supply the students' creations to several supermarkets, hotels and restaurants in the UK in the near future.

Response

I think it is a great idea to allow students from Singapore to go to other countries in the Europe, like UK for attachments. The students can benefit greatly as Europe and Asia has its many differences, for example, living lifestyles and eating habits. While on attachments, they can see how things are done overseas, and the differences between UK and Singapore. They can bring on what they learn in Singapore and appy it to their jobs in UK, not only they are increasing their own career opportunites, they are also representing Singapore, showing that Singapore is a great country.

For instance, the result of Cecilia's hard work, creation of a white-coloured mint chocolate chip brioche, is a wonderful representative of the creativeness by Singaporeans. In addition, the four students also learn alot during their attachments. Schools should encourage more of such attachments for students, by giving subsidies. So that students will not miss such chances as they lack money.

Monday, June 19, 2006

Article 4

Title: New technique helps couples avoid transmitting tragic diseases to baby
Last updated: 20 June 2006
Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/health/view/214585/1/.html

Summary
-British researchers said Monday they had revolutionised a screening technique on embryos to help couples avoid the heartbreak of handing on a crippling inherited disease to their baby.

-This search, called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, entails screening embryos that are created by in-vitro fertilisation.

-A cell is then taken from the embryo and then amplified a million times over to see if it carries these markers, and if so whether it carries two copies of them in its chromosomes.

-The technique, called pre-implantation genetic haplotyping, fine-tunes the previous diagnostic tool, making it more accurate and allowing more embryos to be available for implantation.

-"The development of this new approach for single-gene disorders represents a major step forward in widening the scope and availability of (embryonic gene testing) for serious diseases," the research, presented at the conference, said.

Response

This breakthrough in technology is indeed very useful and beneficial. By using this screening technique on embryos, it can avoid passing on several inherited diseases to the next generation and ensuring healthy babies for couples. Thus, couples who have genetic disorders also have a chance to have babies, without fearing that their disorders will be transmitted to their children.

However, although this new technique is very useful, not many people may be willing to try it. It is because this search, called pre-implantation genetic diagnosis, entails screening embryos that are created by in-vitro fertilisation. Firstly, not many people who have trouble with pregnancy will go for in-vitro fertilisation as it is quite expensive. In addition, those who can afford for the diagnosis may also be unwilling to go for it due to their pride. They normally see 'the natural way' of fertilisation is the normal way and if they go for in-vitro fertilisation, they think they will have no more dignity. Thus, even with troubles with having babies, they rather forgo the in-vitro fertilisation.

Article 3

Title: Green building goes big
Last updated: June 1, 2006
Source: http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/31/real_estate/green_goes_large_scale/index.htm

Summary
-With oil piercing the $70-a-barrel barrier and natural-gas prices quadrupling since the late 1990s, the use of green construction in large-scale, multi-home developments is taking off.

-McGraw Hill Construction, in partnership with National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), reported a 20 percent jump last year in home builders focused on environmentally responsible construction.

-Taryn Holowka, of the United States Green Building Council, says that there are only about 500 buildings in the nation that qualify for the organization's LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) status. But there are more than 4,000 under construction that will qualify.

-Energy savings is the reason. Holowka says, "Before, we were pushing LEED for its environmental benefits, but now the cost benefit is what's really driving interest."

Response

Prices of oil and natural gas have rocketed over the years. With green construction now in preference, not only does it cause environmental benefits, cost benefits are also present, which are driving interest. Builders can incorporate green techniques, at little extra cost, into their projects and it aids the environment. For example, the home will use geo-source heat pumps, which utilize the constant underground 55 degree temperatures to both heat and cool homes, new kinds of insulation, innovative water systems and the like. Ultimately, it should use 50 percent less fossil fuels and water than conventional homes. It should also recycle or reuse 90 percent of organic waste. A much more energy efficient house may only cost about 10 percent more, yet save about half the energy costs and eventually pay for itself. Thus buying green houses can also equate into making an investment.

America is a huge country. If more green development makes into mainstream, then the country itself is making a huge contributuion to the environment. As natural resources like cil are scarce, all the more such green development and green residential houses should be encouraged among the people. Not only it is environmentally friendly, it also helps to saves cost, and saving money always makes doing the right thing more palatable.

Article 2

Title: Singapore bets on Las Vegas Sands
Last updated: Friday, May 26, 2006
Source: http://www.cnn.com/2006/BUSINESS/05/26/singapore.casino/index.html

Summary
-The tiny island-nation scrapped a ban on casinos last year in a move to shake off its staid image and capture part of Macau's success as a gambling center for Asia's increasingly wealthy and mobile middle class.

-A panel of government ministers chose the group from four consortia, which included top casino firms Harrah's Entertainment Inc. and MGM Mirage and their local partners.

-Shares of Singapore property developers CapitaLand and Keppel Land, who were among the failed bidders, surged by as much as 7 percent ahead of the announcement.

-Casino is an important part of Singapore's strategy to boost its tourism and services sector by tapping into the $13 billion expected to be generated in revenues from legal casinos in the region.

-Singapore lifted a decades-old ban on casino gambling last year after unusually vociferous opposition from religion and social groups.

Response

Singapore, being a small country, has no natural resources. Thus Singapore have to change its strategies in increasing economic growth in the region, in the face of fierce competition from countries like Hong Kong.
Although there are opposition from various religions and social groups, I think there is still a need to build a casino.The casino is an important part of Singapore's strategy to boost its tourism and services sector by tapping into the $13 billion expected to be generated in revenues from legal casinos in the region this year. Not only will it aid in the tourism and services sector, it will also generate more jobs in other sectors as well, as most industries are inter-related. In addition, it will also enhance Singapore's image as a global city and shake off its staid image.

However, as there are various opposition from religion groups, the government have to convince them of the idea od having a casino as soon as possible. There must be communications between the government and the people as the people may resort to violence to oppose to the 'casino' idea if they think that their thoughts are ignored.

In addition, the casino may bring on several social problems, such as people addicted to gambling in casino, causing violence iwithin the family. But fortunately, the government have to take on some means and measures to reduce this possibility. For example, the high membership and entry fee Singaporeans have to pay to go into Singapore's very own casino. This is one way to deter gamblers who have no money.

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Article 1

Title: Mobiles fuel exam cheating rise
Last Updated: Sunday, 26 March 2006
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/education/4848224.stm

Summary
-Taking unauthorised items into exam rooms was the most common offence with 60% of such cases involving mobile phones

-A third of cases involved plagiarism, collusion or copying work.

-Penalties imposed ranged from warnings and loss of marks to partial disqualification and, in "a small number" of cases, a total ban from all qualifications.

-A spokesperson for the Department for Education and Skills said: "We expect schools to maintain high standards of discipline.

Response

The rise of cheating in exam may be due to students eager to achieve good results in their exmas. They are too eager in wanting the results that they forget the consequences of cheating in the exam. As stated in the article, "People had to realise that cheating of any kind would not be tolerated". The students who cheated are foolish to think that their plans will go unnoticed. Thus, the punishment for cheaters should be harder. To instill discipline in the students, and to eradicate further cheating, the cheater should be banned for taking any exams for a longer period of time. In this way, students who intend to cheat may forgo the idea due to the harsh consequences.

Exams are, after all, designed to let talented students shine brighter than the less capable. If the practice of cheating continue to increase, no one will have faith in the education system any longer.

In my opinion, teachers or invigilators also have the responsibility to stop the students from cheating. If students taking out mobile phones during exams to cheat, it also means that they are lax in carrying out their duties. A teachers or invigilators are suppose to ensure that students should not bring any unauthorised materials into the exam hall. They should be more vigilant in looking out for the students who might cheat, and prevent them fom cheating before the exams start. As if caught cheating during exams, the consequences the student faces might be more dire.