sorry professor, the vuvuzela blew my homework away.

World Cup fans can make even more noise this weekend, but not without some controversy. The vuvuzela is coming to town! Is it an instrument of joy or torture for the ears? People are divided.

The vuvuzela has caused quite a big ruckus in the World Cup where everyone over the world has a love or hate relationship with this instrument. Some fans loves it as it boosts the atmosphere, lifting everyone's spirits. While some other fans absolutely despises the noise that comes from the equipment as it gets really annoying at times. The Vuvuzela is definitely the hot topic for everyone now as I see it on the trending topics of Twitter and even youtube has added a "Football" button where the sounds of vuvuzela will be played when you click on the button. Way to ruin your videos isn't it?

Having watched quite a few World Cup matches, I have experienced the prowess of the Vuvuzela. It sounds like hornets to me, but it is pretty much bearable. However, it is probably worst for the fans watching at the stadium as there are harmful effects to one's ears. But I do think that the vuvuzela is pretty cool to play with if you do it moderately.

The selling price here will be about S$50 per piece - about double what it is going for in South Africa. This is for the high-end model - the one with the country sock - which is what the supplier is selling here.

I feel that the vuvuzela is overpriced in Singapore as it is only sold at $10 in South Africa. I would have considered buying it home if it costs $10 but not when it is priced at $50. After all, when the World Cup buzz dies down, the vuvuzela would only be lying in everyone's storeroom.

source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1066288/1/.html

Wanted: Change

FIFA refuses to act on calls to introduce technology to decide on contentious decisions after refereeing mistakes marred Sunday's two last 16 matches at the World Cup. FIFA's refusal has long been criticised with its president Sepp Blatter insisting the referee will always remain the ultimate decision-maker at all levels of the game.

England is out of the World Cup after being defeated 4-1 by the Germany national team. One of the controversy was a goal by midfielder Frank Lampard which was disallowed even though it was clearly a goal. Replays has showed that Lampard's shot bounced off the underside of the German crossbar in the first half and landed a yard over the goal-line, however it was missed by both the referee and his assistant.

First of all, I feel strongly for this incident as I am a supporter of the England national team and a big fan of Lampard. I'm not saying that the German team didn't deserve the win but that the fact that if the goal was allowed, the German and English would have a draw for the first half and I believe that this probaly would change the game in the second half. The England team might fight even harder for a win and the outcome might be different.

I do agree that the Germans simply outclassed the English team and they deserve to be the one of the last eight nations in World Cup. However, is it time for the FIFA to introduce technology into the game? This is not the first time the FIFA referees made a blunder and blunders in World Cups are definitely costly. Just like the disallowed USA goal against Slovenia which they could have won and the Argentina-Mexico game where Tevez was given a goal despite being offside.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/1066278/1/.html

Do you want to be like James Bond?

Well, you can if you have around 3.5 million pounds to spare.

James Bond's famous Aston Martin car from the films "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball" is expected to raise more than five million dollars when it goes on sale. The car is customised with gadgets such machine guns, a bullet-proof shield, revolving number plates, a tracking device, a removable roof panel, an oil slick sprayer, a nail spreader and a smoke screen.

I read that the money raised will be donated to the owner's charitable foundation. The hefty price tag that comes with the car would be worth it as it is for a good cause and I believe that everyone that can afford it would be dying to own the car. But wow, 5.1 million singapore dolllars?

source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1060742/1/.html