My point of view

In order to survive in the competitive global environment, Singapore is best to perfect the delicate balancing act of being independent and interdependent

China has been improving tremendously and is quickly catching up with America to become one of the super powers in the world. It is great that we enjoy a great working relationship with them. With China advancing, there are working opportunities for both countries and we, Singaporeans, do speak chinese which is an advantage when pitted with other countries and we do understand their culture.

Mr Lee’s point of view was rather interesting as I had never thought of it this way but what he said made sense. “In Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's view, the added value Singapore could provide China would include Singapore's in-depth understanding of its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and Singapore's intimate relationship with countries in Southeast Asia as well as Singapore's understanding of the operational knowledge of western countries that until today, China has not fully understood.” I agree with his view as one major reason why China is losing out to other countries is the understanding towards western countries. Singapore has great relations with different countries and this would definitely help China in their developing.

I agree that Singapore has to perfect the act of being independent and interdependent. Singapore as we all know is a small country with no natural resources therefore I believe that it is important we maintain good relations with other countries as there are definitely some things that we are unable to do. For example, we need water from Malaysia and fuel from Middle East countries and even our food is imported from neighbouring countries. We have proven ourselves in different aspects such as our Changi Airport and the port of Singapore is one of the world’s busiest transhipment hub. It is impossible for Singapore to be “completely” independent. Sure, we have developed NEWater and introduced desalination to reduce the reliance on water imported from Malaysia but that is all that we can do.

As we are mutually dependent with other countries, it is important for us not to lose ourselves and become influenced by other powerful countries. I agree with Mr Lee that we have to have our own position and principles and not to become a satelite country of other countries. We need other countries just as much as they need us. Singpaore has to show the world that despite being a small country with no natural resources, we are still capable of doing what bigger countries do. We might have more difficulties or we could take more time but we will get there through our “Singapore spirit”.Therefore Singapore just has to be independent and interdependent at the same time.

The article basically talks about bullying in United States of America. Half of the high school students admit to bullying someone in the past year and nearly half was also being bullied.

The act of being bullied is defined by being physically abused, teased or taunted in a way that seriously upsets them. This article also shows how bullying is turning into a common situation and I also believe that with the improvement of technology and creation of new media such as twitter and facebook, the bullying is made easier as words can be spread even faster.

It's hard to stop bullying from occurring because most victims of bully are afraid of speaking out and standing up against the bully and the bully finds satisfaction through the fear of people. Schools should take an active part in campaigning for anti-violence and stop bullying acts. Students should be more aware of the bullying and try to speak out against the bully or inform an adult about the incident.

source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_595924.html

VIVA ESPANA

Spain is the champions of the World. Can you believe that Spain lost their opening game in the World Cup to Switzerland but is now crowned the Champions? They are the first country to have lost their first game and proceed to win the trophy.

SPAIN'S place among world football's all-time greatest teams was assured on Sunday when Andres Iniesta scored with four minutes of extra time remaining to beat the Netherlands 1-0 and clinch his country's first World Cup.

Alongside the European championships 2008 which Spain also won and this makes them the World and European champion at the same time. I watched the entire match and I feel that Spain deserves this victory. I feel that both teams had their fair share of chances but it was Spain's patience that gave them the win. I am also glad that Spain won as they had dominated possession throughout the game and Netherlands definitely did not deserve a win as they played so aggressively like when one of the players gave Xabi Alonso a kungfu kick. This final also sets the record for having most yellow cards in a World Cup final, 14 yellow cards in total.

As a supporter of the Spain national team, I am proud to be a part of this historic moment for their football team. I'm glad they won it now and not like 4 or 8 years back when I wasn't interested in football yet.

source: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Sport/Story/STIStory_552396.html

Is this the only way out?

The article says that just 1 day after the suicide of korean actor Park Yong Ha, three have attempted to take their own lives and two of them succeeded. All three of them are believed to be affected by the death of Park Yong Ha which led to their subsequent actions.

According to a police statement, Roh, 31, said he was "suffering from depression" and started having "suicidal thoughts" after hearing of the "Winter Sonata" actor's demise on June 30. However, Roh's manager claimed that the singer was simply drunk at the time and accidentally fell into the river. Roh may have survived this incident but a 40-year-old female owner of a Korean production house was not so lucky. She apparently hung herself with a belt at home on July 1, leaving behind a suicide note that read "I am sorry mother!" Another 49-year-old woman had also hung herself on that same day. After examining her suicide note, police have expressed that the woman, who was a fan of Park, may have taken her own life to follow her idol.

I am quite taken aback by the attempts of suicide as I don't understand why they would give up their own lives just because their idol is dead. I understand that they might be a really big fan of this korean actor but is life that unworthy to live for just because he is found dead? There are many people out there fighting for their own lives but there are some people who would just end their own lives like that?

Another part of the article,

Suicide is the highest cause of death among those in their twenties and thirties in South Korea, which in 2007 had the highest suicide rate among members of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. The health ministry said 23.9 in every 100,000 South Koreans committed suicide in 2007, compared with 19.4 in Japan, 16.7 in Finland, 14.2 in France and 14.0 in Switzerland.

I see that the stress level in South Korea is probably really high for their suicide rate to be that high. I think that suicides are really irresponsible as there is always a solution to everything. Committing suicide will not solve the root of the problem but it just pushes the problem to someone else to settle. The two ladies gave their lives away for someone who probably did not know their existence. Was it worth it? It's your decision to make.

source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1067623/1/.html

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