Entries
Friday, September 07, 2007
In conjunction with the previous article. This article also concerns China's developement into a first world country. However, the difference in this article is that this does not concern Chinese products but the presense of chinese businesses in Africa.
As you all know Africa has been plagued with inner turmoil with civil wars, famine, wide spread of diseases and have been at the mercy of western powers. However, know the africans have been able to pull up their socks attracting investors from other countries but a problem they all faced was that these foreign investors who invested in Africa have been making use of the abundant resources in Africa such as oil and the like.
In this article, the Africans are quite happy that China has gone in to invest and has helped create numerous jobs for their people who are now able to earn money for their family. However, the key point in the article was, would China become something like the western powers who robbed Africa of its resources or was it actually helping Africa. Let me begin by explaining this point, chinese mines in africa although having created jobs for the locals there has had a certain down side, that being that these workers in chinese mines are being paid much less than those working in other mines. This led them to think, was China another world power who was taking advantage of Africa for her own good?
I believe that China although having invested in Africa has a some good for the africans, is actually meant to help China develope not so much Africa. After all, isn't it the survival of the strongest,in this case China having done whatever it has done for the good of the country. However, this investments has also a bright side for the africans as there is an increase in jobs and hopefully a brighter future, but this may all be the side effects of the investments.
As you all know Africa has been plagued with inner turmoil with civil wars, famine, wide spread of diseases and have been at the mercy of western powers. However, know the africans have been able to pull up their socks attracting investors from other countries but a problem they all faced was that these foreign investors who invested in Africa have been making use of the abundant resources in Africa such as oil and the like.
In this article, the Africans are quite happy that China has gone in to invest and has helped create numerous jobs for their people who are now able to earn money for their family. However, the key point in the article was, would China become something like the western powers who robbed Africa of its resources or was it actually helping Africa. Let me begin by explaining this point, chinese mines in africa although having created jobs for the locals there has had a certain down side, that being that these workers in chinese mines are being paid much less than those working in other mines. This led them to think, was China another world power who was taking advantage of Africa for her own good?
I believe that China although having invested in Africa has a some good for the africans, is actually meant to help China develope not so much Africa. After all, isn't it the survival of the strongest,in this case China having done whatever it has done for the good of the country. However, this investments has also a bright side for the africans as there is an increase in jobs and hopefully a brighter future, but this may all be the side effects of the investments.
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
7:20 AM
This article is regarding the recent discovery of defects of chinese goods which may be harmful to us humans. As you all know China is a developing country developing at a very fast pace. With this comes the export of chinese made goods be it food products, toys and even clothes. China is already the biggest exporter to the US and this has caused many US firms to complain against this.
But this is not the point. This article states that a boy's shirt burst into flames when he and his mum were walking down the street one day. This is indeed shocking as has anyone ever encountered such a thing where a shirt would burst into flames without even contacting fire? This shirt was made in China. Bring us back to the point, China although being a place for relatively cheap labour and production cost has one down side that is the qualities of its products. Let me give you an example, previous to this there was a case where there was a high quantity of lead found in some toys made in China from the brand mattel. This has caused fears in the many governements of the world that China products which are exported to almost every country may affect their citizens, and thus forced them to ban these chinese products. This in turn would affect China's economy and the reputation of China which is slowly developing.
To sum this up, China should give concern to the qualities of their products as if they are not able to ensure good quality in their products, many other countries would ban their products altogether and this in turn would affect China's developement.
But this is not the point. This article states that a boy's shirt burst into flames when he and his mum were walking down the street one day. This is indeed shocking as has anyone ever encountered such a thing where a shirt would burst into flames without even contacting fire? This shirt was made in China. Bring us back to the point, China although being a place for relatively cheap labour and production cost has one down side that is the qualities of its products. Let me give you an example, previous to this there was a case where there was a high quantity of lead found in some toys made in China from the brand mattel. This has caused fears in the many governements of the world that China products which are exported to almost every country may affect their citizens, and thus forced them to ban these chinese products. This in turn would affect China's economy and the reputation of China which is slowly developing.
To sum this up, China should give concern to the qualities of their products as if they are not able to ensure good quality in their products, many other countries would ban their products altogether and this in turn would affect China's developement.
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
7:06 AM
Friday, May 18, 2007
http://www.netscape.com/viewstory/2007/03/03/sunni-family-killed-for-reconciliation-meeting-with-shiites/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fhosted.ap.org%2Fdynamic%2Fstories%2FI%2FIRAQ%3FSITE%3DAP%26SECTION%3DHOME%26TEMPLATE&frame=true
This is yet another article detailing the violence in Iraq where bullets are shot almost everyday and roadside bombs spring up from time to time.
This killing would have been like any other if not for the reason the victims were chosen. The six Sunni victims had attended a reconciliation conference with Shiites; soon after, they received death threats. If it had been a Shiite group which carried out the killing, it would have been just another case of sectarian violence; still a condemnable act, but an expected one. This time the killers were Sunnis.Having heard no other news of Iraq other than reports of bloodshed, it is easy to forget that most Iraqis just want peace. The impression I got from the news was that that all Sunnis hated Shiites and vice versa. After reading this article I realized that it is the only the Sunni extremists, not the whole community, who are trying to topple the Shiite-led government.While relieved that it is only a few who are causing chaos, I now know of the divide that exists within the Sunni community, and it is this divide that the possibility of peace is being pushed into. How can there be peace between Sunnis and Shiites if there isn’t even peace within their own communities? While there are some who actively try to bridge the rift, there are some who will kill to keep the wound open. They want peace, but it seems they cannot agree on how to achieve it.There is a quote from the movie Hotel Rwanda. A camera-man, after shooting scenes of the Tutsi massacre, says: “I think if people see this footage, they'll say Oh, my God, that's horrible. And then they'll go on eating their dinners.”While I fell that I am affected by the cold-blooded killing and insensitive actions in some way, I will soon shove it to the back of my mind and forget it. It will be just another snippet of information to be stored away so that I may fill my head with more important things, like the latest games or movies to be played and watched.
This is yet another article detailing the violence in Iraq where bullets are shot almost everyday and roadside bombs spring up from time to time.
This killing would have been like any other if not for the reason the victims were chosen. The six Sunni victims had attended a reconciliation conference with Shiites; soon after, they received death threats. If it had been a Shiite group which carried out the killing, it would have been just another case of sectarian violence; still a condemnable act, but an expected one. This time the killers were Sunnis.Having heard no other news of Iraq other than reports of bloodshed, it is easy to forget that most Iraqis just want peace. The impression I got from the news was that that all Sunnis hated Shiites and vice versa. After reading this article I realized that it is the only the Sunni extremists, not the whole community, who are trying to topple the Shiite-led government.While relieved that it is only a few who are causing chaos, I now know of the divide that exists within the Sunni community, and it is this divide that the possibility of peace is being pushed into. How can there be peace between Sunnis and Shiites if there isn’t even peace within their own communities? While there are some who actively try to bridge the rift, there are some who will kill to keep the wound open. They want peace, but it seems they cannot agree on how to achieve it.There is a quote from the movie Hotel Rwanda. A camera-man, after shooting scenes of the Tutsi massacre, says: “I think if people see this footage, they'll say Oh, my God, that's horrible. And then they'll go on eating their dinners.”While I fell that I am affected by the cold-blooded killing and insensitive actions in some way, I will soon shove it to the back of my mind and forget it. It will be just another snippet of information to be stored away so that I may fill my head with more important things, like the latest games or movies to be played and watched.
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
6:29 AM
Saturday, May 05, 2007
This article is about the desicion to develope Johor's waterfront into wat would be The Iskandar development region which covers an area of 2217 sq km, nearly thrice as large as singapore. This project will help with the unemployment rate cutting the unemployed from 4% to about 1.8% as on completion the project will bring in close to a million jobs.
This venture that malaysia is attempting is to complement Singapore's building of the integrated resorts as they say that there will be a spillover of the tourist going to singapore for business or lesiure and that with the Iskandar development project they are hoping to ride on Singapore's wave and to encourage tourist to go over the causeway to see what Malaysia has to offer like theme parks, luxury apartments and shopping malls at Johor's waterfront. I find that Malaysia is trying to take tourist away frm Singapore by coming up with this project, however, others see this like that of Shenzhen and HongKong where like them the IDR and Singapore will feed off each other to a mutual prosperity. This dream may come true, however according to anaylsts Kuala Lumpur's target of attraction nearly US$14billion of investments over the next five years will collaspe if the US economy enters a period of slowdown.
I personally do not think that Malaysia will succed with the IDR which will be completed over a period of 20years as if you go up to Malaysia you can see that many of their apartments are fairly run down and they do not really maintain their buildings. Recently, me and my family went on a holiday to Penang where we saw a few flats which had moss growing and was already turning black from exposure to the elements. What suprised me was that these flats were just recently completed and that already they were in such a condition. If malaysians can't maintain their buildings how would they maintain the first few buildings that would be built under the IDR. Would it mean that a few months after completion the building would deteriorate? If this is the case how would the buildings be over the 20 years taken to complete the IDR. Thus this is why i think that Malaysia would not be able to develope the IDR into its full potential.
This article was taken from the 5th of may straits times.
This venture that malaysia is attempting is to complement Singapore's building of the integrated resorts as they say that there will be a spillover of the tourist going to singapore for business or lesiure and that with the Iskandar development project they are hoping to ride on Singapore's wave and to encourage tourist to go over the causeway to see what Malaysia has to offer like theme parks, luxury apartments and shopping malls at Johor's waterfront. I find that Malaysia is trying to take tourist away frm Singapore by coming up with this project, however, others see this like that of Shenzhen and HongKong where like them the IDR and Singapore will feed off each other to a mutual prosperity. This dream may come true, however according to anaylsts Kuala Lumpur's target of attraction nearly US$14billion of investments over the next five years will collaspe if the US economy enters a period of slowdown.
I personally do not think that Malaysia will succed with the IDR which will be completed over a period of 20years as if you go up to Malaysia you can see that many of their apartments are fairly run down and they do not really maintain their buildings. Recently, me and my family went on a holiday to Penang where we saw a few flats which had moss growing and was already turning black from exposure to the elements. What suprised me was that these flats were just recently completed and that already they were in such a condition. If malaysians can't maintain their buildings how would they maintain the first few buildings that would be built under the IDR. Would it mean that a few months after completion the building would deteriorate? If this is the case how would the buildings be over the 20 years taken to complete the IDR. Thus this is why i think that Malaysia would not be able to develope the IDR into its full potential.
This article was taken from the 5th of may straits times.
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
6:43 AM
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
This post is concerning how a kidney donor died afer donating her kidney to her husband. The story was taken from the 27th february issue of THE STRAITS TIMES. Two years ago, in february the 15th Madam Kuar was admitted to the hospital, a day before she underwent surgery to donate her left kidney to her husband who was suffering from chronic renal failure.
Chronic renal failure or chronic kidney failure, CKF, is a slowly progressive loss of renal function over a period of months or years and defined as an abnormally low glomerular filtration rate, which is usually determined indirectly by the creatinine level in blood serum.
CRF that leads to severe illness and requires some form of renal replacemnet therapy (such as dialysis) is called end-stage renal disease. You could also have the failing kidney replaced if you could find a donor.
Two years ago, 6 hours after the surgery, his wife Madam Kuar passed away after donating a kidney to him.During the trial,Dr Li Man Kay head of the renal trnasplant team testidied that the surgery was without any complications but Madam Kuar passed away due to the slip of the clips which were holding Madam Kuar's left renal artery and vein shut, resulting in sudden internal bleeding around the area of her abdomen.After this incident the hospital has taken measures to ensure that this does not happen again. They have reinforced the clips with sutures or metal clips to ensure that they do not slip, these clips are called hem-o-loks.
Hem-o-lok clips are being used in major surgical operations to tie up arteries and veins to prevent bleeding.Another doctor Dr Ravintharan believed that is was the pressure from such a large vessel as the renal artery which might have caused the problem as the clip could not have taken that much pressure and causing it to slip.
From this event, i feel sorry that such a mishap had befallen Madam Kuar. However, i would also not blame the doctors as how can you blame them for something that they cannot control. I haev also learned from this review that have a disease is not something which is good as it affects ourselves and our friends and relatives.In this case it cause the death of his wife, so the best way i can think of to prevent this from happening to me is to eat heathly and exercise regularly.
Chronic renal failure or chronic kidney failure, CKF, is a slowly progressive loss of renal function over a period of months or years and defined as an abnormally low glomerular filtration rate, which is usually determined indirectly by the creatinine level in blood serum.
CRF that leads to severe illness and requires some form of renal replacemnet therapy (such as dialysis) is called end-stage renal disease. You could also have the failing kidney replaced if you could find a donor.
Two years ago, 6 hours after the surgery, his wife Madam Kuar passed away after donating a kidney to him.During the trial,Dr Li Man Kay head of the renal trnasplant team testidied that the surgery was without any complications but Madam Kuar passed away due to the slip of the clips which were holding Madam Kuar's left renal artery and vein shut, resulting in sudden internal bleeding around the area of her abdomen.After this incident the hospital has taken measures to ensure that this does not happen again. They have reinforced the clips with sutures or metal clips to ensure that they do not slip, these clips are called hem-o-loks.
Hem-o-lok clips are being used in major surgical operations to tie up arteries and veins to prevent bleeding.Another doctor Dr Ravintharan believed that is was the pressure from such a large vessel as the renal artery which might have caused the problem as the clip could not have taken that much pressure and causing it to slip.
From this event, i feel sorry that such a mishap had befallen Madam Kuar. However, i would also not blame the doctors as how can you blame them for something that they cannot control. I haev also learned from this review that have a disease is not something which is good as it affects ourselves and our friends and relatives.In this case it cause the death of his wife, so the best way i can think of to prevent this from happening to me is to eat heathly and exercise regularly.
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
4:59 AM
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
This is not about the Singapore versus Thailand soccer match but rather about the buying over of Shin Corp by Temasek Holdings. As you may have read, the Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was overthrown by the military just because of this sale. However in today's straits times Thailand wants to "properly" buy back the satellites. They are doing so as General Sonthihad called the satellites "national assetes which should not simply be taken away from the Thai people. Moreover, he alleged that Singapore could monitor Thai army phone calls through its control of Shin Corp. These events from the start of the sale of Shin Corp to the most recent the buying of the satellites back from Temesak has led me to think why is Thailand making such a fuss about it. I can understand that they are worried that with control over their telecommunications their state secrets would not be safe. However, should they have ousted their Prime minister and fined Singapore for just buying over Shin Corp? From what i have heard there has been many political implications caused by this event. This may be because the Thais think that Singapore is trying to gain a foothold in their country through the control of their largest telecommunication company. I feel that Thailand has not handled this case well as why should they fine Singapore about US$1 billion when Temasek had legally bought Shin Corp. On the other hand, i overheard my relatives discussing this and they said that Singapore is also in fault as the government surely would have known that by buying Shin Corp, the Thais would not be happy. Also, i feel that Thailand fined Temasek out of jealousy of Singapore wealth as Singapore although being such a small country has lots of assests placed throughout the world. I feel this way as if Thailand really wanted Shin Corp back as the sale was a violation of their laws they should just have taken the company back instead of asking Singapore to pay such a huge fine on top of the initial amount paid for the company. I seriously hope that everyone can come together and decide on something the both parties can agree on, and there will be no more disagreement and fights, and a end to this conflict.
This article was taken from the STRAITS TIMES of Wednsday, 21st Feb 07
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
5:37 AM
Yes! On the 20th of feb me n my friends, Shannon Bryan etc. went to Sicc and we gambled our ang bao money. We played black jack and poker but the best was that in one game of poker i managed to win about 50 dollars!!!
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
5:34 AM
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
its so hard to create a blog...
LIVING.out.of.REALITY;
4:36 AM
