Bored and ready to run

A 12-year old boy alone on the streets without any money would ask strangers for help by giving reasons like his mum forgotten to give him money or make up story about his mum being sick. Well, he isn't really homeless, he's a runaway. In the last two years, he has run away from home 10times.

According to the boy, he run away from home because when he's alone, he got freedom, to go arcade, not do homework and go home late. His regular haunts include playgrounds, arcades, Pasir ris and White Sands shopping centre. What's worst is that, he don't feel guilty after getting money from strangers. He claims that he really need the money.

After reading the article, i really think that the boy needs help. He cannot just carry on like that, leaving home anytime he wants. This will really affect his studies and ruin his future. Maybe his parents should change another way of educating him, instead of canning when he misbehaves. Probably, they should also spend more time to talk to him, asking him what he really wants and try to understand him more.

Higher night parking charge

Night parking charges will double from $2 to $4 at some carparks managed by the Housing Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority from November, as part of moves to tackle resident's parking woes. The move will affect the 1308 carparks managed by HDB and URA which have the night parking scheme.

By displaying the $2 coupon, motorists can now park overnight from 10.30pm and 7am at carparks which allow overnight parking. If they intend to leave the car in the lot for a while during that period, it will cost 50cents every half hour. While the overnight charge has been doubled, the half-hourly rate remains the same.

In my opinion, i feel that at this rate, Singaporeans should stop complaining to the government about things. When people complain about traffic jams, we get additional "ERP" on the road. Also, i don't think this is going to solve the problem. Late at night if people still park anywhere illegally, who will be willing to come check at such hours?

Is fair beautiful?

From an article found in straitstimes.com, "Porcelain-skinned beauty or bronzed goddess? In Asia, a fair, porcelain complexion is often seen as a symbol of beauty. This leads to an increasing number of whitening products available on the market."

"From skin lightening face creams to laser treatments, the options are endless for those seeking a fairer complexion. In Singapore, the demand for fair skin is also strong."

After reading this short article, i wondered to myself, is it true that Singaporeans prefer fair skin? For myself, i don't really like fair skin, because it makes me look pale and unhealthy. I prefer to be tanned instead. Also, to maintain your fair skin, you got lots of work to do. For example, you cannot leave home without sunblock lotion. How troublesome can it be? What's more in a hot and humid country like Singapore?

Argentina first in Latin America to legalize gay marriage

According to the article found in asiaone.com, " Argentina on Thursday became the first country in Latin America to legalize same-sex marriage carried live on national television. It was adopted in a 33-27 vote after 15 hours of debate. The law tweaks the legal code which no longer will refer to husband and wife, but rather to "the marrying parties".

"Same-sex couples will have the same rights as heterosexuals in terms of adoptions, social security and family time."

I find this article very interesting, and have to agree that foreigners are indeed much more open-minded as compared to us. In our country, we do see gays and lesbians around, but i don't think the law in Singapore allows them to get married. No matter what, we shouldn't discriminate and should respect each individual's choice of partner.

Poo eating, a prank?!

According to the article found in asiaone.com, "a university student in Taiwan was filmed eating his own faeces after Germany lost its World Cup semi-final to Spain. The two-minute video clip posted on YouTube showed the guy taking three mouthfuls of slim stuff from a paper container. He appeared to be in agony when he took the first mouthful."

"The clip, which was filmed in a toilet, also showed the guy throwing up several times. More than 6000 people saw the clip, some described it as a disgusting act, others praised him for keeping to his word."

I find the forfeit for losing the bet too much. It is so unhygenic, disgusting and awful. Imagine whatever your body lets out, you eat it back because you lost a soccer bet? That is so not worth it! He appears to look manly for keeping to his word, but what if something dangerous happen that might threaten his life? There are so many other forfeits and punishment available, why must it be shit eating?

Singaporean gang-raped in HK

According to the article found in straitstimes.com, "A Singaporean undergraduate was gang-raped last month while on an exchange programme in Hong Kong. The woman, 22, had gone alone to a bar in the Central district, and had become drunk. Three men who worked in the bar, approached her and invited her to a party on a yacht."

"She accepted their invitation, and they took her to a yacht in Causeway Bay area, where they took turns to rape her, for a total of six times. The men had left by the time she woke up the following morning. She made a police report, and was taken to the hospital for examination."

I felt that this incident could actually be avoided in the first place. Firstly, she's in Hong Kong because she was on an exchange programme, not holiday. Thus, she shouldn't have gone to the bar alone and got herself drunk. In a foreign country, it is very dangerous. She don't even know that place well, and yet she got herself landed in such a situation. At this point of stage, she can only hope that those three guys will get caught soon.

Magic World Cup snake seized in South Africa

"A python used by a South African fortuneteller to control the progress of teams in the World Cup has been seized by animal welfare inspectors. The 2.8 metre long Python was being used to communicate with the ancestors, to ask them to intercade in World Cup matches."

"The snake was being kept in a shack and in the back of a car. Inspectors found the reptile had mouthrot, and was underweight and dehydrated. Thus is was confiscated and was responding well to medical treatment."

This article caught my eye because recently due to the World Cup fever, many animals have been discovered, as they were said to be able to predict the winner for the next match in World Cup. For instance, an Octopus in Germany and a Parrot in Singapore. For myself, i don't really believe that they are so accurate, i think everything's just a coincidence. Whatever the result of the match is, it all depends on how well the players play and whether are they on form or not.

Floods in Singapore again

Some parts of Singapore were flooded again on Thursday, with waters rising up to knee-high, due to another heavy downpour in the afternoon. Floodwaters were seen along Paterson Road, near Wheelock Place in Orchard Road. The National Environment Agency (NEA) warned of heavy showers with thunder on Thursday.

Recently floods are often seen in Singapore, which was first a surprise to us, but now we all get used to it. Singaporeans carry on with shopping and doing business, it actually doesn't really affect us. However, if heavy downpour leads to more serious flooding, things might get out of control.

Man stabbed in Marsiling

A 46-year-old man was fatally stabbed on Monday night near a coffeeshop in Marsiling Lane. Police were notified of a fight that had broken out between two men at around 10.30pm, at Block 19 Marsiling Lane.

The victim, Mr Lim was believed to have been having drinks with a group of friends when he walked away towards a carpark to answer a phone call. It was then another man came up from behind and stabbed him on the neck. However, no weapon was found at the scene.

In my point of view, i think this might just be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the other man was drunk or it was just a mistaken identity. According to the daughter and wife, the victim did not have a quarrel to pick with anyone, despite his somewhat hot temper.

Cambodia's missing jungle woman found in toilet

In Cambodia, a woman apparently spent 18 years living in the jungle has been found in a dugout toilet 11 days after she disappeared again. She was reported missing late last month by her family, whom believed she had fled back into the forest. She was found in an outdoor toilet after a neighbour heard her crying.

They were wondering how she got into the toilet, which had a small entrance hole covered in wood. In early 2007 she was brought from the jungle, naked and dirty after being caught trying to steal food from a farmer. She was hunched over like a monkey, scavenging on the ground for pieces of dried rice. Cambodians described her as "jungle woman" and "half-animal girl".

I found this article very interesting. I know there's all kinds of weird, special people around the world, and this cambodian woman is one of them. According to the news article, it seems that her actions and behaviour are like animal, or something like "tarzan". She spend the whole 18 years living in the jungle by herself, and that's really incredible.

Girl dies after eating glue "jelly"

A prank turned tragically fatal when a nine-year-old collapsed and dies after eating glue which she thought was jelly. It was believed that the girl have popped the glue into her mouth after her classmate told her it was jelly. The girl then collapsed soon after she swallowed the substance.

Her panicked classmates then alerted a teacher, who rushed the girl to a nearby clinic. But she was declared dead before any medical assistance could be rendered. The classmates have gone overboard, but playing with something not edible.

Somehow i also find it strange that, how come the girl dont taste anything weird when she popped that "jelly" in her mouth. Usually glue have a strong smell, and the girl would have notice it. Incident like this should not happen again, as innocent people had to pay the price with life.

Female ghost in police lock-up disturbs cops

A pontianak has apparently been disturbing officers on night duty at the Betong district police headquarters. The long hair woman in white dress has been spotted several times in the lock-up. It was also seen around the police station.

Such incidents have been happening ever since the police headquarters shifted to the current location in April. The police has sought for help to get rid of the ghost, the "priest" found that the spirit of the woman was not in peace, thus the commotion.

This is very hard to confirm whether it is true or not, because even scientific test also can't proof its existence. It might be just reflection of something normal. Probably, they should ask a "priest" to pray for her, so she will leave in peace.

Tight pants banned for women

Under the ordinance, adult women have to wear dresses or other clothes that do not depict their body parts. Tight pants and blouses, transparent clothes and short jilbab are forbidden under Islam. The local administration had provided 20,000 pieces of dress to be distributed to women caught in crackdowns on un-Islamic clothes. Offenders will be reprimanded, but if they commit the same mistakes thress times, the officers will seize the tight clothes and ask them to wear dresses.

For males, shorts are banned in public places. They are required to wear loose-fit pants that will make them easy to perform their daily prayers.

I didn't know that there were still restrictions about what not to wear in other countries. I thought the act of controlling only happen in schools. It's kind of surprising to see a particular clothes banned there.

Teacher cut the hair of 70 female students

In China, a teacher, who cut the hair of 70 female students, has apologised for her action. The teacher made the apology after a three-hour meeting with parents and state education officers on Monday. The students(victim), feeling humiliated, refused to attend school after the incident and complained to their parents, who brought the matter to the authorities.

In Singapore schools, it is quite common to see students having their hair cut by barbers. Usually in school, we'll have spot check by form teachers. They will check our hair, attire and footwear, make sure that all are appropriate. If not, barbers will help to cut our hair to make it short and neat. I suppose that teacher in China had gone overboard, that's why it brings the attention to the parents and authorities.

Girl cries rape to avoid being expelled

In malaysia, a private college student in Kuala Lumpur lodged a police report claiming that she was raped by a friend. However, she subsequently withdrew her report. That aroused police suspicion. Police later found that the student had lodged the report in order to inform the college authorities that she had been traumatised due to the incident and thus could not attend classes. In short, her motive was just to avoid being expelled for not attending classes.

I find the act of this girl, ridiculous and childish. Firstly, its already wrong to skip school without any reason. Worst, to avoid responsibility, she did childish act like this, to cover up her reasons for not attending school. She shouldn't say things like that in the first place as it might ruin her reputation and things might go out of control.

Birthday bash: gone too far?

In yet another hazing video being circulated online, a student from Bedok View Secondary was filmed being carried by a few schoolmates, who then rammed his private parts against a pole. Also known as "birthday bash". These activities are common among male students, but some schools have banned it due to safety concerns.

Birthday bash in schools are common among students. Its like having fun while celebrating your friend's birthday. However, they shouldn't play "rough" like "pillaring". etc. Who would be responsible if permanent damage were to be done, though it seems like just harmless fun. Probably students should limit themselves while playing, afterall, safety first.

Orchard MRT station targeted by terrorists

A senior Indonesian police investigator revealed yesterday that Singapore was a potential target for extremist groups in Indonesia and they had singled out the Orchard MRT station. He told The Straits Times that the Orchard station had been circled on a map of the MRT network found in the home of a terror suspect killed last week. He also added that, Singapore is obviously a target and they planned to enter Singapore through Malaysia.

No matter if this news is true or not, Singaporeans should be prepared for the worst. SMRT should also take precautions in case it really happen. Also, because of this news, businesses in Orchard might be affected. People tend to avoid going there that often, unless the whole thing is over and its confirm safe to be there.

Baby suffocates to death while in bed with parents

A one-month old baby girl suffocated while sleeping on the same bed as her parents. After feeding her at around 1am, they went to sleep. One of the parents woke up at about 4am and was shocked to find that the baby was not breathing and had turned purple.

The baby was pronounced dead at the hospital. Police are still investigating whether she was suffocated by the pillows, blanket or her parents.

Some foreigners actually stop letting their kids sleep with them from young. Their aim is to let them to learn to be independent from a young age. So, even if the baby was just one-month old, they will let the baby sleep in one room by him/herself. My point is that, this way, not only it avoids incident like this, the kid will also learn not to be too dependent on his/her parents.

Foetus removed from baby's abdomen

In India, a team of doctors conducted a critical surgery today and removed a foetus from a year and two month old baby. The baby was admitted to the hospital few days ago with acute pain in her lower abdomen.

An ultra-scan was done and a foetus in the form of a tumour was found in her abdomen. Doctor said that two foetus have been developed but one of them accidentally went inside the abdomen of the other. Doctors also claimed that this is a rare case as one in every 15,ooo patients develop such tumour in their abdomen.

In my opinion, i find this article quite interesting. I have never seen or heard any news about a year and two month old baby carrying another "twin" inside his/her abdomen. I'm curious how exactly did the foetus went it to the other. Thankfully, after the surgery, the one year and two month old baby was alright. As for the foetus, it's somehow predictable that he/she can't survive.

Malaysian's cop proposal

A traffic police officer was arrested for sexual harassment in Kuala Lumpur after two women accused him of making indecent proposals in return for not booking them for speeding. The women, who drove separately claimed the cop had stopped them at a roadblock and accused them of speeding.

One of them claimed the cop told her to remove her blouse while the other was allegedly asked to show her "nice legs". Both were told that if they followed the cop's request, they would not be fined for speeding. They were shocked and even thought they misheard him. After that, they then went to lodge a report.

Previously, i've heard rumours about malaysian police, that if you were fined for speeding, you could easily get away with it by bribing them. This is definitely not good because they are not taking the law seriously. Also, this is abusing of power and i hope this case will be handled properly.

Medium - Despicable

In malaysia, the press reported that a 16-year-old girl was molested when her mother took her to seek help to chase away a "spirit" that was disturbing the girl. The medium asked the girl to remove all her clothes and lie down naked on a carpet in a room alone. He then molested her and even took some photos of her.

Not only that, he even asked the girl if she wanted to have sexual intercourse to chase away the "spirit" which was disturbing her. The girl then told her boyfriend and family about the incident, her boyfriend and his friend confronted the medium and beat him up.

This incident might haunt the girl for many years or even a lifetime. To me, i think that the so called medium, might be a con man. From the way he acts, he wasn't helping to solve the problem, instead he's taking advantage of the 16-year-old girl. He should be punished severely even though no one was physically hurt in this incident.

Malaysian jailed for threesome with minor

A young malaysian man living in Singapore, who had threesome sex with his fiancee and a 14-year-old girl, was jailed for seven months for carnal connection with a girl under 16.

The mother of the 14-year-old girl rented the flat for her, as she could not get along with her new family. Assistant Public Prosecutor said that the 14-year-old girl actually agreed to have threesome sex when the malaysian man, Kwek suggested it. "Kwek even had sex with the girl when they were alone at home.

I feel that the malaysian guy is too much, overly desperate. Even if he wants to satisfy his needs, he don't have to pull a young girl in, which ruin her future, her life. Also, the girl is making a huge mistake if she really did agree to have threesome sex. She will regret this decision she made.

How to improve school sports safety?

Throughout all the years, many students suffered injuries ranging from concussion to fractures and they were usually caused by two things - negligence on their part or extreme aggression on the opponent's.

A common root to these factors can be traced - the coach. The coach has to ensure the athletes fully understand the repercussions of neglecting safety. Athletes are constantly told to push their limits and the desire to win sometimes overrules common sense.

A Coach does not just teach the techniques of a sport, he should also teach them to control themselves when competing hard and when they should or should not push their limits.

I myself have friends in class whom were injured due to playing of sports. Somehow it's true that the coach plays a part in determining all this. He should teach them to respect the sport as well as the opponent. In sports, winning is not really everything, most importantly is the process of it.

Tour to help ease maid in

Around thirty foreign domestic workers were given a tour of a few historical and cultural sites in Singapore yesterday as part of a new programme to help them feel more at home in the country.
They went to places like Singapore river, Merlion Park, Chinatown and the Kampong Glam Heritage Village. For many of them, it was their first glimpse of Singapore's founder Sir Stamford Raffles - not to mention, the river.

Earlier in the morning, they had learnt about Singapore's various festivals and received quick mandarin lesson of common terms and greetings.

I think that this programme is effective and definitely benefits the domestic workers. It not only makes them feel more at home, but also helps them to communicate better with employers in future.

Rotten Shark, anyone?

Months ago, decomposed shark flesh became a delicacy in Iceland. They served the customers small portions and used herbs and artistic arrangements on the plates that accent Icelandic Bar's cuisine style. Their way of handling shark is different, being first buried under gravel for two months to drain acid produced by the urine, then hung up for another long spell.

Though sharks are going to be extinct soon, the owner/chef of the restaurant thinks that no tears should be shed over, for "the crazy shark thing with the horrible smell." He also added that availability depends on the seasons.

Well, everybody knows that sharks are going to be extinct soon, real soon. So even if they eat rotten shark, its still hurting the sharks, somehow giving people the message to support "shark eating." In that country, it is a popular dish that brings customers back again and again. However, it really ain't that global friendly.

Six Ion stalls close

It was reported that in the Food Hall at basement 4 of Ion Orchard, six out of 34 stalls have closed about a month ago. When the stalls first opened, the queue stretched all the way to the neighbouring stall. Up till now, queues are gone, business is bad because the novelty has worn off and customers don't have a place to sit after buying their food.

Stallholders complained that the rent there is high and they are afraid that people might be sick of their food already.

To an extend, it is not surprising that stalls are closing because the rental in Ion Orchard is high as it is more well-off. However, if this goes on, the remaining stalls will not last very long. Probably they should decrease the price of the food, create new ideas on how to advertise to attract customers. For example, promotion. This can bring in more business, and if the food taste good, customers will definitely come back for more!

NSman dies of heat stroke

In singapore, there's quite a number of cases regarding NSman whom died during training. This article is somewhat similar to the others. To summarise, its about Mr Roslan, 18, whom complained of having fever to two of his squad-mates, instead of reporting straight to the field instructor. As his field instructor didnt know that he wasn't feeling well, Mr Roslan continued running.

During the run, he fell down again and again, and even threw up twice. When the field instructor realised what had happened, he ran up to him and send him to receive medical attention. Two days later, he died of heat stroke which caused multiple-organ failure and left him brain dead.

In my opinion, this incident could have been avoided if only the recruit reported to the field instructor that he was feeling unwell. In future if any NSman isn't feeling well during training in camp, they should report honestly to the in-charge that day. He shouldn't try to bear with it, because things can get worst than you can imagine. Recruits should also keep a look-out for one another in case anything like this happen again.