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.