Title: S'pore rolls the dice
URL: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_490500.html
From: Strait Times
Comment:
After waiting for such a long time, Singapore's first casino finally opened. I still remember when I first arrived in Singapore, I sat in the bus and passed the Merlion Park, a grand but unfinished mansion impressed me. Today, it opened to the public, like what Genting Group chairman Lim Kok Thay said, it is not only a commercial casino, but a milestone for Singapore. Opening the history book, we can see Asia played a significant role of leading the world in recovering from the worst global recession since the 1930s. This casino has the same historical duties. I believe this casino can bring more tourists to Singapore, Singapore is walking on the road of redeeming itself.
2010年2月13日星期六
2010年2月11日星期四
Casino to open on CNY by 365 (Geoffrey)
Title of the article: Casino to open on CNY
URL:http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_489672.html
Author of the article: Lim Wei Chean, Jessica Lim & Tessa Wong
Date of the article: Feb 12, 2010
Summary:
The casino and the theme park will open on the the first day of Chinese New Year. while,only a few facilities in the casinos will run and the opening will just last for eight days, waiting the re-opening early next month. Though it is just the "preview run", it stills attracts lots of people.
My perspective:
The integrated resort in Singapore will definitely become the attraction to the people all over the world. As i see, Singapore government use it as a tool to develop country's tourism. That's really a good idea. But Singapore is a country with strict laws, thus making me really surprised when i first heard that it decided to built a world-class casino. Although the laws states that Singaporean will pay a lot to enter the casinos, which means that the IR only tries to acttract the foreigners without changing the local people's life, i still worry about the real effect of the opening of the IR. Casino is a place for those who are rich, or those who want to become rich by no pains. While, Singapore always ask its people to work, to get the results by their own hands. So, it seems the building of the casinos betrays the country's belief. And i think that problem really needs to be considered by the government.
Whether the integrated resorts will be a success of failure to the economic boom of the Singapore will come out soon after its opening. And whether it will do harm to the atmosphere of the Singpore's society still remains unknown. The CNY's opening will definitely attract many people, but what's going on needs to be concerned.
URL:http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_489672.html
Author of the article: Lim Wei Chean, Jessica Lim & Tessa Wong
Date of the article: Feb 12, 2010
Summary:
The casino and the theme park will open on the the first day of Chinese New Year. while,only a few facilities in the casinos will run and the opening will just last for eight days, waiting the re-opening early next month. Though it is just the "preview run", it stills attracts lots of people.
My perspective:
The integrated resort in Singapore will definitely become the attraction to the people all over the world. As i see, Singapore government use it as a tool to develop country's tourism. That's really a good idea. But Singapore is a country with strict laws, thus making me really surprised when i first heard that it decided to built a world-class casino. Although the laws states that Singaporean will pay a lot to enter the casinos, which means that the IR only tries to acttract the foreigners without changing the local people's life, i still worry about the real effect of the opening of the IR. Casino is a place for those who are rich, or those who want to become rich by no pains. While, Singapore always ask its people to work, to get the results by their own hands. So, it seems the building of the casinos betrays the country's belief. And i think that problem really needs to be considered by the government.
Whether the integrated resorts will be a success of failure to the economic boom of the Singapore will come out soon after its opening. And whether it will do harm to the atmosphere of the Singpore's society still remains unknown. The CNY's opening will definitely attract many people, but what's going on needs to be concerned.
2010年2月8日星期一
local news
the title of the article: complaints against lawyers on the rise
date: February 8,2010 .
straits times, page B2
author : K.C. Vijayan
Nowadays,complaints againse lawyers raised up. Michael Hwang. the law society chief said the majority of the complaints could be avoided if lawyers keep their promise. The statistics shows a rapid increase in the amonnt of complaints. Most of the conplaints concentrated on the fault of lawyers who offer not good enough service, such as delaying the case. However, a lawyer called Raghbir Singh Bajwa pointed out that sometimes they need more time to trace documents which may go back several years. In my opinion, his remark is like an excuse. At the start of the suit, he may understand the difficulties of finishing on time. but he didn't express that concern which lead to the delay of the case. It is a kind of behaviour lack of responsibility and professional ethics. There are also some fraud when the lawyer promised to take the case but handle the meeting not himself. His paralegals go instead of him. As a result, it give rise to misunderstanding and possibly wrong advice because they didn't know the case well.
I call on the related department such as Law society to strengthen supervision since the law need responsible lawyers to defend but not to break themselves.
from rainy
date: February 8,2010 .
straits times, page B2
author : K.C. Vijayan
Nowadays,complaints againse lawyers raised up. Michael Hwang. the law society chief said the majority of the complaints could be avoided if lawyers keep their promise. The statistics shows a rapid increase in the amonnt of complaints. Most of the conplaints concentrated on the fault of lawyers who offer not good enough service, such as delaying the case. However, a lawyer called Raghbir Singh Bajwa pointed out that sometimes they need more time to trace documents which may go back several years. In my opinion, his remark is like an excuse. At the start of the suit, he may understand the difficulties of finishing on time. but he didn't express that concern which lead to the delay of the case. It is a kind of behaviour lack of responsibility and professional ethics. There are also some fraud when the lawyer promised to take the case but handle the meeting not himself. His paralegals go instead of him. As a result, it give rise to misunderstanding and possibly wrong advice because they didn't know the case well.
I call on the related department such as Law society to strengthen supervision since the law need responsible lawyers to defend but not to break themselves.
from rainy
2010年1月31日星期日
Senior Minister S. Jayakumar stressed the need for Singaporeans to reach out to elderly people on Sunday.
'Even if they don't have health-related or financial (problems), you want to involve them so that they know that there are friends and people they can turn to,' he said on the sidelines of a hongbao presentation ceremony in Bedok.
I agree with him. The elderly people not only need material satisfaction, but also the need to find some one to accompany with. Since they retired, they have more space.However, it is also easy for them to become lonely. If they always look back,whey can't enjoy their present life.
On Sunday morning, Professor Jayakumar handed out hongbaos to more than 40 elderly residents and families on public assistance at Bedok Community Centre. I think if they organise some community activities or offer facilities especially for the elderly. These measures will add color to their last journey during their life.
from Rainy
'Even if they don't have health-related or financial (problems), you want to involve them so that they know that there are friends and people they can turn to,' he said on the sidelines of a hongbao presentation ceremony in Bedok.
I agree with him. The elderly people not only need material satisfaction, but also the need to find some one to accompany with. Since they retired, they have more space.However, it is also easy for them to become lonely. If they always look back,whey can't enjoy their present life.
On Sunday morning, Professor Jayakumar handed out hongbaos to more than 40 elderly residents and families on public assistance at Bedok Community Centre. I think if they organise some community activities or offer facilities especially for the elderly. These measures will add color to their last journey during their life.
from Rainy
Reflection on Forum letter ---Geoffrey
Title of the article:Why DFS needs Mandarin speakers
URL:http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_483570.html
Author of the article:Keith Tam
Date of the article:Jan 29, 2010
Summary:
It is reported that Duty Free Shopping at Changi airport requires sales associates to be proficient in English and preferably Mandarin. Because in many shops, Chinese contribute a lot in the total revenue, and the growth of Chinese national is a global trend, it becomes a neccessity to learn both language. While, it contains no discrimination to require the salers to learn Mandarin.
Reflection:
I agree that China is growing into a strong economic power in the world and Chinese national contributes a lot to Singapore's total revenue, especially in the Duty Free Shopping at Changi airport. And i agree with Singapore's bilingual policy. English is the worldly used language for communication,education and business. For Singapore, a muticulture country, It is neccessary for the people to have a common language, which is English. but it's also important to let the people keep their own language. While, for Mandrain, because China plays an important role in southeast Asia, it will benefit a lot if the people can understand Mandrain. It is only a recommandation, not a discrimination. The government does not say that it forces people to learn Mandrain. It only offers some jobs that require the applicant to speak Mandrain. That is not a kind of discrimination, but a kind of competition. The world is the platform for those who can adapt the environment. So I think it's useless for the complainers to say that the society requires them to learn Mandrain, but it is the world that asks them to adapt the environment if you want to be a winner.
URL:http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_483570.html
Author of the article:Keith Tam
Date of the article:Jan 29, 2010
Summary:
It is reported that Duty Free Shopping at Changi airport requires sales associates to be proficient in English and preferably Mandarin. Because in many shops, Chinese contribute a lot in the total revenue, and the growth of Chinese national is a global trend, it becomes a neccessity to learn both language. While, it contains no discrimination to require the salers to learn Mandarin.
Reflection:
I agree that China is growing into a strong economic power in the world and Chinese national contributes a lot to Singapore's total revenue, especially in the Duty Free Shopping at Changi airport. And i agree with Singapore's bilingual policy. English is the worldly used language for communication,education and business. For Singapore, a muticulture country, It is neccessary for the people to have a common language, which is English. but it's also important to let the people keep their own language. While, for Mandrain, because China plays an important role in southeast Asia, it will benefit a lot if the people can understand Mandrain. It is only a recommandation, not a discrimination. The government does not say that it forces people to learn Mandrain. It only offers some jobs that require the applicant to speak Mandrain. That is not a kind of discrimination, but a kind of competition. The world is the platform for those who can adapt the environment. So I think it's useless for the complainers to say that the society requires them to learn Mandrain, but it is the world that asks them to adapt the environment if you want to be a winner.
2010年1月30日星期六
Comment on Straits Times forum
The original text:
Taxpayers should not fund the policing of casinos
I REFER to Thursday's report, 'Special training for police unit fighting casino crime'.
I am puzzled as to why the Singapore Police Force is setting up a unit, funded by taxpayers, to investigate crimes and fraudulent gambling in the casinos in the integrated resorts. The police should preserve law and order, and enforce the property rights of common citizens. Taxpayers' money is used to fund the force because all citizens stand to benefit from law, order and property rights.
A police force in any country is funded by taxpayers' money because the public at large stands to gain more than any individual.
However, the only beneficiaries from the prevention of fraud in casinos are the casino operators, and there are no visible spillover benefits to general law enforcement from police officers being trained to detect fraudsters in casinos, because the casinos are a specialised setting.
If the police did not have a casino crime unit, the only losers would be the casinos themselves, and being profit-seeking organisations, they would naturally pay for detection of such fraud, such as by training their own investigators to detect fraudulent gambling.
In other words, enforcement of honest behaviour in casinos is not a public good, from an economic point of view, and the casinos can pay for it because they are the only ones who stand to gain from preventing fraud. Public funds are being used unfairly to pay for the protection of private interests of the profit-seeking casinos. This injustice is exacerbated by the fact that casinos typically earn outrageous profits, and it is only right that they pay to protect their own interests.
Tan Jiaqi
From: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_484043.html
Summary:
A reader of Straits Times says the government is going to set up a police unit called 'Special training for police unit fighting casino crime'. However it seems that the unit will be supported by taxpayers. So the reader is strongly againse this official decision, because he thinks this action cannot benefit most citizens, so the taxpayers should not pay for that.
Comment:
I really doubt whether this massage is true or not, because as I know, fraud in casinos is really a technical work, which means it is hard to train a whole unit of police officer to detect those type of cases. If the government insists to do that, I am afraid they won't work efficiently, because the casino must have it's own security guards, their authority could be overlaped. So there is no need to be panic before the offical annousment is made.
Taxpayers should not fund the policing of casinos
I REFER to Thursday's report, 'Special training for police unit fighting casino crime'.
I am puzzled as to why the Singapore Police Force is setting up a unit, funded by taxpayers, to investigate crimes and fraudulent gambling in the casinos in the integrated resorts. The police should preserve law and order, and enforce the property rights of common citizens. Taxpayers' money is used to fund the force because all citizens stand to benefit from law, order and property rights.
A police force in any country is funded by taxpayers' money because the public at large stands to gain more than any individual.
However, the only beneficiaries from the prevention of fraud in casinos are the casino operators, and there are no visible spillover benefits to general law enforcement from police officers being trained to detect fraudsters in casinos, because the casinos are a specialised setting.
If the police did not have a casino crime unit, the only losers would be the casinos themselves, and being profit-seeking organisations, they would naturally pay for detection of such fraud, such as by training their own investigators to detect fraudulent gambling.
In other words, enforcement of honest behaviour in casinos is not a public good, from an economic point of view, and the casinos can pay for it because they are the only ones who stand to gain from preventing fraud. Public funds are being used unfairly to pay for the protection of private interests of the profit-seeking casinos. This injustice is exacerbated by the fact that casinos typically earn outrageous profits, and it is only right that they pay to protect their own interests.
Tan Jiaqi
From: http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_484043.html
Summary:
A reader of Straits Times says the government is going to set up a police unit called 'Special training for police unit fighting casino crime'. However it seems that the unit will be supported by taxpayers. So the reader is strongly againse this official decision, because he thinks this action cannot benefit most citizens, so the taxpayers should not pay for that.
Comment:
I really doubt whether this massage is true or not, because as I know, fraud in casinos is really a technical work, which means it is hard to train a whole unit of police officer to detect those type of cases. If the government insists to do that, I am afraid they won't work efficiently, because the casino must have it's own security guards, their authority could be overlaped. So there is no need to be panic before the offical annousment is made.
2010年1月17日星期日
News Reflection
Name: Tong Siyuan(Tim)
article title: Arenas pleads guilty to felony
Source: CNN
URL: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/01/15/arenas.hearing.ap/index.html
Writer: N.A
Pulishing date: Friday January 15, 2010
Summary:
Recently the 3 times NBA all-star player Gilbert Arenas was in a big trouble, for holding a gun without a license in Columbia. This action made him plead guitly to felony, and maybe affected his career in NBA. Arenas was suspended for the rest of the season, the court would sentence whether he was guity enough to be sent to jail in the next couple of days. His lawyer saied Arenas had done nothing wrong because he just wanted to play a joke on his teammate and he was totally not aware of the law here. However, no matter what happend at last, Arenas seemed still to have a long and unpleasent journey to go.
Reflection:
It looks like all NBA players especially stars are weak in self-control. During the last decade, scandle always surrounds NBA. From Kobe's rape case to black whistler, this time is time for every sportstar to reflect upon themselves.
I think it is hard to tell what Arenas's real purpose is in this case. But undoubtedly, Arenas will suffer a lot in the rest of his career because of today's issue. I feel sad for what happened on him, personally, Arenas is one of my favourite basketball player. He has created so many unforgettable and exciting moments for us. I even bought a pair of his exclusive basketball shoes. I hope next season everything will be Ok for him again.
article title: Arenas pleads guilty to felony
Source: CNN
URL: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/basketball/nba/01/15/arenas.hearing.ap/index.html
Writer: N.A
Pulishing date: Friday January 15, 2010
Summary:
Recently the 3 times NBA all-star player Gilbert Arenas was in a big trouble, for holding a gun without a license in Columbia. This action made him plead guitly to felony, and maybe affected his career in NBA. Arenas was suspended for the rest of the season, the court would sentence whether he was guity enough to be sent to jail in the next couple of days. His lawyer saied Arenas had done nothing wrong because he just wanted to play a joke on his teammate and he was totally not aware of the law here. However, no matter what happend at last, Arenas seemed still to have a long and unpleasent journey to go.
Reflection:
It looks like all NBA players especially stars are weak in self-control. During the last decade, scandle always surrounds NBA. From Kobe's rape case to black whistler, this time is time for every sportstar to reflect upon themselves.
I think it is hard to tell what Arenas's real purpose is in this case. But undoubtedly, Arenas will suffer a lot in the rest of his career because of today's issue. I feel sad for what happened on him, personally, Arenas is one of my favourite basketball player. He has created so many unforgettable and exciting moments for us. I even bought a pair of his exclusive basketball shoes. I hope next season everything will be Ok for him again.
2010年1月16日星期六
China gives first response to Google threat
Name: Geoffrey
Article title: China gives first reponse to Google threat
Source of the article: BBC news
Name of the article writer: it does not mention
Date of the article: Thursday, 14 January 2010
Summary:
In recent days, the accounts of Gmail users who advocates of human rights in China have been "routinely accessed by the third party". And because Google.cn is under strict censorship in China, Google decided to end its China operation. On Thursday, 14 January, China gave the first reponse to Google that internet firms are welcome to do business in China according to the law. Chinese government did not give up the strict censorship and it has no great loss as Baidu can totally replace the leave of Google.cn.
My perspective:
I think every company has its own sense of value. And the reason why a company can be a great one is not only because of its advanced technology, intelligence employees and powerful leaders. The value of the company contributes a lot to the growth of the company. Google is famous for its value "Don't be evil". And what Google pursues is to give the best that customers can have. But the experience in China frustrates Google a lot because it needs to be under strict censorship. What's more, Gmail users are being attacked by the Chinese government, which means it is no longer secure to use services of Google . Google decided to leave and end its operation in China. It's a great loss for the Chinese internet surfers not only because they may lose the greatest search engine, but also because they are further from the most advanced technology in the world.
China gave the first response to Google. As expected, China won't give up the strict censorship. "China's internet is open and Chinese government encourages development of the internet", however, transnational corporation must obey the regional law.
Neither part would give in. Google has to choose to leave.
I don't see Google's leave as a threat to Chinese government, but a act that interprets its company's value "Don't be evil". If Baidu can replace the leave of Google.cn and Google are not regretful for it's decision which may cause some loss in Chinese market, I think it should be the time for Google to say "byebye" to China.
2010年1月13日星期三
Reading newspaper
I am Du Yujia(English name : Rainy)
I read the article "More Singaporeans on Interpol list" pulished on the STRAITS TIMES.
It is written by Teh Joo Lin on January 11,2010
Nowadays more Singaporeans are appearing on the wanted list of Interpol ,the international police organisation. Compared with year 2008, which has only 6 suspects, now the number increase a lot. A country's enforcement agency puts up a red notice for a suspect when it wants Interpol's network of 188 member countries to look out for him. I think this is a extra alert for the wanted man.There are seven colour-coded alerts to help police forces share informations about criminals. Somee of the new entrants are connected to the cases where the trail appears to have gone cold long ago. However, when it comes to the red notive, even though a long time has passed by, it is still effective. So far,two Singporeans were arrested after the red notive came not although we don't know whether the red notice functioning or not.
I think countries should share the informations of the criminals.Sometimes one coutry tried its best for searching, but not sufficient and effective because it is easy for criminals to hide in other countries.They can change a name and enjoy a new life. To prevent this, I believe it is necessary to build a international criminal information platform. Then whenever a criminals have new movement, the police can take actions quickly and know their object clearly. Recently, I also read a article about the safety of Singapore, it said more crime occurred in last year, including the theft, robbing. I want to know the reason, I think one reason is that the econmical crisis increase the unempolyment. People can't support their life. I will find more later
I read the article "More Singaporeans on Interpol list" pulished on the STRAITS TIMES.
It is written by Teh Joo Lin on January 11,2010
Nowadays more Singaporeans are appearing on the wanted list of Interpol ,the international police organisation. Compared with year 2008, which has only 6 suspects, now the number increase a lot. A country's enforcement agency puts up a red notice for a suspect when it wants Interpol's network of 188 member countries to look out for him. I think this is a extra alert for the wanted man.There are seven colour-coded alerts to help police forces share informations about criminals. Somee of the new entrants are connected to the cases where the trail appears to have gone cold long ago. However, when it comes to the red notive, even though a long time has passed by, it is still effective. So far,two Singporeans were arrested after the red notive came not although we don't know whether the red notice functioning or not.
I think countries should share the informations of the criminals.Sometimes one coutry tried its best for searching, but not sufficient and effective because it is easy for criminals to hide in other countries.They can change a name and enjoy a new life. To prevent this, I believe it is necessary to build a international criminal information platform. Then whenever a criminals have new movement, the police can take actions quickly and know their object clearly. Recently, I also read a article about the safety of Singapore, it said more crime occurred in last year, including the theft, robbing. I want to know the reason, I think one reason is that the econmical crisis increase the unempolyment. People can't support their life. I will find more later
365 welcome you
We are 365 from NTU bridging course Group F, this blog will be a platform to let you know us. Thank you for coming to see us.
We have three person in our group: Tim, Rainy and Jeff
We have three person in our group: Tim, Rainy and Jeff
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