How BILL put the Fizz in the fight against FAT
Time magazine/ 15 May 2006

If you had grown up taking your sunday lunches at Bill Clinton's great uncle's house, you would have developed a weight problem too. Bill Clinton spoke about his teen hood. Back then, he was such a fat Kid that he felt uncool and hardly popular.

Just last week, the Clinton's foundation- the American heart association and the US's three biggest beverage manufacturers announced an agreement to begin rolling back America's growing obesity epidemic in the place they can do most good. An example of their move is the negotiations with fast foods companies to reduce the fat in their restaurant fare. The seriousness of obesity was reflected when kids as young as ten are turning up with obesity realted to type two diabeties, which used to be known as the adult onset form of disease.

When we speak about America, no one is foreign about Americans large consumption of junk food. Weirdly, people choose to indulge in junk food in exchange of their wealth. Most of the times, it is the junk food which costs bucks and not healthy organic foods. In addition, it is not only about the physical appearance of being fat that measures should be taken upon them. But instead, the considerable consequences in having too much fats in the body, clogging up our blood cells that outcomes as heart attacks or other form of health problems.

Disney's Hong Kong headache
Times magazine/ 15 May 2006

When the brand of Disney is being mentioned, all kids would start yelling "wow". In addition, Disney isn't an unknown brand among the older generation of today.

According to the news, the launch of its new theme park got off to a rocky start, but Disney's still got an appetite for the China market. In many people's mind, Disneyland is supposed to be " The happiest place on earth". However, not the case in Hong Kong. Interviews commented disney land in Hong kong not being big enough and was not very different from the amusement parks in China.

Jay Rasulo, chairman of Walt Disney Parks exclaimed " Have we made mistakes? Absolutely. We have to keep listening and keep learning". In my opinion, it is not failure that deters but instead, having the ability to learn and admit from our mistakes. Despite Jay Rasulo being a figure head, he still remained humble in seeking for his mistakes, this way, he has proven himself as a great leader.

Once again, he continued risking the company into a newer market in China which has the potential to excel due to its fast developing market. I believe failure is the mother of success. As such, making mistakes should not be condemened by the public.

Saving seoul
Time magazine/ 15 may 2006

Pollution is running the quality of life in much of urban Asia. But, Seoul's transformation into a greener city proves the tide can still be turned. As mentioned in the article, pollution is a crisis in which the world is facing today. Whether it is the country in the East or the West. It is also estimated that due to global warming caused by excessive pollution, ice caps in the north poles are melting, which would affect the sea level, leading to floods in the lower lying areas like Holland in the near furture.

Indeed, mankind have carried out many means of reducing pollution. However, it is not effective enough since the present rate of pollution is simply too high. And even if they were successful, damages have had already been inflicted upon the earth which would lead to dire consequences after accumulation effect.

Nevertheless, if mankind were to administer the effects of pollution, following on, carry out improved and more effective measures to reduce the harm caused to the environment, I believe there is a chance to salvage the dying earth. Last of all, it takes one's initiative to stop such pollutions and not the leagislation imposed by the governments.

Cat killings still a problem
Today/ 08 may 2006

It seems that brief jail sentence for serial cat killer, David Hoi hasn't deterred anyone from abusing animals. In recent months, residents of old airport road area often heard piteous cries of cats. These cats were being tortured to death with screw drivers and strangled with metal wires. Worst of all, their bodies are usually laid out neatly on the top decks after they died.

In my opinion, animals do have their deserving rights. Therefore, it should leave no opportunity for human beings to remove them. Today, animal testing rights are still being debated and no outcome has yet surfaced. Everyone has to admit that humans, being the superior species do descriminate against the weaker species, which are the animals. An example is when reports of killings of animals are being turned away by the neighbourhood police unless an act was completely witness by them. If the police should treat the deaths of cat as equal to that of humans, they would have take on the case in order to search for the serial killer through all forms of sources.

Sometimes small mistakes do accumulate to larger ones. When it comes to animal cruelty cases, there is always a fear that the killers will be bored with toruturing animals and move on to bigger things. Example, murdering humans instead. This would eventually bring about social disintegration.

Animal cruelty is fast becoming a serious issue. Thus, I agree with the article that it should no longer be swept under the rug. We are the voice for animals, and if we do not stand up for them, they will only suffer in silence.

Hidden scars: Their silent cry for help
The straits times/youthlink/8 may 2006

Youths today find it difficult to cope with life's rising demand as raised in this article. As such, there is an increasing number of youths suffering from depression lately. Feeling the desperation for relief,many begin self mutilating. However, after each time they self mutilate, they would regret it. Despite this fact, they still could not stop hurting themselves.

According to the article, Dr Sim a consultant psychiatrist stated that it was no wonder that more youth's are feeling depressed. Afterall, this is the phase in their lives when they have to adjust to various changes-be it societal roles, managing of expectations, responsibilities and demands.

Changes and adaptability is inevitable in life. Whether or not we are doing it today or tomorrow, it is something we have to face it eventually. As commented, in order to improve, one must never be afraid of changes. I believe family support plays a very important role in deciding the success of a teenager's adaptability to their changing lives. I have to admit that family support do provide us with a form of drive which miraculously bounces away our stresses and difficulties.

Depression is a psychiatric disorder and not a sort of physical sickness. Therefore, we do have a choice not to vulnerable ourselves to it. But, even if one becomes a depression victim, this must never co exist as an excuse for them in not achieving their desired success. As always, this is our life and not others.

Russian racism "out of control"
straits times/05 may 2006

Murders and killings in Russia has once again resurfaced due to its government's inability to maintain tolerance between the different races. Such fatal descrimination are made done upon foreign students, asylum seekers and refugees from Africa, Asia, the Middle Eastand Latin America.

In my opinion racism is undesirable. It does not only inflict harm upon humanity but also affect the efficiency and growth of a country. Russia, which is chairing the group of eight leading industrialised nation and the council of Europe rights body this year, was damaging its international reputation as well.

In today's context, people only care for themselves. Majority have turned to selfish beings due to their high ambitions, resulting in them lacking the basics morality. Mankind no longer care for one another, in fact, they lacked the empathy to offer help to the poor or the sufferings. Apparently, they worsen situations when they begin descriminating against them. Why should one descriminate? Afterall, knowing a friend is always better than having an enemy.

Racism is an existing problem of the past, the present and maybe the future. This again shows that people do not learn from their lessons by allowing history to repeat itself. Conversely, if people should put away their personal judgements and stereo types of a group of human beings, instead, working together, they would be able to build a stronger Russia.