More Snippets (what else?)

29 Jan 2011


The protests and riots in Egypt continue to dominate the headlines. Freedom in the Egyptian media is a hot spin-off topic.

Media

Egypt's Internet shutdown draws fire in US
- US press secretary Robert Gibbs - 'We believe that the people of Egypt have a right to freedom of expression and freedom of speech, and that includes the use of the Internet.

http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_629603.html

Social media curbs pose hurdle for U.S
-The Obama administration has elevated Internet freedom in U.S. diplomacy, with Clinton declaring in a major speech last year that it was "critical" that Internet users "are assured certain basic freedoms."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/28/AR2011012806854.html

GP SOS Tuition - CNY Break

Dear Students, please note that at the request of the ovewhelming majority of students, there will be no classes next week (31 Jan to 6 Feb). Tuition will resume the following week.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all those celebrating this festive occasion 'Congratulations and be Prosperous'... Hmm, sounds better when its Gong Xi Fa Cai!

More Snippets! 25/26 Jan 2011

Media
Social media change the landscape for politicians
Examples of important Canadians riding the social media tidal wave. Notice the witty and entertaining writing style.
o The benefit to politicians of using new media is obvious -they can get their message out for free, and unfiltered by the mainstream media
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Social+media+change+landscape+politicians+reporters/4167723/story.html#ixzz1C8KJnpHa

Google and Mozilla Announce New Privacy Features
o Mozilla and Google announced features that would allow users of the Firefox and Chrome browsers to opt out of being tracked online by third-party advertisers.
o It recognizes that consumers want a choice about who is tracking their movements online, and it’s a first step toward giving consumers choice about who will have access to their data.
http://mediadecoder.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/01/24/google-and-mozilla-announce-new-privacy-features/?partner=rss&emc=rss

Poverty
Poverty's success story
Latest Stats and Research on global property. Download and digest!
http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/rc/papers/2011/01_global_poverty_chandy/01_global_poverty_chandy.pdf

A brilliantly enlightening article. A must-read for all!
oWe know that growth lies at the heart of poverty reduction. As the growth of developing countries took off in the new millennium, epitomized by the rise of emerging markets, a massive drop in poverty was only to be expected.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/25/AR2011012506906.html

World needs global food system overhaul
o it is unsustainable, with resources being used faster than they can be naturally replenished.. Secondly, a billion people are going hungry with another billion people suffering from 'hidden hunger,' whilst a billion people are over-consuming.
http://globalnation.inquirer.net/news/breakingnews/view/20110125-316460/World-needs-global-food-system-overhaulreport

Website - UN: We can end Poverty by 2015
http://www.un.org/en/mdg/summit2010/
http://un.org//millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_FS_1_EN.pdf
http://un.org//millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_FS_4_EN.pdf
http://un.org//millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG_FS_8_EN.pdf

Environment
A win for environment and for energy
Useful article with some insights on Biomass energy
o States now have a legal and scientific basis for concluding that biomass for energy is the “best available control technology’’ to curb greenhouse gases.
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/01/26/a_win_for_environment_and_for_energy/

Globalization
Singapore government fund to take stake in Georgia power plants
o Singapore’s GIC continues to diversify and expand its asset base internationally
http://www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/ElectricPower/6773189

Snippets - 21 & 24 Jan

Media
iPhone 5, iPad 2 to focus on social Media
Apple knows it, the world knows it, I know it, you need to know it. Social Media is a legitimate revolution. Keep close tabs on its development.
o Apple obviously regards social networking as an important piece of the mobile device revolution and their brand name being associated with this movement is crucial.
http://www.benzinga.com/tech/11/01/798805/iphone-5-ipad-2-to-focus-on-social-networking#ixzz1BvJkCz45

Too much sex in this city for kids
Another menifestation of the perennial debate - freedom vs censorship.
o Let us look at how we can achieve a liberal society unlike any other without having to conform to the norms of a global media promulgating a certain pop culture. After all, Singapore has proven time and again to detractors that we can achieve success in different areas in our own unique ways.
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110124-0000078/Too-much-sex-in-this-city-for-kids

Blackberry blocks porn in Indonesia
Censorship again in the news, this time by the makers of Blackberry under pressure form a government. Pity the porn posse?
o RIM is the world's fourth biggest smartphone platform, with global sales of 11.9 million units, according to research firm Gartner. The company does not filter its web content in any of its other markets around the world.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/technologynews/view/1105848/1/.html

Happiness
50 is the Happy age
o This may be because they have the peace of mind of having paid off their mortgage, got the children off their hands or are simply enjoying spending more time with loved-ones and friends.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/spirituality/holistic-living/True-happiness-comes-at-the-golden-age-of-50/articleshow/7324964.cms

Technology
Logical, but this article bugs me.
'Bug Mac' the food of the future – Insects a superior source of meat?
o Bugs are high in protein, low in fat and efficient to cultivate - 10 kilograms (22 pounds) of feed yields six to eight kilograms of insect meat compared to one kilogram of beef, states the university's research.
o Insects are abundant, produce less greenhouse gas and manure, and do not transfer any diseases, when eaten, that can mutate into a dangerous human form, say the researchers.
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eatndrink/view/1106494/1/.html

Environment
Australia’s Flood Crisis in Pictures
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/photosgallery/gallery_20110104124635.htm

2010 was the wettest, hottest year on record
o The Earth has been warming in fits and starts for decades and a large majority of climatologists say that is because humans are releasing heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
http://www.todayonline.com/Science/EDC110115-0000166/Its-official--2010-was-the-wettest-year-on-record