Post-holiday Snippets!

Happiness

Message to Facebook: I'm Taking back my Happiness

An interesting piece exploring the purported negatives of being steeped in the online world. A simple and logical solution is explained.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/amy-gutman/facebook-happiness_b_819656.html

Environment

Warming world not such a warm place

Nobel Prize recipient Paul Krugman comments on the food crisis and its link to the evironment

http://www.todayonline.com/Commentary/EDC110208-0000154/Warming-world-not-such-a-warm-place-,,,         

Media

Egypt's state-run media starting to shift from pro-Mubarak coverage

Brave journalists refuse to report blatant government propaganda. This has led to more honest and accurate news coverage.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/09/AR2011020906234.html?sid=ST2011020703989

U.S. mends frosty relations with Al Jazeera

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-al-jazeera-20110207,0,7680421.story

Special Snippets - Egypt

GP SOS Focus: The Egyptian upheaval – A democratic revolution?

The world watches as formerly stable and peaceful societies implode after decades of repressive dictatorial rule. Understand the dynamics of this extraordinary revolution taking place in the Arab World. This is history in the making.

A Complete Guide to the Unrest

o Easily digestible nuggets of news and information. Fluid and changing as major developments happen, so please keep checking back. 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/egypt-revolution-2011_n_816026.html

 

Al Jazeera Blacked Out Across U.S.

The US, bulwark of free press refuses to air Al-Jazeerah. The epitome of hypocrisy?

o Media critics have begun to push for Al Jazeera's inclusion. "It is downright un-American to still refuse to carry it," wrote Jeff Jarvis on Sunday. "Vital, world-changing news is occurring in the Middle East and no one-not the xenophobic or celebrity-obsessed or cut-to-the-bone American media-can bring the perspective, insight, and on-the-scene reporting Al Jazeera English can.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/30/al-jazeera-english-us_n_816030.html 

 

Democratization in the Arad World: Extraordinary or Dangerous? 

An intriguing commentary on the potential dangers of the Arab World’s transition to a democratic system of governance. Insightful and informative.

o Successful democracy, Boix importantly reminds us, is attainable when equality is high or assets are mobile. Egypt has neither, making it vulnerable to violence and chaos which can divide a once united civil society.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mohsin-mohiud-din/democratization-in-the-ar_b_815878.html 

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!