Mexico closes all schools as swine flu kills 60; disease has spread to US: WHO

MEXICO CITY — A rare outbreak of human swine flu has killed 60 people in Mexico and has spread to the United States where authorities are on alert, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.

Mexican authorities on Friday closed all schools in the capital and central Mexico. According to the UN health agency, swine flu regularly hits pigs but rarely humans.

"To date there have been some 800 suspected cases with flu-like illness, with 57 deaths in the Mexico City area," said Ms Fadela Chaib, a spokeswoman for the UN health agency. Three deaths were recorded in San Luis Potosi in central Mexico.

In a televised statement, Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova urged people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing as a greeting, or using the subway.

Most of the Mexican cases were found in healthy young adults with no known record of prior illness. The Mexican government has gathered 600,000 vaccines to help protect health care workers.

Warning that swine influenza — which combines pig, bird and human viruses — could potentially cause a human flu pandemic, the WHO said there are at least seven cases in the United States, in three clusters - five in California and two in Texas.

All the US victims have recovered, but the cases are a medical mystery because it's unclear how they caught the virus.

None of the seven were in contact with pigs, which is how people usually catch swine flu and only a few were in contact with each other, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scientists keep a close eye on flu viruses in pigs, because pigs are particularly susceptible to both avian and human viruses and a likely place where genetic reassortment can take place that might lead to a new form of pandemic flu. Agencies

From TODAY, World – Weekend, 25/56-April-2009

Mexico closes all schools as swine flu kills 60; disease has spread to US: WHO

MEXICO CITY — A rare outbreak of human swine flu has killed 60 people in Mexico and has spread to the United States where authorities are on alert, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday.

Mexican authorities on Friday closed all schools in the capital and central Mexico. According to the UN health agency, swine flu regularly hits pigs but rarely humans.

"To date there have been some 800 suspected cases with flu-like illness, with 57 deaths in the Mexico City area," said Ms Fadela Chaib, a spokeswoman for the UN health agency. Three deaths were recorded in San Luis Potosi in central Mexico.

In a televised statement, Mexican Health Minister Jose Angel Cordova urged people to avoid large crowds, shaking hands, kissing as a greeting, or using the subway.

Most of the Mexican cases were found in healthy young adults with no known record of prior illness. The Mexican government has gathered 600,000 vaccines to help protect health care workers.

Warning that swine influenza — which combines pig, bird and human viruses — could potentially cause a human flu pandemic, the WHO said there are at least seven cases in the United States, in three clusters - five in California and two in Texas.

All the US victims have recovered, but the cases are a medical mystery because it's unclear how they caught the virus.

None of the seven were in contact with pigs, which is how people usually catch swine flu and only a few were in contact with each other, said the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scientists keep a close eye on flu viruses in pigs, because pigs are particularly susceptible to both avian and human viruses and a likely place where genetic reassortment can take place that might lead to a new form of pandemic flu. Agencies

From TODAY, World – Weekend, 25/56-April-2009

Quote in-between…

Singapore Kindness Movement, www.kindness.sg, presents this quote:

 

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” – Seneca

-----

There is kindness in all of us; let us make it our baseline attitude to be kind and courteous.

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From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 23-April-2009

Quote in-between…

Singapore Kindness Movement, www.kindness.sg, presents this quote:

 

“Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness.” – Seneca

-----

There is kindness in all of us; let us make it our baseline attitude to be kind and courteous.

-----

From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 23-April-2009

No meer animal

MOVIE REVIEW | THE MEERKATS

WHAT'S small and furry but isn't a cat?

A meerkat. Yup, like Timon from the duo of Pumbaa and Timon. A collaboration between BBC Films and the BBC Natural History Unit, this movie is about a whole family of the little rodents that stand up on their hind legs and look quizzical.

The Meerkats, narrated by the late Paul Newman, is skilfully shot and, like any good animal movie, shamelessly anthropomorphic.

A documentary-cum-bedtime story, the film tells the sentimental tale of Kolo, a gung-ho meerkat pup who overcomes the obstacles of youth, inexperience and predators to take his place as a useful member of his meerkat family.

While not nearly as interesting or poetic as March of the Penguins, The Meerkats does feature some awe-inspiring scenes of the Kalahari and includes studies of other interesting animals within the meerkat's environment, like the eagle, the cobra and the lion. It's an engaging and educational experience — for the children, especially. 2.5/5 May Seah

From TODAY, Plus – Wednesday, 22-April-2009

No meer animal

MOVIE REVIEW | THE MEERKATS

WHAT'S small and furry but isn't a cat?

A meerkat. Yup, like Timon from the duo of Pumbaa and Timon. A collaboration between BBC Films and the BBC Natural History Unit, this movie is about a whole family of the little rodents that stand up on their hind legs and look quizzical.

The Meerkats, narrated by the late Paul Newman, is skilfully shot and, like any good animal movie, shamelessly anthropomorphic.

A documentary-cum-bedtime story, the film tells the sentimental tale of Kolo, a gung-ho meerkat pup who overcomes the obstacles of youth, inexperience and predators to take his place as a useful member of his meerkat family.

While not nearly as interesting or poetic as March of the Penguins, The Meerkats does feature some awe-inspiring scenes of the Kalahari and includes studies of other interesting animals within the meerkat's environment, like the eagle, the cobra and the lion. It's an engaging and educational experience — for the children, especially. 2.5/5 May Seah

From TODAY, Plus – Wednesday, 22-April-2009

Nothing wrong with Victorians

Letter from Zaveed Husref

I REFER to “What’s wrong with today’s kids?” (April 20) from Ms Trina Tan Ker Wei.

I am truly proud of my Victorian experience, having been fortunate enough to attend Victoria School and Victoria Junior College.

I am upset at Ms Tan’s narrow-mindedness. She insulted generations of Victorians by implying Victoria School has failed “in upholding its school mission of producing well-mannered, considerate men with good social graces” through judging the actions of a handful of Victorians.

Allow me first, to correct her understanding of Victoria’s mission — “A Victorian is ultimately a Gentleman, a Professional and a Sportsman who makes tangible contributions to his family, work, community and nation”. The inability of the students to clear their trays of food at McDonald’s is not indicative of Victoria School’s failure.

Perhaps at most it does show a lack of consideration to the crew members who had to clean up after them, but might I remind Ms Tan, however, that clearing trays are part of crew members’ jobscope. Considering the ever increasing prices of fast-food outlets that rival those of restaurants, how different is leaving a tray for a crew member to clear from that of a waiter clearing your plates at a restaurant? Furthermore, how many Singaporeans actually do clear up after they are done with their meals? Not many, I assure you.

------
From Meng Chye
I would like to tell all Victorians out there that we should welcome such criticisms. As our school song goes, “For others came, before and went, and carried to the world, Victoria’s name, and our intent, to keep her flag unfurled.”

From Joo Peng
Boys will be boys.

From Samuel
The fact, sadly and truly, is that hardly anyone clears up after themselves, and you know it.

www.todayonline.com/voices
Read more letters and comments about the issue
-----

Clearing one’s own trays is an individual choice, usually done only when it is convenient to do so, and enforcing this act and blaming the teacher seems almost an Orwellian ideal to me. I do believe these boys were engrossed in their conversations, and when it was time to leave, absent-mindedly cleared some of their food and then left as a group. This momentary lapse of consideration does not make them failures.

Rather, it shows that despite their ability to win medals around the world while consistently coming in tops in the school rankings year after year, that Victorians are nonetheless human, and should be allowed the occasional lack of perfection without being subjected to such harsh judgement.

The writer is an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore.

From TODAY, Voices – Wednesday, 22-April-2009

Nothing wrong with Victorians

Letter from Zaveed Husref

I REFER to “What’s wrong with today’s kids?” (April 20) from Ms Trina Tan Ker Wei.

I am truly proud of my Victorian experience, having been fortunate enough to attend Victoria School and Victoria Junior College.

I am upset at Ms Tan’s narrow-mindedness. She insulted generations of Victorians by implying Victoria School has failed “in upholding its school mission of producing well-mannered, considerate men with good social graces” through judging the actions of a handful of Victorians.

Allow me first, to correct her understanding of Victoria’s mission — “A Victorian is ultimately a Gentleman, a Professional and a Sportsman who makes tangible contributions to his family, work, community and nation”. The inability of the students to clear their trays of food at McDonald’s is not indicative of Victoria School’s failure.

Perhaps at most it does show a lack of consideration to the crew members who had to clean up after them, but might I remind Ms Tan, however, that clearing trays are part of crew members’ jobscope. Considering the ever increasing prices of fast-food outlets that rival those of restaurants, how different is leaving a tray for a crew member to clear from that of a waiter clearing your plates at a restaurant? Furthermore, how many Singaporeans actually do clear up after they are done with their meals? Not many, I assure you.

------
From Meng Chye
I would like to tell all Victorians out there that we should welcome such criticisms. As our school song goes, “For others came, before and went, and carried to the world, Victoria’s name, and our intent, to keep her flag unfurled.”

From Joo Peng
Boys will be boys.

From Samuel
The fact, sadly and truly, is that hardly anyone clears up after themselves, and you know it.

www.todayonline.com/voices
Read more letters and comments about the issue
-----

Clearing one’s own trays is an individual choice, usually done only when it is convenient to do so, and enforcing this act and blaming the teacher seems almost an Orwellian ideal to me. I do believe these boys were engrossed in their conversations, and when it was time to leave, absent-mindedly cleared some of their food and then left as a group. This momentary lapse of consideration does not make them failures.

Rather, it shows that despite their ability to win medals around the world while consistently coming in tops in the school rankings year after year, that Victorians are nonetheless human, and should be allowed the occasional lack of perfection without being subjected to such harsh judgement.

The writer is an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore.

From TODAY, Voices – Wednesday, 22-April-2009

Egyptian boy dies of bird flu

CAIRO — A six-year-old boy died in Egypt after contracting H5N1 avian influenza, becoming the country's 24th human casualty of the disease since 2006, the state-run Middle East News Agency reported yesterday.

Egypt has the highest number of avian-flu cases outside Asia, according to the most recent data from the World Health Organisation. With the newest reports, the number of infected people there has reached 67.

The boy is the first fatality attributed to the virus in Egypt this year, the news agency quoted a spokesman for the Health Ministry as saying. The boy had shown symptoms of the virus on March 22 after coming in contact with dead birds.

The ministry reported the 67th infection earlier yesterday, saying that a four-year-old boy had contracted the virus. The boy has been given Tamiflu and is in stable condition in hospital.

The Swiss manufacturer of the antiviral medicine, Roche, says it can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms if taken within 48 hours of the onset of disease. Early treatment for the H5N1 avian flu may improve survival, some uncontrolled studies have shown.
BLOOMBERG

From TODAY, World – Wednesday, 22-April-2009

Egyptian boy dies of bird flu

CAIRO — A six-year-old boy died in Egypt after contracting H5N1 avian influenza, becoming the country's 24th human casualty of the disease since 2006, the state-run Middle East News Agency reported yesterday.

Egypt has the highest number of avian-flu cases outside Asia, according to the most recent data from the World Health Organisation. With the newest reports, the number of infected people there has reached 67.

The boy is the first fatality attributed to the virus in Egypt this year, the news agency quoted a spokesman for the Health Ministry as saying. The boy had shown symptoms of the virus on March 22 after coming in contact with dead birds.

The ministry reported the 67th infection earlier yesterday, saying that a four-year-old boy had contracted the virus. The boy has been given Tamiflu and is in stable condition in hospital.

The Swiss manufacturer of the antiviral medicine, Roche, says it can reduce the severity and duration of flu symptoms if taken within 48 hours of the onset of disease. Early treatment for the H5N1 avian flu may improve survival, some uncontrolled studies have shown.
BLOOMBERG

From TODAY, World – Wednesday, 22-April-2009

This car’s carbon emission: 0

NUS eco-invention

Zul Othman, zul@mediacorp.com.sg

IT IS by no means the first urban concept car to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells — an electrochemical “device” that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

But their car can travel longer and faster, claim the 10-member team from the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, who developed it as part of their final year project (picture).

Dubbed the Kruce or the Kent Ridge Urban Concept Ecocar, it can travel up to 300km on a litre of fuel, said leader Zhang Wei Sheng, 24.

It is being entered for the Eco-Marathon, a race for fuel-efficient cars in Germany from May 7 to 9.

“Other teams have used hydrogen fuel cells before ... but we (have) co-developed the customised fuel cells so our fuel cell is smaller and lighter,” he said.

The car will have a zero carbon emission rating and be almost noiseless when driven. The co-development was with Gashub Technology, a local renewable energy technology company.

The team will compete in the Urban Concept category against 66 teams from 37 countries. The winner will be determined by the least amount of fuel used to travel seven laps of a 22-km circuit in 53minutes.

The 2.7m-long single seater has a top speed of 40kmh, but has twice the efficiency of a conventional combustible engine, due to its in-built hydrogen circulation.

Made from lightweight material, it weighs 130 kg, and took 10 months to build. Last year the team ranked 18th at the race in France.

From TODAY, News – Tuesday, 21-April-2009

This car’s carbon emission: 0

NUS eco-invention

Zul Othman, zul@mediacorp.com.sg

IT IS by no means the first urban concept car to be powered by hydrogen fuel cells — an electrochemical “device” that converts chemical energy into electrical energy.

But their car can travel longer and faster, claim the 10-member team from the Faculty of Engineering, National University of Singapore, who developed it as part of their final year project (picture).

Dubbed the Kruce or the Kent Ridge Urban Concept Ecocar, it can travel up to 300km on a litre of fuel, said leader Zhang Wei Sheng, 24.

It is being entered for the Eco-Marathon, a race for fuel-efficient cars in Germany from May 7 to 9.

“Other teams have used hydrogen fuel cells before ... but we (have) co-developed the customised fuel cells so our fuel cell is smaller and lighter,” he said.

The car will have a zero carbon emission rating and be almost noiseless when driven. The co-development was with Gashub Technology, a local renewable energy technology company.

The team will compete in the Urban Concept category against 66 teams from 37 countries. The winner will be determined by the least amount of fuel used to travel seven laps of a 22-km circuit in 53minutes.

The 2.7m-long single seater has a top speed of 40kmh, but has twice the efficiency of a conventional combustible engine, due to its in-built hydrogen circulation.

Made from lightweight material, it weighs 130 kg, and took 10 months to build. Last year the team ranked 18th at the race in France.

From TODAY, News – Tuesday, 21-April-2009

What’s wrong with today’s kids?

STATE OF OUR STUDENTS

Teacher in top boys’ school set poor example

Letter from Trina Tan Ker Wei

I WAS at the McDonald’s outlet in Marine Cove on April 14, from about 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

During that time, a group of between 10 and 20 secondary school boys in Victoria School (VS) uniform entered together with a lady who I assumed was their teacher, and occupied a long table and some “bar” seats.

From their loud cheers, I gathered the teacher was giving them a treat. The calls to confirm orders and the general rowdy chatter were a little disruptive but I was okay with it.

What got to me, though, was how the VS boys did not clear their trays when they got up to leave. Some placed their empty drink cups and wrappers on the trays, but no one bothered to empty the filled trays.

The trash bin was next to the tables they were occupying — at most three steps away. The appalling thing was seeing how the teacher did not bother to ask the boys to clear their trays — she just stood there talking to the boys.

Then they all left. The area they had occupied looked as if a tornado had swept through it. There were used napkins, burger wrappers and empty drink cups left here and there.

I sympathised with the McDonald’s crew member who came to clear the mess with a look of helpless despair on his face.

I am saddened by the behaviour of the VS boys and the inability of their teacher to use that moment to teach her students manners. Victoria School appears to have failed in upholding its school mission of producing well-mannered, considerate men with good social graces.

My mother, a proud former VS girl, was surprised at the incident and felt the boys were tarnishing the school’s name.

If the younger generation cannot master basic manners, I do not care if they are winning academic awards around the world — as far as I am concerned, they are failures.

From TODAY, Voices – 20-April-2009

What’s wrong with today’s kids?

STATE OF OUR STUDENTS

Teacher in top boys’ school set poor example

Letter from Trina Tan Ker Wei

I WAS at the McDonald’s outlet in Marine Cove on April 14, from about 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

During that time, a group of between 10 and 20 secondary school boys in Victoria School (VS) uniform entered together with a lady who I assumed was their teacher, and occupied a long table and some “bar” seats.

From their loud cheers, I gathered the teacher was giving them a treat. The calls to confirm orders and the general rowdy chatter were a little disruptive but I was okay with it.

What got to me, though, was how the VS boys did not clear their trays when they got up to leave. Some placed their empty drink cups and wrappers on the trays, but no one bothered to empty the filled trays.

The trash bin was next to the tables they were occupying — at most three steps away. The appalling thing was seeing how the teacher did not bother to ask the boys to clear their trays — she just stood there talking to the boys.

Then they all left. The area they had occupied looked as if a tornado had swept through it. There were used napkins, burger wrappers and empty drink cups left here and there.

I sympathised with the McDonald’s crew member who came to clear the mess with a look of helpless despair on his face.

I am saddened by the behaviour of the VS boys and the inability of their teacher to use that moment to teach her students manners. Victoria School appears to have failed in upholding its school mission of producing well-mannered, considerate men with good social graces.

My mother, a proud former VS girl, was surprised at the incident and felt the boys were tarnishing the school’s name.

If the younger generation cannot master basic manners, I do not care if they are winning academic awards around the world — as far as I am concerned, they are failures.

From TODAY, Voices – 20-April-2009

They laughed as he lay dying

A reminder to kids to be careful when going for outdoor activities, especially unfamiliar or remote places…

-----

UNHELPFUL HELPLINE

SYDNEY — A dying teenage boy lost in dense bushland outside Sydney was ridiculed by emergency service operators during his frantic calls for help.

David Iredale, 17, became separated from his friends during a three-day bush walk in the Blue Mountain in 2006.

After spending 24 hours without water, he made six increasingly desperate calls to the emergency services.

However, David’s explanation that he was lost, feeling faint and had no water was met with sarcasm and derision by the emergency call centre staff.

During the conversations, call centre workers repeatedly asked David for a street address, despite his explanation he was lost in the bush, nowhere near a named road.

In one call, David explained his situation, to which the operator responded: “Okay, so you’ve just walked into the middle of nowhere?”

Another operator took two calls from the schoolboy but didn’t appear to remember her previous conversation.

In his final call, he apologised for failing to remember the name of the track he was on because he was too disoriented. David repeated the word “sorry”, to which the operator abruptly responded: “Don’t keep saying that... tell me where you are.”

The teenager was also put on hold twice. After his sixth call to the service, he was never heard from again. Eight days later his body was found by rescue teams in a dry creek bed.

David’s parents left the court while the harrowing recordings were played.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service has apologised for the way it treated David and issued a statement saying it had changed its procedures for handling calls from people in remote locations. The Daily Telegraph

From TODAY, World – 20-April-2009

They laughed as he lay dying

A reminder to kids to be careful when going for outdoor activities, especially unfamiliar or remote places…

-----

UNHELPFUL HELPLINE

SYDNEY — A dying teenage boy lost in dense bushland outside Sydney was ridiculed by emergency service operators during his frantic calls for help.

David Iredale, 17, became separated from his friends during a three-day bush walk in the Blue Mountain in 2006.

After spending 24 hours without water, he made six increasingly desperate calls to the emergency services.

However, David’s explanation that he was lost, feeling faint and had no water was met with sarcasm and derision by the emergency call centre staff.

During the conversations, call centre workers repeatedly asked David for a street address, despite his explanation he was lost in the bush, nowhere near a named road.

In one call, David explained his situation, to which the operator responded: “Okay, so you’ve just walked into the middle of nowhere?”

Another operator took two calls from the schoolboy but didn’t appear to remember her previous conversation.

In his final call, he apologised for failing to remember the name of the track he was on because he was too disoriented. David repeated the word “sorry”, to which the operator abruptly responded: “Don’t keep saying that... tell me where you are.”

The teenager was also put on hold twice. After his sixth call to the service, he was never heard from again. Eight days later his body was found by rescue teams in a dry creek bed.

David’s parents left the court while the harrowing recordings were played.

The New South Wales Ambulance Service has apologised for the way it treated David and issued a statement saying it had changed its procedures for handling calls from people in remote locations. The Daily Telegraph

From TODAY, World – 20-April-2009

For crispy clear sound

CHANNEL NEWSASIA

The Primetime morning interview

Nancy Ang, nancyang@mediacorp.com.sg

When you think about it, your voice is really a critical tool of communication but most people tend not to give it much thought unless they use it professionally on a daily basis. Or until they start to lose their voice or get it all hoarse and scratchy.

There is however, one day each year when the voice goes under the spotlight. I’m talking about World Voice Day every April 16, which health professionals have marked since 2002.

This year’s theme is “Invest In Your Voice”. The idea is a good one — taking the time to listen to our voice, instead of others’ for a change. Ideally though, paying close attention to our voice is something we should do every day, especially since our vocal cords can be damaged so easily.

As Dr Paul Mok, a Voice Specialist from Alexandra Hospital said in an interview with Primetime Morning, “people don’t realise that our vocal folds can vibrate many times in a single second. The more we shout, strain or abuse the voice, the faster the vocal cords will slam against each other, resulting in a swollen and inflamed throat”.

He added, “Most times, if you lose your voice, it will come back within 48 to 72 hours. But if the problem that causes the voice to degenerate continues, there’s no chance for recovery and irreversible changes can happen to the vocal folds such as scarring, permanently dilated blood vessels and so on.”

A scary scenario but something we can avoid. After all, the problem does not lie in how much we talk, but the way we talk and whether we practise good vocal habits. That’s good news surely, for heavy users of the voice such as singers, teachers, television hosts, actors and lawyers.

For this group, speech therapist Kristen Linnemeyer, also from Alexandra Hospital, recommends doing frequent vocal exercises such as the tongue trill or lip roll as effective ways to warm up the voice and keep it in good condition. She also teaches her patients how to relax their neck muscles so physical massage can be done on the throat.

She said, “The most important thing is to be in tune to your voice, how it sounds and how it feels. Most people get into trouble with their voice when they try to force and overcome what’s naturally going on.”

This means that if you’re already down with the flu and sore throat, there can be no instant cure. The body will need time to heal. The key is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and stay away from smoke to avoid inflaming the throat.

So love our voice or hate the sound of it, it’s going to be our only one. And if we shower it with care and provide good maintenance, well, it will let us speak up for a lifetime.

From WEEKEND TODAY, Plus – 18, 19-April-2009

For crispy clear sound

CHANNEL NEWSASIA

The Primetime morning interview

Nancy Ang, nancyang@mediacorp.com.sg

When you think about it, your voice is really a critical tool of communication but most people tend not to give it much thought unless they use it professionally on a daily basis. Or until they start to lose their voice or get it all hoarse and scratchy.

There is however, one day each year when the voice goes under the spotlight. I’m talking about World Voice Day every April 16, which health professionals have marked since 2002.

This year’s theme is “Invest In Your Voice”. The idea is a good one — taking the time to listen to our voice, instead of others’ for a change. Ideally though, paying close attention to our voice is something we should do every day, especially since our vocal cords can be damaged so easily.

As Dr Paul Mok, a Voice Specialist from Alexandra Hospital said in an interview with Primetime Morning, “people don’t realise that our vocal folds can vibrate many times in a single second. The more we shout, strain or abuse the voice, the faster the vocal cords will slam against each other, resulting in a swollen and inflamed throat”.

He added, “Most times, if you lose your voice, it will come back within 48 to 72 hours. But if the problem that causes the voice to degenerate continues, there’s no chance for recovery and irreversible changes can happen to the vocal folds such as scarring, permanently dilated blood vessels and so on.”

A scary scenario but something we can avoid. After all, the problem does not lie in how much we talk, but the way we talk and whether we practise good vocal habits. That’s good news surely, for heavy users of the voice such as singers, teachers, television hosts, actors and lawyers.

For this group, speech therapist Kristen Linnemeyer, also from Alexandra Hospital, recommends doing frequent vocal exercises such as the tongue trill or lip roll as effective ways to warm up the voice and keep it in good condition. She also teaches her patients how to relax their neck muscles so physical massage can be done on the throat.

She said, “The most important thing is to be in tune to your voice, how it sounds and how it feels. Most people get into trouble with their voice when they try to force and overcome what’s naturally going on.”

This means that if you’re already down with the flu and sore throat, there can be no instant cure. The body will need time to heal. The key is to rest, drink plenty of fluids and stay away from smoke to avoid inflaming the throat.

So love our voice or hate the sound of it, it’s going to be our only one. And if we shower it with care and provide good maintenance, well, it will let us speak up for a lifetime.

From WEEKEND TODAY, Plus – 18, 19-April-2009

Our English better now?

Letter from Huang Wenwu

I WAS reading at a bookstore but was interrupted when a kid cried out: “That is my one!”

I shuddered. Where did she pick up such grammar? One wonders if we’ve made any progress from 20 years ago, when I recall such Singlish phrases were commonplace at my kindergarten.

Back then, teachers pronounced “pepper” and “paper” the same way, and I only learnt how to produce the “th” sound much later.

What success indicators are we using in the Speak Good English Movement? What must be done to get rid of the curse of bad English?

From TODAY, Voices – Friday, 17-April-2009

Our English better now?

Letter from Huang Wenwu

I WAS reading at a bookstore but was interrupted when a kid cried out: “That is my one!”

I shuddered. Where did she pick up such grammar? One wonders if we’ve made any progress from 20 years ago, when I recall such Singlish phrases were commonplace at my kindergarten.

Back then, teachers pronounced “pepper” and “paper” the same way, and I only learnt how to produce the “th” sound much later.

What success indicators are we using in the Speak Good English Movement? What must be done to get rid of the curse of bad English?

From TODAY, Voices – Friday, 17-April-2009

Beacons of hope

Photos Wee Teck Hian

WHEN the red button is hit, an SMS alert is sent to all community leaders in the area who will then rush to the scene to ascertain if anyone needs help.

As part of its efforts to get the community involved in fighting crime, the police are holding trials on a new neighbourhood emergencies alert beacon (pictures) that will be placed in parks.

Two such beacons, standing waist-high and in striking red, have been placed in Alexandra Park. The police also plan to install them at the Ulu Pandan Park Connector and Clementi Woods Park soon.

Another initiative launched recently to reach out to younger and Net-savvy Singaporeans: A Singapore Police Force Facebook page containing crime prevention videos and messages; and appeals for information on unsolved cases.

The page on the popular social networking website now boasts of more than 3,800 fans since its launch in January.

The police’s Youtube channel, which was launched last year and now has 33 videos, has been viewed more than 66,000 times.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said the police must “continue to adapt and evolve, especially in tapping on new technologies and channels to reach out to the community.” TEO XUANWEI

From TODAY, News – Friday, 17-April-2009

Beacons of hope

Photos Wee Teck Hian

WHEN the red button is hit, an SMS alert is sent to all community leaders in the area who will then rush to the scene to ascertain if anyone needs help.

As part of its efforts to get the community involved in fighting crime, the police are holding trials on a new neighbourhood emergencies alert beacon (pictures) that will be placed in parks.

Two such beacons, standing waist-high and in striking red, have been placed in Alexandra Park. The police also plan to install them at the Ulu Pandan Park Connector and Clementi Woods Park soon.

Another initiative launched recently to reach out to younger and Net-savvy Singaporeans: A Singapore Police Force Facebook page containing crime prevention videos and messages; and appeals for information on unsolved cases.

The page on the popular social networking website now boasts of more than 3,800 fans since its launch in January.

The police’s Youtube channel, which was launched last year and now has 33 videos, has been viewed more than 66,000 times.

Deputy Prime Minister and Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng said the police must “continue to adapt and evolve, especially in tapping on new technologies and channels to reach out to the community.” TEO XUANWEI

From TODAY, News – Friday, 17-April-2009

Paris’ hue and rues

FRANCE

Singing nuns, happy artists, encounters with the dead – it’s hard not to love the City of Lights

Neo Chai Chin, chaichin@mediacorp.com.sg

Sacre-Coeur Basilica at Montmartre has volunteers to restrain overzealous photographers.

“Are you looking for Jim Morrison?” a well-meaning stranger with a wool beanie and snazzy red-rimmed spectacles asked, after seeing me walk circles around the grave of Morrison — legendary lead singer of The Doors — without actually spotting it.

The setting was Paris’ Pere Lachaise cemetery, final resting place of Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Chopin and other luminaries. I had set my heart on traipsing its cobbled paths on a cold winter’s day in January and, thanks to the chance meeting with Olivier at Morrison’s grave, what a day it turned out to be.

An expert of sorts on Pere Lachaise, Olivier told me tales of the dead for the next three hours. He visits often; the place attracts him the way a great script draws an actor.

Statue at a dance school

On many visitors’ must-do lists: Smooching Wilde’s grave (though oils from lipstick are said to have corrosive effects), paying homage to Morrison (whose grave is now fenced up to prevent die-hard fans from damaging the surrounding graves), and rubbing the groin of assassinated 19th century writer Victor Noir’s bronze statue for luck in love. Noir became a romantic figure after he was killed in a duel in 1870, supposedly the day before his wedding — countless women hoping to get pregnant have laid their hands on the bulge in the statue’s trousers. I wasn’t one of them.

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and places like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre and the Notre-Dame Cathedral loom large. You could spend weeks in the Louvre, which houses a gargantuan collection of paintings and other artworks up to the 19th century, including the Mona Lisa. But its size and crowds can prove tiring. The Musee d’Orsay and Pompidou Centre are great for Impressionist and contemporary art lovers.

An exhibit by Israeli furniture designer Ron Arad at the Pompidou Centre

The Notre-Dame Cathedral was another attraction that fascinated and frustrated. Its Gothic arches and gargoyles were as impressive in real life as in pictures, but be prepared for camera-toting hordes relentlessly snapping away even during a sermon — at the priest, no less. Montmartre’s Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart) Basilica was much lovelier, in my opinion. For starters, volunteers tut-tut at those taking photos. The nuns sing during services, and to hear their glorious voices filling the cavernous interior verges on the surreal.

Paris is also a city where the little things matter — exploring lesser-known neighbourhoods like cafe-lined St Germain, watching a street performance, or just basking in the artistic, liberal vibe of the city.

No one is ever going to become a member of the Gulf Stream jetset doing this... but who cares?

— Davy Lim (above), who’s born in Penang, on being an artist in Paris

We met street portraitist Davy Lim at Montmartre’s artists’ square, or Place du Tertre. Penang-born Lim’s eyes lit up when he heard our accent and, meeting two people from this part of the world, he couldn’t resist talking about food. It was the eve of Chinese New Year, and he told us how good a bowl of “tau you bak” (stewed pork) would taste after a chilly day sketching outdoors.

Unlike some of the other artists, Lim isn’t at the square every day. And when it rains, he shrugs and packs up for the day. “I’m a free man, y’know,” he said.

What’s it like being a street artist in Paris? “I love my work,” he said. “I don’t have a boss, my hours are flexible, the remuneration is adequate. No one is ever going to become a member of the Gulf Stream jetset doing this, but who cares?”

If ever you need a dose of reality in the City of Lights, or proof that workers are well aware of their rights, labour strikes — a regular occurrence in Europe — are it. A strike was brewing the entire week we were in Paris, and it happened on the day of our departure. Supportive though he was of the workers, our landlord Nicolas (who had rented us his apartment) was apologetic as he advised us to book a private shuttle to the airport.

Perhaps, the test of a much-hyped and romanticized destination is the ability to enchant, warts and all. I hadn’t expected the city to be as charming as on film (Before Sunset, Paris Je T’aime, the list goes on), but it was. And if you’re lucky, you’ll also return with tales of encounters with lovely strangers.

-----

PARIS NOTES

Accommodation: If you’ll be in Paris for a week, try renting an apartment. Rental websites include www.parissweethome.com and www.parisattitude.com — the former is ideal for those on a budget, while the latter offers posher, pricier choices.

Pere Lachaise cemetery:

Located in the eastern part of Paris, the nearest metro stations are the Pere Lachaise (Line 2, 3) and Philippe-Auguste (Line 2). Entry is free. The website www.pere-lachaise.com provides an interactive virtual tour complete with pictures.

-----

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 16-April-2009

Paris’ hue and rues

FRANCE

Singing nuns, happy artists, encounters with the dead – it’s hard not to love the City of Lights

Neo Chai Chin, chaichin@mediacorp.com.sg

Sacre-Coeur Basilica at Montmartre has volunteers to restrain overzealous photographers.

“Are you looking for Jim Morrison?” a well-meaning stranger with a wool beanie and snazzy red-rimmed spectacles asked, after seeing me walk circles around the grave of Morrison — legendary lead singer of The Doors — without actually spotting it.

The setting was Paris’ Pere Lachaise cemetery, final resting place of Oscar Wilde, Edith Piaf, Chopin and other luminaries. I had set my heart on traipsing its cobbled paths on a cold winter’s day in January and, thanks to the chance meeting with Olivier at Morrison’s grave, what a day it turned out to be.

An expert of sorts on Pere Lachaise, Olivier told me tales of the dead for the next three hours. He visits often; the place attracts him the way a great script draws an actor.

Statue at a dance school

On many visitors’ must-do lists: Smooching Wilde’s grave (though oils from lipstick are said to have corrosive effects), paying homage to Morrison (whose grave is now fenced up to prevent die-hard fans from damaging the surrounding graves), and rubbing the groin of assassinated 19th century writer Victor Noir’s bronze statue for luck in love. Noir became a romantic figure after he was killed in a duel in 1870, supposedly the day before his wedding — countless women hoping to get pregnant have laid their hands on the bulge in the statue’s trousers. I wasn’t one of them.

Paris is one of the most visited cities in the world, and places like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Montmartre and the Notre-Dame Cathedral loom large. You could spend weeks in the Louvre, which houses a gargantuan collection of paintings and other artworks up to the 19th century, including the Mona Lisa. But its size and crowds can prove tiring. The Musee d’Orsay and Pompidou Centre are great for Impressionist and contemporary art lovers.

An exhibit by Israeli furniture designer Ron Arad at the Pompidou Centre

The Notre-Dame Cathedral was another attraction that fascinated and frustrated. Its Gothic arches and gargoyles were as impressive in real life as in pictures, but be prepared for camera-toting hordes relentlessly snapping away even during a sermon — at the priest, no less. Montmartre’s Sacre-Coeur (Sacred Heart) Basilica was much lovelier, in my opinion. For starters, volunteers tut-tut at those taking photos. The nuns sing during services, and to hear their glorious voices filling the cavernous interior verges on the surreal.

Paris is also a city where the little things matter — exploring lesser-known neighbourhoods like cafe-lined St Germain, watching a street performance, or just basking in the artistic, liberal vibe of the city.

No one is ever going to become a member of the Gulf Stream jetset doing this... but who cares?

— Davy Lim (above), who’s born in Penang, on being an artist in Paris

We met street portraitist Davy Lim at Montmartre’s artists’ square, or Place du Tertre. Penang-born Lim’s eyes lit up when he heard our accent and, meeting two people from this part of the world, he couldn’t resist talking about food. It was the eve of Chinese New Year, and he told us how good a bowl of “tau you bak” (stewed pork) would taste after a chilly day sketching outdoors.

Unlike some of the other artists, Lim isn’t at the square every day. And when it rains, he shrugs and packs up for the day. “I’m a free man, y’know,” he said.

What’s it like being a street artist in Paris? “I love my work,” he said. “I don’t have a boss, my hours are flexible, the remuneration is adequate. No one is ever going to become a member of the Gulf Stream jetset doing this, but who cares?”

If ever you need a dose of reality in the City of Lights, or proof that workers are well aware of their rights, labour strikes — a regular occurrence in Europe — are it. A strike was brewing the entire week we were in Paris, and it happened on the day of our departure. Supportive though he was of the workers, our landlord Nicolas (who had rented us his apartment) was apologetic as he advised us to book a private shuttle to the airport.

Perhaps, the test of a much-hyped and romanticized destination is the ability to enchant, warts and all. I hadn’t expected the city to be as charming as on film (Before Sunset, Paris Je T’aime, the list goes on), but it was. And if you’re lucky, you’ll also return with tales of encounters with lovely strangers.

-----

PARIS NOTES

Accommodation: If you’ll be in Paris for a week, try renting an apartment. Rental websites include www.parissweethome.com and www.parisattitude.com — the former is ideal for those on a budget, while the latter offers posher, pricier choices.

Pere Lachaise cemetery:

Located in the eastern part of Paris, the nearest metro stations are the Pere Lachaise (Line 2, 3) and Philippe-Auguste (Line 2). Entry is free. The website www.pere-lachaise.com provides an interactive virtual tour complete with pictures.

-----

From TODAY, Traveller – Thursday, 16-April-2009

‘Opt for Happy Toilets’

CLEANLINESS STANDARD

Letter from Emerson Hee

Project Executive, Restroom Association (Singapore)

ON APRIL 9, in response to the food poisoning incident at Geylang Serai, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan commented that the current cleanliness standard is unacceptable as compared to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) period in 2003 when the standard was very good. He quoted the example of the Toilet OK campaign launched during the Sars period when the toilets were “OK” but they are no longer so.

Our association concurs strongly with Mr Khaw’s comments especially on the deteriorating standard of public toilets. Riding on the heightened awareness of public hygiene during the Sars period, we launched the Happy Toilet Programme (HTP) in June 2003 to complement the Toilet OK campaign. After about five years, we conducted a survey last year and only 26 per cent of the survey respondents indicated that the toilets are “OK”.

Our survey also revealed that 84 per cent stated that dirty toilets are one of the reasons for not visiting the premises and 70 per cent opined that irresponsible users are the cause of dirty toilets. We will continue to conduct the survey every year to compare and study the data.

With the deteriorating standard of public toilets, we launched the LOO Campaign last year. For the past one year before the launch of the campaign, about 170 toilets had been certified Happy Toilets. Some locations of these Happy Toilets are hawker centres, petrol stations, restaurants, shopping centres, tourist attractions, factories and hospitals. After the launch of the campaign, about 120 toilets have been certified Happy Toilets — including three coffeeshops within walking distance in Woodlands — with about 50 more toilets to be assessed and awarded in the next two months. Locations of these toilets are hawker centres, petrol stations, coffeeshops and shopping centres.

In conjunction with the LOO Campaign, we revamped the HTP grading system to include satisfaction — satisfied toilet visitors — to ensure a pleasant experience for the toilet users.

Therefore, we wish to appeal to the public to support our HTP by opting to only visit Happy Toilets. Though cleanliness of public toilets remain a challenge, public awareness of personal hygiene has been heightened through this food poisoning incident with some demanding clean public toilets not only for themselves but also stallholders preparing the food. Therefore, we strongly urge the public to start practising good toilet etiquette from home to public places so as to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again in the future.

From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 16-April-2009

‘Opt for Happy Toilets’

CLEANLINESS STANDARD

Letter from Emerson Hee

Project Executive, Restroom Association (Singapore)

ON APRIL 9, in response to the food poisoning incident at Geylang Serai, Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan commented that the current cleanliness standard is unacceptable as compared to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (Sars) period in 2003 when the standard was very good. He quoted the example of the Toilet OK campaign launched during the Sars period when the toilets were “OK” but they are no longer so.

Our association concurs strongly with Mr Khaw’s comments especially on the deteriorating standard of public toilets. Riding on the heightened awareness of public hygiene during the Sars period, we launched the Happy Toilet Programme (HTP) in June 2003 to complement the Toilet OK campaign. After about five years, we conducted a survey last year and only 26 per cent of the survey respondents indicated that the toilets are “OK”.

Our survey also revealed that 84 per cent stated that dirty toilets are one of the reasons for not visiting the premises and 70 per cent opined that irresponsible users are the cause of dirty toilets. We will continue to conduct the survey every year to compare and study the data.

With the deteriorating standard of public toilets, we launched the LOO Campaign last year. For the past one year before the launch of the campaign, about 170 toilets had been certified Happy Toilets. Some locations of these Happy Toilets are hawker centres, petrol stations, restaurants, shopping centres, tourist attractions, factories and hospitals. After the launch of the campaign, about 120 toilets have been certified Happy Toilets — including three coffeeshops within walking distance in Woodlands — with about 50 more toilets to be assessed and awarded in the next two months. Locations of these toilets are hawker centres, petrol stations, coffeeshops and shopping centres.

In conjunction with the LOO Campaign, we revamped the HTP grading system to include satisfaction — satisfied toilet visitors — to ensure a pleasant experience for the toilet users.

Therefore, we wish to appeal to the public to support our HTP by opting to only visit Happy Toilets. Though cleanliness of public toilets remain a challenge, public awareness of personal hygiene has been heightened through this food poisoning incident with some demanding clean public toilets not only for themselves but also stallholders preparing the food. Therefore, we strongly urge the public to start practising good toilet etiquette from home to public places so as to prevent a similar tragedy from happening again in the future.

From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 16-April-2009

Parents to pay for their children’s misbehaviour

A THREE-YEAR British government study into classroom behaviour will call for greater use of parenting contracts for parents failing to keep children in line and £50 ($111.90) penalties for those condoning truancy.

More schools will also be encouraged to use traditional methods such as detentions, suspensions, isolation rooms and lunchtime curfews to punish badly-behaved pupils.

The study came as teachers warned that existing methods were failing as a “reward culture” seen in banks was spreading to schools.

Ms Jules Donaldson, from United Kingdom’s largest teachers’ union, claimed some teachers were fuelling the problem by handing out prizes like plasma screen TVs, Ipods and Nintendo Wii games consoles if children promise to behave.

Schools can apply to courts for a “parenting contract” requiring parents of wayward pupils to take parenting classes — with fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to attend.

Under laws, parents can also be hit with penalties of £50 if their children are found in a public place without justification in the first five days of an exclusion.

- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

From TODAY, World – Thursday, 16-April-2009

Parents to pay for their children’s misbehaviour

A THREE-YEAR British government study into classroom behaviour will call for greater use of parenting contracts for parents failing to keep children in line and £50 ($111.90) penalties for those condoning truancy.

More schools will also be encouraged to use traditional methods such as detentions, suspensions, isolation rooms and lunchtime curfews to punish badly-behaved pupils.

The study came as teachers warned that existing methods were failing as a “reward culture” seen in banks was spreading to schools.

Ms Jules Donaldson, from United Kingdom’s largest teachers’ union, claimed some teachers were fuelling the problem by handing out prizes like plasma screen TVs, Ipods and Nintendo Wii games consoles if children promise to behave.

Schools can apply to courts for a “parenting contract” requiring parents of wayward pupils to take parenting classes — with fines of up to £1,000 if they fail to attend.

Under laws, parents can also be hit with penalties of £50 if their children are found in a public place without justification in the first five days of an exclusion.

- THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

From TODAY, World – Thursday, 16-April-2009

Exams aren’t everything

PRIMARY EDUCATION

Govt accepts recommendations to gradually introduce other forms of assessment

Lin Yanqin, yanqin@mediacorp.com.sg

 

 

Education Minister Ng Eng Hen observing a class at Greenridge Primary. Ernest Chua

 

IT HAS been a proposal some parents have welcomed, and others worried about.

Having alternative modes of assessments in Primary 1 and 2 to the traditional twice-a-year examinations were among recommended changes to primary school education the Government accepted yesterday.

But it will not be a dramatic change overnight, said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen.

As the work of the committee reviewing primary education now enters into the implementation stage, Dr Ng signalled that it would be a long-term work in progress.

The timeframe, he told reporters during a visit to Greenridge Primary, is more of a “10-year plan”, as the Ministry of Education (MOE) starts to build more schools and train more teachers, while schools prepare to introduce bite-sized forms of holistic assessment. “As in most educational ventures, you have to train thousands of teachers, you have to make sure parents understand, you have to teach down to the very last child in the primary schools,” said Dr Ng.

He revealed that the ministry will spend about $4.8 billion to implement the recommendations, which include schools going single session by 2016 and introducing a Programme for Active Learning in areas such as sports and the arts.

The MOE also aims to lower the pupil-teacher ratio from the current 21:1 to 16:1 by 2015, build 18 new schools and upgrade 80 existing schools.

In the case of Greenridge Primary, although it introduced topical assessments — which test individual components such as reading skills — four years ago, these form only part of the pupils’ grades, as the school has continued with traditional exams.

This year, it will do away with mid-year exams, but may retain the year-end one.

“Parents still want some form of assessment to know that their child is ready for Primary 2,” said vice-principal Liza Rahmat. “We have to do this gradually.”

But the new system has notably taken the stress off pupils, she noted, as each assessment focuses on one area rather than the entire syllabus.

“Also, assessments are done in a classroom environment, such as through Show and Tell, so it’s not stressful like a traditional sit-down test or exam,” said Ms Liza.

That is not the only drawback of relying on exams at such a young age.

Dr Ng said: “If you give a mark, say 60. What does that mean? It doesn’t give feedback. The proper feedback to the pupil or to the parent is to say what (the pupil) was weak in and what (the pupil) was strong in.”

Parents at Greenridge yesterday were happy with the results so far.

Mdm Wendy Low, 32, said that compared with her older child who went through the previous exam-oriented system from the start, her younger child was better able to absorb what he was taught.

“He’s more confident because everything is broken into small components and he understands each topic better,” said Mdm Low.

From TODAY, News – Wednesday, 15-April-2009

Exams aren’t everything

PRIMARY EDUCATION

Govt accepts recommendations to gradually introduce other forms of assessment

Lin Yanqin, yanqin@mediacorp.com.sg

 

 

Education Minister Ng Eng Hen observing a class at Greenridge Primary. Ernest Chua

 

IT HAS been a proposal some parents have welcomed, and others worried about.

Having alternative modes of assessments in Primary 1 and 2 to the traditional twice-a-year examinations were among recommended changes to primary school education the Government accepted yesterday.

But it will not be a dramatic change overnight, said Education Minister Ng Eng Hen.

As the work of the committee reviewing primary education now enters into the implementation stage, Dr Ng signalled that it would be a long-term work in progress.

The timeframe, he told reporters during a visit to Greenridge Primary, is more of a “10-year plan”, as the Ministry of Education (MOE) starts to build more schools and train more teachers, while schools prepare to introduce bite-sized forms of holistic assessment. “As in most educational ventures, you have to train thousands of teachers, you have to make sure parents understand, you have to teach down to the very last child in the primary schools,” said Dr Ng.

He revealed that the ministry will spend about $4.8 billion to implement the recommendations, which include schools going single session by 2016 and introducing a Programme for Active Learning in areas such as sports and the arts.

The MOE also aims to lower the pupil-teacher ratio from the current 21:1 to 16:1 by 2015, build 18 new schools and upgrade 80 existing schools.

In the case of Greenridge Primary, although it introduced topical assessments — which test individual components such as reading skills — four years ago, these form only part of the pupils’ grades, as the school has continued with traditional exams.

This year, it will do away with mid-year exams, but may retain the year-end one.

“Parents still want some form of assessment to know that their child is ready for Primary 2,” said vice-principal Liza Rahmat. “We have to do this gradually.”

But the new system has notably taken the stress off pupils, she noted, as each assessment focuses on one area rather than the entire syllabus.

“Also, assessments are done in a classroom environment, such as through Show and Tell, so it’s not stressful like a traditional sit-down test or exam,” said Ms Liza.

That is not the only drawback of relying on exams at such a young age.

Dr Ng said: “If you give a mark, say 60. What does that mean? It doesn’t give feedback. The proper feedback to the pupil or to the parent is to say what (the pupil) was weak in and what (the pupil) was strong in.”

Parents at Greenridge yesterday were happy with the results so far.

Mdm Wendy Low, 32, said that compared with her older child who went through the previous exam-oriented system from the start, her younger child was better able to absorb what he was taught.

“He’s more confident because everything is broken into small components and he understands each topic better,” said Mdm Low.

From TODAY, News – Wednesday, 15-April-2009

GREEN PEAS: Small wonder

Study shows pea protein could prevent onset of kidney damage

EVELINE GAN eveline@mediacorp.com.sg

THE humble pea may soon play a significant role in combating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high blood pressure.

A recent study, presented at the American Chemical Society’s conference, found that proteins in peas can naturally relieve symptoms of CKD and combat hypertension.

“In people with high blood pressure, protein could potentially delay or prevent the onset of kidney damage. For those who already have kidney disease, it may help them maintain normal blood pressure levels so they can live longer,” said study author Dr Rotimi Aluko, a food chemist at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, of his findings.

Dr Aluko, one of the researchers, fed small daily doses of concentrated pea protein to laboratory rats with kidney disease for eight weeks. At the end of the study, the protein-fed rats showed a 20-per-cent decrease in blood pressure when compared to diseased rats on a normal diet.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for CKD. End-stage CKD is irreversible, and the patient usually requires kidney dialysis or a transplant.

Cardiovascular complications associated with kidney failure can be fatal.

Singapore has one of the highest incidence of kidney failure in the world, with about 750 people diagnosed yearly, according to National Kidney Foundation statistics. About one in five Singaporeans suffer from high blood pressure.

Peas — typically consumed fresh, frozen or canned — have long been recognised as a nutritious super-vegetable. Mrs Victoria Hally, a dietitian at The Food Clinic, told Today that they are low in fat, and packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre.

According to the UK-registered dietitian, the soluble fibre found in peas is also important in reducing blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels.

Regular peas contain about 4.3g of protein per serving (100g) while split peas, which are used in soups and dhal and are a good source of protein for vegetarians, contain significantly higher protein content at 16g per serving. An average Singaporean adult requires about 58 to 68g of protein each day.

But go easy on canned peas, advised Mrs Hally. “They are often preserved in high levels of salt which contribute to high blood pressure. Fresh, frozen or dried peas are healthier choices,” she said.

Mrs Hally also added that in spite of the promising study results, it is important to note that there is currently no evidence that the pea protein works on humans with pre-existing chronic kidney disease.

“It is important to note that CKD is a complex disease. Often, patients with the chronic condition will require medication to control high blood pressure. Pea protein alone may not be sufficient,” she said.

From TODAY, Health – Tuesday, 14-April-2009

GREEN PEAS: Small wonder

Study shows pea protein could prevent onset of kidney damage

EVELINE GAN eveline@mediacorp.com.sg

THE humble pea may soon play a significant role in combating chronic kidney disease (CKD) and high blood pressure.

A recent study, presented at the American Chemical Society’s conference, found that proteins in peas can naturally relieve symptoms of CKD and combat hypertension.

“In people with high blood pressure, protein could potentially delay or prevent the onset of kidney damage. For those who already have kidney disease, it may help them maintain normal blood pressure levels so they can live longer,” said study author Dr Rotimi Aluko, a food chemist at the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, Canada, of his findings.

Dr Aluko, one of the researchers, fed small daily doses of concentrated pea protein to laboratory rats with kidney disease for eight weeks. At the end of the study, the protein-fed rats showed a 20-per-cent decrease in blood pressure when compared to diseased rats on a normal diet.

High blood pressure is a major risk factor for CKD. End-stage CKD is irreversible, and the patient usually requires kidney dialysis or a transplant.

Cardiovascular complications associated with kidney failure can be fatal.

Singapore has one of the highest incidence of kidney failure in the world, with about 750 people diagnosed yearly, according to National Kidney Foundation statistics. About one in five Singaporeans suffer from high blood pressure.

Peas — typically consumed fresh, frozen or canned — have long been recognised as a nutritious super-vegetable. Mrs Victoria Hally, a dietitian at The Food Clinic, told Today that they are low in fat, and packed with protein, vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre.

According to the UK-registered dietitian, the soluble fibre found in peas is also important in reducing blood glucose and blood cholesterol levels.

Regular peas contain about 4.3g of protein per serving (100g) while split peas, which are used in soups and dhal and are a good source of protein for vegetarians, contain significantly higher protein content at 16g per serving. An average Singaporean adult requires about 58 to 68g of protein each day.

But go easy on canned peas, advised Mrs Hally. “They are often preserved in high levels of salt which contribute to high blood pressure. Fresh, frozen or dried peas are healthier choices,” she said.

Mrs Hally also added that in spite of the promising study results, it is important to note that there is currently no evidence that the pea protein works on humans with pre-existing chronic kidney disease.

“It is important to note that CKD is a complex disease. Often, patients with the chronic condition will require medication to control high blood pressure. Pea protein alone may not be sufficient,” she said.

From TODAY, Health – Tuesday, 14-April-2009

Cacophony at the symphony

Letter from Joseph Au

I WAS surprised to see a full house for a recent Singapore Symphony Orchestra concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall. However, I noticed that the balcony seats were mostly filled by youngsters whose tickets may have been sponsored by the concert organisers or schools.

I was initially glad students had the chance to attend such an event.

But halfway through, trouble started. Coughs rose from all over the balcony and continued without pause. The annoying, distracting coughs went on non-stop for the remaining 80 minutes of the concert.

If it was a deliberate attempt to cough as having fun at a “boring” concert, then I would suggest teachers should teach the students the proper etiquette at concerts. I also hope the students were not forced to attend such concerts just to gain extra-curricular credits.

From TODAY, Voices- Tuesday, 14-April-2009

Cacophony at the symphony

Letter from Joseph Au

I WAS surprised to see a full house for a recent Singapore Symphony Orchestra concert at the Esplanade Concert Hall. However, I noticed that the balcony seats were mostly filled by youngsters whose tickets may have been sponsored by the concert organisers or schools.

I was initially glad students had the chance to attend such an event.

But halfway through, trouble started. Coughs rose from all over the balcony and continued without pause. The annoying, distracting coughs went on non-stop for the remaining 80 minutes of the concert.

If it was a deliberate attempt to cough as having fun at a “boring” concert, then I would suggest teachers should teach the students the proper etiquette at concerts. I also hope the students were not forced to attend such concerts just to gain extra-curricular credits.

From TODAY, Voices- Tuesday, 14-April-2009

Bouncers join classroom

LONDON — Bouncers, ex-soldiers and former police officers are being brought into schools to provide “crowd control” and cover absent teachers’ lessons.

One school, thought to be in London, employed two permanent cover teachers through an agency for professional doormen, the National Union of Teachers annual conference in Cardiff heard yesterday.

Bouncers, who more usually work night s keeping order in pubs and clubs, are being employed in schools because they are “stern and loud”, said Mr Andrew Baisley, a teacher at Haverstock school in Camden, north London.

Recruitment agencies are advertising for people with “ex-marine, prison officer, bouncer, policeman, fireman” backgrounds to become supervisors, who do not need to have any teaching qualifications to oversee lessons.

It comes as ministers prepare to unveil the final part of a major review of children’s behaviour this week which will call on governors, head-teachers and parents to support teachers when they discipline pupils.

From September, new rules will limit the amount of cover that teachers can provide for one another, meaning schools could become more reliant on non-qualified staff, the union said.

The union today voted to oppose the use of unqualified staff to cover lessons. Members also agreed to campaign for a reduction in class sizes to 20 and a guarantee of time out of the classroom for teachers to prepare lessons.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: “Heads should ensure that the people they employ have the relevant experience and training — and that all the proper checks -are carried out on anyone working with children."

- THE GUARDIAN

From TODAY, World - Tuesday, 14-April-2009

Bouncers join classroom

LONDON — Bouncers, ex-soldiers and former police officers are being brought into schools to provide “crowd control” and cover absent teachers’ lessons.

One school, thought to be in London, employed two permanent cover teachers through an agency for professional doormen, the National Union of Teachers annual conference in Cardiff heard yesterday.

Bouncers, who more usually work night s keeping order in pubs and clubs, are being employed in schools because they are “stern and loud”, said Mr Andrew Baisley, a teacher at Haverstock school in Camden, north London.

Recruitment agencies are advertising for people with “ex-marine, prison officer, bouncer, policeman, fireman” backgrounds to become supervisors, who do not need to have any teaching qualifications to oversee lessons.

It comes as ministers prepare to unveil the final part of a major review of children’s behaviour this week which will call on governors, head-teachers and parents to support teachers when they discipline pupils.

From September, new rules will limit the amount of cover that teachers can provide for one another, meaning schools could become more reliant on non-qualified staff, the union said.

The union today voted to oppose the use of unqualified staff to cover lessons. Members also agreed to campaign for a reduction in class sizes to 20 and a guarantee of time out of the classroom for teachers to prepare lessons.

A spokesman for the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: “Heads should ensure that the people they employ have the relevant experience and training — and that all the proper checks -are carried out on anyone working with children."

- THE GUARDIAN

From TODAY, World - Tuesday, 14-April-2009

New orangutan population found

Conservationists have discovered a new population of orangutans — perhaps as many as 2,000 — in a remote, mountainous corner of Indonesia giving a rare boost to one of the world's most endangered apes.

A team surveying forests in eastern Borneo counted 219 orangutan nests, indicating a "substantial" number of the animals, said Mr Erik Meijaard, a senior ecologist at the The Nature Conservancy. There are an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 orangutans left in the wild, 90 per cent of them in Indonesia and the rest in Malaysia.

AP

From TODAY, World – Monday, 13-April-2009

New orangutan population found

Conservationists have discovered a new population of orangutans — perhaps as many as 2,000 — in a remote, mountainous corner of Indonesia giving a rare boost to one of the world's most endangered apes.

A team surveying forests in eastern Borneo counted 219 orangutan nests, indicating a "substantial" number of the animals, said Mr Erik Meijaard, a senior ecologist at the The Nature Conservancy. There are an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 orangutans left in the wild, 90 per cent of them in Indonesia and the rest in Malaysia.

AP

From TODAY, World – Monday, 13-April-2009

Harry Potter and the cannabis farm

CHILD STAR GONE WILD
Hogwarts pupil Vincent Crabbe had $4K worth of cannabis in his bedroom


HARRY Potter actor Jamie Waylett, who played bullying Hogwarts pupil Vincent Crabbe, has been arrested after police allegedly found cannabis worth £2,000 ($4,400) in his bedroom.

Waylett was pulled over last week while driving an Audi in Westminster, central London, by police who believed he was behaving suspiciously.

A search of the car allegedly revealed eight bags of suspected cannabis, and Waylett and a friend, both 19, were arrested on suspicion of drug possession and taken to a nearby police station.

The actor’s home in Camden, north London, which he shares with his mother, Theresa, two brothers and a sister, was then raided and police allegedly seized 10 mature cannabis plants valued at around £2,000.

The plants were allegedly growing under powerful hydroponic lights beside the actor’s DJ decks and a PlayStation.

Waylett was arrested again on suspicion of producing a Class B drug, a charge which carries up to 14 years imprisonment.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Waylett’s car was stopped at around 7pm on April 2 and his home was searched at around 10.40pm.

“Both men have been bailed to a date in July pending further inquiries and tests on the substances,” he added.

Waylett has appeared alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in all six of the blockbuster Harry Potter films.

The latest instalment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is due out in July.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

From TODAY, Plus – Friday, 10-April-2009

Harry Potter and the cannabis farm

CHILD STAR GONE WILD
Hogwarts pupil Vincent Crabbe had $4K worth of cannabis in his bedroom


HARRY Potter actor Jamie Waylett, who played bullying Hogwarts pupil Vincent Crabbe, has been arrested after police allegedly found cannabis worth £2,000 ($4,400) in his bedroom.

Waylett was pulled over last week while driving an Audi in Westminster, central London, by police who believed he was behaving suspiciously.

A search of the car allegedly revealed eight bags of suspected cannabis, and Waylett and a friend, both 19, were arrested on suspicion of drug possession and taken to a nearby police station.

The actor’s home in Camden, north London, which he shares with his mother, Theresa, two brothers and a sister, was then raided and police allegedly seized 10 mature cannabis plants valued at around £2,000.

The plants were allegedly growing under powerful hydroponic lights beside the actor’s DJ decks and a PlayStation.

Waylett was arrested again on suspicion of producing a Class B drug, a charge which carries up to 14 years imprisonment.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said Waylett’s car was stopped at around 7pm on April 2 and his home was searched at around 10.40pm.

“Both men have been bailed to a date in July pending further inquiries and tests on the substances,” he added.

Waylett has appeared alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in all six of the blockbuster Harry Potter films.

The latest instalment, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is due out in July.

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

From TODAY, Plus – Friday, 10-April-2009

Extraordinary hearts and stories

Kids, kindness and courtesy, these virtues will far exceed and outlast riches and popularity. Grip them, and never let them go; they will bring you far in your life's journey...

-----

Letter from Angeline Koh



I would like to express my appreciation for the Today team who put together “Happiness is ... lending a helping hand” (April 6).

All it takes is an ordinary person with an extraordinary heart to do what those people did. It also takes extraordinary eyes and hearts to find such stories. Thanks!


From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 09-April-2009

Extraordinary hearts and stories

Kids, kindness and courtesy, these virtues will far exceed and outlast riches and popularity. Grip them, and never let them go; they will bring you far in your life's journey...

-----

Letter from Angeline Koh



I would like to express my appreciation for the Today team who put together “Happiness is ... lending a helping hand” (April 6).

All it takes is an ordinary person with an extraordinary heart to do what those people did. It also takes extraordinary eyes and hearts to find such stories. Thanks!


From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 09-April-2009

Why I really love Singapore

Kids, this should make you proud of your country...

-----

An International student says…

Letter from Dayal Prabhhal

I am a 16-year-old in Grade 10 at an international school in Singapore and have been here for two years. I want to say that I really love Singapore. This is what happened to me on March 26.

I was heading towards my friend’s house in a taxi, as her father was driving us to school. I did not realise until I had got out of the taxi that I had left my handphone behind.

Using my friend’s phone, I called my number. On my second try, a lady answered. She gave me an address in Pasir Ris from where I could collect my phone. I got into a taxi but when I got there, I could not find her.

I tried looking for someone who could lend me their phone so I could call her. Two ladies pointed me to a public phone. When I called the lady, she gave me the address again. I had misheard her the first time.

But I had no idea where she actually was. By this time I had hardly any money left to take another taxi but I still flagged a cab.

I asked the driver the way and told him my problem. He asked me to get in and dropped me at the correct block and did not even ask me for the fare.

I found the lady who had my handphone. She had been waiting for more than 30 minutes.

In the train, finally heading to school, I called my friend and told her what had happened. I told her that I didn’t have any money left as I had spent what I had on the first taxi ride to Pasir Ris.

Right after I hung up, I saw a hand with a $10 note in it. It belonged to a middle-aged man who then tucked the money into my shirt pocket. He must have heard me talking to my friend. I was so touched by this that I was almost in tears. I kept trying to give the money back but he refused to take it.

I want to say thank you to the lady who returned my handphone, the taxi uncle and the uncle in the train. It’s been two years since I came to Singapore. After this amazing experience, I want to say I really love Singapore.


From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 09-April-2009

Why I really love Singapore

Kids, this should make you proud of your country...

-----

An International student says…

Letter from Dayal Prabhhal

I am a 16-year-old in Grade 10 at an international school in Singapore and have been here for two years. I want to say that I really love Singapore. This is what happened to me on March 26.

I was heading towards my friend’s house in a taxi, as her father was driving us to school. I did not realise until I had got out of the taxi that I had left my handphone behind.

Using my friend’s phone, I called my number. On my second try, a lady answered. She gave me an address in Pasir Ris from where I could collect my phone. I got into a taxi but when I got there, I could not find her.

I tried looking for someone who could lend me their phone so I could call her. Two ladies pointed me to a public phone. When I called the lady, she gave me the address again. I had misheard her the first time.

But I had no idea where she actually was. By this time I had hardly any money left to take another taxi but I still flagged a cab.

I asked the driver the way and told him my problem. He asked me to get in and dropped me at the correct block and did not even ask me for the fare.

I found the lady who had my handphone. She had been waiting for more than 30 minutes.

In the train, finally heading to school, I called my friend and told her what had happened. I told her that I didn’t have any money left as I had spent what I had on the first taxi ride to Pasir Ris.

Right after I hung up, I saw a hand with a $10 note in it. It belonged to a middle-aged man who then tucked the money into my shirt pocket. He must have heard me talking to my friend. I was so touched by this that I was almost in tears. I kept trying to give the money back but he refused to take it.

I want to say thank you to the lady who returned my handphone, the taxi uncle and the uncle in the train. It’s been two years since I came to Singapore. After this amazing experience, I want to say I really love Singapore.


From TODAY, Voices – Thursday, 09-April-2009