One Blog for the Kids!: Channel NewsAsia

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Monday, June 29, 2009

Day two of torch relay ceremony takes AYG flame to 45 schools

By Lynda Hong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 29 June 2009 1206 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Asian Youth Games (AYG) torch relay continues in Singapore on Monday.

The first light for the day was ignited by Singapore Education Minister Ng Eng Hen during the torch-lighting ceremony at the Games Village just before seven in the morning.

Day two of the torch relay ceremony will see the flame being brought to 45 schools across Singapore. And one of them is West Spring Secondary School, representing Friendship, one of the Olympic values.

And together with Respect and Excellence, the three routes named after the Olympic values are relayed by 135 torch bearers to the schools.

For some, the responsibility of bearing the 1-kilogramme torch will be an unforgettable - and unnerving - experience.

A student torch bearer from West Spring Secondary School, Bibiana Loh, said: "I'm not very comfortable with fire. I can light candles and stuff but not one huge torch like that."

And even with H1N1 flu looming over the new school term, students and staff kept the festive mood going.

Principal of West Spring Secondary School, Seet Tiat Hee, said: "Today being the first day of school, we are trying to balance between all the precautionary measures (for H1N1 flu) and celebrating the AYG."

By evening, the flame will light up the Asian Youth Games' opening ceremony at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

- CNA/yt

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

Asian Youth Games torch relay kicks off

By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 28 June 2009 1536 hrs

Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong receives the torch to start the torch relay at the Asian Youth Games

SINGAPORE: The Asian Youth Games (AYG) torch relay kicked off Sunday morning with the Community and Corporate Leg.

Held over two days, day one of the relay saw the torch travel through three different routes covering five districts across Singapore.

The flame lighting ceremony was held early Sunday at the Kallang Waterfront.

Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Singapore National Olympic Council, Teo Chee Hean, was at the event.

The flame then fanned out across the island in buses to arrive at the start of the three routes, named after the Olympic values of Friendship, Excellence and Respect.

At Yio Chu Kang stadium, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had the honour of being the first torch bearer to start the relay.

Singapore's Minister for Manpower Gan Kim Yong runs with the torch during the torch relay at the Asian Youth Games

Over at the Republic Polytechnic in the north of Singapore, other Ministers and VIPs also took part in the historic run.

Zainudin Nordin, torch bearer and Mayor of the North District: "We want to celebrate us organising the AYG, at the same to understand that sports is a really wonderful platform for us to get to know each other and for us to bond with the people together."

Shoppers and tourists caught a sight of the torch as it was carried along Orchard Road.

A total of 70 torchbearers were involved in day one of the relay.

The final torch bearer for the day was Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan, who ran from Marina Square to the Games Village at Swissotel the Stamford.

The torch relay will resume on Monday for the Schools leg, with the flame travelling to 45 schools around Singapore, where over a hundred runners will have the honour of carrying the torch.

The relay will end at the Indoor Stadium where three athletes will run in with the torches and light the cauldron as part of the Opening Ceremony celebrations.

- CNA/yb

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

Automakers go green with eco-friendly cars

By Rachel Kelly, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 June 2009 2045 hrs

Japanese couple consider a hybrid car

SINGAPORE: Governments, companies and individuals worldwide are gaining interest in issues related to climate change, and becoming more environmentally aware. And this is taking business down a new path.

Japanese car maker Toyota announced on Wednesday it will be leasing 200 plug-in hybrid cars by the end of the year in Japan to boost sales of green cars.

Over in the US, President Barack Obama has just signed a new bill aimed at increasing gas mileage and decreasing green house gas pollution for all new trucks and cars sold in the US.

The move will force US car makers to dramatically boost the efficiency of cars and trucks by 2016.

The programme begins with car models made in 2012.

Meanwhile, China has already announced plans to become the world's largest producer of electric cars, with US$1.5 billion ($10 billion Yuan) package for research and development.

Cash rebates of up to US$8,800 will also be on offer for electric car purchases.

Over in Japan, the major car brands have been picking up speed when it comes to hybrid vehicles. They want to tap into the growing popularity of hybrid cars.

Just last month, Nissan saw orders for its eco-friendly cars jump 30 per cent on year.

Toyota has received pre-sales orders of more than 80,000 vehicles for its remodelled Prius hybrid.

Interest in green vehicles in Japan may have been boosted by the government's new tax incentives for low-emission cars.

This is a growing trend worldwide, with more countries offering tax incentives for such cars and imposing emission caps.

And soon, owning a green vehicle will move from being a trend to a must. - CNA /ls

From ChannelNewsAsia.com; see the source article here.