Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 10/6/2009

Article#6 My

My reaction:

Bridge, to me, is a difficult game to play. I have to keep thinking the strategy, and calculating what cards do other players have had since the game requires a stable, strong concentration. Because of this requirement, bridge is considered as one of the best method to cure Alzheimer disease or other brain disease.

If there are various options, I would prefer chess board game, such as chess, go. These are not only teaching me to think, also developing the character. I have to think about the setting at first, and dominate the game so that I can control the rhythm of it. Then I wait for the chance to strike. If the opponent makes a mistake, I can attack at once. This kind of thinking skill can be observed in real world. If I don’t have enough capital to start a business, I can wait for the next time or draw people’s attention to my business in other to absorb the investment.

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 27/5/2009

Article# 5
My My reaction :

In my opinion, decriminasing drugs is a double-edged sword to the society. The result could be controversial : the positive one is declining the illegel drug market ; the nagativeone may trigger another social problem.

Drugs, of course, are considerd as a perish cause of many nations, especially in developing countries, like india. Since there are not many entertainment, people have nothing to do for killing time. Futhermore, they don’t know much about the side-effect of it. Therefore, they may take it for fun. Moreover, drugs could trigger a moral issue. Teenagers may think that taking drugs is as normal as having meals. That would normalize the consequence of using it.
Despite the truth, why the Portuguese government still insists of observing this policy ? First, legelising drugs could exterminate the blackmarket. In general, there are many suppliers smuggling drugs, like cannabate. Most of them aren’t safe to use as the production of drugs can be poor, roughly. The product may consist of other substance like mercury. That would seriously damage human body. If the government decriminalize drugs, the drug user will choose it for safety.

Secondly, drugs are harmless if not are over-used. Also, some of the chemicals are used in other aspect. For example, morphine, an anaesthetic, is used in plastic surgery. The use of must be accurate. (208words)

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 7/5/2009

Article# 4
My reaction :
In my opinion, Facebook is a common way for teenagers to communicate with others. Most of the them have made friends by this way.

The reason why Facebook has occupied people’s life is the characteristic. Nowadays, people live in a world full of stress and work. They need a way to release it. Therefore, Facebook takes a large part of easing pressure. Facebook is a virtual tool of commnication that allows people to conceal the real-world face, so that they can talk freely without consideration. Also, Facebook has no geographical problem. No matter where you are, all they have to do is to turn on a computer and input few words. Because it connects with the Internet, they may chat with foreigners. Conserquently, it widers their horizon.

On the other hand, I think this situation also triggers to another problem. That is so-called ‘ social withdrawel’. It means a certain group of people especially the teenagers are reluctent to contact with the outside world, only their inner world. Once they take Facebool as a tool of commnication, they can’t resist any temptations of the virtual world. That merely makes the problem even more worst. For example, according to a survey in Hongkong, the average hour of surfing the net is ten. That includs using Facebook. One extreme case is that a girl spends twenty hours a week surfing Facebook. She almost gave up her study. It has raised up a question of teenagers addicting to Facebook. Certainly, it is merely a tip of the iceburg. The more we know concern about the society, the less chances we go on the wrong track. (210 words)

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 9/4/2009

Article# 3

My
reaction:
In my opinion, soft revolution is a kind of alternative power to change other's original thought in the mild way. People need time to accept and take it for a granted in their life. Also this power could be very effective and efficient.

For example, Hong Kong, a place that local Chinese have lived for centuries is full of foreign culture. Western especially British culture takes an essential part of it. Since the British government had completely controlled the territory, it carried out a serious of measures in order to, such as applying for government jobs. If you want to get it, you have to learn English at least, and then you would have an opportunity to get an interview. Otherwise, you have to work in lower class. For those locals, it was a sort of soft revolution that forced them to learn foreign culture and language without using violence. Therefore, most people did it for living.

On the other hand, if the revolution isn't carried out by government, it would be a totally different situation. When you are not in an official organisation, it would be inconvenient to accomplish every change. You would encounter the opposition of conservative parties and groups. Therefore, the effort you pay would be double or even triple.

As a result, I appreciate to the girl mentioned in the article that resist the restriction of tradition, and bravely express the feeling she had. It requires enormous courage.

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 27/3/2009

Article# 2

My reaction:

When reading this article, I think that the century of expensive car is changing, and replaced by small cars.

There are two reasons due to the rise of that Indian car. As we know, the economy of the world is withering and hasn't reached to the end. Everyone starts to spend less money in case any unexpected. As for the vehicles users, it would be a burden if they drive the former car that consumes lots of energy, especially in USA. Those cars are large and heavy and consume much more fuel than small ones; the most important one is the high price. That makes the consumers reluctant to purchase car and then the economy is getting worse. Therefore, Nano, the ultra cheap cars produced in India have become popular because of the light weight and cheap price. That would help the buyers ease the financial burden. In addition, global warming is getting serious than before. Consequently, people start to concern about the environment. For example, they use bio fuel instead of fossil fuel and purchase more small cars.

The next one is the drawback. Since it is small cars, normally the gasoline container is small as well. Therefore, it isn't appropriate for long distance drive. If you want to go somewhere remote, you have to take public transport. That would be inconviniet. (203words)

Name: Dean(49712059)

Date:12/3/2009

Article# 1

My reaction:

While reading this article, I am interested in it. As I know, there are many ways to advise people not to drink frequently but most of them are boring.

At first, the new ways include sending mobile phone text messages, posting video clips that feature the consequences of drinking and writing articles. These are relevant to our daily life. Therefore, we will be constantly and chronically edified. For example, the former one is a good idea. When people receive the message before starting to drink, they would think twice as for considering what they do like driving, also it is a pretty caring advice that we found that some one consider us as well as not be alone, just as a friend's reminding.

However, we should think of the effect of it. Since the economy of the entire world is going to the dogs, we might have heard of the news of lying off employees. Those unemployed prefer drinking in order to escape from the reality. Consequently, the number of drinkers is increasing. Most of them are in bad mood during drinking and they are unwilling to be disturbed from outside world. Thus, the above measures are useless. In my opinion, the best way is to seek for professional's help and tell them your situation.

In addition, some liquor companies support this idea, but their intention is making money. Not purely for it. They do this for getting famous and then sell their products easily. That is not only save the advertising cost but also fulfill their goal. The idea at last carries an odor of commerce. (206words)

Japanese whaler reported missing

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 8/1/2009

Article# 13

From: BBC

Japanese whaler reported missing

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7812820.stm)

My reaction:

The news is about a tragedy that happened in whaling ship in the Antarctic. A sailor was missing for several until now.

At the beginning, I think that whaling is one of the most dangerous industries in the world. Alike fishermen, the whalers have to deal with the problem most of their time: The weather. As we know, weather always plays a role of death in the sea world because of its unpredictable character. Sometimes it is sunny, sometimes it is stormy. You can't predict it even though you have sophisticated equipment. Therefore, the seamen depend on the seasons that often happens hurricanes or other disasters. However, the time which harvests the most is in the hurricane season. Thus, some of the sailors would take risk sailing. If you win the weather, you will get your reward; otherwise, you will pay your life. That sounds like gambling, but it is true.

Next, it is about living problem. Since the sail takes several months or maybe a year, it is crucial to store medicines. In a wild sea, there is no way to seek for help if something happens. For instance, scurvy is a common disease which is found among sailors. If someone suffers from it, you have no way to help unless you get any medicines.
Then, why the whalers risk their life working? I think it is because of the high profit. Since whale's whole body can be made into something like lipsticks. It consists the fat of whales' and the cost of extraction is low; In addition, women like making-up. They would spend all of their money on cosmetics. Then lipsticks would become their target. This business is worth millions of dollars.

On the other hand, many environmentists and animal protectors go against with them because of the way of hunting whales. The way they use is cruel. They drag the wounded whales and kill them alive. It is a bloody scene. The animals should not suffer this kind of pain and we, human, have no rights to do this. Therefore, the animal protectors often shoot that video in other to sue the whaling companies. (190words)

Mosquito blood 'identifies thief'

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 25/12/2008

Article# 12

From: BBC

Mosquito blood ‘identifies thief’
(http://www.news.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7795725.stm)

My reaction:

The news is about a car stolen case that was solved by Crime Scene Investigation which found the suspect’s blood in a mosquito.

At, the beginning, I felt quiet interesting that depended on such a tiny little bug to find out the truth. It was ridiculous. However, we shouldn’t lookdown any creature’s ability. Since the mankind has become the master of the world, they ignored everything as they thought they can solve all problems by the intelligence. That is arrogance. For example, there is a story about a rat and a lion. One day, the lion was trapped by hunting net. The rat wanted to help it but was laughed by the lion because of its size. Nevertheless, the rat saved the lion by biting the net.
What I learned was no matter how great we are, we ought to learn from other species’ strength. Learning is essential to human development as well as the way to improve our society. If we keep ignoring anything, we will be out in the food chain. We could use their strength on technology. For instant, we train dolphins to detect the water bombs. That could decline the number of injuries.

In addition, I found that there is no way to escape the net of justice if you committed crime. Every criminal leaves glues in the crime scene no matter how well you organize. Therefore, to those wanted, you will fall into the net finally.(190words)

Boost for 'light' cigarette cases

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 18/12/2008

Article# 10

From: BBC

Boost for 'light' cigarette cases

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7784323.stm

My reaction:

The news is about a tobacco company which has been sued for fraud in the United state.

In my opinion, it is an approach that cheats the smoker that “light” cigarettes are healthier than normal ones. In fact, they are more or less the same. The smoker thought light cigarettes are less harmful ingredients like nicotine, tar than the normal ones. Therefore, they are misled by the advertisements and start to try the former one. However, the more they puff at, the more chances they get cancer.

This is a common phenomenon that I have often seen. Some apparently harmful materials are added in commodities that are made in china. But the ethical traders still claim that those “qualified” products have problems after we had used. For example, milk powder, being added the industrial used chemical “melamine”, proved that it makes people easily get disease such as kidney stones as well as affects children’s intelligence. In this case, their dishonest behaviour has broken our heart and has trod our faith. They did it for money. I wonder if they felt guilty while spending the dirty money. If they still have conscience, just stop earning the dirty money. In addition, the customs unit has the responsibility to forbid the hazardous goods. Once it gets the job done, we won’t be deceived by the dishonest traders. (200words)

Child obesity 'may harm thyroid'

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 11/12/2008

Article# 10

From: BBC

Child obesity 'may harm thyroid'

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7762471.stm

My reaction:

The news is about the problem which the children in England suffered from obesity.

First, the problem has been bothering to the English society. Most children have a habit of picking food which means they eat a certain kind of food and rule out the food they dislike of their list. They choose the fast food because of the heavy flavour like salting, sweetie and so on. Therefore, chefs in schools or in restaurants provide this kind of meal to the children. That cultivates a bad habit so that they have less chance to absorb other nutrients and weaken their immune system that causes some kind of chronic decease such as high blood pressure, diabetes.

Second, because of the concept of time-is-money, many people on work prefer fast food to normal food. Fast food is mainly deep-fried; it requires no skill but some oil, then you merely take five minutes and have the meal. Therefore, it becomes popular. However, this kind of food is not healthy. A research showed that fast food like fried chicken, French fried provides five or six times of calories than normal food while being cooked. It is not easy to consume the excessive energy from fast food if you don’t exercise at least twenty minutes. In addition, most children like playing computer games instead of joining outdoor activities. Thus, they lack of a way consuming calories.

As a result, I think the cure depends on the government. If it forces schools not to sale any food exceeding too much calories, the situation will be better. (200words)

Wal-Mart worker dies in sale rush

Name: Dean (49712059)

Date: 4/12/2008

Article# 9

From: BBC

Wal-Mart worker dies in sale rush

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7755278.stm

My reaction:

The news is about a tragedy that happened at a Wal-Mart store in the New York suburbs. One of the staff died of being trampled by customers.

First, it happened after the Thanksgiving Day. The Wal-Mart store promoted a serious of steep price reduction in order to attract consumers. Therefore, many bargain-hunters who shop for cheap goods queued up in front of it. When the store was opening, those bargain-hunters stormed in it without any consideration, just grabbed what they want. It exposed that the people lacked of moral education and the manager of the store under estimated the number of crowd.

In USA, the Thanksgiving Day is one of the important festivals. Many families would spend much money celebrating it no matter rich and poor. It almost holds the half of the income of all retailers. However, this time, the Wal-Mart store couldn't consider about the loss of control happened in New York's branch. They thought they could control the situation In fact, they couldn't. They didn't expect how zealous the crowd was and the crowd flocked into the store as it opened. After that, the staff didn't try to calm them down. Moreover, I think those people lost their mind for cheap stuff. As a citizen, we should show our respect and politeness. Those crowds were afraid of losing the chance of buying their favourites. Therefore, they pushed each other for getting a good place where they could enter the shop faster. That was a bad example for children. If they learn that behaviour, the entire society will be in chaos.

As a result, we should learn more about the toleration. If someone pushes you in the above case, you should tell the person politely instead of pushing him back. If any had done the above movement, the tragedy wouldn't have happened.(203words)

Life in Somalia's pirate town

Name: Dean

Date: 27/11/2008

Article# 8

From: BBC

Life in Somalia's pirate town

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7623329.stm

My reaction:

The news is about pirate problem in Africa, especially in the east Africa. That problem has distracted the local government.

First, the major reason due to that problem is the instability of the local government. Since there are different kinds of nations gathering in the same area, it would be easy to spark conflicts such as culture, language. Therefore, the majority race would exclude another minority one.
Second, as the situation has not been stable, some of the generals want to take advantage of it by disuniting people. Hence, they could expand their influence by force of arms. Finally, they battle with each other and make the situation more badly.

Third, because of the chaos in Somali leading to the poor economy, many fishermen and former Navy started to rob foreign ships. Then they found that it is a way to get more money as well as not work for the whole year. Thus, they continue to do so.

Eventually, some of the countries started to wipe out the pirate by sending warships. However, it is merely a stopgap measure. As they didn't get at the root: racial problem. If the government tries to be fairer to other nations in friendly manner, they may not resort to violence and settle with the conflicts.(203words)

Race to save world's rarest wolf

Name: Dean (49712059)

Article# 7

Date: 20/11/2008

From:BBC

Race to save world's rarest wolf

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7715693.stm

My reaction:

The news is about an Africa wolf-Ethiopia wolf that is becoming endanger species. The reason could be considered as two parts: Diseases and human's immigration.

First, since Africa had been explored by the European, what they brought were not only money and plants but also the diseases and pollution. Those people who started farming or pasturage, brought along the domestic dogs with them as a guild dog. However, the dog might carry a disease that merely be found among dogs: Rabies. The disease wildly spread over the area that the wolves had no antibody to protect against the virus. Eventually, the number of the wolves dramatically declined.

Second, this reason could relate to the former one. Because of the immigration, the natural balance was broken down as human had occupied the land and then dispensed the animals. When the pray became less, so did the wolves.

As a result, we have the responsibility for saving them. Thus, there is an organisation called Wild CRV-Wildlife Conservation Unit of Oxford University that raised a campaign which helps the animals by injecting vaccines. Therefore, it could solve the crisis temporally. They still have to track and find them out in such a large continent; that’s the problem which has confused them. (200 words)

'US strikes' on Pakistan villages

Name: Dean (49712059)

Article#6

Date: 6/11/2008

From: BBC

'US strikes' on Pakistan villages

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7702679.stm

My reaction:

The news is about the air strikes in a Pakistan village and caused more than 20 people killed.

First, there were two strikes. Both of the strikes caused 20 people died because of the manhunt to the terrorists. I think it was a tragedy. Those people died in the attack were only in the wrong place in the wrong time. On the other hand, the US military should take the responsibility for the tragedy. They were the one who ordered to fire. Although wanting to get rid of the militants, they should have collected more information attack instead of launching missiles at random. Anti-terrorism is not a reason or an excuse to start war. Moreover, soldiers came down to the tool of brutal massacre. Soldiers should protect citizens, not to slaughter the innocence. Should we consider our safety problem as we don’t know when we would be attacked by our “protector"-soldier.

Second, the US forces were hunting the militants when they cross the border of Pakistan. It seemed alright and reasonable, but they didn’t ask the entering permission of the Pakistani government. In my notion, that was obviously an incursion. That action offended a country’s territory right even though they were on mission. A term which refers to the action is hegemonism-an ism that a nation in aggressive expanding its influence over other countries. Because of having the most sophisticated weapons, the US forces can sweep away all over the world without any resistance.

As a result, I thought we should make good use of those sophisticated technology to benefit the world instead of destroying it. Eventually, Our world is getting better.(205 words)

Fish farming in Malawi's dustbowl

Name : Dean (49712059)

Reaction article # 5

Date : 30/10/2008

From : BBC

Fish farming in Malawi's dustbowl

(http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/76837478.stm)

My reaction:

The news is about fish farming in Malawi, an interior country in the south-east Africa. The locals bring up fish in dust bowl. This is the way that they make a living.

Firstly, it is a common phenomenon in Africa. Most people doesn’t have chance to study, they can’t apply any jobs in office. Therefore, what they apply for is labour-requiring work, such as farmer, fisherman or miner. Their work is much heavy and they earn not much. Moreover, the climate in Africa is abominable as the rainfall is very low. It is only in spring, so the agriculture is poor as well as the fish farming. If the weather is heavy, their effort will be in vain.

Secondly, despite the murky water, the fish are rich in nutrition, such as calcium, vitamin a and protein. They strengthen our immune system to prevent decease. The fish are nutrient because of the topography-dust bowl. It contains many minerals and plankton. Of cause the fish not only prowl also are fed by their owner. In addition, they would receive their harvest after six months, and then they can get over the dry season.

As a result, though living in such a poor environment, they could face it optimistically. Why do we make ourselves unhappy? We earn more money than they do. We don’t worry about the food. What makes us sad? Maybe the stress is from work or finance. Anyway, we should learn from them. (203 words)

Vaccine call for 'silent killer'

Name: Dean (49712059)
Reaction Article #4
Date: 23/10/2008 From:

BBC Vaccine call for 'silent killer'



My reaction :

The news is about a Bangladesh boy who suffered from a strange disease, but his family could not save him because of poverty. Unfortunately, the five-year-old boy died. In my opinion, poverty is one of the major factors of death. In some remote areas, the sufferers cannot afford any proper medical treatment or aids, so that they become weaker and weaker and died finally. They don’t die of sickness but poverty.
Why do I say that? Since medicine is expensive, most of the low-income families cannot buy it when their family members are sick. Besides that, some pharmacies or pharmaceutical factory may engross the market in order to make money. Why medicines come down to the money spinner to exploit the right of seeking help?
On the other hand, some tycoons would spend millions of dollars to hold a party. What they spend on are luxuries and extravagance. Why do they do that? Just for their happiness. What about those who suffering from hunger and sickness? Have those people been regarded by the rich?
Do the rich feel shameful or guilty while spending money? If they do care about the poor, why don’t they donate a part of their salaries for fund? So what I am going to say is donation. The rich may donate money or build medical teams to help the poor by providing free injection. That would increase the chance of survive. (210 words)

Closure call for tuna 'disgrace'

The news is about the disgracing of tuna. Tuna are being over-fished by fishermen around the Mediterranean Sea. This incident will trigger a wave of natural disaster. Firstly, we all know tuna are delicious and nutrient, everyone from different level of age loves them. Therefore, the demand which fish tuna rises. But if the situation is out of control, it will definitely destroy the food chain of sea life or even the whole balance of nature. Secondly, as we know the seriousness of the consequence, we must stop it. A report from ICCAT, which stands for The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas pointed out the solution. According to the report, the Mediterranean countries such as Spain, France, haven't stump down on illegal fishing as well as implement to monitor the proper arrangements of the fishing fleets. I agree to those opinion. Finally, I figure out two suggestions: Limiting the quantity of fishing fleet, so that increases the survival chance of fish. Moreover, providing an accurate area for fishing is also essential. As it offers a habitat for fish to breed and recover. As a result, although human being is the master of the world, we have to follow the rules of it by not destroying the environment.(207 words)

No rain in Spain

It's about a drought in Spain and it is the most serious one in Spain over the past decade. First, the problem which has caused by the disaster is controversy not only between region and region but also party to party. It makes the country face the separation of opinion. Moreover, the drought also affects the needs of agriculture. Because of the shortage of water supply, it could not support such a water consuming activity like farming or gardening. It will certainly damage the crops of agriculture. In addition, it makes not only Spain but also the world into a difficult situation. Second, the government has the solution that is transferring water from other rivers or countries. Third, Why the disaster happened? I think because of the climate change. As we know, the climate is changing dramatically, all natural disasters become extreme., so does the damage. Why the climate is changing? It is because of the global warming, as we continue using fossil fuel. And release CO2 that keep the sun heat stay, finally the average temperature rises 2-3 degree C. Eventually, The moral of the incident is that children in Spain start to save fresh water. Not only them but also us(205 words)

China astronaut to walk in space

Three Chinese astronauts orbiting the Earth are about to take part in their country's first space walk.
One astronaut will leave the vessel for 20 minutes to conduct experiments while a second will don a spacesuit but remain in the spacecraft as back-up.
The operation will be broadcast live on television across China.
Conducting operations outside a spacecraft is essential if China is to fulfil its goal of building an orbiting station in the next few years.
The 42-year-old fighter pilot Zhai Zhigang is due to carry out the manoeuvre at 1630 Beijing Time (0830 GMT) on Saturday.
The Shenzhou VII capsule soared into orbit on a Long March II-F rocket from Jiuquan spaceport in north-west China.
The rocket put the Shenzhou capsule in a near-circular orbit more than 300km above the Earth.

Mr Zhai is joined on the mission by two other "yuhangyuan" (astronauts) - Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng.
The astronauts have been training in a water tank
Zhang Jianqi, one of the chief engineers for China's space programme, said keeping three men in the spacecraft, and then sending one outside, would be a "big test".
"This is a big technological leap," he told state-run news agency Xinhua.
"The risks are quite high. Sending up three astronauts is a jump both in quantity and quality." When Mr Zhai carries out his excursion, he is expected to wear a Chinese-made spacesuit thought to have cost between £5m and £20m ($10m-$40m)

The passion of china's first space walk




China's technology has developed rapidly over the past decades. Especially in space. firstly, the equipment of space exploration was merely for working in space capsule, but now the astronauts are able to walk in space or maybe can land on mars in the future. The progress is very amazing.

Secondly, I think it would be a good news to our people as our nation is rising. Why do I say that? Every strong nation has her own space equipment such as satellite, space ship.

They did it because of the trend of space exploration as well as the shortage of energy resource.

But there are a few countries to do so as it requires lots of money to develop and to maintain.

On the other hand, china has the ability to develop what I mentioned, which means china is a strong country, not only in economy but also in science.