Sunday, August 17, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A Man Was Charged for stabbbing his wife
SINGAPORE: As a former crime reporter with The Straits Times, Mr Russell Tan Rui Leen was no stranger to the courtroom.But when the investment analyst appeared in Court 25 of the Subordinate Court yesterday, it was for being on the wrong side of the law.
The charge: Stabbing and slashing his wife of seven years, Madam Goh Hwee Suan, 35, at their Pasir Ris flat on Sept 30 last year.
The bespectacled 39—year—old — who was surrounded by a group of friends — was initially in high spirits but his mood changed when his lawyer said he would have to wait until next month for the court verdict.
His lawyer, Mr Lee Yih Gia, told reporters that District Judge May Mesenas had decided — in chambers — to adjourn the case pending further reports on Mr Tan and his wife from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).
This is the second time his sentencing had been postponed. On July 29, Judge Mesenas adjourned the hearing to allow the prosecution to verify Mdm Goh’s claims that Mr Tan had harassed her via SMSes and email. This, the Judge said, could have an influence on the sentence.
It is not known if these claims have been verified as they were not mentioned in court yesterday.
Mr Tan, who is out on a $15,000—bail, told reporters tearfully after stepping out of the courtroom: “I am not a bad man, I still love my wife very much.”
Mdm Goh, who has recovered from her injuries, was not in court yesterday. The couple have two sons, aged six and three, and are in the midst of a divorce.
Almost immediately, Mdm Goh’s elder sister yelled at Mr Tan for being “unremorseful” of his actions. The woman, who declined to be identified, told reporters that Mr Tan was an abusive husband and that during one of the couple’s heated arguments, the police had to step in after he allegedly hit Mdm Goh.
Mr Tan did not respond to her allegations and left the court soon after. At the previous hearing, Mr Tan had pleaded guilty to stabbing Mdm Goh in the chest, back, neck and face with a knife after a quarrel at their flat.
The court also heard that Mr Tan continued slashing his wife even after his six—year—old son begged him to stop.
“No, she must die, she must not live. I must kill her,” Mr Tan had been quoted as saying.
In his defence, Mr Tan claimed that he had to endure “spousal abuse”. A counsellor with the Pasir Ris Family Service Centre had testified that Mdm Goh was verbally and physically abusive. Mr Tan also obtained a personal protection order against his wife in August last year. The case will be heard again in court on Sept 12. If found guilty, Mr Tan could be jailed up to 10 years or for life, and fined or caned.
The charge: Stabbing and slashing his wife of seven years, Madam Goh Hwee Suan, 35, at their Pasir Ris flat on Sept 30 last year.
The bespectacled 39—year—old — who was surrounded by a group of friends — was initially in high spirits but his mood changed when his lawyer said he would have to wait until next month for the court verdict.
His lawyer, Mr Lee Yih Gia, told reporters that District Judge May Mesenas had decided — in chambers — to adjourn the case pending further reports on Mr Tan and his wife from the Institute of Mental Health (IMH).
This is the second time his sentencing had been postponed. On July 29, Judge Mesenas adjourned the hearing to allow the prosecution to verify Mdm Goh’s claims that Mr Tan had harassed her via SMSes and email. This, the Judge said, could have an influence on the sentence.
It is not known if these claims have been verified as they were not mentioned in court yesterday.
Mr Tan, who is out on a $15,000—bail, told reporters tearfully after stepping out of the courtroom: “I am not a bad man, I still love my wife very much.”
Mdm Goh, who has recovered from her injuries, was not in court yesterday. The couple have two sons, aged six and three, and are in the midst of a divorce.
Almost immediately, Mdm Goh’s elder sister yelled at Mr Tan for being “unremorseful” of his actions. The woman, who declined to be identified, told reporters that Mr Tan was an abusive husband and that during one of the couple’s heated arguments, the police had to step in after he allegedly hit Mdm Goh.
Mr Tan did not respond to her allegations and left the court soon after. At the previous hearing, Mr Tan had pleaded guilty to stabbing Mdm Goh in the chest, back, neck and face with a knife after a quarrel at their flat.
The court also heard that Mr Tan continued slashing his wife even after his six—year—old son begged him to stop.
“No, she must die, she must not live. I must kill her,” Mr Tan had been quoted as saying.
In his defence, Mr Tan claimed that he had to endure “spousal abuse”. A counsellor with the Pasir Ris Family Service Centre had testified that Mdm Goh was verbally and physically abusive. Mr Tan also obtained a personal protection order against his wife in August last year. The case will be heard again in court on Sept 12. If found guilty, Mr Tan could be jailed up to 10 years or for life, and fined or caned.
Ren Ci
SINGAPORE: The Ministry of Health has accorded Ren Ci Hospital and Medicare Centre the statuIn a statement, Ren Ci said the approval is a reaffirmation of the work done by its management committee to put in place a comprehensive system of transparency, check and balance, and accountability.
Ren Ci said it will ensure all policies and guidelines are strictly adhered to.
With the IPC status, Ren Ci is now able to issue double tax—deductible receipts to donors. The hospital hopes that the public will continue to support its cause to help the sick and the less fortunate.
Ren Ci’s chairman, Chua Thian Poh, said: "We are very happy to receive this piece of news. All the hard work, dedication and determination by (the) Ren Ci team over the past months have been fruitful."
Ren Ci’s IPC status was not renewed when it expired last November after some irregularities were uncovered.
Following investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department, Ren Ci’s long—time head, Venerable Shi Ming Yi, now faces ten charges under the Penal Code and the Charities Act.
He has been charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust, one count of forgery for the purpose of cheating and one count of abetment of falsification of accounts under the Penal Code.
He also faces six charges under the Charities Act for giving false information to the Commissioner of Charities.
Others charged included his former personal assistant, Raymond Yeung, and manager of Ren Ci’s Resource Development Department, David Phua.
Ren Ci said it will ensure all policies and guidelines are strictly adhered to.
With the IPC status, Ren Ci is now able to issue double tax—deductible receipts to donors. The hospital hopes that the public will continue to support its cause to help the sick and the less fortunate.
Ren Ci’s chairman, Chua Thian Poh, said: "We are very happy to receive this piece of news. All the hard work, dedication and determination by (the) Ren Ci team over the past months have been fruitful."
Ren Ci’s IPC status was not renewed when it expired last November after some irregularities were uncovered.
Following investigations by the Commercial Affairs Department, Ren Ci’s long—time head, Venerable Shi Ming Yi, now faces ten charges under the Penal Code and the Charities Act.
He has been charged with two counts of criminal breach of trust, one count of forgery for the purpose of cheating and one count of abetment of falsification of accounts under the Penal Code.
He also faces six charges under the Charities Act for giving false information to the Commissioner of Charities.
Others charged included his former personal assistant, Raymond Yeung, and manager of Ren Ci’s Resource Development Department, David Phua.
A reptile found
SINGAPORE, Aug 6 - A crocodile, spotted earlier this week in a suburban park near a housing enclave in densely populated Singapore, has sparked a hunt by authorities.Experts told local newspapers that the one metre long (3 ft) reptile seen at Pasir Ris Park in the island's northeast is most likely a saltwater crocodile, more commonly found in neighbouring Malaysia and Indonesia.
Civil servant K.C. Wong, who was at the scene with his son, told the Straits Times newspaper: "I wanted to see the crocodile in its natural habitat before someone does something to it. After all, Singapore has so little wildlife left."
But experts urged the public to stay clear of the toothy animal.
"You just never know about wild animals," Robin Lee, manager of Singapore's Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm and a crocodile-hunter, told the newspaper. (Reporting by Daryl Loo; Editing by Jan Dahinten and David Fogarty)
Civil servant K.C. Wong, who was at the scene with his son, told the Straits Times newspaper: "I wanted to see the crocodile in its natural habitat before someone does something to it. After all, Singapore has so little wildlife left."
But experts urged the public to stay clear of the toothy animal.
"You just never know about wild animals," Robin Lee, manager of Singapore's Long Kuan Hung Crocodile Farm and a crocodile-hunter, told the newspaper. (Reporting by Daryl Loo; Editing by Jan Dahinten and David Fogarty)
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
○元宵的起源
■元宵节 元宵，原意为“上元节的晚上”，因正月十五“上元节”主要活动是晚上的观灯赏月，后来节日名称也演化为“元宵节”。正月十五闹元宵，将从除夕开始延续的庆祝活动推向又一个高潮。元宵之夜，大街小巷张灯结彩，人们赏灯，猜灯谜，吃元宵，成为世代相沿的习俗。元宵节是中国的传统节日，早在2000多年前的西汉就有了，元宵赏灯始于东汉明帝时期，明帝提倡佛教，听说佛教有正月十五日僧人观佛舍利，点灯敬佛的做法，就命令这一天夜晚在皇宫和寺庙里点灯敬佛，令士族庶民都挂灯。以后这种佛教礼仪节日逐渐形成民间盛大的节日。该节经历了由宫廷到民间，由中原到全国的发展过程。 在汉文帝时，已下令将正月十五定为元宵节。汉武帝时，“太一神”的祭祀活动定在正月十五。（太一：主宰宇宙一切之神）。司马迁创建“太初历”时，就已将元宵节确定为重大节日。 另有一说是元宵燃灯的习俗起源于道教的“三元说”；正月十五日为上元节，七月十五日为中元节，十月十五日为下元节。主管上、中、下三元的分别为天、地、人三官，天官喜乐，故上元节要燃灯。 元宵节的节期与节俗活动，是随历史的发展而延长、扩展的。就节期长短而言，汉代才一天，到唐代已为三天，宋代则长达五天，明代更是自初八点灯，一直到正月十七的夜里才落灯，整整十天。与春节相接，白昼为市，热闹非凡，夜间燃灯，蔚为壮观。特别是那精巧、多彩的灯火，更使其成为春节期间娱乐活动的高潮。至清代，又增加了舞龙、舞狮、跑旱船、踩高跷、扭秧歌等“百戏”内容，只是节期缩短为四到五天。正月是农历的元月，古人称夜为“宵”，所以称正月十五为元宵节。正月十五日是一年中第一个月圆之夜，也是一元复始，大地回春的夜晚，人们对此加以庆祝，也是庆贺新春的延续。元宵节又称为“上元节”。按中国民间的传统，在这天上皓月高悬的夜晚，人们要点起彩灯万盏，以示庆贺。出门赏月、燃灯放焰、喜猜灯谜、共吃元宵，合家团聚、同庆佳节，其乐融融。元宵节也称灯节，元宵燃灯的风俗起自汉朝，到了唐代，赏灯活动更加兴盛，皇宫里、街道上处处挂灯，还要建立高大的灯轮、灯楼和灯树，唐朝大诗人卢照邻曾在《十五夜观灯》中这样描述元宵节燃灯的盛况“接汉疑星落，依楼似月悬。”“猜灯谜”又叫“打灯谜”，是元宵节后增的一项活动，出现在宋朝。南宋时，首都临安每逢元宵节时制迷，猜谜的人众多。开始时是好事者把谜语写在纸条上，贴在五光十色的彩灯上供人猜。因为谜语能启迪智慧又饶有兴趣，所以流传过程中深受社会各阶层的欢迎。 民间过元宵节吃元宵的习俗。元宵由糯米制成，或实心，或带馅。馅有豆沙、白糖、山楂、各类果料等，食用时煮、煎、蒸、炸皆可。起初，人们把这种食物叫“浮圆子”，后来又叫“汤团”或“汤圆”，这些名称“团圆”字音相近，取团圆之意，象征全家人团团圆圆，和睦幸福，人们也以此怀念离别的亲人,寄托了对未来生活的美好愿望。一些地方的元宵节还有“走百病”的习俗，又称“烤百病”“散百病”，参与者多为妇女，他们结伴而行或走墙边，或过桥，走郊外，目的是驱病除灾。随着时间的推移，元宵节的活动越来越多，不少地方节庆时增加了耍龙灯、耍狮子、踩高跷、划旱船扭秧歌、打太平鼓等传统民俗表演。这个传承已有两千多年的传统节日，不仅盛行于海峡两岸，就是在海外华人的聚居区也年年欢庆不衰。 关于元宵节的来历，民间还有几种有趣的传说：我国民间有元宵节吃元宵的习俗，该习俗始于宋朝。民间相传，元宵起源于春秋时期的楚昭王。某个正月十五日，楚昭王经过长江，见江面有漂浮物，为一种外白内红的甜美食物。楚昭王请教孔子，孔子说"此浮萍果也，得之主复兴之兆"。元宵和春节的年糕，端午节的粽子一样，都是节日食品。吃元宵象征家庭象月圆一样团圆，寄托了人们对未来生活的美好愿望。元宵在南方称"汤圆"、"圆子"、"浮圆子"、"水圆"，由糯米制成，或实心，或带馅。馅有豆沙、白糖、山楂等等，煮、煎、蒸、炸皆可。
【元宵节简介】
【元宵节简介】
[编辑本段] 每年农历的正月十五，春节之末，迎来的就是中国的传统节日——元宵节。 元宵节，亦称为小正月、元夕或灯节，时间是每年的农历正月十五，这是春节之后的第一个重要节日。钱塘瞿佑《双头牡丹灯记》：“每岁元夕，于明州张灯五夜。倾城士女，皆得纵观”。正月是农历的元月，古人称夜为“宵”，所以称正月十五为“元宵节”。正月十五日是一年中第一个月圆之夜，也是一元复始，大地回春的夜晚，所以人们对此加以庆祝，庆贺新春的延续。元宵节又称为“上元节”或者“灯节”。正月十五叫上元节，也称为元宵节，有着悠久的历史。上元节的内容十分丰富，人们在晚上可以“闹花灯”，即张灯、观灯、打灯虎，还可以放花炮焰火。上元节的应节食品是元宵，香甜味美，深受大家的青睐。
[编辑本段] 每年农历的正月十五，春节之末，迎来的就是中国的传统节日——元宵节。 元宵节，亦称为小正月、元夕或灯节，时间是每年的农历正月十五，这是春节之后的第一个重要节日。钱塘瞿佑《双头牡丹灯记》：“每岁元夕，于明州张灯五夜。倾城士女，皆得纵观”。正月是农历的元月，古人称夜为“宵”，所以称正月十五为“元宵节”。正月十五日是一年中第一个月圆之夜，也是一元复始，大地回春的夜晚，所以人们对此加以庆祝，庆贺新春的延续。元宵节又称为“上元节”或者“灯节”。正月十五叫上元节，也称为元宵节，有着悠久的历史。上元节的内容十分丰富，人们在晚上可以“闹花灯”，即张灯、观灯、打灯虎，还可以放花炮焰火。上元节的应节食品是元宵，香甜味美，深受大家的青睐。
Saturday, August 2, 2008
SBS Transit, SMRT submit applications for fare adjustments (news)
SINGAPORE : The wheels are in motion for another round of public transport fare hikes. Singapore’s two public transport operators, SBS Transit and SMRT, have submitted their applications to the Public Transport Council (PTC) for fare adjustments.However, both companies would not give specifics as to the quantum requested.
SBS Transit and SMRT attributed the need for a fare increase to soaring energy and fuel prices.
SMRT said even a maximum fare adjustment of 3 per cent will not fully mitigate the inflationary pressures.
The company said its energy costs rose by 18 per cent to nearly S$90 million due mainly to higher electricity and diesel prices.
Diesel cost for buses amounted to more than S$42 million, 17 per cent higher than the last financial year.
SBS Transit said it is proposing to keep concession, children and students fares unchanged.
While the new fare formula allows for the maximum adjustment to be capped at 3 per cent, the PTC has said that any increase this year is likely to be less than the 1.8 per cent hike imposed last year.
Bus fares went up by 1 to 2 cents last October, while train fares remained unchanged, because the PTC deemed that SMRT had healthy profits last year.
The PTC will decide on the adjustment in September, and the new fares will take effect in October.
Separately, the Competition Commission of Singapore has rejected the Singapore School Transport Association’s application to impose a fuel surcharge and the need for a collective price recommendation.
It said guidelines restrict independent pricing decisions, which is against free competition. However, the commission has no objections to fare increases, so long as it is decided on individually by bus operators.
It added that it is monitoring the situation and will launch an investigation if it has reasons to suspect that prices are being coordinated among the school bus operators. — CNA/ms
SBS Transit and SMRT attributed the need for a fare increase to soaring energy and fuel prices.
SMRT said even a maximum fare adjustment of 3 per cent will not fully mitigate the inflationary pressures.
The company said its energy costs rose by 18 per cent to nearly S$90 million due mainly to higher electricity and diesel prices.
Diesel cost for buses amounted to more than S$42 million, 17 per cent higher than the last financial year.
SBS Transit said it is proposing to keep concession, children and students fares unchanged.
While the new fare formula allows for the maximum adjustment to be capped at 3 per cent, the PTC has said that any increase this year is likely to be less than the 1.8 per cent hike imposed last year.
Bus fares went up by 1 to 2 cents last October, while train fares remained unchanged, because the PTC deemed that SMRT had healthy profits last year.
The PTC will decide on the adjustment in September, and the new fares will take effect in October.
Separately, the Competition Commission of Singapore has rejected the Singapore School Transport Association’s application to impose a fuel surcharge and the need for a collective price recommendation.
It said guidelines restrict independent pricing decisions, which is against free competition. However, the commission has no objections to fare increases, so long as it is decided on individually by bus operators.
It added that it is monitoring the situation and will launch an investigation if it has reasons to suspect that prices are being coordinated among the school bus operators. — CNA/ms
What is a Solar Eclipse?
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the sun and the Earth so that the Sun is wholly or partially obscured. This can only happen during a new moon, when the Sun and Moon are in conjunction as seen from the Earth. At least two and up to five solar eclipses occur each year on Earth, with between zero and two of them being total eclipses.[citation needed] Total solar eclipses are nevertheless rare at any location because during each eclipse totality exists only along a narrow corridor in the relatively tiny area of the Moon's umbra.
A total solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon and many people travel to remote locations to observe one. The 1999 total eclipse in Europe helped to increase public awareness of the phenomenon, as illustrated by the number of journeys made specifically to witness the 2005 annular eclipse and the 2006 total eclipse. The last solar eclipse occurred on August 1, 2008, and was a total eclipse.
In ancient times, and in some cultures today, solar eclipses have been attributed to supernatural causes. Total solar eclipses can be frightening for people who are unaware of their astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear in the middle of the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes.
A total solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon and many people travel to remote locations to observe one. The 1999 total eclipse in Europe helped to increase public awareness of the phenomenon, as illustrated by the number of journeys made specifically to witness the 2005 annular eclipse and the 2006 total eclipse. The last solar eclipse occurred on August 1, 2008, and was a total eclipse.
In ancient times, and in some cultures today, solar eclipses have been attributed to supernatural causes. Total solar eclipses can be frightening for people who are unaware of their astronomical explanation, as the Sun seems to disappear in the middle of the day and the sky darkens in a matter of minutes.
Sorry
I some kind quarrel
with my friend during
Guzheng class
I would like to say sorry to
her and I wish that she will forgive me
with my friend during
Guzheng class
I would like to say sorry to
her and I wish that she will forgive me
Friday, August 1, 2008
Watch It!!!
If you want to watch the eclipse,
Please go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2008/
then click telescope ony
then you can see the real life video for the eclipse!!!
Please go to http://www.exploratorium.edu/eclipse/2008/
then click telescope ony
then you can see the real life video for the eclipse!!!
Solar Eclipse
On August 1, 2008, a total solar eclipse will occur as the new
moon moves directly between the sun and the earth. The moon’s
umbral shadow will fall on parts of Canada, Greenland, the Arctic
Ocean, Russia, Mongolia, and China. The Exploratorium’s eclipse
expedition team (our fifth!) will Webcast the eclipse live from
the remote Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern
China near the Mongolian border
moon moves directly between the sun and the earth. The moon’s
umbral shadow will fall on parts of Canada, Greenland, the Arctic
Ocean, Russia, Mongolia, and China. The Exploratorium’s eclipse
expedition team (our fifth!) will Webcast the eclipse live from
the remote Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwestern
China near the Mongolian border
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