Thursday, May 29 2008

Dicey affair- Gamblers getting younger

                       This article is about a growing problem in Singapore. As the opening of the two casinoes gets closer, the MCYS tries to decrease the number of addictive gamblers. Gambling activiteis like 4D, TOTO and horse racing has now been considered by many youngsters as a recreational activity. This could mean that a new wave of addicts could be on their way. Futhermore, even though it is against their religion, more Muslims are now also taking their chances in striking it big and supporting their families. As they say buying "Hope".

Vocabulary:

1)wagering-- betting

2)curb-- to stop

Saturday, May 31 2008

Man who faked death jailed for three years

              This article shows the consequences a man's deeds. It started 20 years ago when Mr Gandaruban Subramaniam's rental car buisness failed. To escape his creditors and loansharks, he fled the country and first landed in London. Due to the unbearable cold, he left and ended up in Sri Lanka and has been there until now. When he was in Sri Lanka, his wife continuosly called him to curse him as back in Singapore, the wife and his brother were sentenced to jail for his deeds. Thus, he hitched up a plan and faked his death. This allowed his family to receive up to $300,000 from insurance companies. Mr Gandaruban was only caught in October of 2007 when he tried to enter Singapore once again with a fake passport. He is to serve 3 years in jail 10 days from today.

Vocabulary:

1)Hounded-- being chased by

2)abetment-- to actively second and encourage (as an activity or plan)

Thursday, June 5 2008

Students get ready for " terror attack"

               This article documents a camp organised by a non-profit organisation to educate youths on how to prepare for a terror attack. Among the 280 students some are from madrasahs , this students may have a different syllabus but when come to counter-terrorism and CPR they found that bthey have lots in common.  Law and second Home Affair Minister K . Shanmugam was impressed when he saw potraits of the students' ideas of Total Defence and how united we Singaporeans are, to the extent that  we would not be affected by any external threats.

Vocabulary:

1) citing-- to quote

2) profound--penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge; having deep insight or understanding

Friday, June 6 2008

Driver jailed for car crash that killed 2

               This article explains an accident that occured in 2002. Mr Dilveer Singh Gill was driving his client's sons down Changi Village after a swim at sea. Travelling at 90km an hour well over the speed limit of 50km an hour and on a wet road, the car's front tyre burst causing Mr Dilveer to lose control. This resulted in the car being slammed onto a tree, flinging out both client's son who were not wearing a seat belt. They died on the scene. After this incident, Mr Dilveer fled to Canada. He was caught only last September at Changi Airport. He would be setenced to eight years to jail in total. Six for the crash and another two for staying in Canada without a exit permit.

Vocabulary:

1)reeking--To give off or become permeated with a strong unpleasant odor

2)pretext--something that is put forward to conceal a true purpose or object; an ostensible reason; excuse

Thursday, June 12 2008

Suspect found dead at foot of block in Eunos

             This article is the aftermath of a murder that occured in Woodlands days before. Ms Khoo Quee Kee was found dead in a foodcourt in Woodlands where she worked as a cleaner. She was believed to be murdered by Mr Thang Thai Soon thus beginning a search for him that ended yesterday. Mt Thang was found dead at the foot of Block 660, Jalan Tenaga, Eunos. It is believed that he had commited suicide by jumping down from the 14th floor of the 15 storied building. The first person to find him dead was 21 years old, Ms Hanna who heard a loud thud and found Mr Thang unconscious.

Vocabulary:

1)gaunt-looking--extremely thin and bony; haggard and drawn, as from great hunger, weariness, or torture; emaciated.

Friday, June 13 2008

Shock over court escape bids

              This article explains a escape bid by two detainees in the holding room on Wednesday. This comes as a surprise as the authorities should have woken up after the escape of JI leader Mas  Selamat. The detainees escaped by beating one of the police men and was able to get through the gates of the holding room as the officer in charge did not verify their identities. Both detainees were able to escape no more than 100m away from the court when they were arrested. Worst still, this has not been the first incident that detainees have been able to escape from their holding rooms. This causes many members of our publics to question the government and the related authorities whether everyone has woken up after the the escape of Mas Selamat.

Vocabulary:

1) breach--the act or a result of breaking; break or rupture

Saturday, June 21 2008

Search for better life ends in death

            This article documents the tragic story of Mr Ravi who was from India. Mr Ravi had come to Singapore six months ago in search of a better life. However after a few hours after promising his mum that he would sent money home, Mr Ravi was dead along with another colleague. The reason of his death is suspected to be the inhalation of poisonous gas. He being the youngest and only son ,was the breadwinner of his family. But now his family is left helpless. His body has since been returned to India.

Vocabulary

1)remit--to transmit or send (money, a check, etc.) to a person or place, usually in payment.

2)transfusions-- Medicine The transfer of whole blood or blood products from one individual to another

Monday, June 23 2008

Man held for cleaner's murder

           This article explains the background of a man who was murdered on Saturday. The suspect  for the murder was arrested in a Geylang Hotel yesterday. Mr Othman, the victim was said to be a nice man according to his neighbours. They said that they believed that there could be no reason why he could have been murdered since they had not heard any  commotions recently. Even Mr Othman's colleague's at SMRT clubhouse in Bishan where Mr Othman worked as a cleaner, were taken aback when they heard the news. The investigations of his murder is still under investigation

Vocabulary

1)Transvestite--