Jane Teo - Minibus crash: 10 hurt; all had no belts

Summary:10 Chinese nationals were injured yesterday morning when a minibus slammed into the back of the truck. They were taken to a hospital and 8 were treated by minor injuries. The impact of the crash has sent a man hurtling forward. The crash renewed calls for sear belts to be fitted in all minibuses. The appeals begin in April when a schoolboy, eight, was killed after flung out of a minibus which has collided between two cars. At very least, lap belts must be installed.

Personal Views :

This is truly a lesson to be learnt by many out there who do not wear seatbelts even when they have seatbelts in their cars or buses. Seatbelts are really very important as it is a safety precaution. Especially when met with an accident, seatbelts keeps the victims to their seats and not be flung out like that schoolboy.

Jane Teo - The artful dodgers of 'Bring Your Own Bag' day

Although ‘Bring Your Own Bag’ (BYOB) Day was initially slated for the first Wednesday of each month, it has been held every Wednesday to make it easier for consumers to remember the date. BYOB Day was started in April last year to address the issue of the excessive use of plastic bags. This programme involves supermarket chains, they encourage shoppers to donate 10 cents for each plastic bag used and the cost of each bag ranges depending on its size. Many customers had responded positively. However, some customers bought fewer items or decided not to shop when they realised that it was BYOB Day. They felt that BYOB Day is unfair, 10 cents is too expensive a donation to make for a thin plastic bag and everything has already increased in price and GST is so high, hence, the provision of plastic bags should be a service. Also, some customers buy small items on Wednesdays and then ask for big plastic bags. But at least, ever since the campaign was launched, usage of plastic bags had dropped by over 12 per cent.

Personal Views :

Mother Earth is really suffering because of us, the humans. I think that the programme "Bring Your Own Bag" day is good as it encourages people to bring their own bag when they shop for groceries, etc. It is great to hear that there are many customers who had responded positively, even though there are people who think it is unfair. Even though people think that it is unfair and are not used to bringing their own bag, i think that everyone should sacrifice a little for Mother Earth before it's too late. it sometimes really make me angry when i see people asking for plastic bags when they really do not need it at all and later throw it away.

Jane Teo - Gamblers spent estimated $4.2b on 4-D

According to Straits Times check, Singaporeans have gambled away billions of dollars last year, with bulk of bets going towards 4-D lotteries.In addition, there is an upward trend of residents spending hundreds of millions on both horse racing and Toto.Also, the giagantic taxes received on 4-D mirror the results of a recent government study which showed it was Singapore's most popular game. Studies also found out that more people see 4-D and Toto as leisure activities.With the lure of hitting the jackpot, it has become easier for people to part with their money and the popularity of 4-D has fatened governments coffers.

Personal views :

i really discourage people to gamble because gambling is a total waste of money. there are many people on earth who are hooked on gambling. There are many who have lost their everything because of their gambling habit. it is even worse when those gamblers who have already lost everything but still dont learn their lesson, thinking that they will surely win something the next time round. It is not all so bad to gamble but people must have self-control. Gamblers should also know that the people who suffer most are their family members. I remember that there is this advertisement about this father asking his young daughter to give him her savings, saying that he will return her some day. it was really sad to watch such advertisements and this advertisement is really so real.

Jane Teo - A child prostitute at 14, an AIDS activist today

Ms Srey Mom, from Cambodia, started working at the age of seven, was abandoned at 10 and was totured into becoming a child prostitute at 14.At 16, she contracted the HIV virus.Now, at 20, she is an activist and determined to help other Cambodian girls avoid her fate.For many of the Singapore students who attended the World Vision's 30-hour Famine Camp at the Anglo-Chinese School in Barkey Road, she voiced on out the problems of human trafficking and child prostitution which affect Cambodia and other South-east Asian countries.The World Vision agency has run the camp annually since 1985 to educate and motivate Singapore youths to act on global issues such as hunger, poverty, HIV/Aids and the environment.It is estimated that up to 30,000 sex workers are estimated to be below 16 years old and about a fifth of the country's female sex workers are infected with HIV.

personal views :

I really sympathise with Ms Srey Mom and all those many other girls who were sold to become prostitutes at such a young age. I really feel that i am so fortunate to be living in Singapore as we are taught about unprotected sex. Im really glad that Ms Srey Mom is now an activist, helping other cambodian girls. i think that World Vision has also done a great job in spreading messages about unprotected sex, educating people who are less fortunate from poorer countries.