Article 12

According to Natalie Tso’s article” China's Panda Diplomacy with Taiwan”, the democratic island China claims as its own, Beijing has sent the island a gift for the holidays: pandas. In order to welcome the charming ambassadors Tuan Tuan and Yuan Yuan, Taipei Zoo and other related people are well-prepared and well-trained for the new guests. In addition to sending pandas, there are also some differences between Taiwan and China after Ma Ying-jeou took office as Taiwan's new president in May. The two sides have put aside their ongoing sovereignty dispute to forge new economic ties, starting with key transportation links.
As far as I am concerned, I think the tow pandas sent to Taiwan is a great and important event between both tow countries, but if it contains so many political factors, maybe the authorities concerned should think twice before accepting the panda gifts. Now that they are already sent to Taiwan, it is too late to discuss acceptance or not, all we can do is to take good care of the pandas; after all, they are living creatures. The report says that the pandas are the gift to celebrate Christmas and New Year, but are they really suitable for Taiwan? For many years Taiwan has been restricted to participate in international organizations such as UN and WHO, since China wants to show its friendly to Taiwan, the best way maybe lift restrictions and that Taiwan participate in world affairs. This is the exactly gift we need.

Article 11

According to the article” Scientists debunk the myth that you lose most heat through your head.” It is said that most of our body heat is lost through our heads. A cozy hat is obligatory in a cold winter’s day. However, closer inspection of heat loss in the hatless reveals the claim to be nonsense. The scientists have dispelled five other modern myths such like that sugar makes children hyperactive and that snacking at night makes you fat is on similarly thin ice, and some unwelcome news for those hoping to survive the festive excesses by turning to hangover cures. After reading this article, I think rumor is very terrible. Most beliefs are not true but most people will believe them instead of proving them, therefore, rumors spread wider and wider. For example, snacking at night will make you fat; there is one study showing that obese women tended to eat later in the day than slimmer women. But according to another article, "The obese women were not just night eaters, they were also eating more meals, and taking in more calories makes you gain weight regardless of when calories are consumed." As a modern citizen, I think everyone should have ability to judge the truth and false and therefore we won’t get lost in this splendid world.

Article 10

According to Bryan Walsh, “The Greenest Celebrity in Hollywood.” , it is talking about the celebrities in Hollywood who dedicate to protect the environment. In the report it reveals that earth-friendly habits needn't preclude you from a rich lifestyle of award-winning film performances and rampant supermodel-dating. And what the celebrities do will have a big impact on audiences so that they want to use their effects through TV to influence people to be environmental friendly.
As far as I am concerned, this is really a good way to awake people to value the natural environment since people are used to follow the celebrities’ footsteps. The TV and film industry tends to be on the cutting edge of social change, from civil rights to the war in Iraq, and that's true when it comes to the environment as well. The greenest of the celebrities may be a name that's less known: Hart Bochner. Bochner co-stars in the USA Network drama The Starter Wife, featuring Will and Grace alumna Debra Messing. He is different from his celebrity peers that he's willing to do the anonymous, behind-the-scenes work to make the industry more environmentally friendly. And some of them try to persuade people to use the energy-saving machines instead of purchasing the brand name. I think this method really takes effects and it is everybody’s duty to do his best to protect the earth. After all, we have only one earth.

Article 9

Are you afflicted with 'TiVo guilt'?

According to David Daniel in “Are you afflicted with 'TiVo guilt'? “, what's weighing many folks down these days isn't too much turkey, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie, but too much "House," "Grey's Anatomy" and "CSI." More and more people are becoming turned off by their TiVos. Digital video recorders (DVRs) revolutionized television for many viewers, freeing them from endless VCR programming and buying and keeping track of tapes. But it turns out that very ease is providing users with more than they can watch -- and turning a joy into drudgery.
It is a true phenomenon that more and more people become a couch potato because of the overtiming watching DVDs or TV programs. Nowadays people get lots of pressure from their tiring works, thus, after going home, most of people will sit on the couch and then turn on TV to relax. There are more and more choices which people can watch, they are likely to buy or download many videos to watch; but in fact, they don’t have so much leisure time watching so many videos, somehow it becomes a burden to people. Those videos not only let people relax but become another heavy work. It seems that people have to work day and night. In addition, with so many programs and videos, people will sit on the couch watching videos all night and have snacks. That is called the couch potatoes. I think it is a good way to relax by watching some comedies, but it is under the proper circumstances.

Article 8

On Thanksgiving Day, Americans are used to having a big meal and taking a trip. However, this year, according to the report, there are less people taking a trip while Thanksgiving than people in last year. Why does this phenomenon happen? That is because the decrease of economic; even America is influenced. The decrease of economic influences not only America but the whole world. Usually Americans will take a several days trip to other states or even foreign country to celebrate their Thanksgiving holiday; however, because of the decrease of economic, many Americans would rather stay at home instead of going on a vacation. Staying at home can help them save a lot of money. A whole family gets together, watching TV, chatting with each other; it can both increase family’s relationship and save a large amount of money. This is the new style of Americans to celebrate their holiday. Spending less money is really a good way to save money, but if people keep doing so, then the tourism will become worse. It is not a good method to improve the economic. The government should take some useful tips so that the difficulties of economic could be really improved.

Article 7

Nowadays, economy becomes worse and worse, not only in Taiwan or America, but all over the world. It’s hard for people to save money for price of commodities becomes higher and higher and people’s salary do not rise. Since the environment and market can’t be changed, all we can do is change our consumption habit and living habit. We can buy fruits and vegetables in season because they will be cheap than those out of season; we can buy commodities while they are on sale, but there is one thing can’t be saved – presents! No matter how hard the time is, presents represent one’s intentions so that we are unable to skip this item. But it doesn’t mean the higher the price is, the more your intention represent. Thus, there is a new way to send presents. Now that the price of present is higher, why not do it on your own? If so, not only can show your intention but also is a money-saving way. With little money and time, make a unique hand-made present for the receiver, he or she will be happy because it is only for him or her. In addition, I think writing a card is also a good way. Sometimes a touching sentence is more touched than a present. Next time it you want to send a present, maybe you can try to make a unique hand-made present.

Article 6

Hiking into Chinese HistoryAccording to JEREMY GOLDKORN in Hiking into Chinese History, Beijing, the city is surrounded by a horseshoe of mountains, nearly a mile high. You may not think of outdoor activities when mentioning Beijing, but there is much more interesting spots to be found outside the city in the mountains, where you can combine historical pursuits with some of the finest day hiking in China.I was confused when I first read this report. Nowadays people go to Beijing to visit historical pursuits that were left since ancient China. It’s weird to connect Beijing to outdoor activities. After reading this article in detail, I understand what the article meant. The city is protected by the mountains from barbarians on the plains to the north, west and east, and that was why Kublai Khan established his capital there, which was called Yuan Dynasty. Therefore, there is much more Mongolian romance to be found outside of the city in the mountains. It seems that Beijing is a city with not only historical sites but natural scenery.Moreover, people’s choice of where to visit in Beijing may have much more selections. In 2008, the Olympic was held in Beijing. In order to build standard stadium and attract people’s attention, Beijing authorities built many buildings that are well-designed, combined modern and traditional style. Those buildings become a part of the symbols in Beijing though the Olympic was over. Next time you visit Beijing, probably you can arrange your routines including traditional and modern, natural and humanistic.

Article 5

Nine dead in Congo after panic and looting break out

A number of people have been killed after overnight looting and panic gripped a Congolese town besieged by a rebel army, according to reports. UN radio said nine people were shot amid gunfire and looting in Goma, in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo on the border with Rwanda.
The fighting has sent tens of thousands of civilians running for their lives in North Kivu province, where aid workers say two years of violence has forced nearly 1 million people from their homes despite the end of Congo's broader 1998-2003 war.Wars caused many deaths and injured. That is horrible and cruel. People in Africa live in poor and hard conditions. Thus, they want to use their natural resources to earn some money to support their family. With more and more people want to make a living by natural resources, argument and fight begin. There are not enough trees for people to exploit. Therefore, the illegal exploitation of natural resources happens. It is a bad situation. It not only makes resources exhaust but also worsen people’s living environment. Thus, people can’t live on the environment. Instead, they use force to rob others’ resources. Such a vicious circle repeats again and again. If the situation were not improved, it would be worse and worse. We should take some measures to help those people and set them free from the hard condition.

Article 4

China, an Engine of Growth, Faces a Global Slump

For three decades, China has fueled its remarkable economic rise by becoming the world’s workshop and unleashing a flood of low-priced exports. But faced with a possible global recession and weakening demand for Chinese exports, the authorities concerned now think the methods to prevent financial crisis.

The question is not just for China but for the rest of the world. Chinese economic growth is important to the global economy while United States and Europe face severe downturns. What China do will influence the whole world. However, some analysts say the most important for China to do is to steady nation economy.

This solution made me think what my mom told me. When she was a child, Taiwan’s economy started to flourish. It was a hard time. She knew the painstaking of life at that time, so when she read the report about china’s economic recession, she could know Chinese pain. They were just about to enjoy their better life, and economic got to decline due to the world’s slump.
After hearing what my mom said, I feel my life good. I cannot complain anymore. I should cherish what I have now, and keep China’s question in my mind. Maybe someday Taiwan will encounter the question again. If it really happens, I won’t suffer so much pressure.

Article 3

Schoolyard Bullying: Which Kids Are Most Vulnerable?

Playground gibes are a rite of passage for most school-age kids, but for some children, teasing at school can turn into outright violence and abuse. And a new study suggests that a child's risk of becoming a chronic victim of bullying may depend on factors that appear much earlier in life. Researchers predicted several factors about children’s behavior. The best predictor was early childhood physical aggression.
In my opinion, I think it is a serious problem that everyone should take notice of it. Schoolyard bullying happens in Taiwan from time to time. There are some reasons that may cause schoolyard bullying - physically aggressive behavior in the child, harsh parenting methods (like "overly punitive" responses to kids' bad behavior) and low socio-economic status. Those children seem to be the minority in society. How to deal with these problems? I think we should be more concerned about the minority and urge the government to set up laws that benefit those in need. A sound family will provide a great environment, and children will grow up happily and healthily. Most important of all, school teachers should take good care of their students. If there is something wrong, they should take some measures to prevent trouble immediately. After all, teachers have more time getting along with students. Schools are the places where children can both learn knowledge and have fun. The bad behavior really should get out of campus.

Article 2

India's chaotic roads are now officially the most dangerous place to drive in the world. Last year road accidents claimed more than 130,000 lives. It seems no modification because India does not have any clear policy on preventing fatal accidents or even a target for reducing road accidents.

This is a very serious problem. Now India’s economy is growing rapidly and people’s life seems much better than before, but it seems that traffic does not have much change. Though ministers are considering a range of new measures, such as making airbags and anti-braking system mandatory in all cars, there are still many car accidents happening every day. There is a common situation in India, where seat belts are rarely worn. I think India government should educate their people traffic rules and initiate them the importance of wearing seat belts.

Rohit Baluja of Delhi's Institute of Road Traffic Education says "the real issue is not car design but road design. Imagine that there are cows, elephants and camels as well as cycle-rickshaws driven on road in the same time. Delhi alone has 48 different "modes of transport". They do not design traffic management systems to separate different streams of traffic.

In Taiwan, I think we have the same problem. More and more people now go to work by bicycle, but the road design and the law are not sound enough. Therefore we still can hear some accidents happening. If our government place importance on it and actually improve it, I think there will be fewer accidents in the future.

Article 1

US$6.1 bil. pledged for climate change

Industrialized countries pledged more than US$6.1 billion to international investment funds aimed at helping developing countries adopt cleaner technologies and mitigate growth in greenhouse gas emissions.

With the development of technology and industry, people’s lives become more and more convenient. However, we don’t think of that such fast development also brings us a lot of problems, for example, global warming. The climate change is mainly caused by overusing some chemical elements and fuels. In order to mitigate climate change, some developed countries get together to solve the problem. These ten countries pledged more than US$6.1 billion on this project.

The problem of climate change has become worse and worse. As a global citizen, I should concern about the environment more. After I read the news report, I am very glad to see countries regardless of race and economic level help each other. This is not just a country’s own problem. It will influence the whole world. Disburses money richly, powerful output. Therefore, the world would be more harmonious. Though every country makes efforts to mitigate climate change, we could not wait until injure already created then recover. All we can do is start from ourselves. Turn off the appliances when you don’t need them. Take public transportation as possible as you can. Though it seems nothing to do with the earth, as long as everyone does it, it will take effect.