Independent Learning Log #5 By Aastha (01)

Date: 
Monday, 6 June 2016

Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/heng-swee-keat-recovering/2829714.html

What I did:
I was looking at the Channel NewsAsia website and saw Mr. Heng Swee Keat, Singapore's Finance Minister's name. I then remembered that he had suffered a stroke recently and decided to look at an article about how his recovery has been. This article was the first one to come out. It was about Singapore's Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, having visited Mr. Heng in the hospital where he had been admitted. He stated that Mr Heng was recovering well, and was very lucid, and communicative when they had met.

What I learnt:
 1) Words I didn't understand
- Lucid: comprehensible
- Recuperates: recover from sickness; regain health
- Aneurysm: a permanent cardiac or arterial dilatation usually caused by weakening of the vessel wall.
- Activists: an especially active, vigorous advocate of a cause, especially apolitical cause.

2) I learnt about the important role Mr. Heng plays in Singapore's political force.

Independent Leaning Log #4 By Aastha (01)

Date:
Monday, 6 June 2016

Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/what-happens-to-illegal/2847662.html

What I did:
I was browsing through the Channel NewsAsia website, looking for articles on rescued animals, and this article caught my sight. It was about what happens to illegal live animals seized in Singapore after coming from confiscation and illegal trade. It is not their fault that they had to go through illegal trade. Instead, it was the traders' fault that the animals had to go through such torture.

What I learnt:
1) Words I did not understand:
- endangered: Threatened with extinction

- trafficked: to trade in for the purpose of exploitation

- seized: to take possession of by force

- exotic: of foreign origin or character; not native; introduced from abroad, 

- repatriated: To send back to its own country of origin

Summary: 

This article is about what happens to animals who are rescued, confiscated or from illegal trade. Usually, the animals would be sent to a wildlife centre. However, these wildlife centres are running short of space, money, and also time. If only illegal traders would understand and realise their mistake, and let the animals leave in peace. If only they would understand that animals also had the right to inhabit the Earth and live as peacefully as us humans. 

Independent Learning Log #3 By Aastha (01)

Date:
Monday, 6 June 2016

Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/circuit-road-murder-47/2669752.html?_ka=knxad_knx7619_201604122384

What I did:
I was browsing the Channel NewsAsia website for articles related to murder when this article caught my eye. It was about a 47-year-old man who had killed a 28-year-old woman in Singapore and fled to Malaysia after that.

What I learnt:
Words I did not understand:

- Warrant: a document issued by a legal or governmental official authorizing the police to make an arrest, or carry out some other action relating to the administration of justice.

- Authorities: those in power with the right to give orders.

- Unequivocal: leaving no doubt; Unambiguous

Summary:
This article is about a man who had murdered a woman in her flat in Singapore and then had fled to Malaysia. The suspect was arrested by the Malaysian Police after the Singapore Police Force (SPF) issued an arrest warrant against him. He was then handed over to the SPF. If convicted, he would face the death penalty.

Independent Learning Log #2 By Aastha (01)

Date:

Monday, 6 June 2016

Source:

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/2-arrested-for-allegedly/2791986.html?cx_tag=similar&cid=tg:recos:similar:standard#cxrecs_s

What I did:

I was browsing through the Channel NewsAsia website, particularly looking for crime related articles, when this article caught my eye. It was about two suspects being arrested for allegedly stealing a motorcycle in Bukit Panjang. 

What I learnt:

Words I did not understand: 

- Allegedly: Supposedly. Used to convey that something is claimed to be the case, although there is no proof.

- Convicted: Declared (someone) to be guilty of a criminal offence, by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in a court of law.

Summary:

This article is about two suspects who were arrested for allegedly stealing a motorcycle. The Singapore Police Force (SPF) had received a report about a stolen motorcycle on Sunday. The vehicle was then recovered on Monday. The SPF added that extensive ground enquiries had led them to identifying and arresting the suspects the same day (Monday).

Independent Learning Log #1 By Aastha (01)

Date:
Thursday, 2 June 2016

Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/asiapacific/tremors-felt-in-singapore/2838172.html

What I did:
I went to the Channel NewsAsia website to search for interesting articles and came across one which caught my eye. It was about the recent tremors felt in Singapore which had caused panic amongst the Singaporeans who had experienced it and reported the matter.

What I learnt 

1) Words I did not understand:
Magnitude: The extent of something; the more the magnitude of an earthquake, the more destructive it can be

Epicenter: the point on the earth's surface vertically above the focus of an earthquake

Meteorological: about the science dealing with the atmosphere and its phenomena, including weather and climate.

2) From the article, I also learnt about what to do in the event of a tremor:

Summary:
This article is about tremors being felt across many parts of Singapore by residents, after a 6.5 magnitude earthquake was recorded off the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. The Channel NewsAsia received at least seven reports pertaining to this matter. It was reported that strong tremors were also felt in neighbouring Johor, Malaysia. Nevertheless, I am glad that no damage or loss of lives was reported.